If you are considering breast augmentation or reconstruction then you may well ask, are silicone breast enhancements dangerous for women? There is no short answer to this question.

The FDA originally banned the use of silicone gel-filled enhancements due to the lack of scientific evidence of their safe use and the health risks associated with leakage into the surrounding body tissue. Are silicone breast enhancements dangerous for women now that the ban has been dropped? You need to look at the medical procedure involved and the types of enhancements used in order to better understand the possible problems. All surgery has a certain level of risk and your surgeons' job is to assist you in coming to the right decision regarding your unique circumstances. Each doctor has their own preferred methodology and opinion based on years of study and experience.

Your safety is always the overriding concern of any doctor. It is wise to consult your national society of plastic surgeons for a list of reputable surgeons in the area. Before making a decision, select a number of surgeons to visit and assess whether you are happy with them. Ask for references and speak to them. The risks associated with breast augmentation surgery are best discussed with your doctor before embarking on this invasive procedure. Your surgeon should answer all your questions fully and take the time to explain the risks involved. Some of the questions you should ask are covered in the rest of this article.

The main area of concern is the integrity of the implant and it's longevity. Saline and silicone-filled enhancements can rupture and leak into the surrounding tissue. The enhancements may be distorted by scar-tissue that hardens around them, resulting in what is known as capsular contracture. There may be ongoing pain in one or both breasts as well as a reduction in nipple and breast sensation. You might also need more than one surgery to correct possible problems. An implant is not a lifelong product. There is a very good chance that you will require additional surgery later in life to remove or replace the enhancements. Are silicone breast enhancements dangerous for women who are undergoing reconstructive surgery? The FDA says no! They have approved the use of silicone gel-filled enhancements for women undergoing reconstructive surgery and for women aged 22 and older for breast augmentation. Saline-filled enhancements are approved for women of 18 years and older.

So what are the risks associated with saline-filled enhancements? The risks are very similar to silicone gel-filled enhancements. The FDA has ruled that the risks associated with silicone gel leaking into your body pose no threat as there is no evidence to support this assertion. The FDA requires however, that the companies manufacturing silicone gel enhancements conduct ongoing follow-up tests. These post operative studies will investigate further the safety of the enhancements.

Further concerns have been raised by scientists connected with the manufacturers. Especially the extent of the testing conducted on the silicone gel-filled enhancements. There have also been concerns raised regarding the life span of the devices. It is suggested that the larger the implant the shorter the life span and thus a greater risk of rupture and leakage. There is also a question on the issue of toxicity of platinum in the implant shell. In light of the scientific questions raised, you would be forgiven for wondering are silicone breast enhancements dangerous for women? Although the FDA has given the go ahead, the fact remains that ongoing studies are being undertaken to test the safety of the silicone gel filled enhancements currently being used.

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com - a directory of plastic surgeon practices and information.