3 Green Flags You're Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Breast Augmentation
Choosing your plastic surgeon for breast augmentation impacts your overall experience and results. You want a plastic surgeon with experience, skill, and a reputation for exceeding patients’ expectations.
1. Former Patients Rave About the Surgeon’s Experience and Results
Selecting a plastic surgeon starts with researching the doctors in your area and reading their patient reviews. You can glean a lot of information from these patient experiences, such as the surgeon’s bedside manner, skill, and overall approach to patient education and care. Our patients rave about their experience at Aqua Plastic Surgery and continue to enjoy their results.
2. The Surgeon Has a Before-and-After Gallery Showcasing Previous Patients
Photo galleries with before and after images of previous patients can help you understand what you can expect from your breast augmentation results. Experienced plastic surgeons feature these photos on their website so potential patients can see them before their consultation. Look for images of women with a similar body type and implant size to help get a glimpse of your potential outcome. Aqua Plastic Surgery has an expansive photo gallery of breast augmentation before & after photos.
3. You Feel Comfortable During Your Consultation
Once you’ve read reviews and photo galleries, schedule a consultation to learn more about your options and office atmosphere. A welcoming environment and warm bedside manner make patients feel more comfortable about their procedure and the surgeon’s skill and experience. The surgeon should answer all your questions and direct you toward the procedure to help you reach your desired outcome. Our entire team at Aqua Plastic Surgery make patient education and safety top priorities.
Dr. Allyson Deziel tailors each augmentation procedure to the individual’s needs. She offers her professional opinion and educates patients, explaining the best options for the patient’s cosmetic concerns and focusing on achieving natural-looking, beautiful results.
Schedule your consultation with an breast augmentation specialist at Aqua Plastic Surgery today.
How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Different for Men vs. Women?
When you think of breast reduction, you likely picture a woman struggling with large breasts that cause pain or limit her mobility. However, men also experience enlarged breasts, causing embarrassment and, in some cases, physical pain. Breast reduction for men and women balances their silhouette, giving women a more proportionate body shape and sculpting a masculine chest for men. Men and women come to Aqua Plastic Surgery for breast reduction for some of the same symptoms, but their reasoning, procedure details, and cosmetic goals differ.
Men and Women Want Breast Reduction for Separate Conditions
Male breast reduction addresses gynecomastia, a medical condition that causes the overdevelopment of glandular tissue in men of all ages. While gynecomastia is typically temporary, some men experience ongoing symptoms for a year or longer and require surgical intervention. Male breast reduction removes the breast tissue to reduce embarrassment and address painful symptoms, such as breast tenderness and nipple sensitivity.
Female breast reduction addresses macromastia or gigantomastia. Women may develop overly large breasts that overpower their figure during puberty or experience rapid growth during and after pregnancy. Breast reduction for women can alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain, poor posture, difficulty breathing, and activity limitations.
Both men and women enjoy a wider selection of clothing and swimwear after breast reduction because they are no longer insecure about their chest appearance.
Male and Female Breast Reduction Are Separate Procedures
Gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, removes all glandular tissue using unique incision patterns. The incision lines are typically concealed within the darker pigmentation of the areolas for minimal scarring, allowing men to show their bare chest at the beach or gym. Gynecomastia treatment requires surgical reduction or excision. However, men with pseudogynecomastia have excess fat around the breasts, which may be treated with liposuction alone.
Breast reduction for women with large breasts removes glandular tissue and reshapes the breast mound to make the bust proportionate with a woman's body shape. The breasts are positioned higher on the chest wall, and the nipples are relocated. Our surgeons may decrease the nipple-areolar complex for women with stretched or enlarged areolas. The incisions are more extensive than male breast reduction, with one around the areolas, another straight down to the inframammary fold, and a third along the crease. Bras and swimsuits cover these incision lines.
Men and Women Have Different Cosmetic Goals for Breast Reduction
Men desire a sculpted, masculine chest, whereas women wish for smaller breasts that maintain their feminine appearance. Male breast reduction removes nearly all excess fat and glandular tissue to achieve a flat contour, but female breast reduction lifts and reduces the breasts.
