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Breast Augmentation vs. Fat Transfer Surgery

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Breast augmentation is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to enhance the size and volume of the breasts. The procedure has an excellent track record of success, and with advanced qualities of silicone breast implants, FDA approvals, and innovative surgical techniques, the procedure has emerged as one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries in the US.

Dr. Eugene Kim is an experienced plastic surgeon providing breast augmentation and other procedures to his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and other areas. During the initial consultation, Dr. Kim will discuss various aspects of breast augmentation and how it compares with newer treatments such as fat transfer.

Safety Aspects

Safety is the prime concern in any plastic surgery procedure such as breast augmentation through implants or fat transfer. The patient should ask information about potential risks and address all their doubts and concerns with the cosmetic surgeon during the initial consultation process. Both fat transfer and breast implant procedures are considered very safe.

Over the years, the technology of silicone implants has improved dramatically, and produces highly aesthetically superior and safe outcomes in breast augmentation. FDA has approved silicone implants for several years now for women above the age of 21. Fat transfer technique has been used for several years for various body parts to improve the contours, and the safety quotient is very high in this case too.

While the research in the area of safety has been extensive in case of breast augmentation through implants over the years, but far less amount of research has gone into studying the results of fat transfer for breast enhancement. Dr. Kim is a dedicated plastic surgeon will address all these aspects for his patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding areas.

Effectiveness

The primary goal of a cosmetic surgery procedure such as breast enlargement is to achieve optimal size and shape of breasts as desired by the patient. In case of breast augmentation, patients have a choice of implant sizes ranging from 120cc to 960cc. Shapes may be round or tear-shaped, and breast profile options are also available. Following the FDA approvals for both saline and silicone implants breast augmentation with implants has been the dominant procedure with significantly effective and desirable results for most patients.

Fat transfer, on the other, can only produce limited breast enhancement, depending on the availability of excess removable fat in other areas of the body. While fat transfer procedure has been used with great results for the gluteal area, cheeks and lips, but re-using the fat to enhance breasts may have limitations because of the substantial amount of enlargement required in both breasts.

Implants allow for highly precise determination of dimensions and size of breasts as desired in a single operation. However, with fat grafting, the surgeon is likely to perform several treatment sessions. Fat grafting may also be more cumbersome for some patients, particularly if it requires a period of skin expansion using special devices.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Women seek out breast augmentation for a number of reasons. Some are naturally small-chested and have always wanted a more proportionate, shapely figure. Others have lost breast volume due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or the effects of aging.

Whatever your reasons are for considering breast augmentation, it is important that you meet a few basic qualifications in order to be a candidate, including:

Age – You must be at least 18 years old to receive saline breast implants, and 22 years old to receive silicone breast implants.
Already at target weight – Breast volume can be affected by weight loss and gain. For the best aesthetic results, it is best to avoid breast augmentation until you have reached a weight you are comfortable with.
In strong metabolic health – Good healing and strong health are key factors in a breast augmentation’s success. Make sure you are free of any major medical concerns before committing to breast surgery.
Reasonable expectations – Discuss your expectations about breast augmentation with Dr. Kim during a personal consultation. Understanding the limitations and potential risks of plastic surgery will help you make a more informed decision.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Infection is a potential complication of any type of surgery. If it does occur, infection will usually make itself known within the first few days after breast augmentation surgery – however, it is possible for it to occur much later if steps are not taken to keep your incision sites clean.

Symptoms of infection include:

Swelling
Fever
Tenderness
Redness

Dr. Kim will provide you with a course of antibiotics immediately after your surgery to help minimize the chances of infection. If you do experience any of the above symptoms, contact Dr. Kim as soon as possible to make sure the infection is quickly addressed and brought under control.

Serious infections are very rare after breast augmentation surgery, but to help protect yourself, avoid touching your incisions and do not submerge them in water until they are completely closed. It is usually best to wait at least two weeks before going swimming. Close follow-up with Dr. Kim is the best way to ensure a smooth recovery process.

If you have further questions about breast augmentation, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with experienced Los Angeles breast surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim.

Some nose job—or rhinoplasty—patients notice in the first week or so following surgery that they are unable to smile normally.

Due to swelling in the nasal area and along the upper lip, your smile will be slightly affected in the initial weeks following your rhinoplasty procedure. As you heal and the swelling subsides, your smile should return to normal.

The associated discomfort you may feel during this time is easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. You may also experience some light bruising and swelling in the areas adjacent to the nose.

Although the swelling may temporarily make your smile appear “stiff,” your ability to smile normally will return in the following weeks.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in learning more about rhinoplasty surgery, please contact California cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim at E. Kim Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.

For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and non-surgical treatments performed by doubled board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim in and around the Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica CA area please contact us at 310-271-6996 or click here.

Rhinoplasty Plastic Surgery Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

The duration of your swelling following a rhinoplasty, or nose job surgery, depends on a number of factors related to the procedure itself as well as your individual condition.

In most cases, a majority of the swelling that occurs following a rhinoplasty procedure will subside within two to three months. The remaining swelling will decrease slowly, and you will see the final results of your nose job within six to 12 months.

Swelling of the tip of the nose is typically the slowest to resolve and can take up to a year to subside, depending on the extent of your surgery and the quality of your skin tissue. There may also be minor discoloration and swelling around the eyes; this typically dissipates within a week, however.

