Plastic Surgery Articles

Studies Re-evaluate Risks and Benefits of Silicone Implants

January 10 , 2008 -

According to reports, plastic surgeons are re-evaluating past findings regarding silicone breast implants.

They are also trying to develop new knowledge about the effects of these types of implants.

The Issue of Body Image

In a review of important recent studies conducted on breast implants, researchers found that contrary to what most people believe, women who want to get breast implants dont suffer from low self-esteem or body image.

Breast augmentation patients dont have a poorer overall self-image, nor are they more self-critical and preoccupied with their appearance than other women, explains Mary McGrath, ASPS Member Surgeon and the studys author.

The positive effect of breast augmentation on womens thoughts and feelings is supposedly limited to their breasts.

Silicone and Cancer

Although some studies have raised questions about whether there is a link between silicone breast implants and breast cancer, other studies have raised concerns about silicone causing other types of cancer.

Cervical, vulvar and lung cancer have been associated with silicone implants.

At present, there is no convincing evidence that breast implants alter the risk of cancer, says Louise Brinton, an author the study.

(Source: Plastic Surgery)

Are you considering getting breast implants? If so, contact a board certified surgeon today to schedule a consolation and learn more about the operation

Older Women Getting Breast Surgery

December 27 , 2007 -

Studies show that more and more older women are undergoing breast augmentation surgery to get an extra lift.

According to reports, breast surgery was the most popular operation to have in America last year and one-third of the patients who went under the knife were 40 and older.

Why the Increase in Procedures?

Doctors claim that some women who get the surgery have lost weight due to other procedures such as bariatric surgery.

The recent marketing of the mommy makeover and natural aging also are contributing factors to the increasing number of older women who are having the surgery.

The aging and childbearing take their toll on you, says Dena Scott, a mother of two who recently had the procedure. You start losing tissue.

Patients Most Likely to Undergo Surgery

Dr. Walter Erhardt, the previous president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons claims that the majority of patients who are undergoing breast surgery are married women with children.

These women dont approach this so much as cosmetic surgery but as reconstructive surgery, Erhardt explains.

Many, like Scott, are in their 40s when they decide to go under the knife.

Researchers believe this is due to the fact that by this time the kids are most likely out of the house, or at least out of grade school, so the cost isnt an issue.

(Source: Newsweek)

Are you considering getting a breast augmentation? If so, please contact us to speak with a board certified plastic surgeon who can provide you with the information that you need.

Benefits of Surgery to Correct Breast Asymmetry

December 20 , 2007 -

New findings show that surgical treatment to correct breast asymmetry provides an overall improvement to the quality of life and self-esteem of patients.

According to reports, breast asymmetry is not uncommon in women.

Fixing Breast Asymmetry

In a recent study, thirty-five patients with breast asymmetry were selected to analyze the effects that this can have on self-esteem and the mental health of women.

Breast shape and size irregularities can cause damaging physical and emotional consequences, explains Miguel Sabino Neto, the lead author of the study.

The patients tested in the study ranged in age from 16 to 50 years old.

The Study

The patients involved in the study were measured with a quality of life indicator that reportedly measures eight dimensions of health status, including physical function, pain, health perception and social function.

Patients were also asked to complete the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, which evaluated their quality of life based on ten questions regarding self-esteem.

Having Surgery Enhance Self-Esteem

The researchers found that patients who had surgery showed an overall improvement emotionally and on average, their self-esteem proved to be higher than before surgery.

The finding underscore the positive effect that surgical treatment can have on patients with breast asymmetry, said Foad Nahai, a plastic surgeon in Atlanta. The results of such surgery go far beyond aesthetics, more importantly improving the self-esteem and quality of life of these patients.

(Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

Are you considering getting surgery for breast asymmetry? If so, please contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon who can better inform you of your options.

Breast Cancer Often Hard to Detect

December 13 , 2007 -

Recent reports claim that reading mammograms wrong is becoming more common for doctors.

Doctors throughout the country reportedly read an average of 2 in every 10 cases wrong.

Patients Receiving Wrong Diagnosis

According to researchers, a variation has been found in radiologists ability to breast cancer in X-rays.

In 7 out of 10 cases, the diagnoses were off, proving that the detection of cancer is strongly based on the doctor who is analyzing the X-ray.

Researchers also contribute the variation to the fact that more women now have breast implants, which make breast cancer even harder to detect.

Researches Conduct Study

123 radiologists were asked to interpret 36,000 diagnostic mammograms in a study conducted by a group of researchers.

