The Ultimate Breast Implants Checklist
Summer’s almost here. It’s that time of year when you start showing more skin and seeing just how your body has changed over the winter. And with the pandemic, you might be noticing the impact of a couple of winters.
If you’re feeling self-conscious about filling out your bathing suit or other summer wear, this may be the year for breast augmentation surgery.
Breast implants could boost your confidence this summer. But what will be expected of you before and after the surgery? To address that, we’ve got the most complete breast implants checklist here for you.
BEFORE Pre-Surgery
Once you finally make an appointment to talk with a plastic surgeon, he or she will provide you with literature on the procedure. This can be a lot of information to absorb. There will also be an FDA-approved patient-decision checklist. The purpose of this list is to present the benefits and risks of getting implants.
The checklist covers topics such as what makes a successful breast implant candidate; situations when implants shouldn’t be used, the risks of undergoing the surgery; the importance of proper training and experience; and other options (where appropriate).
The patient-decision checklist is reviewed together by you and your surgeon.
Breast Implant Checklists
Once everything is agreed upon and you’ve decided to go ahead with the surgery, you’ll be given an opportunity to sign and initial throughout the patient-decision checklist. The checklist is then signed by your board-certified surgeon.
At that point, you’ll need to start tackling the next checklist – which is things you’ll need to do before the procedure.
Pre-Surgery
If you love a good smoke first thing in the morning or after a meal, you’ll need to get used to not having this. It’s crucial that you quit smoking a minimum of four weeks pre-op.
Also, get your work and other life affairs in order. You’ll need at least one week off from your job. Stock up on essential items and foods that are simple to make. (Soup comes to mind.) And be sure to get all of your prescriptions filled so you’ll have them after the surgery.
On the actual day of the surgery, you’ll need to wear loose clothing with a top that zips or buttons in the front. Don’t eat anything or take vitamins/medications unless instructed by the doctor. Refrain from wearing creams, lotions, or fragrances, or using hairspray on surgery day.
Finally, arrange to have a family member or friend drive you home after the surgery.
Post-Surgery
Once you arrive home, it’ll be important that you get plenty of rest to help the body heal. Keep your head and neck elevated using firm but comfortable pillows.
If you live alone, plan to have someone around who can help for at LEAST that first day back. You’ll have to avoid lifting, bending, or any sort of vigorous movement until the surgeon says it’s clear to do so.
Got hydration? If you don’t like water, now is the time to start embracing its benefits because you’ll need to drink at least eight ounces of water every two hours that first day back. Also, take your pain meds as prescribed, wear the recommended compression garments, and have ice packs ready to help with any swelling.
And be sure you have quick access to your surgeon’s contact info in case you experience any complications or just have questions.
Boost Your Confidence with Breast Implants
Now that you’ve gone over the ultimate breast implants checklist, you know exactly what to expect. So why not contact us today?
And get ready for an amazing and form-fitting summer!
Smoking and Plastic Surgery Don’t Mix
If you’re a smoker and have had surgery in the past without complications, consider yourself lucky.
Tobacco smokers are at a much higher risk than non-smokers for complications that include impaired heart and lung functions, infections, and delayed wound healing.
And if you think that you don’t need to worry about that for plastic surgery, think again. Smoking and plastic surgery are a terrible pair.
How Smoking Impacts the Body
Cigarettes are chock full of chemicals. Over 4,000 of them. And these chemicals present a significantly higher risk for surgical complications in smokers.
The two biggest culprits are nicotine and carbon monoxide. Both of these decrease oxygen levels in the body and boost the risk of heart-related complications. In addition, the actual act of smoking damages the lungs and makes proper air flow through them difficult.
Furthermore, smoking negatively impacts the immune system. So when the body is attempting to heal from surgery, it’s going to take longer. This increases the risk of infection at the wound site.
And you don’t have to be a chain smoker for this to be the case. Smoking a single cigarette is enough to decrease the body’s ability to deliver nutrients for healing after any type of surgery.
Specific Complications for Smoking and Plastic Surgery
One of the worst effects of smoking is vasoconstriction. This is the narrowing of the blood vessels. When the vessels are narrowed, flow of blood and oxygen are compromised. This deters proper healing of the skin cells and increases the likelihood of skin cell death, or necrosis, on the wound.
But wait. There’s more.
