One of the hardest situations in the plastic surgery industry is to have a patient’s results not go as expected. This may or may not be the fault of the physician, but the best results are directly correlated to the most credentialed, experienced surgeon. This is why it is crucial to only trust your face and body to an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon…someone like myself.
In my area, I’m the only triple Board certified plastic surgeon, a member of multiple prestigious medical societies, and a published professor at Georgetown University. Along with my many years of experience, compassion and patient care, these credentials have led to my ability to provide a very high level of patient satisfaction. As a result, I’m often called upon to correct the concerns that arise from unsatisfactory surgeries, at the hands of other physicians, and the unforeseen side effects that happen from improper healing.

For example, an occasional unwelcome side effect after beast augmentation surgery is Capsular Contracture. This occurs when the scar tissue that has formed around breast implants tightens and hardens around the implants to create an imbalanced external appearance. This means that the affected breast will look a different shape or be at a different height on the chest. While meticulous surgical precision can help prevent capsular contracture, as with any surgical procedure there will be scar tissue and there are factors outside of the physician’s control.
Here are some tips that can contribute to avoiding Capsular Contracture:

…Avoid smoking is one of the most predictable ways to reduce your chances, as you’re twice as likely to have Capsular contracture if you smoke.
…Two weeks prior to surgery, start taking Vitamin E and possibly Prednisone, a prescription corticosteroid drug.
…Breast implants in a submuscular position, or under the pectoral muscles, may be less likely to develop capsular contracture than when breast implants are placed in a subglandular position, or over the pectoral muscles.
…There’s a slightly higher percent of Capsular Contracture with silicone implants over saline.
…Upon the instruction of surgeon, massaging and compression of the breast implants can help keep the capsule flexible and loose.

Capsular contracture may develop at any time, but can occur as early as 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, and usually not later than 6 months. It can affect just one or both breasts. Fortunately, it can be corrected with Revision Breast Surgery.  There is a special art and skill to correct Capsular Contracture… because of the difficulty of working with scar tissue. It’s a puzzle figuring out what possibly went wrong and then to skillfully correct it.

Revision Breast Surgery to correct Capsular Contracture can involve a variety of ways for releasing the interior scar tissue. These ways may include capsulotomies, capsulectomies, implant exchange or placement behind the pectoral muscle. A Capsulotomy is a surgical procedure that releases scar tissue without removing it from the pocket. This gives room for the breast pocket to expand, relieving the scar tissue contraction that is squeezing the breast implant. A Capsulectomy is a more aggressive approach, as it completely removes the scar tissue surrounding a breast implant. This procedure is more often used when the scar tissue is very thick and calcified or when a silicone breast implant has ruptured.

If you’ve experienced the disappointment of your breast augmentation not going right and want to trust your body to one of the leading plastic surgeons to correct it, please set up a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

One of the most requested aspects of the Mommy Makeover is the Breast Augmentation. This is one of the most noticeable areas of the body that takes a toll through the weight gain of pregnancy and especially breastfeeding. While breastfeeding provides the most wonderful nutrients and bonding with baby, the effects on the breast are quite evident. The most common complaint is the early aging to the breasts due to looking deflated and sagging. This is happens as the skin is stretched from being filled with milk and then when breastfeeding is done, the deflated breasts hang flatter and lower.

– If you’d like your breasts to return to their fuller, youthful, more perky pre baby days, or even to enhance your breast to be better than before, a Breast Augmentation can help.

– Breast Augmentation is the only way to increase breast size for the long term, and it also addresses the positioning and shape that can give the body an overall more proportionate look.

ARTISTRY… This is a highly personalized surgery and so there are many options to choose from regarding the material, size and shape of the breast implants. One of the main choices is to decide on Saline or Silicone implants, which both are shown to be safe, effective and dramatically improved over the last few years. The expertise of your surgeon will help you in making the right selection for your goals, and in the hands of an expert like myself, the artistry of placement and ability to understand how the implants will settle is crucial to the final result.

