Myths about Breast Implants

As breast enlargement surgery has become more popular, the number of myths surrounding this procedure has risen as well. These rumors have caused many women to become confused trying to separate fact from fiction. What follows is a list of facts and myths about breast implants. Understanding the truth will help you make a better informed decision about your breast enlargement surgery.

Breast Implants Rupture EasilyThis simply isn't true. While there have been cases of breast implants rupturing, this is a highly rare occurrence. Breast implants are tested regularly in strenuous conditions to ensure they withstand daily activities.

You Can't Breastfeed with ImplantsThis myth is a case of sensationalism. It's true that some women have experienced problems with breastfeeding due to their implants. However, this is the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of women who receive breast implants are able to breastfeed with no complications.

Silicone Implants are DangerousSilicone implants were out of favor with the FDA for a long period of time. However, today’s silicone implants are not like those of the past. They are much safer and far more effective. In 2006, the FDA approved silicone breast implants as perfectly safe for women to use.

Breast Implant Surgery is ComplicatedMany women make the unfortunate mistake of assuming any surgeon can handle their breast enlargement. This is a crucial error. You must find a surgeon with ample experience and all the proper certifications. This gives you the best chance of receiving a successful surgery.

Implants must be replaced every 5 to 10 yearsImplants do not need to be replaced unless a problem occurs. Many patients have had implants for 20+ years which continue to be soft and natural looking. Interestingly, the most common cause for implant removal and exchange, is the desire on the patient's part to have larger implants!

Dr Ioannis Georgiou Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Cyprus

Plastic Surgery in Cyprus

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns.

In the term plastic surgery, the adjective plastic denotes sculpting, and derives from the Greek πλαστική (τέχνη), plastikē (tekhnē), “the art of modelling” of malleable flesh.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct functional impairments caused by burns; traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures and breaks; congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palates or cleft lips; developmental abnormalities; infection and disease; and cancer or tumors. Reconstructive plastic surgery is usually performed to improve function, but it may be done to approximate a normal appearance.

Aesthetic plastic surgery can also be called as cosmetic surgery involves techniques intended for the "enhancement" of appearance through surgical and medical techniques, and is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Allover in the world including Cyprus , the number of patients that undergo  cosmetic surgery is rising.

As the costs of surgery rise in many countries, more and more people are becoming "medical tourists" and travelling abroad for treatment. Cyprus is a popular medical tourism destination offering low cost cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and enabling people to combine treatment with a holiday in Cyprus with its idyllic sandy beaches.

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Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Plastic Surgery Cyrprus

Commonly referred to as a breast lift or boob lift, mastopexy surgery raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Weight fluctuations
Aging
Gravity
Heredity

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted. Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and reduction surgery.

The Procedure:

What happens during breast lift surgery? Your mastopexy surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

Breast size and shape
The size and position of your areolas
The degree of breast sagging
Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are three common incision patterns:

Around the areola


Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease


Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease



After the incisions, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity. After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lifts are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after breast lift surgery.

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent, but will continue to fade over time. Your mastopexy results will be long-lasting. Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. But, you’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

Maintain your weight
Keep a healthy lifestyle

Dr Georgiou Ioannis

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

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Fillers- Hyaluronic Acid

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

If you want to reduce facial wrinkles and lines, hyaluronic acid may be a good choice as a dermal filler because of its compatibility with the human body. In fact, this substance is found in almost every single living thing. In humans, it acts as a network that transfers essential nutrients from the bloodstream to skin cells. High concentrations are found in soft connective tissues and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. It's also in some cartilage and joint fluids, as well as skin tissue. It is extracted and reformulated and now has become one of the most popular kinds of injectable fillers.

When this gel is injected, it acts like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that may have lost volume or elasticity due to normal aging. It also brings water to the surface of skin to keep it looking fresh and supple.

The Procedure:
Tiny amounts of hyaluronic acid are injected into your face through very fine needles. The treatments typically take less than 30 minutes, depending how many lines are treated. You can expect very little discomfort. First, your surgeon will listen to your desired results and then evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone, examining the areas of your face to be augmented with hyaluronic acid as a filler.

