Terms to Know before your Breast Augmentation in San Diego

Before undergoing breast augmentation San Diego women should be familiar with some of the common terms we use. This will help you feel more comfortable before the procedure, as well as feel more informed about the surgery itself.

Areola: This is the darker area surrounding the raised nipple on the breast. When you hear reference to a periareolar incision, this means the incision follows the outline of the areola to make it less conspicuous.

Axillary: The area where the arm meets up with the body, or the armpit area. A transaxillary incision during augmentation is one made in the armpit in order to allow implant insertion without any incisions on the breasts themselves.

Bilateral: Includes both right and left breasts.

Breast Envelope: This is the subcutaneous tissue and covering skin which give your breasts their shape.

Capsular Contracture: The formation of excessive scar tissue around the implant to the point of rigidity and painfulness.

Dropping: Also sometimes called fluffing, this refers to the point in recovery at which the implants settle into a more natural placement.

Inframammary Crease: This is the natural crease which runs under the breast. An inframammary incision is placed within this crease to reduce visibility.

Submuscular: This refers to the placement of the implant below the muscle. A full submuscular placement indicates that the implant will be under the muscle entirely.

Surgical Center Accreditation for Plastic Surgeons

The three-suite surgery center at Alexander Cosmetic Surgery has earned accreditation from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), so our patients know they will be receiving the gold standard in patient care.

AAAASF accreditation requires several factors. Established in 1980, the primary mission of the organization is to ensure consistently high standards for patient care and safety in an ambulatory surgical facility. In order to achieve accreditation:

• Surgeons must have hospital privileges for all procedures that may be performed

• Anesthesiologists must be used in order to provide a full range of anesthesia options

• The surgical environment must meet or exceed to hospital safety standards

• Peer review and data tracking be conducted regularly in order to ensure continued accreditation The equipment, operating room, surgeon and staff must all meet stringent standards that are set forth by the AAAASF in order to achieve accreditation. Continued review and regular protocol updates are necessary to maintain that stamp of approval.

Choosing a plastic surgeon in San Diego who uses ambulatory surgical facilities which are not accredited may affect your safety during surgery. The risk is simply not worth the ability to save a few dollars. Instead, look for AAAASF accreditation as part of the surgeon screening process, and have peace of mind that you will be receiving top-tier care.

Why We Use VASER® Liposuction

There are many techniques available for San Diego liposuction patients. At Alexander Cosmetic Surgery, our choice is VASER® Liposuction. There are several different benefits to using this specific liposuction method over others:

• VASER® Liposuction uses ultrasound technology, transmitting sound energy through fat to quickly liquefy the fat cells.

• Patients who receive VASER® liposuction can see improved skin retraction compared to traditional liposuction techniques.

• The use of ultrasound makes the liposuction process less invasive and less painful, which means a faster and easier recovery time.

In traditional liposuction, the surgical wand that is passed under the skin (known as a cannula) must be moved vigorously back and forth to break up and suction the fat cells. This vigorous action causes trauma to the surrounding tissues, especially the connective tissue along with nerves and blood vessels. Following traditional lipo, it is not uncommon for patients to report feeling sore and seeing heavy bruising during the recovery process.

At Alexander Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego, the VASER® liposuction method produces far less trauma to the tissues surrounding the fat cells. Since the ultrasound waves break up the fat cells more quickly, greater precision is possible, and with a less invasive technique. Previously hard-to-target areas are much easier to treat with VASER® liposuction. Patients see less bruising, experience less pain and heal more quickly, all while seeing better and more consistent results than if traditional liposuction had been chosen.

La Jolla Plastic Surgery for Men

From what we’ve seen at our practice in La Jolla, Plastic Surgery for male patients is on the rise. Men make up a growing percentage of our liposuction patients, and facial plastic surgery in particular is increasingly popular among men. These procedures in particular are seeing the most interest:

• Facial Implants: Men are requesting cheek and chin implants in order to give their faces more masculine angularity and definition.

• Eyelid Surgery: An eyelid lift helps men look younger and more alert, which can be invaluable in today’s competitive workforce and image-conscious society.

• Facelift: A facelift can take years off your appearance, helping male patients look as young as they feel. This procedure is often combined with a neck lift to address drooping jowls.

