Breast augmentation is a form of plastic surgery, in which a silicone implant filled with either silicone gel, or saline (saltwater) is placed in a woman's breast to enhance its look, shape, and size. This procedure as little as ten years ago was labeled too dangerous. At this time the gel implants were the only ones being used, and their leaking was linked to debilitating illnesses. The use of saline in breast implants has brought about the resurgence of breast enhancement surgery. Even though a large number of women with implants will need more surgery within 5 years, the possible risks and complications seem to be a small penitence to pay for the women who feel they need this surgery. .
Ten years ago silicon gel leakage in breast implants was linked to a debilitating illness called connective tissue disorder. The use of silicone gel breast implants was all but stopped in the United States. After the discovery that saline could be used to fill the implants, the number of women to get breast implants has doubled over the numbers of a decade ago. Cosmetic plastic surgeons say that the procedure has reached a level of social acceptance that was unthinkable ten years ago. 220,000 procedures in 2001 alone. (Kaufman Marc. "Popularity of Breast Implants Rising" Washington Post 22 Sept. 2002: P.A01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49803-2002Sep21.html).
.
.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a follow up study of 450 women who had breast augmentation surgery, (with saline implants.) The study conducted at the University of Minnesota found that 96% of the women would make the same choice today to have the procedure. 93% were very satisfied with their implants. These numbers are indicative of the satisfaction rate, even though a large number of women who have this surgery have to have follow up procedures within 5 years of the initial implant surgery.