It’s something men don’t have to worry about, and it’s something men might not even be able to fully understand. Women who have had a child know just how much of a toll childbirth has on the body, let alone multiple childbirths. When it comes time to try and get that pre-baby body back, every woman is unique. Some bounce back quickly with relative ease. Others don’t. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a mother to diet and exercise postpartum in an effort to regain their physique, and not be able to quite get there. 
Maybe the breasts just don’t bounce back quite right. Maybe there’s saggy skin around the abdomen that won’t go away. These are some of the reasons that “mommy makeovers” are on the rise in the United States. More and more mothers are refusing to accept the negative effects of childbirth on their bodies and are working with their cosmetic surgeons to help them re-achieve pre-baby physique. And why not?
Mommy makeovers are generally an option for women who are done having babies. They’re at a “normal” weight, and have adopted healthy lifestyle habits. It’s also important that a woman interested in a mommy makeover has the ability to take the appropriate amount of time off to recover, depending on how many procedures she chooses to make part of the makeover. A pre-procedure, no obligation consultation with one of our GLOW Surgical Arts cosmetic surgeons will help you determine if you’re a good candidate for a mommy makeover, as well as come up with a game plan for which procedures make the most sense. Among the options:
Breast implants, with or without a lift, or just a lift by itself – Again, every woman’s body is different. Some women experience their breasts becoming larger after childbirth. Some women find that their breasts return to the same size they were before childbirth, especially if they’re able to return to pre-baby body weight. Some women, though, suffer from stretched skin and consequently smaller breasts after childbirth. If your body puts you in the last category, implants and/or a breast lift could very well get you back to where you want to be with your breasts. Whether it’s a lift alone that might work for you, or an augmentation on its own or a combination of both, your trusted cosmetic surgeon will help you determine the right choice for you.
Tummy tuck – It isn’t just mothers who seem to be in a never ending battle for an abdomen to be proud of. Still, mothers face a unique set of circumstances after childbirth. It could very well be the case that a mother, done having children, is exercising regularly and dieting healthily and yet… the sagging skin around the stomach is a regular unwelcome reminder that she has had kids. A tummy tuck might be the answer. The results of a tummy tuck are relatively permanent, assuming there isn’t any dramatic weight gain or loss in the future and the down-time is likely less then you think.
SmartLipo – Not only is SmartLipo, using high powered laser energy, safer, quicker and less traumatic on the body than traditional liposuction, but it can be used to target multiple areas of the mommy makeover at once. The flanks, abdomen, inner thighs and arms are among the many areas a cosmetic surgeon can target with SmartLipo, which will remove excess fat and help the skin tighten.
For moms who are done having babies and ready to achieve their pre-baby bodies again, a mommy makeover could very well be the answer. It doesn’t have to be multiple procedures, either. If all your body really needs is a little bit of SmartLipo, fantastic. Conversely, if, in order to feel good about your body again, you need a couple of procedures, they can all be done at once (hence the perquisite of having the ability to take off enough time to fully recover). Mommy makeovers are about making mom feel good about her body again. We’re happy to help you figure out if you’re a candidate, and if you are, just what procedures might make up your mommy makeover. If you’d like to start down the road to getting back that pre-baby body, schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.
As this past weekend in the Bay Area proved, the sunshine (and the heat)are not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s probably safe to assume July will be even better, brighter and warmer. With the sun being much more a part of daily life our thoughts turn to summer activities, like the beach and bathing suits. 
If you aren’t quite at a point with your body that sporting a bikini sounds at all like a fun idea, there is an option available to you that provides a safe, affordable shortcut to a beach body you’d want to show off: SmartLipo liposuction.
Traditional liposuction comes with a reputation of being somewhat traumatic to the body and therefore sometimes a pain, literally, to recover from. At our GLOW Surgical Arts offices in Redwood City, our cosmetic surgeons utilize two newer, less invasive, techniques of liposuction -- power assisted lipo (PALS) and laser assisted lipo (SmartLipo). For the purposes of this blog, we’re focusing on the latter, but our cosmetic surgeons will be happy to discuss all of your liposuction options with you during your pre-procedure consultation.
