For all women considering breast implant surgery, an important step is becoming educated about the breast enhancement procedure and breast implants. There are 3 main types of implants. All implants utilized for enhancement surgery procedures have a silicone shell, they can be filled with different substances.
The Saline filled breast implant is an implant that is filled with a sterile saline solution - the same type of solution as the salt-water solution that is administered for intravenous fluids. The major advantage of using this type of breast implant is its safety. Should a saline implant become compromised and leak, the saline solution is absorbed by your body, the same as the intravenous fluids used during and after a surgical procedure. Another great advantage of using saline implants is that they offer a low infection rate, usually less than one to two percent of all breast augmentation surgery cases.
Finally, Cohesive gel implants, also known as "gummy bear" implants, are silicone implants that comprised of a thicker silicone gel that holds its shape and form in the same way as a "gummy bear" candy. If you were to cut open a standard silicone breast implant, the silicone fill gel leaks out of the implant shell. When cutting open a cohesive gel implant, the implant itself maintains its shape and the gel does not leak out. These pre-shaped breast implants are designed with a natural look in mind, rather than for enlarging the breasts. Furthermore, the Cohesive gel breast implant maintains its shape in an upright position, decreasing the chances of the breast implant shell folding or rippling.
The size of my breasts are very large and sag. Can a breast reduction help me?
You may be a good candidate for breast reduction if you have: breasts that are too large in proportion to your body frame; heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward; one breast is much larger than the other; back, neck or shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts; skin irritation beneath your breasts; indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps; restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of your breasts; or dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the largeness of your breasts.
Breast reduction can be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped. Childbirth and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast reduction before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. If you plan to breast-feed in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Breast lift surgery can be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery to increase both the firmness and size of the breasts. Some plastic surgeons perform the innovative vertical lift, which eliminates the large scar below the breast and allows for a much longer lasting lift.
*Reasons for undergoing a breast lift:*
- Breasts that lack substance or firmness.
- Some of the candidates have breasts that are pendulous, but are of satisfactory size.
- Nipples and areolas that point downwards, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.
- Loss of elasticity, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding affect the shape and firmness of the breasts.
The plastic surgeon will examine your breasts and take measurements. The size and shape of your breasts and the placements of nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated. Medical history will be discussed like medicine conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments received, and previous surgeries. If there was a weight loss, your weight should be stabilized before surgery.
Shielding your skin from the summer sun makes good sense, and there are many excellent products that help make it easier than ever. A good sun block with UVA and UVB protection, plus a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, should be summer essentials.
But let's face it - most of us already have sun-damage. In fact, much of the visible damage you see in your skin today may be the result of sun exposure when you were a child or teenager. So what can be done to improve your skin now - and then keep it looking fresher and healthier?
To erase pigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve tone and texture and stimulate collagen, we recommend the Active FX laser. Active FX is a fractionated CO2 laser that can be done right in our office with minimal down time.
Chemical peels of varying strengths are a common method for resurfacing (deeper peels) or revitalizing (lighter peels) your skin. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has a slight bleaching effect and often is recommended for patients with darker complexions. TCA can be applied to your neck, upper chest and other areas of skin damaged by sun exposure.
If you are looking for a milder treatment that provides improvement in fine lines and skin texture, you may choose a series of glycolic or salicylic acid peels. Glycolic acid, derived from natural sources such as fruit and milk, is used in varying concentrations as a medical-strength peeling solution. Even a single glycolic acid peel performed by your plastic surgeon may produce the freshening effect you are looking for. Another option of a superficial peel is a salicylic acid peel. This treatment will help smooth fine lines and even skin discoloration while reducing the appearance of acne and environmental damage to the skin.
The Best Candidates for Breast Lift
A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you're planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.
Planning Your Surgery
In your initial consultation, it's important to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon, and to listen to his or her opinion. Every patient--and every cosmetic surgeon, as well--has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.
The surgeon will examine your breasts and measure them while you're sitting or standing. He or she will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure--such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin--and whether an implant is advisable.
The Surgery
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast.
