Newport Beach Plastic Surgery

I have recently been enthusiastically won over by the vertical breast lift. Some call this the lollipop method, where the final scar is located around the areola and then in a vertical line down the breast from the areola extending to the breast crease. It stops there and does not extend into the crease, so the scar is relatively short and well hidden.

The vertical breast lift technique is fairly new to most American cosmetic surgeons. Most cosmetic surgeons typically use the anchor approach, which creates a much longer and more visible scar in the shape of an anchor that follows the entire breast fold. By using the anchor approach, the scar can become thick and noticeable.

European cosmetic surgeons began the march toward better breast lifting techniques more than a decade ago, but it has been slow to catch on in the United States. In fact, very few U.S. surgeons are using it.

I have found that using the vertical breast lift technique, my patients have better breast shape, faster recovery, less swelling AND shorter, better hidden scars. The surgery is also shorter taking only about 2 hours compared with 3 1/2 hours and is much simpler to do than "the old way."

It has been really a pleasure to now offer this procedure to my patients. To find out more about the vertical breast lift, contact me to set up a confidential consultation.

Today is my first in a series I want to call Urban Myth Busters. I have always wanted to collect a list of the common myths that patients ask me about when they consult with me for cosmetic surgery procedures, and comment on or correct some of the common misconceptions.

Today, I will address the common myths that relate to liposuction, since that was the last blog topic.

Urban Myth #1. “You are born with only a certain number of fat cells, and once they are removed, they are gone for good.”

Reality Check: Fat cells were once thought only to be able to undergo hypertrophy, that is, to grow larger and plumper, stimulated by an increase in circulating fat in the bloodstream. They were not thought to have the ability to multiply. Now we know that if there is enough of a stimulus (like a cheeseburger and fries) fat cells will divide and multiply. So, just because you remove fat cells with liposuction, It doesn’t mean that the treated area will be forever immune to the effects of over-eating.


Urban Myth #2. “If you remove fat cells with liposuction in one spot, you will just gain fat in other areas.”

Reality Check: Similar in concept to Urban Myth #1, Liposuction normally is done to reduce diet-resistant pockets of fat, the ones that often are determined by your DNA(genes-heredity). Once these pockets are reduced, they can still store fat again if they are stimulated to do so by taking in too many calories. The good news is that if you gain weight after liposuction, you will probably gain it more evenly over the entire body rather than in the localized areas that seemed to accumulate fat with weight gain before surgery.

Check out my before and after photos to see first hand what liposuction can do.


Next in the Myth Busters Series will be Myths about Soft Tissue Augmentation and Fat grafting.

In the second installment of the procedure of the week series, I will be
talking about one of the more common body-contouring procedures known as
Liposuction. In 2004, liposuction was the #1 most frequently performed
procedure by doctors who are members of the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons.1

Liposuction is a procedure that is often used by both men and women.

Common places that women get liposuction are:

* Under the chin
* Hips
* Thighs
* Stomach

Common places for men to get liposuction are:

* Under the chin
* Around the waist
* Breast area (To reduce the size of their breasts - a condition known
as Gynecomastia)

Liposuction is generally reserved for the mildly overweight whose bodies
will not respond to dieting. Liposuction is also usually reserved for people
who are active and healthy and who have localized areas of extra fat.

I have three really great innovations in liposuction that make the procedure
even better. Most physicians infuse a large amount of fluid containing
adrenalin in the area to be treated, prior to liposuction. In addition to
the adrenaline, I add a special mix of numbing medications that make the
site virtually pain free for up to 24 hours after the surgery. This, I
believe, allows you to resume normal activities sooner that most people do
after this procedure.

Liposuction surgery can vary in time and degree based on your needs. Things
I have to take into consideration when talking about surgery options are the
size of the area and the amount of fat that has to be removed. The procedure
consists of inserting a small metal tube with vacuum pressure through a
small incision and suctioning out the excess areas of fat. I prefer a
power-assisted liposuction device the vibrates the metal tube and shakes the
fat loose. It comes out faster and with less trauma using this device.
Fluids are typically administered intravenously, because body fluids are
lost during the procedure.

My third innovation is sutureless closure of the entrance sites. Most
doctors will suture the openings closed, which leaves a noticeable scar. I
use a special band-aide that seals the wound and essentially leaves very
little noticeable scar.






3 weeks post op.



After the surgery you will have to wear a compression garment as to help
with the reduction of swelling. Because of the swelling, results will not
show up right away. It takes around six weeks after the procedure to see the
full effect of the liposuction. Sometimes liposuction is done along with a
Tummy Tuck. These two procedures combined can significantly change the body
shape and contour for the better.

For more information on Liposuction, please visit my Liposuction Frequently
Asked Questions page. Also check out my before and after photos of
liposuction patients.

Liposuction is not right for everyone. To determine if you are a good
candidate for liposuction, please contact me today for your confidential consultation.

1. From The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2004 Statistics)