SmartLipo is a relatively new technique, having only been available in the U.S. since 2006. There are several reasons the technique is growing quickly in popularity and why it’s one of the techniques we have chosen to make available to patients at GLOW. Among them:
Less invasive. The entire procedure is done with just tumescent anesthesia, so there’s no “going under” for the patient. In fact, the patient is kept updated by the cosmetic surgeon during the procedure. SmartLipo is done with a very small cannula (a tube approximately 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter) that is inserted into the skin. The cannula contains the SmartLipo laser fiber, and it is moved back and forth in the treatment area. Laser energy is delivered directly to the fat cells, which causes them to rupture and liquify.
How it works. In addition to the fat cells being destroyed by the laser energy, the laser also interacts with the dermis, which causes collagen shrinkage. With traditional lipo, this interaction doesn’t take place and can result in loose, saggy skin in the treatment area. With the additional laser interaction, SmartLipo typically avoids that effect. The SmartLipo laser also causes small blood vessels to coagulate, which means less bleeding, swelling, and bruising than a traditional liposuction procedure.
Quicker recovery. Not only is there less bleeding, swelling, and bruising with SmartLipo than traditional lipo, but because there is no “going under,” SmartLipo is very safe. At GLOW, we tell patients to expect about an hour long procedure for each targeted area. For example, should you and your cosmetic surgeon decide to target your lower abdomen, the procedure would take about an hour. That is why the technique has earned the nickname, “Lunch Hour Lipo.” The name is a little misleading, of course. While the procedure could easily be done during a lunch hour, we wouldn’t recommend going directly back to the office from our surgical offices. A few days of rest are a good idea, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for about two weeks post procedure. So, while a return to work directly after the procedure isn’t a good idea, you will be able to go back to work within days.
You could also very quickly sport that swimsuit and do a little showing off at the beach. You should be able to see positive results within a few days after the procedure, and hanging out on the beach isn’t a strenuous exercise. Feel free to start showing off whenever you feel like it -- usually within a couple of weeks patients are ready to do just that. We ask patients to wear a compression garment over the treated area of their body for about two weeks, so once that comes off... if the beach beckons, the beach beckons!
Is SmartLipo for you? We can discuss in detail whether or not you’re a good fit, and what kind of results you can expect during a pre SmartLipo body sculpting consultation at our Redwood City surgical offices. In general, if you’re in good health and have an area of your body that doesn’t seem to respond to diet and exercise, SmartLipo is an option. There is no need to remain frustrated about not quite being able to attain the beach body you had hoped to have ready for the summertime. SmartLipo is safe, the procedure is quick, you can be back to work within a couple of days, and yes, in a bathing suit on the beach within a couple of weeks. The sun isn’t going anywhere for a while, and SmartLipo just might be the answer to making sure you’ve got the body to fully enjoy it!
When you crossed your eyes as a child and your mother warned you if you kept doing it, your eyes might get stuck like that, you didn’t really believe it. Or maybe you did, and you stopped crossing your eyes, much to your mother’s delight. Crossing your eyes a lot doesn’t actually result in your eyes always looking crossed, but there are other things we do with our faces that do result in permanent changes. People who constantly furrow their brows wind up with fixed wrinkles and lines on their brows, whether they’re actually furrowing or not. Or maybe you’ve contorted your face in deep thought so many times that you are now stuck with a permanently sort of angry look, despite not feeling angry at all. These are very real problems that a great deal of folks are faced with, but there are treatments readily available to all of us to combat those frown lines, wrinkles and lines. Botox and Xeomin might be the answer you’ve been looking for.
While it’s understandable if you automatically associate Botox with celebrity, it is by no means a treatment only for Jennifer Aniston, Kelly Ripa, Courtney Cox (all of whom have openly admitted to getting the treatment) and other famous faces. Botox has only been FDA approved for just over a decade, yet it’s already a a $1.8 billion per year industry. Botox and other minimally-invasive facial rejuvenation procedures reached an all-time high in 2012, with Botox injections seeing an 8 percent increase from the year before -- there were 6.1 million procedures performed in the U.S. last year. It isn’t just celebrities that are utilizing Botox as a safe, simple way to achieve facial rejuvenation. It’s everyone.
