A Quebec plastic surgeon was barred for life when he was found guilty of abusive and sexual acts against sedated patients. The Quebec College of Physician’s disciplinary committee banned Bissonnette for the second time from practicing (the first offense was in 1995).

The committee slapped Bissonnette with a $2,000 fine for each patient and a lifetime suspension from practicing. $2,000 for molesting a sedated patient? Give me a break! The guy should have served jail time. A Dr. is given the utmost trust and confidence from a patient undergoing surgery, and this is how he repays the women, by molesting them?

The 1995 charges didn’t stick; Bissonnette was acquitted of sexual assault. Shortly after the trial, a ruling allowed him to continue his practice under certain guidelines.

The phrase “total vulnerability” was used during his trial, and that’s a pretty good description of a patient under anesthesia - she is completely vulnerable and her life and safety are in the hands of her surgeon. Bissonnette should have served jail time for his actions.

There’s a new breast implant on the market and it’s called the cohesive gel implant. It’s nickname is the Gummy Bear Breast Implant.

Why are they called the gummy bear breast implants? Because the gel uses what is called a ‘cross linker’ during its production, and this cross linker binds the gel into a solid mass. The consistency is very much like the gummy bear candies.

What makes these implants great?

They are highly resistant to capsular contracture. Although the FDA has not finished their clinical trials yet on these implants, early data suggests that the solid gel implants are extremely resistant to capsular contracture, which is very good news.

They also seem to be resistant to gravity and aging. While both saline and silicone implants become misshappen over time from gravity and the body’s natural aging process, it appears that cohesive gel implants maintain their shape through the years.

What makes these implants not-so-great?

The installation of these implants requires a larger incision and thus larger scarring. They require a larger incision because they are a solid mass of gel and they cannot be squeezed through a small opening.

Perhaps the #1 feature of these implants that makes them not so great is the fact that the FDA is still performing clinical trials on them. That makes it very tough for a woman in the United States to get these implants. Not only will she have to find a breast augmentation surgeon who has been approved for the clinical trial, but she will have to be a part of the research study. On a good note, that means she will get reimbursed for most of the cost of her surgery.

There are many risks when you undergo any form of breast enhancement surgery. If it involves a scalpel and incisions, then you’re probably going to need the whole nine yards - fully accredited surgery center, anasthesiologist, a board certified surgeon, and a few nurses. A lot can happen during your surgery. You should be well aware of the risks before you agree to any kind of surgery.

Please read this great breast enhancement article about breast augmentation.

Anesthesia is an uncommon area for surgical risks, but when it happens it can be very dangerous. It is often said amongst surgeons that anasthesists have a very boring job 90% of the time, and the other 10% of the time it is sheer terror. This is true, because when a patient reacts adversely to the anesthesia medication, it quickly turns into a life or death situation that will reach a final outcome within just a few minutes or less.

Outside of medication reactions, other problems with anesthesia usually surround the process of intubation (inserting the breathing tube). Breathing fluid into the lungs is also a problem, as is an elevated heart rate due to the overall stress placed on the body.

Excessive bleeding is another real problem during surgery. Bleeding is to be expected, but sometimes a patient will bleed profusely and the surgery itself must be canceled. In some cases a transfusion will be required. This, of course, brings into religion into the mix because some faiths forbid the use of blood transfusions. This will need to be discussed with your surgeon prior to having your procedure.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT or “blood clots”) are a very real risk of surgery. The clots can start in the location of the surgery or can be caused by the patient’s inactivity after surgery.

Blood thinning agents are often administered to help patients post surgery. This helps prevent the formation of blood clots. If a blood clot forms, it can be end the life of the individual if it travels through the bloodstream and gets lodged into the lung. If it goes to the brain, it could cause a stroke.

Patients who have experienced DVT before are obviously at a greater risk of experiencing it again and should disclose this to their surgeon long before having the procedure.

Delayed healing after surgery is another risk of any surgical procedure. Don’t forget that a surgery is trauma to the body and the body must properly heal itself. If for some reason you are not healing as expected, your surgeon may prescribe more drugs or possibly another surgery.

Breathing problems after surgery is also very real. The majority of patients will begin breathing normally on their own. However, a small percentage won’t, and they will need to be placed on a ventilator and watched carefully until they can breathe completely on their own again.

While last on this list, an infection is no small matter. Any type of infection can force a patient to undergo emergency surgery or be required to take additional medications. Infections can occur with any type of surgery and present a very real danger to the health and safety of the patient.

Want to hear the latest and greatest about all of the above? You need to speak to a board certified surgeon who specializes in your particular procedure. There’s no other way to get the most accurate, current information. Call and schedule an appointment today. Most surgeons offer free consultations, so don’t worry about spending any money to find out what you need! Good luck!

