Breasts and the rest - Plastic Surgery

[Doc Alan]

Breast implants are in the news - the French government recommends 30,000 women to have PIP ( Poly Implant Prosthese ) implants removed free of charge because of a 5% rupture rate. British health officials so far disagree - an NHS Review Body will report back / make recommendations next week.
40,000 British women have the implants, which were ( finally ) banned last year because they contain non-medical grade silicon. There is NO breast cancer risk.
In the UK plastic surgery should only be performed by a surgeon on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgeons maintained by the GMC. Not all UK doctors practising ( ! ) as cosmetic surgeons are on this list. Women have about 90% of all cosmetic procedures ( top 4 are breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, face/neck lifts and breast reduction ). The top 4 for men are " nose jobs ", eyelid surgery, ear correction and liposuction. More men than ever are having breast reduction for " man boobs ".
In the Philippines cosmetic surgery is increasing - as in the UK - but ANY licensed doctor can carry out such surgery without legal impediment. There are formal 5-6 year training programmes in accredited hospitals - surgeons completing these should be chosen.
Breast cancer ( the commonest type in UK and Philippines ) is usually treated surgically in the first instance, with immediate or delayed reconstruction ( implant ) if needed. Other plastic surgery procedures are performed for health reasons ( stomach-stapling ), rightly free in the UK.
I have always tried to be non-judgemental on " lifestyle choices ", such as smoking, which contribute to so many illnesses - some would call them stupidity. But already there is resentment from some members of the UK public that NHS money might be spent on women whose breast enlargement didn't deliver the right result. The same could apply to any other procedure carried out purely for cosmetic purposes. If indeed this is to be next week's decision, I'm going to find it harder to justify.

[imagine]

interesting doc,, these procedures are on nhs on medical grounds if detrimental to health,either mentaly or physical,

all other reasons for cosmetic choice are surely to be paid for privatly

[Pete/London]

The French offer is not that clear, are they offering removal or replacement?
It may be awkward if its the latter as who knows what they will find out in the future with the modern implants.

I fail to see why the taxpayer has to fund the UK operations if they were private cosmetic treatments. The onus should be on the surgeons who carried out the operations, agree with you Imagine.

[Arthur Little]

Hmm ... tricky one, this! Like you, Alan, I've always tried to maintain a neutral stance on peoples' lifestyle choices. However, with Stewart that, in cases where there happens to have been previously unforeseen health risks, then the line of approach being taken by the French Government is, I suppose, ethically and - more importantly - humanely justified.

Having said that, I'm less sympathetically~inclined towards ANY NHS involvement in surgery carried out for purely cosmetic reasons in the first place.

[Terpe]

The BBC news this morning provided some interesting views.

The manufacturer, Poly Implant Prothese, is now bankrupt. The company was shut down and it's products banned in 2010

By all accounts the breast implants were made from non-approved materials, since the silicon used was industrial grade instead of medical grade.

Chemical breakdowns appear to indicate that fuel additives added to the mix actually degrade the implant casing over time.

Because of the materials used the PIP implants were significantly cheaper.

The conclusion was that the clinics and the surgeons, who originally profited by provision of these implants, have an ethical and moral obligation to rectify at their own expense.

[grahamw48]

I agree with you Terpe.

The clinics have been making a damned good living out of the inadequacy or vanity of their clients for a lot of years.

Now it's time to meet their obligations under the sale of goods act if nothing else, as they have supplied a sub-standard product.

Another money-spinner like the 'care'-homes were a few years ago.

[Arthur Little]

The onus should be on the surgeons who carried out the operations

, Pete ... albeit can't see that happening somehow !

[Arthur Little]

Surprisingly ... ... based on the lack of response to this thread ... comparatively few people have been keeping ABREAST of developments.

[Doc Alan]

There are many important issues here. It's topical, and now non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as botox injections are in the headlines because regulation of them is worse than private cosmetic surgery.

For the minority of members who are interested :- " Informed consent " ( risks and benefits ) by the patient should always be sought before any medical or surgical procedure. No one can claim they don't already know the risks of smoking, excess alcohol, or poor diet, when they choose ( consent ) to indulge. Paying " sin " tax on them only contributes part of the cost of future NHS treatment. If it transpires that the women who had PIP implants were misinformed about the risks, then private providers should arrange for removal at no expense, if necessary forced by the Government to do so. It's not cheap - perhaps 150m GBP ( although that's less than 1% of the NHS budget ). But if neither the surgeons nor the patients knew the real risk at the time, there is an analogy with smoking half a century ago. Treatment of its consequences was neither denied then nor is it now.
What disturbs me is that 1 in 9 women may have to face surgery for breast cancer at some time in their lives. But it's claimed that 30% of women want to look like Cheryl Cole, and significant percentages like Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna ... paying for plastic surgery to do so ...at vast expense and with variable success.

