Gummy Bears: Should You Switch?

Now that the new form-stable silicone gel breast implants are available for breast augmentation in Beverly Hills, many women are wondering if they should switch out their implants.

The new implants are technically called high-strength, cohesive, form-stable or form-retention implants, but I coined the nickname “gummy bear” implants because of their consistency. Like gummy bears, they can be squeezed, pulled and even cut, and they will retain their form. Soft and pliable, yet strong and durable, these gummy bear implants eliminate any risk of leakage. They are a great addition to the other breast implant options we offer.

Should they stay or should they go?

So, should you replace your current implants with the new gummy bears? It depends. The good news is that unless a complication presents itself, you don’t have to replace your current implants. If your implants are not causing any problems, you may want to leave them be. However, if you are not satisfied with the size, shape or feel of your current implants, replacing them with gummy bears may be something to consider.

If you are interested in learning more about gummy bears, you can get more information at my gummy bear implant website.

Tags: breast augmentation beverly hills
Posted in Breast augmentation

Sientra® Breast Implants Demystified

Although the Sientra form-stable breast implants are a new product for many board-certified plastic surgeons, I have been offering women in Los Angeles this breast implant option for years. I was one of a handful of surgeons chosen to participate in the clinical trials for these remarkable implants. Through my research, I have found that Sientra implants offer women many advantages – primarily, that they are made from a high-strength gel that is extremely durable and leak-resistant. These implants are the originals – the ones I nicknamed “gummy bears” because the semi-solid gel is similar that of a gummy bear candy: the implant can be cut in half and still retain its shape.

This video shows how remarkably cohesive the new Sientra implants are. Even when the gel is displaced under pressure, it retains its shape and does not leak.

Understanding the Original Gummy Bears

There are many misconceptions about gummy bear breast implants and about breast implants in general. If you are considering breast augmentation, it’s important that you speak with a knowledgeable surgeon so that you have all the information you need to make the best choice for you.

Gummy Bear Implants Do:

• Have a low complication rate comparable to other silicone gel implants
• Have a lower incidence of capsular contracture
• Have a decreased incidence of rippling/wrinkling
• Come in several shapes and styles, including round

Gummy Bear Implants Do Not:

• Require larger incisions
• Feel firmer than other implants
• Necessarily cost more
• Leak or ooze if ruptured

Tags: los angeles breast implant
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast Implant

Picture This: Your New Breasts

Whether you’re considering breast reduction or breast augmentation in Los Angeles, the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system can help you get an idea of what your results will look like in advance. This technology creates lifelike images of your new body by incorporating your physical measurements and photographs of your body into a computer system. The three-dimensional images that are created can be viewed from various angles and modified to show the range of possible results. This allows for a more in-depth discussion of my patients’ expectations and enables me to create a surgical plan that matches their goals.

Benefits of VECTRA

At my practice, I’ve found VECTRA to be extremely beneficial to help set realistic expectations with my clients. Viewing simulated before-and-after photos provides my patients with clarity about their treatment objectives and gives them more confidence going into surgery. It also allows them to be more involved in the surgical planning process by enabling them to make better decisions regarding their breast implant style, size and placement. With VECTRA, I am able to:

• Create side-by-side comparisons of pre- and post-surgical photos
• Show multi-angle views of the breasts with a variety of implant shapes and sizes
• Demonstrate the effects of complementary procedures such as liposuction or a tummy tuck

VECTRA Uses

VECTRA can be used for breast, body and facial surgery. I also use VECTRA to show the results from procedures such as:

• Rhinoplasty
• Tummy tuck
• Facelift
• Injectable fillers

Tags: breast reduction los angeles, breast augmentation los angeles
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast Reduction

Virtual Breast Augmentation

If you wonder how breast implants might change the look of your body, you can get a sneak preview at my plastic surgery practice in Marina del Rey. Los Angeles breast augmentation candidates get an idea of how their breasts will appear after surgery when Dr. Michelle Spring and I use the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system to illustrate the effects of breast enhancement.

The system uses photos of your body to create a “virtual you,” which can be manipulated to reflect your cosmetic preferences. VECTRA allows you to see multiple views of your body with various implant sizes and shapes in order to help you decide which look you like best.

With VECTRA 3-D imaging, you’ll be able to “try on” different breast implants before surgery.

Why I Prefer VECTRA

Dr. Spring and I have found VECTRA to be extremely useful during the consultation process prior to breast augmentation surgery. Unlike breast implant sizers, which are inserted in a bra, VECTRA allows my patients to see how their new breasts will look on their own body from all angles. With this new technology, I am better able to:

• Establish realistic expectations
• Aid decision-making about breast implant size and style
• Reduce anxiety about the results of surgery
• Facilitate better communication about my patients’ goals

In addition, VECTRA can be used for patients who are interested in tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift and other plastic surgery procedures. It can also give an idea of what to expect after nonsurgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal filler injections.

