Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery Blogs
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In the spring of 1962, Timmie Jean Lindsey from Houston, Texas received the first silicone breast implants and turned her from B to C cup. Meanwhile, the plastic surgeons who operated on her did not realize that this would be one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries worldwide that in 2010 alone, about 1.5 million women had the procedure.
Today, 80-year-old Lindsey said she has no regrets of having breast implants, which have boosted her self-confidence. However, what is surprising to know is that she never really intended to have a breast augmentation in the first place.
She was in a hospital for tattoo removal when one doctor came to her and asked if she would consider getting the first silicone breast implants. At first she was reluctant because what she really wanted was a surgery to pin back her ears.
But because the surgeons Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin offered her ear pinning surgery at no cost, she immediately volunteered for the first-of-its kind operation.
Gerow first came up with the idea of silicone breast implants when he squeezed a plastic blood bag and realized that has an uncanny resemblance to a woman’s breast.
But before the device was implanted in Lindsey’s chest, Gerow and his team first used a dog named Esmeralda as their guinea pig. The implant was placed under the skin and stayed there for weeks until the surgeons decided to remove it after the animal incessantly chewed the stitches.
After deeming that silicone breast implants were safe, the surgeons operated on Lindsey and other women followed her footstep.
Lindsey said she experienced pain for three or four days following surgery and described her recovery “as like something had been sitting on her chest.”
At first she had no idea of the full results until she went out in public and men gave her “the look” while others would whistle at her.
While breast augmentation resulted to higher self-confidence, Lindsey said that she never revealed it to her past relationships, and her family and friends became only aware of her operation when she told them about it decades later.
Though she remains delighted with the results, she realized that silicone implants would not maker her “breasts forever young” and said that they began to sag over the years.
Currently, breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery in the US, with about 307,000 procedures performed in 2011 alone.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 10, 2012
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Celebrity Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Risks
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Just a week after getting breast augmentation, reality TV star Jenelle Evans was seen on beach flaunting her new figure. However, leading Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili, who did not treat her, warns that she should not “rush her recovery” because it can lead to higher risk of complication and scarring.
“Incision sites should not be exposed to the sun because it is the number one cause of hyper-pigmentation, leading to a more obvious scarring. In fact most board-certified plastic surgeons agree the incisions should not be exposed to the UV rays at least six months to a year,” Smaili said.
Meanwhile, the Teen Mom star seems to be excited with her new breasts that she took her own pictures while at the beach wearing a pink bikini, and Tweeted the details of her experience and recovery.
Surgeons usually advise their patients to limit their movement (e.i., lifting, straining, and bending) and get plenty of rest after breast augmentation surgery to enjoy faster recovery and less risk of complications. However, it seems like Evans is not taking her doctor’s advice seriously, Smaili said.
Just to be on the safe side, Smaili advises his patients to wait about a month after their breast implant surgery before resuming strenuous activity and exercise.
“It is very important to avoid physical contact with the breasts if there is still some sensitivity; in this way patients can avoid injury and delayed recovery. In general, it would take several weeks before the sensitivity subsides,” the plastic surgeon said.
Smaili is concerned that Evans’ beach romp may result to infection as swimming or playing in water may expose the incisions to germs, leading to unfavorable result.
“While most breast augmentation patients can return to light work four to five days after surgery, they should never swim or sunbathe unless the incisions are completely healed and closed,” he said.
What some patients fail to realize, Smaili said, is that following their doctor’s advice on proper post-operative care is one of the best ways to achieve great results after breast augmentation.
“It is important for patients to realize that they are also responsible for their own health. Yes, we have control over the situation during surgery, but outside the operating room, we expect that you follow our advice carefully and be completely honest with us. In this way, you can achieve the best possible result and avoid complications,” Smaili said.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 9, 2012
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery Blogs
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The overall result of breast augmentation surgery is largely affected by implant placement. To better understand this issue, the California Surgical Institute has provided a list of most frequently asked questions:
1. Question: What are the three basic types of breast implant placement?
Answer: The implants can be placed under the tissue (subglandular or over-the-muscle placement), behind the muscle (submuscular or under-the-muscle), and behind the tissue and partially under the muscle (partial submuscular placement).
2. Q: What is the most ideal implant placement?
A: The most ideal implant placement is dictated by a patient’s overall anatomical features including the amount of tissue and fat to work with, and her goals and expectations.
3. Q: When is subglandular or over-the-muscle implant placement ideal?
A: In general, this breast augmentation technique is ideal for women with ample amount of tissue and fat that provides enough “coverage” to prevent visible and palpable wrinkling. And because the top edge of the implant has little tissue, the method provides a distinct cleavage line.
4. Q: When is submuscular or under-the-muscle implant placement ideal?
A: The technique is highly ideal for patients with little amounts of tissue and fats who are prone to wrinkling and rippling. Also, many plastic surgeons believe the implant placement is recommended for women who are concerned with sagging or bottoming out since the weight of the implant is supported by the muscles rather than by tissue and skin alone.
The submuscular placement is also ideal when using large breast implants (e.g., full D cup) because it prevents visible and palpable rippling.
To further reduce the risk of rippling, doctors recommend silicone implants, which are filled with a cohesive gel notable for simulating the feel of breast tissue and fats. By contrast, women with little tissue are often advised to stay away from saline implant due to its watery consistency, thus increasing their risk of wrinkling.
Using smaller implants when dealing with small-breasted women is another effective way to reduce the risk of rippling and wrinkling.
