Archive for the ‘Breast Surgery’ Category

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New Technique in Fat Transfer Augments Breasts

Monday, July 11th, 2011 by Staff Writer

breast augmentation pasco countyMore and more often, plastic surgeons are using a patient’s own fat as part of a breast augmentation, according to a recent study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The procedure, which builds upon previous successes and innovations in fat transfer for breast augmentation, involves several weeks of pre-expansion treatment with a bra-like device that uses gentle vacuum pressure to stretch the breast tissue. This allows for more room when the surgeon grafts the fat, which is extracted from another part of the body, such as the thigh.

Fat grafting has a number of advantages, since it doesn’t use a foreign implant but the patient’s own tissue. But one of the greatest disadvantages of the procedure has been that it cannot typically enhance a patient’s breast more than one cup size. This has limited its use among women who desire larger results.

“Pre-expansion to the breast allows for mega-volume (over 300 cc) grafting with reproducible, long lasting results that can be achieved in less than two hours,” according to study authors Drs. Daniel Alexander Del Vecchio and Louis Paul Bucky.

The study examined the results of pre-expansion and autologous fat transfers in 46 breasts of 25 women. While some were having first-time procedures to augment their breast size, others were having implants replaced or having breast deformities corrected. The average amount of fat transplanted was 300cc.

The patients had their procedures evaluated after six months, and the doctors found:

  • significant improvements in size
  • soft and natural appearance
  • no cysts or other abnormalities under MRI

The surgeons found that with some practice they could perform the breast fat transfer procedure within less than two hours. None of the patients experienced any significant complications.

While the long-term implications and possible safety issues associated with the pre-expansion and fat transfer technique have yet to be researched, Del Vecchio and Bucky’s contribution to the field of fat transplantation offers new hope to women who want full, natural breast enhancement.

Read more on plasticsurgery.org

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Breast Lift and Augmentation Combinations Produce Beautiful Results

Monday, July 4th, 2011 by Staff Writer

breast lift minneapolisFor whatever reason a woman may experience a loss of breast volume and a droop, combining breast procedures like a lift and augmentation can beautifully correct the issue.

Changes to the breasts can be caused by a variety of factors, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and weight changes. Some women with smaller breasts may experience ptosis (sagging breasts) and want to get the entire package when they consult their surgeon. Larger or medium-sized breasts can dwindle over time, and this is often accompanied by a drooping of the nipples.

There are many obvious benefits to a procedure that could offer women the chance to combine their breast augmentation and mastopexy during a single surgery:

  • final results in a single session
  • less time spent in the operating room and hospital
  • no need to operate on scarred tissues

But is this sort of procedure safe? Some physicians have argued that combining breast augmentation and mastopexy creates added risks, such as scarring, death of breast tissue, and poor positioning of the implants. Surgeons have argued that the operation is complicated and unnecessarily risky.

However, in a recent study published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ariel Tessone and her colleagues were able to employ a safe, simple mastopexy-augmentation technique that involves resectioning the breast after the implant has been inserted. The study examines 60 patients who underwent this procedure. It reports a high satisfaction rate and a low (10 percent) reoperation rate.

While there are various considerations outlined in the study that would limit the use of this procedure, it seems that augmentation-mastopexy surgery may be a viable option for patients who want to correct both breast sagging and loss of breast volume.

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FDA Shares Silicone Implant Safety Findings

Monday, June 27th, 2011 by Staff Writer

silicone implant safetyA recent study by the FDA has discovered positive findings in the realm of silicone implant safety.

After conducting an in-depth study of silicone implant safety, the FDA has confirmed that silicone gel implants “have a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness when used as labeled.” For consumers, this means silicone gel implant augmentations performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, and maintained as instructed, should present no extreme health issues for the patient.

The FDA’s silicone implant safety study also debunked a rumor that silicone breast implants share an association with “connective tissue disease, breast cancer, or reproductive problems.” Based on current data, the FDA said there is no detected connection.

Long-Term Silicone Implant Safety Tips

Women who are considering silicone breast implants should note that though breast implants are long-lasting, no such implant will last a lifetime. Over the course of her life, a woman who has gotten breast implants will likely need to have them replaced.

Patients will need to monitor their silicone gel implants over time and note any signs of complication to their surgeon. Some women may experience a hardening of tissue around the breast, called capsular contracture, or may have a revision or removal surgery.

Silicone implant safety monitoring also extends to visiting your doctor for screenings. Periodic MRIs can detect a “silent rupture” of the implant, which the patient may not be aware of. As an added precaution for women both with and without silicone gel implants, it is important to continue regular mammograms, as directed by your doctor.

Silicone gel implants are used not only for breast augmentation, but often as a part of breast lift surgeries, as well.

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Breast Cancer Survivor Finds Help in Fat Grafting

Monday, May 16th, 2011 by Staff Writer

Fat grafting is often recognized as a means to correct more superficial issues like wrinkles, but can be used successfully in reconstructive surgery, as well, according to WWLTV in New Orleans.

