What Do We Mean by the ‘Perfect’ Breast?

When women ask about breast augmentation in Los Angeles, we always ask a key question: “What is your vision of yourself after surgery?” Because every woman has her own definition of “the perfect breast,” the surgeons at Marina Plastic Surgery believe it’s important to listen carefully to each woman’s goal and personalize the procedure to achieve that goal.

For some women, enhancing their breasts so that they wear a B-cup bra may achieve their goal. Other women may want a more dramatic enhancement, resulting in a looks that is significantly more voluptuous. And, it’s not just size that constitutes the perfect breast. Shape is also important.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, my goal is to understand what each patient wants, discuss her desired outcome, and work with her to provide exquisite results. There are a multitude of considerations that go into creating the perfect breast, and I guide each patient through those decisions for an optimal outcome.

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What is Liposuction Breast Reduction?

Women who have overly large breasts often find that everyday activities can be uncomfortable, or even painful. Often, these women turn to breast reduction in Los Angeles to remove excess skin, fat and tissue for an enhanced appearance and a more comfortable lifestyle.

Patients interested in a breast reduction have many options for personalizing this procedure. Understanding these options can help achieve beautifully shaped breasts.

Liposuction is a simple yet effective breast-reduction technique for women who don’t need a lift but desire the physical benefits a reduction can provide. Since this procedure is not as extensive, many patients are able to return to work and other activities sooner.

I perform liposuction breast reduction starting with a 5 millimeter incision under each breast. This scar is minimal, and most patients are able to hide it easily. From here, I use a thin tube called a cannula to remove enough fat to provide the desired reduction while making sure not to compromise the breast shape. Partial results are immediate, but I advise patients to wait several months for swelling to disappear completely.

Liposuction breast reduction can also be performed in conjunction with more traditional techniques, and I recommend speaking with an experienced surgeon to discover how this treatment can be customized to meet your needs.

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3 Myths About Breast Lift Surgery Debunked

It’s surprising that despite the effectiveness of beast lift in Los Angeles, there are so many myths associated with this treatment. It’s important that people have access to facts regarding potential procedures so they can make informed decisions.

Breast lifts help women counteract the effects of gravity, aging, weight fluctuation and pregnancy on their breasts. All of these factors can cause skin laxity, resulting in sagging breasts. Here are the facts behind three common myths that all women considering breast lift surgery should know:

Myth: You have to get breast implants when you have a breast lift.

Fact: Breast lifts are for women who desire an enhanced breast shape. Not only are breast implants not required as part of a breast lift, but women commonly opt not to augment the size of their breasts. Breast lifts can help you achieve a more youthful shape through the removal of excess skin, tissue and fat, but some patients opt to combine this procedure with breast augmentation, which does require implants.

Myth: A breast lift involves a lengthy recovery period.

Fact: Thanks to advances in techniques, recovery time for breast lift surgery is short. The amount of time will depend on the extent of your surgery, and this is best discussed with your surgeon during a pre-surgery consultation. I use gentle techniques to minimize trauma during surgery, so patients are able to get back to their regular routines relatively soon.

Myth: Breast lift produces noticeable scarring.

Fact: Patients who do not require an extensive procedure can opt for an incision around the areola, which is hardly visible following healing. Surgeons can also use incisions that are easily hidden by most bikini tops.

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Common Breast Augmentation Concerns

Although women in Los Angeles find breast augmentation to be a highly effective procedure, there are usually some questions stemming from rumors they’ve heard from friends or things they’ve read on the Internet. Here are some common breast augmentation concerns I’ve encountered, followed by the facts about this popular procedure:

Concern: Following breast augmentation, it is difficult or impossible to breastfeed or to maintain nipple sensation.

Fact: Although there is a slight chance that you may lose nipple sensation or will be unable to breastfeed, most of my patients experience no complications following surgery. Choosing an experienced and well-trained surgeon is a good way to minimize risks associated with procedures. Also, many patients who lose nipple sensation after breast augmentation find that it returns after a time.

