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skin quality breast augmentation surgery

What Does Skin Quality Have to do With Breast Surgery?

Breast Augmentation

There are many things to consider when making the decision to have breast surgery, but something a lot of people don’t talk about is the quality of your skin.

Were you aware that the quality of your skin could have an impact on the results of your surgery?

The quality of a person’s skin can help with a number of factors when it comes to having breast surgery. Your incisions can heal quicker, you’ll have less scarring, and healthier skin has more elasticity which can help the breasts retain their shape after surgery, and in the future.

There are a number of reasons why healthy skin is important in our everyday lives, but it will truly benefit you to have healthy skin if you’re considering cosmetic surgery, especially in the breasts.

Breast Surgery and Healthy Skin

Breast surgery has gained immense popularity over the years, with more and more individuals seeking cosmetic or reconstructive procedures. While the focus is often on the type of surgery and the choice of implants, the quality of the patient’s skin also plays a part in achieving the best results possible.

Understanding the impact of skin quality on breast surgery is vital for both patients and plastic surgeons to ensure successful outcomes and overall satisfaction.

What Is Healthy Skin?

Before we dive into the connection between skin quality and breast surgery, let’s first take a look at what it means when we’re talking about skin quality.

Skin quality refers to the overall health, elasticity, and texture of the skin. Factors such as hydration, collagen levels, and skin thickness contribute to its quality.

Impact of Skin Quality on Breast Surgery

Skin Elasticity

One of the main things that can affect breast surgery results is skin elasticity. Elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to bounce back after being stretched. During breast augmentation or breast reduction, the skin needs to accommodate the new volume or reduced size of the breasts. If the skin lacks elasticity, the breasts may appear saggy or fail to achieve the desired shape.

Scarring and Healing

The healing process after breast surgery is extremely important, and skin quality significantly influences how your body will handle healing. Healthy skin tends to heal better and may result in less noticeable scarring.

Even though plastic surgeons take great care in incision placement to minimize scarring, the quality of the skin itself also plays a role.

Implant Placement

For breast augmentation, the placement of implants can also be influenced by the patient’s skin quality. If the skin is thin or lacks support, the surgeon may need to adjust the implant placement to achieve a more natural and aesthetically pleasing result.

What Factors Impact Skin Quality?

Several factors can affect the quality of the skin on our bodies. Knowing what can cause your skin to become unhealthy can help you to prevent it from happening in the future.

Remember, unhealthy skin doesn’t mean that you can’t undergo breast surgery, it just means that there may be things to consider regarding healing and the final results.

Age

As we age, the production of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases, leading to a loss of elasticity and firmness.

Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure can cause premature aging and damage to the skin. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential for maintaining good skin quality.

Genetics

Genetics also play a role in determining skin quality. Some individuals naturally have more resilient and youthful-looking skin, while others may be more susceptible to unhealthier skin.

Lifestyle and Diet

Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking and poor nutrition, can take a toll on the skin. A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle will positively impact skin quality and overall well-being.

Preparing for Breast Surgery with Skin Quality in Mind

Before undergoing breast surgery, it is essential to consider skin quality and take necessary steps to optimize it for the procedure.

Consultation with a Plastic Surgeon

A thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the first step in understanding how skin quality can affect the outcome of your breast surgery. Your surgeon will be able to examine your breasts and be able to determine the appropriate approach.

Pre-surgery Skincare

Engaging in a pre-surgery skincare regimen, as advised by the plastic surgeon, can help improve skin quality and prepare it for the surgical process. This may involve moisturizing, avoiding sun exposure, and using medical-grade skincare products.

Post-Surgery Care for Optimal Skin Recovery

Proper post-surgery care is essential for ensuring that the skin heals well and maintains its quality after breast surgery. Following your surgeons’ instructions will give you the best results when it comes to healing. You’ll have less scarring, less pain, and be back on your feet in a timely manner.

Long-term Impact of Skin Quality on Breast Surgery Results

While breast surgery can provide excellent results, it’s essential to consider the long-term impact of skin quality.

