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June 08, 2007

Breast augmentation options

Dear Dr. Perry,

Bon Jour! I read your column regularly and I want to consult you about my problem which has bothered me since my high school days.

I am a freshman college student this school year and my problem is about my breasts. I am flat chested so I'm used to wearing brassieres with foam. I'm tired of faking it. I want to be or rather want to have healthy breasts like any other girl. I've been thinking of going through the process of breast injections but I'm afraid of the side effects.

Could you help me please? Is there a way to develop my breasts- any exercise, any medicine to be taken? I hope you can help me solve this.

Thank you very much for sharing some of your knowledge with us. More power!

Vini

Dr. Perry replies:

The standard procedure for increasing the size of the breasts is a surgical procedure known as Augmentation Mammoplasty. This procedure is relatively safer and without many complications if done by a competent surgeon.

Injection of foreign materials in any part of the body for the purpose of augmentation is taboo in Cosmetic Surgery. This is especially if the injected material is liquid paraffin. Since the character of this material resembles that of a melted candle, it migrates and forms tumour-like nodules after some time. It looks perfect right after the injection, but weeks or some months later, especially in a hot and humid environment, the paraffin "melts" and moves to a more dependent location. Other untoward manifestations after injection of foreign substances include persistent edema (redness) of the injected area, infection, contour deformity, and malignant degeneration.

Other injectable materials that are often used are liquid silicone, oil, and melted plastic. These materials also form nodules which later on consolidate to form tumours. These foreign substances that are introduced in the body are eventually rejected.

With the advent of Autologoud Fat Transplantation, injection with the use of fat is now being utilized for breast augmentation. The fat is harvested in areas where there is an excess and this is injected into the breast. However, this has to be autologous- the fat to be used should come from the same patient. This will prevent rejection and subsequent extrusion of the injected fat.

With regard to breast exercises, it has been proven that no amount of exercise can substantially develop the breast tissue. What is actually developed is the muscle underneath the breast making the chest area more prominent.

In the same manner, no medicine, whether taken internally or used topically can considerably increase the size of the breasts. However, estrogen. a form of hormone, when taken internally may produce minimal increase in breast size during the duration of the intake. Once stopped, the breast will return to its original size.

Dr. Perry

DR. PERRY DE LA CRUZ obtained his medical degree from the University of Sto. Tomas. He is a diplomate of the Philippine Board of Cosmetic Surgey; a fellow of the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery; and a member of the Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He pioneered research on "Serial Revision of Leg Scars" in 1988.

Clinic:
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Unit 517 Medical Office Building
205 Civic Drive, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Telephone no. 771-9299

Visit his web site at www.geocities.com/docperryster or e-mail him at docperryster@gmail.com.

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