October 4th, 2011
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
A large part of my practice, Del Mar Plastic Surgery located in San Diego, is breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer and it has always been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding surgeries that I perform.
One in eight women (13%) in the the United States will develop breast cancer and it is the leading cause of cancer death among women between the ages of 35 and 54. Only a small percentage of women who develop breast cancer have a genetic predispostion or family history, and the risk of breast cancer increases with age.
So, what should you do? First make sure you have YEARLY MAMMOGRAMS starting at age 40. Mammograms, along with some additional studies like ultrasound and, if necessary, MRI, can detect cancers at a very early stage, which affects prognosis. Just as important is MONTHLY SELF-EXAM. No physician will know the substance of your breast as well as you. Report ANY new lump, tender or not, to your doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment for breast cancer has come a long way over the the years. Surgical treatment involves either a lumpectomy and radiation or mastectomy with breast reconstruction. Treatment choice is made by you and the physician together and will be based on many factors including the size of the tumor, the type, it’s location, etc.
Breast cancer awareness – this is a good month to start regular exams and update mammograms if it’s time. Early detection is the key to beating breast cancer.
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Cancer, Breast Implants, Breast Revision, Home | No Comments »
August 26th, 2011
Mens Skin Care In San Diego
At Del Mar Plastic Surgery we have always encouraged men to take care of their skin. Not only will regular skin care slow down the signs of aging and protect the skin from environmental damage, but it feels good too.
My skin care company, Lycopene Skin Care, has developed a unique skin care product designed specifically for men called Post Shave Balm. Used daily after shaving, it deeply hydrates and restores skin health. It is currently the only cosmetic skin care product in the US to use SYRICALM (TM) CLR, a patented botanical complex designed to reduce redness and calm irritated skin. The Post Shave Balm also contains Lycopene, one of the strongest anti-oxidants, and a combination of other healing botanicals, including Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Glabridin, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Chamomile Extract. Also, a blend of High and Low Molecular weight Hyaluronic Acids locks in moisture.
Lycopene Skin Care Post Shave Balm is available at Del Mar Plastic Surgery or online at http://www.lycopeneskincare.com/. And by the way, it is also great for women after shaving or waxing!
Posted in Facial Rejuvenation, Home, Skin Care, Skin Care Products | No Comments »
August 12th, 2011
Get Your Tan On… Safely
In San Diego the sun is shining and most weekend activities revolve around the outdoors. Going to the beach, hiking, bicycling, or enjoying a picnic with family usually includes transforming our wardrobe into a swimsuit or shorts. I think everyone would agree that they feel a little bit better when they have a nice tan as opposed to the pale skin typically covered during the winter. Exposing ourselves to tanning rays in any form (sun or artificial) is simply not safe or healthy, despite how it makes us feel!
Over the last several years, the self-tanning industry has been booming. Sunless tanning can be performed at home or through a professional salon. The most common complaints with self tanners include streaking and an unwanted “orange” hue. After much research, our office staff chose an airbrush tanning system and solution manufactured by Sun Fx, an all natural, odor free formula. The color is a beautiful golden brown and it is personally applied by a trained technician to avoid unevenness. All skin types can enjoy the Sun Fx spray tan and its lasting effects. The tan will last about 7 days!
Get out and enjoy wearing shorts with a beautiful tan….Get a spray tan at Del Mar Plastic Surgery in San Diego today! Contact us at 858-450-9100 with any questions or to schedule your appointment.
Posted in Home, Sunless Tanning | No Comments »
July 28th, 2011
A Warm Welcome to Marci Pastel!
Welcome Marci! We are pleased to announce the addition of Marci Pastel to the team at Del Mar Plastic Surgery in San Diego. Marci will be joining us as a licensed aesthetician and will be available to tend to all of your skin care needs. Marci has years of experience in the skin and beauty industry and her impeccable skills impressed us greatly.
The focus of Marci’s care will center around your individual needs, whether it be just to relax in our spa room for a luxurious facial, or whether you have issues with pigmentation or acne. Our Italian Therabrasion treatment is her most frequently requested service. Make sure to ask for yours—even the express version if you are on the go!
Posted in Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Home, Skin Care, Staff | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2011
Information and answers to common questions about plastic surgery, Del Mar, San Diego – Part 2
San Diego Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Larry Pollack
I WAS CONTEMPLATING LIP AUGMENTATION BUT DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A DUCK, OR WORSE! IS IT POSSIBLE?
Yes. As a matter of fact, no-one having a lip augmentation should look like a duck. Lip enhancement should be no different than other cosmetic procedures we do as plastic surgeons–our goal should be to achieve an aesthetically-pleasing proportional look.
At Del Mar Plastic Surgery, I use a variety of techniques for lip augmentation. The most popular choice is fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane. Both are hyaluronic acid products which last between 6 to 9 months. There is essentially no downtime, as the lips can look beautiful and normal the next day. There is a small risk of bruising.
Another method that is gaining popularity is fat transfer. Fat is taken from another area of the body and injected into the lips. This can be done in conjunction with other procedures, such as a facelift or eyelid lift, or by itself. It can be done by itself in the office under local anesthesia, but there is a little more downtime because of more bruising and swelling. But, usually about 50% of the fat injected will be permanent.
MY EYES MAKE ME LOOK OLDER AND TIRED. WHAT CAN I DO TO LOOK BETTER?
This is a very common complaint of both women and men. Our eyes can be the first area on our face to show signs of aging. There are a number of procedures that can help, and the choice of procedures depends on the problem you have.
Upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a simple procedure that removes excess skin from the upper eyelids. The scar is well hidden in the eyelid crease, and the healing time is about one week. For people who have baggy lower eyelids, a lower lid blepharoplasty can also be done. This removes or redistributes the bulging fat pads and also removes any excess skin. This procedure often can help treat the dark circles under the eyes sometimes caused by the fat pads.
