Breast Augmentation a Hot Topic at ASPS Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons touched upon several hot topics related to emerging technologies, techniques and surgery options for plastic and cosmetic surgery patients around the globe. A significant portion of the event was dedicated to the controversial techniques and emerging technologies used for breast augmentation, breast reconstruction and breast enhancement procedures.

The 2009 Plastic Surgery meeting touched upon several issues such as the implications of fat injections, and what the options were for women who had to have their breasts removed because of breast cancer or an accident. Dr. Robert Grant, a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in New York City reported that there is definitely a need for more scientific research regarding the effects of fat transfer, and that this procedure does show some positive benefits for cosmetic surgery patients.

Fat transfer can be used to correct deformities of the breast, create more symmetry in the chest area and may also be used as part of a breast augmentation procedure.

Other key issues addressed at the ASPS annual meeting included stem cells that can be used for reconstructive procedures.  Stem cell research has been conducted for breast reconstruction procedures, but also for correcting scars, and for creating new tissue after an injury.

The ASPS meeting is the biggest plastic surgery meeting in the world, and gives surgeons the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and includes lectures, workshops and presentations.

Breast augmentation continues to be among the most sought-after procedures for women of all ages in the United States, and current techniques and procedures include more than breast implants and fat transfer procedures. Surgeons have found ways to recontour and shape the breasts without surgery, and have also been testing implant-based breast reconstruction procedures using products such as AlloDerm®.

Breast Enhancement Pills Could Still be a Health Risk

For the thousands of women who want to achieve a more attractive silhouette with larger breasts, breast implants are a viable solution. Both silicone and saline implants are among the most sought-after cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States, but even though they are immensely popular, they are not without their risks.

Some companies offer an alternative solution to surgery with skin tightening procedures that help to contour and ‘plump up’ the breast tissues, and breast enhancement pills that promise to enlarge the breasts within a few weeks.  Unfortunately, breast enhancement pills are still considered to be a scam, and are not really an effective alternative to surgery.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued several warnings about the effectiveness of breast augmentation pills, creams and other products that are readily available over the counter. Their official statement reads as follows: “There is no device or system of exercise that will increase the size of the breasts. At best, devices promoted as breast developers merely strengthen and develop the muscles that support the breasts, and exercising these muscles will not appreciably increase breast size.” (Source: FDA.gov)

Ultimately, breast enhancement pills have been deemed to be scams and ineffective products that promote false promises. These pills promise to ‘enlarge breasts permanently without surgery’ and are usually made with ingredients such as guggulsterones, theobromine and green tea extract that directly affect the thyroid hormones and supposedly trigger growth of the breasts. These are all herbal products that have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA, and there is limited information available on the safety and effectiveness of these pills in the short-term and long-term. The makers of these products to provide some information about potential risks. People who are taking high blood pressure medication or other herbal products are warned not to take these supplements.

Still, many people continue to purchase these over-the-counter products in hopes of achieving bigger, more attractive-looking breasts without surgery. The FDA and several other medical organizations have warned that these products are just fads and may cause several health problems.

Miami Cosmetic Surgery Center Now Offering Bikini Body Packages

Bikini season is right around the corner, which means more people are opting for quick-fix cosmetic procedures and liposuction to achieve their beach-ready look. Cosmetic Harmony, a medical tourism company based in Colombia, has recently launched its lineup of ‘Bikini Body Combos’ specifically for beach lovers.

The experts there report that they see a significant increase in demand for specific procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, breast jobs and thigh toning during March and the rest of spring season as more women look for ways to freshen up their looks before summer.

Cosmetic Harmony has experienced a significant increase in both new and returning clients who want combination procedures, and they’ve made it possible for more people to have them by reducing the prices and offering combo procedures as a package. Individuals interested in liposuction and thigh toning, or breast enhancement and tummy tucks, can now purchase a package and save a few hundred dollars.

