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new beauty magazine winter 2019

Why Texture Matters

In The News

Textured implants became a popular option for patients who wanted to avoid some of the aesthetic irregularities connected to smooth implants, like capsular contraction, or hardening of the breasts from tightening of the capsule. While the addition of texture reduced the risk of capsular contraction, it also created areas of inflammatory bacteria to grow. “We’ve discovered that implants with more texture, or macro-textures, allow for exponentially higher numbers of bacteria on the implant surface,” says co-chair of The Aesthetic Society’s FDA task force, Dallas plastic surgeon William P. Adams Jr. “It’s the bacteria living in all the little nooks and crannies, and not the implant, that causes the chronic inflammation.” Of those 573 cases of BIA-ALCL, a large majority of patients had BioCell implants, leading researchers to believe that the unique BioCell texture led to proportionally more cases compared to textured implants from other brands. 

Click here to read the full article. 

non-surgical holidays

Great Non-Surgical Procedures to Help You Look Your Best This Holiday Season

Non-Surgical

The holiday season is now upon us, and that means Instagram pics, selfies, and lots of photos. You’ll want to look your best as you mix and mingle with family, co-workers, and friends you haven’t seen in a while. Now is the perfect time to upgrade your appearance or get a few minor things fixed before the festivities begin.

Non-invasive surgical procedures can help give you the look that you desire with a relatively quick office visit. You’ll be able to go back to your daily routine without any downtime. They can help your appearance and allow you to look your best when celebrating the holidays. 

Here are six non-surgical procedures that you can have done to help you look your best this holiday season.

Botox

Look younger than you did last year with Botox. If crow’s feet, smile lines, and frown lines are starting to appear on your face (and in your social media pics), a round of Botox injections can help soften the wrinkles and restore your youthful looks.

The best part about Botox is that there is little to no evidence that you’ve had work done to your face. People you haven’t seen in a while will remark how young and radiant you look. The results can last anywhere from three to six months, so now is the perfect time to get it done!

Facial Fillers 

Facial fillers are often used in conjunction with Botox to achieve the perfect look. They contain Hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a naturally occurring substance that helps the skin retain moisture, and thereby looking younger and healthier. Fillers can accomplish many aesthetic goals, such as:

  • Smoothing wrinkles and lines
  • Enhancing facial symmetry
  • Restoring lost volume to the hands and facial areas
  • Plumping lips

There’s a wide variety of facial filler brands that you can get, and each one has its own unique set of benefits. Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Volbella® are just a few of the many fillers that can help you look younger and more radiant.

Coolsculpting

Slim down for the holidays—and fit into your favorite outfit—with Coolsculpting. This non-surgical treatment uses a wand that’s moved over areas of fat on your body. It delivers a precise amount of cooling to freeze and kill fat cells. Once the fat cells die, your body will absorb and eliminate them naturally.

The best part about Coolsculpting is that it doesn’t require you to go under the knife or have anesthesia. Patients are wide awake during the treatment session, and there’s absolutely no downtime. It’s a great procedure to get done on your lunch break or in between your holiday shopping trips.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a safe and effective alternative to other hair removal procedures. Unlike waxing, shaving, and plucking, laser hair removal permanently removes hair without the side effects of skin irritation and ingrown hairs.

It can help get rid of hair growth in areas such as the bikini line, underarms, upper lip, and arms/legs. Laser hair removal is also relatively painless when compared to waxing and other techniques. There’s no downtime, and patients can return to their regular daily routine immediately after the procedure.

Skin Tightening

Our skin tends to sag and loosen as we age and grow older. Non-surgical skin tightening can help stimulate elastin and collagen production, which will help tighten skin and provide a more youthful look and appearance.

There are several different kinds of non-surgical skin tightening procedures, each with their own benefits:

ThermiVa – Both aging and childbirth can take away the tightness of the vagina. The ThermiVa procedure uses radiofrequency energy as it stimulates and heats the surrounding tissue, which in turn stimulates the production of naturally occurring collagen.

ThermiSmooth – If you have saggy skin, cellulite, or wrinkles, ThermiSmooth can help reduce their appearance. It uses radiofrequency energy to heat the skin areas, which causes it to tighten and smooth. There is no recovery or downtime, and it’s performed in an outpatient setting.

Thermi-Tight – This procedure can help spot-treat the skin on any part of the body. It uses radiofrequency energy that’s delivered to the skin via a tiny probe. It’s most often used for tummies, necks, breasts, and the thigh areas.

Look Your Best for the Holidays

Now is the perfect time to get some minor work done. The above non-surgical procedures will have you looking your best for friends, family, and photos during this holiday season. Most of them can be performed in a single session without any downtime.

If you have an area of concern on your body that you’d like to discuss, give us a call at (214) 965-9885 or contact us via our website. Dr. Adams can help you get your face and body ready for the events you’ll be attending countless photos you’ll be taking this holiday season. 

too old for breast augmentation

Am I Too Old for Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast Augmentation

Breast implants and augmentation procedures have the power to transform the lives of women who get them. Improved self-esteem, quality of life, and sexual satisfaction are just a few of the many reasons that women opt to have the procedure performed.