Your injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Then a topical anesthetic will be used to numb the area, particularly if you are sensitive to injections. The actual injections will take just a few minutes total, and just seconds per site. An ice pack to reduce any minor and temporary discomfort. At this point you may apply makeup, but be careful not to apply pressure to the treated areas, as doing so may result in movement of the hyaluronic acid.

A special note about scars and deep lines.
These areas will often require multiple injections to achieve your desired results. If a deeper injection is required, you'll be offered a local anesthetic to remain comfortable. Common sites for deeper tissue fillers are the nasolabial folds and marionette lines, or to enhance fullness in the cheeks.

You can resume most activities immediately following injection with hyaluronic acid wrinkle treatment. Just be careful not to rub the area. Most people tolerate injectable hyaluronic acid therapy without irritation or complications. Right after your treatment, the area may be red, swollen and bruised. This tenderness should go away within a few days.

Before you consider having hyaluronic acid treatment, be aware that you might not achieve the results you want with just one treatment. Depending on how your body reacts to the injections, you might need additional injections

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Dr Georgiou Ioannis

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Αυξητική Στήθους

Η επέμβαση της αύξησης του στήθους απέκτησε μεγάλη δημοτικότητα στη διάρκεια της δεκαετίας του 80. Πράγματι ο αριθμός των γυναικών που υπέστησαν αύξηση στήθουςανήλθε στις 90.000 το 1990 στις Η.Π.Α, και έκτοτε ο αριθμός αυξάνει κατά 30%-40% κάθε χρόνο. Το ίδιο συμβαίνει και στην Κύπρο, όπου ο αριθμός των γυναικών που προσέρχονται στους πλαστικούς χειρουργούς για αύξηση μαστών αυξάνεται κάθε χρόνο.

Πότε μια γυναίκα είναι υποψήφια για την επέμβαση.

Η πρώτη ένδειξη για την επέμβαση της αύξησης του στήθους είναι το μικρό στηθος (ανεπαρκής όγκος μαστού). Αυτή η υποπλασία,όπως λέγεται, μπορεί να είναι είτε το αποτέλεσμα μιας ελλειπούς ανάπτυξης είτε να είναι το αποτέλεσμα μιας εκφυλιστικής διαδικασίας. Η τελευταία εμφανίζεται σαν πτώση του μαστού ή ψευδοπτώση (άδειος η ξεφούσκωτος μαστός). Η αύξηση του στήθους με το κατάλληλο μεγέθους ένθεμα διορθώνει τη πλειονότητα των περιπτώσεων, εκτός και αν υπάρχει μεγάλου βαθμού πτώση (2ου-3ου βαθμού) οπότε ίσως απαιτηθεί και ανόρθωση του μαστού μαζί με την αύξηση, για να φθάσουμε σε ένα ικανοποιητικό αποτέλεσμα.

Η δεύτερη ένδειξη για την πλαστική στήθους αποτελεί συνέχεια της πρώτης μια και αφορά τη ψυχολογία μιας νεαρής κοπέλας η μιας μεγαλύτερης σε ηλικία γυναίκας με μικρό και υποπλαστικό μαστό. Γυναίκες που θέλουν να κάνουν αύξηση των μαστών τους νιώθουν οτι το στήθος τους είναι λίγο και έχουν αμφιβολίες για τη θηλυκότητα τους. Αυτό τις οδηγεί πολλές φορές σε έλλειψη αυτοπεποίθησης και αυτοεκτίμησης. Κάποιες επίσης νιώθουν οτι αυτή η διαταραχή να αποτελεί εμπόδιο στην ερωτική τους ζωή. Είναι εντυπωσιακό πως αλλάζει μετα την εγχείρηση η όλη συμπεριφορά τους και οι σχέσεις με το περιβάλλον η το σύντροφο τους.

Δρ Ιωάννης Γεωργίου
Πλαστική και Αισθητική Χειρουργική, Κυπρος

Περισσότερες πληροφορίες

Botox

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Smiling, frowning, squinting and even chewing - basically any facial movement can eventually lead to one of the most common signs of aging: wrinkles. They can make you appear tired or even angry when you are not. One of the quickest and safest remedies to remove wrinkles is an injection of botulinum toxin. Botox can be used as a wrinkle treatment to smooth:

Frown lines
Crows feet
Forehead furrows
Skin bands on the neck

Botulinum toxin type A and botulinum toxin type B are both purified substances, derived from a bacteria. Injections of this substance blocks muscular nerve signals, which then weakens the muscle so that it can't contract and diminishes your unwanted facial wrinkles.