Realize that cosmetic surgery is a very in depth field. Everyday a large number of cosmetic surgeons take a role in advancing the techniques and methods used in order to make cosmetic surgery procedures safer, and increase the probability of successful surgical procedures. Currently there are many techniques, and advancements for products such as breast Implants in clinical trials, being tested, research data is being recorded, and Patients taking part in these trails feedback and experiences are being sought- all in an effort to improve cosmetic surgery as a whole.
In order for a cosmetic surgeon in Idaho to excel, be successful and maintain a positive reputation, it takes a tireless work ethic, never ending study and education, and a desire to help people become the best they can be. Many of these successful cosmetic surgeons are also talented artists, and that natural artistic quality carries over into plastic surgery.
In short, to become and remain a successful cosmetic surgeon, one must always maintain a compassionate desire to help others, and do everything possible to further advance the technology, surgical methods and techniques that make cosmetic surgery procedures and successful results a reality.
During the actual treatment you should be very comfortable, feeling only some mild pin pricks or stinging. Most patients are impressed at the ease of these treatments. If you are experiencing significant discomfort during the session please advise the plastic surgeon as there are often other remedies to ease any pain you might be feeling.
After the session a small amount of swelling and redness in the treated area is normal and to be expected. Typically the majority of this reactivity will be gone within several hours but on occasion can persist for several days. Bruising can occur. If you are susceptible to bruising or on blood thinners, please let your provider know prior to the treatment so extra precautions or recommendations can be made. Bruising will not affect the end result but can take up to 10 days to resolve when significant.Many women desiring breast augmentation never fully developed and have been self-conscious of their appearance since youth. Others have had children and noticed significant shrinkage and sagging of the breast tissue following childbirth or breast-feeding. Other still just simply want an enlargement or have more fullness to the breasts. All these women have the desire to look proportional and feel attractive.
Most women know that they want to look better, but they don't know how to get there. If they are happy with the position of the breasts are, usually a breast implant is the answer. If they start to have some droop to the breast, then the recommendations may change depending on how much droop there is.
Make sure you consult with a plastic surgeon and do your research prior to undergoing breast augmentation surgery. Ensure all your questions are answered and you fully understand the surgery procedure. Do not take this step lightly, it can mean the difference between a successful surgery with results you love, and a surgical nightmare. There are many websites out there providing plastic surgery information, the best I have discovered in lookingyourbest.com- a free site offering a wealth of accurate information on breast surgery, and a free service to help you locate a qualified specialist in your area.
The effects of gravity, the stresses of daily life, and even just the evidence of time become visible in peoples' faces, causes the formation of deep creases between the nose and mouth, the loosening and slackening of the jaw line, the development of jowls, and the appearance of both folds and fat deposits on and around the neck.
While a facelift surgery cannot stop or even slow down the aging process, it can set back the clock by cosmetically altering and adjusting the placement of the skin on your face and neck, as well as removing excess fat and tightening the muscles underneath the skin. If a facelift is performed, it may be accompanied by a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or other procedures.
Candidates For A Facelift
Ideal candidates for facelifts are men or women whose skin on their neck and face has begun to sag, although their skin still retains some of its elasticity. A strong, well-defined bone structure also makes the procedure more simple. While some patients are in their seventies or eighties, most recipients of a facelift are in their forties to sixties. After a facelift, a patient will still look like themselves, but will help you look younger and fresher and may, accordingly, increase your self-confidence; it cannot, however, give you more youthful energy or vitality.
As with any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure, it is important to do you research and consult with a plastic surgeon prior to having any surgical procedure. Make sure you fully understand your chosen procedure and have all your questions answered.Chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons -- to enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Chemical peel may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. In certain cases, health insurance may cover the peel procedure. Be sure to check your policy and contact your insurance company before the procedure is performed.
Mini-Abdominoplasty, sometimes called a mini-tummy tuck, may be performed on patients who only have a limited amount of loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen and who would not need the tightening of abdominal muscles that is part of a standard abdominoplasty, although sometimes, the mini-tummy tuck may include it. However, if the patient has excessive fat but minimal or limited looseness of the abdomen, the procedure may be performed in tandem with liposuction.
