Find the Best Plastic Surgeon Near Me: Why You Need to Ask Questions

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When you are faced with choices about your health and wellness, what do you do? Do you ask for the help of friends and family? Do you scour the internet for the latest medical research? Do you ask experts for their opinions? Too often we make choices based on what is the most popular, thinking “if it is good enough for everyone else, it is good enough for me.” This method is okay for choices like what facemask to use, or even to what gym you should become a member. However, when you’re searching for the best plastic surgeon near me or the best breast implants, you need to do your research. For women planning breast augmentations, there is a new option available that provides a natural look without the constant monitoring or high rate of complications of silicone gel. Learn what recent research reveals about the latest breast implant technology, IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.

Looking at Research to Find the Best Breast Implants

If you are researching breast implants, you probably know women love silicone gel breast implants because they look and feel like natural breasts. However, silicone gel breast implants have rupture rates of 7.2% – 13.6% at eight years in primary augmentation according to FDA CORE clinical trial data. The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant has a rupture rate of only 2.1% at eight years according to its clinical trial data. 

Another known complication of breast implants is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a complication in which scar tissue forms around the implant causing constriction, pain, and even implant displacement. Unfortunately, researchers have not pinpointed the exact cause of capsular contracture, and even the best plastic surgery near me may result in this complication. However, some breast implants are more prone to this complication. In silicone gel breast implants, capsular contracture rates are as high as 16.2% at seven years in primary augmentation. IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants have a capsular contracture rate of only 6.6% at eight years. 

Why is this data important? According to the FDA ruptured breast implants should be removed, whether or not they are showing adverse symptoms. In addition, the typical treatment for Baker class III/IV capsular contracture is surgery to remove the scar capsule and replace the implant. Choosing a breast implant with lower rates of rupture and capsular contracture will reduce your risk and complexity of future surgeries. When asked about the safety profile of the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant, Dr. Larry Nichter, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, told us “It’s incredibly safe and so there’s far fewer lifetime surgeries with an IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant, compared to traditional silicone-gel implants.” 

When you’re searching for the best plastic surgeon near me, make sure you find one who offers all the breast implant options, and provides you with updated data for each. Your surgeon should listen to your concerns and help you pick the best option for your body and your peace of mind.

Breast Implant Monitoring

What do you need to know about breast implant monitoring before your augmentation? Monitoring recommendations are different for silicone gel filled implants versus unstructured saline and the structured IDEAL IMPLANT. According to the FDA, women should get periodic MRIs to check for silent ruptures in silicone gel breast implants. A silent rupture happens when the shell of a silicone gel breast implant ruptures without causing physical symptoms. Women may walk around for years without realizing their breast implant has ruptured. The FDA recommends removal of ruptured silicone gel implants. Furthermore, even with the best plastic surgery near me it may be complicated to remove all the silicone gel after a rupture, especially if the diagnosis is delayed. Dr. Paul Zwiebel, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, tells us “With silicone gel implants there is a potential risk in delaying the diagnosis and not appreciating that a leak has occurred, and there is also a potential that the operation to replace the implant may be a little bit more involved and a little bit more lengthy.”

The risk of a silent rupture leaves some women feeling anxious about the status of their silicone gel breast implants. Fortunately, the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant provides instant rupture detection. If a rupture occurs, the saline inside is harmlessly absorbed by the body and detected by looking in the mirror. There is no need for an MRI and no risk of silent rupture. Dr. Mathew Plant of Toronto, Ontario, offers the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant because he believes women deserve an option that gives them peace of mind so they can experience the best plastic surgery near me. “Patients have aesthetic surgery to feel better about themselves and gain some confidence that they may be missing,” says Dr. Plant. “So the last thing that I ever want to do is put a device into someone that then gives them a whole bunch of new anxieties and keeps them up at night. If all we’ve done is trade one insecurity for another then we haven’t really accomplished anything at all. Those patients, I think, are the perfect candidates for the IDEAL IMPLANT.” 

Getting the Results You Want

If you are getting a breast enlargement for cosmetic reasons, one of your top priorities is getting the look you want. So, while data is important you may find yourself thinking, “but does the IDEAL IMPLANT look good? Does it feel good?” According to patients and surgeons, the answer is yes. In fact, U.S. trial data reveals patient satisfaction at six years was 89.7% after a primary augmentation and 91.6% after a replacement augmentation. Surgeon satisfaction was even higher at 92.6% after a primary augmentation and 94.0% after a replacement augmentation. Dr. Zweibel tells us that at his practice, “for the patients who have chosen IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants for their breast augmentation, the satisfaction has been unanimous.” Women who are searching for the best plastic surgeon near me should look for a surgeon who provides this kind of data alongside complication rates and information about monitoring.

Always Ask Why

When you are making choices about your body remember to always ask why. Why do patients choose a certain implant, incision site, or placement? Are they looking at the data to see which choice is better, or just picking the same thing their friend or sister picked? Are you aware of the latest technology, or just going along with what your neighbor recommends? Remember, no two women are exactly the same, which means no two procedures should be the same. For the best breast augmentation results educate yourself on the options available. Visit a plastic surgeon who offers all the breast implant options so you have access to them all. 

Schedule Your Ideal Breast Augmentation Today

If you have been waiting for the right time to schedule a breast augmentation, now is the time to get started. The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant offers women the peace of mind of saline, with the natural look and feel of silicone gel. Learn more about this new technology by visiting our overview page. To find the best plastic surgeon near me, use our surgeon finder.

