Effects of Saline Breast Implants Depend on the Amount of Tissue

As its name suggests, saline breast implant is filled with sterile saltwater; for this reason it provides a less favorable cosmetic outcome for women with little breast tissue and fat.  By contrast, patients with an ample amount of tissue will usually enjoy a more natural result because of the “thicker coverage.”

The reason why women with almost no breast tissue will have unnatural result with saline implants is that there is little coverage.  In fact, the implants will be easily felt through the skin, regardless if these are positioned under or over the muscle, particularly in the lateral side and bottom of the breasts.

And instead of having a teardrop-shaped breast, it would end up being unnaturally round.  So for women with little amount of tissue, silicone breast implants, which are filled with a cohesive gel that mimics the feel of glandular tissue and fat, are the best options for them. 

(However, using teardrop-shaped implants, which are always available in textured surface to prevent them from flipping over, are not advisable for women with a very small breast because of the higher risk of rippling.)

Another concern of using saline implants on women with limited breast tissue is the higher risk of rippling and wrinkling of the shell, which is caused by “lack of coverage.”  This problem may be even aggravated with the use of textured implants with large “graininess.”

On the other hand, patients with moderate to significant amount of glandular tissue—particularly those with firm breasts—will likely enjoy a more natural result with saline implants.  In fact, regardless of the type of implants they would use, it is easier for them to achieve a favorable cosmetic result.

But despite having more amounts of tissue and fat, women should still limit themselves from using large saline implants (filled with more than 500 cubic centimeter or cc) because it can lead to a higher risk of downward displacement than silicone implants with the same size.

Meanwhile, women with a modest amount of tissue will achieve a result somewhere in-between.  They will most likely feel the implant shell through their skin with saline implants, although the shape of their breasts will appear natural as if they have used the silicone version. 

In general, silicone breast implants are still the best option for these patients to achieve a more natural feel.  (When plastic surgeons mention the word “feel,” they are talking about the sensation of the breast as it is being touched by fingers.)

FAQs About Breast Implant Surgery

1.     Question: What kind of implants is used during breast augmentation?

Answer:  Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration only allows silicone- and saline-filled breast implants.  However, there is some speculation that the gummy bear implants (these are filled with a more cohesive type of silicone gel) which are under clinical trial, will be made available to the public in the next few years.

2.     Q:  Which can provide a more natural result?

A: Siliconeimplants are designed to mimic the feel of breast tissue, making them a more popular choice of women these days.

3.     Q:  Any benefits in choosing saline implants over silicone version?

A: Yes.  Patients are not required to undergo MRI screening, a test necessary for those with silicone implants because they are at risk of having silent leak (no visible manifestation that the shell has already ruptured),And in case of rupture, patients with saline implants can immediately see the problem because their breasts will become deflated within hours.

4.     Q:  What is capsular contracture?

A:  This happens when the scar tissue—which naturally forms around any implant—becomes extraordinarily dense that it ends up squeezing the implants.  Fortunately, there are many surgical techniques and post-operative treatments that can minimize the risk of capsular contracture.

5.     Q:  What is the difference between smooth and textured implants?

A:  Smooth implants have a balloon-like surface while textured implants have a rough, somewhat “grainy” exterior.

All teardrop-shaped (or anatomical) implants come in textured surface to prevent it from rotating inside the breast pocket, something which may lead to visible distortion.  On the other hand, round implants often come with smooth exterior because they can rotate without causing any problem.

However, some round implants have rough surface which is said to minimize the risk of capsular contracture.  But this claim has not yet been proven.

6.     Q:  Which can provide more natural breast contour, round or teardrop implants?

A:  Both implants can provide natural appearance as long as with the proper placement.  And contrary to popular belief, round implants do not automatically lead to a dome-shaped, unnatural-looking breast because their shape turn into a teardrop once inside the breast pocket (due to the pull of gravity).

      7.  Q:  How long do breast implants last?

A:  According to a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine, breast implants last an average of 16 years, although their lifespan still depends on many factors such as the patient’s lifestyle, certain features of the body, and type of implant used during the procedure.

