Do you sometimes wish that you could change the way your breasts look? Are they bigger or smaller than you would like? Is one of your breasts bigger than the other? Do you simply want them to be perkier? If you can relate to any of these issues, breast plastic surgery may be a great option for you.
You have probably heard the terms breast enlargement and “boob job.” However, you can benefit from several different types of these breast plastic surgery procedures. Continue reading to find out which procedure may be beneficial to you.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, also known as breast enhancement or breast enlargement, is one of the most common types of plastic surgery today. Informally referred to as a “boob job”, this procedure can enlarge your breasts and give you the hourglass figure you desire. Furthermore, with breast enhancement surgery, you can boost your self-esteem.
Breast augmentation is a safe and common procedure that involves the placement of silicone or saline-filled implants behind the breasts. Typically, the healing time required following breast augmentation is about three weeks. Breast enhancement can help people with:
- Overly small breasts
- Lack of an hourglass figure
- Small sagging breasts due to weight loss, aging, or pregnancy
- Asymmetrical small breasts
- Unattractive small breasts
To best understand all of your options, a full consultation with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Warren M. Lent, MD is recommended. Dr. Lent invites you to see his Breast Augmentation: Before and After page to see actual patients who have had an breast enlargement with Dr. Lent.
Breast Reduction
Many women have symptoms related to overly large breasts. These women experience chronic pain of the upper back, rashes and excessive sweating under the breasts, discomfort with bra straps, and mobility limitations. Breast reduction surgery or reduction mammaplasty is a procedure that is designed to relieve women who suffer from these problems.
A plastic surgeon performing this procedure will remove excess tissue and reshape the breasts to give them a more youthful appearance. Just as with breast enlargement procedures, breast reduction is quite safe. However, you may need a bit more time to recover. This procedure may help people with:
- Overly large breasts
- Breasts that sag due to size
- Large breasts that do not match your body frame
- Asymmetrical large breasts
- Large breasts that limit physical activity
- Deep grooves in the shoulders from bra straps
To best understand all of your options, a full plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Warren Lent is recommended. For further details on each aspect of a breast reduction, Dr. Lent invites you to see his Breast Reduction: Before and After page to see actual patients who have had a breast reduction with him.
Breast Lift
Over time, your breast shape can change. Various factors including pregnancies, breastfeeding, weight loss, aging, and hormonal changes can contribute to saggy, pendulous breasts. When this occurs, women can lose their self-confidence. Under the care of a board certified plastic surgeon, these problems can be corrected with breast lifts.
During a breast lift (AKA mastopexy), a plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and lift the breasts to give them a perkier appearance. It is essential to note that this procedure can be performed simultaneously with breast enlargement surgery if your breasts are too small (see Dr. Lent’s Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift: Before and After page).
To best understand all of your options, a full consultation with Dr. Warren Lent is recommended. For further details on each aspect of a breast lift, Dr. Lent invites you to see his Breast Lift: Before and After page to see actual patients who have had the breast lift procedure with him.
Implant Revisions
If you have problems with your implants, you may think that there is nothing you can do. Due to modern advances, however, a plastic surgeon can correct any problem you may be experiencing with implant revisions. These include:
- Leakage or breakage of silicone implants
- Deflated saline implants
- Desire to change the size of implants (larger or smaller)
- Unhappy with results of original procedure
- Capsular contractures
Here at Dr. Warren Lent’s office, we show care for each patient from the initial surgery consultation to the final post-surgery call. We look forward to hearing from you.
Asymmetry
Unfortunately, breasts are often asymmetrical. One is often larger than the other. There are some cases in which asymmetry is very visible.
Luckily, a plastic surgeon can correct asymmetry utilizing various breast plastic surgery procedures to address your unique problem. Most of these techniques can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patient’s will require at least two weeks of recovery time.
The results from correction of breast asymmetry can be immensely satisfying. To best understand all of your options, a full consultation with Dr. Warren Lent is recommended.
Make an Appointment for Your Consultation
Attractive breasts can make a woman feel feminine and self-confident. But what if you feel that your breasts are not attractive? What if they are causing you physical discomfort or pain? As a Diplomate of both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Warren Lent can assist. No matter what type of issues you may have with your breasts, there is a form of surgery that can help achieve the look you desire.