Preparing for Plastic Surgery

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Maybe you’ve been contemplating plastic surgery for a while, or perhaps you have your procedure already scheduled. Either way, it’s never too soon to start preparing for plastic surgery and the recovery to follow. Knowing what to expect is one thing, but actually making preparations for what’s to come is one step further. Once you’ve educated yourself on the procedure you want and are sure you want to move forward, follow the tips below to make sure that you’ve thought of everything before the day of your surgery. Stress can affect your recovery and the more time you spend preparing for plastic surgery, the less stressed you’ll be, and the more quickly you’ll recover. You’ll also be able to enjoy the overall process more because you’ve done the hard work ahead of time. 

Set Realistic Expectations

The vast majority of patients are delighted with their results once they’ve recovered, but do experience doubts and worries before they get there. Talk to your surgeon about what to expect and make sure that you’re on the same page about realistic results. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get yourself excited by planning new outfits to wear, writing yourself a letter about why you are making the change, and looking at old pictures to reassure your decision. You’ve probably already spent a lot of time researching what type of procedure you would like, but knowing the scientific data and what possible risks are involved are also an important aspect of preparing for plastic surgery. Ask your surgeon about any questions and concerns you may have so that there are no surprises. Please don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon’s office, as more questions come up in the days leading up to your procedure and try to mentally relax. 

Double Check Medications

The top plastic surgeons in your area will tell you that checking and double checking your medications is crucial before your procedure. In order for you to recover properly, make sure that you avoid common medications like Vitamin E supplements, blood thinners, ibuprofen, and any medication containing aspirin. These medications could interfere with a successful recovery and you don’t want to reach for them by accident. Consider putting them in a safe place that is hard to reach to ensure that you have the best recovery possible. 

Prepare Your Body for Recovery

Stick to a healthy diet and exercise regimen so your body is ready to heal. Don’t get too busy preparing for plastic surgery that you forget about the recovery component. You will need someone to drive you home from your procedure and then you’ll need to be somewhere that you can truly relax. Do all the hard labor the week before, like stocking up on healthy groceries, preparing meals, and placing important things within arm’s reach. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein are all nutritious foods that you’ll want to fuel your body with so that it feels better and heals quickly. 

Recovery Space

Creating a place you want to come home to is one of the most important parts of preparing for plastic surgery. Do everything you can now to make your home a place you enjoy while you’re recovering. Setting up comfortable pillows and blankets in a way that will support any special sleeping positions that may be necessary is something you can do in the day or two before your surgery. You’ll probably be required to lie down and rest for long periods of time so recording all your favorite shows to catch up on or having a few good books to read is a good idea. After some procedures, your ability to lift, carry, or reach things will be limited, so taking the time now to put hard-to-reach items at an easier level will help ease your recovery process. 

Tie Up Loose Ends at Work

Take care of business at home and at the office so that you’ll have peace of mind before, during and after your procedure. Fill prescriptions, get groceries, pay bills, and attend to whatever you need to now, so that you don’t have to worry about it later. Stress can impact your recovery, so plan ahead in order to focus on your healing. Preparing for plastic surgery also requires taking care of any last minute assignments or big projects at work. The last thing you are going to want to think about right before, during, or after surgery is work. Make sure that you have all your bases covered and won’t be expected to answer emails. Set up an auto-reply on your email and phone explaining that you are in vacation mode or out of office. Make sure that everyone is aware of your time off and respects that.

Support Group

Call on friends and family members that you trust to be there for you while you are recovering. Arranging school pickups ahead of time or just inviting friends to come visit while you’re stuck at home are a few ways that you can ask for help. Don’t forget that you’ll need someone to drive you home from your surgery as well. Family and friends are an essential part of preparing for plastic surgery. You may get lonely resting at home for a while. Make sure you invite people to come by and visit. Little tasks you didn’t think of may pop up during your recovery and having a group of people you can rely on will help you to not overwork yourself. 

Stop Smoking

It’s critical to quit smoking before your surgery, even if temporarily. Nicotine can greatly slow down the natural healing process of your body and if not stopped, can even become life threatening. The drug can impact blood flow, increase scarring, cause death of tissue, and increase the risk of blood clots and infection. Even nicotine patches are off limits. Quitting six weeks or more before your surgery and not restarting until three weeks after (preferably not at all) is recommended to make sure you heal completely and correctly. 

Find a Surgeon You Trust

What qualifications do you desire your doctor to have? Only the top plastic surgeons in your area will be board certified, meaning they have gone through extra, rigorous training to become experts in their chosen field and have more experience than other surgeons. This certification is extremely important and can give you greater peace of mind. Create a list of questions to bring to the initial consultation and see for yourself how the surgeon responds and how they make you feel. The first impression could be a good indication of if they are one of the top plastic surgeons in your area. 

Preparing for plastic surgery can make the difference in whether you have a positive experience and a quick recovery or not. No matter how much your surgeon tells you about what to expect, if you don’t do a few things beforehand to get ready, you may have a harder time recovering and getting back to your normal routine. It’s up to you to commit to a successful recovery by committing to preparing for plastic surgery now. Following the tips above will help the entire process go more smoothly and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience stress-free. 

