Benefits of Adivive Autologous Fat Transfer for Breasts

Dr. Lewis Obi is frequently asked questions regarding his use of Adivive autologous fat transfer on patients and its benefits. The following is one of the most commonly asked questions.

What are some of the benefits of Adivive fat 

transfer for breasts? 

Dr. Lewis Obi explains: "I have had mixed results and find this technique most useful for smaller volume fat grafting (100-150cc per breast) than most of my colleagues are performing. I have experienced better results in patients requiring perhaps one cup size enlargements such as in the lumpectomy/irradiation patients, breast lift patients and for cosmetic patients with moderate asymmetry of the breasts."

Dr. Lewis Obi Discussed His Interest in Gummy Bear Implants with Allergan

For several years, Dr. Lewis Obi has urged Allergan to help finalize the FDA approval of their style 410 “Gummy Bear” breast implants which have been used in many countries world wide for almost a decade. As a pioneer in many areas of plastic surgery, Dr. Obi has been on the frontier of breast surgery early in his practice. He was one of the first American plastic surgeons to adopt the use of saline implants during an era when the Silicone Gel implants were not considered safe for his patients. “The current silicone breast implants in use have been proven to be safe by the FDA,” states Dr. Obi. (Read the 5 Myths About Breast Implants blog) Coincidentally, Dr. Lewis Obi has been actively involved with the FDA’s breast implant tracking program for the past 20 years.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

His interest in Natrelle™'s Gummy Bear implants is primarily for patients with recurring capsular contracture difficulties with currently available implants. Also, patients seeking reconstruction after mastectomy are potential candidates for these implants. As noted in our September Newsletter, Dr. Lewis Obi was also the first plastic surgeon in the U.S. to acquire the FDA approved Adivive™ stem cell fat processing unit used for breast reconstruction. Also in our September Newsletter, an article in the Australian publication “Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine” quoted Dr. Obi’s experience with the Adivive system for breast augmentation. As with the introduction of saline implants in the 1970’s and stem cell fat grafting procedures more recently, Dr. Lewis Obi has been on the forefront of breast surgery.

Courtesy of Bella Media, Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine

Why Are They Called "Gummy Bear" Implants?

Made with cohesive silicone gel, the implants have a consistency that was previously unavailable in any breast implant. Most silicone breast implants have a silicone gel that feels like honey, while the 410 is more like jello. For this reason, people have nick-named them "gummy bear implants."

The current silicone gel implants, which have a round shape, are filled with silicone that has a consistency like honey. The gel "flows" in the implant, so when the implant is in the vertical position, the gel flows to the bottom and the top/upper pole of the implant collapses. This leads to loss of upper pole fullness and rippling which may be visible and/or palpable.

The style 410 implant is made with silicone that has 3% more cross-linking and it is thus more viscous. The silicone does not flow, it is form stable and has an anatomic (tear-drop) shape. This anatomically shaped implant maintains its shape in all positions. The shell does not fold. Thus the upper pole remains full even in the upright position and there is minimal rippling.

Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants

The new style 410 implants from Allergan are most advanced generation of silicone breast implants available today. The silicone in these implants is form stable, does not flow, and the implant maintains it shape. These implants were developed to address some of the short-comings of currently available silicone gel implants.

Gummy Bear Implants: What’s The Difference?

All silicone gel breast implants used today are termed "cohesive." This is because they are more cohesive than the older silicone implants. However, a truly cohesive silicone implant is form stable. Only the Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants and the Mentor CPG are truly cohesive silicone implants and thus have the associated benefits.

The Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants are more cohesive than implants used in the past, as well as the currently available silicone gel breast implants.

This difference brings several benefits:
• Early study results show a reduced incidence of leakage rates
• Less capsular contracture
• Less rippling
• The implant maintains its shape, the shape is reflected in the breast, it is not deformed by gravitational forces

Breast Implant Options with the Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Implant

Allergan NatrelleTM 410 Silicone Breast Implants come in 12 different models, each with varying width, height and projection. All implants come with an anatomical shape to match your natural body characteristics.

These implants are an excellent option for our patients needing:
• Revision augmentation or mastopexy/augmentation
• Revision of augmentation for leaking silicone implant or deflated saline Implant
• Revision of augmentation for capsular contracture
• Breast reconstruction

HOPEFULLY THESE IMPLANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PATIENT’S OF DR. LEWIS OBI THIS FALL.

Five Myths About Breast Implants

In 2011, breast augmentation was the 2nd most popular cosmetic surgery procedure (according to ASAPS) with approximately 316,848 implant procedures performed.

