Archive for the ‘Plastic Surgery’ Category
I’m letting you all in on my personal experience getting plastic surgery. After having 2 children and breast feeding both of them, the volume that was once there in my early 20’s was not there. Can we say deflation?! After trying on a swimsuit and having hardly any volume up top and feeling frustrated, I told myself it was time. I was not happy with the way my breasts looked anymore. Luckily for me, I work for an extremely talented plastic surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Leber. After seeing all of his happy patients, and how they would glow and their confidence boosted and seeing countless before and after pictures, I knew I was in good hands and that I would get a great result. My decision was made. I had a consultation with him and explained the look that I was going for and that I was just looking to replace volume and have a natural looking breast. He understood what I wanted. He took my measurements and a 3-Dimential photo with a system called the Vectra, that was able to measure my chest wall and minor asymmetries. It was super high tech and he was also able to select the size, brand, and type of implant that he would place in my breast. It was very helpful to get to see what my breast would actually look like with implants.
After my consultation Dr. recommended the Sientra brand, textured silicone implants, moderate profile, and for them to be placed under the muscle and the incision to be in the inframammary crease (under the breast, in the crease). The Sientra brand is highly cohesive silicone which means that if you were to cut the implant in half and squeeze it apart it wouldn’t leak out. This is the true “gummy bear” implant. They call it the “gummy bear” implant because if you cut a gummy bear in half it is similar to what the implant would do if cut in half.
The day of surgery, I arrived at Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center and checked in. I was super nervous, but Dr. Leber gave me a hug and assured me that all would be okay, I felt much better. After he marked my breasts, I met with the anesthesiologist and then went back for surgery shortly after. My surgery was only an hour and when I woke up the nurses had dressed me and I was being wheeled out to my car and ready to head home! I asked my husband to drive by my office which is located in the same parking lot as the surgical center, I wanted to say hi to my co-workers! They thought it was great how excited I was after just coming out of surgery!
That day when I got home I was in a moderate amount of pain, and so I basically laid in my recliner chair and dozed off for most of the day while making sure to keep up on pain meds. For the most part, I would say that most of the pain was the first four days. I was still able to get up and walk around, but did not do any housework or anything like that. By day five, a little ibuprofen took care of any discomfort. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and I was back to work the following Monday, with a light day of performing facials and lasers.
So here I am, over a year later and very happy with my decision to have breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Leber did an amazing job and has the best bedside manner. He just recently updated his website and has thousands of before and after pictures for all of the surgeries he offers! www.drleber.com
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Pay attention! I am about to share the ultimate beauty secret, the secret to anti-aging.
The desire to stay young and beautiful is a natural part of the human psyche and we are apparently willing to pay big bucks to achieve it. Americans spend billions of dollars each year on anti-aging products and services in a desperate search of the fountain of youth. Each new product we try offers a new opportunity to look younger, but they often prove to be nothing more than disappointment in a bottle. So… how can we avoid disappointment and achieve real results? The answer lies with a comprehensive approach. To understand the benefits of a comprehensive approach you should first try to grasp some of the basics of the aging face. After all, if we do not understand the aging process how can we know how to prevent or correct it?
What is a comprehensive approach to aesthetics in relation to the aging face?
Comprehensive Aesthetics uses a variety of treatments and products to cover a large scope of issues associated with the aging face. Aging occurs on many levels of the face, including the bone structure, muscular level, fat or volume distribution and finally the dermal and epidermal levels of the skin. To achieve the most ideal results it is necessary to address the affects of aging at each level, in order to do this a variety of treatments are needed. We also can not ignore the effects of lifestyle and general health, as both play a major factor in aging.
Aesthetic Professionals and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy or science pertaining to the nature of art and beauty. Aesthetic professionals are those whom are specially trained in the art of beauty. Utilizing a full team of medical aesthetic professionals, including a Plastic Surgeon, Dermatologist, Nurse Injector, Estheticians and Certified Laser Technicians, we are able to take advantage of an interdisciplinary collaboration. Each professional possess a special set of skills that contributes to a truly comprehensive approach toward an attractive, youthful face.
Bone
Bone adds to the volume of the face and provides structural support to the other layers of facial tissue and skin. As we age there is a significant loss of facial bone which contributes to biometric volume loss. The bones that define your nose, and upper jaw and brow bone recede and the bones of the eye socket gradually widen. The jawbone also recedes and becomes less defined, reducing the angle of the lower jaw. Even the skull shrinks with age, further adding to excess facial skin. The loss of structural support creates noticeable changes in the other layers of tissue, simply put – when the bones that define your face recede your skin begins to droop.