Two months after she underwent a type of mommy makeover, which included breast augmentation and a tummy tuck, Tina, a 46-year-old mother of three learned she had breast cancer, unrelated to the surgeries.

After chemotherapy and radiation, part of her breast tissue was removed. In its place, a tissue expander was placed to keep the shape of the breast. As tissue expansion is only a step along the way to reconstructive procedures, it soon had to be replaced.

Tina’s plastic surgeon elected to use Tina’s own fat, which was removed from her lower body through liposuction to support the breast. In this process, the fat that was liposuctioned from Tina’s lower body was placed around the breast implant to cushion it and provide a natural appearance.

As she recovers and sees the benefits of her surgery, Tina says she now looks forward to an anniversary trip with her husband. They plan to renew their wedding vows in Hawaii.

In addition to this sort of life-altering use, the cosmetic applications of fat grafting are many. Most commonly, fat grafting is used on the face. Placement of this fat may fill depressions in the face like deep lines and wrinkles or scars and may be used to augment lips. It may also be used for some body procedures, like a buttocks lift.

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Tummy, Breast Surgeries Popular Among New Moms

Monday, May 9th, 2011 by Staff Writer

Regardless of what you may have gotten your own mother for Mother’s Day, it’s likely that a new mother you know may have been interested in a mommy makeover, according to the ASPS. The ASPS found that 62% of mothers would undergo a mommy makeover procedure if money was not a factor.

Dana Van Gray, 38, who underwent breast augmentation and a tummy tuck a year after having her last child said she felt the need to seize the opportunity and said the positive change in her body improved her attitude.

“I feel good so I can be a better mom to my kids,” Van Gray said.

A “mommy makeover” is not one procedure, but actually a variety of surgeries that help women regain their pre-pregnancy physiques. Breast augmentation helps restore volume to breasts that may have begun to sag after breastfeeding. Meanwhile, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and tissue that may hang around the midsection after childbirth. Also a part of many “mommy makeovers” is a breast lift, which removes sagging breast tissue to restore the breasts to a more youthful position. This procedure may include the placement of breast implants to replace lost volume. The ASPS recommends that new mothers wait six months to a year before undergoing any of these procedures and that they lose weight before surgery.

ASPS President Dr. Phillip Haeck said more and more, the women who are electing these procedures are not older women, but younger mothers like Dana. He attributes this to improving attitudes toward cosmetic surgery and an openness about the desire to change what diet and exercise may fail to.

We encourage you to learn more about the mommy makeover procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tuck and breast lift and to consult with your plastic surgeon about what surgery may help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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Mammograms Reliable for Breast Lipomodeling Patients

Monday, April 18th, 2011 by Staff Writer

edina minneapolis breast augmentation breast implantsUsing a patient’s own fat stores for breast lipomodeling will not result in issues when later undergoing a mammogram, a study by the ASPS found.

The study, which was published in March, examined women who had undergone breast lipomodeling as an alternative to more traditional implant-based breast augmentation. It found that 16 months after the procedure, more than half of the women displayed no abnormalities that would cause an issue on a mammogram. Of the women who did show any abnormalities, they were minor issues like scarring or small calcifications.

The study also compared mammograms for women both before and after breast lipomodeling and found no significant differences in the mammogram results.

Breast lipomodeling was originally introduced as a means for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. In the cosmetic procedure, your plastic surgeon would use liposuction to remove excess fatty deposits from a donor site on your body, like the hips or thighs. After it has been purified, your plastic surgeon then uses lipomodeling techniques to inject the fat into your breasts, giving them volume and improving the shape.

While the results of the ASPS study are only preliminary, they bode well for the continued adoption of breast lipomodeling in the plastic surgery breast augmentation canon.

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Plastic Surgery Favored Among More Americans

Monday, April 11th, 2011 by Staff Writer

edina minneapolis botox breast augmentationA new study published by the ASAPS shows that now, more than ever, Americans approve of cosmetic plastic surgery. The study, which was released this month, found that 51% of Americans regardless of income hold a favorable view of plastic surgery.

While the approval numbers vary somewhat between income levels—56% with an income above $75,000 approve while just 45% with an income between $50,000 to $75,000 approve—there is an overall 3% increase in approval from 2009.

ASAPS President Felmont F. Eaves III, MD credits society’s growing dedication to maintaining a good physical appearance and adds that, “As both traditional surgical procedures have been improved and refined, and new nonsurgical options have become available, aesthetic plastic surgeons have more to offer our patients.”

These popular surgical procedures include breast augmentations for women, eyelid surgery to reduce wrinkles around the eyes and rhinoplasty. Non-surgical treatments like Botox, injectable fillers and chemical peels, which all work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face, are also highly sought after.

The survey also found that 67% of Americans would not be embarrassed if their friends learned they had undergone a cosmetic surgery, while men and women 18 to 24 were the most likely to consider a cosmetic procedure for themselves.

