- Study Reveals Improved Satisfaction, Well-Being and Sexual Functioning

- Sublimis Argentina offers breast augmentation abroad

Arlington Heights, Ill. – Women undergoing breast augmentation surgery report substantial improvement in several key areas of quality of life, reports a study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

“Cosmetic breast augmentation can have a significant and profound positive impact on a woman’s satisfaction with her breasts [and] her psychosocial and sexual well-being,” according to the report by ASPS Member Surgeon Colleen M. McCarthy, MD of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and coauthors.

Questionnaire Shows Benefits After Breast Augmentation

The researchers developed and evaluated a questionnaire to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life after cosmetic breast augmentation. Quality of life is increasingly regarded as an important factor in evaluating the benefits of many types of medical or surgical treatments.

- Before and after a breast augmentation surgery in Argentina

The BREAST-Q© questionnaire evaluated changes in six areas: satisfaction with breasts and with overall outcome, psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being, and satisfaction with care. Forty-one women completed the questionnaire six months before and after undergoing cosmetic breast augmentation surgery with implants.

The group results showed significant improvement in three out of the six areas. On a 0-to-100 scale, average scores increased from 27 to 70 for satisfaction with breasts, from 45 to 78 for psychosocial well-being, and from 35 to 72 for sexual well-being.

More than 80 percent of women reported “significant improvement” in satisfaction in these three areas. The gains in quality of life were considered very large-similar in magnitude to the improvement in symptoms after hip replacement surgery.

Breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States. According to ASPS statistics, more than 300,000 women underwent cosmetic breast augmentation in 2011. Dissatisfaction with breast size or shape can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life in several ways, including self-perceived attractiveness and sexuality.

In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged ongoing follow-up of women receiving breast implants to document not only the safety but also the effectiveness of breast augmentation. Dr. McCarthy and colleagues write, “This means that, more than ever before, it is vital to provide reliable and valid evidence regarding patient outcomes of breast augmentation, especially…health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction.”

The new study shows that implant-based breast augmentation can significantly improve a woman’s quality of life in several key areas. It also demonstrates the ability of the BREAST-Q to “capture the impact of surgery from a patient perspective.”

The researchers believe their findings are directly relevant to plastic surgeons working with individual patients. The BREAST-Q can provide “tangible evidence” of patient satisfaction, improve communication, and help in establishing the expected results of cosmetic breast augmentation. Using the BREAST-Q in future studies and clinical practice will also be useful in providing “benchmarks” for patient satisfaction and quality of life-especially psychological outcomes.

Breast Fat Transplantation: New Technique Doubles Breast Size

- Preoperative expansion is key to improving results of breast augmentation with fat transplantation

- Note: Sublimis Argentina offer affordable breast enlargement surgery with cohesive gel implants

Arlington Heights, Ill. – A plastic surgery procedure in which the patient’s own fat is transplanted to the breasts – used along with treatment to expand the breast tissue before surgery – can achieve up to a twofold increase in breast size, according to a study in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The procedure builds on previous fat transfer techniques to provide excellent outcomes of breast enhancement surgery. “Pre-expansion to the breast allows for mega-volume (over 300 cc) grafting with reproducible, long lasting results that can be achieved in less than two hours,” according to ASPS Members Daniel Alexander Del Vecchio, MD, Boston, and Louis Paul Bucky, MD, Philadelphia, authors of the new report.

“Pre-Expansion” Maximizes Results of Breast Fat Transfer

The technique is an adaptation of the increasingly popular autologous fat transplantation technique. In these procedures, fat obtained by liposuction from one part of the body – for example, the thighs – is transferred for use in breast enlargement and reshaping.

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15 Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Augmentation Surgery

In Argentina, the breast augmentation surgery remains the most popular cosmetic surgery for women between 20 and 45 years of age. Despite of the vast information available, it is common to hear questions and myths. Here are the 15 most common questions:

1- Can I get pregnant and breastfeed after a breast augmentation surgery?
Breast implants do not cause any inconvenience to get pregnant or breastfeed since they had not demonstrated consequences, neither to the mother or baby. This is regardless of whether they are placed in front of or behind the pectoral muscle.

2- Do breast implants cause cancer?
Despite some alarms over 20 years ago, is scientifically proven that the implants do not trigger this type of illness and there is no confirmed relationship with autoimmune diseases.

3- Is it better to place the implants from behind the chest?
This is seen from aesthetic criteria and will be better or worse according to the characteristics of each patient and the surgeon’s criteria.

4- If I have sagging breasts, do I need prosthesis?
Implants only provide volume; they do not lift nor hold. For a breast lift (mastopexy) we must use techniques for this purpose, and if we also want to increase we will add a prosthesis.

