Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Info

Nipples and their surrounding tissues are now a point of focus for many people seeking plastic surgery, as cosmetic breast surgery procedures to correct these body parts are becoming increasingly popular. Your nipple size and shape can be altered surgically, and the appearance of the areola, the pigmented tissue surrounding the nipple, can be changed as well.

If you suffer from nipple hypertrophy, a condition in which your nipples are much larger or protrude much farther than most, you may benefit from a surgical procedure to reduce your nipple size and shape. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will make an incision at the base of each nipple, and then remove some of the nipple tissue, creating a smaller nipple.

If you have inverted nipples and wish to breastfeed your child, you may want to consider a surgery to correct your nipples in order to make breastfeeding less complicated. Inverted nipples often occur when the ducts beneath the nipple are short, which creates tension and pulls the nipple inward. During this surgical procedure, an incision is made at the base of each nipple, and then the tense fibers and ducts are cut, allowing the nipple to be drawn out. This procedure can be done under local anesthesia, and you can expect a full recovery in a few days.

Additionally, if you have larger than normal areolae, you may want to reduce the amount of this darker skin on your breasts. During surgery, an incision will be made around the bottom of the nipple or along the perimeter of the areola. The pigmented tissue will then be removed, and the remaining skin will be sutured together. Scarring is minimal, and you can expect a full recovery in a few days if there are no complications.

If you are considering any nipple or areola surgery, the first step is to consult with a board-certified and licensed plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Greg Liebscher, one of the most respected and practice plastic surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO.

REFERENCES:

“Nipple reduction – An adjunct to augmentation mammoplasty.” Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery. Nabil Fanous, MD, Carolyne Tawile, MD, Amanda Fanous Web. 3 July 2012
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2740602/

“The inverted nipple: its grading and surgical correction.” US National Library of Medicine Han S., Hong YG. Web 4 July 2012
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10654681

Ever wonder what can be done about C-section scars? Do you have to just live with them forever, or can plastic surgery remove them? Well, continue reading about this popular reconstructive plastic surgery procedure.

For women who have received a cesarean section, the scar can be extensive and cause a bulging or flap of skin on the lower abdomen. This scar may be seen under a bathing suit and may also affect intimacy as some women may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about the scar and become hesitant to appear naked in front of their partners. There are several plastic surgery procedures that can be performed which will diminish or erase the appearance of scarring.

Your Options

Most women will opt for the abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure. This poses a problem because this procedure also causes a scar on the lower abdomen. In actuality, it is just exchanging one scar for another. However, the Bikini Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck may be just the right procedure for you. This type of plastic surgery works best for women who do not have a large amount of fat or skin to remove. For women with a minimal to moderate amount of skin and who are bothered by the appearance of a C-section scar, this procedure can remove the scar and that flap or bulge of skin typically associated with the C-section. It may also remove the appearance of stretch marks on the lower abdomen.

Scar Revision Surgery

For those who would like a less invasive type of solution, other options include scar revision surgery. Scar revision may include topical treatments such as creams or gels. They soften and reduce the appearance of the scar. This topical treatment can accompany surgical revision that will reduce or minimize the appearance of the scar. This type of procedure usually does not erase the scar completely. The American Society of plastic surgeons states “Scar revision surgery is meant to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture” (www.plasticsurgery.org/Reconstructive-Procedures/Scar-Revision.html). So for those looking to erase the scar completely, the mini tummy tuck may be a better solution.

Good candidates for plastic reconstructive surgery are women who:

1. are healthy
2. do not smoke
3. have a realistic idea about the outcome of these procedures.

Overall, improving the appearance can boost self-confidence.

Talk to a plastic surgeon in Colorado Springs about C-Section scar removal

Of course, always talk to a board-certified medical professional about whether or not C-section scar removal surgery is right for you. For Colorado Springs plastic surgery patients with questions about C-Section scarring or any reconstructive surgery procedure, contact Dr. Greg Liebscher at 719-634-2503 to schedule a consultation to discuss your options for a tummy tuck procedure.

Women who pant to get breast implants likely have concerns about the procedure and results. Patients are rightfully concerned about the ‘appearance’ of their implants first. But they next ask the question “Do breast implants feel natural?”

These concerns are complicated by stories heard or read on the news about breast implants. Of course, in the distant past, surgeons once used a variety of materials for implants that had negative results. Even after surgeons began to use safer and more effective substances such as silicone and saline, implants sometimes hardened unnaturally or formed lumps.

But almost all concerns with breast implant complications have been resolved. Breast augmentation, when performed by a practiced board-certified plastic surgeon, is very high. Now days, with modern techniques, the natural feeling of your implants is really dependent on five different factors:

Five Factors That Impact the Way Your Breast Implants Feel

1. Type of Implant

Silicone and saline implants each feel differently. Neither substance is going to feel 100% natural under any conditions. However, each has its particular benefits and drawbacks. Silicone tends to feel more like flesh. Saline also feels soft but with a sensation that resembles that of a water balloon.

2. Placement

Your breast implants will either be placed over the chest muscles or under them. Under muscle placement or sub-fascial implantation creates a more natural feeling. This is due to the presence of actual tissue above the implant.

3. Initial Breast Tissue

If you begin the implant process with more breast tissue of your own, you will end up with breasts that feel very close to natural. The less endowed you are, the more likely it is that the feel of your implants will give away their artificiality.

