A Brief History on the Beginning of Breast Implants

Fifty years ago, the modern breast implants that we use today were just bursting onto the scene. Since then, hundreds of thousands of women a year have made breast augmentation the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States. This is how breast implants evolved over the past fifty years to arrive where they are at now.

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THE EARLY STAGES

Breast augmentation is not a new concept. For centuries, people have been trying different things to increase the size, or change the appearance of, their breasts. Some of the earliest breast implants were created from materials like a sponge. We have come a long way since then.

The first silicone implant was introduced in 1962 by Texas doctors, Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin. Thirty year-old, Timmie Jean Lindsey, was the first human recipient of the new silicone implants. Lindsey recently spoke at the 50^th anniversary of silicone implants last year.

Three years later in 1965, a French surgeon, H.R. Arion, introduced the first form of saline implant. Arion’s saltwater-filled implants gained popularity because of their ability to be placed with smaller incisions than silicone implants required.

THE RISE

Breast implants started being mass produced in the 1970s. At this time, many other alternatives began trying to make their way into the breast augmentation game, but these inventions – like inflatable implants – never quite caught on.

The 1980s brought new design changes to silicone and saline implants. Both types received a new, softer external shell.

Health concerns became an issue with silicone implants during the late 80s and early 90s. In January 1992, the FDA banned silicone implants in the United States, which allowed for saline to gain serious popularity.

THE BOOM

Breast augmentation saw a huge popularity boom at the turn of the century. The number of procedures in the US shot from just over 100,000 in 1997 to over 316,000 in 2011.

Everything about breast augmentation has evolved dramatically since its early beginnings. Silicone gel implants are back and more popular than ever with the new FDA approval of silicone gel implants. Surgeries are minimally invasive and have been receiving great patient reviews.

With various different options available to patients, women are more able than ever to achieve the exact look that they desire.

Want to know more about the latest in cosmetic breast surgery?

Some terms you may hear bandied about

Every day, new techniques and technology are being devised in the field of cosmetic surgery, and every day, the jargon evolves with it. Here are just a terms that are coming up lately that you might want to know about so you’re not left wondering when they come up during a consultation.

Cookie-Cutter Cosmetic Surgery

When baking cookies, especially themed ones, a cookie cutter can help assure each morsel comes out perfect. This philosophy, however, doesn’t translate over to cosmetic surgery – your body is a unique snowflake, and needs to be approached to your specific needs. A cookie-cutter surgeon is someone who does the same procedure the same way for all patients. When you go for your consultation, try and get a feel if the surgeon is giving you individual attention, and is taking your body into account.

Invasive vs. Noninvasive

Speaking in broad strokes, there are two categories of cosmetic surgery procedures: invasive, and non-invasive. This basically means surgical and non-surgical. Surgical procedures, like breast augmentation or a facelift, will require general anesthesia, and some major recovery time. Noninvasive options, meanwhile, are outpatient procedures that can be done under local anesthesia and require much less recovery time, if any. Such procedures include Botox, microdermabrasion, wrinkle fillers and chemical peels. A surgeon can offer these, but you might also find them available at…

Medispas

A “medispa” is a term that describes a facility that offers your typical spa fare, combined with non-invasive cosmetic procedures like the ones described above. There has been some debate surrounding them, but as long as the person performing these procedures is certified to perform such procedures, risks are minimal. Also, some certified cosmetic surgeons offer medispa options. Make sure the practitioner has the credentials to perform any sort of cosmetic procedure before you agree to anything.

With that, you’re all the more educated for when you research the procedure, and the surgeon, that’s right for you. Best of luck!

• Photo Credit: Dictionary by greeblie, on Flickr

There is a frequently performed surgical procedure in the U.S. that is continuing to receive more and more patient satisfaction by the year – breast augmentation. And for women considering breast augmentation, there are three safety measures you can take to ensure peace of mind before, during and after your surgery.

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For those of us looking for a way to get rid of unwanted hair, laser hair removal has been a popular choice. However, there are also many people biting their lips and wondering: doesn’t laser hair removal hurt?

