Can You Benefit from Vaginal Rejuvenation?
According to sources, vaginal rejuvenation procedures are on the rise. Vaginal rejuvenation is a surgery that can include vaginoplasty (tightening of the inner walls of the vagina), labiaplasty (reshaping and resizing the labia) or both. If you are considering vaginal rejuvenation but are unsure if it’s right for you, the team at Aqua Plastic Surgery recommends you ask yourself the following questions:
Do You Suffer from Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder leaks urine during physical activity or exertion (e.g., coughing or sneezing). The condition is most common among women who have had more than one vaginal pregnancy. Stretching of the vagina during pregnancy can cause laxity that loosens the frontal wall of the vagina that separates it from the urethra and bladder, which in turn can lead to incontinence. By tightening the interior walls of the vagina through vaginoplasty, women often experience relief in SUI symptoms.
Do You Experience Discomfort in Your Vaginal Area During Exercise?
Oversized, elongated or asymmetrical labia can cause physical discomfort, especially during exercise. The labia may rub uncomfortably against tight-fitting clothing, causing painful chafing or irritation. Labiaplasty removes excess labial tissue, alleviating physical pain and discomfort. As a result, many vaginal rejuvenation patients often report feeling more comfortable when running, bicycling or playing sports.
Are You Self-Conscious When Wearing a Bikini Bottom or Leggings?
Bikini bottoms, leggings or yoga pants can accentuate an overly large or unusually shaped labia, calling unwanted attention to a woman’s most intimate area. If you are self-conscious about your labia’s appearance, or if you avoid wearing tight clothing, labiaplasty can help. Following labiaplasty, patients often experience a boost in self-confidence. Not to mention, their wardrobe options expand as they no longer feel the need to avoid form-fitting clothing!
Is Sex Unenjoyable Because of the Look and Feel of Your Labia?
Excess labia skin can cause physical discomfort during sex, while an unusually shaped labia can make a woman so self-conscious that she may avoid having sex altogether. By improving the size and shape of the labia, sex can become more pleasurable physically, and more desirable psychologically.
Schedule a Consultation
The only way to determine your candidacy for vaginal rejuvenation is by scheduling a personal consultation with a trained professional. To learn more about vaginal rejuvenation with Aqua Plastic Surgery, please schedule a one-on-one consultation or call our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
The Latest Trends in Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a growing industry, with more people seeking professional help to enhance their appearance. The latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world’s largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons, show a general increase in plastic surgery interest and reveal some interesting trends. In this blog post, Dr. David Rankin breaks down these statistics.
Non-Surgical Treatments are Outpacing Surgical Treatments
A whopping 15.9 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2015, a 2 percent increase from the previous year. Even more impressive, non-surgical treatments accounted for 14.2 million of those procedures. While traditional cosmetic procedures like liposuction and facelift continue to offer great results, more people are opting for alternatives like CoolSculpting and Botox, which don’t require surgery or extensive downtime.
The top five minimally invasive procedures in 2015 were:
- Botox
- Soft tissue fillers
- Chemical peels
- Laser hair removal
- Microdermabrasion
The top five surgical procedures were:
Lifts Are on the Rise
The report from ASPS also revealed there was considerable growth in surgical lift procedures, which are body contouring surgeries that remove excess skin on the body for a smoother, more attractive contour. The following procedures showed the most considerable growth in 2015:
- Upper arm lifts up 4,959% since 2000
- Lower body lifts up 3,937% since 2000
- Buttocks lifts up 252% since 2000
- Breast lifts up 89% since 2000
More People are Getting Behind Butt Enhancement
Butt enhancement procedures were the fastest growing type of cosmetic surgery in 2015. In fact, there was a buttocks procedure every 30 minutes of every day, on average! The top buttocks procedures were:
- Brazilian butt lift / butt augmentation with fat grafting (14,705 procedures)
- Butt lift (4,767 procedures)
- Butt implants (2,540 procedures)
More Men are Getting Breast Reduction
Men accounted for more than 40% of all breast reduction patients in 2015. More than 27,000 men underwent male breast reduction to correct their enlarged breast tissue (a condition medically known as gynecomastia). The number reflects a 5 percent increase over the previous year and a 35 percent increase since 2000.
What are Your Cosmetic Needs?
