The Facelift procedure or Rhytidectomy was the the 5th  most popular procedure in 2012.  A facelift will eliminate wrinkles, remove sagging skim, lift sunken eyes, restore the neck and chin, as well as redefine the jaw line.

Check out the informative infographic provided by plastic surgeons in Atlanta to learn more.

 

facelift procedures in Atlanta

 

Why have your breast implants removed or replaced?

Breast implant removal has been a growing trend in the recent years. Women are mostly finding that their body is changing and either cannot support the breasts they have acquired or are unsatisfied with their initial breast augmentation results. In a recent article posted by FoxNews.com, the infamous Heidi Montag of “The Hills” captured the media’s attention when she underwent a dramatic serious of surgeries including a massive breast augmentation with F-size implants. Fast forward to 2013, Montag was informed by her specialist that her implants were displacing which results in the loss of tissue support at the bottom half of the breast and can mean the implant moves downward on the chest. In doing so, Heidi has joined a plethora of female celebrities who all have had the breast implant removal procedure done.

Here are just a few reasons why patients choose to have breast implant revision:

  • Deformity of existing breast implants
  • Deflation of saline breast implants
  • Rippling of saline breast implants
  • Rupture of silicone gel breast implants
  • Displacement “bottoming out” of breast implants
  • Poor result of initial breast implant surgery
  • Desire to have larger or smaller breast implants
  • Removal of breast implants

Here are a few reasons why patients choose to have breast implant removal:

  • Body changes
  • Poor results of initial breast augmentation or breast lift

Whatever the reason for having breast implants removed or replaced, there are many solutions. For those patients who would like their breast implants removed, the procedure will differ whether a patient has saline or silicone implants.

Patients with Silicone Implants:

For patients with Silicone implants, this is harder to estimate what you would look like without breast implants but your plastic surgeon should be able to still give you a rough estimate of how your breasts will look without implants. It is possible that your plastic surgeon can show you pictures of what their best guess is to help you visualize your body without breast implants.

Patients with Saline Implants:

For patients with saline implants, this is easier to visualize what you might look like with small or removed breast implants. These implants can be easily deflated under local anesthesia and will offer you a better picture of what your breasts will look like without an implant or with smaller implants. If you decide that you would like them completely removed or downsized this can be done quickly by your surgeon. If you decide that you like the appearance of your smaller breasts, would like a breast reduction or if you feel like your breasts could use a slight lift and would like a breast lift, your surgeon can advise you on the best time to have the procedures.

In conclusion, the body changes and individual preferences constantly change with time. No matter you concerns with breast implant removal or breast implant revision, your surgeon can advise you on all of your options available. However, be wary, if you do not see your original board-certified plastic surgeon, be sure to do your research and ensure you will be seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your removal or revision.

 

 

If you have not heard already, the founder of a French company, Polo Implant Prothese, and four of his former employees were found guilty last spring of aggravated fraud. The New York Times article states Jean-Claude Mas, 74, has been sentenced to four years in prison for selling hundreds of thousands of defective breast implants tin more than 65 countries world-wide. The court has found that the company used a less expensive, industrial-grade silicone to fill implants for a decade. The implants subsequently rupture at a much high rate than the industry norm, leaking silicone into body tissues.

More than 16,000 women have had their implants removed since the scandal emerged in 2010. About 300,000 women around the world received the implants.

In light of this story, it has become even more important to be aware of not only the products you put into your body but also the surgeon performing a breast augmentation on your body. It is no surprise that a breast augmentation or breast lift is a popular procedure. Because of this the ASAPS, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery continuously and frequently advises consumers on the importance of having a board certified plastic surgeon perform your procedures. According to this news release, ASAPS advises consumers to “do their homework when choosing a physician, and while spas and salons are convenient for cosmetic medical treatments, convenience should never outrank safety and expertise when having a medical procedure.”

Finding a plastic surgeon that is board certified in your area is not difficult to do. Simply by searching board certified plastic surgeons in your area or going to ASAPS’ website will lead you to a surgeon that you feel safe with performing surgery on your body. For example, this New York plastic surgery practice not only offers multiple pages and guides on breast augmentations to breast reduction but also lists her entire CV on the site so it is clear to the visitor; this New York female plastic surgeon is not a fraud and adequately trained in her expertise. It is obvious her expertise is performing breast augmentation in New York but also performing less common breast procedures such as breast asymmetry, male breast reduction or Tuberous Breast Surgery.

