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Results appear despite approval for silicone prostheses

As breast enlargement operations increase in the UK, unsurprisingly they are also increasing in popularity in the US, according to figures published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, with 400,000 breast procedures performed in 2007.

Findings also show that women are still opting for saline breast implants despite approval for silicone implants by the FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration). Saline implants are described as the “workhorse of breast augmentation” by Dr Thomas Kotoske, a surgeon awarded America’s Top Physician in Plastic Surgery 2008 by the Consumer Research Council of America. He is also medical director of the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Arizona.

“[This is] because there are many different saline profiles and shapes available, which allows your doctor to achieve a better match to your individual body frame.” He added.

“Saline breast implants are great for women who need correction for asymmetry, or that have reservations about silicone breast implants,” Kotoske continued. He pointed out that patients themselves should weigh up the options to decide what choice is best to suit their type of situation.

The benefits of saline implants include the flexibility of their fill volume, which instead of being prefilled, are actually filled after they have been inserted into the breast and can be adjusted accordingly. It allows the doctor to create symmetry much more easily as well as reducing the size of scarring, as a smaller incision is required to insert an unfilled implant.

As with all procedures patients should discuss the options with their surgeon as all of the options are designed to fit in with the needs of individuals.

Dr. Kotoske is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon as well as a total body cosmetic surgery specialist. He is an adjunct clinical professor for KCOM and Midwestern University in plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery. He is currently Chairman of the Department of Surgery at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Deer Valley in the United States.

Breast enlargement procedures have the ability to create a larger shape and size for the breast. Surgeons make an incision in the natural creases such as underneath the breast or in the armpit and insert the implant or prosthesis to carry out the procedure.

Why are shops now having to stock bigger bras sizes.

The Telegraph is reporting that the average bra size has increased in size in recent years, with the average bra sold now being an entire size larger than those five years in the past.

As a result, shops such as Debenhams are being forced to stock larger size bras to cope with the rise – some as large as a G cup.

The new statistics come from sales figures provided by Debenhams and do not take into account reasons for the rise, though some suspect that new ways of measuring customers’ figures could account for it.

Another factor is the increase in the number of women deciding to undergo cosmetic surgery. In recent years, the procedure has been gaining widespread acceptance.

Earlier this month it was reported that the number of breast enlargement surgeries has increased to around 6,500 in the last year. These findings were presented at the annual conference of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
Delegates at that conference looked at the results of a wide UK study that looked at over 26,000 patients, which showed an increase of 275% since 2002, a rise of 4,136 operations per year.

The Telegraph refers to Sharon Webb, a specialist lingerie buyer for Debenhams, who said that Britiain is “now entering the age of the fuller bust”. This is due to a number of factors.

“Some of the increase has undoubtedly been due to poor bust measuring techniques in the past – our results show that many women are often between one and two cup sizes larger than they realize.” She refers to how women now have their bust size measured more regularly than in the past, with further checks as they get older. Changes could take place in size due to pregnancy, age and weight gain, as well as weight loss and of course surgery.

“There is no doubt that the popularity of surgical breast enhancements is also having a major impact on the average bust size. It is sometimes possible to tell who has had a helping hand from surgery, because the relationship between the women’s back measurement and cup size is altered dramatically.”

She said that she recommends all women be re-measured every six months.

Sources: The Telegraph and BAAPS figures from The Independent

Why are a Large Number of Women Dissatisfied With Their Breasts?

According to a recent survey by Cosmopolitan Magazine, 95% of women are dissatisfied with their breast size. But how much of this is due to the image of women most people see in magazines and posters with airbrushed features that could never be attained naturally?

In a Press Release from website 24/7, Patricia Woloch thinks this is the case. She also believes that many women need to look beyond size in looking for improved breasts.

“Women think breast enhancement is the same as breast enlargement, but if you are considering breast enhancement surgery, it’s important not to get too caught up in mere size. There are many factors in considering what makes breasts attractive, and bigger is not always better.”

Breast enhancement surgery is a procedure that can change the appearance of the breasts beyond mere size – they can also reshape and uplift them and do not have to be in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery.

The press release goes on to refer to preferences men have with large breasts. It points out that though a lot of men do prefer larger breasts, the majority do not want breasts to be above a C cup. It shows that past a certain point, larger breast are actually considered less attractive, with women with these breasts thinking of breast reduction surgery instead.

“These women not only feel uncomfortable with unwanted attention from some men, but also often suffer from self-esteem problems as they feel they have a “babushka” type body. For these women, breast reduction, not enlargement, is the real breast enhancement.”

Earlier this month the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) announced that patient satisfaction for breast related procedures were at a high. Speaking at the Plastic Surgery 2008 conference in Chicago they pointed out that breast lift and the combination surgery of lift and augmentation have higher levels of success than previously thought and in fact rival the popularity of breast reduction and augmentation procedures. Previous studies have tended to focus mainly on the latter two procedures.

In their study that found that 99% of the 325 patients they talked to have an improved self esteem following breast surgery.

Sources: 24/7 Press Release and Medical News Today

New US Study Shows breast lift and lift/augmentation have high satisfaction levels

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) will present findings at the Plastic Surgery 2008 conference later in the month showing that the main four breast-related procedures have high satisfaction levels in women.

Breast augmentation, lift, reduction and the surgery combining lift and augmentation all have positive results that improve the quality of life in patients, according to the study, which will be presented at the conference in Chicago (31st October to 5th November 2008).

This is the first research to include the surgeries for breast uplift and the combination lift/augmentation procedures, with previous studies focusing on augmentation and reduction. The results have shown that lift and lift/augmentation have such high levels of success that they in fact rival breast reduction and augmentation.

Eric Swanson, MD, ASPS Member Surgeon and study author pointed out that the new data fills in the gap that previous studies have left behind, “Many studies have shown breast augmentation and reduction are highly gratifying procedures for women, but until now we’ve had limited information on patient satisfaction for breast lift or combination lift/ augmentation”. He points out the satisfaction is high when the ‘vertical’ technique is used in the lift/augmentation procedure.

The study looked at 325 patients. They were interviewed concerning their breast procedures over five years. 99% of the patients would have the procedure again with 91% reporting that they have an improved sense of self-esteem. The overall patient satisfaction came to 96%. The mentioned ‘vertical technique’ was used on all patients.

As well as overall patient satisfaction, the study also explored the preferred breast shape for women, finding that most women liked the fuller contour at the top of the breast – “Naturally, breasts are fuller towards the bottom, but our study found patients want more fullness on top” added Dr Swanson.

He also pointed out that “Prior to breast surgery, women often ask about discomfort level, recovery time, and when they’ll be able to return to normal activities. With this study, we now have the answers, provided by patients themselves.”

Breast uplift involves reshaping the breasts so that they return to a more natural, gratifying shape. It is often used in conjunction with breast enlargement but it can also be perfumed on its own. Patients often undergo the treatment following the adverse effects of aging or childbirth/breast feeding.