Women who get silicone breast implants are likely to need additional surgery within 8-10 years to address complications such as rupture of the implant. There are 400,000 breast implant and reconstructive procedures annually in the US. The most common complications include rupture, wrinkling, asymmetry, scarring, pain, hardening of the breast around the implant and occasional cancer.
There are many purported associated diseases such as Sjogren's disease, lupus, scleroderma, ALS, and MS that are implicated as as caused by implants, but evidence is essentially lacking.
There are many reasons for considering an implant such as reconstruction because of breast cancer, very small breasts, and asymmetrical breasts. We need to meet people where they are and not be judgmental until we've walked in their shoes!
