Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

Breast Implant Placement: Under or Over the Muscle

Breast augmentation in one of the leading requested plastic surgery procedures. Women want to increase their breast size or add volume and fullness to their breasts’ appearance. Breast implants can also correct asymmetry with breasts and help enhance their shapeliness. Choosing to have breast implants doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all surgery. Patients in Lubbock need to make several decisions concerning their implants and spend plenty of time discussing their choices with their doctors. Things to consider about your implants include:

  • Size
  • Material
  • Shape
  • Placement

With so much to think about, having a board certified surgeon willing to spend the time needed to help you make the right choices for your body is imperative to your having the best possible outcome with your surgery. You probably have already thought about your size options. You may even have considered silicone vs. saline. But have you given thought to where your implant will be placed?

In general, implants placed above the muscle tend to have a more natural look and feel; however, this is not the right placement for every body type, and a natural look and feel can also be obtained for implants below the muscle. Particularly petite women with limited natural breast tissue find that placement under the muscle is necessary. Ultimately, you and your doctor should carefully review all of the pros and cons surrounding this placement in the context of your body to determine the best choice for you.

Breast Implants Under Breast Tissue

Implants placed below the breast tissue but above the chest muscle are called subglandular or subfascial.

Benefits of above muscle implants:

  • Typically less invasive than below the muscle breast implants
  • Quicker recovery because the muscle stays intact
  • No distortion from flexing muscles
  • No size limitation due to limited space under the muscle
  • Breast implants can be spaced closer together allowing for more cleavage

Disadvantages of above the muscle:

  • More likely to have visible rippling of the implant
  • Less support for the implant putting it at risk of dropping over time
  • More likely to cause stretch marks and blemishes
  • More difficult to mammogram
  • Higher risk of looking “fake”

Breast Implants Under Your Muscle

Placement under the muscle is often referred to as subpectoral.

Benefits of under the muscle:

  • Less risk of folds or ripples in the implant becoming visible
  • More tissue covering and protecting the breast implants
  • Less risk of firmness or capsular contracture

Disadvantages of under the muscle:

  • Longer recovery times
  • Typically more painful recovery
  • Interference with some physical activities like push ups or weight lifting
  • Visible flexing of the muscle over the breast implants, which can look unnatural
  • Higher-positioned implants can look unnatural

There is no right or wrong placement of your breast implant. Talk with your Lubbock doctor to review all of your options and to discuss the right fit for your body type and your personal goals. At Rowley Plastic Surgery, you will find a caring staff and expert breast augmentation surgeon. Dr. Jane Rowley carefully guides her patients with information to make the best decision for their plastic surgery experience. Learn more about procedures and staff at Rowley Plastic Surgery at www.rowleyplasticsurgery.com

What to Consider When Choosing a Breast Implant Size

Communicating expectations about a wanted implant size is sometimes a difficult thing for patients. Patients need to have realistic expectations, and surgeons need to explain procedures and options to patients clearly. Breast implant sizes don’t just match up with a perceived bra size. As patient and doctor discuss a breast augmentation, they should consider long-term goals for the surgical result. Along with size, Lubbock women need to consider the implant material and shape that they want to be used for their breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Size and Your Body

Size can be one of the toughest topics to navigate when establishing clear expectations for your breast augmentation procedure. We often try talking about breast sizes using bra sizes, but, a cup size can look very different on different body shapes and sizes, and even a standard bra size can vary from bra brand to brand. The effect of implants can look different on different people depending on body shape and existing breast tissue. For example, your chest and shoulder width play a role in selecting the width of your implants, and going from a small A cup to a small D cup can produce very different results than going from a full B cup to a small D cup. So more than selecting a bra from the store shelf or comparing with friends to determine the right size for you, go into our Lubbock office for an in-person consultation to help you understand your options and what may be recommended for your body type.

