restoreImplant Safety
Consultation RequestImplant Safety
Breast implants are FDA-approved devices and are an important option for breast reconstruction and breast augmentation.
Breast implants have been studied and placed worldwide for decades and hundreds of thousands of patients have breast implants placed every year and report no adverse effects.
Like any medical device, breast implants are associated with risks, but also have great benefits for our patients. In order to reduce complications, specific attention is placed on surgical technique, intraoperative antibiotics, patient activity restrictions, and post surgical oral antibiotics. To ensure you are informed prior to having implants placed, you will be provided an informed patient implant checklist to review with detailed implant safety information.
Advances in silicone breast implant technology have lowered rates of implant rupture and it is not necessary to regularly exchange an intact breast implant in a patient that is doing well with no symptoms or concerns. Maintenance of silicone breast implants includes monitoring the implants with a breast MRI every 3 years to ensure the implants are intact. We also offer an annual implant screening ultrasound in the clinic to evaluate the breast for any implant rupture.
Patient safety is our number one concern. Dr. Spiegel is dedicated to patient advocacy, advances in breast surgery, and medical safety. Textured breast implants have been associated with a rare and highly treatable type of lymphoma named breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA ALCL. Breast implants can either have a textured or smooth shell. BIA ALCL has been associated with the texturing of the implant shell, not breast implants in general. Data shows when this rare disease occurs, it has occurred more frequently in patients who have breast implants with a textured surface. Dr. Spiegel’s current practice uses only smooth breast implants and tissue expanders.
Dr. Spiegel served on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons BIA ALCL Subcommittee and she continues to provide up to date information for our patients. Please see below for links to additional breast implant safety and BIA ALCL resources. You can also find links to current events to keep yourself informed and updated.
Additional Resources
Silicone Implant Checklists
ASPS Breast Implant Informed Decision Patient Checklist
Mentor Silicone Implant Patient Checklist
Allergan Natrelle Silicone Implant Patient Checklist
Sientra Silicone Implant Patient Checklist
Breast Implant Safety: What Patients Need to Know
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/breast-implant-safety
BIA ALCL Summary and Information
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/breast-implant-safety/bia-alcl- summary
BIA ALCL Resources and FAQ
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/breast-implant-safety/bia-alcl- summary/frequently-asked-questions
BIA ALCL Trifold Educational Brochure
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/Patient-Safety/ALCL/ALCL-Brochure-Trifold.pdf