The Surgery - breast implant surgery - Pamphlet

Deciding About Breast Implants for Reconstruction

When thinking about surgery for breast cancer you will have many important decisions to make. One decision is whether to have surgery for breast reconstruction at all. As expected, women have different opinions and views about reconstruction.

A few reasons why some women decide FOR reconstruction with breast implants:

* to restore body image following mastectomy surgery for breast cancer
* to replace an external breast form (prosthesis)
* to avoid being constantly reminded of their breast cancer diagnosis
* to avoid embarrassment in public dressing areas
* to help create a look that makes them feel more comfortable with or without clothes

A few reasons why some women decide AGAINST reconstruction with breast implants:

* they understand that breast implants are not lifetime devices, that they may have to undergo multiple surgeries and they want to avoid more surgery
* they feel the risks of surgery and anesthesia are greater than the benefits
* they are concerned about potential known and unknown risks from breast implants for themselves and their children should they become pregnant
* they feel they are able to adjust to a new body image without reconstruction with breast implants
* they prefer to wear an external breast form (prosthesis)

If you decide on breast reconstruction, there are currently two surgical techniques:

* The "flap" technique. This surgery rebuilds the contour of the breast by taking tissue from other areas of the body. The TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous) flap technique may be used to reconstruct one or both breasts at the same time. The flap technique involves moving skin, muscle and fat to the breast area from the abdomen, back, or buttock to rebuild the breast. There will be a scar in the area where the flap was lifted. The flap technique is considered a major operation and, for medical reasons, is not suitable for everyone. This, like all operations, should be discussed carefully with your doctor. In some cases, breast implants may be used in addition to the flap procedure.

It is important to note that the TRAM flap operation can be done only once. The TRAM flap can be used to reconstruct one or both breasts, but only in one operation. If the TRAM flap is used to reconstruct one breast, and a mastectomy is later required on the other breast, reconstruction of the second breast must be done through other means (i.e., insertion of a breast implant).

* Insertion of breast implants. The surgeon inserts the implant into a pocket created under the skin. The pocket may be located either behind (submuscular) or in front (submammary) of the chest muscle.

Ask your doctor about the pros and cons of each implant technique. If you decide to have reconstruction for one breast, you may need to think about surgery on the other breast to achieve a similar appearance.

Special Concerns for Women with Breast Cancer

Here are some of the known risks or problems with breast implant surgery for women with breast cancer:

* The physical and cosmetic results with breast implants may be affected by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or any other factor which significantly alters the healing process.

* Skin necrosis (dying skin) may occur because circulation to the remaining tissue has been changed by a mastectomy or other trauma to the breast area. Also, skin necrosis may be increased as a result of radiation treatment.

* It usually takes more than one operation to achieve the desired cosmetic outcome, especially if this procedure includes rebuilding the nipple.

Timing for Reconstruction with Breast Implants

Reconstruction can be done either at the time of breast cancer surgery or at a later date. If breast surgery and implant surgery are done at the same time, the surgeon usually uses the same incision to insert the implant. Another option is to insert a temporary tissue expander. In this case, in a second operation after the skin has stretched sufficiently, the surgeon will remove the expander and replace it with an implant. Another option is to insert the implants at some time after the mastectomy. With delayed insertion, the surgeon may still be able to use the mastectomy or lumpectomy scar to insert the implant. The surgeon should discuss with you which approach is the most desirable for you, and the associated risks.

Recreation of the Nipple and Areola following Reconstructive Surgery

After your breast has healed from the original implant surgery, you may want your nipple and areola (darker skin around the nipple) rebuilt. This procedure can usually be performed on an out-patient basis. Ask your surgeon to explain the various ways this can be done.

Your Expectations -- Reconstruction or Augmentation

Your consideration of breast implants, for reconstruction or for augmentation should be based on realistic expectations of the outcome. To help you get an idea of what results may be possible, look at before and after pictures of patients who have had this surgery. Your doctor may have some to show you. You may also want to talk with other women who have had this surgery at least a year before with the same surgeon. Keep in mind, however, that there is no guarantee that your results will match those of other women.

Your results will depend on many individual factors, such as your overall health; chest structure and body shape; healing capabilities (which may be hindered by radiation and chemotherapy, smoking, alcohol and various medications); bleeding tendencies; prior breast surgery(ies); infection; skill and experience of the surgical team; the type of surgical procedure; and, the type and size of implant.