Here at Dr. Lent’s office, we show care for each patient from the initial consultation to the final post-surgery call. We look forward to hearing from you. For more information about the breast asymmetry procedure, costs, or questions, please contact us at:
150 North Robertson Blvd. Suite 140
Beverly Hills, Ca 90211
More Information About Breast Plastic Surgery
Actress Shannen Doherty Undergoes Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy
The actress Shannen Doherty, known for roles such as Branda Walsh in Beverly Hills 90210, has been documenting her treatment for breast cancer and her struggle with chemotherapy.
Last spring Doherty underwent a single mastectomy and recently she has undergone reconstructive surgery on her breast. After the surgery Doherty took to Instagram to share a video from the doctor’s office where she thanked her surgeon Dr Jay Orringer and wrote, “I consider myself very lucky and very blessed to have this man as my doctor.”
The surgery was carried out in order to place a temporary implant known as an expander. The implant will help the muscle tissue expand in preparation for a permanent silicone implant.
Many patients that undergo a breast reconstruction will receive an inflatable tissue expander before receiving a permanent implant. Doherty received hers fairly soon after the mastectomy and explained that her it needs to be extra-enlarged before her next radiation treatment as the radiation will shrink it.
In the video Dr Orringer can be heard saying, “Radiation acts like a shrink wrap effect around the expander. Whether you lose 20 percent volume or 30 percent, it’s difficult to know.”
Doherty, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, has been extremely open about her battle with the disease and shared a number of personal and intimate videos with her followers documenting the journey to recovery.
Earlier in November she was given a Courage Award at the American Cancer Society’s inaugural Giants of Science Gala where she said that she accepted the award “on behalf of every single cancer patient out there because it takes a lot of courage.”
Doherty will have the permanent implant inserted once the expander has done its job and she has completed her radiation treatment.
Plastic Surgery and Stars
Many women who choose to have their breasts augmented are happy to talk about it to their friends and family. They discuss the pros and cons of the procedure, ask for advice as to which surgeon to choose and pick their friends’ brains about recovery time, possible pain and the size of implant they should get. There are countless websites, blogs and forums solely dedicated to plastic surgery, providing a platform for people to share their plastic surgery stories, ask for advice or simply look at the incredible results achieved through plastic surgery procedures. Famous actresses on the other hand, who are constantly in the public eye usually choose not to disclose if they had any plastic surgery done and often refuse to even comment on any questions on the topic. In fact the only time actresses are rumoured to have undergone plastic surgery is when the results are clearly visible or the procedure did not turn out as planned.
Now the trend is slowly changing. As plastic surgery becomes more widely accepted and part of our everyday lives actresses and even actors are more willing to admit that they too are human and are using the help of plastic surgeons to keep the youthful, beautiful look they are so famous and applauded for. In a recent interview Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting of The Big Bang Theory fame revealed that she has undergone breast augmentation surgery and is incredibly happy with the results: “I had no boobs! And it really was the best thing ever! I always felt ill-proportioned. My implants made me feel more confident in my body. It wasn’t about trying to be a porn star or wanting to look hot and sexy.”
The TV star’s comment shows that old-fashioned perception of breast augmentation being solely the prerogative of porn stars is now truly a thing of the past. As Cuoco-Sweeting points out the real goal of breast augmentation surgery is to make the patient feel confident and beautiful in their skin by achieving a proportionate and harmonious overall look. The goal of the surgery is to attain a naturally stunning look with the minimum possible risk. American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon Dr Warren Lent believes that the best way to turn patient’s dream into reality is to come up with a plan that will suit the needs and expectations of each individual patient while keeping their wellbeing and safety as the most important consideration. This way results worthy of the most stunning Hollywood actresses will be possible for everyone.
Plastic Surgery Trends in 2015
Plastic surgery procedures are growing in popularity with every passing year and it looks as if 2015 will be no different. While in 2014 the most popular procedures included neck rejuvenation and buttock augmentation, the year 2015 is set out to have a surge in the number of various other procedures. The popularity of certain plastic surgery procedures over others is dictated by a number of factors. Firstly, constant advances in the field of plastic surgery mean that new and better approaches are developed by plastic surgeons which translate to more effective, less invasive and more natural looking results for the patients. Secondly, as in any field of the aesthetic industry, fashion and word of mouth play a very significant role. If a procedure worked for one patient and they were satisfied with the result they are likely to tell their friends and family about it, spreading the popularity of their chosen procedure. Finally, as plastic surgery procedures become part of our everyday discussions, groups of patients who previously felt shy or embarrassed are now also opting to explore plastic surgery procedures. Men, patients with “embarrassing” problems or complaints, older patients as well as teenagers are all part of the growing number of people who are choosing to change their lives for the better through plastic surgery.