So you’ve decided to purchase a gift for yourself: breast augmentation. You’ve been watching women with large, augmented breasts strut around with a high level of self confidence long enough. (btw, here is a fantastic article about breast enhancement).Now you want to be one of them! This is completely understandable. The presence of large breasted women in your life is a strong inducer of women seeking breast enlargement. if you can’t beat them, join them, right?

Finding a surgeon takes some work, however. You should begin with local surgeons and before you meet with them, make sure they are registered with the ASPS. If there are none that are local to you, then you should look towards a major city and the plastic surgeons that are located within that city.

Breast Augmentation is just one of many plastic surgery procedures. Some surgeons will specialize in nose jobs while others specialize in hand reconstruction. If you find a surgeon who offers you a menu of plastic surgery procedures similar to what you’d find in a restaurant (big and lots of choices!), then you should probably move on to the next surgeon. The surgeon you choose for your Breast Augmentation should be a specialist in the field, and he should be registered with the ASPS for that particular procedure.

Now that you’ve found a surgeon you like, it’s time to evaluate other things. For the sake of argument, let’s say you’ve found two surgeons, and one is $2,000 less than the other for the same procedure. And when it comes right down to it, you actually feel better about the more expensive surgeon: he seems more qualified, has more before/after samples, his office staff seems more professional and friendly, and you just “feel” safer and more comfortable speaking with this surgeon.

The problem is, you really don’t have that extra $2,000 to spend. What do you do? Even if it takes you another year to save that $2,000, it’s better to wait. You should always choose the more qualified surgeon, and you should always lean towards a surgeon that you feel comfortable with and that makes you feel confident in his or her skills. $2,000 is nothing compared to your health, happiness, and safety. A breast augmentation is a major surgical procedure - don’t skimp when it comes to price. Choose a surgeon based on his or her experience, and how you feel when you interact with them.

If you’re really serious about having breast augmentation, then you need to sit down with a surgeon and have a consultation with him or her. It’s really easy - just pick up the phone and call. And if you have money to spend for a plane flight and a hotel, it is usually wiser to go with a surgeon located in a major city or area such as Orange County or Beverly Hills or even New York. Surgeons in major metropolitan areas usually have more experience and are better organized from a business perspective because it is much harder for a surgeon to compete in a big city than it is to start a business and thrive in “small town U.S.A.”.

Plastic surgery procedures are on the rise. More and more people around the world are opting for one surgical procedure or another. Whether it be to enalrge your breasts, pin your ears, open your eyelids, or even make your nose smaller, people are hopping on the plastic surgery train without much hesitation these days. Why are they electively altering their body shape and size? There’s varying reasons. We’ll discuss a few. (You can learn more about breast augmentation by reading this article.)

It’s been said that self confidence is the key to everything in life. If you feel great about yourself, the world reacts accordingly, and pretty soon you have the world in the palm of your hands. Is that true? Yes, I believe it is. The better you feel about yourself means people will respond to your confidence and treat you differently. Some say the world is the mirror of our thoughts, and if that’s true, then self confidence plays a huge role in whether or not the world mirrors an enjoyable life or an unhappy life.

Improving your self confidence is one of the primary reasons people elect for plastic surgery. A person might have *wished* for a more shapely nose his whole life, and constantly told himself “if only my nose had been this way, I would be happier with my life.” Well guess what? He has conditioned himself so strongly to believe that a shapelier nose might just change his life that if he actually gets the surgery done, he will feel better about his life and probably be much happier! In effect, it’s his self confidence that will change his life, but since he’s put conditions on how to get self confidence, getting a nose job is probably the easiest solution.

Income is another reason why men and women elect to have cosmetic surgery. It may be hard for the average person to sympathize with someone who feels their income will soar based strictly on their beauty, but it’s true. Studies have shown that people who are aesthetically inclined tend to earn more money and rise quicker in the corporate ranks. This is especially true for anyone who remains in the public eye as part of their profession, such as actors, general celebreties, and even your average, everyday sales person must always present a good, strong image if they wish to exact the reaction from their clients and/or public audience.

Scarring is the last of the major reasons why people elect to have cosmetic surgery. Have you ever met someone with unsightly burns on their face or perhaps their hands or some other visible part of their body? Maybe it’s a burn from a fire or boiling water. Whatever the case may be, the scar does affect how they feel about themselves, and how the world perceives them. Modern plastic surgery can alleviate that scar and (read above) help the person feel better about themselves, and essentially raise their self confidence.

So you see, there is more to plastic surgery patients than enormous egos and vanity - there are sound reasons why people want plastic surgery. Perhaps you too could benefit from a procedure? If you think you could, contact your local plastic surgeon and schedule an appointment today. Most plastic surgeons will give free consultations to those who might be interested in a plastic surgery procedure.

