Is There Plastic Surgery for the Arms?

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Given all the attention to having a flatter belly, firmer breasts, and fuller buttocks, you may not have considered the idea of plastic surgery for the arms.

Then again, you may have. Particularly if you find yourself dodging sleeveless clothing or covering up on the beach to avoid exposing the loose and saggy skin under your arms.

While liposuction can do the trick where there is minimal sagging and good skin laxity, plastic surgery is the best approach for more advanced cases. And it’s highly effective.

What Is Plastic Surgery for the Arms?

You might be quite trim. You eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Yet, no matter how many times you hit the arm weights each week, you’re still noticing that ‘batwing’ effect. And yes, it’s frustrating.

In these cases where aging and/or weight loss have left saggy upper arms that are disproportionately wider in circumference than the remainder of the arm, diet and exercise are not going to be a fix. This is when plastic surgeons will typically recommend brachioplasty.

Known more simply as an arm lift, brachioplasty removes the excess skin and fat that hangs from the upper arms. The end result is a sleeker, more toned upper arm with no more sagging skin or irregular bulges.

The Brachioplasty Procedure

Brachioplasty is generally done on an outpatient basis and under either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will discuss the best option for your specific needs.

Once you are adequately sedated, your surgeon will begin with an incision either inside the arm or on the back of the arm. The incision length and pattern vary from patient to patient depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed and where it’s located.

Your plastic surgeon will do everything in his or her power to limit the incisions and scarring as much as possible. However, in cases where there is a lot of excess skin and fat, a longer incision may be required. And while this will leave a scar, it will fade significantly over time.

Regardless of the incision, excess fat is either directly excised or removed through liposuction. From there, underlying tissue is tightened and then reshaped using internal sutures. Then the skin is smoothed over the resulting toned contour.

Finally, incisions are closed with either absorbable sutures or with stitches that will need to be removed within a week or two of the procedure.

What to Expect During Recovery

First, plan to take at least a few days to a week off from work to facilitate your recovery. Particularly if you have a very physical job.

As with any surgery, you will likely feel some soreness for the first few days  so your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to provide comfort as you heal.

You may also notice some swelling and bruising for the first week or so after the procedure. It’s important that you wear the prescribed compression garment to offset this and promote quicker healing.

Finally, you’ll want to avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise until the incisions are fully healed. After that, you are good to go to the gym or the beach or anywhere else you want to show off your gorgeous new arms!

Are You Interested in Brachioplasty?

With the huge array of other confidence-boosting cosmetic procedures available, it only makes sense there would be plastic surgery for the arms.

So if you’re frustrated with jiggly upper arms that don’t get any more toned with diet and exercise, contact us today for a free consultation. And start shopping for sleeveless clothes again!

Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Sir Archibald McIndoe

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Plastic surgery may seem like a purely contemporary field of medicine. After all, nobody was getting Botox injections in the days of the Wild West.

The truth is, plastic surgery has been around in some form or another for over 4,000 years.

Sure, plastic surgery as we know it today certainly reached new heights in the 1960s and 70s. But pioneers of plastic surgery such as Sir Archibald McIndoe developed innovative techniques in the 1930s ad 40s that served as a strong foundation for all that would follow.

Early 20th Century World Wars Paved the Way

In a previous post, we talked about Dr. Harold Gillies and the advancements he made in giving World War I soldiers with disfigured faces  a more appealing appearance.

Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients he witnessed. Working in tandem with other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures that would literally change the face of plastic surgery.

Injuries from World War II presented new challenges for doctors in the 1930s and 40s. Dr. Archibald McIndoe was one of those doctors.

Who Was Dr. Archibald McIndoe?

Born in New Zealand in 1900, McIndoe attended medical school there and was eventually invited to the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. to continue his studies.

While serving as first assistant in Pathological Anatomy, he was offered an assistant surgeon post. He went on to specialize in surgery of the liver. During his years of studying the liver, he discovered and mapped blood supply to the liver. One supply was normal and the other pathological. He theorized that one of those supplies could be shut off when excising part of the liver.

He was correct. And this gave him both tenure and fame in the U.S. Yet he longed to practice in the UK.

