Despite the controversy
surrounding breast implants, they are now more
popular than ever before as women look at themselves
in the mirror and wish for a fuller bust and more
feminine figure.
There are many claims
that breast implants cause health problems, however
this has to be taken with the understanding that
there are estimated to be over two million women who
now have breast implants.
The placing of any
substance into or even onto the body has inherent
risks. For every woman, her biochemistry is unique
only to her, although all have close similarities.
Many studies have been
done regarding the relationship of implants to cancer
and auto-immune diseases such as arthritis. The
volume of data shows no measurable increase in the
incidence of these diseases in women with implants.
This does not, however, mean that there are no
problems or risks to having implants, in fact there
are going to be women with virtually every
disease imaginable that have implants! However, many
of these diseases may have occurred regardless.
The most common
problem with implants is known as capsular
contracture. This is an over formation of scar tissue
in the normal fibrous capsule that the body forms
around the implant. It can lead to rippling of the
skin or a tight, round - looking implant. Correction
of this problem involves removing the implant and the
scar tissue and replacing the implant. This
usually works. In some cases, however, the
capsule stubbornly returns and the implant must be
removed. While this problem is not truly an
illness, it can lead to the need for additional
surgery.
Many
women now have saline implants.
These are filled with salt-water. The bag, however,
is still made of a solid silicone. While this
material is still classified as investigational by
the FDA in America, it has been used in many types of
medical devices for many years.
Alternative
fillers such as soybean oil and peanut oil have been
trialled with mixed results and has not impressed the
medical people involved.
Some
implants look and feel like an implant as the implant
is placed under the skin but outside the pectoral
muscles. A more natural look is achieved by placing
the implant under the pectoral muscles and causes the
implant to be squeezed against the chest and gives
the breasts an unnatural look for the first month or
so, but as these implants settle, the muscle acts as
an internal bra and hides the implant much more
effectively.
Many
patients feel self-conscious about their desire for
bigger breasts. People will only realise that your
breast size has changed if you want them to! In
a tight top that hugs the midriff, even moderate
sized breasts will draw attention. On the other hand,
if one wears a button-down sport shirt and a
conservative bra, no one will know whether you are an
A cup or a C cup.
Proportion really makes a
difference when it comes to breast size. With a small
chest a person looks like they have big hips!
When breast size increases, the hips and waist look
much smaller.
This surgery is done
with local plus sedation and takes less than an hour.
Most people are back to near normal activity in 4-6
days. Upper body exercise is usually deferred for 2-3
weeks.
Silicone
Gel implants:
Are still on the market in
the USA. These implants were apparently reclassified
at the time of the implant controversy, and now are
only available in an FDA approved study of gel
implants under the care of an approved investigator.
Breast Lifts: For
some women, the skin is not resilient/strong
enough to support the weight of the breast. These
women can develop fallen, unsightly breasts. In this
condition, medically called Ptosis (pronounced
"Tosis"), there is an excess of skin as
compared to breast tissue. To make the breast higher
and firmer, the extra skin must be removed.
Breast Reduction:
Really there is
only surgery for breasts that are to large and heavy to bear. To
help with the excess sagging, Breast Success
will help in firming the breasts as well as enlargement.
