Brave New World
The name Toyah Willcox conjures up images of wild hair, outlandish makeup and the distinctive voice and vibrant energy of the 1980s chart topper and star of cult classic Quadrophenia. But what happens ...
READ MORE ...Created on 17th September 2009
There has been much publicity in the media this week about a new breast enlargement procedure that promises a larger chest and a slimmer figure at the same time.
However, some surgeons have critisised this coverage as hype and claim that they new cosmetic surgery is not as good as it sounds.
The procedure - dubbed the Two for One due to the fact that it involves the removal of fat from where it's not wanted in the body (like the hips, thighs and stomach) and moved to the bust - was hailed as a breakthrough in cosmetic surgery.
Mel Braham (pictured), Chairman of the Harley Medical Group who have been talking about starting to offer the plastic surgery procedure said: "This is the most exciting breakthrough in cosmetic surgery I have seen over the last two decades. Within 10 years, breast enhancement through fat relocation will dominate the breast enlargement market."
But shortly after his statement, rival plastic surgeons responded negatively.
Dai Davies, surgeon at Plastic Surgery Partners on Harley Street said that the excitement surrounding the procedure was premature and added: "[This] is setting consumers up for disappointment and there are many reasons for vigilance.
"Where you are injecting small amounts of fat into the face, which has a good blood supply, there is good evidence that it works. Most plastic surgeons would agree there is a place for it," he explained. "But this involves injecting a large blob of fat into the breast area. Fat consists of living cells and living cells must have a blood supply, otherwise they die."
This isn't the first time that fat has been used for breast enlargement. The procedure of removing fat from the body with liposuction and then injecting it into the bust has been tried for 20 years, but with limited success.
Mel Braham hit back at detractors by saying: "The results will be assessed by our medical board and, if approved, the operation will be introduced next year. I don't take risks with patients. I am confident this is a safe procedure."
However, David Sharpe, a plastic surgeon based in Yorkshire and the founding chairman of BAAPS said: "This sounds like another example of creative marketing. Breast implants are a well-tried and tested method. At the moment, I would stick with that."