What Is the Plastic Surgery Connection?

Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, McIndoe had a tough time finding work and establishing his career. It was a chance meeting with Dr. Harold Gillies (who also happened to be a cousin of his) that his luck shifted.

Right from the beginning of World War II, McIndoe was dissatisfied with the burn treatment techniques that were standard medicine at that time. Tannic acid and jelly were used to dry and tighten tissue and reduce fluid loss. The problem was, severe burn contractures were the result. So McIndoe devised new techniques for treating burns – the most famous of which is the saline burn bath.

McIndoe and Gillies eventually went into practice together – giving soldiers a chance at a more normal life. Gillies had discovered that moving tube pedicles from one part to an adjacent area was more effective. This was referred to as walking. McIndoe took walking to a new level that ensured only unburnt tissue was used in reconstructing and replacing burnt tissue.

Eventually they developed a comprehensive and holistic burn unit that addressed the physical, social, psychological, and functional aspects of the airmen’s issues. By the end of the war, 649 airmen mostly from the United Kingdom (though some hailed from Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Australia and Eastern Europe) had undergone treatment in this innovative burn unit.

McIndoe passed away at the age of 59. But his humanitarian legacy lives on today.

Curious About Today’s Modern Plastic Surgery?

Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Archibald McIndoe played a critical role in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.

So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.

Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeonsContact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.

What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

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Most of us have some aspect of our bodies that we wouldn’t mind changing. It could be a little extra belly fat, drooping eyelids, or sagging skin.

Plastic surgeons can address fixes like these to satisfy their patients and give them new confidence.

There is a small percentage of the population, however, who never feel better about their appearance because they struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, are obsessively preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their appearance. The operative word is ‘perceived.’

In reality, what they’re seeing is not nearly as prominent as they think it is. In many cases, it’s not even noticeable to others. Yet from their view point, the perceived flaw is so hideous and ugly that it negatively impacts every aspect of their lives.

Once referred to as “dysmorphophobia”, BDD causes severe distress to those who experience it. They will repeatedly look in the mirror or reflective surfaces and obsess over how terrible they think they look. They may avoid social or public situations where they feel people are staring at them and judging their perceived ugliness – even though there’s nothing physically wrong.

Sufferers may seek out the help of cosmetic surgeons or dermatological aestheticians to alleviate the problem. But to no avail because the condition is not physical. It’s mental. No matter how many procedures or treatments they try, they still see themselves as disfigured. In the meantime, they spend a lot of money they may not even have.

This is why ethical plastic surgeons tend to steer away from doing procedures on patients struggling with BDD.

Who Is Impacted By BDD?

BBD might not sound like a serious condition. It may seem easy enough to just ‘get over’ these perceived faults. But it simply doesn’t work that way. The brain is a powerful organ. And for those in the throes of the disorder who refuse to leave their homes, it can become dangerously isolating.

Not only are they fully convinced that they have a faulty nose, hair, skin, eyes, chin, lips, or overall body build, but they believe there is ABSOLUTELY no solution and they are doomed forever. It’s not surprising, therefore, that there’s an increased risk of suicide for those who struggle with BDD.

Late adolescence (ages 16-18) is typically the time that symptoms of BDD tend to emerge. But it can start showing up in a milder form around the age of 12. Because teenagers as a whole can be moody and generally dissatisfied with their appearance, BDD is often overlooked and may not be diagnosed until the sufferer is well into their 20s or even 30s.

BDD Is Not Isolated to Women

Females have been fed a steady diet of perfect body images by the media for years. Unrealistic expectations of how a female should look has driven women to despise their own bodies, suffer anxiety and depression, and even driven them to eating disorders. As such, BDD was once more prevalent in women.

That’s changing.

While some women are waking up to their own issues with BDD, males are now entering the BDD arena. That’s because media has started emphasizing the unrealistic male physique as well. In fact, in the past 25 years, men’s rate of dissatisfaction with their bodies has tripled.

As such, BDD is now becoming prevalent among men. Is it particularly problematic for teenage boys who are turning to steroids and also developing eating disorders to achieve this ‘perfect’ body that doesn’t exist. And as they continue to see no results because of their warped perception, they develop depression that can lead to drinking and drug problems.

