BellaSugar

Is Denise Richards's Boob-Job Admission TMI?

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:03:49 -0700

This week, Denise Richards told Howard Stern that she's had three breast-augmentation surgeries. (Once, twice, three times a lady?) She had her first surgery when she was 19. "I was flat as a board, and I thought 'Whoa, you can just buy them' and stupidly had them done," she said. Unfortunately, they were too big for her frame, so she had them replaced - with even larger ones. She found what she was looking for the third time around, though she now says, "It was a big mistake. Young girls, don't do it!"

I appreciate it when people are open about the work they've had done, if only because I appreciate transparency. But to go on and on about it can be overload. In this case, do you think Denise's admission is spot-on, or is it too much information?

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A New Treatment Could Swap Belly Fat For Bigger Boobs

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:32 -0700

Are you a member of the IBTC? If some scientists have their way, you may have an option to grow to a bigger cup size. The London Times reports that a new treatment, soon to be available in Britain, could lead to a bigger bosom - "naturally." The treatment involves harvesting stem cells from extra tummy fat, then growing them in the breasts. Most likely, women would go up a cup.

The technique, already used in Japan, will be tested on 30 women beginning in May. Professor Kefah Mokbel, who leads the project, says the stem-cell ta-tas are superior to implants. "They feel more natural because this tissue has the same softness as the rest of the breast," he says. But plastic surgeon Eva Weiler-Mithoff, who is unconnected to the project, has some reservations. While she has treated cancer patients with good results, she doesn't recommend it for healthy women. Bottom line? Another way to have bigger boobage could be available in the near future, but until then, a push-up bra remains the best option . . . or you could, you know, just be happy with what you've got in the first place.

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Have You Heard About Boob Jab?

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:00:55 -0700

Just when you think you've seen it all, a new cosmetic procedure comes along to out-weird the last. The latest one is referred to as the Boob Jab - that's jab, not job. As an alternative to breast implants, the Boob Jab is an injectable filler that can increase the breast's fullness by one cup size. A doctor numbs the underarm area, then injects a hyaluronic acid-based filler called Macrolane into the breast. The results are immediate, although some bruising is common. But here's the catch: the $4,000 procedure produces results, but they last only from 12 to 18 months. Over time, the body absorbs the filler, and the breasts need to be "topped off."

If you're itching to see what it's like to be a C-cup rather than a B-cup, this could be right up your alley. But I wouldn't be into this - I'm just not a fan of needles or injectable fillers in general. And on a larger level, I'm tired of the pathologizing of small breasts. Is it just me, or is the obsession with implants and the like getting out of control?
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Meet The First Woman To Get Silicone Implants

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:11:45 -0700

After learning that half of you would consider getting breast implants if the procedure were simple, I thought you might be interested in this profile (NSFW) of Timmie Jean Lindsey, the Texas woman who was the first to have breast implants. It's an interesting look into the history of cosmetic surgery, especially considering how little information this woman had compared to the women of today. The cynic in me suspects that Timmie was offered the chance to be a guinea pig because she was a poor high-school dropout working a low-paying job to take care of her six children-especially because she wasn't after a bigger bosom in the first place. Ironically, she thought her breasts were fine, but she disliked her ears; she agreed to be a guinea pig if her surgeon would "fix" her ears, too. Deal.

Although her surgeon assured her that silicone implants were "as harmless as water," 10 years after the operation, Timmie Jean's implants began to harden. Since then, she has also experienced shooting pains, rashes, chronic fatigue, and a tear in the shell of one implant. She says:

"I truly believe women should be free to choose. But, to be honest, there are times when I think I would like to have mine taken out. I started to get pain in the Eighties and sometimes it lasts for five to six weeks. It feels like I've broken a rib."

The story is a must-read for anyone who's interested in the history of plastic surgery, or who's considering going under the knife herself. No matter where you stand on the issue of breast augmentation, I think your heart will break a little for this woman.

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Bigger Boobs in 30 Minutes

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:30:25 -0700

Whether you're a fan of breast augmentation or you think it's just for boobs (yuk yuk), you probably know that getting implants isn't a quick and easy procedure. Most women take two to five days off to start healing, and it can take weeks to do so completely.

Not for long, though, according to a Dallas plastic surgeon. Dr. John Tebbetts, shown here, is appearing at the annual meeting of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons this week. He'll present information on his 30-minute breast augmentation procedure, which requires low levels of anaesthetics and promises to get the newly ample-bosomed recovered in just a few hours.

"The level of pain that our patients experience does not require any medications other than Ibuprofen which is available over the counter without a prescription," Dr Tebbetts said. ... "After the surgery we tell the women to go home and have a little nap, then get up after two hours, wash their hair, which helps them stretch their muscles, then go to dinner."

If it takes off, the so-called "out to dinner" breast augmentation could change the way women view surgery. You could wake up a 32A, then go out that evening a 32D-all with a procedure that takes less time than a dental cleaning. In effect, getting implants becomes a simple, quick procedure. I'm curious to know what you think of this development. Does it change the way you look at cosmetic surgery at all?

