Underwire Bras and Your Breast Implants

If you have breast implants, you may be wondering whether or not underwire bras are an option. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

There are some risks with underwire bras, at least during the initial healing process. Some women who were small-breasted before their breast augmentation — as well as those who have breast augmentation in combination with breast lift — have a tight breast envelope following the surgery. In these cases, an underwire bra should not be worn until the breast implants have dropped into their correct position.

If you have inframammary incisions you will need to wait until after you have completely healed from breast augmentation to wear underwire bras. The wire may cause friction or pressure on the suture line, resulting in pain and problems with the healing process. The skin near your incisions may be numb after surgery, so underwire can actually dig into your skin and you won't feel a thing.Tell your surgeon if you develop pain, irritation, or redness around your incision.

The bottom line? Talk to your surgeon about whether or not wearing an underwire bra is a good choice for you. Make sure you get clearance from your surgeon before you wear an underwire bra after your surgery.

Choosing a well-fitted, supportive bra is essential to preventing breast ptosis (sagging) as well as back and shoulder pain.

Reference: http://www.breastimplants4you.com/underwire_bra.htm

5 Ways Your Features Are Aging You

One reason why our facial features lose shape and become less defined is because of fat changes. Fat is essential for fullness but over time it starts to descend in some areas and shift position. “One of the biggest breakthroughs in plastic surgery and anti-aging is to add fat back to the face to revolumize it, especially the midface,” says Scottsdale, AZ, plastic surgeon Geoffrey E. Leber, MD.

Enhance Lost Definition With: A “Liquid Lift”
Surgery is often the go-to for turning back the hands of time, but in the right patient with the right anatomy and realistic expectations, fillers and injectables can work wonders. For those who have lost volume in the face but are not experiencing the looseness that often comes with it, a “Liquid Lift” may be what you need. Using a variety of fillers and injectables with a mix-and-match approach, your plastic surgeon or dermatologist can revolumize areas that have become sunken or hollow, namely the temples, cheeks, lips and perhaps even the jowls. The idea is to restore fullness to the areas that have lost it, not create a tight chubby look. It is not, however, a facelift.

Fill Out Thin Lips With: Injectables
Aging lips means thinning of the lips, which is a common concern among many women. “Lips tend to flatten out, lose their cupid’s-bow and become longer,” says J. Charles Finn, MD. The base of the nasal area between the end of the nose and the top of the lip can almost disappear. When using filler in the lips, it’s about reestablishing shape and, if necessary, adding size. “Fillers are the best choice for this,” says Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Leslie H. Stevens, MD. For vertical lines in the upper lip, neurotoxins can help roll out the natural curve of the lips. To lighten up deeper wrinkles around the mouth, your doctor may choose to use perioral dermabrasion, peels or lasers, which act like an eraser.

Plump Up Saggy Cheeks With: Fillers
A descent of volume in the cheeks, which is caused by a loss of fat and changes to the underlying bone structure, can lead to deep lines around the mouth. When the cheeks start to fall, so does the rest of the face. But La Jolla, CA, plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD, says that filling them conservatively can produce a natural appearance to smooth out the area and add lost fullness. “If you are trying to achieve a lift in the cheek, but have a lot of laxity and too much filler is injected, you can end up with a really doughy look.”

Remove Jowls With: A Facelift
With time, the muscles, tissues and ligaments in the face start to weaken and their proper positioning cannot be held in place as well. One area where this can be seen is in the jowls. As the ligaments that run along the jawline (it holds the tissue to the jawbone) begin to weaken, tissue falls down and fat atrophies, causing jowls. “An effective way to reduce the jowl is to elevate the lower cheek tissue to a higher position on the face. This elevates the tissue that descends below the jawline. Any remaining tissue is excised,” explains Dr. Leber. Some doctors use fillers to achieve a partial result, but the effects are not long-term.

Refresh Your Skin With: Fractional Laser Resurfacing
As skin starts to lose its natural healthy glow and the signs of time become more evident, it can cause the face to appear aged and weathered. An effective way to reverse the look of dull, aged skin is with a fractional laser treatment. Whether an ablative (it’s usually stronger, more painful and requires only one session but also more downtime) or nonablative (it’s not as strong, a series of treatments is needed and the downtime and recovery are manageable) laser is used, both injure the skin in a safe and controlled way, forcing the skin to heal and create new, healthy collagen and a smoother, more even surface.

Reference: New Beauty http://www.newbeauty.com/blog/dailybeauty/7804-redefine-your-features/

Breast Augmentation Pre-Op Shopping List

You may not need all of the items listed below, and you may already have many of them on your shelf at home. This list is provided for your convenience as a source of ideas. Make your own additions on the blank lines provided.

