Price: it’s most likely one of your biggest concerns.

Just search various cosmetic surgery clinics online and you’ll see that in Toronto, the cost of breast augmentation really varies. You’ll find places advertising their prices online that charge as low as $6500, and other places that charge as high as $10,000 or more. So where do they come up with this figure?

Doctors and clinics determine the cost of surgery by considering many factors. Usually, price includes the initial consultation fee, the surgeon’s fee, anesthetist’s fee, the cost of the implant (silicone is generally more expensive than saline), post operative support garments and all post operative consultations to monitor recovery. These are the basics and may or may not include all, or any other fees as determined by the individual clinic/doctor. For example, there may not be a fee for the initial consultation.

If you’ve received a quote for your breast augmentation, you’ll most likely have received a breakdown of charges. If not, ask for one. Sometimes, the charges listed may be flexible and open to adjustment. You may, for example, want to purchase your own post operative support garments elsewhere – in which case you may be able to reduce the quote and save some money.

Catherine Greig is the girlfriend of mobster James “Whitey” Bulger, a fugitive who is wanted for federal racketeering and the murder of 19 people. The FBI hopes that the ad will help them obtain more information about Catherine Greig, which will then possibly lead to to the whereabouts of James Bulger. But why Plastic Surgery News?

Well, 59 year-old Catherine Greig has had a number of cosmetic surgical procedures done over the years. According to the ad, she’s had cosmetic eyelid surgery, liposuction and breast augmentation. The ad even goes so far as to state the type of implants she received back in 1982: Surgitek, Lot No. 1800-82-C. These breast implants are believed to be far less durable than today’s models. Ms. Greig probably underwent another breast augmentation to remove or replace these implants, since they most likely would have not lasted up to now.  The FBI is seeking the assistance of professionals in the industry, since she obviously is a fan of cosmetic surgery and may have had another procedure done.

Here’s the ad, in case you’re interested:

The 3 top psychological benefits from breast augmentation:

1. Boosts self esteem. This one’s pretty obvious. We live in a society that cherishes the female form, and femininity is embodied in curves – in the right places, of course. Larger breasts means a curvier body, which means a more attractive shape. And when you think that you’re more attractive, your self esteeme sky rockets. You feel better about yourself and that’s a huge bonus.

2. Boosts confidence. Higher self esteem = more confidence. One important way that your life will be affected by higher confidence levels is that it’ll probably change, for the better. Because you have more trust in your abilities, you’ll break out of your shell and take more risks, expanding your horizons and perhaps lead a more fulfilling life. It could even make you more optimistic, since you’ll be self assured that things will turn out well, regardless of the problem.

3. Makes you feel more like a woman. What defines the body of the fairer sex is not just what’s down there, but also up here. Having larger breasts allows a woman to feel more feminine by achieving a body contour that is more “well-rounded” (pardon the pun!)

Have you decided to get a boob job? You may want to book your breast augmentation surgery before July 1.

The fateful day marks the first day of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario, when the prices of all products and services will be subjected to a combined federal and provincial tax of 13% – and if you haven’t paid for the procedure before that day, you may be slammed with a heftier price tag. Think about it: if your surgery costs $8000, expect to pay $9040 after July 1, compared to $8400 before the HST. That’s a pretty big jump, don’t you think? It’s a few hundred dollars that could be better spent on new bras and a hot little bikini to show off your new assets for the summer!

Getting a little Botox, too? Breast augmentation isn’t the only thing that will be affected by the HST – any cosmetic surgery procedure is included. Fortunately, medical procedures that are necessary are excluded, such as treatments for diseases, traumas and dental procedures.

But hey, if you can prove that your breast augmentation was for medical reasons rather than cosmetic, you may be able to skip out on the HST, too. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay for it on the taxi ride home, since Toronto voted on recalibrating metres to include the 13% hike.

Here’s what the casting agents for the movie are requesting:

Must be 5’7-5’8, Size four or six – no bigger or smaller. Age 18 to 25. Must have a lean dancer body. Must have real breasts. Do not submit if you have implants.

They’re also looking for swimmers and dancers, probably with the same specifications.