If you have been contemplating pursuing cosmetic enhancement, either surgical or non-surgical, Dr. Rankin and Dr. Deziel would like to help. The plastic surgeons are glad to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your concerns. To schedule an appointment, please call our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
New Year's Resolution to Slim Down? How We Can Help
If you are one of the many men and women who hope to slim down this year, exercise and a healthy diet are likely to be two of your New Year resolutions. But while working out and eating right are key to losing weight, they are sometimes not enough to achieve a trim and toned figure. Often times people who lose weight (especially in a short amount of time) are left with excess, loose skin that no longer contracts over their smaller figure. Other people are left with small, bulging pockets of fat around the body even after dieting and exercising.
Fortunately, there is help. Dr. David Rankin is a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon who has helped many people achieve the trimmed and toned physique they have always desired. He offers several body contouring procedures designed to eliminate small deposits of fat and excess skin. Here, we discuss some of the most commonly requested procedures for a slimmer physique.
For Toned Tummy
Are you hoping to say goodbye to pesky love handles or a muffin top this year? Tummy tuck surgery eliminates excess skin from the abdomen and, if necessary, repairs weakened abdominal muscles. The result is a flatter abdomen and slimmer figure.
For a more sculpted middle or lower body area, Dr. Rankin offers body lift. Body lift is a personalized treatment that can get rid of excess folds of skin on several areas of the body, including the arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips and/or thighs. The procedure is a popular choice among weight loss patients because it makes exercising easier, as it removes heavy folds of skin left by weight loss.
For a Masculine Chest
Have you spent years avoiding the beach or pool because of the appearance of “man boobs?” Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia) affects approximately 40 to 60% of men and can occur as a result of hormone changes, obesity and other factors. For these men, Dr. Rankin can perform male breast reduction surgery. The procedure eliminates excess breast tissue, fat and skin to create a flatter, more masculine-looking chest.
For Stubborn Fat
If you are bothered by bulging fat around the body, liposuction can help. The procedure removes small deposits of fat that are hard to get rid of through just exercise and diet. If you are not ready to undergo surgery, Dr. Rankin offers CoolSculpting, an innovative fat freezing technology that produces the same effective results as liposuction. CoolSculpting removes unwanted fat cells safely and requires no downtime; patients can enjoy their slimmer physique almost instantly! Both liposuction and CoolSculpting can be used to treat the upper arms, thighs, abdomen and buttocks.
Start the year looking and feeling fabulous. For more information on any of the body contouring procedures performed at Aqua Plastic Surgery, schedule a personal consultation. You can also call our Jupiter, FL, office at (561) 776-2830 .
Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men
Women are not alone in wanting to turn back the clock, appearance-wise. A recent study found that there has been a 43% increase in the amount of men having cosmetic procedures over the last five years. There are many reasons for this increase, including wanting to keep up with an increasingly competitive job market that often favors youthful candidates. Aside from their career, a lot of men simply wish to look as young as they feel, especially if they put in long hours exercising and watching their diet and wish to further enhance their fit physique. At Aqua Plastic Surgery, Dr. David Rankin has performed many plastic surgery procedures for his male clientele, and notices that the ones listed here are the most popular.
Botox
Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for men, who use this treatment as a nonsurgical option for facelift surgery to smooth out facial wrinkles. In fact, this anti-aging treatment is so popular with men that it has been coined “Brotox.” It’s easy to see why both men and women love Botox: it’s a quick and painless treatment that takes less than 20 minutes to perform, requires no downtime and leaves the patient free of wrinkles that include crow’s feet, forehead creases and the “11” lines between the eyebrows. The result is a younger-looking face that looks natural, and not pulled or fake. The beautiful results of Botox treatment typically last four to six months.
Male Breast Reduction
A significant number of men are unhappy with extra breast tissue, which gives them a more feminine-looking chest. Gynecomastia is a condition that causes extra breast tissue in men, which occurs as a result of hormone changes, obesity, certain types of medications and other factors. For these men, who are often self-conscious as a result, the male breast reduction procedure can help them to achieve a more masculine-looking chest. At Aqua Plastic Surgery, Dr. Rankin performs this surgery on an outpatient basis using liposuction through a small incision in each breast in order to remove excess breast tissue. The result is a flatter and fitter-looking chest that men feel more comfortable showing off shirtless.
