Breast Implants vs. Liposuction—RISKS

Just as breast implants, liposuction presents minor risks as well as severe (but rare) complication. The common risks include hematomas, skin necrosis (death of the affected skin), hyperpigmentation of incision sites, swelling, and among others rapid heart rate which can be caused epinephrine (adrenalin) which is an essential ingredient of the tumescent local anesthetic solution, by medications containing ephedrine-like drugs often found in nasal decongestants such as Sudafed or pseudoephedrine. (http://www.liposuction.com/safety/common_minor.php )

Comparing to breast implants, liposuctions are not associated with a great number for severe complications; nevertheless, they can cause blood cloths that can travel to the lungs, injury of nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and of abdominal organs following penetration of the abdominal cavity by a liposuction cannula; excessive IV Fluids can cause total body fluid overload, grave infections, and cardiac arrest which can be cause by a dangerous fall in the body's temperature (http://www.liposuction.com/safety/rare_severe.php ).
There has only been encountered one death in every 5000 cases of liposuction.
(http://www.liposuction.com/faqs/complications_risks.php )

Breast Implants vs. Liposuction

Liposuction and breast augmentation are the most prevalent body contouring procedures. The most commonly used options for beautifying one’s body. I personally I’d rather take than put.

Nevertheless, liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves body shape by removing excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. . Liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (tube), and it is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. The procedure begins by infusing a sterile liquid solution to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the tube. The entire procedure may last an hour or less, depending on the areas to be suctioned.
( http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liposuction/article_em.htm )

Several techniques are used to for doing liposuction, tumescent liposuction, dry and wet techniques, ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL), and power assisted technique (PAL); and most those techniques can be used to remove fat from abdomen, thighs, arms, back, breast, face, pretty much anywhere in the body.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liposuction )

Figure 1. Different Body Areas That Can be Liposuctioned.

(http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/Lipoplasty.cfm?CFID=91124401&CFTOKEN=22612300#six )

Costs of Implants

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast implant prices average from $4,000 to $10,000 per procedure depending upon several factors:

1. Type of procedure. Depending on the incision type and placement the average cost can range from depending on factors such as: choice of surgeons, type of procedure, type of anesthesia, and type of implant.

2. The surgeon. The plastic surgeon's training and skill are important factors in the cost. The most qualified surgeons who have performed extensive surgeries typically command a higher fee which ranges around $4000. There is no guarantee, however, that a surgeon who charges higher prices will be more qualified than a surgeon who offers the same procedures for less money; thus, patients should probably just choose the doctor who performed more implants before and who the patients are most comfortable with.

3. Anesthesia. General anesthesia (you are asleep) is more costly than a local anesthetic (you are sedated but remain awake), and it can range from $600 to $1000.

4. Incision type and Procedure. The type of breast surgery also influences cost for there are some implants techniques are easier and less time consuming.

5. Facility. There are some facilities that cost more than others, and they can range from $1000 to $2000.

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)