Mommy makeovers have become routine in modern cosmetic surgery. There are several benefits that a woman can gain when she collaborates with a plastic surgeon who is familiar with the series of procedures that may be involved in a full-body makeover. Often, we hear about a mommy makeover giving a woman back her pre-pregnancy body. At first glance, this can sound like precisely what you want. Looking more closely, you may realize that a mommy makeover can make you look better than you ever have.
Mom, your body has done something amazing. Let’s honor that and your magnificence by redesigning your shape to be all you want it to be. But first, we want to cover some important details.
Preparing Your Body
There is a bit of prep-work that may need to go into a mommy makeover long before the day of surgery. If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery to lift, tighten, and tone, it is beneficial to reach a weight at which you want to stay for the next several years. Ideally, your ideal weight will be maintained for three months before your makeover. This allows your skin ample time to retract on its own and for your body to regulate its metabolic rate so we don’t remove too much or too little fat during liposuction.
Preparing Your Mind
Let’s be honest; a mommy makeover is an intense experience. A single cosmetic procedure can create a bit of emotional turmoil. When we combine multiple procedures, especially ones that alter the appearance of the body so dramatically, it is natural for a woman’s emotions to take a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The first week after surgery, you may not leave your bed very often. You will need help getting to and from the bathroom and into the shower. Someone will need to take care of the kids and the house and the pets. This can be a lot to accept. When you look ahead to your surgery and your recovery, focus on the outcome and on the fact that your need for assistance is only temporary.
Receive friendly care in our Denver office as you transform your body. Call 303-399-7662 to schedule your mommy makeover consultation.
What to Expect After Your Eyelid Lift
Sunday, July 15, 2018
More than 200,000 people have undergone blepharoplasty, or eyelid rejuvenation, each year for the past few years running. The popularity of the eyelid lift is not unfounded in the least. Men and women recognize that aging eyes don’t just make them appear older; heavy eyelids create an unfriendly and fatigued appearance. Blepharoplasty is a straightforward procedure that quickly refreshes the face by merely focusing on the eyes.
Patients who are considering blepharoplasty usually have questions about recovery. Here, we will explain what it is really like to recover from this cosmetic procedure.
Swelling and bruising are the most common side effects after eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Most patients expect this, along with some tenderness and soreness. The fortunate thing about post-surgical swelling and bruising is that these side effects typically only last a few days. Sleeping with the head elevated minimizes fluid accumulation in the surgical area and may decrease the severity of swelling as well as bruising. Cold compresses, applied for twenty-minute sessions, can also aid tissue healing with minimal swelling.
To manage the minor discomfort that follows surgery, patients are encouraged to take prescription pain medication as directed in their post-op instructions. After about a week, it may be possible to transition to over-the-counter medications to remain comfortable. Comfort and other side effects usually decrease quickly over a seven-day period. After this time, most patients can return to most of their normal activities without apparent signs of surgery. It is necessary to postpone more strenuous activities for several more weeks to avoid disrupting the healing process.
Patients are often interested to know how they can prevent scarring after blepharoplasty. In many cases, incisions are made on the inside of the eyelid where they will heal naturally without any assistance. External incisions on the eyelid are made in a discreet place such as the natural crease or the lash line. In these situations, slight redness may be noticed for the first few days after surgery. As tissue heals, the pinkness in scar tissue decreases.
Blepharoplasty recovery tends to follow a general process. However, the extent and duration of side effects will differ from one person to another. Learn more about the eyelid lift performed by Dr. Bershof and how it can help you look refreshed. Call our Denver office at 303-399-7662.
What to Expect After Your Eyelid Lift
More than 200,000 people have undergone blepharoplasty, or eyelid rejuvenation, each year for the past few years running. The popularity of the eyelid lift is not unfounded in the least. Men and women recognize that aging eyes don’t just make them appear older; heavy eyelids can also create an unfriendly and fatigued appearance. Blepharoplasty is a straightforward procedure that quickly refreshes the face by merely focusing on the eyes.