Bad news ladies, we begin to see bone loss as early as our 40’s, where men may not notice bone loss until their mid 60’s. Hormones can play a factor in bone density. As we age bone density can decrease, leading to diseases such as osteoporosis. Your doctor can help you monitor and address issues of bone density loss. Maintaining a healthy diet with enough calcium vitamin D and magnesium can also help prevent bone density loss.
Once bone loss has occurred you can take action with aesthetic treatments. Injectable fillers such as Sculptra can add volume and support for a more youthful and defined face. Sculptra is injected below the skin to correct the effects of fat loss and natural age-related bone loss. A plastic surgeon can also strategically place fat into the face or use facial implants to make up for bone loss.
Muscle
Below the facial skin and fat, is muscle. The muscle and connective tissue add support to the overlying fat and skin of the face. As our face ages the ligaments stretch and the supporting system begins to elongate causing the face to droop or sag. When the face is sagging due to muscle, this is usually the time for surgical intervention. During a facelift the underlining muscles and tissues are lifted. If you are not ready for surgery, you may consider Ultherapy which does work at the top of the muscle (SMAS) and gives a modest non surgical lift. Keeping in mind that a non-surgical treatment will always provide a non-surgical result. Ultherapy will not remove excess skin or reposition fat pads, but it will tighten skin and provide a modest lift. Ultherapy is perfect for early intervention and probably as good as it gets without surgery.
Muscle contraction can also cause lines and wrinkles. The muscles we use to make expressions become etched in our face over time, this is most noticeable with the vertical lines between our brows commonly referred to as frown lines, as well as crows feet around the eyes and the lines across our forehead. At first these lines are only noticeable with facial movement, but with out preventative action they are constantly visible even without movement (this is referred to as wrinkles at rest). Botox or Dysport injections are used to treat the lines and wrinkles caused by muscle contraction. It is a good idea to consider these types of treatments early on to prevent the lines from becoming “permanent”. Once the lines and wrinkles have become permanently etched into the skin, fillers may be used to lift the area along with laser resurfacing to smooth the skin or in some more severe cases surgery may be recommended.
Fat and Volume Distribution
A youthful face has the right amount of fat in the right places. As we age some areas of the face loose fat while others gain fat. The areas of fat also become farther apart and the fat pads appear as separate structures rather than a smooth continuous layer.
Fat provides support and volume in the face, as we age this valuable fat begins to decrees. Fat loss creates overall volume loss which contributes to folds, lines and wrinkles. The signs of volume loss can be noticed as early as our 30’s and becomes more significant in our 50’s. As we lose fat in our mid face, we begin to notice things like sunken or flat cheeks, heavy lines and folds around the mouth. Volume loss can also be seen around the temples, near the brow bone and under the eyes. When volume is lost under the eyes, it creates a hollow look and dark circles. Injectables such as Sculptra, Juvederm and Restylane can be used to replace volume to the face. Fat injections can also be used as a more long term approach to replace or add volume. Fat transfer or fat injections is a process in which a plastic surgeon removes fat from one area of the body and places it in another. ( How wonderful is that?! )
Fat accumulation is often seen under the chin and along the jawline creating an undefined jawline and the dreaded jowls. Bags under the eyes are also the result of fat accumulating in the wrong area. A plastic surgeon can perform a blepharoplasty to remove the fat bags under the eyes. The jowls and fat along the jawline can be corrected with a facelift as fat pads are repositioned, but if you are not ready for surgery fillers can be strategically injected to help contour the jawline. If you opt for fillers over surgery you may consider adding Ultherapy prior for a modest lift. Again…. a non-surgical treatment will never give a surgical result.
During a facelift the underlining muscles and tissues are lifted, fat pads are repositioned, fat bags may be removed from under the eyes and volume may be added with fat injections as needed and excess skin is removed.
Skin
The surface layer of the skin is generally the first place we begin to notice the effects of aging, most of us begin to notice the effects of aging on our skin in our 30’s. As we age our skin has a reduction in collagen production, elastin, hyaluronic acid and skin cell turnover begins to slow. Uneven melanin production and distribution causes dark spots and skin discolorations. We begin to notice more broken capillaries, changes in skin texture, thickness, elasticity and moisture. When we are treating these issues in the skin we must first consider what skin functions are involve and what layer of the skin the problem begins.
The skin can be divided up into three basic layers Epidermis, Dermis and the Subcutaneous Layer (fat). When we talk about skin we are generally referring to the Epidermis and Dermis. The Epidermis is the top layer of the skin and the Dermis is the deeper layer.
