In a recently-published comprehensive assessment, doctors took a closer look at the technique of TransUmbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA), and found that the procedure, although criticized by some doctors, is a safe, effective procedure with a high incidence of patient satisfaction.

TUBA is an endoscopic surgery for breast augmentation where an inch-long incision is made in the patient's navel. Then the endoscope is inserted to make tracks from the navel to each breast, creating paths through the fatty tissue to guide the implant. In general, only saline implants are used for this technique, because the implant must be fitted through the narrow tracks, and pre-filled, factory-sealed silicone implants cannot be rolled up to follow the track. Once the implants are fitted into place, they are inflated to the appropriate volume to achieve the desired augmentation.

In the study, the authors looked at 245 TUBA breast augmentations conducted by one doctor over the two years from 2002 to 2004. They looked at overall patient satisfaction, and correlated it with:

• Implant placement
• Numbness
• Firmness
• Size satisfaction
• Rippling
• Post-operative pain

In an interesting correlation with yesterday's topic, a strong negative correlation was found between subglandular placement and overall satisfaction. This may partially be related to the negative correlation between firmness and satisfaction. On the other hand, the only positive correlation with overall satisfaction was submuscular placement of the implant. Post-operative pain and rippling, which have always been believed to correlate with overall satisfaction, were not found to have any statistically significant coincidence.

Complications that were seen with a frequency of greater than 1% as a result of the procedure were:

• Asymmetry (4.1%)
• Capsular contracture (3.7%)
• Umbilical wound infection (3.2%)
• Tunnel seromas, or clear, benign fluid pockets in the endoscopic tracks (2.0 % )
• Deflation (1.2%)

The authors of the survey concluded that the procedure was a safe, effective method for breast augmentation that should be considered by women electing breast augmentation surgery. If you would like to learn more about this technique for augmentation in Newport Beach, Orange County, California, consult the website of breast augmentation expert Dr. Douglas Hendricks, at the Pacifica Cosmetic Surgery Center.

Labels: breast augmentation, incision type, satisfaction

The biggest controversy in breast augmentation surgery is whether the implant should be placed above (subglandular placement) or below (submuscular placement) the pectoralis major muscle. Particular placements tend to work best with certain types of implants and incision / insertion techniques. What is interesting is that although doctors practice both procedures almost equally (60/40 in favor of subglandular placement), some doctors are adamant about one or the other, and often demonize doctors who choose the other option. The adamant proponents of subglandular placement criticize the submusculars for cutting open the pectoralis major muscle and claim that the period of settling which submuscular placement requires is actually the process of complete atrophying in the muscle. They also point out that submuscular placement is barbaric in that it causes undue pain for the patient.

On the other hand, doctors who favor submuscular placement say that the larger implants used by subglandular doctors give women a cheap and artificial appearance. They also say that subglandular placement of breast implants unnecessarily risks women's lives by interfering with mammograms. And they point to an increased risk of capsular contracture for subglandular placement, although this charge, say subglandular doctors, is strictly untrue and downright insulting.

It is unlikely this controversy will be resolved, but it is one of the most important questions to have answered before going ahead with your breast enhancement surgery. One thing that is beyond controversy, however, is that either placement depends for its success on a doctor that is comfortable and experienced with the procedure. If you are interested in breast augmentation surgery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, make sure and consider the many options you have for breast enlargement surgery, including Dr. David Bottger.

Labels: breast augmentation, incision type

In recent years, people have been seeking out non-surgical cosmetic procedure options. People are looking for shorter recovery periods than from a facelift, brow lift, or other facial plastic surgery. The most popular non-invasive procedure, of course, is Botox injections, which last year accounted for a third of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. However, the most rapidly-growing non-surgical cosmetic procedure last year was hyaluronic acid injections, such as Restylane, which grew by a striking 59%.

People like the effectiveness of the treatment, reporting a high level of satisfaction overall, but lament the short lifespan of the results, which tend to last only six months, on average. Unlike Botox, which reconditions the muscles so that application frequency can be reduced over time, hyaluronic acid compounds must be injected regularly to maintain their effect, which is inconvenient and expensive over time.

However, just last year the FDA approved what promises to be a new "permanent" injectable filler. Its brand name is ArteFill, and its composition is unique. It consists of 80% Bovine collagen (with some lidocaine) and 20 % polymethylmethacrylate microspheres. Whereas the collagen is absorbed by the body like most injectable fillers, the microspheres cannot be absorbed and remain in place as a permanent matrix for indigenous tissue. Ideally, this means that, once injected, the results will last and last and last.

How long will they last? Well, nobody really knows because the product has not been in use for long enough to gauge its persistence, but the indications are that the results may be the longest-lasting of any injectable filler. If you're interested in learning more about ArteFill, hyaluronic acid fillers, or any other nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, consult the website of the Ariana Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center, one of the pioneers in using this brand-new product, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Labels: anti-aging, injectable fillers

Women who have very large breasts often experience a variety of problems associated with the excessive weight from the breasts including back and neck pain, skeletal problems, and breathing problems. Extremely large breasts often make women and young girls feel very self-conscious and embarrassed. Some women may be good candidates for breast reduction surgery but others may not.

Aesthetic Vs. Medical Reasons For Surgery

For medical and aesthetic reasons, women often seek breast reduction surgery, which is designed for women who want to reduce the size of their breasts or change the shape of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts making them firmer and smaller. Breast reduction surgery can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple). The goal of this surgery is to provide women with smaller, better-shaped breasts that are more in proportion with the rest of their bodies.

Breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is most often done for medical reasons rather than aesthetic reasons. Most women having the surgery have suffered one or more medical problems due to their large breasts and are desperately seeking some relief from years, perhaps decades, of discomfort and pain. Some women's breasts are so large that they restrict their activities greatly and interfere with their ability to lead active, normal lives.

Potential Complications

As with any surgery, there is a chance for complications afterwards including bleeding, infection and reaction to the anesthesia. Some patients have developed small sores around the nipple area; these sores can be treated easily with antibiotic cream. Following your surgeon's orders to the letter both before and after surgery will greatly reduce your chance of developing any serious complications.

Permanent scars are left following surgery but are often covered by clothing such as bras and bathing suits. If you are a smoker, your chances for more prominent scars and poor healing are significantly increased.

What to Expect

During your consultation with your Dr. Bray, he will examine your breasts and photograph them for reference during surgery and afterwards. You will both discuss surgery options and possible results. The risks and costs involved with the surgery will also be discussed. To prepare for surgery, you may be required to have a mammogram performed, and pre-surgery, detailed directions will be provided that you must follow exactly as directed.

Breast reduction surgery typically takes 2-4 hours but may take longer in some cases.

Post Surgery

After surgery, you will be wrapped in a bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings, and a small tube will be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two. Dr. Bray may prescribe pain medication, and the bandages will be removed after a couple of days. Your stitches will be removed in approximately three weeks. You may experience random shooting pains for a few months; some patients may experience this for a longer period of time.

You may be up and around a day or two following the surgery, but your breasts may still ache for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing or pulling of any kind for at least four weeks.

If you would like to learn more about breast reduction surgery in Los Angeles, please visit the website of Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Inc. today to schedule your initial appointment.

Labels: breast reduction

As the holidays approach, we are all planning on eating far more cookies than is probably good for us. Well, maybe not planning. In truth, we're planning on eating fewer cookies than last year. But for those of us honest with ourselves, we're admitting that the truth is we'll probably eat far more cookies than is good for us. Whether you're a fan of ginger snaps, sugar cookies, out-of-this-worlds, or just chocolate chip cookies, they're gonna be around, and you're gonna eat 'em. And you're likely to see a few holiday pounds. So, if you had the option, ladies, wouldn't you rather gain those pounds in your breasts?

A new cookie marketed by a Japanese company under the name of "F-Cup" promises just that. The claim is that eating two cookies a day can lead to as much as a cup size increase in a woman's breast size, without the need for breast augmentation surgery. How does it work? First of all, the cookies are full of fat, and fat, as we know, is the base substance of breasts, asses, and all the other body contours we want. According to the manufacturer, the trans fats in the cookie will go straight to the breast area. Of course, trans fats are notoriously unhealthy and American cookie-makers have been scrambling to get rid of them. But the secret ingredient in these cookies is the herb Pueraria mirifica, which imitates estrogen's effects on the body. But does it work?

Anything's possible. But it seems unlikely. Women whose bodies tend to store fat in the breast area are probably more likely to be shopping for a breast lift or a breast reduction than enlargement, and women who are eating this cookie to enlarge their breasts will probably find the fat continues to go just where it always goes based on their genetic programming, leaving them wanting not only breast augmentation, but liposuction as well. But estrogen can lead to a swelling of the breasts, but with consequences, including an increased risk for blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, and even breast cancer.

If you're interested in a guaranteed way to see an enlargement of your breasts, and you live in Manhattan, consult the web site of cosmetic surgeon Dr. Howard Bellin, the New York Expert on breast enlargement and other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Labels: breast augmentation, breast reduction, food, liposuction