If you’re admittedly curious about Botox but a little unsure as to what exactly it is, here’s a brief description: Botox and Xeomin (both available at GLOW Surgical Arts) are trade names for the protein called botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Injections used in cosmetic procedures use a small amount of this protein, which enables the controlled weakening of certain muscles. At GLOW Surgical Arts, we use a tiny needle to gently inject Botox or Xeomin directly into the muscles that cause the bothersome lines or wrinkles on your skin. There might be a minor pinch or sting, but the injections are easily tolerated and the whole procedure takes just a few moments. You can be in and out of our cosmetic surgery office in Redwood City in five minutes, and there is zero downtime.
When used for facial rejuvenation, the Botox or Xeomin injections relax the contraction of the facial muscles, blocking nerve impulses. Those muscles can no longer contract, and the result is a relaxing and softening of any wrinkles or lines. It isn’t just in facial rejuvenation that Botox injections have proved useful, either. Excessive drooling, overactive bladders, achalasia and muscle spasms in children with cerebral palsy are some of the many non-cosmetic uses for Botox. There is even a study from University Medical College in Taiwan and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that suggests men with enlarged prostates benefit from Botox injections directly to the prostate.
For cosmetic purposes, Botox and Xeomin injections are safe, simple, and relatively affordable. The decision whether or not to get the treatment isn’t one we expect you to take lightly, either. Our cosmetic surgeons will go over every detail with you, and whether or not Botox is a good fit for you, during a free, no-obligation consultation. If, in the end, you decide to go for it, you won’t have to wait long to see positive results. 2-3 days after the procedure, you’ll see a difference. These changes will last several months, and the procedure can easily be done again to re-achieve desired facial rejuvenation results. It’s completely up to you, but the bottom line is that, just like those crossed eyes as a kid, facial wrinkles and lines don’t have to be permanent.
© GLOW Surgical Arts and GLOW Surgical Arts blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Surgical Arts and the GLOW Surgical Arts blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Summer is here with warmer temperatures tempting us to show a bit more skin. A tank top can be fashionable way to "beat the heat", but for many going sleeveless just isn't an option. Be it sagging skin or excess fat (or both) women often want to keep their arms under wraps. 
But before you hide your arms forever be aware there are other options and depending on the circumstances there is more than one way to go about getting rid of some of that sag.
Firstly, it’s worth knowing that not everything about that extra skin on the upper arms is under your control. Genetics matter. If Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa have or had saggy arms, your odds of having the same condition are increased. Skin elasticity isn’t always going to be something you can effectively manage. Age will play a role, along with the previously mentioned genetics, and if you have thin skin, you’re going to be more susceptible to your skin losing its ability to retighten after fat or muscle loss as you age. The two other main factors that lead to flabby arms are more in your control, as both atrophy and body-fat percentage can be managed through diet and exercise.
If a healthy, portion controlled diet is already something you’ve got going, there are specific types of exercise that can be used to target the triceps -- the muscle underneath your upper arm. That’s the muscle that when it loses tone and definition can quickly lead to saggy or flabby arms. There are numerous exercises that target the triceps, and many are doable without any fancy equipment. Examples include the tricep push-up, bench dips, and simply skipping rope. Simple instructions and how-to videos for all three exercises can be found by clicking here.
On the other hand, it’s also quite possible that the reason you’ve got flabby arms is because you already lost a significant amount of weight. In some cases, then, flabby arms simply aren’t going to respond to diet and exercise. In those cases, there are two other options:
1. Liposuction: At GLOW Surgical Arts, we use Smartlipo body sculpting, an increasingly popular, minimally invasive option for the permanent removal of unwanted fat. The fat cells are destroyed by a high powered laser, stimulating skin tightening and the Smartlipo technique also decreases downtime and increases the recovery rate as compared to traditional lipo. Typically, one procedure is all that’s needed and the results are long lasting, especially if there are no major weight gains post procedure. Smartlipo is certainly an option for dealing with saggy arms if you’re finding that diet and exercise are not making a dent.
