Archive for December, 2009

Larger Breasts, Smaller Fat Deposits

Thursday, December 10th, 2009
breast implants beverly hills

The desire for larger, fuller breasts is very common among the women I see at my practice. As a response to the demand for breast enlargement in Los Angeles, a variety of techniques have been developed. Of course, you have your traditional saline or silicone implants, new “gummy bear” implants, and a variety of other methods. And, as a part of the push for new ways to enlarge breasts, some surgeons have been trying fat transfer.

The Procedure

It’s actually pretty simple. Here’s how it works: fat is removed via liposuction from your butt, thighs, or other areas with excess fat deposits. That fat is then purified before being injected into your breasts.

The Facts

Sure, the thought of “natural” breast enlargement sounds appealing, but is it too good to be true? The truth is:

  • The technique has been used with relative success after a breast lift or breast reconstruction or in conjunction with breast implants to provide a fuller, more natural appearance.
  • A study that used fat transfer as the primary method of breast augmentation showed that women only saw a very slight increase in breast volume.
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) currently does not endorse this breast enlargement technique and is awaiting results from additional studies before reconsidering their position on the procedure.

The Future

I don’t want to completely rule out future potential for the use of fat transfer for breast augmentation. But, the fact remains that there are a lot of things to get sorted out before this technique enjoys widespread application, such as whether or not fat transfer could affect the results of mammograms, whether or not injected fat will actually survive the transfer, and if the injection of fat cells could actually encourage the growth of cancer cells.

There’s a lot to be said for the use of traditional breast enlargement methods. After all, my patients are thrilled with the beauty of their results from breast augmentation with implants.

A Look Inside Endoscopic Surgery

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
endoscopic surgery beverly hills

I’m always looking for ways to make my Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery procedures safer, less invasive, and more effective for my patients. One of the recent advancements that are revolutionizing the medical field (not just plastic surgery) is the use of endoscopic technology. We’ve already found ways to use this technology for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures and will probably continue to find new applications.

There’s a good chance that, if you’re considering surgery, you may be told that your procedure could be endoscopic, so I thought I’d give you a little background.

What Is An Endoscope?

An endoscope is a medical instrument that uses a light and tiny camera to transmit video images from inside the human body. The term literally means to see (“scope”) inside (“endo”).

Examples of Endoscopic Plastic Surgery

While endoscopy has many applications in other areas of medicine, here are some examples of plastic surgery procedures that may be performed with an endoscope:

  • Facelift
  • Forehead Lift
  • Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
  • Breast augmentation
  • Breast reconstruction (for flap procedures and the placement of tissue expanders)

Advantages of Endoscopic Plastic Surgery

Endoscopy does not lend itself to every procedure, but when it can be used, it has definite benefits. Endoscopic procedures allow surgeons to make fewer and smaller incisions. The use of an endoscope may allow for quicker recovery and, in many cases, less pain. In fact, the final results of your surgery could ultimately be better if you choose an endoscopic method.

Can Breast Reduction Catch Breast Cancer?

Monday, December 7th, 2009
breast reduction Beverly Hills

There are many reasons why women consider Los Angeles breast enhancement procedures. In the case of breast reduction, these reasons may include back, neck or should pain, self-consciousness, and the inability to participate in physical activity without discomfort. The improvements made with breast reduction surgery can be vast and wide-ranging, giving many women better quality of life.

And there’s something new for women with overly large breasts to consider, something that could be the extra incentive they need to choose breast reduction. A new study presented at Plastic Surgery 2009 indicates that the testing of tissue removed during breast reduction can lead to increased breast cancer detection, especially for women over 40.

Breast reduction is not, by nature, a breast cancer treatment. But, here’s where it can help:

  • One of the key factors for breast cancer survival rates is early detection. Testing of breast tissue removed through breast reduction may catch cancerous or precancerous cells that might otherwise have gone undetected. This, in turn, can lead to earlier treatment before the cancer has become more advanced.
  • Additionally, breast reduction may make mammograms easier to read and interpret because there is less excess breast tissue.

To learn more about whether you are a candidate for breast reduction and about the potential for breast cancer detection, you should schedule a personal consultation with a qualified Los Angeles plastic surgeon.

Plastic Surgery 2009 Conference: What Did I Miss?

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Plastic Surgery Insider

A few weeks back was Plastic Surgery 2009 in Seattle, WA. This is an important conference for many plastic surgeons and, as it turns out, for many patients. As a Beverly Hills area plastic surgeon, I always look forward to seeing what comes out of these conferences so that I can implement it in my practice. I thought I’d take a moment to share why the annual conference is so important.

What’s the Big Deal?

There’s a lot to be said for gathering together a large group of surgeons united by a common passion for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Inevitably, there are going to be some great ideas that come out of it. This was the goal behind Plastic Surgery 2009, and it was accomplished in several ways:

  • Networking opportunities. For example, the Welcome Reception and Closing Session gave attendees the opportunity to mingle outside the structured environment of roundtable discussions or educational courses. Here, surgeons were able to share their experiences, learning from each other in the process.
  • Continuing education courses. Topics this year ranged from skin rejuvenation with lasers, to breast reconstruction, to the prevention of surgical site infection, and much more.
  • Lectures. Experts discussed topics such as breast shaping with hyaluronic acid injectables.
  • Panel discussions. Panels were held about the cultural influences of breast implant selection, military plastic surgery, and other issues.
  • Exhibits from companies such as Allergan (makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel), Obagi Medical Products, and LifeCell.

What It Means for You

Events like this play a vital role in advancing the field of plastic surgery in California and the rest of the country. They provide an environment that fosters new ideas and technologies. They help plastic surgeons learn more about the latest developments in their field. They can also be a place where surgeons can build new or strengthen old relationships with one another, creating partnerships that reward patients with improved care.

So, to sum it all up – while it may be hard to trace, the conference this month could make your future surgery even better.

Los Angeles Body Contouring with ZERONA™

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
body contouring beverly hills

For decades now, patients have taken it for granted that if they want a cosmetic procedure to improve their body shape, they’ll need to go under the knife. Effective body contouring methods like liposuction have helped millions of Americans address stubborn areas of unwanted fat. While liposuction requires very small incisions, it is nonetheless a surgical procedure with downtime and the potential for discomfort.

Is body contouring really a “no pain, no gain” proposition? Well, with a new technology available at my practice, it doesn’t have to be. We recently added ZERONA™, a completely noninvasive body contouring procedure that can take inches off areas such as the hips and thighs.

Here’s what you need to know about ZERONA at our Los Angeles practice:

  • Completely noninvasive (no surgery)
  • Laser energy treats surface fat cells
  • Your own body removes the dissolved fat naturally
  • Results validated through scientific study
  • In studies, patients lost 3 to 4 inches on average in treated areas
  • No anesthesia needed, and treatment lasts under an hour
  • Series of treatments is completed over a 2 week period

ZERONA is light years beyond the “miracle” treatments you might see on late night TV. This isn’t a fad diet or slimming cream – it is a tested and trusted cosmetic laser technology that is being adopted by even the most discerning surgeons nationwide. After using ZERONA, I trust this revolutionary treatment as an alternative to liposuction for many of my Los Angeles body contouring patients who want to enhance their body shape without surgery.

Think noninvasive body contouring is too good to be true? For those who have had a ZERONA treatment, I encourage you to share your experience!