What You Must Know Before Getting Breast Implants

A breast implant is a prosthesis used to enlarge the size of a woman's breasts (known as breast augmentation, breast enlargement or augmentation mammoplasty) for cosmetic reasons; to reconstruct the breast (e.g. after a mastectomy; or to correct genetic deformities). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. In 2006, 329,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed.

There are two types of breast implants: saline filled and silicone gel filled implants. Saline implants have a silicone shell filled with sterile saline liquid. Silicone gel implants have a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel. Another consideration is the shape of the implant. tear drop shaped versus round. Tear drop implants have more fullness at the bottom and are flatter on top. These implants also only come with a textured surface which can make the breasts feel firmer after surgery. Round implants can be textured or smooth. Your surgeon will recommend the size and style of implant this is best for you.

There are many things to consider before actually undergoing breast augmentation. These include, but are not limited to, location of incision, location of the implant, and type of implant. Typically, the incision is placed in the fold underneath the breast. This allows the surgeon to have the most control for positioning the implant and afterwards the scar is well hidden. The other options are placing the incision around the nipple or in the armpits. The risks and benefits of each approach can be discussed with your surgeon to decide which option is best for you.

The implants can be placed above or below the pectoralis muscle. Many feel placing the implant above the muscle achieves the most aesthetic results. The other option is to place the implant under the muscle. This is the most common technique in North America, in that it achieves maximal upper implant coverage. Additionally, it is believed that this technique has a lower rate of capsular contracture (when the capsule tightens and squeezes the implant). This contracture is a complication that can be very painful and distort the appearance of the implanted breast.

Up until recently (November 17, 2006) silicone implants had been restricted by the FDA. During their 14 year restriction the FDA concluded that silicone gel implants are not associated with any underlying diseases. For women with very little breast tissue, or for post-mastectomy reconstruction, plastic surgeons believe that silicone gel implants are the superior device. In patients with more breast tissue, however, saline implants can look very similar to silicone gel. It is agreed that saline implants are more likely to cause cosmetic problems such as rippling, wrinkling, and be noticeable to the eye or the touch.

Each option should be discussed with your doctor. Specific recommendations may be made based on your individual needs and goals.

Women must also be aware that there is some recovery time. The average time away from work is about 5-7 days. Some people may require more or less time depending on the degree of physical activity and heavy lifting that they perform. It is recommended to avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks to allow for proper healing. This includes exercising. After the six week post operative period you may resume your normal exercise regime. Wearing a supportive sports bra is recommended during exercise.

Another, less common, option to enhance the breasts is to transfer fat to them from a different part of the body. The longevity of this procedure has proven unreliable for the long term and can not result in significant enhancement. Fat transfer is not a good alternative to breast augmentation with implants.

Some common myths of breast implants include the prevention of having a mammogram, breast implants cause cancer, necessary implant replacement in ten years, and inability to breast feed post-operatively. Having saline or silicone breast implants does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Screening for breast cancer including monthly self breast exams, mammograms, and annual examination by your health care provider are recommended. Always inform the mammography technician that you have breast implants prior to the test.

There is no need to replace implants unless there is a problem, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture. Additionally, breast implants do not affect the natural changes of the breast that occur during pregnancy. It is possible to breast feed after having breast augmentation. There is potential of breast sagging or deflation (involution) after breast enlargement and breast feeding. Much depends on the anatomy's predisposition to stretching and sagging.

This article is owned by Birmingham Cosmetic Surgery, a Michigan Cosmetic Surgery provider, offers Michigan Breast Implants consultations, information and surgery. They can be reached at (248) 723-9370.

Dr. Rouchdi Rifai is an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (1984). Dr. Rifai was on staff at The Straith Clinic, Bingham Farms, MI from 1984-2002. In 2002 he started his own practice Birmingham Cosmetic Surgery in Southfield, MI. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Oakland County Medical Society, and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery - An Overview

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction - Which Cosmetic Surgery Is Right For Me?

A common misconception amongst patients considering cosmetic surgery of the abdominal area is that the choice exists to have either a tummy tuck or liposuction and that either of these two procedures will produce similar results. In most cases, a patient is a far better candidate for either a tummy tuck or liposuction and the procedures are not interchangeable.

