Implant News

Want Bouncier, Softer Breast Implants?

A lot of women with breast implants like them, however the usual common complaint is that they sometimes feel hard, and not too natural.  This is because breast implants can feel different at different times, depending on how cold the person is and how tense their muscles are contracting around the implants, or conversely, how warm they are.  The warmer you are usually, the softer your implants will feel.

They can be different with the day, with them feeling really hard one day and really soft the next, and most women really want them to feel a lot softer and “bouncier” to mimic real breast tissue better.  Sure, they can look fabulous, but now women are really looking to also get a great feel from them as well, a better “drop” look, and more bounce and softness.  They also happen to look a little better when they are in a softer state. Most women SHOULD be instructed to massage their breasts daily when they have breast implants.

If you fail to do this, this can contribute to them hardening. In fact, just one day with no massage at all can yield a slightly harder feeling breast.  Also, massaging them, which involves kind of pushing them together for at least 30 seconds at a time, makes them have more cleavage, because it prevents them from spreading too far apart, so it gives them more softness and bounce, while also increasing how naturally they can press together and give you cleavage.

If your doctor did not instruct you of this importance, then he or she really should have, because daily breast massage is important in maintaining them and helping to prevent scar tissue from forming and contributing to the painful issue called capsular contrapture, where scar tissue encases the breast implant and it becomes very hard feeling. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and at it’s worst, it can involve the necessity to remove the implant.

Of course, women with implants who want more bounce and softness can also try any number of natural breast implant alternative options, which is actually quite common for women with implants who want to add more natural tissue to their breasts over their implants.  This way, they have the implant still giving them that initial bump in size which is usually quite substantial, and of course instant, and they also have the potential of adding to their already existing breast tissue that is layered on top of their breasts.

Big Brother’s Jordan : Breast Implants?

I always write about the show Big Brother and it’s female star’s breasts, well, more specifically, their usually enhanced assets, so this year is no exception. I’m a big fan of the show Big Brother, and this season was no exception.  Jordan, the bubbly innocent blond from the south with the irresistably adorable southern drawl, took the $500k prize this time, promising to put a down payment on a new home for her mom and family since they had lost their home recently.

She played under the radar until the last few contests, and then showed her competitive side by winning a few of the competitions and going up against Natalie, who was not as popular a contestant as Kevin, which ended up being a smart move since she took I think all but two of the final two votes and ran with the money pretty quickly.  I couldn’t help but notice the hurt look on Natalie’s face as two of her former allies voted for Jordan instead of her. I guess that someone really turned the jury house against her, because that sort of stuff rarely happens on Big Brother, and I don’t think that her attitude and king’s blow up crown and staff helped her any when she was head of household and acting cocky.

I think it also didn’t help that she was exposed for her lie that she was eighteen years old and she was really 24 years old.  Somehow I think her strategies all backfired on her because she simply wasn’t that likeable of identifiable to a lot of people, and that always helps you win the money in the Big Brother house.  Too many lies gets you nowhere whereas the right amount of lies can win you the money. And by the way, why don’t they finally increase the 500k to a million?

Anyways, Jordan was notorious for flashing her boobies around the Big Brother cameras, I even saw a still shot of it online, and they looked better in clothes.  My boyfriend told me that she got a boob job, by some of the conversations he heard in the house, and what he read online, which surprised me because I though her breasts were real since she’s kind of a curvy girl to begin with.  But Jordan’s breasts are implants, and seeing the picture of her topless pretty much confirmed it.  She’s still adorable in my book, and very likeable!

Breast Implants as Tax Deductions

Although some women may not know it, even the ones who are in the position to take advantage of Uncle Sam’s tax breaks for those that have been surgically altered for cosmetic purposes, there are certain professions that the US government allows women to use their breast implant surgery as a tax writeoff at the end of the tax year.  I remember vaguely hearing about this benefit years ago when breast implants became uber popular, but then it felt like it was sort of a rumor, as this was before the internet and it’s vast array of information were so big.

However, even though this was rumor, there was only one known case where a stripper successfully sued the IRS to get her breast implant tax deduction to go through. The stripper, who went by the stage name “Chesty Love” sued the IRS for denying her tax benefit claim for her breast implants back in 1994.  She actually won the case, with the tax judge citing the fact that the breast implants could be considered a “stage prop” to help enhance her tips and performance as a stripper, which was vital to her livelihood. 

