The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog
The Centre, P.C. offers the latest plastic surgery procedures to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.
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Reality TV May Prompt Plastic Surgery - Thursday, November 29, 2007
In the July 2007 edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), patients who are seeking plastic surgery for the first time have been affected by the reality shows on TV.The study included 42 plastic surgery patients, who were questioned about whether or not they watched reality TV shows, and how it might have influenced them. 57% of the patients tested reported that they regularly watched at least one ongoing reality TV series. According to these patients, these TV shows made them feel more knowledgeable, and therefore, more comfortable, about plastic surgery.
Some of the shows that were included in this study were MTV's I Want a Famous Face, ABC's Extreme Makeover, TLC's Plastic Surgery: Before and After, FOX's The Swan, E!'s Dr. 90210, and Bravo's Miami Slice.
While this might seem like great success for the plastic surgery industry, some plastic surgeons are quailing a little over the results.
:It is unfortunate that patients are turning toward the entertainment industry for educational information - we had hoped for different results," said Dr. John Persing, ASPS Member Surgeon and study co-author. "These shows may create unrealistic, unhealthy expectations about what plastic surgery can do for you. Although it's called reality TV, it may not be reality."
When considering cosmetic surgery, it is important to choose your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and make the most out of your initial consultation.
At The Centre, P.C. in Elkhart, Indiana, we will treat you like family. Please contact us
today to schedule your initial consultation.
Breast Implants Offer Two Options - Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The saline-filled implant and the silicone gel implant are the two types of implants used for augmentation today. The saline-filled implant has been the most popular choice for the past 15 years or so, but the silicone gel implant is now being recommended to many women. In 1992, silicone gel implant use was restricted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but in November 2006, silicone gel breast implants were approved for all women age 22 and over. It was originally thought that the silicone gel implants posed serious health risks such as autoimmune disorders and connective tissue disease, but those concerns have not been supported in medical studies of the silicone implant.Saline Implants
Saline-filled implants have been the more common implant used for many years. Saline-filled implants are constructed of a tough, semi-permeable silicone elastomer shell with a single valve on the front (anterior) surface of the implant. The saline-filled implants come in smooth and textured surface and round or contoured shapes. Contoured shapes are also referred to as anatomical, teardrop, and biodimensional shapes.
Most saline implants are single lumen and are filled at the time of surgery. Ruptures in breast implants can happen, and although breast implants are made to be strong and stable, there are instances where they can break, and the saline filler may leak and circulate throughout the body. If a rupture occurs, a saline breast will simply deflate, and the saline held within the implant would harmlessly absorb within the body.
This "safety feature" is just one of the many reasons why saline-filled implants have been the popular choice for so long. Saline breast implants are extremely versatile; they do vary in terms of shell surface, volume, shell thickness, profile shape, and ability to expand. Saline-filled implants are certainly a popular choice to fix disproportion between breasts or to gain proportion within your body.
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone gel implants' outer shell is similar to that of the saline-filled implant in that it is made of solid silicone material; however, silicone implants are filled with silicone gel, which is a semi-solid material. In silicone gel implants, the surface may be smooth or textured (multiple fine bumps on the surface of the implant). There is some evidence that textured implants have a lower incidence of scar formation around them, but since a textured implant adheres to the surrounding skin, there may be visible rippling (wrinkling) of the skin. A textured implant also requires a larger incision due to the increased difficulty of sliding the implants through the surgical opening.
The silicone gel implant is usually inserted through an incision in the crease under the breast or just above it. The incision may be 3-6cm in length. An incision at or above the fold is often hidden by the slight droop of the breast and not seen unless someone is looking up under the breast. Silicone implants can also be inserted through an incision in the armpit, but this is much more difficult and more difficult insertions may cause damage to the implants.
Silicone gel implants have been known to leak through the shell. Rupture of an implant may be related to the length of time it has been in the body. Rupture may also be caused by force or traumas, such as a blow to the chest or a jolt from a car accident. Additional surgery may be required to repair or removed a ruptured breast implant.
If you are interested in learning more about the types of breast augmentation available today, please contact The Centre, P.C., Comprehensive Plastic Surgery in Indiana to schedule your initial consultation.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Which is Right For You? - Tuesday, November 20, 2007
While many of us have body imperfections that we'd like to improve upon, there is probably no greater trouble area than our stomachs when it comes to excess fat and lack of tone and definition. After years of healthy eating and exercise, many people are still left to suffer with those stubborn tummy bulges and loose skin.But thanks to the wonders of plastic surgery, there are options for both men and women who are battling the bulge in their stomachs. There are two options that are quite popular today to tone the stomach and minimize the amount of excess skin: liposuction and tummy tucks (abdominoplasty). Though both are aimed at improving the looks of your abdomen, the two treatment procedures are quite different.
If you have a "fat pocket" in the lower abdomen, thighs, buttocks, upper arms or under the chin that simply won't get smaller no matter how much you exercise, you may consider liposuction. If you're suffering from stretch marks, skin laxity, or a jelly-like appearance of your abdominal skin, you may need to have a tummy tuck.
Liposuction may be for you if:
Your actual body weight is close to your ideal weight, at least within 30%.
You have excess subcutaneous fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.
You want to remove fat pockets in the abdomen, arms, knees, thighs, chin, neck, hips, calves, and ankles.
You have good skin tone and elasticity without the existence of loose, saggy skin or stretch marks.
A tummy tuck may be for you if:
You have been pregnant and have stretched and weakened abdominal muscles and stretch marks in the lower abdomen.
