Breast Implants vs. Breast Lift: What Are Your Options

If you are looking to enhance the appearance of your bust line, there are a number of options available. The technique you choose will depend on the specific issues you are hoping to resolve and the overall outcome you want to achieve. Two of the most popular procedures for breast enhancement are breast augmentation and a breast lift. We will take a look at each of these procedures to help you determine if one, or possibly both, are suited to you and your cosmetic goals.

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, raises and firms the breasts for a whole new contour. While some procedures may provide additional cleavage due to the new positioning of the breasts, this technique does not actually make the breasts bigger by itself. Some of the benefits of a breast lift include:

A fix for drooping breasts

A repositioning of the nipple for a more natural look

A younger, perkier contour with firmer breasts

While a breast lift is helpful for sagging breasts, there are some drawbacks to the procedure, including more scarring than with breast augmentation. Some women are also disappointed to find that their breast size does not increase with this procedure, so the results may not be as dramatic as they were hoping for.

What is Breast Augmentation?

The purpose of breast augmentation is to actually increase your cup size by placing implants into your breasts to get a larger size. Implants come in either saline or silicone, with saline often the less expensive option. However, saline implants can leak, leading many women to pay a little more for the peace of mind of silicone implants. The benefits of breast augmentation include:

A variety of implants allow women to get the look they desire

Scarring is usually in an inconspicuous area

The breasts measure larger after the procedure

If a woman who is seeking a breast augmentation also has a problem with drooping breasts, the augmentation procedure alone will not reposition the nipples for a more natural look. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to perform both augmentation and a lift. This can be done in a single procedure, or the lift can be done some time after the augmentation is complete.

Which is Right for You?

The choice to have breast augmentation and/or a breast lift is a personal one. As a general rule, women who have sagging breasts will probably want to consider a breast lift. However, women must understand that they will be exchanging the drooping effect for a significant amount of scarring. When the sagging is pronounced, this decision may be an easy one to make. However, for those who have mild to moderate sagging, the decision may not be quite so easy.

For women who do not experience any sagging, but want to increase the size of the breasts, a breast augmentation is probably a better decision. Implants will increase breast size and provide additional cleavage. The choice between saline and silicone implants is not always an easy one, nor is it simple to know the best placement for the implants. A patient and doctor must work together to determine the best choice for a patient's individual body shape and needs.

In some cases, both procedures may be performed at once for a more dramatic result. The increased breast size is easily supported by the lift procedure, and the nipple repositioning provides a more natural look. If you think you will need both procedures for best results, talk to your doctor about whether you should have both done at the same time. If you are unsure of the breast lift procedure, your doctor may recommend getting breast augmentation first, and then deciding whether a breast lift is still required to achieve the desired result.

Women who are unhappy with the look of their breasts have a number of options available. Whether you are considering a breast augmentation, breast lift or a combination of the two, it is important to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess all your options thoroughly.

 Contact SLEEK Surgical and MedSpa today to schedule a free consultation!

Laser Liposuction: Is It For You?

You're feeling grumpy and lumpy, fretting about those stubborn pockets of fat that don't budge despite your dutiful workouts and healthy diet. Then the commercial on the car radio catches your ear. Why not laser away that fat, just blast it out of your life, quickly and painlessly?

Laser liposuction — or more accurately, laser-assisted liposuction — was first introduced in 2007 with SmartLipo. Since then, SmartLipo has been joined by other players, including Slim lipo, Cool lipo and ProLipo Plus.

Laser liposuction is one of many advances in liposuction surgery, which is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States and many other countries. Other advances include water-assisted liposuction (Body-Jet) and ultrasound-assisted liposuction procedures such as Vaser-assisted liposuction.

Laser-assisted liposuction uses laser energy. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or sedation anesthesia, depending on the amount of fat that will be removed.

The concept is simple: lasers heat the fat, turning it semi-soft and making it easier to remove via liposuction.

Just as in traditional liposuction, fluid is first injected under the skin in the area where fat is to be removed. This fluid contains a mixture of saline, local anesthetic and epinephrine (which constricts blood vessels and minimizes blood loss).

Next, the laser energy is applied, and fat is suctioned from the body via cannulas (thin tubes) inserted through small incisions in the skin.

