The chief scientist for the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices, Dr. William Maisel, stated yesterday that silicone gel filled breast implants were indeed safe: “Women should feel assured that the F.D.A. continues to believe that currently marketed silicone breast implants are safe and effective.” This came after 2 days of discussion and testimony about silicone breast implants. The known risks and complications of silicone breast implants, such as ruptures, hardening of the area around breast implants (capsular contracture), the need to remove the breast implants, scarring, pain, infection and asymmetry were once again noted.
The use of MRI to follow patients who have undergone breast augmentation with silicone breast implants was also discussed. MRI is used to evaluate breast implants for silent rupture, and current recommendations require an initial MRI at 3 years post breast augmentation surgery and every 2 years thereafter. The expert panel’s consensus was that these recommendations be removed.
Read more about this in The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery with saline or silicone breast implants, contact us at (212) 452 1400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Olivia Hutchinson.