The importance of doing your research when it comes to performing surgical or non-surgical procedures on your body has become exponentially important in the recent years because of the rise of fraudulent practices coming to light. The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has specific “Patient Safety Tips” for consumers who are looking to find a board-certified plastic surgeon. Credentials and experience is important; if you’d like to find more about why you should select a board-certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation you can visit the Patient Safety Tips from ASAPS.

 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the USA. Their annual report shows that 19% of cosmetic procedures performed in the USA were liposuction in 2012. With the rise in the use of liposuction for cosmetic purposes, a number of liposuction facts have become rampant. We have spoken with some plastic surgeons specializing in Liposuction in New Jersey and they gave us a list of facts all patients planning to undergo a liposuction surgery should be aware of:

LIPOSUCTION CAN HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and should not be used as surgical technique for weight loss. Liposuction can improve body contour and proportions by removing excess fat deposits. Although it may sound motivating to undergo liposuction before starting a weight loss program, the investment is much more prudent and meaningful when the patient is at or near the goal weight.

FAT CANNOT RETURN TO THE TREATED AREAS AFTER LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is very effective at removing fat deposits, but a patient can easily gain back the weight if excess calories are consumed without a proper diet plan and exercise routine. Liposuction removes fat cells from the body, but it does not guarantee that fat is not deposited again.

LIPOSUCTION CAN BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR EXERCISE

Liposuction is only a cosmetic procedure and should never be considered a substitute for proper diet and exercise. A good exercise routine it’s important to maintain the patient’s health and weight stable after surgery.

LIPOSUCTION IS ONLY FOR WOMEN

Liposuction can help both men and women eliminate stubborn fat, in fact, according to ASPS, liposuction was the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure among male patients in 2012, with over 23,000 procedures performed in the USA last year.

LIPOSUCTION RESULTS ARE PERMANENT

Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. As long as the patient does not gain an excessive amount of weight, the new, more pleasing silhouette is permanent.If weight gain occurs in the future, there is generalized weight gain in different areas. The areas in which liposuction was done has less fat cells so proportionally less new fat is deposited in that area.

LIPOSUCTION CAN ELIMINATE CELLULITE

While it would be great if liposuction could suck away your cellulite, that’s unfortunately not the case. Cellulite develops when the connective tissues beneath the skin that shape fat contract and harden, resulting in areas where the skin is held down while other sections bulge out, which creates a lumpy cottage cheese appearance. In some cases, excessive removal of superficial fat can potentially worsen the appearance of cellulite.

Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping and nose job, is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting and reconstructing the form, restoring the functions, and aesthetically enhancing the nose, by resolving nasal trauma.
According to the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgery) 2012 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Statistics rhinoplasty was the second most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the USA last year. Check out this informative infographic provided by a board certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta to learn more about Rhinoplasty.

Breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic plastic surgical procedure in the USA last year. More than a quarter of a million breast augmentation procedures were performed in the United States alone last year. One of the biggest concerns for women considering breast augmentation is to select the perfect breast implant. Check out this Infographic provided by a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation in Columbus, Ohio to learn more about the different options of implants available today.

Any type of cosmetic plastic surgery is a big deal. Plastic surgery is not like how you see it done on TV. Unlike non-surgical procedures such as Botox injections or even laser treatments, plastic surgery is surgical, invasive, and will result in pain. Because of this, it is important to liken plastic surgery to medical surgery as it comes with the same health risks. In order to properly prepare for your breast augmentation surgery it very important to have questions ready for your surgeon and to have these questions answered before performing the surgery.

Find the Right Surgeon

Before any plastic surgery, your first step is to find the right surgeon for you. This surgeon must be properly trained with experience and proper certification. The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgery has recently published a press release advising consumers to carefully choose the personnel who administer injections like Botox. There have been many incidents in the recent news of breast augmentations gone wrong that have even lead to death because of unqualified and untrained professionals. For example, a woman in New Jersey is suing her plastic surgeon because of an eyelid procedure that went tragically wrong. The women is now unable to fully closer her eyes, even why she sleeps. This is why the first step is to do you r research and find a plastic surgeon that is qualified, trained with experience and has the proper certifications. This poor women should have certainly chosen a different, qualified, trained, board certified New Jersey plastic surgeon. An easy way to do this is to search “breast augmentation + your city”. For example, if you were looking for a breast augmentation plastic surgeon in New Jersey, you would simple search for “breast augmentation New Jersey”. The results will be overwhelming but it will help you get to where you need to be. Once you have a list of surgeons, you can check their references by either going through ASPS or ASAPS’s “Find a Surgeon” search. The surgeons on the ASPS and ASAPS website are all board certified plastic surgeons with the correct requirements and certification

