Silicone Breast Implants in Beverly Hills

At Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, we perform breast augmentation with silicone implants on some patients. We do this because in some situations silicone implants have some advantages over saline implants. They are less prone to rippling and palpable edges, which can occur after augmentation with saline implants. They are lighter than saline implants. They tend to feel more natural and sometimes look more natural. However, they are thought by some people to be somewhat more prone to capsular contracture.

After many years of clinical study, silicone breast implants were recently approved for general usage by the FDA. Below are some common questions about silicone implants. During your consultation at our Los Angeles plastic surgery center, your plastic surgeon will be able to answer your questions and provide more information.

What is silicone?
Silicone is derived from silicon, a semi-metallic or metal-like element that in nature combines with oxygen to form silicon dioxide, or silica. Beach sand, crystals, and quartz are silica. Silica is the most common substance on earth. Heating silica with carbon at a high temperature can produce silicon. Further processing can convert the silicon into a long chemical chain, or polymer, called silicone - which can be a liquid, a gel, or a rubbery substance. Various silicones are used in lubricants and oils, as well as in silicone rubber. Silicone can be found in many common household items, such as polishes, suntan and hand lotion, antiperspirants, soaps, processed foods, waterproof coatings, and chewing gum.

Are silicone implants safe?
Special studies have been done and have determined that much higher levels of silicone have been found in cows' milk and commercially available infant formula than are found in the breast milk of women with implants. The Institute of Medicine concluded that "There is no evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases of the whole body. Women are exposed to silicone constantly in their daily lives."

Do Silicone Implants Cause Major Disease?
Concern over the association of breast implants to the development of autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis, was raised because of cases reported in the literature with small numbers of women with implants. A review of several large epidemiological studies of women with and without implants indicates that these diseases are no more common in women with implants than those women without implants. Published studies indicated that breast cancer is no more common in women with implants that those without implants.

Who is Eligible for Silicone Breast Implants?
Silicone breast implants have received FDA approval for general usage. Because of this government decision, silicone gel breast implants can be used on any woman for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery who is over the age of 22. The surgeon placing the implants must be certified in the use of silicone implants. Our surgeons at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery have been fully certified for this purpose.

Click here for more information on the history and description of silicone breast implants.

Content courtesy of Inamed Corp.

For more information about silicone implants in Los Angeles and breast augmentation in Beverly Hills, please contact us.