Plastic Surgery Articles

Areola Restoration for Breast Cancer Patients After Mastectomy

September 29, 2006 -

As part of a breast augmentation or breast reconstruction procedure, breast cancer patients are now undergoing areola restoration in which permanent makeup is used to re-pigment the skin to create natural looking breasts.

A plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstructing breasts after a mastectomy works closely with a permanent makeup artist to help patients achieve the best results.

After undergoing a mastectomy, a breast cancer patient can opt to have immediate or delayed breast augmentation surgery. The procedure may either involve a transflap in which fat tissue from the stomach is used to form new breasts, or breast implants. The raised part of the nipple and areola are created from scar tissue left behind after the mastectomy.

Once the plastic surgeon creates the new breast, the permanent makeup artist utilizes her artistic skills to create natural looking nipples and areolas. “I create the most realistic looking areolas by giving the illusion of depth by highlighting and shadowing with colors,” says MaryAnn Velardi, owner of Natural Look Permanent Makeup, LLC.

Furthermore, surrounding scars can also be permanently concealed with corrective permanent makeup. Areola restoration is typically performed six months after breast augmentation surgery and the results last anywhere from four to eight years.

The procedure includes two steps in which a touchup is required eight weeks after the first procedure. “The restored areola has a natural appearance when healed,” Velardi adds.

Please contact us today to set up a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Adjustable Breast Implants Off More Control Over Size

September 25, 2006 -

Breast implants, one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the U.S., continues to see advancements aimed at improving the technique and providing patients with superior results. One of the most recent approaches to giving women increased control over their new bodies are adjustable breast implants.

According to San Antonio plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Jeneby, 90 percent of women who undergo breast augmentation procedures later wished they had opted for bigger implants.

With this in mind, Jeneby came up with a solution that involved creating an implant that is adjustable, allowing women to increase or decrease their breast size up to six months after surgery.

During the procedure, the implants are inserted through a one-and-a half-inch incision in which the plastic surgeon will also attach a tiny port-a rubber piece that has a tube on the end. The port is placed under the breast on the patient’s rib and is used to add saline later on to increase the breast size.

While a surgeon sizes the implant during the procedure, patients may want a little boost once their swelling goes down.

About three to six months after the breast augmentations surgery, patients can come into the office to either add or subtract saline through the port to ensure they achieve their desired results.

“I have patients adjusting anywhere from 30 cc up to 200, almost double the size of the original implant,” Jeneby said.

The port is ultimately removed through the small incision originally made during their breast surgery. The adjustable implants cost approximately $100 more than the conventional method.

Considering breast augmentation surgery? Please click here to set up a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

One in Five Americans Will Undergo Cosmetic Surgery, Survey Finds

September 22, 2006 -

Breast augmentation, liposuction, and other procedures have continued to soar in popularity as plastic and cosmetic surgery has become more accepted in society.

A new survey shows that while less than 10 percent of Americans has ever undergone some type of cosmetic procedure, nearly twice as many want to do so sometime in the future.

The survey, conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), involved 1,010 interviews with men and women between 18 to 65 years of age and was representative of more than 1.4 million households in the United States.

About one in five people indicated that they wanted to someday undergo cosmetic surgery-mostly young adults, women, and those who live on the West Coast.

However, almost 12 percent of male respondents were not opposed to cosmetic surgery and claimed they hoped to undergo some type of procedure at some point in their lives.

The results of the survey are indicative that societal trends have changed dramatically since the 60s and 70s when cosmetic procedures were “rarely talked about,” according to Jeff Knezovich, the executive vice president of the AACS.

He adds that the topic of cosmetic surgery has now become “dinner table conversation. “People are becoming more aware of cosmetic surgery and its benefits.”

Considering cosmetic surgery? Please click here to consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon today.

Different Types of Breast Implants

September 18, 2006 -

When considering breast augmentation surgery, you not only have to determine the size of the implant, but also the type, shape, and texture to ensure you achieve your desired results. Breast augmentation surgery, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, continues to be improved offering women more enhancement options.

There are now many different types of breast implants to fit every woman’s needs including:

• Saline breast implants, the most commonly used implant, is filled with a sterile saltwater solution that could be safely absorbed by the body in the event that the implant ruptures. You can also choose whether you want your implant pre-filled with the saline solution or filled during the procedure after the implant has been placed. Saline breast implants are widely available and also come in different shapes and textures.

• Silicone breast implants, once very popular, are beginning to make a comeback. These implants-currently being studied for safety-are pre-filled with a cohesive gel that sticks together much like bread dough, reducing the risk of injury should the implant rupture.

• Round breast implants or globe-shaped implants are one of the most popular shapes used in breast augmentation procedures. Round implants have the ability to move and rotate freely within the pocket of the breast without distorting its shape.

• Contoured breast implants were initially designed for women who were undergoing breast reconstruction surgery. Contoured implants are teardrop-shaped and are ideal for those looking for more natural breast augmentation results. Furthermore, the outer shells of contoured implants are more textured eliminating rotation and distortion of the shape of the breast.

• Textured breast implants in which the implant’s surface feels like sandpaper, is designed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. The outer shell of a textured implant is thicker to make up for the texture. Contoured breast implants are often textured.

• Smooth breast implants have a smooth surface to allow for the implant to freely move inside the pocket created behind the breast. Round, smooth breast implants are the most popular among women undergoing breast augmentation.

