Breast Implant Technology on the Rise: Bed-of-Nails Breast Implant
Statistics from breastcancer.org suggest that in the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer. Many of these women will undergo cancer removal surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy), and they will often receive breast reconstruction surgery as well. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and co-founder of a breast cancer support group Pink Ribbon Story Foundation, Dr. James Namnoum performs breast reconstruction in Atlanta. He understands these women have gone through a great deal already, so he aims to make the reconstruction process as easy as possible.
Many women seeking breast reconstruction are hesitant about the procedure itself and the type of breast implants used. Methods of breast reconstruction without breast implants are also being studied. For instance, you may have heard about Suzanne Somers’ controversial stem cell breast reconstruction procedure. Rather than receiving a breast implant, Somers opted for a reconstruction technique that involved taking fat from one part of her body, harvesting stem cells from the fat, then injecting the stem cells and fat into her affected breast. Since only one breast was affected by cancer, Somers’ surgeon performed breast reduction surgery on her healthy breast to ensure symmetry. Although breast implants are safe, researchers are constantly working to improve their structure to continually maximize results and minimize complications.
If you keep up with our blog, you may have read about biological breast implants, which we’re hoping will become available in the next few years. Biological breast implants use a patient’s own fat, similar to fat transfer for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, to fill a surrounding shell that’s inserted into the breast. Dr. Namnoum believes even though saline and silicone implants are safe, biological breast implants would decrease the risk of complications like capsular contracture since fewer of the device’s components are not foreign to the body.
Researchers at Brown University have a different type of breast implant in mind specifically designed for breast reconstruction surgery. This breast implant has a special surface that actually repels breast cancer cells while attracting healthy cells to cut down on breast cancer recurrence. Its surface is comparable to a “bed of nails” on the nanoscale (i.e., one 50,000th of the width of a human hair). It is still unclear why the breast cancer cells do not thrive on such a surface. However, the researchers testing and comparing this breast implant believe it has something to do with the cancer cells’ inability to completely wrap themselves around the shell’s contours reducing their nutrient intake. While the bumpy texture deters cancer cells, it actually attracts healthy cells.
More research is necessary before these breast implants will be available for breast reconstruction or even breast enhancement. Be sure to keep up with Dr. Namnoum’s blog and social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+) as he strives to keep patients updated on plastic and reconstructive news and technology.
Breast Augmentation Surgery More Popular on West Coast but Growing Nationwide
In January, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that a majority of breast augmentation surgery performed in the U.S. is received on the West Coast. In fact, they found that 38% of breast enhancement surgeries were performed in Western states in 2010. Only 15% of U.S. breast enhancement procedures were performed here in the Southeast. West coast plastic surgeons seem to believe that people from their region are more accepting of plastic surgery. While that may be the case, we looked deeper into the statistics.
Although the 2011 plastic surgery statistics were recently released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), we had to review the statistics from 2010 for in depth information like plastic surgery by region. According to the data, breast augmentation is not the only procedure that dominates in the West. Perusing the statistics of procedures Dr. Jim Namnoum often performs at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we noticed a higher percentage of breast lift, liposuction, and tummy tuck surgery are also performed in the West.
However, the West coast had the lowest number of buttock lift surgeries in 2010 and the second highest number of male breast reduction procedures. While it’s true that Hollywood has quite the influence on the way people view cosmetic surgery, Hollywood’s influence extends much farther than just the West Coast. Westerners may be more accepting of plastic surgery, but plastic surgery acceptance is undoubtedly growing across the country. In fact, based on the statistics compiled by ASPS, the number of total plastic surgery procedures performed has risen for the past two consecutive years. This number includes both minimally invasive and surgical procedures.
Reviewing plastic surgery statistics from year to year is very interesting. Although we can currently only view and compare the top five cosmetic surgical procedures, cosmetic minimally invasive procedures, and reconstructive procedures for 2011, the data will eventually be broken down based on region, demographics, ages, and sex. Such information helps plastic surgeons understand more about their patients so that they can better serve them.
