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Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Chicago, Illinois

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Do breast implants have an expiration date?

Breast implants currently in use do not have expiration dates after being surgically inserted. However, this doesn't mean that they last forever. In many cases, breast implants will have to be removed or replaced at some point. The average lifespan of a breast implant, according to the Institute of Medicine is 16 years, although many implants last significantly longer than that.

As with any device, over time, both saline and silicone breast implants wear down, which can cause leakage of the implant material. Depending on the specific type of implant you have, and other individual factors, this can occur sooner or later, but if left intact long enough, your implants will eventually degrade and have to be removed.

A very small percentage of breast implants—less than 3% in all categories—will have to be removed within three years of the breast augmentation procedure. This is usually a result of underfilling the implant, which can create greater friction inside the body and result in early degradation of the implant walls.

This does not mean that every woman with breast implants will have to have them removed, however. Many implants remain intact and safe long enough that they do not require removal. In the case of saline implants, even a degraded and leaking breast implant will not necessarily have to be removed unless the patient chooses to for cosmetic reasons, as saline leaks have not been shown to cause any serious health risks.

To learn more about your plastic surgery options if you live in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Otto J. Placik today to schedule your confidential consultation.

posted by Patti at 4:40 PM

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Can breast implants prevent or cause cancer?

While rumors have been swirling about links between breast implants and cancer for years, extensive studies have failed to show any compelling evidence that modern breast implants play any role in either causing or preventing cancer.

Some recent studies have seemed to show correlation between some types of silicone breast implants and certain types of cancer. In particular, women with silicone breast implants were shown to have up to 21% greater risk of lung cancers than women without implants. These results, however, do not necessarily show a clear correlation between breast implants and cancer.

By the same token, there has been little medical evidence that breast implants prevent cancer, either. Some early studies that evaluated risks of breast cancer did show 50 to 60% lower rates of breast cancer in women who had breast implants. However, these studies were limited, and did not include enough detailed data or long-term follow-up to reach any reliable conclusions that implants actually prevent cancer.

We suggest that every woman considering breast implants carefully evaluate her situation and individual risk factors before reaching a decision. While we do not believe there is cause for excess alarm regarding links between breast implants and cancer, we cannot rule out a correlation without further studies.

To learn more about your plastic surgery options if you live in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Otto J. Placik today to schedule your confidential consultation.

posted by Patti at 11:33 AM

Friday, May 23, 2008

How much surgery is too much surgery?

We've all seen pictures of celebrities and others who have had so much plastic surgery that they've become almost unrecognizable, and many plastic surgery patients wonder how someone can do this to themselves.

Do people change their appearance so gradually that they don't notice when they've gone overboard? Is there some kind of real compulsion that causes people to undergo excessive plastic surgery?

Whatever the root cause is, most cases of excessive modification involve a distorted self image. An ethical plastic surgeon will always screen his or her patients for problems such as this before agreeing to a surgical procedure, as patients with self-image or other mental health problems often find that plastic surgery not only doesn't help their underlying problems, but often can make them worse.

It's important to remember, however, that most people who choose plastic surgery don't go overboard. We only notice the cases that do because they are, frankly, so noticeable. Most plastic surgery patrons undergo one or maybe two procedures to boost their self-confidence and make some subtle improvements on their appearance.

To learn more about your plastic surgery options if you live in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Otto J. Placik today to schedule your confidential consultation.

posted by Patti at 10:31 AM

Disclaimer: The information provided on Bodysculptor.com regarding medical procedures, practices, and technologies is only meant to provide information as public service. The website content is not intended to substitute for health care provided by a physician. Email or call us at 847-398-1660 for more information.

Dr. Otto J. Placik M.D., Chicago Area Plastic Surgeon, plastic,reconstructive & cosmetic surgery, breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast lift, liposuction. We feature BioMedic ® Clinical Care, Skin Rejuvenation, Laser Peels, Chemical Peels, Botox ® and Collagen Injections.

Dr.Placik's before and after photos have been selected to appear on the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, a website providing comprehensive, up-to-date information on breast enhancement, face lift, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck and bariatric surgery.

Associated Plastic Surgeons, S.C.
Otto J. Placik, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(847) 398-1660 or (312) 787-5313
Arlington Heights and Chicago, Illinois