“My Breast Implants Are Too Small: How Long To Wait For Redo?”

“I had a BA silicone 450 R went to 500 /500 went to 550 L under, on March 21, I want a redo to go bigger by 100 cc’s , how long should I wait to get a redo, I was thinking maybe July or wait til Nov of this year.”

This is probably one of the most common complaints after Breast Augmentation not related to a complication.  Many patients feel that their Breast Implants are too small right after their surgery.  Personally, I have never felt this way (even after two different breast augmentations with 510 cc saline breast implants) because I had gone rather large and admittedly regretted choosing such a large size (both times!).   Granted, I liked it at first.  When you’re just lying around healing, having noticeable results is like Christmas!  But when you get back to your daily life, finding bras that fit (32F!) and easing back into your activities can be a little “different” with that much mass on your chest.  So be careful what you wish for.   And remember, the larger you go the more stress is applied to your tissues and the faster you will sag without sufficient support (although we all sag eventually).

Now that you’re heard my thoughts from personal experience, I thought I’d share the comments of 4 of our Expert Breast Augmentation Surgeons…

Preparing For Your Tummy Tuck Surgery

Although surgery preparation in the weeks before your tummy tuck surgery may seem overwhelming, if you plan your steps and create lists for supplies and tasks, this will significantly lower your stress levels.  Doing so helps you focus on relaxing and healing, not worrying, which can only enhance your recovery.  Plus, you are sure not to forget anything!  The last thing you need on your surgery day is having to stop at the pharmacy and wait in the car while your caretaker rushes around searching for a forgotten item.  These tips, along with your own surgeon’s instructions, should definitely help you avoid that inconvenience.

Benelli Mastopexy – Peri-areolar Breast Lift (Doughnut, Donut Breast Lift, Concentric)

Benelli Breast Lift Page and Diagrams Updated!

Also, how to determine your level of breast ptosis (sag), diagrams to help you..  Compare the resulting scars of various Breast Lift Methods.

If you feel your breasts are sagging due to age, pregnancy, weight gain or loss, but are afraid of the scar often associated with more aggressive breast lift procedures, the peri-areolar lift may be an option for you depending upon your level of ptsosis (sag). A peri-areolar breast lift can be performed with and without breast implants to reduce the amount of lax breast skin and reduce the size of the areola (the colored disc of skin around the nipple), if necessary.

Benelli Breast Lift Information

Juvederm To Submalar Area (Plus Botox and Restylane)

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoenig in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few lb. I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.

Read more…

http://yestheyrefake.net/journals/juvederm_submalar.htm

BreastImplantsCentral.com Launched

My friend Heather Bakker, you may know her on the forums as “Halo”, and I have started a new breast augmentation website. Heather is having her redo with Dr Horn and thought it would be great to launch a new breast augmentation support website since the old one is gone.  When she asked me to be a part of it I jumped at the chance!  We buckled down and designed a website which we hope is user friendly and informative.  Some of the content is from YTF for now but she and I have been working around the clock to get more detailed, fresh content to help others in their pursuit of breast augmentation. Please help us spread the word and join us on the forum

Heather will also be making a video blog of her entire experience ans well as a traditional journal with photos.  So be sure you stay tuned to see what it is like, from beginng to end, to have breast implants surgery.

 BreastImplantsCentral.com

Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes Cosmetic Surgery Bill

Some of you may have read the article about the death of Kanye’s West’s mother, Donda West , that Valerie wrote last year.   Although it is unclear that Donda’s death could have been avoided had she a full physical which apparently the first surgeon she consulted with required.  She chose not to go with him.  She did, however, choose a surgeon which did not require a full physical.  She also chose, or rather the surgeon did not enforce, that she stay overnight. This in itself could have saved her life.

Unfortunately, we will never know what could have happened or not happened had other choices been made. We can only speculate on the outcome. What we can’t deny is that having a full physical and heeding your surgeon’s advice on aftercare can certainly increase the odds in your favor.

