What is Breast Augmentation

What is Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation, sometimes called Augmentation Mammoplasty, is a cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedure aimed at females who have small, hypoplastic, and underdeveloped breasts. It can also provide balance to asymmetric breasts after mastectomy reconstruction, as well as add breast volume to post-pregnancy women. Breast Augmentation is often carried out when the patient’s breasts have reached maturity, typically at the age of 18 years. The minimum age requirement can be bypassed, however, by females with congenital breast hypoplasia.

Breast Augmentation will bring both tangible and intangible benefits to the patient, including an improved appearance, physical balance, better posture, and a boost in self-confidence. Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon will grant a safe operation while receiving quality results at strict budgets.

How is Breast Augmentation Performed

The procedure is done under local anesthesia coupled with sedation or general anesthesia. The basic steps are to make an incision, create a pocket in the breast area, and place the necessary implant.

The incision may be made along the crease below the breast, around the areola, under the armpit, or through the navel. The implants themselves can be placed above or under the chest muscle, which is just below the breasts. Often, placement decisions depend on the anatomy of the breasts, possible soreness follwoing surgery, exercise activities — among others.

Silicone gel or saline breast implants can be used for Breast Augmentation. Both types have pros and cons, and the decision of which one will be used depends on the patient’s preference, body, as well as the doctor’s recommendation.

Breast Augmentation surgery can take as long as one to three hours. This procedure usually follows an outpatient basis.

Breast Augmentation Risks

Examples of common risks involved in this procedure include adverse effects of anesthesia, hematoma, seroma, wound infection, breast pain, wrinkling, and asymmetry. Some rare ones like implant rupture and capsular contracture (collagen-fiber compresses the implant; inflicts great pain) may occur if the doctor isn’t as experienced in this surgery as required.

Who Can be Considered for Breast Augmentation

Female individuals who are at least 18 years old, in good health, not pregnant or nursing, mentally stable, wants to improve their appearance, and didn’t have previous experience with Breast Augmentation. They should also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of its limitations.

Breast Augmentation Facts

Females who are interested in Breast Augmentation and has intentions of entering maternity should first discuss this with their doctor in order for the procedure to deal the least damage on the lactiferous ducts and the nerves of the nipple-areola complex, which are both essential in breastfeeding.

What are Dermal Fillers

What are Dermal Fillers

Dermal Fillers can use natural or synthetic substances and are seeped into the deep layer of the skin via an injection, filling wrinkles, crevices, and scars. They can be used against folds and wrinkles, bringing a youthful effect to the skin. Fillers are injected into the lines and defects to plump them out. The substance settles in the skin where it fuses with water to create a lift and tightness to the treated regions.

The skin consists of the epidermis and the dermis. Between them, a jelly-like substance can be found called hyaluronic acid. Young people have abundant hyaluronic acid, which diminishes upon aging. The hyaluronic acid causes the skin to lose its natural volume and fullness when it decreases, producing fold and wrinkles in the process. Fillers serve as a substitute for hyaluronic acid and it can restore the skin’s richness back to its full glory.

How are Dermal Fillers Performed

If collagen-based fillers are being considered, the patient must go through a skin test first. Approximately 3% of patients are allergic to these types of fillers that’s why testing is necessary. Hyaluronic-acid-based fillers aren’t known to give allergic reactions, so a skin test isn’t needed if they are being considered.

A numbing agent is usually provided, like anesthetic injections and topical anesthetic creams, before the procedure begins. The procedure entails that Dermal Fillers are injected under the skin in tiny amounts using a very fine needle. Most treatments take as long as 10 minutes to complete, but some can stretch up to an hour.

If the fillers were applied only to a small area, patients can immediately get back to their regular daily activities without problems. If a bigger area was covered, a few days of rest may be required. Filler gels lift and iron out wrinkled skin, while they add volume and shape when used on the lips.

Dermal Fillers aren’t painful. However, some may experience discomfort due to varying levels of sensitivity of people. Pain is also dependent on the area being treated. The nose and lips areas are known for producing the greatest discomfort with this treatment.

Risk of Dermal Fillers

Side-effects of Dermal Fillers include bruising, mild swelling/redness, itching, discoloration, and tenderness. On rare occasions, granulomas may form in skin treatments.

Who Can Be Considered for Dermal Fillers

Individuals who don’t have severe allergies — particularly those who have allergies with bacterial proteins — or a history of anaphylaxis. They should also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of the limitations of plastic surgery.

Dermal Fillers Facts

Dermal Fillers are slowly broken down and absorbed by the body, so any problem that the treatment addressed will return if no follow-up treatments were planned. Results may last 6 to 9 months for most people, while some may carry the fruits of the treatment for up to a year. The fillers used in the treatment are either cow or human collagen, synthetic hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid (from fruit acids; inspires the body to produce its own collagen), or calcium hydroxylapatite (one of the bone’s substances).

What is Otoplasty

What is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is either a surgical or non-surgical procedure that corrects deformities and defects of the external ear, caused by congenital conditions or trauma. The repair creates a new ear having natural proportions, contour, and appearance, by reshaping, moving, and augmenting the framework of the pinna or the outer ear. Depending on what the patient needs, the procedure may cover one or both ears.

Several ear deformities exist, and each are often different for every patient. There are various surgical and non-surgical approaches to address a particular defect. Common types include:

Cup Ear – Parts of the external ear don’t develop evenly, which causes the ears to stick out or resemble a cup figure

Lop Ear – Also known as “Bat Ear”; the inner part of the ear, called “concha“, grows perpendicularly instead of a parallel manner with respect to the ear

Cauliflower Ear – Caused by inflammation and injury, taking the appearance of a cauliflower

How is Otoplasty Performed?

Depending on the deformity, the Otoplasty method used can either be surgical or non-surgical.

Surgical Approach

Surgical techniques can repair torn earlobes and ears with some slight damage from the pinna, but some may be required to undergo multiple surgeries. The surgical approach covers many external ear problems as its the more flexible option.

Otoplastic surgery can be done with the patient under local anesthesia, local anesthesia with sedation, and general anesthesia (common for children). A Lop Ear with a small helix (outer rim), for example, can be addressed by making an incision on one side of a flat cartilage piece to allow evolution of the ear contour. This incision, which is along the new anti-helical fold, can be a technical component in the procedure. Without the incision, the surgeon punctures a needle through the skin to model the cartilage and emplace retention sutures that will hold the anti-helix and conchal bowl areas together.

Surgical Otoplasty can consist be done through anti-helical fold manipulation, conchal alteration, correction of earlobe prominence, alteration of the auricular upper pole position, or a combination of the mentioned techniques.

Non-Surgical Approach

Usually, congenital or acquired ear deformities are self-correcting on an infant, but if they still appear the same after a week from birth, aid from non-surgical corrective devices is required for the ear to develop normally.

During the early weeks of infancy, the cartilage of the pinna is highly malleable. By using non-surgical corrective devices (tissue molding), deformed ears can become normal over time. The taping method uses a tape with or without a splinting device to flatten the ears into their normal position. The EarWell and Ear Buddy devices are basically technical versions of the splint-and-tape appoach.

Risks of Otoplasty

Because non-surgical methods are virtually problem-free, there are no complications involved. However, for surgical Otoplasty, there may be hematoma, infection, suture complications, and development of an unnatural contour due to overcorrection.

Who Can be Considered for Otoplasty?

Individuals with ear deformations, most especially infants who are less than six weeks old. They must also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of its limitations. Patients with a history of hypertrophic scarring and keloids may re-experience them, which can affect the results of surgery.

Facts on Otoplasty

Congenital ear deformities sometimes occur with medical conditions; therefore, Otoplasty is also performed by an oro-maxilofacial surgeon and an otolaryngologist, apart from a plastic surgeon. The malleability of the infant ear, made possible by the remaining maternal estrogen that circulate within the body of the child, continue to linger until the first six weeks of life is exceeded.

What is Eye Bag Removal

What is Eye Bag Removal?

Eye Bag Removal uses Upper Blepharoplasty, Lower Blepharoplasty, or both to eliminate the sagging skin in the upper eyelids, remove eye bags, and tighten lower eyelid skin. Aging brings lost elasticity and diminished muscle strength. The first signs of aging occur around the skin surrounding the eyes. Fat displacement in the eyelids makes it bulge, which we call “eye bags”. Eye Bag Removal, therefore, will bring back the younger, vigorous appearance of a person.

How is Eye Bag Removal Performed?

Eye Bag Removal surgery takes around one to three hours to finish and done on an outpatient basis. Recovery will depend on the type of surgery and the healing capability of the patient.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper Blepharoplasty usually requires to be performed under local anesthesia plus mild sedation. The surgeon begins by making small incisions along the crease of the upper eyelid. The skin is then carefully separated from the underlying tissue before the fatty tissue is removed or repositioned. Tightening of the muscles follow. Finally, the skin is stretched to make sure the result will be free from wrinkles and lines, and then sewn.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower Blepharoplasty, or when combined with Upper Blepharoplasty, requires general anesthesia. Once it’s in effect, the surgeon will make an incision along the lower lash line prior to removing excess fat. The skin is then stretched to make sure it’s free of wrinkles and smooth. After it stitching, any remaining skin will be removed for a polished result.

Risks of Eye Bag Removal

Most complications are rare in Eye Bag Removal and when they take place, they’re usually minor. Some mild discomfort as a result of swelling and bruising may be felt after the anesthetic wears off. Eyes may feel grainy, but this is a common side-effect. The lower eyelid may droop, although it’s expected to subside in a few days.

Who Can be Considered for Eye Bag Removal?

Individuals who carry eye bags and wish them to be removed. They should also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of its limitations. Any history of thyroid disease, dye eye, or other ophthalmological disorders need to be disclosed to the doctor before undergoing surgery.