Breastfeeding After Augmentation Mammaplasty

One of the most common concerns of patients considering breast augmentation is its effect on breastfeeding.  However, many studies have suggested the surgery does not prevent women from producing milk.

Is It Possible to Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation patients will most likely be able to breastfeed their babies following the surgery, particularly if the incision is made along the breast crease and armpit.  However, a U-shaped incision around the edge of areola may increase the risk of having breastfeeding problems because the technique causes more trauma to the glands, nerves, and ducts.

Can Silicone Implants Contaminate the Milk?

Breast implants do not pose contamination risk to babies; in fact, the milk produced by a woman with siliconeimplants has a significantly less amount of silicone than formula milk.

Potential Problem

Patients should know that breast augmentation does not prevent them from producing milk, although there is a risk of having less sensitive nipples, which in turn may lead to difficulty in breastfeeding.  Fortunately, a study has suggested that five years after breast surgery, most of the damaged nerves have already been repaired by the body, significantly improving the ability to breastfeed.

Why Some Patients Can’t Nurse Their Babies

It’s not about inability to breastfeed, but more on the unwillingness of some women to nurse their babies.  According to a recent study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), women with breast implants who think that breastfeeding can lead to sagging breasts are less likely to do this successfully.

However, the ASPS said that breastfeeding does not affect the result of breast implant surgery and even highlighted the significant health advantages for both baby and mother.

Solution for Those Experiencing Difficulty in Breastfeeding

Women with breast implants should tell her child’s pediatrician about the surgery; in this way, the doctor can keep a close eye on the baby’s weight and make sure he or she is getting enough milk.

But for patients who had breast augmentation to address hypoplasia or underdeveloped breasts, they may experience trouble producing enough milk.  For these mothers, they are often advised to use pump after each nursing session to stimulate production.  But if this is not enough, they should use formula milk or donor milk.

Should Breast Augmentation Be Postponed?

Some plastic surgeons recommend postponing breast implant surgery for women who are considering having babies since pregnancy may change the appearance of their breasts.

Liposuction for Breast Reduction

Liposuction surgery is often used to remove the fats in the abdominal area, however, what many people don’t know is that the procedure can also serve as a replacement for traditional breast reduction.  When given to the right patient, it can reduce the size of female breasts by more than 50 percent.

In many cases, liposuction can also have a slight to moderate lifting effect because it can remove the weight of the excess fats.

Compared to the traditional breast reduction in which the excess fats, glandular tissue, and skin are removed, liposuction is less invasive; in fact, most patients can resume to most of their daily activities two to three days after the procedure.

But perhaps the most notable advantage of liposuction over traditional breast reduction surgery is that the risk of scar is almost eliminated.  This is possible because plastic surgeons only use a few small round incisions where they insert a pen-like device that suctions out the fats.

Some women achieve better results than others after breast reduction via liposuction, especially those whose breast enlargement is primarily caused by excess fats rather than tissue.  Many doctors have noticed that patients who have passed through their menopause tend to have more glandular fats than teenagers, making them a great candidate for this procedure.

However, younger women may also enjoy the benefits of breast reduction via liposuction as long as the excess fat is one of the contributing factors of their breast enlargement.  To determine the amount of glandular fats, most doctors require their patients to undergo mammogram.

But still, not all women with exceedingly large breasts are a good candidate for liposuction.  Those with macromastia—a condition in which the breasts are extremely big due to abnormal development of the glandular tissue—will likely need the excision-based breast reduction surgery.

Thin women with excessively large breasts often have more glandular tissue and little fats, making them a bad candidate for liposuction.  For these patients, only the excision-based breast reduction can provide them good results.

After liposuction, the result is a smaller version of the breasts; however, patients should remember that the procedure cannot change the shape of the bosom. 

In many cases, it can also create a slight to moderate lifting effect because the weight of the excess fats is remove, though patients should remember that the final result also depends on the elasticity of their breast’s suspensory ligaments.

Because there is only minimal trauma to the glands and nerve, there is little chance that breast reduction via liposuction will affect breastfeeding.