Consider Breast Augmentation and Lifestyle

It is easy to cruise the internet and take a look around the poolside to select what you think to be the perfect size for your breast augmentation, but it is an entirely different thing living with that new body you imagined for yourself. The goal after a breast augmentation is not to look back and wish that you had either gone for a size larger or a size smaller. And size dissatisfaction post-surgery can be a result of more than just wishing your clothes fit differently. For incredibly active individuals, maintaining that activity with a new and larger chest can be difficult. If sports and exercises are a consistent part of your life, consider an implant that will give you lift and shape and fullness, but not an excessively large breast size.

More than “Bigger Is Better”

Remember that a breast augmentation is more than a competition with size. Correcting an asymmetric chest or adding back some lost fullness can bring you great satisfaction and an increase in self-confidence. Dr. Jane Rowley knows the importance of spending whatever time is needed to understand her patient’s expectations with her breast augmentation. Schedule your consultation today and see what possibilities you have with breast enhancement surgery. Visit www.rowleyplasticsurgery.com for more information.

Which Type of Tummy Tuck is Right For You?

A tummy tuck is the plastic surgery procedure that is intended to remove saggy, excessive skin around your tummy area. While it can be combined with liposuction, this procedure is not a weight loss treatment. Patients need to have realistic expectations and have clear communication with their board certified surgeon about the procedure, recovery, and expected results. Patients in Lubbock can talk to their doctors about three forms of tummy tuck surgery and decide which one is best for them.

Mini Tummy Tuck

This type of tummy tuck is often referred to as the “scarless tummy tuck.” The incision for this procedure is relatively small compared to a standard tummy tuck. And, this tuck removes less skin. This procedure is the best choice for individuals with that small “pooch” that just won’t respond to diet and exercise. This option is for those who are in general good health, have a slender or fit physique, and who are looking to tighten up the belly. This procedure is made with an incision in the lower abdominal wall that reaches the navel. Unlike other tummy tucks, the navel itself typically does not need to be repositioned during a mini tummy tuck. After making the incisions, the surgeon will “tuck” the skin and abdominal muscles. Because this procedure is a less invasive plastic surgery, Lubbock patients typically experience a quick recovery. Patients are usually back to their everyday activities within a week’s time and can manage their pain with over-the-counter pain medications.

Standard Tummy Tuck

This level of treatment is the traditional tummy tuck Lubbock residents typically think of for this surgery. Like the mini tummy tuck, it is recommended that this surgery is performed on men and women in good physical health. Unlike the mini tuck, however, individuals seeking this surgery have a more sizable excess of skin to remove. Patients with weakened abdominal muscles due to past pregnancies or who have experienced a tremendous loss of weight will benefit from a traditional tummy tuck. For this surgery, the surgeon makes a larger surgical incision. The incision runs in a straight line between the hip bones. Your doctor can suggest if you need to have some liposuction to remove fat at this point before the surgeon tucks the abdomen. With a larger portion of the skin removed during this tuck, the belly button is repositioned. Patients get back on their feet and into regular routines in around 2-4 weeks after surgery. A prescription pain medication is typically recommended. It’s important to rest as much as possible in the first few weeks and not try to jump right back into your life’s activities too quickly.

Extended Tummy Tuck

As you can assume, an extended tummy tuck addresses surgical needs beyond that of the standard tummy tuck. A Lubbock plastic surgery patient wanting to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen as well as their hips and “love handles,” the sides of their lower back, may be recommended the extended tummy tuck approach. The incision for this procedure is longer than the traditional tummy tuck, covering all areas being addressed–abdomen, hips, lower back. This procedure is nearly always paired with liposuction for a better contouring results. Again, the abdominal muscles are tightened, targeted skin is excised, and the navel is repositioned. The more extensive your surgery, the longer your recovery time will be. Always give yourself plenty of time to allow your body to heal properly.

The more information you have about your plastic surgery options, the better decisions you can make for your body. Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock who takes the time to explain procedures along with recovery and result expectations thoroughly. If you are feeling like you are tired of carrying around that extra pooch of baggy skin in your abdominal area, schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Rowley today.

Find more information about plastic surgery options and the caring staff at Rowley Plastic Surgery at www.rowleyplasticsurgery.com