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working out with breast implants

Working Out with Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation

If you’re fit, physically active, and have recently undergone implant surgery, it can be really frustrating to have to wait a few months before you start working out again. As great as the temptation to go back to your regular workout routine is, it’s generally recommended that you allow ample time for your body to heal.

Taking time off from working out will allow your body to heal faster from the breast implant surgery. Now is not the time for “no pain, no gain” as your body needs all its energy to heal up. Waiting until your body is fully healed will help speed the recovery time as well as avoid any potential medical complications.

Most doctors generally recommend at least 2-3 months to fully recover and go back to your normal workout routine. At the bare minimum, they recommend you wait at least 2 weeks until you start light cardio work on a stationary bike. It can take up to 2 months before you can aggressively start lifting weights or doing CrossFit again.

Immediately after the surgery

After the surgery has been successfully completed, the doctors will move you to a recovery area. You’re going to be kept here for anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on how long it takes you to come out of general anesthesia. Sometimes the nurses might give you something to drink like a glass of juice or something small to each like a cracker.

Depending on your tolerance to pain medications, you might feel groggy for a few hours after you leave the surgery center. You might also be in some pain afterwards. Doctors have said that women who have given birth to children prior are generally more tolerant to pain than women who have not.

The first 1-3 days after your surgery can be written off as ‘staying bed and healing’ days. A few hours after you come out of the general anesthesia, you’re probably going to start feeling the first twinges of pain in your chest area. At this point in time you’re most likely going to reach for the bottle of prescription pain killers the doctor gave you. You can kiss the next 6-7 hours goodbye as the powerful pain meds put you to sleep.

What to expect from the recovery

The basic recovery process can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Full and complete recovery can take anywhere from 1-3 months. It all depends on how quickly your body heals. The healing process can be prolonged if you prematurely start to exercise prior to being given the “ok” by your doctor.

For the first few weeks, you may also feel like there is a massive weight on your chest and extreme soreness in your pectoral muscles. Daily activities such as walking, standing up, getting up from a chair, washing your hair, reaching to grab something can all lead to extreme pain as you are using your pectoral muscles in some way or form.

You might also have tubes or drains coming out of your breasts. Medical bras, straps and intense pain sum up what most women go through in the first week or two after the procedure.

Bottom line: it takes weeks to heal up from implant surgery.

24 Hour Rapid Recovery by Dr. Adams

Or so it did until Dr. Adams came out with his “24 Hour Rapid Recovery” implant procedure. In this procedure, 95% of patients are up and proverbially running in as little as 24 hours. Dr. Adams has refined several innovative techniques that minimize tissue damage and as such there is very little post-operative pain. One of Dr. Adams recent patients created a home movie about her experience and she was literally back in the gym working out just two weeks after the surgery.

Dr. Adams has over 15 years of experience and is a National Expert in breast augmentation. He is published in various medical journals and has created educational curriculum for aspiring breast implant surgeons to learn how to do implant surgery better.

When it comes to breast implants, you get what you pay for. If you visit a cut-rate implant doctor, you’re going to get cut-rate work which could lead to dissatisfaction on your part and potentially another implant operation to fix what you don’t like. A good portion of the patients that Dr. Adams sees were not satisfied with the work done by their previous surgeon.

One of the biggest contributing factors to patient satisfaction is undergoing a proper consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Adams listens to the wants and needs of the patient and then advises them on the best route forward that would lead to their satisfaction. Matching the implant to the tissue quality and dimensions of each patient contributes significantly to their overall satisfaction with the end results.

Patient satisfaction

There have been many peer-reviewed medical studies which show the reoperation rate for women who have breast implants hovers right around 15-23%. That is extremely high and due in part to the plethora of ‘coupon code’ surgeons out there who are only in it for the money. Their mission is to get women on the operating table and a check in their bank accounts. They sometimes fail to warn their patients about getting the wrong implant size. This leads to a high rate of dissatisfaction amongst a good portion of their patients. Dr. Adams published re-operation rate is only 3%, which is a mere fraction of the overall average.

Patients who have undergone Dr. Adams 24 hour Rapid Recovery process are amazed at how great they feel just hours after the surgery. No prescription pain killers (except for over-the-counter Motrin) are required and that means you won’t be stuck in bed or on the couch in complete pain, feeling like a piece of Jell-O from the pain meds.

Do you still have questions about implant surgery and how it could affect your daily work-out routine? Give us a call or contact us to learn more about working out and Dr. Adams 24 Hour Rapid Recovery process.

butt implant risks

​Butt Implants Gone Wrong: Why You Should Avoid Buttock Implants Unless Absolutely Necessary

Plastic Surgery

Kim Kardashian, Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj.

What do these 3 women have in common?

