It is not uncommon for women with breast implants to decide they want a size increase some time after their implants have been placed. If their implants are filled with saline, they may be curious if they can simply add more saline to their existing implants. When my patients ask me this question, my response is usually “probably not.” Here’s why.

Saline implants are given a fill range that limits the capacity of the implant. Depending on where the surgeon originally filled the implants in this range, the implants may only take approximately 50cc of fluid. Since the average breast augmentation in Harrisburg that I perform involves implants anywhere from about 250cc to 475cc, 50cc is not going to provide a noticeable increase. Adding any extra could also place strain on the implants, voiding the implant manufacturer warrantee and risking your results.

If you want to go bigger, it’s probably a smarter idea to replace your implants. For my patients who seek implant replacement, I can use the surgery as an opportunity to add a subtle lift, rejuvenating breast appearance, and ensure that I am using the most advanced implants available.

Using various shades of powder to de-emphasize the size of someone’s nose is a well-known and well-loved trick for skilled makeup artists. With the right shading, makeup experts can make your nose look smaller or narrower in photographs. However – and this is an essential distinction – in person, the results will not be as dramatic. Thus, using makeup to minimize the nose may make sense for someone who needs temporary improvement for a photo shoot, but not for those who feel bothered by the size of their nose and desire everyday minimization.

If you are someone who feels constantly unhappy about the shape, size or profile of your nose, then you might want to consider undergoing rhinoplasty in Harrisburg as a permanent solution to your concerns. With a skilled surgeon, your nose will be subtly improved to enhance the balance of your face and the contour of your profile.

A recent poll from American Health & Beauty ranked BOTOX® Cosmetic as the top filler/injectable of 2010. Despite the numerous competitor products out on the market, BOTOX has been consistently ranked at the top for some time. Why is it so popular? The answer is that BOTOX is a truly unique injectable that does what many other products cannot.

BOTOX occupies a unique place in my line of wrinkle treatments because it improves those difficult-to-target dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by contraction of facial muscles). While injectable fillers such as JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel, RADIESSE®, and Restylane® in Harrisburg are wonderful for reducing wrinkles by adding volume to the face, none of these can treat forehead wrinkles and frown lines as effectively as BOTOX in Harrisburg.

A “banana roll” is akin to the “muffin top” and “saddle bags” that have plagued women everywhere. Named for its banana-like appearance, the banana roll is a pocket of fat that sits right below the buttocks on the upper part of the back of the thigh. Many women suffer from this roll (mostly due to genetics) and have a difficult time working it off through diet and exercise; however, the good news is that it is very treatable. Just like the muffin top and saddle bags, the banana roll is often easily taken care of with liposuction.
With the latest advances in liposuction technology, your options for removing that troublesome roll are even greater. At Stratis Gayner Plastic Surgery in Harrisburg, PA, we offer several different kinds of liposuction, including non-surgical options that require absolutely no incisions. We offer some of the latest technologies including VASER® LipoSelection®, CoolSculptingTM by ZELTIQTM, and AccuSculpt™ in addition to providing the tried-and-true traditional technique. Each of these technologies has the potential to produce beautiful results, but deciding which technique is right for your goals will depend upon your specific case.

On a recent episode of “The Doctors,” a gastroenterologist discussed her new approach to weight loss: injecting botulinum toxin (the active ingredient in BOTOX®) into the stomach. According to this gastroenterologist, the botulinum toxin temporarily relaxes the muscles in the stomach to help patients feel full sooner and keeps patients feeling full longer.

While her research does not prove without a doubt that BOTOX is appropriate for weight loss, it is more evidence of the versatility of BOTOX. It has historically been used to correct lines on the face that occur from frequent muscle contractions between the brows, around the mouth and around the eyes. But BOTOX has also been used to treat many medical concerns such as migraines. Within the plastic surgery industry, I’ve found that my patients who choose BOTOX in Harrisburg are thrilled that it effectively treats their wrinkles.

In closing, before I can give BOTOX the go-ahead for use in the stomach (or any other “off label” use), there needs to be a high volume of tests and clinical research performed. With only a few patients having tried BOTOX for weight loss, it’s too early to tell whether or not the procedure is effective.

I’ve been hearing a lot about “tickle” liposuction, a technique performed under local anesthesia. It’s called tickle liposuction because the surgeon uses a vibrating liposuction cannula to remove the fat, which tends to create a tickling sensation for the patient. The technology, called Nutational Infrasonic Liposculpture (NIL), claims to provide less downtime and faster healing than traditional liposuction.