5. Q: Is it true that women with submuscular implant placement can go braless without having to worry about sagging?
A: Technically speaking, the answer is yes. However, many plastic surgeons believe the breasts still need a good support to prevent or at least postpone sagging.
6. Q: Why is it that submuscular implant placement often results to longer recovery and more postoperative pain and discomfort?
A: In this technique, the muscle is literally compressed and pushed by the breast implants, leading to more swelling, pain, discomfort, and longer recovery than if the subglandular implant placement were used.
7. Q: How long does it take for the implants to settle naturally?
A: If the submuscular implant placement were used, it would take longer (several weeks or even months) for the implants to settle down naturally than if subglandular technique were used. But regardless of which method is used, patients should expect that their newly augmented breasts will appear unusually firm and that they will sit higher on the chest.
Within a few weeks or months, the breast implants will settle downward, leading to a natural appearance. In some cases, a strap is wrapped around the chest area to achieve a more desirable result.
8. Q: Does implant placement affect the rate of capsular contracture or tissue hardening?
A: Some plastic surgeons believe that submuscular implant placement somewhat reduces the risk of capsular contracture because it limits the contact between the implant shell and tissue where most of the bacteria live.
However, this is just an anecdotal observation rather than a scientific conclusion. And to put it succinctly, capsular contractures are quite unpredictable and may happen to some patients, regardless of which breast augmentation technique is used.
9. Q: Does implant placement affect the accuracy of breast screening test?
A: In general, breast implants—no matter what type of placement is used—make it more challenging to perform breast X-ray and mammogram. Fortunately, many radiologists nowadays have experience screening women with these devices.
Most experts agree that the submuscular implant placement is less likely to obscure mammogram readings than the subglandular technique.
10. Q: Does a certain implant placement prevent symmastia or “uniboob?”
A: The implant placement will not affect a patient’s risk of symmastia, a condition in which the breasts settle in the middle of the chest. This problem happens if the implants are “inappropriately” large or there is over-dissection of the muscles at the breast bone.
As with any problems caused by implant displacement, symmastia can be only treated with revision breast augmentation surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 9, 2012
Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Plastic Surgery Costs/Prices
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As with any cosmetic or elective surgery, breast implant is not covered by health insurance unless the device is going to be used in breast reconstruction after mastectomy. But aside from the upfront cost of the procedure, you also have to consider other related expenses and the ramifications of having implants.
* The average cost of breast augmentation surgery is $4,000 to $7,000 and may be higher depending on the surgeon’s fee, location, and type of breast implant (silicone is more expensive than saline implants).
In general, cosmetic surgery is more expensive in large cities than in rural areas because the demand there is higher. You should also remember that renowned surgeons and doctors with extensive experience often charge higher than those who are still new in their craft.
* To avoid “surprises,” always ask your plastic surgeon to provide you with a complete breakdown of cost (surgeon’s fee, anesthesiologist, hospital, medication, and other charges).
* Because there is no guaranty that breast implants can last a lifetime, bear in mind that you will likely need at least one revision breast augmentation at some point in your life. Secondary operation and implant extraction are usually more expensive than the initial surgery.
* Some implant manufacturers provide lifetime warranty to their products. This means that if your implant breaks, the company will replace it at no cost; however it is very unlikely that it includes the cost of surgery and other expenses. You have to pay that out of your own pocket.
* For women with silicone breast implants, the FDA recommends regular MRI screening three years after the implantation and subsequently every two years to detect “silent leak.” Meanwhile, the test is not necessary for patients with saline implants which can immediately show manifestations of rupture (e.i., deflated looking breast).
Currently, the average cost of MRI scan is $2,000 which you have to pay out of your own pocket. But because it is expensive, and the fact that modern silicone implants are more durable these days, some plastic surgeons only recommend this to women with symptoms, e.i., pain in the breast, inflammation, and asymmetric appearance.
* Some insurance companies consider breast implant surgery a “pre-existing condition.” For this reason, don’t be surprised that after your operation, your policy may limit your coverage (perhaps even breast cancer).
Your insurance company may also charge you higher premiums, refuse to renew your policy, or even deny you coverage altogether.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 8, 2012
Celebrity Plastic Surgery, Face Lift, Facial Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs
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After being sued by B&P cosmetic brands for getting a facelift, reality TV star Kris Jenner has filed a counterclaim.
In August 2011, the company filed a lawsuit against the Kardashian matriarch after her facelift which was broadcast on E!’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians. She decided to go under the knife before her daughter Kim’s wedding with now ex-husband Kris Humphries.
Before having facelift, Jenner was B&P’s spokeswoman and endorser for its anti-aging product dubbed “Beautiful Eyes in a Bag” which the company claimed to “naturally prevent the wrinkles and expression lines in the skin around the eyes.”
Meanwhile, company officials said that Jenner’s facelift ruined their product’s image, a claim the reality TV star denies since her “plastic surgeon operated on her neck to remove the jowling and not her eyes.”
In April, Jenner filed a countersuit alleging that B&P is using her facelift surgery as an “excuse to breach their contract as its business is continuously declining.” The celebrity is also alleging that the company is “spreading rumors on the Internet claiming that she has received plastic surgery as a pretext for terminating the contracts.”
In her countersuit, Jenner is asking for compensatory damages, legal fees, and the right to hold onto her talent fee of $305,000, in addition to a 2 percent commission on net sales of product over a specific period of time (this has been included in the contract between the star and B&P).
But despite the court drama, Jenner is enjoying more projects as E!, via Ryan Seacrest Productions, has renewed Keeping Up With the Kardashians for another three seasons.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 8, 2012
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