Since the moratorium was placed on silicone implants in 1992, extensive research has been conducted to improve the defects of previous designs. Clinical trials have been performed and improvements in design and construction have all been developed to make them a safe and desirable alternative for breast implant candidates.

Dr. David R. Broadway, a highly respected and skilled Boulder, Colorado area plastic surgeon, places his patients’ safety and welfare above all else. Improvements in silicone breast implants have made them safe and virtually flawless and, therefore, a viable alternative to saline implants.

What improvements have been made?

In November of 2006, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved a new silicone implant design that was manufactured by Mentor and McGhan, two California-based companies. Features of the new implants are:

- They are filled with a thicker gel (cohesive gel) instead of liquid which maintains shape better.
- They are manufactured with thicker outer shells than implants made prior to 1992.
- They are more durable.
- Leaks and ruptures are much less likely than ever before.
- There is much less need for replacement of the implants years after surgery is performed.

Silicone screening procedures have been improved over the years as well. It is important to understand that there are several types of daily use materials that also contain silicone, such as some soaps and body lotions.

It is important to understand that if traces of silicone are found in your body for any reason, you should consider that it could be the result of another product you are using and not that it means one of your implants have begun to leak. The new silicone implants that are manufactured today carry very low risk for developing any type of leaks. There has also been no evidence of any connection between the newly manufactured silicone breast implants and any type of disease.

What are your choices?

High cohesive silicone gel breast implants will never remove the need for the option of saline-based implants. But, they do offer more choices for women seeking breast augmentation surgery. Some of these choices are:

· They can be anatomically shaped or round.
· You can choose implants with either a textured or a smooth surface.
· They do not fold.
· There are various sizes to choose from.
· You have the option of choosing low profile, moderate profile or high profile implants based on your own personal preferences.
· The new high cohesive silicone gel implants look and feel more natural than their saline counterparts.

The choice to have breast implant surgery is very personal and although you may discuss your decision beforehand with a partner or even a family member or friend, the ultimate decision is yours alone to make. A thorough consultation with your surgeon prior to surgery will give you the opportunity to have all of your questions answered completely. The more informed you are about your surgery and the choices you have, the more satisfied you will be with the results once you have fully recovered.

It is also important during your consultation to provide your surgeon with as much information as you possibly can. Your total honesty and communication with him will assure both you and your surgeon that you are in complete agreement and understanding of what you want and of everything involved in your surgical procedure.

For more information on silicone breast implants and breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. David R. Broadway at Boulder, Colorado's Broadway Center for Plastic Surgery.