Liposuction
Regardless of consistent exercise habits and a healthy diet, both men and women find that — especially as they get older — they have fat deposits that won’t budge. For men, these stubborn areas often include the “spare tire” of fat around the waist, extra fat on the back and neck, as well as others. These men are the perfect candidate for liposuction, a body-sculpting procedure that removes not only the fat deposits but also the fat cells in the area so that fat bulges won’t return. More and more men are using liposuction to smooth out their physique for a leaner, trimmer appearance. During his liposuction procedure, Dr. Rankin injects tumescent fluid into the treatment area; this surgical method results in a less painful procedure with less blood loss during surgery and less bruising, swelling and discomfort during recovery.
Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Rankin or Dr. Deziel
Are you a guy who’s considering a cosmetic treatment but you're unsure where to start? Dr. David Rankin has treated countless men at Aqua Plastic Surgery and he's joined in the practice by Dr. Allyson Dezeil. Get your questions answered in a one-on-one consultation with the doctor by calling Aqua Plastic Surgery at (561) 776-2830 in Jupiter or use the easy contact form.
What Causes Breast Sag — and What Can Help?
Do you notice that your once-buoyant breasts are starting to droop a little — or a lot? Breast sag, or ptosis, is an unfortunate part of a woman’s life, and there are many factors that contribute to the downward migration of breasts over time. But don’t despair — there are things you can do in your daily life to keep your breasts healthy and even to prevent a certain amount of drooping. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Rankin has performed numerous breast lift surgeries at his practice, Aqua Plastic Surgery. Dr. Rankin has an understanding of the factors that contribute to and prevent breast sag, which he shares in this post.
Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, her body produces estrogen and progesterone, which act to stimulate the mammary glands in the breasts in order to produce milk. This process enlarges the breasts during pregnancy and lactating, but once milk production stops, a woman’s breasts shrink back to their normal size or smaller than before. This change in breast size, especially if it occurs repeatedly over multiple pregnancies, stretches the breast skin and causes breasts to sag.
Aging and Genetics
Breasts are made of fat, glands, milk ducts and connective tissue. As a woman ages, the connective tissue in the breasts, which acts as a type of support system, gets stretched out and loses elasticity. This breakdown in the breast support system results in breasts losing their size and fullness, causing them to droop. In addition to the aging process, a woman’s genetics also have a bearing on how much her breasts sag as she ages, since her genes partially determine the strength of her connective tissue and the elasticity of her skin.
Significant Weight Fluctuations
Gaining and losing weight — particularly a significant amount — is a common factor that contributes to sagging breasts. With the increase and decrease of breast size that occurs every time a woman’s weight changes, the skin and ligaments of the breasts become stretched out and slack, causing breasts to droop as a result.
How to Prevent Breast Sag
Though a woman can expect a certain amount of breast sag over the course of her life, certain lifestyle habits can help protect breast skin and tissue and slow, or even prevent, a certain amount from occurring. The following are some tips on how to keep your breasts young-looking for as long as possible.
- Keep your weight stable. A stable weight will prevent breast skin and tissue from stretching out over time.
- Quit smoking. Smoking breaks down elastin, the protein that gives the skin elasticity.
- Wear the right bra during high-impact workouts. Wear a well-fitting sports bra to prevent breasts from bouncing and stretching out the breast skin.
- Wear sunscreen on your chest. Since the skin on and around the breasts is so delicate and susceptible to sun damage, causing loss of skin elasticity, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to the exposed areas of your chest.
Ask Aqua about Breast Lift Surgery
Are you finding yourself more and more unhappy with breasts that were once perky, but are now showing signs of drooping? Why not schedule a breast lift consultation with Dr. Rankin? You can do so by contacting Aqua Plastic Surgery at (561) 776-2830 in Jupiter.
Your Mommy Makeover Questions Answered
Maybe you’ve heard from friends who are also mothers about the “mommy makeover” procedure, and you’re curious to learn more. Does it really get your body back to a “pre-pregnancy” shape? Can it really be the cure for drooping breasts, a stomach pooch and wobbly thighs and buttocks? Aqua Plastic Surgery has the answers here to the most common questions we receive about this remarkable body contouring surgery.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
There may be slight confusion as to what exactly a mommy makeover includes, so let’s start with a definition. A mommy makeover is a combination of two or more plastic surgery procedures that are hand-picked and tailor-made to fit each individual mom and her specific body shaping needs as a result of the effects of childbearing and breastfeeding. The procedures that may be included in a mommy makeover are breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction.
How Long Should I Wait After Giving Birth Before Having a Mommy Makeover?
If you have recently given birth and are considering having a mommy makeover, it is recommended that you first let your body return to as normal a state as possible, and that you lose the majority of the weight gained during pregnancy. It is also recommended that you wait until about two to three months after you’re finished breastfeeding before undergoing this surgery. This will allow you to heal at a faster rate and maintain optimal aesthetic results.
