History of Breast Implants

November 17, 2006 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved silicone breast implants reversing a 14-year old ban that restricted access to silicone gel-filled breast implants. See historical timeline by clicking here: http://www.surgery.org/press/downloads/BITFtimeline.pdf

The 1960’s
Prior to 1963, and sometimes in the hands of non-medical practitioners, experimental methods of breast enlargement included paraffin injections, silicone injections and the insertion of sponges. None of these methods achieved satisfactory long-term results, and injections to the breast proved to be extremely dangerous. Then, in 1963, the first silicone gel-filled breast implants were introduced, followed by the introduction of saline-filled implants in 1965.

The 1970’s
Beginning in the 1970s, several manufacturing companies began mass-producing breast implants. Options were enhanced with the introduction, in 1974, of inflatable implants. In 1976, double lumen implants appeared on the market; these implants had an interior chamber filled with silicone gel and an outer, saline-filled chamber.

The 1980’s
In the late 1980s, textured-surface implants were introduced on the theory that the textured shell would modify the process of scar formation and reduce the incidence of capsular contracture (breast firmness caused by scar tissue contracting around the implant, still the most common problem associated with breast augmentation); ongoing studies on the effectiveness of textured-surfaced implants in reducing contracture have shown mixed results. Throughout the '70s and '80s, plastic surgeons gained significant clinical experience with breast implants and found that women generally were pleased with the results.