A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale
Posts tagged silicone breast implants
The Big Deal: Silicone Breast Implants Promotion in Scottsdale, Arizona
01 month ago
The Big Deal: Silicone Breast Implants Starting at $5000*
Guerra Plastic Surgery Center is proud to kick off 2012 with a promotion for our #1 breast augmentation procedure. Breast augmentation cost for Silicone breast implants start at $5000* through February 14, 2012. If you have been thinking about breast augmentation in Arizona this is the time to come in and to meet with Dr. Aldo Guerra. He specializes in breast augmentations and offers both silicone breast implants and saline breast implants. Guerra Plastic Surgery Center is located in Scottsdale and our professional patient coordinators can help you make the appointment. Call 480-970-2580 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
* See the BIG deal page for more details on this promotional offer.
Dr. Aldo Guerra discussing the differences between silicone and saline breast implants on Arizona Midday.
04 months ago
October 2011 – Arizona Midday Channel 12: Different types of breast implants.
Dr. Aldo Guerra discusses the differences between silicone breast implants and saline breast implants on Arizona Midday a local Arizona tv channel. The differences are very apparent when you hold the breast implants and feel the difference consistency of each type. Dr. Aldo prides himself in educating the public on the latest plastic surgery procedures.
Find out more information on our #1 breast augmentation procedure in AZ.
Textured versus Smooth: Breast Implants.
01 year ago
Scottsdale – Are textured breast implants falling out of favor with many plastic surgeons?
In some cases, usually for plastic surgery operations of the breasts, in which the patient has experienced capsular contracture – a textured breast implant could be considered. Textured breast implants have a cover that feels like soft sand paper and were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture in higher risk situation, such as:
- Use of breast implants larger than 350 cc.
- When the breast implant is placed above the muscle.
- When a breast lift is done at the same time as a breast implant.
- When a breast implant is used for breast reconstruction.
- When there is revision of breast surgery for capsular contracture.
The data to support use of textured implants in the medical literature seems to be waning. The information that is available on a small numbers of patients suggests that textured breast implants reduce the chance of severe capsular contracture. Recent clinical data, however, in a large number of women with Mentor saline and silicone breast implants shows no difference in the likelihood of developing capsular contracture with textured implants compared to smooth breast implants.
Verbalizing: Breast Implants.
01 year ago
Scottsdale – In this verbalizing section, please note what I normally tell patients about breast implants and capsular contracture.
Capsular contracture is very common. This is especially true with large breast implants, above the muscle implants, and in cases of infection and bleeding and when breast implants are placed with a breast lift. Contracture may necessitate more surgery and lead to dissatisfaction.
Larger breast implants than 350 cc cause thinning of the skin, stretching, sagging, chronic breast and back pain, and more complications faster. Large sagging may not be correctable. Nipple sensation loss is possible with any breast surgery, especially with larger breast implants.
Breast implants always interfere with mammograms. Implants under the muscle interfere less. Under the muscle may give a more “natural” appearance, reduce contracture risk, and feel more natural, especially if they are saline breast implants.
Asymmetry cannot be “corrected”. It can only be improved. I mentioned, there are no “perfect” breasts. The implant size and sizing only an estimate of cup size. A certain desired cup cannot be guaranteed. Tissue thins out. Swelling goes away.
There are limitations on silicone breast implant size options. Saline limitations usually include rippling. Plastic surgery patients must wear breast band to increase chance of good breast implant position. Cosmetic surgery patients must use muscle relaxants to increase the chance of good breast implant position and reduce contracture risks. A lack of compliance increases risk of revision surgery for implant position.
While verbalizing on breast implants helps, we recommend, if you are greatly interested in cosmetic breast surgery, a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
The Round Block Breast Lift: II.
01 year ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Breast Lift
The Round Block Breast LIft.
Scottsdale – One of the main goals of cosmetic surgery is to limit the scar. What does it mean anyway, Round Block?
Well, if one separates down the two words to their basic meanings, we get a reasonable understanding of what the operation is all about. For instance, the word round: Indeed, it is the desired shape of the areola. As the Round Block Breast LIft Diagram demonstrates, the operation involves the use of a larger circle closed as a purse-stringed into a smaller circle. The large circle represents the diameter of the areola before breast surgery. This is usually a large and unattractively wide diameter. The smaller circle is the new, smaller diameter which is achieved by the operation.
In the original description of the technique, the suture was placed within the dermis. The dermis is an important part of the anatomy in most plastic surgery operations of the breasts. In fact, most modern breast lift operations incorporated dermo-dermal sutures of some kind.
Details about Breast Lift and Breast Implants with Areola Technique.
The way the suture is placed is by going around the larger circle without incorporating the smaller inner circle. As we will see in the Tuesday’s blog, more modern variations of the round block breast lift now use both the inner and outer circles when placing the permanent suture implant to control the size of the areola. The rational for this variation has to do with the movement of the tissue around the suture. Most often, when more tissue moves around one side when compared to the other, then pleating of the skin can occur, which is more noticeable on the fast movement side of the areola. By incorporating both the inner and out circles more control occurs and less pleating results.
