January 12th, 2009 Kenneth M. Rose MD
Besides the obvious, what’ s the difference?
Saline implants are made with a silicone shell and are filled with salt water. Silicone implants have a silicone shell and a “cohesive gel” interior. As far as the FDA is concerned, they are the same in terms of complications. You can expect to get the same problems with both namely, infection, scarring, bleeding and eventual rupture. Almost anyone will tell you that the gels feel better to the touch. However, no matter which one you choose, 35% will have something fixed within five years after implantation.
You should also be aware that breast implants DO NOT last forever. Your surgeon should tell you this during your consultation. Either the saline or gel implants will normally last five to ten years. My own personal experience is that implants will last eight to twelve years. So if you have a breast augmentation, expect to have more than one surgery in your lifetime to upgrade/replace the prosthesis.
Here is an informative article from the Mayo Clinic that answers a lot of questions. I hope it helps.
Posted in breast augmentation | 1 Comment »
November 26th, 2008 Kenneth M. Rose MD
This article from England’s Daily Telegraph, shows you that women are frequently under a lot pressure from their significant others to change the way they look. This, I find, is especially true for breast augmentations. It’s one of the few operations where the partner, who’s not getting the procedure, frequently does most of the talking. After all, you never see the husband come in with their wives for a facelift and say, “Pull Hard Doc, real hard.”
As a surgeon it is important to make sure the person getting the surgery really wants it. It’s OK to have the partner’s input, but whoever goes under the knife should be completely onboard. Breast augmentation is still surgery and like any procedure, make sure it’s what you, and nobody else, really want.
Posted in breast augmentation | 3 Comments »
September 6th, 2008 Kenneth M. Rose MD
This article in the Los Angeles Times illustrates an interesting point. We all have seen, whether on TV or on the street, terrible facelifts and the like. Yes, some is just terrible surgery. It doesn’t necessarily mean the surgeon is bad, there may have been a complication or maybe the surgeon just had a bad day. (Everyone gets those and surgeons, unfortunately are not exempt.) However another possibility is the patient wanted to look like that.
I have many patients who come to the office and demand, “I want my breasts really big and really fake looking.” Although you might find this a little unbelievable, it happens all the time. Few people ever consider that some patients, and celebrities in particular, crave attention. An outlandish breast augmentation is one way to get it. In my practice, celebrities definitely make the most extreme requests.
So next time you see “bad plastic surgery” don’t be so quick to judge. Maybe that’s just what the patient wanted.
Posted in Bad Plastic Surgery, Facelift, breast augmentation | 1 Comment »
August 26th, 2008 Kenneth M. Rose MD
This article concerning facelift and smokers that was recently in the New York Times is extremely important for those considering a facelift. I know many surgeons who will turn down a potential facelift patient if he finds out that he or she is even an occasional smoker.The same can be said other cosmetic procedures such as tummy tucks . Smokers normally function using less oxygen in the blood than non-smokers. Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen which is a crucial part of the healing process therefore terrible scarring can result. This video From CNN, Smoking and Plastic Surgery, show what happened to a liposucrion, breast augmentation patient. patient. Something many patients fail to consider is that cessation of smoking is just as important after the surgery is over. Although surgery can be stressful for many people, reaching for a cigarette to calm your nerves (even weeks after the procedure) will ruin your esults. So once you quit, you must quit for good.
As a patient, being less than truthful about your smoking history, sneaking a cigarette either before or after the surgery (even one) can have disastrous results. The best thing about having a facelift and being a smoker is that it can potentially prolong your life. In order to have the procedure you will need to quit for a least a year (no cheating!). Hopefully that will be the end of your smoking habit. A younger look and a longer life will be yours!
Posted in Facelift, Liposuction, Smoking and Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tuck, breast augmentation | 1 Comment »