Plastic Surgeon in Baltimore: Three Ways to Enhance Your Autumn Look
Summer has ended, and along with it, trips to the beach. Unfortunately, those countless hours spent outdoors under the harsh hot sun have taken their toll on your face. You think that with the onset of the autumn season, your facial skin will finally have time to recover, but no. The colder season actually comes with its own set of problems for your appearance. An article by Joshua L. Fox, M.D. posted at parentguidenews.com states that:
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Can you guess what procedure is up 70% since 2000? Click here to find out!
Data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that breast lifts are up 70% since 2000. In fact, they are outpacing breast augmentations by 2-1 with over 90,000 breast lift procedures performed in 2013. Breast implant procedures are still the most common cosmetic procedure in women, but breast lifts are quickly catching up. A Baltimore breast lift is a great way to improve the shape and contour of the breasts. They are basically done three different ways:
1. Periareolar – incisions go around the areola only
2. Vertical or lollipop – incisions go around the areola and straight down from the bottom part of the breast
3. Wise or anchor pattern – same as vertical, but with a small horizontal incision in the fold underneath the breast
The amount of sagginess or “ptosis” of the breast determines which type of lift you need. Sometimes, a breast implant can be added to the breast lift to add volume to the breast if desired. The recovery for the breast lift is very easy at about 3-5 days. I allow my patients to shower the next day and resume exercise at 1-2 weeks depending upon the type of lift done and if implants are required. Book your online Breast lift and cosmetic surgery consultations today by simply fill out the online appointment request below or call (410) 902-9800.
Thinking about breast augmentation in Baltimore this summer? Silicone versus saline questions answered here
Baltimore breast augmentation patients commonly ask me about silicone versus saline breast implants. Before 2008, we were not allowed to use silicone breast implants for cosmetic breast enlargement because of FDA restrictions. However, after four very well run studies with thousands of women involved the FDA approved silicone breast implants for cosmetic purposes in 2008. The silicone breast implants are softer and more natural in appearance compared to saline breast implants. This is not to say that I still don’t put in the occasional saline breast implant, but most of the ones that I put in are silicone.
Breast augmentation with silicone breast implants is much easier than women think. The procedure takes about 1-2 hours and is done on an outpatient basis. Costs vary depending upon whether or not a lift needs to be done at the same time. Breast implants can give added volume to breasts and improved shape. Breastfeeding can give a deflated appearance to the breasts and implants are wonderful at reversing this. Even more, those women who have small breasts to begin with can get larger breasts with a very natural look and feel. The recovery is also pretty quick at about 3-5 days. I allow my patients to shower the next day after surgery because I place a waterproof dressing on. The incisions are also very small and heal beautifully. They can be placed below the breast or around the areolae. Any discomfort from the procedure is easily controlled with a mild oral narcotic medication and many women just take Motrin or Tylenol.
For more information about a breast augmentation with silicone or saline implants, please visit the Breast Augmentation portion of my website, email me at doctor@BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com, or fill out the online appointment request below.
The Top 4 Reasons to Get a Baltimore Tummy Tuck This Spring
Baltimore tummy tuck patients are always asking me when the best time is to get their procedure done. I typically recommend the winter/spring time for several reasons. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your belly, now’s the time to do something about it. Why? Here are the top 4 reasons to get a tummy tuck this spring:
1. Exparel – Out with the pain pumps and in with Exparel! This is the latest pain medication that is actually injected during the procedure and lasts for THREE days! The pain pumps can be cumbersome and hard to take care of. Exparel has significantly reduced the amount of narcotic pain pills that my patients take after a tummy tuck.
2. Overnight stay – Many patients have young children at home and it’s sometimes hard to get a good night’s rest after a procedure. Therefore, we currently offer our patients an overnight stay in the hospital to help with that first night of recovery. You’ll have a nurse available to assist you and most of all a private, quiet room!
3. Summer is just around the corner – Recovery for a tummy tuck is usually around 7-14 days depending upon how much work is done. This way, if you get the procedure done now you’ll have plenty of time to recovery before putting on that new bikini!
4. Discounts – When you combine your tummy tuck with any other procedure, like a breast augmentation, then you’ll receive a nice discount on the fees. This is true for any additional procedures, like liposuction, a breast lift, or buttock lift.
