The field of cosmetic plastic surgery is a dynamic branch of medicine which continues to grow through modern innovation, technique and researches; this is because of the endless desire for physical perfection by man. Breast Augmentation for example, is now one of most frequently performed cosmetic plastic procedure in the world. The interest for breast enhancement by patients and surgeons alike, continue to evolve as newer methods with improved result are being develop. At present, more and more women undergo breast augmentation every year as the popularity of the procedure is increasing, especially among women in the entertainment industry.
Silicon shelled implants are commonly used for breast enhancement. This implant could be either silicon gel or saline-filled. The implants are used to augment the breast of an individual that lack breast tissue or volume that could be genetically predisposed or environmentally induced. The female breast tissue is primarily composed of gland and fat cells and in the past, surgeons tried to inject the breast with fat that was initially obtained through liposuction from other parts of the body. However, in this day of modern medicine, this is completely unacceptable and obsolete, with undesirable effects such as hardening of the breast due to calcification, etc.. Some women also do hormonal therapy, since some of the female hormone such as estrogen leads to increase in breast size, slightly, but not enough for the majority of women.
At present, the most common and accepted way to increase breast size is via breast implants placement. A breast implant is a sac of silicone elastomer that is either filled with saline or silicone, and is surgically placed under the breast tissue or chest muscle. Silicon oil injection, which used to be performed in the past for breast augmentation had been condemned locally and internationally, since the result are unpredictable and compounded by numerous complication such as extrusion, skin necrosis and infection. Do not allow youreself to be subjected in this kind of procedure, because of its risks and deforming results.
The selection of breast implant size or volume depends on multiple factors such as the proportion of the breast to body height and shoulder width, as well as the location of nipple/areola complex, and cleavage. And because the concept of breast aesthetics are constantly changing, there are many factors such as implant type, size, and incision site that should be considered to tailor the needs of each individual specifically. The incision for implant placement may be placed at various locations of the chest/breast area such as; under the breast or at the breast fold; around the nipple areolar area; in the armpit (axillary); and the latest, at the umbilical area via endoscopic approach. The resulting scars are thin and inconspicuous, especially at the armpit area. Each of this incision has its advantage and disadvantages that must be discussed thoroughly between the patient and surgeon.
Breast implant could be silicone gel or saline filled. Silicon filled implant was popularly used 12 years ago in the United States, until it was thought that it possibly causes autoimmune mediated health problems associated with leakage, that’s why saline implants is now used in most of breast surgeries. At present, silicone implants are now gaining momentum and recent studies had come out, proving the safe use of silicon breast implant in breast enhancement surgery. The advantage of silicone implant is that it is softer and appears more natural. However, leaks may be found in surrounding tissues. Generally, saline is a bit firmer, but it is without the supposed health risks because a leak is simply absorbed by the body.
The final breast size is mainly a personal decision by the patient. There are several ways to estimate the ultimate breast size. This would include the breast cup size, but this is an inexact estimate of the final size, since cup sizes vary with the bra manufacturer and how tight or loose the patient wears her bra, as well as how much breast tissue is already present. But describing the preferred cup size does aid the surgeon. The most accurate method of estimating the implant size is to fill a plastic bag with measured amounts of water or breast implant sizer that is place in a bra with the patient’s estimated cup size. One can see with the bra on and covered by a sweater what the final result will approximate.
Dr. Rino Lorenzo
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is one of the most scary things a woman can learn.
We know a great deal about it because information on breast cancer is in just about every woman’s magazine, along with awareness articles in papers and a staggering amount on the internet. Yet still it is a gut wrenching moment when you find you are one of the statistics.
There is though life after breast cancer. It does not have to be all doom and gloom, but it might not be life as you knew it! I have the t-shirt “I survived breast cancer” and though my path may not be the right path for you, any survival story gives hope and encouragement, so here is mine.
I felt the painful lump, and rushed off for a mammogram. (Or should that be, I felt the lump, and rushed of for a painful mammogram?) Anyway the diagnosis was that it was probably a cyst. This at least gave me some hope in the time between diagnosis and operation.
