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Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation

Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation: Which is Best for Me?

It is very confusing to patients when contemplating a breast lift. How do you know if you are a good candidate for a breast lift? Will breast augmentation alone work for my breasts? How is a breast lift performed? What are the scars associated with a breast lift? Can you combine a breast lift and breast implants in the same procedure? What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast reduction?

woman doing a breast examination to look for a lump after breast augmentation

Why Breast Implant Size is the Most Important Consideration for a Breast Augmentation

Breast implant removal is more popular than ever in my busy practice. There are many reasons why this is so, with the most common being a woman’s fear that their breast implants are bad for their health and “implant fatigue .”Complications after breast implants are not uncommon, both short and long-term. Revision breast implant procedures are costly and without full guarantees of success. Some patients simply want them out and don’t want to deal with them any longer.

advice on what to breast implant size to consider for a breast augmentation procedure

Why Breast Implant Size is the Most Important Consideration for a Breast Augmentation

Plastic Surgeons have a lot of experience with breast implants, as breast implants have been around since the 1960s. You would think that the actual implants have changed much over the years, but they haven’t. There have been some modifications in the manufacturing of the implants, most notably the firmer silicone material now used. There are only two types of breast implants—saline- and silicone-filled implants.

advice for nose job recovery from woman looking at herself in the mirror after rhinoplasty

Choosing Breast Implants: Silicone or Saline?

One of the first important decisions to consider in breast augmentation is the choice of either saline or silicone breast implants. It should be noted that the vast majority of breast implants sold in America are silicone implants. Why do so many patients prefer the silicone variety? It has been my experience that if you ask patients that have experience with both types of implants, they almost always prefer the silicone variety. They say the implants feel more natural on the inside and the outside.

advice for nose job recovery from woman looking at herself in the mirror after rhinoplasty

Nose Job Recovery – What to Expect After Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a facial cosmetic surgery procedure that’s skyrocketing in popularity. The procedure is safer than ever, and my patients love the results. Still, when a procedure is done on such a visible part of your face, it’s natural to ask questions. You might be wondering “What can I expect from a nose job?” or “How long is recovery time after a nose job?” At Westlake Plastic Surgery, we will always be open and honest with you about every procedure.

Austin Plastic Surgery model with blue top

Do I Need To Wear A Bra After Breast Augmentation?

I am often asked, “When can I stop wearing a bra after breast augmentation?” or “How long do I need to wear a bra after breast augmentation?” The answer to this question is very simple: it is essential that all breast implant patients wear a bra day and night for the rest of their lives! Evidently, there is much confusion and misunderstanding because patients are shocked when I tell them of the need for constant bra use. Patients have told me

woman doing a breast examination to look for a lump after breast augmentation

I Have Breast Implants And I Noticed A Lump In My Breast – What Do I Do?

I Can Feel a Lump in My Breast Implant. What Do I Do? When you have implants, you should still perform monthly self-examinations. If you notice a new lump, mass or pain, what are you supposed to do? Most women would be concerned about a problem with their implants or the possibility of cancer. After furiously searching on the internet for information about a breast lump after implants, a concern can turn into worry and high anxiety, even though most

illustration showing three stages of a mini tummy tuck

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

Discover the Benefits of Mini Abdominoplasty As the mini tummy tuck rises in popularity, many women are curious about this procedure. What is a mini tummy tuck? How much does it cost? Can you get a mini tummy tuck after pregnancy? What is the difference between a mini tuck and a full tummy tuck? And what is the recovery time until you can go back to work or daily activities? Everyone is familiar with the tummy tuck, the popular term

breast augmentation patient asking a doctor how long do implants last

How Long Do Implants Last?

The Truth about How Long Breast Implants Last Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed. It is popular because there is a high demand for larger, shapelier breasts. The results are generally well accepted even if the procedure is imperfect. Many people may not know that all breast implants eventually “give out” or “act up” and need to be replaced. “How long do implants last?” is one of the most common questions we get from

what does a nose job cost? many factors go into the price

How Much Does Austin Rhinoplasty Cost?

What’s Behind the Cost of a Nose Job in Austin Rhinoplasty – popularly known as a nose job – has come a long way from being within reach of only the rich and famous. The price for entry is more reasonable compared to the early days of cosmetic plastic surgery, and the results are of higher quality. In my experience, the most common question regarding the surgery is “What does a nose job cost?” I get this question all the

photograph of a parrot beak to demonstrate the shape of a parrot beak nose, or pollybeak deformity

How Does Plastic Surgery Treat a Parrot Nose?

