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Best Procedures for a Beach-Ready Body

While summer is a great time to hit the beach, many people are less than excited to show their body in a swimsuit. If you’re not at your physical peak, you may hesitate to spend the summer outdoors. Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery understands that you want to look and feel your best, which is why he offers the following procedures to help you achieve a beach-ready body.

1. Breast Surgery: Many women feel that their breasts are too big, too small or too saggy. Luckily, breast procedures such as breast augmentation and breast reduction can help women achieve the breast size they desire. A breast lift can also make that bikini top look better with higher, rounder and perkier breasts.
2. Male Breast Reduction Surgery: Gynecomastia, more commonly known as “man boobs,” affects up to 60 percent of men. This condition can cause a man to to rethink taking off his shirt at the beach. Male breast reduction surgery is available for men who seek a more masculine looking chest. Men can enjoy better-fitting clothing as they head outdoors, and experience less anxiety about going shirtless at the beach or pool.
3. Liposuction: Many people complain that no matter how much exercise or dieting they do, they can’t seem to get rid of stubborn areas of fat in the thighs, stomach or back. Liposuction can put the finishing touches on your beach body by removing isolated pockets of fat that don’t seem to budge. Liposuction can be used to treat the abdomen, back, buttocks, legs or upper arms.
4. CoolSculpting: This alternative to liposuction uses innovative fat-freezing technology to achieve a slimmer waistline. CoolSculpting is a popular procedure because it requires no surgery and is quick and painless. Targeted cooling is used to chill the treatment area and damage the fat cells. The body then eliminates the damaged fat cells during the subsequent weeks.
5. Mommy Makeover: This procedure, which combines breast surgery, tummy tuck and/or liposuction, can be used to help mothers and other women get ready to enjoy the summer outdoors. If you are a mother, this popular treatment can help you get your body back to the way it was before having children, and can give you the self-esteem boost you need to flaunt your body at the beach or pool.

Start preparing for next summer by perfecting your beach body now. To learn more about these cosmetic procedures and others, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.

by emurphy

Tips To Avoid Overeating During Holiday Parties

Let’s face the truth: the holiday season wouldn’t be quite as exciting without the decadent meals and free-flowing cocktails. With temptation at every turn, it’s difficult to watch your waistline when holiday parties usually offer a rich buffet, sit-down meal and plenty of champagne toasts.

If you’d like to ring in 2015 looking and feeling your best, try these tips to avoid overeating during holiday parties:

Eat a Pre-Party Snack

Walking into a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Before you leave your house, have a small snack of protein and carbs (half an avocado on toast, some string cheese or a cup of Greek yogurt). This will curb the impulse to start eating as soon as you get to the party.

Alternate Your Drinks

Upon your arrival, drink a non-alcoholic beverage first to satisfy your thirst. From that point on, alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages (try to stick with zero-calorie options like water or club soda). This tactic will help you avoid over-imbibing, which can lower your inhibitions and increase your appetite, making it more likely that you overeat.

If you anticipate that you’ll toss back a few drinks, plan ahead and keep some healthy post-party snacks or munchies in plain view at home. Try low-calorie popcorn or some crudité with hummus.

Tell a White Lie

If a family member or coworker is pestering you to try their special (calorie-filled) dish, tell a white lie and say you enjoyed a piece already, or that you’re stuffed and will wrap up a portion for later. They don’t have to know the truth!

Wear Slim-Fitting Clothing

Wearing a body-conscious dress, slim-fitting slacks or a pair of Spanx is a good way to discourage multiple trips to the buffet table or a second helping of dessert.

Don’t Sit Down

Standing up burns calories, aids digestion and makes it more difficult to pile foods on your plate. If you do take a seat, make sure it’s not within arm’s reach of the snack bowl or bar.

Take Home Half

Modern serving sizes tend to be monstrous for just one person. If the holiday gathering is a sit-down affair at a restaurant, when the server brings your entrée, immediately halve it and have them box up one portion for a doggy bag. This removes the temptation to clean your plate.

Don’t Deprive Yourself

If you tell yourself an indulgent food or beverage is off-limits, chances are you’ll crave it more than normal. Instead, allow yourself to indulge in moderation. Try a few bites of your favorite foods — that’s usually all it takes to satisfy a craving. Just be sure to balance out your diet by eating healthfully the rest of the day.

