Good news about breast augmentation options! On November 17, 2006, the FDA approved the use of silicone gel breast implants for all women aged 22 and over. This news comes after a 14-year period of restriction, when only breast reconstruction patients and women who already had gel implants were able to receive silicone breast implants.

During those 14 years, extensive research was conducted to insure the safety of silicone gel implants, and the FDA has concluded that these implants are not associated with any underlying diseases.

The silicone implants now available are new and improved. They are manufactured by two California companies: Allergan Corp. and Mentor Corp. The FDA often requests post-approval studies, and in this case, both these companies will conduct 10-year studies on about 40,000 women, to gather additional information that is only available when a product is in wide general use.

Advantages of silicone gel implants
These implants have a softer feel and weigh less than the saline-filled implants that have been in general use since 1992. They are less likely to form any type of ripple that could be seen or felt. Silicone gel implants can be round or teardrop shaped, and come with either a smooth or a textured surface.

The gel implants require a slightly larger incision, and as a result placement of the incision in the breast fold is generally recommended because it is not visible. The silicone gel implants come pre-filled, unlike the saline implants, which can be filled after they’ve been placed. Dr. Fata will work closely with you to help you select the best size for your body.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), about 300,000 women had breast augmentation during 2005. Breast enhancement is increasingly popular, and the availability of silicone gel implants will make it even more so.