How Safe Is Silicone?

[Guest guest]

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=4515873 & nav=0s3d

How Safe Is Silicone?

Feb 16, 2006, 11:17 PM CST How Safe Is Silicone?

They've been controversial for 15 years and affected hundreds of

thousands of women's lives.

Silicone breast implants are back on the market for limited use, but

could soon make their way to the mainstream again.

There is new technology being developed and a woman with grave words

of warning.

You should be aware there are some graphic images in this report.

Craig has rheumatoid arthritis and chemically induced muscular

dystrophy. She blames both her ailments on a decision she made more

than 30 years ago.

" Parents that would allow, like their 16-year-old child to get

breast implants, that's child abuse, " Craig said.

Craig says she doesn't want any woman to make the same mistake she

did. In her early 20s, she got silicone-based breast implants and

went from an A cup to a C cup overnight.

" One of them was starting to partially deflate. The other one had

shifted over to where I couldn't raise this arm up and down without

hitting it. And, they were just hard as rocks, " Craig said.

Before getting them removed, Craig joined a silicone support group

and found thousands of others just like her.

" We all had bladder problems. We all had connective tissue problems.

We all had just so many things the same. And, the women didn't know

that until we started getting in groups and talking about it, " Craig

said.

It became a movement that grew in numbers and lawsuits.

It is a movement that put a moratorium on the use of silicone breast

implants for 14 years.

And, yet the popularity of breast augmentation has grown

dramatically in that time period. In 2004, more than 330,000 women

went through the procedure, mainly with saline-filled implants. But,

with new technology and FDA research silicone could be back in the

mainstream market very soon.

Doctor Maggi is a board certified Austin surgeon. He also

participated in the FDA research on silicone breast implants that

started in the 90s.

" A lot of medical research has taken place just in this area, the

presence of silicone, its impact on the body, etc. And, its been

shown to be safe, " Maggi said.

Maggi says at this point, their studies have shown silicone is not a

threat to someone's health.

" They found it to be considered an approvable product, which means

its worthy to be used in the general public in conditions other than

the restrictions that are present now, " Maggi said.

At present, only certified doctors can use silicone for

reconstructive surgery, not cosmetic. But, the fight for silicone

implants is gaining momentum. Soon the FDA could once again approve

them for all types of breast augmentation.

It's something Craig says she'll do anything to prevent.

" Fighting tooth and claw. I mean, I can't pick up my own

grandchildren. My arms are just too weak. The muscles have atrophied

too bad. It's just not worth it, " Craig said.

There has been a silicone implant designed with a more solid gel

inside meaning if there was a rupture, nothing would leak out.

However, that's still being studied as is silicone in general.

~~~~~~~~~~

www.BreastImplantAwareness.org