The decision as to which plastic surgery procedure is best must be made in conjunction with a qualified plastic surgeon but the following is a general guideline:

Typically, patients whose abdominal area has loose excess skin, or significant stretch marks will need a tummy tuck and will not benefit from liposuction alone. This is because liposuction is a procedure that only removes
fat. Skin is esentially unaffected. Therefore if there is substantial loose skin or stretch marks to start with,
liposuction will not remove any of the extra skin or any of the stretch mark-bearing skin. Furthermore,
liposuction in these circumstances can actually worsen the problem by removing the "foundation" on which
the skin rests, i.e. the underlying fat thereby leaving even looser skin than the patient started with.

Liposuction to the abdominal area is more appropriate in cases of younger patients with firm, taut
abdominal skin whose main problem is extra fat. In these cases, skin reliably shrinks over the liposucked
area and a great cosmetic result can be obtained. Remember that this is only a guideline. The ultimate
decision as to which procedure(s) is best for you should be made during a private consultation with a
qualified surgeon.

Who is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck can benefit individuals with the following features of the abdominal area:

(1) excessive, loose, sagging skin

(2) stretch marks, such as after pregnancy

(3) excess fat on the abdomen

(4) a rounded tummy that would benefit from flattening

How is a Tummy Tuck Done?

A tummy tuck involves multiple surgical steps, each designed to enhance the cosmetic appearance and
feel of your abdominal area.
The tummy tuck starts by making an incision low down on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein places this
incision as low down as possible so that it is generally not detectable in a bathing suit or a bikini.
Depending on your body structure, fully hiding the incision scar may not be feasible.
Following the initial incision, a tummy tuck will involve plication (firm tightening) of the muscle layer,
excision and removal of as much excess skin and fat as possible, and placement of the umbilicus (belly
button) into an anatomically pleasing location on the abdominal wall. Dr. Backstein includes liposuction of
the upper abdominal area and love handles as part of the tummy tuck procedure.

Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery Scars.

There are two scars that are left by a tummy tuck. These are a horizontal scar placed low down above the
pubic area and a circular scar carefully placed around the belly button.
Both of these scars are absolutely needed if a tummy tuck is to be done properly and effectively. Any
procedure that attempts to avoid these scars will always compromise the result of the surgery in terms of
tightening, flattening, and overall abdominal beauty.
Scars in general are dynamic. This means that scars go through phases during which the visibility of the
scar changes from more to less. During the first two months after a tummy tuck or liposuction, scars will
usually have a certain amount of redness to them. This is called the inflammatory phase of wound healing.

Following this, for up to a full year, the scars will fade more and more.
It is important to note that healing of surgical incisions is very much an individual trait much like hair colour
or skin tone. People will heal incisions and form scars differently even when undergoing the exact same
surgery done by the same surgeon. As a rule, patients are so thrilled and excited by the dramatic
flattening of their abdomens and the psychological lift that this provides that tummy tuck scars are quickly
overlooked and ignored.

Tummy Tuck Recovery.

How Much Pain Will I Have?

Following a tummy tuck, patients describe a major feeling of tightness around the abdomen. The
discomfort is described as an intense muscle ache similar to the feeling after an aggressive abdominal
workout. Dr. Backstein feels that the best tummy tucks will cause a certain amount of post operative
discomfort. This is related to the extent of tightening that the surgeon has achieved. If a tummy tuck
doesn't hurt at all, the abdomen was likely not tightened adequately.
Swelling and bruising is always seen after a tummy tuck or liposuction. Dr. Backstein always provides
supplemental liposuction to the upper abdominal area and love handles and bruising will be seen in these
areas.

Do I Need To Stay Overnight?

Most patients are able to leave the hospital on the evening of the surgical day. Arrangements can always
be made for patients to stay overnight if so desired. Although straining, heavy lifting and bending should
be avoided, tummy tuck patients must start minimal walking and leg exercises the day of the surgery. Lying
in bed for hours at a time is dangerous and must be avoided to minimize the risk of blood clots. When
going to sleep, a couple of pillows under the knees and behind the head will act to ease the tension on the
surgical incision and will help relieve discomfort.