However, this doesn’t mean that everyone could win this.  You should always consult your tax professional before making tax claims for deductions for anything like this to make sure it’s on the up and up and won’t cost you tons of money in legal fees and headaches down the line when the IRS audits you or refutes your claim to a tax deduction for something as hard to prove it’s benefit as a breast enlargement surgery. 

It basically has to be proven that the surgery had a direct impact on your livelihood, and then again that would also be subject to the opinion of whatever judge was relegated to your case.  These tax laws are tricky, and they’ll nail ya if you don’t get the right advice from a tax professional who knows their stuff.

Hansen Sues Plastic Surgeon Over Breast Implant Photos

A beautiful blond, skinny model who models frequently for Maxim magazine named Monica Hansen, is suing her plastic surgeon, claiming that he used photos of her breast implant work that he had performed on his website to help promote his business.  I’m assuming that this has merit and she did not sign off on an agreement to have her pictures posted, or else she would have no basis for litigation, but that information wasn’t to be found in what I read.  The model has gained somewhat of a notoriety by being one of Maxim’s models, what that means, I’m not really sure.

I saw a picture of her and she is beautiful.  Her breasts weren’t overdone either, so much credit to her and her plastic surgeon for doing a tasteful and believable job on them instead of something that looks like it should be on the pages of Jugs magazine, or something that looks like large balloons that are ready to pop, ala porn star breasts.

The model was actually crowned as Ms. Norway, but apparently did not go on to compete in the Trump-backed Miss Universe pageant.  Monica Hansen is quite a tall stunner, clocking in at just over six feet tall.  We’ll see where this lawsuit goes, apparently the doctor used her photos quite extensively throughout his website. I wonder how they thought this was ok if they did not get some sort of release?  I’m sure there’s more to the story, we’ll see….

Speaking of suing, I guess that JLo and Marc Anthony were suing a baby carriage company over using their images to promote their product.  I had not heard whether they were keeping up with this lawsuit or not after getting heat for just being plain old divas about it.  If anyone knows anything about that one, let me know…

New Silicone Implant Alternative Trials Announced

Someone forwarded this to me from the company that is releasing this new information soon on a new breast implant that very well may replace the current silicone implant, if the trials go well.  Since a lot of women are looking for alternatives that are softer, more natural looking and less likely to cause issues like hardening, this may be the answer – the trial will tell!  I’ve pasted in the press release following – enjoy!

NEW BREAST IMPLANT DESIGNED AS ALTERNATIVE TO SILICONE GEL

FDA Clinical Trial Announced for IDEAL IMPLANT

DALLAS – At a time when breast augmentation tops the list for U.S. cosmetic surgical procedures, women are still left choosing between either the safety of saline or the natural result of silicone gel. Plastic surgeons are now looking to offer the best features of both in the revolutionary new technology of the IDEAL IMPLANT® Saline-filled Breast Implant. A clinical trial is launching this month in select markets nationwide, giving some women the opportunity to be among the first to have this new implant.

The first major new breast implant technology in over 20 years, the IDEAL IMPLANT is designed to offer the natural result of silicone gel, but with only saline inside to give peace of mind. Its novel yet simple design was developed by a noted plastic surgeon expert and consists of a series of implant shells of increasing size nested together. The internal perforated shells control saline movement to reduce “sloshing and bouncing.” The IDEAL IMPLANT is also engineered to conform to the chest wall with the edge low, to minimize the unattractive wrinkling on the sides often associated with standard saline implants.

Despite recent FDA approval of silicone gel implants, standard saline implants represent about 60 percent of all breast augmentations, reflecting women’s desire for the benefits and safety of saline. The IDEAL IMPLANT looks to provide natural results similar to silicone gel implants, but without the safety concerns, such as difficulty detecting silent ruptures requiring MRI scans, diffusion of small silicone compounds into the tissues, and possible long-term side effects.

“With advances in healthcare technology and an awakening of environmental consciousness, Americans are more aware of what we put into our bodies than ever before – we eat organic food, avoid pesticides, and scrutinize labels,” explains Dr. Robert S. Hamas, M.D., the plastic surgeon inventor of the IDEAL IMPLANT.  “Women seeking breast augmentation are increasingly informed about the potential risks and benefits. I designed the IDEAL IMPLANT to meet the needs of today’s women, who want a natural result but prefer the safety of saline.”


