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Are Silicone Breast Implants Safe?
Dr. Sophie Bartsich is one of the top plastic surgeons in New York City. Her award-winning research is focused on cosmetic breast surgery and is dedicated to the development of better breast implants. Her recently published article, “Déjà Vu: Silicone Breast Implants Have A Complicated History, But Are They Safe Now?” explores the questions surrounding silicone implants through the eyes of her experience not only as a physician, but as a woman.
Dr. Bartsich refers to the recent findings of the The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Plastic Surgery Department, which conducted the most extensive study ever among women who have silicone breast implants. The purpose of the study was to judge the relationship between silicone and certain autoimmune disorders, as well as other chronic illnesses. By surveying women with the implants, the hope was to find out if they were more likely to develop these illnesses than women without silicone in their breasts. While the study’s results were slightly uncertain due to inherent weaknesses, the findings strongly indicated that the illnesses were in fact related to breast implants filled with silicone gel.
A Difficult Background
From the early 1960s to the 1990s, most breast augmentations were done using silicone gel implants. The soft contour and natural feel made them the easy, popular choice over saline implants. However, rising concerns about the effects of implant leakage and reports of silicone causing various illnesses led to the removal of silicone implants from the market until 2006. During this time, saline was the filler of choice for most breast augmentation patients. But, when silicone gel was finally reintroduced to plastic surgery consumers, women embraced it because the implants were safer and better than ever. Today, it is still a favorite option as the “gummy revolution” has further improved the safety of silicone implants.
A Surgeon’s Experience With Silicone Gel
Dr. Bartsich underwent her surgical training at some of Manhattan’s most prestigious academic institutions. She performed many cosmetic and reconstructive breast augmentations using different types of implants. During those years, there was just one design for saline implants – which basically made them feel and act like a water balloon. When it came to instruction about the safety of silicone gel implants, she recalls,
“We were taught that these implants should be periodically monitored for rupture, since a ruptured silicone implant often looks and feels no different than one that is intact. But there was not much concern for general wellness in these patients.”
The vast majority of breast augmentation patients were willing to deal with the bother of routine monitoring if it meant they could have a better looking implant. Dr. Bartsich describes her patients as “very aware and motivated women, highly active and pressed for time.” When consulting with patients interested in silicone gel implants, she explained the risk of silent rupture and the necessity of MRIs. When the question came up about how often the implants would need to be replaced, Dr. Bartsich admits there was no easy answer. Most of her patients still ended up choosing silicone gel implants over saline implants.
Gaining Deeper Perspective
Performing many different types of implant revision surgeries over the course of several years has given Dr. Bartsich a fresh perspective on the effects of silicone gel on the body. Witnessing first hand what happens to implants anywhere from 5-46 years old has allowed her to advise her breast augmentation patients wisely. She has even performed surgery on patients whose MRI results indicated their implants were obviously ruptured, when in reality they were perfectly intact. She says,
“I no longer tell patients, “If they’re not bothering you, leave them alone,” as I had been taught. And I no longer expect that the MRI has the answer; I trust my exam and clinical judgment… I treat the patient, not the problem.”
Are Silicone Implants Safe or Not?
Like other plastic surgeons, Dr. Bartsich is often asked about the safety of silicone breast implants. It’s a question she has spent time researching and talking about with her patients. Some women report vague symptoms of unwellness when they have silicone gel in their body after an implant breaks. Others say they “just felt better” after they had their silicone implants removed. It’s hard to ignore the recurring testimonials of women with silicone gel implants who have felt a negative change in their health. Dr. Bartsich says, “One would argue that where there’s smoke, there’s fire, but we still don’t have definitive proof of what the problem might be nor how deep it runs.”
Beauty Without Compromise
With the sticky history of silicone gel implants, it’s easy to see why women would be torn when trying to choose between the peace of mind offered by saline breast implants and the beauty of silicone implants. Dr. Bartsich has had the internal debate herself, “I always imagined that if there were a saline implant that looked and felt comparable to silicone, it would be very welcome in our community. The Ideal Implant, with a structured multi-chamber design, saline fill, and perky contour, provides that low-maintenance possibility.”
IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants are for women who want beautiful, natural-feeling augmented breasts without having to worry about keeping up with MRIs and the potential risks that come with silicone gel leakage. Many of Dr. Bartsich’s breast augmentation patients choose the IDEAL IMPLANT for those very reasons. She believes in educating her patients on all of their options for breast implants so they can make the decisions that best suit their needs.
We’ve Come So Far, But Questions Remain
The current market for breast implants has a wide variety of options. Silicone gel implants and saline implants have both come a long way in terms of safety, look, and feel. The IDEAL IMPLANT offers an alternative to each, addressing patients’ desires for both beauty and security. The fact that we are revisiting the potential health risks associated with silicone breast implants is enough to concern women and plastic surgeons alike. Dr. Bartsich says, “The truth is that if it were me, I wouldn’t want a ruptured implant in my body… And as a woman, I also know that sometimes not feeling well is hard to explain and even harder to prove.”
Dr. Bartsich continues her research to pursue the answers that her breast augmentation patients need to make informed choices. Her article, “Déjà Vu: Silicone Breast Implants Have A Complicated History, But Are They Safe Now?” considers the questions at the forefront of the minds of women considering breast implants. She states,
“As a surgeon, I try to keep current with the latest data so I can accurately represent the facts. As a woman, I always consider what I would want someone to tell or offer me if I were the one having the consultation. As a patient, I weigh the risks and benefits of every choice I make, and what it might mean in the future. And as a physician, I have to feel good about what I did for someone today.”
Considering breast implants in New York City? Contact Dr. Sophie Bartsich today to discuss your options. Simply call 212-717-9200, or visit www.doctorsophie.com. Dr. Bartsich’s office is located at 960 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10028. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.
Dr. Naveen Setty Helps You Understand Your Breast Implant Options
Receiving a breast augmentation is a big decision. Women seeking a breast augmentation often feel caught choosing between the natural look of silicone gel and the safety of saline implants. But a new option is now available—IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.
What is a “Structured Implant”?
The IDEAL IMPLANT is known as a “structured implant” because of its unique design. It consists of a series of implant shells nested together with two separate chambers that hold saline. This advanced internal structure:
- Helps the implant to look and feel similar to a silicone gel implant
- Gives the peace of mind and safety that comes with a saline implant
- Controls the movement of the saline filler
- Mitigates sloshing, eliminating the “water-hammer” effect
- Supports the edges and upper portion of the implant, preventing collapse when upright
- Provides a youthful shape with desired volume and projection
- Reduces wrinkling and rippling that is often associated with saline implants
- Requires a smaller incision than with silicone gel implants
- Allows for a lower rupture rate and higher rupture strength
- Removes the need for regular MRIs to detect implant rupture
As the latest advancement in breast implant technology, the IDEAL IMPLANT enables women to achieve the natural feel they desire with silicone gel, without sacrificing the security of saline.
The Safety of Saline
There is no risk of “silent rupture” with IDEAL IMPLANT. A “silent rupture” occurs when a silicone gel implant ruptures and begins to leak sticky silicone gel into the surrounding tissues of a woman’s body. Only an MRI can detect the occurrence of a “silent rupture” and surgery is then required to remove the silicone gel. The FDA recommends that all women with silicone gel implants receive an MRI scan every other year to ensure their implants are still intact.
With the IDEAL IMPLANT, women always know their implants are intact by simply looking in the mirror. There is no maintenance required and no expensive MRI needed to detect rupture. If a rupture does occur, a woman’s body safely absorbs the saline until the implant is replaced. Also, because the implant consists of two separate chambers of saline, the implant will not completely deflate if ruptured, unlike other saline implants.