5- It is possible to have my breasts more together?
Anatomically, in general, the breasts are located outside of the sternum. Therefore there must be a 2 or 3 cm between them. Usually we used as a parameter the distance between the midline and the nipple. This must be between 8 and 10 cm, according to the width of the chest and texture.

6- Round or “tear drop” shape?
Basically implants add volume. The form will depend on the pre-existing form. In general, the anatomic “tear drop”are used for cases of total breast reconstruction post-mastectomy.

7- Do you have to replace the breast implants or are they definitive?
The prosthesis does not have “due date” but over time they wear out as the same prosthesis. For this reason, manufacturers recommend changing them every 10 or 15 years. After that time, if they are in good condition and there have not been major aesthetics changes, you can proceed without problems. There are no definitive prosthesis but there are different qualities.

8- What happens if the breast implants break or encapsulate?
They can break or encapsulated for many reasons. However does not imply an alarm condition or disease. The current prosthesis have evolved in its production, stronger outer layers and filled with cohesive gel. If this situation occurs, does not constitute an emergency and a replacement should be scheduled.

9- Is it better a surgery with local anesthesia?
Usually, the type of anesthesia will depend on the surgeon criteria and anesthesia team. The anesthesia should be adapted to the type of procedure to be performed. It is important to be operated in a clinic, with appropriate authorizations, with appropriate technology and infrastructure and trained professionals.

10- Are the textured surface breast implants better?
Currently the most commonly used are the textured surface breast implants, as it is found to have less chance of capsular contracture. However, some surgeons still use smooth-surface when placed behind the muscle.

11- How is the breast enlargement surgery and its recovery?
The breast augmentation surgery is performed in the morning and you usually are discharged in the afternoon. You have to rest for 3 days and then you can do daily activities but you cannot practice sports or sun tanning for 30 days. You will need to use a special bra and stay in Argentina for at least 7 days for a close monitoring.

12- Do I need a pre-surgical check-up before a breast enlargement?
Yes, the medical tests that you will need to have done are blood test, urine test, electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG) and a mammography.

13- After having a child, how long do I have to wait to perform a breast implants surgery?
To perform a breast augmentation surgery you have to wait 2 months after you stop breastfeeding. If you have never breastfed your baby, it wouldn’t be necessary to wait this time.

14- Can I have a breast augmentation with fat injection?
Breast augmentation by lipofilling (fat transplantation) is still in the experimental stage. One of the main problems is that the fat can produce calcifications that looked like breast cancer on mammograms. Nowadays, the only method to increase the volume of the breast is with silicone implants.

15- What are breast implants risks or side-effects?
The silicone implants have been used for over 30 years with minimal problems. Although this type of operation has virtually no side effects from the possible risks and complications include infection, fluid accumulation, swelling, skin discoloration, capsular contracture and implant leakage or rupture.

Extra:

16- How much does breast augmentation cost abroad?
The price for a breast augmentation surgery in Argentina is usually around USD 2,850 but this may vary according to the needs and requirements of each patient. Contact us to get your Free quote!

Breast Augmentation with Fat Injection Causes Confusion on Mammograms

Note: Sublimis Argentina offers breast augmentation surgery with breast implants

A breast augmentation procedure in which fat from other parts of the body is transferred to the breasts causes / can cause false suspicion of breast cancer on follow-up mammograms, according to a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The mammographic changes occurring after fat injection are indistinguishable from abnormalities associated with breast cancer, according to the study by Dr. Cong-Feng Wang of Meitan General Hospital, Beijing. Based on this “mammographic confusion,” the authors conclude that the use of autologous fat injection for breast augmentation should be “prohibited continuously.”

Before and After breast augmentation with breast implants

Microcalcifications Cause Confusion on Mammograms after Fat Injection

Dr. Wang and colleagues report on 48 women who underwent autologous fat injection for breast augmentation between 1999 and 2009. In this procedure, small amounts of fat obtained by liposuction from one area of the body (such as the hips or thighs) are injected to shape the breasts.

In the study, mammograms obtained some years after fat injection showed “clustered microcalcifications” in eight of the 48 women – a rate of 16.7 percent. In all eight cases, the microcalcifications were regarded as “highly suspicious” for breast cancer.

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- Note: For breast augmentation surgery Sublimis Argentina uses Mentor, Eurosilicone or Nagor breast implants

- PIP breast implants were sold under a different brand name in Europe

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons issues a warning to women who have gone abroad for breast augmentation – following reports of implant rupture from patients who never suspected they were given controversial devices now taken off the market. PIP implants, it has emerged, were being sold under a different name in some of the most popular cosmetic surgery tourism destinations around Europe, regularly visited by British patients seeking low-cost procedures.