Please email me if you have any questions about a tummy tuck at doctor@BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com. You can also fill out an appointment request found on the website or call (410) 902-9800. For tummy tuck before and after photos, click here.
Dispelling Three Breast Augmentation Myths
Dispelling Three Breast Augmentation Myths
During consultations for breast implants, Baltimore cosmetic surgery patients ask me a variety of questions. Several of those questions are routinely about three very common myths about breast enhancement surgery. Here are 3 of the most common myths that I dispell a daily basis:
- Breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years. Not true! As long as you are happy with how your implants look after 10 years, you don’t have to get them replaced. However, if you need a lift at 10 years then you have the ability to go up or down in implant size.
- You have to get an MRI every three years. Also, not true! The FDA has only recommended an MRI every three years if you have silicone gel breast implants. This is only a recommendation and not a mandatory requirement. If you do want an MRI for surveillance every three years, your insurance company might not even cover it.
- Silicone gel breast implants are not safe. Not true! In 2008, the FDA approved silicone gel breast implants for cosmetic procedures. Several well run evidence-based studies showed no increased risk in women who have silicone gel breast implants compared to the general population of women.
So, if you’re considering breast augmentation you can rest assured that the abovementioned myths are just that…myths. I’d be more than happy to discuss breast enhancement surgery with you during a consultation. Just call (410) 205-1846 or fill out the online appointment request found on the website.
And the Winner is…The Top 10 Cosmetic Procedures of 2013
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, here are the top 10 cosmetic procedures of 2013:
- Botox injections: 6.3 million (up 3%)
- Soft tissue fillers, like Juvederm, Belotero, and Restylane: 2.2 million procedures (up 13%)
- Chemical peels: 1.2 milion procedures (up 3%)
- Breast augmentation: 290,000 procedures (up 1%)
- Nose surgery: 221,000 procedures (down 9%)
- Eyelid surgery: 216,000 procedures (up 6%)
- Liposuction: 200,000 procedures, (down 1%)
- Facelifts: 133,000 procedures (up 6%)
- Tummy tucks: 111,000 procedures (up 5%)
- Breast lift: 90,000 procedures (up 3%)
As you can see, most of the procedures are up indicating a nice trend in the safety and satisfaction of cosmetic surgery patients. This most likely reflects upon the fact that Americans are seeking out board certified plastic surgeons to perform their cosmetic surgery procedures. Extensive training and a thorough examination to become board certified ensures the greatest safety and best overall results for cosmetic surgery procedures. As your local Baltimore plastic surgeon, Dr. Schreiber is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He specializes in the latest cosmetic surgery techniques of the face, breasts, and body. To schedule a cosmetic surgery consult with him to discuss your aesthetic goals, simply fill out the online consultation request below or call (410) 205-1846.
Saline vs. Silicone Implants from a Plastic Surgeon in Baltimore
Every woman is bound to experience sagging breasts, even highly paid celebrities that you idolize. Breasts eventually sag for a number of reasons, but the most common is aging. Beyond a certain age, breast ligaments get stretched and lose their elasticity as years go by.
Another common reason is exercising without the proper support. Women who run regularly without a sports bra in Baltimore’s popular running trails, for example, like the Loch Raven Reservoir, leave their breasts vulnerable and thus prone to sagging. Fortunately, breast augmentation surgery performed by a plastic surgeon in Baltimore is one way to get firmer and shapelier breasts. However, it will help to become familiar with the differences between saline and silicone implants first.
Saline implants
Saline implants are composed of layers of a silicone outer shell. First, shells are inserted and once they are stably in place in the patient’s breast cavities, they are filled with sterile saltwater solution. What is good about saline implants is that since they are inserted without the filling at first, the procedure entails smaller and shorter incisions and their volume and size can be easily adjusted by the plastic surgeon during the surgery, making them ideal for those with asymmetrical breast size.
Silicone implants
Like saline implants, silicone implants are composed of layers of a silicone outer shell, but the main difference lies in the filling material. In saline implants, water is used, while in silicone implants, silicone gel is used. The silicone gel are filled-in prior to the procedure, but the materials are designed to conform to the natural shape of the breasts and allow for a more natural feel.
