Silicone Breast Implants Fort Worth
We are routinely asked about the safety of silicone breast implants by our Keller, Southlake and Fort Worth, Texas patients. In early 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a moratorium on the use of silicone breast implants until further investigation was performed to verify the safety of these devices. Over the next 15 years, large clinical trials were performed to address the FDA’s concerns. Many of the more serious concerns of silicone implants, such as causing collagen vascular diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, were disproven. Other claims however had strong merit. Among these claims was that when these early liquid-filled silicone devices ruptured they could cause hardening of the breast and leaking into the tissues of the breast. These observations led to the conscience development and use of our current cohesive gel implants. These breast implants are filled with a silicone gel rather than liquid silicone to reduce migration. Finally, in November 2006, the FDA approved wider use of these silicone gel breast implants.
Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were mandated by the FDA and these include that a prospective patient must also read an informed consent pamphlet and review concerns they may have with their physician.
Silicone Implants
Anyone considering breast augmentation in the Fort Worth area should understand the advantages and disadvantages of silicone implants.
Silicone gel implants come in different sizes, projections, and texture. They are currently being used for breast augmentation with and without lifts, and in the reconstruction of breast cancer. When compared to saline implants there are several advantages and disadvantages of silicone implants:
- The advantages of silicone gel breast implants include more natural feel characteristics and potentially less rippling and visibility.
- The disadvantages of silicone gel breast implants include that they often require longer incisions to place, are pre-filled and thus are not adjustable for subtle volume differences between breasts, tend to have less projection for any given implant width, and are more expensive than their saline counterparts.
Along with a busy cosmetic breast practice, we devote a significant portion of our practice to breast reconstruction. At our practice serving Keller, Fort Worth, and Southlake, we prefer the use of silicone breast implants in breast reconstruction because of superior feel characteristics. We also remind patients who are undergoing breast augmentation that in the submuscular position, which Dr. Rumalla prefers, there is no change in the detection of breast cancer with mammography. This technique also reduces visibility and capsular contracture of the breast (hardening of the breast). A special view called an implant displacement view will be done at the time of mammography.
We currently use both silicone gel and saline implants to achieve the look you desire. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Rumalla will perform a thorough examination of your medical history and discuss your breast goals and desires. He will then carefully analyze your individual breast shape and dimensions to devise a surgical plan that best enhances your look.
To learn more about silicone breast implants, contact our Keller, Fort Worth, or Southlake practice today.