Cosmetic Harmony offers a number of attractively priced packages for foreigners. A sampling of some of the combination procedures include:

Eyelid surgery + Nasal labial fold fat injections: Regularly $3,285, promotional price = $2,685

Face Lift + Eyelid Surgery: Regularly $7,825, promotional price = $6,785

Breast Augmentation + Abdominal Liposuction + Etching: Regularly $5,580, promotional price = $4,985

These procedures can cost up to five times more at cosmetic and plastic surgery centers in the United States and Europe, and the surgeons of Cosmetic Harmony have been fully trained and certified by the Colombian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons does warn all individuals who are considering cosmetic surgery overseas to do some research about the center they are going to, read all the ‘fine print’ in the contracts and disclosures, and confirm that the surgeon they will be seeing has been certified by the country’s national plastic surgery boards and medical boards.

ASAPS Warns Consumers About Breast Surgery Deals

Competition is fierce among cosmetic and plastic surgeons during these tough economic times, and some are attracting patients by extending discounts, coupons and special offers for high-ticket procedures.

However, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is encouraging consumers to look past marketing campaigns and make sure they are receiving professional treatment – especially for extensive procedures such as breast augmentation, facelift surgery and liposuction.

Professional breast augmentation doctors across the country undergo several years of training before they can perform breast implant procedures and other breast enhancement techniques successfully. Surgeons who have not received adequate training, or those who are new to the industry, may perform procedures that require revisions or end up causing extensive tissue and skin damage.

According to a recent press release about finding quality procedures , a ‘red flag’ that a doctor may not be working with the patient’s best interests in mind is a dramatic reduction in the price of the procedure; when quality counts, very few doctors are willing to lower their fees, and those that do may not be providing the best service.

Since there are so many risks involved with the procedure, the ASAPS encourages consumers to ask several questions and conduct extensive research before signing any type of agreement or contract with a surgeon. Some of the key questions to ask include:

• Is the surgeon a member of the ASPS and/or ASAPS?
• What is the expected recovery time?
• How long will results last?
• Are before-and-after procedures available?
• Who will be performing the procedure?

Breast augmentation and breast enhancement surgery continue to be some of the most sought-after procedures, but the $4,000-$10,000+ price tag for surgery has left many people searching for a better deal.  Unfortunately, discounted surgery can turn out to be a costly mistake; the ASAPS is encouraging all consumers to review the full range of breast procedure options available by ASPS and ASAPS Member Surgeons – and pay the full fee if necessary.

Acupuncture Breast Enlargement Offers Holistic Alternative to Surgery

Breast enlargement procedures that involve saline or silicone breast implants can be fairly extensive surgical procedures that require weeks and months of recovery.  The extent of surgery varies by each individual’s needs, and many women experience a significant amount of pain and stress during and after the procedure.

Some holistic health practitioners are offering an alternative approach to breast enhancement using acupuncture therapy; the Acupuncture Breast Enlargement treatment makes use of ‘AcuAids’ that promise to ‘reprogram the mind and body to enlarge the breasts.’

According to Dr. William Schneider, the physician and acupuncturist that developed the AcuAids product, the body responds to therapeutic sound waves and frequencies that help to enhance the breasts naturally.  The AcuAids are powerful patches that are placed on the body’s breast enlarging points to stimulate breast growth and bring the body into balance. Dr. Schneider’s website outlines how AcuAids work:

AcuAids therapy is considered a non-medical procedure combining the affects of acupuncture, neuroprogramming and hypnosis.  Treatment with AcuAids acupuncture therapy helps to promote the increase in blood flow to the breast tissue. Treatment with hypnosis and neuroprogramming helps you to subconsciously focus your mind’s power to increase blood flow and enlarge the size of your breasts. (Source: AcuAids.com)

Is acupuncture for breast enlargement just a hoax?  Health practitioners continue to explore the benefits of acupuncture therapy and how it can be used to improve circulation in the body and restore the body’s natural energy levels.

