February 2004January 2004December 2003November 2003October 2003September 2003
Boom or Bust: Examining Breast Augmentation
By Amelia Welden, Nervy Girl Magazine February 2004 (
source)
Anecdotal evidence points to the advisability of using a certified doctor when you undertake breast augmentation, and according to the American Board of Medical Specialties, approximately 10% of doctors in 1999 were not certified by one of its specialties boards.
Rebecca Fuller who founded Implantforum.com reports that dissatisfaction with uncertified plastic surgeons is much greater than with certified surgeons. She is so concerned that she is planning to build a database of non-certified doctors and comments from their patients.
Although certification does not give guarantees, certified surgeons have undergone at least five years additional training as surgeons including a 2 year residency in plastic surgery, and their expertise counts when things do not go according to plan. They have the ability to manage situations, and bring them to a satisfactory conclusion.
Breast Augmentation Safe for Active Women
Press Release, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 29 January 2004 (
source)
"Many patients who are extremely active, from playing tennis to weight lifting, want assurance that they will have normal muscle function after breast augmentation"
Jillian Banbury, MD, co-author of a study published in the February 2004 issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
"My patients' satisfaction, as well as knowing first-hand the safety and effectiveness of the procedures I perform, is of the utmost importance to me. So I decided to conduct my own study to share with my patients".
The study was comprised of 47 patients, who were examined for pectoral muscle function, breast sensation and body image before and after subpectoral breast augmentation. The strength and movement of the pectoral muscle did not significantly change during the study period. There was no change in muscle bending, extension or raising the arms when pre-operative muscle function was compared with the three-month and six-month evaluation periods.
The study also examined patients' body image after surgery. The results showed that body image significantly improved at both post-operative measuring periods.
Breast Implant Update
Press Release, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 19 December 2003 (
source)
These following summary findings were accepted for publication in Aesthetic Surgery journal, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery peer-reviewed clinical journal.
- 89% of women said that breast implants met their goals
- 94% of women surveyed said that they would recommend the procedure to others.
- 13% of women reported that they had re-operations, of these, 92% chose implant replacement, not permanent removal.
- Of the 13% who had revisional surgery, 35% wanted larger implants, and 27% wanted to improve breast shape or position.
These surveys addressed the specific concerns raised by the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel studying silicone gel-filled breast implants and were completed by women who either had, or were considering, breast augmentation.
Currently all women in the US undergoing breast augmentation receive saline-filled implants. In October 2003 the FDA's advisory panel reviewed new data on silicone gel-filled implants, and recommended re-introduction with certain conditions.
Breast Reconstruction during Mastectomy Boosts Well-Being Most, Michigan-Led Study Finds
News Release, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, November 2003 (
source)
Including breast augmentation as part of reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy treatment resulted in significant improvements in the emotional, social and functional well being of patients, according to a new study by the University of Michigan. The survey shows that the largest boost is felt by those patients who have reconstruction and augmentation surgery as a part of their mastectomy.
Women who received an implant as a part of the breast reconstruction some months after the mastectomy reported a greater rise in vitality and social well being than other reconstruction patients, perhaps reflecting the shorter recovery period necessary.
The MBROS project began in 1996 at the University of Michigan and in three other States and Canada. It is funded by the US Army's Medical Research and Material Command and by the Center for Practice Management and Outcomes. Other aspects of the study are looking at functional results, complication rates, aesthetic results and cost.
ASPS Reveals Results of National Breast Implant Registry
Press Release, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, October 27, 2003 (
source)
A three-year survey revealed that the vast majority of repeat operations for breast augmentation were to change the size of breast implants. Leroy Young, MD, chair of the North American Breast Implant Registry (NaBIR) said,
"We wanted to know the size of the implant, which incisions were being used, how the implant was being placed and what type of short-term and long-term complications might occur after augmentation and reconstruction. Through the registry, we are seeing a trend for women who request a size change. By using this data, we could decrease this particular re-operation rate".
The registry was created in 2000 by the Plastic Surgery Education Foundation (PSEF) to gain information about the effects of breast augmentation surgery. As of September 2003 there were more than 9,900 implants entered in the registry. The NaBIR has 50 sites registering information and in May 2002 it extended the scope of its investigations by founding the International Breast Implant Registry that does similar investigations in four different countries.
Suicide Risk May be Lower than Expected for Breast Augmentation Patients says Leading Suicide Expert
Press Release, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 24 September 2003 (
source)
Breast augmentation may confer protection from suicide, according to Thomas Joiner, PhD, professor of Psychology at Florida State University.
Dr. Joiner analyzed the existing published data on the demographic, behavioral and psychological characteristics of women who undergo breast augmentation, and derived a statistically based estimate of their risk for suicide. He compared this with women of a similar background, and found that the breast augmentation patients had a significantly lower suicide rate.
Dr. Joiner commented that the probability is that breast augmentation increases self-esteem and enhances body self-image thus decreasing the likelihood of suicide.
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