Breast Lifts
July 13th, 2010
Sagging of a woman’s breasts can occur following pregnancy or any dramatic weight gain/loss. True sagging refers to nipple position falling below the crease beneath your breast. The “pencil test” is the way to find out if surgery might be indicated. By placing a pencil beneath your breast where it attaches to you chest and your nipple hangs below the pencil when you sit or stand, then you may need a breast lift. I do not recommend breast lift surgery if nipples are above the crease or at the level of the crease. Breast enlargement is usually sufficient to correct a simple saggy breast shape in most cases. Breast lift surgery repositions the nipple and areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) upwards to a more natural position. This natural position is about one half to three quarters of an inch above the crease. Positioning them higher than this can result in an odd breast appearance. The size of the areola can also be reduced if desired.
Breast enlargement or breast reduction may be considered at the same time as breast lift surgery. Changing the breast size is accomplished through the same incisions made for the breast lift. As with all breast surgery, size is a personal choice. Some surgeons believe that combining breast enlargement with breast lift surgery enhances the final breast shape. This is an option for patients to consider.
Scars from a breast lift are the same as breast reduction surgery and are positioned around the nipple and beneath the breast as well. They are usually easily covered by most swimming suits. Many women can still breast feed following breast lift surgery, if they choose to do so.
Sun Damage Remedies
July 7th, 2010
There was a time when nothing could be done about unsightly brown patches, once referred to as “liver spots or age spots.†We now know that the uneven pigmentation is most often caused by sun damage. In a study conducted by Procter & Gamble, these telltale spots can contribute to raising a person’s perceived age by 15-20 years. Baby boomers were avid sun-worshipers and under educated in the perils of too much sun exposure as we grew up. Now many are suffering the consequences in the form of age spots or hyperpigmentaion, premature wrinkles and even skin cancers.
Today we have various ways to undo some of the skin damage caused by over-exposure to sun. Of course there are many over the counter lotions and potions, but surgical intervention may represent the option that offers the most significant improvement in short order. Anti-aging procedures are often combined to give a more comprehensive rejuvenation. On Peggy’s patient blog last week, she mentioned having Restylane ® and Botox ® injections along with her facelift. By her own admission, she tanned frequently and also smoked, 2 major factors in causing skin aging. I think her “Before and After†(link) photos show a dramatic improvement.
Other surgical remedies for improving sun-damaged skin include chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. These procedures remove varying layers of the skin, minimizing brown spots and fine wrinkles. You end up with younger, smoother-looking skin. Although complete facial rejuvenation is usually only achieved by having a facelift, especially when significant sagging and deep wrinkles are present.
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