NEW YORK PLASTIC SURGERY - SILICONE IMPLANTS ARE APPROVED BY THE FDA!
December 2006

On November 17, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of silicone implants for breast augmentation in women 22 years old or older. This was a wise decision and a real victory for science, because there is no medical evidence that silicone causes any diseases.

New York Plastic Surgeon Dr. Beraka has been an investigator for silicone implants for 14 years. Therefore, we have always been able to offer silicone breast implants to selected patients. These patients have been part of a scientific study and we are very grateful to them. It was the information that we gained from them that led to the FDA approval. Now, any woman who is at least 22 can have breast augmentation with silicone implants.

- We use MemoryGel™ implants made by Mentor Corporation
- which have a very low incidence of leaking
(about 1% at three years)

- create a feel that is similar to actual breast tissue

- contain a cohesive gel that acts as a unit rather than as a liquid, and therefore holds together uniformly

- come with a lifetime guarantee

- come in different shapes

Over the last 15 years, we have done several hundred breast augmentations with saline implants with wonderful results; and most of these women are extremely happy. Silicone implants do look and feel more natural. If a woman with saline implants does not like the look or feel of her breasts (rippling is the most common problem), she can consider replacing her implants with silicone implants.

We will continue using saline implants for certain patients. Some women are simply afraid of silicone, and I don’t think you should put something inside your body that’s going to make you worry. So for these women, we will continue to use saline implants. It is important to remember that most patients with saline implants are very happy.

Also, saline implants can be inserted with a shorter incision than silicone implants. So if the shortest possible scar is most important for a woman having breast augmentation surgery, saline implants will be useful.

In addition, saline implants can be useful in women with one breast significantly larger than the other. Saline breast implants can provide the best symmetry because their volume can be very finely adjusted.

We are also proud to announce two significant honors that Dr. Beraka recently received:

- Who’s Who in America (Marquis) 2006
- Listed in Guide to America’s Top Plastic Surgeons published by Consumers’ Research Council of America