Archive for the ‘General Plastic Surgery’ Category
Nagged by Neck Fat? Discover a Surprising Solution
At my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, men and women concerned with fat around the neck, cheeks and chin often ask for my advice about how to contour those areas. They’ve usually tried dieting to no avail, and some worry that it will take a full facelift and neck lift to achieve their goals. What they’re delighted to discover is that, in many cases, I can use facial liposuction to gently remove fat deposits. The result is a beautifully sculpted face and neck.
Using liposuction for facial contouring rather than body contouring requires special skills. I make an extremely tiny incision in an inconspicuous area on the face or neck. Through the incision, I insert a slim tube called a cannula. Then, I extract fat cells from the targeted areas by using a suction pump or syringe.
Because it permanently removes fat cells, the benefits of facial liposuction are long-lasting. Your face and neck will look youthfully firm, and those unattractive bulges and sags from excess fat will be gone. Particularly if your skin has good elasticity, this procedure alone may succeed in meeting your cosmetic goals.
The Skinny on Cellulite Reduction
As a Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I frequently talk with women who are frustrated by the appearance of cellulite on their bodies. A significant number of them spend money on drugstore remedies, which can’t produce the desired results.
Advances in cosmetic surgery have paved the way for new treatments that effectively reduce dimpled skin and uneven contours. Here are two popular cellulite treatments:
- SmoothShapes®: After 7 years of extensive testing, the perfect combination of laser and light technology was created to smooth away cellulite. Combined with a massage and vacuum pressure system, this nonsurgical treatment helps patients of all ages and body types.
- Body by Thermage®: This treatment is FDA approved to temporarily reduce cellulite. Most patients see results after one session, with continued improvement over 6 months. Using radiofrequency energy, this procedure restores connective tissue and increases collagen flexibility for smoother skin.
If you’re tired of trying store-bought creams, or simply want more information about your options for cellulite treatment, I recommend seeking the advice of an experienced surgeon.
Learning about Lip Augmentation
From fashion editorials to box office movies, it’s becoming increasingly evident that full lips are in style. Women and men turn to my Santa Monica area plastic surgery practice in Marina del Rey to learn their options for enhancing their lips and reversing the effects of aging around the mouth.
Medical advances have made it easier than ever to achieve the full lips people see in popular culture, and one of the first options I often recommend for achieving this look is injectable lip augmentation. There are a number of injectable options that can provide temporary support for the border of a person’s lips. Filler options such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, Perlane®, and fat transfer are a great option for people who want to restore volume and diminish the appearance of the vertical fine lines that often appear along the upper lip.
When people want a more permanent result, I often recommend a silastic lip implant. This popular solution helps people to restore their thin lips in a safe way, and can diminish the effects of aging around the lips.
Another option women and men have to achieve fuller lips is laser lip rejuvenation for wrinkled or minimized lipstick bleed lines. This simple treatment tightens and remodels the elastic tissue and collagen beneath the skin. The natural lip line is restored, and women and men often experience a youthful-looking lip shape.
The Advantages of Nose Surgery
At our Los Angeles plastic surgery practice we offer rhinoplasty procedures for women and men who are concerned with the shape and size of their noses in proportion to the rest of their faces. This cosmetic procedure can effectively change the way you feel about your facial appearance, and the way others perceive you.
Nose surgery is typically chosen as a way to reduce the shape and size of a person’s nose. Surgeons use a number of techniques to straighten the nose contour or change its overall appearance. A number of people will also use nose surgery to repair any damage they might have incurred during an accident.
When repairing damage and restoring the overall appearance of the nose, we usually try to improve the patient’s breathing as well. Rhinoplasty can restore healthy breathing through correcting problems such as a deviated septum.
Although nose surgery for purely cosmetic reasons is not covered by insurance, many people will receive insurance benefits for functional surgery that repairs problems related to breathing. Regardless of the reasoning behind choosing rhinoplasty, it is a great option for women and men who are unsatisfied with some aspect of their noses.
How to Select a Plastic Surgeon
Choosing a plastic surgeon is not only a personal decision, but it can also determine the success of your surgery. As an experienced Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I’ve seen firsthand the difference it can make to choose a surgeon wisely. Here’s my list of do’s and don’ts in the search for the right plastic surgeon:
- Ask for a reference from any friends or family members that have had plastic surgery procedures if you like their results.
- Start looking online at plastic surgeons in your area. One of the first pages you should come across is the surgeon’s qualifications. See if the doctor is board-certified, and if he or she specializes in general procedures.
- Most plastic surgeons will offer a one-on-one consultation for women and men to come in and discuss their surgical options. This is a great way to get a general feel for a practice, and a doctor’s ability to understand your needs.
- Don’t come to a plastic surgeon’s office unprepared. The Internet is a great resource for gaining a general understanding of various procedures.
- Generate a list of questions to ask doctors about their experience, areas of specialization, and qualifications.
- Don’t choose the first doctor you visit. Set aside time to meet at least three doctors before you pick one.
- Compare your potential surgeons, and choose one that you feel most comfortable with. You should always feel that you can trust your doctor to help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
Plastic Surgery Office vs. Medical Spa
As the founder of a Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, I am constantly seeing patients from all over the country for a variety of different procedures and treatments. I’ve noticed that many patients wonder which facility is appropriate for their procedure: a plastic surgery office or a medical spa.
