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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Japanese manufacturer has created Bust Up Gum, a unique confectionery sweetened with xylitol and aspartame that promises to help your breasts grow by just eating up to 6 pieces a day. The brand name of the gum, Suplitol Pueraria, features 60mg of pueraria in each piece of gum (only 55mg is in their original product, B2UP Body Makeup gum). Pueraria is an herb that features natural phytoestrogens, believed to provide the right hormones that can help boost the size of the breasts.

But beware – according to the manufacturer, eating it may cause loose bowels. It’s not recommended for pregnant or breast feeding women.

There’s no need to get some by flying over to Japan. Get a pack online, available for purchase at their website. Unfortunately you’ll have to wait, since it seems like they’re out of stock!

Hmmm…we totally don’t believe this stuff will work, but please please let us know if it actually does!

The company hasn’t forgotten about the men, either. Get a bigger penis by chewing on their Suplitol Tongkat Ali Gum.

Here’s another post about stats around the world, but this time it’s not for breast augmentation, but breast reduction.

According to non-profit organisation, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, not only has the number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the UK increased from 2008 (36,482 compared to 34,187 in 2008), the number of men undergoing surgery has increased as well – dramatically, as a matter of fact.

Smaller, not Bigger
In 2009, the number of men getting breast reduction (the opposite of breast augmentation) rose 80%, almost doubling the total number of procedures in 2008.  Out of the 3,623 total cosmetic procedures performed on men last year, there were 581 reported breast reduction surgeries.

Men who have abnormally large breasts suffer from a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia tends to appear around the time of puberty, remaining temporarily. Other causes include disease, obesity, and hormonal imbalances. The appearance of enlarged breasts is created by excess tissue/fat settling in the area.

Male breast reduction can be treated with medication or, if the condition is due to excess fat settling in the chest (referred to as pseudo-gynecomastia), liposuction may be a viable solution.

For the Ladies
And going smaller wasn’t just popular with the men. For women, breast reduction surgery rose by 17% over 2008.  However, breast augmentation still remains the most popular procedure, even when combining the total procedures performed on women and men overall, totaling 8,565 in 2009.