Start the New Year Right

If you typically follow a clean diet and exercise regularly, yet still have areas of stubborn, unwanted fat, consider body contouring with Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel of Aqua Plastic Surgery. Procedures such as liposuction can help you enjoy a slimmer and sexier physique. To learn more about these options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel by calling (561) 776-2830 or use our easy contact form.

by emurphy

Plastic Surgery after Major Weight Loss

After significant weight loss, it is common to have surplus skin that obscures the body’s new curves and contours. In some cases, this troublesome skin can chafe or develop rashes or infections. Excess skin cannot be reduced with diet or exercise. In fact, plastic surgery is the only effective treatment for excess skin.

Dr. David Rankin, a plastic surgeon in Palm Beach, offers several plastic surgery procedures for patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight, and are left with excess, loose skin. The general goal of plastic surgery after major weight loss is to tighten the skin and improve the curves and contours of the body.

After learning about a patient’s specific goals, Dr. Rankin will customize a treatment plan of one or more body contouring procedures. Treatment options include the following:

Body Lift

Body lift reshapes the mid- to lower body, including the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks and thighs. Through an incision around the back of the hips to the front of the thighs, loose skin and fatty tissue are removed. Then, the remaining tissue and skin are smoothed and tightened for a more pleasing body contour.

Arm Lift

Arm lift treats loose, flabby arms to produce a more youthful contour. Excess skin and fat deposits are removed and the remaining tissue is tightened to improve the shape of the upper arms.

Breast Lift

Breast lift elevates saggy, drooping breasts to a higher position on the chest wall by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue and skin. Breast lift can be combined with breast reduction or breast augmentation for smaller or larger breasts, respectively.

Male Breast Reduction

Male breast reduction treats gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) and restores a more classically masculine appearance to the chest. During the procedure, excess tissue and/or fat is removed from the breasts for a flatter and firmer chest contour

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck can accomplish several objectives in a single operation. The procedure will correct a protruding or saggy abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, tightening the remaining skin and repairing weak/separated abdominal muscles. In many cases, the belly button is also repositioned higher on the abdomen, and stretch marks are reduced/removed.

Learn More about Your Options

If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and are curious about your body contouring options, please schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin today or Dr. Allyson Deziel today. Call Aqua Plastic Surgery at (561) 776-2830 or send us an email.

by emurphy

Look Great This Holiday Season with Noninvasive Cosmetic Treatment

For many people, the holiday season is a time to get together with family and friends, some for the first time all year! It’s reasonable to assume that you want to look your best for holiday reunions and parties. Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel, Palm Beach plastic surgeons, understand that although you may desire some help via cosmetic enhancement, you don’t have the time in your busy schedule to commit to surgical rejuvenation. They offer a range of nonsurgical treatment options to erase visible signs of aging and help you put your best face forward, all without significant downtime or recovery.

Depending on your specific cosmetic objectives, Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel will outline the best treatment options. These may include one or more of the following:

Dermal Injectables

We offer a variety of dermal injectable products, including Botox, Juvéderm and Restylane, to accomplish several goals:

• Reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles
• Fill in under-eye bags
• Plump the lips
• Add definition to the cheek or chin area

We also offer facial fat transfer, which involves taking surplus fat from another area of your body and injecting it into your face to smooth lines and folds, or to enhance the lips, cheeks and chin.

After dermal injectable treatment, your skin will be smoother, your facial features will look more defined and you will appear more rested and relaxed. Take note: results last temporarily; so schedule repeat treatments to maintain the effects throughout the New Year.

Peels, Microdermabrasion and Photofacials

If you’re worried about skin imperfections like age spots, acne scarring or areas of sun damage, microdermabrasion or chemical peel treatment will remove the damaged outer layer of skin to reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath. Photofacials use intense pulses of light to improve areas of hyperpigmentation, redness associated with acne or rosacea and fine lines. After one of these treatments, your complexion will look more even and luminous.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing (with the CO2, erbium: YAG or Pearl lasers) removes the outer layer of damaged skin to reveal fresh, new skin in its place. It is optimal for treating scars, fine lines or areas of sun damage or uneven pigmentation.