Scarring is a natural outcome of surgery, and your doctor will try to keep scars as subtle as possible. She or he can explain the location, size, and appearance of the scars you can expect to have. For most women, scars will fade over time to thin lines, although the darker your skin, the more prominent the scars are likely to be. Usually the body will develop a fibrous capsule which can be thick or thin around the implant which is a normal physiologic response to a foreign object in the body.

It is important to remember that implants age over time and may need to be replaced. Although your implant may last for many years, you should not expect it to last indefinitely.

General Description of the Surgery

Breast implant procedures can be performed on an outpatient (not hospitalized) basis or at a hospital. Breast implant surgery can be done under local anesthesia, or under general anesthesia.

Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on whether the implant is inserted behind or in front of the chest muscle, and whether surgery is performed on one or both breasts. Prior to surgery, the doctor should discuss with you the extent of surgery, the estimated time it will take, and the choice of drugs for pain and nausea.

Postoperative Recovery

The doctor should describe to you the usual postoperative recovery process, the possible complications that can arise, and the expected recovery period. Following the operation, as with any surgery, some pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness can be expected, but they should disappear with time.

Medications for pain and nausea can be prescribed. Some women may experience fever, bleeding or other symptoms of infection; these should be reported immediately to the doctor. Patients should be instructed about wound healing and appropriate wound care.

If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary according to the type of surgery, the development of any postoperative complications, your general health, and the type of coverage your insurance provides.

Follow-Up

Ask your surgeon about follow-up care, including a schedule of follow-up examinations, advice about limitations to your activities, precautions you should take, and when you can return to your normal routine. (If you are enrolled in a clinical trial, your surgeon should give you a schedule for follow-up exams set by the study plan.)

COPYRIGHT 1999 U.S. Food & Drug Administration
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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Bibliography for "The Surgery - breast implant surgery - Pamphlet"
"The Surgery - breast implant surgery - Pamphlet". Pamphlet by: Food and Drug Administration. Sept 1999. FindArticles.com. 19 Oct. 2007. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DPK/is_1999_Sept/ai_63040375

Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck Surgery

Abdominoplasty, or a "tummy tuck" is designed to correct a protruding abdomen resulting from weak abdominal muscles, weight gain or pregnancy. Obesity causes the skin to lose its elasticity. These conditions may not respond well to diet or exercise if the skin and underlying muscles have been stretched.

With abdominoplasty, the abdominal wall muscles are tightened and excess fatty tissue and skin are removed to improve the body contour. The goal is a narrower, flatter abdomen. Realistic expectations are important. A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss.

Age obesity and smoking habits when evaluating a candidate for this procedure.

Before Surgery
We will take a complete medical history and conduct a careful examination to evaluate your general, overall health. Ideally, the abdominoplasty patient has no health problems, and wishes only to remove an excess deposit of fat or loose abdominal skin. Patients on a weight-loss plan should be close to their target weight before having the operation performed here in Los Angeles. Women planning future pregnancies should delay abdominoplasty, as pregnancy may promote further abdominal stretching.

Photographs will be taken before and after surgery.

Antibiotics will be prescribed prior to your tummy tuck to prevent infection. To minimize the possibility of excess bleeding, you will need to avoid taking drugs containing aspirin. You will also be advised to bathe with an antiseptic soap for several days prior to surgery.

The Procedure

Abdominoplasty is performed using general anesthesia. You may be given medication beforehand so you will feel relaxed. The surgery may take 2-5 hours, depending on the patient's overall condition. You may be released after a few hours, or you may require a couple days of hospitalization.

The tummy tuck procedure is most commonly performed by making a U-shaped incision below one hipbone, across the pubic area and under the other hipbone. A second incision is made around the navel. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall and lifted up to the hipbone, exposing loose tissue covering the abdominal muscle.

Loose, stretched out muscles are tightened with sutures, and excess skin and fat are removed. The skin is lowered over the abdomen and the navel is reconstructed. The incisions are then sutured together. Drains are often inserted to eliminate fluid buildup, and firm elastic bandages are applied to the area.

Recovery: What to Expect

You may experience some discomfort immediately following a tummy tuck that can be controlled with pain pills given in our Los Angeles office. Some swelling is normal. You will be given special instructions for showering and changing your dressings until the surface stitches are removed in 5-7 days. You may also be required to wear a support garment.

The speed of recovery depends on your physical condition prior to surgery; those with stronger abdominal muscles usually recover faster. Allow at least 2-4 weeks to recuperate before returning to work.

Some scarring is also normal. It often takes 9-12 months before the scars begin to fade.

