It should come as no surprise that cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular in our society, from minimally invasive treatments to plastic surgery. According to the recent statistics released by the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the most requested procedure was breast enhancement surgery.

For many, this can be traced to the media and its emphasis on the “ideal” female contour – large breasts, small waist, curvy hips and backside. Specific exercises can help to decrease the size of a woman’s midsection and firm up the hips/buttocks; however, the breasts are not as easily transformed. Breast implant surgery can add volume and reshape the breasts if you have small and/or asymmetrical breasts. Using saline or silicone gel breast implants, a qualified plastic surgeon can provide patients with a fuller breast contour.

At the practice of Dr. Michael E. Decherd near Corpus Christi, breast implants surgery is performed while maintaining natural-looking results. A board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Decherd realizes that every patient has a unique anatomy and desired outcome, which is why he personalizes every procedure to meet her needs.

In addition to breast enlargement, breast lift surgery is offered near Boerne, TX at Dr. Decherd’s office. Please feel free to browse his website for further information and to schedule your initial consultation.

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Women of all ages often critique their own body, many of whom wish to enhance certain areas – the breasts being the most common of these. Whether a woman feels that her breasts are too small and/or asymmetrical, she may seek the assistance of a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation surgery. However, there are some age limitations that are in place for those who wish to undergo this procedure.

Typically, a plastic surgeon will not perform breast enhancement surgeon on patients under 18 years of age. This is due to a number of factors, most importantly the physical and psychological maturity of the patient. Most women have reached their full breast maturity by this age, while some may continue to change into their early 20s. Although a patient may be fully developed, it is also important for the surgeon to determine if she understands the procedure and wants to have the surgery for the right reasons. Patients who choose to undergo breast surgery must be sure to do so for themselves and not to please others. It is a very personal experience that should be thoroughly considered.

Those who are interested in breast enlargement in Houston may contact Dr. David R. Luethcke for further information. Prospective Houston breast augmentation patients can discuss their concerns and learn of their option when visiting with the Houston plastic surgeon.

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Recent findings in a report in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal states that more than 40% of cosmetic surgery patients take some form of herbal supplement in the 2 weeks leading up to their operation.

Many supplements can aid recovery, but experts are concerned that others can be harmful around the time of surgery and may also interact with conventional post-operation medicines.

These include some of the most popular supplements, typically used to boost the immune system, such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic and echinacea.

Dr. Alan Gold, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), said that despite the well-documented side-effects of some herbal supplements, “many patients do not fully appreciate the importance of discontinuing these treatments before surgery”.

Dr. Gold also added: “Stopping certain herbal supplements prior to surgery is just as critical as stopping aspirin, ibuprofen and many other common drugs.”

When undergoing any elective surgery, the most serious and potentially dangerous effects of alternative medicines and herbal supplements occur during the operative and in the immediate postoperative periods.

“In considering the dizzying array of supplements available, the main concerns of the plastic surgeon are interaction with other medications, cardiovascular effects, alteration of coagulation [bleeding] and sedative effects,” adds David J. Rowe, M.D., author and Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center, in Lyndhurst, OH.

This situation is not unique to North American pateints either. The advice may be relevant to a significant number of British people as well, as several plastic surgery clinics recently told British newspaper, the Mirror, that there is likely to be as much as a 26% increase in the number of women undergoing breast enlargement surgery in April compared to March.

Herbal Medications to Avoid Within 2 Weeks of Plastic Surgery:

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In our continuing efforts to bring our readers the most information on a wide variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, we’re taking this opportunity to answer some common cosmetic surgery FAQs! In this and future Frequently Asked Questions posts, we’ll take a look at one or two of the most commonly asked questions regarding a given procedure and share our wealth of knowledge with you, our readers and potential patients.

Q. What is breast augmentation?

A. Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of a woman’s breasts. The procedure can be done in a variety of ways, however, the most common method uses either silicone gel or saline (salt water) breast implants. The result of breast enlargement surgery is an enhanced figure, and a potentially heightened sense of self-confidence.

Breast augmentation is a procedure that has definitely evolved drastically, since its inception. Many years ago, the earliest breast enhancements consisted of women getting silicone injected directly into their breasts. But not long after the injections, the silicone would move and distort the breast augmentation. Some enterprising people (not necessarily physicians) found that if they put certain chemical impurities into the silicone, the material would stay in place. Unfortunately, these impurities caused infections and problems for many patients. Soon after, plastic surgeons improved the technique by putting silicone into a thin containment device and the modern day field of breast augmentation was born.

Q. What actually happens during the breast augmentation procedure? Is there multiple ways to do the surgery?

A. As with all things in life, there is always more than one way to do something. The basic breast enhancement procedure involves making an incision in and around the breast, creating a tunnel under the skin or muscle and putting an implant in that tunnel.

Here is where it gets a little interesting. Different surgeons advocate making incisions in different areas: under the arm, in the belly button, around the nipple or underneath the breast. Each method has its advantages and a disadvantages. Typically, the best procedure for you is what your doctor says it is. Each surgeon has his own preference and his own comfort level with different techniques. However, it is also important to address your own comfort level and personal needs, as well.

Our suggestion is this: Pick a plastic surgeon that offers multiple options for your procedure so that you get the one that’s best for you. If your surgeon offers only one way to do your procedure, you may not be getting the best possible solution for what bothers you. Ultimately, your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with both a variety of options and an objective opinion on what will be the best method for you

As always, get several opinions before undergoing any sort of cosmetic surgery.

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