Monthly Archives: September 2016

While on the topic of FaceLift surgeries, let me emphasize the importance of having a very experienced surgeon to handle this, delicate, complicated procedure. Thus, I decided to share my credentials… and those that you should look for in other surgeons. I will do this through 3 main criteria upon which surgeons are judged: training, qualifications and results.

TRAINING… QUALITY EDUCATION AND INSTITUTIONS
I’ve always wanted to provide the highest quality care to my patients, so I adhere to the highest standards beginning with my studies. My distinctions in undergraduate years studying Dentistry, include the Dell Medal for Performance and The British Student of the Year award from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  As I went on to earn my medical degree from the University of Maryland, I also was selected from among my peers to receive the Babcock Award for surgical excellence. Next in my studies was to specialize in head and neck/otolaryngology at the world renown Mayo Clinic. For my final years of hands on experience, I was selected to do my plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, which has one of the most comprehensive plastic surgery programs, and then completed a reconstructive cancer fellowship at the premier cancer hospital in the country, MD Anderson in Texas.

BOARD CERTIFICATION 
Another factor that elevates my standing as a plastic surgeon is that I am triple board certified in a rare yet extremely applicable combination: plastic surgery, otolaryngology/head and neck surgery, and facial plastic surgery (which I earned the Jack Webster prize for the highest score).  I am the only such surgeon in the tri-state area and one of only a handful in the United States with this level of triple board certification.

It is important to note that the board certifications I’ve earned are accredited by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has the highest standards. With ABMS certifications you can be assured that the doctor has:
1. graduated from an accredited medical school

2. completed at least 5 years of additional training as a resident surgeon in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

3. passed comprehensive written and oral exams

RESULTS…PEER AND PATIENT REVIEW
I believe in staying on the cutting edge of my field. As a result have given well over 95 national and international lectures, and written more than 100 clinical papers. Some of my greatest acknowledgements have been from my peers and patients, as I’ve been:
…nominated in the Washingtonian for both “Best Doctor” in plastic surgery AND breast reconstruction (by my peers)
…currently rated Castle Connolly best surgeon and an “America’s Top Surgeon”
…selected as “The Best Plastic Surgeon” of DC and “Number One Doctor” for many years in a row (by patients)

My biggest reward and compliment is a satisfied patient. To find out more of my credentials and to schedule a consultation, please visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation General Q & A

Even though Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, there are a lot of questions women have.This Q & A is an overview of some of them… but my intention here is not to replace the consultation. The consultation is an invaluable part of my process. It is crucial to get to know my patients personally and to get on the same page. I hope this blog helps you along your journey to deciding whether a Breast Augmentation is a good fit for you and I hope to be talking with you further at a consultation, which can be scheduled at www.davinciplastic.com.

What Is A Breast Augmentation?
Breast Augmentation specifically addresses increasing breast size and shape. Other surgical procedures related to the breast are:
Breast Reduction makes large breast smaller and more manageable. Patients with too large of breasts suffer from back pain and other issues, and a reduction can provide great relief.
Breast Lift helps sagging breasts look younger and perky. This is great in combination with an Augmentation or Reduction.
Nipple Reduction specifically addresses only the nipples, which can get stretched out during breastfeeding or may be out of proportion in relation to the overall breast size. A Nipple Reduction can bring the nipple size in balance with the breast for a more aesthetic appearance.

Saline or Silicone?
Saline is a silicone shell filled with sterile saline, or salt water. Silicone is a completely silicone implant. Both are shown to be safe, effective and dramatically improved over the last few years. Within these categories, there are many kinds of implants to consider. This decision is highly up to personal preference and goals. As there are quite a few aspects of this question to address, I will dedicate my next blog just to this topic.

What Does The Surgery Involve?

1.  Preparation: Consultation and decision on the size and type of implant, location of implant and incision location. You may need to get a blood test, stop smoking, adjust medications and vitamins.
2. Anesthesia: General anesthesia in our highest quality outpatient center will help you feel completely comfortable during surgery.
3. Incision: Your body type, breast size, type of implant, and scar preferences will help us to determine the optimal location (under breast line, armpit, belly button, or areola).
4. Insertion: Many factors will help us decide whether the implant should be inserted into a pocket above or below the pectoral muscle, including the amount of breast tissue already present, drooping, position and size desired.
5. Closing Incisions: This will involve internal sutures within layers of the breast tissue and on the surface skin closure.
6. Recovery: Like with any major surgery, there will be a period of discomfort that can be managed by oral pain medication. The first week is low key while wearing a support bra and possibly tending to a drainage tube for a few of those days. After 2 weeks normal activities, except for exercise or strenuous exertion, can resume. We will see you and check on you to make sure you’re doing ok. It’ll take between 4 to 6 weeks to feel somewhat normal. The skin can continue to feel tight and sensitive beyond that, but it shouldn’t impede your everyday life.
7. Results: Over and over again, my patients have confirmed that the recovery is worth the results. The implants take a few weeks to “settle” into their position and the scars will take some time to fade, but your body satisfaction and restored femininity are long lasting and well worth your investment in yourself!

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

There are some things that are just “tried and true”… like mom’s apple pie, fall leaves changing color in DC and the Breast Augmentation. This surgery has been perfected for decades and is the most performed cosmetic surgery for many reasons. These are some of them:

More harmony of proportion, balance and symmetry
Some women feel their small chest size stands out as an awkward feature because it isn’t in proportion to the rest of their body. It is also common for women to have two different breast sizes and want them to be balanced and equal. The ideal Breast Augmentation enhances the size, shape & projection of your breasts so they are harmonious with your entire body. They should look natural, smooth and proportionate.

Improved self-esteem & confidence
While a healthy person wouldn’t have their happiness and self esteem completely dependent on a Breast Augmentation, it can give an amazing confidence boost and satisfaction with body image. The feeling of inadequacy can be crippling to the confidence and full expression of your personality; if a Breast Augmentation can help you feel more “you” then more power to you.

Overall satisfaction with body image and fashion choices
While certain clothes compliment different body types, you shouldn’t have to feel disappointed that most tops don’t fit right because you cant fill them out. If you’d like to dress your best, a Breast Augmentation can help you feel satisfied with your body image and how you look in those fashionable clothes and bathing suits.
Getting the breasts you’ve lost over time or from having children and/or breastfeeding
Time and gravity certainly has its affects on the breasts. Breast Augmentation can restore you chest to its more youthful years. Weight loss and childbearing also can leave the breasts deflated and sagging compared to their prior glory years. There’s no shame in wanting to restore your breasts to what they once were. Losing weigh is a great accomplishment and childbearing is a beautiful, worthwhile sacrifice; you shouldn’t feel less satisfied with your breasts because of these wonderful life changes.

Feeling “whole again” and normal after mastectomy
While the wounds from a mastectomy are more than skin deep, a Breast Augmentation can greatly help to restore the feeling of normalcy and wholeness that losing one or both breasts can rob from you. So much of a woman’s feeling of femininity comes from her beautiful curves, and a Breast Augmentation can help in the process of restoring what was lost and creating a confident new life. It is possible to do more than just “survive” cancer, but to “thrive” after cancer.

These are just a few of the most common reasons why a Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery. In the coming weeks we will look at this procedure in more detail. If you are ready to talk about your hopes for a Breast Augmentation – visit www.Davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation today.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon