Chicago Plastic Surgeon Discusses the Popularity and Safety of Silicone Breast
Implants Three Years after FDA Approval
In November 2006, after a 14-year moratorium, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
approved the use of silicone breast implants for most breast augmentation and reconstruction
procedures. Chicago breast augmentation surgeon, Dr. Brian Braithwaite, MD shares his thoughts
on their safety and effectiveness.
Chicago, IL (Vocus) December 23, 2009 -- In 1992, the United States Food and Drug Administration made the
controversial decision to ban the use of silicone breast implants. Citing concerns that silicone implants could
potentially cause a variety of complications, the FDA took the implants off the market until their safety could be
determined. Even though silicone implants continued to be used in European countries and other parts of the
world, silicone breast implants were prohibited in the United States for the next thirteen years. Finally, after
numerous studies and clinical trials, the FDA approved the use of silicone breast implants in 2006.
Since that time, many plastic surgeons have begun to offer their breast augmentation patients a choice between
traditional saline or silicone implants. Brian Braithwaite, MD, a plastic surgeon in Chicago, says that silicone
breast implants are very popular at his North Side-area practice. “The vast majority of my breast augmentation
patients choose silicone implants… My patients are extremely happy with their silicone implants and do not
regret their choosing silicone over saline.”
Although Dr. Braithwaite personally feels that silicone implants are superior to saline implants, he says he
presents information on both types to patients in an objective manner and encourages them to make their own
informed decisions. “This is the essence of informed consent and I think it is very important…I also allow
patients to hold both styles of implants, and they can feel the differences themselves.”
Dr. Braithwaite says it’s easy to understand why man