Plastic Surgery: Let Go of What You Can’t Change, and Take Control of What You Can

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We look at pictures of celebrities and famous athletes and automatically assume that because they have a gorgeous body, they don’t struggle with the same insecurities and self-doubt that a lot of us do. But the fact is, almost everyone goes through moments in life where they feel unhappy about some aspect of their body. The size of our breasts may bother us, we may wish we could lose that “spare tire” around our waist, or we’re annoyed by our nose. But ultimate happiness in life depends on letting go of what you can’t change, and taking control of what you can. Cosmetic surgery can help you reshape certain aspects of your appearance and give you the confidence you deserve every day to live your best self.

Studies have shown that plastic surgery can help people gain the confidence that they could never have without it. According to a recent study by the University of Basel in Switzerland, “the vast majority of patients who undergo procedures report that they ‘felt healthier, were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and felt more attractive’” and “[b]ecause having a positive association with self-image, higher confidence, and healthy self-esteem are linked to an increased level of happiness and life satisfaction, it is by no means a stretch to suggest that high quality cosmetic procedures can improve someone’s life.” Here’s more about just a few plastic surgery procedures that have helped patients overcome their personal worries and take control.

Liposuction and Tummy Tucks Can Sculpt Your Figure

As we age, our bodies change and our metabolism slows down. Sometimes no matter how much we diet and exercise, we don’t get the results we want. Cosmetic surgery can make up the difference. Liposuction removes stubborn fat pockets around the hips, waist, thighs, tummy, etc that don’t go away from working out. One 52-year-old patient of McKinney, TX-based board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Naveen Setty underwent liposuction to combat the effects aging had had on her body.

“Dr. Setty gave me what I could not do for myself with weight loss. After three kids and being 52 years old now, my body had simply changed. My waist was pretty much nonexistent & I had large bra rolls and fat pockets on my flanks. Losing weight would make them smaller but they did not ever go away. Your shape is your shape. Dr. Setty changed that! I have a beautiful waist now and my bra rolls are gone . . . I have done a complete 180 on how I feel about myself. . . . It was the absolute best decision and truly I wish I had done it sooner. . .”  -Anonymous Review on RealPatientRatings

We can waste a lot of mental energy focusing on something we don’t like about our appearance, when we could be doing so many more productive things. In Westport, Connecticut, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ellen Mahony says that at a plastic surgery consultation, “I don’t actually make an outward recommendation to anybody. What I like to do is have a consultation, find out what a person’s goals are, find out what their issues are, listen to them very carefully, and then outline for them what the options are that are available to them to reach their specific goals.”

If you have issues or are bothered by your tummy area, It’s unrealistic to think that a tummy tuck (also called an abdominoplasty) will instantly make you look like a supermodel, but what a tummy tuck can do is get rid of excess, saggy skin and re-tighten your abdominal muscles to give you your waist back. On Realself.com, 97% of patients say their tummy tuck was worth it. One of Dr. Mahony’s patients said she was, “. . . Tired of always trying to hide my tummy even after losing 60 pounds. My family was so supportive and they did everything they could to help me recover. Finding a great doctor helped make my decision to do this journey! So glad I did it!” -Realself.com review from Jflavin3618

Popular Cosmetic Surgery Breast Procedures: Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

We make a lot of investments in our outward appearance. We get our ears pierced, change our hair color, buy certain clothes, get tattoos, and do many other things to show the world who we are. But if you feel self-conscious about your breasts, a push-up bra can only do so much. A breast augmentation can change the size and shape of your breasts and correct asymmetry to give you a more proportionate figure. This plastic surgery procedure is still the number one most popular in the nation, and women find they can let go of a lot of their personal anxieties afterward.

New York board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sophie Bartsich says, “In my personal opinion as a woman, there’s also a fine line between wanting to be noticed but not necessarily wanting too much attention. Most women don’t want to walk around broadcasting that they had a breast augmentation. They want to look good in a dress, they want to look good in a T-shirt and jeans. It’s not just about the bikini. They want to feel comfortable. . . . Women are doing this for themselves, they’re not doing this for other people. I think sometimes that also gets misunderstood.”

One of Dr. Bartsich’s patients says that after her breast augmentation she is now “truly amazed every time I look in the mirror”. She wants other women to feel confident in moving forward with surgery, “When you have surgery you put your life in the hands of strangers, it’s a very scary thing. I usually don’t do these kinds of reviews but felt like I had to do this one so that women can read this to help them make a decision that is right for them and hopefully ease their fears. . . . My surgery went beautifully, and the results better than anticipated.” – Realself.com review from meggenb

Most cosmetic surgery breast enhancements are performed using breast implants, though some plastic surgeons also offer breast augmentation using your own body fat. Currently, women can choose from silicone gel implants, unstructured saline implants, and the new IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Saline Implants. The IDEAL IMPLANT combines the look and feel of silicone gel with the safety of only saline inside. You can also elect to have your breast augmentation along with a breast lift at the same time. A breast lift by itself can lift your breasts to a higher position if you are already happy with the amount of volume you have.

About breast lifts, Dallas, Texas, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gregg Anigian says, “Women really love it. A breast lift can restore that youthful appearance that a woman may have seen when she was 18 or 25, before the breast began to sort of slide down the body. It narrows the chest, it lengthens the waistline. It gives her a comfort level that she didn’t have before and it then expands the types of clothes that she can buy when shopping. It can really increase confidence.”