The selected plastic surgeons in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Southeast Florida (Miami and Fort Lauderdale area), and Southern California (Los Angeles and Orange County area), will enroll a total of 500 women in the clinical trial, set to provide the FDA with the data needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of the IDEAL IMPLANT. The trial is open to healthy women who are undergoing a first breast augmentation or the replacement of their existing augmentation implants.

Women interested in the IDEAL IMPLANT are encouraged to make a consultation appointment with one of the plastic surgeon investigators to get acquainted and learn about both the benefits and risks of breast augmentation. Ideal Implant Incorporated is offering a unique follow-up incentive plan to patients who complete all required follow-up visits for the trial. For a full list of participating surgeons and contact information, please see the “To Enroll” section of the Web site at Idealimplant.com

About Ideal Implant Incorporated
Ideal Implant Incorporated was founded in 2006 by Dallas-based plastic surgeon Robert S. Hamas, M.D., to develop, manufacture and market a breast implant with the first new technology in over 20 years.  Plastic surgeons are the majority owners of the company and have been actively involved with the IDEAL IMPLANT design. The company touts an extensive list of experts as part of its scientific advisory board, corporate advisors, and engineering and scientific consultants. Inventor of the IDEAL IMPLANT, Dr. Hamas is a practicing, board certified plastic surgeon, past president of the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, and has appeared with national media outlets including Oprah and CNN.  He is the inventor of a surface treatment for breast implants and is a recognized expert in breast implants, including award-winning studies of teardrop-shaped implants.

Breast Implants Required?

My boyfriend sometimes like to watch the WWE.  That’s right, the World Wrestling Entertainment stuff.  They used to be called WWF but after the World Wildlife Fund fought that, they decided to change their name to WWE.  And they’ve really exploded over the past twenty years or so.  I was never a fan, and I doubt that my parents would have even let me watch it if I had wanted to as a kid.  They probably would have thought it was too cheesy and barbaric, and I was more into stuff like the Incredible Hulk and Dukes of Hazzard anyways to be into a show like that.

I was noticing that it seems like almost every woman on the WWE show seems to have larger than life breast implants, so I wondered, is it a hazard of the industry, or something that was an unspoken requirement?  Of course I jest, but looking at their inflated chests made me wonder.  There are so many with obvious boob jobs.  The only one I can’t figure out for sure, but I’m pretty sure who has one is a Diva named Kelly Kelly.  She’s very thin and has ample sized breasts, but they’re not overdone like some of the other WWE Divas, as they’re called, but they’re still suspect because she’s very thin and fat free everywhere else on her body.

The rest of them are pretty much definite implants.  There’s one, that pretty in the face that definitely has them named Melena, and then there are a bevy of bleached blonds whom I can’t remember their names for sure that all have them.  there’s even one that’s supposed to be the tough, more “manly” one called the Glamazon that has obvious breast implants – but hey, I definitely could use a little of her muscles on her arms!

New Techniques and Offerings in Breast Augmentation

These days, considering the popularity of women’s magazines that show busty models with teeny other parts, and the desire for women to be more feminine and sexy , it’s no wonder plastic surgery for breast augmentation is such a popular way to get larger breasts.

That being said, you should know that there are some good breast implant alternatives out there now as well that can give you the larger bustline you’ve always wanted.  This is an article I wrote about innovations in breast augmentation, and how these latest techniques can offer a much better patient experience – and outcome – when it comes to breast implant surgery.

Boobs are an important part of America’s beauty subculture, and augmentation procedures show no signs of slowing down at the moment.  Hollywood is often an indicator of this, and we see that more and more young starlets are opting to go under the knife to achieve that fuller chested look, although there is a growing movement toward “natural beauty” which may slow this down in the near future.

So, what types of innovations have happened lately in the world of breast augmentation?  Can you expect a better looking outcome due to any new or cutting edge techniques of product offerings in this ever growing segment of interest?  As with any other area of cosmetic improvement, of course this filed of surgery has come up with some great innovations.

Of course, whether these will be available to you depends on the doctor you would choose to do your surgery, as not all doctors are trained in all techniques, so it’s important to screen them for this information before deciding who to ultimately go with.  Let’s talk about some of them now.

