7 Breast Implants Facts

2007/04/29 14:13

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Breast Implants Info

WICHITA, Kan. -- When silicone breast implants won federal approval in November, manufacturers told plastic surgeons to expect a 10% to 15% increase in demand the first year. For plastic surgeon James Shaw, it's been more like 50%. "We're seeing way more silicone" than saline implants chosen by women seeking breast augmentation, Shaw says. Already, breast augmentation is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure (liposuction is first). In 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 364,610 women got breast implants, according to the American Society of Aesthetic

breast augmentation, breast implants

Plastic Surgery. The number was up 9% from 2004.

Who gets implants? Shaw says 85% to 90% of the implants he does are for cosmetic reasons rather than for breast reconstruction. His average patients are women between 25 and 45 who have had children and "want to get back to more like how they were prior to having children." Are women going for the Anna Nicole look? No. "I would say most people are trying to get to a C cup," Shaw says. An average implant weighs about 12 ounces.