Should I Have a Mommy Makeover if I Still Plan to Have Children?
Whether you’re finished adding to your family or you are not planning on getting pregnant again, you are still a candidate for a mommy makeover. However, most doctors recommend that a woman waits until she’s done having children before going ahead with the surgery, as it allows for the most long-lasting results.
How Long is the Recovery Period after Surgery?
The length of your recovery period is dependent on the procedures, and also the extent of work, included in your mommy makeover surgery. The good news is that, unlike having multiple surgeries spaced out over time, you will only need one recovery period after a mommy makeover. This means less downtime where you are unable to work or take care of your children.
You will need help with taking care of your children and daily responsibilities for the first week after surgery. If you also work, plan to be off for about 10 to 14 days. These may sound like long lengths of time, but imagine double or triple these — the length of time it would take to recover from multiple surgeries spaced out over time, rather than combining them into one mommy makeover procedure.
What If I Have More Questions?
Are you interested in learning more about the mommy makeover procedure and how it can help you get back to your sexy, pre-pregnancy body? Schedule a consultation with Dr. David Rankin or Dr. Allyson Deziel at Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
Breast Implant Maintenance after Breast Augmentation
We all know that sticking to a regular exercise regimen is important to keep our muscles strong and joints flexible, but did you know that there is a regular upkeep routine for your breast implants after breast augmentation? Breast implants become part of your body the moment surgery has been completed, and therefore it is important to treat them with the same self-care as the rest of your body. Dr. David Rankin of Aqua Plastic Surgery has compiled a breast implant maintenance list to help you keep your breasts healthy and in optimal shape.
Keep up on Massage Exercises
Dr. Rankin recommends that his breast augmentation patients gently massage their breasts each day, starting one week after the surgery. Perform these massages daily, or as often as possible, for the first three months after surgery. This will help to reduce the risk of capsular contracture (scar tissue forming around the implant and hardening it) and help maintain the contour and position of your new breasts. A light massaging of each breast — gently pushing the implant up, down, right and left inside the breast pocket — for up to 20 minutes a day is recommended during this period.
Find the Right Support
Implants add weight to your breasts, and therefore require greater support than before. Therefore, once you’re fully healed from surgery, you should go bra shopping for a bra that gives your larger, weightier breasts support that will prevent them from too much bounce or droop—both of which may contribute to breast sag over time. A good regular bra as well as a good sports bra is important, and both should be snug without cutting into the ribcage or putting strain on the shoulders or back. Often, a bra with wider shoulder straps and full cups that cover the entire breast are good choices.
Get Regular Mammograms
Routine mammograms are important for all woman — those with breast implants and those without. And the recommendations for regular breast screenings are the same for both groups: women age 40 and older should have a yearly mammogram. And from ages 50 to 74, women should have a mammogram every two years. Younger women, ages 20 to 39, should get a clinical breast exam every three years to check their breast health. Keeping up-to-date on breast exams, whatever your age, can mean early detection of breast cancer and other breast conditions that, if left unchecked, could be fatal.
Be Alert to Problems
Deflated or ruptured implants, implant hardening (a sign of capsular contracture) and changes to the size or position of the implant are all things to look out for. These complications can occur right after surgery or years later, and depend on many factors. Capsular contracture, where scar tissue forms around the breast implant, making it hard and uncomfortable, can often be corrected without surgery, but may also require a capsulectomy (a surgery that removes the scar tissue around the implant). Ruptured or deflated implants, caused by severe blows or trauma to the chest, will need to be removed and replaced with new implants. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Call Dr. Rankin to Find Out More
Whether you’re just considering having breast implants or you’ve already had breast augmentation surgery and are enjoying your new curves, Dr. David Rankin is the go-to for breast surgery information, both pre- and post-operative. To schedule a breast augmentation consultation or to learn more about the procedure, contact Dr. Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling (561) 776-2830.