It’s also important that you have accurate expectations about what breast procedures can and can’t do. While you can achieve beautiful, natural-looking breasts, your breasts will not suddenly look like someone else’s. You also shouldn’t expect a “boob job” to fix a personal relationship or solve your emotional issues.

Selecting the Right Surgeon for Your Plastic Surgery

It’s time to stop worrying about things in life that you can’t control, and start taking control of the things you can. If you’ve been debating about having cosmetic surgery, take that first step in meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon that you feel comfortable with. A qualified plastic surgeon will listen to you, let you know about all your options, and not pressure you into making a decision. For a full list of board-certified plastic surgeons in your area, go to https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/. To find board-certified plastic surgeons that offer the new IDEAL IMPLANT, click here.

Before Choosing Between Saline, Structured, and Silicone Implants Determine if Cosmetic Surgery is the Right Path

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Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States. It offers women increased self-esteem and satisfaction with their bodies. But before you start researching topics like structured implants versus silicone gel implants (sometimes referred to simply as silicone breast implants), you need to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. Read our guide below before you make an appointment with your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Evaluating Your “Why”

Why are you seeking out a breast augmentation? There are many reasons women want to enhance their breasts. For some, pregnancy or weight loss has left them with less volume. Others have always had naturally small breasts and want a more feminine look. Most women experience some amount of asymmetry, but for some this asymmetry is very noticable and they want to even out their breasts. Sit down and think about your “why.” There is no wrong answer, as long as you are doing it for yourself. A breast augmentation will not improve personal relationships, job status, or social standing. If you feel pressured by a friend, relative, boss, or significant other to get a breast augmentation, your surgery will leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Set Realistic Expectations to Help You Choose Saline, Structured, or Silicone Implants

Setting realistic expectations is one of the keys to a successful cosmetic procedure. Every woman is different in needs, wants, and results. Rather than expecting to become a “perfect” version of yourself, strive to enhance your natural beauty though cosmetic surgery. Know that what worked for one person won’t necessarily work for you.

To get an idea of how choosing implants works, we talked to Dr. Eric Desman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Alexandria, Virginia. He tells us

“A 300cc implant is going to look vastly different in a woman who is 5’ 1”, 105 pounds, who’s never had any children compared to a 5’ 7”, 147 pound woman who’s had two or three kids. Those women are very different in body physique and tissue type. So, during the course of a consultation, we’ll take some measurements of your breast tissues. This helps me see if what you wish to get out of breast augmentation is an achievable result. If you come in for your consultation and want to have exactly the same procedure as your best friend, that may just not be right for you. I try not to focus so much on cup size, and really hone in on the final look my patient wants.”

Looking at breast augmentation before and after pictures will give you an idea of the results you can expect. Make a note of the breast implant type (structured, saline, or silicone), breast implant size, and placement that you like. Bring these factors up with your plastic surgeon to help you decide the right path for you. Dr. Scott Greenberg, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Winter Park, Florida, explains the process his patients go through when choosing an implant. He says

“we recommend that they go to our website where they can look at photos of patients who have had breast augmentation. We have pictures taken from the front and the sides. I ask my patients to especially look at the side views. It’s been my experience that if we can get the upper pole of the breasts the way a patient wants in terms of the amount of fullness, then they will be happy. I tell my patients not to get caught up in letters or numbers when it comes to the cup size they want.”

Preparing for Surgery and Beyond

Breast augmentation is an investment in your happiness and in your future. But before you take the plunge you need to know what is involved. Make sure you consider the risks associated with surgery so you can weigh them against the benefits a breast augmentation will bring you. Your board-certified plastic surgeon should be upfront with you about these risks so you can choose the best path for yourself.

It is important to know that costs associated with a breast augmentation don’t stop after your primary augmentation. Women with silicone implants incur extra costs when they adhere to FDA MRI guidelines. Some women seek out revision surgery to increase their implant size. Others require additional surgery to address complications.

Dr. Paul Zwiebel, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, explains how and why women should prepare themselves for future surgery

“Many women ask about the durability of the implant or whether or not they’re going to have repeat operations in the future. For years, there’s been kind of an urban myth out there that implants have to be replaced at 10 years. That’s not the case. Implants don’t really have an expiration date. However, even the latest data does show that there’s a high likelihood that anybody who chooses to have breast augmentation will probably have another operation sometime during their lifetime. I think the most important thing women can do is to go into surgery emotionally and financially prepared for the likelihood of another operation at some point in the future. While we always hope that the implants will last forever, realistically, doctors and patients have to be prepared for the eventuality of some additional surgery in the years to come.”

The breast implant you choose will have a statistically higher or lower rate of complications. For example, silicone breast implants have rupture rates for primary augmentation as high as 13% at eight years, while the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant rate is only 2.1% at eight years. Knowing these statistics will help you choose the best breast implant, and help you prepare for your future. To learn more about breast implant complication statistics visit our comparison page.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

While you will see immediate results after a breast augmentation, you shouldn’t expect to return to your normal routine as quickly. Dr. Larry Weinstein, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chester, New Jersey, tells us, “We explain to our patients that they won’t be able to exercise for several weeks afterwards. I usually recommend waiting three weeks to exercise again. I do encourage and appreciate patients who exercise regularly, but you have to give your body some time to rest and heal from a procedure like this. You can’t expect to go out and conquer the world in the first three weeks. Most patients can go back to work in four or five days, but you shouldn’t try to do every activity that you would normally do.” Recovery is generally the same if you choose saline, structured, or silicone implants. In every case it is important to adhere to your surgeon’s instructions for the best results.