In addition to traditional laser skin resurfacing, Dr. Rankin offers Fraxel fractional laser skin resurfacing technology. The laser stimulates your body’s natural healing process to replace damaged tissue with younger, healthier skin. Fraxel’s microscopic laser columns deliver precise treatment to the damaged tissue, leaving the surrounding areas untouched.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you’re considering cosmetic treatment in time for the holiday season, schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options. Contact Aqua Plastic Surgery via email or call our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.

by emurphy

Lasers Provide Skin Rejuvenation and Other Aesthetic Benefits

When you think of the word “lasers,” do you picture red-hot beams of light that can incinerate objects within seconds? Although this association is not incorrect, there have been many recent advances in laser technology that contribute to our expanding definition of what a laser is. For instance, lasers are not necessarily always red or hot; they can also be blue or equipped with a cool application tip.

Thanks to many of the advancements in laser technology, the team at Aqua Plastic Surgery is able to provide patients with a host of cosmetic laser treatments that satisfy a variety of skin rejuvenation and other aesthetic needs. Let’s explore the aesthetic benefits that laser treatments offer.

Skin Rejuvenation

Undergoing minimally invasive cosmetic laser treatment is often an effective way to rejuvenate the look of the skin and combat visible signs of facial aging — while postponing the need for facial rejuvenation surgery.

For example, laser skin resurfacing treatment eliminates the dull, dead outer layers of the skin to reveal the fresher, healthier skin underneath. Laser skin resurfacing can improve the look of dark spots, fine lines and some wrinkles as well as even out skin tone and texture.

At Aqua Plastic Surgery, we also offer laser skin-tightening treatment, which helps to stimulate the body’s latent production of collagen, a protein that is integral in maintaining elastic, youthful-looking skin. The heat from the laser also causes collagen fibers to contract, for a firmer, tighter look.

Hair Removal

Lasers can also be used to remove unwanted hair from nearly any area of the body. Over the course of a few laser treatment sessions, the targeted hair follicles become damaged. As a result, they may be unable to re-grow hair — or, if they can, they do so at a much slower pace, and the hair is finer and sparser. Both men and women can benefit from laser hair removal treatment and will experience long-lasting results.

Tattoo Removal

Thanks to laser technology, you no longer have to be stuck with the “I love Milli Vanilli” tattoo you got when you were 18 years old. During laser tattoo removal treatment, the ink in the tattoo absorbs the laser light, fragmenting the ink into microscopic particles of pigment that the body can safely pass through its natural detoxification system. Over time, tattoos are completely eliminated or dramatically lightened.

Vein Removal

In addition, laser treatment is effective at improving the look of spider veins. The laser light can selectively target the damaged blood vessels that cause spider veins. As the blood vessels absorb the laser energy, the heat collapses the blood in the targeted vessels, in turn causing the vessels to shrink.

Learn More About Laser Treatment

To schedule an appointment and learn more about the benefits of cosmetic laser treatment, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.

by emurphy

Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful

At Aqua Plastic Surgery, we can relate to the desire to turn back the hands of time. Most people would like to find the fountain of youth, but since that's unlikely, you will have to settle for the following tips to help keep our skin looking as youthful as possible.

#1: Wash Your Face Before Bed

Never go to bed without first washing your face. During the day, makeup, dirt, debris and pollutants build up on your skin. If you go to bed without washing your face, the same dirt and debris may end up clogging your pores.

Note: In your 40s, hormonal changes can cause oil production to slow. When this happens, washing your face too often may cause your skin to look dry, dull and wrinkled. If washing your face twice a day seems to be having this effect, simply wash your face with foaming face wash before bed and splash your face with lukewarm water in the morning.

#2: Use Sunscreen Daily

Even when it is overcast outside, the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are reaching earth — and you. Over time, the sun’s UV rays can cause premature signs of aging, including dark spots, wrinkles and more. To keep your skin looking as youthful as possible, you must apply sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher every morning.

