Total Body Surgical Blog

The next few weeks I will be covering, in this blog, my philosophy and approach to common skin problems.  I hope this will be helpful to some of you. As a cosmetic surgeon, we see these problems commonly.

For a good laugh with a little ring of truth. 

http://youtu.be/byTMPyzq7O8

What are the causes of skin damage, pigment issues and other skin problems?  The answer to that question is fairly complex.  We do know some of the answers but certainly do not know them all.  First of all.....exposure.

Have you ever seen a new car that was wrecked and then left out in the elements???  Over time, the paint becomes dull, faded, and if you rub it, it comes off on your finger.  This is called oxidation.  The same thing happens to our skin over time.  Elements in the air.... pollutants, and sun work on the skin from the outside making it less youthful.  The other factor that works on the skin is what we put IN our body.  To use the car analogy, if water gets into the metal under the paint, you get rust from the inside.

So, all analogies aside, our skin is effected by exposure and what we eat.  There are 3 or 4 main problems that people complain about related to their skin:  First is wrinkles...these are caused by the skin adapting, over time, to motion of the underlying muscle.  Add this to the aging process where our bodies produce less collagen (the substance that gives our skin strength) and less elastin (the substance that gives our skin elastic qualities).  This process goes on even when we remove all of the other variables unfortunately and actually has been proven to start in the late 20's age group which is not considered old to me.  These wrinkles are very predictable.  They occur between the eyes (the elevens), around the eyes (crows feet), across the forehead, and around the mouth.  They are created by frowning, squinting, pursing the lips, and elevating the brow.  The second problem people complain about are pigment issues....brown and red "spots".  These are caused by changes in pigment production and areas of blood vessel changes in the skin, usually related to UV (sun) exposure.  The third problem is "sagging" of the skin.  This is again related to loss of collagen and skin elasticity but is contributed to by loss of underlying support structures, i.e. facial fat.  The fourth problem people complain of is the developement of "lesions" or rough areas that may or may not be pre-cancerous.

In the next blogs I plan to cover these issues one by one and give you some ideas on how to deal with them.

Come see us at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical for your skin care concearns.

Remember to check out our Breast augmentation and hair removal specials too!!!

http://www.totalbodysurgical.net/breast-aumentationact-now/Default.aspx?utm_campaign=Grand-on-GRAND&utm_source

-Laser services

Well.....things have changed!!  Thank God!!  What has changed is advancement in ultrasound and laser technology.  Stripping was done to remove the vein that was causing the problem.  The laser heat seals and closes the vein accomplishing the same result without any of the downside.  The procedure is done in the office under mild sedation, patients walk in and are required to walk 30 minutes after the procedure.  The down time is minimal and I require patients to wear stockings for 2 weeks after avoiding strenuous activity. Large varicosities are removed through very small punctures in the office as well with no stitches and after a short time, essentially no sign of surgery. In most cases, if symptomatic and the ultrasound proves disease, insurance will cover this part of the treatment. Spider veins are then treated with sclerotherapy which usually is not covered by insurance but is very affordable. Afterwards, legs are nearly as good as new and usually none of the pain persists. Best of all you can take advantage of all the summer fashions. The success rate is around 80-90%....very good.

Come see us at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical and get a great deal on cosmetic sclerotherapy after Laser ablation!!

Choosing Breast implants 2.0....

Very funny huh!! Problem is, most women stress about how to pick implants. There are many questions that must be answered before making a life altering decision. Questions that you should ask are:

1. Saline or silicone, what are the risks and benefits?

2. Approach, how should I have the implants placed?

3. Size and how they will look IN me?

4. Price, how much can I afford?

5. Recovery, how long will it take?

6. Implant warranties....what are they?

7. Should I place the implants above or below the muscle?

8. Do I need a Breast lift? 

At Total Body Surgical we have a check list that we cover with every patient to cover all of these questions and more. I will answer the questions in a short fashion here but you should ask your Doctor as his or her opinions may differ.