Wanting to Look Your Best Is NOT a Disorder

Obviously, there’s a huge difference between feeling dissatisfied with a fixable problem and struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

If you are mentally healthy, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best! So if you’re ready to consult with a plastic surgeon about a procedure that will help you feel better about yourself, then contact us today!

In the meantime, if you think that you or someone you know may be struggling with undiagnosed BDD, you can connect with the BDD Foundation to get answers to your questions and find support.

What Is Otoplasty?

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If you scan through a class picture of elementary school children, you’re bound to see one or two kids with some sort of ear abnormality.

For many of these kids, their ‘unusual’ ears are a source of embarrassment. Some of them grow into adulthood without the issue being addressed and are forced to navigate some rather awkward social situations. The lucky ones get otoplasty.

Which leads to the question, what is otoplasty?

What Is Otoplasty?

Cosmetic ear surgery that’s performed on the visible part of the outer ear (known as the auricle) is known as otoplasty. It’s performed on both children and adults.

Under the umbrella of otoplasty, there are three different procedures.

Ear pinning is recommended when the patient has prominent ears that expand out from the sides of the head. An ear reduction helps patients who have oversized ears – also known as macrotia. Finally, augmentation is for those who have misshapen, small, or underdeveloped auricles.

Those Who Benefit From Otoplasty

The majority of people who seek otoplasty tend to have congenital ear conditions. For many, the auricle didn’t develop properly. This can result in protruding, constricted, or misshapen ears.

Otoplasty corrects these conditions.

But otoplasty doesn’t just address congenital anomalies. Patients who have sustained ear injuries or trauma from car accidents, dog bites, etc. will also benefit from otoplasty. A common injury among boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists is cauliflower ear. Otoplasty addresses that as well.

Since the auricle doesn’t reach 90% of its adult size until the age of five,  that’s the minimal age for otoplasty. Of course, adults of all ages can get otoplasty. Patients should be in good health and be non-smokers or quit smoking weeks before the procedure.

What to Expect From the Procedure

Because there are different types of procedures, there is no one-size-fits-all. The specific surgical technique depends on the patient’s needs.

In general though, there will be an incision on the back of the ear or inside the folds. The ear tissue will be manipulated to either remove skin/cartilage, fold and shape the cartilage, or graft cartilage to the ear.

Any incision made is closed with stitches.

In most cases, otoplasty is done as an outpatient procedure that takes between one and three hours. Because the procedures tend to be outpatient, surgeons typically use local anesthesia with a sedative.

For younger children, however, the surgeon may choose general anesthesia.

Recovery

Once the procedure is complete, a compression bandage will be applied to the ears and kept there for the first 24 hours. After that, lighter dressing will cover the surgical incisions. It’s important that the dressing is kept clean and dry.

Avoid sleeping or resting in any position that will put pressure on the ear(s). Also, while the ear(s) are healing, it’s best to stick with clothes that button or zip up rather than those that need to be pulled over the head.

And for parents of children having otoplasty, they’ll need to be watchful that their child doesn’t touch or scratch his or her ear(s).

Most patients can expect to return to normal activity within a few days – although rigorous physical activity should be avoided for a couple of weeks during healing.

Could Otoplasty Help You or Your Child?

Now that you know the answer to the question of what is otoplasty, it’s time to consider it as an option for you or your child.

Contact us today to talk with our board-certified surgeons to find out how we can help.

We will happily advise you on the next best steps for getting this confidence-boosting procedure.

What Is Scar Revision?

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Having a scar is seen by some as a ‘battle wound’ of which to be proud. For others though, a scar can be an embarrassing aberration or even something which compromises their ability to function.

Fortunately for the latter group, there are multiple scar revision procedures available to improve cosmetic appearance and/or restore function.

And while no scar can be completely removed, many of these procedures truly go the distance.

Different Types of Scars

The type of treatment for your scar revision will be based on the severity, location, size, and even type of scar. Yep. That’s right. Not all scars are created equal.