Both versions of breast reduction reduce painful symptoms caused by gynecomastia, macromastia, and gigantomastia. Men and women experience increased self-confidence after breast reduction. Exercise is enjoyable again because women no longer struggle with excess weight on their chests, and men don't experience nipple and breast tenderness against their workout clothes.
If you are interested in male breast reduction or female breast reduction, schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeon at Aqua Plastic Surgery. Call our Jupiter, FL, offices at (561) 776-2830.
Top 3 Questions To Ask Before Your Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries, helping men and women reach their dream body shape safely and effectively. Choosing your plastic surgeon is the most important part of liposuction because you need a doctor with plenty of liposuction experience and an excellent before-and-after photo gallery. Our experienced plastic surgeons at Aqua Plastic Surgery can determine if liposuction is right for you and answer your questions. Make sure you include these three in your list.
1. What Is the Best Liposuction Technique for Me?
Our four surgeons have training in multiple liposuction techniques and technologies, including SmartLipo, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, power-assisted lipo, and suction-assisted liposuction. We often recommend tumescent liposuction for optimal results. The tumescent technique injects a mixture of epinephrine, lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate, and saline to break up, swell, and harden fat cells. The tumescent fluid constricts blood vessels and makes removing fat with a surgical cannula easier (and causes less tissue trauma). Our plastic surgeons find that tumescent liposuction decreases post-operative bruising and leads to less discomfort.
2. How Can I Prepare for Liposuction Surgery and Recovery?
Aqua Plastic Surgery provides detailed instructions for patients to follow before and after surgery. These may include discontinuing certain medications, such as blood thinners and aspirin, and adjusting vitamins and supplements. Fill your prescription medications before liposuction. You may need blood work and other tests to ensure it's safe for you to go under general anesthesia. Typically, patients must stop eating 12 hours before their surgery.
Liposuction recovery often involves some numbness, swelling, and discomfort. Our plastic surgeons may prescribe short-term pain medications or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the discomfort. Wear your compression garment as directed to reduce post-op swelling and help your skin conform to the slimmer contour. Rigorous exercise and activities, including weightlifting, bending, and intercourse, should be avoided for several weeks to prevent post-operative complications.
3. How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The cost of liposuction is often at the top of the list of questions for patients. Many factors influence the cost of liposuction. Fees for the plastic surgeon, support staff, anesthesia provider, and surgical facility are just one component of liposuction prices. The number and size of the treatment area and whether you choose to combine procedures will also affect the final amount. After your consultation, you will receive a cost estimate that details what's included in the price. Most surgeons have follow-up care and recovery items in the liposuction package but ask to be sure so you are not surprised with additional fees. Our plastic surgeons provide free consultations and complete pricing information.
Aqua Plastic Surgery offers financing options for patients. We partner with CareCredit and Alphaeon and have in-house financing available. Patients may sign up for 24-month, no-interest financing plans with no down payment or surprise fees (if paid in that timeframe). Extended payment plans are available with CareCredit for up to 60 months.
Schedule your complimentary liposuction consultation with one of our skilled plastic surgeons. Contact Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, Fla., at (561) 776-2830.
5 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Breast Implant Removal
Women may choose or require breast implant removal to address implant leaks, ruptures, unsatisfactory results, or suspected breast implant illness. Our breast explant surgeons at Aqua Plastic Surgery, Dr. David Rankin can help you prepare for breast implant removal and recovery. We work to preserve your feminine silhouette by reshaping remaining glandular tissue.
Preparing for breast explant surgery helps your mind, body, and home get ready for a smooth recovery with minimal complications.
1. Complete Medical Evaluation and Lab Tests
Depending on your age and health, you may need a mammogram, MRI, blood work, lab tests, and/or a medical evaluation before breast implant removal. These tests ensure you’re healthy enough for invasive surgery and anesthesia and help our plastic surgeons decide on the best surgical approach for your needs.
