Category Archives: General

Noninvasive Procedures vs Plastic Surgery

plastic surgeon in las vegasMany people wish to have cosmetic improvements to their appearance without the invasive problems that come with plastic surgery. But how do these compare with the option of plastic surgery? This article will discuss.

Noninvasive procedures

 

Noninvasive procedures capable of improving our appearance are obviously appealing. These procedures are usually associated with minimal to even no downtime, and also require minimal to no anesthesia. By contrast, surgery is associated with at least some recovery or downtime and generous anesthesia.

For many people a noninvasive procedure is the most sensible, pain-free option. Before undergoing a noninvasive procedure, however, there are some things you should consider.

  • Noninvasive procedures are still associated with side effects, some discomfort, and possible even some downtime.
  • Noninvasive procedures may require several rounds of treatment to get to their maximum effect, while plastic surgery can usually be completed in one procedure
  • The cumulative downtime and cost of multiple noninvasive procedures may outweigh the benefits. Plastic surgery may be more beneficial in these cases.

For a noninvasive procedure to be the most effective, it needs to alter the body in some way. So, even if there is no surgery involved, it will still affect the body. Take botox for example. This temporarily paralyzes a muscle in order to obtain its effect. Chemical peels and lasers damage specific ells in order to exert their effects. While none of these require surgery, they all selectively damage or alter the body in a way to obtain a cosmetic result. Each of these may result in swelling, bruising, or pain.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery, thought it may seem more invasive upfront, may actually be a better choice in the long run. While it may require more downtime initially, you will see immediate results. After your swelling and bruising have gone down, you will see a significant and sizeable difference in the composition of your body once it has been completed. You will likely not have to go in for subsequent treatments, and you will find yourself spending less downtime and money in the long run in order to look the way you wish to look. While noninvasive procedures may seem more appealing to patients, they must consider that they are not free from their limitations or the downtime involved. It is important to consider both options before undergoing a procedure.

In our world today, with ever-advancing technology in surgeries and all other areas, it is no surprise that more and more procedures are being developed every day to help increase the world of plastic surgery. Hopefully, one day, there will be something created that will include the downtime of a noninvasive procedure, and the results of plastic surgery!

Before undergoing any procedure, bet it noninvasive or otherwise, be sure to understand what will happen before, during and after the procedure. Talk to your doctor for a consultation about what is right for you. A board-certified surgeon will be able to tell you exactly what you can expect. Be sure to find a doctor you trust.

Cleft Palate Repair

cleft lip and palate las vegasAlong with the common problem of a cleft lip, there is also something called the cleft palate. This can form in the same way as the cleft lip – in which there is not enough tissue present in a developing baby, so the palate does not close together properly. Unlike the cosmetic problems associated with a cleft lip, there are other, more serious problems associated with cleft palate. This article will explain those, and how to repair this issue.

What is a cleft palate?

Unlike a cleft lip, a cleft palate is an opening inside the mouth. This occurs on the roof of the mouth – either in the soft palate or the hard palate. The soft palate is the soft back portion of the roof of the mouth, while the hard palate is the bony portion in the front of the mouth.

Are cleft lip and cleft palate related conditions?

Cleft palate and cleft lip are separate conditions. This is due to the fact that the lip and the palate develop separately. Because of this, it is possible to have a cleft lip without a cleft palate, a cleft palate without a cleft lip, or both occurring at the same time.

How is this condition repaired?

Repair of a cleft palate typically requires multiple surgeries over the course of the child’s early to adolescent years. It may take several reconstructions over 18 years to completely correct the problem. The first surgery is performed when the baby is about 6 to 12 months old. In this surgery, a functional palate is created, which reduces the chance that fluid will develop in the middle ears, and also aids the proper development of teeth and facial bones.

Because a cleft palate is essentially a condition in which the bones are missing, children with this condition may need a bone graft when they are about 8 years old to fill in their upper gum lines. This is because without those missing bones, the jaw may not be able to support permanent teeth and may also be very unstable.