2. Brachioplasty Arm Lift: If there is a great deal of redundant, hanging skin on your upper arms, treating with Smartlipo alone might not be enough. In fact, in such cases, lipo alone might result in the saggy arms looking worse. If you’re in such a situation, and this is something you and a cosmetic surgeon can discuss in detail during your consultation, an arm lift (brachioplasty) might make more sense. For this procedure, after an appropriate amount of fat is removed with liposuction, the excess skin is then also removed. A GLOW cosmetic surgeon then carefully closes the incision, places wound dressings and fits a recovery garment. An arm lift does result in a scar, although your surgeon will make sure it’s on the inside of the arm and therefore less visible. Swelling and bruising may also occur, but both usually resolve within several days. It’s also crucial not to stress the triceps too much during recovery, and subsequently the timing of an arm lift procedure is important.
It’s quite possible that an improved diet and specifically targeted exercise will prove effective in combatting saggy arms. If that doesn’t seem to work, however, you have other options. Certainly, getting an arm lift procedure is growing immensely in popularity in the U.S. Remember, choosing between Smartlipo and an arm lift procedure is not a decision you have to make on your own. A GLOW cosmetic surgeon will talk you through all of the options available to you during a no-obligation consultation. Our goal is simply to help you make the best decision possible and, of course, get rid of those pesky saggy arms!
© GLOW Surgical Arts and GLOW Surgical Arts blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Surgical Arts and the GLOW Surgical Arts blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
It doesn’t matter what your job is, how much money you’ve got, what hobbies you have or what foods you like. We all age. Part of that aging process includes changes in the way our skin looks. These are probably not the kinds of changes most us of us get excited about. Still, it’s a fact of life. 
As we age, so does our skin. There are numerous factors, however, that play into how our aging skin changes and to what degree. Some of them we can control, some we can’t. And, as is often the case, there is a wide range of options available when it comes to dealing with aging skin. What makes the most sense for you will depend entirely on who you are, your lifestyle, and what you want.
First, understand that some of what goes into the way your skin will age is entirely out of your control. People say things about folks having “good genes” (or bad ones) all the time. With aging skin, it’s the truth. Hereditary patterns in your family lineage can give you a hint at how your own skin will respond to the aging process. Take a look at Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. Their skin offers a glimpse of your own future. Furrows in the brow, tiny lines and crinkles around the eyes, drooping eyelids, loose skin along the jaw line, even the tendency to develop cellulite -- these are all indicators of aging skin. If your older family members are dealing with them, chances are good you’ll experience at least some of it as well.
While you can’t control the genes you’ve got, there are several factors that affect the way skin ages you can control. The way you live your life now absolutely does affect the way your skin will age later. Cigarette smoke, whether it is you doing the smoking or someone you spend a lot of time with, is damaging to and ages your skin. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun is very aging to the skin (not to mention the increased risk of skin cancer). Living a sedentary lifestyle (i.e. not exercising enough) impacts how our skin ages. Spending too much time in cold winds and low temperatures, especially if you don’t combat the dryness with a good moisturizer, is a bad idea. Over consumption of alcohol will eventually dilate small blood vessels in the skin and increase flow near the skin’s surface, potentially permanently damaging your skin’s appearance. Too much stress? Bad for the skin. Finally, and perhaps stating the obvious, a lack of sleep will indeed lead to dark circles and bags under your eyes, even sagging skin.
We age. So does our skin. Once you’ve got a grasp on the factors you can and can’t control, then what? Prescription topical options include hydroquinone and tretinoin. The former inhibits the production of melanin, the source of pigment or color in our skin, and as a results lightens the skin. It is frequently recommended to treat areas of hyperpigmentation (melasma or sun spots) Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A that can be used to help the skin renew itself more quickly and can be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkes as well as skin texture. Both are prescription products applied topically and should be used as directed by a doctor.
Chemical peels and facials, are another treatment option. They range in intensity from superficial to deep, having anywhere from a month-long effect to several years. Peels and facials are used to address mild acne scars, age spots, dull skin texture, discoloration and wrinkles. Literally, a chemical peel removes the outer layers of skin to encourage the growth of new, smoother skin.
Finally, there are three different laser treatment options that we offer at our GLOW Surgical Arts Bay Area offices:
Laser Skin Rejuvenation is a gentle, non-abrasive technique that can help reduce erythema (redness), diminish pore size, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture. Often referred to as the " laser facial", there is no downtime and it’s an option for all skin types.