When Can I Return To Work?

Patients with jobs that require significant physical activity including bending, lifting, or quick movement will
need about 4 weeks off before being able to return to full duties comfortably.
Those patients with jobs not demanding physical activity can return to work after 2 weeks.

When Can I Work Out?

Light work outs involving exercises that do not strain the surgical incision or the abdominal muscles can
begin at 2-3 weeks. This includes brisk walking or stationary bike riding.
Heavier work outs including abdominal crunches, sit-ups and running should not be attempted for about 1
month.

Do I Need to Wear a Special Garment?

Yes, tummy tuck patients should wear a compressive corset provided by Dr. Backstein for the first 3-4
weeks post plastic surgery.

Complications Associated with Tummy Tucks.

Significant complications following a tummy tuck are rare. This is very much related to the fact that a
tummy tuck is a superficial cosmetic surgery focusing on the skin and fat and upper muscle layers and not involving
major or vital organs.
All potential tummy tuck complications will be reviewed with you in detail by Dr. Backstein during your initial
consultation. These include:

anesthesia side effects and complications

infections

post-operative bleeding

incision separation

blood clots

slow healing areas

Tummy Tuck: The Only Cure For Stretch Marks.

One thing is abundantly clear about stretch marks and that is that absolutely no cream or topical
ointments exist to remove them. Stretch marks are scars that occur within the substance of the skin when it
is exposed to excessive stretching or shearing force. The abdominal area develops stretch marks during
pregnancy due to the stretching of the skin by the growing fetus in the womb.

Just as no cream exists to erase scars on the skin, none exists to eliminate stretch marks either although
there are many products on the market that claim to do so.
A tummy tuck will remove about 90% of stretch marks from the abdominal wall. As a rule of thumb, all the
stretch marks below the level of the belly button will be removed with the large piece of skin and fat that is
discarded during the tummy tuck surgery. Moreover, the stretch marks that are above the belly button get
pulled far down on the abdomen, just above the pubic area as part of the tummy tuck procedure. This
means that about 90% of your stretch marks are removed completely and the rest shift to a much less
visible area. It truly is fair to say that tummy tuck surgery is the only cure for abdominal stretch marks.

The Effects of Pregnancy On Tummy Tuck Surgery.

It is all too clear that pregnancy induces unwanted changes in the abdominal area that often lead people
to seeking surgical improvement. These pregnancy-induced changes include general weight gain,
looseness and laxity of abdominal skin, and of course, stretch marks.

A tummy tuck operation is the very best surgical procedure to dramatically improve all of the above
mentioned changes of the abdominal region. Unfortunately, much of the improvement achieved through a
tummy tuck can, at least in part, be diminished by the effects of subsequent pregnancy. It is important to
remember that our bodies are dynamic and constantly changing. The beneficial effects of tummy tuck
surgery are not "carved in stone", but need to be maintained. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck will lead to
generalized weight gain, and stretching and distension of the abdominal wall as the baby grows in the
womb. This will cause some degree of skin laxity and stretch marks similar to that present prior to the
tummy tuck surgery. Your tummy area will,however, still look better than it would have had you never
undergone tummy tuck surgery.

Exercise and Diet: Maintaining The Results of Your Cosmetic Surgery.

The human body is dynamic and always in a state of change. No surgical procedure exists to reshape,
recontour or tighten a body region that is absolutely permanent. The results of a tummy tuck and
liposuction need to be maintained. A healthy lifestyle must be followed after surgery to maintain the
dramatic flattening and tightness of the abdominal region that a tummy tuck or liposuction provides. Poor
diet and sedentary lifestyle will, over time cause weight gain and skin stretching after tummy tuck surgery.
Happily, the vast majority of patients find that after a tummy tuck or liposuction, they feel so good both
mentally and physically that excercise and healthy eating become a welcome part of their post surgical
lifestyle.