What type of implants are best for your body? Which type is more affordable? Which is safer: silicone or saline? Which has a more natural feel to it? Which looks better? Which is more firm? There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered before you ultimately make the decision between the two. Please read this article.

Questions you need to ask and hopefully get an answer for:

How big will these look on my frame?

Will they be round or anatomically shaped?

How large is too large?

How will I feel after surgery?

Does one type require longer recovery than another?

Which type produces fewer and lighter scars?

Is silicone 100% safe these days?

Since the FDA approved silicone implants for general cosmetic use, saline has begun to be used with much less frequency. Most women believe silicone look more natural and have a better feel to them.

Both silicone and saline implants are surrouned by a solid, silicone outer shell. The difference is what the implants are filled with.

Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution that is very similar to what is found in IV fluids. Silicone implants are filled with, you guessed it…silicone gel.

A silicone implant definitely mimics the feel of a natural breast. While a saline implant generally cannot mimic the feel of a silicone breast, it can be increased in size at a later time without having to remove the actual implant.

Ultimately, it’s your decision which you choose. Your surgeon will have his or her preference, of course, and you should take their input very seriously. Try to use the implant simulations to help you determine which type you would prefer to purchase. Your happiness is important when it comes to choosing the right type of implant, so take your time and perform as much research as necessary before you make your final decision. The more research you perform, the less likely you will be disappointed when your surgery is finally complete and you are fully healed.

Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation with a certified ASPS surgeon.

Want to replace your implants for something bigger? Or perhaps something smaller? Lots of women opt to replace their implants and they often have their own unique reasons for doing so. To learn more about breast enhancement, try reading this article.

Just the same, you should know that it takes between 6 and 12 months before you can see the final results of your breas augmentation surgery. What does this mean for you? It means you should be patient and make sure you’ve seen the final result of your surgical procedure. If you’re trying to get them replaced before they are completely done healing and settling into position, you should speak with a few surgeons about your situation and get at least another opinion. Always choose a surgeon who is a member of the ASPS.

Don’t forget that you decided to have breast augmentation in the first place in order to change the size and shape of your breasts. If you are considering changing your implants for something larger or smaller, then you should reconsider your method for choosing your first set of implants because you are obviously not happy with the results.

If you recieved your implants before 2006, then they are most likely saline implants unless you received them for reconstructive purposes (FDA banned silicone gel implants until 2006). Silicone implants, now that they have passed rigorous testing and study, are finally approved for strictly cosmetic use, and most women choose silicone gel implants for their implants nowadays.

If you have saline implants, you might want to switch over to silicone for a more firm, solid feeling breast. Before you return to your surgeon that installed your initial set of implants, you should know there are surgeons that specialize in revisions and removals of breast implants. You can find them through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. These types of surgeons would be your most optimal choice for corrective or replacement surgery.

When you meet with the new surgeon, ask questions. Find out what can be done to minimize the scarring while still giving you the final result that you desire.

If Capsular Contracture is the reason why you are having your implants removed, then you need to find a surgeon who specializes in removal due to CC (you can find this information on the ASPS website as well).

Failing implants is another reason to undergo replacement surgery. Are your implants leaking? Did one of them rupture? Most implants will fail within the first 12 years while all implants will fail eventually; it is inevitable. Considering this, a lot of women undergo replacement surgery before they experience implant failure. It’s a smart decision.

You should first do your homework on available surgeons in your area or within your comfortable travel range. Only speak with ASPS certified surgeons who are specialists in your partiular form of surgery.

2008 was a great year for breast augmentation surgeons: it was the most performed plastic surgery for the entire year. More and more women, both young and old, are optin to have their breasts enlarged. The techniques continue to improve with technology. And (not surprisingly), costs continue to drop while succes rates continue to climb. Want to learn more? Try this article: breast augmentation.

The decision to have surgery is still a difficult one that should be well-thought out by any woman considering it. Sure, success rates are up, as well as overall patient happiness, but that doesn’t make the decision a slam dunk for any woman considering it. Breast augmentation surgeries are major surgeries. The results will affect you emotionally, psychologically, socially, and financially.

Before you agree to have a surgeon work on your breasts, you need to do your homework as well as perform a thorough interview of each potential surgeon.

You should also check the current status of each surgeon’s medical license. You can find this information through your state’s medical board. You should also research and find out if there are any pending lawsuits against the surgeon. While lawsuits are more common these days, there is no excuse for a revoked, suspended, or “under review” license. That is a big red flag and you should probably look elsewhere for your breast augmentation surgeon.

Does your surgeon have access to the local hospital to perform his or her surgeries? The hospital should be accredited. While some surgeons will perform their surgeries in an office-based environment, it’s always a good idea to know which hospital you will be taken to should an emergency arise.