Laser Hair Removal vs. Shaving and Waxing

Well, compared to what exactly? From my own personal experience, I’m not sure how many things could be more uncomfortable than waxing. Although I have yet to experience laser hair removal myself, past patients have been known to give positive feedback and prefer it over alternatives such as waxing. They often describe the pain as mild, comparing it to the sensation of a slight pinch. Oftentimes, this can even be reduced by using a numbing cream before the treatment. If you can tolerate the pain of waxing, laser hair removal will be a breeze and will last a lot longer.

With shaving, areas like the bikini line and the back can be a pain to effectively address, and the more you shave a certain area, the faster and thicker the hair grows back next time. Miss a day and you will already have a little patch of stubble. Also, shaving can often result in irritating cuts and razor bumps that can cause itching and even rashes. Laser hair removal provides a long-term solution to your unwanted hair and easily treat those hard to reach areas that are difficult to get with shaving.

Ready to make the change?

It is important to remember that each case varies based on how thick the patient’s hair is as well as the color. Those with thin, light-colored hair see less discomfort because a darker complexion will grab more light, attracting more heat to the spot.

To sum things up, if you have been wanting laser hair removal but have been putting it off simply due to a fear of intolerable pain, there is truly nothing to be afraid of. However, you must keep in mind that your experience greatly depends on who is giving the treatment! It is important to consult with a skilled cosmetic surgeon with plenty of experience giving the treatment to ensure that you receive the finest care.

A slimy solution to skin cell damage?

You may have heard of “bee venom facials.” If so, then this new garden-variety treatment from Japan probably won’t surprise you – snail facials.

As seen in this Telegraph article, a new boutique has opened up in Japan touting the benefits of snail mucus for the skin. “Snail slime can help the recovery of skin cells on the face, so we expect the snail facial to help heal damaged skin,” says Yoko Minami, sales manager for Clinical Salon in Japan, in the news story.

What does a snail facial entail, you ask? The treatment, officially called the Celebrity Escargot Course, costs about $200 (about ¥19,900), lasts for an hour, and lets loose 5 snails to run free on your face (with attendants nearby to prevent them from getting too close to your eyes, nose or mouth). Afterwards, facial massages, masks, and creams with, you guessed it, snail mucus as the main ingredient, are applied.

Snail mucus not up your alley (or, alternatively, not in Japan)? No worries – there remain less-slimy alternatives on the market to help rejuvenate skin, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, which are both great ways to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and age spots. These procedures are non-invasive, require little recovery time, and perhaps best of all, are not secreted by snails. Be sure to talk to your cosmetic surgeon about your skincare options at your next consultation.

• Photo Credit: Snail on head by GerryT, on Flickr

When you meet with your surgeon for a consultation, one of the things that will come up in determining whether surgery is right for you is whether or not you smoke. This is because smoking increases the risk of complications after major surgery, and thus might make you ineligible for a given procedure.

But all might not be lost to those who have tasted tobacco – a new study shows that the risk of complications for people who were once smokers, but have been smoke-free for at least a year, is nearly the same as a non-smoker’s.

Going cold turkey may allow you to undergo procedures you otherwise couldn’t

The study followed 125,000 current smokers, 78,000 former smokers, and 400,000 people who had never touched a cigarette, and kept track of complications in these groups, such as heart attack, pneumonia, blood clots, and death 30 days post-op. Current smokers showed a higher likelihood of fatal complications (17 per cent) than non-smokers, but those who quit a year before had about the same risk as non-smokers, according to the study’s findings. The study was limited, however, in that patients who were smoke-free for less than a year were not within its scope.

If you’re a smoker, and have considered cosmetic surgery before but were discouraged against it by your surgeon, this news could be just the push to help you quit. If you’re considering any kind of invasive surgery, or even non-invasive procedures like Botox, talk to your surgeon about your risk factors, and what you can do to help put out that butt forever.

• Photo Credit: No smoking by khawkins04, on Flickr

According to a new study, yes, women who have had a breast augmentation are happier now that they have bigger breasts. But why? Is it simply because a fuller bra can just instantly make a woman’s life better? Not necessarily. The real connection here is self-confidence.

The study surveyed a group of women who had received breast implants and asked questions about their life with their new breasts. 61% of the women said that they were now having sex more often and 34% even went as far as to say that their entire life had benefited from the implants.

The connection is not necessarily that increasing breast size will make you happier, but rather that breast enhancement can dramatically improve self-confidence and in turn have a positive effect on a woman’s sex life, relationship, and overall happiness.

