Are Silicone Gel Breast Implants Safe?

In 1992 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ban on the use of silicone gel breast implants. Although this ban was made without the support of conclusive evidence documenting the need for such a ban, it has helped to fuel the theory that silicone gel breast implants are not safe. While many surgeons and patients believe the silicone gel implants produce the most realistic results, there were strict limitations on the use of silicone implants until recently.

On Nov. 17, 2006 the FDA issued a press release announcing the approval of silicone gel breast implants made by two companies for the use in reconstructive surgeries for women of all ages, as well as augmentation surgeries for women over the age of 22. This approval came after 10 years of extensive research which led the FDA to conclude the use of silicone gel breast implants was safe for the intended purposes.