Skin cell turnover in the Epidermis
The skin is constantly in a cycle of growth. The cycle of a skin cell is about six weeks, this is the time it takes for a new skin cell to rise to the surface of the skin and naturally slough off. As we age this process slows down and the dead skin cells begin to accumulate at the surface. When this happens the skin will have a dull appearance, rough texture, dark spots will become more dense and appear darker, and lines and wrinkles become more prominent. In addition to all of this, accumulation of skin cells can clog pores causing them to appear larger and lead to acne blemishes. The slowing of skin cell turnover begins in our 30’s, which is a good time to consider a medical based skin care regimen. Tretinoin (Retin-A), Laser and Chemical peels can stimulate skin cell turn over.
As the skin cell turn over rate slows so does wound healing. After an injury the skin takes longer to reepithelialize, meaning the top most layer of skin (Stratum Corneum) is not quickly replaced. This is why many Doctors and Estheticians recommend preconditioning your skin before surgery or skin treatments.
Collagen production
Collagen is important to youthful skin, but as we age collagen production slows down. Loss of collagen causes the dermal layer of skin to thin and reduces the skins ability to retain elasticity (from elastin) and moisture (from hyaluronic acid). This leads to the domino effect, as loss of elastin causes laxity in the skin and reduced hyaluronic acid which cause skin to be dryer, less supple and thinner.
Professional chemical peels, laser and IPL treatments can help to stimulate collagen production. some treatments offer short term improvement in increased collagen production, treatments such as laser resurfacing and Ultherapy offer longer lasting effects. Beyond professional treatments, a skin care program that includes continuous use of Tretinoin (Retin-A), topical vitamin -C and full spectrum sunscreen will help with collagen production. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is an effective way to stimulate collagen synthesis. Vitamin C is nessacerry to produce collagen and it protects skin from both UVA and UVB, by neutralizing the UV rays. Sun exposure degrades collagen so it is essential to use a good sunblock daily. Another tip to prevent collagen loss add a topical Resveratrol to your night time skin regimen.
Pigmentation Melanocyte
A melanocyte is the cell that produces melanin (pigment), the melanin dispersed to keratinocytes, giving skin it’s color. As we age the cycle of melanin production and distribution becomes irregular.
As we age there is a reduction in the number of melanocytes. After age 30 the number of melanocytes decline about 6-8% every ten years. As the number of melanocytes decrease skin will become lighter, less even and white spots or patches (hypopigmentation) can be seen.
Browns spots and patches such as melasma, sunspots, age spots and freckles are known as hyperpigmentation. When a melanocyte produces more than normal amounts of melanin the result is hyperpigmentation. Furthermore the melanocyte doesn’t disperse the melanin evenly, so it is presented as dark spots or patches. Hormones and sun exposure are factors in even skin color.
There are many professional skin treatments that address hyperpigmentation, including chemical peels and Photofacial (IPL) treatments, however daily skin care is most important. Daily sun protection is necessary, this is not optional! Products containing hydroquinone suppresses tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in creating melanin. Botanical (plant based) lighteners can also help to suppresses tyrosinase, however alone are less effective than hydroquinone. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is also important, as it will help with even distribution of melanin.
Blood vessels
As we age the structural wall of the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) break down which results in broken capillaries. Flushing, redness and broken capillaries are treated with Photofacial (IPL / BBL) and laser treatments. Vitamin C can also help to strengthen capillary walls, I recommend a healthy diet with enough vitamin-C and a daily topical vitamin -C serum. A sunblock with Zinc oxide can further help by blocking some of the heat that causes blood vessels to dilate.
Lifestyle and Health
Our skin is a direct reflection of our health. All the skin care products and treatments in the world can only do so much, it is up to you to be proactive in maintaining your health.
– Work with your physician to maintain your health.
– Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
– Exercise contributes to a healthy body and hormone levels.
– Sun protection will go a long way to save your skin.
– If you smoke, quit!
– Limit alcohol consumption
– Drink plenty of water
– Get enough sleep
– Try to reduce stress (get a massage, take up yoga, relax)
– Hormones play a role in the aging process. Ask your doctor to monitor your hormone levels and discuss treatment options.
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Ultherapy is a new type of non-surgical, non-invasive procedure for the face that uses ultrasound and the body’s own natural healing process to lift, tone, and tighten loose skin. Ultherapy is the latest buzz in beauty, it has been featured on shows like 20/20 with Barbara Walters, Dr OZ, The Doctors, Today Show, Rachel Ray, Good Morning America and The View.
Whats The Big Deal?
