Do You Know The Risks Associated With Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery is undertaken in two cases:

- Breast augmentation

- Breast reconstruction

Breast Augmentation:-

Breast surgery for breast augmentation involves making a single incision in or near the breast and inserting the implant either between the breast and the chest muscle (sub-glandular placement) or behind the chest muscle (sub-muscular placement).

A second incision can be made in the natural crease under the breast, called the infra-mammary crease approach.

A third approach is to make the incision at the junction of the coloured part around the nipple(areola), and the natural skin, called the peri-areolar approach.

Each of these approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. Which one is utilized on a patient is totally dependent on her natural anatomy, her preferences and what the doctor advises.
Breast augmentations use saline-filled implants because of their safety and natural look.
Post surgical swelling, pain and discomfort is normal. Most women return to work in about ten - twelve days after surgery.

Breast Reconstruction:-

One of the most valuable surgical procedures used today is breast reconstruction. This is a surgical procedure to bring back the appearance of a breast for women who have had a breast removed (mastectomy) to treat breast cancer. The surgery rebuilds the breast contour and, if desired, the nipple and areola.

Although the reconstructed breast will not have natural sensation, the surgery can give a great result that looks like a breast.

One has the choice of immediate or delayed reconstruction after a surgery.

- Immediate reconstruction or the one stage process involves placing a breast implant directly after mastectomy. Few women are able to go through a one-stage process -- having the implant placed at the time of the mastectomy. In autologous tissue reconstruction, the doctor transfers a section of skin, muscle, fat and blood vessels from one part of the body to the chest to create a new breast mound. The skin and tissue need to be augmented with a breast implant to achieve the desired breast size.

- Delayed reconstruction: It involves placement of a tissue expander that is eventually replaced by an implant.

Reconstructive breast surgery does not interfere with future treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or detection of recurrent breast cancer. It also does not increase the risk of recurrence of the breast cancer.

Recovery time is usually six to eight weeks. Risks of bleeding or infection are possible. It may take as long as 1 to 2 years for tissues to completely heal and for scars to fade, but the scars never go away entirely.

Lumpectomy -

Lumpectomy is a surgical treatment method for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This is breast-conserving surgery since the surgeon removes only that part of your breast that contains the tumour (the "lump") and some of the normal marginal tissue that surrounds it. If cancer cells are found in the margins, additional surgery (called re-excision) is required. Most women receive five to seven weeks of radiation therapy after lumpectomy, in order to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

The combination of lumpectomy and radiation is called breast-conservation therapy.

Lumpectomy is a breakthrough surgical procedure for early stage breast cancer with around 50% of women suitable. The location, size, and type of tumour are of importance when considering breast cancer surgery options. Experts agree that since survival rates are equivalent to masectomy, lumpectomy followed by radiation is the preferable treatment for most women with early-stage cancer. For women who have had lumpectomy with clear margins, followed by radiation, the average risk of non-recurrence is between 85-90 percent.

Post surgery precautions:-

- Do not lift anything heavy. Restrain doing repetitive movements (like ironing or vacuuming) with the affected side for at least 4-6 weeks.

- Do not swim or play sports until your scar has healed - about 4-6 weeks.

- Women should wear a well-fitting support bra both day and night for approximately one week after surgery.

- Protect your hand and arm from infection.

- Keep the fluids moving in your operated arm. Do not wear tight sleeves, bracelets, wristwatches or rings on that arm.

- Do exercises to stop swelling and improve circulation. For instance, try squeezing a rubber ball with your hand for a few minutes a day.

Risks associated with lumpectomy:-

- There is usually a loss of sensation in the breast, depending on the size of the lump removed. Some or most of this ability to feel gradually returns.

- After surgery, both the breasts may mismatch in size and shape.

- Seroma - a collection of fluid under the arm occurring about five days after surgery. It is likely to go way in a few weeks or else needs to be drained by doctor.

Risks associated with breast surgery -

Any surgery involves a certain amount of risk and it is important that the patient understands the underlying risks, before she takes a decision on it.

Complications vary from person to person and every patient experiences her own individual risks, but still the patient should have complete idea about the possible outcomes.

