Women who have undergone breast augmentation experience changes just like other women. Sometimes, breast implant replacement can help them feel more comfortable with their appearance by promoting a positive self-image and enhanced overall well-being, even when it’s not medically necessary.
5 Reasons You May WANT to Replace Your Breast Implants
Deciding to replace breast implants is a personal choice that women may make for a variety of reasons, each unique to their individual circumstances and preferences. Below are five common reasons someone may want to replace their breast implants.
1. A Desire for a Different Breast Implant Size or Shape
One of the most common reasons women opt for breast implant replacement is the desire for a different breast size or shape. Over time, a woman’s body undergoes natural changes, and her breast implants may no longer align with her desired aesthetic or comfort level. Personal preferences can also change, making some women wish their breasts were larger or smaller.
Breast revision surgery allows them to achieve the desired outcome and align their breasts with their evolving aesthetic goals.
2. Aging and Changes in Breast Tissue
Aging typically causes breasts to sag or lose volume, and these women may choose to replace their implants to restore their more youthful and perky breasts.
Combining a breast implant exchange with a breast lift procedure is a common approach to address these issues comprehensively.
3. Change in Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes can also prompt women to consider breast implant replacement. For instance, an active lifestyle that involves rigorous exercise or athletic activities may lead to discomfort if the implants are too large or have become a hindrance.
In such cases, women may exchange their implants for a more suitable size or type that better aligns with their lifestyle.
4. Desire to Upgrade Implant Type
Advancement in breast implant technology means there are more options than ever when it comes to implant types, shapes, and textures. Some women may decide to replace their existing implants with newer ones that have improved features or provide more natural-looking results.
For example, they may opt for cohesive gel implants, often referred to as “gummy bear” implants, for a more natural look and feel.
5. When Planning a Mommy Makeover
After one or more pregnancies, women who have completed their families often seek to restore their pre-pregnancy body by undergoing a Mommy Makeover. This is an opportune time to consider upgrading their implants or changing their size or shape, especially if they’re over ten years old.
Preparing Financially for Your Breast Implant Exchange
If your implants are nearing ten years of age and you want to have implants that continue to be under warranty, you should start preparing financially for exchange. Then, when ten years come around, you can replace them without overburdening your wallet.
Saline Breast Implants
Unfortunately, implant manufacturers do not offer standard warranties on saline implants anymore. If you have saline implants over ten years old, you can change them electively or wait until a problem arises, which will likely manifest as a sudden deflation. Implant exchange operations for saline implants that have deflated should be done quickly to avoid the need for extensive capsular resections.
Changing saline implants as soon as possible after the warranty expires is recommended for this very reason. It is not uncommon for patients to experience a leak but cannot remove and exchange their deflated implants for many months because it came up so suddenly, and they were unprepared.
Silicone Breast Implants
If you have silicone implants approaching the ten-year mark, you should consider getting an MRI of the breasts to see if there is a silent rupture. This way, your warranty will still cover the implants.
If the MRI is negative for a rupture, you can make your decision with less urgency. The latest FDA statements recommend MRI imaging begin five to six years after augmentation and every two to three years after that.
Implant exchange (for both saline and silicone implants) is performed when the original implants are still intact. This procedure is typically associated with a faster recovery than the initial breast augmentation.
Replacing Your Breast Implant in California’s Inland Empire
If you want to replace your breast implants, know that a desire to do so is as valid as any other reason that helps you feel and look your best. Dr. Andreasen has the artistic skill and experience performing breast implant exchange to ensure the ideal aesthetic results with a lower risk of complications. To get the ANDREASEN REFRESH, as his comprehensive technique for changing implants while tightening the pocket is known, schedule a consultation by calling 909-291-4900 or filling out our online contact form.
4 Minute Read:
There’s no question: combining two or more cosmetic procedures offers stunning and comprehensive results to women and men of all ages. However, it is important to understand that not all plastic surgery procedures can be performed at the same time. Instead, there are strict guidelines as to which procedures can and should be combined and which procedures need to be performed separately.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at combining plastic surgery procedures, including which ones can be performed simultaneously to give you the most dramatic transformation possible.
Why Is Combining Procedures a Good Idea?
