lookingyourbest’s blog

Reshaping your breasts, whether by a lift, an augmentation, or a reduction, can have a powerful effect on your overall self image and confidence. Dr Mosharrafa specializes in a number of breast enhancement procedures.

Breast Augmentation - is a cosmetic procedure that uses implants to enlarge the shape of the breasts. It is designed to increase the size of small or underdeveloped breasts. Surgery can also restore and enhance your breast volume if it has decreased as a result of having children. This procedure is performed by placing the implant behind the existing breast tissue and/or the pectoral major muscle. The method of inserting your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola, or in the armpit. Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence.

Breast Lift - raises and recontours loose, sagging breasts. You may decide you would like a breast lift because you have lost volume and tone in your breasts after having children. Another reason for having this procedure is the loss of a significant amount of weight. A breast lift improves the appearance of your breasts in several ways. It elevates your breast tissue, removes excess skin from the lower portion of your breast and the reshapes your remaining breast skin. At the same time it relocates your nipple and areola to a higher position.

Breast Reduction - or Reduction Mammaplasty is a procedure to reduce the size of large breasts and create smaller more youthful appearing breasts. Women frequently choose this operation because of back, neck and shoulder aches created by the large size of their breasts. Breast reduction can be performed at any age on a healthy woman, but it is usually recommended to wait until the breasts are fully developed. Some women decide to wait to have the surgery until their childbearing is over since childbirth and breastfeeding can cause unpredictable changes to the breasts and breast-feeding may not be possible after breast reduction surgery. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola. The goal is to give a woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.

Breast Reconstruction - is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available to women who have had a breast removed due to cancer or other diseases. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for surgeons to create a breast that can come close in form and appearance to matching a natural breast. Frequently, reconstruction is possible immediately following breast removal (mastectomy), so the patient wakes up with a breast mound already in place.

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.

The Best Candidates for Abdominoplasty
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy.

Board certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale Arizona offers liposuction and tummy tuck surgery.

Procedure Description:
This procedure improves the shape of the breast and elevates and downsizes the nipple complex.

What To Expect:
Breast lifting can be done with or without changing the size of the breast. If more fullness is desired, Dr. Flint will recommend that an implant be added. If the breasts are very heavy and pendulous the breast may be downsized at surgery. It depends on your goals. Most importantly, the shape will be improved and the nipple complex will be downsized and moved up higher.

The scar pattern varies depending on how much lift is required and the pre-operative size of the breasts. Most patients find the improvement in shape well worth the trade off of having a scar. Scars generally fade nicely with time.

Preprocedure:
Dr. Flint will meet with you and discuss your goals regarding your breast surgery. She will examine you and discuss your options and make recommendations. all of your questions will be answered. You will be given information regarding the fees and an opportunity to select a date for your surgery if you so desire.

Postprocedure:
You will be able to go home about two hours after your surgery. Dr. Flint will see you in the office in one to two days and place you in a sports bra at that time. Three weeks later she will re-examine you and allow you to return to full activities. Most people take one to two weeks off of work. Discomfort is mild and should resolve within seven to ten days. Breast shape will be improved immediately but will continue to improve over the first three post-operative months.

For a breast lift in Scottsdale and in Mesa Arizona contact female board certified plastic surgeon Patti Flint, M.D.

Breast augmentation in Manhattan New York is performed to increase breast fullness and volume for women with small breasts or those who have experienced a decrease in breast size due to pregnancy or weight loss. There is a wide variety of implant designs, shapes, sizes, and textures, all of which have certain advantages and disadvantages. A breast implant is basically a soft, silicone envelope with various fillers that is surgically implanted under the tissues of your chest to simulate natural breast tissue.

The breast implant used for primary breast augmentation is made of a silicone shell filled with a saline solution. Saline filled adjustable implants that are similar to the standard saline filled implants with the addition of a small connector tube through which the surgeon can adjust the size via injection. This implant requires a second incision to remove the injection port in an additional breast augmentation procedure. Under certain conditions, including breast reconstruction, breast lift and other secondary breast procedures, silicone gel implants are now approved by the FDA.

Breast augmentation Manhattan New York may be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. General anesthesia may be recommended for women desiring implant placement below the muscle. The breast augmentation Manhattan New York surgery consists of making an incision, lifting the breast tissue, creating a pocket in the chest/breast area, and placing an envelope containing a soft, implant material underneath. An incision may be made either in the crease below the breast, around the areola, or under the armpit. The implants can be placed either under the chest muscle or directly under the breasts. Placement considerations include the anatomy of your breasts, breast feeding, and your personal preference. All of the options will be discussed in detail to allow you to make an informed decision. For breast augmentation Manhattan New York contact board certified plastic surgeon Eric Sadeh.

New York plastic surgeon Eric Sadeh offers breast augmentation Manhattan New York using saline and silicone breast implants, breast lift surgery, and breast reduction surgery. Located in New York City serving Manhattan, Queens and Forest Hills.