2. Medication Changes and Supplements
Bring a complete list of your medications, vitamins, and supplements to your consultation. Consider bringing the bottles to your appointment to make sure the dosages and names are correct. Some women may need to discontinue or reduce their medications or vitamins to prevent complications after surgery. Some supplements, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications can increase the risk of post-operative bleeding.
3. Help from A Friend or Family Member
Breast explant requires anesthesia. You will be asleep during the procedure and need someone to drive you to and from the surgical facility. They should stay with you for the first 24 hours or longer to help with basic tasks, such as laundry, dishes, and filling prescriptions. You need plenty of rest, and a supportive loved one can ensure your recovery gets off to a great start.
You need physical and emotional support after breast explant. Removing breast implants can be stressful, depending on the reason for the procedure. Women who had poor results or implant complications after breast augmentation or breast reconstruction may be disappointed the implants have to be removed. Other women may look forward to breast implant removal because their BII symptoms may improve. A supportive loved one can help you navigate these feelings.
4. Get Your Home Ready for Recovery
Prepare your home for surgical recovery. Stock up on groceries and make and freeze meals so you don’t need to worry about cooking for one to two weeks. Fill your prescriptions ahead of time and pick up over-the-counter pain relievers. Some patients like Gatorade or ginger ale to counteract nausea after surgery.
Create a healing area in your home and arrange necessary items within reach, such as water bottles, snacks, smart devices, remotes, and chargers. Stairs may be difficult, so choose a room on your main floor where you can access the kitchen and restroom easily. You should sleep at an angle. Many patients rest on a recliner or couch or use pillows to prop themselves on the bed.
5. Schedule Time Off
Breast implant removal recovery takes up to six to eight weeks. However, most of your healing takes place in the first two weeks. Our explant surgeons recommend scheduling seven to 10 days off work so you can rest and recuperate. Women with physically demanding jobs may need additional time off. Prepare your workplace and your colleagues for your absence before your breast explant.
If you’re interested in breast implant removal, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery. Call our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
Improve Your Skin Before the Holidays with Non-Surgical Treatments
The holidays are a wonderful time of the year when family and friends get together and make lifelong memories that are often captured in photographs. Most people want to look their best during holiday gatherings so they can look back at images with fondness instead of focusing on their aging appearance. Dermal injectables are an excellent, non-surgical treatment that can rejuvenate your skin before the holidays. Aqua Plastic Surgery offers a variety of dermal fillers and neuromodulator injectables for quick results with no downtime.
Injectables Offer Instantly Smoother, More Voluminous Skin
You don't have to wait weeks or months to see your results with dermal injectables. Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm® injectable gel, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Belotero® provide immediate results. There are no incision lines, scalpels, or dressings. You can walk away from your appointment in Jupiter, FL, with a renewed complexion that lasts up to a year or longer.
Neuromodulator injectables, including BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®, take a little longer to reveal results because these products work under the surface of your skin on the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. It may take a few days to start to notice results after BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport®, with final outcomes visible within two weeks of your treatment.
Instant or quick results make dermal injectables the ideal non-surgical treatment for the holiday season.
No Recovery
Dermal injectables can restore volume to your cheeks or temples, reduce acne scars, smooth lines and wrinkles, and improve other cosmetic concerns, all without downtime. Most patients can return to work or their holiday shopping after their appointment. Resume your regular routine with minimal restrictions.
Dermal fillers and neuromodulator injectables don't require lengthy recovery like facial plastic surgery, making these treatments the perfect solution for busy people who don't have time to recover from more invasive procedures.
Noticeable Results That Look Natural
Dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic provide noticeable results that do not appear overly done or frozen. You can address your skin concerns before the holidays without alerting your family and friends that you've had cosmetic treatments. You'll appear refreshed, well-rested, and more vibrant.
Whether you have deep creases across your forehead or hollow cheeks and under-eye bags, our plastic surgeons can enhance your complexion in time for your next social gathering or holiday event. Schedule a virtual consultation to see if dermal injectables are right for you.
