Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Plastic Surgery Science
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The implant size is probably the most important issue if you are considering breast augmentation surgery. Take note that plastic surgeons don’t use the term “cup” when describing the volume of breast implants because this is not an accurate measurement; in fact, each bra manufacturer may have its own interpretation.
Doctors use cubic centimeters or cc when describing the breast implant size, which comes as small as 120cc to as large as 850cc. For patient’s safety, US implant manufacturers do not produce devices filled with more than 850cc of silicone gel even if there is no law that limits them.
During consultation, your plastic surgeon may allow you to try on different sizes of implants which are placed underneath a sports or regular-type bra. However, this will not provide you accurate result simply because the devices cannot fit snugly against your chest.
Some plastic surgeons may recommend the rice test, which you can perform at home. This involves the use of a knee-high hose (or cut-off pantyhose) filled with uncooked rice, although you can use substitutes such as potato flakes, oatmeal, grits, etc.
Remember, to make the result as realistic and accurate as possible do not use Ziplock baggies because these have “pointed corners” and would not fit snugly to your unpadded bra.
Meanwhile, the conversions stated below will help you perform the rice test (these are just approximations):
1 cup = 236cc
¾ cup = 177cc
2/3 cup = 156cc
½ cup = 118cc
1/3 cup = 78cc
¼ cup = 59cc
1/8 cup = 30
You can add or reduce the amount of uncooked rice until you come up with the result that matches your goals and expectations with the surgery. However, always bear in mind that when choosing your implant size, “bigger is not always better” particularly when you have little tissue and fats.
With inappropriately large implants, you are at higher risk of wrinkling and rippling, longer recovery, bottoming out or sagging, and unnatural result. In fact, small-breasted patients (with A cup) are warned by doctors that using implants which can give them a D cup will more often than not result to a fake look.
Other problems associated with extremely large implants are chronic back and shoulder pain, stretch marks, bad posture, just to name a few.
Meanwhile, some doctors offer computer imaging that records your body and allows you to see your appearance in different breast implant sizes.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 16, 2012
Celebrity Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Rhinoplasty
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Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson has been spotted in Beverly Hills, California on Monday with some bandages under his nose. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old heartthrob has previously Tweeted that he was recovering from rhinoplasty or more commonly referred to as nose job.
Hutcherson, who played Peeta Mellark in the movie hit The Hunger Games, was photographed in a sweatshirt, baseball cap, shorts, and a pair of filp-flops as he headed to his doctor’s office for a follow-up appointment.
Unlike some actors who hid their nose job and other cosmetic surgeries, Hutcherson, who dated his Journey 2: The Mysterious Island co-star Vanessa Hudgens has no problem telling this to his fans. In fact, on May 9 he Tweeted this message to his followers:
“just had surgery to fix my broken nose. recovery sucks…”
Meanwhile, the actor’s representative has released a statement saying that he has been diagnosed with a deviated septum, a condition that often leads to a crooked appearance, frequent nosebleed, difficulty breathing, just to name a few.
However, the rep did not reveal how the actor broke his nose and said that “no further details will be released.”
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 16, 2012
Plastic Surgery Blogs, Plastic Surgery Risks, Tummy Tuck
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A recently published study has suggested that combining tummy tuck, a cosmetic surgery that removes the sagging skin and fats in the abdomen; and hysterectomy or the removal of uterus is relatively safe.
While the study is quite small—only involving 65 women who had both procedures at the same time—the researchers believe it is enough to demonstrate its reasonable safety despite that their findings have shown the rate of minor complications was about 32 percent.
However, no major complications were seen in 65 women who had tummy tuck and hysterectomy at the same time.
But not everyone agrees. Some doctors said that “minor complications” are sometimes interpreted in many ways.
Hysterectomy is currently the second most commonly performed surgery performed on women, behind Caesarian, according to data released by the US Office on Women’s Health.
The procedure is conducted to treat cancer, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, benign tumors in the uterus, and endometriosis (uterine cells grow in other areas of the body). While it is possible to remove the uterus through the vagina, most doctors prefer using an incision made across the abdomen.
(The picture shows the incision sites used in hysterectomy. But if combined with tummy tuck, the horizontal cut is a great option to prevent additional scar.)
Because hysterectomy and tummy tuck have the same incision site, some doctors have come up with the idea of combining these two procedures, which they believe offer potential benefits including decreased time spent in hospital, reduced risks associated with general anesthesia, less surgical expenses, and reduced overall healing time.