#3: Manage Stress

Chronic stress can age your skin in multiple ways. First, constantly frowning or grimacing as the result of stress can cause dynamic wrinkles to form, including so-called “frown lines” that appear in between the eyebrows or horizontal forehead furrows. Second, when you are under stress, your body produces more cortisol, the stress hormone. High cortisol levels lead to inflammation, which, in turn, breaks down collagen, a protein that is essential for healthy, supple and young-looking skin. Thus, managing stress by practicing yoga, meditating, taking deep breaths, going for a walk or talking to a friend is crucial for keeping your skin looking youthful.

#4: Watch What You Eat

To keep your skin looking its best, eat well-balanced, nutritious meals and limit your intake of foods that are high in sugar. This is because nutritious foods help support skin health while sugary foods hinder it. For instance, foods that are high in antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which, as we mentioned, breaks down collagen. In contrast, eating large amounts of sugary foods can cause a physiological process called “glycation.” Glycation causes the proteins in the body, including collagen proteins, to become hard and inflexible. When collagen becomes too rigid, so does the skin.

#5: Seek Help to Combat Visible Signs of Aging

Although no one can completely stop the natural aging process, Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel can help combat visible signs of aging with cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical treatment options. If you are already experiencing noticeable signs of facial aging, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

To schedule a personal consultation with Palm Beach plastic surgeons Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel to learn more about your facial rejuvenation or skincare treatment options, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.

by emurphy

Ways You May Be Unknowingly Aging Your Skin

Most people know that certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, can cause premature signs of aging to develop throughout the face. Smoking robs individuals of oxygenated blood flow and damages collagen and elastin, two proteins that are integral to healthy, elastic skin. Also, the repeated motion of puckering your lips over a cigarette can cause wrinkles around the mouth.

However, there are many other ways you could be prematurely aging your skin, and you may not even know it. That is why our talented plastic surgeons are sharing the following ways you may be unknowingly aging your skin.

Mistreating the Sensitive Skin Around Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thinner than elsewhere on your body, and it's very sensitive. Rubbing or tugging on the skin around your eyes while removing makeup can lead to dark circles under the eyes and, eventually, to wrinkles around the outer edges of the eyes (e.g., crow’s feet). With this in mind, care for the skin around your eyes carefully. In addition, don’t forget to wear your sunglasses when you are outside, to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, which can also lead to visible signs of aging.

Not Getting the Right Nutrients

Your skin reflects what you eat. If you constantly load up on sugar, you could activate a physiological process called glycatin that causes the collagen and elastin proteins to harden. You should also check to make sure you are getting sufficient amounts of vitamins A, C and E, antioxidants that help curb the damage caused by free radicals (the unstable molecules in your body). Finally, consume omega-3 fatty acids to keep the outer layer of your skin strong and supple, so it remains effective in keeping out external pollutants and toxins.

Not Staying Hydrated

About 70% of your body is water, with your skin containing a substantial amount of that water. Although drinking an excessive amount of water will not necessarily give you glowing skin, not drinking enough water will make your skin appear dry and wrinkled. To keep your skin looking soft and hydrated, do not forget to hydrate!

Not Getting a Sufficient Amount of Sleep

Besides making you feel cranky and tired, not getting enough sleep each night (i.e., about seven to eight hours a night for adults) can also take a toll on your skin. While you sleep, your body releases human growth hormone to help repair skin cells and other tissues. If you do not get enough sleep, your body does not release enough of the human growth hormone to keep skin healthy.

A lack of sleep can also cause your body to release more cortisol, the stress hormone. Having an excessive amount of cortisol can damage skin collagen, the protein that is essential for smooth, elastic skin.

What to Do If Your Skin Could Use Some Help

If you already notice visible signs of aging creeping up, Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Allyson Deziel can help. They provide both facial rejuvenation surgery and nonsurgical cosmetic treatment options to help your skin looks its best.

To schedule a personal consultation with our Jupiter plastic surgeons and to find out about our facial rejuvenation treatment options, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830 or using our contact form.

by emurphy

Gynecomastia: It's More Common Than You May Think

Jupiter plastic surgeon Dr. David Rankin recognizes that although an estimated 40 to 60% of males experience gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts, at some point in their lives, it is not a condition that is often discussed. However, gynecomastia accounts for more than 65% of male breast disorders. It is more common than you may think.