In most cases, women considering abdominoplasty should not be considering additional pregnancies, or they may have the need for a second procedure to re-tighten the belly. In many cases, a tummy tuck does help rid of stretch marks because it removes most of the "stretched out" skin below the navel.
If you are considering Abdominoplasty surgery, please make sure you consult with a qualified plastic surgeon prior to having the surgery. Ensuring that all of your questions have been answered, and you fully understand the surgery procedures, and the risks involved can mean the difference between a successful surgery and a nightmare.
Despite what may be touted in the media today, there are no exercises or medications that will have any effect on breast size. Breast augmentation can be a dramatic step in creating that beautiful shape you've always wanted. It can boost your self-esteem, your self-confidence and really get you noticed. Your Plastic Surgeon will work with you to select the highest quality implant of the proper size and shape to give you a perfect, safe enhancement, tailored specifically for you.
Results are immediate and dramatic. We know you'll be thrilled by the new you. Your plastic surgeon will encourage you to compare photos to help you achieve the look that you desire. The breast incision is quite small and is placed in non-visible areas. Saline implants are placed under the chest muscles, as well as the breast, for smooth cover. Through the use of clinical trials and scientific data, Plastic Surgery specialists around the world continue to research the silicone gel breast implant, and in some instances he may recommend a gel implant, or replace one for those patients who've had gel implants over many years.The effects of gravity, the stresses of daily life, and even just the evidence of time become visible in peoples' faces, causes the formation of deep creases between the nose and mouth, the loosening and slackening of the jaw line, the development of jowls, and the appearance of both folds and fat deposits on and around the neck.
While a Facelift Surgery procedure (also known as a Rhytidectomy) cannot stop or even slow down the aging process, it can set back the clock by cosmetically altering and adjusting the placement of the skin on your face and neck, as well as removing excess fat and tightening the muscles underneath the skin. Facelift procedures may be accompanied by a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or other procedures.
Who is a Candidate for a Facelift?
Ideal candidates for facelift surgery are men or women whose skin on their neck and face has begun to sag, although their skin still retains some of its elasticity. A strong, well-defined bone structure also makes the procedure more simple. While some patients are in their seventies or eighties, most recipients of a facelift are in their forties to sixties. After a facelift, a patient will still look like themselves, but will help you look younger and fresher and may, accordingly, increase your self-confidence; it cannot, however, give you more youthful energy or vitality.
When you have your consultation with your plastic surgeon, your face, skin, and underlying bone will be evaluated. In addition, your medical history will be reviewed in order to check for potentially related issues, including high blood pressure, problems regarding blood clotting, or your skin's tendency to form larger, excessive scars. During your consultation, it is also important to discuss both your expectations and your goals with your surgeon in order to ensure the desired, realistic results.
Day to day skin care of the face is equally important to one's appearance as peeling, resurfacing, and augmentation procedures.
Plastic Surgeons and Skin Care Specialists alike employ some of the latest and most effective methods of skin restoration available today. Only a qualified expert can provide such dermatological care. These processes use beautifying products that can remove any blemishes and discolorations while at the same time promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. The new cells will be rich in the natural chemicals that are necessary to make skin supple, yet strong. You’ll love your renewed vibrance!
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Time, sun, wind, and gravity all take their toll on the skin. The laser is the ultimate technology for precise aesthetic removal of deeper lines around the eyes, lips, cheeks and forehead. Some facial scars can also be improved with laser surgery. Your surgeon will review your medical history, examine your skin type and pigmentation to determine if laser resurfacing is appropriate for you.
Chemical Peels
Depending on one's goals, skin type and degree of skin aging you may benefit from any one of a variety of chemical peeling procedures. Different peeling agents will produce different degrees of skin penetration resulting in variable improvements in facial wrinkling and fine line improvement. Your plastic surgeon will review with you which peeling agent would be best for you.
The effects of gravity, the stresses of daily life, and even just the evidence of time become visible in peoples' faces, causes the formation of deep creases between the nose and mouth, the loosening and slackening of the jaw line, the development of jowls, and the appearance of both folds and fat deposits on and around the neck.
