Plastic Surgery Articles

Questions to Ask Your Breast Reconstruction Surgeon

January 26, 2007 -

Breast reconstruction offers women who have survived the ravages of mastectomy after breast cancer a chance to regain something they lost. While not all women opt for reconstructive surgery, those who do should have a thorough understanding of the procedure, its risks, and its benefits.

If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, it is important to ask your surgeon the following questions:

• What are my options? Which option would you recommend for me?
• What are the potential risks/complications?
• What if my cancer returns?
• Will breast reconstruction hinder my treatment?
• What is your experience with breast reconstruction? Do you have a portfolio of before-and-after photos of your work?
• How long does it take to complete a breast reconstruction?
• Will there be extensive scarring?
• How long is the recovery period?
• What kind of changes can I expect to see over time?
• What if I am not happy with the results?
• How much does the procedure cost?

Seeking the services of a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon? Please click here to locate a board-certified plastic surgeon near you.

Adjustable Implants Allow Patients to “Tweak” Breast Size

January 22, 2007 -

Most women visit their plastic surgeon with a general idea of what size implants they want - large B, small C, huge D, etc. However, one woman’s C is another’s D. Cup sizes vary and what looks good on one person’s frame may not fit so well on someone else’s.

Adjustable implants, unlike their non-adjustable counterparts, allow women to “test drive” their chosen breast size and then make slight changes post-operatively. Within the first six months after surgery, women with adjustable implants can increase or decrease their size by as much as 20 percent.

“Women get a false idea of what size C or D is because each bra manufacturer is different. You don’t really get into patients’ mind-sets until after the surgery,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Jeneby.

Because the breast area is swollen for a couple of months after surgery, it’s difficult for women to get a good sense of what their actual breast size will be. With adjustable implants, a woman can make changes after the swelling has subsided if she decides she’s not satisfied with the size.

Women who opt for non-adjustable implants are not afforded this same luxury. “If patients are unhappy with their size, there are no options other than redoing the surgery,” said Dr. David Watts.

How They Work

Once a woman has determined whether or not she wants to increase or decrease the size of her new breasts, she can return to her surgeon to have them “tweaked.” The procedure involves the use of a syringe to inject saline into the breasts or draw it out through a port hidden where the implant was initially inserted.

The port is removed six months after the original augmentation surgery. The procedure to remove the port is done in an outpatient procedure, which requires the administration of a local anesthetic.

“It’s a fantastic way to control your breast size postoperatively, because people do change their minds,” said Jeneby.

Interested in learning more? Please contact us today to learn more about your breast implant options from a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Want To Boost Your Breasts? Bulgarian Beer May Help

January 17, 2007 -

It may sound farfetched but a Bulgarian beer is being touted for its breast boosting properties. Boza beer is already popular in Europe, particularly among bar owners and beer connoisseurs. Now, that popularity is beginning to spread.

Men from all over the continent are traveling to Bulgaria to get their hands on the mysterious elixir to give to their wives and girlfriends as the ultimate gift.

A Romanian man recently made a trek to the Bulgarian town of Ruse to buy a case of Boza for his wife. “I really hope I see an improvement,” he told Ananova news.

The landlord of an Austrian ski resort, Klaus Schmidt, said he’s planning a trip to Bulgaria in hopes of buying Boza to serve to his customers.

“I had heard of Boza before, but it was always so expensive once the tax was added. But now that’s gone, I’m going to start offering the drink to my aprs-ski customers,” Schmidt said.

The beer is made from yeast and fermented wheat flour, but what gives it its boosting powers remains unknown. Customs duties on the drink, making it unaffordable for many travelers, were abolished when Bulgaria was admitted to the European Union.

Considering breast enhancement? Please contact us today to learn more about your options.

Stem Cells for Beauty: Reality or Pipe Dream?

January 12, 2007 -

Bigger breasts without surgery? Smaller hips without lipo? A wrinkle-free face without collagen or Botox? Perhaps surprisingly, none of these is outside the realm of possibility. With the promise offered by stem cell research, today’s pipe dreams could be tomorrow’s reality.

Stem cells are currently being studied for their regenerative power. Researchers are hopeful about stem cell therapy because the cells can be harvested and developed into highly specialized tissues, which can then be used to treat debilitating and/or incurable illnesses.

While aesthetic applications take a backseat to reconstructive and other therapeutic uses, many plastic surgeons are excited about the possibilities.

Recent research, for instance, has shown that stem cell therapy may be useful for reconstructing breast tissue in women who’ve had a mastectomy. Similarly, stem cell therapy may also be used to “restore hair to a bald man, teeth to those in need, and skin to scarred patients,” said Dr. Denis English, editor-in-chief of Stem Cells and Development .

