Archive for December, 2011

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The ABC’s of Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants

December 31st, 2011

Below is your guideline to all of the information you could possibly need about types of breast implants including saline, silicone, cohesive, gummybear, round, anatomical, high profile, low profile and moderate profile.

Here are 5 basic questons to answer before you choose an implant:

1. What fill?

2. What size?

3. What shape?

4. What surface?

5. What Profile / Projection?

1. Breast Implant Fill – Saline or Silicone?

Women today have options in breast implant fill. The first implants were filled with silicone gel. As breast implants evolved, saline (salt water) became an accepted alternative fill to silicone. Silicone can look and feel more like a real breast. Whether filled with silicone or salt water, the shell of both types is made of a firmer, silicone elastomer.

In 1992, FDA Commissioner David Kessler decided that the safety of silicone breast implants had not been established. The FDA then removed silicone breast implants from the market. Since 1992, silicone gel-filled implants have been available only to breast reconstruction patients and patients undergoing breast revision surgery. In order to receive silicone implants, women must be enrolled in clinical trials.
The current ban on silicone implants may soon be lifted.

Saline Implants Silicone Implants

2. Breast Implant Size – What is right for you?

How big your breasts going to be after surgery depend on primarily two size issues:

1) How big are you now?

2) What size implant will you choose? Your doctor will discuss other non-size factors.

Methods of choosing implant size.

Don’t choose your own cc volume. Most patients may not understand all of the variables (ribcage size, chest shape, existing breast volume) that will dictate what a given implant size will do for them. Your plastic surgeon has years of training and experience to rely helping you decide on the right size implant and fill. Choose the right Breast Implant from among the manufacturer’s specifications, with your Surgeon to create a fit and size that is custom to your body type.

3. Breast Implant Shape – Round or Anatomical / Teardrop

Now that you have the right size picked out, do you want round or anatomical (also known as shaped or “tear drop”) breast implants? Anatomical implants are meant to mimic the slope of a natural breast. However, a round implant when not lying down, takes on basically the same shape.

Round Implants.

What’s natural looking? Round implants, placed under the muscle may have a more natural appearance than shaped/contour implants which can appear somewhat elongated in appearance in some women. Shaped implants tend to remain stationary, so they stay in the same place. When a woman lies down, round implants on the other hand, settle back evenly, like normal breasts. When a woman stands up, the saline goes to the bottom of the implants because of gravity, and the implants assume a natural teardrop shape anyway.

Anatomical/ Teardrop.

These are all terms used to describe an implant that is manufactured to be pre-shaped. Unlike a round implant, a “shaped” implant by design has a top and a bottom (it is tear drop shaped). These have a textured surface to avoid the implant flipping, leaving the implant upside down and misshapen in appearance. (This can be corrected but it is not a usual occurrence.) Unlike round implants, a teardrop implant will maintain the same shape lying down, which can appear unnatural in some women.

Round Breast Implants Shaped Breast Implant

4. Breast Implant Surface -Textured Surface or Smooth Surface.

You’ve picked out a round or anatomical implant. You can choose a smooth surface breast implant or a textured surface breast implant.

Textured Implants.

Why do some implants have textured surfaces? All types of solutions have been attempted for decades to prevent scar tissue from becoming unacceptably hard around the breast implant. The body causes scar tissue to form around any foreign object in the body. The formation of scar tissue is known as capsular contracture when it becomes painful or unacceptably firm. Textured surface implants are an attempt to solve this problem. By adding a textured surface, manufacturers hope to prevent scar tissue fibers from lying down uniformly.

According to a number of studies, a textured surface is not likely to reduce the risk of capsular contracture but other studies do find a reduction in contracture. Ask your doctor what his or her experience has been and what is best for you. Unfortunately, the same characteristics of a textured surface that may cause the scar tissue to form erratically around the textured implant. This may cause the implant to appear rippled in appearance. Furthermore, textured implants often have thicker shells and may be firmer in appearance and palpability.

Smooth Surface Implants.

Most breast implants have a smooth surface. Since there is little consensus on whether textured implants will actually reduce the rate of contracture significantly enough to warrant other potential disadvantages discussed above, many doctors prefer to use smooth, round implants. Most often, implants are placed under the muscle in order to potentially reduce the incidence of capsular contracture.