Schedule Your Consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Today

When you’re ready to start your journey, make an appointment with an IDEAL IMPLANT surgeon. IDEAL IMPLANT surgeons are board-certified, and have shown a commitment to high quality patient care. They offer IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants so their patients can experience a natural looking result with the peace of mind of only saline inside.

At your first consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for surgery. Your surgeon should always be honest with you while you compare enhancement options including silicone breast implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant. Find the right surgeon near you with our easy Surgeon Finder.

How Breast Implant Surgery Can Increase Confidence

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Is there something weighing on your mind? Maybe you don’t even consciously realize it, but it is possible that you have been letting negative thoughts about yourself nag you for years. For most women in our society today, comparison to others, on social media and in messages from TV and ads, can make us feel like we aren’t measuring up. If you’ve been feeling that way, think about what needs to change. Are the things you don’t like about yourself traits that you simply need to learn to accept? Or are they things you have control over, but haven’t taken the time to change? Maybe it’s some of both. Sometimes learning to love yourself combined with finding the best plastic surgeon to address a few things is the answer, leaving you more confident in yourself and more at peace with who you are.

Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon

If you do feel like plastic surgery could help you let go of some of those negative thoughts that nag you every day, finding the best plastic surgeon is key. There isn’t one plastic surgeon that is better than all the rest in the world, but there will be one best plastic surgeon for you and your specific needs. Word of mouth and reviews are powerful resources in getting to know characteristics about plastic surgeons. However, until you meet personally with someone, you can’t really know how you will click with them. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with the proper training and education. The FDA only requires that someone be a doctor in order to perform breast implant surgery. This means that doctors who have no specific training in breast implant surgery are allowed to perform them.

If a surgeon is board-certified, this means that they have spent extra money and taken extra time out of their busy schedules to gain additional education and training. Someone that you can trust your body with when you elect to have breast implant surgery is someone who is board-certified. Then make sure that they are open and honest with you. Rather than trying to upsell you on products and make you feel like a number, your surgeon should explain all of the potential benefits and compromises of each of your options and make you feel completely comfortable asking questions and raising concerns. One of the most popular plastic surgery choices today is breast implant surgery.

“I think it’s hard sometimes for patients to understand what doctor to go to. The first and most important thing I think women should look at is if their doctor or their intended doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That is very easy to find out by going to the American Board of Plastic Surgery website. Once that piece is covered, I think that there are ways to find a doctor that you can trust. Word of mouth of friends or family members that have also used a doctor for a similar reason, or somebody else in the healthcare field that knows which plastic surgeons are better than the others.” – Dr. Jonathan Heistein

Breast Implant Surgery Options

Breast implant surgery is very popular among women today because of the way our bodies are viewed and how they make us feel. Many women are self conscious about their breast area, whether they think it is too small, too big, or completely changed after years of pregnancy, nursing, and weight fluctuation. This is a common surgery too, because there is nothing we can do on our own, through diet or exercise, to significantly alter our breasts. With a simple breast implant surgery, many women can let go of negative feelings towards that part of their body and start to feel confident again.

In the past, women only had two breast implant surgery options: silicone gel implants or unstructured saline implants. Silicone gel implants were very popular because they feel more like natural breasts. The concern that comes with silicone gel implants is that it is difficult to tell when they rupture. Commonly known as a “silent rupture,” if the implant breaks, the silicone gel can leak into your body and may not be detected or show symptoms until years later. Saline implants are also popular because if they leak, the saline fluid is harmlessly absorbed and provides instant detection. The disadvantage to unstructured saline implants is that they tend to ripple and feel more like water balloons than natural breast tissue.

The IDEAL IMPLANT

Now women have another breast implant surgery option, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. This implant looks and feels natural because it does not easily move around or ripple thanks to its internal structure. Filled with saline, there is no need for an MRI every two-to-three years to check for silent ruptures which provides women with the best of both worlds: a beautiful, natural feel with complete peace of mind. If women are still wondering if the IDEAL IMPLANT is the best breast implant surgery option for them, they need only read the latest research performed by Ideal Implant Incorporated showing that the IDEAL IMPLANT has the lowest risk of rupture and capsular contracture rates in comparison to silicone gel implants.

“From a surgeon’s perspective, I like the IDEAL IMPLANT because they have a fill range that gives us a lot of control in the operating room for sizing of the implant. Most women have a bit of asymmetry, so we’re able to even that out during a breast enhancement procedure. The IDEAL IMPLANT also has a great feel to the touch after surgery and gives women a very natural look. Combine that with the lower capsular contracture rates and lower rupture rates that come along with IDEAL IMPLANT and these are all things that really make it a nice device to work with. Most of my patients are choosing IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants for these reasons over silicone gel implants.” – Dr. Eric Desman

Is Breast Implant Surgery Right for You?

Maybe you still aren’t sure if you want to get breast implant surgery. How much will it affect your lifestyle or self-esteem? Will it really change the way you feel about yourself? Whatever you do, don’t compare your situation to someone else’s. Beauty is defined differently from culture to culture, and generation to generation. What matters most is how you want to feel in your own skin. Being confident in who you are and feeling amazing in your body will help you live the best life that you were meant to live. Consider taking the time to self reflect on why you think negative thoughts about yourself and if a breast implant surgery will solve that or if you also need a true change in mindset. It is up to you to take control of your life and allow yourself the freedom to be the best version of you.

