Davis

More than 300,000 breast augmentations were done in the United States in 2017, making it the most widely-performed cosmetic surgical procedure. That popularity stems from its value on several fronts.

Breast augmentation—an implant is placed behind the breast and/or the chest muscle—can increase the volume of the breast in naturally small-breasted women, replace the volume that was lost after breastfeeding or major weight loss, change the shape of the breasts, and create better symmetry.

In turn, much of the consideration tends to center less on whether to undergo the procedure or not and more on what type of implant to use. So, today I’ll explore some of the key differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants.

But first, a quick overview

Both types of implants have a shell made out of silicone, the surface of which can be either smooth or textured. The smooth implants mimic the movement of a natural breast, rolling around subtly in the breast pocket, while the texture implants remain in one place, more or less.

That’s not the only nuance to be aware of. For a long time, if I was to say breast implant, the image that would likely come to mind for most is a slow-motion running scene from an episode of “Baywatch.” In other words, large, prominent, and, essentially, one-size-fits-all.

But the breast implant has evolved quite a bit since then. Today, they come in a variety of base widths, projection amounts, and fill volumes. The goal now, instead of a dramatic jump in breast size, is to match the implant with the space and create an improved, though natural-looking, appearance.

Silicone vs. saline

The main differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants involve a few key aspects. For one, saline implants can be filled and adjusted during surgery, which allows the surgeon some discretion to adjust for symmetry. Silicone implants are pre-filled and require larger incisions as a result. Saline implants, because they’re unfilled, can be inserted through tiny incisions underneath the breast, around the areola, or through the underarm.

Saline implants tend to look round, especially in thin women with modest breast tissue, while silicone implants have a more natural look and feel that’s closer to soft breast tissue. (Many women liken the feel of saline implants to a water balloon.)

Saline implants are significantly heavier than silicone, which makes them much more prone to downward displacement because of gravity. Silicone implants also have less of a chance of visible wrinkling or rippling, which makes them a more appropriate choice for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

And, not to be glossed over, saline implants are slightly less expensive than silicone.

But are they safe?

In spite of its obvious benefits, silicone gel implants remain stigmatized for many women. Negative media attention in the ‘80s and ‘90s fueled by claims of adverse associated health problems prompted the widespread removal and replacement of older silicone implants with saline ones that continues today.

Since then, extensive clinical research, driven by the FDA, has confirmed no association between silicone gel implants and any chronic immune disease. That said, when discussing the differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants, saline implants will likely continue to be viewed by many as the safer of the two choices.

When a saline implant ruptures, it happens quickly, so you’ll notice it immediately. Your breast will literally shrink before your eyes. Because it’s only saline, it absorbs harmlessly by your body.

A silicone implant-rupture, on the other hand, will probably go unnoticed. The gel, however, is designed to hold together inside the breast capsule and not migrate to other areas of the body. That’s one of the reasons that regular MRIs are recommended for women with silicone implants.

Thank you for reading “What’s the Difference Between Silicone Gel and Saline Breast Implants?” by Davis CPS. If you’d like more content, please click here.

No doubt you’ve heard of liposuction, or, at least, lipo, and probably even a tummy tuck. As plastic surgery gained mainstream acceptance, many of the most common procedures became household terms.

The trouble is, they’re so widely used, and often incorrectly, that cousin procedures, like lipo and the tummy tuck, are confused for one another. So, let’s clear up some of that confusion here and discuss the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck.

Lipo: A brief primer

Liposuction removes excess fat deposits, slimming and reshaping specific areas of the body, such as the hips and buttocks, abdomen and waist, upper arms, inner knee, and cheeks, chin, and neck.

There are a few different kinds of liposuction; tumescent liposuction is the most common. After the surgeon injects a sterile solution, which aids fat removal; an anesthetic, and a drug that causes blood vessels to constrict into the area that’s being treated, they’ll make small cuts in the skin through which they’ll insert a tube called a cannula. The cannula’s connected to a vacuum that suctions fat and fluids from the body.

There is commonly some mild discomfort and bruising, though you should be well enough to return to work within a few days. The swelling usually subsides within a few weeks but can last longer.

Your surgeon will have you wear a tight compression garment for a few weeks to help reduce the swelling. During that time, some irregularities in the contours of the treated area may develop as the remaining fat settles. But, within a few months, it’ll take on a leaner appearance, and the skin will mold to the new contours.

You’re a good candidate for lipo if you have too much body fat in specific spots. It’s not a treatment for obesity, cellulite, or saggy skin.

Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet and the results are usually long-lasting.

Tummy tuck basics

The tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin and, in many cases, restores abdominal muscles for a smoother, firmer appearance.

During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess, sagging skin is removed. Like lipo, there are a few different techniques. A “full” tummy tuck addresses the full length of the abdominal wall through a horizontal or U-shaped incision above the pubic mound. Sometimes, a second incision is made around the navel to address excess skin above the belly button.

Because a tummy tuck entails surgery on the abdominal muscles, the recovery is more extensive than it is for lipo. Expect to spend the first week mostly resting. Drains are placed in the incisions to help remove fluid after the surgery, in which case you’ll also need to devote time and attention to maintaining them until they’re removed a few days later.