We’ll take a look at three of the most common types of scars addressed in scar revision:

  1. Keloid

A keloid scar is a rounded, thick, and irregular cluster of tissue that occurs when the skin is wounded. In the case of keloid scars, they extend beyond the border of the wound and are often red or darker than the regular skin surrounding it.

  1. Hypertrophic

Like keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar is often red in color and is thick and elevated. (Atrophic scars, by contrast, are below the surface of the skin.)

Unlike keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar does not extend beyond the borders of the skin injury.

  1. Contractures

Contractures depart from keloid and hypertrophic scars in that they occur when an area of skin is damaged or even lost. Rather than a raised appearance, a contracture scar pulls the edges of skin together resulting in tightness of the area. This pulling can also affect the ability of tendons, muscles and joints in the area to move effectively.

Treatment Options for Scar Revision

In cases where scarring is not severe, there are multiple options for surface treatments to soften irregularities and reduce uneven pigmentation. These are typically done by changing the surface of the skin.

For example, hydrafacial and/or chemical peel solutions soften irregularities in texture and color by penetrating the skin’s surface. Laser or light therapy procedures alter the surface of the skin to enable healthy new skin to form at the scar site. And dermabrasion mechanically polishes the skin.

In some cases, steroid injections may be utilized to decrease itching and redness as well as shrink the size of the scar. Pressure therapy – where an appliance is worn over the scar for a prescribed amount of time – may also be recommended.

It’s important to understand that in many cases, the patient will have a combination of these procedures to achieve the desired result.

Surgical Procedures

When the scar is more severe and/or is affecting the patient’s ability to function, then surgery is the usual recommendation.

In the most basic procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon removes the scar formation with an incision. He or she then places stitches to help close the wound.

More complicated scarring may call for the following:

  1. Skin Graft or Flap

In situations where skin is damaged or lost, skin grafts may be chosen. With this procedure, the surgeon removes the scar tissue, takes a piece of healthy skin from another area of the body, and attaches it to the wounded area.

Skin flaps are the next level and address situations where there is damage to the blood vessels as well as the skin. Similar to skin grafts, with a skin flap, the section of skin that’s harvested includes its underlying blood vessels, fat, and muscles.

  1. Tissue expansion 

Some patients who wish to avoid a skin graft may opt for tissue expansion instead. In this procedure, an inflatable balloon is placed under the skin near the wound site.

Slowly and over time, the balloon is filled with a sterile solution so as to stretch the area of healthy skin around the wound. Once the skin is sufficiently expanded, the scar is removed and the newly stretched skin replaces the tissue.

Obviously, this procedure involves multiple visits and procedures which can take some time.

Are You In Need of Scar Revision?

Even though a scar cannot be completely eliminated, scar revision procedures can greatly reduce its appearance or address your inability to function normally because of it.

So if you have a troublesome scar, then contact us today to discuss the options available to you.

The long-lasting results will leave you feeling more confident in your appearance and comfortable in your body.

 

Pioneers of Plastic Surgery – Dr. Harold Gillies

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The long-term disabilities from World War I were overwhelming. Many men came off the battlefield quite disfigured.

Not only were they in pain, but the disfigurement impacted their prospects for work. And the government offered little financial or social support.

Fortunately, pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies were changing the face (literally) of surgery and providing needed relief for many of these men.

The Early Days

Treating facial injuries on the frontline was difficult, to say the least. Gaps and holes in the face were stitched together leaving jagged scars. And because there was so much missing flesh, the scars would tighten as they healed and pull the face into permanent grotesque expressions.

Some men were blinded or had a hole where their nose was. Others were unable to eat or drink because of severe deformities in the jaw. They had to be fed sitting up so they didn’t suffocate when they laid down.

The early days of skin grafting were awkward and unpleasant. A large flap of skin was lifted from somewhere near the wound and swung over the injury site. To maintain the blood flow and increase the chances of the graft being accepted, however, it was not severed from the donor area.

Then came Dr. Harold Gillies.

Dr. Harold Gillies

The history of plastic surgery dates back to 800 BC – though it was highly rudimentary at that point. By the Civil War, experimentation had advanced. Even so, the results were often disappointing and soldiers were left with gaping holes in their faces.