Gynecomastia vs. Pseudo-gynecomastia

True clinical gynecomastia is characterized by enlarged glandular breast tissue in men. Pseudo-gynecomastia is typically characterized by excessive fat throughout the chest area, leading to the appearance of enlarged male breasts. Patients may also suffer from a combination of excessive glandular tissue and fat throughout the chest area.

While pseudo-gynecomastia is often the result of being overweight, clinical gynecomastia is usually caused by fluctuations in hormones. However, true gynecomastia can also be triggered by some types of medications, such as steroids, and drugs, such as marijuana. Gynecomastia often occurs during puberty, and can continue into adulthood. It is also common among older men.

The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia

Unfortunately, gynecomastia can be more serious than a simple aesthetic concern for many males, especially for adolescents who may be teased or bullied because of their condition. A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, reported that adolescents with gynecomastia had significantly worse social functioning, self-esteem and overall mental health when compared to their healthy peers. The severity of the boys’ gynecomastia did not influence the extent to which they were mentally and emotionally impacted by their condition. That is to say, even the slightest degree of gynecomastia can have damaging effects on the emotional wellbeing of male adolescents.

Gynecomastia Treatment Options

Fortunately, Jupiter cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rankin can help. He offers several surgical treatment options for enlarged male breasts. Your options depend on what is causing your enlarged male breasts. For instance, men with clinical gynecomastia usually require male breast reduction surgery involving the excision of glandular breast tissue — and in some cases, excess skin — from the chest area. Men with pseudo-gynecomastia may benefit from liposuction of the chest. Of course, Dr. Rankin can also combine treatment options for effective contouring of the chest area.

If you suffer from enlarged male breasts, do not put up with the problem any longer. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery so he can evaluate your chest anatomy, discuss your aesthetic concerns and formulate a treatment plan to correct the look of your male breasts. To schedule a private consultation with Jupiter male breast reduction surgeon Dr. Rankin, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830 today.

by emurphy

Breastfeeding With Breast Implants

Many women visit Jupiter plastic surgeons Dr. David Rankin or Dr. Allyson Deziel seeking to enhance their breasts with breast implants, but they are worried they may have difficulty breastfeeding afterward. Although there is a small risk that undergoing breast augmentation cosmetic surgery will negatively impact a woman’s breastfeeding ability, it is not an issue for most breast implant patients. That said, if you are considering getting breast implants and plan to breastfeed after, keep the following information in mind.

Incision Pattern

Dr. Rankin and Dr. Deziel offer patients three incision options in breast enhancement surgery. The first is the transaxillary incision approach. With this incision pattern, the doctor positions the incision beneath the arm, in the armpit region. With the second option, the inframammary approach, the Jupiter breast augmentation surgeon positions an incision underneath the breast’s natural fold, running lengthwise. Finally, with the third incision option, the periareolar approach, the doctor makes an incision around the nipple — on the areola, the darkly pigmented skin encircling the nipple.

The periareolar incision often leaves the least-noticeable scar, as it is located within the darker-colored skin of the areola. However, this incision approach also increases the chance of damaging the milk ducts located in the area, potentially restricting the amount of milk the mother can generate. If this happens, the patient could experience difficulty breastfeeding. For this reason, women who anticipate breastfeeding following breast enhancement surgery might not want to use the periareolar incision approach.

Type of Breast Implants

Breast enhancement patients may also worry that the type of implants used in surgery will have negative effects on the baby if the implants leak, or rupture, while nursing. They should not worry about this scenario, as the body can safely absorb the saline solution (i.e., sterile saltwater) in case of an implant rupture, so it will not affect the baby. In addition, studies have proved it is extremely improbable that the silicone molecules in silicone breast implants could invade a female’s milk ducts and be relayed to the infant.

In general, having breast implants surgery should have little, if any, impact on a mother’s ability to nurse. Nevertheless, if you anticipate nursing following breast enhancement surgery, tell Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel so they can recommend the most suitable surgical options to help protect your ability to breastfeed.

To schedule a personal consultation with our Palm Beach plastic surgeons to learn more about your breast implant options, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.

by emurphy

Advancements in Cosmetic Surgery

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