Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

For many women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the potential loss of their breasts through mastectomy, which is an oftentimes life saving procedure, can prove intimidating and daunting. However, a new and rarely performed procedure known as nipple sparing mastectomy, may allow some patients to keep portions of their breasts despite the presence of multiple breast tumours that are widespread throughout the tissue.

Iraqi national Basma Ali Sultan, age 47 is one of the recent patients who has undergone this rare surgery. After grappling with her diagnosis and consistent discomfort in her breast for over a year following her breast cancer diagnosis last march, the doctors in her hometown in Iraq informed her that her only option was to remove the breast in its entirety.

In an effort to explore other options that would allow her to keep her breast, Basma traveled to India and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Anil Heroor, who is currently a cancer surgeon at Fortis Hospital. During her examination Dr. Heroor determined that due to multiple cancerous tumours located in her left breast, the breast conservation surgery that is most often performed would not be applicable in Basmas case. However, he thought she would be an excellent candidate for nipple sparing mastectomy, which is a breast conservation surgery that is specifically designed to work around tumours that have spread widely throughout the breast tissue, and, for many patients, it may help to maintain nipple sensitivity.

Basma was discharged from Fortis Hospital in India this past January following her nipple sparing mastectomy, through which the doctors were able to save both the nipple and the areola, and reconstruct the remainder of the entire breast. As the breast cancer survival rates climb, more patients than ever before are becoming concerned with preserving their physical appearance. Doctors have found that this helps to encourage their self esteem and self image, and increases the patients confidence post-surgery.

For more and more women, this surgery in addition to other breast conservation procedures are becoming a feasible option in helping women maintain the body that they had prior to their breast cancer diagnosis.

There is a new style of breast implants on the market. The interesting thing about this style is that they have been designed to address the common major issues of traditional styles such as ruptures and contraction.

Breast Implants and Enlargement has been dated back to 1890. The original procedure involved injecting paraffin directly into the breast. In the 1920′s paraffin was replaced with fat from other parts of the body. Then during the time of WWII silicon was discovered and ladies of the night began to have silicon put directly into the breast. Later in the 1950′s, silicon impregnated sponges were placed in the breast. In 1961 the very first implant was introduced, made from silicon.

The silicon breast implant was not designed to last forever. There has always been a limit to the amount of time that it can stay in the body before it needs to be removed and replaced. However, there have been cases of the implants dissolving, leaking, rupturing and contracting before their expiration date. This has been a common concern for both patients and doctors.

When silicone implants rupture, common side effects are decreased or uneven breast size, pain, tingling, hard knots, burning, and increased swelling. Sometimes however, no side effects are experienced and this can lead to other complications.

With trends in breast surgeries increasing, Cereform decided to look into a new way to manufacture breast implants. Cereform realized that “Women are more and more willing to have a natural augmentation.” Many women find a natural appearance to be more important than size or lift. With that in mind, many surgeons have started placing the implant under the muscle instead of under the gland.

Silicone implants have become the more common choice for women because of the natural appearance that they give, especially when compared to Saline. Silicone is also a safer material.

“The most important issue for breast implants as with every medical implant is biocompatibility. In aesthetic breast surgery there is always a small risk of capsular formation, a so called hostile reaction of the native tissue with scar formation around the implant.”

The texture of Cereform’s implants was designed to overcome all of the issues with its predecessors by changing the texture. “Our implants are textured by automotive ways and it is the combination of texturation and different layers of Cereform implants that makes it innovative.”

Many women each year consider breast surgery. Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is chosen by many women because of its ability to alter appearance as well as its added health benefits. Many women will experience neck, back, and shoulder pain because of the added weight of large breasts. Having breast reduction surgery can alleviate these problems in most women. Other women seek to improve their visual image because their breasts are disproportionate to other features of their bodies. This surgery can improve self esteem and self confidence just as much as breast augmentation can.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and it is very important to make sure that a potential patient chooses a surgeon who is certified, experienced, professional, and maintains a clean office environment. It is also a good idea to research surgeons online. Looking at what past clients have to say is a very helpful way to check on the effectiveness of a surgeon. Surgeons should be accredited and have licenses to practice medicine. Many surgeons offer free consultations so it is advised that potential patients visit several doctors before deciding on the one that will perform their breast reduction surgery.

