Sunday, May 1, 2011

What To Expect When Recovering From Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation is surgery. Many people don't realize how serious this--or any other--surgery is. Both physicians and patients sometimes ignore the possible side effects and risks in their anticipation to achieve a new look. Fortunately, complications are extremely rare. Yet you should be aware of what to expect during your recovery period. Keep these things in mind both before and after your surgery:

Healthy Women are Less Likely to Experience Problems

If you're in good overall health before surgery, you should recover the quickly and with only minor pain. However, if you have a history of bleeding or clotting disorders, high blood pressure or diabetes, any other chronic condition, you may experience more problems, including delayed wound healing. Too many people forget that good health brings even more good health; poor health increases your risk for more poor health.

Follow Your Surgeon's Instructions

Every surgeon provides detailed post-operative recovery instructions, follow those instructions which are customized just for you. Your doctor will tell you what activities to avoid and how long to avoid them. He or she will explain how to change the dressing and how to clean the incisions.

Check for Swelling, Redness and Signs of Infection

Make notes about any new or increased inflammation, increases in redness, or swelling around the incision. Be cautious for these signs of possible infection. Antibiotics are sometimes required after breast augmentation. Be sure that the edges of your wounds remain together and report any separation of the wound edges to your doctor.

Rest & Relax

If you want to recover from your breast augmentation recovery as quickly as possible, rest! Too many people go back to work too quickly or engage in restricted activities immediately. Your body has undergone a massive change and needs recovery time. Arrange for a friend or family member to help you with everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning. An initial period of moderate rest early in your post-operative recovery period will speed your healing and greatly reduce pain.

Take a Long View

Take care of the incisions. Remember that some people are genetically predisposed to form more scar tissue than others. But if you take proper care of yourself and your incisions, your post-op lines should fade dramatically. Within six months, you should be able to see only small white lines to remind you of the origin of new beautiful body. Breast augmentation is about your long-term happiness and it takes time to enjoy the full effects of your surgery.

You May Need Pain Pills for a While

Post-operative pain may need to be managed with prescription painkillers. Your physician will be able to provide a prescription if heat or cold packs fail to give enough relief. You will typically only need to take the pain killers between 3 - 7 days.

If you have end up having concerns about how you are feeling, healing and/or the appearance of your breasts, your post-operative visits with your surgeon are the best forum to discuss and address all of these concerns.

San Diego Anti-Aging and Cosmetic Surgery is committed to maintaining our reputation as the experts in the Cosmetic surgery, Anti-aging and Weight Loss Fields. We intend to be the first to introduce innovative aesthetic therapies as they are developed. But what we're most proud of is the quality of our person-to-person service. We specialize in San Diego Breast Augmentation and San Diego Liposuction. our mission is to deliver the greatest results...at a great value!

Note: Please feel free to reproduce this article elsewhere if you wish, as long as all links remain intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diego_Mitchell


View the original article here

Why Selphyl, The Vampire Facelift, Is Promising

No sooner has the cosmetic industry been abuzz about the controversial Stem Cell Facelift, along comes Selphyl, a natural form of facial volumizing procedure that purports not only to fill in hollow areas of the face but to actually stimulate the growth of new collagen - for 12 months - or permanently.

Selphyl, also nicknamed the "Vampire Facelift," is a cosmetic procedure that uses a person's own blood platelets to restore facial volume where it is needed. In addition, it claims to "jumpstart" the collagen-making process which is the major underpinning of a youthful looking complexion.

During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient's arm. The blood is put in a centrifuge which isolates the blood platelets which are further processed, resulting in a final substance called Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM). This super-charged blood filler, rich in healing and reviving properties, are injected into hollow areas under the eyes, cheeks, naso-labial folds and other areas that need volume and lift.

There are huge implications and advantages to the Selphyl procedure:

1. Because the filler is made up of a person's own blood, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction;

2. The immediate results are more subtle than artificial fillers. This makes it desirable to patients who do not wish a "done" look.

3. As time passes, the immediate results get better and better. The final effect is usually seen after several weeks, during which time the injected PRFM works gradually to revive the collagen-growing and rebuilding functions of the skin and tissue.

4. Selphyl is more financially economical in the long run. Unlike artificial fillers that normally only last 6 to 9 months, the results from Selphyl last about 12 months. There is strong belief that the results could be permanent, although this is yet to be proven since the treatment is relatively new.

It should be noted though that this technology has been in use by doctors for quite some time now to promote the healing of cartilage during orthopedic surgery. In 2002, the FDA approved Fibrinet, the machine that processed the blood platelets for this procedure. Today, it is this same technology that is being employed off label for facial rejuvenation, to the delight of many patients who claim to be satisfied with the gradual and "not done" improvement that they see in their faces.

To date, there are only about 300 doctors in the United States who perform the Selphyl procedure. The treatment, which costs anywhere from $1000 to $1500, requires only one session.


View the original article here

Winter Time Breast Augmentation

January and February are cold and dark. You have shopped for your new bathing suit and are dreaming of the summer sun. Get in shape for your beach vacation with breast augmentation surgery.

Getting the surgery during the winter months can prove a positive decision. You are able to take more time to recover, relax in the warmth of your home and have plenty of time to get ready for bathing suit season.

The winter is always a good time to take off of work. You have gotten over the post-holiday slump and will need a final pick-me-up before the summer months. When you schedule a breast augmentation surgery, be prepared to take anywhere from a few to several days off of work. Your body will need time to rest and recover from the surgery.