As the life expectancy of the average person in the U.S. increases to upwards of 80 years, more and more women are looking—and feeling—younger than ever. “60” is now the new “40,” and this means many women still actively care about how they look once they reach middle age.

Many plastic surgeons have reported that they are seeing a massive uptick in women over the age of 40 who are wanting to get breast augmentation. One of the most common questions they hear is, “Am I too old for this procedure?”

We’re going to explore if there is a cut-off age for breast augmentation surgery and whether or not women over 40 face an increased risk of complications. 

Average Age of Breast Augmentation Patients

In 2018, there were 313,735 breast augmentation procedures performed in the U.S. Out of those, the average age of the patient was around 34 years of age. The earliest that women can get implants is 18 years of age—but only saline ones. 

As per FDA standards, women are only permitted to undergo augmentation with silicone implants when they reach 22 years of age. The reason for this rule is because women’s bodies continue to grow and mature well into their 20s. If they get implants at too young of an age, complications may arise as their bodies will continue to develop until they reach their physiological maturity.

Is There an Age Cut-off for Breast Implants?

While there is a cut-off age for younger women who want to get breast augmentation, what about older women? 

The FDA doesn’t have a cut-off age limit for breast implants. What they and plastic surgeons are more concerned about is the overall health of the prospective patient. As women get older, there are two distinct types of aging:

Chronological age—how old you are in actual years.

Physiological age—how much your body has worn out over the years.

People who tend to drink and smoke heavily and eat unhealthy foods tend to have a higher physiological age than those who don’t. It’s generally advised that if a woman over the age of 40 wants to get breast implants, she should first check with her primary care doctor. They will be better able to tell her if her body can undergo elective surgery. 

Potential Complications for Older Women

There are a few potential complications that older women could experience. If they are in poor health or their bodies have a high chronological age, they might see increased healing times, various aches and pains, and in some cases, complications from the anesthesia.

A study was performed in 2011 that found that women over the age of 50 can experience higher rates of complications—including infections—after breast reduction surgery. It linked the likely increase in risk due to age-related declines in hormone levels.

Generally speaking, women over the age of 40 can experience the same potential complications as someone in their 20’s. There is a slightly increased risk for certain women, and this is why it’s highly recommended they pay a visit to their general practitioner doctor and get their opinion.  

Benefits of Breast Augmentation for Older Women 

Women who are over the age of 40 can experience a wide range of benefits from undergoing a breast augmentation procedure. For starters, the average age of the start of menopause is around 51 years old. This means that post-menopausal women won’t have the risk of a pregnancy altering or destroying the work the surgeon did.

There are many women out there who are over the age of 50 and don’t look anywhere near it. There’s no valid reason why they shouldn’t undergo a breast augmentation procedure if their primary care doctor gives them the go-ahead. It can help make them look younger, increase their self-confidence, and add that little extra something to their sex life.

Women who have gotten implants previously can also benefit from breast augmentation in their later years. Over time, the capsule that surrounds the implant can harden (capsular contracture) and feel very unnatural. Augmentation can give them a softer, more natural look and feel to their breasts.

Breast Implant Surgery in Dallas

If you’re over the age of 40 and are wondering if breast augmentation surgery is right for you, give us a call at (214) 965-9885 or set up an appointment online. Dr. Adams is one of the leading breast augmentation specialists in the U.S. He’ll sit down with you and discuss the various options and answer any questions that you might have. 

breast implant replacement

Do Breast Implants Need to be Replaced?

Chest Questions

One of the most common questions regarding breast implants is when—or if—they will need to be replaced. It’s a valid concern that many prospective patients have, as the cost of replacement can be as much as the initial surgery.

You’ve probably already heard the rumor that implants only last ten years before they need replacement. This can cause many women to rethink getting the breast surgery that they want due to costs and the uncertainty of what will happen in the future.

We’re going to look whether or not that is true, the average lifespan of implants, and signs that they will need to be replaced.

What is the Average Breast Implant Lifespan?

The misnomer that breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years comes from older implant generations from the 70s and 80s. The in-walls of the implants form this period were all either leaking or ruptured by 10 years. 

There are three FDA approved manufacturers in the United States – Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.  In the Premarket Approval (PMA) trials for these manufacturers the implant failure rates were much lower today, given the long-term data.  So in reality, for most women that have an implant that is 15 years old, there is an 85% chance that it is still completely iintact and only a 15% or less chance that it is leaking or has a shell tear.  

Why Would Implants Require Replacement?

If a breast implant needs to be replaced, it’s often due to complications that can cause a change in the shape of the breast or medical issues. Here are a few reasons why many women are required to undergo a second surgery at some point in the future:

Rupture and Leakage

This is most often due to a leak in the valve area or hole inside the implant. As the body harmlessly absorbs the saline solution, the implant deflates and causes a noticeable change in the size, shape, and appearance of the breast.

Natural Changes in Shape

Sometimes, women will gain or lose weight over time. This can cause the implant to shift from its original position and that could change the look or shape of the breast.

Capsular Contracture

In the immediate weeks and months following breast implant surgery, the human body will form a protective scar around the implant. This is referred to as a “capsule” and is often soft and gives the implant that natural feel. 

