Facing Breast Cancer With a Positive Attitude

July 26, 2007 -

When a Rhode Island woman was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age, she immediately opted for a double mastectomy and threw her breasts a going away party.

Turning a Bad Situation into a Good Party

Sandra Gahlinger, 38, is one of 5 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40.

Gahlinger’s surgeon, Dr. Francis O’Connor, told her she had two options: to treat the cancerous growth that was found on one of her breasts, or to remove both breasts and have breast reconstruction surgery.

After seeing three of her aunt’s die from breast cancer, Gahlinger opted for a double mastectomy.

“It’s my boobs or my life,” explained Gahlinger, ” the decision was easy.”

A week before her surgery, she threw a party to say farewell to her old breasts and celebrate her new ones, along with her new health.

Most of the attendees at the party were cancer survivors who belonged to a support group Gahlinger was involved with.

After a few jugs of wine, and the trading of war stories, the women began openly talking about their new breasts, which they were all very happy and proud about.

Out With the Old, In With the New

Gahlinger underwent the double mastectomy and implant surgery at Newport Hospital and wore mammary antennae on her head while in surgery.

She remains a 32D since she asked her surgeon to make her fuller on top, but not to excess, and refers to her new breasts as her, “cancer consolation prize.”

Dr. O’Connor commended her positive attitude throughout the process and believes it was her positive spirit that enabled the four-hour surgery to only take two.

(Source: Rhode Island News)

Are you considering breast reconstruction? If so, please contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon.

Lunch Break Boob Job Myth Put to Rest

July 19, 2007 -

Headlines all over Europe have been promoting the Lunch Break Boob Job since the release of information from San Diego based company, Cytori Therapeutics.

According to these headlines, patients can go to their doctors office at lunchtime, have their own belly fat injected into their breast for a one-hour breast augmentation and be back to work within an hour.

However, Cytori Therapeutics and doctors claim, although there is truth behind the actual procedure, its impossible to go through surgery and be back to work as if nothing had happened.

Truth Behind the Myth

Although British magazines promoted the one-hour breast surgery to women, more hopes were raised than cup sizes.

Though with the advances made by Cytori Therapeutics, the possibility of surgeons using the patients own fat to increase the size and appearance of their breast is becoming a reality.

The ultimate goal in plastic surgery is to restore form with your own natural tissue, says Stephen B. Baker, the associate professor of plastic surgery at Georgetown University. Artificial materials are more prone to getting infected, moving, or not aging well with the body.

Although the FDA has approved man made options to be used during surgery, Baker claims surgeons worldwide desire the option of using a more natural substance when performing surgery.

For those who have undergone partial mastectomies followed by radiation, silicone and saline implants are typically not even an option for health reasons.

But it would be possible for cancer patients to use their own fat to restore the condition of their breasts.

(Source: Newsweek)

Are you considering getting a breast augmentation? Please contact us to speak with a board certified plastic surgeon that will help you to make the right decision.

New Advances in Breast Reconstruction

July 12, 2007 -

A new procedure called Celution is becoming a hot topic amongst plastic surgeons and patients who are undergoing breast reconstruction.

Although Celution is not currently available in the U.S., researchers hope to begin launching breast reconstruction studies involving the technique within the next year.

The Celution Technique

With the operation, the surgeon takes adipose (fat) tissue from another part of the patients body, such as the belly or the thigh, and places it into a Celution system.

After an hour, the regenerative cells are put back into the patient and injected into the breast.

According to Dr. Brian Kinney, a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, fat injections have become common practice with plastic surgeons in the past 15 years.

The Ideal Patient

Surgeons say that although the procedure is being modified to benefit all patients who are interested in breast augmentation, the ideal patients for the operation are currently those who have had breast cancer.

Breast cancer patients who need or want the defects of their breast fixed after a mastectomy or lumpectomy are the ideal candidates for Celution.

(Source: Forbes)

Are you thinking about getting a breast augmentation? Please contact us to speak with a board certified plastic surgeon about your options.

More Teenage Boys Getting Breast Reduction Surgery

July 5, 2007 -

Studies show that more young boys are getting breast reduction surgery in order to resemble the ideal male that they are exposed to through the media.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that about 14,000 boys between the ages of 13 and 19 underwent the operation in 2006.

Factors Involved in the Surgerys Popularity

While gynecomastia is not a new condition, more males are being operated because of having enlarged breasts than ever before.

The main reason for this is the rise in obesity in children that has been exposed to the American public.

According to David Zinczenko, the editor-in-chief at Mens Health magazine, a good portion of his readers are also concerned about their enlarged breast affecting their overall physical appearance.

Dr. Roxanne Guy, the President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons agrees with Zinczenko stating, Awareness of plastic surgery is much greater than it used to be. I find that men in general, and particularly young men, find it acceptable to have cosmetic surgery.

The Procedure

The reduction operation typically depends on the original size of the breast.

If a surgeon sees that the breast is enlarged with not only fat, but also extra glandular tissue, then they will remove the fat and excise the tissue.

In some cases, and depending on the patients age, the surgeon may also remove the fat, glandular tissue, excess skin and also reposition the nipple.

Dr. Robert Kotler, a plastic surgeon from Beverly Hills says that his nephew opted for the surgery when he was a teenager because of insecurities he had when he would take his shirt off.

Here was the shyest, most introverted kid you could ever meet, he explains, and now, well hes the polar opposite of the shy kid. Hes now a Hollywood agent.

(Source: www.sfgate.com)

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