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Alternative Breast Augmentation Options

If any of you have any insight or questions please email me, I would love to hear if you have had any experience with any products, procedures or devices that may increase breast size -- regardless if it is a good or a bad experience.  Please share it with others so that they may learn through your wisdom.

Breast Augmentation Devices

The BRAVA system was reviewed by the FDA but they felt that their involvement was not necessary so it cannot essentially be approved or unapproved.

• The BRAVA Breast Enhancement and Shaping System
  The above was developed by Biometics, LLC.  The system costs approximately $2,500. US.  Please see our separate section on this device.

Injectable Fillers

The future of breast augmentation may be changing.  It is quite possible that safe and affordable breast augmentation without implants is not far off.  Other options being tested are injectable, soft-tissue augmentation fillers.  Before your red alert flag goes up, please read on -- the days of free silicone or paraffin injections into the breasts are hopefully long gone.  Newer, safer products comprised of stabilized hyaluronic acid or even polyacrylamide gel are emerging.  

• Hyaluronic Acid
  Swedish scientists have already begun developing alternative options which may have less risks and less downtime than conventional methods using internal breast prostheses.  One such product is  Macrolane.  Developed by Q-med, Macrolane is made from non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid.  Q-Med already has soft tissue augmentation fillers out such as Perlane, Restylane and Restylane Fine Line for wrinkles and facial contouring.  In fact, I use Restylane and Perlane for lip augmentation myself, however it only lasts about 3 months at most for me.   Macrolane, however, has a larger particle size which might make it last even longer than its sister products.  Q-med is developing a product with body contouring in mind.

  "Macrolane is currently undergoing a pilot study in breasts which could be one indication once it is approved and becomes available." (source: Q-Med Annual Report 2002.)

  It has been said that Macrolane, if approved, may be a good option to correct rippling from poorly-filled breast implants or  in patients with very little breast tissue.  Another plus, of course, would be in patients who have contour irregularities in their natural breast, sans implants.

  Allergy Test: Not necessary
  Longevity: Macrolane is not permanent, it eventually absorbs into the body if injected freely.  It is reported by Swedish scientists that Macrolane may last approximately 2 years or more and suspect it might cost approximately 3,000 to 3,500 Euro for the average breast procedure. However, if hyaluronic acid would be encased in a implant, it should last as long as your implants do.  
  Available in the United States? No.  Macrolane is not available commercially as of yet in any country.
  Contact info: Q-Med AB (publ), Seminariegatan 21, SE-752 28 Uppsala, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556258-6882. Tel: +46(0)18-474 90 00. Fax: +46(0)18-474 90 01. E-mail: info@q-med.com 
  Website: http://www.q-medesthetics.com/ 

• Polyacrylamide
  Although Polyacrylamide has been used for many, many years in agriculture, for drug delivery, water treatment and for drought assistance, polyacrylamide is the new kid on the block in aesthetic medicine.  The product is manufactured by polymerizing acrylamide.  Although acrylamide can be dangerous on its own, when crosslinked the product becomes hydrophilic, meaning having an attraction to water.  Granted there is a residual unpolymerized amount of acrylamide which escapes the crosslinking process but later generations contain very little acrylamide.  Often reported to be less than what the average person would typically consume per day.  It is worth mentioning that consuming acrylamide by digestion and having acrylamide present in the injection site are different, but I am not aware of any long-term (being in excess of one generation) tests regarding the effects of residual acrylamide present in human tissue.

  Nonetheless, I do know persons who have had polyacrylamide products injected into their faces or used for body contouring for dents or lumps after liposuction.  No ill effects other than immediate or delayed infection and a few having non-infective inflammation present were reported.

  I do suspect polyacrylamide will be used more in the future, but suspect that the hydrogel will be encased in an implant shell.  With polyacrylamide, any type of nonrupture product bleed had not been reported as far as I know.

  Allergy Test: Not necessary
  Longevity: polyacrylamide has been reported by some manufacturers as being permanent and by others as lasting approximately 5 to 10 years.  Until long-term tests have been completed, I do not have any further information regarding polyacrylamide being used for breast augmentation, either injected freely or encased in an implant, nor have data on its longevity.
  Available in the United States? There are presently no polyacrylamide products approved for body contouring.

"All Natural Breast Enhancing Supplements"

As all supplements are not regulated by the FDA -- only their preservatives and food dyes are regulated, these herbal supplements are not the exception.  Please be careful when purchasing these items.  Some of them contain herbs that are contraindicated with other medications or herbal supplements and can even cause heart palpitations or nervousness.  

Just use your best judgment when taking something like this and go over the ingredients list.  Remember that 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.' I personally do not recommend, nor do I endorse, any breast enhancement supplements.  Buyer Beware!  

Some products contain ingredients such as:
          

Breast Augmentation Supplement Reviews

We no longer list reviews of breast enlargement pills and other products from visitors such as yourself (nor their links) because of  the threat of slander of product lawsuits.  We will not list these names or companies and regret that we can no longer give you this information.  It seems the corporations are trying to silence the unsatisfied buyers.

What do I think about them?  Most can cause weight gain, breast tenderness, hormonal acne break outs, and moodiness and some may even affect your menstrual cycles--with little or no real breast tissue gain.  Caveat emptor.

Breast Firming Creams

These creams usually contain Pueraria mirifica.  This plant extract grows in Thailand only and has a high concentration of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are not hormones, per se, but they supposedly provide the same benefits of natural estrogen.  Estrogen is what increases breast size during ovulation, with the birth control pill and physician-supplied hormone supplements.  I can't even see how these would work as much as they say they do.  Even an aggressive course of Retin-A, which is proven to promote collagen formation within the dermis, improve vascularity and increase cell turnover, can't firm the skin as much as these creams claim they can firm your breasts.  If it did, I would be slathering it on my body constantly.   Again, buyer beware.

External Breast Prostheses (aka "Falsies")

Want a durable and realistic solution to having a bit more up top to fill out out those cute tops and bathing suits but don't want the risk and expense that comes with breast implant surgery?  Can't afford the BRAVA system just yet but still want larger breasts?  Want to ease into those larger breasts and wear external prostheses before your surgery but don't want to risk a rice rupture?  Try the below links for external breast forms that you can comfortably wear with the confidence that only you know that they are there.  I have quite a few pre-op friends (and friends who never plan to have surgery) who wear these all the time.  They actually feel nice and firm, yet almost natural at the same time.  The prostheses that is, not my friends.

In-The-Event-Of-A-Rupture Temporary Replacements

I don't know about you but, I have minor obsession with breast implant rupture possibilities.  I have a set of these one hand just in case of a rupture.  I know that sound silly but it is easier than stuffing your bra with rice to get you over to the doctor's office. You usually can't get in right away depending upon medications or supplements you have recently taken, or if need your labs taken, and just preparing in general, so these can be handy to have on hand! They are, of course, also great for restoring the natural lines of the breasts after mastectomy, or simply to enhance your own bustline without breast implants.

Other Enhancements

Here are some other products which you may find useful in enhancing your breasts.  From nipple inserts to push-up and padded bras, cleavage can be bought -- without the surgery.

• BodyPerks.com (inserts to imitate perpetually erect nipples)

• Nippits.com- erect nipple suppressors