Contact Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, Fla., at (561) 776-2830.
What Should Your Mommy Makeover Procedure Include? Improve Your Breasts & Body
Whether you gave birth in the last year or your "baby" is nearing middle school or high school, a mommy makeover combination procedure can help you reach your body goals after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our skilled plastic surgeons at Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, Fla., will customize your mommy makeover to address all your cosmetic concerns in a single surgery.
Identify Your Problem Areas and Cosmetic Goals
Mommy makeover is a personalized plastic surgery focused on your needs. If you're considering this combination approach, take a long look at your face, breasts, and body and make a list of the areas you'd like to change with plastic surgery. Do you want to improve deflated breasts with implants or elevate your breasts with a lift procedure? Maybe your breast size overpowers your figure, and you want to decrease them with breast reduction. Do you have loose abdominal skin? What about stubborn fat in the thighs or abdomen?
Our plastic surgeons will discuss your problem areas and goals during your consultation. Mommy makeover procedures typically include breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, and body contouring, including tummy tuck, liposuction, or Brazilian butt lift. Pregnancy and those long nights awake with your infant may affect your facial tissues, causing hollow cheeks, under-eye bags, and dark circles. Face procedures, such as eyelid surgery or facelift, can be added to mommy makeover to address facial changes.
Schedule a Mommy Makeover Consultation to Customize Your Procedure
A one-on-one consultation with one of our trusted plastic surgeons is the best way to determine which procedures should be included in your mommy makeover surgery. We will discuss your problem areas and surgical goals and review your medical history, health conditions, drug allergies, medications, vitamins, and other crucial information to see if a mommy makeover surgery is right for your cosmetic concerns.
Our plastic surgeons will evaluate your general health and breasts, abdomen, buttocks, and other body areas. They may take measurements and examine skin quality, skin thickness, body size, breast shape, and more details to develop your surgical plan. Our doctors will recommend a set of procedures to meet your cosmetic goals and discuss your potential results and risks. Make sure you ask questions and understand your options.
Candidates for Mommy Makeover Surgery
Combining face, breast, and body procedures into a single surgery can save you time and money and help you reach your cosmetic goals faster. Many women can qualify for a mommy makeover if they are in good health, non-smokers, near their goal weight, and have realistic expectations for the procedure, recovery, and results. It's best to wait until you're finished having children and ensure enough time has passed since birth or weaning so your breasts and body have time to settle into their new shape.
If you're interested in mommy makeover surgery, schedule a consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery. Contact our plastic surgeons in Jupiter, FL at 561-776-2830.
3 Steps to Take if You Suspect You Have Breast Implant Illness
Breast augmentation with breast implants is still one of the most popular plastic surgeries and has a low risk of complications. However, a small number of patients may experience breast implant illness (BII). While BII is not a formal diagnosis, women experience many concerning symptoms seemingly related to their breast implants that improve when they are removed (breast explant). Researchers are investigating these symptoms, which may be debilitating and encompass over 100 potential issues ranging from cognitive impairment to musculoskeletal and system problems.
Dr. David Rankin is a breast implant removal expert renowned for his breast explant specialty. He offers breast explant surgery at Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, Fla.
If you suspect your symptoms are linked to breast implant illness, there are a few steps you can take toward restoring your quality of life.
1. Schedule a Consultation with a Breast Explant Surgeon to Discuss Your Symptoms
If you develop unexplained symptoms that may stem from your breast implants, you need to discuss this possibility with a plastic surgeon specializing in breast implant illness, such as Dr. Rankin. During your consultation, he will discuss your health concerns and explore the potential causes, including breast implants.
Dr. Rankin can help narrow down the cause of your symptoms and make a plan to resolve these issues. In some women, the implants may prove to be the issue and require breast explant surgery. Other women may discover they have an undiagnosed medical condition with similar symptoms to BII.
2. Consider Other Causes
Breast implant illness symptoms can be associated with other medical conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, menopause, and hypothyroidism. BII may develop shortly after breast augmentation or years later. Women who experience BII symptoms years or decades after getting breast implants may face more challenges in determining the cause of their health concerns.