Potential candidates for surgery will meet with their surgeon and have their breasts examined and measured. The surgeon will also take a detailed medical history. Women who are approved for surgery usually has one or more conditions that are caused by their breasts. These conditions include: back, neck or shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts, irritation beneath the breasts, damage to the shoulders because of tight bra straps, breasts that are out of proportion to the body frame, restriction of physical activity because of the weight of the breasts, and self consciousness because of the size of the breasts.

Breast reduction surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure and unless the patient’s job requires heavy lifting, they can return to their normal work schedule in about two weeks.

Many insurance companies cover breast reduction surgery. Each policy has specific guidelines about what surgeries they cover and the amount of tissue that can be removed based on body weight. Patients will have to work out the specifics with their surgeon and insurance companies. Letters of predetermination may be required in order for the insurance company to approve the surgery.

A majority of women who have breast reduction surgery are satisfied with the experience and happy to live without the pain and discomfort of large breasts.

Fat grafting is a way to enlarge breasts by up to one cup size without introducing an artificial substance into the body. Fat is removed from fat deposits in the body such as the hips, abdomen, and thighs and placed someplace else in order to plump that area up. Traditionally this procedure has been used to smooth wrinkles and to plump the lips and cheeks. Recently, however, cosmetic surgeons have begun to use this procedure in breast augmentations. This is a new procedure and there are not a lot of safety statistics that have been done. Physicians are still conducting research on the fat grafting procedure.

A newer technique, fat grafting with stem cells, allows for the fat taken from other parts of the body to be enriched with stem cells before it is used to augment the breasts. The added stem cells allow for the fat to be retained by the body, therefore, increasing the breast size.

Recent studies show that the risks for this procedure are generally very low. Reported side effects include infection, bleeding, and volume loss. Cases of extreme complications causing death are extremely rare.

There are many different advantages to choosing this procedure for breast augmentation. Many doctors believe that this procedure provides longer lasting results than traditional breast implants. Also, since the breast is being augmented with fat from the patient’s own body, there is a lower chance for the body rejecting it like with traditional silicone transplants.

While many medical professionals consider this procedure to have a lot of potential, but there are still some limitations. The first is that it only allows for an augmentation of up to one cup size unlike current synthetic implants. Synthetic implants are also very predictable in how much they will increase the breast size, whereas fat grafting is still relatively unpredictable in what the final outcome will be. Some medical professionals only believe that fat grafting should be used for breast reconstruction only. Others professionals are concerned that the fat grafted into the breast could calcify and obscure breast cancer detection. Each calcified area would have to be individually checked to rule out the possibility of breast cancer. There are even more concerns that women at risk for breast cancer may have the increased possibility of breast cancer if they use the stem cell method. Many doctors agree that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not right for everyone.

It is normal procedure for women to undergo breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy. There is a new device that prevents one of the complications that sometimes arise after this surgery.

One common complication is the skin covering the breast during reconstruction dies, due to inadequate blood flow. This complication happens to 1 out of 7 women who undergo reconstructive surgery and it generally results in emergency surgery and many other health related problems.

The good news is that thanks to this new device, surgeons can accurately predict if a patient is at risk of developing this complication after surgery, thus preventing the skin from dying. The new device is called a “spy system” it allows doctors to detect the blood flow within the breast, to discover which areas aren’t receiving a good supply of blood.

When many women have their yearly mammogram they usually receive a normal test result. In some cases, it is during this annual exam that some women receive notice that they have abnormal cells in their breast tissue. The follow-up is immediate and the patient is scheduled for a biopsy exam so that their physician can take a closer look at the abnormal cells.

The cells are examined under a microscope to determine if they are benign or cancerous. If the cells are cancerous, the patient must then undergo a MRI to check for other growths or tumours or to see if there is a second area of cancer cells within the breast. It is during the MRI that the breasts duct, lining and the lymph nodes are checked for additional cancerous cells.

Some women with cancerous cells or those with a family history of breast cancer may not be good candidates for a lumpectomy. A lumpectomy preserves the breasts and it involves only lump removal, during surgery some of the surrounding breast tissue is often removed. When a patient is ruled out for a lumpectomy, a full mastectomy is considered to be the only available option.

