Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

Rejuvenate Your Feminine Side With a Breast Lift

Do you remember the last time you looked in the mirror and thought how great and perky your breasts looked? Maybe it was before you had children. Perhaps it was before you lost weight. Or perhaps you have never felt that way about your breasts. Your breasts should help you feel beautiful and feminine, not embarrassed or self-conscious. Many women deal with too little or too much volume, sagging, and other breast issues. With the help of a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, you can have the breasts that help you feel more confident when you look in the mirror.

What Is Mastopexy?

Mastopexy, more often called a breast lift, is a surgical procedure that corrects sagging and drooping of the breasts. The removal of extra skin and breast tissue allows your breasts to sit in a higher position. The nipple is also moved up to sit higher on the breast to help with forward projection and give you a perkier bust.

If you are unsure if mastopexy is right for you, a simple test you can do at home can offer more insight. Place a pencil horizontally under the crease of your breast. If the pencil stays put when you let go, you may have enough sagging for a lift. If your answer is yes to any of the following questions, you may want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of a lift for your breasts.

  • Do your nipples point down instead of forward?
  • Are you unhappy with how much your breasts sag or droop?
  • Do your nipples sit below the crease of your breasts?
  • Are your breasts different sizes?
  • Are your breasts long, flat, or pendulous?

Pairing a Breast Lift With Other Procedures

Sometimes a lift is all that is needed to fix what bothers women about their breasts. But, if you want to add volume or reduce your bust size, you should consider having breast augmentation or a reduction to achieve those results. A lift alone will not change the size of your breasts by much.

  • Breast Augmentation – Breasts that sag and lack the volume you want can be transformed by combining mastopexy with implants. After having these two procedures done together, your breasts will be fuller, perkier, and have more forward projection.
  • Breast Reduction – If your breasts are too big for your liking or cause your upper body pain, reducing their size can bring much-needed relief. A breast reduction is almost always done with a lift because the surgeries complement each other to provide a more proportionate and shapely bust.

Options For a Mommy Makeover

We love our babies and would do anything for them, but that does not mean we love all the effects childbearing has on our bodies. The breasts begin to sag, deflate, or balloon up. The tummy, after being stretched to the limit, often has a hard time recovering. Loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, and stubborn fat are common problems for women who have gone through pregnancy and childbirth. A breast lift is a popular procedure for mothers to choose when they are finished having children. Other procedures often included in a mommy makeover are:

  • Liposuction – Even when you see your pre-baby weight on the scale, your body still may carry areas of fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction targets these specific spots and gets rid of the fat to reveal and enhance the natural beauty of your
  • Tummy tuck – Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, has dramatic effects on the abdominal area. Loose skin and fat are removed, and ab muscles are tightened to give you a flat, lean stomach. Although it is not a substitute for healthy eating and exercise, a tummy tuck removes the flabby skin, so many of us seem to gain after pregnancy.

It is not easy to feel confident in your appearance when you no longer fill out the bras you wore before you had children. It is not fun to carry around heavy, attention-getting breasts around all the time. Sagging breasts do not often help us feel beautiful or feminine. A breast lift can restore a youthful, perky look to your breasts and make your confidence soar. Remember to consider the following when deciding to undergo mastopexy:

  • Decide if you need the procedure. Ask yourself the right questions and even do the pencil test at home to see just how much sagging you have.
  • A lift will not make your cup size go up or down. If you want to add or take away breast volume, talk to your doctor about breast augmentation or reduction in conjunction with mastopexy.
  • You may be correcting problems with your breasts caused by having children. If you have other areas that would benefit from cosmetic surgery, a mommy makeover might be a convenient way to achieve your results.

For more information about which procedure is best for you, call Rowley Plastic Surgery today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Achieving a Naturally Beautiful Look With Breast Implants

If you are serious about breast augmentation surgery, you have probably spent some time imagining what your life will be like with your new breasts. It’s exciting to think of the flattering new clothes you’ll wear and the confidence you will feel wearing them. There is no doubt you will look great, but many women still want to preserve the natural feel of their real breasts. Your breast augmentation outcome depends on several variables. By clearly communicating your expectations with your plastic surgeon, you can achieve the look and feel you desire.

Will They Feel Fake?

Breasts with implants feel different than those without. But “different” does not have to mean the same thing as fake. In the past, some breast implants did look and feel fake because they were too big and perfectly round. Progress in technology and surgical techniques have made achieving a more natural, feminine look much more of a reality. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can help you select the right options for your implants that will create a tailored fit for your body.

Variables That Matter

At your breast augmentation consultation, you should explore in depth all the factors that contribute to the results of your breast implants. Here’s a look at some of the variables that impact your outcome.

    • Your Plastic Surgeon: choosing an experienced plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery makes all the difference in your breast augmentation results. These top-tier surgeons have been through the proper training and had the education they need to perform your procedure safely.
    • Implant Type: your implants will be filled with either saline or silicone gel. Silicone gel implants usually feel softer, like a real breast, because of the viscosity of the gel. Saline-filled implants lack the structure and firmness necessary to make them feel natural and are susceptible to wrinkling and rippling.
    • Implant Location: implants can be placed over or under the chest muscles. Sub-muscular placement tends to look more realistic because the overlying tissue creates a more natural slope to the breast. However, if you lack sufficient breast tissue to support the implants, they may need to go over the muscle (which isn’t a bad thing).
    • Implant Size: choosing the right size for the unique shape of your body is critical when a natural look is important to you. Thinner women with small breasts may want to opt for medium-sized implants. Trying on different implants at your consultation will help you get a feel for what size suits your needs.