The Round Block Breast Lift: What Actually Happens?
Tightening the Suture: The Purse -String.
During the actual procedure, with or without breast implants, the suture is pulled by the surgeon to bring the edges of the wounds together (See Diagram: The Purse-String). Once the desired diameter of the areola is set then the permanent suture is tied. It is important to set the diameter of the areola to a reasonable level. Too tight and it looks unnaturally small or there will be too much pleating.
To some degree, the areola will stretch after the breast surgery. This is specially true if breast implants have been placed during breast augmentation and areola reduction surgery. You see, all breast implants cause the skin to stretch. This may occur slowly or rapidly, depending on the size of the breast implant and the elasticity of the skin.
We don’t want the areola size to stretch. That is where the second word comes into play: Block. It is the block that occurs through the use of the permanent suture implant and the dermo-dermis closure that resists the forces of stretch and gives us a more predictable areola size. The round suture and the blocking wall of dermis scar that is created can even resist the pressure of stretch that is generated by saline breast implants.
After placing a permanent suture implant, what else has to be done? The board certified plastic surgeon, must close the more superficial layers of the skin and minimize pleating. How is this performed?
Best Closure for Breast Lift.
Best Closure for Breast Lift Around the Areola.
The best method I have found is to use a thin absorbable suture (it goes away – over time). Importantly, the needle on this suture should be blunt. It makes sense to use a blunt needle, although it is harder to work with for most plastic surgeons, because it will not slice the permanent suture holding the deeper tissues intact (See Diagram: Best Closure for Breast Lift). The cosmetic surgeon has to make minor adjustments of the skin to reduce pleating. In some cases, this is as simple as sliding the tissue to the other side or trimming any excess tissue without slicing the permanent suture below, of course.
There are pros and cons to all plastic surgery operations. In the last portion of this series, we will discuss more about how modern improvements in the technique make it more predictable and reliable. Please note that all the sketches and diagrams for this blog were created by Dr. Aldo Guerra, a board certified plastic surgeon, using Sketchbook Pro Program.
Fall Weather Plastic Surgery
11 year ago
Fall Weather Plastic Surgery
Scottsdale – We are finally turning the page on Summer and heading into the Fall Season. Plastic surgery is traditionally very popular in the Fall. For instance, over the past three years the trend is for cosmetic surgery patients to get breast augmentation around this time. We are not sure why, but the number of breast implants used in September, October, and November usually increases each month in the Fall and Winter.
Fall Uptrend in Breast Implants and Tummy Tucks
One theory is that may ladies went to the beach, and had some fun in the sun, this past Summer. They noticed their friends and acquaintances who did get plastic surgery of the breasts and mommy makeovers. These friends looked great and had a lot of confidence because of the way the looked after last year’s cosmetic surgery. Our clients during the Fall, often times, make reference to their friends, who by the way, are our number one source of referrals for future patients. After waiting for their turn, many new clients are ready for the breast surgery or tummy tuck by the beginning of November.
Fall Uptrend in Facelift and Eyelid Lift Surgery.
We also see an uptrend on the number of facial plastic surgery cases we perform. I have always said that facelift, eyelid surgery, and necklift are a lot easier on patients during cooler weather. The weather in Scottsdale, Arizona start getting really good during late October and many patients take advantage of this fact. To make it easy on patients looking into facial rejuvenation surgery, we are having a Facelift and Eyelid Lift Seminar on Wednesday the 22nd of September, in our office, at 6 PM sharp!
Breast Augmenation. Is there an App for that?
11 year ago
Scottsdale – Have you always wanted to see what you might look like with bigger breasts without having plastic surgery or taking the time to consult with a plastic surgeon? Well, it turns out that such an App really does exist. It is available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The creators tell us that consumers can get an instant virtual breast augmentation privately, easily, and inexpensively!
The breast augmentation application is called iAugment. The application allows you to take a photo of your breasts with your phone or using an existing photo. The breast implant size options available include sizes 210 cc to 690 cc. and choose one of the many implant options available to you! The application will do the rest.
• Recommended plastic surgeons in your area. • The ability to save your augmented photos on your photo library.
• The ability to publish your augmented photo on Facebook.
• Easy to follow instructions:
First: Take a photograph of your breasts.
Second: Highlight the augmented area, and adjust the slider to fully cover the breasts.
Breast Asymmetry: Causes and Treatments.
01 year ago
Scottsdale – Breast development usually results in some unevenness of the breasts. Breast asymmetry, in fact, is normal and natural, but it is usually only acceptable to most patients when the difference is subtle. When examining the human shape, is is normal to visualize some differences in our bodies from side to side. Many patients request silicone breast implants to improve breast asymmetry.
