Forget the weird cosmetic things happening in Florida (dentists performing breast augmentations, surgeons putting in used implants, etc.), now a Manhattan gynecologist is jumping on the cosmetic bandwagon. Apparently it’s not enough to do pap smears and deliver babies, the big bucks are in coming up with new cosmetic procedures to market to everyone with a pair.

The vagina appears to be the new frontier for cosmetic medicine.  There’s a whole array of proceduress that the good gyno has designed just for us.  Dr. Romanzi (in a New York Times interview with Natasha Singer) claims that she’s focusing on helping women with bladder issues post-babies, but what it really sounds like is she’s targeting women that will do anything to obtain and retain a man.  The main focus seems to be on strengthening Kegel muscles (like the fancy gyno exam to determine how strong you are), and making the area look pretty.  Am I missing something?

Not all gynecologists have felt the need to explore cosmetics. One doctor even seemed to have his head on straight: “Dr. Berenson questioned whether healthy women need any kind of pelvic strengthening or cosmetic procedure.”  Thank goodness that someone’s out there telling women to leave well enough alone.  Dr. Romanzi’s using face lasers to make the vulva look “better” and she claims that they’re just fine on that area even though there’s no research to support that. So there are a few reasons why other OB/GYN’s are cautious about Phit (Pelvic Health Integrated Techniques) www.theperfectphit.com.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m completely happy just leaving that area alone until some type of medical intervention is deemed necessary…oh, like CANCER, or I’m urinating when I sneeze (I’ve heard that happens, and I’m hoping to avoid)! I’m not even sure that I get “vaginal rejuvenation”. The whole idea of tightening things, makes me think that an inevitable rip, tear, or just plain pain, is in my future.

What about you?  Will you be working “pelvic fitness” into your schedule any time soon?

~Kacey

There is a new way to augment breasts that seems quite barbaric. In Europe, women now how the option of skipping implants for the more subtle, natural look of injecting a compound called Macrolane directly into their breasts. It’s called a “boob jab” and I agree with Jezebel, it scares the crap out of me as well. It bothered me so much, that I knew I had to research more. I’m not sure if anyone remembers, but back in the day, Japanese women used to inject themselves with silicone gel… directly. Well low and behold, that didn’t work out very well, which made me wonder what exactly this new injectable compound consists of.

Advocates of Macrolane boast that it is a gel compound made up of nonanimal hyaluronic acid, which is a substance that is already in our bodies. They say it’s similar to Restylane and Juvederm, so of course it’s completely safe (however the website has a disclaimer at the top, “Not intended for US and Canada). Why not us, I thought? Never fear, Macrolane was first used in Japan 3 1/2 years ago (watch out kids, remember my intro) and was injected into over 30,000 women. The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes, uses local anesthesia and injects the Macrolane substance through a knitting-needle sized canula. It’s brutal and fully Europe approved, see below. As a side note, YouTube has banned the original video (I told you it was brutal) I had planned on uploading; this is the new viewer approved version.

 

 YouTube: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Biggest perks: no major surgery required, less volume than implants (avg. volume 80ml-100ml as compared to avg. implant volume 200-300ml), ideal for women that just want to increase bust by one cup size, no recovery time, is “biodegradable” (meaning it breaks down in your body and is supposedly completely eliminated after about 12 months). Something I thought was interesting: one site says, “Macrolane consists of Hyaluronic acid which already exists within your body and thus is not recognized as a foreign substance.” Hmmm…what are they trying to say…that some implanted things ARE recognized as a foreign substance??!! Who would have thought?

Disadvantages: Macrolane costs approximately $4,000 for the initial breast injections, then the price decreases for “top up” treatments. Although the hyaluronic acid may be found naturally in the body, Macroplane is a gel-compound, so what else is in there? I’ve looked and that information is not readily available to the public.

Brighter minds than mine have sought to understand injectable fillers and have basically said that adverse reactions are common amoung injectable fillers and that more information is needed to evaluate potential risk. One study in Berlin looked at injectable fillers. The adverse reactions are more substantial (continuing pain, swelling, nodules, pigmentation, abcess formation, erythema) than the ones reported by Macrolane (redness, swelling, tenderness, pain, bruising or itching).

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons in Berlin were asked to report patients with adverse reactions. Fifty-six patients who had been treated with nine different fillers were assessed. In 48 patients treated with only one filler, 167 areas had been treated. In 129 (77.3%) areas adverse reactions occurred 12.2+/-15.6 (SD) months after injection. Adverse reactions to biodegradable fillers occurred after 4.9+/-5.8 (SD) months, and reactions to nonbiodegradable fillers after 18.3+/-19.0 (SD) months (p=.005). As adverse events, continuing pain, swelling, nodules, pigmentation, abscess formation, and erythema were found.

CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions can be documented for all injectable fillers. Time until reaction as well as type of reaction, however, vary between different fillers. Further research is necessary to evaluate potential risk factors.