If its cold and damp outside, you won't feel at all guilty about lying on the couch or in bed reading as you recover. The dark days will encourage you to sleep and relax. When you get the surgery, your doctor will help you understand the kind of resting required to heal properly. For example, you will not be able to lift heavy objects. Caring for children can be difficult so you will need to arrange for help if you have a baby or small toddler that needs to be held.

Right after your surgery your breasts and chest will likely be swollen. This is just a sign that the body is trying to recover from the surgery. Your new breasts are adjusting to the added fluid and material. Your body is fighting and working to recognize your new implants and this can be a painful time. Your breasts will be tender to the touch and you won't want to put any pressure on the implant or the sutures.

Once you are off of bed rest and back to the office, you can imagine that wintertime would be easier for your post breast augmentation surgery wardrobe. You won't want to wear anything too tight. This could rub the sutures or put unwanted pressure on the breasts. Wintertime will prove handy because you can pull out your baggy sweaters and jackets. Your doctor may tell you to be very careful with bras. In fact when possible, you should opt for a camisole instead.

After a few weeks, your body will be almost fully adjusted to the new breasts and you will be able to start thinking about scheduling your next vacation. This one won't be spent lying on the couch recovering from breast augmentation surgery. You will be able to plan your trip to a warm climate for some fun in the sun and sand. If you bought a bathing suit prior to getting the enhancement, you may need to trade in the top for a larger size. Have fun!


View the original article here

Zeltiq - A Non-Surgical Alternative To Liposuction

Approved by the FDA last year, Zeltiq, also called CoolSculpting, is a new cosmetic procedure that many perceive as a noninvasive alternative to liposuction. The Zeltiq method makes use of a clamp-like device with two gel patches attached to it. Unwanted flab is clamped between the two patches, a technique which cause the fat cells in the body to freeze and die, becoming absorbed by the body over time.

Professionals in the field claim that Zeltiq is backed by the science of Cryolipolysis, or in layman's terms, the decomposition of fat caused by freezing. The theory is that the fat cells under the skin are less resilient to the cold and will die before any other surrounding cells do; thus, the skin is protected during the procedure. Although no independent research has yet to be conducted, the company reports fat reduction percentages of up to 40% in the treated area.

The results of the procedure are not immediate since the frozen fat cells are processed by the body over a period of several months. Depending on the patient maintaining a regular routine of diet and exercise, the results can be permanent. Because the procedure can only freeze off existing fat, not prevent new fat cells from being stored, the long-term benefits of the procedure rests entirely with the individual.

Cosmetic surgeons do not recommend the procedure for patients who are significantly overweight and say that it does not replace a healthy active lifestyle as the primary means of weight loss. According to body contouring specialists, the best candidates are those of normal body weight who simply have a stubborn area of flab that will not go away despite diet and exercise. The procedure is most commonly used to freeze away undesirable fat around the stomach or back.

Compared to liposuction, the Zeltiq procedure is much less invasive and requires a fraction of the time and cost. Patients opting for Zeltiq can go back to their normal activities immediately following the procedure whereas the recovery time after liposuction can range from a few weeks or even months.

Patients opting for the Zeltiq method can have the entire procedure completed in the doctor's office within an hour with no anesthesia and minimal side effects such as soreness, redness, or bruising. Patients also report some mild pain and a tugging sensation caused by the cold clamps. This discomfort usually subsides as the area becomes numb due to the cold.

The procedure can be repeated as necessary, but patients must wait at least 60 days before a new treatment can be administered. The cost of each procedure can range from $500 to $2000, depending on the size of the area being treated.


View the original article here

Why Use Anti-Ageing Creams When You Can Have a Simple Course of Botox?

If you want your new anti-ageing cream to sell, claiming that the results are better than Botox is a sure fire way to get people interested. But, while applying a rich cream or serum everyday may suit some, there really is no better way to combat lines and wrinkles than with a course of Botox. Still not convinced? Here's why...

The first thing that may come into your head is cost. Surely buying a good quality face cream is far more inexpensive than getting a course of Botox? Not if you want results. A good quality face cream that is hydrating and rich is the key to softer skin, even Botox experts recommend using a good face cream, but this alone won't prevent and erase the signs of ageing. The best face creams are expensive and don't last as long as you think, therefore a course of Botox will probably work out cheaper for you in the long run, whilst securing you the best results. Nothing else is as effective as Botox when it comes to smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

The reason so many cosmetics companies want to replicate the effects of Botox is because Botox is the quickest, easiest and most effective way to fight the visible signs of ageing.

Botox is a protein that acts on the muscles of the face, causing wrinkles to relax and therefore smooth out. Botox works by relaxing the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The result is muscles that can no longer contract, and so the wrinkles relax and soften. The effects are seen in a matter of days and last for several months after the treatment. Botox works because it is not applied topically. By injecting into the skin and into the problem areas, the creases and lines are smoothed out from within, instead of a cream temporarily filling them in from the outside.

If you are serious about looking younger and improving your skins appearance, then a course of Botox is the answer for you. It is not UK's most popular cosmetic procedure for nothing, and this is because it is suitable for almost everyone, young and old, male and female.

Botox is a quick, non-surgical procedure, you can return home or to work immediately, carrying on with your day as normal. You may also notice slight bruising, which fades quickly. The rejuvenating effects of Botox last for 3-4 months, after which many clients choose to have a top-up treatment. By keeping your skin moisturised and hydrated will prolong the effects of Botox, while also improving the skin's condition. Keeping out of the sun and wearing a high SPF is also beneficial.

If you want to find out more about Botox and why it could be right for you speak to an expert and visit your local Botox clinic for more advice. Always make sure you know the facts before undergoing any treatment and ensure that you look after your skin always, both before and after any treatments.


View the original article here