The concept behind NIL is not terribly new; it is a variation of power-assisted liposuction, which also uses a vibrating cannula to remove fat. What makes the procedure different is that it uses local (vs. general) anesthesia. While it minimizes the possible risks associated with “going under,” some patients may feel uncomfortable being awake while the procedure takes place, even though they are not experiencing pain.

As it stands, I’m not currently offering this technique for liposuction in Harrisburg because I’m still not convinced that it has any benefits over the other fantastic liposuction techniques I currently offer. Instead, I suggest that patients try traditional liposuction or, if they’re set on avoiding anesthesia, non-invasive CoolScupting™ which requires no incisions and no downtime.

However, as with all new and possibly promising techniques, I am definitely doing my research and will offer tickle lipo as an option if I’m 100% certain my patients will benefit.

Some surgeons can take plastic surgery to the extreme – such as by using implants that are too large or making changes that are too drastic. When researching plastic surgeons in Reading and Lancaster, PA, it’s important to examine the surgeon’s prior results to make sure you like what you see. Following these guidelines can help you determine whether or not a surgeon is right for you:

• Review before and after photos: Pictures of real patients are a good indicator of typical results. Browse through photo galleries to get an idea of the surgeon’s work.
• Read patient testimonials: Many plastic surgeons have patient stories or testimonials on their sites. Read up on individual cases to get a feel for the surgeon’s patient base.
• Request a consultation: Take the opportunity to meet with several surgeons, explaining your goals clearly and carefully listening to their answers.
• Ask for additional information: Most surgeons have additional patient cases and photos on hand. Ask to see more of their portfolio during your consultation.

Deciding to have plastic surgery in Reading is a deeply personal choice for self-improvement. Once you have considered your options and reviewed the information you need to make an educated decision, it can be devastating to hear that friends and family members do not support your wishes. When faced with opposition from loved ones, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Listen to their concerns

Find out exactly what their concerns are. Do they not understand your motivations for surgery? Are they concerned about your safety? Educating them about the surgery and informing them of your goals may help ease their anxiety.

Keep things in perspective

Keep in mind that their disagreement often shows caring and concern. If your husband insists that he loves you “the way you are,” that’s a good thing.

Express your need to be supported

At the end of the day, your friends and family want you to be happy. Oftentimes, simply letting them know that you need their support is enough to shift their attitudes.

Bring him/her with you to the consultation

The more information and awareness you can provide your loved ones, the better. Bring them to your consultation with a surgeon so that they can ask questions and get some peace of mind.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to pamper yourself from head-to-toe. Our medical and day spa, The Spa at Spring Ridge, offers exceptional minimally invasive aesthetic treatments in an idyllic setting. Currently, there are no other no other medical spas in the area that are owned and supervised by a plastic surgeon – making Spring Ridge truly one-of-a-kind. I oversee all treatments to ensure that each person receives an individualized treatment plan and is well cared for.

The Spa at Spring Ridge offers a broad range of services for the face and body. The following are a few of our most popular procedures. To see the full menu of services, visit our Spa website.

• BOTOX® Cosmetic/Injectables
• Laser Hair Removal
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation
• Facials
• Massage

By: Mark Solomon, MD

If you’ve been thinking about body contouring, there are more “liposuction alternatives” available now than ever before. Liposuction is still a tried and true cosmetic surgery procedure, but certain alternative procedures can offer real advantages for my patients.

Case in point: BodyTight®. This alternative to liposuction is available at my Philadelphia practice, and in fact, I personally developed this laser treatment method that both removes fat and can even tighten skin. BodyTight is similar in concept to Smartlipo™, which has received great press nationwide.

With BodyTight, I can treat practically any area of the body. Treatment and recovery are easier than traditional liposuction because fat cells aren’t actually removed from your body during the procedure, if you are a candidate for this procedure. Instead, they will be cleared from your body during its natural cleansing process over the month or so following treatment.

You can watch me demonstrate BodyTight (and LaserTight® – the version of this procedure for the face) on a recent Good Day Philadelphia broadcast to get a better sense if this liposuction technique might be something that makes sense for you. As always, evaluate any liposuction alternative carefully and ask plenty of questions beforehand so that you can achieve truly fantastic results.