At ZENA Medical in Newport Beach, California, you can be positive that you’ll receive the best care by Dr. Karen Leong. She understands what women look for when it comes to treatments for their face, breasts, and body. We recently interviewed Dr. Leong to learn more about a typical consultation and her thoughts on the new IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.
Tell us a little bit about you and your practice.
“I have been in practice for a couple years now. I am an East Coast girl at heart but I love it here in California and I’m very excited to speak with you today.”
Can you tell us a little bit about what areas you focus on?
“In my practice, my philosophy is to journey with you throughout your life. I’m a woman, which means I’m going to go through the same body changes as you, and I want to be with you every step of the way. Your passions are my passions. I care about my face and my breasts and that’s what I want to focus on with you.”
Can you walk us through a typical consultation?
“When a woman comes in for a breast consultation, she usually has something in mind. Whether she wants to go bigger, perkier, smaller, or change the implants she currently has, she has an idea of what she wants. She tells me what she’s aiming for, and I work with her to achieve those goals. I talk with her through all the breast implant options. They may have concerns about ruptured implants, how silicone gel compares to saline, or the feel of the implant. We talk about what’s possible and make a plan together.”
How did you hear about the Ideal Implant?
“I heard about the Ideal Implant a couple of years ago. I was intrigued because if I were going to choose an implant for myself, I would want the security of knowing that if it were to burst, I don’t have to worry about silicone gel in my body. The fact that the burst rate of the Ideal Implant is less than 1.8% is amazing. The fact that if I have to worry about scar forming around the implant, that the rates are lower than both traditional saline and silicone gel implants. Plus, if I can have an implant that feels and acts like a silicone gel implant without the risks, I’m in.”
What’s been your overall impression of the Ideal Implant?
“After having Ideal in my practice, I find that I have pretty much gotten rid of traditional saline implants. I just don’t see any benefit in a water balloon when you can have something that looks and feels natural, lasts a long time, and has fewer complications. My patients feel the same way. Their biggest desires are to have a natural feeling implant with fewer complications, which this is. When we talk about price point I think it’s comparable. It’s an investment because if you’re looking at this in the long term, 10-30 years, is $200 a big difference? No. Think about what you’re buying and getting out of it and it’s worth it every time.”
How long can a woman expect her breast implants to last?
“If a woman has a silicone gel implant, my personal recommendation is to replace them every 10 to 12 years. They tend to break around that time and the FDA recommends that you have an MRI to look for ruptures. With the Ideal Implant, because it’s filled with saline, which is just salt water, you don’t have to worry about MRI’s and you save on that additional cost. If it breaks it’s not dangerous to you. Because of that, you don’t have to replace the Ideal Implant every 10 years, you can keep going as long as they do.”
What has been your experience with the Ideal Implant as far as patient satisfaction?
“For people who switch from their old implants to the Ideal Implant, it’s a world of difference. They’re just softer, more natural, they don’t ripple, and they have peace of mind. They’re very happy.”
What would you tell other surgeons about the Ideal Implant?
“It’s very easy to use. You can use a smaller incision than you would with the silicone gel implants. In terms of wound healing, lower rates of capsular contraction, and an almost non-existent rupture rate, it’s a really nice addition.”
Could you give us a quick sum up of your thought and feelings on Ideal?
“This is the implant I would choose for myself. It’s natural feeling. It’s filled with saline, so I don’t have to worry about rupture, complication rates are low, and satisfaction is really high. Plus it’s only offered by board certified surgeons. For me, the choice is pretty easy.”
Why do patients choose you over other surgeons?
“Well, I think I have a gender bias. I can relate to women on many levels, from insecurities about body image, the way they feel in their relationship, their sex lives, how they feel about having children, and everything in between. I also hope that the genuineness of my personality and the fact that I truly care are winning factors.”
Anything else you want to mention about your practice?
“Being in Southern California, I know you have a lot of choices. We are a dime a dozen in this field. I want you to make the choice that’s best for you and find someone that you’re very comfortable with because to be honest this is a relationship that I’m hoping we’ll have throughout your lifetime and throughout mine. I think my practice is special because we are a group of female physicians and we love the patients that we treat. We try to meet all your needs in a very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. We want to make you feel the best you can about yourself.”
Considering breast implants in Newport Beach? Contact Dr. Leong today to discuss your options. Simply call 949-200-8222 or visit www.drkarenleong.com. Dr. Leong’s office is located at 359 San Miguel Drive Suite 300, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.