First off, there is a new imaging system that allows patients to see what their body would look like with various sizes of breast implants.  This is pretty cool because even just a few years ago, the low tech version of testing them out was pretty much to put some inserts in your bra and check yourself out in the mirror to see what they looked like.

The imaging software, called Axis Three, allows the patient to see their actual body, in the nude from the waist up, with different cup sizes (nude).  This leaves a lot less room for guessing and error when it comes to a patient determining what size they will be most happy with after their surgery, to prevent a revision for upgrading purposes or downsizing even (although most women, according to plastic surgeons, want to go bigger).

All plastic surgeons do not offer this service, and it is a huge plus to consider if you are looking to have breast augmentation surgery, to eliminate the guessing game and ensure that you will get the best outcome for your personal tastes and needs.

New techniques in advanced placement and securing of the breast implant inside the chest walls is also one that most surgeons should be practicing already if they are not.  This placement technique helps to ensure the patient will not experience side effects such as capsular contracture, which can occur in up to 20% of patients getting the surgery, and also something called “bottoming out” of the implant, where the device migrates it’s location.

Supposedly the Trans umbilical technique (where the breast implant is inserted up through the belly button into the chest walls) has somewhat fallen out of favor because migration is a greater risk due to inaccurate placement of the device.  Because surgeons now have better techniques in placing he implant, and better methods of insertion, these types of difficulties are reduced to a minimum.

One of the best insertion methods today for augmentation surgeries is through the nipple.  Although this may not sound like the most desirable option, it’s very popular because the scar heals quickly since the nipple is very resilient in nature, and the placement from this area is easier and can be more efficient.  After about one year, the scar is virtually invisible, only showing up if the patient tans in this area (a big no-no for scarring).

The newer techniques far surpass the older surgeries, where a patient was left with a large scar, and recovery time was more painful and long.  A woman getting breast augmentation surgery has many options to choose from, and she also has the benefit of advanced technology and techniques.  I can only imagine what it will be like in ten more years!

Source : Danna Schneider, article author.

Gummy Bear aka Cohesive Gel Implants : Advantages, Disadvantages

This is from an article that I recently had published that compares gummy bear, or cohesive gel breast implants, with silicone and also with saline implants.  Enjoy!

Breast Implant operations continue to be among the top five most popular and requested plastic surgeries performed here in the United States.  Not only has breast augmentation made leaps and bounds in the technological and technique aspect, but the cost has also come considerably down from when they first started to become popular and well known.

This procedure dates back to the 1950’s believe it or not, when the first pioneers went under the knife and got the only type of implant available back then, which was the silicone variety.  If you recall, much later in the nineties, the safety of silicone breast implants came under fire with numerous women saying they felt their health had been compromised after leakage into their body produced strange symptoms that resembled auto immune or nervous system related side effects.

Because of the crusade of many consumer rights groups, silicone breast implants were banned from use in the United States for several years, only recently making a comeback due to a re-approval process and companies that manufacture the silicone type of device improving their leakage likelihood by reinforcing the shell encasing the silicone in a better way.

Up until they were approved again in the United States, women would have to travel over to Europe or other far off places where they were still legal.  Even now, silicone is not used by every surgeon, but it is increasingly easier to find one that will use this type of device.  While we may never know how truly safe this type of device is, it remains a popular choice for women who want a more natural feel and look, and some say it simply doesn’t compare to the saline type when it comes to copying nature.

Whatever you may believe, it’s important to note that you should always discuss the options with your surgeon before you make any choices.  Educate yourself on what you believe is the safest, most logical choice for yourself, and don’t strictly let the vanity aspect guide you, but rather try to keep an objective, open mind and don’t let the manufacturer’s obvious skewed view get in the way.  Instead try to read unbiased, objective reviews and descriptions by women who’ve actually had them.

That said, let’s talk about the newer options that patients have today when getting their breasts enlarged via augmentation surgery.  There is another option that is garnering a lot of interest on the web as a possibility for wide future use here in the US, but still for whatever reason is only mainly available through surgeons who are running clinical trials on the implant.  The implants I’m talking about are called cohesive gel, or more widely known as “gummy bear” implants.

Cohesive gel, or gummy bear, implants are manufactured by Mentor corporation, and they are named under the model Natrelle 410.  They are still being looked at for wider use, but as with any other medical device approval process, this can take years for them to go through for more popular use, especially when there are other viable alternatives available to those desiring breast augmentation.