What You Can Do

Everyone loves a good DIY solution, but before you try anything on your own, make sure to get the OK from your doctor. One thing some surgeons recommend to do at home to make your breast implants feel softer and more natural is to massage them. Gently rubbing the implants will help create a soft capsule of scar tissue around them. This allows the breasts to move in a more naturally, aids in the healing of the incision, and prevents the formation of a hard capsule around the implant. Two to three times a day, gently massage the breast in a circular motion to soften and stretch the area of the breast implant. Talk to your doctor about the specifics to get a better idea of what to do and how massage helps.

How Breast Implants Affect Men

The jury is out on whether most men like breast implants; preferences vary widely. But if we are to take any hint from the way women are portrayed in the media, we can assume a good portion of men do like them. It is not uncommon for men to be pleased with their partner’s new breasts because of the way it boosts her self-image. When a woman is happy with the way she looks, it builds her confidence in almost every aspect of her life. The important thing is not to dwell on what others will think about the choices we make with our bodies. While it is healthy to include your partner in your plastic surgery journey, the ultimate decision is up to you.

Advancements in breast augmentation techniques and technology have made it possible for women to enjoy enhanced breasts that do not feel fake. If you want your breast implants to have that natural look and feel, you should consider these important factors:

    • Your plastic surgeon’s training and experience – make sure they are board-certified.
    • Implant type, location, and size – spend time discussing these options with your doctor.
    • Implant massage – massage could help soften the feel of your implants. Make sure to clear this with your doctor first.
    • Include your partner – talking through decisions together can help, but the final say should be yours.

Call Rowley Plastic Surgery today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Breast Augmentation in Lubbock and Other Breast Procedures that Build Confidence

Confidence is one of the most attractive qualities a person can have. People who have a healthy love for themselves have a way of drawing others in and enjoying those relationships more. Of course, confidence is more than just skin-deep; but there’s no denying that feeling good about how you look has a significant impact on how you think of yourself as a whole. If your breasts cause you to feel self-conscious about your appearance, several options can help, including breast augmentation in Lubbock. Whether you feel your breasts are too big, too small, or any size in between, plastic surgery can boost your confidence and enhance your inner and outer beauty.

Why Breast Augmentation?

Celebrities are not the only ones getting breast implants. Women of many different backgrounds, ages, sizes, and shapes choose breast augmentation as a way to add volume to their breasts. Some are mothers who want to restore the look of their breasts that have changed after pregnancy. Others feel uncomfortable with their asymmetrical breasts. Many women are unhappy with the size of their bust because it seems out of proportion with the rest of their bodies. All of these concerns can be addressed with breast augmentation in Lubbock. Other benefits of breast augmentation include:

  • Overall safety of the procedure. Breast augmentation is a safe, routine surgery with low risk of complications for healthy patients.
  • Variety of options. Patients can choose from a variety of implant shapes and sizes to fit their personal preferences. Implants are filled with either saline or silicone gel.
  • Quick recovery. You’ll only need two or three days to recover from breast augmentation surgery. After four-to-six weeks, most women get the green light from their doctors to resume full physical activity.
  • High rate of patient satisfaction. According to RealSelf, 97 percent of women with breast implants find the surgery to be “worth it.” Breast augmentation in Lubbock has many physical, emotional, and social benefits.

Breast Reduction

Women who feel burdened by their breasts can find relief with breast reduction surgery. Overly large breasts often cause neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as other health issues. Even if there are no related health problems, women often get tired of the unwanted stares and attention to their chests. It can also be challenging to find clothes that fit well. All of these downsides contribute to problems with self-esteem and lower quality of life. Talk to your doctor if you feel your large breasts are getting in the way of the life you want to live. Here’s how the surgery works:

  • Extra skin and fat are removed through incisions made on the breast and around the areola. The type of incision you get depends on how much tissue needs to go.
  • The breasts are lifted and the nipple and areola are moved up to a position that fits the new shape of the breast. The areola is often made smaller as well.
  • Immediately after surgery, patients enjoy the results of having a heavy weight lifted from their chests. Complete healing takes up to six weeks, but you can go back to work after 10-14 days. Scars will be noticeable but usually fade well over time.

Breast Reconstruction

Cancer patients who undergo breast surgery as part of their treatment may want to pursue their options for breast reconstruction surgery. This procedure often involves the placement of breast implants and a breast lift. The goal is to rebuild the shape of the breasts to help women feel better about their bodies. If you are having a surgical cancer treatment such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy, talk to your doctors about the timing of breast reconstruction surgery. Some women have the procedures at the same time; others delay reconstruction until after they’ve had more time to heal.

Do It For You

One of the most important things when considering any cosmetic breast procedure is that you should do it for you, and no one else. Disconnect from other people’s opinions and focus on what the surgery could do for you. Will it improve your self-confidence? Will you feel better about your body in and out of clothes? Will it help you feel like yourself again? You need to be willing to ask yourself the hard questions when it comes to making any permanent changes to your body. Talk to your doctor about your hopes and expectations for results from these procedures:

  • Enlarging the breasts with breast augmentation in Lubbock
  • Breast reduction to make the breasts smaller and more proportionate with the rest of the body
  • Breast reconstruction for cancer patients who need reshaping or rebuilding of the breasts due to treatment surgery

Confidence comes from within. It’s about loving yourself and feeling comfortable with who you are. When you feel good about the way you look, it gives you the freedom to focus on the things you care about most. For more information or a no-obligation consultation, contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today.