Women think mammography is perfect, so if they get a negative mammogram, they think theyre safe for at least the next year, says the author of the study, Diana Miglioretti. The reality is, they shouldnt be falsely reassured by a negative mammogram.

Although researchers claim breast augmentation surgery is generally safe, they recommend that patients speak with their surgeons regarding breast cancer risks before going under the knife.

The radiologists who were found to be the most accurate tended to be working from academic medical centers.

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

Are you considering getting a breast augmentation? Please contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon to explore your surgery options.

Increase in Request for Silicone Breasts

December 6 , 2007 -

Its been a year since the FDA reversed its 14-year-old ban on silicone implants for cosmetic breast augmentation and one plastic surgeon has reported seeing a huge change in requests among his patients.

Surgeon Finds More Patients Want Silicone

Dr. Scott Mosser, a San Francisco-based surgeon, was forced to use saline implants until November 2006.

There was a really dramatic upturn in the requests for silicone implants, says Dr. Mosser. Literally all of the sudden 80 percent of my patients were requesting silicone.

Although the surgeon says that saline breast implants are just as safe and effective as silicone, his patients still want a more natural look after having a breast augmentation.

A natural look and feel is a top priority for my patients, explains Dr. Mosser.

Deciding Between Silicone and Saline

According to research, saline implants are still a good option when considering breast surgery.

In my mind, there is really no right answer regarding which breast implant is bestonly which implant choice is best for each patient, says Dr. Mosser.

Although, most doctors tend to agree that patients who benefit from saline implants are typically those who have a good amount of breast tissue to begin with.

A patient without much breast tissue could potentially experience problems later with a rippling of the skin if they choose saline implants.

(Source: PRWeb)

Are you considering having breast augmentation surgery? Please contact us today to speak with a board certified plastic surgeon who can better inform you on your surgery options.

Being Informed About Breast Surgery

November 29, 2007 -

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 9, 104 females between the ages of 18 and 19-years-old received breast implants in 2006.

New studies claim that a surgery that was once only socially acceptable by adult film stars is now becoming the surgery of choice amongst college bound females.

Film Documents Safety of Surgery

Carol Ciancutti-Leyva recently released a documentary, Absolutely Safe, which features information about breast implant risk awareness and education.

When her mothers breast implants ruptured three times between 1974 and 1987 she felt it was her duty to investigate breast augmentation surgery further.

We had a lot of questions, and studies werent available at the time, explains Ciancutti-Levya. The intention of the film was to answer the unanswered questions.

In researching the procedure, Ciancutti-Levya found that many women make the decision to have surgery without being properly informed about the risks involved.

Family Makes Breast Augmentation Surgery Together

When Kelsie Leon, a gymnast, was entering college she pleaded with her parents to get breast implants.

This past summer, Kelsie and her parents made the decision together to follow through with surgery.

I had always had really small boobs, says Leon, who recently increased her cup size from a negative A to a 34C. I convinced my parents that breast implants were going to make me feel more secure about myself, and they finally agreed to let me go through with it.

Finding the Best Surgeon

Together, the three researched plastic surgeons to find the most qualified doctor to perform the procedure.

The results did, in fact, make Kelsie more confident with her body and her parents felt better about the fact that they knew she was in good hands with the doctor that they chose.

(Source: Associated Press)

Are you considering getting a plastic surgeon? If so, please contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon who will give you an evaluation and inform you about your surgery options.

Breast Augmentation Technique Questioned

November 15, 2007 -

In a recent article written by a Northern Virginia plastic surgeon the axillary technique used in breast augmentation surgery is praised for its safety, successful results and short recovery time.

However, some surgeons are still questioning this technique in comparison with other approaches.

Controversial Technique

Dr. George Bitar, the author of the article Breast Augmentation: The Axillary Approach, which is published in the October issue of Plastic Surgery Products Magazine, focuses on the technique and its benefits.

This technique is performed by inserting a saline implant through a small armpit incision right behind the muscle tissue without using any endoscopic equipment.

Dr. Bitar, who has performed the surgery on more than 200 patients, claims that the results are excellent.

There were no implant infections, high-riding implants, double-bubble signs, cases of inability to breast feed, or other major medical complications, says Bitar.

Statistics Regarding Unique Approach

Studies of saline-filled breast implants show that there are high rates of capsular contracture of 9% over a three year period and 10-11% over five years.

The general consensus about infection and breast surgery is that it occurs in about 1-2% of patients.

