FDA releases updated safety data on silicone breast implants
Posted in: Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery in the News, Plastic Surgery Studies | July 7, 2011 | Comments Off
On Wednesday 6/22/11, the Food and Drug Administration announced that early findings from an analysis of safety issues and adverse events associated with silicone-gel breast implants revealed no new concerns. Therefore, the agency said it will allow the devices to remain on the market.
The Los Angeles Times (6/23, Mai-duc) stated that the FDA said the analysis conducted on more than 80,000 women over 10 years by implant
manufacturers “indicates that they have a ‘reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness’ when used properly. … ‘What we can say is the current data doesn’t indicate that silicone gel-filled breast implants are linked to breast cancer, connective tissue disease or infertility,’”
However, women considering breast augmentation with silicone breasts implants should discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives with their plastic surgeon. It is important for women to understand that 20 percent to 40 percent of patients who have implants for cosmetic reasons will need another operation to modify or remove them within eight to 10 years. I always encourage women to do their research and have all their questions answered before proceeding with any cosmetic surgery procedure.
Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.
Botox – a technical art
Posted in: Botox | August 27, 2010 | 22 Comments »
I had a few friends visiting this week from Europe. They had a lot of questions about Botox including safety, when to start using it, and if who should get it. Although Botox is from “botulinum toxin” – the name is scarier than need be. Most people don’t know this but prior to being used for cosmetic reasons, Botox was used for facial spasms, sweating, migraines, and many other medical indications for over 20 years. It was introduced as a cosmetic product and approved by the FDA to treat glabellar lines in 2002. Approximately 11.8 million Botox cosmetic procedures have been administered in the U.S. since then.
As to when to start? There isn’t a set age. Myself and many of my patients started in our late 20s’ to prevent deep wrinkle formation. I think of it like folding a piece of paper – if you don’t keep folding it, you don’t get a deep crease. Botox definitely helps soften lines in slightly older patients as well. However, for patients with deep wrinkles, especially in the forehead, it may not be indicated. Some people use their forehead muscles to raise their eyebrows and eyelids to see – if they get botox, this worsens their brow and eyelid droop. Another plastic surgery procedure like a brow lift or blepharoplasty may be needed in this case.
As a rule of thumb, each patient is different. I evaluate my patients individually and ask them what aesthetic look they are searching for. Botox is a technical art and should not be taken for granted. Every patient’s anatomy needs to be carefully considered as well as what they want to look like. Too often I see patients with poorly placed botox resulting in abnormal joker looking eyebrows or asymmetries. Also, Botox should be administered differently for men to keep them looking natural and masculine. See http://www.makeyouperfect.com/services/botox-for-men/. Patients should be wary about just choosing the cheapest place to get their botox and should consider the differences between getting treatment from a nurse, a general MD, or a plastic surgeon. For more information you can also log onto my website http://www.makeyouperfect.com/services/botox/
Dr. Catherine Huang Begovic M.D.