Monthly Archives: July 2015


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NIPPLE BEAUTIFICATION

There used to be body concerns that we would just have to live with and the size, shape, orientation etc. of our nipples was one of them. Now, cosmetic surgery on the nipples is a very common practice. The nipples contribute to the overall aesthetics of the breast, and it is an aspect that can greatly affect self confidence, sexuality and satisfaction with appearances.

There are many reasons why someone would want to get cosmetic surgery on their nipples. Nipple appearance can cause “a feeling of being out of balance” with ones breasts (e.g. large nipple in relation to breast size) including general embarrassment, difficulty in clothing selection and activities. Here are some of the aspects of the nipple that I’ve helped correct:

  • asymmetrically shaped (one bigger than other)
  • long, droopy or overly prominent (common changes from pregnancy and breast feeding)

Nipple Surgery, How it’s Done… Cosmetic surgery on the nipples addresses the aesthetics of the nipple and the areola, which is the pigmented area around the nipple. Often this surgery is done in combination with an overall breast rejuvenation, including a Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation. The nipple surgery is done through very small incisions to minimize the appearance that any surgery even occurred. Depending on the modification, tissue is removed from the nipple and/or areola, and the length and/or diameter of the nipple are improved. The overall contour and balance of the nipple will be aesthetically enhanced.

Recovery from Nipple Surgery…Although any surgery does involve some discomfort, the recovery from nipple surgery is moderate to mild due to the use of tiny instruments, advanced techniques and my many years of refining skills and artistry. Within a few days any bruising, stiffness, achiness and soreness will dissipate, and based on our follow up consultation, most people can return to normal activity after a few days.  In the mean time, oral pain medication is available if needed to mediate the discomfort.
Does Nipple Surgery Affect Breastfeeding? Breastfeeding after nipple and breast augmentation is definitely possible, although there may be some additional challenges such as nipple vasospasm. A great resource for researching more about breastfeeding after surgery is the website
www.bfar.org. In general, there are many factors that affect the ability to breastfeed after surgery, such as:

  • how long since the surgery and the time of  breastfeeding
  • the method of surgery’s impact to the ducts and nerves
  • post surgery healing process
  • how well the milk glands functioned prior to surgery

Nipple & Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy… I have a special tenderness towards breast cancer survivors and have a website completely dedicated to helping these special clients, www.breastreconstructiondc.com. There are many options to address all the different affects of cancer removal and still achieve the most natural, feminine results possible.

If you’re not happy with how your nipples look, nipple surgery can improve self esteem, confidence and feelings of sexuality. Schedule a consultation at: www.davinciplastic.com to discover how you can have rejuvenated, beautiful, natural results.

 

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Scar Correction for a More Confident and Comfortable You

I have special compassion for my Scar Revision clients, as many of them are suffering with scars that remind them of an accident, burn, surgery or past acne problem. Through specialized study and development of specifically honed skills, employing both surgical and non surgical options, I help my patients get the best possible results. With every Scar Revision, I strive to make the scars less visible for a more pleasing appearance, as well as to restore function to the affected area.

Here’s an overview of the most common Scar Revisions I perform:

  1. Hypertropic scars are raised and often red tinted. They stay within the boundary of the original wound or acne zone. These are commonly the result of acne and can diminish over time.
  2. Keloid scars are slightly more raised than hypertropic scars and can be rubbery, firm and sometimes itchy. They often look inflamed and extend beyond the boundary of the original wound. Certain skin types are more prone to this type of scarring, including people with dark skin tones.
  3. Contracture scars are severe, occurring as the result of a loss of skin over a large area, such as from a burn.  This can affect muscles and tendons to restrict normal movement.

Some other scarring patterns are:

  1. Ice pick scarring is the most common type of acne scar. They are designated by narrow pitted indentations.
  2. Boxcar scars’ defined, angular edges in a box shape look very similar to indentations of chicken pox or vaccination scars. These occur most commonly on the temples or cheeks.
  3. Rolling scars create a shallow, wide indentation that looks like the rippling of waves in the skin.

METHODS FOR MAKING SCARS BETTER… While it’s important to note that scars cannot be removed completely, they can be reduced and made to look noticeably better. If they are raised or depressed, discolored or they cause contour irregularities, don’t worry, there are a variety of options to help improve the skin’s appearance and function.