An overview of the possible risks:-

A. Capsular contracture - occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This can cause the breast to feel hard. Additional surgery may be required to remove the scar tissue. In some instances, the breast implant may need to be replaced.

B. Infection

C. Difficulty in mammography

D. In many cases, nipples become oversensitive or even numb.

E. Leak or rupture of the implant

F. Hematoma (collection of blood), and seroma (collection of fluid) within the tissue leading to capsular contracture and infection.

G. Wrinkling and rippling of the implant

Read more about Natural Breast Enhancement and other breast care issues at http://www.mysecrethealth.com

Also read more about the Benefits of Natural Breast Enlargement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_John_Anne

- Leon Edward is blog owner and runs CosmeticSurgeryIT.com - Cosmetic Surgery Information. Considering facial plastic surgery ? Eye or face lift, skin cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty, chin or cheek implants - our cosmetic surgery information online will help you decide if you are a good candidate , find dr or surgeons and ask the right questions... Learn about breast augmentations, tummy tucks and liposuction. Understand how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after the surgery with our frequent asked questions section.visit http://www.cosmeticsurgeryit.com/

Cosmetic Facial Injectables - Making Sense of the Options

Botox, Artecoll, Juvaderm, Restylane - the list goes on an on. We've all heard of them but many people considering a cosmetic procedure don't fully understand the basics of these products. In recent years, minimally invasive procedures have become increasingly popular within the fields of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medicine. Most popular amongst these non-surgical treatments are cosmetic facial injectables.

Cosmetic injectables can be classified as filling agents and relaxing agents, both of which are generally used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, creases, or furrows.

Filling agents ("fillers") include Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse, and Artecoll and work by injection of a volume of these gel-like products under or within a targeted skin region such as a wrinkle, literally filling it in and making it less noticeable. Most fillers provide a result that lasts for a year or two while Artecoll may be permanent. The duration that the filler lasts however,

should not be the only consideration in choosing a filler product and your doctor will take into account several factors such as the location of the wrinkle, skin quality, and physician preference when advising you on which filler will work best.

To date the most popular relaxing agent is Botox which has become nothing short of a cultural icon. Some wrinkles are the direct result of the muscle just below the skin being in a constant state of involuntary tension which causes the overlying skin to wrinkle. Botox causes these wrinkle-inducing muscles to relax thereby causing a corresponding relaxation and smoothing of the wrinkles in the skin. The results generally last about five or six months.

When it comes to fillers and relaxing agents, the choice of which product to use is based on which area of the face is being treated. In general, the upper third of the face, including the horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, the furrows between the eyebrows, and the "crow's feet" lines that are found at the outside corners of the eyes are best treated using Botox. Fillers do not provide as dramatic a result in these areas. Conversely, the nasolabial folds (the creases on the cheeks running from the nostril to the corner of the mouth) and the "marionette lines" (the creases running from the corner of the mouth down the side of the chin) are best treated with filler products. Cosmetic facial injectables truly have revolutionized aesthetic medicine and anti-aging therapy. When used properly and judiciously, these products work great with very minimal risks and essentially no downtime.

Dr. Backstein can be contacted for further inquiries at: http://www.cosmeticsurgerytoronto.com


Cosmetic Surgery Information. Considering facial plastic surgery ? Eye or face lift, skin cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty, chin or cheek implants - our cosmetic surgery information online will help you decide if you are a good candidate , find dr or surgeons and ask the right questions... Learn about breast augmentations, tummy tucks and liposuction. Understand how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after the surgery with our frequent asked questions section.visit http://www.cosmeticsurgeryit.com/

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction - Which Cosmetic Surgery Is Right For Me?

A common misconception amongst patients considering cosmetic surgery of the abdominal area is that the choice exists to have either a tummy tuck or liposuction and that either of these two procedures will produce similar results. In most cases, a patient is a far better candidate for either a tummy tuck or liposuction and the procedures are not interchangeable.