Patients who are considering blepharoplasty often have questions about recovery. Here, we will explain what it is really like to recover from this cosmetic procedure.
Swelling and bruising are the most common side effects after eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Most patients expect this, along with some tenderness and soreness. The fortunate thing about post-surgical swelling and bruising is that these side effects typically only last a few days. Sleeping with the head elevated minimizes fluid accumulation in the surgical area and may decrease the severity of swelling as well as bruising. Cold compresses, applied for twenty-minute sessions, can also aid tissue healing with minimal swelling.
To manage the minor discomfort that follows surgery, patients are encouraged to take prescription pain medication as directed in their post-op instructions. After about a week, it may be possible to transition to over-the-counter medications to remain comfortable. Comfort and other side effects usually decrease quickly over a seven-day period. After this time, most patients can return to most of their normal activities without apparent signs of surgery. It is necessary to postpone more strenuous activities for several more weeks to avoid disrupting the healing process.
Patients are often interested to know how they can prevent scarring after blepharoplasty. In many cases, incisions are made on the inside of the eyelid where they will heal naturally without any assistance. External incisions on the eyelid are made in a discreet place such as the natural crease or the lash line. In these situations, slight redness may be noticed for the first few days after surgery. As tissue heals, the pinkness in scar tissue decreases.
Blepharoplasty recovery tends to follow a general process. However, the extent and duration of side effects will differ from one person to another. Learn more about the eyelid lift performed by Dr. Bershof and how it can help you look refreshed. Call our Denver office at 303-399-7662.
Breast Implant Shapes: Which is Right for You?
Friday, June 15, 2018
The question “which is right for me?” is one of the most frequently asked when discussing just about any cosmetic procedure. Facelift: is the full-lift or the mini-lift right? What type of tummy tuck should I get? When consulting with patients about breast implants, the options get even more in-depth. Which size should I get? Are saline or silicone implants better? What about shape? We didn’t use to have all of these options. Now that we do, we simply have to navigate through them.
Particulars of Teardrop Implants
The teardrop or anatomical breast implant has been designed to replicate the natural curve of the breast. This is a newer implant in which volume is focused at a lower point on the implant rather than symmetrically all around. Because this implant is already shaped, it is made of cohesive silicone that will support this same contouring once the implant is in the breast pocket. When you think of a teardrop breast implant, think “gummy bear,” because this is what a form-stable implant is most likely to feel like.
Details of Round Implants
Most breast augmentation procedures use round breast implants. These structures can be filled with saline or silicone. Whichever fluid is selected, the overall result will be an implant that looks like a small, soft, round pillow. In addition to options for general size, round breast implants may also be personalized in their profile, which will impact how much the breasts project forward after surgery.
Advantages and Differences
The differences between teardrop and round breast implants may make each appropriate for particular situations. For example, anatomical breast implants may be preferred for breast reconstruction procedures. For many augmentation surgeries, though, patients and surgeons agree that round breast implants offer substantial benefits, such as smaller incisions and no risk of rotation.
Learn Which Breast Implant is Right for You
Breast augmentation has been a preferred procedure for several years, transitioning through trends as beautifully as one would expect. Learn more about this procedure and the types of implants that are available today. Call our Denver office at 303-399-7662.
What’s Aging Your Skin?
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
The fact of the matter is we’re all going to age. One day, you’re bound to notice that there are a few lines around your nose and mouth, or around your eyes, or on your forehead. Wherever the signs of aging appear, they can present more frustration than we care to admit. We’ve come to a point in history where aging is something we can treat with surgical and non-surgical methods. Additionally, we have more knowledge about what causes the skin to age. This knowledge is valuable because it can help us postpone aging until the very last minute.
