C Cup– Most Popular Breast Augmentation Size

Though most  breast augmentation patients want to go bigger, they apparently don’t to want to get carried away.  According to a recent survey published in this year’s March/April Aesthetic Surgery Journal, the most common breast implant size used by plastic surgeons in 2008 was 300 to 400 cc, which, according to an ASAPS press release, creates a small to full c cup.

Of course, the same size implant can create various cup sizes in different women. Factors such as the amount of a woman’s natural breast tissue, as well as the profile of implant used and the placement of the implant also determine how big a woman will be after surgery. Still, 300 to 400 cc implants are moderate sized implants, certainly not the largest available.

Most women want their breast augmentation results to appear natural, with breasts that fit well and look proportionate on their frame. Though many people still associate breast augmentation with the obvious, eye-popping results of a porn star, those augmentations are simply the ones that draw attention to themselves. Well done breast augmentation looks good, natural and inconspicuous.

There are several tools out there to help women choose the appropriate size for their frame.  There are sizing kits, for instance, that allow you to try various implant sizes beneath your bra to see how they look and feel. Many plastic surgeons also offer sizing sessions with digital photography to help you decide. There are  computer programs and websites as well that allow you  see various breast sizes on an uploaded photo of yourself. Though these tools can be helpful, they can not show a precise picture of how you will look after surgery. They merely give an idea of the results you may receive with various implant sizes.  They are also good communication tools to use with your surgeon.  When your surgeon has an idea of the look and size you want, he or she will be able to determine which implant size, profile and placement to use to achieve it.  A good, skilled, experienced plastic surgeon who communicates well with you during consultation is the best breast augmentation tool you can have.

Though, according to the ASAPS survey, 300 to 400 cc implants are the most popular implant size used today, breast augmentation is a very personal process– not everyone wants the same results.  And not everyone can get the same results.  Speak to your plastic surgeon.  Show him or her pictures of looks you like, but listen to them when they tell you what can or cannot be achieved. Communication is the best tool for creating a look you’re happy with.

For more information about breast augmentation, Allentown plastic surgeons at Berks Plastic Surgery offer great information on their website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Breast Implants: The Top 5 Myths

Breast implants are not only used to enhance breasts of average women looking for a little boost, but also for medical purposes such as reconstruction following mastectomy. However, with all the myths and rumors about implants, making that choice can be nerve wracking for some women.

Besides the myth that implants have to be replaced frequently, there are a number of others that tend to sway women, some of whom may require them for medical reasons. Read about the top 5 myths about breast implants and augmentation and find out which ones you believed yourself. 

Myth # 1: Implants rupture frequently and need replacement

Figures released by the Institute of Medicine indicate that the deflation rate for saline implants is only 7% after 7 years. In the case of silicone implants, it is less than 10% after 5 years. This disproves the assertion that implants rupture frequently and will need to be replaced.

Myth # 2: Implants can cause mammograms to be misread

It’s true that implants can obstruct a radiologist’s view during a mammogram. However, radiologists are trained to take additional impressions when dealing with implants and know how to manipulate the breast to ensure that the chest area is fully visible. This effectively demolishes the myth that implants can hinder the process of detecting breast cancer. 

Myth # 3: You’ll lose your health insurance cover if you get implants

This is partly true, because there are a small number of insurance companies that will drop you if you choose to undergo breast augmentation. However this practice is certainly not the norm.  You can avoid losing your insurance cover if you check your company’s policies regarding breast implants.

Myth # 4:  Implants cause the breasts to sag faster

 Saggy breasts are the result of a number of factors that include genetics, gravity, weight loss, aging and skin elasticity. While implants make the breasts weigh more, the factor that ultimately determines when they will sag over a period of time is genetics.

Myth # 5: Implants impede breastfeeding

The only situation when breastfeeding may become difficult is when the incision causes damage to the milk ducts in the nipple and areola. However, incisions under the breast or armpit are more common and they do not interfere with milk production.

