Archive for the ‘Breast’ Category

Getting Your Body Back (and Better Than Ever) With a Mommy Makeover

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
mommy makeover beverly hills

A Mommy Makeover addresses the physical effects of childbearing on a woman’s body, so mothers can look and feel great. Although there are certain procedures that are typically included in each makeover, the exact techniques are customized to the individual needs of the patient.

Breast Enhancement

One of the first components I evaluate for Mommy Makeover patients is breast enhancement. While some women may opt to change the size of their breasts, almost all patients choose to incorporate a breast lift. At my Los Angeles practice, I offer The Stevens Laser Bra to give women additional support and extended results.

Body Contouring

To address stubborn fat in areas such as the thighs, hips, and flanks, I perform liposuction or the non-surgical alternative known as CoolSculpting®. Typically, Mommy Makeover patients undergo a tummy tuck to address skin laxity, stretch marks, and damaged muscles in the abdomen.

Seek out the advice of an experienced surgeon to help you create a Mommy Makeover plan that is customized to your needs.

What Is a Laser Bra?

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013
laser bra beverly hills

One of the top questions among breast lift and breast reduction patients in Los Angeles and across the U.S. is, “How long will results last?” I developed The Stevens Laser-assisted Internal Fabrication Technique (LIFT), which utilizes The Stevens Laser Bra, to address this concern.

During a breast enhancement procedure, I use a laser to preserve the base of breast tissue that supports the nipple. I then use the patient’s own breast tissue to create an internal support structure known as a Laser Bra. The tissue, which can’t be felt under the skin, is attached to the chest wall.

The Laser Bra extends results of popular breast procedures and minimizes the possibility of “fallout” of the breast. It also reduces the amount of scarring, blood loss, bruising, and time under anesthesia. Because the nipple is never detached, the majority of patients maintain sensation and the ability to breastfeed.

New Breast Reduction Options – With Lasers!

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
laser bra beverly hills

Why be stuck in the past with overly large breasts that can weigh you down, hurt your neck and back, and restrict you from the active life you want? With laser technology, our surgeons perform breast reduction at our Los Angeles practice in less time than required with tradition methods.

Breast reduction has a very high patient satisfaction rating, and now there are new ways to resize and reshape the breasts for beautiful, long-lasting results. I use laser technology to increase the level of precision I can reach during surgery, which means less bleeding and time spent under anesthesia for our patients. Lasers also help make patients’ skin stronger and tighter, which extends the duration of results.

One of the most exciting innovations in breast reduction is The Stevens Laser Bra, which I developed and which creates an internal support system using a patient’s own breast tissue. During the procedure, a CO2 laser prepares the tissue, which is then attached from the base of the breast to the upper chest wall. The Laser Bra can’t be felt through the skin, but patients can enjoy the benefits for many years.

The Perfect Time for Breast Lift

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Breast Lift Beverly Hills

Many women feel higher self-esteem in their bras than out of them. This is often due to the modern bra’s ability to lift and add volume with a few simple hook-eye closures hidden by lace. Often, patients we see for a breast lift in Los Angeles have postponed surgery due to the bra’s ability to hide their need for lifts. But after the procedure, we hear a lot of them saying they wish they hadn’t waited so long to get their bodies back.

Following pregnancy, women commonly find that their breasts lack the youthful appearance they had prior to giving birth. Although this may be bothersome, patients often delay surgery because they are afraid the sagging appearance will return with age. A breast lift, though, can be a long-lasting way to bounce back from pregnancy, and delaying the procedure may postpone the emotional benefits cosmetic surgery can provide.

I created The Stevens Laser Bra, which provides additional support with an internal structure made with a patient’s own tissue. This is the ideal option for women who want a lasting solution to sagging breasts. With this innovative technique, women can choose to have surgery earlier in life.

Gummy Bears: Should You Switch?

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
breast implants beverly hills

Now that the new form-stable silicone gel breast implants are available for breast augmentation in Beverly Hills, many women are wondering if they should switch out their implants.