SURGERY…There are also incision and placement options for how the surgery is performed, based on the size, material and scar location desired. The placement of the implant can either be above or below the both the pectoral muscle and the overlying breast tissue. Which on is best for each person differs, depending on the amount of breast tissue already present, drooping, position and size desired. These factors are also considered for the incision options:

Inframammary Incision, which is the most common method. The incision is placed in the fold under the breast.
Axillary Incision is made through the armpit, which requires use of an endoscope for the implant placement.
Periareolar Incision involves inserting the implant through the incision made in the areola, or darker skin surrounding the nipple.
Umbilical Incision utilizes an endoscope to insert the implant through an incision in the belly button.

RECOVERY… It is very important for moms to have a support system in place after any surgery to help with the children and domestic affairs. The end result of a Breast Augmentation can be dramatically affected if proper healing isn’t allowed. Like with any major surgery, there will be a period of discomfort that can be managed by oral pain medication. During this time, it is necessary to wear a support bra and may be necessary to have tubes in the incisions to help drain off excess fluid for a day or so. Recovery typically takes about a week while breast shape begins to settle within six weeks, although it could take longer.
My patients have confirmed time and time again, that the recovery is worth the results. The body satisfaction and femininity restored are a great reward. To set up your personal consultation to discuss how a Breast Augmentation can help you achieve the best breasts for you, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Everyone takes photos to capture holiday memories…so this is the time to put your best face forward and be “picture posing saavy” for socialite magazines and social media like Facebook and Instagram.  We are seen by hundreds, possibly thousands, of people on Social media venues.  To help you with this…a few tips from photography experts, as well as some of my own advice on how to look great in photos.

Be a picture posing pro… Tips to help you look great in photos:

A Perfect Pout… along with bright pearly whites you must have shiny lips or your smile won’t look as good as it could.  Also, thin lips can add years to perceived age and distort facial balance and harmony. But good news….You can get that plush pout with JUVEDERM. This HA injectable instantly increases lip volume… and in the hands of an Expert Injector, like myself, precise application achieves natural, sexy, supple lips you’ll  really want to show off.

Eyes Youthful and Bright… You’ve heard it said that you should smile with your eyes. Well this is true! And if you’ve got some crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles, you can take years off your eyes with a little BOTOX to smooth out those creases.  Your forehead is part of your “T zone” and often looks shiny in pictures. Remember to apply a light dusting of translucent powder to prevent that shine.

Do Away with the Double Chin…
One of the most common picture blunders is to accentuate the double chin. This unflattering profile can show up in photos even when you really don’t have a problem here. Voluma is great to restore volume and contour to the chin.  Then…you just need to use “slimming poses” such as tilting your head down and angling your chin a tiny bit.

One solution for accentuating your real chin would be to use injectables like VOLUMA to restore volume and contour to the chin area. You can also trick the camera into slimming down your face by slightly tilting your head down and angling your chin out just a little bit. This will give the perception of a sharper jaw line and higher cheekbones.

The Three “P’s” of Pictures: Position, Posture and Pose…
– Position yourself in the middle of a group photo. The people on the end always look bigger.
– Good posture makes you look thinner and your stomach flatter. Simply stand up straight, lengthen your neck, roll your shoulders back, and lift up your chest.

– Pose in a natural, slimming position by resting your weight on one leg. Rest your hand on the hip with shoulder and elbow pointed back or allow your hands to fall naturally at your side while slightly lifting your elbow back and away from your body. This prevents the illusion of a “fat arm” that happens when the arm is pressed against the body. This will prevent your hands from looking larger than normal.

-Follow these tips and look years younger in photos!  Call to schedule your appointment today! www.davinciplastic.com

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Cosmetic surgery has become an accepted part of a healthy, youthful lifestyle regimen. Despite this, many women would have never considered it… that is, until they became a mom and experienced the body changes that even a diligent healthy lifestyle cannot fix.
We’ve all seen the magazine photos that show celebrity moms getting back their trim and toned bodies in just a few weeks. What we don’t see is that many of these images are electronically enhanced or fail to mention the surgery involved to achieve it. For example, the increasingly common practice of receiving a tummy tuck while the cesarean section is performed.