[grahamw48]

Is there an analogy with smoking though ?

Perhaps if the cigarettes supplied had been filled with a lesser quality tobacco than had been claimed on the pack ?

In both cases (if proven) the customer would be perfectly entitled to claim their money back from the retailer. It would then be up to the retailer (in this case...clinic) to claim from the supplier/manufacturer.

The clinics are businesses, and as such are just as liable for miss-selling their products and services as any other business.

[joebloggs]

What disturbs me is that 1 in 9 women may have to face surgery for breast cancer at some time in their lives.

from today's Daily mail

Former child star Hayley Mills has revealed that she fought a secret battle with breast cancer.

The Pollyanna star, 65, who is the daughter of legendary actor Sir John Mills, was diagnosed with the disease in both breasts in 2008, on her 62nd birthday.

The London-born actress said she wanted to open up about the experience following her recovery.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1iR2AnJHf

while in the mail

She's given birth to two babies within the space of a year.

But Danielle Lloyd has already regained her glamour model figure as she prepares to tie the knot with footballer fiancé Jamie O'Hara.

And before the couple's May wedding, the former Celebrity Big Brother star, 28, revealed she is planning another boob job.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1iR37T8bW

i don't know why women just don't leave them as they are, what is, is

[Doc Alan]

Is there an analogy with smoking though ?

It's only a loose analogy, Graham, but thanks for bothering to respond
Whether members are interested or not, this is a real scandal in an industry which exploits women - and increasingly men. Not least is the time this has taken to come to light - over a decade. It's a reflection on society that so many feel the need to " improve themselves " by cosmetic surgery, when a minority actually need such surgery for good clinical reasons. What a relief that there appears to be no risk of breast cancer from this procedure. A scary number of women, and a few men, already run that lifetime risk with few known preventable factors, as just illustrated in joebloggs' post.

[Doc Alan]

If truth be told, I'm not a fan of cosmetic surgery unless done for good clinical reasons. Regard that as opinion ( based on facts )

[grahamw48]

I agree, and much-needed skills being squandered on this potentially dangerous frippery.

.

[Doc Alan]

What an amazing lack of response to an issue which concerns women ( and increasingly men ) of all ages, from UK and Philippines
How long do you think it took to prepare this thread ?
The only replies have been from males, and where their ages are stated, the youngest is 57
I only hope that the 159 views included a few females, who either agree with what has been said, or don't feel motivated to reply. Whether or not you choose to respond, please at least be aware of the scandalous lack of regulation of cosmetic surgery and injections both in the UK and the Philippines.
The president of the appropriately named British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons ( BAAPS ) - entirely reputable - has actually claimed to know of some dentists who have put breast implants in.
If you have got this far, please think twice, and again, about cosmetic procedures. It's an expensive minefield Consider yourself lucky if you have never needed surgery. Use what savings you may have more sensibly.
Yes, that's my opinion - but it's shared by others, and backed up by facts .

[joebloggs]

we're very grateful for your time and knowledge Doc Alan, maybe some filipina's are a bit uncomfortable about discussing it on a public forum, especially when only men have replied

[Dedworth]

I've always felt that the lack of regulations covering cosmetic surgery needed addressing along with controls on eyebrow threading, teeth whitening, tattooing and piercing parlours.

This is from the US

The number of victims of a fake Miami doctor who allegedly pumped dangerous chemicals into their bodies and sealed their wounds with Super Glue has jumped to as many as 30, reports say.

Oneal Ron Morris, 31, who is transgendered and known as “The Duchess,” preyed largely on other transgendered women who hoped to enhance their curves and gain more feminine features, authorities said. But after Morris allegedly injected them with harmful chemicals, including Fix-a-Flat tire sealant, many ended up in the emergency room.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...#ixzz1iUlIjhzC

[Arthur Little]

What an amazing lack of response to an issue which concerns women ( and increasingly men ) of all ages, from UK and Philippines
How long do you think it took to prepare this thread ?

... this is particularly frustrating when dealing with a topic one might reasonably have expected to generate much greater female interest!

The only replies have been from males

...