An IDEAL Testimonial
In the video below, Heather describes her experience with the IDEAL IMPLANT. She states:
“I work in the plastic surgery industry, and I’ve seen all of the different options of implants for several years now. I’ve wanted implants for most of my life, to be honest. Prior to having children, I did experience a little bit of asymmetry. After breastfeeding, I definitely experienced them hanging lower. So after my second child, and I knew I wasn’t going to have any more kids, I decided that was the time to go ahead and do something for myself. I really just wanted a lift originally, but after talking to my surgeon, he suggested that to get the volume and achieve that more youthful look that I wanted, I would be required to get an implant. When I chose to have my procedure done, I did choose IDEAL IMPLANT because after looking at some of the silicone gel options, and just thinking about putting something foreign in my body, I was more comfortable with the ‘structured implant’ from IDEAL. I definitely feel overall better. I feel more confident, that’s the best word to describe it. I can wear so many different shirts and dresses and other things I couldn’t wear in the past. I have friends who are interested in getting implants. They talk about it, and I hear those stories, and just tell them every single time, ‘Stop talking about it. Get it done. You’re going to never regret what you did. If you use the right surgeon and you pick the right implant, you’re going to be very happy with the results.’”
Benefits of the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants
The IDEAL IMPLANT was developed after years of research and extensive testing. They are made in the USA from safe, proven materials at FDA-inspected facilities using advanced robotics to achieve greater product consistency. When you compare IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants to silicone gel or saline implants, the benefits are clear.
Saline: a saline implant is like a water balloon in that it lacks any internal structure. This makes the upper portion of the implant collapse when upright, causing it to wrinkle under the skin. Ultimately, saline implants do not give the natural feel of breast tissue. Yet because women want the peace of mind that comes with saline, they may feel forced to deal with these drawbacks.
Silicone Gel: while silicone gel implants offer a more natural look over saline implants, they leave women wondering if their implants have ruptured. The risk of “silent rupture” and the possibility of silicone gel unknowingly leaking into the body are major concerns expressed by many women seeking a breast augmentation. Plus, the recommended MRI scans tend to be psychologically and financially difficult to bear.
IDEAL IMPLANT: With the IDEAL IMPLANT, women do not have to compromise beauty for safety. This technology-driven “structured implant” addresses the disadvantages of any previous implant options.
- Lower rupture rate
- Lower capsular contracture rate
- No MRIs needed to detect rupture
- Higher rupture strength
- Look and feel of silicone gel implants
- Peace of mind of saline implants
Furthermore, silicone gel implants are filled when they are manufactured. The IDEAL IMPLANT is not. The internal structure of the IDEAL IMPLANT allows plastic surgeons to adjust the volume of each implant to cater to the different sizes and cosmetic goals desired by their patients. This adjustable volume also allows plastic surgeons to use a smaller incision during surgery than with silicone gel implants.
Dr. Naveen Setty Offers the IDEAL IMPLANT
The IDEAL IMPLANT is only offered by plastic surgeons board-certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Naveen Setty is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and part of this exclusive group of plastic surgeons. As a leader in plastic surgery, he strives to offer the best breast augmentation experience possible. Dr. Setty was recognized by “D Magazine” from 2010-2018 as one of the leading plastic surgeons in “The Best of Big D”. RealSelf.com also named him “Top Doctor” for his breast and body contouring procedures.
Dr. Setty has an extensive background in the field of plastic surgery. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Ohio State University, and completed his residency training in plastic surgery at Saint Louis University. He then went on to receive further training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at the New York University Medical Center in New York, NY, where he finished two one-year fellowships in hand surgery and plastic surgery. Dr. Setty has national memberships with the American Association for Hand Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American MedSpa Association, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Setty specializes in reconstructive plus cosmetic surgery, and performs surgery in Dallas, Allen, McKinney, Plano, and Frisco, TX. With a focus on body and breast procedures, he strives to educate women about their breast implant options to help them feel comfortable and confident moving forward with a breast augmentation. As his patient, you can count on Dr. Setty to take the time to listen to your concerns and help you achieve the outcome you desire.
Are you considering breast implants in Dallas, TX? Contact Dr. Naveen Setty today to discuss your options. Simply call 214-842-6960 or visit settyplastics.com. Dr. Setty’s office is located at 175 Ridge Road, Suite 200, McKinney, TX 75070. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT.
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