In addition to softening the fat for easier removal, the laser energy heats skin cells, stimulating the production of collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein found in skin, but its production slows with advancing age. Thus, by promoting the production of collagen, the laser energy is believed to not only aid in the removal of fat but also improve the skin's appearance.

How Many Years Will A Face Lift Shave Off?

If you're considering a facelift or other cosmetic surgery for a more youthful look, a new study may help you determine by just how many years the surgeon may reverse the clock. Turns out, it's less than you may think. The study, which was published online Monday in the journal Archive of Facial Plastic Surgery, was designed to help patients better understand what to expect before going under the knife. On average, patients trimmed back 7.2 years from their face, depending on how much work they had done.
According to the study, a facelift or necklift can wipe away 5.7 years, while those who get their eyelids done wipe away two years. Include a forehead lift in the mix and you can shave off a total of 8.4 years.

The goal of the study was to find an "objective measure" for patients by asking 40 medical students to guess the ages of cosmetic surgery patients, mostly women ages 45 to 72, in before-and-after photos.

There were 13.8 million cosmetic procedures done in 2011.  That number is expected to grow in 2012.

Plastic Surgery Cuts Depression In Some Patients

A recent study presented recently at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Plastic Surgery conference held in San Francisco showed that plastic surgery can be very beneficial for some recipients, not only by enhancing their self-esteem, but also by cutting their need for antidepressant medication. Even if previous studies have considered plastic surgery 'the newest type of addiction' and linked it to increased rates of depression in receivers, it seems that for many patients plastic surgery really works by making them feel better about themselves.

"Plastic surgery patients are taking a proactive approach in making themselves happier by improving something that has truly bothered them. While we are not saying that cosmetic plastic surgery alone is responsible for the drop in patients needing antidepressants, it surely is an important factor",  said the lead doctor in this study.

The research was conducted on 362 patients who had previously received plastic surgery, out of whom 17% were on antidepressant treatment. The 6 month follow up study found that 31% of the patients who received plastic surgery and were on antidepressants had no need of the medication to treat depression after enhancing their look. Moreover, 98% of the participants in the study reported that plastic surgery has made their lives better by boosting their self-esteem and making them more confident in themselves.

Plastic surgical interventions included most popular ones, such as tummy tuck, facelift or breast augmentation. After having their physical 'flaws' corrected, a great part of the middle-aged women in the study were found to completely benefit from the changes. "We have just begun to uncover the various physical and psychological benefits of plastic surgery. By helping our patients take control over something they were unhappy about.

For more information, visit us at www.sleekmedspa.com

Plastic Surgery-Myths & Reality

In general most people harbor some myths related to plastic surgery procedures, it is important to shed them have a clear idea about them before considering a procedure:

Myth: The majority of people who decide to undergo cosmetic medical procedures are rich people and celebrities.

Reality: Eighty-six percent of plastic surgery patients are working women. According to a 2004 study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 60 percent of respondents reported a household income between $30,000 and $90,000, and 40 percent of that group reported incomes ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.

Myth: All plastic surgeons are created equal

Reality: No, we have already talked about the license and the certification of the plastic surgeon. But apart from that there are differences. Although they may have the same core training, personal choices do matter. Cosmetic surgery is also an art and much is in the hand of plastic surgeon.

Myth: Plastic surgery leaves no scars

Reality: All plastic surgeries heal with scars. Though, the plastic surgeons are trained to make tissue incisions in strategic directions and positions to minimize their visibility. The cosmetic surgeries performed with endoscopes have minimum scars. Endoscopic cosmetic surgeries include endoscopic breast augmentation. Endoscopic tummy tucks and Endoscopic forehead lifts.

Myth: The results of a cosmetic surgery do not last

Reality: Each procedure is performed to have a lasting permanent effect (excluding the naturally temporary procedures such as BOTOX injections and dermal fillers. The result is subject to aging and weight and effects of gravity. Keep in mind that each cosmetic procedure is designed to keep you looking your best, but you are required to do your part with diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Myth: Liposuction is a better choice than the tummy tuck

Reality: Liposuction is procedure to reduce the thickness of your abdominal fat, though it slightly tightens your skin, it is not able to remove any stretch marks. If your problem is extra fat it is a good choice, but if you are among women who besides the excess fat, also have the problem of loose skin, stretch marks, and a loose inner girdle (also called fascia or gristle), it is of limited use. The best choice in such cases is a tummy tuck.