While facelift surgery cannot stop or even slow down the aging process, it can set back the clock by cosmetically altering and adjusting the placement of the skin on your face and neck, as well as removing excess fat and tightening the muscles underneath the skin. If a facelift is performed, it may be accompanied by a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or other procedures.
Ideal candidates for facelifts are men or women whose skin on their neck and face has begun to sag, although their skin still retains some of its elasticity. A strong, well-defined bone structure also makes the procedure more simple. While some patients are in their seventies or eighties, most recipients of a facelift are in their forties to sixties. After a facelift, a patient will still look like themselves, but will help you look younger and fresher and may, accordingly, increase your self-confidence; it cannot, however, give you more youthful energy or vitality.When you have your consultation with your plastic surgeon, your face, skin, and underlying bone will be evaluated. In addition, your medical history will be reviewed in order to check for potentially related issues, including high blood pressure, problems regarding blood clotting, or your skin's tendency to form larger, excessive scars. During your consultation, it is also important to discuss both your expectations and your goals with your surgeon in order to ensure the desired, realistic results.
Many women young and old, decide to increase the size and/or fullness of their breasts and make them more proportional to the rest of their body. Women of all ages Plastic Surgery in Orange County specialist desiring to enlarge their breasts for a number of reasons. Generally, women that have a genetic pre-disposition toward small breasts tell us that they desire to better fill out their clothes or bathing suits. Women that have lost breast volume after weight loss or breast-feeding typically tell us that they want to regain their breast fullness and/or cleavage. In all these cases, breast augmentation is usually the optimal way to increase your breast size, which can improve the way you look and feel about yourself.
Mastopexy is commonly performed in conjunction with breast augmentation (implants) to increase breast firmness and size. This may appeal to women who have lost breast volume after pregnancy. Pregnancy and nursing often result in stretched skin and therefore decreased volume. If you are planning a future pregnancy, it is advisable to postpone your breast lift as additional pregnancies will likely cause further stretching. As with all cosmetic surgery, realistic expectations and emotional stability are important. Though breasts of any size can be lifted, women with smaller breasts enjoy longer lasting results.
As with any surgical procedure, it is important that anyone considering a plastic or cosmetic procedure do their research and consult with a qualified and skilled Plastic Surgeon. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you fully understand the chosen procedure prior to having the surgery. There are numerous websites out there that provide good information about cosmetic surgery. The best one I have found is lookingyourbest.com. This free website offers a wealth of detailed and accurate plastic surgery information and even offers a free service to help those desiring plastic surgery locate an experienced and qualified specialist in their area.
The Mini Lift (also referred to as a Short scar face lift) is a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time than its more traditional cousin, the full face lift. The Mini face Lift is an ideal procedure for women who are just starting to note deepening lines on their face, sagging of the skin over their lower face and jaw line, and perhaps some laxity of their neck.
You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you are a woman in your early 40s and don't want to wait for noticeable signs of aging to alter your appearance. The Mini Lift is also a useful secondary procedure if you have previously had a face lift and are starting to notice the signs of age again making an appearance.
A Modified Face Lift is the right choice if you are a woman in your late 40s or early 50s and notice more laxity in your face and neck but still not very much. You surgeon will help you determine whether you are the right candidate for this procedure.
In a Modified Face Lift, the incision made to the face is similar to the Mini Lift but extends behind the ear, and there may be need for an additional incision under the chin. This allows Dr. Lofman to reposition the fallen soft tissues and tighten the lax neck muscles as well as remove more redundant skin than a Mini-Lift would allow.
The Full Face Lift is designed for you if older than 55 or have significant laxity of the soft tissues of your face and neck. While it requires a longer incision, skillful surgical technique ensures the incision is placed inconspicuously.
The Full Face Lift effectively restores your youthful appearance and should give you back at least 15 years that time has taken away. This is achieved by tightening the underlying lax muscles, doing so in a way that does not leave the typical signs of a face lift.
A face lift may also be combined with other facial procedures such as eyelid surgery or a brow lift. During your private consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon, he/she will explain in full detail the varying aspects of these different procedures and what other techniques may be available to help you achieve realistic results.