Much of how quickly you heal and how rapidly your swelling diminishes depends on the level of surgery required to achieve the desired results and your overall physical health.

Patience is an important trait in healing from any plastic surgery procedure. You will have to refrain from exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least two weeks following the surgery.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Recovery

Any lump noticed on your breast should be evaluated by a qualified physician, regardless of whether you’ve had a breast augmentation. If you have undergone breast augmentation surgery, a lump felt after the procedure could be many things and evaluation by your plastic surgeon is advisable.

Although instances of breast implants edging, rippling or folding are rare, they do occur on occasion. Saline breast implants are more prone to these issues than silicone gel breast implants.

Depending on the type of breast implant and the implant placement, the lump may be due to an implant valve or, as sometimes occurs in women with thin breast tissue, the implant itself. It may also be caused by residual scarring that will eventually subside.

In rare instances, the lump may be due to a cyst, fat necrosis, tumor or other conditions that require medical attention. Again, it’s best to have any lump examined as soon as possible to allay your fears and, if necessary, outline the proper treatment.

While a lump noticed after breast augmentation surgery may not be associated with the procedure, your plastic surgeon can provide a thorough examination, including diagnostic tests and imaging to help diagnose the source of a lump.

If you live in the Beverly Hills area and would like more information about your breast augmentation options, please contact California plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim at E. Kim Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.

Breast Lift Surgery & Weight Loss

Dramatic weight loss following a breast lift (or mastopexy) may affect the appearance of your breasts, and Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim recommends that patients be at or near their ideal weight prior to undergoing a breast lift procedure.

Of course, the effect of weight loss after a breast lift procedure varies widely depending on the individual and the amount of fatty tissue in the breasts. Women who have substantially more fatty tissue in their breasts have a greater tendency to see their breast size and shape fluctuate with their weight. Those with less fatty tissue in their breasts seem to be less affected by weight change.

In general, losing a substantial amount of weight following your breast lift may cause your breasts to droop noticeably or have less volume. If the weight loss causes extreme changes in the size and shape of your breasts, breast revision surgery may be necessary to correct the effects.

Being at or near your ideal weight prior to breast lift surgery can help provide a more predictable and desirable appearance, as well as reduce your risk of complications during and after the breast lift procedure.

Breast Lift Before & After Photos

If you live in the Beverly Hills area and would like more information about breast lift options, please contact California plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim at E. Kim Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.

Recovery periods vary by individual, but most breast lift patients are able to return to work within a week and have their discomfort, swelling and bruising subside within two to three weeks.

And while you may feel ready to resume your normal physical activities after that initial healing process, you should avoid strenuous activities for at least four to six weeks. Your body is still recovering, and during this period it’s important to stay in touch with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim and follow his guidelines to ensure the results of your breast lift and your complete recovery.

How long until I can exercise after breast augmentation surgery?

Exercise should be resumed lightly at first, and you should refrain from chest exercises for at least a month or as directed by Dr. Kim. As you resume your fitness regimen, listen to your body and don’t overwork yourself.

Undertaking strenuous physical activity before your body is healed can lead to complications and may affect the results of your breast lift.

That said, staying in shape is beneficial to your recovery following any type of surgery, including a breast lift. Exercise and overall good health can decrease the healing time and side effects of surgery.

During your recovery from breast lift surgery, Dr. Kim will monitor your progress and gradually clear for stages of exercise of increasing intensity. Following these recommendations will help you resume your normal, active lifestyle while maintaining the results of your breast lift.

Bottoming out

Bottoming out is a potential breast augmentation complication that sometimes occurs in thin patients with minimal breast tissue. This condition happens more often when breast implants are placed above the muscle, and do not have enough skin coverage.

When breast implants “bottom out,” it means they have settled too low on your chest, making your nipple appear too high on your breast mound. If this occurs shortly after breast augmentation surgery, it usually means that the breast pocket has been over-dissected. On the other hand, if bottoming out occurs later, the cause is usually the weight of the breast implant.

Surgical precaution

Dr. Kim takes every possible surgical precaution to avoid this problem. Selecting breast implants that are a more moderate size and weight will help lessen your chances of bottoming out. If it does occur, however, bottoming out can be corrected with a follow-up surgery that involves moving scar tissue from the bottom of your breast pocket up to where the new, higher breast fold will be.

Technically speaking, breast implants have no expiration date. Modern advances in breast implant materials and technology have made them more reliable and long-lasting than ever. However, like any medical device, they cannot be expected to last a lifetime. Given enough time, breast implants will inevitably become worn out and deteriorate.

Last from 10 to 25 years

In most situations, breast implants will last from 10 to 25 years before they need to be replaced – and some may last even longer. It is wise to visit Dr. Kim every year after your breast augmentation to have your implants examined and ensure no ruptures have occurred.

The longevity of your implants will also depend on the type of breast implant you chose to have placed. For example, saline breast implants tend to rupture sooner, but they are also less likely to cause capsular contracture. Meanwhile, silicone breast implants are far less prone to rupture, but they do pose a higher risk of capsular contracture.

Breast Augmentation vs. Fat Transfer Surgery

Tag Archives: california

Safety Aspects

Effectiveness

Rhinoplasty Plastic Surgery Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

Breast Augmentation Surgery Recovery

Breast Lift Surgery & Weight Loss

Breast Lift Before & After Photos

How long until I can exercise after breast augmentation surgery?

Bottoming out

Surgical precaution

Last from 10 to 25 years

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