But due to increased surgical trauma and longer operating time (which may increase the risk of complications), many doctors still prefer to conduct tummy tuck and hysterectomy months apart.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 15, 2012
Plastic Surgery Blogs, Rhinoplasty
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Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery used to improve the appearance of the nose by increasing or decreasing its projection, correcting the drooping tip, reducing the nostril flare, removing the humps, and straightening the crooked profile.
During the previous years, many African-Americans were hesitant to undergo rhinoplasty simply because they saw the likes of Michael and La Toya Jackson whose nose looked unnatural, or to put it bluntly, “fake.”
First and foremost, the fake appearance was caused by too much projection in the nasal tip and over-narrowing of the nostrils, resulting to a Greek-like nose that looked out of sync with the African face.
Fortunately, many plastic surgeons nowadays have deeper understanding and respect with “unique racial features,” paving way for a new technique called ethnic rhinoplasty.
African-American patients should always remember that not all plastic surgeons who conduct nose surgery are well-trained and have enough experience in ethnic rhinoplasty, which can provide them a very natural look.
However, it is not necessary that patients only choose an African-American doctor since what is important is his board certifications, training, and skills that would allow him to efficiently conduct ethnic rhinoplasty.
As with any cosmetic procedure, nose surgery involves lengthy consultation to allow plastic surgeons assess a patient’s candidacy particularly in terms of goals and expectations (whether these are realistic or far-fetched).
During consultation, patients should be honest with their doctors. It is also important that they try to be extremely accurate when describing their goals and expectations to make sure that everything is “achievable.”
With ethnic rhinoplasty, plastic surgeons are extremely careful when manipulating the tip and nostril since overcorrection can lead to unnatural appearance. In fact, most would allow a slight nostril flare when dealing with African nose so the result looks in harmony with a patient’s overall appearance.
Nostril reduction is one of the most common rhinoplasty techniques sought by African-Americans these days. However, this should be done carefully to be able to maintain the natural curves of the nose and avoid the sharp, pointy angles in the nostrils.
To reduce the size of the nostril—but not to the extent that it results to a pointy appearance—plastic surgeons create small, hidden incisions inside the nostrils. While doing this, they make sure that the natural curvature of the sides is maintained.
Tip refinement is another common rhinoplasty technique, and just like in nostril reduction, a conservative approach provides the best and most natural result.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 15, 2012
Breast Implants, Breast Lift, Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery Blogs, Skin Care
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Mastopexy or breast lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that raises the drooping bust. And in some cases, this is used to complement breast implant surgery particularly if there is a desire to create fullness in the upper poles, resulting to a more prominent cleavage and youthful appearance.
Most patients who seek mastopexy are women who are done with pregnancy, which has been found to be the main factor for drooping. Plastic surgeons also attributed aging and weight fluctuations to this problem.
While mastopexy can significantly improve the breast’s appearance, the inevitable tradeoff is permanent scar, but at least doctors will make every effort to hide it. This is typically done by placing the incisions along the natural folds of the skin and within the edge of the areola complex.
Another way to lessen the scarring is to limit the incisions, which is done by complementing mastopexy with breast implants. However, this technique is not for everyone, particularly to those who do not want to increase their bust size.
For patients with deflated upper poles and severe sagging (their nipples fall within or beyond their breast crease), breast implants are ideal because the devices can provide a lifting effect on their own. Instead of needing full mastopexy—in which the incisions are placed around the areola, vertically across the nipple and breast fold, and within breast fold—they can choose less invasive techniques that require shorter excision.
Examples of less invasive mastopexy techniques are the donut lift in which plastic surgeons only use one incision around the edge of areola complex, and lollipop lift in which they use incisions around the areola and a vertical one across the nipple and breast crease.
During the first few months, the scars appear pinkish until they slowly fade over time, although they do not completely disappear.
Meanwhile, some women may develop keloid or raised scar after mastopexy surgery. This is more of a problem among ethnic patients with a dark complexion; in fact several studies have suggested that African and Hispanic skin is about 16 times more likely to develop this condition than Caucasian skin.
Fortunately, there are many ways to diminish or at least reduce the appearance of keloid and other types of scars. One of the most popular treatments is silicone gel or sheet which can repair the dysfunctional top layer of the skin.
Other popular scar treatments include fat graft, steroid injections, and medical-grade creams and gels.
Cosmetic Surgery Blogger @ May 14, 2012
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