Everything You Should Know About Breast Implants, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Breast Augmentation surgery appeals to many women who would like to change the size or shape of their breasts. However, women often worry about the procedure’s effect on breastfeeding and future pregnancies. It’s important to understand the risks and benefits while avoiding common myths.
Will Pregnancy Affect Implants
(more…)Botox Basics
Click here to contact Dr. Tauber to make an appointment for a free cosmetic consultation today!
Botox is an injectable used to target wrinkles created by the contraction of facial muscle groups of the upper face. Botox is a neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. Botox works by preventing the release of a chemical messenger, acetylcholine, at the junction between the nerves and muscles. Botox prevents the release of acetylcholine, preventing contraction of the muscle cells. By preventing the release of acetylcholine, Botox lessens the movement of specific muscles of the face that cause wrinkles. (more…)
Do I Really Need A Tummy Tuck?
Do I really need a full tummy tuck? – Why not just liposuction or the “mini tuck?”
This is the number one question patients ask when they come in looking to get their pre-baby(s) body back. Most often, patients are hoping to only need some liposuction or a mini-tuck to address their concerns.
Liposuction is body-contouring procedure that reduces fat from under the skin through small stab incisions using small cannulas. It is used to address trouble spots throughout the body. The overall success of the procedure depends on the skin retracting back after the fat is reduced. The ideal candidates are young patients with good quality, elastic skin who are targeting stubborn areas resistant to diet and exercise.
A mini abdominoplasty (or mini-tuck) is a fine-tuning tummy-tuck that reduces a small amount of lax skin from below the belly button. It is tailored to a small subset of patients who have no abdominal wall laxity, no excess skin above the belly button, and only a small pouch of excess skin and fat below the belly button.
Unfortunately, most women have too much excess skin and laxity in their belly muscles to benefit from liposuction or a mini-tuck alone.
For these women, a typical full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty) is offered to flatten and reduce excess skin and stretch marks from both above and below the belly button and tighten the abdominal muscles. The trade off, however, is a scar in the bikini line that extends hip to hip and a scar around the belly button.
How can I see what surgery may be right for me? – “The Mirror Test.”
An easy way to know if you need a full tummy tuck is to look for the following things while naked and standing in front of the mirror.
- From the front, do you have stretch marks around your belly button? When you pinch your skin, is it thick and snappy or is it thin and crepey?
- Front the side do you see skin that hangs, creating an extra fold(s) (perhaps you have to “tuck” this extra skin into your underwear or pants)? When you flex your belly muscles, does your belly still bulge?
If you answer “Yes!” to any of these questions, you will probably need a full tummy tuck.
What is a “FULL” tummy tuck?
The full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty) operation is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and begins with elevating a layer of belly skin and fat; separating it from the belly muscles all the way up to the ribs. During this dissection, the belly button is separated from the surround skin and left attached to the belly wall. The skin and fat is pulled down tight and the excess skin and fat is reduced. The abdominal muscles are then sutured together to reduce the laxity (plication). Finally, the belly button is brought out to the surface through a new hole in the skin (transposition) and the incisions are closed over drains.
How is recovery from a full tummy tuck?
As with any surgery, the pain after a full tummy tuck is usually worse in the 2-3 days immediately after surgery and tends to improve after that. Management of pain is usually through a combination of narcotic and non-narcotic pain medications taken by mouth, oral medications that lessen muscle spasm, and long acting local anesthetics injected during surgery or infused from a small pump.
Post-operatively, patients are placed into an abdominal binder with smoothing foam backing. Patients wear this until about a week after the drains are removed (usually around 3 weeks after surgery). Dr. Tauber then recommends patients transition to a Spanx OnCore Firm Control Open-Bust Bodysuit (available on Amazon) for smoothing compression for the next month.
The ability to return to work and everyday activities is variable and depends on many factors including the type of work, the pain tolerance of the patient, and the extent of the procedures. Most patients are ready to return to their lives in 2 weeks.
Read more about scar management on our blog post Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery.