Concern: Breast implants are dangerous and cause negative health consequences.

Fact: There are a number of breast implant options that can increase the safety of this procedure. Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution that is naturally absorbed by the body should a leak occur. Silicone implant technology has greatly improved, and the cohesive gel used in today’s implants does not leak or migrate in the case of rupture. Additionally, having regular check-ups can help you maintain your implants and your overall health.

Concern: What is capsular contracture, and how can it affect my surgery?

Fact: Capsular contracture refers to the accumulation of hardened scar tissue around implants. I take great precautions in reducing the chance for this and other complications, and I work diligently to minimize negative influences on your surgery or recovery. Less than 3% of our patients have a capsular contracture.

These are just a few of the concerns women have regarding breast augmentation. I recommend speaking to a qualified surgeon to discuss your specific questions. Typically, choosing a well-trained and experienced surgeon can minimize your chance of risk and improve your surgical experience and outcome.

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Leaning Toward Laser Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction can be an extremely effective procedure to help women relieve a burden that is often both physically and emotionally painful. Recently, more women are turning to laser assisted breast reduction in Los Angeles because of advances that make results better and surgery shorter.

When I work with lasers, I find my results are more precise than when I work with more traditional methods. This precision enables me to complete the procedure more quickly while minimizing the amount of bleeding. I am able to cut down on the overall surgery time, which means the patient spends less time under anesthesia.

I developed a special Laser Bra procedure to help women achieve a more natural breast appearance and additional support following breast enhancement surgery. This procedure uses your own breast tissue to create internal support for your breasts, and it is a natural internal bra.

When combined with a breast reduction, a Laser Bra can help counteract the effects of gravity and greatly reduces sagging. After removing excess fat, skin and tissue, I use the Laser Bra to create an elegant appearance. The laser helps prepare and treat the tissue, which I then suture to the chest wall.

If you’ve experienced physical pain or are uncomfortable with the size of your breasts and feel that a breast reduction could help you, I highly recommend speaking to a qualified plastic surgeon. Laser technology has helped advance many cosmetic procedures, so achieving your ideal body could be easier than you think.

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Teen Breast Reduction

Patients often come to my practice for not only an aesthetic enhancement: many of them also want to alleviate physical pain. For example, women with overly large breasts may experience pain in their necks and shoulders, which often can be relieved by breast reduction in Los Angeles. For young women, particularly teenagers, however, it’s important to make sure it’s the right choice for them.

Here’s my advice for teens considering breast reduction surgery:

• Talk with your parents honestly about your reasoning behind wanting surgery. That will help them understand your motivations. For example, sometimes girls feel limited by their exercise options, and vigorous activities such as jogging may be painful or embarrassing for them due to their breast size.
• Think about your future and how your surgery might affect your body.
• Ask your parents for help in choosing an experienced board-certified surgeon in your area that can assist you in getting the information you need. That professional can help you determine if the procedure is right for you, as well as evaluate whether your breasts have fully developed.
• After speaking with a qualified surgeon, make a decision with your family that you feel confident about.

By following these steps, you can make sure that breast reduction is right for you.

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Answering the Question: “Are They Real?”

Many of my Los Angeles breast augmentation patients are not sure how to respond when someone asks if their enhanced figure results from surgery. As a plastic surgeon, I believe that there is no “correct” response. The answer depends on the individual’s level of comfort with this personal question.

As plastic surgery becomes more popular, society tends to accept it more. However, the perception of plastic surgery may be different in larger cities, such as Los Angeles and New York, as opposed to other areas of the nation.

Through my experiences of treating patients from a wide range of backgrounds, I have come to understand that no two people have identical experiences with plastic surgery. While some patients feel comfortable expressing how happy they are with their enhancement, others may see it as a more personal experience.

So if you find yourself questioning whether you should share the details of your breast augmentation, I recommend that you answer according to your own comfort level. There are no rules when it comes to telling others about your surgery.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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