Ultherapy is a very exciting advancement to those of us in the world of aesthetics for several reasons. First, we are talking about LIFTING and TIGHTENING, not just tightening. An Ultherapy treatment tightens the skin and gives the face a vertical lift. Just incase you missed that, I said “LIFT”! Ultherapy uses ultrasound imaging and ultrasound energy. The ultrasound imaging allows us to see exactly where we are treating. We are able to be very specific in where the ultrasound “energy” or Thermal Coagulation Points are delivered in the skin. The most exciting thing is the depth we are able to treat. Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment that can specifically target the deep foundation below the skin that is addressed in cosmetic surgery without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin. I can’t forget to mention that there is NO down time, which is very convient for those who can’t spare the time to recover from surgery.
Where does it go?
To achieve skin tightening you need to target the skin at a fairly deep level, the dermis and superficial muscle. Procedures that treat the epidermis will not tighten or lift the skin. The Ulthera works at three separate levels, the upper dermis, lower dermis and the SMAS/ Platisma. The area where the facial muscles are connected to the dermis is refered to as the (SMAS). This superficial muscle is something that would be addressed by a facial plastic surgeon during a facelift to reduce the appearance of sagging jowls, cheeks and neck skin. With the Ulthera we are able to address this area without surgery.
Why so specific?
With the Ulthera the “energy” is delivered in a very specific way. This is important because in the past if we wanted to tighten the skin we were mostly limited to devices that use Radiofrequency (RF). Radiofrequency works by delivering heat ( volumetric heating ) deep into the skin to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. The challenge with RF devices is that they are not very specific. Unlike lasers, RF devices do not precisely reach targeted areas and they are not absorbed by a specific chromophore. Simply put, radiofrequency does not know where to go on it’s own, so it is not as precise as Ulthera or laser treatments. Lasers on the other hand are very precise, they use a single wavelength to target specific chromophores at specific depths of the skin (selective heating). Lasers however do not reach the necessary depth in the skin to achieve skin tightening or lifting. Lasers are not used specifically for tightening, they are more appropriate for treating skin discoloration, vascular lesions, unwanted hair, tattoo removal, acne treatments, peeling and resurfacing treatments to treat scars, lines and wrinkles. Ulthera is in a class all it’s own, it uses (focused ultrasound heating) to precisely target the deep structural support layers of the skin.
Radiofrequenc / Volumetric heating / No Precision
Lasers/ Selective heating / No depth
______________________________________________________________________
Ulthera / Focused Ultrasound Heating / Precision & Depth
Benefits include:
Tightens and tones the deepest tissues of the skin
Stimulates new collagen production for lasting skin tightening effects
Lifts and brightens the brows and eyes; achieving a non-surgical brow-lift
Defines and contours the neck and jowls
Adds volume to the surface of the skin; reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
What to expect
Ultherapy will addresses mild to moderate loose or sagging skin, by tightening and gradually lifting the skin. After your treatment there are not any special post treatment instructions or down time. The results will unfold over the course of 2-3 months and some patients have reported continued improvement for up to 6 months. As impressive as the results are, you should always have realistic expectations. You will not achieve surgical results with a non-surgical treatment .
If you are interested in learning more about Ultherapy call Shapiro Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Skin Klinic to schedule a consultation.
Shapiro Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Skin Klinic
5410 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste F-100
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480 421.1701
wwwshapiroplasticsurgery.com
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I finally found the time to read ” In Stitches” a memoir of Plastic Surgeon, Anthony Youn, M.D. I am not in the habit of writing book reviews, however I have been looking forward to reading this book since it was released. Dr. Youn is recognized as a top plastic surgeon and has been seen on shows like Rachel Ray and Dr. 90210. His blog “Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery” has been hugely popular, and now he shares his personal journey to becoming a plastic surgeon in his book “In Stitches”. This is a fun, easy read, a perfect book for a relaxing summer day.
In Stitches gives a humorous inside look of the life of Anthony Youn, a boy that grew up feeling like a “nerd” who didn’t fit in, and his journey to becoming a successful Plastic Surgeon. As a teen he was insecure about his over sized jaw and had major plastic surgery to correct it. He hoped that after the surgery he would have better luck with girls, but things don’t always work out as planned. Dr. Youn shares the personal struggles he had talking to women and trying to get a date while in medical school. Honestly, I was beginning to wonder if he was EVER going to get lucky. I actually had to flip back to the photo of Dr. Youn on the inside flap several times, to see if it offered any clues to his dating challenge. I think it all comes down to confidence.