1. Saline or Silicone....I like them both. Some women prefer the feel of silicone as they think they look and feel "more Natural". Some women have a fear of silicone. I let them feel both, explain the cost difference and let them decide. I cover what I have discussed in previous blogs about the implants.

2. Approach.....we do them all. Silicone can be placed around the nipple, under the breast, through the arm pit. Saline can be placed through all of these approaches and through the belly button as well. I prefer the arm pit as I can use creases in the skin that heal well and are concealed leaving no scar on the breast. I let you decide however.

3. Size. As explained before, we let you help choose. I will give you a range based on the size of your chest and let you try them on. My bias is this...if a Doctor tells you he will decide based on experience what looks best for you....don't walk....run from his office. This is an important decision that you should be involved in. You try on clothes don't you????

4. Price. Saline implants are usually about $1000 cheaper than saline. This is because they are more expensive to make, and carry more liability for the manufacturer. In my office, it is up to you to choose. I explain the benefits of each and you try them on. Unless you want a high profile implant, you decide based on look and feel. High profile implants are a bit different as I feel that the silicone have a far superior look.

5. Recovery. Recovery is usually a few days. I like for you to be careful lifting or raising your arms for around 2 weeks but pain is minimal after the first 3 days if you have any at all. The implants will find their home after about 1-3 months if under the muscle and shorter if above.

6.  Implant warranties, what about them?  Both of the major manufacturers will cover the cost of the implant if there is a mechanical failure due to a manufacturers defect.  This does not pay for the surgery to replace them.  They both do have a very inexpensive insurance policy that will cover this cost for 10 years.  The implants are also covered for 10 years.

7. Above or below the muscle. I usually put them below the muscle. I put them below with saline, always to avoid seeing the implant or ripples in the implant. I put silicone above the muscle in women with a slight bit of droop of the nipple.

8. Do I need a lift?? The answer to that question is complicated. Usually if you look at the fold under the breast where it attaches to the chest wall and the nipple is above this fold, you probably won't need a lift, if below, you may. However, there are other factors involved that you will need to consult your physician about.

These are the most commonly asked questions.  Hope this helps.  Breast augmentation is a very personal event.  You should have a big say in how it is done.  One of the biggest problems I see is when a girl comes in with a centerfold picture and her body is very different.  This is an expectation that cannot be fulfilled.  BE REALISTIC!! 

Come see me at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical.  Our spring introductory offer is:

Call 918-786-7780 now for and appointment.

Dr. Jeff Swetnam of INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical

Here is the newest (or maybe oldest) form of breast augmentation.

 WHAT!!!!!

Don't believe it.....I don't either.  If all you had to do is think about breasts to make them bigger, most guys would have Triple D's!!

The last week in this blog, we discussed the different types of commercially available breast implant materials.  The natural types that are now being touted are fat grafting.  Some people are having great results with this and we are too.  However, it can be somewhat unpredictable and you have to have liposuction to get the fat.  Some women have so little fat that it is impossible to get enough to make a difference.

The time honored and gold standard is the breast implant.  These can be placed through several approaches, quickly, and with very predictable results.  Please see previous blogs and videos to get the facts on implants that are currently on the market.

My philosophy is to give you the size and shape that YOU want.  I hear stories all the time about Doctors that give their patients the size and shape that he or she feels will "fit them the best" and most of these women are too big or too small.

The way implants are sized is by the shape and size of the chest wall we are trying to fit.  You would not pull a semi truck into your garage at home now would you....  We don't worry about cc's as much as we are concerned with matching your anatomy and the look you want.  When you come for a consult at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical we will measure first, then allow you to try on a range of implants that match your body, put on shirts that you want to wear and allow YOU to decide.  Bring friends, significant others, or husbands to help you.  The girls in the office can also give their opinions if you like. 

We hope you will come see us for a complimentary consultation.

918-786-7780

Now through June, breast augmentations are starting at $3699.00.  Look GRAND on Grand this summer!!