The Uncontrollable
There are several reasons why we may age the way we do. Of a long list, the one factor that is somewhat beyond our control is our genetic background. The body naturally produces enzymes that have an antioxidant effect on cells and damaged DNA. This production of enzymes is inherent to the unique genomes that run through our family lineage.
The Controllable
Luckily, there are more factors in our control than not. These include:
Sun exposure. Research has shown that UV exposure – that means natural sunlight and tanning beds – is responsible for 80% of the aging that shows up on the skin. And that relates to general outdoor time like walking the dog or gardening. Days spent at the pool without adequate sunscreen exacerbate the effects of sun exposure. Bottom line: wear sunscreen.
Sleep deprivation. You know that old saying “you’ll get plenty of sleep when you’re dead”? Well, the mindset that we’ve got to be on Go all the time can do more harm than good. Sleep is vital to immunity, to our mood, and also to our aging process. It is when we reach states of deep sleep that the body produces growth hormones that repair DNA damage, including that which affects the skin.
Alcohol. The idea that red wine offers certain health benefits is not wrong, but it has led to a tad bit of overuse. Red wine, or any type of alcohol poses a risk of dehydration that can show up on the skin. In addition to robbing the skin of vital hydration, alcohol consumption also depletes vitamin A, which negatively impacts collagen production.
Aging is going to happen. Good habits may prolong the appearance of youth and may be perfectly complemented by professional treatments. In our Denver office, a variety of strategies may be found. From chemical peels to injectables to lifting procedures, we have options for all stages of aging. Call 303-399-7662 for more information.
3 Things to Consider Before Cosmetic Surgery
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Hundreds of thousands of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, are performed each year. Judging by these numbers, it is safe to say that many people feel that cosmetic surgery offers far more benefit than it does risk. In fact, modern surgical techniques have not only improved patient outcomes in terms of risk and recovery, but also in regards to overall satisfaction.
At the Plastic Surgery Group, we enjoy helping patients from the Denver area feel confident in their own skin. We understand that the decision to undergo plastic surgery is a big one. Here, we discuss a few of the considerations that can help you feel good about your choice.
What do you really want? The beauty of cosmetic procedures such as a facelift or breast augmentation lies in the finite details. It may be enough to say “I want to look younger,” but a better approach to getting the results you really want may be to take note of the facial features that are causing you to feel preoccupied. For example, do you which your cheekbones were more prominent, or that your eyebrows tilted a certain way? The degree of detailed information discussed with your surgeon ultimately leads to the results you want.
What do you really want? The finite details come into play here, too, because they enable you to determine your reason for wanting plastic surgery. What typically results from cosmetic procedures like a facelift is that the face looks approximately 10 years younger. A procedure like liposuction improves the contours of the body, but will not result in weight loss. Before consulting with a plastic surgeon, get to know your ultimate goal and reason for wanting that goal. This way, we’re best able to help you achieve it. On a side note, it is important to have realistic expectations of cosmetic surgery, and also to choose any given procedure for your own personal reasons. Having cosmetic surgery to please someone else of fit an ideal of what you “should be” doesn’t do much for your overall self-esteem in the end.
Are you sure you’re ready for change? There are very few cosmetic surgery procedures that can be “undone.” When the body is changed in any way, there is more than the excitement and emotional satisfaction of feeling better about your appearance; there is also a need to accept certain responsibilities in order to maintain your results. For example, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to keep the body contours gained through liposuction or abdominoplasty. Smoking is a lifestyle habit that should be dropped before any cosmetic procedure in order to promote optimal cellular regeneration.
We are serious about providing a high standard of care, and we do so in a friendly environment. If you’re ready to discuss the value of cosmetic surgery, we’d love to meet you. Call our Denver office at 303-399-7662 to schedule your consultation.
Liposuction Q&A Part 2
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I am not very overweight but I have bulges on my thighs and hips. Even if I lose some weight, I can’t seem to make some of these areas go away.
