Showing posts with label breast augmentation los angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast augmentation los angeles. Show all posts

Thursday, February 2, 2012

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.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

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.

Monday, January 30, 2012

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.

Friday, January 27, 2012

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.


Thursday, January 26, 2012

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. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

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.


Monday, January 16, 2012

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.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Brazil Bans French-Made Breast Implants




Just recently, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has released a statement saying the defective silicone breast implants made by PIP, a now bankrupt French company, did not reach the US.  This means that only patients who received breast augmentation outside the country are the ones who should only be concerned with the products.
But unfortunately, the ASPS said that about 80 percent of PIP breast implants were exported to other countries including UK, Chile, Spain, Germany, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil.  For this reason, estimates suggest that 300,000 patients worldwide are affected by the substandard products.
Meanwhile, some reports show that PIP implants were sold by a Dutch-based company under the brand name “M” which was commonly used in Brazil.  And with the growing international scandal, the biggest country in Latin America has recently banned the defective products.
Aside from a nationwide ban, Brazil’s healthy ministry also said the government is willing to pay the medical costs for the removal of PIP breast implants.  This has also been the promise of French authority to the affected patients.
In fact, 39 women in Brazil have been entitled to receive implant removal surgery free of charge.
On the other hand, UK authority still insists that there is no reason to conduct a nationwide removal of PIP breast implants.  Such statement has appalled the public as some authorities directly said the government and clinics cannot foot the bill for about 40,000 patients with PIP implants, which are said to lack coating that prevents the gel filling from leaking out of the shell.
While Brazil is offering free implant removal surgery, the government said the coverage is only applicable for those with ruptured implants.  And without any symptoms, a patient should foot the bill if she is concerned with the potential complications associated with PIP’s products.
“We are not offering free preventive surgeries,” one government official said.
Currently, the health ministry has no idea on how many PIPbreast implants were imported and sold in Brazil.  However, it has discovered that in December last year alone, the country imported about 34,631 implants, with 24,534 of these were sold.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Snooki Says She Wants Breast Implants After Weight Loss







A month after shocking her fans with her new figure, reality tv star Snooki—whose real name is Nicole Polizzi—said she wants to have breast implants as a reward for her weight loss.

The 4’9” television celebrity, who is known for her countless misdemeanors, Tweeted a message saying that she would not mind having a bigger bust size like her Jersey Shore co-star JWoww whose real name is Jenni Farley.

“All I want for Christmas is big knockers like JENNIWOWW.  Thanks Santa,” the pint-sized reality tv star said on her Twitter account.

With Snooki’s small frame, most people would probably wish that she will choose small- to moderate-sized breast implants so the result will look as natural as possible rather than fake. 

Aside from natural results, considering the overall body frame, chest width, and rib cage can also help breast augmentation patients to minimize the risk of rippling and wrinkling, especially those with limited amounts of fats and tissues in their breasts.

Meanwhile, it is not yet clear on when will Snooki get breast augmentation surgery, although she still trying to meet her weight goal which is 45kg through regular gym sessions and diet pill Zantres-3, a product which she advertizes.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Best and Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery 2011





The year 2011 has ended great or worse for some celebrities who have always been the most ardent patrons of cosmetic plastic surgery.  While some have managed to improve their looks, others have fallen into their obsession and ended up with a not-so-flattering appearance.

This is a list of best and worst celebrity cosmetic surgery of 2011:

·         Lil’ Kim

She used to look naturally beautiful, but with bad plastic surgery, she ended up having too prominent cheeks and a too pointy nose that almost resembles that of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Another notable change is her bust size.  However, it seems that the 4’11” singer has gone overboard with her outrageously large breastimplants.  It could have been better if she chose smaller ones to fit her petite frame.

·         Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is a perfect example of a good breast augmentation surgery.  She only asked for small breast implants to better fit her petite frame, giving her a nice B cup from a “double A.”  Because of the natural look she has achieved, not everyone is even convinced that she had plastic surgery, with some even saying that she might have started using “good” push-up bras.

While Kate has not yet confirmed if she went under the knife, her previous photos show the “subtle” improvements.

·         Ashlee Simpson

Her previous nose was too large.  But with a good rhinoplasty surgeon, she now has a smaller, delicate-looking nose that complements her face.  However, the singer is still denying having plastic surgery.

·         Joan Rivers

Over the past several years, television personality Joan Rivers has always been included in the list of worst plastic surgery.  But despite the notoriety of her obsession, she still continues to make some “tweaks” here and there that it is hard to tell how many cosmetic surgeries she had and is planning to have.

·         Jane Fonda

Joan Rivers should learn from Jane Fonda who had facelift, eyelid lift, and necklift.  The actress looks younger and refreshed nowadays, without looking like a wind just blew her face—a manifestation of bad facial plastic surgery.

