Woman Fakes Breast Cancer to Raise Money for Plastic Surgery

In an effort to raise funds for her breast augmentation surgery, a 27-year-old Arizona woman lied to her family, friends, and co-workers saying she had breast cancer and needed double mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Jami Lynn Toler, who worked at a local hospice, has been charged with fraud and theft, police authorities said.

Toler’s former co-workers said she solicited money by making up stories and even crying in front of her boss to persuade them to give her “funds” for her cancer treatments and reconstructive breast surgery. 

According to police reports, Toler’s boss helped her raised funds amounting to more than $8,000 since September.  Meanwhile, one co-worker said “people were scammed simply because of their good intentions and sincerity to help the suspect.”

Aside from Toler’s friends and co-workers, she also deceived her mother and grandmother who also gave a portion of their savings to help the suspect.  

Meanwhile, Toler’s co-workers and friends became suspicious when one doctor offered to treat her cancer for free but she declined.  She also paid a cosmetic plastic surgery in cash, according to police reports.

When investigators checked Toler’s medical records, they found that she was not suffering from breast cancer.

This is not the first time a woman faked breast cancer to raise funds for her breast augmentation surgery.  A few years ago, Trista Joy Lathern from Texas lied about having the disease and raised about $10,000.

To make her story believable, the suspect has even shaved her head to look like she was receiving chemotherapy.

Breast Asymmetry and Implant Surgery

To some degree, both breasts are usually different in size although it is very minute that no one would even notice.  However, some women have pronounced asymmetry that makes it hard for them to choose clothing that would hide this aesthetic problem.

One way to address a noticeable case of asymmetry is through breast implant surgery.  In this procedure, a plastic surgeon will use either a saline- or silicone-filled implant to augment the smaller breast, which in turn leads to balance.

However, breast implant surgery is only ideal for patients who have no problem increasing their bust size; on the other hand, women who think that their asymmetrical breasts are too large can opt for reduction mammaplasty in which the tissue and fat of the larger breast are excised to make it smaller.

The advantage of using implants over performing breast lift is that it is possible to use less and shorter incisions, thereby the risk of visible scarring is almost not a concern. 

While it is possible to make an incision in the underarm and within the navel’s rim during breast implant surgery, these incision sites are not ideal when dealing with existing breast deformity.  This is because doctors have to work far away from the breasts, making it more difficult to create a balance appearance.

When dealing with asymmetry, it has become sacrosanct to use the peri-areolar technique in which a U-shaped incision around the edge of areola (dark pigmented skin around the nipple) is made; or breast crease approach in which a hidden incision is made within the skin fold where the breasts and chest meet.

In some cases, breast implant is performed in conjunction with breast lift particularly if there is some obvious sagging in one or both breasts.

The implant surgery, with or without breast lift, usually requires one to two weeks off from work.  However, patients should always bear in mind that residual swelling and tenderness often takes several months before they completely subside.

To support the new contour, most patients are required to wear a surgical support bra for several weeks.  This special garment also encourages quick recovery, leads to better contour, and minimizes swelling.

For at least two to four weeks, patients should avoid heavy lifting, pushing, arm extension, and rigorous activities.  However, it does not mean that they should remain sedentary during the entire recovery as doing so can exacerbate the swelling and may prolong the healing time.

As soon as possible, patients should take a gentle, short walk every day to encourage quick recovery and minimize swelling.

Breast Augmentation to Treat Hypoplasia

Contrary to popular belief, breast augmentation surgery is not only used to improve the figure; for some women, this procedure is needed to address deformities such as hypoplasia in which one or both breasts never mature properly.

Many women with this condition suffer from emotional pain because the breasts have always been associated with femininity and sensuality.  Fortunately though, most cases can be corrected by breast implant surgery; and because it is performed as a reconstructive procedure, insurance reimbursement is often possible. 

There are many factors which can lead to breast hypoplasia including hormone abnormalities.  If this is the problem, hormone therapy might resolve the condition and allow the breast tissue to develop normally. 

Hypoplasia can also be the result of systemic disorders, which must be addressed immediately while the patient is still young to increase the success rate of the treatment.  And for some, the problem may have originated from the damaged or injured undeveloped breast bud.

In some cases, underdeveloped breasts are caused by anorexia.  By simply addressing this underlying problem, most patients can develop normal breasts right after they regain their normal weight.

As much as possible, doctors treat the underlying problem before they even consider breast augmentation surgery.  However, there are cases in which the patients show no particular reason why their breasts never developed normally; in general, these women are good candidates for plastic surgery.

But even if the underlying problem has been resolved, some patients with hypoplasia will not be able to form a normal breast unless they will undergo breast augmentation.  This is because the delicate breast bud, once damaged at an early age, may never recover and lead to underdeveloped bosom. 