In the end, it’s your life and your decision. How other people feel and think has nothing to do with how you feel in your individual body and the personal journey that you want to go on. It’s never too late to realize the freedom you possess and make the most of it. Take control of your life and discover your breast implant surgery options. Make the best decision for you and your lifestyle and let a board-certified plastic surgeon that you trust guide you in the perfect direction. Our world is changing and so are you. There is beauty in change and you can take part in that by letting go of who you were and becoming who you have always wanted to be.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon Who Will Help You Find Your True Self

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What Happens During a Breast Augmentation – and How to Ensure Success

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How Breast Augmentations are Performed by Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeons

Have you ever wondered what happens during a breast augmentation surgery? Patients are under anesthesia during the surgery and unaware of what is being done. Surgeons sometimes do not explain the step by step process of the surgery to their patients. Now Dr. Matthew Galumbeck, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, shares what really goes on when the patient is asleep. Dr. Galumbeck uses the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant to give his patients beautiful, natural looking results without worrying about silent ruptures. Learn about a real surgery performed by Dr. Galumbeck as he informs us of the process below.

How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeons in Hampton Roads

Before you can even consider what surgery will entail you need to find a plastic surgeon. Start by searching for a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A board-certified surgeon receives training specific to plastic surgery, and stays up to date with medical research. Schedule a consultation so you can get to know your surgeon and feel comfortable with them. Look at before and after pictures of previous surgeries, either at the surgeon’s office or on their website, to judge their skill level. Find out how many breast augmentations they have performed, and look at patient reviews on websites such as RealSelf. Dr. Galumbeck’s patients often call him one of Hampton Roads best plastic surgeons because he is experienced, skilled, and compassionate. Learn more about Dr. Galumbeck’s education and experience by visiting his website.

Your Pre-Surgical Appointment

There are several decisions you will need to make at your pre-surgical appointment that will affect how your surgery is performed. Bring up any questions or concerns you may have about different methods your surgeon recommends. From the first consultation to the final check-up, Dr. Galumbeck welcomes any questions and concerns, and wants all of his patients to feel empowered to make the best decisions for their health. A few of the decisions Dr. Galumbeck discusses at a breast augmentation consultation are:

  • Incision Site
  • Type of Implant
  • Implant Placement

Dr. Galumbeck will assess your size, learn about your desired results, and make recommendations for an individualized treatment plan. Your breast augmentation can be combined with other procedures such as a breast lift or a tummy tuck in order to achieve your goals. While at his office, you will be able to view before and after pictures from real patients on whom Dr. Galumbeck has operated. Dr. Galumbeck is dedicated to listening to his patients and providing them the best options for a safe and effective plastic surgery experience.

Choosing an Incision with the Best Plastic Surgeons in Hampton Roads

Before your breast augmentation, your surgeon will help you choose a type of incision. Your incision site will determine where your breast augmentation scar will be. There are benefits and compromises to each type of incision and your surgeon can explain these in detail. The incision itself will be a few centimeters long if you choose an IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant, or longer if you choose a silicone gel breast implant. This is because silicone gel breast implants are pre-filled with silicone gel, while the IDEAL IMPLANT comes as a shell that can be rolled up, inserted, and then filled with saline once it is placed in the breast pocket. Below is a basic description of each type of incision.

  1. Axillary Incision: An incision through the armpit, made so there is no scar on the breast. However, if a sleeveless top or swimsuit is worn the scar can be seen when the patient lifts her arms. An endoscope is used to create and check the pocket. 
  2. Inframammary Incision: This incision is performed under the breast, in the breast crease. The scar can be hidden under clothing and swimsuits, but may be visible when lying flat.
  3. Transumbilical Incision: The implant is placed through an incision in the belly-button. This type of incision is uncommon because it is not recommended by breast implant manufacturers and many surgeons do not use it. Similar to an axillary incision, an endoscope is used to create and check the pocket.
  4. Periareolar Incision: This incision goes around the areola. Dr. Galumbeck tells us this type of incision “is a good place because the color change hides the scar very well.” He explains that during surgery, “we’re going to go right around the tissue down to the bottom so we don’t cut through the breast tissue. It stays attached to the nipple, so after surgery patients are able to breastfeed, if they get pregnant and have children.”

Choosing Breast Implants: Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeons Offer Options

Picking your breast implants is one of the most important decisions you will make. Each implant type has unique benefits and compromises to consider. Silicone gel breast implants used to be a popular choice because they offer a natural looking result. However, they come with a risk of silent rupture, which is a rupture that may show no symptoms for years. The FDA recommends that women with silicone gel breast implants get an MRI every three years to check for a silent rupture. A ruptured silicone gel breast implant must be removed, along with any silicone gel that has leaked into the breast tissue. Many women feel anxiety about not knowing the status of their implant. This, combined with the cost of repeated MRIs, caused many women to desire an alternative to silicone gel.

The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant was created to give women the beautiful results they want, without worrying about silent rupture. It was FDA approved in 2014. The IDEAL IMPLANT is a structured implant with multiple layered shells. These shells give the implant stability that results in a smooth, natural looking breast augmentation. Dr. Galumbeck is one of the only surgeons in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area to offer the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant. He is also one of the top surgeons in the nation using this implant and was recently named an IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Surgeon.

