Improved Implants (Sort Of)
Yes, they're back, but they still require a heck of a lot of scrutiny
Some plastic surgeons are not convinced that the MRIs are necessary. "I think the FDA is being very cautious," says Guy. She plans to do yearly physical exams on her patients to decide if an MRI is warranted. "If a woman has no symptoms or signs of rupture," she says, "there's probably no reason to do one."
Still studying. But the FDA isn't so ready to close the book on the safety aspect of silicone implants. In addition to recommending regular breast scans, the agency is requiring implant manufacturers to recruit 43,000 women for a 10- year study to learn more about the rate of silicone ruptures and complications. "We wanted a large enough study to also detect if there's any increased risk in rare autoimmune diseases like scleroderma," says Tillman. "Though we have no evidence of this, we'd like to finally get a definitive answer."
While many women are already reserving their place in line to get the new implants, some may opt to wait until the long-term studies settle the health risks once and for all. Others, though, may never be convinced. "After the silicone scare of the '90s, I think some women will always be too frightened of the implants to ever consider using them," says Moelleken.
291,000 Number of women in the United States who had breast augmentation last year.
46,000 Number of breast cancer patients who had breast reconstruction with implants during the same period.
3 Ranking of breast augmentation among popular cosmetic surgery procedures in women. No. 1? Liposuction, followed by rhinoplasty.
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