Medical Tourism: The “Fly-In Patient” Protocol

International medical tourism has been gaining in popularity in recent years, but why not try domestic medical tourism? We’re located just minutes from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), and our team will work with you to give you a pleasant experience, letting you fly home beautiful!

Step 1: The Consultation

If you’re not planning on making multiple trips to L.A., start with a virtual consultation. From learning about non-surgical treatments to choosing your breast implants, our Los Angeles practice is here to guide you through each step of the treatment process. With a virtual consultation, you can enjoy the benefits of speaking with a board-certified plastic surgeon from the comfort of your home.

Step 2: Scheduling

Once a treatment plan is in place, you will visit our practice the day before surgery. This appointment will take about 2 hours and will include a physical examination. Surgery is typically performed at the Marina Outpatient Surgery Center, and you may spend that evening in a postoperative care facility.

Step 3: Recovery

We usually recommend spending 7 to 10 days recovering in one of the many luxurious hotels in L.A. Our team is available to assist in the recovery process, and we can refer you to a local physician in your area for checkups.

Tags: breast implants los angeles, los angeles plastic surgery
Posted in Plastic Surgeon,General Plastic Surgery

Breast Implants: A Brief History

Breast implants in Los Angeles and across the nation have been popular for years, but they have undergone many transformations. The results are improvements in safety, quality and appearance that my female patients love. One particularly exciting new advancement is the “gummy bear” implant, a silicone-gel implant with a texture similar to that of gummy bear candies. It provides an even more natural look and feel than earlier silicone implants.

Here’s a brief history of just how far breast implants have advanced in terms of safety and quality:

• In 1961, researchers created the first silicone breast implants at Dow Corning. These first-generation implants were much more likely to leak than the ones we offer today.
• In 1968, the first saline implants were created. The drawback to these early versions was their fragile casings, which could result in deflation. Also, a “sloshing” noise could sometimes be heard.
• Silicone implants have gradually gone through a series of improvements, with stronger cover materials and denser, more cohesive gel fillers. Complication rates decreased dramatically, while the quality and appearance of the implants soared.
• Despite these improvements, in 1992, the FDA banned silicone implants for everyone except reconstruction and revision patients. As a result, saline implants were used for more than 90% of surgeries.
• In 2006, the FDA gave its approval to silicone implants for women age 22 and older. Women 18 and older can have saline implants.
• In 2012, Sientra® gummy bear breast implants are approved. Additional crosslinking between the silicone molecules allows these implants to retain their shape, especially in the vertical position.

Silicone implants have continued to advance, with the latest generation called “gummy bear” implants. The gel material is both firm and soft, just like gummy bear candy. It can be pushed, pulled and even cut without dramatically changing its shape. Initial studies show that these new implants are even more effective and safer than earlier ones.

I take pride in the fact that my partner, Dr. Michelle Spring, and I are among a small group of surgeons chosen to use these new silicone breast implants in Los Angeles as part of a clinical study. I look forward to even more innovations in our ongoing effort to provide the best for our patients.

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