But to get to the point of this article. After Donda’s death, a bill (AB 2968) was proposed that would require cosmetic surgery patients to undergo a full physical before having surgery.  While it created only a nominal uproar in the cosmetic surgery community over the government’s laws being placed on one’s own body, it received the majority support.   It made sense to me as well.  I feel it is good practice to get a full physical, give a full medical history and get clearance from a physician before being accepted for any plastic surgery procedure. At least for your first one, or the first one in quite a while, and definitely as you mature.

But, it was announced today, that it did not, in fact, pass.  I honestly didn’t expect this in a million years for the bill not to pass, however the reason that was given was not that Governor Schwarzenegger didn’t agree with the bill, but rather because there were 900 bills to be either signed or vetoed.  And if he did nothing, they would all turn into law. Scary!  So in lieu of weighing each one, many of them got a “This bill does not meet that standard, and I cannot sign it at this time,”  Which is better than letting all pass to law when he hasn’ttime to fully review them. I suspect it will go up again, and either it will or won’t be officially denied.

This issue further drives home the warning that you simply must be absolutely honest with your plastic surgeon, stay up to date on your own health, and abide his wishes when it come pre- and post-op care.  Preparation is also key.  For instance, quit smoking well in advance before your cosmetic surgery, attempt to reach a good weight before having surgery, stay active, and eat a balanced diet in your day to day life.  We worry about everything under the sun but our health until something happens.  You know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Physicals To Be Mandatory in California Before Cosmetic Surgery

**Or let’s hope the bill will be signed by Ahhhnold.  I originally posted this article under the impression that AB 2968 was already passed.  However, I was incorrect and I apologize.  How this bill cannot be considered essential baffes me, and I can only hope the powers that be feel the same. **

Death, although a part of life, is always a tragedy to me.  The death of Kanya West’s mother, Donda, while having an elective procedure, is no exception.  Donda West’s death has triggered a proposition for a mandatory requirement in the state of California to have a physical examination before undergoing cosmetic surgery. 

I have had two doctors that required physicals before surgery, not all of them used to require it.  One of my surgeons mandates a pre-operative check up every time his patients have surgery, even if you just had surgery with him and your physical was 6 months ago. With 2968 in place, every patient in CA will be required to undergo a physical before having cosmetic surgery.  And I am all for it!  I further hope that it will be requirement for cosmetic surgery in every state, regardless of age.

Sure, it will add on some expense and inconvenience.  But it can also save your life.  Is living inconvenient?  I would venture to guess that you do not think so.  And the senate seems not to thinks so either.  With  whopping 37 to 1, AB 2968 was made official on 8/13/08.

2)Prohibits a  physician and surgeon  from performing a 

            cosmetic surgery procedure on a patient unless prior to 

            surgery the patient has received a physical examination 

            and written clearance for the procedure from any of the 

            following: a) the physician and surgeon who will be 

            performing the surgery, b) another licensed physician and 

            surgeon, c) a certified nurse practitioner or

          d) a licensed physician assistant.    Requires the physical 

            examination to include the taking of a complete medical 

            history.  States that a violation of these provisions is 

            not a misdemeanor.

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_2951-3000/ab_2968_cfa_20080624_092422_sen_comm.html

If you have never had a physical, think about having one before your plastic surgery procedure, even if 2968 does not go into effect. It’s better to have had it, and not needed it, than have needed it and not have had it.

Plastic Surgeons Are People Too!

So you’re at this trendy party and you realize the person you have been speaking with is a plastic surgeon.  You’ve been thinking about getting this lifted and that tucked, so you think to yourself, here’s my chance to ask a few harmless questions.  Which questions are appropriate and which are not, and which should you never ask? Well, since I have experience in this business and have been to quite a few cocktail parties where surgeons are grazing, my questions might be a bit different.  But regardless ,I am curious what you’d ask. 

