Author Archives: Meagan Henderson

Eyelid Surgery Las Vegas

What is Blepharoplasty?

What is Blepharoplasty?

Eye Lid SurgeryYou may have heard the term blepharoplasty and wonder – what on earth is that? Actually, chances are, you haven’t heard of that at all because the common explanation or word for this surgical procedure is an eyelift or eyelid lift. This article will explain more in depth on what to expect from this surgery.

What is a blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty is a procedure in which excess fat pockets and skin are surgically removed from the lower and upper eyelids. There is a trend that states that removing as much skin as possible in people with eyelid changes as well as age-related facial changes end up with conservative surgery and natural looking results. Other approaches include adding volume by grafting fat to the area or laser resurfacing.

When deciding whether or not you would like this surgery, you need a board certified surgeon that focuses on the structures around the eyelid, and not just the eyelid itself. All areas surrounding – such as mid face, eyebrow and cheekbones are necessary to have good and desirable results. If you have droopy eyelids or eyebrows, you will need to address this in a different way if it occurs in the same time. If you have hollowing of your lower lid, it would simply make things worse to remove more fat. If you add more volume with filler agents, you can improve the appearance of your face.

How do I know if I am a candidate for this surgery?

If you desire to acquire this surgery, you should consider a few things first. Have you had a prior eyelid surgery? This may increase your risk. Do you have a history of dry eyes? This surgery could make it worse. If you have excess eyelid skin or low set brows, you may be wise to combine a brow lift with the upper-eyelid blepharoplasty. You should customize your treatment plan so your age, examination findings, and gender, as well as your desired results are all taken into account. When you have a brow lift, the incisions could incorporate your eyelid-lift surgery. These incisions can be well-hidden underneath your brows and not leave a lasting scare. If you want a transformation, it needs to be approached with subtlety. When you combine these two surgeries, you likely obtain a more natural and youthful look. This also means you will have less skin to remove from the upper portion of your eyelids.

If you are interested in this surgery, it may be because you have a “hollowed-out” look in your upper eyelids. This could be age-related or possibly even caused by a previous eyelid surgery. Your doctor should perform an evaluation of your appearance be able to recommend the best thing for you that will allow you your desired results.  Often times, in place of surgery, you can acquire non-invasive injections or volume augmentations using fillers instead for a less evasive solution. You can obtain this procedure at the hands of a cosmetic surgeon. A ptosis repair can also improve the appearance of your eyelids.

This is a very delicate surgery and there is a lot to consider before completing it! Please schedule a consultation with Reynolds Plastic Surgery to see what your best options are. For more information, call our staff in Las Vegas at 702.410.9800.

What is a tummy tuck?

Girl in a pink bikini after a tummy tuck

What is a tummy tuck?

By far the most powerful surgery available to improve the abdomen is a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes extra skin from the abdomen and tightens the muscles in the abdominal area. Liposuction can be performed with every tummy tuck as well, to remove excess fat so the skin doesn’t have to stretch over that.

A tummy tuck is not the same as liposuction, although you may choose to get liposuction
along with a tummy tuck. This is a major surgery, so be sure to consult your regular doctor before having this procedure done. You may or may not be a candidate but it is important to find out beforehand.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?

Any man or woman who is good health could be eligible for a tummy tuck. Women who have had several pregnancies may find that they can no longer tighten their abdominal muscles and reduce excess skin with exercise. A tummy tuck may be useful in this situation. It is also an option for women or men who were once obese and may still have loose skin or excess fat deposits around the belly.

Who Should Not Consider a Tummy Tuck?

If you are planning to become pregnant at any point, you should postpone a tummy tuck until you’re through having children. During the tummy tuck surgery, your muscles are tightened. Pregnancy stretches the skin and can separate those muscles which can not only be painful but very dangerous.

If you are planning to lose a lot of weight, then a tummy tuck is not for you. This procedure should be a last resort after you have gone through every other option and it should definitely not be used as an alternative to weight loss.

Also consider this: there is a chance of scarring after a tummy tuck. You will want to talk about this possibility with your doctor before surgery. Removing excess skin can leave a scar.

How to Prepare for Tummy Tuck Surgery

Before undergoing surgery, your first step is to choose and meet with a surgeon for a consultation. At that consultation, you should talk about your goals and options.

If you are a smoker, your doctor may ask that you quit smoking at least two weeks before the surgery and two weeks after. Just cutting down on smoking is not enough. You must stop completely. Why? Smoking makes complications during surgery more likely and it will slow healing process after surgery.