·         Donatella Versace

The Italian fashion designer may be talented in making fashionable clothes but is probably clueless when it comes to “ideal beauty.”  With her swollen, stretched out lips and her unflattering tan, or sometimes orange complexion, she definitely looks “unglamorous.”

·         Megan Fox

While the sultry actress has repeatedly denied having plastic surgery, it is really hard to refute that her looks are solely from good genes.  Some doctors claim that she had nose job and eyelid surgery to make herself one of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood.  But even if the cosmetic procedures are just plain rumors or real—and her appearance is just created by talented makeup artists and good photoshop skills—she looks stunningly beautiful.

·         Heidi Montag

The reality tv star admitted to have had 10 plastic surgeries in one day.  In 2010, she had buttock augmentation, breast implant surgery, brow lift, Botox injection on her forehead, liposuction on her midsection, neck liposuction, fat injection on her face, chin reduction, ear pinning, and nose job.

But just after several months of her extreme makeover, she said during an interview that she regretted her surgeries.

·         Jennifer Aniston

The actress has previously admitted to have had nose surgeries, although she claimed that these were done to correct her deviated septum, which is the strip of tissue separating the two nostrils.  But whether she had the procedures for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons, she looks more gorgeous these days.

·         Nadya Suleman

The “Octomom” had tummytuck surgery after giving birth to octuplets.  However, her plastic surgeon had probably gone overboard as her abdomen now appears too flat that it has no definition or contour.  Plus, her navel looks like it was created by making a vertical slit, making it hard to deny that she had the procedure.

·         Lisa Rinna

The television host and actress had definitely joined the bandwagon of celebrities with a larger-than-life lip.  While this is a growing trend among famous people, any self-respecting plastic surgeon would definitely not agree with the swollen, stretched out lips.

Also, Lisa’s multiple facial plastic surgeries left her with an unnaturally smooth, windswept appearance.  Meanwhile, she was quoted saying in 2009 that she regretted going overboard with cosmetic procedures.

·         Jocelyn Wildenstein

The wealthy socialite, dubbed as the “Lion Queen” and the “Cat Lady,” has been reported to spend a whopping $4 million just to look like a feline.  For several years, she has managed to make it to the list of worst plastic surgery.

·         Ellen DeGeneres

While Ellen has not yet confirmed if she had plasticsurgery, it is hard to deny that she looks younger and refreshed nowadays.  Some cosmetic surgeons assume that she may have had facelift, eyelid lift, laser skin resurfacing, Botox, and/or neck lift. 

Ellen is a perfect example of “natural look” after facial plastic surgery.




Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Substandard Breast Implants from France Did Not Reach the US—ASPS






About 30,000 women in France will receive surgery to remove the defective breast implants which are highly prone to rupture and leak, while approximately 50,000 patients in UK have these substandard devices which were manufactured by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

While the defective siliconebreast implants were exported to Brazil, UK, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Colombia, and Venezuela, the American Society of PlasticSurgeons (ASPS) said the products were never approved in the US.

In Germany and possibly elsewhere in Europe, the substandard PIP breast implants were sold under the brand name “M,” according to the ASPS website.  Meanwhile, about 80 percent of devices were exported outside France.

In a statement published on its web site, the ASPS said that “an American woman would need to have been implanted outside the United States in order to have received the implants that are now the subject of concern in France.”

According to earlier reports, about 50 clinics in UK have reported implant ruptures although the government said “there is no need to remove the products en masse.”

While the total number of British women with ruptured implants—which have been found to have a fragile shell—is still unknown, experts have estimated that about 1,000 patients could be affected.  However, this is just a conservative estimates assuming that implant failure rate is only 2 percent.

PIP’s cheap implants have been reported to be made of low-grade industrial silicone designed for mattress, making them “unfit for human use.”

Fazel Fatah, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), said the “quality of the silicone in PIP implants is not of medical grade, therefore, these are not fit to be implanted into humans.”

While there is a call for the UK government to “require women with the substandard devices to undergo implant removal” and “to shoulder the surgical expenses,” the spokesman for private medical clinics said that it would be “irresponsible” to remove all the implants as clinics could not afford to pay all the related costs.

The spokesman added that their study has suggested that the rupture rate of PIP implants is “between 1 and 2 percent” which is described as “within the acceptable industry standard.”  However a separate study has shown that failure rate is approximately 7 percent.

PIP, which filed for bankruptcy two years ago, has been warned by US Food and Drug Administration in 2000 that its implants were substandard as the company failed to follow “good manufacturing practices.”

