Breast Implants USA



article courtesy Peter J. Capizzi, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Interview with Dr. Peter Capizzi, Board Certified Plastic surgeon serving Charlotte, NC in reference to the recent approval of silicone implants:

Breast Implants USA: What is your viewpoint of the recent approval of silicone implants?

Peter Capizzi MD: This is a giant step for most cosmetic breast surgeons. For 14 years silicone implants have had restricted use and in some respects stifled breast surgery. The silicone implant approval last Friday is a fantastic advancement for cosmetic breast surgery. There are multiple silicone models that are excellent, give a natural shape, and provide a natural feel which for our reconstructive patients was wonderful, and now for our augmentation patients, is excellent.

Breast Implants USA: Are Silicone implants safe?

Peter Capizzi MD: Silicone implants are very safe. There is a lot of stigma that has been created or at least propagated by the media. Many of the silicone implant patients that are in my practice enjoy silicone implants, have replaced saline implants with silicone implants, and feel that silicone implants are superior. In fact, the pre-market analysis and most recent studies have shown that some of the silicone implant models even have a less rupture risk than saline. The contracture risk, depending on whether you are a breast reconstruction patient or if you are an augmentation patient, can differ but certainly approach that of saline. The main advantages of silicone implants for patients are a more natural feel and a more natural appearance related to implant and breast relationship. The implants themselves, depending on the model, can be specifically measured to the patient and as for some of the silicone implants which are either the fourth or fifth generation will have a rupture or contracture risk than can conceivably be less than that of saline.

Breast Implants USA: What are the main disadvantages of silicone implants for patients?

Peter Capizzi MD: The main disadvantages are that indeed these are implants and they are foreign bodies and can rupture. If they do rupture in silicone, they can be a little more inconspicuous than in saline. When the body absorbs water, it will continue to absorb usually until the saline implant is considerably less as very obvious to see. With regards to silicone, the body does not tend to absorb silicone, and therefore, a contracture or hard scar can occur and this can be a soft sign for a potential implant problem. The ideal candidate for silicone implants is a healthy woman with realistic expectations that is interested in achieving a breast shape and size that is commensurate with her body height and weight.

Breast Implants USA: What are the differences between silicone and saline implants?

Peter Capizzi MD: One of the differences between silicone implants versus saline implants in reference to the results for your patients do they produce better results and longevity between silicone and saline implants. The differences between saline implants versus silicone implants are primarily related due to some of the side affects of any implant. Silicone implants are softer, ripple less, and tend to give a more natural result, as patients have commented. With regards to saline, saline tends to give more upper pole fullness, can ripple more, but if indeed it deflates, it is more obvious with regards to the absorption of water. So potentially, the results can be better with silicone but certainly saline is an excellent implant, as well. With regards to longevity, I think that is one question that we wish we could all answer, but certainly as a young woman desiring breast augmentation with either saline or silicone implants, they would likely need them exchanged throughout their life. There is no recommended routine every 10 or 15 years needing to have them exchanged by either the manufacturer or the FDA that I am aware of.

Breast Implants USA: Will women still have a choice between saline and silicone implants?

Peter Capizzi MD: Absolutely. In our office we have most of the model sizes with regards to saline and we certainly have availability of all silicone implants.

Lastly, at Stillwater Plastic Surgery, we feel we have an expertise in breast cosmetic surgery and have been involved with silicone implants as far back as my training in 1990 at the Mayo Clinic where they have one of the largest registries for silicone implants anywhere in the country. Since I have been in practice since 1997, I have been a part of a silicone study with both Mentor and/or Inamed. We provide an intimate, private office setting and can approach cosmetic breast surgery and/or breast reconstruction with either choice of silicone or saline. This is an exciting time for breast surgeons worldwide and certainly in the United States. We are finally back as Canada, South America, and Europe, as well as Southeast Asia are continuing to develop their treatments for breast surgery, the United States can continue to develop ours affecting the patients and the public in a positive fashion.

Breast Implants USA: Dr. Capizzi, Thank you very much for the time!

Peter Capizzi MD: You are welcome! Thank you.