What about my breasts?
Deflated, drooping breasts after childbearing and breast-feeding are a common complaint. These patients are offered a combination of a breast lift and / or augmentation with an abdominoplasty – coined a “mommy makeover.” Other combinations include abdominoplasty and liposuction and abdominoplasty and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). Dr. David Tauber at DeLuca Plastic Surgery tailors all of these operations to each individual patient.
Interested in combining breast and belly surgery? Read more about Mommy Makeover surgery.
Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery
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Post-operative care after surgery helps patients achieve their optimal results. The mainstays of the first week of surgical recovery are skin care, rest, ice, elevation, preventing bruising, and controlling swelling. As patients enter the second week of recovery our efforts switch to focus on contour and scar management and massage. Specific recommendations are tailored to each surgery and patient needs. As an Amazon Associate, DPS may earn from qualifying purchases.
Elevation and Icing
Surgical recovery usually begins with elevation and icing. To make icing the face easier, we recommend the TheraPearl Reusable Hot & Cold Therapy Face #Ad or Eye Mask. These masks utilize gel beads to better focus the cooling effect of the mask. Elevation of the head can be achieved by sleeping on a couple of pillows, however, the Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Foam Bed Wedge Pillow #Ad makes it easier and more comfortable to maintain the elevation in any sleeping position.
Skin Care
To help with pain control and better skin hydration during the healing process we all recommend the Restore and Repair line from Ageless Millennial Aesthetics. The Restore and Repair line of skin care creams and serums includes the CBD and hyaluronic acid-infused CBD Restorative Cream. These help provide the hydration and essential building blocks the skin needs to recover after surgery.
Discover more skincare recommendations by checking out our blog post: Skin Care In The Age of COVID.
Bruising and Swelling
In addition to icing and elevation, for all surgeries we recommend, most patients take anti-bruising supplements, such as VitaMedica – Bromelain with Quercetin and VitaMedica – Arnica Montana 30X, starting before surgery and continuing for about a month after surgery. These supplements help to prevent and resolve bruising after surgery.
Scar Management
At about 10 – 14 days after surgery, post-operative scar management strategies are begun. Sunscreens, such as Neutrogena Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen #Ad, help block the UV rays and prevent the scars from staying dark/too pink. Gentle massage of the incisions and operative area encourages blood flow, helps to breast down scar tissue, and keeps the scars from getting too raised.
Silicone-based scar tape is recommended to help encourage optimal scar maturation for breast and body surgery and scaring after minor procedures, Soothing Silicone Scar Tape from Estéticoceuticals is a waterproof, soft, silky tape that can easily be worn under clothes and only needs to be replaced every 3-7 days. For scar management after face surgery, Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is a clear gel that dries to a thin layer.
These scar management products are continued for the full scar maturation period of a year or more. Typically the darkness or redness of the scar is the last to disappear.
Bras
Breast support is critical after augmentation, reduction, and lifting procedures. Our patients recommend SheFit and Marina Bras for their unparalleled support and comfort.
- Post Op – SheFit Lounge Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra
- Light Activity Bra – SheFit Low Impact Sports Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra
Compression Garments
Compression after body contouring help to control swelling and contour irregularities that can result after liposuction and skin removal surgeries. The day after body contouring surgery patients are placed into a binder or Stage One compression garment. This garment is made of a stiff material that provides a high amount of compression. Patients often purchase additional binders or Stage One garments for their convenience.
Deluca Plastic Surgery recommends Marena Recovery #Ad garments. These garments provide firm, form-fitting compression to help control the swelling that occurs in the weeks after surgery. These garments are tailored to your specific operation.
- Abdominal Binder #Ad
- Stage One Compression Garments of the Abdomen and Back #Ad
- Stage One Compression of the Abdomen, Back, and Thighs #Ad
- Chin and Neck Compression #Ad
- Arm Compression #Ad
After about 2-3 weeks of wearing this garment, patients are encouraged to purchase Stage Two garments to complete their healing process. These later stage garments provide more even compression and are less bulky than Stage One garments.
