Dr. Edwards, who specializes in primary and revision cosmetic breast surgery and is president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), told The New York Times in a recent article about the fad that patients should think about the long-term implications of getting the saline injections.
"I can't see that there's a huge harm in it, but you're stretching the skin out," he tells The Times. "You're altering the architecture of the breast. I would be concerned that you would be taking away some intrinsic support in the breast."
Although saline injections have generated attention recently, other cosmetic breast enhancement trends have slowly emerged and may, in fact, signal fundamental changes for breast augmentation. For example, the most recent ASAPS statistics show that breast lifts are becoming more popular, increasing 7.4% from 2012 to 2013, at the same time breast augmentation procedures decreased by 5%.
"More women are interested in restoring their breasts to the way they looked when they were younger, before aging and having children took their toll," says Dr. Terrence Higgins, another of the practice's partners. "They don't necessarily want bigger breasts."
In fact, the "less is more" mantra seems to be another trend in the breast augmentation field, with more women opting for a more proportionate breast implants, even in Las Vegas, but every procedure is highly individualized.
"There are practices that cater more to showgirls and topless entertainers," Dr. Edwards recently told the online magazine Plastic Surgery Practice. "I take care of a wide variety of patients, including moms, attorneys, physicians, and many women who work in various roles in the service industry, such as cocktail waitresses, dealers, and entertainers."
Plastic surgery practices in Las Vegas and throughout the nation are also seeing more women who are interested in fat transfer breast augmentation, a technique that uses a patient's own fat harvested through liposuction to increase her breast size. Dr. Goesel Anson says fat grafting has been used for years as a facial filler, but it is becoming more common in breast augmentation.
"It's an excellent alternative for suitable patients," Dr. Anson says, "although there are some limitations. Fat grafting without implants is usually only an option for women who want a more modest increase in the size of their breasts."
Trends in cosmetic breast surgery come and go, the three surgeons agree, but the procedure has long been among the most popular plastic surgeries in the country, and they don't see that changing anytime soon.
"Breast implants and surgical techniques are getting better and faster all the time," Dr. Higgins says. "Breast augmentation may change a little here and there, but I have no doubt it's going to be popular for many years to come."
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