Aging Effects

As the skin naturally ages, it may affect the appearance of the breasts. Patients should have realistic expectations about the potential changes over time.

Revision Surgeries

In some cases, breast revision surgeries may be necessary to maintain or improve breast appearance. Good skin quality can make revision surgeries more straightforward.

Should I Get Breast Surgery if I Have Unhealthy Skin?

Skin quality is a crucial factor in the success of breast surgery, influencing everything from scarring to implant placement and long-term results. Patients must prioritize skincare and consult with experienced plastic surgeons to achieve the best possible outcomes. By considering skin quality, individuals can embark on their breast surgery journey with confidence, knowing that they are making informed decisions for a more positive and transformative experience.

celebrity rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty – Should You Try to Copy A Celebrity Nose?

Plastic Surgery

When considering a rhinoplasty (commonly known as a nose job) a lot of patients will start off by looking at examples of noses on other people. They will look at photos and videos of models and celebrities to help them decide what sort of nose they might want when compared to their current nose, but should you be doing this? Does it actually help the surgeon?

Managing expectations when it comes to plastic surgery is one of the most important things a surgeon can do. Understanding what the patient is looking for as the end result of a procedure combined with the years of real-world experience the surgeon has, will help everyone involved make a more informed decision in regards to the surgery.

A photo can be a good starting point, but it may not ultimately be the best choice for the patient, and in some cases it may not even be feasible from a surgical perspective.

Should I Bring Photo Examples of Noses I Like to My Consultation?

Absolutely!

There is nothing wrong with bringing photo examples to show your surgeon when going for your consultation. In fact, a lot of doctors will encourage it, so they have some sort of visual idea of what you would like your final outcome to look like.

Keep in mind though, just because you bring in photo examples, doesn’t mean that you’re going to end up looking like the people in the photographs after the surgery is complete. A nose is just one aspect of your face, and while changing it can definitely change your overall appearance, what looks good on someone else’s face isn’t necessarily going to look good on your own.

Your doctor will be best suited to help you decide what sort of nose, or what sort of rhinoplasty, would compliment your face. Typically they have performed many of these types of surgeries and seen many different faces, which can help them determine what types of noses look good on what types of face.

For example, a person with a round face might not look great with a super thin nose, just as a person with a long, thinner, face, may not look the best with a wider flat nose. Keep that in mind when looking at photos of celebrities or other people that have the nose shape you want. You may not have the same overall facial structure, or cheek bone structure, as those people, which can lead to  a look you weren’t expecting.

Manage Your Expectations Properly

Bringing in photos of celebrity noses is a great way to give your surgeon a general idea of what you’re looking for, but it’s also very important to listen to your surgeon’s suggestions.

If your doctor looks through your examples and explains to you why a certain type of nose looks good on a certain person, but may not look good on your face, please take that into account. They have the experience and have seen different nose shapes on different faces and are knowledgeable about what would look good in different cases.

Managing your expectations and having a doctor that will tell you the truth, instead of just trying to sell you a procedure, is extremely important when it comes to your overall health and wellbeing.

Surgical procedures like a rhinoplasty, while fairly routine, are considered a major surgery. You don’t want to go into the procedure thinking you’re going to come out looking like Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts, only to be disappointed when you realize you’re not those people and you don’t have the same cheek bones, eyes, brow, or chin as them.

Just because you reshape your nose doesn’t mean that the rest of your face is going to look like your photo example. Of course there are always other surgical procedures you can have done in order to mimic those celebrities, but again, everyone is different and there’s a good chance you’re never going to end up looking exactly like the person you think you will.

Choosing the Right Rhinoplasty Surgeon

Ensuring that you choose the right rhinoplasty surgeon is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to maintaining proper expectations of your surgery.

A good surgeon will be able to take your input and suggestions and deliver you a plan that will meet your needs and achieve the outcomes you are looking for, while making everything look as natural as possible.