It was though a cancer, and small enough that I did not have to loose my breast. The surgeon did remove a Lymph gland as a precaution, something I don’t think they now do unless necessary. The surgeon told me he thought that he had removed all the cancer and it should not return. But, yes there is always a “but” as a precaution I should have radiation treatment.
I talked this over with my husband, and we decided that I wasn’t prepared to have the treatment. If the surgeon thought he had removed all the cancer, that was good enough for me. I just wanted to get on with my life. We did think though that he would try to talk me, or even bully me into having the radiation treatment. I was very surprised then when the surgeon said, “Well if you don’t think it will help, then it won’t!” He then went on to explain a little of the power of the mind, and how attitude plays a major part in the recovery process.
Off the hook, not a bit of it. “Even if you don’t have the radiation treatment,” the surgeon said, “you must still take the Tamoxifen, especially as your family has a history of cancer.” I had read a little about this drug, and was horrified to think I would be taking it for the rest of my life! Back to discussions with hubby, (This support is invaluable, so if you don’t have this sort of support in your life, get a coach) and a great deal of research. The answer for me was a resounding “No” I would try other ways to keep the cancer at bay.
Not long after I returned home, I caught an infection, and ended back in hospital. It was some form of pneumonia and was finally brought under control with heavy doses of antibiotics. I was very weak and felt worse than I had after the cancer operation. The surgeon cheered me up by explaining that an operation often weakens the immune system, which is why I caught the infection. Now having fought it off, my immune system was in good working order, so I should expect to make a full recovery.
During my convalescence I had time to think about the breast cancer, what had caused it, and how to prevent it happening again. I was and still am convinced that it was caused by stress. The surgeon had told me how long the cancer had been growing, and was surprised that it was not bigger.
The early growth of the cancer related to a very stressful period of my life. During that time I had also suffered from blackouts, which only happen to me when I am extremely stressed. However, once this period had passed, I went through a tranquil phase during which time I believe the cancer remained dormant. The medical profession will argue that I have no proof, but I think in the near future we will come to understand a lot more about how stress affects cancer and our life in general.
At this time I had been married about thirty years, and as I have said my husband was extremely supportive, so we sat down together and discussed ways of making our life stress free. Like most couples with a house and 1.5 children, we had decided to go the full Monty and have 2, and the debt that went with it. We were both working and able to service the debt, but it was always something I worried about, so we made becoming debt free our number one priority.
I also looked at my diet, being a non-smoker was a plus, but I figured I could be eating healthier food. I cut out the biscuits and cakes replacing these with fruit and nuts that I could nibble on between meals. I also increased the variety of vegetables at meal times and the number of times we had red meat. Yes I am a believer; if we were meant to be vegetarian then we would have a different digestive system. If you don’t eat meat because you don’t like killing animals then you should take a closer look at nature, you should also wonder if plants have feelings. Our diet is too important to have fads.
I love walking, but at this stage in my convalescence, I only had the energy to walk to the mail box, so I started a regime of simple floor exercises such as sit ups, to build up my strength. This became a morning routine that I still follow .and of course walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
In my research towards a healthy life, I read loads of books, one of them, “You can Heal your Life” by Louise Hay, made a big impact on me. I followed through with some of the suggestions and looked at life from a different perspective. I took up meditation and was amazed at how much better it made me feel. I was able to relax and let my cares lift away, while my body healed itself.
Happiness and contentment contribute to our peace of mind. My husband and I decided we weren’t really happy with our way of life, so we changed it. We had virtually brought our children up on boats that we lived aboard and cruised, but for the last few years of their schooling we had decided to move ashore to give them the best chance. Now they had both left home, to go traveling of course, not to uni as we had thought, we could also go back to a life we had enjoyed and still hankered after. Being settled didn’t suit us so we sold up and bought another yacht and are cruising.
We move on when the mood takes us and money allows, we have a very relaxed attitude towards life and keep our stress levels down. I walk a lot, get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet, meditate and enjoy life. Will it keep the cancer at bay? I don’t know, but it is now twelve years since my op and I have never felt better.
Breast cancer made me look at life in a different way, and for that I am grateful.
by: Trish Powell