Considering Breast Augmentation? Get The Facts First About Breast Plastic Surgery

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 06:24:23 +0000

The non-cosmetic clinical indications for the use of breast implants are for breast reconstruction, sex reassignment surgery, and for abnormalities, usually congenital, that affect the shape and size of the breast. Of the breast plastic surgery procedures performed in 2006 in the United States, 329,000 were for breast augmentations. Insertion of breast implants is also known as breast augmentation, breast enlargement, breast enhancement, mammoplasty enlargement or augmentation mammoplasty.

In the 1970s plastic surgeons wanted softer and more lifelike implants so breast implants were redesigned with thinner gel and thinner shells; these implants had a greater tendency to rupture and leak, or “bleed” silicone through the implant shell into the body cavity and complications such as capsular contracture were common. It was predominantly silicone implants that were designed in the 1970s that were involved in the class-action lawsuits against Dow-Corning and many other manufacturers in the early 1990s. One manufacturer did produce a model of pre-filled saline implants but has been reported to have had high failure rates following surgery.

In the mid 1980s, advances in manufacturing principles brought about elastomer-coated shells to decrease gel bleed, and were filled with thicker, more cohesive gel; these implants are sold under restricted conditions in the U.S. and Canada, but are widely used in other countries. Saline implant shells are made of silicone elastomer and the implants are filled with saline solution after the implant is placed in the body. Dr. Thomas Cronin and Dr. Frank Gerow, who were two Houston, Texas, plastic surgeons, developed the first silicone breast prosthesis with the Dow Corning Corporation back in 1961.

Saline-filled breast implants were first manufactured in France in 1964 and were introduced by Arion with the goal of being surgically placed using smaller incisions than they were then using. The first woman was implanted with silicone implants in 1962.

Since the early 1990s, a number of independent reviewers have examined studies concerning links between silicone gel breast implants and systemic diseases; the consensus of these reviews is that there is no clear evidence of a causal link between the implantation of silicone breast implants in breast plastic surgery and systemic disease; it’s always wondered who is funding these studies and that should clearly be stated. There is a general international consensus in the medical field that silicone implants in breast plastic surgery have not been shown to cause systemic illness, excluding the possibility that a small group of patients may become ill through (as yet) unknown mechanisms may prove difficult; this has been questioned by many women experiencing various health issues.

Extracapsular silicone has the potential to migrate to other parts of the body, but most clinical complications have appeared to be limited to the breast and axillae as inflammatory nodules (granulomas) and enlarged lymph glands in the armpit area called axillary lymphadenopathy it’s reported.

One study reported 30% of ruptures in asymptomatic patients are accurately detected by experienced plastic surgeons, compared to 86% detected by MRI. An intracapsular rupture can progress to outside of the capsule, called an extracapsular rupture, and it is generally agreed that both conditions indicate the need for removal of the implant. Manufacturers and doctors are required to inform women that implants are not permanent devices and that most recipients will probably need additional surgery to replace or remove their implants.

When breast implants are removed that have been implanted for a long period of time, a mastopexy is often performed to tighten up the loose skin: this is additional surgery usually done at the same time and at an additional expense. Studies of saline-filled breast implants approved by the FDA in May 2000 showed rupture and deflation rates of 3-5% at three years and 7-10% at five years for breast augmentation patients.

The age and design of the implant are important factors in rupture, but estimating rupture rates of contemporary devices has been difficult for a variety of reasons, mainly because implant designs have changed somewhat over time. Capsules of tightly-woven collagen fibers form as an immune response around a foreign body like breast implants, which tends to wall it off; capsular contracture happens when the capsule tightens and squeezes the implant.

Some doctors in specialties other than plastic surgery, like dermatologists, perform breast plastic surgery like breast augmentation; choose a plastic surgeon instead. If you decide to proceed, make sure you choose the best breast plastic surgeon based on your research; ask health professionals you know for referrals. Just a reminder that breast augmentation is usually considered an elective cosmetic breast plastic surgery.

The Things You Should Consider Before Undergoing A Cosmetic Surgery

admin — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 18:02:04 +0000

Looking attractive and full of youthful vitality even at fifty is no longer the dreams of romantic fools. What you need a little bit of cosmetic surgery and it is time to encounter a new face in the mirror sans all the irritating marks of growing age—-the sagging skin, double chin, crows feet all over the face and forehead, bags under the eyes and so on. With cosmetic techniques becoming far fetched, less invasive and less expensive, more and more common people today are able to fulfill their dreams about a flawless looks—both of their face and of their bodies. Dissatisfied over the shape of your nose, the lips appear to be too thin, a protruding tummy affecting your self esteem—-these are some of the problems the twenty first century people are not ready to put up with. And this explains the dramatic increase in the number of cosmetic surgery cases over a decade.

However, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) strongly recommends that patients should do extensive research before undergoing plastic surgery. This is because, while cosmetic surgeries generally produce dramatic results, there are cases where patients regret their uninformed decision followed by dissatisfactory results.

Here are some points you need to consider before undergoing plastic surgery:

Many patients view cosmetic correction as a life changing solution. But aesthetic outcome of any cosmetic surgery may vary with individual patients and that is why you must have realistic expectations about the outcome of surgery. Avoid the over-hyped publicities; instead research well about the limitations of the surgery you are planning to undergo.

You also have to know you surgeon well. The aesthetic outcome of any cosmetic procedure depends most on the hands of your surgeon. Make sure, your surgeon has a proven track record in the field of cosmetic surgery. A reference from your friends can help you find an efficient plastic surgeon.

The most important point to learn is the risk factors associated with cosmetic surgeries. This is after all a surgery and no surgery can be completely devoid of some risks such as infections. The cosmetic surgeries come with the risk of dissymmetrical outcome, removal of too much skin, internal bleeding and so on. Before jumping into decision, make your doctor clearly explain the possible risk factors.

There are many cosmetic procedures that are aimed from enhancing your features to contouring your body—but not all the procedures are suitable for all patients. Make sure you qualify for a certain procedure.

Lastly, whatever may be your intention for undergoing cosmetic surgery or whatever procedure you may have chosen, do not forget to do adequate homework. As said by Dr. Roxanne Guy, president of ASPS, “You can afford to be nonchalant about some things, but surgery is not one of them.”

Plastic Surgery,Skin Care,Cosmetic Surgery » Non Fiction

Considering Breast Augmentation? Get The Facts First About Breast Plastic Surgery

The Things You Should Consider Before Undergoing A Cosmetic Surgery