Preoperative Planning with Computer Simulation

With all of the advancements in plastic surgery procedure techniques and the technology employed, procedures are becoming safer, and surgeons are now able to better predict the results. California plastic surgeon Dr Craig Creasman does exactly that with a new technology for breast augmentation surgery called 4-d Simulation. This technology is aimed at aiding in the pre-operative planning stage of the surgery.

Dr Creasman states"I discuss surgical options with my patients using this new computer imaging, which can demonstrate the changes I would suggest for the changes we would make during the surgery. Using this technology, 4-D images can be obtained in short time, which I then manipulate to give an educated estimate of what might a patients breasts will look like after breast augmentation surgery. This system also allows for more flexibility in the choice of breast implant, which helps to create a more personalized result. "

Though this technology is not a guarantee or warranty of the proposed surgical result, it does help to provide the patient and the surgeon with a visual communication aid. This is important because it allows the patient to give the doctor feedback and allows the surgeon an opportunity to convey to the patient the limitations of what can be done, as well as the possible results. It is very important for the patient to visualize how she will look with the breasts she desires, and this system becomes an educational tool in with which the patient can view the result third-party, rather than just listening to the surgeon visualizing the results while standing in front of a mirror with a breast implant held up to her body.

Gynecomastia Affects Half Of All Men, But Surgery Can Help

Gynecomastia is the proper medical term used to describe irregular breast development in males. Gynecomastia is a condition that affects almost half of males during development and it is a fairly common condition that can occur on either one or both sides of the chest. This condition is the result of extra breast tissue, fat, or both. Usually, gynecomastia develops during a normal phase of development. This condition can happen at the beginning stages of puberty, however in most cases reverts by the age of 20. This condition can also happen during aging in normally healthy males. Other "pathological" causes of gynecomastia can occur, usually due to both a decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone, and an increase in the production of the female hormone estrogen. The use of certain drugs can also contribute to the cause of gynecomastia.

A plastic surgeon will usually treat this condition by reducing the size of the soft tissues by removal of the fatty tissues through a liposuction procedure or through the open removal of the breast's glandular tissues through a tiny incision around the areola. In cases where the patient has excessive amounts of skin, longer incisions are ultimately necessary for the removal of the excess skin and tissue. These longer incisions will also result in a larger scar.

An Under Developed Chin Can Be Corrected Through Surgery

A person with a small chin can appear weak and a small chin can also be the source of teasing and ridicule. A lower jaw that has not properly developed, with an irregular contact of teeth in the upper and lower jaw (a condition known as malocclusion) or an overbite requires a combination of orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery to relocate the entire jawbone forward thereby correcting the imbalance. However, in most cases, the teeth and upper and lower jaw are properly aligned, but the chin has not developed normally. In such cases, major surgery is not necessary. The use of a prosthetic facial implant can result in a very effective correction of this problem. When choosing an implant the correction method, the plastic surgeon will insert the implant through a small incision either under the chin or though an incision in the mouth.

Facial Rejuvenation: The Difference Between Collagen and Dermal Fillers

Cosmoderm (Human Collagen):
Human collagen does not require skin testing prior to treatment. Collagen is injected just under the surface of the skin to help soften the appearance of facial lines. It is also used to enhance the appearance of lips. Results are immediate and last between 2-4 months. Learn more about Collagen Injections.

Hyaluronic Acids:
There are 2 FDA approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers available. They are Restylane® and Juvederm®. Juvéderm™ Ultra and Juvéderm™ Ultra Plus are indicated for injection into the mid to deep dermis for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds). Side effects were usually mild to moderate lasting 7 days or less and included temporary injection site reactions like redness, pain, firmness, swelling and bumps.

The choice of which dermal filler to use is individual. Factors that influence this are: Areas to be treated, depth of wrinkles, skin texture and cost. A combination of dermal fillers and Botox® treatments can be performed at the same time. These options are best determined during a consultation with a skilled, experienced and qualified Plastic Surgeon. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you fully understand your chosen procedure prior to having the procedure. Do not take this step lightly. Proper pre-procedure planning and research can ean the difference between a successful result and a nightmare.