Breast implant choices are important for women to have. It is up to you to decide the best breast implants for your body and your lifestyle. You can get more facts about how breast implants compare by visiting the IDEAL IMPLANT comparison page.

Breast Implant Placement

Another choice your surgeon will discuss is whether to place the implant under the pectoral muscle or on top of it. When the implant is placed under the muscle it is less likely to ripple, has a lower risk of capsular contracture, and is easier to read on a mammogram. However, implants placed under the muscle can also become displaced upward when the muscle is flexed. Implants placed above the muscle tend to have a rounder shape and are not distorted when the muscle is flexed. This type of implant placement may also prevent the need for a breast lift in some women. However, placing the implant above the muscle does have a higher incidence of capsular contracture and implant rippling. For patients choosing to place their implant above the muscle, the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is recommended because the structure makes it less likely to ripple and it has a low risk of capsular contracture.

Your Surgical Experience with Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Galumbeck strives to provide his patients with the most effective treatments performed in a private and comfortable environment. He performs breast augmentations in his fully accredited operating suite. The first step before your surgery is to make preoperative markings, to ensure your breast implants are placed properly. A physician anesthesiologist will then administer IV anesthesia. After you are asleep, Dr. Galumbeck will use the incision you have chosen to begin your breast augmentation.

Creating a Pocket in the Breast Tissue

After performing the incision, Dr. Galumbeck will create a pocket in the breast tissue into which the breast implant will be placed. When using a periareolar incision, Dr. Galumbeck says he cuts “around the breast tissue, down to the bottom of the chest. We’re going to pick this tissue up and we’re going down to the muscle.”

Dr. Galumbeck tells us with one recent patient,

“Because she’s thin, we’re going to go under the pectoralis muscle. So we’re cutting down to it. We don’t cut the muscle, we’re just going to lift it up. We’re just going to develop the plane that’s separating the muscle off the chest wall, leaving it attached on the side so it doesn’t affect her strength, range of motion, anything like that. We decided pre-operatively where the pocket was going to be. She selected her size which is a 455cc implant. We’re going to make sure that the dissection of the pocket looks good.”

After checking the pocket Dr. Galumbeck uses a method to reduce risk of infections, “We’re going to get an antibiotic soaked gauze. I’m going to put that in to make sure that we don’t have any worries of infection.” Dr. Galumbeck uses an endoscope to check inside the pocket and make sure everything looks ready to place the breast implant. An endoscope is a small camera surgeons use to look inside the body. Dr. Galumbeck uses it during breast augmentations to check the breast pockets. When Dr. Galumbeck sees the pocket is dry, the surgery can move forward and he knows drains will not be necessary afterward. Using technology such as the endoscope and paying close attention to each detail is part of what makes Dr. Galumbeck one of the best plastic surgeons in Hampton Roads.

Inserting the Breast Implants

Dr. Galumbeck inserts the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant by following a few simple steps. First the implant is soaked in an antibiotic to decrease risk of infection. After soaking, excess air is taken out of the implant and it can be placed through the incision. Dr. Galumbeck tells us, “the nice thing with the IDEAL IMPLANT is we fill it after the implant is in so it’s easier to make a smaller incision. Silicone gel implants, because they’re prefilled, you need to make a larger incision.” The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is rolled up to make it small enough to fit through the incision. Once inside it is filled with saline and Dr. Galumbeck points out, “we actually have the ability to adjust to different fill sizes, if we need to adjust for symmetry we certainly can.” There are two fill ports and two fill tubes that surgeons use to fill the implant with saline after they are inserted into the breast pocket. After the breast implants are inserted and filled Dr. Galumbeck sits the patient up to make sure no adjustments are needed. When he is happy with the results, the fill tubes are taken out.

Closing the Incision

Closing the incision is a delicate and artistic process which the best plastic surgeons in Hampton Roads take very seriously. Dr. Galumbeck uses a nylon suture that will be taken out at one week post-op. Dr. Galumbeck tells us this suture “won’t leave any stitch marks, it just slides right out in a week.” After this final step, each patient is taken to a recovery area for monitoring. Patients are typically sent home the same day, and can go back to work and social activities within a week. Remember to follow any post-op instructions given by your plastic surgeon, such as wearing a support bra or taking antibiotics. These instructions will help you to achieve your desired results and avoid excessive pain and infections.

Time to Enjoy Your Body

Congratulations, your breast augmentation is complete! If you chose the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant for your augmentation, there is nothing left but to get out there and enjoy your new body. With a rupture rate of only 2.1% for primary augmentations at 8 years, according to FDA trial study results, the IDEAL IMPLANT offers beautiful results with low risk of future complications. And if the implant does rupture patients know immediately because the implant deflates slightly. There is no risk of silent rupture and no need for MRIs, giving women peace of mind. Women with silicone gel breast implants should schedule periodic MRIs to check for silent ruptures, and visit their surgeon if they feel any symptoms such as tightening, tingling, or hard lumps in their breasts as those can be signs of complications.

You deserve to feel confident and empowered in your new body. Visiting one of Hampton Roads best plastic surgeons, Dr. Galumbeck, is the first step in your journey. If you have ever considered breast augmentation, there has never been a better time to start.

