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SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY |
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Prof. Aaron Baba, Special
Advicer on Technological
Development |
Site Powered by Directorate of
Science & Technology, Kogi State |
Updated
November 30, 2008
VOL. 13 No. 747 WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 17 - TUESDAY SEPTEMBER
22, 2008 ISSN 1116 - 7085 N70.00 |
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Breast
Enlargement: The Good, the
Bad
IT is amazing how the 21st
century woman would go under
the knife and pains to
remain young, beautiful and
attractive. Women these days
will do whatever it takes to
stay young. From breast
enlargement to breast
augmentation and breast
lift, botox, face lift and
body product. Some men also
go for botox in order to
have a wrinkle – stress-free
face.
In the 1980s and even early
1990s small breast was in
vogue. But today, the
reverse is the case big
breast and cleavage is the
in-thing. However, like
everything else it comes
with its risk too.
Whenever breast enlargement
is mentioned in Nigeria, the
first person that comes to
mind is Modupe Ozolua, CEO,
Body Enhancement Anti-ageing
Centre. Other centres are
also springing up because of
the demand.
In 2007, Karen Igbo a
23-year old student had her
breast enhanced for 4000
pounds sterling (about 1
million naira) at a surgical
cosmetic group in London. In
an interview with Genevieve
Magazine in March, 2008 she
said “…I needed to feel more
curvaceous. I totally feel
comfortable now. I feel sexy
and I am ready to conquer
the modeling industry. This
is jet age…”
- Enhance breasts they
consider too small. The
definition of too small or
too large depends on the
individual. There is no
universal standard for the
sizes of breast.
- Restore the size or shape
of the breast after
significant weight loss or
pregnancy. A breast lift may
be done at the same time as
the enlargement in these
cases.
- Make the breast more
evenly proportioned. In many
women, one breast may be
larger or sit higher than
the other. Breast implant
may be also used to
reconstruct breast after
surgery for breast cancer
(Mastectomy).
During surgery to enlarge
the breasts, (augmentation
mammoplasty), an implant is
placed under the breast
tissue or under the chest
muscle beneath the breast.
An implant is a soft
silicone shell filled with a
saline (saltwater) solution,
silicone gel, or another
substance, such as
methylcellulose gel or
hydrogel Saline solution is
currently the material most
commonly used to fill breast
implants because it can be
safely absorbed by the body
if the implant leaks or
ruptures.
To position the implant, an
incision is made in the
bottom crease of the breast,
the armpit, or along the
lower edge of the areola
(the colored area
surrounding the nipple). The
implant is inserted through
the incision and may be
placed under either the
breast tissue or the chest
muscle beneath the breast.
Some doctors believe that
putting the implant beneath
the chest muscle lowers the
risk for a condition called
capsular contracture
(hardening of tissue
surrounding the implant) and
interferes less with
mammography than when the
implant is under the breast
tissue but in front of the
muscle. After the implant
has been carefully adjusted
to the correct shape and
position, the incision is
closed with stitches.
A breast lift (mastopexy)
may be done at the same time
as the breast enlargement. A
breast lift can raise
sagging or drooping breasts
and elevate the nipple and
areola. To lift the breasts,
excess skin from the bottom
of the breast and the area
around the areola is
removed. The remaining skin
is then brought together,
which tightens and raises
the breast. A breast lift
requires larger incisions
than a breast enlargement
alone. Incisions may extend
from the areola down to the
crease where the bottom of
the breast meets the chest.
Breast enlargements and
lifts are usually done as
outpatient procedures in a
hospital or outpatient
surgery center. An overnight
stay in the hospital is not
needed unless there are
complications during
surgery. The surgery takes 1
to 2 hours. General
anesthesia is usually used,
although local anesthesia or
an epidural may be used in
some cases.
Risks
Breast implants may make it
more difficult to detect
breast cancer on a
mammogram. Other risks of
getting breast implants
include:
* Capsular contracture. One
of the most common problems
caused by breast implants,
this condition occurs when
scar tissue around the
implant hardens and begins
to squeeze the implant. It
can cause hardening of the
breast tissue, rippling in
the skin of the breast, and
changes in the shape of the
breast. It may also be
painful. Surgery is
sometimes needed to remove
the scar tissue or replace
the implant when capsular
contracture develops.
* Loss of feeling in the
nipples or breast tissue due
to nerve damage. Often this
is temporary, but it may be
permanent in some women.
* Differences in size or
shape of the breasts after
surgery.
* Changes in the implant.
Normal activity or an injury
to the breast can damage the
implant, causing it to leak,
deflate, or rupture. Over
time, the implant may
harden, develop ripples,
shift position, or change
shape. Surgery may be needed
to remove the implant and
replace it (if desired) if
any of these changes occur.
* Infection (not common).
This can occur at any time,
but it typically occurs
during the first week after
surgery. In some cases of
infection, the implant may
have to be removed for
several months and then
replaced.
* Blood collection under the
skin, or hematoma
(uncommon).
* Abnormal scarring
(uncommon).
Having more than one
procedure at the same time,
such as a breast lift and
breast enlargement,
increases the risk of
problems after the surgery.
Controversy over breast
implant safety
The possible connection
between silicone gel breast
implants and connective
tissue disease has been the
subject of much research and
public debate. But studies
have not shown a clear link
between implants and
connective disease. The use
of implants filled with
silicone gel has been
restricted in parts of
Europe and in Canada, and in
the United States between
1992 and 2006. This is
because of concerns about
harm that could come from
silicone gel leaking into
the body if an implant leaks
or ruptures.
In late 2006, the FDA again
approved silicone breast
implants. This approval was
based on studies of women
with silicone implants for
up to 4 years. Each maker of
these implants is now
required to study 40,000
women during the first 10
years they have silicone
implants. These studies will
begin to show how safe
silicone implants are over a
woman’s lifetime.
Newer silicone implants
contain a gel-like material
instead of a liquid. These
types of implants do not
leak if punctured or cut.
Saline-filled implants are
considered safe and are the
most commonly used breast
implant today. Saline
solution can be safely
absorbed by the body if the
implant leaks or ruptures.
 
Karen
Igbo, left, with her new
shaped breast and Modupe
Ozolua,
CEO, Body Enhancement
Anti-Aging Centre.
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