Should you consider Plastic Surgery?

Plastic Surgery figures continue to increase even in the face of today's challenging economy. Technological and surgical techniques have reduced the cost and downtime involved in cosmetic surgery. Both of these factors have made plastic surgery more available and commonplace in the general public.

In 2009, there were about ten million cosmetic procedures done in the United States. Everyone has something about themselves that they'd like to change and today it's easier than ever to remedy that situation.

Plastic Surgery is a very personal decision and can have a very positive effect on someone's life. Not everyone is super self-confident enough to accept every imperfection of their physical features. Really, if it's possible to fix something that bothers you, why wouldn't you?

So if you have an aspect of your appearance that you don't like be it your nose, your breasts, or an aging face that makes you look tired or angry, fixing it can be a new lease on life. Many patients say that after their surgery they feel 100 times better. Surgery allows them to go on with their lives without ever having to think about their past physical issues every again.

No one thinks that braces on your teeth are vain. No one believes that correction of birth defects or removal of scarring is done for vanities sake. Why can't other cosmetic procedures be viewed in the same way? Correcting an issue, any issue that has always bothered you is your very personal decision.

You may have been shy and withdrawn because of a physical trait. Now since you no longer have that to hold you back, you can blossom socially or in your career. Gone are the days of meeting new people and feeling that they are judging you based your appearance.

If you're one of those people who's always been bothered by an aspect of your appearance, plastic surgery may be for you. A skilled plastic surgeon can help you achieve a natural looking enhancement that will help you feel better about every aspect of your life.

Breast Augmentation Today

Nowadays, it seems that virtually every woman has had a breast augmentation, and implants are so realistic that it's difficult to speculate who's had the procedure done and who hasn't. While a La Jolla breast enlargement surgery isn't right for everyone it does offer a variety of benefits.

In today's image conscious society in La Jolla, breast augmentation has become such an integral part of our culture, it's rare that anyone even gives it a second thought. Everyone from Hollywood actresses to real estate moguls to stay-at-home moms seem to be opting for the boost of self-confidence that many women experience as a result of the procedure, unsurprising when considering over 65% of American women claim to be dissatisfied with their breast size. In fact, breast augmentation is so common that 4 out of 10 women in the United States have implants. While there's no doubt that in a culture highly focused on sexuality and physical attractiveness, larger breasts create a greater sense of self-confidence and sexual self-image for many women, is the focus on bra size going just a bit too far?

The truth is that for most women in La Jolla, breast augmentation is a helpful procedure, especially for those who may experience a loss of self-esteem or interest in physical intimacy following the loss of a breast. Other women, small-chested by nature, are amazingly impacted by the change in appearance alone. Implants often help enhance the figure, ensuring that clothes fit better, and the body is better proportioned. Whatever the reason for choosing implants, as long as a patient is properly advised about the risks and benefits of the procedure prior to surgery, the result is most often a positive one. While breast augmentation isn't going to change a woman's life, heal the scars left by a difficult past or lack of self-esteem, or allow her to suddenly find happiness with herself, it can certainly make a difference in how she looks and feels on a daily basis.

The surgery is a relatively safe and simple one and done on an outpatient basis. Before determining whether or not a patient is a good candidate for breast enlargement, a La Jolla plastic surgeon must perform a medical evaluation to ensure she is in good health and able to withstand both undergoing general anesthesia, and the discomfort of the recovery process. Most patients take a week or two off from work and any physically demanding obligations in order to recover uneventfully. Within two weeks, the sutures will have been removed and the patient able to return to her normal lifestyle.

Implants are offered in a variety of sizes and materials, so it's important for a patient to discuss all the options with her cosmetic surgeon. La Jolla women with a more active lifestyle may do best with smaller implants for instance. "Sizing" can help provide an idea of what to expect once the implants are done, and what size and shape is most suited to a particular body type. Also, look for pictures of breast sizes that you would like for yourself and show those to your surgeon and see if that size and shape makes sense on your body type and torso.

Breast Augmentation Now for Summer Fun Later!

In a recent press release, Dr. Joseph G. Bauer, plastic surgeon of Atlanta-based Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, lets women know that there is still time to get breast implants for summer.
He says in the release that "in no time, our patients can be enjoying the confidence that goes along with feeling good about their body." He is a specialist in this area and can have you filling out your bathing suit top in no time.
Once the decision to have Atlanta breast augmentation has been made, the majority of the healing takes place in the first month or two. So, there is plenty of time for the swelling to go down and the incisions to heal enough so they are less visible. Of course, as noted in the release, the incisions will be hidden under the top, the arm or the breast anyway.
Dr Bauer notes that this should not be a rushed decision just because summer is coming. You should be thoughtful and research all the aspects like implant type, size, texture, profile and a number of other issues.
If you want to take advantage of the time left before summer, call (800) 816-1057 or (770) 667-0904 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bauer. You can also get a lot of information on The Swan Center’s Website at www.swancenteratlanta.com.

Breastfeeding-- Does it Really Cause Breast Droop?

