Other Concerns—Breast Implants on Teens

In addition to the safety issues that I mentioned earlier, there is concern about the growing use of breast implant among adolescents. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 333,000 adolescents 18 years of age or younger underwent plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures in 2005, and most of the procedures were breast augmentation.

Breast implant is now a trend among teens across the globe. Enough with a new wardrobe, the latest computers, and/or the newest car model; they now want breast implants. And unfortunately a lot of them are getting it; thus, raising concerns even to the authorities. According to an article by Saul Hudson, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had to step down against giving teenagers breast implants as any type of gift. He calls it the “ultimate degeneration,” which I totally agree. There is already a great number of risks involved with breast implants, now lets add breast implant on patients whose bodies haven’t even matured yet. There are no legal restriction on breast implant procedures on American teens; however the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) does recommend it against women under age of 18.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN24250042

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=17849

FDA and Breast Implants

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed silicone breast implants in 1992 because of insufficient proof for safety presented by the implant manufacturers. However, due to the public need for implants (mainly from breast reconstruction patients), the FDA allowed some companies to continue research on the use of silicone implants for breast reconstruction and revision patients. Between 1992 and 2005, silicone breast implants were used for patients enrolled in investigational studies, reconstructive patients, and could not be marketed commercially to the general public. The United States was one of the few countries during this time period in which silicone breast implants could not be marketed commercially. Today however, silicone breast implants are back on the market.

According to an article posted by the CNN News, the FDA approved silicone implants manufactured by Inamed Aesthetics, now a part of Allergan, and Mentor for breast reconstruction and augmentation in women of all ages (http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/11/17/implants/index.html) . Apparently the as M.D.Director Daniel Schultz says, “FDA has reviewed an extensive amount of data from clinical trials of women studied for up to four years, as well as a wealth of other information to determine the benefits and risks of these products.” (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/11/fda_silicone.html)

Adjustable Breast Implants

After the surgery many women complain that they are not comfortable with the size of their implants for they are either too big or too small. Thus, surgeons have created the adjustable breast implants in order to end this “implant remorse”.

The adjustable breast implant is a design that allows surgeon to reshape and to pump up or tone down a cup size within six months of the surgery, to meet the patients’ needs. There are two main types adjustable breast implants: saline, and saline core and silicone shell adjustable implants. The procedures consists making an incision on the lower part of the breast near the chest wall or under the lower portion of the areola (Inframmary incision). A couple of months after the operation, the surgeon then uses a syringe to inject either one of the implant previously used.

There several benefits associated with adjustable breast implants such as: the decreased patient anxiety regarding size, better breast symmetry, and patients’ control over the size and final results. The only known risks would be the ones I mentioned in past blogs— Susceptible Risks of Breast Implants.. Nevetheless, according to an article by the ABC News, “ Not all plastic surgeons are excited bout the idea of adjustable implants.” I guess, further studies will be needed to determine all the pros and cons of such implants. ( http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Cosmetic/story?id=2750240&page=1 )

Going Back

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As I said in past blogs, breasts have been since early times the synonym of femininity, one of women’s greatest physical attributes. The bigger the better, and unfortunately most women allow themselves to be compared to this cultural idea of beauty. They do not accept themselves as they are; thus, they often decide to undergo cosmetic surgery for the simple reason of pleasing their societies, rather than themselves. I have nothing against cosmetic surgery; however, I do believe that if you’re to cut yourself it’d better be for the right reasons, not because someone thinks that you’re not good enough.

Nevertheless, when thinking about having breast augmentation, one must know which procedures will have the best results and how to find the best surgeon. She’ll want to inform herself on the steps that she can take to have the best possible results. Thus, I’ve been writing these blogs: to inform women about all the factors related to breast implants that will allow them to make the right decision.

****NEWS Type of Breast Implants: Natural Breast Implants

According to an article by FOX NEWS (and others), silicone breast implants may be replaced by a new ‘natural’ form of implant that uses tissue grown by a person’s own stem cells—immature cells with the ability to change into any type of body cells under the right conditions. I hear scientists have throughout years tried to increase breast size with, with no success (apparently). However, if they were to suceed women would greatly benefit from it.

First off, women would have the implants that would feel and look like natural breasts without the risk of neither deflation nor interference with mammographies. Second, since the natural implants require the surgeons to suck the fat from different parts of the body, particularly stomach, women would be having a ‘two in one’ type of deal. Also, scientists believe that adding stem cells into the body may actually encourage the growth of new blood vessels; in addition, there is no risk of rejection by the patient’s immune system.

‘Natural’ breast implants will certainly more desirable than artificial ones. I must emphasize how anxious I am for the completion of the studies.