Many women decide to undergo a radical mastectomy when cancerous cells are discovered in one breast. They opt for the surgical removal of both breasts, deciding to avoid the possibility of developing cancer in the other breast at a later time.

Today reconstructive surgery involves removal of the breast tissue only, preserving the nipple and skin to help restore the breasts to a near normal appearance.

There is a new method of having breast implants done. It is a no touch method that is easier for the doctor and the recovery is faster for the patient.

Silicone for breast implants are closer to real breasts in the way they look and feel. Many times this is the method of choice when having breast augmentation done. However, since they are pre-filled, it can be hard to fit them into the small incision that is made on the breast. On the other side are saline implants that are first inserted and then filled by the doctor with the saline solution.

However, doctors can now use the Keller Funnel No Touch Technique to insert the silicone into the breast. The technique is similar to using a cake decorating bag. The doctor is able to insert the silicone implant into the breast without ever having to actually touch the implant.

It is a very easy procedure and it is surprising it took so long to come up with. The implant itself is placed into the Keller Funnel. The funnel is large at one end and then becomes smaller at the other, again similar to a cake decorating bag. The doctor makes the cut into the breast and the small end of the funnel is placed into the opening. Now the doctor squeezes the large end of the funnel slowly, to work the silicone implant down the funnel and into the breast. The silicone implant is flexible and moves easily down the funnel and into the opening.

Another advantage of using this procedure is that patients have had speedier recovers. Patients have reported that they healed faster and this may be because there is far less trauma to the breasts since the silicone implant is easier to insert. Also, Dr. Drew Ordon of the Doctors, feels that the Keller Funnel Technique may reduce the risk of contracture. Contracture is when hard tissue forms around the implant. A doctor has to press and apply pressure to the area to break the tissue up. This is very painful and uncomfortable for the patient. There is no clear reason why contracture happens in some patients. Theories have been that infections or the talc on the doctor’s gloves may be the reason. The Keller Funnel Technique removes all reasons for the doctor to touch the implant, reducing the risk of infections occurring.

Boobs jobs are becoming ever more popular for brides to be. New reports are showing that many brides are opting to have a boob job done before their wedding day. However, this is not all that the reports are showing. They also show that brides to be feel that breast enlargements and cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures are forms of investments for them as well.

As the need for larger and larger weddings have become more and more popular, the bill for the wedding has increased as well for the special day. Women want everything to be perfect, this includes what they look like. This has become a huge factor as to why so many women are choosing to have breast enlargements and other procedures done before the wedding. The procedures are increasing the soon to be brides confidence and making sure that they feel at their best and look their best for the ceremony.

There are more women that choose to have breast implants and other cosmetic procedures done before their wedding day compared to men. The women out weigh the men by 75% to 25%. However, getting married does influence a man’s decision to have cosmetic surgery done before the wedding though. Men who typically do not consider plastic surgery many times do so before being married.

Many women when considering to have plastic surgery done before their wedding are looking to look slimmer and improve their figure and body over all. However, men usually look to have procedures done that will correct sporting injuries for example. A common procedure for men to have done is rhinoplasty.

Large weddings are popular and the expected procedure, especially now in 2010. So it is not surprising to see that cosmetic procedures are part of the pre-wedding agenda. Couples want their day to be perfect in every way. The average wedding can cost as much as £20,000, which means that many patients feel the additional cost of cosmetic surgery is just part of the marriage investment. Especially since plastic surgery will last many years past the wedding day.

Lastly, women who are thinking of having breast surgery done before the wedding day, should allow at least four to six months for time to recover before the wedding day.

Breast lift or breast augmentation surgery is a person’s own choice. Breast tissue can be damaged by age, weight, gravity, pregnancy and nursing. A breast lift will firm and raise breasts, while breast augmentation will increase the size and shape of the breasts. Plus there is breast reduction surgery to decrease the size of the breasts.

Many times a combination of procedures need to be done. A breast augmentation and a lift together or a lift and breast reduction can be done to deliver the results a woman is looking for. With any of these procedures there is an examination and evaluation done by the doctor. This ensures that the patient as all the information they need to make an informed decision to have the procedure or not. Any woman considering these procedures should be in optimal health both physically and mentally. There should also be realistic goals and expectations of the results the woman will see after the operation as well.