4. Size of Implant

Since a larger implant will skew the tissue/implant ratio in favor of the implant, there will be a higher likelihood that the implant will feel unnatural.

5. Texture

Surgeons can either use textured or smooth implants for this procedure. A textured implant tends to grip the interior of the breast and stay relatively immobile. These implants do not feel as natural as the smooth implants, which give way more like real flesh.

These factors can overlap or outweigh one another. For example, if you have sufficient breast tissue prior to implantation, this may negate other factors causing an unnatural sensation. You should always consult your plastic surgeon and your personal physician about these matters ahead of time.

Ask a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Call 719-634-2503 to schedule a consultation with Colorado Springs plastic surgeon, Gregory J. Liebscher, MD, FACS, to ask questions about your breast implants procedure.

In today’s society, many of us often chase the perfect look by every means. When it comes to perfect look, everyone thinks about slender bodies and youthful skin. To achieve a slender body and youthful look, medical procedures are also available. Take the example of liposuction procedures. With such options available, you don’t have to undergo harsh diet and exercise plans. In fact, lipo (as it’s affectionately termed) seems to offer instant fat reduction to get rid of those side bulges. No wonder, the demand for such medical cosmetic procedures is increasing at a skyrocket pace.

Even though lipectomies are effective, there are some pros and cons associated getting rid of excess fat. When it comes to cons, the cost factor comes first. Nobody can deny the fact that surgery can be expensive. However, there are a number of benefits to trimming down, even if you resort to surgery to do it.

Benefits of Losing Body Fat

Here is a detailed list of body fat loss benefits:

Better Diet

Dieting is the crucial factor in weight loss. Generally as you cut back on Calories, you also improve the quality of the food you eat. Ignore the fad diets. Proper nutrition affects just about everything. Sure, with surgery, you could lose fat immediately. And some of it you can’t get rid of without surgery. But once you lose the weight, diet is paramount to keeping the fat off long term.

You Look Great

Who doesn’t want a healthy, slender body? Yes, exercise and diet is critical. But what if it’s not enough? The best part of liposuction is it permanently removes fat cells from the body. That means you can retain your new slender look even months after your liposuction procedure. As the process involves permanent removal of fat cells, there is no question of weight gain. Just by following a healthy lifestyle, you’re best able to maintain your ideal body weight and figure.

Improved Health

Medical conditions like lipomas, lipodystrophy syndrome, and gynecomastia are attributed to excess fat cells. Psychologically and emotionally, it is true that a healthy and slender body makes one feel confident and happy. Structurally, your body just has that much less weight to lug around which is better on your knees, hips, back, and more.

Having trouble removing stubborn fat? Give Dr. Liebscher a call to talk about lipo during a free cosmetic consultation.

Making the choice to have breast implants removed can be a difficult decision. Understanding the process of how are breast implants removed will likely help with your decision. More importantly, talking to a highly skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Greg Liebscher in Colorado Springs allows you to get answers to all your questions. Likewise, you might learn other things you didn’t consider before.

The Breast Implant Removal Process

The process of having implants removed isn’t that difficult for your plastic surgeon. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes. And recovery time is usually pretty short. Unlike augmentation, you will not have the down time that comes after surgery for enhancement. You may be sent how with drains that will be removed when your visit your doctor for a follow up appointment. Many doctors request that you wear a bandage for support during the healing process.

The pain after breast implant removal can be very minimal. You will likely be able to resume your normal activities right after your procedure. This is a procedure that is not as invasive as an actual enhancement. This will help you to recover much faster with a very small amount of pain accompanied during the procedure and the recovery time. This is often a concern for many women that are considering removal of implants. Understanding what to expect after the removal can help to relieve these fears.

Sometimes a woman may want breast implants removed due to an implant integrity problem. Implants can rupture and also implants can have capsular contracture. When this happens, many women simply have the breast implants replaced. But you can opt to have them removed entirely if you wish. If you have the implant removed, there can be a lot of hanging tissue. You can work with Dr. Liebscher to come up with a plan to repair the tissue, perhaps with a breast lift.

About Mastopexy

A Mastopexy removes loose skin you may have after an implant is removed. The scar that remains from this type of surgery is often very minimal as healing continues. You can talk to your doctor about things you can do to eliminate scarring.

When you decide that breast removal is the preferred choice for your needs, you will need to begin preparing for the process. You will meet with a plastic surgeon and this initial appointment is a great time to ask any questions that you may have. You will want to know the risks of any surgery you plan on proceeding forward with. Your surgeon will often look at your case personally and give you answers on how long the surgery will take, and also any instructions for before and after surgery.

After surgery you will want to take it easy for the first couple of days after surgery is completed. Many surgeons will recommend that you wear a surgical bra for a while after surgery is complete. You can also take pain medication during this time. After the first few days after surgery you will be able to resume all of your normal activities. You will not need pain medication any longer and you can simply move forward with your life.

Breast Implants Removal Statistics

According to the site FDA.gov, “As many as 20 percent of women who receive breast implants for augmentation have to have their implants removed within 8 to 10 years.” This is a very high incidence and there are many reasons for this removal. No matter what your reasons are for wanting implants removed, you can find a knowledgeable plastic surgeon to help you through the entire process.

What Does It Cost?

Finally, removal of implants is considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by insurance. However, it may be covered in situations where complications, such as infection, warrant emergency surgery. Always talk to your surgeon about the costs and complications regarding any medical or cosmetic procedure.