Silicone Implants Reconsidered;Some Say FDA Is Moving Too Fast

Washington Post ^ | 21 JUL 2003 | Marc Kaufman, Washington Post Staff Writer

[onedoug]

After more than a decade of sharply restricted sales because of health concerns, silicone gel breast implants are poised for an unusual return to the market. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing an application to approve the controversial devices, and close observers believe it will rule on the subject this year.

The National Organization for Women and the consumer group Public Citizen fear that the FDA is moving too fast, and will call today for the agency to slow considerably its review process. They say that the long-term studies needed to determine whether there is a health risk from silicone gel have not yet been done, and that some scientists remain concerned about serious health consequences.

[knak]

the pics on the site will do that too, yuck

[bedolido]

don't do it. You don't need it.

[bedolido]

see this is all your fault. You boob! Why did you post this?

[I'm ALL Right!]

My aunt's implant ruptured, releasing the gel into her body. She has been sick for the past 15 years--first the Doc called it "Lupus", but then another called it "Fibromyalgia" (sp?). All have agreed that the cause was the silicone. On the off-chance that they are both right, I think I'll avoid the silicone.

[EuroFrog]

Silicone nipples... 5+ million babies cant be wrong.

[Bella]

http://www.info-implants.com/

[Hodar]

Why is the FDA covering it up?

Let's have a little santity check here, ok? Is a company 'covering up' a scientific FACT that Silicone is extremely stable?? That would be like trying to cover up the temperature that water turns into ice.

Don't take my word for this, do some fact finding for yourself....

There is widespread use of silicone materials and it is difficult to avoid exposure to them (see Table 1). Silicone is incorporated into medicines; used in food processing (for example, canning and ready meals); used in a wide range of medical devices; used as putty and sealants. The use of silicone oils in food processing and food contact can give rise to systemic exposure to small chain silicone components which are known to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Silicone is used in domestic and personal products such as cleaning solvents, handcream, hair and skin products, and antiperspirants. It may be absorbed orally or through the skin and absorption can be measured on a scale from 'minimal' to 'well'. Silicone is also incorporated in some medicines and medical devices. For example, silicone oil is commonly used as a lubricant in syringes and blood giving sets. People with insulin dependent diabetes are exposed to small but regular doses of silicone oil, resulting in a large, cumulative exposure to silicone over a period of time. Silicones are also used during surgery to repair retinal detachment.

Don't forget to look at the table at the bottom of this link

http://www.silicone-review.gov.uk/silicone/

[Bella]

Sad to say that breast fed babies have contracted the same illnesses as their nursing mom's via the breast milk...

[bedolido]

One danger of silicone implants is that it makes mammograms more difficult for the radiologist to read and find early breast cancer, but that is not an adverse effect of the silicone.

Very true. One way the plastic surgeon would handle breast hardening was to squeeze the breast to try and "pop" the scare tissue that begins to grow immediately around the breast. In some cases only part of the breast scar tissue would "pop" and the breast would appear oblong and bruise quickly. Very painful for the patient and very stupid.

But scar tissue is the main enemy of implants. It can tighten up the implant to the point of rupture. I've seen it happen.

[EuroFrog]

I got lucky enough to marry a leg man. Its a good thing that when I really wanted implants I couldnt afford them.

[bedolido]

I tried that site, but I'm at work and that site is restricted. I will look at it tonight when I get home. Thanks.

[Ole Okie]

I worked as a volunteer at a breast inspection station at the Califonia border.

Sure you did, bedolido.

Sure you did.

LOL!

[Bella]

http://www.toxicdiscovery.com/

[luckystarmom]

Don't have implants. My mother convinced me to get implants when I was in college. I was extremely flat chested. My mother made me feel very inadequate, and offered to pay for the implants.

I went to the doctor's office, and the doctor made it all seem very safe. I was concerned about breast feeding a baby afterward, and the doctor said I'd be able to.

Well, a month or two before I got married, I got a contracture (scar tissue), and my breast got hard and moved up. I looked very strange. One of the reasons why my mom wanted me to have implants was my mother wanted me to look wonderful for my wedding day, well the opposite occurred.

After my wedding, I had surgery to remove the silicone implants, and they were replaced with saline ones. The second plastic surgeon I had was wonderful. She told me the truth about implants. All of the real risks.

Because of the implants, I have lost sensation in the breast, and I could not breast feed.

If my daughters are flat chested, I will never make them feel inadequate. I was an adult when I made the decision to get the implants, but I was very immature. I learned a huge lesson, and one that I will be paying for the rest of my life.

I was lucky that the silicon implants had not ruptured. I'm thankful for that.

[knak]

why would anyone go through this? It's crazy.

[bedolido]

I agree. gotta get home... have a nice evening friends.

[sticker]

What also was never mentioned is that Kessler was meeting at least once a week with the lead lawyer in the class action suit.

[EuroFrog]

Why any woman would get those things before breastfeeding their babies is beyond me. And that was in reference to the bottle nipples made out of silicone....

I honestly dont have much sympathy for these women. Most got the implants because of vanity. They are paying for what they got. I pretty much relate this to selling your soul then getting mad when you go to hell.

[Bella]

As you probably figured out, I'm one of the victims, and a national support group leader..My life isn't a pretty pix, and a struggle for me to get out of bed in the AM to walk and live day/day..I've been contacted by several media outlets already and my story will be told, one day..Another thing, my eye dr sat on a panel at the FDA and does KNOW what's going on and how we've been screwed for life...

[onedoug]

Uh...to point out my observation in #1?