How do you fix a Pollybeak Deformity? Noses come in all shapes and sizes. A nose job / rhinoplasty is a procedure to change the shape of the nose when it is too large, asymmetrical, or not shaped well. A poorly shaped nose is a source of anxiety and embarrassment that sits in the middle of your face. When a person’s nose has a large dorsal hump and low tip, we call this a pollybeak deformity, also known as “parrot

droopy nose tip that is more pronounced when smiling

What is the Best Treatment for a Droopy Nose Tip When Smiling?

There is hope for people with a droopy nose tip due to age or genetics. The nose is the part of the human facial anatomy that just happens to sit right in the middle of it all. It can’t be ignored because it occupies prime real estate. If the nose isn’t shaped well, it can be associated with social anxiety and body insecurity. No doubt the popularity of smartphone cameras and selfies have led to increased scrutiny of the nose.

image of textured silicone breast implants with micro textured and smooth surfaces

Is Breast Implant Capsule Removal Necessary?

If you no longer want breast implants, does the breast implant capsule need to be removed? The easy answer to this question is NO. However, like most things in life, there are exceptions, and the decision requires consideration of many factors. There is renewed interest in the removal of breast implant capsules because of the recent awareness of a rare breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) that has been described with the use of textured breast implants. Breast Implant-Associated

procedure photo taken before hook nose rhinoplasty

Hook Nose Rhinoplasty

Many of my plastic surgery consulting patients make note of their “hook nose” shape that they particularly dislike. What causes a hooked shaped nose and how is it treated with a hook nose rhinoplasty? Why does a hook nose shape appear worse when smiling? Can a hooked nose shape be corrected with rhinoplasty? What is a Hooked Nose? A hooked nose, also known as an aquiline nose, describes a nose with a high dorsum or bridge and a low tip

my saline breast implant deflated - now what - what do I do?

My Saline Breast Implant Has Deflated, What Do I Do?

Saline breast implants may not be as popular as the silicone variety, but some patients still prefer them. There are actually significant differences that make saline breast implants unique. For starters, a saline breast implant deflates when it ruptures. The silicone variety doesn’t change in volume as the silicone filler “just sits there” and actually behaves like a run flat tire – it still works even though it technically has a “flat”. Experiencing this deflation process can be very disturbing to

symmastia correction austin - what is symmastia - uniboob

What is Symmastia or “Uniboob”?

Symmastia is a condition where the two female breasts meet in the middle. Typically, the female anatomy situates a flat area between the breasts and above the midline sternal or chest bone. However, in rare cases seen in normal females, the breasts can meet in the midline but the skin remains attached to the underlying bone. When symmastia is created because of a breast augmentation, the breasts not only appear to meet in the middle, but – in many cases

natural plastic surgery - the new trend

Welcome To The Era Of Natural Plastic Surgery

Our eyes see the unexpected and accept it as what is normal or what looks normal after expert plastic surgery. This is what natural plastic surgery is all about – looking the way it is supposed to look. Like Mother Nature did good work indeed. “Natural plastic surgery results” is the marching order of the day for thousands of plastic surgeons making America beautiful. That request has come from the general population who have had to endure some pretty bizarre

diversity in plastic surgery

Men, Women, And Everyone In Between – Diversity In Plastic Surgery

I take great pride in having a practice that celebrates the diversity in plastic surgery. Because of this diversity, I learn just as much from my patients as they do from me. I’ve seen men, women, and everyone in between. With every person that steps through my door, I become that much better at relating with the next. One of the more common patient profiles I see is that of undiagnosed gynecomastia. A young man recently came to my office

Top Reasons Larger Implants for Breast Augmentation

Top Reasons Why You Should Consider Larger Implants For Breast Augmentation

Anatomy — Larger implants may work better with your anatomy. A breast augmentation is not just about your breasts. Choosing a size that works with your proportions, even if it’s larger than you had anticipated, can powerfully change your body’s overall shape. You may have narrow, widely separated breasts with a big distance between them. The only way to fill in the gap is to use large enough breast implants. Implants that are too small for your body type can

Austin Plastic Surgery model with black top

What are Some Problems with Larger Breast Implants?

Breast implant size and likelihood of complications are directly related: the larger the implants, the greater the chances of experiencing a host of complications like implant rippling, stretching of the skin, bottoming out, “uniboob”, asymmetries and many others. Based on extensive personal experience with breast enhancements, my rule of thumb is that any implant larger than 350cc is considered a larger implant. There are a number of considerations that can help your surgeon decide what is best for you—the size

break your nose after a nose job

Is It Possible To Break Your Nose After A Nose Job?