Pharmacy/Online

Medications:

___ pain meds ____________________________________________

___ antibiotics ____________________________________________

___ anti-inflammatory meds _________________________________

___ blood pressure meds (if applicable) ________________________

___ other _________________________________________________

___ other _________________________________________________

___ other _________________________________________________

Other Supplies:

___ pill case

___ med time chart to keep track of when to take your meds.

___ birth control (some antibiotics can interfere with birth control pills, so choose a back-up form of protection)

___ dressings, gauze, Bacitracin

___ Hibiclens or antibacterial soap

___ Arnica Montana and/or Bromelain

___ over the counter (OTC) sleep meds (or ask your surgeon for a prescription)

___ thermometer

___ mild stool softeners (like Colace)

___ silicone sheeting, Kelocote, steri-strips, Mederma for your scars

___ moist towelettes, make-up remover towelettes

___ topical arnica

___ oral Vitamin C

___ oral Vitamin E

___ ACE bandage or STRAP (if applicable).

___ OTC muscle relaxers (ask your surgeon first!)

___ hot water bottles/heating pads for your back

___ shea nut butter

___ hand moisturizer

___ boxes of Kleenex

Grocery Store

___ bags of frozen berries or peas (to use as an ice pack)

___ Ritz crackers, vanilla wafers, Cheez-its or Goldfish crackers

___ bottled water, electrolyte or energy drinks (ask your surgeon if these are okay)

___ Daikon (root vegetable for cleansing the bowels)

___ frozen dinners

___ low sodium soups

___ pudding and Jell-O

___ fresh fruit

___ cookies or other snacks

 __________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________

Department Store or Other

___ LOTS of fluffy pillows

___ whistle, walkie-talkie or an intercom system

___ camera

___ journal

___ ink pens

___ supportive bras, sports bras, surgical bras, etc.

___ video games

___ bucket or pail with lid (for nausea)

___ fresh batteries for remote, booklight, etc.

___ pajamas, robe or oversized, comfortable shirts that button in the front

___ pair of slippers (or several pair of thick socks)

___ hand mirror

___ hair "scrunchies"

___ Music CDs/MP3 player

___ body pillow(s)

___ flashlight or nightlight for late-night bathroom trips

___ lap top with long cord

 ___________________________________________________________

 ___________________________________________________________

 ___________________________________________________________

 ___________________________________________________________

Reference: http://www.breastimplants4you.com/preopshoplist_print.htm

Medications to Avoid Before Surgery

Tell your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist about every medication or supplement you take on a daily or regular basis. Also include those that you have taken in the last few months. Some medications, including certain anti-depressants, take several weeks to leave the body. Just because something is herbal or "natural" does not mean that it is safe. If these products are potent enough to do what they say they can, then they are also powerful enough to have side effects. Do not leave anything out.

Almost everyone who undergoes any surgery is told not to take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for at least a week before their surgery. Some surgeons tell you not to take these medications for two weeks before surgery.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs inhibit blood clotting and can cause excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Certain herbal remedies, too, may increase bleeding risk. For example, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and gingko biloba can increase the risk of bleeding during and after breast implants surgery.

If you need a pain reliever in the days before your surgery, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually considered safe. Ask your surgeon what you can take to relieve pain in the days and weeks before your surgery to be on the safe side.

If you smoke, stop at least two to three weeks before surgery. Don't start again until at least two to three weeks after your surgery. Smoking significantly impairs circulation to the skin and interferes with healing. This may be a good time — and reason — to kick the habit for good. There are more tools available than ever before to help you quit. Talk to your surgeon about your smoking cessation options. Nicotine patches and or other nicotine replacement systems can't be used as smoking cessation aids immediately before or during surgery. They cause some of the same problems with wound healing as those caused by cigarette smoking.

A to Z List of Medications to Avoid Before Cosmetic Surgery

A
All Advil products, Alka-Seltzer, Aluprin, Aleve, Amigesic capsules, Anacin, Ansaid, Analval, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, Anaproxen, Anodynos, Ansaid, APC, Argesic, Arthra-G, Arthralgen, Arthritis Pain Formula, Arthritis Strength Bufferin, Arthropan, Arthropan Liquid, Ascodeen, Ascriptin, all Ascriptin products, Asperbuf, Aspercin, Aspergum, aspirin (of any kind, including suppository form), ASpirTab, Asprimox products, ASA Tablets, Axotal, Azdone, azulfidine products