Smart Skin CO2 is a newer treatment option. It’s customizable to your needs, whether you’re looking to deal with aging, sun damaged or scarred skin. A single procedure will leave your skin looking younger, your pores smaller, your lines, wrinkles, scars and discoloration less noticeable. SmartSkin CO2 uses a CO2 laser that delivers laser pulses to the skin, and once the laser energy is passed through the epidermis to the deeper, collagen bearing tissues below, the interaction of water, the CO2 laser, and collagen leads to a rejuvenation and skin tightening.
IPL If the principle concern is skin redness, sun damage or uneven skin tone, IPL may be the answer. IPL uses light pulses to treat skin conditions sucha as age spots, sun-damaged skin, benign pigmented epidermal lesinos such as freckles and melasma, and vascular lesions such as spider veins.
If you have reached a point where you’d like to at least learn more about the options for aging skin, one of our cosmetic surgeons can walk you through each technique and help you determine what makes the most sense for you during a free, no obligation consultation. Ultimately, the way you choose to deal with your skin’s aging process is entirely up to you. If you have questions, we’re happy to answer them.
© GLOW Surgical Arts and GLOW Surgical Arts blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Surgical Arts and the GLOW Surgical Arts blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
When it comes to improving your self-image and your body, diet and exercise always factor in. There’s undoubtedly room for improvement in both for most of us, and more often than not, a healthier diet and more exercise will help. 
Yet, there is such a thing as eating fairly healthy and exercising regularly and still finding that belly impossible to shape. In fact, it is often the case that after you lose weight, excess fat and loose skin stubbornly exist around the belly. In situations like this, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) might be the best way to tighten abdominal muscles and reduce the amount of excess skin.
Today, there are two options to choose from if you’re considering a tummy tuck procedure: Traditional and Avelar. The goal of both techniques is the same, that being a flatter belly, one that you will actually like to see in the mirror. Whichever technique you choose, it’s important to know how it might affect the overall experience and, of course, the results. Note that regardless of which technique you’re considering, you should already be in relatively good health. If you’re planning to get pregnant, it might be best to postpone plans for a tummy tuck, and same goes for if you’re planning to lose a significant amount of weight in the near future. Tummy tucks should not be viewed as an alternative to weight loss.
Traditional tummy tuck. Most important to note from the start is that a traditional tummy tuck is a major surgery. It includes both going under (general anesthesia) and going under the knife. That means risks that come with any major surgery, including a bad reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding, necrosis and infection. Once a patient is “under,” the cosmetic surgeon removes excess fat and skin from the middle and lower portions of the abdomen. There are varying degrees of how drastic the surgery can be, but a complete tummy tuck means an incision being made from hip to hip between the navel and pubic hairline. Weak stomach muscles can be repaired, and excess fat and skin can be removed. Depending on the level of the procedure, the belly button may or may not be affected – if it is, a new one is created by the surgeon – and temporary drainage tubes may be placed under the skin. The procedure can take up to five hours to complete, and recovery can be eight weeks or longer. Results generally last for several years.
Avelar tummy tuck. Created by and named for the Brazilian surgeon Juarez M. Avelar in the 1990s, the main advantage to this technique is its less invasive nature. Instead of general anesthesia, the procedure is typically done with only local anesthesia to numb the area to be operated on. While there are risks for the patient, namely temporary bruising and swelling, they are considerably fewer and less severe than those that come with the traditional tummy tuck technique. Tumescent liposuction is used to remove excess fat and, unlike with the traditional method, operation of blood vessels in the abdominal region is not disrupted. With the disruption of blood vessels taken out of the equation, it is actually sometimes possible to remove even more fat than the traditional method might allow. It also results in a faster, less painful recovery (back to work within a week and exercise within two) and cuts down on the use of drainage tubes. Finally, after the liposuction, an incision is made to remove leftover skin. Results of an Avelar tummy tuck will be relatively permanent, assuming no large weight gains or pregnancies.
At GLOW Skin Revived, our cosmetic surgeons utilize the Avelar tummy tuck method. With results that are as good as or even better than the traditional tummy tuck method, coupled with the drastically less invasive nature of the procedure, faster recovery time and reduced scarring, we view the Avelar tummy tuck as the best overall option for our patients.
