Archive for December, 2011
What is Liposuction Breast Reduction?
Women who have overly large breasts often find that everyday activities can be uncomfortable, or even painful. Often, these women turn to breast reduction in Los Angeles to remove excess skin, fat and tissue for an enhanced appearance and a more comfortable lifestyle.
Patients interested in a breast reduction have many options for personalizing this procedure. Understanding these options can help achieve beautifully shaped breasts.
Liposuction is a simple yet effective breast-reduction technique for women who don’t need a lift but desire the physical benefits a reduction can provide. Since this procedure is not as extensive, many patients are able to return to work and other activities sooner.
I perform liposuction breast reduction starting with a 5 millimeter incision under each breast. This scar is minimal, and most patients are able to hide it easily. From here, I use a thin tube called a cannula to remove enough fat to provide the desired reduction while making sure not to compromise the breast shape. Partial results are immediate, but I advise patients to wait several months for swelling to disappear completely.
Liposuction breast reduction can also be performed in conjunction with more traditional techniques, and I recommend speaking with an experienced surgeon to discover how this treatment can be customized to meet your needs.
3 Myths About Breast Lift Surgery Debunked
It’s surprising that despite the effectiveness of beast lift in Los Angeles, there are so many myths associated with this treatment. It’s important that people have access to facts regarding potential procedures so they can make informed decisions.
Breast lifts help women counteract the effects of gravity, aging, weight fluctuation and pregnancy on their breasts. All of these factors can cause skin laxity, resulting in sagging breasts. Here are the facts behind three common myths that all women considering breast lift surgery should know:
Myth: You have to get breast implants when you have a breast lift.
Fact: Breast lifts are for women who desire an enhanced breast shape. Not only are breast implants not required as part of a breast lift, but women commonly opt not to augment the size of their breasts. Breast lifts can help you achieve a more youthful shape through the removal of excess skin, tissue and fat, but some patients opt to combine this procedure with breast augmentation, which does require implants.
Myth: A breast lift involves a lengthy recovery period.
Fact: Thanks to advances in techniques, recovery time for breast lift surgery is short. The amount of time will depend on the extent of your surgery, and this is best discussed with your surgeon during a pre-surgery consultation. I use gentle techniques to minimize trauma during surgery, so patients are able to get back to their regular routines relatively soon.
Myth: Breast lift produces noticeable scarring.
Fact: Patients who do not require an extensive procedure can opt for an incision around the areola, which is hardly visible following healing. Surgeons can also use incisions that are easily hidden by most bikini tops.
BOTOX® Cosmetic vs. Dermal Fillers
Nonsurgical treatments are becoming more and more popular across the nation. At times it seems as if everyone is talking about BOTOX® Cosmetic in Los Angeles. Even though it is a popular topic of discussion, I still encounter patients who are unaware of what separates this treatment from other injectable wrinkle treatments. Here’s a basic comparison of some of the most popular injectable treatments:
- BOTOX Cosmetic: This treatment uses tiny injections to deliver a purified form of the botulinum toxin directly to muscles. Instead of “filling in” wrinkles, BOTOX Cosmetic relaxes muscles by blocking nerve impulses. Muscle activity is reduced, so skin around the forehead and eyebrows takes on a smoother and more youthful appearance.
- Dermal Fillers: There are a number of nonsurgical dermal fillers to choose from, including JUVÉDERM® XC, RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler, Xeomin®, Dysport®, Sculptra® and Restylane®. Each treatment has a number of benefits and drawbacks, and each serves a specific purpose. While BOTOX Cosmetic works to relax muscles, dermal fillers smooth away fine lines and wrinkles by replacing lost volume and hydrating skin. Some fillers, such as Sculptra, work to revive collagen production for long-lasting results.
This is just a basic outline of the differences between some popular nonsurgical treatments. I often recommend combining BOTOX Cosmetic with dermal fillers to provide more comprehensive results. Nonsurgical treatments can also serve as the perfect complement to a recently completed surgical procedure. If you’re considering having any plastic surgery treatment, I recommend seeking the advice of an experienced surgeon to help develop an efficient and effective treatment plan.
Common Breast Augmentation Concerns
Although women in Los Angeles find breast augmentation to be a highly effective procedure, there are usually some questions stemming from rumors they’ve heard from friends or things they’ve read on the Internet. Here are some common breast augmentation concerns I’ve encountered, followed by the facts about this popular procedure:
Concern: Following breast augmentation, it is difficult or impossible to breastfeed or to maintain nipple sensation.
Fact: Although there is a slight chance that you may lose nipple sensation or will be unable to breastfeed, most of my patients experience no complications following surgery. Choosing an experienced and well-trained surgeon is a good way to minimize risks associated with procedures. Also, many patients who lose nipple sensation after breast augmentation find that it returns after a time.
Concern: Breast implants are dangerous and cause negative health consequences.
Fact: There are a number of breast implant options that can increase the safety of this procedure. Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution that is naturally absorbed by the body should a leak occur. Silicone implant technology has greatly improved, and the cohesive gel used in today’s implants does not leak or migrate in the case of rupture. Additionally, having regular check-ups can help you maintain your implants and your overall health.
Concern: What is capsular contracture, and how can it affect my surgery?
Fact: Capsular contracture refers to the accumulation of hardened scar tissue around implants. I take great precautions in reducing the chance for this and other complications, and I work diligently to minimize negative influences on your surgery or recovery. Less than 3% of our patients have a capsular contracture.
These are just a few of the concerns women have regarding breast augmentation. I recommend speaking to a qualified surgeon to discuss your specific questions. Typically, choosing a well-trained and experienced surgeon can minimize your chance of risk and improve your surgical experience and outcome.
Leaning Toward Laser Breast Reduction?
Breast reduction can be an extremely effective procedure to help women relieve a burden that is often both physically and emotionally painful. Recently, more women are turning to laser assisted breast reduction in Los Angeles because of advances that make results better and surgery shorter.
When I work with lasers, I find my results are more precise than when I work with more traditional methods. This precision enables me to complete the procedure more quickly while minimizing the amount of bleeding. I am able to cut down on the overall surgery time, which means the patient spends less time under anesthesia.
I developed a special Laser Bra procedure to help women achieve a more natural breast appearance and additional support following breast enhancement surgery. This procedure uses your own breast tissue to create internal support for your breasts, and it is a natural internal bra.
When combined with a breast reduction, a Laser Bra can help counteract the effects of gravity and greatly reduces sagging. After removing excess fat, skin and tissue, I use the Laser Bra to create an elegant appearance. The laser helps prepare and treat the tissue, which I then suture to the chest wall.
If you’ve experienced physical pain or are uncomfortable with the size of your breasts and feel that a breast reduction could help you, I highly recommend speaking to a qualified plastic surgeon. Laser technology has helped advance many cosmetic procedures, so achieving your ideal body could be easier than you think.
Dr. Grant Stevens
I am a board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience researching and implementing new approaches to plastic surgery. At Plastic Surgery Insider, you get the benefit of my experience and authority when you read my perspectives on the latest news and procedures in plastic surgery.
More on my qualifications »
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