I asked a surgeon friend of mine how he felt about people asking him about work when he is at social functions or out and about.  He said honestly, he doesn’t not mind being asked surgery-related questions, and joked that plastic surgeons rarely pass up the chance to talk about themselves.  The one thing he didn’t really like being asked, and this is not the same for every surgeon, is “what procedures do you suggest for me?”  He said that having cosmetic surgery isn’t about what he feels another should have, but rather about what the patient wants.  He said that although he will discuss features that could be tweaked once you open up the conversation of what your root issue may be, he will not suggest procedures out of the blue.  I absolutely agree with this because I once received unsolicited advice about needing a jaw reduction! Apparently my jaw is off a few millimeters according to the Golden Ratio mask, ask me if I care.  But then again, one of my surgeons told me that one cheek is larger (which BTW a visitor to the blog made that same scathing comment in a very unconstructive way.  I had no idea.  I thought sure, everyone is a little asymmetrical but for crying out loud is it that bad?  Whatever the case, a surgeon of mine injected some Restylane into my cheek last week and it is a lot better now. But I digress!

So what not to ask?  Well you can ask all you like, but surgeons will not (should not) tell you which celebrities they have worked on unless it is public knowledge and the celebrity her/himself actually admitted to it.  And even then, you won’t get the juicy details.  

What I ask?  I usually ask the particulars on revision surgeries, what new products they feel are up and coming, new findings on old products, etc.  Revision liposuction is always a good topic to discuss, with usually the same answer–nothing 100% on how to fix others’ mistakes yet.   Injectable fillers is a huge favorite of mine, as are less invasive procedures to improve the texture and appearance of the skin.

But you can also stay off the beaten track and ask them about their hobbies and what they like to do to unwind.  If you were an accountant, would you want to talk about accounting all evening?   So, be a good fellow guest and don’t hog the surgeon and tie him up with questions all night. 

How I Chose My Breast Augmentation Surgeons

 Oh how I wish there were some secret, fool-proof formul for choosing a plastic surgeon!   Sure, there are recommended guidelines and what not but there really is no infallible method to choosing a surgeon that will guarantee your absolute post-operative satisfaction.  So many variables can alter an end result: your own expectations, pre-existing physical attributes, doctor-patient communication, the skill of the surgeon, your health and ability to heal, your post-operative care, and the errant complication that may arise.  That being said, you can most definitely take action on your part to help improve your odds in having a successful surgery.

As for how I chose my surgeon?  I started thinking about breast augmentation in 1997 and finally had my surgery in June of 1998.  I was actually pretty lucky my first time out.  I basically picked a few names out of the yellow pages and met with the first one and canceled my consultations afterwards.  By chance, I had stumbled across a doctor that performed trans-umbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) which is where they place your implants through your navel.  I was sold on my surgeon from the beginning.  He was about 25 minutes away from me and had his own out-patient facility (I have never had surgery in a hospital and I am thankful for it). He was not, however, a board certified plastic surgeon; he was considered a cosmetic surgeon.  Now, this is where I say do as I say, not as I do.  Granted, I came out fine, but the chances for success are better if you obtain several opinions by going on several consultations and for many the gold standard calls for a board certified plastic surgeon.  The fact of the matter is, you cannot make a truly informed choice, if you only have one option to choose from.  Having one consultation doesn’t constitute having a choice per se.  Like I said, I was lucky, and all went well—more than well actually.

Choosing my second surgeon was a little different, a little out of the ‘norm’ if you will.  I was shooting a documentary and for the amount of surgery (and type), the facility needed, and the call for other criteria, I needed a special surgeon.  I knew one that I had been in contact with for a while and I knew of his training, skill, and experience.  He agreed to the documentary and that was the end of that.  There really were only a few surgeons who met the skill/experience criteria and in the end it the deciding factor was about time and location.   Even with the complications I had had, my luck was still a factor.  He was a good surgeon, he was board certified, and he had many years of experience, was open to my suggestions, and gave me a lot of time to

On the third surgery, I needed an explant and a lift and I needed someone who was very skilled, competent and that is all that mattered.  I didn’t care about location, money, or anything.  My friend (another plastic surgeon) had had a breast augmentation redo and breast lift by him and I loved her results. I waited until she was well healed before finally scheduling my consultation. Luckily he was in my area, board certified, had his own facility and very easy to talk to.  I had seen several of his patients’ results before ever scheduling so I felt even more at ease with my decision.  He wasn’t cheap though.  But, like I said, I wasn’t looking for a bargain.  Not that my other surgeons were inexpensive!  

