How can I resist a story that combines b00b jobs and space tourism:

Bosses fear the implants may expand and burst due to cabin pressure, according to The Sun...

...Spokesman Will Whitehorn said: "We've discovered there may well be issues with breast augmentation.

"We're not sure whether they could stand the trip - they could well explode."

June is busting out all over...!

Captain, I dinna think she can take any more...

Also, the picture accompanying the article reminds me of this optical illusion (caution, not work safe).

What does this mean for Hooters Spacelines?

[Some gags courtesy of this thread, where I found the article]

Seriously, this seems a little overwrought. Unless they have gas in them, there should be no problem if they maintain a decent cabin pressure, and if they don't, burst mammary enhancers may be the least of the problem (and it would make for more entertainment to have more pendulous objects in weightlessness). And for as much money as these folks are spending, I'm sure they could afford an ultrasound to make sure that they're all fluid, and remove any bubbles from the bubbies with a needle if necessary, preflight.

I'd be more concerned about gee loads during acceleration and entry. Maybe a new crash program in bra technology is required.

The 'optical illusion' link just takes on back to this post.

"Takes *one* back"...gotta remember to double check my spelling!

Even if there was some trapped gas in the implant it shouldn't be a problem. If it isn't a problem on a cross-country or trans-oceanic flight, it shouldn't be a problem on a space flight, assuming cabin pressure on the spacecraft is close to the approximately 8000' MSL pressure most airline cabins are maintained at. But if they go with a lower cabin pressure, the situation may not be as clear-cut. I wouldn't be too concerned about an explosive decompression situation, either. On an airline flight the pilot can make an emergency descent if a window blows out - I think the consequences of a similar incident on a spaceship might be more dire.

I've actually performed this surgery and can say with some confidence that this is nonsense. Patients who have had augmentation mammoplasty are not prohibited from mountain climbing, alpine skiing, or other pursuits where the amb!ent pressure is even lower than in hypothetical space tourism vehicles. The material that encloses an implant is far tougher than skin.

I've actually performed this surgery...

Not on yourself, I trust. ;-)

Not on yourself, I trust. ;-)

Nope. I appear to have the expurgated version of the Time-Life Book of Home Surgery, darn it.

And to be honest, I haven't done one since residency. I mostly do faces, ears, and eyes these days.

Nope. I appear to have the expurgated version of the Time-Life Book of Home Surgery, darn it.

Have you considered staying at a Holiday Inn Express?

But then, maybe you don't need the surgery.

Go ahead, you can tell us, Jane... ;-)

They actually tried this on an early episode of The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters". The implants (they tried both saline and silicone, IIRC) do expand slightly, but you'd asphyxiate before they'd rupture.

Three big boobs

Rand, nobody really needs the surgery apart from reconstruction patients and the occasional adult film actress, but if you're asking, the answer is 36A. I expect gift certificates to fine lingerie establishments via PayPal. :-)

I expect gift certificates to fine lingerie establishments via PayPal.

Well, don't expect them from me--Patricia would probably frown on that, for some reason. But I have a reasonably large male readership.

What I find troubling is that the people in charge of a space venture don't seem to have enough of a technical background to suspect that this is probably a bogus concern, or the common sense to ask someone who would know (like implant makers) before shooting their mouths off. Unless of course this is just a clever way to get publicity, which I hope is the case.

Unless, God forbid, there's a major decompression accident, I don't see the problem.

And if that happens, the danger of being suddenly 'Dolly Parton-ized' would be the least of one's problems...

(Now I'm trying very hard not to think of an 'augmented' woman in the role of Dave Bowman in 2001, when he had to make that emergency crossing through vacuum to get back into the ship...)

However, remembering how the late Judith Resnick's hair spread out on her pre-51L missions, I can see a need for hair restraint for some people. (Also addressed in the film 2001. Recall the PanAm flight attendant's hair cover.)

What I find troubling is that the people in charge of a space venture don't seem to have enough of a technical background to suspect that this is probably a bogus concern. . .

I find it more likely the Virgin people know perfectly well the story is 100% bogus but are hoping to gather free publicity. If the story makes it onto Leno or Letterman, or Howard Stern, well you can't buy publicity like that.

Genuis!

And if that happens, the danger of being suddenly 'Dolly Parton-ized' would be the least of one's problems...

If it precedes a water landing, it could even be an advantage.

leggy red-heads who like aisle seats now, petite confident brighties. What kinda place you running here Rand? Please, more.

leggy red-heads who like aisle seats now

Hey! I resemble that remark. Petite, though? Not so much at 5'9" and 150ish.

36" a, might not be petite, but general build IS petite.

Petite is less about size, than approximate shape. Small, tight, narrow ass, small, yet firm breasts. If you hold 150lb at 5'9 reasonably well, you still have a waiste that could pass as petite, when whole body shape is taken into account.

and the leggy redhead who likes aisle seats was from one of rands posts from about a week ago.

but you go brightie. (a term I substitue for hottie, when I don't know what they look like)

Well, I guess I understand your remarks better. And with a 23 inch waist, I suppose I manage reasonably well in that department.

But I have to say I felt a little bit objectified by some of the other remarks. My problem, I suppose. I take no offense.

I have to say I felt a little bit objectified by some of the other remarks. My problem, I suppose.

Yes. The key is to recognize the difference between "being objectified" and "harmless and playful (and unserious) flirting." It's what humans do.

I take no offense.

Great, because I don't think that any was intended (can only speak for myself, of course). Please don't let it put you off from hanging around. You're just one of the guys now.

Except with better measurements. ;-)

Sorry to interrupt all the flirting, but I see a marketing opportunity for Rocketplane.

Using a modified Learjet, pressurization shouldn't be a problem, hence no exploding breasts. A marketing advantage, no?

Calling Sam Dinkin, calling Sam Dinkin. Get your Rocketplane buddies to launch an astro-turf campaign and post comments where-ever the Virgin story appears in the comment enabled blogo-o-sphere.

"Fly Rocketplane and your [ * ] won't explode!"

* Fill in whatever juvenile word you most prefer.

As someone else said, they did experiments with this on Mythbusters. They took implants down to a near vacuum for an extended time - no problem. It just wasn't an issue.

Except with better measurements. ;-)

You have no idea!

The "one of the guys" remark is endearing - thank you. Though I find myself disagreeing more than agreeing, I've never been made to feel less than welcome.

Bill, I like your marketing ideas. "Rocketplane - safe for you, safe for your ahem." I should pass out brochures to patients.

Rand said about Jane

Great, because I don't think that any was intended (can only speak for myself, of course). Please don't let it put you off from hanging around. You're just one of the guys now.

Except with better measurements. ;-)

And I laughed out loud, HARD.

Jane? If you feel so objectified why would you include your 23" waiste in the comment?

Women, and Men alike LOVE being physicaly, and visualy beautiful, don't lie. Rand said "with better measurements, but you are 36a, If I wore a bra, I would be a 44a, if you didn't like being appreciated for your shape, why do I know that you are 5'9" with a 36a bra, and a 23" waiste? why do I know that you are read headed, and long legged, why do I know these things, if YOU TOLD ME, and I am willing to comment on it?

I make a COMMENT! off of the cuff, but YOU gave me and rand that info, PLEASE, don't blame the men for LOVING how you are built, as you describe brightie, PLEASE!!! don't play into the man hating stereotype.