Though the recovery period is longer than that of other cosmetic procedures, the rewards are great for a patient undergoing a tummy tuck. Those who follow a proper exercise routine and healthy diet will benefit from abdominoplasty the most.

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About the Author:
Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery and offers a plastic surgeon locator. Find plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills that offer this plastic surgery procedure.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/abdominoplasty-tummy-tuck-surgery-229990.html

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction Surgery?

Men and women who have diligently tried diet and exercise to reduce their size, and who have been frustrated time and again because they cannot achieve their ideal size and figure, are good candidates for liposuction. Often, these are people who have gained disproportionably large amounts of weight and fat due to pregnancy, or prescribed drugs such as hormone replacement therapies or cortisone. Also, those who have stubborn areas of localized fat such as "saddlebags," "thunder thighs," "love handles," and "double chins" are good candidates. These are areas of the body that, for genetic reasons, are resistant to exercise and dieting. Patients complain that, rather than losing weight from these problem areas, they lose it in their face, in their breasts and in parts of their bodies that they are happy with. This, in turn, makes them feel as if they appear prematurely older.

As a general rule, the best candidates for liposuction are those who have maintained a stable weight for at least six months, whatever their size.

How do I know that I have enough fat to be liposuctioned?

Pinch an Inch! If you can get an inch or more of tissue between your thumb and index when you pinch an area of your body, that means that you have enough fat there to be liposuctioned. This is only an approximation, since the thickness of skin and subcutaneous fat varies through out the body. The rule of pinch an inch applies mostly to the trunk and extremities.

What Is the Difference Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?

Basically, liposuction is designed to remove excess fat from beneath the skin. Abdominoplasty, or a "tummy tuck," is designed to remove excess skin and to tighten the abdominal wall and skin. While liposuction can significantly reduce the clothing size in a person who is generally obese, a tummy tuck may not change clothing size at all. On the other hand, a person who has lost much weight and has loose, hanging skin that makes everyday tasks and wearing clothing difficult, a tummy tuck is more effective.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction is not a "quick fix" that you can undergo repeatedly as a way of "keeping in shape." Also, liposuction is not a solution for correcting unstable or traumatic situations in your life such as serious diseases, unhappy marriages or mental illness. Liposuction cannot make people fall in love with you, or save your marriage!

Can I Undergo Liposuction If I Have Diabetes, or Other Chronic Conditions?
Men and women who have chronic health conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis can still undergo liposuction provided that their conditions have been successfully optimized by their physician. Even as the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure, liposuction is still major surgery, and must be treated as such in all cases. A responsible plastic surgeon will perform blood tests, and take a comprehensive medical history to assure that all risks of surgery are minimized.

About the Author:
Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery. Learn more about liposuction at BeautifulSelf.com or LookingYourBest.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/are-you-a-candidate-for-liposuction-surgery-232220.html

Body Re-Sculpturing- Tummy Tucks

Plastic surgery is a surgical reconstruction that rectifies and remolding or reshaping of the appearance in the face and body tissues due to any defects or disease. To reduce scarring, disfigurement and improve appearance this method is in use; Plastic surgery is a therapeutic and a cosmetic reformation of tissues.

It has derived its origin from the Greek word plastikos, which means to shape or to mould.
The main goal of Plastic surgeons is to improve patients' appearance, self-image, personality, and confidence through both the type of plastic surgery namely. Reconstructive and Cosmetic procedures.
In Reconstructive procedure involves correction of the defects on the face or on the body. These includes all kind of birth defects like cleft palates, lips, any other deformities, traumatic injuries or the marks which get retained after a disease treatments.

Aesthetic or Cosmetic procedures involve alteration of a part of the body that the person wishes to change. The Common procedures include breast enlargement, reduction, or reshaping. Correcting the shape of the nose, removing excess fat from specific areas in the body is also part of aesthetic surgery. Few cosmetic surgeries do not involve a surgical procedure. It is only an outpatient treatment, which involves cutting and stitching. Removal of unwanted hair and sanding skin to remove scars are classic example for this outpatient cosmetic surgery.

Where was the beginning?

It all started in ancient India by the great surgeon susrutha in 8th century BC. Skin grafting was the first cosmetic surgery to happen. In his work Sushruta Samhita description about rhinoplasty and otoplasty were done. Then the romans were able to perform similar technique of repairing damaged ears. In mid-15th century Europian surgeon Heinrich von Pfolspeundt made a new nose by removing the skin from the back for one who entirely had no nose. In 1827, Dr. John Peter Mettauer was the first American surgeon who performed the first cleft palate operation. Then comes the New Zealander Sir Harold Gillies and then Archibald McIndoe, who were pioneers in the treatment of those suffering from severe fire burns.