No matter where you might be with your decision making process, one of our cosmetic surgeons will be happy to woak you through how the procedure works and answer any questions you may have during a free, no obligation consultation. Ultimately, the decision to get a tummy tuck procedure is entirely up to you. Our goal is simply to ensure that you have all the information you need to make the best decision possible.
© GLOW Surgical Arts and GLOW Surgical Arts blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Surgical Arts and the GLOW Surgical Arts blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Making the choice to get breast implants is a major decision. It is a choice to enhance your look. It is a choice to improve the way your look makes you feel. It is a choice to make your self-image, and your body, look more like how you want it to. Still, even if you have gotten that far, there’s another choice that still needs to be made: saline or silicone?
There are differences between the two materials, and just like the choice to get implants in the first place, choosing between the two is a major decision. A look at each material and how it might affect which type of implant is best for you.
Saline: A saline implant is comprised of a silicone shell filled with sterile salt water (saline). They are inserted while empty, and filled after they are in place.
Silicone: A silicone implant has a similar shell that is filled with a special silicone gel. These implants are pre-filled and inserted that way.
While there are plenty of similarities between the two, the differences don’t end with the material that fills the silicone shell. The risks, while minimal for both, vary little. They include scar tissue that could distort the shape of the breast, breast pain, infection, changes (usually temporary) in nipple and breast sensation, and implant leakage or rupture. Should a rupture of the implant occur, a saline implant will deflate, causing the affected breast to change in appearance. The saline would be safely absorbed by your body, however, and there is no associated health risk. Surgery would be needed to remove the ruptured shell and a new one, if desired, could be inserted at the same time.
In the event of a silicone implant rupturing, it’s possible the patient would never even notice. Any free silicone tends to remain trapped inside the tissue that forms around the implant – also known as a “silent rupture.” Even if the leaking silicone gel gets past the tissue around the implant, it isn’t thought to cause any long-term health problems. Breast pain or shape change is possible, and if that should happen your surgeon should be able to surgically remove the implant, with the option to replace it with a new one at the same time.
As for feel, silicone implants are widely accepted as the more “real breast” feel to the touch. Certainly, that’s an important component to many when choosing between the two types of implants. On the other hand, saline offers something silicone does not: adjustability. The silicone implants have a set fill volume, while the saline implants have a flexible fill volume, allowing your surgeon to adjust it during the procedure if that’s desired.
There are differences, too, in the way in which each type of implant is inserted. Silicone implants typically require slightly larger incisions, while saline implants can be inserted through a smaller opening, and through the belly button approach if desired. At GLOW, we typically place all implants, saline or silicone, under the muscle, and often approach from the lower fold or the nipple area.
One final thing to consider: breast augmentation using saline implants should cost less than breast augmenation using silicone implants, all things being equal. Saline implants are less expensive to purchase, and this difference should be passed on to you, the patient.
Saline or silicone? The choice is yours. If you already know which one you want, one of the cosmetic surgeons at GLOW's surgical practice in Redwood City will be happy to walk you through the entire process during a no-charge consultation. If you are still trying to make up your mind, the consultation can be used to help you determine which kind of implant you prefer. In the end, it’s your body, and your implants. We are just here to make sure you’re happy with the outcome!
© GLOW Skin Revived and GLOW Skin Revived blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Skin Revived and the GLOW Skin Revived blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The reasons don’t matter. They’re absolutely personal, and they should be. Whatever they might be, perhaps the idea of surgery, the idea of getting breast implants, or some combination of the two just doesn’t appeal to you. You can’t see yourself going that route. 
And yet, the desire is still there to change the way your breasts look and feel. It’s possible there is another option for you that doesn’t involve any major surgery or getting implants. Instead, more and more patients, if the option makes sense for them, are choosing fat transfer breast augmentation.
Conceptually, it’s simple. Extra fat from elsewhere on the patient’s body -- legs, buttocks, belly -- is redistributed to the breasts thus enhancing breast size and contour. The fat is obtained using liposuction techniques and injected using a small cannulae. Basically breast augmentation without going under the knife or getting actual implants. Really, for the patients that opt for fat transfer breast augmentations, they’re potentially getting multiple benefits at once. The breasts are augmented without introducing implants, and the area of the body that the fat is taken from is improved in appearance as well. However, fat transfer breast augmentations are not a realistic option for everyone and there are other important differences to note between it and getting breast implants.
