Breast Implant Basics

There are a number of options to consider when women decide to have breast augmentation. At my practice in Los Angeles, breast implant discussions, such as silicone versus saline, typically are the focus of breast augmentation consultations. Here are some of the basics to help you know more about this topic:

• Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive elastic gel that many say feels more like natural breast tissue.
• Women can typically choose from three incision locations for inserting the implants: under the breast along the natural crease (inframammary incision), under the armpit (transaxillary incision), and around the areola (periarolar incision).
• Breast implants can be placed under the pectoral muscle, or between the pectoral muscle and breast tissue. This decision is best made with a qualified surgeon, and is often based on a number of factors, including implant type and cosmetic goals.

By understanding the available options and talking with an experienced surgeon, you can achieve your goals more successfully.

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

Breast Augmentation Recovery Basics

Some of the most common questions I encounter during a Los Angeles breast augmentation consultation revolve around the general recovery time. Depending on the extent of a person’s surgery, breast augmentation recovery is best understood in a series of stages:

Stage 1: The first 48 hours finds most women resting with little to no physical activity except walking around to maintain circulation in the legs. This helps women get used to their augmentation, and begin the healing process.

Stage 2: The first week following surgery typically includes minimized physical activity. Women should experience a significant improvement in their overall energy levels, and swelling will begin to subside.

Stage 3: After the first week of recovery, most women can begin to take on more of their usual activities, while making sure not to strain themselves. Soreness and swelling should begin to dissipate, and women will see the effects of their surgery.

Stage 4: Exercise and normal activity is highly dependent on the doctor’s direction, but many women find that they can return to their daily activities after 3 weeks of taking it easy.

Stage 5: After fully recovering, women can return to their normal schedules, including exercise, work and family life. Most women maintain total nipple sensation and are able to breastfeed after surgery.

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

5 Benefits of Breast Augmentation

Techniques for breast augmentation in Los Angeles vary from surgeon to surgeon, but there are some benefits that are fairly universal when breast augmentation is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. These include:

• With advances in technology and techniques, people have a greater number of options. From the type and size of implant a woman chooses to the location of the incisions, there are many options available for people to personalize their breast augmentation procedures.
• Breast augmentation can not only transform a woman’s physical appearance, but women often also experience a surge in confidence. This sense of self-assurance will carry over into the workplace and home for many women.
• Women over 18 who are physically and emotionally healthy can choose breast augmentation. This means that women can choose the procedure when it’s right for them, whether that means earlier in life, or after the changes that occur with pregnancy and aging.
• Breast augmentation is a great procedure to combine with complementary plastic surgery treatments. This allows women to have more comprehensive results, and cut down on the overall cost and recovery time.
• Choosing breast augmentation should not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed after surgery. Women that choose qualified surgeons should be able to breastfeed and retain nipple sensation after surgery.

Tags: breast augmentation los angeles
Posted in Breast augmentation

The Benefits of Breast Reduction

When a woman’s breasts are too large to be supported by the body frame, the results can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and inconvenient. A significant number of women turn to breast reduction surgery to improve their physical appearance, and to alleviate the physical pain caused by uncomfortably large breasts.

There are a number of breast reduction options available to women, including laser-assisted breast reduction and the Laser Bra procedure. These options are easily personalized to fit the desires and goals of each woman.

After surgery, women report not only a surge in confidence, but also an ability to lead a more active lifestyle. Simple activities such as running errands are no longer physically draining, and working out is no longer impossible. Women have also commented that shopping has become fun again, with a greater selection of styles and sizes to choose from.

Tags: Breast Reduction
Posted in Breast Reduction

The Facts about Nipple Surgery

You might be surprised to hear that a significant number of women come to my practice wanting to alter the proportion and position of their nipples and the surrounding dark skin, known as the areola. Sometimes motivation for nipple surgery extends beyond cosmetic reasons, with the nipples affecting a woman’s ability to breastfeed. Regardless of the reasons, the appearance of a woman’s nipples can affect her self-image.

Large nipples can be uncomfortable or embarrassing. Women may avoid certain situations and shopping can become a nuisance. Although there is no perfect size and shape for a woman’s nipples and surrounding skin, surgery can create better proportion or correct a defect. One of the most common problems people tend to fix with nipple surgery is inverted, or inward pointing, nipples. A woman’s areola can be altered to naturally fit the breast size, or nipples can be reduced in size as well.

As with many plastic surgery procedures, nipple surgery allows women to feel confident about the appearance of their bodies. Surgery can increase a person’s confidence, and allow women to shop for clothing based on personal style, rather than purely for comfort.

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Posted in Breast

Why Breast Enhancement Remains Popular

Breast enhancement procedures have long been some of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. Breast enhancement typically includes breast lift surgery, breast reduction surgery, and breast augmentation. Los Angeles women are among many in the United States who turn to breast implants to help improve their body contours by increasing the size of their breasts.

According to a recent report published by the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), plastic surgery has increased in popularity, up 2 percent from 2009 to 2010. Breast augmentation took the number 1 spot for the most popular cosmetic procedure in 2010, with 296,000 procedures performed. It is no surprise that breast augmentation is the top procedure of 2010, as more women are enjoying the benefits of a rebounding economy and are taking steps to improve their appearance and self-esteem.