The new implants are technically called high-strength, cohesive, form-stable or form-retention implants, but I coined the nickname “gummy bear” implants because of their consistency. Like gummy bears, they can be squeezed, pulled and even cut, and they will retain their form. Soft and pliable, yet strong and durable, these gummy bear implants eliminate any risk of leakage. They are a great addition to the other breast implant options we offer.

Should they stay or should they go?

So, should you replace your current implants with the new gummy bears? It depends. The good news is that unless a complication presents itself, you don’t have to replace your current implants. If your implants are not causing any problems, you may want to leave them be. However, if you are not satisfied with the size, shape or feel of your current implants, replacing them with gummy bears may be something to consider.

If you are interested in learning more about gummy bears, you can get more information at my gummy bear implant website.

Why Women Love the Laser Bra

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012
laser bra beverly hills

As a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and Marina del Rey, I have consulted with many women who were bothered by large, sagging breasts. Fortunately, these women have benefited from my innovative approach to breast reduction surgery in Los Angeles. It’s called the Stevens Laser Bra.

I had seen the tightening and firming benefits that lasers can achieve during facelift surgery. So, I applied those principles to breast enhancement and have been performing laser-assisted breast enhancements since 1996. The results have been remarkable.

A Better Breast Enhancement

The Laser Bra technique is performed in conjunction with traditional breast enhancement procedures. Using laser technology to prepare breast tissue that might normally be removed during traditional breast reduction or breast lift surgery, I create an internal brassiere that shapes and supports the breast but can’t be seen or felt after healing. The results are long-lasting and appear youthful and natural.

The Stevens Laser Bra offers the following advantages:

  • Improved internal support
  • Minimal bleeding
  • Minimal swelling
  • Faster recovery for some women
  • Better shape retention for long-lasting results
  • No risk of rejection by the body

For more about the Stevens Laser Bra procedure and how you can achieve the confidence that comes with enhanced breast shape, visit www.laserbra.com.

Sientra® Breast Implants Demystified

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Although the Sientra form-stable breast implants are a new product for many board-certified plastic surgeons, I have been offering women in Los Angeles this breast implant option for years. I was one of a handful of surgeons chosen to participate in the clinical trials for these remarkable implants. Through my research, I have found that Sientra implants offer women many advantages – primarily, that they are made from a high-strength gel that is extremely durable and leak-resistant. These implants are the originals – the ones I nicknamed “gummy bears” because the semi-solid gel is similar that of a gummy bear candy: the implant can be cut in half and still retain its shape.

This video shows how remarkably cohesive the new Sientra implants are. Even when the gel is displaced under pressure, it retains its shape and does not leak.

Understanding the Original Gummy Bears

There are many misconceptions about gummy bear breast implants and about breast implants in general. If you are considering breast augmentation, it’s important that you speak with a knowledgeable surgeon so that you have all the information you need to make the best choice for you.

Gummy Bear Implants Do:

  • Have a low complication rate comparable to other silicone gel implants
  • Have a lower incidence of capsular contracture
  • Have a decreased incidence of rippling/wrinkling
  • Come in several shapes and styles, including round

Gummy Bear Implants Do Not:

  • Require larger incisions
  • Feel firmer than other implants
  • Necessarily cost more
  • Leak or ooze if ruptured

Picture This: Your New Breasts

Monday, August 27th, 2012
laser bra beverly hills

Whether you’re considering breast reduction or breast augmentation in Los Angeles, the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system can help you get an idea of what your results will look like in advance. This technology creates lifelike images of your new body by incorporating your physical measurements and photographs of your body into a computer system. The three-dimensional images that are created can be viewed from various angles and modified to show the range of possible results. This allows for a more in-depth discussion of my patients’ expectations and enables me to create a surgical plan that matches their goals.