B
B-A-C, all Bayer Aspirin products, BC Powder/Tablets, Bismatrol, bilberry tablets, Brufen products, Buff-A-Comp, Buff-A-Comp No.3 Tablets with codeine, Buffaprin, Buffasal, all Bufferin products, all buffered aspirin products, Buffets II, Buffex, Buffinol, Butalbital, Butal/ASA/caffeine compound, Butazolidin

C
Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever, Cataflam, carisoprodol, cayenne, Cephalgesic, Cheracol, Clinoril, Congespirin, Contac products, Cope, Coricidin products, Coumadin, Cosprin products, CP-2

D
Damason-P, Darvon products, Daypro, Deprenyl, diclofenac, diflunisal, dipryridamole, Disalcid, Diurex, Doan's products, Dolobid, Dolophine, Drinophen, Dristan products, Duoprin products, Duradyne DHC

E
Easprin, echinacea, Ecotrin products, Eldepryl, Emagrin, Empirin products, Emprazil, Endodan, Epromate-M, Equagesic, Equazine-M, etodolac, Excedrin

F
Feldene, fenoprofen, Fiogesic, Fiorinal products, Florgen, Flurbiprofen, 4 Way Cold products

G
Garlic tablets or supplement, Gelpirin, Genpril, Genprin, Gensan, Ghemnisym, ginger, Gingko biloba, green tea, Goody's Headache Powder products

H
Haltran, heparin, Halfprin

I
Ibu, Ibu-Tab, ibuprofen, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Indocin, Indochron, indomethacin, Infantol, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, Isollyl

J

K
Ketoprofen, ketorolac

L
Lanorinal, licorice root, Lodine, Lortab ASA

M
Magan, Magnaprin, Magsal, all Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, Marnal, Marplan, Marthritic, Measurin, meclofenamate, Meclomen, Medigistic-Plus, Medipren, Menadol, Meprogesic, methocarbamol, Micranin, Midol products, Mobidin, Mobigesic, Momentum, Monogesic, all Motrin products

N
Nabumetone, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Nardil, nefazodone, Norgesic products, Norwich Extra Strength Aspirin, Nuprin, NyQuil/NyQuil P.M.

O
Omega-3 oil (fish oil), Orphenagesic products, Orudis, Oruvail, oxycodone/aspirin

P
P-A-C, Pabalate, Pacaps, Pamprin-IB, Panalgesic, Panodynes, papaya, Parnate, PediaProfen, Pedrazil, pentoxifylline, Percodan products, Persantine, Persisrin, PetoBismol, Phenaphen, phenelzine, pine bark extract, piroxicam, Presalin, Propoxyphene, Ponstel, Pycnogenol

Q
Quagesic, Quiet World

R
Relafen, Rexolate, Robaxin, Robasisal, Roxiprin, Rufen, Robaxisal

S
Salicylic acid, Salatin. Saleto products, Salflex, salicylamide, Salocol, salsalate, Salsitab, selegiline, Serzone, Sine-Aid products, Sine-Off products, Soma Compound products, St. Johns wort, St. Josephs Aspirin products, sodium thiosalicylate, Stanback Analgesic, Sudafed, sulindac, Supac, Synalgos products

T
Talwin, Tenol-Plus, Tolectin products, tolmetin, Toradol, tranylcypromine, Trendar, Trental, Triaminicin, Tricosal, Trigesic, Trilisate, Tri-Pain

U
Ultrapin, Unipro

V
Valesin, Vanquish, ViroMed, Vitamin E, Voltaren

W
Warfarin, Wesprin Buffered

X

Y
Yohimbe

Z
Zactrin, Zorprin

* This is not a complete list of all the medications and supplements that can cause problems with surgery or anesthesia. Make sure to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist about everything you take on a regular basis, including those products that you have taken in recent months.

Reference: http://www.breastimplants4you.com/medicationlist.htm

Not Your Mother's Body: Mommy Makeovers Can Restore Your Pre-Pregnancy Figure

Supermodel and mother of four Heidi Klum recently posed topless for a photo spread in Allure magazine. When asked later during an online interview with The Huffington Post how she keeps "the girls" perky after four pregnancies, Klum took a philosophical approach.

"I think that just has to do with exercise and a lot with your genes. You either have the genes or you don't have the genes," she responded.

Klum is partly right. A woman's genetic makeup dictates to a degree how her body reacts to the hormonal and physical changes associated with pregnancy. For example, some women are more prone to developing stretch marks than others, some women's breasts just seem to bounce back to their prenatal state more readily, and some post-baby bumps just hang in there no matter how much abdominal work you do. And while exercising before, during and after pregnancy can be a boon to regaining your pre-baby figure, it's not the only option for getting back in shape.