- Stage Two Compression Garments of the Abdomen and Back #Ad
- Stage Two Compression of the Abdomen, Back, and Thighs #Ad
For men, our patients recommend Underworks and Marena compression garments. These compression garments come in a range of styles and have several models tailored specifically to the post-operative management of gynecomastia and FTM patients.
- Stage One (Weeks 1-2) – Men’s Extreme Chest Binder #Ad or Marena Recovery Vest
- Stage Two (Weeks 3-6) – Men’s Ultimate Chest Binder #Ad
- Chin and Neck Compression #Ad
Rhinoplasty (Cosmetic Nose Surgery) Basics
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What is a Rhinoplasty?
Cosmetic rhinoplasty is a surgery that reduces and repositions tissue in the nose for better aesthetics. This often involves straightening the dorsal profile, reducing dorsal humps, reshaping the tip, and possibly narrowing the width of the nose.
For a nose that is lacking projection and definition, grafting techniques may be needed to build up the projection of the tip and strengthen the dorsum.
The decision on the type of surgery, however, is based on the patient’s anatomy and patient’s preferences.
These are big movements that are often intended to create subtle, millimeter changes to the shape of the nose once it heals. The thickness of the nose skin can affect the overall result, however, an improvement can be obtained for most patients.
What is the recovery like?
The postoperative time for most rhinoplasty patients is often fraught with trepidation.
During a rhinoplasty, the skin and soft tissues are often completely separated from the underlying bone and cartilage framework. The framework is modified and the skin is laid back down. After rhinoplasty the nose swells from the trauma of surgery and the tissues become edematous. This makes the normally pliable skin firm and causes the nose to take on a “swollen” appearance in the first few weeks after surgery.
This swelling and firmness cause the tip to rotate, the dorsum to appear rounded, and the columella to swell and bow out from under the nose. As the initial swelling settles out over the first few weeks, the dorsum begins to settle, the tip starts to soften, and the columella swelling begins to dissipate.
The nose continues to settle over the next few months as the edema finally escapes and the soft tissues adapt to their new underlying framework. It may take 9 months to a year to see a final result.
Post-operative care after nose surgery helps patients achieve their optimal results. To encourage healing we utilize a unique regimen of post-operative care including icing, head elevation, supplements to decrease bruising, and silicone gel scar management.
Get more details on the management of swelling and scars in blog post: Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery.
What surgery is right for me?
A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical treatment. The goal of a rhinoplasty is to create an aesthetic nose with the size, shape, and projection that is desired by the patient.
During your consultation, measurements of the nose are used as a starting point to recommend surgery. For some patients, digital computer simulations are used to help visualize the likely result.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Basics
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What is a breast lift?
A breast lift (mastopexy) is powerful procedure that can lift the nipple, reduce excess skin, and reshape the breasts to sit higher on the chest in a more youthful position. A breast lift is appropriate for patients with breasts that are adequately sized but saggy; but can also be done in combination with an implant to add volume (breast lift – augmentation), to adjust for asymmetry, or to improve unusually shaped breasts (tuberous breasts).
The gold-standard method of assessing the need for a breast lift is the “pencil test.” Standing in front of a mirror, lift the breast and lay a pencil in the fold under the breast and allow the breast to settle over the pencil. Look at the position of the nipple in relation to the pencil.
Did you “Pass” the Pencil Test? Read more on Breast Augmentation.
What surgery is right for me?
A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical treatment. The goal of a breast breast lift is to create an aesthetic breast with the size, shape, and projection that is desired by the patient. The decision about the type of surgery and, if needed, the size, shape, and position of the implants is based on the patient’s anatomy, the type and size of the implant, and patient’s preferences.
The lower the nipples and breast are below the pencil and the more excess skin you have, the greater the chance you will need a breast lift and the more of a breast lift you will need. If your nipple and a majority of your breast are at or above the pencil (Normal), you will likely get a great result from a breast augmentation alone. Larger implants can shift this equation slightly for patients that have borderline ptosis (Grade 1).
