Breast Augmentation Becomes the No. 1 Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

18 years ago, silicone breast implants were pulled from the market for further study. Now, after being formally approved for use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2006, two New Jersey cosmetic plastic surgeon discusses the reasons why the FDA’s decision is beneficial to breast augmentation & breast reconstruction patients.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) March 25, 2009 -- New statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery document that, for the first time in twelve years, breast augmentation has surpassed liposuction to become the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. More than 355,000 breast augmentation surgeries were performed last year. The new document coincides with the two-year anniversary of a landmark decision from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration allowing doctors to use silicone breast implants in breast surgery procedures.
In 1991, following a series of high-profile lawsuits, the FDA decided to pull silicone breast implants off the market. In 2006, after years of intensive study & clinical trials, the organization decided to approve the use of the implants in breast augmentation patients over the age of 22, & breast reconstruction patients of any age. Dr. Paul LoVerme is a New Jersey cosmetic plastic surgeon & head of the LoVerme Center for Plastic Surgery in Verona. We says the FDA’s decision is ultimately nice for patients. “Silicone implants were taken off the market with some allegations that over the last 14 years have not proved to be true. There is no greater risk to women with silicone implants than there is with saline implants, but there are some differences.”

Those differences are mainly apparent in the appearance & feel of the implant, & what happens if the implant ruptures. With saline implants, a rupture or leak in the implant is easily detectable as the breast takes on a deflated appearance. Since silicone breast implants use a viscous, silicone gel as their main component, a leak may be harder to detect. “With a silicone implant we may have a silent rupture & it may not be detectable except by MRI or perhaps physical examination by the plastic surgeon.” However, plenty of doctors say silicone breast implants are very durable, & that years of rigorous testing & study show that silicone implants are not harmful. Dr. LoVerme says two of the most positive aspects of the FDA’s decision is that it gives patients like those at his New Jersey breast augmentation practice a broader range of options to meet their own specific needs. “You know it’s great that silicone implants are now back on the market because it gives women a choice.”

Dr. LoVerme says the most important thing for patients to do before undergoing breast enlargement is to educate themselves about the procedure, & be sure to have an understanding about both types of implants. “I have a lot of things on my web-site & I spend a lot of time speaking with patients when we come into the office about breast augmentation, about the differences between saline & silicone. & I’m not two that tries to push you to two implant or the other. I look at myself as a resource… I’m here to help you make that final decision.”

Silicone breast implants are often said to look & feel more natural than their saline counterparts, & are less prone to rippling. Dr. LoVerme says the choice between silicone & saline implants is ultimately up to the patient, & we provides detailed advice on both implants so that individuals can make educated choices about what we feel is right for them. “Some women still are uncomfortable with silicone implants & that’s fine & I still use saline implants for those women. Other women have actually waited until silicone gel implants were obtainable because we do have a more natural feel, in women with little breasts to start with. I've women who have exchanged saline implants for silicone implants & we can’t believe how much more comfortable & natural we feel.”

Dr. Paul LoVerme is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been recognized as “Top Doctor” in the New York & New Jersey area by the Castle-Connolly Guide, N.J. Monthly, & N.Y. Magazine. A past president of the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. LoVerme is an associate professor of Plastic Surgery at UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School. His New Jersey breast implants facility is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), with a fully operational surgical suite onsite.