One of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures of 2014 that is likely to maintain its popularity in 2015 are procedures that targets an area of the body that many people feel uncomfortable about – the neck and jaw line. As we age the skin around the jaw line and neck area loses its elasticity and becomes saggy and unattractive while extra fat under the skin adds to the problem. It is one of the tell-tale signs of aging that many patients wish to get rid of, or at least significantly improve, in order to regain their youthful appearance. An increasingly popular procedure targeting this problem area is fat removal around the neck and jaw line. Fatty tissue accumulates around the jaw line and the fat is removed with liposuction surgery. The result is a smoother, more contoured jaw line and a tighter, more youthful looking neck area. In 2015 procedures focused on the neck and jaw line are forecasted to remain just as popular as in the previous few years. In addition, a new injectable contouring drug is currently in its last stages of clinical trial making a non-invasive approach to neck and jaw line procedures more a thing of the present, rather than the distant future.
A buzz-word that permeates the entire field of plastic surgery is “volume”. An unavoidable part of the aging process is loss of volume in the facial features such as cheeks, lips, and the under-eye area. While it is important to maintain a strict facial skincare routine, no amount of cosmetics will counteract the effects of deep level volume loss. As a result, patients are eager to undergo procedures aimed at restoring volume and a youthful glow to the face. Fillers such as Restylane or Juvéderm are still gaining popularity among patients and fat injections are also on the rise. The most important aspect of volume restoration is choosing the right fillers in order to end up with seamless, beautiful and glowing results.
Other popular plastic surgery procedures in the last year included procedures aimed at young mothers, also known as the “mommy makeovers”. This set of procedures targets areas that are typically problematic for post-pregnancy women. The “mommy makeover” can entail a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast lift and dermatological procedures. Along with “mommy makeovers”, fat grafting (fat transfer) for breast augmentation has gained popularity in 2014 and procedures aimed at men are at an all-time high. While previously men opted for liposuction almost exclusively on their breast area, 2014 marked a definite change in attitudes with an increasing number of male patients looking to improve the appearance of their midsection. Similarly to women, fillers and Botox treatments were very popular amongst men and this trend is expected to continue well into 2015. Though plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures will continue to gain popularity in 2015, some procedures are likely to attract less patients then before. Non-surgical approaches to fat removal seem to be losing popularity as patients realize that longer lasting, more dramatic results can be achieved by a skilled plastic surgeon.
2015, just as 2014 was, will be characterized by patients asking for the most natural-looking, beautiful and seamless results with the lowest possible risks. Trends and fashions may change but choosing a US board-certified experienced plastic surgeon will ensure the successful outcome of any plastic surgery procedure and will make patients face each and every New Year with a smile.
Botched Plastic Surgery
The first and most important factor in receiving the best possible plastic surgery results is choosing a skilled, experienced and knowledgeable surgeon. While many patients spend a long time researching what type of procedure they would like to have performed, looking at before and after photos and dreaming about the beautiful results following the procedure, it is important to keep in mind that without the help of a good plastic surgeon it is impossible to achieve the desired results. Also, patients tend to forget that like any other medical procedure plastic surgery carries a set of risks and entails possible complications so having a doctor who puts the patient’s safety first is paramount.
There are a number of reasons why plastic surgery patients can end up with an unqualified surgeon and a botched procedure. Costs of procedures performed by unlicensed or unqualified physicians can be much lower than those of US board certified surgeons as they are not bound by the strict medical regulations of the board. In other cases, patients who are normally extremely well-read up on the actual procedure they are planning to undergo fail to check the credentials of the surgeon as they have innate trust in doctors. In some instances the desire for a procedure can be so great that it overshadows considerations of safety and people are willing to settle for an unqualified doctor just to have the procedure done.