Still, science has yet to confirm whether a combination of acupuncture, hypnosis and neuroprogramming can trigger the production of skin or organ tissues.

(Image courtesy of AcuAids.com)

Experts Say More Women Prefer Natural-Looking Breast Boost

Breast augmentation procedures that involve saline or silicone breast implants, and breast enhancement procedures that involve injecting the breast with fat or other compounds continue to be some of the most sought-after procedures by women who want to achieve their ‘ideal’ silhouette.  However, the women who opt for two or three cup sizes larger than their natural breast size often create an unbalanced figure and the resulting profile does not look natural.

Currently, the most popular procedures include:

• Silicone gel breast implants
• Saline breast implants
• Fat transfer for breast augmentation
• Botox for breast enhancement

The days of oversized breast implants and rounded breasts are giving way to natural, sculpted and proportionate chest sizes according to a recent study by cosmetic surgery researchers.

According to The Harley Medical Group, the largest cosmetic surgery provider in the U.K., “The new breed of breast augmentation patients, keen to keep things in proportion, are plumping for the “lower profile implant” in preference to two other available breast implant shapes – the “round high profile”, which produces a more rounded appearance to the upper breast and the “contoured” breast implants, which are designed to reflect the slope of the breast.” (Source: WebWire.com)

Women who want a more contoured appearance are encouraged to select saline implants over silicone, and saline offers several other advantages. Dr. Tom Pousti, a board-certified plastic surgeon in California explains that saline implants also offer near-immediate results.  Women can enjoy a natural, streamlined look shortly after surgery with minimal health risks and less discomfort.

Titanium Coated Implants May Be Breast Enhancement Procedure of the Future

Silicone and saline breast implants continue to be top choices for breast augmentation procedures in the United States, but many surgeons around the globe are experimenting with innovative materials and alternatives to traditional implants in hopes of creating more natural-looking breasts that also render fewer complications.

Currently, breast implants that make use of silicone or saline are inserted into the body to adhere to the surrounding tissues; over time, the body ‘adapts’ these foreign materials as its own and produces collagen and elastin fibers around them.  However, many patients experience a significant number of inflammatory reactions from the procedure when the body detects the foreign matter is present under the skin.

Researchers at Medical Vision Australia in Hackney, South Australia are conducting trials on titanium-coated breast implants that may be more ‘acceptable’ by the body, and present fewer side effects and complications as a result.  Since titanium is already present in the body, the body may not react to the implants as if it were a toxic material and therefore adapt better to the implants.

During the adaptation process, the body produces excess collagen to connect the natural tissues to the implant.  Researchers suggest that the titanium coating will improve ‘collagen maturity’ which then results in smoother, more natural-looking breasts.

The idea is still relatively new and is undergoing comprehensive research as more surgeons explore new ways to create healthy-looking and natural breasts.

Cosmetic Surgery Times reports that Stan Raci, Managing Director of MVA is still unsure how valuable this procedure may be; “titanium-coated silicone breast implants are currently in “clinical trial and we don’t as yet have a full report on what the likely outcome will be. As much as we are very enthusiastic and very positive that this technology could make huge changes to women in the future, we cannot say that with any long-term authority at this point.”

No Breast Implant Lift Added to Mommy Makeover Procedures

Mommy makeovers continue to be a top trend for women who want to enhance their appearance after pregnancy and get back into pre-pregnancy shape – and fast.

Breast implants and breast lifts are one of the top procedures for those who want cosmetic surgery after the post-delivery healing period is over, and can be especially valuable for women experiencing sagging or drooping breast.

Now, some doctors say that the full breast lift and breast implant procedure may not be necessary.  Doctors are fine-tuning a new technique called the ‘no breast implant lift’ that takes extra fatty tissue from the patient’s stomach or underams to create another mound of tissue for the breasts.  The tissue is used to create a ’spiral flap’ and sutured directly to the breasts to create an enlarged appearance.