The decision as to which plastic surgery procedure is best must be made in conjunction with a qualified plastic surgeon but the following is a general guideline:

Typically, patients whose abdominal area has loose excess skin, or significant stretch marks will need a tummy tuck and will not benefit from liposuction alone. This is because liposuction is a procedure that only removes
fat. Skin is esentially unaffected. Therefore if there is substantial loose skin or stretch marks to start with,
liposuction will not remove any of the extra skin or any of the stretch mark-bearing skin. Furthermore,
liposuction in these circumstances can actually worsen the problem by removing the "foundation" on which
the skin rests, i.e. the underlying fat thereby leaving even looser skin than the patient started with.

Liposuction to the abdominal area is more appropriate in cases of younger patients with firm, taut
abdominal skin whose main problem is extra fat. In these cases, skin reliably shrinks over the liposucked
area and a great cosmetic result can be obtained. Remember that this is only a guideline. The ultimate
decision as to which procedure(s) is best for you should be made during a private consultation with a
qualified surgeon.

Who is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck can benefit individuals with the following features of the abdominal area:

(1) excessive, loose, sagging skin

(2) stretch marks, such as after pregnancy

(3) excess fat on the abdomen

(4) a rounded tummy that would benefit from flattening

How is a Tummy Tuck Done?

A tummy tuck involves multiple surgical steps, each designed to enhance the cosmetic appearance and
feel of your abdominal area.
The tummy tuck starts by making an incision low down on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein places this
incision as low down as possible so that it is generally not detectable in a bathing suit or a bikini.
Depending on your body structure, fully hiding the incision scar may not be feasible.
Following the initial incision, a tummy tuck will involve plication (firm tightening) of the muscle layer,
excision and removal of as much excess skin and fat as possible, and placement of the umbilicus (belly
button) into an anatomically pleasing location on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein includes liposuction of
the upper abdominal area and love handles as part of the tummy tuck procedure.

Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery Scars.

There are two scars that are left by a tummy tuck. These are a horizontal scar placed low down above the
pubic area and a circular scar carefully placed around the belly button.
Both of these scars are absolutely needed if a tummy tuck is to be done properly and effectively. Any
procedure that attempts to avoid these scars will always compromise the result of the surgery in terms of
tightening, flattening, and overall abdominal beauty.
Scars in general are dynamic. This means that scars go through phases during which the visibility of the
scar changes from more to less. During the first two months after a tummy tuck or liposuction, scars will
usually have a certain amount of redness to them. This is called the inflammatory phase of wound healing.

Following this, for up to a full year, the scars will fade more and more.
It is important to note that healing of surgical incisions is very much an individual trait much like hair colour
or skin tone. People will heal incisions and form scars differently even when undergoing the exact same
surgery done by the same surgeon. As a rule, patients are so thrilled and excited by the dramatic
flattening of their abdomens and the psychological lift that this provides that tummy tuck scars are quickly
overlooked and ignored.

Tummy Tuck Recovery.

How Much Pain Will I Have?

Following a tummy tuck, patients describe a major feeling of tightness around the abdomen. The
discomfort is described as an intense muscle ache similar to the feeling after an aggressive abdominal
workout. Dr. Backstein feels that the best tummy tucks will cause a certain amount of post operative
discomfort. This is related to the extent of tightening that the surgeon has achieved. If a tummy tuck
doesn't hurt at all, the abdomen was likely not tightened adequately.
Swelling and bruising is always seen after a tummy tuck or liposuction. Dr. Backstein always provides
supplemental liposuction to the upper abdominal area and love handles and bruising will be seen in these
areas.

Do I Need To Stay Overnight?

Most patients are able to leave the hospital on the evening of the surgical day. Arrangements can always
be made for patients to stay overnight if so desired. Although straining, heavy lifting and bending should
be avoided, tummy tuck patients must start minimal walking and leg exercises the day of the surgery. Lying
in bed for hours at a time is dangerous and must be avoided to minimize the risk of blood clots. When
going to sleep, a couple of pillows under the knees and behind the head will act to ease the tension on the
surgical incision and will help relieve discomfort.

When Can I Return To Work?

Patients with jobs that require significant physical activity including bending, lifting, or quick movement will
need about 4 weeks off before being able to return to full duties comfortably.
Those patients with jobs not demanding physical activity can return to work after 2 weeks.