Facts on Eye Bag Removal

Aside from aging, eye bags can occur on individuals who lack sleep, by eating foods that trigger the retention fluids under the eyes, in menstruating and pregnant women, in people who have hormonal imbalances, and because of genetics. Regular facial exercises help prevent and reduce development of eye bags.

What is Rhinoplasty

What is Rhinoplasty?

The nose is a prominent facial feature, nestled at the center of the face. It’s easily seen and can greatly influence other facial features, which means it’s a huge contributor to overall facial attractiveness. A disproportioned or disfigured nose, from any angle, can grab anyone’s attention — in a bad way.

Rhinoplasty is a procedure of both surgical and non-surgical principles that is designed to reshape the nose to better balance the face and complement other facial features. The gist of the surgical procedure involves removing, rearranging, and/or reshaping nasal bone and cartilage. Rhinoplasty has reconstructive benefits as well. In fact, it’s usually more of a reconstructive procedure than a cosmetic one, since it’s often performed to improve breathing passages that will decrease episodes of nasal stuffiness and sinus headaches.

How is Rhinoplasty Performed?

Depending on condition of the nose, there can be two ways to perform Rhinoplasty:

Surgical

The surgical approach corrects both congenital and acquired abnormalities of the nose to restore both function and normal appearance through manipulation of the nasal skin, the underlying bone and cartilage, and the mucous membrane lining. Surgery can be classified as an Open Rhinoplasty or a Closed Rhinoplasty. In the open type, the surgeon creates a small, irregular incision to the fleshy part that separates the nostrils (columella), in addition to the typical incisions made for nasal correction. In the closed type, incisions are made within the nose only, leaving the columella untouched.

Closed Rhinoplasty also has decreased potential for the cutting of the nasal tip support, lower post-operative edema, fewer visible scarring, decreased possibility of a damaged nose, reduced possibility of surgical errors, shorter operating room time, faster recovery following surgery, among others.

Non-Surgical

This technique is performed under local anesthesia. With a syringe and a hypodermic needle, the surgeon injects soft-tissue filler under the nasal skin (often in the deep underlying tissues) to correct nasal defects. It’s possible to have a flat nasal bridge, added projection of the nasal tip, camouflage the prominence of a nasal hump, and improve a degree of traumatic injury, to name a few.

Injection of soft-tissue fillers last about an hour. After the procedure, the patient can go home or resume normal activities.

Risks of Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is safe, but complications may still arise. Some include post-operative bleeding, infection, scarring, deformation caused by surgery, breathing difficulties, and adverse reaction to the anesthesia.

Who Can be Considered for Rhinoplasty?

Individuals who have a deformed nose or want their nose corrected. They should also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of its limitations. Medical conditions and intake of certain medication/supplements should be disclosed to the doctor before going through surgery.

Facts on Rhinoplasty

Closed Rhinoplasty is the standard in the procedure and gives about the same results as an Open Rhinoplasty; EENTs specialize in Open Rhinoplasty than plastic surgeons.

What is Face Lift

What is Face Lift?

Face Lift, technically known as Rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed to remove aging signs on the face and neck. Starting at the age of 40, wrinkles, sagging skin, and collections of fat are noticeable than before. At that age, the body has spent a lot of time under the effects of gravity, the sun, and stress — leaving signs of wear behind. The facial skin gets more relaxed, loosens up, and slowly drapes below the jaw line. Neck skin, in addition, becomes loose and wrinkles begin to surface.

While nothing can really stop the aging process, a Face Lift can at least take some traces of it off. This is basically possible by having excess skin and fat removed, as well as tightening the underlying tissues around supporting structures.

How is Face Lift Performed?

Traditionally, a Face Lift is done by making an incision from the front of the ear, going up into the hairline. The incision makes its way around the bottom of the ear and behind it, often stopping close to the hairline at the back of the neck. Here, the deeper tissues can be tightened using sutures, plus the option to remove or leave a few excess deeper tissues. The skin is redraped after, then the amount of excess skin that will be removed will depend on the surgeon’s decision. When the excess skin is removed, the incisions are closed with sutures and staples.

A Face Lift is typically performed under general anesthesia and combined with other facial procedures, like Blepharoplasty and Rhinoplasty.

Risks of Face Lift

A Face Lift is a major surgery that carries its share of risks. Complications can be any of the following: excessive scarring, bleeding, hematoma, infection, poor wound healing, skin necrosis, adverse effects from anesthesia, facial nerve injury, asymmetry, skin loss, numbness, burning or cold sensations, and facial pain, to cite examples. These risks, however, can be rare, especially if the doctor who works on the patient has years of experience and is a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Who Can be Considered for Face Lift?

Individuals who wish to have a younger-looking face and do not have notable medical problems. They should also be capable of drawing realistic expectations from the procedure and aware of its limitations. Smokers and people with hypertension and diabetes have greater risk in developing complications after the procedure. Intake of aspirin or blood thinners, if any, should be stopped at least a week before surgery.

Facts on Face Lift

To enhance the results of a Face Lift, Botox can be included to address laugh lines and liposculpture to address marionette lines.