Experts in the field say that cosmetic applications for stem cell therapy are still far away - some even speculate beyond a lifetime. However, others believe that market forces, particularly if there is high demand, will determine the timeline.

Considering cosmetic surgery? Please click here to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

3 Questions To Ask Your Breast Implant Surgeon

January 10, 2007-

The holiday season has passed and many women are now looking to cash in on their cosmetic surgery gift certificates. Women who are considering breast enhancement now have more options with the recent re-approval of silicone breast implants.

If you are thinking about breast augmentation surgery, it is important to fully understand your options, their risks and benefits. So before “taking the plunge,” be sure to ask your plastic surgeon the following:

1. What size implant would suit my body type best? A study published recently in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that larger implants sometimes reduce nipple sensation.
2. What technique will you use? Techniques vary from doctor-to-doctor. Some doctors prefer transumbilical (through the belly button) augmentation, while others insert the implants through an incision under the nipple, the fold of the breast, or the armpit. Discuss with your doctor which technique will work best for you.
3. What are the short and long-term risks? All surgical procedures carry some risks. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits associated with breast implant procedures.

The cost of breast augmentation surgery depends on a number of factors, including the surgeon and location, but averages about $5,000. While most insurance plans do not cover the cost of breast enhancement procedures, many surgeons offer their patients plastic surgery financing.

Considering breast implants? Please click here to learn more about your options from a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Breast Reductions Becoming Increasingly Popular

January 4, 2007 -

Breast reduction (mammoplasty) is becoming increasingly popular among women who suffer from health problems related to their large breasts, such as back and neck pain, inability to do serious exercise, and recurring heat rash and yeast infections under sagging breasts.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2005, there were 114,250 mammoplasties performed, which is a 35% increase from 2000.

Unlike breast augmentation, mammoplasty is not usually considered a cosmetic procedure. Because the size and shape of the breast is altered, it is considered a reconstructive procedure, and was actually the fifth most common one performed in 2005.

Why the surge in popularity?

Doctors attribute it to awareness. More people are aware of the possibility of having a breast reduction today than ever. Dr. Asher Carey thinks even more people would have the procedure if they knew about it.

“Until they have a friend or a family member who has it done, they don’t realize there is something that can help them,” said Carey, a surgeon who does mammoplasties on an outpatient basis. “Everybody thinks you can exercise and make your breasts smaller, but you can’t. Breast tissue doesn’t go away.”

The Cost

The increased knowledge of the cost of these procedures may also be partly responsible for the increase in the popularity of breast reductions. Though the procedure isn’t cheap (usually between $4,000 to $7,000) it is often covered by insurance policies.

All a potential patient must do is prove that the size of her (or his) breasts has a negative effect on her health. This is usually determined case-by-case, and requires written documentation from a plastic surgeon outlining the medical problems the large breasts are causing. Patients may also have to prove that they tried to correct the health issues with non-surgical methods without success first.

Considering a breast reduction?

If you are considering a breast reduction or augmentation, please contact us today for a free consultation with a seasoned, board-certified plastic surgeon near you who can answer your questions, and help you achieve your ideal shape.

Most Common Plastic Surgeries for Males

January 2, 2007

There has been a 44% increase in minimally invasive plastic surgery procedures for men in the five years leading up to 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

While the increase in plastic surgery procedures is not unique to males, doctors say it is evidence of many men’s aspirations to improve their looks with relatively quick and easy procedures that don’t require long recovery times.

The Top 3

The three minimally invasive cosmetic procedures most commonly requested by men are Botox injections (or similar), laser hair removal , and microdermabrasion .

According to figures from the ASPS, the number of Botox treatments administered to men increased 233 percent between from 2000 to 2005.

Dr. David McDaniel, director of the Institute of Anti-Aging Research, attributes this to the acceptance of Botox by the general public and to the fact that many more doctors perform the technique and have mastered it, resulting in better, more natural-looking outcomes.

“As a guy in the public eye you want people to think you look really good, really rested, like you’re eating all your fruits and veggies,” McDaniel said. “You don’t want people to think, I wonder who did his Botox?’”

Liposuction

Quick procedures are not the only ones enjoying greater popularity among males. Nose jobs , liposuction , and hair transplants continue to be popular among men.

Liposuction, which is the removal of fat with a suction device, was performed on men 10 percent more in 2005 compared to the year before, according to ASPS figures. The procedures were usually performed on the lower back, and abdomen - the “spare tire,” said Dr. D’Amico, plastic surgeon and president of ASPS.

“These are not lazy, obese people,” D’Amico says. We’re talking about people out there dieting and exercising but there are limits to what can we can achieve with that. This is a reward for all that hard work.”

Considering plastic surgery? For a free consultation with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon near you, please contact us today.