In last weeks episode of Grey’s Anatomy a very petite patient mentioned that she wanted to enhance her buttocks. One of the doctors, Lexi Gray questioned why she would want to do such a thing. The patient fought back saying that all her life she has wanted to look good and feel comfortable when wearing jeans.

It is possible to achieve that Jennifer Lopez, sculpted buttock using your own specially prepared fat taken from another part of the body, such as the stomach or hips. Buttock augmentation with your own fat allows you to get a natural, more pleasing shape and contour by augmenting curves, correcting an imbalance or increasing size and prominence of the buttock. You also get the benefit of reducing another area of your body while you enhance your butt and all without implants, which can be painful. The technique is called autologous fat transfers and autologous simply means “your own.” And who doesn’t have a little fat to spare? It’s safe because it comes from you, so you can’t have a reaction to it. The procedure is quick and not particularly painful and can leave you looking and feeling great in your favorite jeans.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women affecting one in eight women each year. Today there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors  in the United States. Early detection is key and regular monthly breast self exam should start in the early teen years. Annual clinical breast exams by a knowledgeable health care provider should begin in the early twenties and regular mammography screenings should start at age 40. A recent study conducted in Sweden added support to early mammography screening has released data ending the debate on when. The study concluded that mammography screenings in women ages 40 to 49 help cut risk of breast cancer and that starting at 50 years old has no scientific basis. Details on the study can be found here. Early detection and improved treatment modalities allow better survival and less deforming surgery.  

Today, there is much more known about breast cancer and treatment, as well as improved reconstructive surgery techniques that give women better choices. It is now well accepted to undergo reconstruction in the same operation as a mastectomy, where a new breast can be created using the patient’s own tissue. There is no reason a woman undergoing a mastectomy can’t wake up with both breasts intact. For the woman who is wary of implants, being able to use part of her body to heal herself, to make herself whole again, is enormously appealing. You can find out more on breast reconstruction surgery and before/after photos here.

Many patients worry about how childbirth will affect their breasts. During pregnancy, breasts enlarge normally, with no consequence to implants. Implants shouldn’t affect the ability to breastfeed, especially if placed under the chest muscle wall. It is possible that you’ll feel some pain when your breasts become engorged (most nursing mothers do, anyway), because your skin has already been stretched to the max. If you plan to have children after getting implants, talk to your doctor about it.