When To Change Breast Implants

I’d like to talk to you about the “shelf life” of breast implants. My Delaware breast augmentation patients know that even though “diamonds are forever", breast implants aren’t.

Why Should You Replace Your Breast Implants?

Here are a few reasons you might decide to change your breast implants.

1. You want to be either larger or smaller than you are now;
2. You want to change the shape or projection of your implants;
3. You want to switch from saline-filled to gel-filled (or vice versa);
4. You have a capsular contracture (painful hardening around the implant pocket);
5. Your saline implants (one or both) have deflated;
6. You see wrinkling, rippling, bottoming out or a“double bubble”
7. You had a breast aug several years ago and now you want a breast lift because your breasts are sagging. Note that it's not always necessary to replace your implants during a breast lift. If you're happy with the size and just want to eliminate the sagging, so long as the implants are still in good shape, they won't need to be replaced with new ones.

How Long Should My Implants Last?

While most breast implant manufacturers suggest that implants will last about ten years, some women never need to replace them. Some women need to replace them within 7 years. It varies.

Will I Have New Scars if I Replace My Breast Implants?

Not usually. Unless your scars from the original breast augmentation procedure are hypertrophic, the same incisions are used.

How Will I Know If My Breast Implants Are “Too Old?”

If you don't have one of the problems in the list above, don't worry. It's a case of "if it's not broke, don't fix it." However, if you have any concerns about your implants, set up a time to come in and see me. Keep in mind that, while saline-filled implant rupture is obvious, gel-filled implant failure isn’t. So, if you have women's intuition that your breast implants need some attention, just set an appointment. I’ll examine you and tell you if I think there's anything to be concerned about. Until then, enjoy your beautiful figure!

To your health and beauty,

Joe Danyo, MD

Skin Cancer Cells Killed with an Extract from Green Tea

While we've all heard about the tremendous health benefits of green tea, there's new proof that a compound in green tea may actually shrink skin cancer tumors. 

A study at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, reported recently in the magazine, Nanomedicine, that a laboratory study created a 30% reduction in human skin cancer tumors, while an additional 40% of tumors disappeared altogether, after a month of treatment using a compound found in green tea.

The compound is called epigallocatechin gallate. Previous studies used this extract in an IV drug mixture, but tumors weren't effected. However, the Strathclyde study employed a targeted delivery system that piggybacked the extract with proteins containing iron.  

Keep in mind that this was a laboratory study, and not a clinical trial on humans, which are likely to be years in the offing. However, Dr. Christine Dufes, study head and a senior lecturer at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, shared this about the study, "This research could open doors to new treatments for what is still one of the biggest killer diseases in many countries. With the targeted delivery system, it's taken straight to the tumours without any effect on normal tissue. When we used our method, the green tea extract reduced the size of many of the tumours every day, in some cases removing them altogether. These are very encouraging results, which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments.”

If you have concerns about skin cancer, such as moles that have changed size or shape, make an appointment to be seen by your dermatologist immediately. There are many treatments for skin cancer and it's best if caught early. Prevention is key! Although here in Delaware, we don't have the rate of skin cancer experienced in the sunniest states like Texas, Florida and California, a high SPF sunscreen is still necessary. Call our Delaware plastic surgery office and schedule a meeting with Deana to review our sunscreens. She'll point you in the right protection direction!

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joseph Danyo