Patients with breast hypoplasia have a chest with a juvenile appearance.  And because of lack of anatomical maturity, the condition will often affect the breastfeeding, although some women have normal or limited mammary function.    

While breast augmentation surgery can correct the aesthetic problem caused by hypoplasia, it cannot help women who have no breastfeeding ability and those who lack sensory responses in their breasts.  But at least the look and feel of their breasts will be normal, helping them to overcome emotional and psychological issues caused by aesthetically immature breasts.  

Because hypoplasia patients lack breast tissue, silicone breast implant is more ideal than the saline version because it can mimic the feel and look of natural breasts.  In addition, choosing this type of implant can reduce the risk of palpable and visible rippling.

Thinking of Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation has been one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in 2010.  During this period alone, about 296,000 US patients had the surgery, with the number expected to grow in the next few years.

If you are thinking of having breast augmentation surgery, these are the most common questions of patients you may also have in mind:

·         Is the safety of breast implants monitored by the FDA?

Both saline and siliconebreast implants are considered safe both for breast augmentation and reconstruction following cancer surgery.  Currently, the FDA only allows Mentor and Allergan-Mentor to sell their products in the country.

·         What is the advantage of saline breast implants over the silicone version?

Saline implants require smaller incisions because they are only filled once they are inside the breast pocket.  Take note that no FDA-approved prefilled saline implants are sold in the US.  Another advantage is that you are no longer required to undergo regular MRI screening because there is no risk of “silent leak.”

·         Which is more popular nowadays, silicone or saline implants?

Most doctors believe that silicone implants are more popular these days because they can simulate the natural feel of tissue unlike the saline version which is typically described as like having a water-balloon inside the breast.

But because a leak may not have any manifestation (e.g., deflated-looking breasts), it is recommended that you undergo MRI screening at least every two years.

·         Is there any option other than saline and silicone implants?

A new breast implant called “gummy bear” implant is used in Europe, though it is not yet available in the US market, unless you will enroll in nationwide clinical trials to test the product’s effectiveness and safety.

Gummy bear implant uses the silicone gel that is more cohesive than the one used by the currently available silicone implant.

·         Do patients need revisions in the future?

Because breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime, you will likely need revision breast augmentation at some point in your life.  This is because the devices are still subjected to the natural wear and tear which can lead to rupture and leak.

Teen Mom Farrah Abraham Proud to Be on Best Cosmetic Surgery List

It is not uncommon for celebrities to deny having plastic surgery even if the result is blatant or sometimes to the point of looking “fake.”  However, this is not the case of Farrah Abraham who is proud to make it on UsWeekly’s 2011 list of best cosmetic surgery.

The celebrity mom, who was featured in MTV’s reality show 16 and Pregnant, tweeted: “Thank you USWeekyly for including me on 2011 BEST: Plastic surgeries.”

After giving birth, Abraham underwent breast augmentation surgery to increase her bust size from cup size A to C.  Despite criticism for having the procedure at a relatively young age, she said that she is happy with her decision.

Los Angeles leading plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili, who did not treat Abraham, said that she is a good example of natural-looking breasts after plastic surgery.

“The good thing about her breast implant size is that it complements her body and perfectly fits her small frame.  She did not go overboard as some celebrities have done in the past by using large implants that often result to the heavy top look,” Smaili said.

During the 1990s, the cosmetic surgeon said the trend in breast augmentation was the “bigger the better,” despite the unnatural look it gave to some patients, particularly those with small frame.

But nowadays, Smaili said that he is seeing more patients asking for revisions to “downsize their breast implant and achieve a more natural look.”

“I think the trend today is the natural bust size.  Just enough volume especially in the upper poles of the breasts to create more cleavage.  People should know that not all patients who ask for breast augmentation solely want to enlarge their breasts; in fact, a significant number of my patients just want to regain the lost volume caused by pregnancy,” Smaili said.

The cosmetic surgeon added that 300 to 350 cubic centimeter (cc) of breast implant size is often enough to create the natural look, although he warned that factors such as waistline, chest width, natural fat and tissue, and overall body frame should also be considered when deciding for the “right” implant size.

Citing Abraham’s breast augmentation, Smaili lauded her decision to stick “to a realistic size considering her small frame and thin arms.”

“Patients like her are easy to work with.  They know their body and consider its limitation.  While we always remind our patients that going for extremely large implants have many disadvantages, there are some who are still persistent about this.  But any self-respecting and ethical surgeons would have to turn these women down because we should not push the body’s limit—that’s my rule,” Smaili said.

Poll Shows Breast Surgery Improves Sex Life

Women who have received breast enhancement surgeries such as augmentation and mastopexy (or breastlift) have reported better sex life and higher satisfaction after the procedures, according to a survey conducted by RealSelf.com, a popular online forum that tackles plastic surgeries and cosmetic treatments.

