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Moving from Saline to Silicone – Why some women are considering the upgrade

The numbers are in, between 2007 and 2008 the percentage of women choosing silicone implants over saline implants has increased by 1/3. Full FDA approval was not available for Silicone implants until 2006. The women that underwent breast augmentation pre-FDA approval of Silicone, were left with no choices other than Saline. Luckily, those women aren’t stuck and the upgrade is fairly easy.

As noted at americanhealthandbeauty.com, the transition to silicone after having saline is made easier since the pocket for the implant already exists. In most cases, the implant swap can be completed in less than an hour and patients are able to return to work the next day. As with any procedure, individual results vary and consultation with your cosmetic surgeon are necessary to determine the best plan for your implant upgrade.

Saline implants were the only option for women 5 years ago. While some were pleased with their results, others were left with a “rippled” look and dissatisfied with the “water balloon” feel. The Silicone implant gives these women an option of keep their implants but improve the effect. The new Silicone implants are described as being more realistic, feeling more like natural breast tissue.

The concerns of pre-1990 silicone implants was the safety of the implant and the possibility of silicone leaking into the body. The new silicone implants have the consistency of a jelly bean and are much less likely to rupture and were designed not to “leak”. The warranty of saline implants should cover the upgrade to the new silicone implants should your old saline implant rupture. Even without the warranty, the cost of the upgrade may be less than you imagine.

If you are unhappy with your saline implants, it may be worth a consultation with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your individual options. Let Breast Implants USA help you find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with experience in breast implant upgrades.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Filed under Breast Augmentation, Education, Safety, Saline Implants, Silicone Implants.

Stop the BOTAX: How and Why

The U.S. Congress is proposing a law which could lead to Governmental interference in the patient-doctor relationship by requiring disclosure of private medical procedures for the stated purpose of taxing these procedures. The Government would take a role in determining “need,” taking a medical decision away from doctors an putting that important determination into the hands of a tax collection agency.

A broad coalition of health organizations are against this burdensome tax (see list below), and patients have asked for ways to express their disagreement with the proposal to Congress.

What can you do?

Call 1-877-221-8207 NOW to contact your members of congress!

THE SENATE IS MOVING EVEN CLOSER TO A CRUCIAL AND IMMINENT VOTE. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER REID PLEDGES A FINAL VOTE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. THUS, YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED NOW! THE STOP MEDICAL TAX COALITON COMPRISED OF 48 GROUPS SENT A LETTER TO THE SENATE THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS. EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ACTION ON OUR HOTLINE WE URGE YOU TO CALL AGAIN.

Why you as the patient should care:

Discriminates Against Women and the Middle Class
Contrary to popular belief, cosmetic surgery is not an exclusive luxury of the very wealthy. Eighty six percent (86%) of cosmetic surgery patients are working women and this five percent tax discriminates against these women. In the first research of its kind, conducted with people planning to have cosmetic surgery within the next two years, 60% of respondents reported a household income of $30,000-$90,000 a year. Most importantly, 40% of the 60% reported income of $30,000-$60,000. Only 10% of respondents reported household income over $90,000. These data clearly refute the suggestion that elective surgery taxes are “luxury” taxes affecting a privileged few.

Violates Patient Privacy
Presumably enforcement of this provision will include IRS audits of medical practices to determine whether procedures were elective and/or cosmetic. To date, enforcement of whether these procedures are deductible medical expenses focuses on individuals and the burden of proof is on them. The proposed tax provision makes the physician a tax collector and holds him/her liable for the taxable amount. Therefore, the provision invites the IRS into the exam room, possibly violating HIPAA patient privacy to review personal medical records and determine whether a procedure meets the definition.

What this new tax does:
• Taxes the Middle-Class
• Discriminates Against Women
• Violates Patient Privacy
• Compromises Patient Safety
• Is Arbitrary and Difficult to Administer
• Has Failed State Experience – New Jersey – the only state to adopt a tax on elective medical procedures – passed a 6% tax on elective medical procedures in 2004, the NJ Department of Taxation has experienced a 59% shortfall based on projected revenue estimates. In fact, New Jersey Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the original sponsor of the 2004 bill, is leading efforts to repeal the tax.

Things you can do!

Step 1: Please call our toll-free hotline at 1-877-221-8207 and urge your Senators to block this tax (you will be prompted to enter your zip code and then be directed to your Senators).
Step 2: Visit http://www.stopcosmetictax.org/.

Organizations that want your help:
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
American Academy of Dermatology Association
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
American Society of Anesthesiologists
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgery
American Society of Hair Restoration Surgery
American Society of Liposuction Surgery
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee
American Urological Association
California Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
California Society of Plastic Surgeons
Connecticut Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Florida Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons
Iowa Society of Plastic Surgeons
Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons
John Staige Davis Society of Plastic Surgeons
Massachusetts Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Maryland Society of Plastic Surgeons
Missouri Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
National Capital Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons
New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons
New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons
New York Regional Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons
Oklahoma Society of Plastic Surgeons
Oregon Society of Plastic Surgeons
Robert Ivy Society (PA)
Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Texas Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The American Society of Breast Surgeons
Virginia Society of Plastic Surgeons
Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons
Wisconsin Society of Plastic Surgeons
West Virginia Society of Plastic Surgeons

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Filed under Doctor-Patient Relationship, Education, Health, Health Care, Safety.

Choice of Non-Board Certified Surgeon Leads to Botched Breast Augmentation

Here at Breast Implants USA News, we often stress the importance of selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to both your safety and your satisfaction in your outcome. Often, stories come along which illustrate this point — and sadly, these stories involve someone learning this lesson the hard way.

In Las Vegas, a woman named Vanessa (last name withheld) underwent a breast augmentation procedure so painful and botched that surgeons who observed her later observed that the surgery appeared to have been performed “by a pre-schooler.”

According to KTNV:

She met with the medical director and owner of the Skin Body Institute, Dr. Sean Su.

He would perform her surgery. Within a week, he scheduled the procedure and what happened next, Vanessa describes as a nightmare.

“It was scary. I was under a lot of pain,” said Vanessa.

Vanessa was awake throughout the procedure and experienced every harrowing moment consciously.

“I was feeling his fingers just pulling on the skin, stretching the skin I could feel his fingers rubbing on my rib cage,” Vanessa says. “I was moaning, I was crying and all they would do is keep on giving me drugs.”

And Dr. Su responded by telling her to stop complaining, before continuing to put her through tremendous pain. In the end, the work he did was so substandard that her implants were exposed within a week.

He told her she needed more surgery, and the nightmare continued.

The worst part is that this doctor portrayed himself as Board Certified — but look closer at his credentials and you will see he was not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. Rather, he was certified by groups that do not hold members to nearly the same standards — and some hold them to no standards whatsoever, except for the standard of whether or not they can pay membership fees.

The American Board of Plastic Surgeons: this is the board certification you want to see. Do not be taken in by lesser certifications when it comes to your health, your safety, and results.

Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Filed under Board Certification, Safety.

Learn About Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation!

Breast Augmentation News - Breast Implants USA News - Breast Enhancement - Breast Enlargement News and Information

Moving from Saline to Silicone – Why some women are considering the upgrade

Stop the BOTAX: How and Why

Choice of Non-Board Certified Surgeon Leads to Botched Breast Augmentation