When nicotine is present in the body, plastic surgery can result in loss of cheek skin, nipples, or belly skin after a facelift, breast lift, breast reduction, or tummy tuck surgery. It may also cause a loss of breast implants.
And because healing is delayed, scars are thicker and wider. Slower healing means more pain and also the possibility of infection or even blood clots – which can be fatal. Pair all of these with the other dangerous complications such as heart attack and stroke, and it’s clear that smoking and plastic surgery do not mix.
What About Marijuana or Other Alternatives?
When your doctor tells you not to smoke before surgery, this includes smoking tobacco in pipes, cigars, hookahs, as well as smoking marijuana. Carbon monoxide is created any time you smoke and this can lead to tissue death after surgery. Marijuana edibles or tinctures may be approved, however. You’ll need to discuss with your surgeon that option.
Meanwhile, vapes and e-cigs are not acceptable switch-outs for smoking either because even though there’s no carbon monoxide, they still contain nicotine. Even nicotine gums and patches should be avoided.
The general rule of thumb is that ANY type of smoking or nicotine use is going to be bad for your surgical outcome. Period.
Your Best Bet
If you are a smoker, evidence shows that quitting at least four weeks before surgery will not only lower your risk of complications, but you’ll notice better results six months after the plastic surgery procedure. You are also less likely to experience complications with anesthesia.
To heal properly, sustain results, and improve your overall health, ceasing the use of nicotine products altogether is really the only game in town. So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure and know you’ll need to quit for at least four weeks prior, now might be the time to consider quitting forever.
Change Your Appearance, Change Your Life
Are you a smoker who’s looking for a fresh new look with a facelift, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or other plastic surgery procedure?
Contact us today.
Because now that you understand how smoking and plastic surgery don’t play well together, you may be inspired to quit for good. And your new look may just come with a new lease on life.
How Botox Works
There’s beauty in aging. But that doesn’t mean you have to giggle about your laugh lines or give a celebratory caw for those crow’s feet.
If you’re troubled by the increasing number of wrinkles showing up seemingly every time you glance in the mirror, then you may want to consider Botox.
You might say, “But why would I want to inject botulism into my body!?” Well, that’s not how Botox works. We’ll take a deeper dive and explain how it does.
Botox and Botulism?
Let’s address the elephant in the room first.
Unlike with dermal fillers, Botox contains neurotoxins that temporarily weaken the muscles in your face. A bacterium called Clostridium botulinum comprises the neurotoxins used in Botox. Botulinum toxins occur naturally in soil as well as in contaminated foods. It is the latter that has created the scare around botulism.
However, in the case of Botox, this bacteria is created in lab where technicians dilute and sterilize these toxins so they will NOT cause botulism. Even so, you always want to work with only highly qualified medical professionals when receiving injections.
Bargain shopping for Botox is not a great idea.
How Botox Works
By weakening or paralyzing the muscles that cause laugh lines, crow’s feet, or other wrinkles, Botox effectively reduces those wrinkles and lines to provide younger looking skin.
Now that you’ve gotten past the botulism issue, you might shudder at the thought of your face being paralyzed. To be clear, Botox doesn’t completely paralyze the face. This is because there are two types of nerves in the body.
One type of nerve is responsible for motion, and the other for feeling. Botox blocks only the synapses of the brain only in the former, so you will still be able to feel your face. Once the injection moves into the desired muscle, only the motion nerves are blocked. So while your brain may be firing and signaling your body to move that muscle, Botox will block those synapses.
When the injected muscle is unable to contract, wrinkles relax and soften. Plus, Botox also helps prevent new wrinkles from forming. So it’s a two-fer. And, once again, when done by a highly qualified specialist, the procedure will result in a natural appearance.
Various Reasons for Botox
Of course, Botox injections are used to smooth wrinkles and lines on the face and neck.
But it’s also been used in the medical industry for decades to treat a variety of medical conditions including chronic migraines, overactive bladder, excessive sweating, eyelid twitching, crossed eyes, cervical dystonia, and adult spasticity.
Furthermore, since Botox blocks nerve signals that control muscle movement, it can also provide relaxation and pain relief. As such, it’s effectively used for pain management for the back, neck, and jaw, as well as nerve pain, neuropathy, osteoarthritis, joint pain, TMJ, and chronic myofascial pain.
