There are many women who severely lack self esteem in the absence of fully grown beautifully curved breast. For these women undergoing a breast augmentation procedure is rather necessity than choice and most of them have confessed that a breast augmentation has brought significant changes in their lives.

Breast implants are used in the breast augmentation procedure for a fuller and enhanced beauty of the feminine breasts. The implants are used to repair the flaws of sagging breasts and to adjust the shape of the breasts. The breast implants---especially the silicone-gel-filled ones----used in the breast augmentation procedures have always attracted fair share of media attention. They have faced both positive and negative publicities from time to time.

So what was the controversy all about? At one point of time, FDA was not ready to accept the use of silicone implants with the belief that they were susceptible to leakage which could be fatal for overall health. Some women with silicon implants and complained of chronic low-grade fever, fatigue and joint pain ----all of the disorders were attributed to their implants. This raised alarm among certain section of medical practitioners about a possible connection between silicone leaking into the body and the disorders such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, till then the saline implants were the only approved implants available in the United Sates are. It was based on the logic that saline is a natural product already found in the body and leakage of this substance will not possibly cause any health problem.

Now this decision was not welcomed by the patients as well as the surgeons who believed silicon implants resembled the natural breast tissues more than any other products. This forced FDA take up years long research and the outcome of research is:
FDA has now make silicone implants legal, and more women are opting for this implant with a more original look and feel.

The FDA concluded on the basis of its research that silicone-gel-filled implants would continue to be available. But the doctors were asked to use them only where saline-filled implants were not an option. This is the reason, why many cosmetic surgeons will recommend saline-filled implant over a silicon implant.

FDA has legalized the use of silicon implants only after stipulating a strict set of criteria. Patients using silicone-gel-filled implants are required to participate in a study designed to monitor their health for five years or more after surgery.

The other regulations relating to silicone breast implants as stipulated by the FDA are:

1.Replacement or revision of saline implants
2.Tuberous breast deformity
3.Congenital breast reconstruction
4.Breast augmentation to the opposite breast for symmetry
5.Augmentation with a breast lift (mastopexy)
6.Severe asymmetries of the breast
7.Breast cancer reconstruction

There are some other points to remember: the women below eighteen years of age are not entitled to get breast implant, the women having certain medical conditions or diseases that may affect wound healing also do not qualify for getting breast implants.

Before taking the decision you must be aware of the fact that breast augmentation procedure is not permanent. You may need to undergo one more surgery in about 10 years. There is no ground rules for the maximum duration of implants, but there are evidences that they sometime leak or rupture. In that case, you will need to have another procedure, either to remove or replace your implants.

Most importantly, if you are considering silicon implants, you must have discussion with your plastic surgeon about the possible side effects and expected result of the surgery. Also surf the internet to get information from various consumer groups and join the forums to connect to the women who have already had the surgery. Also study carefully the printed information that comes in the implant package.

Breast reconstruction with implants has become a very popular cosmetic procedure for millions of women of varying age group. Most of the women undergoing this surgery have reported their satisfaction and on the whole use of implants seems to be safe for health. Even then, keep the above mentioned safety guidelines in mind as added precaution and for best result and maximum satisfaction.

About the Author
For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website:-