1. Your First Breast Surgery May Not Be Your Last Breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime. About 25% of women may need revision or replacement after roughly 10 years. Over time, a “scar shell” (capsular contracture) may form around the implant, altering its shape and necessitating a revision. Weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and changes in personal preference are also common reasons for additional surgeries. 2. The Cost Varies (Around $5,000 and Up) A typical breast augmentation procedure can start around $5,000. However, fees for anesthesia, facility use, and other materials can raise the overall cost. Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different; some patients may only need implants, while others may also need a lift to achieve their desired results. Pro Tip: Never bargain-shop for cosmetic surgery. Your body’s health and safety are worth prioritizing over cost alone. 3. Recovery Time Is Relatively Short Most patients require four to seven days off work for initial recovery. Many feel well enough to resume non-strenuous duties after about a week. That said, individual experiences vary, and placing implants under the chest muscle can cause more post-operative discomfort. Always follow your surgeon’s guidance on activity restrictions and pain management. 4. You Can “Try On” Different Implant Sizes During a consultation, you can experiment with various implant sizes by wearing a specialized surgical bra. This helps you visualize how different volumes look and feel. However, there are physical limitations: jumping from a very small cup to a very large implant may not be feasible or safe for every individual. Key Point: Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who will prioritize your health and safety over simply achieving a dramatic look. 5. Breast Augmentation Can Affect Breastfeeding Choosing implants placed under the muscle often reduces interference with breast tissue, making breastfeeding complications less likely. Incision location also matters—peri-areolar incisions may disrupt more milk ducts than inframammary incisions. Keep in mind that even without surgery, breastfeeding challenges can occur in any mother. 6. Nipple Sensation May Change Because every body is different, your post-surgery nipple sensation may be temporarily diminished, heightened, or altered. Most of the time, sensation returns to normal over time, but there’s no guarantee. Your surgeon can discuss incision placement and implant type to mitigate this concern. 7. Smoking Increases Surgical Risks If you smoke, you significantly increase the risk of complications after surgery. Nicotine reduces blood flow to healing tissues, which can lead to poor wound healing. Quitting smoking—ideally well before your procedure—promotes safer, more effective recovery. 8. Not All Plastic Surgeons Are Board-Certified Check your surgeon’s credentials carefully. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or another reputable board. Board-certified surgeons undergo rigorous training and are held to higher standards of safety and ethics. 9. Exercise Restrictions Are Temporary High-intensity workouts—like push-ups, pull-ups, CrossFit, or heavy weightlifting—are generally off-limits for the early stages of recovery. Most patients can gradually return to full exercise within 5–10 weeks, depending on individual healing. 10. Consultation Fees Are Often Worthwhile A cosmetic surgery consultation is highly personalized. Your surgeon invests time reviewing your goals, body type, medical history, and more. This thorough approach fosters better communication, realistic expectations, and a high level of care. Consider consultation fees an investment in your overall experience and outcome. Final Thoughts Cosmetic breast surgery can be life-changing. Understanding the procedure, potential risks, and aftercare is crucial for setting realistic expectations and achieving the results you want. Always prioritize safety by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following their pre- and post-operative instructions.
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BBL Post-Op Protocol
Activity: Walking Day 0 Sitting: No Sitting For 6 Weeks BBL Pillow Given At The Pre-Op Appointment Used For Full 6 Weeks (Many Patients Use Longer) Massage: Starting Post-Op Day 1 Compression Garment: 3 Weeks 23 Hours Per Day 3 Weeks 12 Hours Per Day Foam
Post-Chemical Peel Recommendations
Things to avoid and what is encouraged post-peel. Avoid: Retinol products for 5-7 days Excessive sweating Sun exposure Saunas Swimming pools/Jacuzzis/or the ocean. Encouraged: Moisturize & hydrate Wear SPF 30 or higher Wash with cold water Use gentle skin care Listen to your peel provider.
How to Start Using Retinol in Your Beauty Routine
While introducing retinol into your beauty routine might seem intimidating, it’s actually relatively simple as long as you follow a few simple steps! Apply at Night Retinol should always be applied at night. It’s especially sensitive to light, which is why it’s kept in dark packaging or packaging that doesn’t let any light through. In order to avoid unnecessary sun damage, only ever apply retinol before you go to bed. Start Slow One of the most common mistakes people make when starting to use retinol is using it every single night. For many people, that’s far too often, especially as your skin adjusts! To acclimate your skin to the retinol, start using it twice a week (every three days) in the evenings. If you aren’t experiencing any redness or flakiness the next day, you can bump it up to every other day—and then even every day if your skin can handle it. Use Pea-Size Amount Another common mistake people make is to use way too much product. With retinol, a little goes a long way, so you really only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face! Mix It Up One tip to help your skin adjust to retinol is to mix your retinol with your face moisturizer and then apply it to your skin. This allows the retinol to be a little gentler on your skin, which is great if you have sensitive skin. Over time, you could transition to applying the retinol directly to your skin with no moisturizer. Another option is to first apply your moisturizer as a barrier to your face, and then apply your retinol on top of that. Monitor Dryness As you start using retinol and slowly increase how often you use it, you should monitor how dry and flaky your skin gets. That is often one of the side effects of retinol, especially in the first few weeks. As your skin acclimates to the treatment, you will notice the redness and flakiness decrease, which is a sign that you can increase the frequency of application if you so desire. Give it Time Retinol is not an overnight solution to your skin concerns. In fact, you likely won’t see any major results for 12 weeks, which is the amount of time typically recommended to consistently use the product. Retinol will give you great results over time, so don’t give up if you don’t see results in the first week!
VASER Liposuction- Your Questions Answered
You are at a comfortable weight. Despite a healthy diet and an exercise routine, you still have pockets or areas of stubborn fat. VASER Liposuction is a type of liposuction that breaks apart fat cells and loosens them from deeper tissues so that fat can be removed. VASER is an acronym for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. This ultrasound technology uses powerful ultrasonic waves to break apart the fat cells. VASER liposuction can target any of the following areas: abdomen, arms, chest, back, chin, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Depending on the area treated either general or local anesthesia is required. A tumescent fluid will be injected into the targeted area. Then ultrasound probes will be inserted into the skin through a tiny incision to break up the fatty tissue. The fatty tissue will start to break apart and a cannula will be inserted to vacuum out the fat cells and the fluid. VASER liposuction is a low-risk procedure. However, some common side effects include: persistent swelling, pain/aching, bruising/bleeding, asymmetry, loose skin, and infection. After VASER liposuction your body will look bruised and swollen and you will not be able to see the results right away. It takes time for your body to heal. Your body will weep fluid for a few days and you will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce the swelling. Recovery time is different for each person, most people can expect to see the best results between 3-6 months after their procedure. Most people need several days of rest to recover. Results from VASER liposuction can be permanent, however, it is important that you continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise routine so your body does not regain unwanted fat cells. VASER liposuction is not a weight-loss tool. This procedure is for people who are trying to target stubborn fat areas. To find out if VASER liposuction is right for you please call us to book a consultation 912.681.3330.