That is exactly what happened to Nafsika Lourentzatos, a New York City event-planner who dreamed of having her breasts enlarged from a young age. A friend told her of a procedure where silicone is injected to the breasts as an alternative to breast augmentation and the physicians she recommended were even willing to perform the procedure on an underage Ms Lourentzatos. After undergoing the procedure Ms Lourentzatos noticed no visible difference in the size of her breasts and felt that the procedure, which cost less than half of a traditional breast augmentation surgery was in vain but at least left her with no visible scarring or any other ill effects. Unfortunately, just a few years following the procedure she noticed lumps in her breasts and chest plate and had to turn to a doctor for help. It turned out that the injected silicone caused immeasurable damage to Ms Lourentzatos’s chest area and she had to have her breast removed to avoid the silicone entering her blood stream. What followed was a long series of painful corrective surgeries and a deep psychological trauma. She later found out that the “medical professionals” who performed her procedure were arrested in Colombia as they had no license to practise medicine in the US.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons cases such as that of Ms Lourentzatos are common and they advise all patients to check their surgeon’s credential s before embarking on a consultation. They stress the importance of confirming that the surgeon is a certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and if the facility hosting the operation is accredited.
Winter is the Best Season for Plastic Surgery Procedures
There is nothing like long summer days spent on the beach to make you wish for a flatter tummy, a curvier butt, a more pronounced waistline or a more enticing cleavage. While everyone is strolling about in tiny bikinis covering close to nothing, many of us start to wonder if a little bit of plastic surgery could help us look and feel better, ready to take on the fun side of the summer months. Then the research begins, we look into what type of procedure would be best for us, who do we want to perform our plastic surgery and what are the associated risks and possible complications we might encounter. We think of the smallest detail, including who will drive us home after the procedure and what type of underwear will we be wearing following the operation. However, an important question is sometimes missed by even the most eager of prospective plastic surgery patients – when is the best time to do our surgery? Which season compliments our recovery best? Is it important when we book our procedure or is the plastic surgery experience pretty much the same all year around? As it turns out it is worth considering when to have your procedure scheduled and in fact the winter months are considered to be the best time to undergo cosmetic procedures.
Why is it better to undergo plastic surgery procedures in winter rather than summer?
Of course it is possible to undergo plastic surgery procedures during the summer months and the results of surgery will be just as rewarding as in the winter. There are many aspects that need to be considered for a successful procedure and choosing the time to do it might be fairly low down on the importance list. However, the main reason for summer not being the best time for plastic surgery is the convenience factor. All procedures involve a post-work recovery plan which is often much easier to stick to in the winter than during the sweltering heat of summer. Bandages, compression wear and other special undergarments worn by patients following surgery can get fairly hot and sweaty and it is much more pleasant to wear them in cold weather. Also, cold weather calls for comfortable loose sweaters and long sleeves which make it easier to discreetly conceal bandages or compression wear. Recovering and recuperating after a procedure takes time and in the winter months people are more likely to stay indoors anyway, making recovery time less stressful as there is no need to turn down social calls or summer party invitations. Another great advantage of winter over summer is the relatively low intensity of the winter sun. While in the summer long days in the blazing UV rays are almost unavoidable, winter months give our skin a much needed rest from sun damage. Skin rejuvenating and skin resurfacing procedures such as laser rejuvenation or microdermabrasion are much safer during the winter as UV rays are less likely to cause damage to the sensitive post-treatment skin.
If for whatever reasons patients still need to undergo their plastic surgery procedure during the summer period there are a few things that can help the recovery process. Minimizing bruising and discoloration is only possible if patients follow the post-procedure instructions as closely as they can. Cold compresses and bandaging can improve the look of the treated body part while post-work makeup (designed specifically for extra sensitive skin) can help the appearance of facial skin following rejuvenating and resurfacing skin treatments.
Is there an ideal time for plastic surgery procedures?
The best time to schedule a plastic surgery procedure is between September and February. The weather during this time is pleasantly cool and days are becoming shorter, making it the perfect period to book an appointment with your Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon and schedule a bit of me-time. These months are great to avoid the patient traffic that often appears during the spring season in preparation for summer. In fact, patients who undergo their procedure during winter are most likely to be fully recovered and enjoying the full effect of their transformation by the time summer arrives.
Is the time of year really that important?
Though the timing of any plastic surgery procedure is worth considering, it’s mainly to do with the patient’s comfort and ease of recovery. It is equally possible to be safe and achieve beautiful results in the summer, winter months are simply more suited for plastic surgery procedures. As always, the single most important factor to the outcome of your procedure is the experience and knowledge of your surgeon. Board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent has extensive experience in a variety of plastic surgery procedures, aiming for the most aesthetically pleasing results while placing equal importance on the safety and comfort of the patient. Dr. Warrant Lent is an excellent choice if considering plastic surgery, be it during the toasty fun-filled days of summer or the cozy, festive months of winter.