Three Ways to Tone That Tummy
Though the end of summer has officially arrived, in places like sunny Florida — where bikinis, shorts and mini-dresses are the everyday uniform — it can be hard to hide that stomach pooch. How to beat the “muffin top blues”? Dr. David Rankin, Dr. Allyson Deziel and the understanding and friendly staff at Aqua Plastic Surgery have many options for you if you want to get rid of that extra fat on your mid-section for a sleeker, flatter tummy.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Patients who need a more extensive solution to extra fat and loose, hanging skin on their stomach (often caused by pregnancy or weight loss) can opt for our tummy tuck procedure. Also called abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery removes excess fat and loose skin from the abdomen, and in some cases also involves tightening the abdominal muscles. Dr. Rankin carefully places his incisions low on the pubic area so that the resulting scars are hidden with underwear and bikini bottoms. The sexy, flab-free new belly you will be left with as a result will be worth the few weeks of recovery!
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a fast, pain-free procedure that freezes fat cells in your stomach — or any area being treated — so that they are emulsified and then absorbed naturally by the body. Once gone, these fat cells are gone for good, leaving you with a firmer and flatter stomach.
This FDA-approved technology is safe and effective, and since it’s non-invasive, it doesn’t require scalpels or needles. The CoolSculpting system uses a device that is placed on the surface of the skin, where it is moved over the area in order to target the fat cells and destroy them. The slimming results of this non-surgical liposuction alternative can be seen gradually over the course of the weeks following treatment, as you will see your tummy shrink before your eyes!
truSculpt
Aqua Plastic Surgery also offers truSculpt, another non-invasive body contouring procedure that removes fat cells using radiofrequency (RF) technology. This treatment can be used on the stomach as well as other problem areas, like the thighs, where troublesome fat pockets often remain despite the best diet and exercise habits.
A truSculpt treatment takes about an hour or less. The doctor moves a handheld device over the surface of the patient’s skin on the treatment area. This device emits RF waves, which will painlessly destroy the fat cells there before they are then naturally eliminated by the body. Patients can expect no discomfort, only a slight heat sensation. And since there is no downtime, they can then return to work, school or other normal daily activities immediately after treatment. They will notice a more toned-looking mid-section after about four weeks.
Start Slimming Now
To get on track for a smoking hot new waistline, contact us to schedule an appointment. You can also contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830.
Bra Shopping Tips After Breast Augmentation
Shopping for a new bra after breast augmentation is an entirely different experience than shopping before breast implants. Gone are the days of extra padding and squeezing to accentuate your curves; you have those curves permanently now! But though this can be an exciting time — with you raring to head out the door to find fun and sexy new styles to show off the new “girls” — it can also be a confusing experience if you aren’t aware of what to look for regarding proper sizing and support. Dr. David Rankin and the helpful staff of Aqua Plastic Surgery are here to help with these simple, yet effective, post-surgery bra shopping tips.
Shop after You’re Completely Healed
Knowing when to shop is as important as knowing what to shop for; and while there’s nothing stopping you from taking your excitement about your soon-to-be new breasts and going shopping before surgery, the best time to shop for a new bra is after surgery, when you have fully healed and are cleared by your doctor.
Trying on and wearing regular bras (especially underwire) too soon after surgery can cause interruptions in the healing process, including preventing implants from settling into position, failing to provide adequate protection and support to the breasts as they heal and infection of the incisions.
Usually, the breasts are fully healed (with the accompanying swelling gone) about eight weeks after surgery, though you should check with your doctor first before switching to a regular bra.
Get a Professional Bra Fitting
Whether you’ve already had your bra size measured previously or not, you’ll need to have your new bust re-measured after implants are added. Going to a department store, or lingerie boutique for a fitting is wise, as you will want to ensure that your new breasts get the support they need. If not, you may end up with neck, shoulder and back pain as a result.
Though you and your doctor may have decided on your new, post-implant bra size, it may vary a bit as an implant tends to run wider than a natural breast. And since different bra brands and styles fit differently, even within the same size, you can get further shopping direction at the time of your measurement.
Look for Signs of the Right — and Wrong — Size
Breasts with implants have a more structured shape with more fullness on the upper portion of the breast, unlike natural breast tissue, which slopes more downward. Bras fit differently as a result. While trying different styles on, keep alert for signs that a bra is fitting you properly — and signs that it’s not. A proper fitting bra will be snug without creating fat bulges from a too-tight bra band. Bra straps should not slip off the shoulders but also shouldn’t cut into the shoulders. The bra cup should be completely filled, but the breast should not be overflowing out of it. The bra band should remain in an even line around the rib cage, not riding up the back.
Need More Breast Augmentation Information?
Our board-certified plastic surgeons can answer any of your breast augmentation questions during a personal consultation. To schedule one, call Aqua Plastic Surgery in Jupiter, FL, at (561) 776-2830.