What to Expect
The procedure is pretty simple.
Depending on where the injection occurs, the doctor may rub an anesthetic cream in the area to numb it. Then the medicine is injected into the targeted facial muscles.
The whole procedure takes only a few minutes and within the first week of your treatment, you’ll notice fewer facial lines and wrinkles as your muscles start to relax. This effect will last for up to four months.
And that’s it!
A More Youthful Appearance Is Easier Than You Think
Now that you know how Botox works, find out if it’s right for you.
Contact us today for your free consultation. We’ll give you the 411 on all your options and you can decide from there.
What Makes Up The Healthy Skin Diet?
Are you incredibly careful about what you put on your skin? Perhaps you buy the richest lotions and diligently apply sunscreen each day.
What you put on your skin is certainly important. But have you considered that what you put IN your body is just as important as what you’re putting ON your body.
As the largest organ in the body, the skin is impacted by just about everything you do. Even stress affects your skin! So to keep it performing optimally, stick with the healthy skin diet we’ve outlined below.
- Eat Five-a-Day For Better Health
By now, you’ve probably heard of free radicals. They’re the natural products of human metabolism, sun exposure, and certain lifestyle choices. And they’re not your friends.
Free radicals create oxidative stress which has a starring role in skin aging. One of the best defenses against free radicals are antioxidants. And fruit and vegetables are loaded with with antioxidants like betacarotene and lutein. So making sure you get five servings a day is going to give you a big advantage.
Many fruits and vegetables have vitamin C which is also good for helping the skin fight wrinkles. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and kiwis are great sources.
- Avoid Processed Foods
So while you’re learning to enjoy more fruits and vegetables, you can swap out some processed foods, refined sugars, and foods with a high glycemic index for them.
Consuming dairy, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats increases inflammation in the body that can negatively impact your skin including irritation, breakouts, and faster aging.
- Stay Hydrated
There are so many reasons to stay hydrated. Drinking six to eight glasses of fluid per day will help keep your skin from getting dry and dull. Water is the best choice, but caffeine-free and herbal teas count too. There are even certain fruits (watermelon, anyone!?) and vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber that contribute fluid. Plus, they offer minerals as well.
- Load Up On Vitamin E
Some folks rub vitamin E directly onto their very dry skin. But pure vitamin E is not exactly practical as a daily treatment. So you can get it from your foods instead.
Vitamin E is another antioxidant and some of the best food sources are almonds and sunflower seeds. Which is convenient because they travel well.
- Prioritize Omega-3s
We’ve been told forever the health benefits of fish. That’s because of the omega-3 fatty acids which improve cholesterol and counteract inflammation. But they also help to preserve collagen and keep it firmer and more supple.
Some fish are richer in omega-3s than others. Mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna and herring top the list.
If you’re vegetarian, no need to lament. Plant-based options for omega-3 include chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds, and edamame.
- Don’t Forget the Polyphenols
In case you’re unfamiliar, polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that are found in a variety of foods including grapes, tea, coffee, and (fortunately) dark chocolate.
Polyphenols such as anthocyanin, flavonoids, resveratrol, and phenolic acid can reduce rough texture on the skin and even protect against sun damage.
- Skip the Crash Diet
Finally, if you’re addicted to taking off weight with the latest fad diet each time you put on a little weight, it’s time work for a more steady and balanced diet. The losing and regaining weight cycle is hard on the skin and can cause wrinkles, sagging, and stretch marks. Plus they rob you of essential vitamins and minerals.
Your best bet? Treat your skin kindly by eating a diet with lean meats and plant-based foods, while reducing processed food and alcohol. You’ll be amazed what a difference this can make.
Consider the Healthy Skin Diet
Once you start the healthy skin diet, you’ll feel better overall. But if you’re still unhappy with the state of your skin or changing your diet hasn’t quite done the trick, then contact us.
We have a full line of skincare products that can supplement your diet and healthy lifestyle to rejuvenate and brighten your skin. Get out there and shine!
Surgical Ways To Remove A Double Chin
Do you remember a day when you had a streamlined profile while looking in the mirror? Of course, it’s possible that you’ve never had that particular brand of luck.
In fact, many of us deal with excess fat on the neck or chin that results in a double chin. Also known as submental fullness, it can be the result of weight loss, aging, or just good old genetics.