It takes time, sometimes years, for the baby fat to be worked off. Then, even when the weight comes off, some things just don’t naturally go back to being as perky as before. This is a reality that moms shouldn’t be ashamed of because they’ve sacrificed to bring precious life into the world.
Any mom will agree that it’s worth it, but these changes can still affect a woman’s confidence and satisfaction with her body image. The good news is that the “Mommy Makeover” is geared towards addressing these specific changes that come with motherhood. The Mommy Makeover, which is a combination of specialized treatments and surgical procedures, can restore and rejuvenate your body so that you look and feel good in your own skin again.

These are some of the issues that can be addressed with a Mommy Makeover:
– Sagging, deflated breasts and nipples from breastfeeding, weight gained then lost
– Abdomen pooch from torn muscles or stretched out skin that won’t go away with exercise
– Extra shapeliness to the hips, tummy and thighs from stubborn baby fat
– Discomfort or dissatisfaction with the changes to the vaginal zone after delivery
– Uneven, rough or patchy skin tone

To decide if you’re a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover, you can ask yourself these questions:
Does my post partum body affect my self image and satisfaction with myself? While your self worth shouldn’t come from your appearance, it is very understandable to desire the body you had before the changes from pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is a comfort, confidence and satisfaction in looking and feeling your best that will translate to being a better mom.
1. Am I done having children and breastfeeding? Your body will continue to change with each pregnancy and while you will still see some of the benefits of prior surgery, it’s best to wait until your “done” so that the benefits can be longer lasting.
2. Is my support system in place to help me care for my child/ren while I recover from surgery? Moms try to do it all and bear the burden of many physically and emotional tasks on a daily basis. It is crucial, for a successful recovery, to have help with those daily tasks and with the kids or you will risk disturbing your results and possibly serious injury.

Let’s Talk Soon!

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Bikini season can bring awareness to a lot of ageing and tightening the areas of the midsection. Along with the attention to this area comes a keen awareness of the small yet significant belly button.

THE IDEAL BELLY BUTTON…This makes sense because the as of our body that we’d like to improve. Most commonly are trimmcenterpiece of your stomach is the belly button. Does it tuck into a nice tight oval, or does it bulge and ripple? Is it perky or protruding? Are the edges smooth and vertical or irregular and sagging? These are some of the characteristics of the desirable navel versus the ones that usually are repaired.

NOT YOUR DESIRABLE NAVEL…Besides being the victim of a bad newborn umbilical cut, the belly button can go through a lot of changes over the years with weight gain and loss, hernia, pregnancies, piercings, etc. You may have never liked its shape, depth or protrusion, or the changes over the years may not have been kind to it. Now more than ever is the time to take care of your belly button, to repair it to look great in a bikini or today’s low waist fashions.

GETTING A BETTER BELLY BUTTON…Belly button repair, also known as Umbilicoplasty, is one of the most popular surgeries being performed today. It safely corrects distortions for beautiful, natural looking belly button. Belly button repair surgery can help you to feel even more confident to show off your efforts after working hard for that flatter stomach at the gym or gained through the help of a tummy tuck. Either way, you’ll want to show off your new navel.

ABOUT UMBILICOPLASTY… A combination of issues may be causing your less than desirable belly button. There may be extra skin from the stretching of weight gain, a hernia bulging under the surface, or even the muscles may have separated and so the integrity of the abdominal wall may need to be addressed. Generally, if a tummy tuck isn’t needed,