The cause of breast asymmetry can be divided into two groups:
- Asymmetry may result from natural development, which includes pubescent growth, pregnancy, lactation and weight fluctuations.
- The second group of causes includes asymmetry caused by external factors such as disease, trauma, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. During development, the female breasts increasing in size and projection, responding independently to hormonal and growth stimulation. For most women, the differences that exist at the end of this process are typically minor. Exceptions can occur when conditions such scoliosis and Poland’s syndrome.
The Developed Breast and Breast Implants:
The developed breasts have similar volumes with the infra-mammary folds in a similar position, nipple position is close to being at the same level, and the nipples are at the center of the breast and above the infra-mammary fold. Volume differences are very common and are often associated with differences in nipple position and diameter as well as differences in elevation of the IMF.
When the nipple position is below the ideal location the breast is said to be saggy. This is especially true when the nipples fall below the IMF. Breast augmentation and breast lift can improve the asymmetry in such cases. Perfection cannot be achieved. It is believed that breast should be like sisters but not identical twins.
Pregnancy and Weight Fluctuations and Breast Implants:
Pregnancy and weight fluctuations can lead to asymmetry. Pregnancy and lactation typically creates an increase in the size of the breasts. After the baby, there is a deflation and a loss of volume in the breasts. Usually, the breast shrink back to near pre-pregnancy size, although some experience an additional decrease in overall breast volume.
Similarly, significant weight changes can increase the saggy appearance and asymmetry. As weight increases, the fat portion of the breast increases and with the extra weight, the breast falls. This process can occur unevenly on each side leading to asymmetry which can also be compounded by the same stretching of the skin..
Breast augmentation may help those who are not very saggy, but a breast lift is better when the breasts are very saggy. As in cases involving other types of breast asymmetry, perfection cannot be achieved. Before and after plastic surgery, breasts are like sisters, not identical twins.
Update from the 25th Breast Surgery and Body Contouring Symposium
11 year ago
Santa Fe, NM – I wanted to take this opportunity to let patients know about my experience at the 25th Annual Breast Surgery and Body Contouring Symposium. This is my first visit to this plastic surgery symposium which is sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
I arrived Thursday evening and missed all the live plastic surgery presentations. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find the most invigorating discussion occurring on Friday. The schedule included an updated presentation on silicone gel breast implants, including some early numbers on the form-stable gel breast implants, currently undergoing FDA trials.
Thursday was also a good day for the basic science and technique of fat harvest, stem cells, and fat injections. The discussion was focused primarily on fat grafting as it applies in reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy. The portion of this medical conference involving the use of stem cells in the future was really quite exciting.
The day in the main lecture area was wrapped up between the component with liposuction and revision lipo with and without ultrasound. At the time, late in the day, I was looking forward to the body contouring instructional course I signed up for earlier. I chose to go with the brachioplasty after major weight loss course, as it peaked my interests the most. I certainly did get to see a different approach for arm lift than what I routinely use.
Overall, I gave my first day at this plastic and cosmetic surgery conference a 9 out of 10, so far…. I am indeed looking forward to hearing all the discussion about plastic surgery after major weight loss on Saturday!
Choosing a size for breast augmentation.
01 year ago
by Dr. Aldo
in Breast Augmentation
Scottsdale – Breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery procedure. A priority, for most women, when seeking breast augmentation is to choose a breast implant size that best suits their goals. We also believe that deciding on your new breast cup is the most important decision when it comes to creating satisfactory outcome after cosmetic surgery of the breasts. Fortunately, the final breast cup can be derived at, using common sense advice.
Common sense advice for Breast Augmentation.
First, we must look at what the patient brings to the consultation. We must consider the height and weight of the patient. We also look at the proportions. We must consider the current bra size and chest measurements. Patients who are taller and wider can accept and look great with bigger breast implants. The more petite the person, the more difficult it becomes for them to accept bigger implants.
Factors in choosing a certain breast implant size.
Second, we must consider what looks good on your body. This is determined by two important factors. The first factor has to do with your actual physical proportions. The second factor is more dependent on society, where you live, and what sizes are considered acceptable. For instance, living in Scottsdale, patients spend plenty of time outside in the sun and larger breast implants are more acceptable. The situation might be different if you live on the east coast. Patients usually choose smaller implants in this part of the country because outdoor activities are not as popular.
Bigger breast implants not always better.
Third, having a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, is one of the most important decisions you can make. During the consultation we rely on three basic techniques to derive our recommendation for a certain size. We will perform clinical measurements of your breasts, we provide a variety of breast implant sizers for you to try on while in clinic, and we will show you before and after photos of previous patients and their results.
We will encourage you to choose the size you believe will make you the happiest, but review the pros and cons of that size. We encourage all patients to consider the downside and upside of bigger breast implants. When you are in our office, you will have plenty of time to tell us your desired cup and when you leave, you will be very confident about the size you have chosen.