5. Breast Implant Profile – Low, Moderate, High, or Moderate Plus.

Until recently, most patients never discussed profile with their plastic surgeons. If you chose a certain size implant, you would receive a determined amount of forward projection from that size implant. Now, you can choose an implant size and, if you like, have that size implant stick out more, or less than the base diameter would usually dictate. This works well for certain body types. Note the different heights below. For a woman with a very narrow frame, a moderate or low profile implant might result in a desired size, but may be too wide and carry the implant too far to the cleavage and underarm. By using a high profile implant, this patient can get the larger implant he/she desires. By the same token, a wide framed patient may find that in order to adequately cover the natural diameter of their breast size, the desired implant would have far too much projection. A low or moderate profile might work better. Your plastic surgeon can help you choose.

Low Profile Implants.

These breast implants have less projection per measurement of base diameter than a moderate profile breast implant.

Moderate(Medium) Profile Implants.

This breast implant profile is the “normal” profile.

High Profile Implants.

These breast implants have more projection per measurement of base diameter than a moderate profile breast implant. An added benefit of the high profile is that in order to create the profile, the side wall of the implant has more height, which may reduce visible rippling.

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Places To Go And Facts To Know About Offshore Plastic Surgery

December 30th, 2011

In April of 2005, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) issued a report that clearly contradicts traveling abroad for surgery. Without doing proper research, one would conclude that traveling overseas for plastic surgery is a bad choice. Perhaps the ASPS statements is only giving out info that could possibly weigh the risk or cost savings of pursuing medical tourism. Below is a context from the briefing paper.

“Cosmetic surgery tourism is a price-driven phenomenon that has experienced increased growth over the past decade. Numerous companies offering all-inclusive vacation packages that include cosmetic surgery are popping up all over the world and can be easily located via the internet. The offers generally include private hospital services and tout “highly trained” and “credentialed” medical staff. Since elective cosmetic surgery procedures are not covered by insurance, price is the major selling point of cosmetic surgery tourism, with entire vacation/surgical packages costing less than individual procedures in the United States.”

The context is clearly true, but ASPS strongly disfavored cosmetic surgery being a price driven phenomenon. Members of the society are working to solve the crisis on the cost of their medical procedures. Their goal is to devise lower cost and less invasive techniques, however, U.S. Cosmetic surgeons are unable to compete on price with their counterparts in Central and South America and Asia.

ASPS also urges the potential complications, unsatisfactory results and risks to general health that may occur. The society cautions that it may be difficult to assess the training and credentials of surgeons outside of the United States. Patients may take unnecessary risks, when choosing cosmetic surgery vacations, by unknowingly selecting unqualified physicians and having procedures performed in non-accredited surgical facilities.

According to Jeff Schult in his book Beauty from Afar, “A patient who has done sufficient research is very unlikely to end up in such a position, but one must be mentally prepared to not go through with surgery if one develops serious doubts even if it means cutting your losses on the expense of traveling there.”

It is advisable for patients to consult with their personal physician first before going overseas for plastic surgery. Extensive research followed by personal advices from other patients who have experienced medical treatment outside the country are also things to do. Patients should utilize the internet and look for medical tourism sites that offers their surgeon’s profile. Most medical tourism agencies provides a page for their surgeons for patients to view and verify via chat, email or voice call. Also, look for providers that offers clinics that have high standard surgical equipments and facilities. This way patients can rest assure with the outcome of their surgery.

What country offers the surgery I need?

Argentina – For plastic surgery, Argentina is one of the top choices. Plastic surgery in Argentina recently increased in demands these past few years. Tourist numbers have increased year on year by around 10% since 2003, with Argentina proving particularly popular with British visitors. The number of UK tourists is up by more than a quarter (27%) on last year, with an increasing number of Britons coming for plastic surgery in Argentina. The clinics of Buenos Aires’s surgeons began filling up with foreigners soon after the economy imploded and the currency devalued in 2002. As a result, plastic surgery in Argentina costs around a third of UK prices.

Mexico – Among the border line countries, plastic surgery in Mexico is undoubtedly a solid choice for patients who are looking for inexpensive but high quality make over. According to the U.S. Department of State, more than 15 million U.S. citizens head south of the border every year to acquire quality low cost plastic surgery in Mexico. Mexican surgeons have their own English web sites where they publish their credentials, years of training and accreditation. Another major advantage of plastic surgery in Mexico is proximity. With just a few hours of travel, U.S. patients can acquire quality service of Mexican surgeons.

Costa Rica – With medical communities that have been in the medical tourism business since 1970′s, any patient that seek for affordable plastic surgery in Costa Rica gives out positive testimonies about the country’s expertise in medicine. Prospective patients that are longing to get affordable plastic surgery in Costa Rica are convinced by word of mouth from former patients that took their medical procedures in the country. Plastic surgery in Costa Rica attracts patients because of its price, but patients come back again for its quality.