Dr. Youn said he never had an “ah-ha” moment when he instantly knew that he was going to become a plastic surgeon. Maybe he didn’t have an “ah-ha” moment, but I suspect that a night he spent in pediatrics was a major influence. It is often overlooked, that plastic surgery has it’s roots in reconstruction, we are reminded of this when an infant is brought into the emergency room in need of immediate plastic surgery to reconstruct his face.
You will have to read the book to find out exactly what happens. (Warning, this chapter is a tear jerker)
I have spent my career working with doctors, in the field of Medical Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, so I have some idea how challenging medical school is and plastic surgery happens to be one of the most competitive fields in medicine. Youn was one of 250 qualified candidates competing for a residency in plastic surgery, with only 60 openings. After completing applications for 35 plastic surgery residency programs and 20 general surgery programs (as backups), he receives 15 interview invitations for general surgery and 8 for plastic surgery. Now begins the exhausting process of traveling around the country for residency interviews. These interviews are a bit unusual and a little comical. Finally, Match Day, the day when future doctors are matched with their residency via a process that is compared to E-Harmony.
Intrigued? Buy the Book!
Let us know what you think of the book.
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Whats Trending Now?
Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures have been a hot topic lately. Why? Because the cosmetic industry is boosting and is predicted to continue to growing as the economy improves. It is expected that Plastic Surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures will soon exceed pre-recession levels. The industry peaked in 2004 and saw a big decline in 2009. According to the ASAPS, Plastic Surgery procedures grew by almost 9% in 2010.
I am not sure if the increase in plastic surgery is a sign of an improved economy or not. I will say that I have seen more clients coming in because they want to stay competitive in the work force, especially in industries such as technology, that attract a younger generation of workers. People that are in sales or work with the public feel that their appearance has an impact on their income or ability to obtain a job. I have also seen an increase new clients, that want to improve their appearance before starting a new job. They are taking advantage of the time away from work to recover from surgery.
Top Procedures in 2010
2010-Top Surgical Procedures
#1 Breast augmentation (38.0% saline implants & 62.0% silicone implants)
#2 Liposuction
#3 Eyelid surgery
#4 Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
#5 Breast reduction
#6 Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
#7 Facelift
#8 Breast Lift
#9 Autologous fat ( Fat transfer)
#10 Forehead lift
There were 1,622,290 total surgical procedures done in 2010.
2010-Top Non-surgical Procedures
#1 Botulinum toxin type a ( Botox & Dysport)
#2 Hyaluronic acid (including Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane)
#3 Laser hair removal
#4 Laser skin resurfacing (36.0% ablative & 64.0%nonablative)
#5 Chemical peel .
#6 Microdermabrasion
#7 Sclerotherapy
#8 IPL treatments ( aka..photofacial, fotofacial, photorejuvenation,)
#9 Non-invasive skin tightening
#10 Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse)
There were 9,336,814 total non-surgical procedures done in 2010.
Men vs Women: Top Surgical Procedures
Woman
#1 Breast augmentation
#2 Liposuction
#3 Breast reduction
#4 Abdominoplasty
#5 Eyelid surgery
Men
#1 Liposuction
#2 Rhinoplasty
#3 Eyelid surgery
#4 Breast reduction to treat enlarged male breast
#5 Cosmetic ear surgery.
The ASAPS survey is based on procedures performed by the surgeon, and may not include all of the nonsurgical procedures performed in the office by other staff such as physician assistants, nurses, laser technicians and estheticians .
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I had a breast augmentation with mastopexy, subpectoral silicone implant and bilateral capsulectomy.
Simply put, I had my old saline implants that were placed over the muscle removed and replaced with the Natrelle® Silicone Gel implants, under the muscle with a breast lift and removed the scar tissue that developed around my old implants. My procedure was performed by Dr. Daniel Shapiro, at the Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center.
Why I am sharing my personal story.
I struggled with the decision to share my experience of having a breast augmentation. This is kind of a private issue, but I decided that I have no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed that I had a breast augmentation. I know that there are plenty of people that are opposed to cosmetic procedures, and they are quick to pass judgment on those that choose to have surgery. I think some people have created a stereo type in their mind of what type of person would have cosmetic surgery. I have read some comments on other blogs sites, that are insulting, ignorant, cruel and even hateful toward people that have cosmetic procedure. Obviously, I work for a plastic surgeon so I have some insight to the type of person that has cosmetic surgery. First of all, most of the people that have surgery do not fit the high maintenance stereo type some people might imagine and they are certainly not all rich. The truth is, there is no one “type” that has cosmetic surgery, however mom’s often desire to regain their pre-pregnancy body. That’s why the “mommy makeover” has become so popular. Society does not seem to have any problems excepting the changes that pregnancy can do to a woman’s body, so why should we feel guilty for wanting fix what we can. Maybe you were genetically blessed with naturally great breasts, that have not been affected by age, gravity or pregnancy, and you can be grateful for your assets. If pregnancy has caused your breast to droop, sag, or deflate and you have learned to love and embrace your body as it is, then that is simply what works for you. What ever the case is, it is not fair to pass judgement on those that choose to have a cosmetic procedure. If you are thinking of having cosmetic surgery, you should not feel embarrassed, it is natural to want to look good.