I can correct the belly button within an hour. I work through a very small incision in the belly button to remove excess fat and skin. If a hernia exists, that can be addressed, whichwill diminish any bulging. Then the belly button is crafted into a more desirable, attractive shape. Sutures close the incisions, which are tucked within the belly buttons so they aren’t visible. During the very mild recovery, the area will be tender with some swelling and soreness, but depending on the extent of the surgery, most patients can return to work soon within one to three days. This is a surgery that can have one of the shortest down times so you can enjoy the beautiful results almost immediately.
BIKINI READY WITH A BEAUTIFUL BELLY BUTTON … Umbilicoplasty can help you get the belly button you desire which can give you the confidence boost to get you into that bikini you’ve always wanted. You can be enjoying your new belly button this summer, into fall and during your winter getaway to a warm, sunny place!  So don’t delay. To set up a consultation please visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Although most people still like to be discreet, gone are the days when cosmetic surgery is something to hide. This is especially true with many moms who are just being real about the changes that pregnancy and breastfeeding have on their bodies. The weight gain, stretching and stress take a toll that often leaves stretched skin, difficult fat pouches, sagging flat breasts, elongated nipples, etc.

While there comes great satisfaction and reward with bringing new life into the world, women are also craving the satisfaction and confidence that comes from restoring and improving their bodies to their pre baby days. This is where the Mommy Makeover can help.
There is no exact formula for a Mommy Makeover because it means different things for each woman’s unique body changes and needs. Often the most affected areas from pregnancy and breastfeeding are the tummies, breasts, vagina and legs, but to some women the makeover includes facial rejuvenation, too.

With the health benefits to their little ones in mind, women are usually taking the best care of themselves during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but lifestyle choices can’t always reverse their effects. A healthy regimen of diet and exercise is certainly recommended to help get rid of some baby weight, but really won’t address the sagging stretched skin or deflated breasts. And sometimes no matter how hard you work out, the tummy can’t get flat again because of separated abdomen muscles. This is where the cosmetic procedures of a Mommy Makeover can give that boost to get back in shape.
A Mommy Makeover can address a woman’s post partum body issues in a single session surgery, or over time, and can include surgeries such as:

• Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) is a multi faceted surgery that restores a flatter abdomen by removing excess fat (using liposuction), putting the abdomen muscles back together if needed, eliminating loose skin and beautifying the belly button.
• Liposuction can target multiple areas where tough fat deposits just won’t go away. The smoothness and balanced contour can be restored to the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, arms, etc. It’s also important to note that the fat removed through liposuction can be refined and repurposed to replace contour and lost volume in other areas, including the buttock.
• Breast Enhancement can mean multiple corrections in itself, including lifting, augmenting fullness, and nipple reduction for an overall more visually appealing position, size and shape.
• Labiaplasty enhances the “V Zone”, which can be minimally to dramatically altered depending on how labor goes. Even besides the stretching from labor, just with age, the elasticity of the labia loosens. Restoring an anatomical and aesthetic “V Zone” can improve discomfort or sensation during intimacy and overall confidence in sexuality.

Also, some moms add in the non invasive facial procedures to give that extra boost of confidence, such as:

Injectables for facial rejuvenation help correct the extra lines and creases that come with motherhood and aging in general…Chemical peels can lighten the hormonal discolorations and age spots that add years to the appearance… as well as improve skin’s smoothness and overall texture.
Each mother’s needs are unique and require a customized, personalized plan specifically for you.

To schedule a consultation for your Mommy Makeover, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Since I just finished writing about the Lower Face, I thought we’d work our way up to the Mid Face and review what we can do to rejuvenate the whole face by working on this often overlooked area. Most people start to notice gravity’s affects on their brows and upper eyelids, but the subtle effect of volume loss and sagging skin in the Mid Face or cheek area can have a ripple effect to simultaneously age the eyes and the lower part of the face.

EFFECTS OF AN AGING MID FACE… Bone loss and fat loss in the cheek area starts to become evident for most people in their 40s. This can show itself as a flattening of the cheeks. The drooping of the mid face can cause a hollowing look under the eyes as the smooth contour from lower eyelids to full elevated cheeks diminishes. The sagging skin also ends up causing nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and more prominent creases around the mouth.