Fortunately, there are surgical ways to remove a double chin and feel more confident about your appearance.
Surgical Ways To Remove A Double Chin
Getting rid of excess fat or skin around the neck can be achieved in a number of ways. Depending on your goals, a board-certified plastic surgeon may use one or more of the following procedures:
- Chin Liposuction
For folks with more elastic skin (often those in the 20-50 year age range), the surgeon may opt for just chin liposuction.
With chin liposuction, the surgeon inserts a cannula, or small tube, into different areas of the chin. Gentle suction removes small amounts of fat from each location which leaves the skin looking smoother.
Although this procedure removes excess fat, it doesn’t improve skin quality.
- Submentoplasty and/or Lower Rhytidectomy
Submentoplasty is just the medical field’s fancy term for a chin tuck while a lower rhytidectomy is more commonly known as a neck lift.
A chin tuck focuses solely on tightening the skin and removing extra fat from the chin and upper neck. A neck lift is more extensive than a chin tuck in that it tightens the muscles.
Chin Tuck and Neck Lift Surgery Procedures
As explained above, chin liposuction is fairly straightforward. A chin tuck or neck lift are more extensive, however, and involve making incisions.
First, your doctor marks the chin and neck to indicate the areas where he or she will work. Then either IV medications are administered or you may have to undergo general anesthesia.
The area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. For those not under general anesthesia, a local anesthetic may be injected under the skin.
Incisions are generally made at the hairline and around and behind the ear to avoid conspicuous scars. Excess fat and skin are removed from the neck.
In the case of a chin tuck, there will be fewer incisions and excess skin isn’t removed. Instead, the platysma (neck muscle) is tightened to give the skin a more sculpted and toned appearance.
In both cases, incisions are closed with glue or sutures.
Recovery
As with all surgical procedures, swelling and discomfort following the procedure are common. The skin on the neck and chin may show bruising and swelling and might feel very tight. Your surgeon may recommend an antibiotic ointment.
You’ll need to avoid the sun, as well as getting excess amounts of water on the face or chin for a few days.
Overall recovery time will depend on the surgical procedure you have. Chin liposuction typically heals within a few days to a week. A neck lift will be more like 7-10 days.
Eager to Say Goodbye to Your Double Chin?
With a number of surgical ways to remove a double chin available, you could be bidding that double chin farewell in the near future.
So contact us today to get started.
Our experienced team will sit down with you during your free consultation and discuss which option(s) will be best for you.
The Top Reasons for Getting Plastic Surgery
(Not-so) reality TV has given plastic surgery a bad rap. Too much programming focuses on eccentric, shallow people seeking out plastic surgery for all the wrong reasons.
This is unfortunate because the vast majority of plastic surgeons are doing a lot of good for their patients. After all, there are truly legitimate reasons for getting plastic surgery.
Some of them might even surprise you.
1. Addressing Health Issues
Next time you take a full deep inhale and exhale through your nose, think for a moment how it would feel to have a constant obstruction that never allowed for such a seemingly simple action. This is the case for folks with a crooked septum or nasal polyps. Plus, they tend to suffer from more severe allergies and sinus troubles.
Enter the “nose job.” Also known as rhinoplasty, this procedure is often requested by patients who have some sort of defect inside their noses. And yeah, sure. Rhinoplasty can also address the external appearance of the nose. Which is an added benefit.
It’s not just a faulty nose that can present health problems though. Some women struggle with chronic and severe back and shoulder pain as a result of breasts that are too large. A breast reduction surgery eases this pain and allows them more freedom of movement.
Furthermore, vision problems that come from heavy, drooping, or sagging eyelids can be corrected by blepharoplasty. And just as is the case with a rhinoplasty, the procedure also helps to improve the appearance of the eyes.
2. Boosting Confidence
Some patients DO seek out a plastic surgery procedure for cosmetic purposes. And that’s completely valid. For example, a man who is constantly troubled by his facial reflection in the mirror can feel better about himself after a facelift. Or a woman who feels self-conscious about how her clothes fit because of the size of her breasts may opt for a breast augmentation. Another woman may wish to reclaim her body after a tough pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. There’s a great deal to be said about boosting one’s confidence to bolster positive mental health outcomes. Because when people feel good about their physical appearance, they are more likely to present themselves to the world in a positive way.
