Have you ever noticed Americans love big.  We think that bigger is always better.  Big cars, big houses, supersize portions of food.  However, is bigger always better when it comes to breast implants?

I answered this question just recently from a patient that came in to see Brian Vassar Heil, MD FACS for a breast augmentation consult.  She was AA all her life.  She remembers in college always wearing padded bras and being very self conscious about her body image.  Now at 32 years old, she is successful in the business world, but still feels when she looks in the mirror there is a young girl looking back at her.

She is now going to undergo a Pittsburgh breast augmentation with Doctor Heil.  Now the exciting part – What size should I go?  Well, she felt the cost is the same regardless if she decided to get 500 cc silicone implants instead of 350cc silicone implants.  Bigger is always better, right?  This was going to be her first and last time to get the body she always dreamed.

Well, this is what I told her –

Breast implants come in many varieties, including:
Implant surface: smooth or textured
Implant shape: round or shaped
Implant filler:  silicone or saline
Implant profile:  how far the implant protrudes

The correct size of an implant is determined not by the size, A, B, C, D etc.  Instead, implants are measured in cc’s.  The cc’s tells you the number of grams the implant weighs.  The heavier the implant the more it will weight and overtime you may droop.  The weight of the implant may also cause back pain and neck pain if you are a small framed women.  This is why so many women get lifts and reductions.  Do not consider the size implants by comparison of your friends or celebrities; you don’t know where they started.  Their body shape, chest size, and breast size are not exactly yours.  Computer simulation is not good either.  Pictures are good to bring into your consult because it is helpful to get an understanding of your thoughts about size and proportion, but pictures are a poor way to decide on implant size.

The whole point of a breast augmentation is the final result.  So think about PROPORTION, using your OWN body to demonstrate.  You don’t necessary want them to look unnatural, round or fake.  If you think you want large, try wearing them for a while, try exercising, or buttoning up your favorite white blouse.  This is just advice from one girlfriend to another.  We do see many oversized implants coming into our Cranberry and Upper St. Clair office.  The have droopiness, back pain, and they want to DOWNSIZE.  So take a long-term view not just for the here and now.  Besides, in Pittsburgh, we don’t see many FAKE breasted women.  If you wish to look a little fuller on those “special nights”  just wear a great push up bra.  Go for pretty and natural.  GO for Medium size.  Isn’t more fun to keep people guessing?  How does she look so good????????  Now that turns heads!

Doctor Heil will discuss all your options during the consultation.  I will be adding more information on breast augmentation in Pittsburgh on this blog, but if you want more discussion, please see one of Doctor Heil’s collegues blogs.  He is from New Jersey and his blog is rather detailed.  Visit him at http://www.drbrianglatt.com/blog/breast-surgery/part-1-of-series-frequently-asked-questions-about-breast-augmentation-surgery/.

After an abdominoplasty, Pittsburgh based surgeon explains that most of the patients are back to sedentary work in two weeks, but it can take six to eight weeks to fully recover. As for the pain level, advances have been made in recent years that increase post operative comfort. Long lasting local anesthetics are used in the treated areas before the incisions are closed in order to make the first few days of the recovery process more comfortable. Our board certified plastic surgeon emphasizes the need for patients to take it easy even though they may feel comfortable so soon after surgery. If you’re too active too soon, fluid can build up, and that can increase healing time.

As far as recovery, give yourself time for the swelling to improve which can range from a few weeks to several months. After a liposuction, Pittsburgh based surgeon suggests that during the healing phase, there will be days with more swelling and days with less. During this time your shape may change somewhat, and your skin will too. It is vital to protect the areas that have been treated from direct sun exposure. Sun exposure to treated areas that are still healing can result in permanent pigmentation changes.

How about a traditional, full facelift. In Pittsburgh, facelift surgeon provides the most dramatic results that can infact take 10 years off your face. This procedure is the ultimate in restoring shape and dimension to your eyelids. It can correct puffy eyelids with a downward slant or droop at the outer corners.

