Causes For Breast Implant Removal

400,000 women in the United States receive breast implants each year. Three quarters receive breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation, while the other one quarter receive breast implants to reconstruct a breast lost to cancer. According to the implant manufacturers, about 50% of women with breast implants undergo another surgery to revise, replace, or remove their breast implants within 7 years. Since breast implant problems are common, on October 27, 2021, FDA strengthened breast implant risk communication to help those considering breast implants make informed decisions. For starters, the FDA now requires a black box warning on all breast implants to let people know that they are not considered lifetime devices and carry risks. In addition, patients are required by law to initial and sign an extensive patient decision checklist that outlines many potential risks and complications, including Breast Implant Illness and Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. There are also updated silicone gel-filled breast implant screening recommendations, device descriptions with a list of specific materials used to make breast implants, and a patient device card. Finally, the FDA released updated information on the status of breast implant manufacturer post-approval studies. Click HERE for the full article.