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Are Silicone Gel Breast Implants Safe?

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Women are justifiably concerned about the safety of the plastic gel breast implants available today as an option for cosmetic breast augmentation/enhancement and breast reconstruction procedures. Breast implants have been in use for around 50 years. The first pair of plastic gel implants were inserted in 1962, saline implants became available in its place option in 1965. Plastic gel implants continued to be the dominating preferred implant utilized during the 40 years that followed. But in 1992, a moratorium on the use of plastic gel implants was issued by the FDA citing the demand for more in depth research and concern over safety issues. Saline implants, fully approved by the FDA, essentially became the only type of implant employed by cosmetic or plastic surgeons for breast augmentations and breast reconstructions for the next 10 + years. But after almost 15 years of extensive research and as a result of many changes manufactured in the manufacturing process, the plastic gel breast implants we have in current use received their FDA approval (in 2006). Over 300, 000 breast implant operations are performed annually in america, with approximately equal variety of saline and plastic gel implants being placed. About 80% are cosmetic (breast augmentation/enhancement), and 20% are reconstructive (after a mastectomy) in nature. Breast implants are the most commonly used method for the reconstruction of the breast due to surgical removal for breast cancer.Bento lunch box 

Silica (silicon dioxide) is the most common substance on earth and is the key element comprising sand, uric acid and quartz. In the clinical silica is combined with carbon dioxide and linked in long chains (polymers) to create plastic, more properly chemically known as polydimethylsiloxane (or PDMS). Chemical manipulations of the arrangements of the plastic chains can yield different forms of PDMS, as is the case for the plastic implant covering when compared to the actual plastic gel inside.

Medical grade plastic has been a part of so many consumer products for so many years that one may possibly be able to find some remnants of plastic in every person of modern society on earth! Did you know that plastic is used to coat every filling device and every syringe used all over the world for medication needles? Plastic also jackets the 4 catheters and all the internal hoses used for the IV's used all over the world every day as well. Plastic is the single ingredient in Mylicon® (and in some 50+ similar products! ) used for years to calm intestinal tract gas or bloated tummy problems in both children and adults. Plastic is used to coat the hard nipples and the liners used for the bottle feeding of little ones. Plastic is used in the preparation of a wide variety of processed foods such as McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and McDonald's french fries. Plastic is also a very common ingredient used in many skin care products, antiperspirants, soaps, and chewing gum. Very important and trusted prosthetic implants : such as heart valves and artificial joints : are based upon medical grade plastic as an essential component in both their construction and lubrication. And it is the feel and characteristics of the plastic in Silly Putty® that means it is such a perennial kid favorite!

The package shells (which are also made of silicone) of the first generation of plastic gel implants were thick and sturdy however had what was known as a gel "bleed" phenomenon : an extremely slow, very difficult to detect, infinitesimal weeping of fine plastic minute droplets from the surface of the implant. This weeping of plastic material through the package covering could lead to the forming of granulomas, cysts and excessive scar tablet tissue around the implant (called a "capsular contracture"), making the breast feel overall hard and stiff. Since their beginnings, saline implants have not had any "bleed" problem : the salt water volume stays within the implant covering, completely and consistently, unless there is a real trickle or rupture.

It took twenty years, but by 1983 a superior plastic implant covering package had been modified. It was thinner and softer for a better cosmetic look and feel but just as significantly, gel "bleed" was essentially eliminated. The granuloma/cyst rates and capsular contracture rates significantly decreased needlessly to say accordingly.

In 1987, uneven implant covering package surfaces were introduced. Independent and extensive research replicated at many centers over the next several years demonstrated that the uneven surfaces significantly decreased capsular contracture and stiff scar rates even further. It was a significant advance for implant use within risky for scar situations such as 2nd breast reconstructions and revisions where the risk for capsular contracture problems is higher than normal.

saeedkhatri

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on Oct 16, 21