Author Archives: Meagan Henderson

Understanding Teenage Plastic Surgery

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If you can recall your own teen years, remember that these times are filled with angst, melodrama and distaste in one’s self-image. Because this is the case, it can be hard to take your teen’s requests for plastic surgery in Las Vegas seriously.

However, there are cases in which plastic surgery is actually a viable option. The only way to be sure is to evaluate the situation against the four M’s.

sad teen girl wanting plastic surgery las vegasMotivation

Why is your teen considering plastic surgery? Is it for his or her own personal gain? Or, is the decision being pressured by peers, a personal relationship or you? Before you consider moving forward, be sure that this decision is one solely from your child and that he or she is fully committed to the change being considered. Remember to discuss the permanence of the procedure at hand.

Mentality

How well does your teen understand plastic surgery? Is it understood that the procedure is considered permanent? Is it understood that the procedure is not going to make your teen instantly popular? Make sure that your teen has realistic expectations about the procedure before you proceed.

Maturity

Be sure that your teen has reached physical maturity before you consider a plastic surgery procedure. Surgically altering the body before it has fully developed can lead to disastrous complications in the future. The best way to confirm maturity is to take your teen for a full physical to ensure that growth has stopped.

Mindfulness

Check to see if your teen understands that plastic surgery is not glamorous. They are choosing to undergo a surgical procedure that involves incisions, recovery, pain and possible complications. Do a bit of research with your teen to ensure that they are mindful of the ins and outs of plastic surgery before both of you agree that it is a wise idea to go under the knife.

Facts to Consider

In addition to the four M’s, there are a couple of facts that you want to consider to ensure that your teen is safe should you allow plastic surgery in Las Vegas.

  • Nearly 114,000 plastic surgeries were performed on people between the age of 13 and 18 in 2013, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
  • Plastic surgery is considered more risky in teens because they rarely understand the short term and long term aspects of the surgery they are asking for.

If your teen is seriously considering plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with one of the Las Vegas plastic surgeons at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. These professionals are dedicated to providing the best possible care for you and your teen. For more information about plastic surgery in Las Vegas, contact 702.410.9800.

What is the Ideal Breast Shape?

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As much as everyone likes to promote the idea that all women should love their bodies just how they are, science seems to have proven that there is a “perfect” breast shape. As a woman, you may be able to agree with this if you feel a level of discontent with the current shape of your breasts.

The Perfect Breast

There are many characteristics to the perfect breast. The shape and droop of the breast are the most important. While size does come into play, this is a characteristic that depends more on preference than science.

The first characteristic of a perfectly shaped breast is the droop. A breast that is firm and perky is preferred over a saggy or somewhat deflated looking breast. In a woman with smaller breasts, the droop will not create much of a crease under the breast. In a woman with larger breasts, the crease is necessary for the implants to maintain a natural look.

The Breast Ratio according to ASPS

The second characteristic, shape, can be calculated by a ratio that allows plastic surgeons in Las Vegas to create perfect breasts every time. This ideal ratio is 45:55, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The first number in the ratio indicates the percentage of the breast tissue that should be above the nipple. The second number indicates the percentage of the breast tissue that should be below the nipple. Furthermore, the nipple should point upward at a slight angle of about 20 degrees.

While this ratio is being used as the basis for design in aesthetic surgery, these are not strict criteria. These numbers can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Just discuss your needs with your plastic surgeon to ensure that the end result is one that you want.

The Proof

Las Vegas plastic surgeons did not stumble upon this ratio by chance. Surveys were taken using photographs of women with breasts of various sizes. The images were altered so that the breast ratios would be consistent throughout the images.

The results were astounding. Nearly 1,400 people were surveyed. Of this sample, 90 percent of the men preferred the images of women with a breast ratio of 45:55. This ratio was also preferred by 87 percent of women younger than 40 and 94 percent of plastic surgeons. Additionally, this breast ration was most preferred by all the racial/ethnic groups surveyed.

These results offer a stark contrast to the idea that men prefer breasts that look large and overfilled. Whether the trend was a misconception or is just falling out of favor, the proof is in the pudding: Men and women alike both prefer perky, but natural looking breasts.

You can also have natural and perky looking breasts with the help of Las Vegas plastic surgeons. Schedule a consultation with the friendly professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. The surgeons here will help you to truly understand breast augmentation so you can decide if this is a procedure you would like to pursue. For more information about breast augmentations in Las Vegas, call 702.410.9800.

Are Cosmetic Procedures Dangerous For The Elderly?

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It is not difficult to find information on the Internet that states that elderly patients are much more likely to experience complications after a surgical procedure. With this information readily available, it is easy to decide to forego that cosmetic procedure you’ve been dreaming about because you’re afraid.

However, according to a recent study presented in October’s annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), this belief just isn’t true. This quick guide will help you to understand why plastic surgery in Las Vegas isn’t more dangerous for the elderly.

The Facts

The following facts were taken from the study presented in October at the ASPS annual scientific meeting. In this study, information was collected and analyzed about cosmetic procedures done between 2008 and 2013 from the CosmetAssure database. This is what the study revealed:

  • doctor consults with older female patient about plastic surgery las vegasElderly patients (average age 69) experienced complications at a rate of 1.94 percent. Younger patients (average age 39) came in at 1.84 percent.
  • Patients over the age of 80 experienced complications at a rate of 2.2 percent.
  • These comparatively low rates of complication occurred even with elderly patients who have health related indicators hinting toward a higher rate of complications. These indicators were commonly the presence of diabetes and a higher body mass index (BMI).
  • The only procedure after which elderly patients experienced more complications than younger patients is the abdominoplasty. Elderly patients had a 5.4 percent rate of complication while younger patients had a rate of 3.9 percent.
  • The most common complications experienced by elderly patients after a cosmetic procedure were hematoma, infection and difficulty healing.

