Breast Implants

[In the nature of disclosure, I should add that I've never had to worry about breast implants. I've had women tell me that this disqualifies me from even opining on the subject but... tough.]

Well, the FDA's dancing its little dance again. Rejecting one company's silicone breast implants while giving a nod today that could have women back getting silicone rather than saline implants very soon now. Of course, many women were only mildly inconvenienced by the restrictions in place the last several years; trips to Canada or Mexico or some warm island with a clinic gave them the bosom they wanted.

I'm of two minds on the whole issue. I've had friends horribly miserable who were "just so sure" that size 38Ds would somehow make their lives better (eh... if women only spent as much on education as "accoutrements" we'd find a way not to have that GYN speculum so cold when it's shoved inside us). I don't want to see their health hurt because of a misconception that big boobs are going to give them everything they ever wanted. [Yes, before anyone writes in, I realize that there are a good percentage who get them "realistically", to try to correct body shape. But most plastic surgeons, when not talking for publication, will tell you they're overwhelmingly a vanity procedure.]

Women today certainly have access to enough information that they should be able to decide for themselves. The manufacturer material will always lie, yes, but there's enough other studies and research to give them some "cons".

Unfortunately, however, the decision for breast implants is usually an emotional one, one that is not approached with the same cool reason one might apply for a loan, haggle for a car price, or decide whether to get aluminum siding. I also think there are better things the FDA can do than keep women from getting something they'll get in Mexico or Jamaica regardless.

So let the FDA document the problems so women can find them and then let women make their own choice. Sadly, we all make bad choices everyday.