Research, Research, Research

Breast augmentation surgery is very serious although it is one of the most common and popular procedure. Because of this, it is again important to do your research on breast augmentations, breast implants, your size, things to do before, and what to expect after your surgery. This can also be done with an easy search just to give yourself a guideline of what you would like to be done to your breasts. A great website to go to for questions, information, and answers from patients and plastic surgeons is Realself.com. This website is used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, dentist, and real people like you with thousands of questions.  Compile a list of questions you want further more personal information ready for your surgeon. This list should include questions about breast implant sizes, breast implant types, downtime, medications, recovery time, pain, and what to expect before, during, and after your surgery.

Before and After Gallery

Before calling the plastic surgeons office, another important step is to view your list of surgeons’ websites to see if they have a “before and after” gallery. Plastic surgeons usually have many before and after pictures from their patients they have received permission from on their website. This is important for the surgeon as he shows the type of work he does and the quality of it and it is important for the patient as he/she will be able to decide if the surgeon’s quality of work is exceptional enough for the patient. Another benefit for the patient is that it gives you a realistic idea of what you can expect from the surgery.

One-on-One

Once you’ve researched your surgeons and breast augmentations in your local area, the next thing to do is to compile a list of question you have that you didn’t get answered from the internet or by the website from the plastic surgeon(s) you chose. In this case, take your list of surgeons and your list of questions to each of these surgeons and have your free one-on-one consultation with each surgeon.  Most plastic surgeons provide free consultation appointments to answer any question you have about the procedure, questions on your plastic surgeon, or even advice. The most important part of this consultation is vetting your plastic surgeon, ensuring he known what he is talking about, vetting his facilities and his staff, and ensuring you see the certifications and education he has received.

 

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Many people believe that your eyes are your most attractive feature. Of course, this is always left to the opinion of the individual. Whatever you believe the

most attractive feature is your eyes are always at the top of the list. As we age, our skin begins to diminish collagen and elastin production causing our skin to lose its elasticity. As gravity plays on our bodies and our face, a few things begin to drag and sag, especially our eyes. However, there are many ways quickly to improve and highlight these features after years of sagging and aging. All of your dropping eye problems can be solved with cosmetic lid surgery. From brow lifts to blepharoplasty, your eyes, if you don’t believe they are already, will be your most attractive feature.

Brow Lift

There are a few different types of cosmetic lid surgery that remedy dropping eye lids or excess skin. For sagging upper eyelids and /or sagging eye brows, a brow lift may be the perfect procedure for you. If your eyes feel “heavy” like you want to lift them up permanently then this is exactly what you need. A brow lift is frequently used for cosmetic purposes to bring out your eyes. However, when there is lost peripheral vision from a severely sagging eyebrow, the brow lift can be covered on a medically necessary basis by insurance carriers. A brow lift is a straight forward procedure that addresses the following problems:

–          Reduce sagging skin of the upper eyelid

–          Make your eyes look naturally larger and dynamic

–          Soften frown wrinkles between the eyes or across the top of the nose, creating a smooth forehead

–          Create a more symmetrical look to your eyes and eyebrows

–          Correct abnormalities of eyebrow shape or position

The brow lift is performed under an anesthetic that will prevent you from feeling any pain. The surgeon will make tiny incisions on your scalp just above your eyebrow or beside your temples and in the scalp where your hair will hide the minimal scars. Your surgeon will then lift your skin to eliminate sagging, remove wrinkles, or change the shape of your brows. A brow lift is done on an outpatient basis, so you can go home shortly after and shower the next day. It is very safe and also a commonly performed procedure. Recovery from this procedure is fast, and discomfort is usually minimal. You may experience some minor swelling, bruising, or pain, but discoloration can be covered with makeup. You will also receive a prescription for pain medication in case you need it. Sutures are removed 6-8 days after surgery.

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Unlike a brow lift, the upper eyelid blepharoplasty is more specific and focuses specifically on your upper eyelids. If your upper eyelids are dropping, puffy, or have excessive skin you could be a great candidate for upper eyelid surgery. Full upper eyelids can make you look tires and a lot older than you actually are. They also can cause excessive wrinkles from subconsciously trying to raise or open your eyes fully.  If your upper eyelids are causing problems such as visual obstruction, you could be a candidate for Functional Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty, a type of reconstructive surgery covered by health insurance.  If your drooping lid is the result of a weakened muscle in the eyelid, called Ptosis, Ptosis Repair Surgery is also available and is also a type of reconstructive surgery.

The blepharoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgeries today, so reassure that technology and technique is at its finest. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with a sedative to help relax you so you may be able to sleep during the surgery. You generally do not experience any significant pain and a short general anesthetic can be given to patients who are having bigger or multiple procedures and for those who cannot tolerate a local anesthetic. The incision is made in the grease of your upper eyelid so that the tiny scar is hidden. Depending on what the cause of the dropping eye lids are, fat pockets or excess skin are eliminated to create a normal symmetrical eyelid. Your surgeon will also ensure to optimize symmetry so that your eyes match as closely as possible. Since you will be sedated during the procedure, you will need to have someone available to drive you home. Your sutures will be removed after 6-8 days, although dissolving sutures are used in some situations. Some bruising, swelling, and soreness may develop after the anesthetic wears off. You can take pain medication, if necessary, and you will be asked to sleep with your head elevated and apply ice packs to your eyes periodically to keep inflammation down. You may also be given eye drops or ointments to apply for one to two weeks. The bruising usually lasts no more than two weeks, but sometimes, it can last a bit longer. You should be able to return to work after a week to ten days, at which time you can cover any remaining bruises with makeup.

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

The lower eyelid blepharoplasty is similar to the upper eyelid blepharoplasty except it treats the lower eyelid instead of the upper. If aging has taken a toll on your eyes and you have been experiencing unsightly eye bags in your lower eyelid area, then the lower eyelid blepharoplasty could be perfect to bring out your eyes.

Similar to the upper eyelid surgery, the lower eyelid blepharoplasty is also an outpatient procedure during which you are under sedation along with a local anesthetic. You will begin to feel sleepy afterward, so it is very important to have someone accompany you to drive you home. The procedure can take 1-3 hours depending on each specific case. Based on your anatomy, your surgeon will make a careful incision inside the lower lid or just below your lower eyelashes so any scarring will not be visible after the healing process is complete. Sometimes your surgeon may need to remove excess skin that is causing the bags or have to remove fat or reposition fat to smooth the lower lids. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty is more challenging than an upper eyelid surgery because the area surrounding the lower lids is more sensitive to surgical disturbance, and the aging effects here are more difficult to correct. During recovery, most people experience some tightness, bruising, swelling, and discomfort for a couple of days after the procedure. For the majority of patients, the discomfort is very minimal and short-lived, but you can take pain medication, if necessary. Most patients are prescribed eye drops and a medicated ointment to relieve any burning or itching that may occur in the first days after the procedure. Ice packs or cold compresses should be used for the first few days to keep swelling down, and it is important to keep your head elevated for a day or two. You will probably be asked to return to the doctor’s office in about a week to have sutures removed and to check on your progress.  If laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel has also been performed, a follow-up visit will generally be necessary after 1-2 days. While the length of time for full healing varies from person to person, most people are able to return to work within 10-14 days, although complete healing may take up to 3 months. You can usually use makeup to cover up any discoloration within 10-14 days of your procedure.

If you have multiple problems with your eyes, such as vision impairment from dropping upper eyelids and lower lid bags, you can opt in to combine surgeries to save time and money. It is also always important to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon if you are planning to have a blepharoplasty procedure done.

Plastic and cosmetic surgery continues to gain good and bad connotations. Plastic surgery, a more general term, is used all around the world daily from cosmetic procedures to reconstructive procedures. I have never personally had any plastic surgery done but there are obvious downsides to plastic surgery such as downtime, pain, and possible side effects. These are all factors that must be discussed before the actual procedures because they are dangerous but there are also benefits that might be worth the risk. The benefits of plastic surgery are limitless. Because plastic surgeons are incredibly talented and educated, they have the ability to recreate almost anything. A recent Huffington Post article titled “Plastic Surgery Miracles” dives below the surface to shed light on some really amazing plastic surgery procedures such as Katie Piper, whom thanks to stem cell and plastic surgery has regained some of her sight after becoming partially blind during a sulphuric acid attack. Another miraculous plastic surgery operation was of a hand transplant on a 51 year old man who has become the first person in the UK to have a hand transplant. Plastic surgery gets a bad rap here and there mostly because of really bad horror stories. Of course there are going to be horror stories and really awful plastic surgery results but these benefits are definitely worth it. Read on for more detailed stories of how these plastic surgery procedures can changes lives.

