Posts Tagged ‘breast implants’

PIP and safety of Breast implants

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Recently a French manufacturer of silicone breast implants, Poly Implant Prothèse or PIP, came under Investigation by the French government for using low grade silicone in their silicone gel breast implants. The French have recommended that patients with these implants have them removed and replaced as a preventive, but not urgent matter.

These breast implants are not approved for use in the United States and I have never used them in my practice. The concern is only relevant for patients who have had breast augmentation outside the United States.

The only gel breast implants approved for use in the United States are manufactured by American companies and adhere to strict quality and manufacturing requirements.

The FDA requires extensive bio-compatibility testing on all its breast implants as described in their administration’s Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data. These guidelines have resulted in silicone shells that have been tested and shown to possess excellent strength, resilience and elasticity.

If you have any concerns or questions about what is going on in France please do not hesitate to contact our office. If you had breast augmentation surgery outside the U.S. and would like to remove or replace your gel breast implants just please let us know.

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What is ALCL?

Monday, February 28th, 2011

On January 26, 2011 the FDA released an advisory notice regarding the association of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) in women with breast implants. While ALCL is technically a type of lymphoma it appears to have a very benign course and the condition has been completely resolved by simply removing the breast implant and capsule. It is not a breast cancer. In the past 25 years only 34 cases have been reported in the world among an estimated 10 million+ implanted devices.

The American society of plastic surgeons and the American society of Aesthetic plastic surgery are working with the FDA in order to follow and better understand this rare condition.

So what does this mean for my patients considering breast enhancement? First and foremost it is important to note that the FDA has not changed the status or availability of breast implants. Patients who have them are not being encouraged to remove them and we continue to use them. I think it is something to be aware of as you make an informed decision. With or without implant I always encourage good self breast examination and mammography.

Because the condition is so rare, it is likely that most plastic surgeons will never see a case of it. There may be more of a risk of being struck by lightning. I always discuss all the risks and benefits of surgery with my patients. This new information will now be included, but it is perhaps the lowest risk of all. For more information the FDA link is: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm240000.htm

For those that have questions or concerns always feel free to contact my office to schedule a time to speak with me. We can talk over the phone or meet in person at one of my offices in Rockville, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland; or McLean, Virginia.

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A Breast Lift is not an Augmentation

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Lifted breasts and augmented breasts do not behave the same. I think there is some confusion on this point. The augmented breast has fullness in its upper portion because of the breast implant. This is the breast that we, in this United States of America, are most used to seeing in magazines, media and entertainment. In many ways this breast has become the norm by which the natural breast is judged.

Natural breasts in the mature woman, or after child bearing, start with a gentle slope off the chest wall and more fullness toward the bottom of the breast. This distinction is important, and I go over this thoroughly in consultation. I think many women expect a breast lift will make them look like they have breast implants. Well they will… but only for a while. In a full breast lift we remove droopy skin from the bottom of the breast and elevate breast tissue. For a time that woman will have dramatic upper breast fullness. In fact we often make the lift tight to accentuate the upper breast. But interestingly, the body is smarter than the doctor.

Over time the tightened skin will relax and over the course of about 6 to 12 months the upper breast fullness will diminish and ultimately the breast will once again look more like the “natural breast” (though much less droopy). If that patient wants to maintain the upper breast fullness she may elect to place a breast implant with the breast lift.

Natural breast or implanted breast? I support whichever one achieves my patients’ goals. Understanding the difference is the key.

If you are interested in learning more about breast augmentation, breast lift or both, contact my office to schedule a consultation at one of my three locations- Rockville, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland; McLean, Virginia

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Breast Augmentation: Questions to Ask During your Consultation

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

If you are considering breast augmentation, it is important to discuss your options with a plastic surgeon. You will want to make sure your plastic surgeon is knowledgeable, certified, experienced, and to ensure all of the above it is important to ask your surgeon questions upon consultation. Additionally, a consultation will go over your desired results, medical history, etc. During this time, breast implant options will be discussed, as well as technique. Based off your desires, health and body frame one implant type may be better than another, as well as one technique may be more appropriate then another.

What to ask during your consultation for breast augmentation:

1. What are your credentials?

*The only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties in the field of plastic surgery is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Your plastic surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as this will ensure he has undergone extensive training and met all standards as deemed by the Board.

2. What plastic surgery societies are you a member of?

*Certain societies such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons only accept applicants after they have received certain certification, training and met their society’s standards.

3. What hospitals are you affiliated with?

*Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure and can be performed in an accredited surgical facility. However, some individuals prefer to have breast augmentation in a hospital. Additionally, in the unlikely hood of an unforeseen event, it is important to know which hospitals in your plastic surgeon has privileges to operate at.

4. If you have not already done so, ask to view before and after photos of breast augmentation patients.

5. What breast augmentation techniques do you perform and how many have you performed for each technique?

6. What techniques do you provide to improve healing if any?

7. Do you offer techniques that utilize instruments that will provide less trauma to the breasts?

8. What does the recovery process entail following breast implants?

9. What medications or technology do you provide to reduce swelling, inflammation, and speed up recovery if any?

10. I am allergic to ______? Will this have an effect on which breast implant I am able to have and or could I have a reaction due to this allergy?

It is important to disclose your full medical history at time of consultation so your plastic surgeon is able to give you the best advice possible based off your needs.

If you are considering breast enhancement surgery, consult with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Tattelbaum, contact his office today.

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