Does your surgeon have extensive “before and after” photographs? He or she should be well versed in your specific procedure and should have the photographs to showcase their work. It’s also a good idea to speak directly with previous clients but this may not be possible with all surgeons.

Is your surgeon a ‘jack of all trades’ when it comes to plastic surgeries? Or does he or she specialize in breast enhancement surgeries? It goes without saying that you should choose a surgeon who specializes in breast enhancement surgeries. You will have the greatest chance of success and happiness if you choose a surgeon who specilizes in your exact surgery type.

Your surgeon should perform a physical, emotional, and mental review of each patient before scheduling surgery. If he or she skipped this step with you, it could be a bad sign.

When it comes to breast augmentation surgery, cost should not be an issue. You need a surgeon with experience that you can trust. If you are trying to choose between two surgeons and one is substantially higher AND he or she happens to be the one you are most comfortable with, then you should wait until you have the cash to go with the more expensive surgeon.

Want to learn more? Call your local plastic surgeon and schedule a free breast augmentation consultation. Bring a list of questions, a pad of paper, and a pen because you will want to take notes! Good luck!

Are you considering purchasing a large set of breast implants? You should know that large implants can “bottom out” over time. Why would this happen? Your implants are basically larger than the natural supportive tissue on your chest, and their weight eventually exceeds the “load capacity” of your natural tissues. If you’d like to learn more, you can read this fantastic article.

How does a modern surgeon control this problem? By choosing implants that are excessively larger than your natural breast support tissue and ligaments. Is it easy to tell patients they are choosing implants that are too large for their frame? Yes, it’s easy, but it’s not easy to convince them to actually choose a more suitable breast implant size for their chest.

It’s a given that most women want larger breasts than they currently have (otherwise they wouldn’t be seeking breast augmentation surgery). While the patient certainly has every right to choose the size of implant she desires, a surgeon will often recommend a smaller implant (at least a more responsible surgeon). But who’s call is it anyway? Ultimately, the patient usually wins the debate over the size of breasts to use. After all, it is her body, not the doctors.

Ideally, your body should be able to support your new breast implants without affecting the rest of your body (back, neck, shoulders, etc.). The implants should compliment the rest of your body and look natural (or slightly larger) than a women shaped proportionately for her height and weight.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a breast implant that has a base width that does not exceed the woman’s natural base width. If you exceed that width, the breast will be in the path of the arm swing, and that’s not good nor is it likely to be corrected without another surgical procedure. Even a corrective surgery can be difficult if the implant width stretched the base area of the breast - it can make things difficult for corrective surgery. Talk to your local surgeon for more complete information.

The height/width ratio must be considered at all times. Let’s say a woman chooses an implant with a width that is essentially too wide for her existing chest. One way to fix this is to choose a breast implant with a more narrow base but a more forward projection (also called a “high, projecting implant”).

The best way to learn about implants and potential problems that some women experience is to schedule an appointment with a local surgeon and have a free consultation. Bring a long list of questions with you! And a pencil because you’ll want to take notes!

Breast reduction is a popular surgical procedure which is performed to permanently reduce the size of overly large breasts. Not only will it help with sagging breasts (most surgeons perform a breast lift as part of the procedure), but it’s a permanent solution to large breasts. (read this great article about reduction risks).

Why do women undergo breast surgeries when most other women are trying to make their breasts larger with breast augmentation? Large breasts aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Women with over sized breasts often experience chronic neck and back pain. Also, they can be restricted from enjoying physical activities that most people take for granted because their breasts are similar to carrying a 20 lb weight around their neck all day long. Bra straps can also cause chaffing against a woman’s skin because of the weight they are required to support.

Breast reduction surgery can make a woman’s breasts smaller, firmer, and lighter. In addition, the areola can be moved to a more upright position.

Are you under 20? It is highly recommended that a woman wait until her breasts are fully developed before she undergoes breast reduction surgery.

Women who are planning on breast feeding should not have a breast reduction; the surgery itself can eliminate or greatly reduce her chances for breast feeding her children.

There are two popular methods in use today: inferior pedicle, and vertical scar method. Both have a strong success rate of allowing breast feeding post surgery, and for maintaining nipple sensitivity. Check with your surgeon for the latest information.

The Weiss pattern reduction (or keyhole method, as it is known), is the anchor-shaped incision that encircles the areola and cuts straight down to the crease below the breast. The incision follows the natural curve of the breast. Extra adipose tissue, glandular tissue, and exces skin are removed, as well as fat. The nipple and areola are then moved to a new position.

The vertical scar method (also known as SPAIR or short scar breast reduction surgery), is gaining popularity due to minimal amount of scarring and a more rounded breast shape post surgical recovery.

The majority of breast reduction surgeries include a breast lift as part of the procedure. A combination breast reduction and breast lift can alleviate chronic neck and back pain, shoulder grooving, and skin rashes caused by bra straps.