A BII diagnosis may involve seeing various specialists to rule out other conditions. You may need to see a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist, or neurologist. If breast implants are the likely culprit, breast explant may be recommended.
3. Breast Explant Surgery to Improve Breast Implant Illness Symptoms
Breast implant removal may resolve breast implant illness symptoms for some women. The procedure removes silicone or saline breast implants and may remove some or all surrounding scar tissue or scar capsule. The breast appearance will change, and some patients may wish to address a deflated breast appearance with fat grafting after breast explant. Transferring fat to the breasts from a donor location, such as the abdomen or thighs, can restore some volume. However, the breasts will not be as full as they were with breast implants.
Researchers are still investigating breast implant illness and following breast augmentation patients for more than 10 years to find definitive data and answers for patients and providers. BII can be frustrating because so little is known about the condition, but our expert breast surgeons can help you investigate your symptoms and discuss treatment options.
If you suspect breast implant illness, schedule a consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery with Dr. Rankin. Our plastic surgeon offers this procedure in Jupiter, Fla.
5 Reasons Why Women Remove Their Breast Implants
Breast implants can balance your overall body shape and figure. However, some women experience complications, unexplained symptoms, or are unhappy with their results. These women may remove their breast implants with breast explant. Dr. David Rankin is a renowned breast surgeon specializing in breast explant who can expertly remove your breast implants and may increase breast volume naturally with fat grafting at Aqua Plastic Surgery.
1. Breast Implant Illness
Breast implant illness refers to a collection of symptoms that develop in people who have breast implants. There are more than 50 symptoms reported by women with breast implant illness that may affect their ability to think or focus and cause physical and psychological pain. Doctors theorize breast implant illness happens when there's an autoimmune or inflammatory reaction to parts of the breast implant. Breast implant removal is the only treatment option.
2. Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is a breast implant complication that happens when the scar tissue capsule surrounding the breast implant stiffens or hardens and tightens around the implant. Patients may experience pain, and the breast may appear distorted or feel rock-hard. Capsular contracture requires breast implant removal or replacement.
3. Implant Rupture
Women with saline breast implants will see a visible change in their breasts if an implant ruptures or leaks. The body absorbs the saline solution, and the affected breast is noticeably smaller. Women with silicone breast implants won't notice a difference, which is why regular MRIs are necessary to visualize the implant and surrounding breast tissue. Implant ruptures require breast implant removal. Some women may wish to replace the implant or remove both implants and have natural breast augmentation with fat grafting.
4. No Longer Satisfied with Results
Decades ago, excessively large breast implants were popular. Women with overly large breast implants can suffer from neck, back, and shoulder pain because the larger breasts alter their center of gravity and put more force on the spine. These are the same issues women with naturally large busts experience. Large implants may limit activities, such as jogging and other exercises. Women who had breast augmentation years ago may wish to remove their breast implants now that they're older because they feel the implants no longer reflect their cosmetic goals.
5. An End to Maintenance Procedures
Breast implants are not lifetime medical devices; they need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years, and the risk of implant rupture increases the longer the implant is in the body. While many women keep their implants throughout their lives, such as women who have the procedure to address asymmetrical breasts, others may not want to continue these maintenance procedures as they age and have the implants removed.
Schedule a Breast Explant Consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery
If you're interested in breast implant removal, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeons and breast explant specialists. Contact our Florida office in Jupiter at (561) 776-2830.
The Benefits of Liposuction to Enhance Your Beach Body Shape
Many men and women feel vulnerable and self-conscious in swimwear. Bathing suits are revealing and may accentuate your troublesome areas where fat cells resist diet and exercise. When you are uncomfortable in a bathing suit, it’s hard to enjoy the beach. Liposuction with our experienced plastic surgeons is a safe, effective procedure that can improve your appearance. Let Aqua Plastic Surgery help build your confidence in your beach body this summer!
