Yes, silicone gel-filled breast implants are safe. Silicone gel-filled breast implants are among the most studied medical devices ever. Multiple large clinical studies have failed to show any link between silicone gel breast implants and abnormal immune responses, connective tissue diseases, breast cancer, toxic reactions or silicone poisoning, or any health problems of children born to women with silicone gel breast implants. Since the approval of silicone gel breast implants in November 2006, their popularity has steadily increased. Currently more than 80% of the breast implants used in breast augmentation surgeries are silicone gel-filled implants.

Each surgeon will have his or her preferences regarding post-op instructions following breast augmentation. The vast majority of women recover from breast augmentation surgery without any significant problems. On average, most women require narcotic pain medication for three to five days, and can then continue their recovery with extra strength Tylenol or ibuprofen as need. Most women return to non-strenuous job duties about five to seven days after surgery; return to full strenuous gym exercise usually takes six to eight weeks. A support bra is recommended for about eight weeks. Depending upon the tissue characteristics, implant volume, and implant style, it will take about two to four months for the breast implants to settle into place.

The failure rate for breast implants is about 1% per year through the first ten years following surgery. If, at ten years, you are happy with your breast implants and are not having any problems, there is no need to change them for new implants. Each implant-related revision surgery carries small, but real, risks that should always be considered prior to any re-operation. Considerations for implant replacement and/or revision surgery should always be discussed in detail with your surgeon. If your breast implant fails, the manufacturers have always been very good about supplying a replacement implant, and current warranty programs may even allow for a size change and include replacement of the opposite breast implant as well.