Though it's commonly believed that breastfeeding adversely affects breast shape, a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal says differently. According to the study, other factors, such as body mass index, smoking habits, number of pregnancies, age, and pre-pregnancy cup size are the true factors in post-pregnancy breast droop.

Before this study, very little evidence existed as to whether breastfeeding actually had an affect on the aesthetics of the breast. But according to the study's lead author, plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Rinker, breast appearance is still one of the major reasons cited for women choosing not to breastfeed.

Though the decision to breastfeed is a very personal matter, the benefits are many. It not only provides essential nourishment for the baby, but protects the infant against illness, and offers the economic advantage of saving money on formula as well as health care costs.


Though breastfeeding may not be the cause of post-pregnancy breast droop, pregnancy still take it's toll on the appearance of the body. For mothers considering post-pregnancy cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, a breast lift or a tummy tuck, Orange County plastic surgeon at Dr. Ambe offers great information on their website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

How Our Atlanta Plastic Surgeons Help Remove the ‘Guess Work’ of Breast Augmentation with Intimate Sizing Sessions

For body conscious women in Atlanta, breast augmentation can be frightening without an accurate way to gauge surgical results.

Fortunately, our intimate sizing sessions offer patients an immediate “glimpse” of their results-- thus allowing them to make better informed decisions before agreeing to elective surgery.

In the past, women seeking breast augmentation would simply bring in pictures of celebrities that were in the “ballpark” of their desired shape and size. However, there was no way to accurately gauge how a particular size or shape would truly look following an elective surgical procedure.

Fortunately, such “guess work” is no longer the case thanks to advances in interactive patient education. Our practice actually gives patients an opportunity to “try on” a variety of implants using a special sizing bra to see exactly how their new breasts would look and feel under clothing.

We’ve also noticed that our intimate sizing sessions really help to reduce anxiety and allow patients to feel more comfortable with their decision to undergo breast augmentation surgery.

That is because a patient doesn’t have to worry that she is inaccurately describing to us the way she wants her breasts to look. Once she’s tried on a few sizes and expressed her likes and dislikes, it’s much easier to be certain that we are all on the same page.

And almost immediately a patient can tell whether she wants to go larger or smaller or choose a different shape just by the way the breasts actually look and feel against her own body.

As reputable Atlanta plastic surgeons we want our patients to feel as comfortable as possible when undergoing elective breast augmentation surgery. We are no more interested in recovery room “surprises” than are any of the women that frequent our practice. And because client satisfaction is our ultimate goal, we are willing to invest in the necessary technology to make that happen.

For further information on Atlanta breast augmentation or the intimate sizing session used at the Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, please call (770) 667-0904 or toll-free (800) 816-1057.

New Saline Breast Implants-- Will they Look as Good as Silicone Gel?

A clinical trial for a new type of saline breast implant is currently being conducted by select plastic surgeons across the country. This new implant was designed to offer the safety of saline with the more natural-looking results of silicone gel. Though Silicone gel implants have been FDA approved since 2006, and are commonly seen as the offering a better aesthetic result, a recent study shows that the majority of breast augmentations are still being performed using saline implants instead. This implies that concerns over the safety of silicone gel implants still exist in the minds of many, impacting implant choice for many surgeons and patients.

This new implant, however, called the IDEAL IMPLANT®, attempts to offer the best of both worlds. It is filled entirely with saline-- a substance natural to the human body, yet is designed to prevent the "sloshing" issues which often occur with saline implants by using several silicone shells nested within one another. The design is also intended to conform better to the chest wall, reducing the wrinkling issues also common with traditional saline implants.

These new implants are being tested in 500 women by plastic surgeons in Texas, Florida and California.

For now, traditional saline and silicone gel breast implants are still the options to choose from. If you are considering breast augmentation, Columbus, OH plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffery Donaldson offers great information on his website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Breast Reduction for African Americans

According to recent statistics, cosmetic surgery for African Americans increased 10% in 2008. In a year when plastic surgery as a whole experienced a significant drop, the increase in African American and other ethnic patients has drawn quite a bit of attention. And though breast augmentation was the top surgical procedure performed in 2008 as a whole, statistics show breast reduction is more commonly sought by African American women than augmentation.

Breast reduction surgery can not only offer cosmetic benefits to patients, but medical benefits as well, relieving back and neck pain caused by the extra weight of larger breasts. Though breast reduction is a popular procedure among African American women, many still shy away from the procedure due to anxieties over scarring. Though scarring is often more noticeable in those with darker skin, steps can be taken to lower this risk. Precautions such as limiting sutures near the skin's surface, as well as advanced wound management techniques can help minimize the risk of noticeable scarring in African Americans. Breast reduction using liposuction only is another option to consider. This procedure offers minimal scarring and can alleviate back and neck pain caused by excess breast weight. Though this option is effective in some instances, it is not recommended for women who seek a lifting of the breasts as well as reduction.

As more and more African Americans seek out cosmetic procedures, plastic surgery techniques and sensibilities are evolving to meet the demand. If you are considering cosmetic procedures, such as rhinoplasty, breast reduction or breast augmentation, Atlanta plastic surgeons at The Swan Center offer great information on their website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.