If you’re interested in learning more about the plastic surgery procedures Dr. Namnoum performs, be sure to review his website or contact the office to schedule a consultation. Stay tuned to his blog and social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, and now Google+) for updated information on plastic surgery news and trends.
Trends Show More Women Are Opting for Smaller Breast Implants
The phrase “go big or go home” doesn’t always ring true, especially in the world of plastic surgery. Although there are some women who wish to greatly increase their breast size with breast enhancement surgery, there are many who opt for smaller and more conservatively sized breast implants. In fact, according to an article recently released on NBC2, women who have had breast augmentation surgery in the past are beginning to exchange their larger breast implants with smaller ones more often than before.
Breast revision surgery is a procedure for women who have had breast augmentation surgery, but are not satisfied with their results, experience complications, or just want a smaller size breast implant. Although breast implants are not lifetime devices, it is best to have a good idea of what you wish to achieve initially through breast surgery and to pursue cosmetic enhancement with a board certified plastic surgeon to avoid breast revision surgery. However, if you do experience complications (i.e., capsule contracture, bottoming out, or implant rupture), I can perform breast revision surgery to try and repair the issue and address concerns.
For instance, using surgery techniques borrowed from my reconstructive breast procedures, I perform revisionary breast surgery to treat complications that occasionally arise. In additions to the complications listed above, revisionary breast surgery may be warranted by improper breast shape, improper positioning, and asymmetry. With breast surgery technology and techniques like capsule flaps, acellular dermal matrix, pocket reshaping, and fat transfer, I am able to meet my patients’ needs and yield the surgical results they’re after.
I can also exchange breast implants for women who aren’t happy with their previous physician’s results. Whether it’s due to the breast implant type, texture, shape or size, I will work to revise the breasts based on the patient’s desires. I find it most important to spend time discussing the patient’s goals during a plastic surgery consultation so that I can meet their needs the first time around.
I can identify with the article on women exchanging their implants for smaller ones as I have also seen this trend in Atlanta. Whether they’re aiming for a more conservative look, trying to accommodate their active lifestyle, or are experiencing back pain due to large breasts, more women than before are choosing smaller-sized implants. Depending on the size of the previous implants, patient’s age, and how long the implants have been in place, a breast lift procedure may be combined with breast revision when smaller implants are inserted to improve aesthetics.
To learn more about different types of breast surgery or to find out more about other procedures I offer my Atlanta patients, view the rest of my website. Be sure to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter if you haven’t already to stay up to date on plastic surgery news.
New Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Research: Tyk2 Protein Suppresses Tumor Growth & Spreading
Research recently released in the Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research may help scientists and doctors with the regulation of tumor growth. In the study, female mice with a deficiency of the Tyk2 protein and those with normal levels were injected with breast cancer cells. The tumors and spleens of the mice were measured for 29 days. Tyk2 proteins help cells communicate amongst one another and determine the activity of each cell’s DNA.
The researcher’s conclusions show that the Tyk2 protein may be beneficial in slowing and stopping tumors from growing and the cancer from being spread to other parts of the body. While not a cure for breast cancer, this type research is crucial in fighting breast cancer—both for patients and for doctors who can build on this research for their own studies. Ganes C. Sen, PhD, Chairman, Department of Molecular Genetics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research believes that “this study suggests that boosting Tyk2 activity may be beneficial for arresting breast tumor growth.”
Dr. James Namnoum is no stranger to breast cancer research. As a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, he is invested in the fight against breast cancer and often helps women who have undergone lumpectomy or mastectomy to reshape and enhance their breasts through breast reconstruction and enhancement surgeries.
Dedicated to the healing process for breast cancer survivors, Dr. Namnoum is also a founding member of the Pink Ribbon Story Foundation a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the stories of breast cancer survivors and their families to help the newly diagnosed.
Though the research performed by these scientists is not a cure for breast cancer, it does show promise for helping doctors better understand cancer, how to treat it, and how to help the women who have suffered from this disease.
