Plastic Surgery Boston Blog

New Study Shows Increased Quality of Life for Tummy Tuck and Liposuction Patients

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Briana

How do patients feel following liposuction or a tummy tuck? Pretty good, according to the results of a new study published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The study, which evaluated the outcomes of 360 patients undergoing liposuction and/or abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck) found that these patients experienced significant improvements in both self-esteem and quality of life post-surgery.

Of the patients of evaluated, approximately 60 percent elected to undergo liposuction alone, while 35 percent underwent a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty. The remaining 5 percent underwent abdominoplasty alone.

Lead researcher, Eric Swanson, MD, found that patients who elected a combination surgery of both liposuction and abdominoplasty, felt the most satisfied with their results. Over 99 percent of these patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their procedure, with an average score of 9 out of 10, compared to 8 out of 10 for liposuction only patients. Additionally, when asked if they would undergo their surgery again, 98 percent of those who underwent combination surgery said yes.

Overall, 86 percent of the 360 patients surveyed stated they felt improved self-esteem following their procedure, while 70 percent also felt their quality of life had improved. This was especially true for individuals who underwent combination surgery.

Few studies have been able to capture the satisfaction rates of patients following liposuction and abdominoplasty, alone or in combination. Through additional research, Dr. Swanson hopes that doctors will be able to more effectively communicate post-surgical expectations to patients undergoing widely performed cosmetic surgery procedures.

Learn more about tummy tucks and liposuction in Boston.

Free Plastic Surgery in Brazil

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Briana

The idea of free plastic surgery is just an unrealistic fantasy for most, unless you live in Brazil. Performing more than 11.5 million procedures annually, Brazil represents one of the largest plastic surgery consumer markets in the world. To many Brazilians, beauty is a right that should not be reserved solely for moneyed elites, prompting more than 200 clinics across Brazil to offer free cosmetic procedures to the less fortunate.

In a country still greatly affected by extreme poverty, free Botox injections, laser hair removal and other cosmetic procedures might seem gratuitous, but not according to Dr. Nelson Rosas of The Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine in Rio de Janeiro.

“What’s a wrinkle? Something minor, right? Something with precious little importance, but when we treat the wrinkle, that unimportant little thing, we’re actually treating something very important – the patient’s self-esteem.”

The Brazilian government is also involved in the allocation of free or discounted plastic surgery procedures. State-funded health care covers the cost of several surgeries to repair congenital deformities, as well as reconstructive procedures following injury. The senate is also considering covering the full cost of breast reconstruction after cancer.

While plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures may improve self-esteem, many experts worry that free or discounted procedures coerce patients into procedures and surgeries without weighing the actual risks versus benefits. Free or discounted surgeries are often performed by young doctors looking to refine their skills.

“The word ‘beauty’ in Brazil kind of obscures the fact that you’re talking about real surgery,” Alexander Edmonds, an anthropology professor at the University of Amsterdam and author of “Pretty Modern: Beauty, Sex and Plastic Surgery in Brazil.” “The problems and risks of surgery are often minimized, and these operations tend to be seen like a ‘beautification’ like any other, which of course they’re not.”

Risky or not, long lines of low-income Brazilians form every year outside of hospitals eager to apply for free or discounted plastic surgery. Once approved, individuals may wait several months, or even years before undergoing their procedure.

Learn more about plastic surgery in Boston.

Source: The Washington Times

Posted in Plastic Surgeon - Boston | Tagged plastic surgery abroad | Leave a comment

Sientra Silicone Breast Implants Approved for U.S. Market

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Briana

After three years of clinical trial research, Sientra Inc.’s silicone breast implants have been given a green light by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sales in the United States. Sientra will join the ranks of Allergan Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, as the third company to market silicone breast implants in the U.S.

Sientra’s silicone breast implants have been approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years of age and older, as well as for breast reconstruction in women of all ages. Sientra plans to offer implants in numerous shapes and sizes, in addition to the traditional round implants offered by Allergan Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

FDA approval of Sientra’s silicone implants was a long time coming after years of controversy surrounding the long term safety of silicone implants. Initially banned in 1992 amid speculation that silicone implants may cause cancer and other harmful diseases, silicone implants have been deemed safe and on the market since 2006.