Is it possible to break your nose after a nose job? It sure is. Look at this picture of my patient 2.5 years after her nose job. She had been kayaking and was struck by a wayward paddle. Judging from the injury, it must have been quite a blow: the nose fractured and the nasal bone moved to her left while the tip stayed in the middle. If I had been present when this happened, I would have simply reduced

asymmetric breasts

Asymmetric Breasts: They Are Sisters, Not Twins

I have treated thousands of women for various breast conditions and it wasn’t until recently that I learned how best to answer a patient when she asks why her breasts are not identical. While all humans value symmetry, there is nothing about the human body that is naturally perfectly symmetrical: eyes at different heights, the jaw tilted to one side, legs varying in length, and asymmetric breasts differing in size and shape. Mother Nature created beauty in humans, but it’s

What does it feel like immediately after a breast augmentation at Westlake Plastic Surgery?

What Does It Feel Like Immediately After A Breast Augmentation At Westlake Plastic Surgery?

Breast enhancement is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States. It’s in high demand, there are many surgeons who are qualified to perform this “basic” procedure, and the results are generally very rewarding, albeit not always perfect and not without the potential for complications. Many patients ask us what it feels like immediately after a breast augmentation at Westlake Plastic Surgery. The following is the “short list” of what you will experience after a breast enhancement:

Can I wear a push up bra after a breast augmentation

Can I Wear A Push-Up Bra After A Breast Augmentation?

I always recommend women wear a bra after breast augmentation for the best results. But what about push-up bras? At first glance, you might ask yourself why you would even consider wearing a push up bra after you just had your breasts augmented. After all, the purpose of a breast augmentation with implants is to make your breasts larger so you don’t have to wear a push up bra for that “enhanced” look. The purpose of this consideration is twofold:

Breast Augmentation in Austin, TX: Reflections of a Senior Surgeon

Breast Augmentation In Austin, Texas: Reflections Of A Senior Surgeon With 28 Years Experience

Breast augmentation is about two important issues—breast volume and breast shape. They are related to some degree, but are very independent in many ways that I will try to describe. Patients are most happy with a size that they can live with and a shape that is flattering in the mirror. Breast size is simply how large your implant can be in terms of volume. Take a look at recent before and after breast augmentation photos to get an idea of

All About the BRA Procedure: Breast Reduction with Augmentation

All About the BRA Procedure: Breast Reduction with Augmentation

I just finished my weekend run around Town Lake and after observing the women around me, it dawned on me that my BRA procedure – Breast Reduction with Augmentation – is all about making your breasts appear as if you’re wearing your best bra, even when you’re not! Let me explain all about the BRA Procedure: Breast Reduction with Augmentation. Unless you’re young and perfect or you have incredible genes, it’s more than likely that your breasts will sag over

What short and long term results should you expect after liposuction?

What Short Term And Long Term Results Should You Expect After Liposuction?

The other day, a patient told me that her friend who had undergone treatment for liposuction didn’t see results, and the doctor told her to wait six months for all the swelling to go away before she could appreciate the wonders of the procedure. Six months later, she was still much fuller than she wanted to be and didn’t even notice a difference. How could this be? Isn’t liposuction recovery all about reducing the amount of fat, and hence your

Benefits of Breast Augmentation Go Beyond Better Breasts

How The Benefits Of A Breast Augmentation Go Beyond Better Breasts

When you think of a breast augmentation in Austin, you think of larger breasts and all the benefits that come with that. But truth be told, the benefits of a breast augmentation go beyond better breasts and encompass your entire body. It’s all about body proportions. The results can make you look thinner, taller and shapelier. It’s quite obvious when you try on implant sizers in front of my full-length mirror — we look at your breasts and then the

podium infograpghic

Top Plastic Surgeons Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas has changed quite a lot since I first arrived here permanently in the year 2000. When I was a kid going to the University of Texas it was a cow town: small and quaint, weird as ever and easily manageable. There was no downtown living, the highways were easy to navigate and Lake Austin boating was a breeze. Boy, how times have changed. There were about 25 plastic surgeons at that time and now this number is closer