Please discuss any concerns you have with your plastic surgeon at your consultation.  This is your opportunity to get the answers you need.

At SLEEK Surgical & MedSpa we want our patients to feel confident about their surgery, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

1-800-SLEEK-USA

Cindy Jackson: Breaks Plastic Surgery Record

Cindy Jackson is beautiful, but she wasn't born with her show-stopping looks.

Jackson, a Londoner who hails from the American Midwest, has had $100,000 in cosmetic procedures, including 14 full-scale operations as well as cuts, pulls, peels and jabs.

She's had Botox, five face-lifts and liposuction, and her eyes have been done – twice.

In total, Jackson has had 52 cosmetic procedures, a world record for the most procedures ever undergone by one person.

Check out Cindy on the Wendy William's Show Talking About How Plastic Surgery Has Changed Her Life

                                             

Cindy's Procedure List

Eye lift
Nose job
Facelift
Cheek implants
Lip enhancement
Cosmetic Dentistry
Chin reduction
Jaw reshaped
Breast implants
Liposuction
Dermabrasion
Chemical peels
Fat transfers
Mole removal
Filler injections
Laser treatment
Microdermabrasion
And more...


"I didn't set out to break, to set a world record, it was never my ambition, it's just that I had so much done," she said.

Asked why she had, she gave a simple reply: "For me, it was just to look better."

"For me, the best result is one that looks natural," Jackson added. "I wouldn't ever want anyone to stop and stare at me and say 'that woman's had a lot of surgery.' I would never want to look like I'd had anything done."

Jackson: 'It Was Like Being in the Wrong Body'

Jackson, 55, grew up in small town Ohio, with a short-tempered father and low self-esteem.

She recalled a comment someone made to her when she was young: "One guy said when I was 14, 'You know Cindy, when you smile, from the side your nose and chin almost meet.'"

"It was like being in the wrong body and wrong face and I felt that very much and wanted to change it," she said.

When her father died, he left her some money, and she used it to start her transformation.

She says she's been careful to take it slow, but also said she just wants to look beautiful and young.

"I feel like a young spirit and I don't want to look in the mirror and see and old face. I feel this is me," she said. "This is the way I should look."

We think Cindy looks twenty years younger today than she did years ago!

Setting Expectations With Your Plastic Surgeon At Your Consultation

At your consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will discuss many things. there will be a lot of information exchanged.  We recommend that you take a notebook along with you so you can jot down what you discuss. That way, you'll be less likely to forget anything important.

Be sure that you discuss your expectations and goals with your plastic surgeon and that he or she understands what your goals are and what results you desire.

Take notes and ask questions about anything you're unsure of. Make sure you understand what to expect during your recovery from surgery. In particular, you will want to have a list of things that are normal to experience after your surgery and a list of those things that aren't normal, which indicate that you should call your doctor.

If you smoke, you will be told to give up smoking for several weeks prior to your surgery. Smoking interferes with the healing process. It is doubly important for patients undergoing face lifts, chin implants, and rhinoplasty.

At your consultation, you will probably receive a list of instructions for you to follow before your surgery. In addition to the smoking cessation mentioned above, some of the other instructions routinely given to cheek augmentation patients are:

Arrange for transportation home after the surgery. You may be given a prophylactic (preventative) course of antibiotics to help ward off any infection after the surgery. Depending upon the type of prescription, you may be told to start taking the medicine prior to your surgery date.

Most people are told to avoid aspirin or other anti-coagulant (blood-thinning) drugs for a period prior to surgery.  If you are taking any medication, including prescription drugs, over the counter medications, or even vitamins or herbal supplements, please tell your doctor. Some medications can cause problems with anesthesia, so it's best to play it safe and inform your plastic surgeon of anything you are taking.

You should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages before surgery and during your recovery.
Wear a shirt or blouse that opens in the front, so you don't have to pull it up and over your head after surgery. You don't want to bump the incisions, your chin, or the sore areas.

If you live by yourself, try to have someone stay with you the first night after your surgery.
This list may not be as comprehensive as the instructions you receive from your plastic surgeon's office.

Remember, what they tell you should take precedence over what you read here or elsewhere on the Internet.

Schedule your FREE consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons today by calling 1-800-SLEEK-USA.