Dr. Robert Backstein, Cosmetic Surgeon Toronto Ontario
Website: http://www.cosmeticsurgerytoronto.com

Tummy tuck Surgery Atlanta

Tummy tuck Surgery Buckhead

Your Options For Cosmetic Surgery

We all want to look good and attractive at all times. In the older times, our ancestors used to apply various herbs and natural products to enhance their beauty. As the time passed, many new products ventured the market that enhanced the entire concept of makeup. In the present day, there are various modes and techniques through which anyone can look attractive.

In the recent times, the cosmetic products are widely applied by a large number of people all round the world. Though, the most revolutionary method amongst all beauty enhancements was the initiation of Cosmetic Surgery. The beginning of the surgery was a boon for all those who could not resolve their physical imperfections through other means.

In today's time, it is not only the women who are beauty conscious, but the males are also equally conscious. They all wish to look more stunning and attractive in the modern time. There are many different types of surgeries for almost every part of your body including face, breasts, thighs, butts etc. Some of the most common cosmetic surgeries include facial surgery, nose surgery, inject able fillers, tummy tuck, sun burn, artificial enhancements, anti aging, permanent hair removal, breast enlargement, face lifts and the implants. In the present day, the demand of cosmetic surgeries has been amplified with an unexpected rise. One can easily refine the looks with the help of specialised cosmetic surgery techniques. Each of these types of surgeries would absolutely serve your specific purpose and would augment your beauty.

You can change any unwanted part of your body with a complete ease. If you have any kind of a physical fault, then it can also be treated with the help of surgery. Your body parts such as eyelids, ears, face, forehead, nose, abdomen, hips, thighs and breasts could be easily refined with the innovative cosmetic surgery. With the help of skin surgery, you can easily transfer the tissue of your body. Furthermore, it can also enhance the look of any body part, or reshape the body part or get rid of any excess or unwanted part of your body.

Australia is extremely popular for its best cosmetic surgeries in the world. It is largely recognized for their cheek and chin implants, liposuction, skin cancer surgery, lip augmentation, eye cosmetic surgery, facial surgery, skin surgery and executive face lift.

Cosmetic surgery may seem a little frightening, but you should not worry too much before you meet the specialist and learn about the benefits and risks of the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, your usual routine would be no longer hampered and you would not have to worry anymore about that unpleasing part of your body.

For any help on liposuction, check out the info available online, these will help you learn to find the face lift an instant go!

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A mommy makeover is an increasingly common procedure that is enjoying healthy demand due to patient interest and an explosion of media attention.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
As woman age or progress through pregnancy, the skin and tissue in the belly stretches and can begin to protrude and droop.

What Procedures Are Undertaking During a Tummy Tuck?
There are two types of operation which comprise a tummy tuck. In the first one, abdominoplasty is carried out with navel covering. While in the second one abdominoplasty is carried over without repositioning the navel. The carrying over of navel becomes necessary when the removal of loose skin would place the navel in an unnatural position.

What do I need to know before a Tummy Tuck?
For a successful operation and outcome, it's good to know a few things about the procedure. First and foremost, you must be in a healthy state because a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure. Your doctor will make an evaluation before the procedure. There are several factors to consider before your tummy tuck:
- Consult with an expert who has undertaken this specific procedure successfully in the past.
- Always use a board-certified plastic surgeon when undertaking any plastic surgery procedure.
- Getting complete knowledge about the procedure is necessary. You need to know the typical outcome and steps you need to follow after operation.
- A medical examination is made before your procedure. Try to find out the reason and also try to find out the ideal state which needs to get successfully operated.

The postoperative rules
It's important that you follow guidelines given by your doctor after your operation. There are certain possibilities that can occur after operation. It is also important to note that it is a surgical procedure and supervision under a doctor's care is necessary. Typically, you will return home within 24 hours following the completion of the procedure. But the rehabilitation period is not over yet. The typical period for recouping is 2 weeks and it's necessary that you visit your doctor following the procedure as instructed. Surveys had shown that many people around the world visit Hawaii only for plastic surgeries or other cosmetic surgeries. Hawaii is attracting more attraction because of the pleasant environment which is quite suitable to recuperation.

Mommy makeover is growing in popularity every day. If you are seeking tummy tuck Hawaii then find an expert with experience with the procedure and you'll have the outcome you desire and deserve.