Now, looking for my fourth surgeon…Ideally I would like to go to Dr De Wire in Virginia because of his expertise in placing the implants completely under the muscle (utilizing the pectoralis muscles, the serratus anterior muscles, and the abdominal rectus muscles).  He also had a lot of experience with Benelli lifts, raising the breast crease, reducing the size of the pocket and revision breast augmentation in general.  Over the years, I have always heard so many great things about his revision cases from the ladies at breastaugmentation4you.com.  He is board certified in plastic surgery, highly skilled and his fees are very reasonable.  Hopefully he will take my case very soon.   In short he is my ideal surgeon for MY case. He meets all of my personal criteria and actually feel I would be fortunate if he were to perform my surgery.

General Guidelines in Choosing a Breast Augmentation Surgeon

• Medical Licensure: Check if your surgeon’s license is still valid.  You may do this by visiting your state’s medical licensure website.
• Boards Certification: Be sure your plastic surgeon is board certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Although this is not the end all, be all and does NOT determine if your surgeon has skill, many feel that this is a must.  Being board certified won’t guarantee your surgery as a success but it will guarantee your surgeon has earned his or her degree from an accredited medical school.  Your surgeon must also have completed 3 years of general surgery, completed a 2 year residency in plastic surgery, must be in practice for 2 years, and then must pass oral and written exams from the ABPS.
• Disciplinary Actions and Lawsuits.  The Internet, and public information, allows us to delve into the depths of the legal system.  With a little work, you can check how many lawsuits a surgeon has, or if he has been disciplined by the state.
• Word of Mouth is an excellent tool.  Words gets around if a surgeon is a god one (or a not so god one).  Open your eyes and ears, scour the Internet, ask around your social circles, ask your general practitioner, etc.
• Communication: You must have good communication with your surgeon.  If you do not, you may not realize you both have different ideas about what it is that looks good.  Bringing photos of what you like and do not like is a great tool, or hopefully your surgeon has computer imaging software.  It is imperative that you both understand one another.
• View your surgeon’s before and after photos.  This can give you an idea of his skill.

This isn’t exact science, but it can help you on your way with having a positive outcome.  Learn from others who have been through this surgery.  Experience is the best teacher, and although your cases may not be similar, it is still breast surgery.  Plus it is always nice to speak with others who are going (or who have gone) through what you are.  Good luck! And don’t rush into your surgery.  Being prepared is half the battle.

Where and How to Hunt For The Best Plastic Surgeon?

Everyone always searches on how to find the best plastic surgeon, or which sources are the most reliable in making such an important choice.  No matter how many times I have been asked this question, my answer never changes.  Locating a great plastic surgeon is not always easy, but it can be a lot less worrisome than you’d expect.  Of course it isn’t a simple answer, but it a collective outline I always adhere to:

1. Word of Mouth.  Usually you can’t go wrong when you’ve had 5 friends who all went to the same surgeon and came out with great results.  Your friends aren’t going to lie to you and if they feel their surgeon had great communication skills, or a fabulous aesthetic eye, they’re going to tell you.   Same goes on the forms, if you have massive amounts of happy patient WITH PHOTOS and have their story at your disposal, it is certainly worth a look-see.  Same goes with negative reports.  Where there is smoke, there is usually fire.  But always try and view the person’s before and after photos.  You’d be amazed at how many times I have viewed results I personally liked, that the patient was completely disappointed in. There are differences in taste, and there are honest to God bad surgical results.
2. Background Checks: Once you have a name or two, or three!  What do you do?  Check their credentials, disciplinary actions and lawsuits.   It is easier than you think.  Nowadays there are inline medical license databases, lawsuit databanks and more.  If you can get a satellite image of someone’s house via Google Earth, be rest assured you can find out if your surgeon has had a bunch of malpractice lawsuits.  With some states, it can be a grueling process to find out all of the above, but it is worth it.
3. Consultations:  Now that you have done the above, a meeting is imperative.  How do you know if you and your surgeon are on the same page if you do not meet until the day of surgery?  You need to meet your surgeon and discuss your expectations and desires, as well as any other questions you may have before you can schedule your surgery.  This is an important meeting that you should never miss.

If anyone has any tips on finding the best plastic surgeon, please feel free to post them!