I think generally they are safe. But yes some people will have a reation to it though. If asprin were invented today it might not make it out because a few people would have a reation to it, the news would be all over it and the company would be sued for billions.

AMEN to David,Altus. Very well stated and very good points.

Deann-thank you for enlightening me. I never thought about the weight issue and I have experience in this area as well. I can see where a woman would opt to have implants in the cases you mentioned. I appreciate you sharing your family history and being patient with my questions.

No, I don't think silicone implants are safe! There are a lot of things to consider in getting implants-- vanity vs. physical / psychological. I'm thankful know one in my immediate family has had to undergo a mastectomy and had to make that choice. I can certainly see where a woman might want an implant instead of a prosthesis that can shift positions- its not like you can stick a breast prosthesis in place like dentures with a dab of polident paste. .....I will admit right up front that as a male, I prefer women to have larger breasts than myself [hey, its a guy thing called "LUST"] but I'm smart enough to know that true "LOVE" has nothing at all to do with looks or a woman's breast size [or a male's size]. Its so sad that today, people in Hollywood [and around the country] actually have prenuptial agreements made up reading that if the wife or husband [whichever is appropriate] doesn't keep a certain weight, breast size, loses an arm or leg or changes his / her appearance, gets alzheimer's / a terminal illness or can't perform sexually, the spouse can get a divorce and collect a large alimony / property settlement from the other.... I tell people I know who are getting married that they should think about what "LOVE" really is before they get married and swear an oath before G-d to honor and obey til death do they part-- I ask them to consider if they were to have a terrible traffic accident while going on their honeymoon and their spouse was terribly disfigured- lost a breast, a leg or arm, was burned terribly, or had a brain injury that turned them into a vegetable and required 24 / 7 care for decades, would you still "LOVE" them and want to remain married to them. Would you be willing to do without sex for the rest of your life- remaining loyal to your spouse. Would you keep your vow to stay with your spouse for better or worse, in sickness or health til death? Almost everyone said they would stay loyal and faithful- but about 8 out of 10 end up divorce for mere trivial disputes or infidelities- and usually within just a few years- some within a few months. Most people just don't know what real love is today-- so very sad.

Stephanie-the #1 medical reason for reconstructive surgery is that the difference in weight (in the case of a single mastectomy) causes back problems. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My sister had a bilateral (double) mastectomy at age 36 because of breast cancer. My great-grandmother had hers in her 70s, my grandmother had hers in her 50s. My mother never had surgery, but died of breast cancer at age 74. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My grandmother suffered from broken ribs several times, because there was no tissue there to protect them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Most insurance carriers pay for (elective) reconstructive surgery these days because of the costs of the prosthesis and bras; and because of the potential back problems -- as well as psychological considerations. (Another thing now being covered for psych reasons are wigs.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My step-mom wears a prosthesis, and it doesn't stay put, causes discomfort (sweating in summer, chilling in winter), and the expense is outrageous! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - As you can tell, I have a lot of familial experience with this!

Deann - I never thought you were preaching and I certainly want your input if you know another side to an issue. Yes, we agree - cosmetically I don't understand why a woman would take that risk. Your sister, for whatever reason she had implants, has been very lucky, as I'm sure other women have. I sometimes wonder about the women I knew back in the mid 80's that had implants and wonder if they have experienced problems. But - back to the reconstructive surgery, you do have a good point; however, I was looking at "medically necessary" as having surgery because a doctor said "you need to have this done to cure something or save your life." Am I wrong in that implants after reconstructive surgery is basically optional and done due to the discomforts of prosthesis? I'm not judging it if it is elective. I just want to know.

I agree with what Suzan said. I did read the article, and although my sister has had absolutely no problems in the 21 years since her surgery -- I would still think twice before having silicone implants. Read the comment after the article from a woman who replaced her saline implants with silicome--she's very unhappy.

http://newsok.com/article/3174420 - on this article "Just Curious" has a very good comment. I didn't realize that the implants only last a decade.

Thank you NewsOK for putting the story on the forum. I will read it right now.

Stephanie--the reasons for choosing reconstruction over wearing prosthesis are in my earlier post. Sorry if I appeared to be preaching--I just wanted to make a point that there is a difference between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I think we agree about cosmetic surgery. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - But, reconstructive surgery is covered by most insurances for financial and physical reasons. Think of it this way, if you had an ear cut or burned off, would you rather wear a plastic, glue-on ear or have one that has been rebuilt for you by a surgeon?