3. Increased Safety and Affordability
Plastic surgery has made great technological strides in the past decade. The presence of lasers, pulsating light, and advanced skin treatment options are now within reach of most plastic surgeons. Plus, such strides have made these procedures safer.
These advances have also made plastic surgery more in reach for everyone. It’s no longer the domain of the wealthy Beverly Hills diva who has a few weeks free to get her face done.
Nowadays, plastic surgeons are seeing far more working professionals who are seeking a procedure for any of the above reasons. And with medical credit cards, payment plans, personal loans, and other financing options available, they can make these procedures a reality.
4. More Time on Screens
In the past ten years, everyone is seeing more of their faces everywhere. Selfies, cell phones, and social media platforms were to thank for this. Then came 2020 and COVID. Within a month, many of us were staring at our reflections day after day on Zoom. And some of us were less than satisfied.
Let’s face it. (Pun intended.) This trend isn’t going anywhere too quickly. And as a result, an increasing number of people are seeking out plastic surgery to manage this self-scrutiny with more ease. And why not? Haven’t we been through enough?
What Are Your Reasons For Getting Plastic Surgery?
There are clearly a lot of great reasons for getting plastic surgery. So if you’ve been considering it, now is the time to take that step!
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll sit down to discuss the options available to you to get you started.
How To Prepare For Your Facelift
Have you recently made the decision to get a facelift? Great! Rejuvenating your facial appearance is sure to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
There are some things you’ll need to know to prepare for your facelift though.
The absolute first step is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the expertise to do the procedure to your satisfaction. Once you’ve chosen your surgeon, you can expect the following:
An Initial Consultation
Of course, having a board-certified plastic surgeon with whom your comfortable is essential. But you’ll want to be just as comfortable with the procedure you’re about to have. This is the point of the consultation.
It’s during this meeting that you and your surgeon will review your health history, current medical conditions, and any medications you may be taking. He or she will also listen to your expectations and inform you of whether they’re realistic.
You’ll have a chance to see before-and-after photos of patients who have had the procedure. Then the surgeon will tell you about treatment options, risk of complications/side effects, and what to expect from the procedure. Once it is clear that you’re a good candidate for a facelift, he or she will be clear about the cost, outcomes, anesthesia, risks, recovery and aftercare.
Prepping For The Actual Surgery
Once the consultation is complete, you’ll need to do some prep work. This includes quitting smoking at least six weeks prior to the procedure. Smoking not only increases the risk of complications, but it can also result in less than ideal results.
It’s also important during this time to get into the habit of drinking a lot of water. You want to be as hydrated as possible when the day arrives to ensure faster and more effective recovery. You’ll also need to go into your surgery without having eaten anything since the night before.
If you regularly take aspirin, NSAIDs (like Advil), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, there will be a point when your surgeon will tell you to stop taking them.
Finally, make your home environment as comfortable as possible so that when you return from the surgery, you’ll be able to relax and heal. You’ll also want to plan to have someone drive you home and stay with your for at least 24 hours after the surgery. In addition, find someone who can perform household duties for the week following surgery so you can focus on healing.
The Morning Of The Surgery
Plan to wear a top that’s easy to get on and off – such as a zip-up hoodie. You’ll want to avoid pulling anything over your head and impacting the treatment area.
Your surgeon will give you an estimate of how long the procedure will take, but it’s typically a few hours. An anesthesiologist will be in the room throughout your surgery and constantly monitoring your vitals. When your facelift is complete, you’ll spend some time in the recovery room until you’re stable and cleared to go home.
And that’s it!
Prepare For Your Facelift
Now that you’ve made the mental commitment to this amazing procedure, it’s time to contact us for your free consultation.
With a highly experienced staff of board-certified plastic surgeons, aestheticians, and skin care specialists, we’ll go above and beyond to help you prepare for your facelift.
And you could be looking at a brighter and happier reflection in a just a few months!
Correcting Plastic Surgery Procedures
The world at large is fascinated with plastic surgery and the results it renders. And given the large number of reality TV dealing with botched or excessive jobs, it would seem that it’s a major problem.
It isn’t. The vast majority of plastic surgery procedures go as planned and the patients are satisfied. However, there will always be exceptions.
