20% to 40%

Percent of women receiving silicone breast implants for cosmetic reasons who have further surgery to modify or remove them due to complications within 10 years. Despite the frequency of complications, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that the implants are largely safe, in the agency's first safety assessment since 2006, when it returned the implants to the market after a 14-year ban. The approval came with the condition that companies conduct studies on women who received silicone implants. Based on that data — which industry critics say are incomplete because of high patient dropout rates — the FDA concluded: "Despite frequent local complications and adverse outcomes, the benefits and risks of breast implants are sufficiently well understood for women to make informed decisions about their use." [via AP]