As with any surgery there are risks associated with it. There can also be complications too. Knowing that there can be infections, increased bleeding, side effects to the anesthesia used and scarring to name a few should be considered as well. While at the consultation with any doctor that has been chosen, the possible complications that can occur should be gone over. All risks that are associated to the procedure should be discussed as well. However, the benefits should be looked at and weighed in as well. These questions should be completely covered in the consultation so that a patient fully understands the pre, during and post surgical results and care.

Having this information will make deciding on to have the procedure much easier, as well as deciding which procedure will best for you. Keep in mind that having a breast lift procedure done will mean that the breasts can be firmed and contours added to sagging breasts. However, combining a lift with breast augmentation will mean that the breasts will be fuller, larger, lifted and firm as well. This is true with breast reductions as well. These combined procedures many times will create longer lasting results that are also more appealing aesthetically.

A breast cancer report is good news for the UK and women. Over 20 years now, the death rate from breast cancer has continued to fall rapidly, with a 35% decline in deaths. With the advantage of early diagnosis, surgery, drug treatment and access to specialists has been the key to survival. The UK originally started with the highest death rate in the world in the 80′s and it has decreased dramatically. However, many women would have survived had they lived somewhere else in Europe.

The death rate in Britain has decreased to the European rate of 28.1 deaths for every 100,000 women afflicted. However, the Netherlands is already at 30.1 and France is at 25.6. A researcher by the name of Philippe Autier that is part of the International Agency for Research on Cancer feels that England will continue to decrease the death toll and could go below France’s levels.

Britain has seen a 2% decrease in the death toll and this is better than France which has a 1.4% rate. However, France has the highest rate of screening for breast cancer in the world. They spend the most on cancer drugs per person than any other country and they ensure that doctors are following guidelines and procedures when it comes to breast cancer. They have been at the very front when it comes to new drugs and treatments available for breast cancer as well. This means that France needs to look at what is happening and what is going wrong with the breast cancer death rate not dropping more significantly.

The numbers have helped to clear up why the breast cancer death rate is still so poor in the UK, while the performance has been very good. A reason may be that the deaths from breast cancer are recorded, but cancer survival cases are not. These shortcomings create an impression of a far worse situation then there really is.

Furthermore, ageism is still a problem in UK and Europe. The death rate has declined in every country with women under 50, than women over 70. The reason may be that younger women respond better to treatment, even when the cancer is more aggressive. However, women over 70 also do not receive the same treatment or concern that younger woman do.

Every year Doctors and scientists try to come up with new ways to make breast augmentation procedures easier for both the patient and the physician. The Keller Funnel, introduced in August of 2009 and invented by Kevin Keller M.D., is a newer procedure that lets the surgeon introduce the implant through a small incision. This procedure also allows for faster healing for the patient.

The Keller Funnel allows the surgeon to install the implant without actually having to touch it. It is a cone that is lined with a special kind of lubricant called hydrophilic polymer coating. When it gets moist it gets slippery and that helps the implant to slide through the incision. The implant is placed in the cone, or funnel, and then squeezed into the breast using very little pressure. It is also suggested that getting implants using the Keller Funnel can help to prevent capsular contracture, a condition in which a hard tissue forms around the implant squeezing it and often distorting the shape. Capsular contracture can often be fixed with surgery, however, the Keller Funnel is meant to help avoid contracture from happening.

It is generally difficult for a physician to get a large implant into a small incision, like the very popular already pre-filled silicone implants. The Keller Funnel can get larger implants through the small incisoin quickly, therefore, it helps to avoid damaging or further irritating the tissue surrounding the incision. The implant can still be place above or below the breast muscle using this technique.

The entire idea behind the Keller Funnel is to make sure that the patient heals faster and has less chance of infection, that the surgeons are better able to see what they are doing and that the surgery takes less time which is good for the patient and the surgeon. Patients are able to avoid large scars and because of the no touch system there is less of a chance that foreign objects will be introduced into the body during the procedure.

Since it’s invention doctors all over the United States have began using the Keller Funnel to aid in breast augmentation. Keller Medical Inc. does state that “Because every woman is different and individual results may vary, you should speak to your surgeon about the merits of the Keller Funnel.” As with all surgeries it is best to do research before making a final decision.