They are all known for having large butts. Many women want to emulate the posteriors of their idols and sometimes that’s easier said than done. You’re either born with a big butt or you’re not. There are some women who won’t take “no” for an answer and instead opt for elective surgery to increase the size of their butts.

We’re going to take a look at the history of butt implants, along with several reasons why you should avoid this surgery unless medically necessary.

History of butt implants

Dr. RJ Bartels was credited with creating the first butt implant in 1969. He and his team were under the impression that they could do it successfully if they used a standard breast implant. The results from that very first butt implant surgery were less than optimal. It did not have a natural look to it and this was because the implant was primarily designed for breasts, not butts. Not to mention he put the implant between the skin and the gluteus maximus muscle. This led to it moving around and creating an extremely unnatural appearance.

That literally allowed the patient to manually re-arrange her the shape of her butt with her hands.

Flash forward to a few years later (1984) and Argentinian surgeon Jose Robles decided to try putting an implant between the 2 layers of muscle in the butt. He called this procedure a “submuscular gluteoplasty”. It was the best working butt implant so far…but it was very technically challenging and no surgeon really wanted to attempt it.

After a few decades of trial and failure, doctors realized that the human butt was never going to accept an artificial implant. Unlike the human breasts, the butt is naturally designed to take on a lot of weight and stress. No implant would ever stand the stresses created on a daily basis by the butt.

The Brazilian Butt Lift

In the same year as Sir Mix-A-Lots #1 single “Baby Got Back” came out, the “Autologous fat transfer” procedure started appearing in medical journals. By this point in time, doctors had come to conclusion that implants were too tricky and something more natural had to be done. The procedure originated in Brazil, hence the name “Brazilian Butt Lift”.

The surgery was relatively straight forward: the doctor would take a tube and stick it in an area in your body where there was too much fat (eg: your legs, hips, or thighs) and suck the fat out. The fat would then be medically treated and injected into a plastic-like bag in your butt.

The beauty of this procedure is that it only takes 90 minutes to complete, and was relatively free from complications (vs. the post-operative infections and scarring you’d get from implant surgery).

Why Butt Implants are Not a Good Idea

Doesn’t the Brazilian Butt Lift sound kind of cool? Let’s all go out and get a buttock implant!

Not so fast.

Several medical doctors are advising against butt implants unless they are medically necessary. The claim that not enough time has passed to study the long-term effects of those people whom have had butt implants. Recently a video came out on the internet where a lady was literally able to manually maneuver the implant in her right butt cheek. It was kind of creepy and a cautionary tale about going under the knife to increase the size of your gluteus maximus.

Here are 4 reasons why you should avoid getting a butt implant:

Higher Risk of Complication

The butt implant surgery comes with high risks. The surgery calls for the surgeon to insert the implant above or below the gluteus maximus. This can lead to movement of the implant (after you’re healed up), capsular contracture or even fluid collection. Not to mention that if you start gaining weight, it could cause the implant to move or distort the entire shape of your butt. There are also no real long-term conclusions as to the safety and reliability of this procedure.

Results Are Not Permanent

Did you know that butt implants cannot remain in the human body for much more than 10-12 years? Just like breast implants, it is strongly recommended that patients replace the butt implants every decade. This requires another painful surgery along with a painful and long recovery process just to keep the shape of your butt the way you like it.

More Downtime After Procedure

Due to the complicated nature of the butt implant procedure, recovery time can be anywhere from 4-6 weeks. It has also been described as a very painful process to undergo.

Butt implants gone wrong

The implant itself is not dynamic. This means that it has one shape and one shape only. While your butt will get bigger with an implant, it will not look natural. The shape and the size will appear “off”. The implant itself could come loose (as shown in the video above) and you’ll have to undergo the knife yet again and deal with a painful 4-6 week healing process.

Butt implant surgery should not be undergone by anyone unless their doctor specifically recommends it. The risk vs. reward factor is too great. You will be in pain for a month or more after the surgery and there is a greater risk for complications than with breast implant surgery.

neck lift surgery non-surgical

Neck Lift: Surgical vs. Non-Surgical​

Plastic Surgery

Doctors have been reporting that many people are coming into their offices with concerns about the way their neck looks. This is most likely due to the prevalence of the cell phone camera and people taking pics with their phones. As more and more pictures are being taken, more and more people are starting to get self-conscious and as such are looking for ways to fix such things as ‘turkey neck’. A neck lift is one such option.

Turkey neck usually results from old age. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and gravity takes over. The neck skin area starts to sag and it resembles the ‘gobbler’ of a turkey neck. This loose neck skin is not attractive and as such people look for ways to fix it.

Doctors usually recommend one of two ways to go about getting a neck lift: surgical and non-surgical. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. We’re going to look at these two methods of neck skin tightening and see which one would work best for you.