Miami's facelift expert, Dr. Sam Gershenbaum, brings state-of-the-art techniques and experience to every facial surgery procedure at our Miami, Florida center, including facelift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, ear reshaping, and more.

A facelift can improve the most visible signs of aging by sculpting and tightening the deeper structures and foundation of the face and neck. As we age, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, smoking, heredity, and the daily stresses of life begin to reveal themselves in our faces. Facelift surgery can bring youth back to a patient's face. In youth, the face is firm and smooth due to good skin elasticity and proper positioning of normal facial fat. As we age, skin elasticity and muscle tone weaken, and facial fat descends, causing prominent skin folds, deep creases between the nose and corner of the mouth. Jowls become prominent along with fat deposits and loose skin in the neck.

A facelift won’t stop this process, but it can "turn back the hands of time." A facelift (technically referred to as Rhytidectomy) is designed to reduce much of the looseness and many of the heavy wrinkles and folds in the face and neck. It will also improve the contour of the jaw and necklines. A facelift will not, however, completely remove every fold, line, and wrinkle. There is limited improvement around the eyes and with fine lines of the facial skin. A facelift alone will not improve "smoker’s" lines around the mouth, acne scars, or a poor complexion. Other options exist to treat these problems, including laser treatment, dermabrasion, and chemical peels.

At our Miami, Florida center, many facelift procedures are combined with a forehead and brow lift, upper and/or lower eyelid surgery, and "cheekbone" (malar) augmentation. Frequently, chin implants are placed to improve the profile proportions of the jaw line and increase the projection of the chin. These additional procedures may be performed at the same time and in combination with facelift and neck lift surgery or as independent procedures at a later date.

Dr. Lent believes that in Los Angeles, blepharoplasty patients well informed in surgical procedures receive the best results. At his practice in Los Angeles, blepharoplasty patients will discuss their expectations in the initial surgical consultation. In this first meeting, all relevant questions and concerns should be addressed, and both pre and post operative procedures should be covered in detail.

Treatment of upper and lower eyelid problems require different surgical approaches for Dr. Lent’s patients in Los Angeles. Blepharoplasty patients with problems of the upper lids are generally one of loose, stretched or excess skin and muscle. This extra skin can hang down onto and below the eyelids, causing an aged look and blocking a section of the vision fields. Lower eyelid problems are usually associated with too much fat behind the eyelid, pushing outward. This creates a mound under the eye which causes a shadow or dark circle beneath the fat pad. These shadows and circles are what drive many to seek treatment in Los Angeles. Blepharoplasty clients often look tired before surgery.

For men and women in Los Angeles, blepharoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Treatment of the upper lids is directed at removing excess skin and muscle, in addition to extra fat. Lower eyelid treatment is most commonly focused on the fat pad that causes the shadowing and dark circles. The safest way to treat the lower lids is with a method called the “transconjunctival approach,” which accesses the problem from behind the lid. This innovative technique causes less scarring than the traditional method used.

Minor complications commonly following eyelid surgery include, double or blurred vision, or tightness in the eyes. Swelling and bruising can be kept to a minimum by cold compresses. Adhering to the physician’s advice will reduce the risk of complications for most Los Angeles bleparoplasty patients.

Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in our practice. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is designed to create beautiful breasts, a true breast enhancement. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona is performed using saline breast implants or silicone breast implants. A "true" breast enhancement entails more than just a breast enlargement. When performing breast augmentation, we make a conscious effort to establish the most beautiful breast shape possible.

Many women choose to have breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona for various reasons; the most common are listed below:
* Women who wish to have fuller breasts because their breasts are too small.
* Women who wish to correct a loss of breast volume after pregnancy.
* Women who wish to have perkier breasts and a better shape after pregnancy.
* Women who wish to correct asymmetry of the breasts.
* Women who wish to replace a previously placed breast implant.

Our Philosophy
To be successful with breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona you must fulfill, as best as possible, the patient’s desires and wishes. In order to accomplish this, we have a liberal philosophy with regards to using different breast implant sizes and breast implant shapes. We also have made silicone breast implants available at our offices, for patients that qualify for certain breast implant studies. Depending on the patient’s desires, we have in our office, high profile breast implants, moderate profile breast implants, low profile breast implants, anatomic breast implants, textured breast implants, and breast implants starting at a size of 120 cc and up to 880 cc.

Another component of our philosophy for breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona includes a belief that a breast enlargement should be proportional to the rest of the body. Patients should know that proportional breast enlargement usually gives the best long-term results and happiest patients. Breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona can be performed anytime during a woman’s lifetime. Women with children often undergo breast augmentation Phoenix Arizona through our office. There is no need to wait until after pregnancy to have breast enlargement. Breast implants support the breast better and, in general, in future pregnancy patients experience less sagging.

Many patients choose to have other plastic surgery procedures during a breast augmentation. Tummy tuck and liposuction are the most popular additional plastic surgery procedures. The breasts can also be lifted at the same time as a breast augmentation. Rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid and other plastic surgery procedures can also be performed along with a breast enhancement procedure.

Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes these conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.