If you have decided to go for a breast augmentation, it’s best to do your research on a reputable plastic surgeon in Baltimore first. A trustworthy cosmetic surgeon will enlighten you on what either procedure entails so you can make a well-informed decision. You also have to be forthcoming with any medical condition you have or have had in the past for the doctor to determine if you are indeed a good candidate for a breast augmentation procedure.
Aging gracefully is easier said than done; our bodies, however, will age as the natural course of things. Thankfully, even though these areas are susceptible to the laws of gravity, women still have a chance to defy those very rules through a breast augmentation procedure. For more information, visit www.dummies.com/how-to/content/comparing-breast-implant-options.html.
The Deal with Tummy Tuck in Baltimore
Weight loss is a good thing, especially in a country where more than 70 million adults are battling obesity. There are different ways to lose weight, from the conventional diet and exercise mantra that encourages physical activity to bariatric surgery meant to control the amount of food taken in by the individual with a special device.
Regardless of the method, a person who was obese but effectively lost a significant weight will end up having a lot of excess skin. Despite healthy weight, the presence of excess skin has a detrimental physical and psychological effect on formerly obese people. This is why tummy tuck in Baltimore and other parts of the United States has become an extremely sought-after method of helping these people look healthy.
Excess skin does not only have an effect on how people will look; it can cause improper posture and infections such as intertrigo or inflammation of skinfolds. Excess skin also makes it difficult for formerly obese individuals to exercise and lose more weight. These conditions do not even include the detrimental effects excess skin has on a person’s self-esteem, let alone appearance.
By undergoing tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, the patient can get rid of the excess skin that has made his life difficult. The process helps the person regain his confidence. There are also improvements on areas other than the tummy; the operation also contours the medial thighs to have a better shape.
Abdominoplasty is usually done in combination with either bariatric surgery or liposuction, as excess skin would usually become a side effect of the procedure. Questions regarding the safety of the methods have been squashed by studies showing that patients are in no significant danger. As long as the procedure is done properly and the patient follows post-operative instructions, the latter should be safe from harm.
Effective tummy tuck in Baltimore can do wonders to a person in need of shedding excess skin to get closer to the ideal body. Individuals interested in learning more about tummy tucks can go to MedicineNet’s comprehensive discussion on tummy tucks at MedicineNet.com.
The Most Common Procedures Performed By a Plastic Surgeon in Baltimore
Most people have been teased because of the way they looked during their younger years. This teasing has caused a number of people to lose much of their self-confidence─ something that cannot easily be recovered. For some people, this self-confidence issue extends into adulthood, impacting social skills, confidence, and daily performance.
For people suffering from a lack of self-esteem, plastic surgery can be onestarting point on their road to recovery. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has reported a whopping 14.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2012 alone. As such, here are a few of the most common procedures an experienced plastic surgeon in Baltimore, such as Dr. Jeff Schreiber, is likely to offer a patient:
Tummy Tuck
Also known as an abdominoplasty, the goal of a tummy tuck is to remove excess deposits of fat and skin to give the abdomen a much more toned look. This is an effective way to lose the last few pounds gained through pregnancy, aging, or surgery recovery. It is estimated that nearly 115,902 tummy tucks were performed in 2012.
Face Lift
With 119,026 procedures in 2012, face lifts are one of the most common plastic surgery procedures to combat the physical signs of aging. Face lifts are particularly effective against sagging in the middle of the face and deep wrinkles that have formed below a person’s lower eyelids, along the nose, and the corner of the mouth.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is still one of the most common procedures a patient will approach a Baltimore plastic surgeon for, with 307,180 procedures in 2012 for a grand total of $1,040.1 million in the United States alone. This procedure excels in making a woman’s breasts look fuller or to improve its symmetry via implants.
While these are some of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures performed, plastic surgery goes beyond aesthetic purposes. Many plastic surgeons also offer procedures for the overall health of a patient; women suffering from intense back and neck pain can opt for breast reduction while another woman can undergo breast reconstruction following an accident.
Overall, plastic surgery allows people to feel more confident in their appearance, which can lead to higher self-esteem. Many patients have reported leading much happier lives after undergoing plastic surgery. After all, one of the best ways to feel good is to look good.