Tags: los angeles breast augmentation
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast

What’s the No. 1 Procedure in America?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the most popular procedure in the U.S. is breast augmentation. My Los Angeles practice regularly receives inquiries from women eager to learn more about the procedure and how it might help them achieve the figures they desire.

Here’s the inside story:

• The ASPS reports that in 2011, more than 300,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed, up 4% from the previous year.
• For women with small breasts, going from a size 32A, for example, to a 34C can dramatically improve their appearance and self-esteem.
• Significant weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding can lead to sagging breasts that have a “deflated” look. By choosing breast enhancement surgery, women with these issues can restore their breasts, giving them a more youthful appearance.
• Where appropriate, I can combine breast augmentation with another procedure. For example, a popular combination is a breast lift with augmentation. This combined surgery can elevate the breasts while adding volume, resulting in beautifully shaped and well-positioned breasts. For women who have lost significant weight and have sagging tummy skin, a tummy tuck combined with breast augmentation can be the ideal way to achieve the smooth silhouettes they desire.
• The Huffington Post recently published an article about gummy bear breast implants, the “new wave of silicone breast augmentations.”

Tags: breast augmentation los angeles
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast

Long-Lasting Breast Support

For years women have been turning to me for the most advanced breast enhancement procedures in Los Angeles. Breast reduction and breast augmentation provide great solutions for women who are concerned with the appearance of their breasts, but many patients want a way to extend the results of their surgeries.

To meet this growing need, I developed the Stevens Laser Bra. This uses laser power to tighten skin and breast tissue for a more youthful appearance. Patients often find that this creates better and longer-lasting results when combined with a breast enhancement procedure.

During surgery, the excess skin that is normally discarded in a breast lift is treated with a laser and attached to the patient’s chest wall, supporting the breast and delivering beautiful, long-lasting shape and position. This allows the surgeon to create a tighter, more youthful appearance.

One of the benefits of combining the Stevens Laser Bra with breast augmentation or breast reduction is that both procedures are performed at the same time. If you think that a Stevens Laser Bra could help you meet your cosmetic goals, I recommend speaking to a surgeon who is trained in this procedure.

Tags: los angeles breast reduction
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast

Do Your Implants Have a Shelf Life?

If you live in Los Angeles and had breast augmentation several years ago, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to change your breast implants. If there are no physical complications and you are happy with your current size and appearance, then most surgeons will advise you to keep your current implants. The old rule of thumb that implants should be replaced every 10 years refers only to the manufacturer’s warranty. There’s really no need to undergo another surgery unless 1 of 3 things occurs:

• You want to change the implant size or style
• Your implants rupture or deflate
• You experience problems with the implants or a complication such as capsular contracture

While many women don’t experience any problems with their implants, it’s still important to realize that they are not meant to be permanent devices. The life span of breast implants varies greatly from person to person. Some people have implants for many years without a problem, while others may need revision surgery within a few years. Selecting a qualified breast augmentation surgeon can reduce your risk of complications and future surgeries.

Tags: los angeles breast augmentation
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast

What Do We Mean by the ‘Perfect’ Breast?

When women ask about breast augmentation in Los Angeles, we always ask a key question: “What is your vision of yourself after surgery?” Because every woman has her own definition of “the perfect breast,” the surgeons at Marina Plastic Surgery believe it’s important to listen carefully to each woman’s goal and personalize the procedure to achieve that goal.

For some women, enhancing their breasts so that they wear a B-cup bra may achieve their goal. Other women may want a more dramatic enhancement, resulting in a looks that is significantly more voluptuous. And, it’s not just size that constitutes the perfect breast. Shape is also important.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, my goal is to understand what each patient wants, discuss her desired outcome, and work with her to provide exquisite results. There are a multitude of considerations that go into creating the perfect breast, and I guide each patient through those decisions for an optimal outcome.

Tags: breast augmentation los angeles
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast

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.

Tags: los angeles breast augmentation
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast Implant,Breast

Answering the Question: “Are They Real?”

Many of my Los Angeles breast augmentation patients are not sure how to respond when someone asks if their enhanced figure results from surgery. As a plastic surgeon, I believe that there is no “correct” response. The answer depends on the individual’s level of comfort with this personal question.

As plastic surgery becomes more popular, society tends to accept it more. However, the perception of plastic surgery may be different in larger cities, such as Los Angeles and New York, as opposed to other areas of the nation.

Through my experiences of treating patients from a wide range of backgrounds, I have come to understand that no two people have identical experiences with plastic surgery. While some patients feel comfortable expressing how happy they are with their enhancement, others may see it as a more personal experience.

So if you find yourself questioning whether you should share the details of your breast augmentation, I recommend that you answer according to your own comfort level. There are no rules when it comes to telling others about your surgery.

Tags: los angeles breast augmentation
Posted in Breast augmentation,Breast