Round Breast Implant and Its Benefits

In terms of shape, breast implants are available in two kinds: round and anatomical (or sometimes referred to as teardrop).  Patients should remember that the implant’s contour has a significant impact on the final result of their breast augmentation surgery.

To date, round implants are more commonly used than the anatomical versions because they come cheaper and are believed to last longer.  But still, the best option largely depends on the patients’ goals and expectations and certain features of the body.

However, anatomical implants are still popularly used on women who had mastectomy or cancer surgery, though plastic surgeons have started using them for cosmetic breast augmentation after realizing that they provide great aesthetic results.

But nowadays, round implants are more preferred by many doctors because they have a lower risk of implant wrinkling since they often come in smooth surface, which cannot pull the tissue.  By contrast, teardrop implants are always available in textured exterior because they are not supposed to rotate inside the breast pocket.

The anatomical implant’s textured surface will prevent it to flip over, which if occurs can lead to visible distortion.  But studies have suggested that this particular design can lead to higher risk of visible rippling, especially for implants that have large “graininess.”

The risk of visible and palpable rippling is particularly a concern for women with limited fat and tissue on their breasts.  For this reason, most plastic surgeons do not recommend teardrop implants for patients with little tissue coverage.

While round implant has all its sides equal, it does not mean the result is always a dome-shaped breast that looks unnatural.  Contrary to popular belief, its shape can still lead to natural appearance with a proper implant placement.

In fact, round implants can turn into a teardrop shape if held on one side and left suspended.

Another advantage of round implant over teardrop is that it comes at a lower price.  In addition, several studies suggested that it often lasts longer particularly those with smooth surface.

Because round smooth implants do not pull the tissue, they are less likely to wrinkle—one of the factors that can weaken the implant shell.

Also, patients who will choose round implants can either use saline (salt and water solution) or silicone filler.  By contrast, anatomical implants are only filled with saline because a cohesive gel like the silicone cannot be used.

Currently, silicone-filled implants are more popular than saline version because they provide a more natural result; this is not surprising because silicone gel is designed to mimic the suppleness of the breast tissue.

                                                  

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.

What Is the Most Ideal Age to Have Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries not just in the US but also in many countries.  In fact, it has been estimated that 5 to 10 million people have the procedure; they consisted of women who wanted to improve their appearance, post-cancer patients who had mastectomy, and transgender.

To date, many countries including the US require patients to be at least 18 years old before they can undergo breast implant surgery.  But take note that this age requirement generally applies if you will have the procedure solely for cosmetic purpose—e.g., you want to increase your bust size.

By contrast, age requirement is not important if you will have the procedure as a way to treat developmental abnormalities.

You have to remember that patients between 18 and 21 can only have saline implants which are filled with a sterile saltwater solution.  But when you reach the age of 22, you would be allowed to use silicone implants during your breast augmentation surgery.

The main reason why silicone implants require a higher age limit is because of the risk of rupture.  To prevent serious complications, you will be required to undergo MRI screening at least every two years.  By contrast, you will not need this if your implants are filled with saline, which in case of a leak, can be safely absorbed by your body, though your breasts will immediately appear somewhat “flat.”

While 18 years old can already have breast augmentation, many plastic surgeons believe that a woman should wait until she has reached her twenties because there is a likelihood that her breasts will further enlarge.

Imagine that if your breasts become larger after having plastic surgery, you may end up with a bust size bigger than what you really want.  While you can always have revisions to downsize your implants or even remove them without replacement, this means additional expenses and possibly more scarring.

If you decide to have breast augmentation in your teenage years, you will likely need revisions sooner than later.  Take note that breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime and are subjected to the natural wear and tear.

According to a data collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 65 percent of breast implant surgeries were performed on patients aged between 20 and 38, a clear indication that most women waited until their body has fully matured before they had the procedure.

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. 

Can Herbal Supplements Affect My Healing After Plastic Surgery?

Can herbal supplements such as green tea and ginko biloba have a negative effect on my body’s healing ability after plastic surgery?  For this question, the answer is YES.  Even if the package says “all natural ingredients,” it does not always mean that they would not cause some kind of harm.