Another problem associated with cleft palate is a speech impediment. Because of this, some children may require a further surgery to help improve their speech. Speech is very difficult when part of the palate is missing. Braces may also be needed to help improve the appearance of your teeth.

This condition is something that is difficult for children all throughout their lives. It not only causes cosmetic issues, but it harms the ability to speak the ability to have proper bone structure, and a variety of other things. Luckily, modern medicine has gained advancements in reconstructive surgery that can improve quality of life for children with this issue. Cleft lip and palate repair in Las Vegas is a great option for improving your overall quality of life and creating that healthy feel you need to in order to feel good about yourself. Not only will this surgery correct cosmetic issues, but it will improve the ability to digest food and speak properly. Talk to your doctor today about this surgery for you or your child.

To learn more about cleft palates, click here.

 

Gynecomastia Surgery

Picture of a man without shirt

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia is a condition that affects males. While not life threatening or harming, it may cause harm to one’s self esteem if suffering from this condition. This article will shed some light on this condition and how to treat it.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is known as the benign enlargement of the male breast tissue. Over 50% of males have some breast development during puberty. This may also arise as an abnormal condition that is associated with another disease, such as metabolic disorders, side effects of medication, or Klinefelter syndrome. It may also be caused by a decrease of testosterone production in older males.

What are some common causes?

  • Aging. Hormone changes always occur with normal aging. A common change is a decline in testosterone levels, which can cause gynecomastia. This is typically found in men aged 60 and older.
  • Endocrine tumors. Testicular tumors such as leydig cell tumors or sertoli cell tumors may result in this condition. Other tumors can produce hormones that alter the male-female hormone balance and cause gynecomastia.
  • Hyperthyroidism. When this condition is present, the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine and influences the levels of sex hormones. This can cause gynecomastia, but it may return to normal after the hormones are regulated.
  • Kidney failure. Patients with this condition often experience a state of malnutrition, which may contribute to development of gynecomastia. There may also be a hormonal imbalance due to the suppression of testosterone production and damage to testicular areas.
  • Liver failure. When this condition is present, the liver’s ability to metabolize hormones such as estrogen may be impaired. If alcoholic liver disease is present, there may be a further risk of developing gynecomastia.

Treatment of Gynecomastia

If this condition has been present for more than one year, then surgery is usually required in order to remove the glandular breast tissue. This is similar to a mastectomy procedure that is done in female breast-cancer patients. Some complications may include hematoma, surgical wound infection, breast asymmetry, changes in breast sensation, noticeable or painful scars, or contour deformities.

Many cases of this condition may resolve without a treatment, though medical treatment is effective in most cases. If there are severe cases in which the breast tissue has become scarred, surgery can help restore a normal-looking appearance. This condition is not typically associated with long-term problems.

Risks of this condition

Men with gynecomastia five times more likely to develop male breast cancer, in comparison to the rest of the population. Gynecomastia itself is not a precancerous condition, but the hormonal changes that are present in men when they develop this condition may also increase their risk of developing breast cancer.

Gynecomastia is an embarrassing condition for most men and it is understandable that they would want to correct it if at all possible. Surgery is a great option, but there may be other treatments that are less invasive that get the job done as well. It is important to consult your doctor before deciding surgery is the only option. While it may be a very effective option, you might be able to do something easier in order to solve this condition.

For more information about gynecomastia surgery, contact us today at 702.410.9800.

 

“Natural” Breast Augmentation

Considering breast reductionYou may have seen advertisements for “natural breast augmentation” and wondered “is that real?”. The answer is yes. But it also might be difficult to find. When this procedure is done properly, it seems like an all-around good situation: fat is taken from one area of the body and then placed into the breast as a natural enhancement.

This procedure has been advertised as having no side effects ever reported, but doctors disagree. Transferring fat from one part of the body to another may require multiple procedures over time, because grafted fat can dissolve. Another concerning thing is that when fat is transferred, it can die before it then hardens. During a breast exam, this hardened lump can easily be misdiagnosed as breast cancer.