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Tax Refunds Turned into Cosmetic Improvements

Monday, March 14th, 2011 by Staff Writer

liposuction breast augmentation botox minneapolisAs tax season ramps up, refund checks are being sent out and, if the money isn’t going into savings, it’s likely to be used for an indulgence. For many, this means finally going in for a long put-off cosmetic surgery, according to abc15.com.

Plastic surgeons in the Phoenix area say they are seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of individuals who are coming in during tax season, using their tax refund check to cover all or part of a procedure.

Kristy Harris in Phoenix chose to use her tax refund to pay for part of her breast lift surgery and used some savings to cover the rest of the $8,400 procedure (cost based on patient-reported averages on RealSelf.com). The mother of two said that raising children took a toll on her body and she wanted to do something to help herself achieve a “different look.”

Another popular procedure for the breasts is breast augmentation, which costs approximately $6,600. This surgery can improve shapeliness and body proportion.

Liposuction remains one of the most sought-after body procedures and costs about $5,600. Liposuction is often performed to remove stubborn fat deposits nearly anywhere on the body.

Even if your tax refund check is a bit smaller than you would hope, non-surgical treatments are available at a fraction of the cost of surgery. The ever-popular Botox, is used to reduce lines and wrinkles on the face. Chemical peels are also non-invasive and remain one of the key facial rejuvenation treatments and work to reduce many skin imperfections like a dry, dull complexion, blemishes and pigmentation issues. Botox and chemical peels cost about $472 and $610 for full treatments, respectively.

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Breast Surgery Improvements on TODAY

Monday, February 28th, 2011 by Staff Writer

Having breast surgery can be a dramatic change for a woman, and as seen on the TODAY show’s Life Changers segment, two women who underwent breast surgeries experienced positive changes.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Erica, who underwent breast augmentation for what she called her “zero” breasts, actually an A-cup, said that her silicone gel implants made her feel like she had “the Bentley of boobs.” As an alternative to silicone implants similar to Erica’s, saline implants, which may feel less natural, are available at a lower cost. As well as the implant type, other options include the size, shape, placement and the location of incisions.

Another woman, Jeanne, underwent a breast reduction due to her D-cup sized breasts that caused back, neck and shoulder pains on her small frame. More than just the associated pain, she also experienced indentations from her bra straps and had difficulty finding clothing that fit comfortably. In the type of breast reduction procedure that Jeanne underwent, the surgeon removes excess skin and tissue that add weight to the breasts and often moves the nipple areola to a more youthful position.

In addition to the cosmetic breast augmentation and reduction procedures, breast lifts are often performed to lift breasts that have begun to sag over time or after weight loss. While excess skin is removed and the nipple areola often moved in a breast lift, implants may also be used to restore breast fullness.

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The Risks of “Awake” Cosmetic Procedures

Monday, January 31st, 2011 by Staff Writer

An alarming new trend in cosmetic procedures is taking hold and respected surgeons in the plastic surgery field want to warn patients about the dangers of some procedures marketed as “Awake cosmetic surgery.”

Awake surgeries are now being noticed not for the beautiful results they yield (they often do not), but rather the unsafe conditions and unprofessional manner in which they are conducted. According to an article on msnbc.com, patients who have undergone Awake procedures, such as extensive liposuction and breast augmentations, are now raising their voices against the doctors who performed the procedures with little training that left them in great pain and with poor results.

These patients’ stories stress the importance of looking into your plastic surgeon’s background and making sure he/she is board certified to perform the procedure you wish to undergo.

Awake patients are given an unknown mixture of drugs without an anesthesiologist present. Aside from a cheaper cost, the main selling point of Awake procedures is that the patient remains somewhat conscious during the procedure and can evaluate the result before completion of the surgery, however, with an unknown amount of drugs coursing through their system, it’s unclear how lucid these patients truly are.

Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat questions the validity of decisions made under the influence of sedatives and painkillers, saying, “Any decision made on the table by a sedated or not sedated patient would be too highly influenced by the enthusiasm of the people present.”

Dr. Mouchantat adds that during the consultation is the time for the patient’s desires and the surgeon’s skills and techniques to be rectified, not during surgery.

The final chilling fact about Awake procedures is that for a doctor to perform these procedures (as approved by a nebulous “academy” located in Arizona), he/she only needs to undergo two days of training, whereas a board certified plastic surgeon has undergone years of training and a residency program.

To avoid the pain, both physical and emotional, and the poor surgical outcome, it is important to keep a few things in mind when looking into a cosmetic procedure.

  • Research your surgeon and verify that he/she is board-certified to perform the procedure
  • Insist on an open dialogue with your surgeon and learn about the techniques he/she uses
  • Ask to see before and after photos from the surgeon’s previous patients and read patient testimonials, if available

We encourage you to learn more about how Minneapolis plastic surgeon Dr. Smith safely performs liposuction and breast augmentation procedures with beautiful results.

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