Dermatologic Surgery: Official Publication For American Society For Dermatologic Surgery [Et Al.] [Dermatol Surg] 2008 Mar; Vol. 34 (3), pp. 326-35; discussion 335. Date of Electronic Publication: 2007 Dec 20.

Pay attention guys, the next big thing may be coming to a plastic surgeon’s office near you. For now, apparently the US and Canada are safe…but for how long?

However, if you just can’t wait to inject yourself with the newest thing, America, apparently our wonderful surgeons here are happy to perform a “Botox Breast Lift“. For $500 you too can have perky breasts by (get this) relaxing your muscles so you can STAND UP STRAIGHT and make your breasts APPEAR larger. What??? Thank goodness not all surgeons are onboard.

Macrolane and other scary procedures are listed in the Top 10 Cosmetic Procedures You Should Avoid. Read up and steer clear!

~Kacey

Cosmetic Surgery Today posted a blog today entitled “Safety of Breast Implants Spark Fiery Debate“.  They mentioned a Beauty and the Breast post, which acknowledged that women are often “sold” on the idea of breast implants after visiting a plastic surgeon.  Although I’m thrilled that they are giving attention to the negative side of breast augmentation and asking women to thoroughly research the procedure, I’m not pleased with the site that they linked for research. 

I thought that everyone deserves  to know that there is an independent informational site that is dedicated to truly informing consumers.  It’s not sponsored by plastic surgeons or manufacturers, rather it is a product of a non-profit think tank that is dedicated to analyzing existing research.  If a person wants to know science-based information regarding breast augmentation, then www.breastimplantinfo.org is the place to visit.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s a must read for women, doctors, and the media.

~Kacey

Toni Braxton has cancelled all remaining shows in Vegas due to on-going health problems.  These shows were scheduled through the end of August. 

 Photo by Joe Kohen / WireImage

In April, Toni was hospitalized for chest pains and was diagnosed with hypertension and pericarditis, a viral inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. 

Interestingly enough, Braxton also had to have her implants removed several years ago.  She was reported to have ‘excessive scar tissue’.  Whether her latest health problems are related to the breast implants has been undetermined. 

After helping women for the last 3+ years, I’ve heard many times about similiar problems.  Many women complain of chest pains and heart palpitations following breast augmentation.  Some of these women’s symptoms become so severe, they have to have explant under local anesthesia.  All these women have reported that they did not suffer any of these problems prior to having breast augmentation. 

I hope that Toni can recover quickly and get ‘on with the show’.

Beth

I read about a ‘new’ and I use that term loosely, breast implant called the Ideal Implant.  These implants are currently under clinical trials.   They are described as having an inner core or lumen similar to the double lumen implants that were essentially a silicone gel implant surround by a saline implant.   

The companies mission statement made me laugh a bit as I just thought this was another way of making women think they are doing something ’safe’.  Just like I was told when I had my saline implants 10 years ago.  The mission statement reads:

To offer women a breast implant that combines a natural, tissue-like feel with the safety of saline as the filler, for Peace of Mind.

Okay, for Peace of Mind?  I think not.  The company claims that they have used all the same materials for these implants that are in other implants.  If you remember from other posts those materials are TOXIC.  Really the only difference is a saline implant within a saline implant.  They also state that the implant is inserted empty and filled once placed inside the body with saline.  So I must ask myself what is so different other than having 4 saline implants in your body? 

Let me show you some pictures to show you just how UNSAFE saline implants are.  I had my implants for 8 years and was completely disabled just after 5 years.  Take a look at some of these so called safe saline implants.  No, these aren’t the ‘Ideal Implants’ but in my opinion there is no difference since the company claims that they used the same materials as in other saline implants. 

This first set almost killed the woman they were removed from.  She is still fighting to regain her health and yes, that is saline that you see in there.  Saline and a very toxic mix.

This set was removed from a lady that is also struggling with her health.  These implants made her very ill.  Yes, another set of saline implants.

Lastly, my implant, at least the worst one.  Keep in mind it looks not nearly as bad as the implants shown above.  However, after having them analyzed, my chemist said that there were chunks, yes chunks of bacteria and white mold growing inside.  These implants that are so commonly referred to as being safe changed my life forever.  Disabled at age 40 and explanted three years later because my doctors continued to mis-diagnose me.  Once I had the implants removed, my health started to improve and yes, these implants also came very close to taking my life.

I want to make it perfectly clear that saline implants are not safe.  Also, all these women used board certified Plastic surgeons.  

Anything having to do with saline breast implants do not give me ‘Peace of Mind’. 

The New York Times recently came out with a Plastic Surgeon Q&A.  (I have noticed that the New York Times in general seems to think breast implants are a safe choice.) 

The average person would have been snowed by the Q&A, particularly when Dr. Zenn said that “saline and silicone breast implants are equally safe”, and that they only need to be replaced 35% of the time.  What???  Even breast implant manufacturers admit that breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years or so (apparently the good doc’s throwing away the package insert without reading it). 

