24 Feb Breast Augmentation Today: A Study from the Institute of Medicine
Breast augmentation has come a long way, and today the Institute of Medicine reports that over 1.5 million women in America have silicone breast implants. Silicon is also one of the most popular breast implant materials requested at John Park MD Plastic Surgery, a Newport Beach breast augmentation plastic surgery clinic. The majority of the women studied by the Institute said they chose breast augmentation surgery because they wanted to improve their breasts’ appearance by enhancing the size or shape of the breasts. In 1998, a study revealed that 34 percent of American women weren’t completely happy with their breasts and wanted to change them—so it’s no surprise that breast augmentation is so popular.
About 66 percent of women in the study said they were “very satisfied” with their results while many others said they were satisfied. They also reported on the many psychological benefits of breast augmentation. Today, the most common types of breast implants are silicone and saline, but both of these types of implants feature a “sac” that is made of silicone. Silicone is a gel-like substance that’s made from silicon, which is naturally found in nature bound to oxygen in the form of silicon dioxide. Also known as silica, you’ll find this material all around you—it’s what makes up much of beach sand. Silica is actually the most common material in the world.
The History of Ensuring Safe Breast Augmentation in the US
Women today opt for breast augmentation with peace of mind knowing there are many best practices in place. Keeping women safe and protected began in 1997 when the US House of Representatives required the Department of Health and Human Services to support an in-depth silicone breast implant study. The aim was to take a scientific look at how implants worked, consider the history of breast implants, study any effects of silicone implants on pregnant or post-partum women, and evaluate breast imaging and mammography studies when breast implants are present. The Department ultimately carried out this study.
Prior to the 1990s, there was little information readily available to women about the details of breast augmentation or any plastic surgery. The internet was just becoming widely available, so there weren’t easy search functions like there are today. This is a stark difference to women in the 2020s looking for breast augmentation information or the best surgeon, since they have access to unbiased third-party reviews, before and after gallery photos, and ample research. However, the best way to learn about breast augmentation and to choose the best plastic surgeon for you is with a complimentary consultation.
What the Breast Augmentation Study Found
The Department’s final report was 440 pages and covered virtually every facet of silicone breast augmentation. The primary goal was to help women have all the information they needed about silicone breast implants. One of the most important findings was clear evidence that silicone breast implants do not cause any sort of major disease like breast cancer. That might sound pretty obvious today, but over 20 years ago, without ample research or dissemination, it wasn’t well established.
The study was also the first to show that it was perfectly okay for a woman to breastfeed if she had breast augmentation surgery. Furthermore, the study showed that breast augmentation did not harm the fetus during pregnancy. There was also plenty of evidence that showed radiation would not harm breast implants—nor would having breast implants get in the way of a woman who underwent radiation. Unsurprisingly, the study found that breast implants had continuously improved over time, and that trend has continued in the 20+ years since the study. Finally, the study revealed that implants don’t weaken the body’s immune system since silicone is made of natural materials.
Overall, the study declared silicone implants as “safe.” The researchers evaluated countless documents on the chemistry and history of silicone breast implants. You’ll find silicone in food, lubricants, makeup, and a number of consumer items, which gave the Department plenty of materials to study. Saline is just as safe, as it’s simply sterile water combined with salt, and this combination already occurs naturally in the body.
Are you ready to learn more about breast augmentation in Newport Beach? Schedule your complimentary consultation with John Park MD Plastic Surgery by calling (949) 777-6883.