Fw: Saline implants being advertised in the news ...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ilena--

this article clearly misses the whole aspect of fungus and bacteria associated with saline over time

----- Original Message ----- From: ilena rose

Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 8:06 AM

Subject: Saline implants being advertised in the news ...

http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=29808 & SecID=2

EXCERPT: If this happens, the body safely absorbs the saline.

Note: Not necessarily!

Breast Augmentation

5/28/2003 5:25 AM

By: Medstar.com

Most women have a little asymmetry to their "upper body", but some have significant size differences...and they turn to surgery.

"I'm really self-conscious about the way that I look in clothes in my upper body,” said patient O’Connor.

Since her teenage years, O'Connor, 27, has struggled to find clothes she could wear. Her breasts are very uneven and after recent surgery to remove two benign tumors, she's even more lopsided. Finding a bathing suit, lingerie, or even a simple shirt, is a chore.

“It's a hang up of mine but it's also an inconvenience,” she continued.

Her plastic surgeon did breast augmentation surgery to balance her figure. Working from the armpit to minimize scars, he created a pocket for implants beneath the chest muscle on each side.

"The incisions for breast augmentation are very small,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Brett Garber. “They're typically under an inch so the healing process is much easier with regard to the skin healing.”

He then inserted the implants, silicone shells filled with saline solution.

"The implants that I use are empty and I put the implants and I roll them up like a little cigarette and that's what allows me to use such a small incision,” continued Dr. Garber. “And once I place it into its pocket, then I fill the implant up."

About a week after surgery, O’Connor's bandages came off. Although still swollen, she could see her new figure was just as she envisioned it.

"Ya know, you sit there and go, ‘Wow that's really, that's my body.’ Ya know it's a different body than what I've been used to my entire life but I was really excited and he was very enthusiastic about the symmetry which was ya know my primary issue,” she said.

With her new shape, O’Connor can't wait to go shopping.

Getting implants is a major operation and carries all the usual risks of surgery. Costs vary across the country, ranging from about $2800 to $4000 and in most cases, health insurance won't pay for it.

For more information

• Plastic Surgeon Referral Service, 1-888-4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784)

• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

36 West 44th Street

Suite 630

New York, NY 10036

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation

444 E. Algonquin Rd.

Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to expand the size of the breast. It is the second most common cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. (after liposuction). According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 249,600 breast augmentations were performed last year. There are several reasons a woman may choose to have the procedure. Some women want to have bigger breasts. Sometimes one breast is significantly smaller than the other. Over time, weight loss, childbirth, and natural aging can lead to changes in the size, shape, or volume of the breasts. Breast augmentation can restore a more natural proportion and shape to the breasts.

The Surgery

A device called an implant is used to give a breast its new size and shape. The only implants currently approved for breast augmentation are silicone shells filled with saline (saltwater). Prior to surgery, the doctor will examine the patient and determine the best place for the incision and location of the implant pocket. The incision is usually small and hidden in the crease under the breast, within the armpit, or around the lower edge of the areola. The pocket to hold the implant can be located under or on top of the chest muscle. An implant placed under the chest muscle may be less likely to cause rippling (the implant can be seen or felt under the skin) or cause capsular contracture (formation of scar tissue around the implant). Under-the-muscle pockets provide better images for mammograms and are often more natural looking. An over-the-muscle implant may be better for women who have droopy breasts and don’t want to have a breast lift.

To perform the augmentation, the incision is made into the breast and the implant pocket is formed. Next, the implant is rolled into a tube-like shape, inserted through the incision, and placed into the pocket. Once in place, the implant is filled with saline. The actual procedure takes about one to two hours and patients can often go home later in the day. Patients are generally back to work in one to two weeks. A support bra is needed for a few weeks after surgery.

Side Effects and Risks

Patients should be thoroughly aware of the risks of breast augmentation before agreeing to the procedure. Side effects of surgery include pain, swelling, bruising, and temporary changes in nipple sensation. There are also the usual surgical risks of bleeding and infection.

In some cases, after breast augmentation, scar tissue forms around the implant. The tight scar tissue formation can compress the implant (capsular contracture), making the affected breast feel hard and tender. In some cases, capsular contracture can change the appearance of the breast. There is always a risk of implant leakage or rupture. If this happens, the body safely absorbs the saline. However, the loss of saline will change the shape of the breast and surgery is needed to replace the ruptured implant. When getting a mammogram, women having breast augmentation must be seen by a radiographer or radiology technician who is familiar with taking X-rays of breasts with implants.

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