For more information, Houston breast augmentation specialists at Basu Plastic Surgery can answer your questons.

Is the US Ready for the Boob Jab?

Offered in Europe and Asia, temporary breast enhancement via injection gives women an alternative to surgery, scars and breast implants. Macrolane, a hyaluronic acid body shaper, offers up to one cup-size of enhancement which lasts up to 18 months.

According to the Macrolane website , advantages offered over traditional breast enhancement include:

*Less invasive treatment

*Local anesthesia

*No hospital stay

*Short recovery

*Use of Hyaluronic acid (natural to body) rather than implant

*No scarring

Administered via a thick needle, Macrolane hyaluronic acid is injected into the breasts.  It is performed under local anesthesia as an out patient procedure and can generally be administered in 30 minutes to an hour. Though some may tout it as a “lunch hour” procedure due to it’s short treatment time, many who have undergone it say “returning to normal duties” the day of the procedure is not realistic due to discomfort. The pain does diminish, however, after a day or two.

Macrolane is not yet FDA approved for use in the United States, though it is gaining in popularity in Europe and Japan as a temporary breast enhancement procedure.  For those in the U.S. seeking minimal enhancement without surgery, scarring or implants, Macrolane may be an option to check out when it becomes available.

For those currently seeking options for permanent breast augmentation, New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Parker and his staff can answer your questions.

ASPS Warns Against Bargain Basement Plastic Surgery

Seeking out bargains is a natural response to today’s financial woes. But the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns against bargain-basement plastic surgery. Though opting for temporary, less expensive procedures, such as derma fillers and Botox rather than surgery is a safe and viable option for some, those wishing for enhancement without non-surgical options, such as breast augmentation, New Jersey or a tummy tuck may try cutting corners by choosing a less expensive plastic surgeon. According to the ASPS, “the worst thing patients can do is to put price before professional training.”

The ASPS suggests taking a step back before scheduling “bargain” surgical procedure. Consider, for instance, if you’re basing your decision on a surgeon’s credentials or merely on price, and whether or not the deal sounds realistic or too good to be true?

Though jumping at a deal on a procedure you want can be tempting, remember, bargain plastic surgery is only a bargain if nothing goes wrong. Treatment of complications and revision surgery can add up to considerably more than the initial procedure performed by a competent surgeon.

Screening a plastic surgeon during a recession should be just like screening one in more robust economic times. A patient still needs to ask about experience and credentials, look at before and after photos, make sure all products used are FDA approved, inquire about risks and complications and do their homework thoroughly.

For those who are careful and have the means, this is actually a great time to schedule a procedure such as breast augmentation or tummy tuck. Many competent, reputable surgeons are offering specials or incentives right now to attract business. Others will gladly work with patients, offering financing options or discussing alternate procedures which may better fit into the budget.

State-of-the-Art Breast Reconstruction in The Woodlands

Breast cancer survivors in The Woodlands, Texas can now receive state-or-the-art breast reconstruction at a hospital in their own neighborhood. Woodlands plastic surgeons Dr. Bob Basu and Dr. Sugene Kim have combined their talents to create The Center for Advanced Breast Restoration, bringing tissue sparing procedures such as DIEP flap breast recontruction, to patients in the North Houston Suburbs.

Doctors Basu and Kim recently performed the first ever Woodlands DIEP flap restoration with very postive results. Ms. Mills, the first patient to undergo a breast DIEP flap reconstruction, the Woodlands said in a recent press release:

“It was a big deal for me to be the first patient to benefit from the DIEP flap here, and its so nice to drive ten minutes and be home from the hospital. It’s amazing they can take a breast that’s been removed and now restore me back with my own tissue. Its given me back a breast of my own.”

Cancer survivors in The Woodlands now have several breast reconstruction, The Woodlands options, including several options using the patient’s own tissue, as well as implant-based reconstruction.

Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss– Choose Your Surgeon Carefully

According to plastic surgeon Dr. Al Aly, body contouring after massive weight loss is the “New Frontier” of plastic surgery. As weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass and the lap band, become safer and more available, and as more and more Americans grow significanlty overweight, the demand for post weight loss plastic surgery is shooting through the roof. Plastic surgeons who once saw one to two post weight loss patients per month are now seeing several per week. And as the demand grows, some have questioned how the plastic surgery field will handle it.  Dr. Ted Lockwood, body lift expert from Overland Park Kansas warns, “we are not ready as a specialty to deal with the increase in numbers.”

Body lift and body contouring surgeries can be complex, and as the demand for them grows, more and more surgeons will be taking them on, even bariatric and general surgeons, which Iowa City plastic surgeon Dr. Aly sees as extremely problematic. Dr. Aly specializes in post weight loss surgery and has edited a book on the subject. He says “[post weight loss surgery] could be the next turf war, because these surgeons don’t understand the concepts behind the repair work needed.” He warns that the tendency to offer the wrong or insufficient treatments, such as abdominal contouring alone, will not address the full scope of issues post weight loss patients have.  “In a sense you end up hurting them by not addressing all of their issues.”

Los Angeles body contouring expert Dr. Joel Aronowitz agrees that post weight loss patients require particular skill, saying addressing all of their issues, including thighs, buttocks and hips, is essential for truly successful results. Overland Park’s Dr. Lockwood worries about a lack individualized attention many of these patients receive. He says, “Each patient presents differently, yet we have a tendency to treat all cases the same, using the same time-worn procedures.”

Dr. Aly advises choosing a body lift surgeon with care, saying he or she should have performed at least 20 post weight loss proceedures to be considered sufficiently experienced. Post weight loss surgery does offer significant rewards to patients, but it’s not an easy process to undergo and requires a full partnership between a skilled surgeon and the patient. Choosing a surgeon wisely is essential.

Micro Breast Implants. Will They Take Augmetation by Storm?

Vanderbilt Neuro-surgeon Dr. William Brennan has invented the micro breast implant. Breast augmentation with micro implants uses hundreds of pea-sized implants instead of one large one, which allows smaller incisions (5mm vs 2 or more inches), and less post-op pain. The implants compress together for a more natural look and feel than traditional implants according to Dr. Brennan.

Micro implants also offer the advantage of post-op sizing flexibility, allowing breast size to be adjusted by adding or removing implants in a simple office visit.

Dr. Brennan began developing his micro implants in 2002 and is set to begin testing for FDA approval soon. Until their approval, there are numerous implant options available today. For more information about breast enlargement, Pheonix, AZ plastic surgeon Dr. Heidi Regenass can answer your questions.

Adjustable Breast Implants

Sizing is one of the biggest concerns in breast augmentation. Pre-op, it’s difficult to know how various sized implants are going to look and feel on your frame, and dissatisfaction with sizing choice is one of the top reasons women seek breast augmentation revision surgery.

Though there are tools to help–many suggest the rice test, filling nylon stockings with various amounts of rice and wearing them around inside your bra. There are also breast implant sizing systems, such as Envision, to guide you.  But neither of these techniques show you just how the implants will look after they are placed inside you.  Issues such as the shape of your chest wall, the amount of breast tissue you have, and placement of the implant all affect post-op implant size.

For those not happy with all the guesswork, adjustable breast implants may be the answer. Mentor offers Spectrum, a saline line of post-operative adjustable implants. These implants have a port placed just beneath the skin that allows the surgeon to either inject saline or draw it out and adjust the implant size. The port is eventually removed with local anesthesia six months after surgery. The Spectrum implants come in round or contoured, smooth or textured varieties.

Though adjustable implants offer post-op sizing flexibility,  the size can only be adjusted so much (20-30 cc) and still look natural. So pre-op experimentation is still a good idea if you want optimal results even with Spectrum’s adjustability.

Does Your Sports Bra Works as Hard as You Do?