Here are a few of my thoughts as to why breast augmentation continues to remain such a common cosmetic procedure:

• The procedure is generally straightforward and quick.
• Recovery time from a breast augmentation is significantly less than other procedures such as a tummy tuck.
• Women have several options for the procedure, including incision location, type of implant, shape of implant, and more.
• Breast augmentation is a relatively affordable cosmetic procedure.

I’d like to hear your opinions and thoughts on breast augmentation. Why do you believe it is so popular?

Tags: breast augmentation los angeles
Posted in Breast augmentation

3 Benefits of a Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery is among one of the most popular breast enhancement procedures. Many different types of women turn to breast lift surgery to help improve the appearance of sagging breasts, either due to having children, the natural aging process, or both.

Many of my Los Angeles breast lift patients report that they noticed both physical and psychological benefits after having their procedure. Below are 3 specific benefits that a breast lift may include:

1. The breasts can be positioned to appear more proportionate and elevated, in order to provide a more youthful position.
2. The surgeon can remove excess skin that contributes to a sagging or aged appearance, and tighten the breast skin to achieve a firm look.
3. A breast lift can improve self-esteem and self-confidence, which contributes to overall happiness.

For women who are appropriate candidates, a breast lift can be a very satisfying procedure, both for physical and psychological reasons. What is your experience with breast lift surgery? How have you benefited from the procedure?

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Posted in Breast Lift

Understanding Anesthesia Options

Anesthesia options depend on which procedure you are considering, your age, and your health. At my practice, we offer different types, including:

• General anesthesia- Under this type of anesthesia, the patient is unconscious. The anesthesia is provided either by a mask, through intravenous line hooked up to the arm or hand, or through a breathing tube. At my practice, we use general anesthesia for breast reduction surgery in Los Angeles.
• Regional anesthesia- The patient receives a shot of local anesthesia to the nerves of the specific area to be treated. This type of anesthesia is used when large areas of the body need numbing, such as the leg or arm.
• Local anesthesia- Local anesthesia numbs a small area of skin where an incision will be made. This type of anesthesia can be administered as a shot or applied as an ointment spray. When applied to the skin, it is often called a topical anesthetic and is used for smaller outpatient procedures.
• Twilight anesthesia- Also known as conscious sedation, this anesthesia uses sedatives to lower your awareness without the completely unconscious state achieved with general anesthesia. Regional anesthetics are sometimes combined with twilight.

As noted, the type of anesthetic used depends on which procedure is performed as well as other factors, such as your health. Your surgeon will determine which type of anesthesia is right for you.

Tags: breast reduction surgery los angeles
Posted in Breast Reduction

Why the Breast Implant Pocket is Crucial

Women considering breast enlargement in Los Angeles often ask about where their breast implants will be placed. There are two possible locations: subglandular (over the pectoralis muscle) or submuscular (underneath the pectoralis muscle). The decision depends on several factors.

The breast implant pocket is the space in which the implant will be placed. In my experience, most women tend to choose to have their breast implants placed underneath the muscle. By choosing that location, I can provide them with a more natural appearance, because it reduces any rippling. In addition, placing the implant pocket submuscularly reduces the risk of complications such as capsular contracture, symmastia, and what’s known as “bottoming out.”

Other benefits of placing the implant pocket subglandularly include a quicker and more comfortable recovery, as well as keeping the muscles in place. However, it is important to understand your own body frame and related considerations all need to be considered in the ultimate decision. By placing the breast implant pocket in the ideal location for you, I can ensure a comfortable recovery and beautiful results.

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Posted in Breast Implant

Breast Augmentation Incision Options

When considering breast augmentation, how do you know which incision method is appropriate for you? There are four common incisions that are typically employed; however, not all surgeons perform all of these techniques. The four main methods are:

• Periareolar incision (around the nipple)
• Inframammary fold (under the breast)
• Transaxillary incision (through the underarm)
• Transumbilical incision (through the belly button)

I take the time to guide my Los Angeles plastic surgery patients considering breast implants about their incision options. Experienced breast augmentation surgeons are the most helpful resource for women who want to understand these options in depth. When making a recommendation, several factors will be taken into consideration, such as your anatomy, your goals, as well as the type and size of your breast implants.

There are, of course, benefits and drawbacks to each incision method offered. The inframammary fold is one of the most commonly used incisions. This allows the surgeon full access to and clear visibility of the implant pocket. The periareolar incision, created around the nipples where they meet the breast skin, is also a popular choice due to the fact that resultant scarring can blend in to the texture and color of the areola. Also, the implant can be placed precisely in the pocket with this method. The transaxillary and transumbilical incisions are advantageous because they leave no scar on the breast, but many surgeons do not offer these incision options because access to the implant pocket is indirect.

How do you choose? Discuss your goals openly and honestly with your surgeon to find the appropriate incision method for you.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgery
Posted in Breast augmentation,General Plastic Surgery