Are There Natural Alternatives to Breast Implants?

The peg legs and hand hooks of pirate amputees have long been replaced by highly functional prosthetic limbs. No doubt that during the lifetimes of many people alive today, mankind will be able to construct an entire new leg out of a person's own tissues. Even more exciting would be to selectively turn on the DNA to regrow an entire new leg, just like a frog can do.

All cosmetic surgery patients and surgeons are excited about the possibilities of using a patient's own tissues to build up parts of their body, either to augment breasts, rejuvenate and tighten skin, or to replace the natural hollowing that occurs in the face with aging. But realize that those considerations should be secondary to the need to make a whole new breast for a woman that has lost it to cancer or a nose for someone who lost it to trauma.

Likewise, fixing spinal cord tissue in paraplegics, replacing brain cells in Parkinson's, and replacing pancreatic tissue in diabetics are the highest priorities for "tissue engineers." It is said that the person who figures this out will probably be richer than Bill Gates!

Everyone expects to see major advances in these areas in the coming years. No doubt, this is the future of plastic surgery. But it is not yet the present. For example, at the time of this writing, there are clinical trials involving small numbers of patients overseas using stem cells for breast augmentation. But this is very early and very preliminary; we need to know whether these stem cells can make new breast tissue without making that tissue susceptible to form cancers! This is a very serious issue. I make a big point of this, because there is a natural tendency of patients and some doctors to emphasize the positives of stem cell augmentation without also discussing the many sobering realities that must be dealt with.

The most natural alternative to breast implants is using your own tissue. Currently that means a large donor site and large incision on your back or abdomen most commonly. Typically this involves significant costs, recovery, and downtime.
Although currently controversial, Europeans and recently 2 US physicians have begun to document the safety and practicality of fat injections to the breasts. Stay tuned and in the next 2-5 years, this may become a more realistic option.

Enhancement of breast size is appealing for many women at different stages of their lives. Breast implants can add volume to the breasts and enhance a woman's body and most importantly, self confidence.
There are many myths about the safety of breast augmentation. In fact, it is a safe surgery if performed in experienced hands. The choices for implants include saline or silicone implants.
If you are concerned about your breast size, I would recommend the following; begin with a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon to go over your concerns and the alternatives available. You may be quite surprised and happy with what we have to say.
Unfortunately, at this time, there are no proven safe natural, herbal, topical, or stem cell procedures that can reliably and safely improve breast size.