Risks Found

According to research, although the technique does have shorter operating times and minimal scarring, there are also several risks that are associated with this approach.

The various risks include:
A two cm scar under the armpit for the first few months
Inability to remove the implant through the same incision in case further surgery is required
Risk of loss of sensation if a nerve is injured

(Source: PRWeb)

Are you considering getting a breast augmentation? Contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon who will better inform you on the surgery and your various options.

Study Analyzes Cytori Celution System

November 8, 2007 -

A new study that is being conducted in Japan is going to examine the effects of adult stem and regenerative cells derived from fat in breast augmentation.

During this investigational procedure, the patient’s breast is augmented using her own liposuctioned fat.

The fat, known in the medical world as adipose tissue, is combined and enhanced with the patient’s own adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells.

Cytori Celution System

The cells used are available at the time of surgery using the Cytori Celution System, which is an investigational device that is developed by Cytori Therapeutics in San Diego, CA.

Regenerative cells have been proven to improve tissue retention compared to non cell enhanced’ tissue transfers.

Therefore, the cells may improve the complex fat transfer that typically takes place during reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

“This study further demonstrates the breadth of potential applications for the Celution System,” explains Marc H. Hedrick, president of Cytori Therapeutics. “These studies will help accelerate and broaden the number of potential uses of the device and allow us in parallel to maintain our focus on the medical need of breast reconstruction in partial mastectomy patients.”

The Study

The study set to begin, will incorporate 20 patients who will undergo the procedure where Cytori’s Celution processes the cells.

The cosmetic improvement and volume retention will be evaluated over a nine-month period.

(Source: Business Wire)

Are you considering getting plastic surgery? Contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon who can better inform you on your treatment options and the advances being made.

Study Reveals Truth Behind Breastfeeding

November 1, 2007 -

According to a new study, nursing mothers no longer need to worry about breastfeeding causing their breasts to sag.

The study found that there is no relation with breastfeeding and the shape of the breasts.

Study Conducted by Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Brian Rinker, a plastic surgeon from the University of Kentucky, interviewed 132 women who came to him for a breast lift or breast augmentation.

A lot of times, if a woman comes in for a breast lift or a breast augmentation, she’ll say ‘I want to fix what breastfeeding did to my breasts’, says Rinker.

The women interviewed were an average of 39-years-old and 93 percent of them had gone through at least one pregnancy.

58 percent had breastfed their infants.

Results Show No Relation

In conclusion to the study, Rinker found that there was no relation between breastfeeding and breast ptosis, the term used to describe sagging breasts.

However, he did find that age, the number of pregnancies and whether the patient is a smoker has a significant impact on the breasts.

Smoking breaks down a protein in the skin called elastin, which gives youthful skin its elastic appearance and supports the breasts…so it would make sense that smoking would have an adverse effect on the breasts, explains Rinker.

(Source: University of Kentucky News)

Do you have breast ptosis and are considering getting a breast augmentation? Contact us today to speak with a board certified surgeon who will inform you about the operation options that are best for you.

Review Shows Gel Breast Implants Risk Free

October 25, 2007 -

The first review in almost a decade regarding the health effects of cosmetic breast implants, found that women who receive silicone gel-filled breast implants don’t have a higher risk of cancer.

Researchers Review Breast Surgery Risks

The review was led by Joseph McLaughlin, professor of medicine at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Loren Lipworth, the associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt-Ingram.

The two researchers analyzed the epidemiological evidence on the safety of breasts implants and addressed various non-cancer outcomes.

They reportedly found no association between silicone breast implants and other health complications.

Few implantable medical devices have been investigated for safety hazards more excessively than silicone gel-filled breast implants, explains McLaughlin. The evidence is clear that implants are not linked to serious disease.

Past Reports Implied Risks of Implants

In 1992, the use of silicone implants were banned by the FDA after the agency claimed that there was a lack of evidence that they were safe.

However, when McLaughlin and Lipworth analyzed studies, documents and data from over the years, they found that even though the sensitivity of mammography may be reduced by the implants, there is no evidence that this makes patients more vulnerable to cancer.

This evidence was the same used by the FDA when they lifted the ban on silicone gel-filled breast implants in 2006.

More than 300,000 women are choosing to have breast implants every year in the United States and these studies document the safety of the implants and the techniques utilized by plastic surgeons, says Lipworth.

(Source: Vanderbilt News)

Are you considering getting breast implants? Contact us today to speak with an experienced plastic surgeon who will better inform you on the safety of the procedure and the options available to you.