OPTIONS FOR MID FACE REJUVENATION… Depending on what level of bone and fat loss you’re experiencing, the remedies can range from a non invasive to a varying degree of surgical options. During your consultation time, we will be able to determine your goals and which option(s) is best to accomplish them. Here’s an overview of the top options for correcting Mid Face aging:
1. Liquid Face Lift with the hyaluronic acid injectable Juvederm Voluma XC is a painless option that is great for milder cases of Mid Face aging and requires no downtime. This can effectively deliver improvement in cheek volume and youthful contour while minimizing the fine lines around the mouth, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Results would last about 8 to 12 months.

2. Midface Mini lift is a relatively minor surgery for moderate cases of Mid Face aging. It takes several years off your appearance by restoring youthful elevation and fullness to the cheeks, while smoothing folds and wrinkles in the Mid Face and deeper nasolabial folds. It doesn’t address the lower face issues like a full Face Lift would. Recovery time …to resume work and non strenuous daily activity is usually about a week after surgery.

3. Cheek Augmentation uses an implant to improve the overall look of your face to achieve those full, high cheek bones or it will restore the cheek contour of your youth. The filling and lifting effect in the cheeks will have a gentle pull on the sagging Mid Face skin to also soften or eliminate deep nasolabial folds. Recovery takes about a week, but the results of the beautiful contoured cheeks are permanent.

4. Face Lift is a comprehensive approach to the more severe effects of aging. Depending on the kind of Face Lift, it can address every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck. Face lifts correct fat and bone loss, and sagging skin and muscles to take 10 years off your appearance. You can see the blog series from February for more details on Face Lifts or… visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Stay Healthy!

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Despite more emphasis on female breast augmentation, Male Breast Reduction Surgery is a sensitive yet important issue to help boost the self image of many men. About 40 to 60 percent of all men have some degree of Gynecomastia, or womanly breasts. Male Breast Reduction Surgery can restore a sense of manliness and confidence, especially coming into the spring and summer swimsuit seasons.

CAUSES OF GYNECOMASTIA…This common condition usually begins in adolescence. Some possible causes include:
Puberty
Obesity
Klinefelter’s Syndrome
Gilbert’s Syndrome
Aging
problems with testicular hormone production
prescription medications
anabolic steroids
impaired liver function

SAY GOODBYE TO GYNECOMASTIA… Social angst about the feminine appearance of your upper body can be replaced with confidence with a flatter and firmer chest area. Male Breast Reduction surgery removes fat, glandular tissue, and excess skin to create a masculine chest contour. Creating a natural looking, manly chest area is an art in the hands of an expert, triple board certified surgeon like myself.

STEPS OF MALE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY…After our consultation to discuss your desired outcome and all that encompasses Male Breast Reduction, the surgical date will be set. Usually this surgery is performed in our state of the art surgical center…equipped with the most advanced technology and surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia.

What to expect:

If liposuction is used, I will make a tiny incision, or a larger incision if excision (scalpel) removal is required.
The incisions will be made on the edge of the areola or in the armpit. Your scars are inconspicuous.
Once the fat is liposuctioned or excised, excess skin will be removed.
The chest is then sculpted into a masculine appearance.

RECOVERY FROM MALE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY… Final results are enjoyed after all swelling resolves in about 3 months. In the mean time, as with most any surgery, you will experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort, although this is short in duration. During the 2 to 3 days after surgery, the major part of these symptoms will subside and are easily mitigated with oral pain medication. It is even common for men return to work within 1 to 2 days after surgery, as long as the job doesn’t require heavy lifting. For the best recovery results, you will need to avoid:

-sexual activity for about 1 to 2 weeks following surgery
-heavy exercise for about 3 weeks
-job or physical activity that could cause a blow to the chest
-sun exposure to prevent darkening the scars

For most men, the upper body, including the chest is a major contributor to their feelings of masculinity. This surgery can have a significant, permanent effect not only physically, but emotionally in regards to self confidence and performance.

Get your firm, flat manly chest in time for the swimsuit season by scheduling a consultation today. Visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Let’s Talk Soon!

