Body Modifications: Second Thoughts
January 23rd, 2012
I was interviewed by the Minneapolis StarTribune last week regarding the popularity of body modification called ear gauging. Click here tomorrow to read Tuesday’s article. This counter culture is coming full circle. Young adults who have chosen ear gauging are now moving into the work force. Even though they can remove the gauges, ear lobe deformity persists, which stands out as visual evidence of their past philosophies. They ask about having their ear lobes restored to the pre-counter culture state.
Fortunately, there is a simple surgery to eliminate the large hole in the ear lobe and at the same time reconstruct the natural shape of the ear. Under local anesthesia, the skin lining of the gauge hole is excised along with redundant lobe tissue. Simple skin closure leaves an inconspicuous scar that soon heals as the only evidence of their past choices.
Recall of French Breast Implants
January 18th, 2012
I recently received a guide from The American Society Aesthetic of Plastic Surgery for member plastic surgeons, addressing their concern for patients presenting with PIP Implants. The French manufacturer Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) and the Dutch company Rofil Medical used inferior, industrial grade, silicone in the breast implants they produced and sold.
What is wrong with the PIP/ROFIL implants? These products have a higher rupture rate than other available implants and these implants were never FDA approved here. Countries where these implants were available include England, France, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany or the Czech Republic. However, medical tourism is popular and it is possible that some Americans may also have these types of implants.
I agree with the guidelines of The American Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and my colleagues at The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) and who support the recommendation of the French authorities to remove the implants as a precaution, even if no symptoms or hints of rupture or leakage are present. Consult your physician if you have questions regarding what type of implants you have.
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