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Archive for the ‘breast implants’ Category

Revision Breast Augmentation

March 15th, 2010 by alissa

Did you know that the most common reason for someone to undergo another breast augmentation procedure is not because of leaking implants or some other type of complication; it’s because they aren’t happy with the outcome of their first surgery, and it’s usually due to size.

A frequent complaint is that the size of the implants they’ve chosen is too small, and the only way to amend this problem is to undergo another procedure to replace the implants with a bigger size. This secondary breast augmentation, also known as revision breast augmentation, tends to be more complicated than the first.

Increasing size for saline implants can be easier than when dealing with silicone, since a minor change may be achieved by simply adding a bit more saline into the implant. This requires a smaller incision and less trauma to the body.

When changing the size of silicone implants, however, the implants must be completely removed and replaced, which usually means a larger incision and more complicated procedure. This is the same if a bigger boost for saline implants is required as well.

Some other reasons to have a subsequent breast augmentation are the following:

the implants were incorrectly placed, creating an unnatural/undesirable appearance
a preference for different implant filling (for example, switching from silicone to saline)

Also, some women just don’t like the way their life has changed since undergoing surgery, even though the results met their expectations.

Allergy to Silicone Implants?

March 12th, 2010 by alissa

When we talk about breast implants, we must mention the important role that silicone has in their construction. However, some women who are interested in breast augmentation are afraid that an allergy to silicone may develop after surgery.

Humans can develop allergies to anything, even though allergies developing to some substances may be extremely rare. One such substance is silicone.

We are frequently exposed to silicone, as it exists in many products that we use on a daily basis at home and at work. The skincare products, gum and food we consume can all contain silicone, though it may not appear on the ingredients label. In many cases, people who believe they are allergic to silicone are actually allergic to latex, which is commonly combined with silicone. To determine whether silicone is actually the culprit, it is highly recommended that you undergo an allergy test. This will help confirm any suspicions, and allow you to take the next step toward (or away from) scheduling your breast augmentation surgery.

If you are allergic to silicone or think you may develop an allergy, talk to a physician before you undergo breast augmentation and get an allergy test done. The procedure may not be deemed suitable since the most common alternative to silicone, breast implants filled with saline, can still result in allergies developing due to the outer shell (which is made from silicone). You may have to find another method of augmentation, which unfortunately, may be a difficult task – or you may have to learn how to live with what you were born with.

Breast Implants Linked to T-cell anaplastic non Hodgkins Lymphomas

March 9th, 2010 by alissa

Is there a relationship between breast lymphoma and breast implants?

A team of researchers, led by a plastic surgeon, at the University of Southern California have linked the formation of T-CELL Non Hodgkins Anaplastic Lymphoma in individuals who have saline and silicone filled breast implants. The majority of the individuals (23 out of 25) had textured breast implant shells. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an extremely rare type of lymphoma and in this form, it is basically breast cancer.

The formation of lymphomas occurred following breast augmentation surgery, with the presence of seromas, capsular contracture and tumors – all complications of the procedure. The lymphomas were removed through surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, however 1 case still remains.

The researchers of this report recommend individuals experiencing complications with breast implants undergo analysis for lymphomas, just in case, since further research will continue up to the next 3 years to verify the link (funded by several organizations, including the National Endowment for Plastic Surgery and notable manufacturers of breast implants.) As it stands, a definite link between breast implants and T-CELL Non Hodgkins Anaplastic Lymphoma cannot be made, since the number of patients examined for the study is far too small to draw any definitive conclusions. The FDA and Health Canada deem both textured and smooth implants safe.

We look forward to the results once the study has been completed.

Allergan’s Sales for 2009

February 22nd, 2010 by alissa

If you haven’t heard about Allergan before, you will if you stick around here or any other cosmetic surgery blog long enough. The California based company is huge, providing many of the most well known products in the cosmetic surgical industry such as Botox, Juvederm and Latisse (the incredible eyelash growth product that many are anxiously awaiting for in Canada). The company’s sales for the quarter ending in December 2009 topped $1,206.5 million, a substantial increase of figures reported at the same time in the previous year. It looks like they haven’t been affected much by the current economic climate.

Allergan manufacturers Natrelle™ breast implants, a silicone cohesive gel filled implant that was approved by Health Canada in 2006. The company predicts that sales of their implant, along with other breast aesthetics products, will total $290 million to $300 million in 2010. Wow. We wonder what the rival breast implant manufacturer, Mentor, predicts their sales will be this year. Such numbers can only mean one thing: more women are getting silicone implants!

Silicone implants tend to be the preferred breast implant of surgeons and patients since they usually  feel and look more natural than saline filled. However, both are available so it’s really up to the patient and what their hopes and expectations.

Don’t Show Your Implants – You May Get Fired!

February 16th, 2010 by alissa

An employee at one of mega publisher Conde Nast’s magazines fired a female employee for showing off her new breast implants to co-worker friends.