Decide what kind of procedure you want:

  • Complete abdominoplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will cut your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone. He will the contour muscle, tissue, and skin as needed. The surgery will involve moving your belly button. You may also need drainage tubes for a few days following the surgery.
  • Partial or mini abdominoplasty. If your fat deposit is located below the navel, you can have a mini-abdominoplasty done. During this procedure, the surgeon will mostly likely not need to move your belly button. This is also a much shorter procedure.

Is a tummy tuck right for you? Call us today at 702.410.9800 to set up a consultation!

Be Wary And Wise When Seeking Reconstructive Surgery

Patients do not shop for the right health care provider based on price, this definitely should not be aiming for one who is going to charge the lowest rate. Instead, consider qualifications, expertise, experience, credentials so that the doctor will do a good job assisting the patient. When looking for credible surgeons begin by asking for recommendations from individuals whose opinions are trusted. Here is are some other helpful tips.

Some patients choose to go abroad to seek reconstructive surgery, this is done in order to save money, but it could lead to other problems. Be wary. Many are tempted by the price offered abroad as they can be considerably lower, but you may be giving up many rights once on foreign soil.

Budgeting matters on many levels with reconstructive surgery. Hospital visits, exams, and leave from work should be considered. Consider how much you are willing to, and able to, afford. Stick to numbers easy for you to cover. Only spend within your means. Procedures are expensive, but many can be within your budget.

Consultation is as important in reconstructive surgery as in any other medical procedure. Always ask for a consultation. During a consultation is a good time to ask important questions and discuss your personal needs.

 Medical Assessments may be needed before undergoing any surgery, proper assessments must be done. Always have a complete physical done as well as making note of any medical issues.

Ask for Credentials from any provider visited or contacted. Where did this provider study? Where did this provider intern? What papers, certifications can be provided? Is the provider licensed? Board certified in your state? How many years has this provider been in practice?

Whatever type of surgery or procedure you are going in for, always be aware of the risks involved. Also take time to consider your recovery period and any needs you may have after the procedure is complete.

Breast Augmentation: Part Three

Breast Augmentation Evaluation

Breast Augmentation in Las Vegas

When a patient is considering breast augmentation surgery that is not for reconstructive purposes, a psychological evaluation may be suggested. This is in no way meant to be offensive to the patient. It may not be suggested, but if the breast augmentation evaluation is suggested along with the many other medical evaluations, it is for the benefit of the patient.

Some breast augmentation patients are young women with a personality profile that may indicate some form of psychological distress surrounding her personal appearance and her bodily self-image. There may be a history of having endured criticism or teasing about the aesthetics of her person. In studies surrounding body image concerns of breast augmentation on patients as well as studies on body dysmorphic disorder in regards to cosmetic surgery, there have been reports that women who underwent breast augmentation surgery also had undergone some amount of psychotherapy. These women may also have suffered low self-esteem. Some patients may also present frequent occurrences of psychological depression or suffer body dysmorphia.

A post-operative patient survey may ask about mental health and quality-of-life. Many women with the aforementioned body and esteem issues may report improved physical health, physical appearance, social life, self-confidence, self-esteem, and satisfactory sexual functioning. Furthermore, some women may report long-term satisfaction with breast implant outcomes; some despite having suffered medical complications that required surgical revision, either corrective or aesthetic. If you have any questions on this or are ready to schedule your consultation, please contact us today at 702.410.9800.

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breast reconstruction - Silicone gel-filled breast implants

Silicone Gel Implants: Part Two

Silicone Gel Implants – Part 2

Silicone gel-filled breast implants

In the last article, the use of saline breast implants was discussed. The first two generations of this type of breast augmentation implant were described in a bit more detail. In this article, the fourth and fifth generations of the silicone gel implant will be discussed.

In the 1980s, models of the Third and of the Fourth generations of breast implant devices were sequential advances in manufacturing technology, such as elastomer-coated shells that decreased gel-bleed, this is the filler leakage, and a thicker increased-cohesion filler gel.

Sociologically, the manufacturers of prosthetic breasts then designed and made anatomic models of the natural breast and shaped models of round and tapered, that realistically corresponded with the breast and body types of women. The tapered models of breast implant have a uniformly textured surface, which reduces the rotation of the prosthesis within the implant pocket. Round models of breast implant are available in smooth-surface- and textured-surface- types.

Since the mid-1990s, the Fifth generation of silicone-gel breast implant is made of a semi-solid gel that mostly eliminates the occurrences of filler leakage and of the migration of the silicone filler from the implant-pocket to elsewhere in the woman’s body.  Studies of this fifth generation report low incidence rates of capsular contracture and of device-shell rupture; and greater rates of improved medical-safety and technical-efficacy than that of early generation breast implant devices.  For more information about breast implants and breast augmentation, please clink on this link.

Click this link to go to read Silicon Breast Implants-Part 1.