What does this mean for you?

The results of this study are clear. Elderly patients, generally speaking, do not have to be concerned about a higher risk of complication if they are considering plastic surgery in Las Vegas. People over the age of 65 can safely pursue cosmetic procedures while facing a risk of complication only slightly higher than younger people who pursue those same procedures.

However, it is important to remember that the rate at which you are at risk of complication depends solely on you. While these statistics are pleasing, you want to make sure that you are truly a good candidate for whichever plastic surgery procedure you are considering.

This rate of risk also depends on whether or not you are working with a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the ASPS. Before you consider going under the knife, be absolutely certain that your surgeon is certified. This is a huge contributor to the overall success of any procedure you decide to undergo.

The best way to do this is by scheduling a consultation with one of the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. These board certified Las Vegas plastic surgeons have the skill and extensive knowledge to guide you toward your best course of action while respectfully considering your needs. For more information about plastic surgery in Las Vegas, contact 702.410.9800.

New Techniques Help Women Make An Informed Decisions About Breast Reconstruction

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Breast Reconstruction

In an effort to help women make “good decisions” about breast reconstruction, information about breast reconstruction has been gathered, analyzed and published in many medical journals.  Armed with this information, women will be able to make the best possible decisions once they thoroughly consider their personal preferences.

Decision Analysis

doctor consults with patient about breast augmentation in las vegasThe combination of information and personal preference is being referred to as decision analysis. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the process involves “finding alternatives, obtaining information about the uncertainty of outcomes, and clarifying preferences and values.”

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. Women who are facing breast reconstruction have so many options to sort through before they can choose the procedure that is best for them. These women have to consider the purpose for the procedure as well as the results they would like to see from it. They need to think about the best time to have the procedure done and what kind of tissues they are going to use.

When these choices come after surviving breast cancer, you can see how making the best decision may be clouded by an anxiety to get back some sense of normalcy in life. Thankfully, that is when sensitivity analysis comes into play.

Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity analysis helps a patient weigh out all of her options in a way that respects the different factors that are involved. Things like costs, recovery time, risk and doubt are all taken into consideration during this part of the decision making process.

Many medical professionals believe that this is a critical step in the decision making process that is often overlooked. Women need to be able to make a decision having considered all their options as well as their concerns. The benefits and successes of breast reconstruction and breast augmentation in Las Vegas need to be weighed just as heavily as the risks and assorted uncertainties.

When women are able to made decisions that are well-informed, their overall experience increases. Patient outcomes increase because they are more aware of the reality of the procedure at hand. Their expectations are discussed and risks are considered before a decision is made.

To ensure that you have the best possible experience, schedule a consultation with a professional at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. The plastic surgeons here are dedicated to providing quality care so they will address your concerns as clearly as possible. For more information about breast augmentations in Las Vegas, call 702.410.9800.

What Type of Liposuction Options Are Available?

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Types of Liposuction Options

Liposuction is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Developments in the plastic surgery industry have made it so that there are a number of different options and ways to approach this standard plastic surgery procedure. Understand the options that are available to you so that you can make an informed decision about the type of liposuction procedure you’d like to undergo.

chose the right plastic surgery las vegas offers

Wet Liposuction

This is where a solution made of lidocaine, epinephrine and saline is injected into the area that is to have fat removed. The solution helps to loosen the fat and protect the area from bruising, pain and excessive bleeding. The amount used is usually less than the amount of fat that is being removed. The fat is then removed with a cannula via suction.

Super-Wet Liposuction

A solution similar to the one used in the wet technique is injected into the body. The primary difference is that there is more saline in this solution to dilute the medications in it. The amount of the solution used is roughly equal to the fat that is being removed. This makes high-volume liposuction procedures a little easier because the fluid levels are better balanced.

Tumescent Liposuction

In this procedure, the solution used in super-wet liposuction is diluted even more. The amount of solution that is injected into the body is equal to three or four times the volume of the fat that is being removed. The extra solution creates more space between the muscle and the fatty tissue so that the surgeon has more room to loosen the fat cells with the cannula. Because of the increased liquid volume, this procedure tends to take a much longer time than standard liposuction in Las Vegas.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

This is a relatively new development in liposuction that uses a powered cannula. The tip of the cannula used can move quickly with a calculated spinning rotation or in-and-out-movement. This power-assisted technology reduces how much the plastic surgeon needs to mechanically move the cannula. This decreases the discomfort and complications the patient is likely to experience.

Internal Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

This type of liposuction procedure uses a special cannula that sends ultrasonic vibrations into the body. The vibrations make fat cells explode so that they become liquefied and easier to remove. This is said to result in a procedure that is less traumatic for the patient because there is reduced bleeding and damage to connective tissues.

This procedure is usually done with general anesthesia or another form of heavy sedation because it can take longer than standard liposuction. This is also because there is an increased risk for burns, tissue death and scarring.

External Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (EUAL)

This procedure is very similar to UAL except that the ultrasonic waves are applied outside of the skin using a paddle rather than inside the skin with a cannula. This reduces the patient’s risk of complication and discomfort.

Just remember that this liposuction method isn’t used often because studies regarding the procedure’s safety and effectiveness aren’t completely conclusive.

Learn more about the liposuction treatment options available to you by scheduling a consultation with the plastic surgeons Las Vegas offers at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. These friendly professionals are dedicated to providing you with quality care and an enjoyable experience. For more information about our board certified liposuction doctor in Las Vegas, call 702.410.9800.