Breast Augmentation

Patient Update: What Does the Recent Breast Implant Device Withdrawal Mean?

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Last month, many people with breast implants awoke to headlines that made them understandably concerned. Allergan, a prominent manufacturer of several types of breast implants, announced that they were voluntarily withdrawing (or recalling) their textured devices worldwide. What does this mean for women who have or were planning to get textured breast implants? To help our patients (as well as anyone else out there who might be concerned) understand the situation, we’re discussing the facts of this product withdrawal for this week’s blog.

Women have several choices when it comes to breast implants, and one of those choices is between smooth or textured devices. There are advantages and potential disadvantages to each type of implant, and which one is right for any given patient depends on a number of factors specific to that patient. Of the approximately 300,000 breast augmentations and 150,000 breast reconstructions performed annually in the United States, less than 12% involve textured implants. If you’re part of the other 88%, Allergan’s withdrawal of textured implants doesn’t affect you. But even if you’ve received textured implants as part of a breast surgery procedure, you most likely have nothing to worry about.

The first and perhaps most important thing to understand about this voluntary withdrawal is that it’s largely a precaution. In a tiny number of cases, textured implants have been linked to a very rare type of immune-system cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Of the millions of women worldwide who currently have breast implants, only a few hundred have developed symptoms of BIA-ALCL. While any amount of increased cancer risk tied to breast implants is potentially cause for concern, the link identified here is not likely to affect you. To hear more, watch this video that one of our plastic surgeons, Dr. James Namnoum, made when the news broke:

Another extremely important thing to remember is that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend removing textured implants in patients without symptoms of BIA-ALCL. Symptoms of BIA-ALCL include noticeable swelling of the breast from fluid around the implant, pain, and a chest wall mass or lump. However, fluid around implants is often normal and can occur in large amounts without being associated with BIA-ALCL. Because the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is so small, removal or replacement surgery may not be worth it for the vast majority of patients. However, women with pain or swelling around their implant site, or anything else abnormal, should be examined by their doctors.

If you have any concern at all about your implants after hearing about this product withdrawal, we urge you to see your plastic surgeon or doctor for an evaluation. Even if you have no symptoms, it may still provide some valuable peace of mind. Studies such as an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound may be useful to gain additional information. You always have the choice to have your textured implants surgically swapped out for smooth implants, or to have them removed altogether, but just know that this is not recommended, and that additional surgery always carries some additional risk, however small. We do not believe that there’s any reason to be alarmed about this news, but monitoring your breast health and overall wellbeing is always a good idea.

 

If you have any questions about this device withdrawal, or about any of the procedures we perform, contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta-area offices today to schedule an appointment today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news, and to check back often for new blogs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Enhancement

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During the 50 years we’ve been in business, we at Atlanta Plastic Surgery have received countless questions about the work we do. Patients of all kinds have walked through our doors (perhaps most commonly being women seeking breast enhancement) to learn what plastic surgery could do for them. We often hear similar questions among different prospective patients, so every now and then, we like to use our blog to address some of those questions. Today, we’re covering three of the ones most frequently asked about breast enhancement:

Important Things to Consider before Breast AugmentationHow long does it take to recuperate from breast reconstruction?

Recuperation time can vary based on what type of reconstructive surgery is being performed, along with many other factors. Most women return to normal activities in six to eight weeks, though it may take longer to be ready for strenuous exercise. Some bruising, swelling, and soreness may persist for two to three weeks following your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to provide more specific timeline estimates, as well as instructions for care, once he or she is more familiar with your individual needs.

Can men have breast reduction surgery?

It might be reassuring to learn that this is a common question. Men with a condition called gynecomastia develop unusual amounts of tissue in the chest area. 70% of boys get gynecomastia during puberty due to hormonal changes involving estrogen.

Hormonal changes, however, aren’t exclusive to younger men—many men experience gynecomastia due to aging and/or certain behaviors and/or medications. Among certain prescription treatments, antibiotics, heart medicines, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants might sometimes be culprits. Moreover, the abuse of marijuana, heroin, amphetamines, steroids, and alcohol can also contribute to gynecomastia. We frequently use breast-reduction surgery to help men living with this issue get back their confidence, and we strongly believe in taking the shame and stigma out of this condition.

How many options do I have for breast augmentation?

As one of the most popular plastic-surgery procedures, breast-augmentation surgery has many different options available. Over the years, surgeons and researchers have developed various approaches, techniques, materials, etc. to satisfy the public’s demand for better and better breast augmentation. Saline vs. silicone is probably the most commonly known distinction, but other choices and subcategories for breast augmentation include:

  • Conventional or gummy bear (form-stable) implants
  • Round or shaped implants
  • Smooth or textured implants

Those are just the main categories of implant types. If you’re looking for a modest size increase, you might also consider fat transfer as a choice for your breast augmentation. You can learn more about the different types of implants, as well as other approaches and techniques of breast surgery, by searching our other blog articles.

