Blog Archive – 2010

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is a term which describes procedures which are often done in combination to help correct some of the physical effects of pregnancy and nursing on a woman’s body.  These procedures may include a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, liposuction, or other treatment.  These procedures are often done in combination, or can be done separately, depending on the patient’s desire and other factors.

Increased blood flow during pregnancy can also cause spider veins in the legs, face, or chest, and this may be addressed with our vascular laser.  Broken capillaries and other visible vascular structures are eliminated from the visible layers of the skin’s surface with infrared energy.   The laser treatments are tailored to match the patient’s skin condition and desired results.

During pregnancy, on the average, most women gain between 25-35 pounds.  This additional weight is usually stored in the abdomen, hips, breasts, buttocks, and thighs.  Enlargement of the breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the skin to stretch out.  After nursing and/or losing weight after the pregnancy, women often find that their breasts look deflated and droopy, having lost volume and the upper fullness of their breasts.    Breast implants help to give volume back to the breasts.  Sometimes a breast lift is required to get the tissue lifted and back to a more youthful looking position.

Some patients may only need implants, others just a lift.  In some cases, implants and a lift are required to get the fullness and boost they are looking for.  If the areola has been stretched out, it can be reduced in size at the same time.

The abdomen is another area which is affected by pregnancy.  Women who have had babies are sometimes bothered by loose skin around the belly button and lower abdomen.  There can also be weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles which can cause the abdomen to protrude.  Abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat, and reinforcing the abdominal muscles to give a more youthful and tighter looking abdomen.

When planning surgery, patients should wait at least 4-6 months after pregnancy and be at a normal weight before surgery.  The body needs time to heal after pregnancy.  Some of the changes in the body which happen during pregnancy need time to return back to normal.

We have many patients who express that they just want to feel like their outward appearance matches with how they feel on the inside, young and vibrant.  A Mommy Makeover may be just what the doctor ordered.

If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please call Julie at 256-881-4200.

What Can Botox Do For Me?

Do your friends and family often ask you if you are tired or mad?  Do you look in the mirror and wish you could do something to decrease the wrinkles between your brows and around your eyes?  If so, Botox® could be the answer you are looking for.

Botox Cosmetic is a prescription medicine used to treat the frown lines between the eyebrows.  It can also be used in the forehead and the outer corner of the eyes.  It works by blocking the nerve impulses to the injected muscles which weakens those muscles so that they no longer cause the persistent wrinkles.  Since Botox only works on the muscles and does not affect your skin color or texture, men and women of varying skin colors and skin types may get treatments.

Botox® treatments are done in the office and usually take about ten to fifteen minutes. Discomfort is minimal. There is no down time following Botox® injections and make-up can be reapplied immediately. Results are usually seen within one to three days but can continue to improve for up to one month.  Results can last up to four months.  Continued weakening of the muscles can lead to an increased softening of the skin wrinkles and a more refreshed look.   Of all the requested cosmetic procedures, Botox® is number one in the United States for 2010.

Breast Implants – Cohesive Silicone Technology

Patients often wonder what happens when a silicone gel breast implant develops a leak.  Silicone gel breast implants are more cohesive than the old style silicone implants from 15 – 20 years ago.  A new generation of silicone gel implants was developed with cohesive silicone technology which resulted in a precise formula for cross-linking the silicone polymer.

One advantage of the optimal cross-linking process is to produce gel that is sufficiently cohesive to better stay within the implant shell should the shell’s integrity ever become compromised.

Watch our video below in which Dr. Durst demonstrates this technology and highlights why silicone breast implants are now the most popular choice of our patients.

Why Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Many patients do not realize that in most states, a licensed physician may legally perform plastic surgery without being board certified in plastic surgery. Do you want someone not trained in Plastic Surgery to perform your facelift or tummy tuck? There are many types of board certification, so make sure that your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

A physician who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) is certified in plastic surgery and has met the following requirements:

  • They have earned a degree from an accredited medical school.
  • They have completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon. This includes training in all areas of surgery, with at least two years devoted entirely to plastic surgery.
  • They have passed rigorous written and oral exams.

A qualified plastic surgeon is not simply a physician with good credentials, but one with recognized credentials and specialized training specific to the procedure you are considering. A doctor’s board certification is one of the best indicators of his or her training. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. So, when choosing your plastic surgeon, do your homework and make sure the surgeon that you choose has the credentials and training to give you the best result possible.

For more information, you can visit the ABPS website by clicking here.

What Can I Do Now to Get My Body Bathing Suit Ready?

Spring is here, which means summer is on the way. Now is the time to start getting your body ready for wearing a bathing suit. Most procedures require some healing and recovery time, so planning ahead is key for looking your best.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular spring and summer surgeries to help you get the curves you are looking for. Many people feel out of proportion when wearing a bathing suit and breast implants can help achieve a more balanced figure. Breast augmentation surgery typically has a fairly short recovery period of one to two weeks. You have a choice of saline or silicone implants. Results are instant and incisions are easily covered by your swimsuit.

Now is also the perfect time to start the laser hair removal process. Laser hair removal is a fast and easy way to remove unwanted hair on legs, bikini area, and underarms. Men typically treat chest and back hair. Treated areas often show signs of redness and swelling but symptoms usually subside in a few hours. It usually takes three to five treatments for an eighty percent reduction in hair for two years.

Contact us today so we can help you look your best this summer!

Welcome to Our New Office Blog

We are excited to add this new feature to our office website. We will be sharing information that we think you may find interesting, including current trends in plastic surgery, news, health & wellness, and informative videos. We hope you find the procedural information to be helpful when considering the different surgical as well as non-surgical options that are available. Please feel free to call the office if you have questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation.

Check back often to see what’s new.