Considering breast augmentation surgery? Please click here to learn more information about the different types of breast implants or to set up a consultation with a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Cosmetic Surgery for Breast Asymmetry

September 15, 2006 -

Breast asymmetry is a condition that affects many women including adolescents and adults. The condition may involve the complete absence of a breast, excess structures, uneven shapes, and other abnormalities that may have a physical, emotional, and social impact on a women’s life.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) recently announced that both teens and adult women with breast asymmetry should know they have cosmetic surgery options to correct unevenly shaped breasts.

“What we are talking about are very obvious problems with breast growth or development, not the normal asymmetry that everyone has,” said Ann F. Reilley, MD, a Louisiana plastic surgeon who authored the ASAPS article published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

“A teen or young woman with severely asymmetric breasts is likely to be profoundly self-conscioussurgical intervention can be life-changing. This is not about getting Baywatch breasts. It is about buying a bra or a prom dress without it being an issue.”

The ASAPS article reviews some important considerations for successfully treating breast asymmetry and lists some standard procedures that would be ideal for teens dealing with abnormally developed breasts.

While, many doctors recommend waiting until breasts have reached their full growth before undergoing any surgical procedures, earlier treatment may be appropriate in cases where the asymmetry is severe and causes depression or other emotional impact.

“Breast asymmetry impacts patients physically, psychologically, and socially,” said Dr. Reilley. “We are fortunate to have the training and ability to perform what can be life-changing surgery on these young women.”

Considering breast augmentation? Please contact us today to set up a consultation with a qualified board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Benefits of a Breast Lift

September 11, 2006 -

With age, pregnancy, or weight gain come numerous changes in the size, shape, and elasticity of your breasts. Many women may experience sagginess or droopiness in their breasts that will only be temporarily corrected with a lifting bra. However, there are now long-term options to restore breasts to a more youthful, perky position. Between 2004 and 2005, breast-lift surgeries performed in the U.S. jumped 23 percent, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

“Women must accept that breast changes do occur,” says Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Laurie Casas, MD. “If the changes result in saggy, ugly breasts, it doesn’t change who a woman is, but it often changes how she feels about herself.” Casas believes that breast procedures such as a breast life surgery can give women the opportunity to look and feel beautiful every day without having to rely only on a bra.

What a Breast Lift Can Do

• By lifting (or decreasing) the underlying breast tissue, the procedure enables breasts to sit higher up on your chest in a more visually enhancing position.

• A breast-lift procedure actually reshapes the entire breast to provide newer, aesthetically pleasing concurs.

• To improve the firmness of your breasts or increase the size, you may opt to have implants inserted at the same time as you are undergoing the breast-lift surgery .

• Results of the procedure are long-term if you maintain your weight and use proper bra support.

What a Breast Lift Can’t Do

• A breast-lift procedure does not increase the size of your breasts . You can ask your surgeon to insert implants during the surgery if you would like larger breasts.

• A breast-lift does not free you from wearing a bra. If you opt to go braless frequently, you may begin to sag again.

• A breast-lift does not prevent future changes in your breasts if you gain excessive weight or if you get pregnant. It is usually recommended to wait until you’re finished having children before undergoing a breast-lift.

The Trade-Offs

• Scarring will be unavoidable after a breast-lift surgery. Minimizing sun exposure can help reduce the appearance of scars.

• You may face problems with breast-feeding after the procedure. However, note that about 15 percent of all women-whether or no they’ve had breast-lift surgery-will have complications with breast-feeding.

• Because breast-lift surgery often involves repositioning the nipples, you may experience changes in nipple sensation.

Considering breast lift surgery? Please click here to set up a consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Is Breast Reduction Right For You?

September 6, 2006 -

Excessively large breasts may be both an aesthetic issue as well as a physical and emotional one. Many women with out-of-proportion breasts carry extra weight that often leads to back and neck aches, postures problems, bra strap digging, rashes and more. Additionally, women with very big breasts may suffer from self-confidence issues. Out-of-proportion breasts are not just a problem for overweight women. They also plague even the most slender body types. Breast reduction procedures offer women with disproportionately large breasts a way to enhance their appearance, minimize discomfort, and gain back self-confidence.

What Breast Reduction Can Do

• Minimizing the size of your breasts can enhance your figure and bring it into proportion
• Depending on your initial size , the procedure can remove pounds from your breasts
• Offers major emotional benefits by helping remove your insecurities and make you comfortable about your body
• Relieves aches and pains associated with excessively large breasts by taking the extra weight off your chest
• Gives you more clothing choices because you no longer have to worry about minimizing the look of your breasts

What Breast Reduction Can’t Do

• Cannot prevent sagging over time regardless of the reduced size and weight of your breasts. Proper bra support may still be necessary
• Cannot guarantee they won’t get larger if you gain weight at any point in your life

The Trade-Offs

• Scars will be imminent when undergoing a breast reduction surgery. However, every person’s ability to heal varies on genetics and physical characteristics. If you’re worried about scarring, speak with your surgeon before the procedure.
  
• Potential complications with breastfeeding may occur after a breast reduction procedure. However, keep in mind that researchers have found that almost 15 percent of women may experience breast-feeding problems whether or not they’ve undergone breast surgery.
• Changes in nipple sensation are not uncommon since the procedure involves repositioning the nipples.

Considering breast reduction surgery? Please click here to consult with a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon in your area.