While taking herbal supplements has its own advantages, this is not the case if you will undergo plastic surgery or any kind of operation.  This is because some of the ingredients used have been known to affect healing and natural blood clothing, thereby increasing your risk of skin necrosis (or gangrene), infection, and increased bleeding during and after surgery.

These are just some of the most commonly used herbal supplements you must avoid at least two weeks before and after your plastic surgery (e.g., breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, body lift, etc.). 

·         Ephedra

Ephedra is often used in treatments for a wide range of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, although certain weight loss medications and “energy” supplements also contain this ingredient.

However, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the ingredient after studies have suggested it can raise the blood pressure and heart rate, something which may lead to heart attack and stroke.

·         Chondroitin

As a treatment for people suffering from osteoarthritis, Chondroitin has been found to increase bleeding during surgery and delay one’s recovery.  Its effect can be further aggravated if you are taking other blood-thinning medications such aspirin and all types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen and naproxen).

·         Glucosamine

The effects of this agent are the same as the insulin, thereby increasing your risk of hypoglycemia during surgery.  This complication happens when your blood sugar drops to a dangerous level. 

·         Echinacea

Commonly used for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, and viral infection caused by ulcers, arthritis, and chronic wound.  But studies suggested that this ingredient can suppress your body’s immune system, leading to delayed healing.

Just to be on the safe side, you should tell your plastic surgeon all about your current medications and herbal supplements during consultation.  Take note that even those which contain garlic, ginseng, gingko biloba, and other seemingly harmless, everyday ingredients can affect your healing ability.

In case that you are taking these herbal supplements and certain medications that can affect your healing, your plastic surgeon will ask you to stop these at least two weeks before surgery.

50 Years After Silicone Breast Implants Were Introduced

It was in the early 1960s when Thomas Cronin and his team have developed the world’s first silicone breast implants.  The idea started when they noticed that plastic bags used by the blood banks have the same softness of a breast.

When Cronin attended a plastic surgery meeting, one of his colleagues told him about a new company which had a new product that can be made into solid and liquid form, with a variety of viscosity.  Another great thing about the device was the extreme compatibility with the human tissue.

The medical-grade silicone can be turned into a solid form which will serve as the shell, while the cohesive silicone gel will act as the filling.  This material then paved way for the invention of silicone-filled breast implant, one of the most commonly used devices in cosmetic plastic surgery to date.

After creating the first prototype of silicone breast implant, the device was implanted into a dog.  The trial worked okay and so Cronin and his colleagues started to look for a woman who would be interested to have the first breast augmentation surgery through the new device.

The plastic surgeons found a willing test subject: Timmy Lindsey.  Now she is 80 years old and working in a care home in Texas.

At the time, no one would have ever imagined that breast augmentation surgery would become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries worldwide.  In fact, a 2010 survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that 296,000 procedures were performed in the US.

It has been estimated that 5 to 10 million women worldwide had breast augmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons, although a significant number also had it to reconstruct their breasts after mastectomy (or cancer surgery), and for transsexual people to transition from male to female.

While breast augmentation is popular in the US and UK, this is not the case in some countries which have their own standard of beauty.  For example, the procedure is not as popular in Brazil because most people there prefer large buttocks rather than big breasts.

Today, most women who seek for cosmetic breast augmentation are categorized into two groups: those with small breasts who want to increase their bust size, and those mothers who have deflated-looking bosoms which are caused by childbirth.

In the US and most European countries, breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons can only be conducted for patients aged 18 years and older.

Bizarre Stories About Breast Implants

Just recently, a Florida woman made headlines after she was attacked by her ex-fiance’s new girlfriend.  While crime of passion is not uncommon, what makes the story bizarre is that she survived because her salinebreast implant prevented the pocket knife from piercing her heart and lungs.

If this story sounds weird, hold yourself from more bizarre news involving breast implants.