As mentioned above, combining cosmetic procedures can offer you more transformative results than only undergoing one procedure. This is because more areas of the body or face are being addressed, allowing for better harmony and balance across multiple features. Combining procedures can also help you achieve a more balanced appearance to your face or body.
Other benefits that many patients don’t necessarily think about is that combining procedures helps to minimize overall cost and downtime, since you are undergoing the procedures at the same time (which means that you only have to pay once for certain fees, such as facility fees and anesthesia fees, among others) and you are recovering from those multiple surgeries simultaneously.
Which Procedures Can Be Combined?
When you are considering any plastic surgery procedure, it is essential that you only consider a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Andreasen. By doing so, you can rest easy knowing that you are trusting your body or face to a cosmetic surgeon with training, experience, and skill.
Secondly, it is important to understand that you should only combine procedures that are in the same body region (body/breast and face).
Additionally, facial procedures (including facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, and brow lift surgery) can be performed at the same time to transform your entire face and ensure that your features remain balanced.
However, body and facial procedures should not be performed simultaneously.
Which Procedures Cannot Be Combined?
Having face and body/breast procedures performed at the same time puts too much trauma and stress on the body, both during the surgeries and during the recovery period.
Because of this, you should only have procedures in only one region of the body (body/breast or face) at a time. If you desire multiple procedures in different regions of the body, then you need to have these procedures performed at different times and only after you heal completely from the first procedure(s).
Additionally, there is a limit to how long a patient can safely be under general anesthesia. If your procedures are extensive and time-intensive, it may be better and safer to separate those into two surgeries. Dr. Andreasen will give you more information about this during your consultation.
Something else to keep in mind when choosing to combine procedures is the recovery period. Because of this, it is often not recommended to combine a breast surgery with a butt procedure (Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) or buttock fat grafting). This is because breast surgery requires you to stay off of your chest and BBL surgery asks you to avoid sitting or laying on your back.
This makes it challenging to find a proper way to rest and recover.
How Do I Know Which Combination of Procedures Is Right for Me?
At your consultation, you will be able to discuss your cosmetic goals with your plastic surgeon, who will suggest the right procedure(s) for you.
If you are looking to have cosmetic procedures in different areas of the body, a surgical plan will be created to help you understand the timeline of your surgeries.
Want to Learn More About Plastic Surgery in the Inland Empire?
If you would like to know more about how combining cosmetic procedures can offer you the results you’re looking for, then contact Dr. Andreasen and his team at (909) 291-4900 or schedule a consultation online today!
3 Minute Read:
Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular among all demographics. Whether you are looking to improve your body or breast contour, or you are interested in reversing some of the signs and damages brought on by age, there is a plastic surgery approach that is appropriate for you.
While plastic surgery is elective, many of these options are still invasive, requiring anesthesia and skilled hands throughout the operating room. Complications with plastic surgery procedures are rare; however, they are still possible.
To help counteract this, it is important to find a skilled plastic surgery team who will put your health and safety at the forefront. A large aspect of this comes down to the quality of the facility in which they operate.
Where Will My Plastic Surgery Be Performed?
Plastic surgery procedures can be performed in one of three settings:
A hospital
A short-stay surgery center
A dedicated cosmetic surgery center
Plastic surgeons may prefer one of these over another for any number of reasons. However, there are some things for patients to consider about each option.
Having Your Plastic Surgery in a Hospital
The problem with having your cosmetic procedure performed in a hospital setting is that you risk exposure to illness and infection due to the variety of patients being served.
The hospital operating room process itself may involve a patient needing emergency surgery and delaying your procedure or limiting your time in the recovery room.
Some surgeons may choose to perform more extensive surgeries, like Mommy Makeovers or extended tummy tucksin a hospital, if they expect their patient may require an overnight stay.
However, a cosmetic surgery center is usually well-prepared to accommodate these procedures and is your best bet for straightforward cosmetic surgeries.
Having Your Plastic Surgery at a Short-Stay Surgery Center
A short stay or ambulatory surgery center provides a wide variety of outpatient procedures.
However, they do not typically treat patients with infectious diseases, substantially lowering your risk of infection exposure.
A “generic” surgery center employs qualified anesthesiologists and nursing staff but does not necessarily cater specifically to cosmetic surgeries.
For this reason, it may not be as well-equipped for these procedures as a dedicated cosmetic surgery center.