To find objective information about natural breast augmentation is not easy. Searching for this on the internet will usually bring up pages of testimonials and positive articles from practices that do this operation. They will claim it’s safer and more natural.

Fat transfer to breast tissue started originally to help women who had a mastectomy reconstruct their tissue. Doctors have argued that traditional breast implants will be treated by the body as “foreign” and the body will attack. But placing something that is already found in the body may make it easier for the body to accept it.

However, problems could occur because it’s difficult with imaging. The fat that’s removed with liposuction no longer has a blood supply, and when it’s washed and put into a syringe, there is a risk of infection because it’s foreign body for a period of time.

If the transferred fat doesn’t grow the vessels, then those areas will die. You will then get oily cysts and hardened areas of scar tissues. These hardened lumps aren’t dangerous by themselves, but they can possibly increase the chance that when a woman is screened for cancer, those lumps will be mistaken for cancerous.

What are the side effects?

There are common side effects such as soreness, itchiness, discomfort. When doctors were asked about the cancer screening problem and doctors said while it was a problem, it’s very rare. Improvements in screening in the future will make it easier to discern the differences between cancerous lumps and lumps from these surgeries. This will make it less likely that women will need to get biopsies unnecessarily. 

As with any surgery, there are always concerns. However, if this is done correctly, there may not be any complications. It is definitely something to consider when thinking about the option of breast augmentation, but it may not be the best idea knowing all the risks that are involved. Infections are a serious concern and because of this, it is important to make sure that a qualified doctor is used to complete the procedure. Decreasing all possible risks of infection is a very important step to ensure that your procedure is done correctly and that you will have the best, most satisfactory results. There are pros and cons to “natural” and more traditional breast augmentation. Make sure to weigh these before making a decision.

 

 

Why You Need a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

 

Why You Need a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Top 10 Doctor - 2014

Plastic surgeons, just like other doctors, should obtain a board certification before they can open their practice. This means that they have experience in general surgery, as well as specifically in plastic surgery. Before you have a procedure done, you want to be sure you surgeon knows what he’s doing, don’t you? Well, how do you know if he’s certified? What does that mean?

What is Board Certification?

In order to practice medicine in the US, doctors have to be licensed by the states they wish to work in. However, just because they are licensed doesn’t mean they’re qualified to practice in that specific medical area.

Board Certified doctors voluntarily meet additional standards that go above and beyond basic licensing. They will demonstrate that they have expertise through Member Boards that are part of the Board Certification process. Before a doctor can be considered certified, they must complete four years of pre-med education at a college or university, course study that leads to an MD degree from a medical school, and three to five years of residency training.

In order to earn this residency, doctors have to pass a written test and sometimes even an oral exam that’s created and administered by a Member of the board in his specialty. This is only the first step. For the rest of their career, they must continue to undergo additional tests to maintain this board certification. This means they have to keep up with the newest advances in treatments and technology to give the best possible care from their practice.

Why do I need a doctor that is Board Certified?

Well, isn’t it obvious? A board-certified doctor has essentially proven that they are up-to-date with treatment and care, and that they understand, specifically, how to help you. You wouldn’t want a pediatrician giving you a face lift, would you? Definitely not.

In plastic surgery, there can be a lot of sketchy people who try to gouge you for money by professing they offer services that they really know little or nothing about! It should be important to you that the doctor you choose to use has the proper amount of education. You should be able to trust that you will be in good hands as you undergo possible life-altering procedures! This is not something you want to take a risk with.

How do I know if my Doctor is certified?

Your potential doctor may have some sort of display or indication in their practice. You can check for that or be sure by CLICKING HERE to enter your doctor’s name and find out if he is certified as we have done below for Dr. Reynolds!

Record Count: 1

REYNOLDS, BRANDON QUAYLE

Certified
11/16/2013 – 12/31/2023
Las Vegas, NV 89135

Plastic surgery, and any other surgeries for that matter, are serious procedures that should be approached with every level of caution and care possible. You wouldn’t want to risk your well-being at the hands of an inexperienced doctor! Make sure you’re taken care of, and you’ll be much happier with your results!