For more information on Dr. Namnoum, the cosmetic and reconstructive procedures he performs, or the Pink Ribbon Story Foundation visit our website. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates about breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery.
Plastic Surgery Technology Grows: Biological Breast Implants
One of my recent plastic surgery blogs discussed saline and silicone breast implants and how the FDA says silicone breast implants are safe as long as patients follow up. As an Atlanta plastic surgeon, investigator in several studies involving breast implants, researcher with on- going laboratory projects related to breast surgery, and co-director of the Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium, I am particularly interested in helping to advance the field of breast implant technologies. I would like to teach you about a potential up and coming breast implant technology: the biological breast implant.
For years, plastic surgeons have made use of fat transfer for breast augmentation and reconstruction. While I believe that breast augmentation with fat transfer should be reserved until more research is completed on the topic, I regularly use fat transfer during breast reconstruction procedures to enhance the softness and appearance of the reconstructed breast to create an enhanced result. I believe that the use of large volume fat transfer for breast augmentation could be risky because the fat cells might induce breast cancer. I will continue to make use of conventional breast implants until the biology of large volume fat transfer for breast augmentation is better defined and proven to be safe and effective.
Since conventional breast implants carry a risk of hardness and deformity due to the foreign body response that can cause a deforming scar capsule around the implant (known as capsular contracture), I have been investigating the potential to create a biological breast implant using natural fat and a surrounding shell. It’s possible that this approach could result in an implant that could safely enhance the breast with natural tissues while avoiding the problems seen with artificial shells made of silicone.
We’re hoping to see biological breast implants become available in the next few years. Although both saline and silicone breast implants have been proven safe, biological breast implants could be an additional solution.
While it may be a few years before biological breast implants are available at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, I will keep you updated on the newest plastic surgery technologies and trends. Be sure to keep reading my blog and connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
Saline or Silicone: No Matter Which Type of Breast Implant is Used, Follow Up is Important
If you keep up with my blog, you probably already know that there are many factors to selecting breast implants. When choosing implants for your breast augmentation, you have to consider size, shape, texture, and even material. During a breast surgery consultation, I listen to my patient’s concerns and explain the different types of breast implants to help patients make educated decisions about their breast surgery procedures.
Breast implants are composed of either silicone (silicone elastomer shell that’s also filled with silicone gel) or saline (silicone elastomer shell that’s filled with a sterile saline solution). For the most part, the type of breast implant a patient chooses for their breast enhancement is based on their personal preference, but no matter the type, follow up appointments are as important as consultations.
Last week, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons released an article about the FDA confirming the safety of silicone breast implants. You may remember back in 1992 when the FDA pulled silicone breast implants off the market due to limited data on their long-term safety. After years of clinical studies, the FDA put silicone breast implants back on the market in 2006 with the stipulation that women who receive silicone implants complete follow-up studies to confirm the implants’ safety. The only problem is that women who do not experience surgical complications are less likely to follow up. Therefore, the FDA is looking for ways to get patients to follow through with after care appointments.
Whether you receive breast implants or undergo other cosmetic surgery procedures like liposuction, follow up appointments are extremely important to ensure everything is healing properly. With breast enhancement these post-op appointments are vital to detect and prevent breast surgery complications. For instance, while very rare, it’s possible for breast implants to rupture. When a saline implant ruptures, the breast looks deflated, but silicone breast implant ruptures are not as evident. In fact, the FDA suggests receiving MRIs to detect “silent ruptures” every few years.
Follow up routines with other cosmetic breast procedures like breast reduction and breast lift are not quite as involved as breast augmentation follow ups because a synthetic device is not inserted during these procedures, but patients still need to follow up. Patient education is very important to me, so I use outlets like my blog, Facebook and Twitter to do so. I also take time during patient consultations to discuss the potential procedure in depth with my patient, as well as any concerns the patient may have. If you are considering plastic surgery, be sure to take a look at the rest of my website or schedule a consultation with me today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Surgery: Choosing the Appropriate Procedure
Something I’ve learned in my experience as an Atlanta plastic surgeon is that although patients seek to enhance or correct a certain feature, they’re often not sure which plastic surgery procedure will meet their needs. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breasts, I’d like to address some of the most frequently asked questions I hear concerning cosmetic breast surgery.