You have a loose and sagging abdominal wall.
Risks of liposuction:
Asymmetry
Rippling
Pigmentation changes
Skin injury
Risks of tummy tuck:
Scarring
Skin loss
Need for second operation
For answers to all of your cosmetic surgery questions, please contact us online today or call us to set up your personal consultation at The Centre, PC in Elkhart, Indiana today.
What About Breast Reduction Surgery ? - Monday, November 19, 2007
Women who have very large breasts often experience a variety of problems associated with the excessive weight from the breasts including back and neck pain, skeletal problems, and breathing problems. Extremely large breasts often make women and young girls feel very self-conscious and embarrassed. Some women may be good candidates for breast reduction surgery but other may not.Aesthetic Vs. Medical Reasons For Surgery
For medical and aesthetic reasons, women often seek breast reduction surgery, which is designed for women who want to reduce the size of their breasts or change the shape of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery removes fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts making them firmer and smaller. Breast reduction surgery can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple). The goal of this surgery is to provide women with smaller, better-shaped breasts that are more in proportion with the rest of their bodies.
Breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is most often done for medical reasons rather than aesthetic reasons. Most women having the surgery have suffered one or more medical problems due to their large breasts and are desperately seeking some relief from years, perhaps decades, of discomfort and pain. Some women's breasts are so large that they restrict their activities greatly and interfere with their ability to lead active, normal lives.
Potential Complications
As with any surgery, there is a chance for complications afterwards including bleeding, infection and reaction to the anesthesia. Some patients have developed small sores around the nipple area; these sores can be treated easily with antibiotic cream. Following your surgeon's orders to the letter both before and after surgery will greatly reduce your chance of developing any serious complications.
Permanent scars are left following surgery but are often covered by clothing such as bras and bathing suits. If you are a smoker, your chances for more prominent scars and poor healing are significantly increased.
During your consultation at The Centre PC, cosmetic surgeons will examine your breasts and photograph them for reference during surgery and afterwards. You will both discuss surgery options and possible results. The risks and costs involved with the surgery will also be discussed. To prepare for surgery, you may be required to have a mammogram performed, and pre-surgery, detailed directions will be provided that you must follow exactly as directed.
Breast reduction surgery typically takes 2-4 hours but may take longer in some cases.
After surgery, you will be wrapped in a bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings, and a small tube will be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, and the bandages will be removed after a couple of days. Your stitches will be removed in approximately three weeks. You may experience random shooting pains for a few months; some patients may experience this for a longer period of time.
You may be up and around a day or two following the surgery, but your breasts may still ache for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing or pulling of any kind for at least four weeks.
If you would like to learn more about breast reduction surgery in the Chicago area, please contact The Centre, PC in Elkhart, Indiana today to schedule your initial consultation.
Acne Scarring? There is Help Out There - Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The best way to prevent acne scarring is to not pick at pimples or blemishes on your face, but there are many ways to minimize acne scarring available to you in your cosmetic surgeon’s office. Some of the most popular in-office acne scar solutions are:Dermabrasion, which is considered the gold standard for acne-scar treatment. It involves a power-driven instrument that removes the upper layers of skin that will be replaced with smoother, fresher skin once healed. This is usually a one-time procedure that requires two to three weeks of recovery and diligent sun protection for life. Dermabrasion is especially good for those patients who have scars over their entire face.
Microdermabrasion. A series of downtime-free microdermabrasion treatments removes the uppermost layer of skin to minimize the appearance of more superficial scars.
Dermal fillers can be used alone or in conjunction with other scar treatments, fillers, or your own fat can be injected to elevate depressed acne scars. The results may be temporary, depending on the filler used. Dermal fillers are especially good for those patients with shallow scars.
Laser treatments. A variety of light-based treatments can be used to treat acne scarring. For more severe scarring, dermatologists and plastic surgeons can utilize ablative lasers. With laser treatment, the number and severity of the scars will dictate the type of treatment used.
If you would live in Indiana and would like to learn more about what skin care treatment options are available at your cosmetic surgeon’s office, please contact The Centre, P.C. in Elkhart in Indiana today to schedule your initial consultation.
Facelifts Can Help Fight the Signs of Aging - Thursday, November 01, 2007
As people get older, the effects of sun exposure, gravity and the stressors of daily life take their toll and can be seen on our faces. Deep creases form between the nose and the mouth, the jawline may grow slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.Thanks to modern medicine, however, we no longer have to look our age (or older) as there are numerous cosmetic surgery procedures to choose from to reduce the signs of aging. One of the most popular tools to fight Father Time has always been the facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy). While a facelift cannot stop the aging process, a cosmetic surgeon can set back the clock and improve the visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck.
If you are interested in learning more about facelifts, please contact The Centre P.C. in Elkhart, Indiana today to schedule your initial consultation.
The Centre, P.C. is a unique plastic surgery practice located in northern Indiana. Our heartland values of compassion and concern for your particular needs are complemented by the professional expertise of our surgeons and staff.
At The Centre, P.C., we offer two tracks to patients in Elkhart and South Bend and throughout Indiana and southern Michiana. On the one side are our cosmetic surgery and skin care services and products. And on the other is a coordinated set of services – surgical as well as therapeutic – for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the hand, wrist and forearm due to illness or injury.
- 800.909.2992
Elkhart Office
RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
FAX: 574-293-1511
Chesterton
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Fax: 219.926.3534