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Breast Surgery Improves Post-Cancer Patients’ Emotional Well-Being


Reconstructive breast surgery is an important part of recovery after battling with breast cancer.  This procedure is performed beyond cosmetic reason as breasts have always been associated with womanhood and sexuality; for this reason, diseases and invasive surgeries that result to deformities can have a huge impact to a patient’s emotional health.
Meanwhile, breast reconstruction is either performed via breast implants and/or tissue-based method. 
According to a 2011 study published in Cancer, the official journal of the American Cancer Society, women who have undergone breast reconstruction in which the tissue was grafted from the abdomen have experienced significant gains in social, sexual, and psychological well-being.
The researchers believe their findings can help women suffering from breast cancer to decide if reconstructive plastic surgery can be a part of their recovery.
The study, which involved 51 women who had free MS-TRAM or DIEP flap reconstruction (tissue grafted from the abdomen to create a breast mound), shows the positive emotional impact of reconstructive breast surgery on post-cancer patients.  However, one downside is that majority have experienced muscle weakness in the abdominal area.
Some patients may have reconstructive plastic surgery right after their mastectomy, a procedure that completely or partially removes the breasts.  However, others have to wait for a couple of months to make sure that their body has already fully recovered from the trauma caused by the initial surgery.
If there is a significant deformity, most plastic surgeons recommend tissue-based grafting in which they use a patient’s own tissue from the abdomen to create a breast mound.  Meanwhile, the buttocks and back can also serve as a donor site to form new breast/s.
On the other hand, breast implant surgery may be enough for some patients especially if the initial surgery has left them with enough amount of breast tissue.  This technique often leads to less scarring than if the tissue-based method is used, although it is not recommended for those who are left with little or no tissue.
One downside of implant surgery is that the breast which is not treated may “age” at a different pace than the one with the implant, resulting to asymmetrical look.  For this reason, some patients may be recommended to have breast lift or other surgeries that can create a balance appearance.
Contrary to popular belief, breast implants do not pose a significant risk to post-cancer patients.  First and foremost, there is a very little chance of cancer recurrence on the breasts that have already been treated with mastectomy.



Monday, December 19, 2011

Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?


While breast augmentation aims to increase the bust size, the goal of breast reduction surgery is the total opposite.  This procedure typically involves extensive incisions to remove a certain amount of tissue, fats, and skin, which in turn can lessen the size of the female chest.
Breast reduction surgery is particularly ideal if you are suffering from chronic back pain, limited movement because of the extra weight of your bust, non-healing irritation in the cleavage and along the crease, and shoulder strain, just to name a few.  However, you may also have the procedure even without these symptoms if you like to improve your figure.
But as with any major surgery, you must be in good health as it requires several weeks of recovery.  It simply means that you must not be suffering from serious medical conditions that may delay your recovery or result to undue risks.
You are not a good candidate particularly if you have wound healing disorders, diabetes, heart problems, and kidney disorders.  As much as possible, these conditions should be treated first or at least “controlled” before you undergo any surgery, particularly if it involves extensive incisions.
You should also think twice of having breast reduction surgery if you have a history of irregular mammograms and undiagnosed lumps in the breasts.
Another important requirement is to be in normal weight.  You should remember that if you are obese or are experiencing significant weight changes, the result of surgery may be reversed and/or you may end up with a deflated-looking, sagging bust.  While repeating the procedure is possible, doing so will result to more scarring and higher risk of asymmetrical appearance.
Meanwhile, smokers in general are not a good candidate for any cosmetic surgery as they are very prone to gangrene (manifested by purplish color which doesn’t seem like common bruises) and delayed healing.  Because the nicotine stiffens the blood vessels, the oxygen-rich blood finds it hard to reach the wound.
As with any plastic surgery, you will undergo a lengthy consultation with your doctor so he can determine if your expectations and goals are realistic.  You should remember that breast reduction cannot change the fundamental shape of your bust, and the result will only be a smaller version of your breasts.
You should also accept the fact that scarring is just one of the tradeoffs of having breast surgery.  These are the other things you also have to consider: risk of asymmetrical appearance, puckery skin, infection, and delayed healing; however, these can be minimized or even avoided if you will choose a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Miley Cyrus Denies Breast Augmentation Rumors


Former Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus has denied rumors of breast augmentation surgery after she was seen wearing a plunging neckline dress during a red carpet event. 
To disprove the rumors, she Tweeted: “Thank you for the compliment, but these babies are all mine,” adding that people should “realize that you don’t have to be fake to be beautiful.”
The 19-year old actress-singer also said that she her body is still maturing so there is nothing surprising about her seemingly larger breasts.  Her explanation sounds convincing since her breasts do not appear unnaturally big given that she is not petite, and perhaps her dress just created an “optical illusion” of a larger bust size.
And because of the plunging neckline dress she was wearing, it is not surprising that her cleavage looked more defined.  In fact, one may surmise that if it wasn’t for the low-cut design, her breasts wouldn’t appear as big as they were.
Meanwhile, Cyrus was irked by the comments of three “experts” hired by Star Magazine (via RadarOnline) who said that “there’s a strong indication that the young actress has gone under the knife to achieve her voluptuous look” at the CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute.
One of the cosmetic surgeons added that the “outline of the breast implants are visible in the lower portion of her breasts,” adding that it is impossible to have a significant increase in bust size, even with large weight gain, without having breast surgery.
Whether her new voluptuous look is a product of breast augmentation surgery or just because of her low-cut dress, she looked stunning during the event.  That’s a fact which is hard to deny.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Woman Tries to Have the Largest Breast Implants in the World