Having Your Plastic Surgery at a Dedicated Cosmetic Surgery Center
Outpatient centers that are exclusive to plastic surgery are usually best suited for almost all cosmetic procedures, some of which include:
Employs a knowledgeable nursing staff, experienced in a wide variety of cosmetic surgeries, as well as a qualified and experienced anesthesiologist
The operating rooms have the advanced equipment essential for plastic surgery procedures
Has multiple comfortable recovery bays
It is associated with only highly respected, board-certified plastic surgeons
The Inland Empire’s Dedicated Plastic Surgery Center in Ontario, CA
Dr. Troy Andreasen is a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed many cosmetic surgeries in various settings.
He decided to build a state-of-the-art plastic surgery center in Ontario, California, to best serve his cosmetic surgery patients who travel there from all over Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties.
This facility was strategically designed to provide the highest level of patient comfort and safety, with two pre-surgery rooms, two operating theaters, and four recovery bays.
Call us at (909) 291-4900 to learn more about the Inland Empire’s leader in cosmetic surgery centers and Dr. Troy Andreasen.
4 Minute Read:
One of the most common and problematic misconceptions about plastic surgery is that it is only for the socially (and financially) elite.
While it is easy to understand why people believe this, especially since many of our favorite celebrities have been very open about their plastic surgery and cosmetic procedure experiences, the real truth is that plastic surgery is not out of reach for the average person.
In reality, there are plenty of transformative procedures that are widely available to you, and with the ease and accessibility of plastic surgery as well as different payment and financing options, there’s no excuse for not looking the way you desire!
What Are Some of the Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures?
There are so many different plastic surgery options available nowadays that deciding which is best for you can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, some of the most common procedures address issues that are very common.
These procedures focus on creating more definition, tone, and contours on the body, while ridding patients of stubborn subcutaneous fat. Stubborn fat is the fat that just doesn’t go away, no matter how healthy you eat or how much you exercise.
Below, you’ll find some information on some of the procedures that help address these concerns.
Liposuction
Liposuction surgery is one of the most trusted and popular cosmetic surgery procedures. The results obtained from liposuction are transformative, and liposuction can be completed as a standalone procedure or in aid to other surgical procedures. Liposuction is used to remove unwanted fat permanently from the body.
At Inland Breast and Body, we are proud to offer traditional liposuction as well as ultrasound or laser-assisted liposuction.
With traditional liposuction, a small incision is made in the treatment area. A cannula (a thin tube) is inserted through this incision to loosen up the subcutaneous fat. This fat is then vacuumed out of the body through the cannula.
With ultrasound or laser-assisted liposuction, the process is the same, though an ultrasound or laser attachment is added to the tip of the cannula to help loosen more fat up for easier removal. This type of liposuction also allows your plastic surgeon to more precisely target fat and remove more fat than with the traditional process.
Liposuction can be used to remove fat from various parts of the body, including the:
With this procedure, an incision is made above your pubic area, extending from hip to hip. Any excess fat in the belly and abdomen is removed with the use of liposuction. Your plastic surgeon will then correct any abdominal muscle separation by tightening these muscles with internal sutures. Excess skin will be removed, and the remaining skin will be tightened to give you a sleeker, more contoured and toned appearance.
At Inland Breast and Body, we are happy to offer three different types of abdominoplasty: traditional tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck surgeries.
The main difference between these procedures is the extent of correction offered, which helps to decide the length of the incision. Additionally, with a traditional tummy tuck and extended tummy tuck, the belly button can be repositioned. Also, with an extended tummy tuck (also known as a circumferential body lift), excess and sagging skin on your tummy, flanks, and lower back are removed and tightened to give you more dramatic results.
Patients who have undergone extensive weight loss are ideal candidates for a circumferential body lift.
Why Is Plastic Surgery More Affordable Now?
While it’s true that when plastic surgery first became popular several decades ago, it was expensive. Because of this, these procedures seemed to only be enjoyed by rich and famous Hollywood celebrities.
But as the years have passed, plastic surgery techniques have continued to evolve and become perfected, causing the price of the treatments and procedures to decrease to something more manageable for the normal, non-celebrity, individual.