First, I’d like to explain the difference between a plastic surgery office and medical spa facility. It is important to note that not all plastic surgery centers are fully-accredited. What fully-accredited means is that the center has met various national standards for equipment, operating room safety, and both staff and surgical credentials. You should only consider a surgical procedure once you have found a facility that possesses the proper qualifications.
A medical spa is a slightly vague term, as there is no single definition. Medical spas are different than regular spas, as they use medically-based treatments. Common treatments performed at a medical spa include laser skin rejuvenation, BOTOX® Cosmetic, as well as chemical peels. At a medical spa, a physician is onsite and plays an integral role in a patient’s evaluation and care.
In general, if you want to have a surgical procedure performed, it is better-suited for a plastic surgery office. If you are seeking minimally invasive treatments, you may be able to enjoy your procedures at a medical spa.
3 Steps to Evaluating Before and After Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words, but when you’re considering plastic surgery, it is important to understand what to look for. When you evaluate those before and after photos, make sure that the results you desire appear in the “after” photos from your potential surgeon. As a Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon, I advise patients to take the time to examine photos of the procedures they are considering.
While no surgeon can produce the exact same results on two different people, browsing through the photo gallery can help you choose the right professional for you. Here are some tips I’ve created to help you with that task:
- Ask yourself if the results look consistently good. If you notice repeated results that are not what you desire, this is a good indicator that the surgeon may not be right for you.
- Ask yourself if the results look natural and attractive. A good surgeon will create results that appear naturally beautiful.
- Notice if there are any specific techniques a surgeon is using. If the surgeon uses a special technique and you like the results, you may want to compare results only to others who perform the same technique.
Do remember that results will differ for each individual, depending on that person’s natural body shape or type. If you are satisfied with the before and after photographs of the procedure you are interested in, consulting with that surgeon will help determine if that specialist is right for you, as well as whether you are a good candidate for that specific procedure.
5 Ways to Avoid Pain after Surgery
Even with modern techniques and technology, some degree of discomfort will occur following most Los Angeles plastic surgery procedures. Tolerance of discomfort differs from patient to patient, and also depends on the type of surgery performed. Although it is an unavoidable aspect of plastic surgery, there are steps that you can take to ensure that you will feel as comfortable as possible after your procedure.
- Walk around. Begin walking around as soon as you receive clearance from your plastic surgeon to do so. Being mobile helps your circulation.
- Drink plenty of fluids. It is common to be dehydrated after a surgical procedure. Drink water, soup, or fluids to replace electrolytes after your surgery as instructed so your body is ready to take care of itself.
- Get enough sleep. Making sure you are getting the proper amount of sleep each night will help your body recover quickly.
- Take any prescription as indicated. Many pain medications contain anti-inflammatory agents to reduce swelling, which can help tissue repair particularly during the first few days after surgery.
- Alert your doctor about any allergies. Talk with your doctor before your procedure about any medicines you may be allergic to. Also, be sure to closely follow all post-surgical instructions your doctor provides.
Breast Augmentation Incision Options
When considering breast augmentation, how do you know which incision method is appropriate for you? There are four common incisions that are typically employed; however, not all surgeons perform all of these techniques. The four main methods are:
- Periareolar incision (around the nipple)
- Inframammary fold (under the breast)
- Transaxillary incision (through the underarm)
- Transumbilical incision (through the belly button)
I take the time to guide my Los Angeles plastic surgery patients considering breast implants about their incision options. Experienced breast augmentation surgeons are the most helpful resource for women who want to understand these options in depth. When making a recommendation, several factors will be taken into consideration, such as your anatomy, your goals, as well as the type and size of your breast implants.
There are, of course, benefits and drawbacks to each incision method offered. The inframammary fold is one of the most commonly used incisions. This allows the surgeon full access to and clear visibility of the implant pocket. The periareolar incision, created around the nipples where they meet the breast skin, is also a popular choice due to the fact that resultant scarring can blend in to the texture and color of the areola. Also, the implant can be placed precisely in the pocket with this method. The transaxillary and transumbilical incisions are advantageous because they leave no scar on the breast, but many surgeons do not offer these incision options because access to the implant pocket is indirect.
How do you choose? Discuss your goals openly and honestly with your surgeon to find the appropriate incision method for you.
Do I Have to Give Up Smoking Before Surgery?
As a Los Angeles plastic surgeon, I have come across many patients who wonder if they really need to quit smoking before having a surgical procedure. To be clear, smoking is one of the worst things you can do voluntarily to negatively impact your health. I would be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn’t heard of the negative effects of smoking these days. Without going through a laundry list of why smoking is bad for you, let’s look at it from a surgical perspective.
Smoking before your surgery can lead to the following problems:
- Increased bruising
- Respiratory problems
- Increased risk of infection
- Poor scarring
I understand that for many of my patients, giving up an addictive habit that is part of an everyday routine can be very difficult. But it is important that you consider the risks when you prepare for your surgical procedure. It is recommended that a patient quits smoking at least a month before their surgery, as smoking lowers the body’s ability to deliver important oxygen to all of the organs. This is very crucial during surgery as well as recovery.
So if you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, consider what smoking will do to your surgery and recovery – not to mention your overall health and happiness.
Dr. Grant Stevens
I am a board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience researching and implementing new approaches to plastic surgery. At Plastic Surgery Insider, you get the benefit of my experience and authority when you read my perspectives on the latest news and procedures in plastic surgery.
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