In an attempt to make history, Sheyla Hershey, 31, had undergone 30 breast surgeries to make her bust the biggest in the world through implants.  But just recently, she was forced to undergo an emergency procedure to remove her 38KKK cup size implants due to bad reaction and unusual pain during her recovery. 

However, what is more surprising is that she is still determined to hold the record for having the largest breast implant size in the world.  In fact, she was reported to have traveled to Mexico in order to receive a new operation to “reinflate” her breasts, even without her husband’s knowledge.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Hershey was quoted saying that she felt “deformed without her breasts.” 

“I feel like I lost my leg,” she added.

Hershey regained her previous 38MMM cup size with a procedure that injected saline solution inside her breast implants.  Her husband only thought that she was going to Mexico in order to reconstruct her bust.

With the result of her new operation, she said she was happy and “felt whole again.”  Meanwhile, some experts believe she was suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, a type of mental illness in which the sufferers are extremely conscious to their body image and preoccupied with their slight or imaginary defects of their physical features.

According to previous reports, Hershey is also suffering from bipolar disorder.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, said that breast implants are reasonably safe “as long as they come in sizes appropriate to the body-frame and amount of tissue and skin of patients.”

“A good and ethical plastic surgeon will not push the body’s limit by introducing breast implant size that is way too large for a patient.  Violating this principle will likely result to higher risk of implant visibility, unusually painful recovery, and other serious complications,” Smaili said.

Smaili said that he was also concerned with the significant scar tissue associated with having multiple breast surgeries, which are necessary if one is going to have inordinately large breast implants.

“Hershey is likely having multiple breast implant surgery to slowly stretch her tissue and skin, however, it is also possible that she is using tissue expanders, which are temporary implants injected with saline every couple of weeks, so her breast can house larger sizes”, the surgeon added.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration does not impose any limit on breast implant size although US manufacturers Mentor and Allergan do not offer implants larger than 800cc.


Friday, November 18, 2011

Ingenious Ways to Avoid Capsular Contracture After Breast Augmentation





The development of capsular contracture is one of the most common concerns of breast augmentation patients.  This complication, which happens at about a rate of 15 percent, occurs when the scar tissue around the implants becomes abnormally thick that it ends up squeezing the devices.

Despite the relatively high rate of occurrence, not all cases of capsular contracture need a revision surgery especially if there are no symptoms such as visible distortion and pain.  However, women who are experiencing severe discomfort and have developed ball- or coconut-shaped breasts will likely need another breast augmentation.

In the early stages of capsular contracture, the complication can be treated with non-surgical methods such as taking antibiotics and certain medicines, and performing breast massage.  For this reason, any unexpected changes in the breasts particularly hardness of the tissue should be immediately reported to a plastic surgeon.

But as the cliché goes, nothing is far better than to prevent capsular contracture than to treat its symptoms.  Fortunately, plastic surgeons nowadays have a deeper understanding of how this complication occurs. 

These are the six most ingenious ways to avoid or at least minimize the chance of capsular contracture from occurring:

1.     Avoid smoking well in advance of the procedure and during recovery.  Several studies have suggested that the nicotine’s ability to constrict the blood vessels not just inhibits proper oxygen delivery but also lead to higher risk of capsular contracture and gangrene.



In fact, smokers face great risks during and after surgery that plastic surgeons today will likely decline to conduct an operation unless they will quit the habit at least three weeks before and after surgery.



2.     Use of no-touch technique.  Also called as the Keller Funnel technique, it involves the use of a pouch (lubricated with a special solution) where the implants are placed.  The narrower end of the device is then squeezed in order to transfer the implant to the breast pocket without actually touching it.

With this technique, doctors can prevent contaminating the implants with staph bacteria present in the patient’s skin, which in turn lowers the risk of capsular contracture.

3.     Avoiding incision in the breast’s sub-muscular space.  This area is known to harbor bacteria, which is one of the most common causes of capsular contracture.



4.     Creating an oversized breast pocket.  With this technique, the scar tissue, which normally forms around the implants, will not put pressure or squeeze the breast implants in case it becomes thicker than it should be.



5.     Breast massage.  While not all plastic surgeons recommend postoperative breast massage, some experts say that it can minimize the risk of capsular contracture by preventing the scar tissue from becoming hard and thick.