For some women, the scar can thicken, harden, and start to contract the implant. This sometimes causes the implant to lift up on the chest wall, which can cause physical discomfort and an unnatural appearance. 

Implant Malpostion

Implants can sometimes move slightly in a different direction from where they were originally placed. The movement isn’t more than a few millimeters, but it’s noticeable enough to cause the breasts to look uneven.

Improved Implant Technology

Medical technology is increasing every year at an exponential rate. Women who had their implants done in the early 2000s are opting to get them redone with current-day implants that offer a more natural look and feel.

What Happens to Implants as Women Age?

Assuming there are no leaks or ruptures, the implants themselves can last a literal lifetime. As women with breast implants grow older, their breasts are subjected to the natural effects of aging, and this can cause changes in appearance or shape. 

Gravity, lost tissue connectivity, sun damage, and even the effects of motherhood can all cause breasts to look or feel different as time goes by. Older women will sometimes notice saggy breasts, visible ripping of the implants, or changes in size due to hormonal fluctuations.  

Conclusion

It’s hard to say how long breast implants will last before they need replacement or removal. As each woman’s body is different, the best thing to do is follow the advice of your surgeon, get regularly scheduled mammograms (and MRI’s), and make an appointment with your surgeon if you experience any signs of swelling, pain, or discomfort. 

While there are some risks associated with breast implants, the vast majority of women get them done without any complications. They feel that the rewards are well worth the potential risks as new breasts can help improve self-esteem and their overall quality of life.

not to do breast augmentation surgery

5 Things NOT to Do After Having Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast Augmentation, Plastic Surgery

How well you take care of yourself after your breast augmentation surgery can significantly influence how quickly you heal—and whether or not you might experience post-surgery complications.

The surgeon’s expert hands have done his part of the job. After you’ve been cleared to leave the plastic surgery office, the rest is now up to you. There are a few things that you should refrain from doing in the first few days to weeks after your breast augmentation surgery.

Following the below advice will help ensure that you will heal quickly, don’t injure yourself, or inadvertently cause any complications to arise. Here are our top five tips on what NOT to do after your breast implant surgery:

1. Don’t Take Advice from Dr. Google

A quick Google search will provide a ton of information on how to start the healing process from your breast surgery. The problem with taking advice from Google is that most of it is coming from people who haven’t gone through the same extensive medical training that your plastic surgeon did.

This is why you should listen to the advice of your surgeon. If you have a question that he didn’t answer, don’t hop onto the internet to find medical advice from people who don’t have a medical degree. You could potentially wind up doing more harm than good. 

Instead, call the plastic surgeon’s office, and the receptionist will be more than glad to put you in touch with the surgeon—who answer any questions you might have.

2. Don’t Exercise Right Away

Do not start exercising until your surgeon gives you the clearance to do so. In the immediate days and weeks following your surgery, your body is in full repair mode. It’s trying to heal up from the surgery and needs every bit of energy it can get.

Even if you start to feel better and are itching to hit the gym again, don’t exercise unless your surgeon gives you the O.K. Your new breasts might not be physically ready for the impact of exercising and you could inadvertently cause complications to arise.

3. Don’t Smoke or Drink

Booze is a big no-no in the weeks leading up to and following your surgery. Alcohol of any strength (yes, even a half glass of wine) could negatively interact with the pain medications, antibiotics, and effects of the anesthesia. 

Smoking is frowned upon as well—even vaping. Not only does smoking cause an increased risk in breast cancer, but the nicotine and other various ingredients manufacturers put in cigarettes can significantly cause a delay in healing times.

Nicotine (found in both cigarettes and vaping pens) constricts the small blood vessels, which makes it much harder for the body to transport oxygen to heal up your damaged breast tissues. It can negatively affect your immune system as well and even cause your surgical wounds to have complications which could require additional treatment. 

4. Don’t Eat Junk Food

The food that you eat in the first few weeks following your breast implant surgery can significantly increase—or decrease—your overall healing time. Frozen, fast, and junk food have minimal nutrients in them. This means your body isn’t getting what it needs to help heal up.

Try to eat a healthy diet as it will provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other assorted nutrients that your body needs to heal up from the surgery. A healthy diet can also help you physically and mentally feel better much sooner than you normally would.

5. Don’t Do Drugs

While cannabis has been shown to have some pain-relieving effects, it’s generally advised that you don’t toke up in the few weeks after your procedure. Smoking pot can negatively interact with your prescribed antibiotics, pain meds, and anti-nausea pills you’re taking.

The act of smoking Marijuana can sometimes lead you to physically cough. This could potentially cause internal or external damage to the surgical area that’s trying to heal up. You’ll also find that your prescribed pain medications will alleviate a lot more of the pain than smoking weed. 

Follow Your Doctor’s Post-operative Routine

Finally Follow Your doctor’s prescribed postoperative regimen. There are many different routines used by different surgeons. The biggest issues that we see are when friends tell another friend that they need to do something that was from a different physician. Your surgeon knows best what you should be doing in you should follow that routine word for word. That’s what will give you your best result in your best recovery.