A good surgeon will not try to force you into a procedure or a nose shape that they don’t feel would enhance your current features. They want to make sure that you come out of the procedure feeling proud and happy about your decision. They want to boost your self esteem in a way that other things in your life can’t.

Changing your appearance through surgery is a major commitment and your surgeon should understand that and be there to help you. If you’re unhappy with the way a surgeon is presenting themselves to you, it’s ok to seek a second opinion, but if you find that every surgeon you talk to is trying to talk you out of a certain nose shape on your face, then that should be an indicator that maybe it’s not the best idea to just have a random celebrities nose put onto your face.

Everyone’s faces are different whether you’re a celebrity or not. Knowing how to highlight your best features and be happy with your body is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. And if that means a little nip or tuck here and there, then so be it.

It’s always important to manage your expectations and understand that just because a surgeon can give you the same nose as your favorite celebrity, doesn’t mean that the nose is going to look just as good on you.

removing lip filler injections

Is removing Fillers a New Trend?

Non-Surgical

Over the past few years, many celebrities and social media stars have gotten fillers to increase both the volume and size of their lips as well as to enhance their cheek bones and remove wrinkles. This new trend has caused fillers to become one of the top non-surgical facial treatments for women, and it has been growing for men as well.

Kylie Jenner has admitted to removing the fillers that were inside her lips, while other celebrities like Blac Chyna have gone through the process of dissolving the fillers in her cheeks and jawline.

Very few women are lucky enough to be born with full, pouty lips and perfect cheek bones. The vast majority have to rely upon getting fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane injected at a plastic surgeon’s office.

These fillers can help plump the lips as well as reshape the jawline and cheek bones to help give a more desired look, but what happens when that look goes out of a style or you want to go back to your more natural look?

[VIDEO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y433KMmBNr0]

Why Would Someone Want to Remove Their Fillers?

One of the main reasons women would want to get facial fillers removed is due to buyer’s remorse. They most likely went to a “Groupon beauty clinic” who performed the procedure at a discount and ended up with results they were not happy with.

This is not always the case though when it comes to having your fillers removed. As the times change the look of “beauty” in the media changes as well. If you look back to the 90’s, everyone was always trying to be super thin while today most women are looking for a fuller more athletic look.

As these trends change over time, the way you view your body may change as well. We like to compare this to getting a tattoo while in college. Yes, that butterfly on your lower back was the thing to do when you were 19, but now that you’re 35 it might not fit with your current lifestyle.

The same thing happens with plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures, especially fillers.

That big lipped, high cheek bone, wide jawline-look that was popular 5 years ago may not be the look you want to live with anymore, so you may opt to have your fillers removed or dissolved depending on what type of fillers you have.

Is it Possible to Remove or Dissolve Facial Fillers?

Whatever the reason for wanting to get lip fillers removed, thankfully there are a few ways to go about having these fillers removed or dissolved.

Stop Maintaining the Fillers

Not all facial fillers are permanent or need to be removed though, some fillers will be absorbed by the body naturally overtime. One of the easiest ways to remove the plump lip look is to stop getting maintenance injections when they are due. This will cause the lips to lose volume to some extent – but won’t cause it to go away completely. In most cases, only 85% of the volume will disappear.

The same goes for wrinkle fillers. Over time, these fillers will be absorbed by your body and the wrinkles will begin to appear again. Wrinkle fillers typically aren’t removed and are the most maintained by women trying to keep that youthful look, but when it comes to lips and cheeks, those may require doctor intervention to completely remove.

Have a Doctor Dissolve the Fillers

If the fillers used in your lips or cheeks are made from hyaluronic acids, then these can be dissolved by your doctor by injecting Hyaluronidase into the fillers. This will cause the original fillers to slowly dissolve and be absorbed back into the body leaving you with your more natural look.

It should be noted that Hyaluronidase will not reverse such brand name fillers as: Bellafill, Radiesse, and Sculptra. In situations like this the patient will have to wait for their body to absorb the fillers or get a steroid injection. A consultation with a plastic surgeon before deciding what to do will produce optimal results.