So, what is the difference behind the cohesive gel aka gummy bear, and a regular silicone device?  Well, the term “cohesive” actually by virtue means that the described product maintains it’s integrity and it’s shape, even when compromised.  A good visual, and one that you can find on the cohesive gel website, is the comparison to the gummy bear.

When the cohesive, or gummy bear implant, is cut in half, it maintains it’s shape, just like a piece of gummy candy does.  It’s soft and pliable, and yet it has that cohesive nature that allows it to keep it’s shape when the outer shell is broken.

The key word here being “soft”.  That is why so many patients are curious about this type of technologically advanced material, because it is soft like silicone, and yet it maintains it’s shape and integrity much better, and who knows, it may even prove safer since it may be less likely to be leeched into the blood stream if the implant is ever compromised or a revision surgery is needed.

Now, how do they look?  I took a look at many pictures online that show before and afters of patients who received the gummy implant, that I must say they look pretty good, but I couldn’t tell a huge difference between them and saline implants visually.

Of course, I have never actually touched a breast that is altered with the cohesive implant, so I don’t know how they compare in softness and natural feel, bounce and movement, so I’d have to safely assume that this is where the bang for your buck comes in.  Feel and movement are really important when it comes to your breasts, so this does count for a lot for most patients who are concerned with having stiff, unnatural feeling and motionless breasts.

Now on to the cost factor.  Gummy bear implants cost significantly more than saline implants, and a fair amount more than saline implants, so that is definitely going to cause them not to be as widely used whenever they do become popularized over here in the US, as they are in Europe currently.

Another few factors to consider about these nifty implant options is that they are not fillable, so they can’t be inserted as easily through small incisions like silicone and saline, since an empty shell is inserted and then they are filled inside the chest.  What this boils down to is a larger incision to get the implant in.

Also, because they come pre-sized, you’d better make sure that is the size and shape you want your breast to look like, otherwise, they are not really changeable after inserted into the chest unless the patients opts for another surgery to get new ones implanted.

Copyright 2009 Danna Schneider

Banned for Breast Implants

Sarah Blewden, an aspiring professional boxer, after being a former model, was denied the request to fight in the ring professionally in a boxing club after it was disclosed that she had breast implant surgery back in 2003.  Officials denied the request for her to fight in the ring after she started the hobby but soon discovered she was good at it and wanted to pursue it further, saying that boxing could potentially ruin her breast implants and cause other complications such as capsular contracture, or damage to the breast tissue.

She countered saying that if she did suffer some sort of damage to her breasts, even after wearing protective breast plates in the ring, she would make the decision to get corrective surgery on her own.  Fair enough, right? I guess not, because the former model was still denied access to the boxing ring.  This story comes out of Britain, where breast implants are just about as popular as they are here in the US.

I don’t know about you, but this sounds like good, old fashioned discrimination to me. I mean, if she’s willing to wear protective gear to protect her breast implants and natural breast tissue, and has acknowledged that she will have to pay for corrective surgery on her own and any other medical bills that result from breast tissue of implant trauma, then why is she still being denied?

Capsular Contracture and Big Breast Implants

I just read an astonishing story about a Brazilian model and actress who had a gallon of silcone injected into her breast implants to make her a FF cup, which is ridiculously large, and I can’t even imagine lugging those big puppies along all the time.  I have to ask myself, women who get breast implants this big, is this some kind of psychosis?  A need to be superior over other women (when in fact they look ridiculous, sure the select men who may gawk at them might give them a temporary rise in self esteem, but over the long haul, aren’t they just being looked at as a piece of meat?)

Don’t get me wrong, I wholly support plastic surgery when it’s done to increase one’s self respect and they have a genuine issue with a body part or aspect of their physical appearance that can be easily and safely corrected with a cosmetic procedure, but it’s women like this that give plastic surgery a bad name.  In fact, this particular woman said she’s not finished and she’s going to get them even larger.  Many states don’t even allow for certain sizes because the risk for complications, including infection and capsular contracture, can be enormously inflated when the implants are just too large.

What happens is that the breast implant is so heavy that it may separate itself from the surrounding tissue, making a good case for caspular contracture and other complications like infection, and complicating the whole procedure, many times needing to go in for multiple operations to get the darn things fixed.  Why would any woman want to subject themselves to that simply to have breasts that are just over the top and ridiculous looking?  I don’t get it.