1.     Snake dies after biting a woman’s chest.

In 2011, a model from Israel was attempting a stupid act live on air: kiss a snake.  Unfortunately, the boa constrictor died after it bit her surgically-enhanced breast; reports showed the cause of death was silicone poisoning.

Surprisingly, the model did not suffer from any serious problem although she was rushed to the hospital right after the incident and was given an anti-tetanus shot.

2.     Politician raffles breast implants to raise funds for campaign.

In Venezuela, a politician raised money for his campaign by raffling off breast implants.  Gustavo Rojas defended his action and said that while people raffle televisions and other appliances, he decided to offer cosmetic surgery which he said was far more interesting.

“It is an interesting prize…I’m not showing disrespect to anyone,” Rojas said.  

3.     Woman survives gun attack because of her breast implants.

A Los Angeles woman was shot in the chest but survived when her breast implant stopped the bullet from reaching her heart.

When Lydia Carranza was brought to the hospital and underwent a CT scan, doctors were amazed to realize that the bullet fragments were millimeters away from reaching her heart and other vital organs.

Carranza was at her office when a co-worker’s husband fired at her and his wife.  The wife died during the shooting incident.

4.     Woman survives a car crash thanks to her breast implants.

A 24-year-old Bulgarian woman survived a head-on collision when her 40DD breast implants absorbed most of the impact, preventing fatal injuries on her ribcage, lungs, heart, and other vital organs.

While she survived the accident, her silicone breast implants did not.  A police officer said the devices worked like airbags—they absorbed the impact and protected the victim’s ribcage.

5.     Woman accused of faking breast cancer to get implants.

Trista Joy Lathern from Texas lied about having breast cancer to raise $10,000 which has been used to pay her breast augmentation surgery.  She even shaved her head to look like she was terminally ill.

When authorities found out her scam, she was charged with theft by deception.

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.

Can Breast Implants Lead to Stretch Marks?

As its name suggests, the primary aim of breast augmentation surgery is to increase the bust size using either saline or silicone implants.  In the US, only Allergan and Mentor are allowed by the Food and Drug Administration to sell these products to the market.

One of the most common concerns of patients considering breast augmentation is stretch mark, which happens when the skin tissue is stretched to its limit, resulting to purplish, reddish, or whitish stripes.  This often occurs after a significant weight gain/lose and pregnancy.

In some cases, breastimplants can cause stretch marks although a patient’s predisposition to have them depends on many factors including the implant size.  The rule of thumb is that the larger the device is, the higher the risk of developing the whitish or purplish stripes on the skin.

One effective way to lower the chance of having stretch marks after breast augmentation surgery is to use smaller implants.  Most plastic surgeons will likely agree that a 300 to 350 cubic centimeter (cc) range is a reasonable size.

By contrast, breast implants that come in 500cc size and above are often considered relatively large especially if these are going to be used on petite patients.

Aside from large breast implants, the age also seems to affect the likelihood of developing stretch marks.  According to some surveys, the problem is more common on younger women (those who are in their 20s and younger) than adult patients.

Plastic surgeons have also noticed that placing the implants on top of the muscle (subglandular technique) can increase the risk of stretch marks than positioning the devices below the muscle (submuscular technique).

Perhaps the reason why the subglandular implant placement increases the risk of stretch marks is that only the skin and tissue provide support to the weight of the device.  On the other hand, the submuscular technique offers more coverage and support to the implant, preventing the skin from stretching too much.

Also, most patients who developed stretch marks after breast augmentation have previously experienced the problem, although choosing a reasonable implant size and using the proper implant placement can reduce their risk.

By contrast, it is very unlikely for patients who have not experienced stretch marks to have the problem after breast augmentation surgery.

Fortunately, most patients who have developed stretch marks after breast augmentation reported that the purplish stripes turned white and became barely noticeable within three to four months. 

Breast Implants for Women with Active Lifestyle

Contrary to popular belief, female athletes and women who live an active lifestyle can have breast augmentation surgery.  However, certain factors must be considered to achieve the best result possible and minimize the risk of complications.

In general, athletic women—especially those who are thin—should use small implants or those from 300 to 350 cubic centimeters range.  By using the right size, their body will not be hindered from certain movements.