During World War I, Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients. He knew something needed to change. Working alongside other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures.

He recognized that the flaps in the above-mentioned surgical procedure would curl in on themselves when under tension. He proposed sewing the flaps into a tube to increase blood supply and also decrease the risk of infection.

Then once the tubed flap was attached near the injury site, it could be cut away from the donor area. From there, the skin could be opened and spread out to cover a wider area.

The procedure was a success.

Ushering in the Dawn of Modern Plastic Surgery

Dr. Harold Gillies had the courage to commit himself to a burgeoning wing of surgery that many told him he’d never make a living doing. By the time he had settled into Britain’s Queen’s Hospital, he and his team had advanced the field of reconstructive surgery to help thousands of veterans live a more normal life.

His work also laid the foundation for modern plastic surgery that would grow in strength and stature by World War II to provide the veterans of that war with even more life-changing procedures. And luckily so.

How Can Modern Plastic Surgery Help You?

Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies had a huge part in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.

So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.

Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeons. Contact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.

Is There Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies?

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If you’re not familiar with the term congenital anomalies, you may know them better as birth defects. Whatever the case, they are defined as structural or functional anomalies that occur in utero.

Some of these defects can be very serious and difficult, if not impossible, to resolve.

Fortunately, there is plastic surgery for congenital anomalies that are not as serious. Treatment involves many choices – the first of which is finding a highly skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Is There a Cause?

Congenital anomalies can have many causes. And as much as the world at large would like to zero in on specific causes in order to eliminate birth defects, it’s just not that easy.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only half can be directly linked to a specific cause. There are two general areas from which the cause may rise:

  1. Genetic/Inherited

These are the hardest to pinpoint because they exist on the DNA or chromosomal level. When there are too many or too few chromosomes, or the structures are flawed, it can lead to a variety of different conditions.

In some cases, there may be mutations in genes, or a recessive inheritance whereby two parents carrying a recessive trait but don’t present with the condition themselves will pass it on to their offspring. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an example.

  1. Multiple Factors

In many cases, birth defects are the result of a specific combination of genes and environmental exposures. Some children inherit genes that cause sensitivity to certain environmental triggers. This is the most common cause of a cleft lip or palate.

Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies

Among the many congenital anomalies plastic surgeons treat, procedures for cleft lip and palate are among the most commonly performed.

This condition can undermine a developing child’s ability to eat, speak, hear, and breathe properly. Left untreated, it can negatively impact his or her development and optimal functioning. Plastic surgery can successfully repair this condition.

It’s not just cleft lips and palates though. Plastic surgeons provide profound and even life-saving treatments to those struggling with a variety of congenital anomalies. Working with a team of specialists in other areas, they can treat the following:

  • Congenital breast reconstruction
  • Ear deformations or malformations
  • Poland syndrome
  • Tuberous breast deformity

And the above list is only a smattering of the diagnoses different plastic surgeons across the country can treat – sometimes in stages and over years. It may seem like a long journey, but the destination is hugely rewarding.

Do You Struggle With a Congenital Anomaly?

If you have a treatable congenital anomaly and feel you would benefit from reconstructive surgery, contact us today.

With the prevalence of plastic surgery for congenital anomalies, there’s a good chance a surgeon can help. We’ll take the time to discuss all of the options available to you.

4 Myths About Plastic Surgery

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With the onslaught of reality television shows and social media posts that put an emphasis on external beauty, the demand for plastic surgery procedures is on the rise.

Some view plastic surgery as the be all end all fix for all their problems. It is, of course, NOT that. And any surgeon making this claim is to be avoided.

Meanwhile, others think that plastic surgery is disgraceful and a part of the problem. This isn’t true either. Far from it. But with its increased popularity, the myths about plastic surgery keep coming. We’ll look at four of the more pervasive ones.

  1. Getting the Cheapest Surgeon Will Save You Money

Okay. Finding the cheapest surgeon WILL save you money. That statement alone is not a myth. It’s entirely true. At least, in the short run.

The problem is, when you seek out the least expensive surgeon, you’re putting your safety at risk. And you may not make this discovery until the damage has been done. Then you’re looking at even costlier procedures to attempt to fix the problem.