Another reason plastic surgery procedures are more affordable now is simple economics: supply and demand. While not every plastic surgeon is as professional and experienced as they should be (which is why you should choose a trustworthy plastic surgeon, like Dr. Andreasen and the specialists at Inland Breast and Body), there are many plastic surgery practices out there to choose from. Because of this, the costs of different procedures tend to be lower, as these practices compete for your business.
Lastly, financing options allow prospective patients to more easily afford plastic surgery procedures. At Inland Breast and Body, we are happy to offer CareCredit®, Prosper Healthcare Lending, and ALPHAEON® CREDIT to help you finance your procedure(s).
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a working woman, someone looking to reenter the dating world, or someone who’s just lost a significant amount of weight, if you are interested in transforming your appearance and rejuvenating your body aesthetic, there’s no stopping you!
Interested in Learning More?
If you have any questions about the procedures we offer or how our financing options work, please contact our office at (909) 291-4900 or schedule a consultation online today!
2 Minute Read:
If you are considering getting multiple plastic surgery procedures, you may have also entertained the option of combining these procedures.
And that is undoubtedly an option for some patients.
There are advantages and disadvantages of combining several plastic surgery procedures into a single operation. Make sure you know what those are to make a more informed decision for your situation.
*MODEL
What Are the Advantages of Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures?
Advantage: Saves Money and Time
The most obvious advantage is that combining surgeries saves you both money and time. Patients only require a single operation and recovery period, which is a significant advantage.
First, since you are only going into surgery once, you only have to pay for some fees (like anesthesia or facility fees) one time. Additionally, you can combine your recovery into one time period. This means you don’t have to take time off work and your normal activities twice.
Advantage: More Dramatic Results
Another clear advantage is that you will walk away with more dramatic results. When you are out of recovery, you’ll see all the benefits of all your surgeries.
If you want to shock the people in your life, combining surgeries will definitely get you that reaction! It will seem as if you drastically improved overnight!
Advantage: Safety
You can combine procedures performed in similar areas, such as a breast lift and breast augmentation. In fact, if you have plans to have work done in the same area, it can be safer to combine these surgeries. This reduces the number of times a surgeon has to “go into” the area, reducing risk and making the final results much more polished.
Overall, patients should combine procedures where possible but should ask their plastic surgeon to make sure that it makes sense to do so. Whether you want a thigh liftwith liposuction or a facelift with your breast lift, it’s up to your doctor to approve the combination.
Is There a Disadvantage?
Disadvantage: Cannot Combine All Procedures
Unfortunately, not all surgeries can be combined effectively or safely. Specifically, patients cannot combine surgical face procedures with body procedures like a tummy tuck or body lift with a facelift. Also, it is usually a bad idea to combine surgeries that require conflicting recovery positions, such as breast augmentation and butt enhancement.
This is because a patient could not keep both incision locations elevated, making their recovery more difficult. And, safety and proper recovery will always be the top concern of any plastic surgeon.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon about other safe and popular plastic surgery combinations.
What Does Combination Plastic Surgeries Look Like?
If you are considering a plastic surgery combination, you may be anxious to learn what types of results are possible. Visit our plastic surgery before and after gallery to see how Dr. Andreasen has helped his previous patients.
Interested in Learning About Your Plastic Surgery Combinations?
If you want answers about your surgery combinations, book a consultation with Dr. Troy Andreasen. We will take the time to answer all your questions and make sure you are taking the safest approach possible.
When planning for plastic surgery, you should take a few critical steps starting six weeks before your operation, whether body contouring or facial enhancement. These steps will help your surgeon perform the surgery safely and improve your ability to recover from your cosmetic procedure.
The most important step you can take when preparing for any surgery is to stop smoking. Patients who have smoked (even once) leading up to their operation have significantly higher risks during and after their procedure.
Nicotine restricts blood flow and prevents oxygen from getting to cells, which can cause serious complications.
Therefore, patients should stop smoking before surgery and stay away from cigarettes until their recovery is complete. Some side effects associated with smoking before surgery include:
Heart attack
Stroke
Tissue necrosis and gangrene
Poor wound healing
Increased risk of complications related to anesthesia
Increased risk of extensive scarring
If patients refrain from smoking within six weeks of their operation, these risks and more can be significantly reduced.