The problem with large breastimplants is that they interfere with the patients’ movement, which is a concern of athletes and women who lead an active lifestyle.  Also, these may result to the “heavy top” and unnatural look.

Another consideration to make is that active women often have less amount of fats in their breasts.  This simply means that they are more prone to visible and palpable rippling than women with thicker glandular tissues and fats.

To reduce the risk of wrinkling and rippling, thin athletic women are advised to choose small implants that can provide them a B to C cup bust size after their surgery.  Nonetheless, the exact size also depends on other factors including breast base measurements, chest width, waistline, and other pertinent anatomical features.

Aside from using smaller breast implants, another technique to minimize the risk of wrinkling is to place the devices under the pec muscle rather than in front of it.  In this way, not only the skin and tissue will cover the implant shell but also the muscle.

Another advantage of submuscular implant placement is that it can prevent or postpone ptosis (or sagging) because the muscle provides a strong support.  By contrast, the subglandular placement—a technique in which the device is positioned above the muscle—is believed to increase the risk of sagging and wrinkling particularly on women with limited glandular tissue and fat.

Despite the advantages of submuscular implant placement, one tradeoff is the longer recovery and more pain and discomfort.  But when everything heals, most patients will regain their normal muscle contraction, although in rare occasion some women will have distortion of the lower inner region of the breasts as the pec muscle is flexed.

Fortunately, the problem is relatively uncommon; in fact, some body-builders have submuscular breast implant placement. 

As mentioned earlier, most athletic women have little glandular fats.  For this reason, most plastic surgeons would likely recommend smooth round implants rather than textured tear drop implants which have a rough surface.

Smooth implants can lessen the risk of visible wrinkling especially if there is a little amount of breast tissue and fats to work with.  By contrast, textured implants are not recommended for thin patients because of the risk of rippling.

Does Plastic Surgery Impede Dolly Parton’s Acting?

Movie critics are not happy with Dolly Parton’s acting in her newest film, Joyful Noise, in which she and Queen Latifah play rival gospel singers in a small town.  Most of them cited the actress-singer’s noticeable plastic surgery, which they blamed as the main culprit for her “lack of expression.”

While the movie has made Dolly’s plastic surgery a butt of joke, with some of the characters’ tacky reference to her “overdone” appearance, not everyone is laughing.  Many people—especially movie critics—believe the actress deserves better than the slapstick, loud film that undermines her talents.

Going back to her acting, some movie bloggers said it was “painful” seeing the actress with overdone plastic surgery especially on the big screen.  This is more of a problem with the emergence of high definition technology that can emphasize any facial flaws.

In fact, one writer at the Chicago Tribune has described Dolly’s plastic surgery “as if she did her last work in a drive-through.”  But despite the harsh comment, he noted the actress’ vocal prowess and her charm.

To digress from the movie and Dolly’s impeded acting skills, facelift surgery is not just about removing the facial aging—e.g., wrinkles and sagging—but more importantly is maintaining the normal appearance and fundamental shape of the face.  This is the rule of thumb followed by board-certified cosmetic surgeons.

“The goal of facial plastic surgery is to create a natural appearance and not a windblown face and squinty eyes,” said Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons.

To create a natural appearance,Dr. Smaili said the most important thing is to remove the right amount of skin.  By contrast, he said that excising too much facial tissue can result to the “dreaded windswept look and squinty eyes.”

Another technique is to go deeper into the facial tissues, the cosmetic surgeon added, so the result of facelift surgery can last 10 to 15 years without the need for revision procedures.

However, Dr. Smaili warned that facelift does not stop the aging of the face and so the need for “minor tweaks” after 10 years will be needed in order to maintain the youthful appearance.  Revisions may include “isolated facelift,” Botox injection, eyelid lift, and even nose job (particularly for aging patients whose nasal tip becomes too drooping and elongated).

Citing Dolly’s appearance,Dr. Smaili said the actress probably had “too invasive” secondary facial rejuvenation procedures that resulted to her lack of expression.