• Facial Liposuction: Removing fatty deposits from the face and neck can reveal a more chiseled jaw line, further reducing signs of aging.

There are so many face and body procedures that can benefit men. Plastic surgery options are available to reduce love handles, add a more masculine look to your aging face and body, and help your outside appearance match your inner energy level. Restoring a more youthful look to your appearance can also help you remain active and vital within the workplace.

The Difference between Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Every now and then we get questions about the differences between the terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” from our patients in San Diego Cosmetic surgery isn’t quite the same thing as plastic surgery. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, this really isn’t accurate. So what exactly is the difference?

• Plastic surgery is performed in order to reconstruct areas of the face or body that are injured, damaged or malformed. Examples would include correction of birth defects, mitigation of physical trauma, or treatment of burns or degenerative diseases that cause physical deformity. Plastic surgeons have chosen this surgical specialty in order to correct abnormal physical appearance and make it closer to normal, or to help restore normal physical function to the affected area. 

• Cosmetic surgery is focused more on enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the body, and as a result, most cosmetic surgery procedures are elective rather than medically necessary. Examples include breast augmentation, liposuction or facelift. Even rhinoplasty (a nose job) is considered cosmetic if performed for purely aesthetic reasons and not to correct a physical issue. Cosmetic surgery can be performed nearly anywhere on the body, depending on the patient’s wishes.

In addition to the basic differences outlined above, the training requirements for plastic and cosmetic surgeons are also different. While any medical doctor can perform cosmetic procedures, becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon requires specific post-doctoral training and experience in plastic surgery techniques. Board-certified plastic surgeons have advanced training that can help them create very attractive cosmetic surgery results.

Breast Augmentation: Understanding the Costs

It’s important to understand the costs of your breast enlargement procedure after receiving pricing information from our clinic in San Diego. Breast augmentation , like other surgical procedures, involves the coordination of several medical services, each having its own fee structure. There are several items which may be included in your initial quote:

• Medical Tests: Basic tests may be needed to ensure that the patient is healthy enough for surgery.

• Anesthesia Fees: The anesthesiologist is paid separately from the surgeon.

• Surgeon’s Fee: This is the cost the surgeon the surgeon charges to perform your procedure.

• Operating Room & Supplies: There is a fee to cover the use of the operating room and the supplies which are used during the procedure, such as the implants themselves as well as gauze, sutures and other items required for surgery.

• Prescriptions: There may also be costs associated with any medications needed following surgery, such as painkillers or antibiotics to protect you from possible infection.

Your quote from Alexander Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego for your breast augmentation will include a full list of related expenses, so you’ll never have to worry about hidden costs. Although it may look like a lot of numbers stacking up, we are committed to making sure our prices remain competitive. Also, remember that we offer financing plans to help make your procedure more affordable.

Male Plastic Surgery for More Defined Features

Men in search of a La Jolla plastic surgeon don’t just want to look younger anymore. In fact, there are several procedures for men to help them look more handsome and masculine.

RHINOPLASTY
One of the most popular procedures our practice performs for men is a rhinoplasty, often called nose surgery or a ‘nose job.’ While a change in the shape of your nose can drastically impact your looks, it’s important to choose an experienced surgeon for this delicate procedure. Often, just a millimeter or two can make a big difference between an OK result and a truly satisfying outcome. The nose and chin should stay in proportion with each other to give an attractive look of symmetry, both in frontal and side views of the face.

CHIN IMPLANT
In men, the preferred facial contour and shape is quite different from what women want. For example, men usually prefer a sharper jaw line for masculine definition, and a more prominent chin. A chin implant can bring new definition to the facial features, creating a pleasing result that is still completely masculine. Like rhinoplasty, however, it’s still important to retain balanced proportions.

MALE vs. FEMALE
When performing plastic surgery for men, there are unique challenges compared to women. For example, male facial hair requires extra attention to incision placement so as not to visibly affect hair growth. Skin also ages with more elasticity on men than it does on women, allowing for faster recovery in the event of a facelift or neck lift. The goal for men is to achieve an angular, muscular appearance. An experienced plastic surgeon will understand these differences, and be able to give you chiseled, handsome results.