The different type of plastic surgery include: abdominoplasty or tummy tucks, abdominal etching, augmentation mammaplasty or breast enlargement, labiaplasty, buttock augmentation or butt implantation, otoplasty or ear surgery, removal of scars, acne, blepharoplasty, mastopexy or breast lift, rhinoplasty or nose reshaping, rhytidectomy or face lift, chin augmentation and mesotherapy or liposuction.

About the Author:
Keith Londrie II is a successful Webmaster and publisher of tummy-tucks-info.info A website that specializes in providing information about tummy tucks information about tummy tucks that you can research on the internet in your pajamas from the comfort of your own home. Visit Tummy Tucks Today!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/body-resculpturing-tummy-tucks-56122.html

Facelift Surgery Information

A faceliftis also known as ‘rhytidectomy,’ which means ‘wrinkle excision.’ Today, the term ‘facelift’ is use to describe a number of procedures which are designed to rejuvenate the aging face and neck. Facelift surgery is particularly effective for the treatment of the anterior neck and the jawline, tightening loose skin and muscle under the chin, and improving jowls. The midface (cheek area) may also be improved, ameliorating deeper wrinkles and ‘smile lines.’
In order to minimize the visibility of postoperative scars, most effective techniques use incisions within the hair-bearing scalp and around the ear (see diagram) to remove loose and excess skin. Deeper tissues are also tightened through these same incisions, enhancing the result and its duration.
In order to produce a more balanced and complete result, facelift surgery may be combined with other procedures including browlift, eyelid surgery and liposuction under the chin, depending on the unique needs of each patient. Alternatively, the patient and surgeon may elect to ‘stage’ these procedures, performing the procedures on different dates in sequential fashion. Facelift surgery is most often performed under a general anesthesia, and typically lasts several hours. After the surgery, an overnight stay is recommended for some patients. Pain and discomfort following the surgery are typically controlled with oral pain medication, and are not severe. Most patients resume their normal household activities within one or two days. Stitches are removed about one week following surgery, and within two weeks most patients can return to work. Most bruising and swelling resolves within 10-14 days, though in minor swelling may persist longer, depending on the patient and the nature of the surgery performed.
Browlift surgery, also called ‘forehead lift,’ is designed to elevate drooping eyebrows, and ameliorate wrinkles in between the eyebrows (‘frown lines’), in the forehead, and around the eyes (‘crow’s feet’). A variety of techniques may be used, depending on the needs of the patient. Most techniques use incisions that are placed at or behind the hairline, so as to minimize the appearance of postoperative scars. ‘Endoscopic’ or minimal access surgery can sometimes be used to avoid the scars of more conventional techniques.

About the Author:
Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com - an online resource for anyone considering plastic surgery. Find a local plastic surgeon that offers facelift surgery like Dr. Rudkin

Liposuction Surgery

Day by day liposuction holds more adepts, although during the first ten or fifteen years it wasn't really appealing for most. Improvements in anesthesia and new techniques to absorb body fat are the reasons of liposuction current popularity.

People that seek weight loss usually resort to eliminating all fat from their diet. This kind of people want to lose weight all over their bodies. For other people the most important is to remove only the excess fat that has built-up within specific parts of their bodies. They remain unconcerned about total body fat. This fat removal from specific body regions is called liposuction. Doctors do not generally recommend using liposuction for weight loss. It is a tool to sculpt the body. Liposuction targets fat in specific areas.

Liposuction held slight appeal to the average overweight individual during the first ten to fifteen years of its use. Few patients gave thought to using it for weight loss and it remained exclusively a cosmetic procedure. General anesthesia was required and it was a big drawback.

However, the introduction of the tumescent technique has transformed the public view of liposuction within the past 18 to 19 years. Doctors have emphasized the ability of the patient to resume everyday activities within hours of undergoing the procedure. Most of them are plastic surgeons and they are hoped to get more patients eager to get benefit from body sculpting.

During the liposuction procedure, the physician reaches into the fatty tissue with a long tube called a cannula. Usually, during a liposuction, a number of different cannulae are used. The cannula is conected to a vacuum, and the vacuum makes some of the fat get into the cannula. If the physician becomes hasty about the fat removal process, then areas of the fat can become stiff and rigid.