It has been estimated that around 50,000 women in the UK have Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implants, but the discovery that the fraudulent devices were also sold in countries such as Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic under re-branded name ‘M-Implant’ by Dutch firm Rofil Medical means that the number of women who should be on the alert is much higher. Studies last year found that the company originally making the low-cost implants, which has since gone into administration, not only dispensed with a protective shell but used an untested gel, said to have been intended for use in mattresses.

- Breast Implants (no specific brand)

Although the French medical device regulatory authority (AFSSAPS) found no acute toxicity (cytotoxicity) effect on tissue, tests for genotoxicity (effect of the gel on DNA of cells) did not give a conclusive result and further extensive testing will need to take place.

PIP implants were known to have been popular with the larger domestic chains and commercial clinics because of their low cost. It has been estimated that 60,000 people travel out of the UK for medical tourism every year, and roughly a third of those do so specifically for cosmetic surgery.

Plastic Surgery Statistics: Male Breast Reduction nearly doubles in 2009 in UK

Despite Recession 36,482 Aesthetic Surgery Procedures Took Place in the UK

London, UK – The economy may have been sagging but the nation still found ways to remain uplifted during 2009, according to the latest audit figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. The number of surgical procedures last year exceeded 36,400 –a slow but steady rise of 6.7% from 2008, despite the financial downturn. The most impressive stats have been recorded specifically in male surgery, the demand for which has grown by 21% overall, with the number of gynaecomastia (or ‘man-boob’) ops alone having shot up by 80%.

Highlights:

* 36,482 surgical procedures were carried out by BAAPS members in 2009, a 6.7% increase from 2008, when 34,187 were performed
* Women had 32,859 procedures in 2009, up from 31,183 (a modest increase of over 5%) but interest in male surgery far outstripped them with a 21% rise overall (from 3,004 last year to 3,623)
* The number of male breast reduction or gynaecomastia ops (‘man boobs’) nearly doubled from 323 to 581, a staggering 80% increase and moving from 5th most popular procedure for men to 3rd
* Breast reduction surgery proved popular among women as well, rising by 17% from 3522 to 4122
* Male brow lifts rose quite considerably (up 51%), from 72 to 109, as well as male facelifts which went up by nearly a quarter (23%) and male tummy tucks (up 20%)
* Rhinoplasty (or ‘nose jobs’) proved very popular with both sexes, increasing by 25% overall, thus rising from 7th most popular procedure to 5th
* Although facelifts actually fell in demand by 8% among women, the steadfast rise in brow lifts, eyelid surgery and nose jobs suggests patients may have sought cheaper and more targeted rejuvenation procedures
* Breast augmentation remains the most popular procedure with 8,565 performed this year (up just 1% from 2008)

Before and after a male breast reduction surgery (gynecomasty)

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Society more open than ever about cosmetic surgery

Consumer survey results indicate ‘having work done’ not taboo anymore

Chicago – Cosmetic surgery is everywhere these days: TV, magazines, Internet and more. And according to new data, society is indeed more comfortable talking about cosmetic surgery than ever before.

In a survey released today by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, 71 percent of respondents think society is less judgmental about cosmetic surgery than it was just five years ago. Furthermore, about 62 percent said society’s attitude toward cosmetic surgery made them feel more comfortable about getting a procedure.

Before and after a tummy tuck surgery

“This is a confirmation of what many of us have felt for a long time – that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream,” said Dr. Mark Berman, AACS President-Elect. “A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore.”

According to the survey, the most accepted invasive procedures are breast augmentation (42.4%), facelift (32.2%) and tummy tuck (32.1%). Among non-invasive procedures, the most accepted are laser hair removal (61.9%) and Botox (61.6%). Additionally, 52 percent of respondents said they would tell family about having invasive cosmetic surgery.

Before and after a breast augmentation surgery

About 20 percent said they would consider getting cosmetic surgery in the future, while about 22 percent were unsure if they would. Respondents under the age of 40 were nearly twice as likely to consider having a procedure in the future.

“It’s been a long road but thanks to the hard work of so many, cosmetic surgery is rightfully gaining acceptance in our society,” said Dr. Patrick McMenamin, AACS President. “We’ve reached a point where people are no longer quiet about having a cosmetic procedure and that is important to all of us.”

Before and after a facelift surgery (rhytidectomy)

Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the number of women seeking breast implants shows noticeable augmentation.

Statistics reveal that in 2007, 347,254 women resolved to increase their busts, a 64 percent increase from 2000. More than 10,000 of those women were between the ages of 18 and 19 and an additional 100,000 were 20 to 29.

Affordable Plastic Surgery Treatments in Argentina - Breast Augmentation