Houston Plastic Surgeon on 50 Years of Breast Implants

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Jun 20, 2012) - The first breast augmentation with breast implants was performed in 1962 for a woman that is still healthy and happy with her decision. 50 years later, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Straka says the breast implant has undergone a significant transformation. However, he adds that despite constant technological advancements and improvement to the implants available, patients' goals and expectations for the resulting enhancement have remained the same: "There are many reasons why a woman may choose breast augmentation surgery. For some women, breast augmentation surgery can correct asymmetries, provide a fuller breast and restore self-confidence. For other women, breast augmentation surgery can help restore the breasts to the way they were prior to pregnancy or weight loss."

The first implant procedure was performed by Dr. Thomas Cronin and Dr. Frank Gerow after they developed a thick silicone gel and encapsulated it in a teardrop-shaped rubber pouch. Before Drs. Cronin and Gerow, many attempts were made to enhance a woman's breasts, including the use of glass balls, ivory, and ox cartilage. Over the years, materials used for breast implants have evolved to create safer breast enlargement procedures and results that look and feel more natural. Now, according to the most recent study from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more than 316,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2011. Additionally, Dr. Straka says breast augmentation is the most commonly performed procedure at his Houston plastic surgery practice.

During the consultation process, as patients consider the type and size of implant they want, the Houston plastic surgeon says his patients often express concern over the safety of breast implants, especially as stories concerning the safety of implants surface. However, relying on his experience as a Principle Investigator of the safety of silicone gel implants, he is quick to address these concerns, and says years of research conducted by the FDA has shown them to be safe. "According to current studies, both saline and silicone breast implants have been found to be safe, although there are pros and cons to both types of implants. The benefits, risks and possible complications are thoroughly discussed during the consultation process," says Dr. Straka.

As the cosmetic surgery industry celebrates 50 years of breast implants, Dr. Straka says he looks forward to what the future holds for breast enhancement procedures. From improving the look and feel of current implants, to developing procedures such as the natural breast augmentation, which uses a patient's own fat to augment the breast -- when he considers the transformation of this procedure over the first 50 years of its existence, Dr. Straka says the next 50 should be very exciting for patients and plastic surgeons alike.

About Philip Straka, M.D., F.A.C.S.

After completing his medical training at Northwestern University Medical School, Dr. Philip Straka completed his general and plastic surgery residencies at Ohio State University. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Straka is also a Principle Investigator in several silicone gel breast implants studies for the FDA.

Dr. Straka's plastic surgery practice is located at 19701 Kingwood Dr., Bldg. 2, Kingwood, TX 77339, and can be contacted at (281) 540-8044. He can also be found online at www.drstraka.com or his Houston Plastic Surgery Facebook page.