There are occasions where correcting plastic surgery procedures is required. So if you’ve had a procedure and aren’t satisfied with the results, then it may be time to consider this route.
The Extra Challenge of Correcting Plastic Surgery Procedures
Remember that you won’t see stunning results right away. The healing process can take days or weeks following your procedure. Hopefully you discussed with your surgeon what to realistically expect and how long it should take.
That said, if you’re still not satisfied after you’ve healed, then you’ll need to start the process of seeking corrective surgery. And it’s important to understand the unique challenges that go with correcting plastic surgery procedures.
Because there is existing scar tissue, the degree of difficulty is greatly increased for the surgeon. There may also be a lack of material with which to work. For example, if there is no longer cartilage or other tissue in the original area, it may need to be sourced from another part of the body.
In addition, you may already be feeling emotional and even afraid to undergo another procedure. And if what you need is large in scale and detailed, you may need several procedures. When this is the case, you need to be aware that the situation could get worse before it gets better.
Should You Use the Same Surgeon?
Try not to be too quick to rule out your original surgeon out of frustration. Even the greatest and most skilled plastic surgeon can run into unforeseen complications. Unless you have a terrible relationship with your current surgeon, there are advantages to using him or her to do the corrective procedure. This is because your surgeon will have familiarity with the outcome you desired and with the specific way you heal.
If, however, you’ve lost confidence with your surgeon, discovered (too late) that he or she is a fraud, or your relationship with them has gone south, then you’ll want to consult with another who actually specializes in corrective surgery. Any surgeon you pick should be board-certified in plastic surgery and have extensive training and experience in reconstructive surgery.
And keep in mind that, in order to minimize risk, you’ll have to wait at least one year before having surgery in the same area.
Are You Curious About Plastic Surgery?
As we mentioned above, the need for correcting plastic surgery procedures is minimal.
So if you’re interested in plastic surgery for either cosmetic or reconstructive (or both!) purposes, don’t hesitate to contact us today for your free consultation.
You’ll sit down with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss all of the options available to you and what you can expect in the long-term.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
If you know anything about regenerative medicine, then you may be curious about the role of regenerative medicine in plastic surgery.
Then again, maybe you’re not familiar with regenerative medicine and it sounds like some sort of idea stirred up by a science fiction author. It’s not.
In fact, regenerative medicine has been a godsend for folks who’ve lost tissue because of cancer, burns, or other trauma where reconstructive plastic surgery options are limited. This is why plastic surgeons have been instrumental in developing new therapies in regenerative medicine.
So What Is Regenerative Medicine?
The field of regenerative medicine is based on the concept that doctors can turn to the body’s own powers to heal itself rather than solely relying on drugs or invasive surgical procedures. The thought is that by replacing, engineering, and regenerating human cells, tissues, or even organs, normal form and function can once again be achieved.
This is not to say that there is no use for drugs and surgical procedures though. In fact, along with cells, tissues, and organs, regenerative medicine utilizes drugs, synthetic biomaterials, and devices.
In a nut shell, the goal of regenerative medicine is to both heal damaged tissue, and form new tissue.
Regenerative Medicine in Plastic Surgery
Patients who have suffered with the aforementioned cancer and burns are not the only ones to benefit from regenerative medicine. Researchers and plastic surgeons are currently developing regenerative medicine-based treatments for those with congenital anomalies of the face and hands (including microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palate), facial nerve injuries, limb and muscle loss, and injuries to major nerves in the arms and legs.
The following are some of the ways that plastic surgeons are incorporating regenerative medicine therapies:
Burn Care
With severe burns where the dermal (innermost) layer of skin is damaged, plastic surgeons are now able to use protein scaffolds to generate new tissue there.
Tissue Expansion to Generate New Skin
Plastic surgeons also pioneered a technique whereby they are able to implant balloon devices that are gradually expanded to generate new skin tissue to cover a deformity. This therapy has been revolutionary in breast reconstruction as well as for treating birth anomalies.
Wound Care
Reconstructive plastic surgery alone may not be enough to repair complex wounds that are difficult to heal. In these cases, there’s a need for tissue engineering – i.e. skin substitutes made from living cells grown in a lab – to aid in the healing.
Additionally, it was a plastic surgeon who was the first to bring negative pressure devices into the arena of wound care. These regenerative medical devices employ micro-mechanical forces to stimulate and further wound healing.