John, no there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good. My best friend gave me a saying..."look good, feel good, do good." I agree, how we feel about ourselves impacts how we interact with others. But, I still have to wonder why women feel/believe that you have to have larger breasts to think they look good? For me...it doesn' matter if implants are safe...it is a matter of what we as a society tell ourselves and each other what we should do in order to "look good".

Deann...I was unaware that there is a medical reason that a woman would need implants. Is it because they have had a mastectomy and want to still have breasts? Then in my personal opinion, that is elective surgery and not medically necessary. If you have to have have a mastectomy and still want breasts and chose not to wear a bra with a prosthesis (for whatever reason), then that is a choice, not a necessity. If there is more to medical necessity that I am not aware of, please let me know.-------I also knew several woman who have had implants without the pressue of a man and I just don't understand it.

I wonder how many of the posters have read any statistical information on the safety of the new implants? It seems as if the discussion has veered to a discussion of what people feel about those who want to change/enhance their appearance. If a person wants to color their hair do we urge them not to? If breast implants make a woman feel happier than so be it. Who are we to judge why a person does anything to feel better about themselves. As long as it does not have a negative consequence for someone else, you should just fuggedaboutit. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good to make yourself feel good.

Stephanie & C: Sorry to disagree, but reconstructive surgery (using saline implants) is indicated medically in many cases. The fact is that prosthetic devices are: uncomfortable, expensive and hard to manage. Many insurance companies will only pay for new prothesis every two years (including Medicare). And, if one breaks or develops a leak; they are VERY expensive to replace. The bras for prosthesis are more than triple the cost for a normal bra, and not covered by insurance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -For all these reasons, most reasonable surgeons will encourage women under 50 to have reconstructive surgery--and certainly don't discourage older women. For the younger women, the lifetime cost of prosthetic devices and bras is a lot more than the reconstructive surgery--one reason most insurance carriers now cover the cost of reconstruction. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Having said all that, I will discourage any woman I know from having augmentation, UNLESS she has undergone counseling. I think women should examine the underlying reasons they are looking at cosmetic surgery of any kind.

Stephanie, I agree with what you are saying though I have had a couple of women say that they felt a real need for the increased size. But, none of these women were looking for a man, but already had made a commitment. _______Personally, I wouldn't want to be involved with a man who thought that made a difference. As I said, I have worked with or known at least three women who have gotten them and have said the reason was because they felt lacking. I can't say if that feeling was actually the result of a pressure by their spouse/boy friend...that they did not wish to share with me, but only of their own need to do so. Any man who thinks the size of her breasts is the essence of the woman is lacking. I don't find such a man's "essence" to be attractive. _________I can understand the emotional need of a woman who has undergone a mastectomy. Like you..the danger, even under those circumstances, concerns me. I think it is a real danger. Plastic surgeons don't agree. I think if we are simply thinking of "this day"...here and now, there is not much need for concern. However, complications would be much more likely to occur "down the road." We can live simply for this day...but we must also realize that much of what we do within it could be consequential in the future.

Yes, Larry does have a point that some men may be intimidated by a woman's beauty that they don't ask them out. However, I personally don't believe that is why women have breast implants. If you think about it, if men aren't going to ask them out because they are intimidated by the woman's beauty...getting breast implants isn't going to help. The men will probably be more inimidated. No...I think women who get breast implants do it for one of several reasons...their husband/boyfriend/sugardaddy wants them to; they believe that bigger boobs are the essence of the woman; or they have had a mastectomy (sp?) and need reconstructive surgery. The last reason is the only one that I can understand...and even then I would worry about the danger.

I want to qualify my comment "good point, Larry." I thought Larry made a good point when he noted that women who believed they need implants to be beautiful, do not... and most likely, men found them to be so beautiful that they were intimidated when it came to letting them know or asking them out.

I think they cause medical problems. My blood pressure tends to go up when I see a nice set.

Robin, I really hope you meant your comment about the "Perky Boobs" in a rest home being a hoot as sarcacm. The lady I mentioned was my late fiance and there was nothing amusing about her well constructed looking implants which were done for reconstructive surgery after cancer. One of the implants leaked and I watched her go from a Lorrie Morgan look-a-like to a skeketon in less than a year. After my mather lost a breast she wore a prothesis sine implants weren't available. I'll never forget her words when she looked in the mirror for the first time and started to cty,"Why didn't they just let me die." Luckily i'm told I look good in pink so I wear my pink shirts with pride.

But Larry...why should a woman have to rely on what her breats look like to feel beautiful or attractive. If that is the case then I have to wonder what messages society is giving these women. "You have to have bigger boobs to be attractive". That is insane. And I know many women who would love to go the opposite way and have a reduction. Bigger boobs aren't what it's all cracked up to be.