The Brides magazine employee (name protected) apparently showed the results of her breast augmentation surgery to her two friends secretly, in the privacy of her closed office, unbuttoning her blouse but keeping her sports bra on as she did it. However, after word spread to the Human Resources Department, she was promptly fired two days later. News reports indicate that the ex-employee did not receive any severance pay and benefits. She has hired a lawyer to deal with her unfair dismissal and has asked media to not reveal her name, to protect her future career possibilities.

This doesn’t sound fair, does it? Particularly when you consider that Conde Nast publishes such saucy magazines as Glamour, Allure and Vanity Fair. If reports are accurate, it seems that this was just an opportunity to axe another employee. Conde Nast recently reduced their empire by shutting down 6 magazines in 2009, eliminating 350 jobs. This incident happened late last year as well. Unfortunately, this looks like it’s just more bad press for the company.

A Brief Evolution of Silicone and Saline Breast Implants

April 9th, 2007 by admin

Breast implants available today are filled with either a saline solution, much like what it naturally present in our bodies, or a silicone gel. In a shell made out of silicon elastomer, both are available to any woman interested in improving their body contour by surgically enlarging their breasts.

First Came Silicone….

Silicone gel implants were designed before their saline counterparts, back in the 1960s. The first woman to receive silicone implants was in Texas, back in 1962. At the time, implants were quite firm and did not feel as natural as today’s models. They also had short lifespans, rupturing quite quickly after implantation and resulting in serious health complications. After years of research and study, as well as being approved for use in 1976 by the FDA, they were banned later in 1992. The FDA cited potential health risks as the reason.

Then Came Saline…

Saline implants were designed almost a decade after silicone implants, in the early 1970s. Though they were perceived with suspicion at first, they were gradually accepted as a viable option for breast enlargement. Approval by the FDA occurred in 2000. Saline, as a filling, was not considered a problem. This was because even after an implant ruptured, saline entering the body was not as detrimental as silicone. Further, any rupture resulted in rapid deflation of the implant, allowing the patient to quickly remedy the problem. Rather, it was the sac in which it was held that posed a problem. As a result, the sac has been designed and redesigned over the years to what it is now today: a durable, three layered and pliable silicone elastomer that can have a textured or smooth surface.

Breast Implants for Breast Augmentation

March 24th, 2007 by admin

Breast augmentation has come a long way since its shady past: a dangerous elective surgical procedure performed by unskilled and inexperienced doctors in some back alley.

These days, you’ll find excellent resources and information regarding everything about the cosmetic surgical procedure of breast augmentation, presented in a frank and honest manner. From the first steps of the consultation process with a cosmetic surgeon to recovery and taking care of your new image, breast augmentation is a viable solution for women who are unhappy with the size of their breasts.

Breast augmentation enhances the feminine contour of a woman’s body with the help of breast implants. Originally, breast augmentation was a painful and barbaric procedure, involving simply an injection of silicone into the breast area to increase their size (this occurred in the 1930-1940s). Since the silicone was not inside a secure casing, women suffered serious complications, some even fatal.

Today’s breast implants have been designed to be a pliable sac filled with liquid or gel. They confrom to the natural shape of the breast, and maintain their shape while in place, resulting in a desirable overall body contour. They are also constructed so that they resemble how an actual breast would feel. Therefore, both the casing, or shell, as well as the filling contribute to the results.

Women interested in undergoing breast augmentation should be aware of the options available to them when choosing breast implants. Silicone or saline filled, textured or smooth – there’s a lot out there to consider before making a choice so it’s up to the patient to decide what is most suitable.

Popular Breast Implant Maker, Mentor

March 2nd, 2007 by admin

Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, Mentor has been manufacturing implants for breast augmentation for over thirty years. Both their saline and silicone breast implants are produced exclusively in Europe and the United States, and are recognized throughout the world as being only of the highest quality and construction.

In Canada, Mentor offers both types of breast implants: saline and silicone.

 

Silicone Breast Implants Okay in Canada?

 

For about 13 years, Health Canada had banned the use of silicone breast implants, deeming them unsafe for the public. However, late last year, Health Canada finally removed the ban, and Mentor received licensing to provide silicone breast implants to the public market. The FDA followed suit shortly after.

 

Why Mentor?

 

Clinical research and extensive studies conducted by Mentor had shown that the risk of health problems related to the existence of silicone breast implants in women was reasonably safe. Evidence also showed that fatal illnesses and cancer were not related to silicone breast implants. However, this licensing is conditional, as Mentor must still provide further evidence of the safety of silicone breast implants. This evidence includes results from long term studies and clinical trials as well as details on labelling and advertising.

Many cosmetic surgeons in North America and Europe consider Mentor silicone breast implants superior due to their durable construction, without compromising their natural feel and appearance.

Three types of a patented silicone cohesive gel, called Memory Gel™, are offered. Ranging in firmness, this type of gel retains the natural shape and feel of the breast. Many women and cosmetic surgeons find that silicone breast implants achieve better aesthetic results than saline breast implants. It is highly recommended that before making a decision, you speak with a cosmetic surgeon or specialist. They will assess your body type and consider the goals of your breast augmentation procedure to help you make the right decision. For more information on breast augmentation and breast implants.