Treating Scars
Laser and intense pulsed light are just two of the energy-based devices from the field of regenerative medicine. And they’re increasingly gaining in popularity with plastic surgeons and their patients to improve the healing of scars.
Breast Reconstruction
Women who have survived breast cancer through a mastectomy are faced with the decision of whether they want to have breast reconstruction. Today, plastic surgeons can use decellularized tissue scaffolds to generate new tissue over breast implants to achieve a better outcome.
Bone Regeneration
At one time, patients suffering extensive trauma that involved the loss of large bone segments had to cut their losses. But now, through regenerative medical therapies, plastic surgeons can take advantage of calcium-based scaffolds and biomaterials derived from bone to form new bone tissue for these patients.
Regeneration of Nerves
When is comes to regenerating nerves, this is where the field of regenerative medicine feels decidedly like something out of science fiction. But plastic surgeons are finding new ways every day to restore optimal function to patients who have experienced nerve injury.
Therapies in this area include using specialized growth factors to accelerate nerve healing, and specific biomaterials that actually guide and direct the growth of new nerve fibers.
It’s really quite amazing.
Could Plastic Surgery Help You?
Plastic surgery is no longer about just improving a nose that’s too big or breasts that are too small. Although these are completely valid surgeries, it’s clear that there’s a need for regenerative medicine in plastic surgery too.
So if you’re struggling with an aesthetic or functional flaw that you feel could be repaired though plastic surgery, contact us today. During your free consultation, your plastic surgeon will clearly lay out your options so you know exactly what to expect.
Understand Your Plastic Surgery Procedure
If you’re considering surgery to correct or contour some part of your body, you may be feeling some apprehension. And that makes sense.
Whether for reconstructive or cosmetic purposes, plastic surgery does present the possibility of complications. Just like any other surgery. Even if it’s elective.
So to ensure you’re going in with as much peace of mind as possible, it’s important you understand your plastic surgery procedure. And the best way to do this is to go directly to the source: your plastic surgeon.
How to Better Understand Your Plastic Surgery Procedure
First things first – when vetting the ideal surgeon, you’ll want to ensure that yours is board certified in plastic surgery. Insist on this.
Such certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) demonstrates that your surgeon is of the highest caliber. It means he or she made the effort to attain in-depth training that goes above and beyond what’s simply required. A board-certified plastic surgeon has comprehensive knowledge of the field and is committed to excellence.
Once you’ve established this basic but crucial requirement, then it’s time to start investigating.
It’s Okay to Ask Questions
You may feel like you’re offending a potential surgeon by asking all about their experience, training, and credentials. But any surgeon who is turned off by this is putting up a red flag. Your surgeon should want you to feel confident about your procedure and be willing to answer all questions relating to it.
For example:
How Familiar Are You With the Procedure?
Though you may be nervous posing it, this is a 100% reasonable question. You don’t want to go into your procedure with a surgeon who’s relatively (or brand) new to it. The fact is, surgeons who have performed a higher volume of specific procedures have lower complication rates and shorter hospital stays for their patients. So don’t be afraid to ask this question.
Then follow it up with:
Do You Have Pictures of Previous Clients?
If your surgeon hasn’t already shown you ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of what to expect from your procedure, then you’ll definitely want to see some of these. This will help you to not only see the surgeon’s work, but you’ll feel reassured that the procedure was safe and effective for patients before you.
What Are the Risks?
In general, plastic surgery carries a slightly lower risk than other types of surgical procedures. Still, there is always the chance of infection, reaction to anesthesia, or loss of blood. So you’ll want to be crystal clear with your surgeon on how these risks could play out for you.Again, if a surgeon does not take the question seriously, then consider looking elsewhere. Any reputable surgeon will understand your need for assurance and peace of mind and will be completely forthcoming about any post-operative complications. He or she should place your safety and health as the top priorities.
Feeling Nervous About Your Surgery?
Knowing the ways to better understand your plastic surgery procedure will help increase your confidence.
So contact us today if you’re ready to start exploring your options with one of our highly trained board-certified plastic surgeons.
And keep in mind that lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking and adopting a healthy diet) before surgery can also lower your risks and result in faster healing and less scarring. These are factors you’ll also discuss with your plastic surgeon during your free consultation.