Brazil – Among the countries that are fast maturing in medical tourism business, Brazil has the most potential. Brazil is not the place for unqualified doctors, the country is firm with the repute of its surgeons. The quality of plastic surgery in Brazil is perfect for the average North American or European who wants quality medical procedures at a lower price than to what is offered locally. Plastic surgery in Brazil is one of the most considerable options for state of the art aesthetic make over.

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Big Breast Implants – Are Big Breasts Right For You?

December 28th, 2011

Big breast implants are the subject of much controversy and debate in America. There are many reasons you may want to choose big breast implants, but you will want to consider seriously all of the possible ways they may impact your life.

For this discussion, we are referring to big breast implants as those implants that will increase your breast size to a D cup or larger. The most popular breast implant size increases a breast size to a C cup in breast augmentation. Women are, however, reportedly choosing D cups or larger in increasing numbers.

Is a D cup breast size or larger right for you?

While the average sized breast implant is approximately 350cc in volume, breast implants are made in sizes much larger such as 700cc, 850cc, 1000cc breast implants and larger. As a general note, implant sizes greater than 550cc will usually result in breast sizes greater than a D cup. The actual breast implant size you will need to achieve your desired size depends much on your body type.

Big breast implants have been popularized by celebrity women who are actors, entertainers, and models. For these women the motivation for choice in breast implant size may be quite different from your own. A celebrity may benefit from a larger breast size for many reasons:

* Being on stage or on a movie screen, the breasts of a celebrity will not necessarily appear as large or appealing as they would up close and in real life. Bigger breasts will tend to stand out on the screen and gain attention.

* Bigger breasts will spark controversy. Celebrities like Selma Hayek, Angela Jennings, Jodie Marsh have gained significant notoriety and public attention in part due to the size of their breasts, regardless of whether or not they have had breast augmentation.

* Big breasts may be the difference on whether or not an actor, entertainer, or model gets the desired role or job that they are seeking.

If you are not in such a profession, your motivation for big breast implants may be completely different. For you, the choice may be more related to your own aesthetic sense regarding your breast size as it relates to your body type. Or perhaps you may have always dreamed of having big, voluptuous breast and want to take advantage of modern breast augmentation procedures. Take caution in being too inspired by celebrity breast sizes as they might be perfect for their profession, but may not necessarily be desirable to you in everyday life.

Large Breast Size Considerations

If you are considering big breast implants, some of the things you will want to consider include:

* Attention. Big breasts get attention not only from your family, friends, co-workers, but from the public in general. Surprisingly soon after you get your breast implants, people will tend to forget that you have breast implants and simply accept them as your own breasts. If you are comfortable with attention to your new breast size, big breast implants may be right for you.

* Clothing. The type and style of your fashions will change. Ideal apparel for big breasts is significantly different from that designed for smaller breasts. Your choices in bras will become somewhat limited as well, especially if you choose a breast size of DD or larger.

* Your Body. Bigger breasts will impact your body. Women with larger breasts sometimes report back problems resulting from the weight of their breasts.. Your breast tissue and skin will also stretch so that if you desire to reduce your breast size later, the new breast implant procedure wil be more difficult and will likely result in scarring. Additionally, the weight of a big breast implant can may cause the entire breast to sag under the weight of the breast implant.

* Breast implant profile. If the base diameter of your breast is narrower than your desired breast implant it can impact your arm movement. Choosing a higher profile big breast implant may be necessary in this case.

* Subsequent Surgery. The most common reason women require subsequent operations is to change their breast implant size. However, doctors often say it is usually to increase the breast size.

Try On Large Breast Size Before Surgery

You should try on larger breast implant sizes before you undergo the surgery. A major change in your body may have some unexpected and undesired results which could prove to be disappointing to you after breast augmentation. For example, Real Housewives star, Tamra Barney, opted to reduce her breast implant size from a D cup to C cup after she received unwanted public attention to her breasts.

By test driving big breast implants before your breast augmentation you may prevent such an issue. The Purlz Breast Sizing System allows you to wear big breast implant sizers, while still looking and feeling natural. By your own experience you may decide whether or not big breast implants are right for you.

Some women have reported that they have worn the system out in a shopping mall on a weekend, just to see how they feel about themselves with big breast implants. Others have worn them throughout the day and evening, even sleeping with them on to see how they feel. If they like the feeling and the new attention to their breasts it gives them confidence to opt for bigger breast implants than a C cup.

Before you decide on big breast implants you will need to meet with your plastic surgeon to decide how they will be a possibility for you given your body type. Consider thoroughly how your desire for big breasts will change throughout your life. If after wearing the breast sizing system and talking with your doctor you still prefer a D cup or larger, big breast implants may be right for you.

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