Possible Side Effects of Filler Removal

It should be noted that getting rid of fillers is not as straight-forward as it seems. There are a few caveats that most people don’t take into consideration when they opt for the initial injections in the first place:

Not All Fillers are Dissolvable

Depending on what type and kind of filler was used, it’s possible that the procedure is not reversible. Unless the doctor used Teosyla, Juvéderm, or Restylane, there’s a good chance that the process cannot be reversed, or it will take a long time for it to go away.

The above three mentioned injectables can be reversed via a hyaluronidase injection, which almost immediately begins to go to work in just a few hours.

Permanent Changes Can Occur 

Even after the hyaluronidase injection has been given and the lip volume starts to go down, most people only see an 80% – 85% reduction in the volume. You may not always see your lips or other areas of your face completely return back to normal especially if you’ve had many maintenance fillers injected over the years.

The lips and cheeks may retain some of the filler and you may not be able to fully dissolve everything, but in most cases dissolving the filler will leave you close to your more natural look than with the fillers in.

Why Do People Get Fillers?

The purpose of a filler is to improve the shape, structure, and volume of the lips, cheek bones, or jawline. Fillers can also be used to hide wrinkles and aging lines to make the skin appear more youthful.  The overall effects will last for around six months, after which maintenance injections will need to be administered to keep up the appearance.

Most women who get fillers get an injection of Hyaluronic acid (HA) into their lips or face. HA is a natural component of human skin and is broken down and naturally absorbed by the body. While the stated average lifespan of a lip filler injection is around six months, although many people have reported that the lip injections will last for a few months longer.

How are Fillers Injected?

Lip filler injections and other fillers, are a medical procedure and should only be administered by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Knowing how much filler to use and exactly where in the face to inject it is critical to retaining a natural look. Otherwise, areas of your face will come out bumpy and uneven if performed by an inexperienced spa technician or other non-medical professional.

Before getting the injections, a numbing agent will be applied to the injection site to ease any discomfort you might feel when the needle is inserted. After the procedure is done, you can return to your normal life as there is no downtime required.

You may notice some bruising or swelling for 24 to 48 hours afterward, and this can be managed by applying ice to the area. Lipstick and other cosmetic beauty products are advised against being used for a short period until the swelling goes away.

Should I Have My Fillers Removed?

If you’re happy with your fillers and love the way you look, then by all means you should keep them and continue to receive maintenance injections. The only person that should make the decision to have your fillers removed or dissolved should be you.

As we mentioned above, beauty trends come and go as the times change, but you don’t always have to do what everyone else is doing. If you’re unhappy with the way your fillers look, or you’re now at a different point in your life where you don’t feel the fillers are necessary, then there is no reason you should not have them removed if it will make you happy.

At the heart of it, all plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures are designed to help you feel better about yourself in your own skin. Do what makes you happy and if that means having your fillers removed at this point in your life, go for it!

 

breast feeding breast implants

Can You Breast Feed With Implants?

Breast Augmentation

Every year, more than 300,000 women across America get breast implants. Inevitably, some of these women will become pregnant and will start to wonder if they will be able to breastfeed their baby with their implants.

Science and several research studies have found that most women can indeed breastfeed with breast implants – and it’s perfectly safe for the baby. The silicone and various components of the implant will not “leak” into the breast milk of women, nor will their breasts sag after breastfeeding their child.

There are some things you should know regarding breast feeding and breast implants, but in most cases you and your baby will not notice the difference between breast feeding with natural breasts compared to breast feeding with breast implants.

Understanding Breast Implants

Breast implants are either silicone or saline-filled pouches that are surgically inserted into the breast area to help improve the size and shape of the breasts.

Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery in the world and generally speaking, getting breast implants is very safe. There are always going to be the risks of complications during surgery, but with advances in techniques and technology, those risks are extremely low.

One concern that women have with breast implants is whether it will cause problems when breast feeding their babies, due to the different types of materials used in the implants, as well as the procedure itself.