Steven Davison M.D.

DAVinci Plastic Surgery

Washington, D.C.

All About That Breast

While most of America and the world have been bopping their heads to the pop music hit “All about that bass” by Meghan Trainor, there have been so many parodies of the song that have some funny twists to the lyrics. Many of us have seen that family who did the Thanksgiving parody called “All about that baste”, as in basting the Thanksgiving Turkey.  All this got me thinking about another twist on the song that I should write called “All about that breast”… well not really. You won’t hear any musical lyrics coming from me any time soon, but that is the topic of this week’s blog.

BREAST AUGMENTATION IS THE MOST PERFORMED SURGICAL PROCEDURE… Behind breast augmentation is nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and then the facelift. Why do you think that breast augmentation is number one? Well, here are a few of the most common reasons it appeals to women of all ages, shapes and sizes:

• More harmony of proportion, balance and symmetry
• Enhanced size, shape & projection of your breasts
• Improved self-esteem & confidence
• More youthful looking
• Immediate and long-lasting, natural looking results
• Overall satisfaction with body image when looking into the mirror
• Better fashion choices…wear the styles you really love
• Getting the breasts you’ve lost over time or from having children/breastfeeding
• Getting the breasts you’ve always wanted, but never had
• Large variety of new, advanced, and more natural implants

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION… 
While there are other surgical procedures to reduce breast size and to lift them, BREAST AUGMENTATION is a surgery to enlarge the breasts. Using saline (salt water) or silicone implants in the breasts can lead to a more flattering figure that is youthfully proportionate. They will continue to age with your body, but BREAST AUGMENTATION can take off many years from the process and have long lasting youthful effects.

WHAT DOES THE SURGERY INVOLVE…Technology has advanced significantly, over the last few years, to improve the procedure and long term safety of the implants. During the surgery, general anesthesia ensures your total comfort.

There are some choices with the incision location (under breast line, armpit, belly button, areola) and where the implant can be placed (above or below the pectoral muscle). We will decide on the best options for the results you’re looking for during our consultations leading up to surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTERWARDS… Moderate discomfort (achiness) is normal following a breast procedure, but is easily managed with oral pain medication. You’ll have some aching for a few days and will be limited in your lifting and some movements in order to rest for optimal healing.

Let’s talk about creating the breasts that are best for you. Visit www.Davinciplastic.com and schedule a consultation today.

Steven Davison M.D.

Polls show that most people admit to wanting a little help to get the perfect body.  Even though we can’t promise that, we can offer tips that have proven effective in helping your body age better…and look better in the future.  We can’t stop the aging process, but we can impact the future appearance of the body.  Here are the simple yet powerful tips we offer:

• Don’t smoke
• Alcohol only in moderation
• Avoid excess sun exposure
• Get 8 hours of sleep regularly
• Keep your skin and body well hydrated

If you take good care of yourself with a healthy diet and regular exercise, your aging body will look better and you will feel better.  Whether or not you choose to have anti aging cosmetic procedures done, your body is programmed to age a certain way and it’s going to do it regardless of what we do.  Doing the right things, however, helps the body age better.

AGE FIGHTING TIMELINE:  Cosmetic procedures commonly done to assist the body in looking and feeling better throughout the lifespan =

20’s  Breast Augmentation is common to amp up breast size – Breast Augmentation

30’s fat pockets are common concern and women become more in tune with with body changes

40’s…the effects of pregnancy have set in and body makeovers are in high demand

50’s …collagen stimulation helps keep skin healthy and firm (injectables)

60’s usher in sagging breasts so women seek breast procedures (lifts, reductions, implants)

70’s brings drastic skin changes…excess skin often needs to be excised

Many men and women opt for cosmetic surgery to slow down or reverse the visible effects of aging.  It is critical that you understand the many surgical options available today and know which one(s) are best for your specific concerns.  Opting for the right surgery at the right time should also involve choosing the right surgeon.  Board certified surgeons cannot guarantee specific outcomes but board certification does ensure that the surgeon you are considering has met and possibly exceeded the rigorous demands of each certifying medical board.  Getting “board certified” involves more education, training, experience and knowledge than non certified physicians can claim. So, please know before you go!