When Can I Work Out?

Light work outs involving exercises that do not strain the surgical incision or the abdominal muscles can
begin at 2-3 weeks. This includes brisk walking or stationary bike riding.
Heavier work outs including abdominal crunches, sit-ups and running should not be attempted for about 1
month.

Do I Need to Wear a Special Garment?

Yes, tummy tuck patients should wear a compressive corset provided by Dr. Backstein for the first 3-4
weeks post plastic surgery.

Complications Associated with Tummy Tucks.

Significant complications following a tummy tuck are rare. This is very much related to the fact that a
tummy tuck is a superficial cosmetic surgery focusing on the skin and fat and upper muscle layers and not involving
major or vital organs.
All potential tummy tuck complications will be reviewed with you in detail by Dr. Backstein during your initial
consultation. These include:

anesthesia side effects and complications

infections

post-operative bleeding

incision separation

blood clots

slow healing areas

Tummy Tuck: The Only Cure For Stretch Marks.

One thing is abundantly clear about stretch marks and that is that absolutely no cream or topical
ointments exist to remove them. Stretch marks are scars that occur within the substance of the skin when it
is exposed to excessive stretching or shearing force. The abdominal area develops stretch marks during
pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin by the growing fetus in the womb.

Just as no cream exists to erase scars on the skin, none exists to eliminate stretch marks either although
there are many products on the market that claim to do so.
A tummy tuck will remove about 90% of stretch marks from the abdominal wall. As a rule of thumb, all the
stretch marks below the level of the belly button will be removed with the large piece of skin and fat that is
discarded during the tummy tuck surgery. Moreover, the stretch marks that are above the belly button get
pulled far down on the abdomen, just above the pubic area as part of the tummy tuck procedure. This
means that about 90% of your stretch marks are removed completely and the rest shift to a much less
visible area. It truly is fair to say that tummy tuck surgery is the only cure for abdominal stretch marks.

The Effects of Pregnancy On Tummy Tuck Surgery.

It is all too clear that pregnancy induces unwanted changes in the abdominal area that often lead people
to seeking surgical improvement. These pregnancy-induced changes include general weight gain,
looseness and laxity of abdominal skin, and of course, stretch marks.

A tummy tuck operation is the very best surgical procedure to dramatically improve all of the above
mentioned changes of the abdominal region. Unfortunately, much of the improvement achieved through a
tummy tuck can, at least in part, be diminished by the effects of subsequent pregnancy. It is important to
remember that our bodies are dynamic and constantly changing. The beneficial effects of tummy tuck
surgery are not "carved in stone", but need to be maintained. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck will lead to
generalized weight gain, and stretching and distension of the abdominal wall as the baby grows in the
womb. This will cause some degree of skin laxity and stretch marks similar to that present prior to the
tummy tuck surgery. Your tummy area will,however, still look better than it would have had you never
undergone tummy tuck surgery.

Exercise and Diet: Maintaining The Results of Your Cosmetic Surgery.

The human body is dynamic and always in a state of change. No surgical procedure exists to reshape,
recontour or tighten a body region that is absolutely permanent. The results of a tummy tuck and
liposuction need to be maintained. A healthy lifestyle must be followed after surgery to maintain the
dramatic flattening and tightness of the abdominal region that a tummy tuck or liposuction provides. Poor
diet and sedentary lifestyle will, over time cause weight gain and skin stretching after tummy tuck surgery.
Happily, the vast majority of patients find that after a tummy tuck or liposuction, they feel so good both
mentally and physically that excercise and healthy eating become a welcome part of their post surgical
lifestyle.

Dr. Robert Backstein, Cosmetic Surgeon Toronto Ontario
Website: http://www.cosmeticsurgerytoronto.com

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- Cosmetic Surgery Information. Considering facial plastic surgery ? Eye or face lift, skin cosmetic surgery, rhinoplasty, chin or cheek implants - our cosmetic surgery information online will help you decide if you are a good candidate , find dr or surgeons and ask the right questions... Learn about breast augmentations, tummy tucks and liposuction. Understand how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after the surgery with our frequent asked questions section.visit http://www.cosmeticsurgeryit.com/