So be sure to vet a highly qualified plastic surgeon. Insist upon a doctor who’s certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. And steer clear of medical professionals who claim they’re board certified in “cosmetic surgery.” Such a board is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and is considered illegitimate.

  1. A Tummy Tuck Is a Permanent Fix

Not to go all Buddhist on you, but nothing is permanent. The tummy tuck is no exception.

Yes, this procedure is very popular given there is minimum pain and downtime. It’s also highly effective – with the vast majority of patients loving the results for years. These same patients recognize, however, that a tummy tuck surgery is a stepping stone. They are careful to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising and eating well. When these actions are done in tandem with a tummy tuck, the results are outstanding.   But it does require a commitment from the patient.

  1. Your Surgeon Should Have Amazing Hands

Of course you want your surgeon to have technical ability. I.e. he/she should be good with their hands. But what truly matters is a surgeon’s ability to plan, make decisions, and pivot when needed.

In fact, what you really want is a surgeon with a good head on his or her shoulders, as it accounts for about 80% of a procedure’s success. A good surgeon has a keen sense of creativity paired with knowledge. He or she not only knows what they’re able to, but – and perhaps more importantly – what they’re not.

  1. I Can Use Plastic Surgery Later to Fix the Results of My Bad Habits

When you’re young you feel invincible. People in their 20s and even 30s are able to throw a lot at their bodies and bounce back relatively quickly. They’re still able to handle the ill effects of smoking cigarettes, eating poorly, and exposing their skin to the sun.

That changes though once you hit your 40s. And for folks in that age range and beyond, the ones who look and feel the youngest established preventative behaviors during their younger years.

So if you’re still young enough that you can take your health and your skin for granted, we encourage you to not do that! While there are plastic surgery procedures that will rejuvenate and revitalize up to a point, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise and protecting your skin when you’re young will go the true distance as you age.

Don’t Buy Into the Myths About Plastic Surgery

If you’re considering a procedure to instill a more youthful appearance and feel better about yourself, don’t believe the myths about plastic surgery that say it’s just vanity. It’s not.

Looking better CAN make you feel better.

You’ll just need to be aware and informed about your surgeon and your procedure to have the best possible outcome. So contact us today to speak with a compassionate, caring, and board-certified surgeon. We’ll ensure you have the most optimal experience.

Are There Different Breast Implant Placement Options?

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If you’re considering breast augmentation, you’ve probably researched different types of implants, and started thinking about the size you want.

But did you know that there are different breast implant placement options too? (Great! Another thing to think about!)

This is a good thing, though. To get the most natural look for your breast implants, the last thing you want is a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Especially when it comes to the procedure.

What Are the Breast implant Placement Options?

You don’t need to stress too much. Fortunately, there are only two options. The breast implant is placed under your breast tissue and over your chest muscles, or under the breast tissue and partially under the pectoralis major.

Both provide great results and which one is right for you will come down to a number of factors that you’ll discuss thoroughly with your board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she will provide you with the choice that will deliver the best aesthetic results.

For the sake of understanding the difference between the two, here’s how they compare:

Over the Muscle

Also referred to as sub glandular placement, the over the muscle option involves placing the implants on top of the pectoralis major muscle but under the glandular breast tissue.

Because this option produces a lifted appearance, it’s often recommended to patients whose breasts tend to sag from having a larger amount of natural breast tissue. The tissue offers support and coverage for the implants. Without proper coverage, the implant can take on the appearance of being artificially inflated.

Another benefit of sub glandular placement is the ability of the implant to move with the breasts over the years as they go through changes. This gives them a more natural appearance for many years. In addition, over the muscle placement is a slightly easier procedure and requires a little less recovery time. Since the chest muscle isn’t altered, there’s no risk of the implants visibly distorting during exercise of daily movements.

That said, there IS a slightly increased possibility of visible folds or rippling with this sort of placement. Especially for patients with less natural breast tissue. In addition, subgladular implants tend to interfere more with mammogram readings and may result in the patient having to incorporate ultrasounds or other modalities.