Firstly, the patient has to actually have enough excess fat to work with. People that are already fit and trim might not have enough fat to make them a viable candidate for the procedure. And while we are on the topic of not enough fat remember transferred fat behaves just like any fat in the body. If post procedure a patient loses weight, the breast augmentation might also decrease in size. Secondly, and something that is a major factor in any patient’s decision making process, the cost for a fat transfer breast augmentation may be greater than it would be for implants. Price frequently depends on the number of areas of liposuction necessary to gather enough fat for the procedure. Finally, it could take up to a year before you will know for sure what the long lasting effects of the fat transfer breast augmentation will be, because not all of the transferred fat will survive in its new location.
It should also be noted that, in general, a patient looking for a dramatic increase in breast size should probably cross fat transfer breast augmentation off of the list. Because of the nature of the procedure, taking excess fat from one area of the body and injecting it into the recipient tissue of the breast, a large gain in breast size (something that’s easily attainable via implants) is simply not possible. The fact that not all of the transferred fat will thrive long term in the breast makes it all the more impossible for a large increase in cup size to take place. The general concensus is that patients can expect a maximum increase of a half to one full cup size.
One area in which fat transfer breast augmentation has gained more acceptance recently is how it relates to cancer. That is to say that initial worries that a fat transfer to the breasts might increase the risk of cancer or increase the rate of cancer recurrence in cancer patients has been largely laid to rest. A 2011 study showed no significant difference in breast cancer reoccurrence rates for patients that chose to have a fat transfer breast augmentation.
A breast augmentation is about improving the way you feel about your body. You want to feel good about the way you look, and a breast augmentation should help you achieve that goal. Choosing between implants and fat transfer might be easy for you, or perhaps you’re torn. Whatever the case, a GLOW cosmetic surgeon can walk you through both options and give you an honest, realistic assessment as to which technique makes the most sense for you, and go over what kind of longterm results you can expect. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our surgeons in our Redwood City offices today.
© GLOW Skin Revived and GLOW Skin Revived blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Skin Revived and the GLOW Skin Revived blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Do you ever feel that your body has a mind of its own? That is to say, just because you have come to the deeply personal, well thought out decision to get breast implants, your body don’t necessarily look the other way. Every body -- no exceptions -- will initially react to a breast augmentation the same way: form a tissue lining around the implant. 
Our bodies treat breast implants as intruders, something to be walled off from the rest of the body. This reaction is completely normal and more often than not, you’ll never be the wiser. Sometimes, however, that lining the body forms around the implant will tighten over time causing physical discomfort and cosmetic changes in the appearance of the breast. This is not normal and is known as “capsular contraction.”
While the healing process after a breast augmentation procedure always involves the forming of scar tissue, most patients don’t develop capsular contraction. Most clinical reports site the incidence as less then 10%. But for those that do, it is simply the body tightening the capsule that has naturally formed around the implant. If the capsule tightens enough, the implant will get squeezed and become firm, harder to the touch and the breast contour can be visually changed. Even if this occurs, it’s still worth remembering that the implant itself is not hardening. It feels hardened because of the body’s squeezing of it, but if the implant is removed it will be just as soft to the touch as the day it was inserted.
So, why does capsular contraction happen to some patients and not others? There’s no concrete answer. There are generally accepted risk factors that are associated with higher incidence of capsular contraction. Among them: contamination of the implant, a hematoma, placement of the implant above the muscle and smoking. Each of these factors can be addressed before the breast augmentation procedure. Obviously your surgeon will be making every effort to avoid contamination and hematoma during your procedure. Many cosmetic surgeons, including the cosmetic surgeons here at GLOW, use a triple antibiotic flush during the procedure which has been shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of capsular contraction. The choice of placement is one you and your surgeon will make together based on your cosmetic goals. Finally, quitting smoking several weeks before your procedure is something you can do for yourself to both reduce your chance of capsular contraction and improve your overall health.