Injections of Botox may seem like a simple procedure to you, since it's just a few shots. But it's actually both an art and science that only an experienced healthcare professional should do. There are 43 muscles in your face and it's vital that the person who performs botulinum toxin injections understands and pinpoints the correct spots to optimize your treatment.

A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles. By carefully choosing specific muscles, your healthcare provider weakens only the wrinkle-producing muscles, preserving your natural facial expressions.

Botox treatment injections usually take less than 15 minutes. The number of injections you need will depend on multiple factors, including your facial features and the extent of your wrinkles. Crow's feet, for example, usually demand two to three injections. Furrows above your brow could take five or more. No anesthesia is required.

There is no down time or recovery time. You may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to a week to see the full effect. This improvement typically lasts about three to four months. When the effects of botulinum toxin begin to fade, your muscle reactions and the wrinkles will return.

Although generally safe, side effects and complications can include:

Bruising and pain at the injection site
Redness
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
Nausea
Temporary facial weakness or drooping

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Dr Georgiou Ioannis

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Breast Enlargement

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth, next to oxygen. Silicones are actually a family of chemical compounds. They are made of silicon, which is a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz, and rock. When silicon is mixed with oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, it becomes silicone. Silicone can be made in a variety of forms. Low molecular weight silicones form oils. Middle molecular weight forms gels, and high molecular weight forms elastomers and rubbers. Silicone is found in many other types of implants, such as facial implants, artificial joints, drainage systems, etc.

Round Implants

Round breast implants are just that...round. If a round implant "turns" in the pocket, it is still round and symmetrical, and will not cause any distortion in the shape of the breast. Round implants are measured while lying on a flat surface. They come in smooth surfaces and textured surfaces. Round implants are less expensive than anatomical implants.

It is a common myth that round implants always produce a more "fake" look. This is not the case. Rounds can look just as natural as anatomicals, and vice versa. Actually, when a round implant is held in a vertical position, it takes on the same shape as the anatomical implant. This has been proven through x-rays. The result you get with the type of implant you choose will depend on your anatomy and the amount of tissue you start with.

Anatomical Implants (teardrop) 

Anatomical implants were designed primarily for reconstruction purposes, but have since made their way in to general breast augmentation. They were designed to produce a more natural looking breast. When looking at an anatomical implant from the front, it appears oval in shape. If viewed from the side, it appears to have more volume at the bottom, thus making it project in a more conical fashion. The majority of the volume in anatomical implants is in the lower portion of the implant.

It is possible for anatomical implants "flip", or turn, in the pocket. Because of this, all anatomicals come with a textured surface. The textured surface allows for tissue adherence, which helps to keep the implant in the proper position. However, there is no guarantee that the implant will not flip. If the implant flips, you will need surgery to put the implant back into correct position.

SafetySilicone implants used, are approved from the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and CE (European Conformity). The decision to approve these implants was based on a thorough review of each company’s clinical (core) and preclinical studies, a review of studies by independent scientific bodies and deliberations of advisory panels of outside experts that heard public comment from hundreds of stakeholders. Despite some minor complications the implants were proved to be safe.

In the past decade, a number of independent studies have examined whether silicone gel-filled breast implants are associated with connective tissue disease or cancer. The studies, including a report by the Institute of Medicine, have concluded there is no convincing evidence that breast implants are associated with either of these diseases.

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Dr Georgiou Ioannis

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Liposuction

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"), liposculpture suction lipectomy ("suction-assisted fat removal") or simply lipo is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body.

Despite good health and a reasonable level of fitness, some people may still have a body with disproportionate contours due to localized fat deposits. These areas may be due to family traits rather than a lack of weight control or fitness. Liposuction surgery can be used to treat stubborn fat pockets in many parts of the body including the thighs, arms, neck, hips, waist, back, inner knee, chest, cheeks, chin, calves, and ankles.

Liposuction surgery is not a treatment for obesity and is not a replacement for regular exercise and good eating habits. The more fat removed, the higher the surgical risk. This is the reason why the amount of fat that can be safely removed should be limited to 2 or 3 liters in each session.