For the brow, a lift can smooth the years and worry lines from your forehead and elevate eyebrows that are hooded, droopy or downright low. A lift can smooth away the creases and craters beneath your eyes, from your nose to your mouth, your mouth to your chin and anywhere in between. It can correct a droopy jowl to reveal what once was your jaw line, can trade two chins for one and change your neck from turkey to swan

For more information on facelifts in Pittsburgh, contact us at premierplasticsurgerypa.com.

In the past, many men had to silently bear with the situation as viable options were not available to correct it. But, now, with the advancement in cosmetic surgery, male breast reduction, Pittsburgh, is a common and relatively simple procedure.

Opting for a cosmetic surgery to correct some features of the body has become common among men. Male breast reduction surgeries have gone up in number in both the United States and the United Kingdom in the past several years.

“According to estimates, roughly 10 percent of men pass through gynecomastia in their adult years. It is common for all men to experience some problematic situations due to enlarged breasts during puberty and teenage years. It is the result of hormone changes and most men come out of the situation, saving themselves from gynecomastia,” Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Dr. Heil explains.

Male breast reduction, Pittsburgh, is the best option available for you if you have not grown out of gynecomastia due to genetic reasons or certain medications.

The breast reduction procedure is performed after administering general anesthesia. The plastic surgeon makes an incision along the bottom of your breast and up around the areola and nipple. Then, he loosens the underlying tissues and removes the excess fat and skin.

Then, the surgeon repositions the areola back on the breast for a natural look and sutures back the incisions. This procedure will leave behind small scars and there will be fewer traumas for the body.

You will feel some pain and experience swelling in the recovery period but the swelling will gradually subside. You can start going to work a few days to weeks after the surgery. But, you should limit strenuous physical activity for at least another week You will have to wait for six months to get the final results. However, the results of male breast reduction, Pittsburgh, are well worth the wait.

Getting a normal breast size will help you regain your self confidence.  You will also feel comfortable in outdoor activities that you have been avoiding for so long.

Learn more about male breast reduction on at premierplasticsurgerypa.com. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

Pre-operative instructions:

• Divulge complete medical history. During the consultation for a tummy tuck, Pittsburgh patients must reveal any medical conditions and medications they are taking.

• Eliminate aspirin and ibuprofen 2 weeks prior. These products, commonly taken for heart conditions, thin the blood and hinders blood-clotting. During surgery, it results in excessive bleeding and of course, if the blood cannot clot, the incision will not heal very quickly.

• No smoking 2-6 weeks prior. Smoking causes the blood vessels of the body to constrict which hinders blood flow and slows the healing process.

• No alcohol 2 weeks prior. Even just a few drinks days before surgery can cause problems. Alcohol compromises the immune system which leads to an increased chance of infection after surgery.

• Reduce salt intake. Salt causes bloating and swelling. Reducing it in the diet prior to the surgery helps reduce the amount of swelling afterwards.

• Increase water consumption. This helps the body flush out unhealthy toxins that cause illness and will hinder healing during recovery.

• Make post-operative arrangements ahead of time. Dr. Heil strongly urges his abdominoplasty Pittsburgh patients to fill their post-op prescriptions ahead of time so that they are on hand as soon as needed. It is also essential to arrange not only for a ride home, but to have help for at least the first 24 hours.

For an abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh or any cosmetic procedure, these pre-operative instructions are essential to safety during the surgery and a faster recovery afterwards ending in the best possible results.

“Safety and natural-looking results are the cornerstones of my practice. I want to give each patient the best tummy tuck,” says Dr. Heil. “But, I have to have the cooperation of my patients in those situations I cannot control. I cant be with them 24-7 leading up to the procedure to make sure they are taking care of themselves.”

For more information on an Abdmoniplasty, contact us at premierplasticsurgerypa.com.

Botox, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon explains, is the purified version of the Botulinum Toxin A. It is normally used to treat deep wrinkles non-surgically, mostly between the eyebrows, forehead lines, and the crow’s feet.