After surgery there are some actions you can take that may reduce the chances of you developing capsular contraction including wearing a compression bra and performing massage as instructed by your cosmetic surgeon. Now, even if you do everything right -- you quit smoking before the surgery, you follow your surgeons instructions, wear your compression bra faithfully and massage -- it's still possible you'll have to deal with capsular contraction. There are numerous ways to treat the complication. Which treatment makes the most sense will depend on how the tightening of your body's capsule is affecting your implants and your comfort level. There are four grades of capsular contracture (the Baker scale) with Grade IV being the most severe and featuring the breast implant being hard to the touch and perhaps distorted in a appearance. Massage, ultrasound and medications are sometimes enough to make the stiff capsule relax. Or, additional surgery might be necessary to loosen the scar tissue around the implant or remove the stiffened capsule entirely. In this scenario, your cosmetic surgeon would work with you to determine the best solution for your body and implants.
Capsular contraction is unusual but should it happen to you, it can seem quite common. The fact is our bodies will treat any foreign object, breast implants included, the same way, and that is to surround the object with a capsule of fibrous scar tissue. This is a normal, natural, occurrence. Only when that tissue overly tightens around the breast implant does capsular contraction become something to address. And even in the worst case scenario, it’s easily treatable and it is something your GLOW cosmetic surgeon will help you through every step of the way. The end result and goal of a breast augmentation remains unchanged: helping you achieve the self-image you want and deserve.
© GLOW Skin Revived and GLOW Skin Revived blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Skin Revived and the GLOW Skin Revived blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
When Botox or dermal fillers, or really any variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, are brought up, the assumption is that the person contemplating getting such a procedure is a woman.
That is simply the association most will automatically make, and the numbers generally support that notion. Most cosmetic surgeries are performed on women. However, it might not be as big of a gap as you think.
As of last year, 1 in every 8 cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. were performed on males. And why not? There is certainly no rule that says men can’t utilize cosmetic procedures to maintain a youthful appearance and continue to feel good about their self image as they age, just like women do. The goal is the same: to be able to look into the mirror and feel good about the reflection staring back at you, no matter your age. The procedures are just as effective and safe on males as they are on females.
In particular, Botox and dermal fillers are gaining popularity amongst men. Botox has even been dubbed with a nickname: Bro-tox. More and more men are putting Botox to use on their own faces, more than 300,000 in 2011, a 10 percent increase from 2010. The typical male patient may have noticed an increase in facial lines or wrinkles himself or is increasingly asked if he is tired or angry. Either way he is ready to address the problem but not ready for invasive surgery. Botox provides a minimally invasive, low risk solution.
Though more then 20% of men asked in a recent survey state they would consider using botox they often do not follow through. Frequently it is the special lady in a man’s life that gets him to the surgeon's office. Gift cards are an increasingly popular means for a woman to encourage him to try Botox though many men make that decision on their own. Regardless of the means there is no denying the number of men that have turned to Botox as a way to address crow’s feet and facial wrinkles is certainly on the rise.
Dermal fillers are used to restore volume and soften facial lines and wrinkles. The nasolabial folds, the crease that runs from the lower nose to the corner of the mouth, frequently deepens and becomes more prominent with age and is a popular area for dermal filler among male patients. Men often require more volume restoration then female patients and as a result, there might be differences in the makeup of the filler used for a man. What or how much filler is not anything a male patient has to worry about or figure out on his own though. Just as with any cosmetic procedure, for man or woman, a cosmetic surgeon and the patient will figure out together what the best course of action is.
It’s not just women that see the signs of aging in their faces and don’t like it. Men, while they might not be as open about it, see the wrinkles and folds getting more prominent in their own faces as they age, too. Perhaps it’s a little tougher for males to decide they want to do something as un-macho as getting Botox or dermal fillers, but more and more American men are making that choice. Macho or not, gentlemen, if you’re curious about how Botox or dermal fillers might improve your self image, schedule your free consultation with a GLOW cosmetic surgeon today. We’ll help you determine if you’re a good candidate, and if you are, what kind of results you can expect.
© GLOW Skin Revived and GLOW Skin Revived blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Skin Revived and the GLOW Skin Revived blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.