Benefits of VECTRA

At my practice, I’ve found VECTRA to be extremely beneficial to help set realistic expectations with my clients. Viewing simulated before-and-after photos provides my patients with clarity about their treatment objectives and gives them more confidence going into surgery. It also allows them to be more involved in the surgical planning process by enabling them to make better decisions regarding their breast implant style, size and placement. With VECTRA, I am able to:

  • Create side-by-side comparisons of pre- and post-surgical photos
  • Show multi-angle views of the breasts with a variety of implant shapes and sizes
  • Demonstrate the effects of complementary procedures such as liposuction or a tummy tuck

VECTRA Uses

VECTRA can be used for breast, body and facial surgery. I also use VECTRA to show the results from procedures such as:

  • Rhinoplasty
  • Tummy tuck
  • Facelift
  • Injectable fillers

Virtual Breast Augmentation

Friday, August 17th, 2012

If you wonder how breast implants might change the look of your body, you can get a sneak preview at my plastic surgery practice in Marina del Rey. Los Angeles breast augmentation candidates get an idea of how their breasts will appear after surgery when Dr. Michelle Spring and I use the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system to illustrate the effects of breast enhancement.

The system uses photos of your body to create a “virtual you,” which can be manipulated to reflect your cosmetic preferences. VECTRA allows you to see multiple views of your body with various implant sizes and shapes in order to help you decide which look you like best.

virtual breast augmentation

With VECTRA 3-D imaging, you’ll be able to “try on” different breast implants before surgery.

Why I Prefer VECTRA

Dr. Spring and I have found VECTRA to be extremely useful during the consultation process prior to breast augmentation surgery. Unlike breast implant sizers, which are inserted in a bra, VECTRA allows my patients to see how their new breasts will look on their own body from all angles. With this new technology, I am better able to:

  • Establish realistic expectations
  • Aid decision-making about breast implant size and style
  • Reduce anxiety about the results of surgery
  • Facilitate better communication about my patients’ goals

In addition, VECTRA can be used for patients who are interested in tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift and other plastic surgery procedures. It can also give an idea of what to expect after nonsurgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal filler injections.

Breast Implants: A Brief History

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
breast implants beverly hills

Breast implants in Los Angeles and across the nation have been popular for years, but they have undergone many transformations. The results are improvements in safety, quality and appearance that my female patients love. One particularly exciting new advancement is the “gummy bear” implant, a silicone-gel implant with a texture similar to that of gummy bear candies. It provides an even more natural look and feel than earlier silicone implants.

Here’s a brief history of just how far breast implants have advanced in terms of safety and quality:

  • In 1961, researchers created the first silicone breast implants at Dow Corning. These first-generation implants were much more likely to leak than the ones we offer today.
  • In 1968, the first saline implants were created. The drawback to these early versions was their fragile casings, which could result in deflation. Also, a “sloshing” noise could sometimes be heard.
  • Silicone implants have gradually gone through a series of improvements, with stronger cover materials and denser, more cohesive gel fillers. Complication rates decreased dramatically, while the quality and appearance of the implants soared.
  • Despite these improvements, in 1992, the FDA banned silicone implants for everyone except reconstruction and revision patients. As a result, saline implants were used for more than 90% of surgeries.
  • In 2006, the FDA gave its approval to silicone implants for women age 22 and older. Women 18 and older can have saline implants.
  • In 2012, Sientra® gummy bear breast implants are approved. Additional crosslinking between the silicone molecules allows these implants to retain their shape, especially in the vertical position.

Silicone implants have continued to advance, with the latest generation called “gummy bear” implants. The gel material is both firm and soft, just like gummy bear candy. It can be pushed, pulled and even cut without dramatically changing its shape. Initial studies show that these new implants are even more effective and safer than earlier ones.

I take pride in the fact that my partner, Dr. Michelle Spring, and I are among a small group of surgeons chosen to use these new silicone breast implants in Los Angeles as part of a clinical study. I look forward to even more innovations in our ongoing effort to provide the best for our patients.