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Free Implants! (But There's a Catch...)

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:08:09 -0700

For women who want breast implants, money is often a huge roadblock. (Read this story to find out how people are affording these pricey procedures.) That's why an entrepreneur named Jason Grunstra has come up with Myfreeimplants.com, a site that connects small-chested females with men who'll donate money to help them reach that goal. The guys pay $1.25 to send a message to the women, and $1.00 of that fee goes to their surgery fund (Grunstra keeps 25 cents).

Some women auction their underwear to potential benefactors, while others pose for nude photos. Ashley, the 23-year-old shown here, is looking to have her second breast augmentation. Through the site, she earns $50 for sending users topless photos (sometimes in a schoolgirl outfit) and $100 for a nude photo. She estimates she's sent out approximately 200 of these photos, saying:

"It's a business thing for me. I mean, I hate to feel that way. Because I know some of these guys are thinking I'm their friend," she says. "I'm not really a fake person, so it's kind of a challenge for me. But at the same time, you know, you got to make the money."

Unsurprisingly, the concept has earned the ire of people who say it's an exploitative venture. But with more than 5 million page views per month, there's clearly an audience of women who can't afford augmentation on their own (and, of course, men who are willing to pay to help them reach their goal). What do you think? Is this a savvy move for the small-chested, or is it just a sign of small self-esteem?

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Should Teenagers Have Plastic Surgery?

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:00:37 -0800

As a teenager, I was involved in a minor car accident. Since then, I've had a little bump on the top of my nose. And while I possibly could have had it fixed along the way, I now consider the imperfection unnoticeable - a unique part of me.

Today, the New York Times published an article on the topic of teenage plastic surgery. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, procedures for those under 18 have tripled in the past 10 years, with breast augmentations occurring six times as much - surprising figures, eh?

Some argue that the problem is more about low self-esteem, causing young girls to feel they must change their bodies to be accepted. Others view plastic surgery as a self-esteem booster, with supporters claiming it can actually prevent destructive behaviors such as eating disorders. What do you think? Is teenage plastic surgery just too risky, or are you all for it?

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What Do You Think of Boob-Boosting Contests?

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:30:30 -0700

Well, this is just great. V20, a nightclub in Long Beach, California, was having a hard time drawing crowds. And then a promoter came up with a brilliant scheme. "We just thought that the number-one reason people come to the club is, of course, girls," said promoter Jason DeLeon."So how would we attract that demographic? Plastic surgery. It's what they're into."

Leon created a contest called the Spring Break Breast Augmentation Contest Series, in which college-aged women compete in apple-bobbing contests and limbo competitions. (How low can you go, indeed.) The winner receives a free breast augmentation. And why did these women participate? "To get boobs. More self-esteem," one said. "It's always nice to get free boobies," another explained.

Another contest for free ta-tas begins next month. I think the whole thing is a sad sign of the times, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned. What are your thoughts on this contest?

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Implants: Usually Not a One-Time Thing

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:00:06 -0800

Can you guess what the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure is? If you guessed breast augmentation, you're right. But one thing that some women don't know is that breast implants aren't a one-time deal. They need to be replaced over time, or you could run into some pretty unpleasant health problems. Even before their recommended 10-to-15-year replacement time passes, some women run into trouble. Worst-case scenario, the implant ruptures, spilling saline or silicone into your body. Or scar tissue can form around the implants, causing disfigurement. In either case, the implants need to be replaced. This New York Times story examines the issue in detail. Tons of interesting stuff in here, including this:

“Your implants may last less than 10 years or more than 10 years, but when you start having problems with them, your health insurance is unlikely to cover the M.R.I. tests or the reoperations,” said Carol Ciancutti-Leyva, the director of a 2007 anti-implant documentary called Absolutely Safe. “It can be a very expensive proposition, especially if you are young.”

Another interesting tidbit: Doctors don't have to disclose information about how long implants may last. One woman quoted says that her doctor never told her she'd need to have "re-surgery." (Bitter surprise that was, I bet.) I've never really wanted implants, but the story is a must-read if you or someone you know is considering augmentation-or if you're just fascinated by the phenomenon, as I am.

Plastic Surgeons on the Economy: "It's Not a Pretty Picture"

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:40 -0700

Thanks to a saggy economy, plastic surgeons are reporting more nips and tucks in their bottom line. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a drop in the number of cosmetic procedures in the first half of 2008 compared with the same time period in 2007. As the New York Times explains:

About 60 percent of the respondents said they had performed fewer breast-augmentation and liposuction procedures this year. Almost half the doctors reported a decrease in eyelid operations; 44 percent said they had performed fewer nose jobs.

A separate study shows that the number of Botox injections, too, have seen a double-digit drop compared to a year ago. While this news isn't wonderful for the surgeons, I can't help but wonder if their dark cloud has a silver lining. If cosmetic surgery becomes less popular, might that lead people to accept and enjoy themselves as they are?

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