My First Breast Augmentation
Yes, I said my first breast augmentation. I had my first breast augmentation about 12 years ago. I was young when I had my first child and when you are in your 20’s your supposed to have perky, cute breasts, but pregnancy left me “deflated”. I knew that I might have more children in the future, but not for a long time, so I decided to go ahead and have a breast augmentation without a lift. I had a Transumbilical Breast Augmentation also known as (TUBA), because it didn’t leave any scars. This procedure seemed “trendy” at the time and I even paid about $1000. extra to have my implants put in this way. During a Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, the surgeon makes an incision in the belly button and the breast implants are put in empty with an endoscope and then filled with saline when they are in place. The endoscopic equipment creates two tunnels underneath your skin and the implants are placed, and then filled, through these tunnels. The advantage is you don’t get scars, but unfortunately you can only do this procedure with saline implants. The tissue along the tunnels rarely do, but can leave visible tracks and because the incision is far from where the implants are placed, there is a greater chance for error, especially in the placement of the implant.
My recovery wasn’t that bad except my entire abdomen was black and blue, swollen and very sore. It felt like I had done a million sit-ups. They also fill your abdomen up with a gas, so your abdomen is distended for a while. I had little to no pain in the chest area, probably because my implants were placed over the muscle and I didn’t have any incisions in that area.
For the most part I was happy with the results of my first surgery, except they were placed lower than my natural breasts were, so although I didn’t have saggy or deflated breasts, I did have large breasts that made my torso look shorter. I was willing to except this because I was going to have more children and I knew I would need another procedure in the future when I was done having children. I think a lot of women need a breast lift, but choose to have large implants put in instead, because it is less expensive and they don’t want the scars of a lift. Some women can get away with simply putting in implants without having a lift and still look good.
My Second Breast Augmentation
I know that I am done having children, so I feel like I can finally make an investment in my body. Working for a plastic surgeon gives me a unique advantage, I get to see the results of different surgery’s. A lot of my client’s have had breast augmentations with Dr. Shapiro and they are happy to show me the results and I am always impressed. (I also get to see the work of other surgeons too.) One client was on her third surgery, (the first two were with another surgeon) she had her first surgery before children. Her second surgery was after children, but that surgeon put in huge implants instead of a lift and she wasn’t happy with that look. Her final surgery was with Dr Shapiro and he put in smaller implants and did a lift. She showed me her results and they looked great and the scars had already started to fade. I can’t tell you how many people I have met that got large implants instead of a lift and then wish they had done a lift. So my advice is, if you need a lift, get one. I know it is more money for a lift, but the cheapest procedure is the one done right the first time. I also know that people hate scars, but the truth is they do fade with time. It takes about a year for scars to fade and there are also products and procedures you can do to improve scar reduction. Dr. Shapiro has a full staff of highly experienced medical estheticians and nurses that can work with you, to reduce your scars.
The Consultation
During my consultation with Dr. Shapiro, I explained that this time I wanted to have a lift, have my implants placed under the muscle and switch to the Natrelle® Silicone Gel implants. I had saline implants, and honestly they were fine, but I wanted to switch to the new silicone gel implants because they feel more natural and they are less likely to cause capsular contractor and rippling. I also told Dr Shapiro that I have a short torso and that my original implants were placed so low that it made my torso shorter, he agreed and said we could place them higher. We also discussed size, I was okay with my current size, but thought I would actually like to be a smaller. He assessed the size of my frame, and said we could go a little smaller, but suggested that I probably would look better if I didn’t go too small. He also explained that when you place implants under the muscle they look smaller anyway. I had one other concern, like many other women, pregnancy caused the areola to spread and I wanted to make them a little smaller. We discussed all my concerns and I felt confidant that Dr. Shapiro could create the look I wanted. I must add that a good plastic surgeon is like an artist, and I think Shapiro has a good eye for aesthetics and knows what looks good for each person. I don’t know if this comes from experience or is just a natural talent, I suspect it’s both. So, although I had an idea of what I wanted, I also wanted his opinion of what would look best for my body type. I’m kind of a control freak, but I respect and trust his opinion.
