Inamed, which makes silicone breast implants, is poised to put them back on the American market.

ECONOMIST: The cosmetic-enhancement business

But will numerous studies and FDA approval protect Inamed from the kind of massive litigation that killed Dow Corning?

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

Now Inamed's Reich wants to start selling silicone-filled implants in the U.S. again.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

Inamed has launched a new ten-year study of silicone implants involving 900 patients in hopes of reversing the FDA ban.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

He rates Inamed as a "strong buy" and says the market for breast implants has been growing at 19% a year.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

Inamed and its competitor, Mentor mntr (nasdaq: mntr - news - people), both based in Santa Barbara, Calif.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

Q-Med, a Swedish firm, and Inamed, based in California, use hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that helps give flesh its fullness.

ECONOMIST: The cosmetic-enhancement business

He hopes that Inamed's clinical study will prove that its silicone implants are safe and will eventually result in FDA approval for the implants.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

Advanced Tissue Sciences has partnered with the cosmetic surgery company Inamed imdc (nasdaq: imdc - news - people) to market a line of cosmetic pharmaceuticals.

FORBES: Advanced Tissue Sciences Founder Wins Inventor Award

Surgery firm Inamed Aesthetics had six surgeons carrying out free consultations on topics ranging from breast implants and wrinkle treatments to a new procedure to help weight loss by inserting a saline-filled balloon inside the patient's stomach.

BBC: NEWS | UK | UK consumers go surgery shopping