 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery invites you to visit: www.SmartBeautyGuide.com.  When choosing a board-certified surgeon, it makes sense to consider one whose extensive training and continuing education is centered on aesthetics…from both an artistic and scientific perspective.

 MORE SIMPLE TIPS for BETTER BODY AGING:

Eat clean, healthy foods that include resonable portions of healthy fats, carbs, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.  It’s ok to give in to temptations once in a while…but be wise.  Don’t overdo on exercise.  Your body requires rest to avoid bone problems in the future.  Not all carbs are equal, so choose complex carbohydrates from whole grains richin fiber, vitamins and nutrients.  Some good choices include steel cut oats, quinoa and barley.  Don’t build too much muscle because it turns to flab when you stop working out.  Follow a healthy, regular eating routine and avoid fad diets.  Workouts should be balanced to incorporate cardio, strength training, stretching and downtime to rest.  Remember, the body needs extra calories for workout energy.

OK….hope your summer is going well.  Remember the “sun tips” – hats, sun glasses, sunscreen, lots of pure water for hydration, umbrellas and avoid too much exposure period!

Dr. Davison

This is the time of year women line up to get breast augmentations in order to look great for beach season or… to restore a more youthful look lost while aging, or to get back a pre baby body…and for many other reasons.  One common concern always prevails and that is the desire for the most natural looking results possible.

IMPLANT LINGO…Avoiding a “fake” look is a top concern today because many women innocently have breast procedures done by doctors who are not always qualified to perform them, or who lack the knowledge base needed to guide patients into the right procedures using the right implants or they have little to no experience, and also by others who simply can’t get the job done right for various other reasons. Board Certification and specialized procedural training helps to avoid these sad situations. Here’s the “lingo” or critical elements in breast augmentations:

• SHAPE…implants come in round or teardrop shapes.  Round implants create more cleavage and fullness, while teardrop or stable form implants are shaped like natural breasts and they slope downward.
• PROJECTION/PROFILE…Projection is the distance the implant protrudes outward from the chest.  Wider chests require minimal projection while moderate projection is best suited to narrow bodies and maximum projection offers the most fullness.
• TEXTURE…Textured implants are firmer than smooth ones and may not look or feel as natural depending upon patient preference.
• VOLUME…is how full an implant is. A natural look, using implants, may involve compromise on size.  Too much volume has different effects on different people.
• PLACEMENT…Implants can be placed over or under the chest muscle.  Each placement has it’s virtues and should be well discussed with your surgeon before deciding on placement.

YOUNGER vs MATURE PATIENTS...Younger people today want more volume and “bigger sized” breasts while the more mature population wants to look “proportionate” but filled out (not larger) to overcome the ravages of aging.  But they all want this one thing:  an attractive size and pretty shape and position without looking “fake.” Nobody wants to look like they have “implants.”  The right surgeon helping you make the right choices at the right times can avoid the dead giveaways so common with fake looking implant jobs.

NATURAL LOOKING vs FAKE LOOKING AUGMENTATIONS:  Some breast augmentations are so good that you can’t tell they’re not the breasts you were born with (natural) while others are obvious from far off, and you know these are not natural.  There are 10 giveaways that tip people off to real vs fake breasts.  They are:

1. Breasts are too close together.  Real breasts do not touch each other all the time unless you’re wearing a bra or tight top.  Natural breasts have a normal space between them.
2. Breasts sit too high on the chest.  The top of the breast should start at the armpit. If they sit higher than this…they are probably fake.  High profile implants have a more pronounced look than their moderate counterparts or low profile implants.
3. Breasts are too round…are a dead giveaway! Breasts should more resemble pears than round watermelons.
4. NO natural slope…are a sign of large, round implants. Natural breasts always slope downward.
5. GAP that keeps the breasts too far apart.  This indicates implants that are too large or are placed in a pocket that is too small causing the area between the breasts to look wide and bony.