Day of Surgery
I arrived at the Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center an hour early, so that I could be prepped for surgery. When we got to the surgery center I was impressed with how nice it was. The waiting room was warm and inviting, however my husband and I were quickly escorted to a private room, that was also very comfortable. A nurse came in to prep me and start my IV, then Dr Shapiro came in to go over any last minute questions and mark me for surgery. The entire ambiance made me feel relaxed, like I was at a nice hotel or spa. It is always cold in a surgery room but I was put on to this warm cushioned surgery table and covered with warm blankets. I remember thinking “wow, this is so nice” before slipping off to dream land.
During surgery Dr Shapiro discovered I had developed bilateral capsular contractor, which is scar tissue that can form around breast implants and may even cause the breasts to harden. This wasn’t visibly obvious, my breasts didn’t feel hard, and nothing showed up in my mammogram. I’m guessing it’s because I had a lot of dense natural breast tissue, but I am only guessing. Dr. Shapiro had to spend an extra hour to do a corrective bilateral capsulectomy. A Capsulectomy is the surgical removal of a Capsular contracture or the formation of tight scar tissue that can develop around the implants. I would like to apologize to whom ever was scheduled for surgery after me, but I am so grateful that Dr Shapiro took the time to do the job right. He obviously cares about his patients and takes pride in his work.
Capsular Contracture Around Breast Implant
Photo’s from www.implantforum.com
After surgery you are moved back into a private recovery room. I appreciate the special attention to privacy. I have had outpatient surgeries before in a hospital, and they only have little cloth curtains between patients and when you wake up and you can see and hear the nurses, other patients and their family’s in the recovery area, which means they can hear your conversations too. I remember having to go in to a hospital surgery center and I hated thinking that other patients could hear my conversation with the nurse about my post-op care. It was already a very difficult time and I had hoped that they would be more discrete.
The Recovery
I only took a week off work to recover. I am only two weeks post-op and am starting to feel much better, however having implants under the muscle is much more uncomfortable than over the muscle. The muscle feels tight and sore, like you did a strenuous work out, but worse. I seem to feel fine during the day, but first thing in the morning, when I am getting out of bed, my breast feel heavy, they are probably swollen. If I have pushed myself, trying to do to much, I find I am more uncomfortable at the end of the night. I have had all my stitches removed, and have to wear a sports bra for 6 weeks. Dr Shapiro’s nurse Pat has instructed me on how to massage my breasts to keep them soft. I must warn you there are instructional video’s online, for breast massage, however some techniques may not be appropriate for you. Always, follow your surgeons instructions.
The Result
I know you shouldn’t judge results until about 6-8 weeks post opp, because the breasts are healing and swollen. When the implants are placed under the muscle, the muscle pushes on the implant and the muscle will relax with time and the breast will look and feel softer. However, even at this point I can tell they look great. Dr Shapiro and I were joking that I owe him big, because they look so good.
(Plus he had to work so hard to reconstruct and correct the damage I had) It is a little strange that they are smaller, I even felt a little sad for a moment, because I was use to very large breasts. I had mixed feelings because my larger breast made me feel a little National Geographic, and matronly. I tried on one of my old bra’s and I am actually not much smaller, it just looks that way because they are firmer and lifted. I have noticed a lot more women coming in and switching out their large implants, and now I know why. It really looks better and believe it or not younger.
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Dr. Shapiro has had a lot of recognition for his use of the revolutionary new kind of hi-definition liposuction available exclusively at Shapiro Plastic Surgery, and recently he was featured on NBC in Los Angeles.
www.shapiroplasticsrgery.com
You can follow Shapiro Plastic Surgery on facebook and twitter.
Thank you for visiting Best of Both Worlds Az
You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and on our blog site
www.bestofbothworldsaz.com
Dr Gillies: World War I plastic surgery
Plastic Surgery Born Out Of War
The first reconstructive procedure dates back to 800 BC, with skin grafts in India. There wasn’t any consistent progress in plastic surgery until World War I. During World War I, physicians were treating many extensive facial and head injuries, including shattered jaws, blown-off noses and lips and gaping skull wounds caused by modern weapons. These injuries required innovative restorative procedures. Plastic Surgery as a specialty was born out of World War I. War has been the driving force behind most plastic surgery developments and plastic surgery continues to see advancements from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Plastic surgeons now face the challenges created by today’s weaponry and as a result there are advances in facial reconstruction. As weapons change, injuries will change and advancements in plastic surgery will continue to accelerated during wartime.
