Plastic surgeon Dr. Scott J. Zevon reviews the viability of non-traditional approaches to breast enlargement, urges careful consideration of techniques
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In the past decade, technological advances have revolutionized cosmetic surgery, offering a number of alternatives for aesthetic improvement that do not require surgery. However, Dr. Scott J. Zevon, a Manhattan plastic surgeon who has expertise in breast augmentation, urges women to carefully review claims about non-traditional techniques to enlarge the breasts.
"Pills, creams, and dietary supplements are not effective and can in fact be detrimental to one's health," says Dr. Zevon. "While there are several other developments that have shown modest success in attempting to increase breast size without surgery, each also has a significant downside."
New Technology and Techniques Show Minimal Results
There are two notable developments that offer an alternative to breast implants, yet each has drawbacks:
- The BRAVA system. This non-surgical expansion device is an external tissue expander consisting of two vacuum cups that gently pull on the breast to stimulate the growth of new breast tissue. Although no surgery is required, this method requires a huge commitment from the patient, as the device must be worn daily for at least 10 hours per day for 10 weeks to see a small increase in size—typically no more than one cup size at best. This device has yet to be evaluated over the long term, so the longevity of the results are uncertain.
- Fat transfer. A second technique of breast augmentation without implants is fat transfer. Although this is less invasive than implant surgery, it does involve liposuction surgery to harvest fat from one area of the body (such as the buttocks), which is then transferred to the breast through injections. While this technique promises less invasive surgery, it yields a moderate increase in breast size as the amount of fat that can be transferred in each procedure is limited. The long-term results from this procedure are unsure, and it is more expensive than traditional breast augmentation surgery. The best results from fat transfer to the breasts have come while using the BRAVA device before the procedure, which allows for a larger increase in size.
Breast Augmentation with Implants Still the Best Option
Traditional breast augmentation surgery still offers the best alternative for women who want to increase their breast size, says Dr. Zevon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found no health risk from the implants themselves, and the FDA has approved 3 new implant products within the past two years. The surgery itself is normally uncomplicated with a quick recovery, and has been performed for more than 50 years. The variety of implants that are available allow a customized result for virtually every woman, offering an augmentation that fits each patient's body and lifestyle.
"Breast augmentation is less risky and has less downtime than ever, plus it offers reliable results," says Dr. Zevon. "There is still no better or easier way for a woman to achieve her goals for breast enhancement than through augmentation surgery."
About Central Park Plastic Surgery: Scott J. Zevon, MD, FACS, has been featured in New York Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in New York and is listed in the Castle Connolly directory Best Doctors in New York. The Central Park Plastic Surgery offices and AAAASF-accredited ambulatory surgical facility are located at 75 Central Park West, New York, New York 10023. He can be reached by phone at 212-496-6600 or at www.drzevon.com
Media Contact: Mary Monahan, 212-496-6600, www.drzevon.com