Well, there are more (5) and other “need to know” information I’ll share with you in my next couple blogs.  But I have patients waiting for their personal consultations.  You guessed it….they want Breast Augmentations or Reductions or Breast Lifts with Implants etc. 

FILLERS and BOTOX/BROTOX …for “quick fixes” now.

Are you Beach Body Ready?  Let’s talk now and tailor your own personal treatment plan!

Happy Spring!

Steven Davison,  M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Since clothing fashions have changed over the last decade, tops have gotten shorter, pants sit on or below the naval leaving it totally and fashionably exposed…Belly Button Surgery has surged to become one of today’s top body enhancing cosmetic procedures.  Gen Xers, Millennials and even Baby Boomers are having Umbilicoplasty to enhance their belly buttons.

WHAT PEOPLE USED TO HIDE IS NOW CONSIDERED SEXY, FASHIONABLE AND FLAUNTABLE!

Not everyone is born with a good looking umbilicus and pregnancy, illness, injury, hernias, weight gain, weight loss and surgeries…plus normal ageing often further alter the shape and size of belly buttons leaving them with a less than desirable appearance.

An unattractive belly button bulges, is horizontal in shape and may have other distortions. A good looking umbilicus is small, vertical and well seated into the tummy.  Umbilicoplasty is a safe and effective surgery that predictably corrects belly button distortions. The results are attractive and natural looking.

NEW SPIKE in BELLY BUTTON SURGERY…While Breast Augmentation with Implants and Liposuction for Body Contouring are at the top among our most popular cosmetic procedures today,  there has been a significant spike in belly button surgeries placing this other Body Contouring option among the top “demand” options also.

FASHION DRIVES the DEMAND for MANY COSMETIC PROCEDURES…INCLUDING UMBILICOPLASTY and this is evident by hipster pants, bare midriffs and short tops.  In fact, this trend has driven the demand for “the perfect belly button.”  Polls indicate that 1/3 of college women have Belly Button Jobs… and they wear stomach bareing clothing to show off their “perfect Umbilicus!”  And a pierced belly button allows them to show off their favorite gems.

HERE’S WHAT UMBILICOPLASTY OFFERS:

• Belly Button Surgery corrects deformities/distortions of the umbilicus
• Eliminates belly button bulging and irregularities
• Creates or restores a natural, attractive appearance
• Is safe, simple, predictable and requires little to no downtime
• Removes excess skin and wrinkles around the naval
• Commonly done in combo with Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)
• Creates a new belly button to replace one lost from previous surgery, illness, injury or birth
• Umbilicoplasty in combo with Abdominoplasty rejuvenates the entire abdominal area

Each for their own reasons….men and women of various ages are seeking skilled surgeons to plan their personalized Belly Button and Tummy Tuck procedures. The advanced techniques result in beautiful navals with well hidden scars and a brand new belly button!

With all the attention given to Body Sculpting...we have to tell you about Belly Button Sculpting!  Let’s talk soon so you can be ready for “Bikini” and beach time!

MOMMY MAKEOVERS include Belly Button Surgery, in case you’ve been wondering.  When done in tandem with a Mommy Makeover Tummy Tuck…that bulging naval is eliminated to give you a firm, well contoured abdomen with a great looking umbilicus.  It’s your own.  I simply correct the deformities and put it back into it’s normal position.

A TRIM, TONED BODY is an important part of overall health and wellness.  Carrying around too much excess fat takes it’s toll on a body.  Excessive weight contributes to many diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, Joint problems and many more.  I’ve been pushing Body Sculpting in my last few blogs because it’s so popular and people need to understand what it entails and that you should seek only a qualified, Board Certified Surgeon to perform these procedures.  But you should also understand that being at or near a healthy body weight is critical before undergoing any body shaping procedures. This contributes to desirable, long lasting results…and overall better health and well being!

Looking forward to a beautiful Spring!

Steven Davison M.D.