The ‘no breast implant lift’ will be presented for the first time at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2008 Conference in October.  Surgeons are excited about the procedure that doesn’t require adding saline or silicone implants, and is mainly a restructuring of the patient’s existing tissue.

According to Dennis Hurwitz, an ASPS Member Surgeon who will be presenting the findings at the conference this year:

“For these women [those who have undergone several pregnancies], so much volume and skin elasticity is gone that a basic breast augmentation or lift just doesn’t produce optimal results. By using the patients own tissue, they get a more natural augmentation with the dual benefit of body contouring.” (Source:  Medical News Today)

New mothers can also take advantage of other body reshaping and body contouring procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks and skin tightening procedures that help eliminate loose skin.  However, the breasts and bra line area can benefit most from a procedure that actually realigns the tissues that are then secured in place – skin tightening and fat removal procedures may only provide minimal results for the upper body, and are typically just one part of the complete ‘mommy makeover.’

More information about Mommy Makeovers:

Cosmetic Surgery After Pregnancy Fuels Mommy Makeover Trends

Surgery Guide for Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty)

Purlz Tester Implants Makes Choosing Breast Implant Size Easy

If you’ve been considering undergoing breast augmentation to enhance your appearance, choosing the right size can be a challenging process. Purlz tester implants have recently entered the market to make choosing the right breast implant size more simple. The Purlz Breast Sizing System involves wearing ‘tester breasts’ made out of polyethylene plastic and pairing them with a sports bra. Together, this can help create the most desirable streamlined look and give the breast augmentation surgeon a more accurate idea of the ideal size based on body type and the overall silhouette achieved with the implants.

The key benefit of trying a system like Purlz is to reduce your need for a breast implant revision procedure. The company behind Purlz outlines the key benefits of using the Purlz Sizing System:

This system is:

• Comfortable, durable, lightweight and hand-washable
• Natural in look and feel; is discretely worn under most clothing
• Made of a microfiber spandex blend fabric filled with 100% polyethylene plastic beads
• Securely attaches within our hook-and-strap system
• Unlike the popular ‘Rice Bag’ test, Purlz can be worn with confidence!

(Source: LWGatz.com)

Since bad plastic surgery can have several emotional and physical side effects, putting different breast sizes to the test may help many women select the right breast implant size.

And what exactly is the ‘Rice Bag’ test?

According to Implantinfo.com, the Rice Bag test involves filling up a ziploc bag with 1 cup (250cc) of rice. These ‘implants’ can then be tucked under the bra to create realistic-looking breasts and approximate how large your implants may need to be.

Stem Cells for Breast Augmentation – New Procedures on the Horizon

Silicone breast implants and even Botox for breast augmentation are increasingly popular methods for breast enhancement, but some doctors are trying a fresh new approach for their breast augmentation procedures.

Stem cells are now being used to regenerate skin tissues and help with the body’s healing process, and now these cells are being transferred to the breasts in hopes of creating strong, natural and attractive breasts in lieu of traditional implants.

The stem cell procedure involves harvesting stem cells from other parts of the body using liposuction – essentially a form of fat transfer – and injecting the stem cell concentrate into the tissues to encourage rapid regeneration. The process is different from conventional fat grafting and fat transfer techniques because it does not cause painful bumps or hard lumps that can be an indirect result of the implantation.

According to this post from MedicalNewsToday, “San Diego-based Cytori Theraputics said it has invented a machine that “combines fat with a mixture of stem cells and other regenerative cells,” which can then be injected into patients to reconstruct breasts after cancer treatments or used in augmentation procedures. The company has sold the machine for $75,000 to $100,000 to plastic surgeons in France, Israel, Italy and Japan.”

However, many experts are skeptical about the process, indicating that creating breast tissue with stem cells would demand extensive regulation and may not be as safe as some doctors claim. If this procedure proves to be safe and effective after a series of trials, it may soon become another option for women who want to refrain from implants and choose surgery instead.