On average, respondents claimed that breast enhancement surgery have increased their sex life satisfaction by 34 percent, while 61 percent said they had sex more frequently after the procedure.

By contrast, only 7 percent of the respondents said they had fewer sexual encounters after their breast augmentation or breast lift surgery.

On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest satisfaction rate, patients experienced more than a two-point increase in their overall sex life satisfaction following their breast enhancement surgery.

Before the procedure, the average sex life satisfaction score was 6.07 and then jumped to 8.13 after the surgery.

While about 70 percent of respondents said that their overall sex life has improved, 28 percent said that breast surgery did not change anything.

Currently, the average cost of breast augmentation and breast lift in the US is $6,000 and $10,000, respectively.  But despite the procedures’ relatively high price, a number of patients seeking them has increased over the past couple of years.

In the US alone, about 296,000 patients had breast implant surgery in 2010.  Meanwhile, it has been estimated that 5 to 10 million people worldwide have augmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons, although a significant number of them also had the procedure to reconstruct their breasts after mastectomy or to transition from male to female gender.

On the other hand, approximately 90,000 breast lift surgeries were performed in the US in 2010 alone.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, said he is expecting breast enhancements, particularly augmentation surgery, to further increase their popularity in the coming years.

“I think that the changing perception with cosmetic plastic surgery is the main reason why breast enhancements are enjoying their popularity.  Considered to be a taboo in the previous years, people are now more open to the idea that we have the freedom and the right tool to modify and improve our physical appearance,” Smaili said.

However, the cosmetic surgeon warned that not all people who want to have some “physical improvements” are good candidates for cosmetic surgeries.

“Of course there are many things to consider.  Does she have realistic goals and expectations?  Is she physically and psychologically healthy?  These are just some of the factors plastic surgeons would have to consider before taking any surgical step, particularly if it involves elective and cosmetic procedures,” Smaili added. 

Radio Station Gives Two Breast Augmentation Vouchers

A radio station in Chicago has recently given two breast augmentation vouchers each worth $7,000 for the winners of its contest “Breast Year Ever.”

Classic rock radio station WLUP “The Loop” held a contest requiring listeners to submit written reasons why they want to undergo breast augmentation surgery, and a photograph of their natural breasts.

One of the winners, Carrie, has shared her stories of why she desires to undergo the cosmetic plastic surgery.  Three years ago, the bank teller gave her husband her kidney, and as a way to thank her wife, the husband said he wants to “give her breast augmentation in return.”

The second winner, Alishia, is a cancer survivor who at a young age received radiation therapy to save her life; however, the treatment inhibited her to have normal breast development.

According to the radio station’s website, Alishia became a nurse as her way to heal others who are dealing with the same medical issues she had experienced during her struggle with cancer.

This is not the first time a radio station offers breast surgery vouchers to listeners.  Just recently, Calgary station Amp Radio also raffled off breast augmentation which was won by a transgender woman.

Also, a casino in Atlantic city offered jackpots in the form of cosmetic procedures including liposuction, cheek implants, and Botox injection.  The contest dubbed as the “Tuck and Lift Sweepstakes” raffled off $25,000 worth of plastic surgery and non-invasive procedures.

Meanwhile, some board-certified plastic surgeons are not happy with the growing trend of using cosmetic surgery vouchers as a prize for contest as it may mislead people to believe the procedure does not involve serious ramifications.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastics urgeons, said that plastic surgery is a “serious decision to make and involves lengthy consultation between a doctor and his patient.”

“I always require lengthy consultation and physical examination before I proceed with a certain procedure to determine a patient’s qualification not just in terms of physical health but also emotional and psychological health.  Of course, I also consider my patient’s expectations and goals—whether these are achievable or not,” Smaili said.

Breast Implants Save Woman’s Life During an Attack

Yes, the headline sounds comical but it is true.  A woman in Florida has claimed that her saline breast implant saved her life after it prevented a pocket knife from piercing her lungs and heart.

Meanwhile, doctors believe that the victim’s breast implant really saved her life.  The woman, who did not want to be named, said she was stabbed by her ex-fiance’s new girlfriend several times using a pocket knife.

The suspect, Amy Winter, stabbed the 41-year-old victim several times in her left chest. 

Because the breast implant absorbed the deadly blow, it prevented the pocket knife from piercing the victim’s vital organs.  In fact, doctors said that without the synthetic device, she could have sustained fatal injuries such as collapsed lungs and heart failure.

The incident happened outside the victim’s apartment in Melbourne.  According to police report, Winter scratched her car and stabbed her repeatedly during confrontation.

