Is Recent Breast Implant Scandal A Sign That Cosmetic Surgery Is Too Risky?
The recent scandal of faulty French breast implants has left many people speculating about how to increase regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry. Others, however, have gone further – even to suggesting that cosmetic surgery should be banned altogether. The severity of the problem leads the author of an Op-Ed column in the Los Angeles Times asks “Are the risks of any aesthetic surgery acceptable?”
More than 300,000 women around the world received the implants, which have been linked to higher rupture rates, use a lower quality of silicone never intended for medical use, and may be linked with increased rates of cancer. The Los Angeles Times notes that while these are substantial risks, every surgical procedure is risky. Weighing the benefits against the potential health risks is particularly tricky when it comes to cosmetic treatments. While most surgeries' risks are weighed against expected health benefits, aesthetic procedures balance health risks against cosmetic improvements.
Many patients overlook the risks of cosmetic procedures, despite the fact that many techniques are associated with well-known risks. While the Los Angeles Times notes that an outright ban of cosmetic procedures could be a way to reduce these risks, it is also pointed out that such a ban would be difficult to enforce. Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular globally. Though the implants at the center of the recent scandal were not authorized for use in the United States, some American medical tourists in other countries may have received the implants. In addition, some procedures have both medical and cosmetic benefits, making it difficult to draw the line.
“Yesterday's vanity is often today's health, or at least well-being,” concludes the Los Angeles Times. As cosmetic surgery becomes a more widespread practices, what regulations could be put into place to protect patients' safety?