Unwanted Body Fat: Alternative to Breast Implants?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Chris

How Fat Transfer could provide a natural alternative to Silicone

For all the women in the world who undergo breast augmentation to enhance their figure, there are more who aren’t happy with their bust who do not. After all, breast implants require invasive surgery, and that carries with it certain risks. But what if there was another way? A way that used your own unwanted body fat?

One plastic surgeon may have found a way to do just that. ASPS member Roger K. Khouri, MD, has come up with a new method of using fat transfer to augment breasts without the use of implants and without any invasive surgery.

Fat transfer is not a new idea in the world of breast enhancement. However, fat cell necrosis (cell death) has always been an issue with the procedure. On average, only 55 per cent of fat cells survived the procedure.

However, Dr. Khouri’s method involves a bra-like device of his own creation, called Brava®. Worn for a few weeks prior to the fat transfer procedure, the Brava uses a slight vacuum to “pre-expand” the breasts, giving the fat tissue space to be injected.  According to a report Dr. Khouri lead authored, the rate of cell survival was 80 per cent after undergoing pre-expansion, as opposed to 55 per cent without pre-expansion.

This has the potential to change the face of the breast enhancement industry as we know it. Breast augmentation could become an outpatient procedure, without any sort of incision. According to Dr. Khouri’s report, women can look forward to their breast sizes being as much as doubled in an afternoon.

While promising, the procedure is still in the developmental stage, and is not likely to replace the breast implant in the very near future, but Dr. Khouri and his researchers believe their study “establishes a benchmark and a platform for further potential improvements.”

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Lip Augmentation – Shape is as Important as Size

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Chris

Avoid the dreaded “Trout Pout.”

Angelina Jolie is one of the most gorgeous actresses working in Hollywood. Aside from her fabulous right leg, one of her most distinctive features are her plump, full lips. Celebrities and everyday women alike have aspired to replicate that look. Just be careful not to overdo it.

Awareness of the “Trout Pout” phenomenon, which refers to lips that are filled with too much injectable filler, has reached a fever pitch lately after French actress Emmanuelle Beart revealed on the Today show that she had lip augmentation surgery years ago, and considered it ‘botched.’

The problem surrounding Trout Pout is the lack of attention to proper shape. The bigger lips are, the harder it becomes for them to maintain their shape, and thus Trout Pout is born.

Proper lip proportion should be observed in order to avoid the fishy dilemma. The lower lip should be 1.5 times larger than the upper lip, according to plastic surgeons. A good surgeon with experience won’t let this scale shift too far to one side or the other, even if the patient thinks that’s what she wants. It’s when doctors give in to the trendy demands, problems arise.

Your best chance to avoid botched lip augmentation surgery is to take the same precautions you should with any surgery. Research the procedure, and your physician. He or she should be certified by a governing body, like the ASPS or the ASAPS, and finding someone who specializes in your desired procedure doesn’t hurt. An expert in lip augmentation will know how to best sculpt your smile.

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New 3D Imaging Technology Previews Plastic Surgery Results

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Chris

See what you’ll look like after the surgery, before you have it.

When you sit down with your doctor for your consultation, he or she can tell you what you can realistically expect from a procedure, or even show you before-and-after photos of people who have undergone the same procedure. What they can’t do is show you images of what you will look like after the procedure, with photo-real accuracy, right?

Wrong.

WABC-TV in New York reports that new 3D imaging technology called the Vectra 3D camera is being used by plastic surgeons around the country to scan their patients features onto a computer screen, and show them in three dimensions what  they very likely would look life after undergoing their desired procedure.

The Vectra works by scanning the patient with a special camera that renders a likeness of them in a computer program. The image can be manipulated to be seen from multiple angles. Then, the doctor can adjust the image based on various factors, and comes up with a photo-realistic after image showing what effect the surgery will have.

This is great news for doctors and patients alike. Patients who are concerned with how they will look after surgery will get to see the results before they commit, and doctors have a new tool to better inform their patients.

“People come in and they’re really afraid. They say I don’t want to look like ‘blank.’ And they’re really afraid of having too much,” says Dr. Paul Loverme, a plastic surgeon and Vectra user.

Currently, about 150 practices use the Vectra across the country.

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5 Questions You Should Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Chris

The best questions to ask before going under the knife

So you’re thinking of getting a tummy tuck, or a facelift, or even just a little botox to smooth things out? Do you know what the realistic results will be? Or how long you’ll need to recover? It’s not just on the doctor to know what he or she’s doing – it’s your responsibility to know what you want, and what you’re likely to get.

If you’re considering undergoing any plastic surgery, be sure to ask your prospective plastic surgeon these five questions during your consultation.

“What results can I realistically expect from this procedure?”

You have the right to know what to expect from your procedure. Your doctor will be more than happy to explain the kind of results you can expect, and will be able to produce before-and-after photos for prospective patients to inspect.

“What factors will contribute to the outcome of my surgery?”

While the skill of the surgeon is a major factor in how well your surgery could go, you’re not removed from the equation. Often times, there are aspects of the patient’s lifestyle that can contribute to the success of the surgery. Ask your doctor what these factors could be for a given procedure.

“What can I do before my surgery to ensure a positive experience?”

Much like how sometimes you need to fast before having bloodwork taken, there are things you’ll probably need to do or avoid before your procedure. Your surgeon will be happy to instruct you when you should take these steps and why.

“What should I be aware of during recovery?”

Surgery is surgery, and you can expect some recovery time for most procedures. This is an excellent opportunity to make yourself aware of what to expect, so you will know what sort of pain or swelling is normal, and what are signs of complications.

“What can I do to prolong the effects of my surgery?”

Remember, the surgery itself is only a short fraction of your experience with the new you. You’re going to live with the results for a long time, so you should strive to maintain them as best you can! Your doctor will have plenty of tips to help maximize the results of your surgery.

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