Under the Muscle

Not to be confused with the term sub glandular, the sub muscular (under the muscle) procedure is a bit more involved. In this case, the implant is placed under the skin, fat, glands, AND the pectoralis major.

Yet, it’s also placed on top of the inner pectoralis minor and serratus muscles. Doing it this way allows for the pectoralis major muscle to cover the top and side of the implant while the natural breast tissue covers the bottom and outer edge. This creates a smoother and more natural looking transition from the chest to the implant.

Sub muscular implants interfere less with mammogram readings and they have a lower incidence of capsular contracture.

Even so, the more complicated nature of the procedure means there is usually a slightly longer surgery time and recovery period. This is because the surgeon has to cut and detach the pectoralis major muscle. There’s also an increased chance of the implants becoming distorted when the chest contracts, and/or migrating upward toward the armpit. Patients usually experience diminished strength in the chest muscles after this surgery as well.

So your plastic surgeon will carefully consider whether this placement option is your best bet.

Are Breast Implants Right For You?

When it comes to choosing between the two breast implant placement options, you can take heart in knowing that you’ll never be alone in that decision.

Contact us today to set up your free consultation and get started.

After an examination, your surgeon will discuss your goals and expectations with you. From there, the two of you will decide which option is right for you.

Can Vaginal Laxity Be Repaired?

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Okay. Vaginal laxity may not be the topic of conversation at the dinner table.

But if you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a condition whereby the tissues outside the vagina loosen. This can lead to problems with the tissues twisting or even escaping the labia.

For many women who experience vaginal laxity, it can be an embarrassing and troublesome situation. It can even negatively impact sensation during intercourse. And it’s more common than you might think.

What Causes Vaginal Laxity?

Vaginal laxity is often the result of vaginal childbirth. Especially for women whose vaginal tissues were overstretched from having large babies and/or multiple births. For them, the vaginal tissue simply lost the ability to bounce back. This could have been further compounded by the use of forceps or other delivery instruments.

But aging is also a factor. With aging comes a reduction in collagen production. And collagen is a crucial protein for providing support to the tissues. So even women who didn’t experience childbirth can struggle with vaginal laxity. Plus, vaginal health changes tremendously in the years following menopause which complicates things further.

Can Vaginal Laxity Be Repaired?

In an attempt to avoid surgery, many women engage in pelvic floor training. They engage in isometric exercises such as Kegels to tighten the vaginal muscles. And while most women would not be advised against doing Kegel exercises, there’s currently no evidence to suggest they do anything for increasing vaginal tightening.

Fortunately, there are other options – both non-surgical and surgical. And each of these solutions is fairly simple and straightforward.

Taking the Non-Surgical Route

For women who are planning to have more children (or those who aren’t ready to try surgery yet), laser energy and radiofrequency (RF) treatments can be highly effective.

In both cases, the tissues are heated in order to increase collagen formation. Laser energy heats the vaginal tissues at a more surface level than RF and might be chosen in cases where the laxity isn’t as severe.

Meanwhile, RF takes the heating a bit deeper. A recent study shows the benefits of performing surface cooling after an RF treatment increases vaginal tightening and sexual function while protecting the vaginal skin.

So laser energy and RF could be fantastic options for treating vaginal laxity. Even so, some patients feel more confident in going the surgical route.

Opting for Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty is a procedure that falls under the wider umbrella of vaginal rejuvenation and it sounds more daunting than it is. Actually, it’s a minimally invasive procedure that involves tightening the vaginal canal and surrounding muscles. This is achieved by altering the lining of the vaginal canal, as well as the vaginal and perineal muscles.

Another benefit? Vaginoplasty can treat the urinary incontinence that becomes so common among women at later stages of their lives.

While this procedure stands well on its own, some patients choose to combine it with the aforementioned laser and RF treatments to reach optimal tightening as well as increasing natural lubrication.

The Solution Is in Sight

If you’re troubled by vaginal laxity, you do NOT have to accept it as a fact of motherhood and/or growing older. And fixing it is not a huge to-do.

So take the next step.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation to discuss treatment options such as laser energy, RF, or vaginoplasty. You deserve this!