Teens and Plastic Surgery
Since the birth of modern day plastic surgery more and more people choose to undergo plastic surgery procedures every year. The unbroken popularity of plastic surgery means that there is more and more information available for patients who are considering going under the knife. Internet sites, TV shows, magazines as well as one’s closest friends all discuss various procedures and almost everyone knows someone who’s undergone a plastic surgery procedure of some kind. In most cases plastic surgery procedures are performed on patients who are in their twenties or older but more and more younger patients are seeking out plastic surgeons. Similarly to older demographics, teenagers are also discovering the benefits of plastic surgery procedures and realize that in certain cases plastic surgery holds the answer to years of low self-esteem, feelings of incompleteness and even functional concerns (such as difficulty of breathing or asymmetry in the breasts preventing rigorous sport activities). According to a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as many as 219,000 teenagers had undergone plastic surgery procedures in 2013. Many plastic surgeons believe that these numbers are expected to grow even further as a new generation grows up whose parents are more familiar with plastic surgery procedures and who are willing to consider giving their consent. Currently patients under the age of 18 have to have their parents’ consent if they wish to undergo plastic surgery.
What types of procedures are most popular amongst teens?
To understand what types of procedures teens are requesting most often it is important to realize that the motivation for plastic surgery procedures amongst teenage patients is often different to that of more mature patients. Whilst older patients are often seeking out plastic surgeons to regain their youthful appearance or to enhance their looks in order to stand out from the crowd, teenagers are more likely to want plastic surgery to feel and look more like their peers, to achieve a more “normal” appearance. Feeling the sense of belonging to a group, being accepted and loved by one’s friends is especially important during our teenage years when we get our sense of self largely by comparing ourselves to others. As a result, plastic surgery procedures requested by teenagers are often aimed at making their look more symmetrical and balanced in their facial features as well as their bodies. One of the most popular plastic surgery procedures is rhinoplasty or nose-jobs in which the size, shape and functionality of the nose can be changed giving a more harmonious and balanced look to the patient’s facial features. Breast augmentation is also a firm favorite among teenagers as well as skin procedures such as microdermabrasion aimed at reducing severe acne scars and evening out skin tone. Another large group of plastic surgery procedures favored by younger patients is aimed at correcting functionality, allowing patients to go about their normal day to day activities and join in sports groups or other teams that would have been embarrassing or even painful prior to surgery. Breast asymmetry, deviated septum and even urinary incontinence can affect teenage patients and plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation/reduction, rhinoplasty or vaginoplasty can mean an enormous improvement in patients’ lives. Prominent, protruding ears is another area of major concern to teenagers, which can be treated with a procedure known as Otoplasty, but commonly referred to as ear pinning.
What to consider before a plastic surgery procedure?
As with any patient thinking about plastic surgery it is important to pinpoint what exactly is bothersome for teenage patients. The best way forward is to talk to a Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Warren Lent as they will have the knowledge and experience to talk about options for each individual patient. Though many people appear to be experts on plastic surgery no one knows plastic surgery procedures better than plastic surgeons themselves so it is important to consult with a doctor before deciding on a procedure. Whilst plastic surgery might be a solution to some concerns teenage patients might have, it is important to realize that teenagers are still expected to grow and change in their body shape and even facial features. Surgeons might advise to wait a few years with certain procedures in order to achieve the best and longest lasting results. In addition, some procedures incur considerable down-time following surgery and it simply might not be the best time for teenage patients to take several weeks off from their studies. Finally, if patients are under 18 years old parents or legal guardians will always need to give their consent for any plastic surgery procedure. Their support is also needed prior to the operation and during the recovery period so it makes sense for parents to be on board with the surgery plan.
The dangers of plastic surgery for teens
Teenage patients can be excellent candidates for plastic surgery procedures. Usually they suffer less from underlying medical conditions and often recuperate much faster than adults. However, it is important to keep in mind that any surgery, including all plastic surgery procedures comes with its own set of risks and possible complications. In addition, just as with more mature patients, plastic surgery can have a profound impact on the teenage patient’s life but it is important to have realistic expectations of what plastic surgery can achieve. Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Warrant Lent will prepare you for the procedure so that you can enjoy the best possible results – even at a younger age.