Good point, Larry.

Good point, Larry.

Peanut Butter and Jelly mix should work just as well. If a woman believes that the expense of implants will help their self-image and make them feel better about themselves and more attractive--YOU GO GIRL! But for every woman who thinks she needs them, probably doesn't need them and there are probably lots of men who think she's beautiful but are too intimidated to tell her or ask her out.

Srephanie, I understand what you are saying. Why are women with bigger boobs more desireable. Its just our culture. Taller men ormen with athletic buils are more desireable than those not so inclined. There is probably some relationship with a sub conscious need of some soet. Why are women in a particular tribal culture in Africa more attractive if they have elongated necks? I don't know why, but they put heavty rings on to make their neck that way. Some asian cultures bind women's feet to keep them small. Again, who knows why.

FYI/ just for the record, when I said "when I consider permanent make-up," I didn't mean that I considered permanent makeup for me! I haven't. But I have considered what the results could be for those who do it after they have aged. Not that anyone really cares one way or the other, but somehow, I didn't want to leave that false impression. So.....for what it's worth, this note is to clarify that statement.

Well, I must give James a pat on the back, too, Stephanie. I appreciate his viewpoint! Good taste and good values! Wow! __________Robin, I think you are right...that might be a real hoot. I have thought many times about the tatooing people have done...when I consider permanent make-up..like eyeliner and lips...I think of how it might look on the aged, sagging, wrinkled face ...and, like you, have thought that the nursing home residents could look pretty strange given that scenario! But I am not sure that it would be a hoot... but might just be really macabre. But..Robin...never once had I considered the contrast of the aged body, but with youthful enhancement...surely that is going to be weird! LOL _________As for the answer to the question: No, I don't believe that silicone breast implants are safe. It is unfortunate that so many were used. I believe the saline implants are much safer. I have known women who have had to have them removed and whose health was alledgely affected by them. As for as my being judgmental about someone choosing to have them done.... I'm not...it's a personal choice. I don't grade it as a poor choice or a good one. Though, I do believe that it is our responsibility to make choices that will ensure our well being rather than jeopardize it. In this instance...I understand that a woman having undergone mastecomy would desire to be returned to as near to normalcy as possible. I also question that having had her life at risk, if it might be wise to forego taking the additional risk of breast implants. Quality of life means so much. I don't suppose anyone who has not experienced the physical and emotional trauma of a masectomy can really assess just what the experience brings to the quality of her life. It might be worth the risk to such a woman. ______On the other hand, if a woman has just been "under" endowed and wants to give herself a boost....I question that the added "oomph" will really be worth the risk. There is risk....but each person must decide for herself. She also must seek to make an educated choice.

James...you're awesome. I so appreciate you!

James, You definitely have my respect . I think unless it is due to a medical reason a woman should just take what she was born with ! Can you imagine the nursing homes in about thirty years it would be a hoot to see all the old women with perky boobs & the old men with the implants, what a riot !!!! lol

James, You definitely have my respect . I think unless it is due to a medical reason a woman should just take what she was born with ! Can you imagine the nursing homes in about thirty years it would be a hoot to see all the old women with perky boobs & the old men with the implants, what a riot !!!! lol

James, I agree that augmentation is an area of concern. However, for reconstruction I feel that implants are a good idea. I know from family members that breast prosthesis worn in the bra are uncomfortable and often don't stay in place.

I agree with both James and David,edmond. Want to clear something up, when my sister had her surgery, saline implants weren't an option.

Freak.

I'm more concerned that women think implants are necessary for success or respect. To be honest, I think they are a turn off. But then again, I may be a freak of nature compared to everyone else.

I would think that a women would choose salt water over a plastic by product for implants.

The alternative of saline implants are much safer, but I understand they don't "feel" as close to the human body as do silicone. My sister had reconstructive surgery with silicone implants in 1986 ahd hasn't had any problems. She has considered replacing them with saline, but will wait until her surgeon says she should. Where did this question come from?

David/Edmond said it well "would you eat silicone?". I believe breast implants should be only used as a last resort (as due to cancer). Otherwise, I believe it's just vanity. The women I know who have them tend to show them off quite well and enjoy it.

No.

My wife has had hers for 10 years. I think they are fantastic!

Its never safe to put anything in your body. If you would not eat it, why would you put it in your body. Ask your self, would you eat silicone?

They might be now but a lady I helped died from hers. Her family was awarded over $150,000 but because of the company going bankrupt thay got much less and she only weighed 40 pounds when she died in severe pain.