Is Breastfeeding with Implants Possible?

Being able to properly breastfeed with implants boils down to what decisions were made during the implant surgery.

Surgical Incision Placement

The incision for the breast implant can be done a number of different ways depending on your body and your surgeon, but it’s location can impact breast feeding.

If the incision was made under the fold of the breast, or through the armpit, breastfeeding should still be possible without issue. However, if a “smile” incision was made around the areola, it can increase the risk of impacting milk production as well as flow.

An incision around the areola can potentially damage the nerves and milk ducts. If the incision was made in the inframammary fold under the breast tissue to place the implants, there is less chance of damaging the tissue of the breast.

Breast Implant Placement and Breast Feeding

Another thing you’ll want to be aware of when it comes to breast feeding with implants is the area where the implants are placed.

Breast implants can be placed in between the breast tissue and muscle, or under the chest muscle. If the implants are located under the chest muscle, it allows for less of a chance of impacting breast feeding. If they were placed under the glandular tissue (on top of the chest muscle), there is a greater chance that it could affect milk production and breast feeding.

Nipple Sensitivity and Breast Feeding

If the patient has feeling in their nipples after the surgery, that is a good indicator that the nerves were not damaged and are working as intended. If the surgery was recent (within 12-24 months), and you notice low, or no, sensitivity in the nipples, there’s no reason to worry yet. There is a chance that nipple sensation hasn’t fully returned after the procedure itself. In this case it would still be possible to breast feed even though there isn’t full nipple sensation present.

If your nipples are not sensitive, or you can’t feel them when you touch them, after your surgery, then it may be hard to tell when the baby is latched on and ready to feed. Because of this it can affect your ability to properly provide nutrients to your child, only because you don’t know if the baby is in the proper position.

It doesn’t always mean that your milk production was affected, it just means that it’s harder to tell when the baby is getting its required food supply.

In addition to the factors listed above, there are a few other things to keep in mind when breastfeeding with breast implants:

  • Breastfeeding may cause your breasts to sag or change shape over time, especially if you have large implants.
  • Breast milk can potentially leak into the implant pocket, which may increase the risk of infection or implant rupture. However, this is very rare and typically only occurs if you have a pre-existing condition, such as a ruptured implant or an infection.
  • Some women with breast implants may experience engorgement, which is when the breasts become overly full and uncomfortable. This can usually be managed with proper breastfeeding techniques and by expressing milk as needed.

Breast Feeding with Implants

Until you attempt to breast feed, you won’t know if your milk supply has been affected by your implant surgery. While hindsight is 20-20, and many women with implants get pregnant, it’s best to let your surgeon know that there might be a chance of you getting pregnant at some point in the future. This way they can take that information into consideration when planning out the surgery and perform it in such a way that gives you the best chances of being able to successfully breast feed.

This can help the doctor make a decision about where to place the incision, where to place the implant, and things to talk to you about in regards to possible complications from the breast implant surgery when it comes to breast feeding.

In most cases women with breast implants have no issues with breast feeding and can supply ample nutrients to their growing child, but there are always risks associated with any type of surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your breast implants and breast feeding, be sure to bring those up with your doctor during your consultation. The more information the doctor has, the more prepared they will be come surgery time.

​How Long Do Silicone Breast Implants Last?

How Long Do Breast Implants Last? When Should They Be Replaced?

Chest Questions, , , , , ,

As one of the most common cosmetic surgeries within the United States, breast implants are continuously growing in popularity.

As they continue to grow in popularity there are more and more misconceptions to be found when it comes to breast implants. For instance, did you know that breast implants do not last forever?

While breast implants can last for long periods of time without causing problems or needing to be removed/replaced, they are not permanent and will require some maintenance at some point in your life.

The technology used in breast implants today is much better than that of breast implants in the past, which leads to them being more stable and having a longer lifespan. This means that regardless of the type of implant you choose, you should get more life out of them today than you would have even 20 years ago.

What are the Different Types of Breast Implants?