Eternal Moment, Daniel
Courtesy of Obiarts Inc

 Among the women that received breast augmentation in 2011: 

• 4, 830 were 18 and under 
• 155,256 were 19-34 
• 125, 710 were 35-50 
• 27, 852 were 51-64 
• 3,199 were 65+ 

Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or to reconstruct, there are various reasons why a woman chooses to have a breast augmentation. There are also many worries that come along with implant surgery. Here are the top five concerns addressed during consults.

1. Breast Implants Can Cause Cancer and Other Diseases

There is NO evidence that implants cause cancer or other diseases. The FDA has conducted several studies on implants to see if there are any links between implants and diseases. Some studies have even concluded that there is a slightly lower incidence of cancer in patients with long term implants.

2. Nursing is not Possible with Breast Implants

Women with breast implants can do most anything women without implants do – including breastfeeding. The majority of women who receive implants are able to nurse with no complications. Troubles with breastfeeding and implants are very rare and this is also true in patients with peri-areolar (nipple) incisions.

3. If a Silicone Breast Implant Ruptures, it Will Travel Through the Body

In recent years, major revisions and advancements have been made to silicone breast implants to make them safer for women. It is rare that a silicone implant ruptures, but in the case that it does, the gel tends to stay in its molded position. In 2006, the FDA announced their decision to reintroduce silicone gel implants to the market.

4. Breast Implants Need to be Replaced Every Couple of Years

Implants do not typically need to be revised nor replaced if there are no problems. In rare cases, women may need to remove implants due to health issues or the fact they do not want implants anymore.

5. The Bigger the Implant, the Better

Bigger is not always better when it comes to breast implants. Depending on a woman’s size and shape, larger implants may be nuisance or even cause injuries. Breast implants will stretch breast tissue that may cause the implant to be visible to the naked eye. Very large implants can cause the chest wall to become deformed as well. A reputable plastic surgeon will discuss size options and help you choose the best option based on your size, height and frame.

For women who don’t want silicone or saline implants, stem cell adult fat transfer may be a viable option. Transferred fat is also used in the reconstruction of breasts after cancer. This revolutionary technique is used to restore or increase volume in the breasts. One’s fat is removed from donor areas, through SlimLipo, centrifuged and filtered to produce pure adult stem cells for transfer to the breast. Breast volume retention is much longer than traditional fat transfers to the breast. 

Dr. Lewis Obi featured in Australia's CS&B Magazine and his work with
implant-free breast enhancement. Click image to read the article in its entirety.

Breast Implant Scandal Spurs U.K. Cosmetic Surgery Review

The French breast implant company Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) is currently the target of a mounting legal claim by hundreds of European women due to their defective and substandard implants.

PIP, which went into liquidation in 2011, is accused of manufacturing silicone implants that are comprised of industrial-grade silicone and not the accepted medical-grade silicone. Many breast implant patients have reported rupture, lumps and illness associated with this product, recently.

This overwhelming outpour of patients had led the National Health Service (NHS) in England to crack down on advertising and regulations regarding implants and products used in plastic surgery. A web site was also launched to educate the women who received PIP implants/products and encourage them to report any issues they may have: http://www.mypipbreastimplants.co.uk/

“The recent problems with PIP breast implants have shone a light on the cosmetic surgery industry,” explains Sir Bruce Keogh of NHS, in the statement. “Many questions have been raised, particularly around the regulation of clinics whether all practitioners are adequately qualified, how well people are advised when money is changing hands, aggressive marketing techniques, and what protection is available when things go wrong.”

Dr. Lewis Obi, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Jacksonville, with his exceptional OR Team.

The Review to Consider Nose Jobs

The review will consider a range of procedures, including nose jobs, breast enlargement or reduction, facelifts, liposuction and anti-wrinkle treatments. A national implant register for products including breast implants will also be considered, the department said in the statement.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons said it would welcome the establishment of a national register and suggested that the government consider restricting advertisements to protect patients.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kristen Hallam in London at khallam@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kristen Hallam at khallam@bloomberg.net

Dr. Lewis Obi states that national and state regulatory agencies/societies are already in place in the United States. The American Board of Plastic Surgery regulates its members and hospitals regulate the various specialties. However procedures performed in so call “accredited” clinics which are not AHCA licensed fall through the cracks and basically are unregulated. The only AMA recognized board for cosmetic surgery is the American Board of Plastic Surgery and patient confusion arises from titles such as the board of "Facial Plastic Surgery." Patient education and awareness is an important function of the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic website which is directed by website designer Aubrey Garner. Dr. Obi, Aubrey and his staff produce informative blogs three times a week as well as a monthly newsletter.

Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic, an AHCA Licensed Clinic