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New You Magazine – Tips on Health and Cosmetic Medicine

New You is a new consumer publication produced by The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, with quarterly publishing scheduled to begin this month.

With visually stunning images and expert information, the AACS hopes to overcome the stigma sometimes associated with cosmetic surgery. Each issue will bring readers cutting-edge information about proven cosmetic procedures.

Here’s what you’ll find in each issue:

• Real patient stories, before & after photos, and interviews with top cosmetic surgeons
• How the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery can provide a more youthful appearance
• How to avoid negative results and stay safe
• How to choose a trustworthy physician

Where can I find New You?

The primary distribution of New You will be in the waiting rooms of 2500 practicing cosmetic surgeons. An additional 50,000 copies will be distributed to newsstands and other medical professionals.

For more information, visit newyoumag.com

American Breast Implant Maker Assures Safety of Their Implants

Breast implant maker Allergan has released a statement on the safety of its silicone breast implants in order to reassure consumers after an investigation into breast implants made by a French company.

Allergan is not part of the investigation that led to France’s health minister recommending that French women have silicone implants made by Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) removed.

PIP used cheaper industrial silicone instead of medical silicone for the implants, and they appear to have an unusually high rupture rate, according to investigators. The PIP implants were removed from the market last year and have never been used in the United States.

Estimates say that around 30,000 women in France have the PIP implants. Tens of thousands more women in Britain, Italy, Spain and other countries in Europe and South America also have had PIP implants.

Allergan’s breast implant devices, including Natrelle, were not part of the investigation. Just last year, the FDA reaffirmed the safety of silicone breast implants in the U.S.

“All Allergan implants are manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility using silicone and saline that is approved for use in medical devices and are designed to meet all relevant national and international Quality Control Standards and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP),” stated Allergan’s press release.

Allergan also offered specifics on the manufacturing of its implants: from start to finish, it can take up to 12 days to manufacture an Allergan breast implant, which undergoes almost 100 quality control tests.

Allergan’s breast implants have been used for almost 50 years. Their gel-filled breast implants have been available in Europe since 1997 and received U.S. FDA approval in 2006.

According to Allergan, silicone gel-filled breast implants are among the most studied medical devices, with more than 3,000 studies supporting their safe use.

In addition to Allergan, Johnson & Johnson’s Mentor also makes a silicone breast implant approved by the FDA.

Patients should recognize that while breast implants are safe, they are not lifetime devices. It’s possible that at some point a patient may need to have an implant removed or replaced.

Learn more about breast augmentation in Frederick County, MD.

Breast Surgery Questions & Answers

Q: Is it true that breast implants do not last a lifetime?

A: While there isn’t any breast implant expiration date, some patients need to return for a revision surgery at some point. However, if a patient remains pleased with her appearance and no complications arise, it’s possible for implants to last a lifetime.

Q: Is it true that natural fat can be used for breast augmentation?

A: It is possible, but this method is still being studied. Most surgeons agree that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not as predictable and not as effective as methods using silicone or saline breast implants. The New York Times just published a great article about that topic.

Q: Why has breast augmentation become so popular in the United States?

A: Without getting sociological about it, I’d say that breast augmentation is popular because many American women are dissatisfied with the size and shape of their breasts and breast augmentation is a predictable procedure for correcting that situation.

Q: Have we seen a dramatic increase in the use of silicone implants since their return to the market?

A: Just 3 years have passed since restrictions were lifted on silicone implants, so that’s still difficult to measure. 2009 statistics haven’t been publicized yet, but so far saline implants remain the most common choice for surgeons in the United States.

Q: What type of surgeon is qualified to perform breast augmentation?

A: This can be a controversial issue, but many agree that a board-certified plastic or cosmetic surgeon is qualified. It’s still recommended that you evaluate each surgeon on an individual basis.

Q: How much does breast augmentation cost?

A: It varies.  According to the ASAPS, the national average cost is around $4000.  However, according to this chart on RealSelf.com, the price is significantly higher.  Call us or schedule a consultation to learn more.