Breast Enlargement - Dr. Joseph T. Cruise - Cruise Plastic Surgery Orange County

Breast augmentation is one of the most common procedures performed in Orange County and other areas. When performed by a competent plastic surgeon the results are dramatic with little scarring, and little down time. Many women want their breasts enlarged because they know it would make them feel more self-confident, more attractive, and will make them fit into clothes better. Often, they have thought about it for a long time. Others seek augmentation because their breasts have begun to sag, either due to age or childbirth. These women wish to regain that youthful "perkiness" and cleavage they once had. Some wish to return back to the shape they were in their early twenties. Others, when given the option, want a more dramatic enhancement. The effect of augmentation in the saggy breast is impressive as it raises the nipple, fills out the sagginess, and creates significant breast projection, as well as cleavage. For those who are interested, here is a little history on breast augmentation. In 1895, Czerny transplanted a benign fat tumor from a woman's back to fill a breast defect created by removal of a breast cyst. Other accounts of fat transplantation for breast augmentation have been documented. All these early attempts led to disappointing results. In the 1950s, many materials were injected into the breasts for augmentation purposes. This uniformly caused severe local reactions that left the breasts hard, painful, and distorted. As an aside, a common question is, "can we put the fat that was Liposuctioned from other areas of my body into my breasts." The answer is no. First of all, fat transplantation does not come close to providing the necessary volume. Second, fat transplantation my cause scar tissue with micro-calcifications. This is not dangerous but it impossible to determine on mammogram whether these micro-calcifications are from the fat transplantation or from cancer. Therefore, is it not performed. The modern age of breast augmentation began in 1962 when plastic surgeons for the first time started placing silicone gel implants under the breast tissue. This was a significant advance but it still caused an unacceptably high incidence of breast hardening, otherwise known as capsular contraction. In the 1980s, it was found that by placing the implant under the pectoralis major muscle, capsular contraction could be greatly reduced. Today, this is where the great majority of breast implants are placed. In 1992, the FDA banned the use of silicone gel implants. This left saline implants (a.k.a. salt water implants) as the only option for implant material. What we have found is that saline implants, when placed under the muscle, have even a lower rate of hardening than silicone implants. Silicone implants, however, have a more realistic feel. Since the ban, several major studies have shown rather conclusively that silicone implants are safe and soon will return as an option for breast augmentation. It should be pointed out that the shells of the current implants are still silicone. Silicone implants currently are available to certain patients. These patients include those who dislike their saline implants and those undergoing concurrent breast lift. Currently, silicone implants are available if you enroll in a research study. Also, to qualify you must meet one of four criteria. 1) You already have silicone. 2) You also are having a breast lift. 3) You have a significant congenital or traumatic deformity to one or both breasts. 4) You already have saline implants that require revision. It appears that within a year or two that silicone breast implants will available for anyone interested in breast augmentation.

http://www.orangecountycosmeticsurgery.com/breast-enlargement/index.htm

Joseph T. Cruise, M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
180 Newport Center Drive, Suite 150
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-644-4808
1- 866-GoPlastic (866-467-5278)
info@orangecountycosmeticsurgery.com