Am I a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
You may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty if you have one or more of the following conditions:
* excess or sagging abdominal skin
* an abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body
* abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened
* excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen

If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty.

Where are the incisions placed?
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of this incision will vary somewhat according to the structure of your abdomen and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer. Your plastic surgeon will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but this may not always be possible.

Some patients have loose skin above the navel. In such cases, the surgeon may make a second incision around the navel so that the redundant skin above it can be pulled down. The excess abdominal skin is then removed. The position of the navel remains unchanged.

Skin of the lower abdomen that contains stretch marks may be removed as well. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened and improved, but you should not expect a dramatic change in their appearance.

The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures.

When can I resume my normal activities?
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.

Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks, and your plastic surgeon may advise you to wait longer.

Nose surgery (Rhinoplasty) is a procedure to reshape the nose in order to create a more pleasing look and, in some instances, to correct severe breathing problems. With approximately 400,000 operations performed each year, rhinoplasty is considered the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. Rhinoplasty usually involves reducing the size of the nose by removing and sculpting the nasal tissues in order to enhance the facial appearance. The results are unique to each individual, and depend upon such factors as skin condition and thickness, nasal and facial structure, genetic contributions, and age. Traditionally, a “nose job” was performed only to correct major problems. However, recent surgical innovations allow for individuals to benefit from more moderate improvements from the procedure as well. In general, having nose surgery provides the patient with a better facial balance and overall appearance.

Reasons for Considering Nose Surgery:
* Bring a better proportion to the nose and facial features.
* Reduce the size of the nose that is too large or too wide.
* Correct an overly arched or “Roman” nose.
* Re-form a crooked or elongated nose tip.
* Restore the nose if damaged from an accident or sports injury.
* Help with breathing problems by rebuilding the nasal passage.
* Treat nasal deformities caused at birth.

Note: If rhinoplasty is being utilized to correct a breathing problem or nose deformity, the procedure may be covered under the patient’s insurance policy.

General Procedure
The rhinoplasty procedure lasts from one to three hours. The surgeon may elect to utilize either local or general anesthesia, depending upon the complexity of the operation.

To begin the surgery, tiny incisions are made which allow the surgeon to access the underlying nasal structure. Once the skin is opened, the cartilage and bone are reshaped to form the basis for the new look. Two basic methods are utilized for performing nose surgery. These methods are referred to as the ‘open’ and the ‘closed’ techniques. The open technique allows for maximum visibility and control over the procedure. The incision used in the open technique is placed in-between the nostrils on the columella (the medial nostril strip). In the closed technique, the incisions are internal and heal faster; however, there is less surgical control over the outcome. The physician can discuss which technique is best when the patient arrives for the initial consultation visit.

Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and to reduce the recovery time. Some swelling may be noticed; however, any swelling will disappear within a few weeks. A splint, bandages, and/or gauze are applied immediately following surgery to aid in the healing process and to minimize movement of the nose. Patients must refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery. In addition, any corrective glasses that are worn must be taped up and off the nose. The nose will need to be well-protected from the sun for the first year after the procedure while the body is adjusting to the new look. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. Pain can be effectively treated with oral medication and/or cold compresses. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk of potential problems by carefully following the post-surgical directions given by the surgeon.

Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) is a surgical procedure used to improve the appearance of protruding ears or to reduce the size of large ears. It can also help correct ear deformities such as "lop ear," "cupped ear," or "shell ear."

Are you a candidate for an otoplasty?
Otoplasty can be performed on children and adults, however children need to wait until the ears are almost fully grown. This usually occurs by the age of 4 or 5.

What are my risks?
With any operation, there are associated risks. These include infection or a reaction to the anesthesia. A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot in the ear and this can either dissolve naturally or may need to be aspirated.

Occasionally an infection can occur in the cartilage, which will cause scar tissue to form. These infections can be treated with antibiotics.

What does the consultation consist of?
At your initial consultation, Dr. Windle or Dr. Stroup will evaluate your general health, examine your ears, and explain the procedure to you along with the risks of the procedure. In addition, your doctor will give you different options based on your particular situation.

At this time, your doctor will also discuss with you the types of anesthesia and risks involved, the estimated length of your ear surgery, and what your healing period will be like. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Dr. Windle and Dr. Stroup want to be sure you have a complete understanding of the information given to you so you can make a decision which is right for you.

After meeting with the doctor you will be offered a computer imaging session, which will help communicate to the doctor the outcome and result you are looking for along with what Dr. Windle or Dr. Stroup thinks is a realistic expectation. Photographs will be taken and altered on the computer screen to give you an idea of what changes you can expect to see as a result of otoplasty.

From that point, you will meet with our financial counselor who will give you the exact price quote for your otoplasty. She will give you the options of the different facilities where you can have your procedure done along with their fees for anesthesia and the use of their facility. We do have a financing company with which we work closely, and if you are interested in this, you will be instructed how to apply for a loan. The criteria for this is about the same as being eligible to take out a car loan. We also accept cash, checks, money orders, VISA, Mastercard, or Discover.