We’d love to know why they’re rejecting females who’ve had breast augmentation. However, it may be difficult to perform “quality control”, since some breasts look really natural despite being augmented. If the physician did a good job, how are they going to figure out whether they’re natural or not?

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is set to be released in May of next year. Johnny Depp will return as Jack Sparrow, with Penélope Cruz  rumored to be his female co-star.  Could that be the reason why breast implanted extras have been rejected? We look forward to seeing the movie and finding out!

In Ontario, breast augmentation can technically be performed on anyone at any age, however anyone under the age of 19 is considered a minor and requires parental or guardian consent. Reputable cosmetic and plastic surgeons often will only perform the procedure on individuals who are physically and mentally healthy, and have a mature mindset. Prospective patients should have realistic expectations and make the choice to have breast augmentation of their own accord. It is also recommended that the breasts reach full development before surgery, since results may be affected by further growth.

The ban in Italy was placed to protect minors, many of whom are believed to be unaware of the health implications and risks breast augmentation surgery poses. Minors undergo surgery for the sake of vanity, with no or little knowledge of how it can affect their health. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons highly recommends minors wait until the age of consent, however there is no enforcement and the procedure remains a popular one with females under 18.

Surgeons are already using liposuctioned fat for women who have undergone a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breasts usually as a treatment for breast cancer). However, this is for reconstructive, rather than cosmetic purposes. For cosmetic purposes, fat injection is believed to be dangerous since the fat may contribute to the production of cancer cells in existing breast tissue. However, the 50-women study, led by a Florida-based plastic surgeon, disproves this as long as a specially designed device to promote natural breast tissue growth is used.

This device, called the BRAVA Breast Enhancement and Shaping System, is sort of like a suction pump that’s worn on the breasts. The suctioning capability boosts volume by facilitating blood vessels growth in the area. The device was worn by the participants and it was considered key in achieving the successful results (and yes, it was invented by the same plastic surgeon who conducted the study).

More research is required before breast augmentation with fat can be approved as safe and effective.

In a recent ruling, the Tax Court declared the sex change operation of a man diagnosed with gender identity disorder as a medical expense deduction, however rejected his breast augmentation. The breast augmentation expenses were declared cosmetic with the sole purpose of improving the taxpayer’s appearance, not to treat his disease, and thus were not deductible. After reviewing medical literature, the court determined that treatment for gender identity disorder (mental disorders are deemed as diseases) was hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery, for which a deduction of $21,741 was submitted by the taxpayer in 2001.

In Canada, cosmetic surgery and other elective procedures performed for the sole purpose of improving one’s appearance can qualify as a deduction for income tax purposes, unlike the States. However, this depends on whether the cost of your cosmetic surgery bills totals more than 3% of your income for that year.

For more information, talk to an account. They’ll be able to help you get the most return for your money.

The discovery was made by British Intelligence as they intercepted communications related to terrorism between the two countries, Pakistan and Yemen. Messages describe bombs being placed inside saline and silicone breast implants of female suicide bombers to make them more difficult to detect with even the most advanced scanners used for the public (at airports, train stations and other highly frequented locations). The breast augmentation procedures would be performed by plastic surgeons who returned to their respective countries after having trained worked in the UK.

The bombs, made of PETN (pentaerythritol Tetrabitrate), are sealed in plastic and placed in the breast implants, which is then inserted into the body following the techniques of any typical breast augmentation surgery. Only a small amount of PETN would be required to crash a plane.

Reports also indicate that men are undergoing cosmetic surgery to insert bombs into their buttocks or appendix area.

Officials in the States are taking the threat seriously, particularly at airports.

16 is quite young to undergo breast augmentation and parental/guardian consent is required to go through with it (in Toronto, this goes for anyone under 19 wishing to undergo any cosmetic procedure, surgical or nonsurgical). Although increasing numbers of minors are getting the procedure done, most surgeons recommend that women wait until at least 19 years old because a certain level of physical and mental maturity is achieved.

Having said that, however, every female develops differently, both physically and mentally. So whatever your age, before you decide to go through with breast augmentation, make sure you are completely prepared for the consequences affecting your body and how you are perceived. Obviously, Alexa wasn’t.