Surgical Neck Lifts

According to Doctor Michael Lee, non-invasive treatment options cannot compare or come close to the longevity or duration of a surgical neck lift. If surgery is the only viable option, a lower rhytidectomy (aka “neck lift”) will help reduce the jowls and tighten the neck skin.

A lower rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The surgery can take anywhere from 2-3 hours and usually takes place in the office of the plastic surgeon. Incisions are made around the ears and lower scalp. The surgeon then takes the fat and sculpts it and/or redistributes it from the jowl area. The tissue under the skin of the neck is repositioned as well. Each surgery may be a little different based on the needs and wants of the patient.

The overall recovery time from this surgical procedure is around 2 weeks. Patients usually report feeling better after a few days. As with any surgical procedure, swelling and bruising will most likely occur. The average person will most likely be able to return to work 5-7 days after the procedure.

The results from a lower rhytidectomy are permanent. You will notice a difference and in 10-15 years from now you will still look a lot better had you not undergone the surgical procedure. However, keep in mind that all the surgery in the world is not going to prevent your body from aging any further.

Non-Surgical Neck Lift

According to Sean Doherty, MD, Non-invasive treatments can’t even begin to approach the quality of results that you would get from surgery. However, if the patient is not a suitable candidate for surgery (due to age or other health restrictions), or if they can’t afford the cost of a surgical procedure, then non-surgical procedures might be a better option.

If the underlying neck problem is just fat (and not age-related), then there are some really good non-surgical options, such as Kybella (deoxycholic acid). It was recently approved by the FDA and is used to treat the fat in the neck area.

Kybella is injected into areas with fat problems. For most people it can be 15-20 injections, but for others it could be as high as 50 injections at a single time. It usually takes several treatment sessions before you can see the full benefits. However, since Kybella actually dissolves fat, the results are permanent. Dr. Doherty says that men generally tend to do better with Kybella and other non-surgical treatments.

“CoolSculpting” by Zeltiq along with in-clinic liposuction is another good non-invasive option according to Dr. Michael Lee. Cool Sculpting is when doctors take a wand and “freeze” the fat cells in your neck. This kills them instantly and over time your body will consume the fat naturally, leaving less fat in the general area.

CoolSculpting and Kybella are just two of many different, non-invasive techniques that are available to help treat neck fat and tighten the skin. Lasers, radiofrequencies and forced ultrasound procedures also exist and are being used nowadays with some varying degrees of success. Each doctor has his/her own preferred method of treating patients who opt for non-invasive procedures. While the non-invasive treatments are not meant to last for a long time, they can provide marginally good results, which is good enough for most people considering the level of commitment and financial investment that is required for a surgical procedure.

Which One Is Best For Me?

When it comes time to getting rid of loose neck skin and fat, surgery is the only real option that can fix the problem permanently. However, due to time, health, or money constraints, some people opt for non-surgical treatments such as Kybella or CoolSculpting. According to Dr. Doherty, non-invasive treatments can stimulate the skin to improve a little bit of elasticity; up to 30% in some cases.

Doctors Doherty and Lee both agree that proper treatment of neck issues starts with patient education regarding what their options are, and the pros and cons of each option. Then a good discussion with their doctor on the best way to proceed. Afterwards they will have enough information to make an intelligent decision on the best way to go about tightening the neck skin, neck wrinkles and removing neck fat.

If you’re looking for more information regarding the neck lift options available to you, please contact our offices today to set up a consultation with Dr. Adams.

minimize breast augmentation pain

How to Minimize ​Pain After Your Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a popular form of plastic surgery among women. The reasons for choosing this type of surgery varies, but for many, their self-esteem and self-confidence increases upon seeing the final results. However, as with any kind of operation, you may experience some pain afterwards. This is a normal side effect of the surgical procedure and is generally nothing to worry about.

Luckily, Dr. Adams has refined several techniques that minimize post-operative pain. In fact, over 98% of Dr. Adams’ patients return to normal activities within 24 hours after surgery. The thought of experiencing any kind of pain, or downtime, however, can be scary for some people.

In this article, we hope to put your mind at ease by talking about what to expect and how to prevent or help any pain you may experience after your augmentation.

How can I minimize pain after surgery?

The most important thing to remember is that not all breast augmentation surgeons are the same, and similarly, recoveries are very different as well. Dr. Adams published the Process of Breast Augmentation, which allows patients to have a fun, easy experience with breast augmentation, including shopping, picking up children under 3, and going to dinner the day of surgery. The majority of surgeons do not use these techniques and the recovery is very different – oftentimes patients can not get out of bed for a week, or have to take narcotic pain medication.