You’ll be sore and may have some bruising for the first few weeks, but you should be well enough to return to work within ten days to two weeks. After you navigate that stretch of the recovery, you’ll find a much flatter, smoother midsection. Those pesky stretch marks will be a lot less prominent or may be completely gone.  You’ll not only look much better in your clothes—especially a bathing suit—you’ll feel better in them.

Tummy tucks are a popular procedure among women following their pregnancies and also men and women who’ve lost a significant amount of weight. It is not, however, intended as a substitute for weight loss.

Thank you for reading “What’s the Difference Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?” by Davis CPS. If you’d like more content, please click here.

Thanks to reality TV, we’ve come to live almost exclusively in either the before or the after. Everything in between has been edited down to a few seconds. But life demands more patience than that.

A question I’m often asked is, “After my surgery, when can I get back to exercising again?” Their reaction sometimes is disbelief when they hear weeks and they were expecting days. Preparing for plastic surgery, both physically and mentally, is critical, and a big part of that is setting realistic expectations for your recovery.

I love the drive of someone who’s determined to go for a run or get back in the gym a few days after a major surgical procedure, but rushing your recovery opens you up to all sorts of complications and even another surgery. Apply that focus and willpower to your recovery instead.

Everyone heals at a different pace, so two people may undergo the same procedure, but one could start exercising after plastic surgery a week or two before the other. The answer I offer in my consultations, and what you’ll find online, is merely an estimate. Above all, listen to your body. If something’s causing swelling or discomfort, pull back.

Framing expectations

Before we dismiss them altogether, there is value in the estimates. They give us a framework to build our expectations around when you can begin exercising after plastic surgery. So, here’s a general timeline:

• Two weeks after surgery: The bruising and swelling should have significantly subsided. You should continue to avoid strenuous activities, but begin lengthening your walks as your energy and stamina returns.
• Four weeks after surgery: With your surgeon’s approval, you should be ready to start some light cardio, but nothing more intense just yet.
• Six weeks after surgery: You should be completely healed. Again, with your surgeon’s approval, you can start easing back into your regular exercise regimen. Don’t expect to pick up where you left off, though.

Heeding particular precautions

Just as everyone heals at their own rate, each procedure comes with its own precautions. After breast augmentation, for example, especially with implants under the muscle, try to avoid strenuous chest exercises, like pushups. The contraction places downward and outward pressure on them, which, over time, can result, in the implants dropping or becoming displaced.

If you’ve had a nose job and your nose starts to hurt, or it bleeds or swells during or immediately after exercising, contact your surgeon. And even if you’re exercising without any trouble, you need to be mindful of being hit in the nose by someone else or a piece of equipment before it’s fully healed, which, for some, could be up to a year.

When it comes to injectables and to create great botox results we tell patients not to lay down or workout for at least four hours. Many times terrific Botox results and amazing lips rely on following post-injectable procedures.

In time, these thoughts will gravitate toward the back of your mind, and exercise will become second nature again. The more conscientious you are during your recovery, the sooner that time will come when you can return to exercising after plastic surgery.

At Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we wanted to give you an insight from our very own Certified CoolSculpting Expert. Donna has helped our practice earn the Certificate of Excellence in CoolSculpting. Here she answers our most asked questions from patients:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:

I’ve been in healthcare for 30 years, most of them in cardiology and spine. I’ve traveled nationally and internationally to train cardiologists with cutting edge technology and treatments for patients. I gained a lot of experience with setting expectations, training in healthcare, and the body in general. I am a Certified CoolSculpting Expert, Certified Integrative Holistic Nutrition Coach, and Reiki Master.

My years of experience have helped me with addressing not just the unwanted fat that the patient is concerned with but in the knowledge of the body as a whole. CoolSculpting is an art, and a skill.

What is a typical consultation?

A typical consultation at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is very thorough. It will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The patient will discuss their areas of unwanted fat that they’re concerned with, and we assess and plan a treatment regimen specifically tailored for their needs.

What do most patients coming in ask about?

A lot of patients come in asking for gender neutral areas. The midsection is the most popular. Women want anything from their chin to their knees CoolSculpted. Men mostly want their abdomen or their chest – we have treated the most male chests in the country, along with Flyers legend Bernie Parent.

How does it work?

The technical term of fat freezing is called cryolipolysis, a non-invasive way to break down fat cells in the body, which then shows a reduction of body fat to the treated area. To patients – anything that’s squeezeable is freezeable! Wherever an applicator is attached on the body, it will freeze at least 20% of fat. Your body absorbs it naturally and eliminates it naturally. It takes one to three months to see results.

Who is a good candidate?

Almost everyone is a good candidate. The best ones are patients who have realistic expectations and I can help them reach their goals with CoolSculpting. The great thing about Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is there are many different options for patients. If they are not a candidate for CoolSculpting, they may be a better candidate for a surgical procedure, such as liposuction or BodyTite, or another non-invasive procedure like radiofrequency for skin tightening. Our job is to educate the patient and help them reach their goal through the best option.

Why should I get CoolSculpting done here by a Certified CoolSculpting Expert?

It comes down to experience. We are a Certified CoolSculpting Practice with many success stories, but more than that we care about our patients. It’s about the experience – we offer a full work center so that you don’t have to disconnect if you don’t want to. You can get other procedures done that the same time, such as Botox and fillers! Or, if you want to relax, we also offer and ways to do that all while freezing away your fat.