When Botox is injected into your muscle, it temporarily stops the unwanted muscle movement around the eyes and blocks the nerve impulses. A very tiny needle is used for the injections. And the injected Botox gets itself attached to nerve endings.

During the muscle function, the nerve endings release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that causes   muscle contractions. The released acetylcholine is blocked by Botox, making the muscles relaxed. This removes the wrinkles and frown lines from your face.

Usually, your Botox treatment lasts for about 10 minutes. When you are injected with Botox, Pittsburgh surgeons may numb the area with an anesthetic cream or a cold pack. Normally, you don’t require any anesthesia. The discomfort you experience will be minimumal. Mostly, you will have the sensation of a pin prick.  There is no need of for recovery time after the treatment.  You can resume your normal activities soon.

The full effect of Botox, Pittsburgh surgeon Dr. Brian Heil says, is visible on your face in five to seven days.  The effect will usually last for around three to five months. After this period, your face may go back to its original condition with the wrinkles. So, you need to repeat the injections every three to six months, adds the Pittsburgh plastic surgeon.

If you are in good health, you can go for Botox.  But, it is recommended for those between 18 to 65 years of age. Also, it is better if pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and persons with neurological problems stay away from Botox injections. You should also make sure that the Botox injections are administered by a qualified doctor.

You should also not go for Botox, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon reminds, if you have an infection. It is better to avoid the injections if you can have any allergic reaction to this kind of treatments. To clarify all your doubts about Botox injections, schedule a consultation with Dr Brian Heil.

Learn more about Botox treatment at premierplasticsurgerypa.com and clear all your doubts. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us today. In the Tri-State area, we have 6 locations throughout.

You may always look tired, older, or sad due to the wrinkles, drooping, and puffiness around your eyes. Eyelid surgery (also known as Blepharoplasty) offers you a solution that will make you appear more rejuvenated and youthful within a few days of the surgery.  You can enjoy the long-lasting results of having a firmer eye area.

As the healing process is gradual, you should wait a few weeks to get a clear picture of the final results. Over a few months, incisions will fade over and will become barely visible.

“Eyelid surgery,” Pittsburgh surgeon says, “can be combined with other procedures like a forehead lift, Botox injections, chemical peeling, or laser resurfacing to get amazing results.”

During the recovery period, there are certain things that demand your attention. You should rest quietly with your head elevated in the first few days. You can also apply a cold compresses to your eyelids. Make sure that you do not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications during this time.

“Even though the results are long-lasting, some factors like heredity and lifestyle can affect them. Usually, the puffiness of your eyes will not occur again. But, at some point, if your eyebrows start sagging giving the appearance of drooping eyelids, you may need a secondary eyelid surgery,” Pittsburgh surgeon, Dr. Brian Heil notes.

Learn more about eyelid surgery at premierplasticsurgerypa.com and clarify all your doubts. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

Rhinoplasty is the surgical procedure that reshapes the nose to correct both the internal and external deformities. The procedure can be extremely beneficial in improve your nasal breathing.

If you are under 16 years of age, your surgeon will ask you to wait till you are at least 16 to get the procedure done. It is necessary for you to be in good health and refrain from smoking prior to the surgery.

The nose surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia. Commonly, we make an incision inside the nostrils or across the columella that separates the nostrils. Then, we will rework the soft tissues of the nose and reshape the cartilage and the bone.

During the recovery period, it is better if you can remain at home for a week. The sutures and the cast are removed within a week. You can experience shifting and settling of the nose, mainly in the first year when the wound is healing. Even though the surgery is safe, some complications like bleeding and infection can arise.

If you are concerned about gong into surgery, there is also the option of non-surgical rhinoplasty. In Pittsburgh at Premier Plastic surgery we use fillers to shape your nose without surgery. This procedure is also useful in correcting the birth defects associated with your nose.

To enhance the look of your face, go for a rhinoplasty. Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Heil can easy any worries and answer any questions you may have regarding the impact of the procedure. Visit premierplasticsurgerypa.com to know more about the procedure. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

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