Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Injections May Offer Alternative for Breast Enhancement

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Copyeditor

injections for breast enhancement Hyaluronic acid gel injections might be an option for women who want larger breasts.

Per Hedén, MD, PhD, of Sweden, says the injection is a simple and safe alternative for women who want to enhance their breasts, but aren’t ready to have breast implant surgery.

“Hyaluronic acid gel injection … provides immediate results with minimal discomfort, and in clinical trials, it was associated with high ratings of breast general appearance, shape and firmness,” Dr. Hedén told Cosmetic Surgery Times.

While hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm, have been used for years to treat facial wrinkles, using them for the breasts is relatively new.

The hyaluronic acid gel that has been developed for use on the breast, Macrolane, is approved for use in Europe but does not currently have FDA approval in the United States.

Dr. Hedén says there have been no serious complications with Macrolane noted in studies, but it is too soon to have any long-term data on the procedure.

Breast Implant Alternative?

While the filler offers a less-invasive alternative to implants, it actually often opens the door to implants, according to Dr. Hedén, who says that 30 percent of his patients who first try injections eventually undergo breast augmentation.

In addition to a lack of long-term data, the gel has a few other drawbacks of which patients should be aware. The absorption of the material isn’t predicable, and the amount of gel that remains after a year varies anywhere from 5 to 85 percent. In addition, patients will probably need a touch-up after nine to 12 months, according to Dr. Hedén.

Since Macrolane does not have FDA approval, breast augmentation is the procedure most women choose in order to enlarge their breasts. One other possible alternative is fat grafting. Used mainly for the face, some cosmetic surgeons now use the technique for breast enhancement as well.

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Breast Augmentation Incision Techniques That Minimize Scarring

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Copyeditor

breast augmentation incisions Breast augmentation patients have a number of choices to make before their procedure, including the type and the size of the implants, the placement of the implants, and the type of incision technique.

While there will always be scarring with breast implants, New You Magazine recently gave an overview of some of the incision techniques being used to reduce the visibility of scarring.

Breast Augmentation Incisions For Minimal Scarring

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina, an Oklahoma cosmetic surgeon, pointed out that: “Different patients have different definitions of ‘minimal-scar’ surgery. But for some women, a scar on the breast just isn’t acceptable.”

Here are some options for breast implant incisions that avoid the breast entirely.

Arm Pit: This technique uses an incision in the pocket of the armpit and works best for those with deep armpits. One of the advantages of this incision, according to Dr. Cuzalina, is that the surgeon can visualize the muscle with a camera during surgery.

Belly Button: The transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) has the incision through the belly button, so the incisions are hidden in the navel. One drawback is that only saline implants can be used, and Dr. Cuzalina said that patients without a lot of fat on their stomachs may not be the best candidates.

Tummy Tuck: The transabdominoplasty, or TABA technique, can be used when the patient is having a tummy tuck at the same time as the breast augmentation. The surgeon then uses the tummy tuck incision to place the implants. However, this technique can’t be used if the patient also wants a breast lift.

If you are considering an incision technique away from the breast, be sure that your cosmetic surgeon is experienced with the technique you want, as the minimal-scar techniques can require greater skill.

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Study Finds Combination Injection Improves Effectiveness of Fat Transfer

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Copyeditor

fat transfer results A case study has linked Selphyl, a platelet-rich fibrin matrix, to an increase in blood vessels when used for fat grafting, which may improve results, reports Cosmetic Surgery Times.

Facial fat transfer/injection adds volume to your face using your own natural fat. Fat is removed from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or the buttocks, and is then processed to remove excess fluids, before being injected into the face.

The Selphyl system used in the study takes a small amount of the patient’s blood to prepare the platelet-rich fibrin matrix, which is combined with the patient’s fat before being injected back into the body.

The case study examined a 37-year-old woman who had fat taken from her outer thighs and grafted on two sites on her abdomen. One site had her injected fat and the other had her fat combined with Selphyl.

Eight weeks later, the tissue was examined. Both sites had viable fat, but the site where the fat was mixed with Selphyl had an increase in blood vessels, which is crucial to improving the chances of long-term fat survival.

Fat Transfer Results Can Vary

During facial fat transfer, it’s not possible to predict how much fat will survive after the procedure, as fat has a tendency to become re-absorbed into the body. Therefore, a follow-up visit may be needed to monitor results.

The study’s authors noted that variability of graft survival (typically 50–70%) is considered a downside to the procedure, but the case study shows that adding Selphyl to fat could improve the survival rate.

“The result of this case study indicates that fat mixed with Selphyl may improve graft survival by increasing both neovascularization and total cell number,” the authors concluded.

Read the study’s abstract in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, and learn more about facial fat transfer/injection in Bucks County, PA.

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FDA Approves Third Silicone Breast Implant for U.S.

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Copyeditor

There is a new option when choosing breast implants. The FDA recently approved a silicone gel breast implant made by Sientra Inc.

With the latest approval, there are now three silicone gel-filled breast implants approved by the FDA in the U.S. They are manufactured by Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.

Sientra’s implants have been approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years and older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age.

“Sientra has successfully broken the existing duopoly in the U.S. by offering surgeons and patients a new choice,” said founder and CEO Hani Zeini, in a statement.

Zeini also said that the company will offer shaped implants in addition to standard round implants.

The approval was based on a three-year clinical trial of 1,788 participants. The trial had similar complications and outcomes found in studies of other breast implants.

“Data on these and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” said William Maisel, MD, deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Maisel stressed that women should be aware that breast implants are not lifetime devices and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential.

Post-approval, Sientra will continue to monitor the clinical trial participants for seven years. In addition, they will have a 10-year study of 4,782 women who receive Sientra silicone implants to collect data on long-term complications and outcomes. Finally, Sientra must also conduct case studies to evaluate the association between their implants and five rare diseases, including brain cancer, cervical/vulvar cancer and lymphoma.

Learn more about breast implant choices and breast augmentation. For more on the breast implant approval, read the press release from the FDA.