After a breast augmentation, your plastic surgeon generally offers a pain medication. Sometimes this can cause an upset stomach, so it may be prescribed with an anti-nausea medication or recommended that you take it on a full stomach. Medication such as Motrin are well tolerated, and are an excellent anti-infalmmatory.

There are also exercises suggested to those who have undergone breast augmentation to help with the muscles and subsequently, the pain. These exercises are very basic and some examples are listed below:

  • Shoulder Roll – Lift your shoulders to your ears and slowly roll them back. Do this 10-15 times before reversing and moving your shoulders forward in a circular position.
  • Arm Circles – While seated, move your arms out to each side and slowly move your hands in a circular motion, first forward 10-15 times before switching directions.
  • Arm Stretch – Place your forearm on top of your head and touch your elbow with your other hand. Keep it there for a few breaths, roughly 10-15 seconds, before switching hands. This will help you gently stretch that pectoral muscle.

While healing from your surgery, you should never do any heavy lifting or perform any sudden movements.

While many breast augmentations can take weeks to heal, Dr. Adams focuses on rapid recovery, allowing you to resume normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure, with minimal pain. Dr. Adams is an international authority on breast contouring, developing innovative techniques that make surgery safer for patients. To find out more, contact us today.

5 Telling Signs That You May Need a Breast Reduction​

5 Telling Signs That You May Need a Breast Reduction​

Chest Questions, , ,

While many women dream of having bigger breasts, some are born with ones that are much too big for their body. Heavy breasts can lead to a life of both emotional and physical pain. There’s a reason why over 100,000 breast reduction surgeries were performed in 2014.

If you have very large breasts, a breast reduction surgery, technically known as a reduction mammaplasty, can transform your life. Researchers have noted that breast reduction surgery has completely resolved patients’ complaints of neck strain, headache, aching shoulders, heavy anterior chest and strange sensations in the little fingers.

If you have any of the following five telling signs that you’re breasts are too big, you should consider breast reduction surgery.

1. You Experience Upper Back Pain

After carrying heavy breasts around every day of your life, you can develop pretty bad back pain. Researchers in Turkey found that big breasts affect the curvature of your spine, which causes upper back pain. If you always feel like your breasts are a physical burden, even when you’re doing nothing, breast reduction surgery can definitely help you. In fact, it may be the key to resolving most of your upper back pain.

2. Your Shoulder and Neck Hurt.

Your back isn’t the only part of your body that suffers with the weight of your large breasts. During a study conducted in 2012, researchers found that the weight of a woman’s breast is an important cause of shoulder and neck pain. If you have large breasts, you should speak to your doctor about the relationship between your breasts and your shoulder and neck pain.

3. You Notice Other Physical Problems That Are Related to Large Breasts.

Along with back, neck and shoulder pain, your large breasts may be causing a number of other physical problems. If you experience breathing problems (especially when you are lying down), headaches, a heavy chest, strange sensations in your little fingers or rashes underneath your breasts, breast reduction surgery might be able to help.

4. Your Breasts Cause You Emotional Pain.

Have you ever been embarrassed by your breasts? Many women who have unusually large breasts struggle with finding clothes that fit them or are afraid to wear a swimsuit. They also suffer with feeling uncomfortable everyday because people stare at them. You shouldn’t have to be unhappy with your body for the rest of your life because of something you can’t control. A breast reduction can erase all of that emotional trouble, making you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

5. You Have Problems Exercising.

If you experience pain in your breasts during moderate or vigorous workouts, your breasts may be too big for your body. This pain can prevent you from exercising as much as you’d like, and can even discourage you from working out at all. Breast reduction surgery may help you to live a healthier life.

How Breast Reduction Surgery Works

Now that you may be considering breast reduction surgery, you probably want to know how it works. During a breast reduction, your plastic surgeon removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from your breasts.

The technique used to do this varies from surgeon to surgeon. Usually, an incision is made around your areola, and continues downward along the natural curve of the crease beneath your breast. Then, the nipples are moved to their new position. Your breast is reshaped by moving the skin, and liposuction may be used to remove fat. Finally, your surgeon will stitch it all back up.

After surgery, you’ll find that your breasts are smaller, lighter and firmer. Depending on the technique used, you may or may not have a scar. But either way, a scar is definitely worth the improvement in quality of life most people get after they’ve been struggling with heavy breasts all of their lives.

If you suffer with any of the signs above, we suggest that you speak to your doctor about breast reduction surgery. After reduction mammaplasty, your life will never be the same again. Many of our patients experience dramatic improvements in their lives, both emotionally and physically.

If you’re interested in learning more about breast reduction surgery and if it’s right for you, feel free to contact us today. Dr. Adams is an international authority on breast contouring, developing innovative techniques that make surgery safer for patients.