Mutilation

Aesha Mohammadzai is a beautiful young woman from Afghanistan. At just 19 years old she was subject to torture and mutilation when her nose and ears were hacked off by her Taliban husband and in-laws after fleeing her forced marriage. You might recognize her from a very famous cover of TIME Magazine in a special titled “What Happens if We Leave Afghanistan” by Aryn

Baker. Within the article, Aesha tells a very tragic and somber story of her forced marriage and subsequent abuse from not only her husband but also his family. One day the mental and physical abuse just became too much for her so she ran away. Shortly after she was caught, she recalls the event very well, “They caught me and put me in jail for five months. When I came out the judge sent me back to my husband. That night they took me to the mountains. They tied my hands and feet. They said my punishment was to cut my nose and ears. And then they started to do it.” Having passed out through pain and shock, Aesha came to in her own blood. She managed to walk to her village where her father took her to the hospital. Aesha has been since living with a host family in America and is being treated by doctors in Maryland. Her reconstruction surgery consists of nose reconstruction, tissue expansion, and rhinoplasty. Aesha initially was treated with gradual tissue transplants taken from other parts of her body. These tissue transplants will allow surgeons to piece together a new nose for Aesha. She also has gone through tissue expansion on her forehead, a procedure used for skin reconstruction that allows surgeons grow skin for reconstruction purposes. During tissue expansion, saline is injected in pockets beneath the skin, over time the amount of saline is increased slowly causing the area to swell and the skin to stretch. The excess skin can then be transplanted elsewhere where necessary. After her transplant is successful, she will then have revision rhinoplasty to ensure function and cosmetic appearance of her new nose. In December 2012, she was half way through her reconstructive procedure and has since become a symbol of hope for women suppressed by the Taliban, urgi

ng women to “never give up and don’t lose hope,” that “what happened, it’s part of me, part of my life and its all the time in my mind and with me. But I have to live and I have to love”.

Breast Cancer

Our next story is more recent but with similar connotations of women’s strength. In this next story we will examine how plastic surgery helped Angelina Jolie rise above breast cancer. Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertraind, had passed away in 2007 from ovarian cancer at the age of 56. Angelina Jolie is only 37 years old, with six children, 3 adopted and 3 biological. Angelina Jolie describes her decision in a New York Times Op-Ed piece titled “My Medical Choice”. Here she describes in detail her exact reasons for her choice: her children. Jolie’s mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2007, realizing breast and ovarian cancer can be inherited she quickly ran to the doctors. Jolie discovered she carried a “faulty” gene; the BRCA1 gene sharply increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Her doctors estimated that she had an 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of developing ovarian cancer, though the risk is different in each woman. Breast cancer affects women on a daily basis, while only a fraction of breast cancer cases result from an inherited gene mutation, those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65% risk of developing it. Of course this diagnosis and risk factors are not sure-fire but once Jolie knew this was her reality she knew she needed to be proactive and thus decided to have a preventative double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. In Jolie’s piece she explains further her choice for having preventive surgery, her reason: her children.  She describes how her and her children often talk about “mommy’s mommy” where she finds it incredibly difficult to explain the illness that took her away. They asked if the same could happen to her and indeed it could have. Through perseverance and bravery, on February 2nd Jolie began her journey. It began with a procedure called a “nipple delay” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. According to Jolie, this causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple. A few weeks later, Jolie began the major surgery, where her breast tissue is removed while temporary fillers are put in place. Nine weeks later Jolie’s final surgery was completed. She opted for immediate breast reconstruction with an implant, similar to breast augmentation, and believes her results are beautiful. To me, Jolie’s story is full of bravery, courage, and most importantly love for her children and family. It symbolizes women’s strength in a way only women can feel.

Plastic surgery gets a bad rap….

Especially from celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan and Amanda Bynes stating they are “addicted to cosmetic surgery”. However, plastic and cosmetic surgery really can change lives, from women wanting to gain back their self-confidence and body image post-pregnancy with a mommy makeover or a tummy tuck to men who have been bullied for gynecomastia and seek male breast reduction. People who have the strength to lose massive amounts of weight to be healthier can choose post-bariatric surgery to remove potential health hazards from resulting excess skin. Plastic surgery is used everywhere and can not only change one’s appearance but certainly change their lives.