Q.) Will breast implants correct the appearance of my sagging breasts?
A.) Breast implants can correct the appearance of sagging breasts to a certain extent, but a breast lift is a more appropriate procedure for this concern as it eliminates the excess, stretched tissue causing this appearance. However, women who are interested in enhancing the size of their breasts, but are also in need of a lift may benefit from breast augmentation with a breast lift. Read more
Breast Enhancement: Giving Women a Reason to Celebrate
Over the past several years, the way people view plastic surgery has changed. Once reserved for Hollywood stars, plastic surgery remained something people did not openly discuss even after the general public began undergoing cosmetic enhancement. They did not want to tell their friends their refreshed appearance was the product of a facelift or that their newly refined silhouette was a result of liposuction. Now, people are embracing plastic surgery after seeing the positive effect it can have on people’s lives. Going beyond embracing plastic surgery, some women, are celebrating the anniversary of their breast augmentation surgery with what they’re calling “boobirthdays.”
Detailed recently in an article from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, women celebrate “boobirthdays” with friends, family, and sometimes even their plastic surgeons and nurses to commemorate the positive impact plastic surgery played in their lives. While Dr. Jim Namnoum hasn’t attended many “boobirthday” parties in Atlanta, he is pleased by the support these women bring to breast surgery. Dedicating much of his surgical practice to breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstructive surgery, Dr. Namnoum knows the impact of women supporting other women.
Although this may still sound like a farfetched party idea, a noted “anniversary” like this is also a good tool for patient safety because although both silicone and saline breast implants are durable, they are not made to last a lifetime (usually 10-20 years). In fact, some women undergo a secondary breast enhancement surgery, called breast revision, to replace their existing breast implants and avoid breast implant complications. It’s also beneficial to be cognizant of the importance of regularly scheduled mammograms.
“Boobirthdays” aren’t limited to breast augmentation. Many women who undergo breast lift or breast reduction surgery are equally excited about their new look. If you’re interested in cosmetic breast surgery or other plastic and reconstructive surgery performed by Dr. Namnoum, visit his website to learn more. Also, be sure to connect with him on Facebook and Twitter if you haven’t already.
Breast Surgery Complication Risk Higher Among Obese Patients
If you keep up with the Mind the Body section of my blog, you probably already know that healthy eating habits may contribute to a shortened cosmetic surgery recovery time. According to a new claims database study, eating habits may affect cosmetic surgery recovery more than we realized. Research collected by Martin A. Makary MD, MPH of Johns Hopkins University and colleagues observed that obese patients who undergo elective breast surgery were 12 times more likely to experience surgical complications than non-obese patients.
The data was gathered from insurance claims, meaning the procedures in the study were pursued for medical purposes rather than cosmetic objectives. Researchers studied the rate of surgical complications associated with breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, breast lift with augmentation, and breast reconstruction. While the most common procedure among both obese and non-obese patients was breast reduction, more complications arose amongst obese patients who underwent breast augmentation. It’s important to note however, a higher complication rate for obese patients was found with each type of breast surgery studied. Read more
What is the Most Common Type of Incision for Breast Augmentation?
There are several types of incisions board certified plastic surgeons may employ to insert saline or silicone implants during breast augmentation. The type of incision used is most commonly determined by the type and size of breast implant used, the build of the patient, and the presence of existing scar tissue if a breast revision surgery is being performed. The most widely used type of incision is the crease (inframammary) breast incision. Using this method, your plastic surgeon will cut along the natural crease under the breast. This access allows your surgeon to place the implant above or below the pectoral muscle and maximize breast symmetry. A crease incision will result in a scar, but an experienced plastic surgeon will be able to artfully hide the scars to that they are minimally visible.
Visit his website and continue to read his blog to learn more about breast augmentation from Dr. Namnoum.