You might be an ideal candidate for liposuction. Liposuction is at its best when it is used for sculpturing and contouring those stubborn areas that seem to be resistant to diet and exercise. Women tend to deposit fat around their pelvis, including lower tummy, hips, and thighs. And despite exercise and good eating habits, some of these areas are seemingly diet and exercise resistant. Liposuction can refine your body contour, restore your waistline, slim down your waist, hips and thighs, and help you to feel more confident in clothes.
Liposuction is the number one cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed. It should be performed in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or an accredited surgical facility. Be leery of liposuction preformed in a doctor's office and check credentials of the surgeon.
The key to achieving a patient's desired look is understanding what the patient is hoping for and designing a sound surgical procedure. If you want to know if your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 1-888-4-PLASTIC.
Liposuction Q&A Part 1
What is the difference between tumescent liposuction and ultrasound liposuction? Is one better than the other?
The standard principle of liposuction involves using a cannula to suction out fat from an area of fat burden. Some years ago, tumescent liposuction was developed, which involves instilling the tumescent fluid under pressure into the area to be suctioned. This technique not only improved the results from liposuction but also allowed for larger volumes of fat to be removed.
The ultrasound liposuction technique still involves a variation of the standard cannula and the tumescent technique, but also adds an ultrasound current to the tip of the cannula. The ultrasound current further dissolves fat and probably improves results for certain areas.
What are even more important in liposuction are the skills, experience and artistic judgment of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure. Understanding male vs. female fat distribution, recognizing end points, utilizing different cannula techniques, and sculpturing are far more important issues.
The key to achieving a patient's desired look is understanding what the patient is hoping for and designing a sound surgical procedure. If you want to know if your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 1-888-4-PLASTIC.
Facelift Q&A
When should I consider a facelift?
Although the average age of when a person might undergo a facelift is about 60 or older, more and more people are beginning to consider a facelift in their 50s. Perhaps not surprisingly, many people do not want to wait until the skin is droopy and wrinkly and there are a number of signs of aging before they get a facelift.
Persons who undergo plastic surgery before time and gravity causes signs of aging appear to age more slowly. A facelift, which includes the neck, will lessen deeper folds, give a stronger jaw line without the jowls, and provide for a more youthful neck. Plus, performing a face lift early a person is able to enjoy the benefits of youthfulness during their 50s and 60s, rather than waiting to their 60s or 70s to turn back the clock. An eyelid lift added to a facelift, plus an advanced skin care program, is often an ideal way to turn that clock back 10 or 20 years.
The key to achieving a patient's desired look is understanding what the patient is hoping for and designing a sound surgical procedure. If you want to know if your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 1-888-4-PLASTIC.
Eye Surgery Q&A
My eyes look tired and old and have dark circles. What can I do?
Part of the tired look is when the upper eyelids have excess skin that hangs there. The eyelid fold is poorly defined and it is difficult to place eye makeup. The lower eyelids can bulge due to fat pockets under the skin and the lower lid skin can be wrinkled, with skin that appears dark.
An eyelid lift can help improve most of these findings. An upper lift can remove excess skin and some fat, giving a smoother, youthful look with a better-defined eyelid fold. On the lower eyelid, removal of fat pockets and tightening of the skin can greatly improve the tired, bag look. The dark circles, which are partly due to shadowing are improved with removal of the bags and wrinkles. Some pigmentation changes can be further lightened with skin care products.
The key to achieving a patient's desired look, is understanding what the patient is hoping for and designing a sound surgical procedure. If you want to know if your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 1-888-4-PLASTIC.
Mommy makeovers have become routine in modern cosmetic surgery. There are several benefits that a woman can gain when she collaborates with a plastic surgeon who is familiar with the series of procedures that may be involved in a full-body makeover. Often, we hear about a mommy makeover giving a woman back her pre-pregnancy body. At first glance, this can sound like precisely what you want. Looking more closely, you may realize that a mommy makeover can make you look better than you ever have.