Studies show women’s breasts bounce an average of 8 vertical inches during exercise (ouch), not to mention side-to-side and in-and-out motion. This vigorous pressure is not only uncomfortable but can prove damaging to the natural support system of our breasts. Female human breasts can be heavy and contain no muscle in and of themselves. They are supported by a system of ligaments and skin which can easily stretch and lose form under the strain of exercise. This is one of the reasons why choosing a good sports bra is essential for women with active lifestyles.

Sports bras today come in two basic styles, the original, pull-over compression design, and the newer encapsulation style. Compression bras work by restricting bounce, flattening the breasts against the body and is often chosen for modesty reasons. This style works best on women with A and B cup sizes. The encapsulation style, on the other hand, is best for women with C or D cups. Their molded cups support and protect each breast individually and are good not only for vertical bounce, but side-to-side and in-and-out motion as well. They are also much easier to get into and out of, especially for women with larger breasts, because they offer adjustable bands and straps, much like a regular bra. Combination compression and encapsulation bras are also widely available.

Because breast motion changes from activity to activity, there is more to choosing a good sports bra than cup size. Walking, jogging, running, boxing, tennis, aerobics, yoga, you name it all require different degrees and types of support. When trying on a sports bra, perform the movements you are likely to do during exercise. Go ahead and jump, stretch, jog in place. It’s the best way to find the support you need for the activities you enjoy.

Though lack of bra support can lead to discomfort and strain during exercise, many bras being worn in today’s gyms are designed for appearance rather than function. It’s important to protect your breast’s natural support system with a quality sports bra. Shopping around, trying out a variety of bra-types and discarding old sports bras when they have “died” or worn out can all lead to more comfortable exercise and less breast sagging over time. So give those breasts ligaments the help they need and wear a quality sports bra.

The Botox Breast Lift

There’s a lot of buzz lately about the Botox breast lift. People seem to want to know what, exactly, it is, whether it’s safe, and if it even really works. 

 

What is it?

 

A Botox breast lift uses the popular wrinkle treatment to relax certain pectoral muscles under the breast causing a woman to stand up straighter, making her breasts appear higher and perkier. It doesn’t actually increase the size of the breast or tighten excess skin like a surgical breast lift or augmentation, but it requires no recovery time, and, according to some doctors, is safer than the more common surgical procedures. It also has what some see as the “advantage” of temporary effects, allowing women to try it out without making a long-term commitment.

 

Is it Safe?

 

Though breast lifts are an “off-label” use for Botox, it is to each doctor’s discretion whether to use it for this purpose or not. New York dermatologist Dr. Patrician Wexler uses the treatment in her practice, saying it spares the patient the potential surgical complications of a traditional lift. In a recent interview with CBS, Wexler said:

 

“There’s no anesthesia, there’s no scarring, there’s no post-operative pain, and certainly the risks are less.”

 

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Griffin, on the other hand, disagrees, noting that Botox can migrate from its intended target, and fears the effects on a patient if their pectoral muscles are partially paralyzed. Others worry about the amount of Botox being injected, saying that using the toxin on anyone other than small breasted women would require unsafe amounts and shouldn’t be done.

 

Does it Work?

 

It seems to work in smaller breasted women to correct their posture, making their breasts appear perkier. It cannot tighten loose, lax skin or correct severe or even moderate sagging. It can work to give some women that extra little boost they may be looking for, temporarily. Dr. Wexler, a proponent of the Botox breast lift says:

 

“I think it’s something you wouldn’t do on a regular basis, but if somebody were to have a very special gown that would be very difficult to wear with a bra, and you wanted to have a lift of your breast for that special occasion, this is a very effective way of giving one a lift without any risk or downside.”

 

According to Dr. Wexler, the treatment, which lasts between 10 to 12 weeks, can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $2,000 for both breasts. What a “very special gown” it would have to be indeed.  But still, if that little boost is what you seek, and you trust the skills and judgment of the doctor administering the drug, you may want to give it a try.

 

For more information on breast enhancement or safe and effective uses for Botox, Washington DC plastic surgeons at CPS can help.