Removed silicone breast implant.  (Photo by Lisa Bennett)

And as for saline and silicone breast implants being “equally safe”….I would totally agree.  AVOID like the plague.

 New York Times, just because a doctor says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. You should know better.

~Kacey

“I am a research engineer that works primarily with materials. PVC is used because it is the cheapest durable plastic, and its properties can be customized with additives. Not only is PVC harmful, the additives are harmful too (if not worse). For women and mothers everywhere, pay close attention to the use of PVC in anything that touches you or your child, especially when it comes to baby’s toys and sex toys. Visit wikipedia for a very thorough discussion on this plastic.”  ~Mr. Engineer

Mr. Engineer,  

Thank you for your comments. I thought your insightful post needed to be the focus of our next discussion.  I seemingly meet people with priviledged information all of the time. While vacationing one year, I met a researcher who had found a connection between hair dye and cancer. When their research was really starting to make strides, she said the FDA came in, collected everything, and said they’ll be taking over the study…and then she never heard anything more of it. She said that this was typical when researchers find something that could cause a lot of concern and the FDA gets wind of it. By the way, from what she said, it might be a good idea to avoid every color but brown.

Another time, a doctor of mine mentioned that during his residency, he was helping with a study on artificial sweeteners and their effect on rats. He said that every one of the rats got cancer during the study, and that they were instructed to surgically remove the cancer, and then the rats were considered “cancer-free”. Nevermind that they all got cancer from the sweeteners, with the cancer removed they could pretend it never happened. ***Did you know that in breast implant studies, often times the women that remove their implants (for whatever reason) are automatically dropped from from the study altogether?  Now I’m sure the public would be curious to know WHY they removed their implants (personal choice, health problems, capsular contracture, rupture, etc.).  That’s information that would be HELPFUL to a study, I would think.

These are just examples of a small amount of the information I’ve been exposed to by the professionals that have been involved with research. I wish we could all know what is really going on, from the people who see it happening every day. The best tool we have in this day and age is the Internet, as free-speech can truly prevail and companies are not able to stop our messages (or at least for the most part).

Thanks again for giving us a heads up. I encourage others to do the same, as we should all help each other to be as safe and healthy as possible. You’d think the FDA was looking out for us (they can barely keep up with produce by the way), but that’s just something we tell ourselves at night to help us sleep better.

Any other things we should look out for, readers?

~Kacey

Last night while catching up with one of my favorite late night shows, Chelsea Lately, I was reminded of yet another reason why I love comedian Chelsea Handler.  She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind, even if it contradicts popular opinion (exhibit A, when Jenny McCarthy came on her show to talk about the Autism/vaccine connection).

June 12th’s episode was no exception, when the round table discussion decided to take on the concept of breast implants. 

Sarah Larson (George Clooney’s now ex-girlfriend)  apparently got breast implants right before they broke up and it turns out that George didn’t like that.  Reportedly George Clooney told Sarah not to get breast implants and she got them anyway.  And now the only woman that seemed to really captivate Mr. Clooney has been cast off of George island.

 ”You know you’re the man when you beak up with your girlfriend for getting a boob job,” said comedian Owen Benjamin at the Chelsea Lately round table.

I’m not quite sure how to take this comment, but Chelsea’s really got my attention:

“I’m pretty excited.  I like hearing that guys don’t like fake boobs because I think people should stop getting fake boobs and I think girls should stop getting plastic surgery.” ~Chelsea Handler

THANK YOU, CHELSEA, for taking a chance and saying something positive!  I’m with you, let’s help girls turn their focus away from plastic surgery.  Perhaps she has heard that breast implants are not a healthy option?

~Kacey

A woman highlights her adventures in swimming post-breast reconstruction.  I thought this was a good example of someone being honest about dealing with breast implants on a daily basis.  It is often awkward, creepy, or something you just have to plain get used to.  

Now here’s one very interesting thing about the trip – this was the first time I’ve been swimming since I’ve gotten breast implants. As you can guess, it felt very weird. It’s hard to explain. They felt a little buoyant, but just slightly, so that part wasn’t too crazy weird. The part that was weird was how they felt when I was moving my arms to do swim strokes.

If you remember, my implants were placed under my pectoral muscles. When I do movements that use my pecs, my muscles “grab” the implant and it feels very weird. It makes them move and the implant shape actually distorts. It’s so creepy feeling that I will happily never do push-ups again.

We are all looking to believe that breast implants are free of health risks…or at least hoping anyways.  Well, I’ve run across an incredible discovery.  Now, every woman can get their very own set of saline or silicone-filled implants without the fear of the slightest side-effect thanks to Miss Bimbo! 

So ladies if you want breast implants that are completely safe, the only place to find them is ONLINE.  Log on, plump up, tan, marry for money, and be the best bimbo you can be…it’s what Quebec and Europe are doing. (Okay, ethics and mental health questions are sure to come my way, but you get the point.)

~Kacey