If you have questions of your own, or if you’d like to learn more about what plastic surgery can do for you, contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation today. You can learn about the cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures we offer by exploring our website. Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Enhancement

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During the 50 years we’ve been in business, we at Atlanta Plastic Surgery have received countless questions about the work we do. Patients of all kinds have walked through our doors (perhaps most commonly being women seeking breast enhancement) to learn what plastic surgery could do for them. We often hear similar questions among different prospective patients, so every now and then, we like to use our blog to address some of those questions. Today, we’re covering three of the ones most frequently asked about breast enhancement:

breast-surgery-in-atlanta-georgiaHow long does it take to recuperate from breast reconstruction?

Recuperation time can vary based on what type of reconstructive surgery is being performed, along with many other factors. Most women return to normal activities in six to eight weeks, though it may take longer to be ready for strenuous exercise. Some bruising, swelling, and soreness may persist for two to three weeks following your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to provide more specific timeline estimates, as well as instructions for care, once he or she is more familiar with your individual needs.

Can men have breast reduction surgery?

It might be reassuring to learn that this is a common question. Men with a condition called gynecomastia develop unusual amounts of tissue in the chest area. 70% of boys get gynecomastia during puberty due to hormonal changes involving estrogen.

Hormonal changes, however, aren’t exclusive to younger men—many men experience gynecomastia due to aging and/or certain behaviors and/or medications. Among certain prescription treatments, antibiotics, heart medicines, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants might sometimes be culprits. Moreover, the abuse of marijuana, heroin, amphetamines, steroids, and alcohol can also contribute to gynecomastia. We frequently use breast-reduction surgery to help men living with this issue get back their confidence, and we strongly believe in taking the shame and stigma out of this condition.

How many options do I have for breast augmentation?

As one of the most popular plastic-surgery procedures, breast-augmentation surgery has many different options available. Over the years, surgeons and researchers have developed various approaches, techniques, materials, etc. to satisfy the public’s demand for better and better breast augmentation. Saline vs. silicone is probably the most commonly known distinction, but other choices and subcategories for breast augmentation include:

  • Conventional or gummy bear (form-stable) implants
  • Round or shaped implants
  • Smooth or textured implants

Those are just the main categories of implant types. If you’re looking for a modest size increase, you might also consider fat transfer as a choice for your breast augmentation. You can learn more about the different types of implants, as well as other approaches and techniques of breast surgery, by searching our other blog articles.

If you have questions of your own, or if you’d like to learn more about what plastic surgery can do for you, contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation today. You can learn about the cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures we offer by exploring our website. Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

What Are the Different Types of Breast Implants?

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For people considering breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery, the landscape of different terms and procedures can be a bit daunting. However, as you learn more, you’ll find that much of the lingo you need to know as a patient actually describes fairly straightforward ideas. We encourage everyone to do some research before scheduling a consultation, and a great way to start your cosmetic-surgery journey is by familiarizing yourself with some of the breast-related terminology that plastic surgeons use.

breast implant options at atlanta plastic surgery pc (small)Saline breast implants contain essentially the same sterile salt-water solution that people use to clean their contact lenses. They have the consistency of water and a more uniform shape than silicone implants. Saline implants are completely safe and approved for use in women 18 and older, but they have been known to rupture. Never fear—this type of implant rupture is extremely rare, and if it does occur, your body will safely absorb the saline. The shape, size, and/or position of the affected breast(s) will be disturbed, and you may experience some discomfort, but these issues can be remedied with an additional surgery. A subcategory of these implants is the structured saline implant, which contains an inner-structure intended to make the implants look and feel more natural.

Silicone breast implants are generally thought to better mimic the consistency of human fat than saline implants. Therefore, some people choose silicone over saline to achieve a more natural look and feel. There was concern over the safety of silicone implants in the past, as some people thought they may have been connected to certain disorders. However, after extensive research, no convincing evidence of this connection was found, and these implants have been FDA-approved for women over age 22 since 2006. If a standard silicone implant ruptures, the silicone gel may leak out into your body without you realizing (sometimes called a “silent rupture”). While this may sound somewhat scary, such an event would only put you at extremely low risk, if any, for potential health issues. You may, however, experience some pain and discomfort. Furthermore, it may alter the positioning of the implants.

A gummy bear implant is a type of silicone implant made from cohesive gel. Like a gummy bear, this implant is essentially one solid piece of squishy material that slowly springs back to its original shape. It can be punctured or even cut in half and continue to retain its form, eliminating virtually any risk of internal leaking.

The shape of your implants is another important element to consider. Round implants are quite common and give the breasts considerable lift and outward projection. Shaped implants, on the other hand, can give the breasts a more understated teardrop appearance.

Whether you use smooth or textured implants mainly depends on the shape you choose. A smooth implant design is only appropriate for round implants, as round implants do not need to maintain their position and orientation in the same way shaped implants do. Smooth implants sit freely in the breast pocket, giving the breasts a subtle amount of movement that mimics the behavior of natural breasts. A textured implant design is best for shaped implants. The textured surface allows surrounding tissue to bond with the implants as you heal, holding them in position.

As with most decisions in plastic surgery, the “best” material, shape, design, or combination thereof depends on the patient. To find the right option for you, you’ll need to schedule a consultation at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. When you choose a doctor at one of our five Atlanta-area locations, he or she will evaluate your unique attributes and gauge your aesthetic preferences to help you make the most informed, beneficial decision possible. Additionally, we offer several financing options and are happy to work with you on the financial planning of your procedure. Check back each week for new blogs, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic-surgery news and updates.

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