Plastic surgery is a specialty that, unfortunately, always makes significant advances in wartime
Walter Yeo is a WWI soldier that was wounded in 1916 while manning guns aboard a Warship. He suffered the loss of both his upper and lower eyelids. He is considered one of the first plastic surgery patients, treated by Sir Harold Gilles in 1917.
Cosmetic Surgery for Military Dependents and Soldiers
Military plastic surgeons are allowed to perform cosmetic surgery so they can maintain their skills. When Plastic surgeons get out of the military they need to be able to perform cosmetic as well as reconstructive surgery to be competitive with civilian plastic surgeons. Allowing plastic surgeons to maintain their cosmetic skills also encourages them to enter the military. Plastic surgeons are needed in the military to perform reconstruction of many injuries that are sustained from war and accidents. Some military personnel and their dependents are able to have cosmetic procedures performed at teaching hospitals at a substantially reduced cost, because residents at teaching hospitals must meet their national training standards. Military Doctors in residency training to be Plastic Surgeons must complete a certain case load in cosmetic surgery including cosmetic procedures such as breast implant cases to graduate their training programs. There is typcially a waiting list for cosmetic surgery at military hospitals, reconstructive and other more needed surgeries take priority. The waiting list for cosmetic surgery at a teaching hospital can be booked out 2 – 3 years, and there are many that never receive any cosmetic surgery .
Plastic Surgery Is A Growing Trend In Iraq
Interest in plastic surgery began to grow in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein. This is due in part to the return of surgeons who had previously fled Iraq. Another factor is exposure to pop culture through the availability of international satellite television. In the past, people in Iraq were isolated from pop culture.
One of Baghdad’s plastic surgeons averages about 20 cosmetic surgeries a week. The majority of the plastic surgeries in Iraq are reconstructive, treating injuries from war and are performed in government run hospitals. Increasingly popular, cosmetic surgeries are done in private hospitals and patient need to supply their own implants and even Botox.
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Dr Daniel Shapiro and RJ
RJ and Brittany: Is she really going out with him?
Dating in Scottsdale can be tough, but can you imagine a date that takes you to see a plastic surgeon? RJ takes his girlfriend to Shapiro Plastic Surgery for a date. I know it sounds crazy, but this is a reality show. Will Brittanty have cosmetic surgery? You have to watch and find out …………
MTV – Weekdays @ 4/3c Starting November 1st
Inspired by the popular website Hot Chicks with Douchebags, Is She Really Going Out With Him? is a hilarious and compelling docu-format show that aims to tear down the mystery behind pop culture’s latest unexplainable phenomenon: beautiful and innocent young sweethearts who fall for self-absorbed, overly-tanned, tattoo covered douchebags.
In each episode of Is She Really Going Out With Him? we’ll closely examine one couple as our hot chick eventually leads herself towards making a fateful decision… Will she stay with her douchebag boy friend or move on to a better man?
Visit the main page : Is she really going out with him ?
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You can follow Paradise Valley Skin Klinic on facebook.
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You can follow us on facebook, twitter and on our blog site.
www.bestofbothworldsaz.com
Paradise Valley Plastic Surgeon, Dr Daniel Shapiro on Fox News Channel 10.
Fox News – www.myfoxphoenix.com
More Women Getting Breast Implants Reduced
Updated: Wednesday, 01 Sep 2010, 7:20 PM MDT
Published : Wednesday, 01 Sep 2010, 7:19 PM MDT
PHOENIX – Did the big-busted look go out of style? According to a well-known valley surgeon, more and more women with big implants are getting them taken out, and going for a more natural look.
Pamela Anderson, Dolly Parton, and Heidi Montag are just some of the big names known for their big implants.
Just this week, Montag says she’s getting hers out. Dr. Daniel Shapiro, a top surgeon in the valley, says it’s something he’s seeing more often.
“If you look at fashion and music, that kind of dictates what happens. I think people are starting to look more proportioned and the Pam Anderson look isn’t so popular anymore,” he says.
At age 20, Melissa Rein went under the knife and came out a large D cup. She says it made exercise and shopping hard, and now five years later, she’s downsized to a moderate C.
“My back has hurt, and people have poked me and said why do you stand like that, and I say my breasts are heavy. You’d be surprised how much I lean forward and now I don’t have that problem anymore,” says Rein.
The procedure costs between $5,000 and $10,000 and could leave a scar, but it’s a sacrifice some women and willing to make to be comfortable in their own skin.
Shapiro Plastic Surgery
5410 N. Scottsdale Rd., ste F-100
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480 421-1700
www.shapiroplasticsurgery.com
Thank you for visiting Best of Both Worlds Az.
You can follow us on facebook, twitter and on our blog site.
www.bestofbothworldsaz.com
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