Based on the type of scarring… during your consultation…we discuss the options and expected results in depth. These are some of the methods we’ve had great success with:

  1. Non Surgical
  • Dermabrasion gently removes the top layers of the skin to smooth out surface irregularities.
  • Dermal Fillers, such as Hyaluronic Acid, fill in sunken scars.
  • Silicone Gel Sheets are clear coverings that help flatten hypertropic scars over time.
  • Steroid Applications and Injections alleviate the itching or pain of keloid scarring. They are applied or injected into the scar to break down the skin’s collagen that has continued to produce even after the wound has healed.
  • Vascular Lesion Treatment addresses the discoloration of scars by shrinking the blood vessels connected to it.
  1. Surgical
  • Skin Grafts are intended for severely scarred areas. It involves taking healthy skin from another part of the body to transplant to the injured area.
  • Tissue Expansion stretches a patch of skin by inserting a saline filled balloon near a scar so that the stretched healthy skin is pulled over to cover the previously scarred area.
  • Z-Plasty and Related Tissue Rearrangement Techniques reorient scars to follow natural lines and creases of the skin. This makes them less noticeable and relieves pulling or pressure of contracture scars.

My compassionate staff and I look forward to the opportunity to help you feel better about how your skin looks and feels. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

Getting it right: REVISION RHINOPLASTY

 

Very few surgeons are truly qualified to perform the complicated procedure of Revision Rhinoplasty. Revision or Secondary Rhinoplasty is a correction, whether functional or aesthetic, to the unsatisfactory results of a previous Rhinoplasty (Nose) surgery.

WHEN TO GO FOR THE REVISION… Typically, the recommendation is to wait a year after the original Rhinoplasty so that there is ample time for healing and the nose to “settle” into its new anatomy. There can be a shorter duration to this recovery time depending on the extent of the previous surgery, which can be discussed during the consultation.

Although the decision should not be made lightly, you should consider a revision if you have any of these issues:

  • persistent breathing problems
  • nose still too large
  • still a bump in the bridge
  • new nose not in balance with the rest of the face
  • too much removed
  • tip of your nose needs better refinement
  • tip is deflected off to one side (“twisted tip”)

WHY IS REVISION RHINOPLASTY MORE COMPLICATED?

  • Changes to the typical anatomy and geography of the nose due to cartilage removal during the first surgery
  • There may not be enough cartilage in the nose to work with and it has to be borrowed from behind the ear, which also requires extra incisions
  • Navigating the scar tissue in the nasal lining from the primary surgery
  • There is a higher risk of developing little spider veins in the nose called telangectasias
  • All of these issues increase the variables and the amount of time in surgery

SURGICAL EXPERIENCE IS CRUCIAL… It is possible that the problem resulting from the original Rhinoplasty may not be the fault of the original surgeon. Anatomical variations and the healing process aren’t under their control. Although, the actual surgery is under the surgeon’s control, which is why you need the most experience surgical hands for the best possible outcome. This is especially true with navigating the altered anatomy and scar tissue present during a revision Rhinoplasty. It requires not only skill, but an artful eye, as well.

CHOOSE A SURGEON WHO:

  • IS Qualified with expert training (I’m triple board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, Facial plastic & General plastic surgery)
  • Has many years of experience with many surgeries (almost 2 decades of surgical experience)
  • Does them regularly – Our patients come from across the country to have revision rhinoplasty  – using my advanced techniques and honed skills…

This is one of those surgeries where the extra care and attention I give to my clients is crucial for discussing expectations, changes and the best technique to accomplish the goal of the Revision Rhinoplasty. To schedule a consultation to get the nose you desire, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Baord Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Davison

The initial consultation with your surgeon is critical! It should always be face to face with your surgeon during which time he/she listens closely to your concerns. Dr. Davison believes this time spent with you is critical to both you and to him. It is during the consultation that he comes to fully understand your concerns, evaluates them correctly and is then able to make the recommendations and develop the treatment plan thats right for you. Dr. Davison invests the time to sit down and talk to you face-to-face.

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3301 New Mexico Ave. Suite 236

Washington D.C.

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