I only hope that the 159 views included a few females, who either agree with what has been said, or don't feel motivated to reply.

... perhaps the latter - arising from [some] womens' long-held desires to conform - albeit misguidedly - to certain stereotypes, e.g., 'BIG boobs' are beautiful (which, as you and I are both aware, isn't always the case!) for which their male counterparts are all too often the catalysts.

[mickcant]

What an amazing lack of response to an issue which concerns women ( and increasingly men ) of all ages, from UK and Philippines
How long do you think it took to prepare this thread ?
The only replies have been from males, and where their ages are stated, the youngest is 57
I only hope that the 159 views included a few females, who either agree with what has been said, or don't feel motivated to reply. Whether or not you choose to respond, please at least be aware of the scandalous lack of regulation of cosmetic surgery and injections both in the UK and the Philippines.
The president of the appropriately named British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons ( BAAPS ) - entirely reputable - has actually claimed to know of some dentists who have put breast implants in.
If you have got this far, please think twice, and again, about cosmetic procedures. It's an expensive minefield Consider yourself lucky if you have never needed surgery. Use what savings you may have more sensibly.
Yes, that's my opinion - but it's shared by others, and backed up by facts .

From a male point unless surgery is because of necessary treatment such as breast cancer, I cannot understand why ladies want to have artifical bigger breasts, natural of any size is far the best

And I prefer smaller ones
Mick.

[Pete/London]

What an amazing lack of response to an issue which concerns women ( and increasingly men ) of all ages, from UK and Philippines
How long do you think it took to prepare this thread ?
The only replies have been from males, and where their ages are stated, the youngest is 57
I only hope that the 159 views included a few females, who either agree with what has been said, or don't feel motivated to reply. Whether or not you choose to respond, please at least be aware of the scandalous lack of regulation of cosmetic surgery and injections both in the UK and the Philippines.
The president of the appropriately named British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons ( BAAPS ) - entirely reputable - has actually claimed to know of some dentists who have put breast implants in.
If you have got this far, please think twice, and again, about cosmetic procedures. It's an expensive minefield Consider yourself lucky if you have never needed surgery. Use what savings you may have more sensibly.
Yes, that's my opinion - but it's shared by others, and backed up by facts .

I dont think you will get many women replying, they seem to be convinced that they need to have pert boobs to make themselves more attractive but I like many men find silicon boobs a big turn off. It seems they are competing with other women rather than listening to men.
My sister-in-law is so pretty and petite and had small boobs that suited her body but has always been unhappy with them. She had an boob job 6 weeks ago and has been in considerable pain since. I hope the pain subsides and she is happy with her new bits.

[grahamw48]

'pert'.

That's the word I was trying to think of....many thanks ...and my preference.

[imagine]

you cant beat the real thing, a handfull of silicone doesnt appeal to me at all,

if i want a handful i have a silicon tube in my mastic gun

[grahamw48]

Nothing attractive about a couple of bowling balls covered in skin.

[Pete/London]

'pert'.

That's the word I was trying to think of....many thanks ...and my preference.

It is a nice word, especially when linked with young
I think I used the wrong word in the post, should have said bazookas

felt I had to reply to get off 666 posts

[grahamw48]

You devil you.

Can't comment on the girlfriend's physique, as no doubt she'll read this, but young and .... I'd say a definite yes.

[Dedworth]

Nothing attractive about a couple of bowling balls covered in skin.

Have a look at my link post #17 in the States it could be a handful of cement and tyre sealant

[grahamw48]

My body is a temple.

....rapidly becoming an ancient monument, so who am I to talk.

[Dedworth]

I thought I'd read about the wife of an ex Scotland footballer dying after cosmetic surgery. Found this

Denise Hendry, the wife of former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry, has died after never fully recovering from botched cosmetic surgery seven years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...nise-dies.html

and this details about the inquest last year

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...neventful.html

[Doc Alan]

Have a look at my link post #17 in the States it could be a handful of cement and tyre sealant

I did ... it could be funny if it wasn't true .

[Doc Alan]

I dont think you will get many women replying, they seem to be convinced that they need to have pert boobs to make themselves more attractive but I like many men find silicon boobs a big turn off. It seems they are competing with other women rather than listening to men.
My sister-in-law is so pretty and petite and had small boobs that suited her body but has always been unhappy with them. She had an boob job 6 weeks ago and has been in considerable pain since. I hope the pain subsides and she is happy with her new bits.

You may well be right, Pete, and I see you have carefully used all the right words, including the last one, in your post .