Considering breast implants in Virginia Beach? Contact Dr. Matthew Galumbeck today to discuss your options. Simply call 757-320-4115, or visit www.galumbeckplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Galumbeck’s office is located at  1817 Republic Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Breast Implants In Bergen County, NJ: Dr. Frank Ferraro Shares Before And After Photos

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A Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective On Breast Augmentation

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Dr. David Creech has been a board-certified plastic surgeon for 30 years. In his Chandler, Arizona, practice he has performed hundreds of breast augmentations. We sat down to ask him about his experiences and why he is excited to offer the latest breast implant technology, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.

The IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant From a Surgeon’s Perspective

We asked Dr. Creech how he feels about the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant, how it compares to saline implants and silicone gel implants. With 30 years of experience Dr. Creech has seen the good and bad of what breast implants have to offer. This gives him a unique perspective on the benefits and compromises of breast implant types.

“What I’ve found through the years is my lack of content with the implants available prior to IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. Silicone gel implants are soft, but the IDEAL IMPLANT is also soft and has turned out to be a really good alternative to silicone gel. This is because you don’t need an MRI or a surgery to determine if the implant is leaking. With the IDEAL IMPLANT, if it leaks you’ll lose volume in the upper part of your breast, so when you look in your mirror you can tell that there is probably something going on. Through clinical exam I can determine whether there’s a leak or not.

“The other advantage of the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant compared to saline implants is, it has very minimal wrinkling and very natural feel. That is in direct contrast to the older saline.

“I can also adjust the volume on the IDEAL IMPLANT to get more symmetry between the two breasts. With silicone gel, it comes pre-filled, so whatever size you choose is what you get. There’s no adjustments with that.

“Complications are low with the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. So far I’ve only had one capsular contracture with the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. I’ve had many more with the other implant types.”

The IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant vs. Silicone Gel Implants

One goal of breast augmentations is to make your breasts look as natural as possible. This is one reason women choose silicone gel implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant over saline implants. But how does silicone gel compare to the IDEAL IMPLANT in terms of softness and similarity to natural breast tissue?

“I have two implants here. One is the silicone gel, this is the softest implant on the market. The other is the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. The beauty of this implant is with the way it was designed, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant has two primary chambers. In between the inner chamber and the other chamber are multiple sub-chambers which have baffling between, so it allows the saline to go in and out between that outer chamber. That creates softness and diminishes wrinkling. I think with diminished wrinkling you also diminish the risk of rupture.

“When you squeeze an IDEAL IMPLANT it is very similar to silicone gel without the disadvantages that I think silicone gel has. The IDEAL IMPLANT company has shown statistically, for the first six-to-seven years, it has a much better track record versus the silicone gel and the saline implants. That’s a huge advantage.

“In terms of scarring, the two primary incisions that I use are the areola approach and through the inframammary crease approach. The scar for the silicone gel has to be a certain size to get it into the space. With the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant, I can typically get the implant in safely, deflated, through a four centimeter incision. With the silicone gel implant, it could be as much as five or six centimeters, depending on the size and the projection of the implant. silicone gel implants go in already pre-filled, so you have to adjust the incision to allow for that to go through the incision.”

Breast Implant Surgery Tips

With so much information available on the Internet it is important that women follow the instructions given by their board-certified plastic surgeon. You may hear an anecdote about a woman who started exercising 3 weeks post-op and did fine! But is that woman putting herself at risk? Here, Dr. Creech discusses what recovery will be like and how women can ensure they get the best results from their breast implant surgery so they don’t find themselves back on the operating table.

“When I prep the patient, I want her to know that there are certain things I don’t want her to do prior to the surgery. One is taking non-steroidal pills, which can increase the risk of bleeding. In my career, I’ve had maybe three or four over the last 20 years. Every time a patient has been on Ibuprofen or a non-steroidals. That also increases bruising, which is not a problem as long as there’s no blood around the implant. Anti-inflammatories that are touted for good health can also cause a problem. In lay terms, they thin the blood, I want them to avoid that.

“Post-operatively is another thing. When you go below the muscle, the edge of the muscle is very fragile. I want the patient to take it easy. Don’t pull down a hatchback on a truck or a car, don’t do heavy lifting, don’t reach up high, don’t pull yourself up on a ledge, no working out. The working out part, depending on the type of workout, is going to be limited until four-to-six weeks. After that I don’t mind them doing a treadmill or something that does not use the chest muscles. The chest muscle can get back to a full workout at eight weeks. The reason for that is that muscle that has been divided at the bottom part isn’t strong enough to tolerate exercise for about eight weeks.

“Once the skin is healed, it’s like armor, it protects your implant from getting an infection. If you have an infection around the implant, the implant has to be removed for up to three months before a new one can be put in. I don’t want my patients to go through that, and I don’t want to have to replace an implant. I want a perfect result every time we do these operations.”

Considering breast implants in Chandler, Arizona? Contact Dr. David Creech today to discuss your options. Simply call (480) 899-3737 or visit www.davidcreechmd.com. Dr. Creech’s office is located at 485 S Dobson Road, #217, Chandler, AZ 85224. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Toronto Plastic Surgeon Explains Why He Recommends the IDEAL IMPLANT

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Below you may find untouched before and after photos of patients who have granted permission to their surgeon to show them anonymously. While we protect the identities of our patients, please be advised that by their nature, these photos contain sensitive content. Read more