Breast implants save woman's life from gunshot

Washington: If you thought breast implants only enhance physical beauty, this bizarre story of an American women is sure to change your mind.

Lydia Carranza's size-D silicone implants saved her life when she was shot at point blank range with a semi-automatic assault rifle, by taking the force of the blow and stopping bullet fragments from reaching her vital organs.

Carranza was working in the office of a dentist in Beverly Hills, California when a gunman ran in and opened fire, the Los Angeles Times reported.

He aimed the weapon directly at her heart but one of her silicone implants took the force of the blow, stopping bullet fragments from reaching her vital organs.

The gunman had gone to the dental office looking for his wife, who also worked there. She was shot and killed in the attack. Carranza was sitting a few feet away when the gunman turned on her.

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"She's just one lucky woman," surgeon Dr Ashkan Ghavami said, adding "the bullet fragments were milimetres from her heart and her vital organs. Had she not had the implant, she might not be alive today."

Carranza, a mother of three and grandmother of two, had implants some years ago to change from a B-cup to a D-cup.

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When the gun was pointed at her she "didn't look or think about it. "I just felt wet in my chest area. I thought I was going to die," she said.

Jaime Paredes, the alleged gunman, is awaiting trial on charges including murder following the shooting in July.