Localized numbing has removed the need for a general anesthesia. Now, thanks to the tumescent technique, patients feel more at ease during the liposuction, therefore some patients have looked-at liposuction as an added weight-loss procedure.

When doctors first started performing liposuctions, they had to apply general anesthesia to the patients in order to avoid the great pain produced by the insertion of the cannula. However, after the appearance of the tumescent technique, a solution with a numbing agent included, and a well-diluted sedative, is injected into the spot where the patient wants fat removed. With this technique the anesthesia takes place over a limited area of fatty tissue.

Unfortunately, sometimes the patients suffered terrible consequences, due to improper use of the liposuction tools. Some doctors, even knowing that liposuction was not designed to be used as a method for weight loss, still complied with patient's requests.

One of the dangers of liposuction still remains and unfortunately, most patients fail to realize that. The patient must continue to rely on the physician to insert each cannula slowly and with care. If the physician tries to “poke around” in the fatty tissue, the tissue is prone to become scarred. A scar in fatty tissue is as hard and ugly as a scar on the skin. Such scarring has the ability to counteract the development of a beautiful outcome, as expected from a procedure that calls for body sculpting.

SOURCE: Romow.com

Do Exercises Really Work?

In today’s world, penis enlargement is a special issue. Speaking about penis enlargement, the honest traders of this industry have pushed forward with their products and services, buried underneath emails promising the most likely results, plagued by dishonest and obscured by myths and hearsay. Because of that dubiousness, men prefer to turn away and say that penis enlargement does not work. This happens most of the time, even though they have no idea whether it is true or not. If one is not really interested in the issue or afraid of the truth, hearsay is just as good as sound, hands-on information.

Actually, penis exercises have been around in one form or other for a very long time. The women of the Paduang tribe use metal rings to lengthen their necks, while the people from other tribes hang weights from their lips or ear lobes in order to reach their own standards of beauty. Primitive tribes are still using weights, various objects and exercises to force parts of the human body to change size and achieve a new look.

Chinese women of high birth had their feet shrunk in order to fit the local ideal of a sexy look. But still, many people are keen to dismiss penis exercises as myths even though they are not familiar with the facts.

Since we know that penis enlargement was not ignored, various enlargement techniques have been reported, especially among the nomad Arabic tribes. Body enhancement techniques performed by males were always tied to the position of the person in question within the tribe or with the manhood initiation rites. It seems that men strarted to know that the human body can be modified using exercises or devices. They used weights for a long period of time as the only traction device. At that time, stretching the penis using one’s hands was just as good as any device.

The adaptability of the human body in response to external stimuli becomes the basic principle behind body enhancement. As everybody knows, the size of the muscles that have to sustain the effort will be increased by performing the extra physical effort put into working out at the gym. Therefore, repeated exercises focused on the penis will force the body to start multiplying the cells that make up the penis tissues. Those exercises, like the ones offered by Penis Health, will increase the penis in length and girth and lead your penis to have an impressive look.

The Jelq is the best known penis enlargement exercises, which is designed to enlarge the penis using milking movements in order to increase the blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa is the sponge-like tissue of the penis. the flaccid and erect sizes of the penis will be increased and the tissues will be forced to expand. This is caused by the increased blood flow. A study of penis enlargement has been conducted in the 1070s. Dr. Brian Richards, who has conducted the study, found that jelq helped almost 90 percent of patients increase the size of their penis. Even though the gains ranged in size, the study proved that the size of the penis can increase.

You don’t have to take anything, including your penis size, on faith. Just browse the Mens Network forum and discuss gains with the registered users. You may also browse the Penis Health site and read through the signed testimonials and opinions culled from forum posts.

Penis Health in one of the best penis exercises programs around. By using the exercises developed by the people at Penis Health, hundreds of costumers have successfully enlarged their penises. Customers are satisfied with the program and excited about the results. We think it is better for a man's confidence to have an extra inch or two on his penis.

Common sense and evidence point to the fact that penis enlargement exercises do work, even though the rabid skepticism of those cannot be bothered to check the facts.

Our program exercises have pleasantly surprised many skeptics, so why not give it a go? No man who could use an extra inch or two in length or girth should write them off until he's actually tried them. Why don’t you try it? There's nothing to lose and a whole world of sexual pleasure and self-respect to gain.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-exercises-really-work-206031.html

About the Author:
steven is a published author and knows his stuff concerning "penis enlargement" If you would like to learn about penis enlargement exercises, visit: http://www.buypenisenlargement.com