Plastic Surgery in Austin

Fear of Anesthesia: What You Need To Know And What You Can Do To Minimize It

Patients who come to my plastic surgery practice are usually not afraid of the surgery—they fear anesthesia. They fear “going under,” losing control, and not waking up. It sounds like the perfect story line for a horror movie, when, in fact, it’s more like the story of Cinderella. The reason this fear exists is because our media circulates rare stories of plastic surgery blunders, the worst of which are related to anesthesia. Perception is reality even though statistics would tell

Austin Plastic Surgery model with black hair

Asian Breast Augmentation in Austin, Texas: What You Need To Know About Why It’s Different

Yes, that’s right. An Asian breast augmentation is different than all the others for reasons I will describe. As a general rule, Asian skin is much tighter and the dermis is a lot thicker. The muscles of the chest are typically more stuck to the underlying ribs making pocket dissection more challenging. Most importantly, Asian peoples scar worse than average, so much thought needs to go into the incision for implant placement. The tight nature of the skin and underlying

heart with bandaid

What Is The Best Way To Recover From A Face And Neck Lift?

There are some simple things you can do after your facelift and neck lift that effectively ensure a faster recovery with minimal swelling and bruising. These are face and neck lift recovery tips that I have learned after many years spent in plastic surgery observing my patients’ recovery from this common procedure. Invest in a neck pillow. They work wonders to keep your neck straight and limit turning side to side, and less movement leads to less swelling and bruising.

bag with fluid being squeezed

What Is The Keller Funnel And How Is It Used In Breast Enhancement?

The Keller funnel is a cone shaped plastic sleeve that is used to facilitate the insertion of silicone breast implants. The incisions for saline implants are quite small (usually about an inch or so) because they are inserted beneath the breast in a deflated state and then filled by the surgeon. Silicone implants, however, are pre-filled so the incision required is considerably larger to ensure that the implant can be inserted without too much trauma. At our Austin plastic surgery

nose infographic

What Is “Internal Work” During a Rhinoplasty Or Nose Job?

A rhinoplasty at our Austin plastic surgery center generally has two basic components. The first is the external or outside of the nose and the second is the internal or inside of the nose. Usually the outside of the nose is manipulated to enhance the general appearance while the internal nose is changed to ensure normal breathing. Often work on both components is necessary for the best outcome. The most common request for the external nose is a hump reduction

Austin Plastic Surgery model with blonde hair

Plastic Surgery And Menopause – What You Need To Know

I learned quite a lot during my plastic surgery residency and fellowship. I thought I knew just about everything there was to know regarding my chosen specialty. As I matured I learned that I don’t know everything and that life is about constant learning. My patients have taught me a lot—particularly about an issue I was confronted with daily but frankly didn’t realize its significance. I’m referring to the fact that the majority of my patients are female, and all

Does drinking a lot of water speed up recovery?

Does Drinking A Lot Of Water Speed Up Recovery?

Let’s talk about one of the most common questions I get about recovering after a procedure: does drinking a lot of water speed up recovery? Despite what your friends have told you or what you have learned from the Internet, excessive drinking of fluids after cosmetic surgery will not speed your recovery. In fact, it often leads to delayed recovery and lots of swelling (edema). One real world example I noted recently was with a young mom of two who I

How Poor Posture Relates to Plastic Surgery

How Poor Posture Relates to Plastic Surgery

Many of my patients know how often I discuss posture in my plastic surgery office. Seeing that I am constantly asked to evaluate an individual’s appearance, it’s easy to note the presence of poor posture and shoulder shrugging. Let me tell you a bit about how poor posture relates to plastic surgery. I see three groups of patients who use shoulder shrugging as a “defense mechanism” – something an individual does to protect themselves against something that creates anxiety. Women

Vargas Girl - Breast Enhancement Plastic Surgery Procedures Over Time - Dr. Robert Caridi

The Varga Girls: Pin-Ups Of The 1940s

I was browsing in the bookstore recently, waiting for my daughter to finish her homework when I came across a book on the “Varga Girls,” pin-ups of the 1940’s. Esquire magazine introduced America to these “Glamour Girls” of the 1940’s, all produced from the hand of artist Alberto Vargas. They became the pin-ups of the day, decorating many World War II soldiers’ barracks. Aside from the impressive drawings, what I immediately noted was the unique shape of the women’s breasts. They are all

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When it comes to improving your life, there’s no time like the present. The decisions you make today about your skin health, your body, and your beauty will impact you for the rest of your life. For more than three decades, Westlake Plastic Surgery has made the future brighter and more beautiful for patients just like you. Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey at Westlake Plastic Surgery.

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