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Into to Breast Augmentations

Most women who are considering breast augmentations know what they want in their body image but they’re not quite sure how to achieve it or what is the best route. It is common for a women’s breast to be different sizes, this can be resolved with a breast augmentation or a breast lift. Some women want a breast enlargement, some women may need breast reconstruction surgery or some want breast reduction because of back pain. Before you have these procedures there are many factors to consider. When choosing breast augmentations, size and type are huge factors but there are also many other factors that need to be recognized such as a realistic vision or the dangers of the procedures. Here is a quick guide to all things breast augmentation so you can get started on the body you have always wanted.

First Things First

You need to find a surgeon. You can always research breast augmentations online but it is best and the most helpful if you speak to a surgeon you trust. You are putting your life and body at risk so having a top surgeon is important. Finding a board certified plastic surgeon near you is the most difficult part of the process. Women want someone they trust, respect and who is local which is why a woman in Kansas or California would search for breast augmentations Kansas City or breast augmentations California and would then find her doctor on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. This is important as it ensures that your surgeon has the right credentials, experience, and continues to re-certify him/herself on their practice. Being an ASPS member ensures that your surgeon:

–          Has at least six years of surgical training, with 3 years specifically in plastic surgery

–          Is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

–          Operates only in accredited medical facilities

–          Adheres to a strict code of ethics

–          Fulfills continuing education requirements

“I want to have a C-cup”

Next, you need to be able to express how you would like your breasts to look like. The tough part is cup-sizes are not the greatest indicator of what your breasts will look like after the procedure. Better descriptive words are proportion and shape rather than cup sizes. This is because all bra manufacturers make their bras in different ways and all women also wear their bras in different ways. The good news is that your surgeon will have a few samples for you to try out. Your plastic surgeon will have a good amount of silicone implant sizers for you to try out when you go in for a consultation and most likely they will have a “Before and After” gallery where you can view your surgeons previous work. When you are trying on sizes you’ll want to consider your entire body image, not just your chest and up. You’ll want to consider your body frame, your weight, height, shoulder width, hip width, and your current breast size when choosing an implant to ensure you are completely proportional. Implant sizes are based on the amount of fluid or gel in the implant and can start from as small as 125cc and up. A few tips on choosing the right size are:

–          Bring in a few outfits that you would wear to a casual event, formal event, or job interview to help visualize what you would look like and to make sure the implants are comfortable with those outfits

–          Bring a friend with you to help choose what size implants you would like, they can point out factors you might not have thought about and can offer better advice as a friend who knows you well.

–          Be realistic- you are not just only picking implants for today and tomorrow but instead you are picking a size for forever. Picking implants that may be too big for your body frame can lead to back pain and sagging later on in life.

–          Exercise- if you are regularly active, make sure to take movement in account. You will want to choose implants that won’t interfere with your workout routines.

Saline vs. Silicone

The next question after you have tried on and picked your implant size is to decide whether you want saline filled or silicone filled breast implants. Saline implants are very popular and were first introduced in 1965 as an alternative to silicone implants. Their outer shells are the same but instead, saline implants are filled with saline at the time of surgery.

The advantages of saline implants are:

–          There is a smaller incision, therefor you have a smaller scar

–          They cost less

–          It is obvious if you have a deflation in your saline implants

–          They have a salt water filler

–          They have a greater variety in size because the fill level is adjustable

The disadvantages of saline implants are:

–          They can cause rippling,

–          For the most part they require sub-muscular placement

–          They are also firmer implants so they don’t feel as natural

Silicone implants were first introduced in 1962 and have been the subject to major controversies on the safety of the silicone implants. However, data has now found these implants to be proven safe for women over the age of 22. The reason being is that the FDA believes that some women do not complete their breast development until the age of 22. Silicone implants can be used for women seeking breast reconstructive surgery or the correction of breast asymmetry.

The advantages of silicone implants are:

–          They don’t ripple

–          They are more easily used above the muscle (sub-glandular)

–          The have a lower deflation rate

–          They are softer and have a more natural feel

The disadvantages of silicone implants are:

–          They require a longer incision, thus a longer scar

–          They cost more

–          It is harder to detect when the implants have ruptured.

Research, Research, Research…

There are many factors to consider when choosing a breast augmentation, just remember this is a quick guide and there is much more information out there so it is best to do all of your research before jumping into the surgeons chair. Breast augmentations are available everywhere in the world from breast augmentation Kansas City to breast lifts New York but the most important factor is to again, choose a surgeon who is board certified by the ASPS in your city.