The trade off with a breast lift, is a scar on the breast around the nipple with a possible extension down towards the breast crease creating a lollipop or possibly an inverted “T” pattern. The choice of incision is based on multiple factors including patient anatomy, surgeon preference, and patient preference.
During your consultation, measurements of the breasts are used as a starting point to recommend a surgery and in-office sizing and digital three-dimensional computer simulations are used to help guide your implant choices.
What Is The Recovery Like After A Breast Lift?
After surgery, the breasts swell from the trauma of surgery and the tissues become edematous. As the swelling subsides and the tissues begin to stretch from the weight of implants, the breasts begin to settle. Over the next few months, the breasts settle as the soft tissues relax. The shape changes from high and tight to lower and fuller as the breasts round out and more of the implant is in position to provide lower pole projection.
This “drop and fluff” often occurs over the first few months after surgery as the edema finally escapes and the soft tissues relax. This process is often asymmetric as the breasts relax and settle at their own rates. It will take 3 to 6 months to see a final result – although for some patients this process occurs faster.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Basics
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What is a “FULL” tummy tuck?
The full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty) operation is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and begins with elevating a layer of belly skin and fat; separating it from the belly muscles all the way up to the ribs. During this dissection, the belly button is separated from the surrounding skin and left attached to the belly wall. The skin and fat are pulled down tight and the excess skin and fat are removed. The abdominal muscles are then sutured together to remove the laxity (plication). Finally, the belly button is brought out to the surface through a new hole in the skin (transposition) and the incisions are closed over drains.
How can I see what surgery may be right for me? – “The Mirror Test.”
An easy way to know if you need a full tummy tuck is to look for the following things while naked and standing in front of the mirror.
- From the front, do you have stretch marks around your belly button? When you pinch your skin, is it thick and snappy or is it thin and crepey?
- Front the side do you see skin that hangs, creating an extra fold(s) (perhaps you have to “tuck” this extra skin into your underwear or pants)? When you flex your belly muscles, does your belly still bulge?
If you answer “Yes!” to any of these questions, you will probably need a full tummy tuck.
How is recovery from a full tummy tuck?
As with any surgery, the pain after a full tummy tuck is usually worse in the 2-3 days immediately after surgery and tends to improve after that. Management of pain is usually through a combination of narcotic and non-narcotic pain medications taken by mouth, oral medications that lessen muscle spasms, and long-acting local anesthetics injected during surgery or infused from a small pump.
Post-operatively, patients are placed into an abdominal binder with smoothing foam backing. Patients wear this until about a week after the drains are removed (usually around 3 weeks after surgery). Dr. Tauber then recommends patients transition to a Spanx OnCore Firm Control Open-Bust Bodysuit (available on Amazon) for smoothing compression for the next month.
The ability to return to work and everyday activities is variable and depends on many factors including the type of work, the pain tolerance of the patient, and the extent of the procedures. Most patients are ready to return to their lives in 2 weeks.
Get more details on the management of swelling and scars in blog post: Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery.
Mommy Makeover – Get Your Body Back
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What Is A Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a combination of surgeries aimed at reversing the changes the body undergoes during pregnancy.
What Happens to My Belly During Pregnancy?
The pregnant abdomen undergoes many changes as the growing fetus and weight gain associated with pregnancy stretches the abdominal skin and underlying muscles. Delivery of the baby releases this pressure and the skin and muscles are able to start retracting back to their normal size. Often, however, the skin and the muscles often remain stretched – making post-baby physical recovery difficult as new moms are faced with excess, hanging skin, stretch marks, and a post-baby bulge.
For these moms, a mommy makeover includes a typical full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty) offered to flatten and remove excess skin and stretch marks from both above and below the belly button and tighten the abdominal muscles. The trade-off, however, is a scar in the bikini line that extends hip to hip and a scar around the belly button.
Do I really need a full tummy tuck? – Why not just liposuction or the “mini tuck?”
