The Safety of Silicone Implants

Over the past several years, numerous independent studies have been done to determine whether silicone breast implants are associated with connective tissue disease or cancer. Those studies have established that there is no convincing evidence that breast implants are associated with either of these diseases. 
In November of 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of silicone gel-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women ages 22 and older, and for breast reconstruction in women of all ages.

Considerations for Choosing Silicone Breast Implants
There are some important things you should consider when determining whether or not to get silicone breast implants. These may include the following:

• Breast implants are not meant to last forever, so you will likely need additional breast surgeries at least once during the course of your lifetime.
• Rupture of a silicone gel-filled breast implant is most often silent, which means that neither you nor your plastic surgeon will be aware that your breast implants have ruptured.
• You will need to have regular MRI screenings to determine if silent breast implant rupture has occurred.

You should have your first MRI three years after your breast enhancement surgery, then every two years after. The cost of MRI screening may not be covered by medical insurance.