2008 Woodie Awards
Silicone vs Saline, Make Informative Decisions
Eryn O'Neal
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
To the women who decide that having breast augmentation is a necessary step in paving the way to self-satisfaction, I say go for it.
But, please: get informed about the procedure before going under the knife
Silicone implants were removed from the market in 1992 after several women complained that they became sick after their implants ruptured and leaked.
Despite the dangerous complications that can occur from silicone breast implants, the 13- year ban has been lifted as of Thursday.
California-based Mentor Corporation convinced the US Food and Drug Administration that silicone implants were safe and durable.
Women once again have the right to choose between silicone and saline implants when having breast augmentation.
Once a woman is educated about implant surgery and the possible complications, then she should make the decision based on what she desires.
Risks and complications that can come along with breast augmentation regardless of chosen implant include asymmetry, nipple numbness, breast droop, swelling, slow healing, visible scars, and infection, just to name a few.
However, silicone has been named the more dangerous one of the two.
According to the April 7 article published in the New York Times, health regulators estimate that 93 percent of breast augmentations that use silicone will "fail" in ten years.
Detecting a silicone rupture in comparison to a saline implant is much harder because the breast often looks and feels the same. The gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a noticeable difference.
Silicone gel has been associated with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, neurological disorders, and other conditions.
However, according to Dr. Michael Hueneke with the Plastic Surgery Affiliates, many surgeons think that silicone implants resemble real breast due to the fact that silicone's texture is close to breast tissue.
There are two types of saline implants, those that are set at a fixed volume and implanted at that size, and those that have valves that have the potential for further post-operative adjustment.
The saline implant has a silicone outer rubber shell that is inflated with sterile saline.
Saline implants weigh more than silicone implants.
Silicone implants have a silicone outer rubber shell that is then filled with a fixed amount of gel silicone.
Since silicone and saline implants are available to women seeking breast augmentation, I urge you to get informed and put your "breast" effort into research.
But, please: get informed about the procedure before going under the knife
Silicone implants were removed from the market in 1992 after several women complained that they became sick after their implants ruptured and leaked.
Despite the dangerous complications that can occur from silicone breast implants, the 13- year ban has been lifted as of Thursday.
California-based Mentor Corporation convinced the US Food and Drug Administration that silicone implants were safe and durable.
Women once again have the right to choose between silicone and saline implants when having breast augmentation.
Once a woman is educated about implant surgery and the possible complications, then she should make the decision based on what she desires.
Risks and complications that can come along with breast augmentation regardless of chosen implant include asymmetry, nipple numbness, breast droop, swelling, slow healing, visible scars, and infection, just to name a few.
However, silicone has been named the more dangerous one of the two.
According to the April 7 article published in the New York Times, health regulators estimate that 93 percent of breast augmentations that use silicone will "fail" in ten years.
Detecting a silicone rupture in comparison to a saline implant is much harder because the breast often looks and feels the same. The gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a noticeable difference.
Silicone gel has been associated with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, neurological disorders, and other conditions.
However, according to Dr. Michael Hueneke with the Plastic Surgery Affiliates, many surgeons think that silicone implants resemble real breast due to the fact that silicone's texture is close to breast tissue.
There are two types of saline implants, those that are set at a fixed volume and implanted at that size, and those that have valves that have the potential for further post-operative adjustment.
The saline implant has a silicone outer rubber shell that is inflated with sterile saline.
Saline implants weigh more than silicone implants.
Silicone implants have a silicone outer rubber shell that is then filled with a fixed amount of gel silicone.
Since silicone and saline implants are available to women seeking breast augmentation, I urge you to get informed and put your "breast" effort into research.