Actually Coleah - I think it's pretty funny to watch those who benefit most from implant procedures trying to duke it out for the spoils of breast implant procedures.

My take on the whole panel hearings is that you have 4 out of the 9 panel members being plastic surgeons. These plastic surgeons have been making their living off of implanting women. The reason I suspect Mentor was able to prevail with a 2 year study against Inamed with a 3 year study, was that Mentor likely "honeymooned" and "gifted" the plastic surgeons in their approval lobbying efforts.

In essence, it looks like to me the plastic surgeon FDA panel members were able to not only shut out Mentor's competition from the approval, but they were likely also able to shut out rival professional associations to ASPRS members, and monopolize that portion of the business as well.

I certainly hope the FDA can see through the transparency of the advisory panel actions, and act against the recommendations of the panel, and decline having silicone implants brought back to the market.

One member of the panel has said, "Decisions to bring them back to the market should not be based on emotion - they should be base on science and facts."

I agree with her, but she should also understand and agree, decisions to bring silicone implants back to the market should not be based on the ability of plastic surgeons and manufacturers to make profit. And should not be based upon one professional group of plastic surgeons (ASPRS) trying to monopolize the procedure. It's as if Mentor and ASPRS got together, and scratched each other's backs, while using at least 4 of the FDA panel members to do their bidding.

How sad that in less than 24 hours after the panel voted, we are already hearing the first round of money grubbers looking for a piece of the action whining about 'discrimination' and 'violating patients rights'.

In another post we read concerns voiced regarding one manufacturer being chosen over another and stock prices.

This falling on top of comments yesterday from Mentor's spokesperson playing to women's 'low' self esteem, along with a panel member's flip remark about 'tough luck' if women in the future have problems with implants.

I hope women are getting the idea that they are looked upon as a piece of meat to fight over in this i$$ue. Better yet....I hope the FDA can see it before making their final decision.

I hope women are getting the idea that they are looked upon as a piece of meat to fight over in this i$$ue.

Not much has changed regarding implants, or so it seems. Of course there is going to be a low rupture rate after only two years, the rate will climb as time goes by, and think of the money these leeches will make when a woman has to keep replacing those things or have the concave breasts. even a breast lift cost some bucks. I read where the FDA panel apparently recommended an MRI every couple of years to be sure there was no "silent" leak. Yeah right. many women with implants can't get medical insurance, last I knew an MRI cost around $1,000.00 and who is gonna pay for the thing? why should it be upon the shoulders of the women who get implants to keep an eye on a device that is allegedly safe? It is very troubling to know there are unsuspecting women out there who are gonna trust the FDA and some slimy plastic surgeon and get burned beyond what they could even comprehend. I hope the FDA won't feed the cash cow and will think of the future implant recipients.