Breast Implant Surgery
Who considers breast implant surgery?
There are a number of reasons why a patient might consider breast implant surgery. Some people suffer from low self-esteem as they feel that their breasts are too small for their frame, making them look child-like and disproportionate. Others hope to feel more womanly, sexy and curvaceous by having full, larger breasts. In some cases, overly large breasts can become a burden, straining women’s backs and causing severe prolonged pain. Patients can also complain of sagging breasts following major weight loss, pregnancy or natural aging and unlucky genetics. In addition, there are cases in which breast surgery follows on from more devastating life-saving surgeries where one or both breasts had to be removed and now they wish to go back to normal. Whatever the reason for Beverly Hills breast plastic surgery in all these cases the single most important aspect of the surgery preparation process is choosing a well-trained, experienced board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Warren M. Lent. Though a large number of patients spend a lot of time researching the desired breast size and shape, looking into various types of procedures that could be right for them, it is important to point out that the best results will only be achieved with the help of an excellent surgeon and his team of medical professionals.
What type of breast surgeries does Dr. Warren Lent perform?
Board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren M. Lent has extensive experience in performing a wide variety of breast surgeries. Breast augmentation is a procedure in which a breast implant is inserted behind the natural breast itself, or deeper, underneath the chest muscle. Breast augmentation is a great solution for patients looking to achieve a fuller décolletage or who are unhappy with the shape of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery is a plastic surgery solution to overly large breasts that can look overbearing on a smaller frame. Breast reduction surgery helps the patient achieve a more harmonious overall look and can mean the end to chronic back and neck pain caused by heavy breasts. Often the patient’s posture dramatically improves following breast reduction surgery as there is no need to stoop any more. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren M. Lent also performs breast lift surgery which can benefit patients suffering with sagging breasts. He has performed numerous implant revision surgeries in which the old breast implant is replaced with a new breast implant which can be the same size or differ in size from the previous old implant. Dr. Warren M. Lent is also extremely experienced in treating breast asymmetry, finding surgical solutions to achieve a natural and symmetrical overall look. In some cases, multiple breast surgeries can be performed at the same time; a breast lift often involves inserting a breast implant to give back fullness to the patient’s breasts.
What are the parameters that need to be considered for surgery (type, implant size/type, incision site and most importantly surgeon)?
There are a number of aspects that should be considered by all patients looking to undergo breast implant surgery. Though it is important to research the procedures at home, all of these issues will be considered carefully when making your first appointment with board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren M. Lent. Your surgeon is your most important “ally” in the quest for the perfect results and he is the most knowledgeable and reliable source of information when it comes to plastic surgery.
Firstly, patients will tell the surgeon what bothers them about the look and feel of their breasts so that together they can come up with the most optimal surgery plan. The type of surgery will be decided, whether it is breast augmentation, breast reduction, revision surgery or any other type of plastic surgery procedure. If the patient’s surgery requires breast implants the surgeon will discuss in detail the pros and cons of the two types of breast implants currently used by plastic surgeons, saline and silicone implants. The plastic surgeon will help the patient choose the right sized implant to make sure that the results of the breast surgery are as close to the patient’s ideals as possible. The incision site is also discussed as it is important to know that every plastic surgery procedure includes opening the skin and a small scar is unavoidable. The incision can be made around the nipple, in the armpit area or in the fold underneath the breast. Finally, the most important decision for the patient to make is which plastic surgeon to choose. The most important factor of the surgery will always be the skill, knowledge and experience of the plastic surgeon and with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren M. Lent’s credentials patients can be sure that they are in the safest hands possible.
History of Plastic Surgery
When we think of plastic surgery procedures we most often have the latest, most cutting edge procedures in mind, where the skilled plastic surgeon can restore functionality to a suffering patient or erase the visible signs of the aging process. We hear of constant advancements in the field of plastic surgery and the popularity of plastic surgery procedures drives medical research in the area forward to achieve better, safer and more aesthetically pleasing results. In a medical area that looks constantly ahead we sometimes forget that plastic surgery has an almost 200 year history in Western medicine and its roots can be traced much further back in the East.