2. Stop Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol is not as dangerous as nicotine but can still contribute to several complications if consumed within two weeks of an operation. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of excess bleeding during surgery. It can also inhibit the body’s ability to heal. Patients should stop drinking alcohol for at least two weeks before surgery.
3. Reduce Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is one of the most commonly consumed drugs in America today, and a large part of that is because it is not seen as a drug. However, regardless of the wide acceptance of coffee and energy drinks, caffeine is still a substance that can significantly affect the body.
Caffeine can cause complications during surgery if a patient has high levels in their bloodstream. This is because caffeine can raise the heart rate and blood pressure.
Small amounts of caffeine may assist patients with recovery. However, large amounts (more than two cups per day in the week leading up to the surgery) can increase your risk of complications.
We suggest that if your daily caffeine intake is high, lower it over time. Our general guideline is a maximum of two cups of coffee per day by a week before your surgery. We also recommend maintaining that level of caffeine consumption for at least a week or two following surgery.
These guidelines may change depending on your physical condition and your chosen procedure.
4. Check Your Vitamins and Supplements
One of the greatest risk factors during surgery is an unexpected and adverse reaction between medication used for the surgery and medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements a patient has in their system.
These complications can range from minor annoyances up to potentially deadly complications.
To avoid these risks, patients planning for cosmetic surgery should get all of their medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements cleared by their surgeon at least two weeks before surgery.
Some patients may need to stop taking certain medications before surgery. If this is the case, you should consult your primary care physician to ensure that stopping an existing medication regime is safe for you.
5. Make a Recovery Plan
It is best to prepare ahead of time for your recovery. This will change depending on the type of surgical procedure you are undergoing. If you are planning for breast augmentation with implants, you can find more information on planning for breast augmentation on our blog.
If you are planning for tummy tuck surgery, consider a plan for an extended recovery period. If you are planning for liposuction, consider the areas you are targeting when preparing for your recovery. It is usually a good idea to recover in a way that reduces stress and tension on your incision locations.
Interested in Learning More?
Are you interested in learning more about how to prepare for plastic surgery? Contact us at 909-291-4900 or fill our online form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Andreasen or another member of our surgical practice.
Part 2: Reasons You May WANT to Replace Breast Implants In our last blog, we reviewed seven reasons you need to replace your breast implants. Now, we will focus on the reasons you may want to replace your breast implants. Women who have undergone breast augmentation experience changes just like other women. Sometimes, breast implant […]
4 Minute Read: There’s no question: combining two or more cosmetic procedures offers stunning and comprehensive results to women and men of all ages. However, it is important to understand that not all plastic surgery procedures can be performed at the same time. Instead, there are strict guidelines as to which procedures can and should […]
3 Minute Read: Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular among all demographics. Whether you are looking to improve your body or breast contour, or you are interested in reversing some of the signs and damages brought on by age, there is a plastic surgery approach that is appropriate for you. While plastic surgery is elective, […]
4 Minute Read: One of the most common and problematic misconceptions about plastic surgery is that it is only for the socially (and financially) elite. While it is easy to understand why people believe this, especially since many of our favorite celebrities have been very open about their plastic surgery and cosmetic procedure experiences, the […]
2 Minute Read: If you are considering getting multiple plastic surgery procedures, you may have also entertained the option of combining these procedures. And that is undoubtedly an option for some patients. There are advantages and disadvantages of combining several plastic surgery procedures into a single operation. Make sure you know what those are to […]
3 Minute Read: When planning for plastic surgery, you should take a few critical steps starting six weeks before your operation, whether body contouring or facial enhancement. These steps will help your surgeon perform the surgery safely and improve your ability to recover from your cosmetic procedure. Stop Smoking Stop Drinking Alcohol Reduce Caffeine Intake […]
“Thank you so much for all your help in making this very important decision. Your staff was very welcoming and so sweet. Your honesty is very refreshing and I look forward to soon scheduling my surgery!”
"I have had a few people tell me to check out other doctors with cheaper costs but am not interested at all. I am very insecure when it comes to certain parts of my body and i felt very comfortable and sure that I wanted you to do this surgery."
"I had gone too 2 diffrent locations , this place made me automatically made my mind up I had two recommendations from this place and I love the work they did on them , staff is very nice as well as the surgeon I love this place very pleased with my procedure."