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.

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.

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.