Inland Cosmetic Surgery would love to help give you the confidence boost that you deserve. If you are experiencing issues with self-confidence because you are uncomfortable or unhappy with your breast size or shape, contact board-certified Dr. Haiavy for your breast augmentation consultation. Here at Inland Cosmetic Surgery, we pride ourselves in providing our many patients with their ideal bodies and the confidence they need to take on their lives.

MemoryShape gets the OK from the FDA

When it comes to breast augmentation, one size (or shape) doesn’t fit all. There are many different types of implants to choose from, and differences range from shape, size, the type of material it’s filled with, and even where in your body they’re placed. Well, a new type of implant has joined the family.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently gave the green light to Mentor Worldwide LLC to sell their make of silicone implant, the MemoryShape, on the American market. The product has been approved for breast augmentation in women aged 22 or older, and for breast reconstruction surgery in women of any age. It’s been available in other markets for years, but this is the first time it’s been made available to American customers.

This approval stems on the ongoing 10-year study on the product, now in its sixth year. The study follows 955 reconstruction and augmentation patients, and in that time, the study has shown a low rate of “adverse effects,” and the FDA is satisfied that there’s a reasonable assurance of the product’s safety as compared to other implants that have received the stamp of approval.

With MemoryShape on the market, there are now five FDA-approved silicone implants available in the U.S., as produced by three manufacturers: Allergan, Sientra, and of course, Mentor. This is only good news for the patient, as variety means more options, and competition means prices could even out a bit in the long run.

If you’re interested in breast augmentation, the first thing on your to-do list isn’t to pick out the implant you like best – it’s to seek out a consultation with your surgeon, who can best advise you on what the best options are based on what you’re looking for.

The two treatments aren’t interchangeable

When discussing issues of wrinkles and slowing the signs of aging, we often recommend asking your surgeon about the possible benefits of injectables like Botox or wrinkle fillers. While it’s true that both are treatments designed to fight wrinkles, they’re not the same, and they each fight wrinkles in specialized ways.

How Botox Fights Wrinkles

Botox is like Kleenex – it’s the brand most associated with the product, but not all of that product on the market is part of that brand. The key ingredient in Botox, botulinum, is a neurotoxin that is available under other brands, like Dysport and Xeomin. But no matter what brand you go with, they all attack wrinkles the same way – by treating active, or newer, wrinkles. Facial muscles can play a big part in facial wrinkles, and Botox and its cousins paralyze those muscles in order to achieve subtle changes that reduce the wrinkles, but still allow you to emote and use your muscles.

How Fillers Fight Wrinkles

Fillers, meanwhile (such as Juvederm or Restylane), are more adapted to combat “firmly established” wrinkles – wrinkles with seniority. They can also be used to enhance or alter the appearance of soft tissues, such as adding volume to lips and cheeks.

So, which one’s for you? The best person to tell you that is your surgeon. They’ll be able to tell the difference between old and new wrinkles, and which treatment they feel will yield the best results for you. Book a consultation with your surgeon now, and one way or another, you can safely say “so-long” to your facial folds.

The Latest Options for Fuller Lips

To “pay lip service” means to insincerely express agreement, allegiance or respect. Don’t confuse this with lip augmentation, as we sincerely believe it can treat your thin or flat lips.

Options for Lip Augmentation

Fillers are the most common option for lip augmentation. The best fillers for lips include Juvederm and Restylane, in addition to fat transfer using your own tissue. If you want a lip enhancement with immediate results and no downtime, fillers are probably right for you.

Injectable fillers plump up the lips and give you a full and youthful look, which is an excellent enhancement for women whose lips have gotten thinner with age. We inject the filler into the lips, taking extra care to maintain their natural lines and borders. By using a numbing cream, dental block, or filler that contains lidocaine, we can make the procedure very tolerable. The results typically last 6-12 months.

Lip Implants, made with Goretex and other materials, are an alternative option that can provide longer-lasting results. They are placed within the lips through a small surgical incision inside the mouth.

Before and After Lip Augmentation

Lip enhancement shapes and restores volume to the cupid’s bow, inner lip, and outer mouth, while correcting pesky lipstick lines. Contact us for more details!