Meet the Mommy Makeover

Increasingly, moms who are unhappy with the way their breasts look after pregnancy are opting for the mommy makeover, a combination of plastic surgery procedures which may include breast augmentation and/or a breast lift, a tummy tuck and a butt lift. Together, these procedures address the areas of a woman's body that take the most direct hits during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The primary advantage of a mommy makeover is that in one surgical session your body is transformed as closely as possible to your pre-pregnancy figure, and you get to see all the results as one complete package, instead of having the surgeries done separately at intervals.

Getting Ready for Your Mommy Makeover

Most surgeons prefer that you stop breastfeeding and lose most of your pregnancy weight before you schedule your mommy makeover. They generally consider six months postpartum to be the earliest possible time for this type of surgery, and many prefer that women wait until a year has passed. They also recommend that women postpone a mommy makeover until after their last pregnancy so they can avoid the need for future repeat surgery.

The first step in preparing for your mommy makeover is choosing a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon who is affiliated with an accredited, office-based surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or hospital. The surgeon will be your guide, your sounding board and the artist who creates the new you, so it's imperative that you find someone who's both professionally qualified and sympathetic to you as a person.

Once you've picked your surgeon, follow his or her instructions for preparing for your mommy makeover surgery. This includes what to do on the day of surgery, postoperative care and follow-up, as well as a checklist of do's and don'ts that covers:

• Lab testing and/or medical evaluation
• Medications and supplements that should be avoided or adjusted, including prescriptions, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs that may cause bleeding problems
• Scheduling a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one afterwards
• Avoiding smoking and alcoholic beverages prior to surgery
• Other presurgery instructions required by the surgeon

Breast Augmentation as Part of a Mommy Makeover

As most moms will attest, pregnancy and breastfeeding take their toll on the shape and firmness of their breasts. Add in other factors like age-related loss of skin elasticity and the natural effects of gravity, and all too often the result is breasts that sag and appear less full than they were B.C. (Before Children). Some women liken them to pancakes or empty socks.

Just like the extra skin on your belly, the extra skin on your breasts A.D. (After Delivery) will gradually disappear, and fatty tissues will fill out your breasts again. The whole process can take up to six months, and there's no guarantee that your breasts will look like they did before you got pregnant.

On the other hand, breast augmentation with implants rejuvenates breasts by recreating the volume that motherhood and time have stolen. Breast implants also offer women who are unhappy with their bustline the opportunity to go up a cup size or more.

Breast augmentation surgery as part of a mommy makeover is performed just as it would be as a solo procedure. For example, you'll make the same decisions regarding the type of implants, their shape, texture and placement, and the incision technique used. However, there are a few differences when breast augmentation is part of a mommy makeover.

First, multiple procedures done at the same time means the surgery will run longer. Breast augmentation can take up to four hours to perform depending on the technique used and the surgeon's skill. When combined with a breast lift (with or without laser bra surgery) and/or tummy tuck, surgery time lengthens and there's a greater risk of complications. The advantage of a mommy makeover, however, is that there's just one surgery instead of several, which means decreased exposure to anesthesia and one comprehensive recovery period.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

The recovery period after a mommy makeover is shorter than if you had each procedure performed separately. However, that's not to say that it will be easier. Your plastic surgeon will go over what to expect on the road to recovery and your postsurgical instructions.

You will mostly likely need some additional help at home for the first few days after surgery, especially if you have young children or other family members who rely on you for their care. It's important that you get plenty of rest, eat healthily and take your pain medications on time.

Your physical activity will be restricted for several weeks, which will curtail what you can do around the house and at work. Heavy lifting (and that includes picking up your toddler) is out of the question, as is reaching over your head, both of which could strain your incisions and cause them to open.

With time you will feel normal again, but full recovery can take up to six months or longer. During this time, be sure to keep all your postoperative appointments with your surgeon so he or she can assess your progress.

Mommy Makeover Cost

Cost is also a factor for most women, especially because these elective procedures are not covered by medical insurance. In the United States, the national average surgeon fee for a breast augmentation is about $3,700; the average surgeon fees for breast lift and tummy tuck are $4,400 and $5,400, respectively, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The surgeon's fee is just one part of the cost. There are other surgery-related expenses, like the anesthesiologist's bill, operating room fee and lab work. That said, these are less when multiple procedures are performed at the same time. Many surgeons will offer a reduced rate when combining procedures in a mommy makeover. Make sure you are aware of the costs, including the cost of breast lift and the price of the breast implants (if you choose breast augmentation), before you book your surgery. Financing plans may be available to help pay for your mommy makeover.

To schedule a free consultation for Mommy Makeover with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Robert Kratschmer, in Pearland please click here.

Reference: http://www.breastimplants4you.com/mommy-makeover-surgery.htm