This is the number one question patients ask when they come in looking for a mommy makeover to get their pre-baby(s) body back. Most often, patients are hoping to only need some liposuction or a mini-tuck to address their concerns.
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes fat from under the skin through small stab incisions using small cannulas. It is used to address trouble spots throughout the body. The overall success of the procedure depends on the skin retracting back after the fat is removed. The ideal candidates are young patients with good quality, elastic skin who are targeting stubborn areas resistant to diet and exercise.
A mini-abdominoplasty (or mini-truck) is a fine-tuning tummy-tuck that removes a small amount of lax skin from below the belly button. It is tailored to a small subset of patients who have no abdominal wall laxity, no excess skin above the belly button, and only a small pouch of excess skin and fat below the belly button.
Unfortunately, most women looking to have a mommy makeover have too much excess skin and laxity in their belly muscles to benefit from liposuction or a mini-tuck alone.
Curious about Liposuction? Check out our blog post The Skinny On Liposuction.
How can I see what surgery may be right for me? – “The Mirror Test.”
An easy way to know if your mommy makeover will include a full tummy tuck is to look for the following things while naked and standing in front of the mirror.
- From the front, do you have stretch marks around your belly button? When you pinch your skin, is it thick and snappy or is it thin and crepey?
- Front the side do you see skin that hangs, creating an extra fold(s) (perhaps you have to “tuck” this extra skin into your underwear or pants)? When you flex your belly muscles, does your belly still bulge?
If you answer “Yes!” to any of these questions, you will probably need a full tummy tuck as part of your mommy makeover.
What is a “FULL” tummy tuck?
The full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty) operation is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and begins with elevating a layer of belly skin and fat; separating it from the belly muscles all the way up to the ribs. During this dissection, the belly button is separated from the surrounding skin and left attached to the belly wall. The skin and fat are pulled down tight and the excess skin and fat are removed. The abdominal muscles are then sutured together to remove the laxity (plication). Finally, the belly button is brought out to the surface through a new hole in the skin (transposition) and the incisions are closed over drains.
How is recovery from a full tummy tuck?
As with any surgery, the pain after a mommy makeover with a full tummy tuck is usually worse in the 2-3 days immediately after surgery and tends to improve after that. Management of pain is usually through a combination of narcotic and non-narcotic pain medications taken by mouth, oral medications that lessen muscle spasms, and long-acting local anesthetics injected during surgery or infused from a small pump.
Post-operatively, patients are placed into an abdominal binder with smoothing foam backing. Patients wear this until about a week after the drains are removed (usually around 3 weeks after surgery). Dr. Tauber then recommends patients transition to a Spanx OnCore Firm Control Open-Bust Bodysuit (available on Amazon) for smoothing compression for the next month.
The ability to return to work and everyday activities is variable and depends on many factors including the type of work, the pain tolerance of the patient, and the extent of the procedures. Most patients are ready to return to their lives in 2 weeks.
What about my breasts?
Deflated, drooping breasts after childbearing and breastfeeding are common complaints. Mommy makeover patients are offered a combination of a breast lift and/or augmentation with an abdominoplasty. Dr. David Tauber at DeLuca Plastic Surgery tailors all of these operations to each individual patient.
Before and After Photos
You will see various photos of Mommy Makeover procedures. Feel free to browse through the images so that you may have a photographic idea of what to expect from your mommy makeover surgery.
Check out the full Mommy Makeover Gallery.
Deciding On Your Best Option: Mid Facelift vs. Mini Facelift
Click here to contact Dr. Tauber to make an appointment for a free cosmetic consultation today!
There are multiple types of facelifts; determining which procedure is right for you can be difficult. We want to help our patients make the right choices concerning their personal appearance, so we’re going to help you select a procedure that will benefit you the most. Specifically, let’s examine the differences between a Mid Facelift and a Mini Lift. These two techniques are somewhat similar, so distinguishing which one is for you will be dependent on factors unique to each individual.
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