There are two main types of breast implants these days, saline and silicone. Each different type of breast implant comes with its pros and cons, but, you’ll be safe no matter which option you choose, but you should definitely talk with your doctor to figure out which implant type is right for you.

While both saline and silicone breast implants have silicone shells, the big difference between the two lies in how the actual implant is formed. Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water, whereas silicone breast implants are pre-filled with silicone. This thick gel closely mimics the consistency of natural fatty tissue.

Choosing an implant type should be based on the look and feel that you’re looking to achieve, while also taking into consideration the different methods that are required to implant them in your chest. Saline implants tend to have a smaller incision due to the fact that they are inserted into the body while flat and then filled up with saline, whereas the silicone implants come pre-filled before being inserted.

This can lead to differences in healing as well as the way the implants may sit in your chest, which is why it’s very important to discuss all options with your surgeon before you make a decision.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last? Do They Need to be Replaced?

This is probably one of the most common questions people inquire about when it comes to breast augmentation surgery – how long will the results last? The answer is, while it is possible for silicone breast implants to last for a lifetime, they may need to be replaced at some point. The older 2nd generation implants typically were all ruptured or leaking by 10 years post-surgery, but the current 5th generation gel implants remain mostly intact at 10 or even 20 years.

According to the FDA, it’s important that women continuously monitor their implants throughout their lifetime. Silicone implant ruptures are difficult to detect; they cannot be detected simply by looking at or feeling the augmented breast. The gel material is inert, so if a rupture does occur, the gel will not be absorbed by the body, so the appearance will not change.

For this reason, some patients will schedule MRIs or ultrasounds to look for any changes or ruptures in the outer shell, which are two determining factors in implant replacement.

Implants must be replaced if a rupture does occur, however. Without replacement, a ruptured silicone breast implant can cause breast pain, tenderness, or changes in the shape of the breast.

While breast implants are not permanent, as in they will not last you a lifetime, they will last you quite a long time and shouldn’t give you any major issues during that time. Of course, there is always the possibility of rupture or tearing due to your lifestyle or an accident, but from regular normal levels of stress, your breast implants should last you 10-20 years.

Why Would a Breast Implant Need to be Replaced or Removed?

There are a number of reasons why you may have to get your breast implant removed or replaced as you begin to age. If the implant has not ruptured there still may be other complications that can arise from having breast implants that may be a reason to have the removed or replaced.

Rupture

As we mentioned above, if a breast implant ruptures then it must be removed or replaced. If a saline breast implant ruptures, the saline solution will harmlessly be absorbed into the body, however you may notice your breast tissue deflate fairly quickly.

If a silicone implant ruptures it may not be immediately noticeable, in terms of your breast deflating, but the silicone can start to cause a burning sensation in your chest.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture is when the tissue around the breast implant begins to scar and harden. This can cause pain, misshapen breasts, breasts to be too firm, or other problems. If this happens, the breast augmentation will have to be revised.

Rippling

If you’ve experienced significant weight loss after having your implants, you may notice that your breasts appear to have slight ripples in them. Rippling is not harmful, but it may cause your breasts to look a bit off, which could be a reason you would want them removed or replaced.

Shift in Position

While the breast implants are typically implanted in an area where they cannot move around a lot, there are times when the implants do shift in the chest cavity. This can be from trauma, hard impact, or even just the way your tissue is as you get older. In many cases women opt to remove or correct the implants through a revision augmentation to ensure that the breasts are positioned exactly where they would like them on their chest.

Desire to Change Size

One of the most common reasons we see people having their breast implants removed or replaced is that they no longer like the size that they originally chose.

Deciding to go bigger or go smaller, or change the type of implant you have, will require you to have your implants removed and replaced in order to change the size.

Breast Implant Replacement or Removal

Whether you’re considering breast augmentation or simply curious about the process, understanding the basics of silicone breast implants, including how long they last, is important.

If you’d like to know more about breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. Adams today to schedule a consultation or to ask any questions you may have.