Silicone-gel Breast Implants

Have you ever thought about getting silicone-gel breast implants?  Silicone-gel breast implants were first sold in the United States in the 1960s.  At that time there were no regulations and no research done on the effects of silicone-gel breast implants.  Then in 1976, the FDA was given authority to evaluate silicone-gel breast implants.  Many researchers then started to express their concerns about the safety of silicone-gel breast implants.

The risks of getting silicone-gel breast implants eventually led to a huge decrease in the market during the 1980s.  Research continued by the FDA and in 1988 they started to express their concerns.  The FDA developed many ideas and plans to inform the general public.  In the end, they decided to hand out brochures and make videos regarding silicone-gel breast implants to show their dangers and risks.

The brochures and videotapes were to be distributed to plastic surgeons throughout the United States.  A diverse group was supposed to organize and create the videos and brochures.  They were given the power to veto any decisions made during the video, which ended up being the downfall of the process.  They could not agree on anything during the process and ended up never completing it.  By 1990, almost one million women had silicone-gel breast implants.

In 1991, the House of Representatives pressured the FDA to require the manufactures of silicone-gel breast implants undergo safety studies.  The FDA tested to see what effects they had on women; however, the studies were poorly done and the FDA could not come to a conclusion as to whether silicone-gel breast implants were safe.  Then in 2004, the FDA announced that they did not approve of silicone-gel breast implants because the lack of long-term research.

Once again, the FDA changed their opinion and approved silicone-gel breast implants in 2008.  However, the FDA did make a few exceptions.  They announced that only two manufactures could produce silicone-gel breast implants:  Allegan and Mentor.  In addition, they stated that women under the age of 22 were not approved to get the implants.  As of today, silicone-gel breast implants are available and highly demanded in today's society.  Hopefully someday researchers will fully know that effects of the implants.

In conclusion, I believe all women should have the opportunity to get breast implants.  It's a personnel choice and should not be controlled by the FDA.  Although they could be dangerous, it cannot be any worse than drugs, alcohol, or smoking.  I know if I were a woman I would get them!