The victim said the attack happened so fast that she found herself covered with blood—and also saline (or simply saltwater solution) from the ruptured breast implants, which she got three months ago.  For this reason, she said that her breastaugmentation, which cost $6,000, is probably the best investment she ever made.

Meanwhile, the breast implant manufacturer said it will provide warranty because the patient is a victim of a crime.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, a breast augmentation doctor who did not treat the victim, said that he heard a few cases of breast implants “inordinately saving a woman’s life.”

“A few years ago, I read a news about a woman in Los Angeles who was shot in the chest but the bullet fragments, as shown by the CT scan, were prevented by the implants from reaching the heart and other vital organs,” Smaili said.

“So this news about a woman with breast implants who survived after being stabbed in the chest no longer sounds incredulous or impossible to me.  I hear such stories from time to time so this one no longer surprises me,” the Los Angeles plastic surgeon said.

Celebrity Body-Builder to Downsize Her Breast Implants

In a recent interview, celebrity body-builder Jodie Marsh said she wants to downside her breast implants with a revision plastic surgery that is going to be performed this year.  Her decision to get another “boob job” came after dropping to a size 6 over the past couple of months.

The British tv personality, who has appeared topless on numerous tabloid newspapers, was quoted saying that her large implants seem out of proportion with her smaller body-frame.  In fact, she even admitted to “lifting her breasts” during body-building competitions because they hide the “first couple of rows of her abs.”

Meanwhile, Dr. TarickSmaili, a cosmetic surgeon who did not treat Marsh, said that he is seeing more patients wanting to downside their breasts in order to achieve a more natural look.

“In general, very large breast implants lead to the heavy top look which often looks unnatural, especially if you have a small frame and limited chest width.  Surprisingly, this was a trend during the previous years although I am now seeing that many patients are opting to replace their implants with smaller ones to look natural,” Smaili said.

Another concern with extremely large breast implants, Smaili said, is that the patients are at higher risk of rippling, which is more of a problem if they have a limited amount of breast tissue and fats to cover the implant shell.

Citing the body-builder’s recent photo, Smaili said that her upper and medial cleavage has some visible rippling, which the doctor explained is caused by implants that are too large for her body.

Marsh is not the only celebrity who is shifting to the natural look.  In fact, Denise Richards and Pamela Anderson have been reported to undergo a revision breast augmentation to downsize their implants.

Another good example is Kate Hudson who has been reported to have plastic surgery in 2010 to receive small breast implants that no one would even be able to tell she have them if not for her previous videos and photos.

Going back to Marsh, she previously said that she was concerned if she had the controversial PIP breast implants which have been pulled out in the UK market and other countries after findings suggest the devices have a very high failure rate.

However, she did not mention if her decision to replace her breast implants with smaller ones has also something to do with the controversial PIP devices.

Did Cameron Diaz Undergo Breast Implant Surgery?

Hollywood sweetheart Cameron Diaz has recently been the center of rumors.  According to some showbiz news reports, the actress may have received breast augmentation surgery after a recent photo shows her seemingly larger bust size while wearing a tiny bikini.

The 39-year-old actress was spotted on the Hawaiian beach during the holiday with a more toned and shapelier body.  Some experts have said that she may have increased her bust size by a cup.

While Diaz’s body appears to be shapelier than the previous years, some people are really not convinced if she had the procedure as the increase in her bust size was not as significant as compared to other celebrities who have gone under the surgical knife.  In fact, some bloggers even said that a slight weight gain may be the primary reason for the actress’ improved figure.

During previous interviews, Diaz was quoted saying that she would love to have a curvier figure, something she said she was not “naturally gifted.”

Meanwhile, the actress was not a first-timer in plastic surgery.  In 2006, she had rhinoplasty or nose surgery after sustaining injuries; however, the Hollywood star said she would rule out cosmetic surgery.

Whether Diaz has gone under the knife or just gained some weight that resulted to a shapelier figure, it is really hard to tell since the increase in her bust size was not dramatic.  And because the actress has brushed off rumors of her alleged breast augmentation surgery, the only thing people can do is speculate.

But assuming that Diaz had breast implant surgery, her decision to choose smaller implants is commendable as it resulted to a very natural appearance rather than looking “heavy” on top. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Tarick Smaili said that he is seeing more and more women opting for the natural look.

“I see that the growing trend is having smaller implants so the results will be natural that it would be hard or even impossible to tell if a woman has undergone plastic surgery or not.  In fact, we’ve seen Hollywood celebrities such as Denise Richards and Pamela Anderson downsizing their bust size with another augmentation surgery,” the leading cosmetic surgeon said.

During the previous years, the actress has been accused of yoyo dieting that left her with a very thin frame and flat chest.  But after she gained some weight, she now looks healthier and shapelier than the previous years.