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

Per the FDA, Sientra has agreed to conduct post-market clinical studies to determine the long term safety and effectiveness of their silicone breast implants. The risk of rare diseases and illness will also be recorded in these post-market studies.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 307,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed last year, making the saline verses silicone debate an even more relevant concern for the FDA.

If you are considering breast augmentation, it is important to weight factors such as cost, incision size, consistency and the ability to detect rupture, when deciding on saline or silicone breast implants. Your plastic surgeon will be able to aid you in the decision-making process during your consultation.

Learn more about silicone breast implants in Boston.

Source: fda.gov

Posted in Breast Surgery | Tagged silicone breast implants | Leave a comment

Tummy Tucks, Facelifts and More: Joan Rivers Opens Up About Plastic Surgery

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Briana

Joan Rivers, infamous stand-up comedian, recently sat down to chat with Barbara Walters for a 20/20 segment investigating plastic surgery. Rivers’ who has become just as famous for her plastic surgery as she has for her career as a stand-up comedian held nothing back in her candid interview with Walters.

So what procedures has she really had? Rivers had no problem opening up on this topic – she’s had two facelifts, breast reduction and a tummy tuck. She also admitted to getting dermal fillers every six months as a maintenance routine. When asked why she’s been so open over the years about her plastic surgery procedures, she had this to say:

“We’re in a society where looks count… And all the beautiful women lie and say ‘I’ve done nothing’ and that is so unfair. And I just want women to know it’s okay, do it.”

Rivers also had some advice for those in search of a plastic surgeon:

Ask your hair dresser for advice because he or she can see the scars from plastic surgery
Look your plastic surgeon up on the internet and make sure there are no outstanding law suits
Interview your plastic surgeon and make sure he or she is compassionate
Arrange a meeting with the anesthesiologist

In the opening episode of her reality show Joan and Melissa, Joan Knows Best, Joan bares all and shows the audience a step-by-step look at what plastic surgery entails from start to finish. “I wanted to people to see what it really was about.”

When asked if she feels that means justify the end result, she answered yes, with no hesitation. “I think it gives you such self-esteem. It makes you feel good. It’s a very happy experience.”

Learn more about plastic surgery in Boston.

Posted in Body Surgery, Breast Surgery, In the News | Tagged celebrity plastic surgery | Leave a comment

Should Mammograms be Handled Differently after Breast Augmentation?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Briana

Statistical predictions recently released by the American Cancer Society estimate that more than 39,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2012. This information should be salient with all women, and particularly with women who have undergone breast augmentation.

Regular mammograms are the most effective way to detect instances of breast cancer in women. You should never have to sacrifice your health for beauty, which means women may need to take additional steps when seeking out regular mammograms after breast augmentation.

Mammograms must be performed in a special way for women after breast augmentation in order to see the breast tissue effectively. If performed incorrectly, it is possible for mammogram screenings to provide inaccurate results for these women. Factors such as implant placement, type of mammogram technique utilized and technician training and expertise can all affect the results of the mammogram.

According to ImplantInfo.com, women who have undergone breast augmentation should take certain precautions when seeking out mammograms. If you have breast implants, you can assure more accurate breast cancer screenings by following the steps below:

Ask your plastic surgeon if he or she can give you a referral for your mammogram
Verify that the staff is properly trained and certified to give mammograms
Explain to the staff, prior to your appointment, that you have had breast augmentation
If possible, request to work with a technician that has experience with breast implants
Remind your technician that you have breast implants prior to your mammogram

In addition to regular mammograms, women with breast augmentation should follow the same breast care guidelines as women who do not have implants. Monthly self-examinations should be implemented, and mammograms should be performed at the recommended intervals – initiating at age 35 and then continuing annually after age 40.

Learn more about mammograms after breast augmentation in Boston.

Source: Times Union