Although many techniques can be used, the tumescent technique seems to be the safest and the most effective technique.

The tumescent technique for local anesthesia involves the injection of large volumes of very dilute lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (drug that shrinks capillaries) into subcutaneous fat. The word tumescent means swollen and firm. With the tumescent technique, the volume of dilute lidocaine that is injected into fat is so large that the targeted areas literally become tumescent (swollen and firm).

The local anesthetic lidocaine in the tumescent solution provides such complete local anesthesia, that it eliminates the need for general anesthesia, or IV sedation. The drug epinephrine (adrenalin) provides profound localized vasoconstriction that it virtually eliminates surgical bleeding during tumescent liposuction. By eliminating the risks of general anesthesia and the risks of excessive surgical bleeding, the tumescent technique for liposuction totally by local anesthesia has eliminated the greatest dangers associated with the older forms of liposuction.

Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through small incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula. As this fat is removed, the layer of fat left behind is sculpted into aesthetically pleasing curves.

Once your procedure is completed, a compression garment or elastic bandages will cover treatment areas. These help to control swelling after liposuction and compress the skin to your new body contours. In addition, as the small incision remains open any excess blood or fluid will drain out. This will last from 24 to 48 hours. The recovery is very fast and in simple cases the patient will be able to return to the work in a few days. Eventually pain can be easily control with pain medication.

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate after liposuction surgery. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop. The fulfillment you feel from the initial results of liposuction should continue as long as you control your weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. A significant weight gain can reverse your results. Following liposuction, your slimmer and better-proportioned body should more accurately reflect the healthy and active life you lead.

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Dr Georgiou Ioannis

Plastic Surgery Cyprus

Επεμβάσεις Προσώπου

Με την πλαστική χειρουργική προσώπου μπορούν να αποκατασταθούν οι λειτουργικές βλάβες, τις οποίες παρουσιάζει ένα πρόσωπο και συγχρόνως να βελτιωθεί αισθητικά η εμφάνισή του. Διορθώνονται ή εξαλείφονται δυσμορφίες, παραμορφώσεις και αντιαισθητικά χαρακτηριστικά προσώπου, τα οποία είτε υπάρχουν εκ γενετής είτε εμφανίζονται λόγω της γήρανσης ή μετά από ατύχημα.

Έτσι λοιπόν, η αισθητική πλαστική χειρουργική προσώπου αποσκοπεί στη διατήρηση ή δημιουργία προσώπου με φυσικά χαρακτηριστικά, τονίζοντας τα ωραία σημεία του και εξαλείφοντας τις ατέλειες του, χωρίς όμως να προκαλεί βλάβη στη φυσιολογική λειτουργία και κινητικότητα του.

H πλαστική χειρουργική είναι συνδυασμός επιστημονικής γνώσης, δεξιοτεχνίας στα δάχτυλα, τέχνης και καλλιτεχνίας. Απώτερος στόχος της αισθητικής πλαστικής χειρουργικής είναι η καλύτερη δυνατή βελτίωση της εμφάνισης, με προσπάθεια ρεαλιστικής προσέγγισης στην τελειότητα.


H βελτίωση, η οποία επιτυγχάνεται στην εμφάνιση μετά από επιτυχημένη πλαστική επέμβαση, είναι σίγουρο ότι θα ωφελήσει ψυχολογικά το άτομο αυξάνοντας την αυτοπεποίθησή του, την αυτοεκτίμησή του και την εμπιστοσύνη στον εαυτό του, όμως αυτό δεν αποτελεί πανάκεια ή μαγική λύση στα πάσης φύσεως προσωπικά ή κοινωνικά προβλήματά του.

Eπίσης πρέπει να σημειωθεί ότι ο βαθμός επιτυχίας μιας επέμβασης εξαρτάται όχι μόνο από τη γνώση, τις χειρουργικές ικανότητες και την εμπειρία του χειρουργού, αλλά και από την ηλικία, την κατάσταση υγείας, την υφή των οστών και χόνδρων, την ποιότητα του δέρματος του χειρουργημένου, καθώς και από τη συνεργατικότητα, την οποία θα επιδείξει ο χειρουργημένος με το χειρουργό του, πριν και μετά την εγχείρηση.