The earliest reference to plastic surgery procedures can be found in an Ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to 3000 BC, describing the repair of a broken nose. Ancient Romans also knew how to utilize plastic surgery techniques as recorded by Roman scholar Aulus Cornelius Celsus in the first century. Reparative methods were also used in India as early as 800 BC and cataract surgeries, aimed at helping patients restore their sight, were also performed from the 6th century BC. It is this revolutionary work in the field of plastic surgery that was carried out by Indian healers that was first recorded in writing and can be viewed as a set of detailed medical descriptions in its own right. The original Sanskrit texts were soon translated to Arabic and spread across the Asian continent and Europe during the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 AD. The first Europeans who made use of these early plastic surgery techniques were the Italian Branca family in Sicily.
Compared to the East, Western medical practice lagged behind in the field of plastic surgery (and surgery in general). The earliest record of plastic surgery in the West dates back to 1794 when the British Gentleman’s Magazine published an article on the innovative rhinoplasty procedures of Indian medics. It was on the wings of this article that Englishman Joseph Constantine Carpue, a popular lecturer in anatomy and a skilled surgeon travelled to India to devote 20 years of his life studying the traditional Indian rhinoplasty method which involved using a piece of skin taken from the patient’s forehead to form a nose. Upon his return to England Carpue performed the first plastic surgery procedure of the West – a rhinoplasty using ancient Indian techniques. Carpue’s patient was a soldier whose nose has been destroyed by a previous mercury treatment. Carpue was so stunned by the success of the operation that when the bandages were removed from the patient’s nose he reportedly exclaimed: “My God, there is a nose.” Though the surgery was widely proclaimed an overwhelming success it is painful to imagine what Carpue’s patient must have endured during a surgery that did not include any anesthesiology (in the modern sense of that word).
Another great innovator in the field of plastic surgery was Karl Ferdinand von Graefe, a German surgeon who became director of the ophthalmological institute at the University of Berlin in the early 1800s. Graefe was also inspired by the soldiers who often suffered terrible injuries and needed reconstructive plastic surgery to drastically improve their quality of life. Graefe performed several rhinoplasty procedures and is generally recognized as the founder of German rhinoplastic surgery. He also performed the first corrective surgery on a cleft palate patient and experimented with eyelid surgery. Though Graefe’s contribution to plastic surgery is immense, it is worth pointing out that he was very much a man of his time. It was Graefe who coined the term “plastic” in relation to reconstructive surgery, taking it from the Greek word for giving form (plastikos).
As anesthesia techniques and hygiene practices developed during the late 19th century, an American surgeon, John Orlando Roe performed the first non-reconstructive nose job. This was a significant step for the history of plastic surgery as up until that point all plastic surgery procedures were aimed at restoring functionality and were much less concerned with the physical appearance of the patient. Following in Roe’s footsteps, Germans surgeon Eugen Hollander is believed to be the first doctor ever to perform a purely cosmetic face lift. In 1901 Hollander was the first to cut the skin around and under the ears to smooth out any lines or wrinkles.
In an unfortunate twist of fate it was the two World Wars of the twentieth century that brought the most advances to the field of plastic surgery. The terrible injuries suffered by WWI patients spurred surgeons to seek innovative medical solutions and it was during this time that plastic surgeons formed their first professional associations and boards. The horrors of WWII meant further advances for plastic surgery; most famously it was during this time that extensive skin burns were first treated with skin grafts. These methods were further refined and finally integrated into the classical canon of plastic surgery and from the 1960s onwards plastic surgery was marketed to patients looking to improve their appearance and erase the signs of aging.
Dr. Warren Lent is a double board certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who makes use of all the latest technologies and innovations in plastic surgery to make his patients’ experiences as painless and comfortable as possible. He is available for consultation on all forms of plastic surgery at his office in Beverly Hills.
Age Concerns in Plastic Surgery
One of the most frequently raised concerns that troubles plastic surgery patients is whether their age increases the risk of complications for their chosen plastic surgery procedure. This concern is completely understandable, especially since Beverly Hills plastic surgery patients tend to opt for procedures more often as they age. More
Breast implants – Silicone vs Saline
When considering breast implants there are two general types of implants that patients can choose from. The silicone implant has a silicone shell and is pre-filled with silicone gel which is designed to be as similar as possible to human breast tissue so that the result is closer to a natural look. The saline implant also has a silicone shell but it is filled during plastic surgery with saline solution which is essentially salt water. Both implants are used extensively in plastic surgery procedures and they both have their pros and cons that prospective patients need to consider before undergoing plastic surgery. More