Stubborn fat is often out of your control due to your genetics, age, or sex. The best workout routine and restrictive diet may make little to no difference in areas such as your buttocks, thighs, abdomen, upper arms, and thighs. Liposuction eradicates unwanted fat cells for a slimmer, more proportionate body shape.
Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the United States and is performed hundreds of thousands of times annually. The procedure is an effective solution to stubborn fat and provides a smoother body contour, which results better-fitting clothing and swimwear. Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that relies on tiny incisions for minimal scarring. Patients are typically back on their feet within the first week of recovery.
The fat removed via liposuction is gone permanently. While the remaining fat cells can expand, future weight gain will be more proportionate. Fat removal with liposuction may improve your health by reducing blood fat levels and inflammatory cells and providing better mobility for a healthier and more active lifestyle. Liposuction tends to increase self-esteem, making patients more comfortable in their skin.
Liposuction at Aqua Plastic Surgery
Our plastic surgeons have extensive experience with liposuction with training in several techniques, such as SmartLipo, power-assisted liposuction, ultrasound liposuction, and suction-assisted liposuction. We have the most profound and successful results with tumescent liposuction, which involves injecting tumescent fluid with lidocaine into the treated area. The fluid breaks up fat calls and constricts blood vessels, reducing post-operative bruising and discomfort. A thin cannula is inserted through tiny incisions to suction fat cells out of the body. Liposuction can remove fat from one or several body areas and is often used with tummy tucks, mommy makeovers, thigh lifts, and other procedures to remove loose skin tissue.
If you’re interested in liposuction, schedule a consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery. Use our contact form to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeons, or call our Jupiter, FL, office at (561) 776-2830.
How to Choose Between Breast Implants and Fat Grafting Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation comes with more options than ever before, with saline, silicone, and “gummy bear” silicone implants or fat grafting for natural enhancement.
While traditional breast augmentation uses implants to increase the size of and elevate the breasts, fat grafting uses fat cells harvested from a stubborn area.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each method. The right breast augmentation method for you depends on your anatomy, breast tissue, and cosmetic goals. Our surgeon can determine if breast implants or fat grafting can deliver your desired bust during your consultation at Aqua Plastic Surgery.
Desired Breast Size
Women may choose breast implants because implants offer reliable results; they won’t decrease in size unless there is a complication, such as a rupture. Breast augmentation with fat grafting is less predictable in this sense, because some of the fat transferred to the breasts will be reabsorbed by the body.
Saline and silicone breast implants are customizable and can increase the breasts by a half cup or several cup sizes, whereas fat transfer breast augmentation is often limited to increasing breast size by one-half to one full cup size.
Thus, fat transfer may be a better option for patients seeking a small increase in breast size who want a natural alternative, but implants are the best choice for a sizable increase.
Breast Shape
Breast implants come in round or teardrop shapes. Round implants offer more projection and even fullness in the upper breast and nipple area. Teardrop or tapered breast implants have a sloped appearance that mimics the natural breast shape, increasing volume and definition below the nipple. Transferring harvested fat cells may enhance breast size but won’t significantly impact breast shape like implants.
Eligibility
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved saline breast implants for adults 18 and older and silicone implants for patients 22 and older. Fat grafting is an option for patients at least 18 years old as long as they have adequate fat stores to harvest for the procedure. Women should also be in good general health and have realistic expectations for their breast augmentation results.
Results
Breast augmentation with breast implants is customizable and predictable. Silicone implants are pre-filled to the desired size, and saline implants are filled after being surgically placed in the breasts. Fat grafting offers less predictable and reproducible results because the body will reabsorb some transferred fat cells. Some patients may need one or more subsequent procedures to achieve their ideal size with fat grafting. Fat transfer may provide longer-lasting results than breast implants because the surviving fat is permanent, and implants need replacing every 10 to 20 years.
Fat transfer may be combined with breast implants to alter the size and shape further and is also used in conjunction with breast lift or breast reduction.
If you’re interested in breast augmentation, contact Aqua Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. Call our Jupiter, FL, office at (561) 776-2830.