I recommend a browlift if the eyebrows have dropped and are adding to the excess upper eyelid skin. I primarily do what is called an endoscopic browlift. This involves placing several small scars in the scalp, and using a small camera scope to release the muscles and tissue that cause the brow to drop. The brow is then elevated and anchored to the skull with dissolvable plastic hooks under the skin. Again, the brow elevation needs to be aesthetic to avoid the “surprised” appearance. The endoscopic browlift also has a quick one week recovery period.
Call Del Mar Plastic Surgery at 858-450-9100 to schedule a free consultation, or go to our website at www.delamrplasticsurgery.com for more information on these and other procedures.
Posted in Brow lift, Eyelid Lift, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fat Transfer, Fillers, Frequently Asked Questions, Home, Juvederm, Lip Augmentation, Restylane | No Comments »
July 11th, 2011
Remove Excess Skin With an Arm Lift
Many procedures are desired following major weight loss. Some of the most common areas patients complain about are sagging skin on the abdomen, thighs, and arms. A brachioplasty, or arm lift, can be performed to remove the excess skin that hangs from the armpit to the elbow, also known as an upper arm lift. Sometimes exercise and increasing muscle tone will help improve the appearance of the arms, but because of the loss of elasticity, surgery may be the best option.
A brachioplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and requires a one to two week recovery period. The arms are wrapped in a compression garment following surgery and heavy lifting should be avoided. Length of the incision will vary depending on the patient but it is usually placed on the underside of the arm.
Patient satisfaction rate is extremely high with this procedure once the healing phase has been completed. Slim, toned arms can be achieved! Ask Dr. Pollack if this surgery is right for you or contact Del Mar Plastic Surgery with additional questions, 858-450-9100.
Kate
Posted in Home, Liposuction | No Comments »
July 5th, 2011
Breast Cancer Part 1: Screening
I have been treating breast cancer patients for 25 years and over the last few years I have been alarmed at the number of young women being diagnosed. I have treated patients as young as 25-30 years old. While the incidence of breast cancer has been declining since 1999 it is still higher than it was in 1975, and this may be due to better detection methods.
Women in their 20′s, especially those with a family history of breast cancer, should start doing self-exams every month. Mammograms should be started at age 40 and done regularly. If there is a very strong family history–for instance in your mother, sisters, maternal grandmother and/or maternal aunts - you may want to consider genetic testing for the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes. This is sometimes covered by insurance.
Cosmetic surgery of the breasts, including breast augmentation with implants and breast lifts, does not increase your risk of breast cancer. I do, however, insist that mammograms be done on any woman over 40 who wishes to have a breast augmentation or breast lift.
Contact Dr. Pollack at Del Mar Plastic Surgery if you have questions about this or any other topic and stay tuned for additional installments about breast cancer treatment and reconstruction.
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Breast Revision, Home | No Comments »
June 13th, 2011
Dr. Pollack’s Skin Care Products – Simply Natural
Working with my plastic surgery partners, I created a skin care line called “Lycopene Skin Care.” These products were formulated in Italy to be natural, organic, preservative and fragrance-free. Lycopene Skin Care products are made from the finest natural oils, botanicals and anti-oxidants.
Our goal was to create simple and natural skin care products that could be used by people of ALL skin types. Our main active ingredient is Lycopene found in tomatoes and watermelon, and is one of the most potent antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent and sometimes reverse cellular and DNA damage caused by the sun and environmental toxins and thereby heal damaged and aging skin.
The Lycopene Skin Care system is simple: A day cream called “Crema Rinnovante Lycopene” and a night cream called “Dermopeel Cream.” Our day cream has Lycopene, deep-hydrating botanical oils like almond oil and acmella oleracea flower extract sometimes called “nature’s Botox.” It also has an spf 16 protection and absorbs quickly into the skin to allow easy makeup application.
Our night cream, Dermopeel Cream, has Azaleic and Kojic acids derived from grain and mushrooms respectively which are natural skin lighteners to help brighten the skin and even skin tone. They also lightly exfoliate and stimulate collagen production. Dermopeel cream also provides deep nightime skin moisturizing with Mango and Shea butter, and skin repair with lycopene.
We have also recently formulated an Aftershave Balm for men also with Lycopene.
My organic skin care line was designed to be simple and natural and give you healthy and beautiful skin. Call Del Mar Plastic Surgery at 858-450-9100 for more information. You can purchase products directly via the internet at www.lycopeneskincare.com, or go to www.delmarplasticsurgery.com to schedule a free skin consultation.
Posted in Facial Rejuvenation, Home, Skin Care | No Comments »
June 7th, 2011
Face Lift Surgery in Del Mar, San Diego
The boomer generation is not aging like our parents. We are more physically active, more weight and health-conscious, and feel younger than our chronological age might indicate! However, those early signs of facial aging, such as loose neck skin or neck bands, early jowling, or prominent cheek folds, can make us look older despite our best efforts.
The Short Scar face lift, or MACS-lift, was developed by a plastic surgeon in Belgium to reduce the risk, the scars, and the recovery time for people who want facelift surgery but were afraid! Instead of a 5 or 6 hour operation, the short scar facelift takes between 2 and 3 hours. The scar starts in front of the sideburn area, extends inside the ear to the earlobe, eliminating the long scar of the standard face lift. Very little skin is lifted up to expose the sagging muscles, which are then tightened with suture. The excess skin is then removed and the incision closed.
Unlike the standard facelift, which has significant risks of nerve damage, blood clots under the skin, tissue loss, and visible scars, the short-scar facelift minimizes all these risks. The recovery is quick–most patients are back to work in 7 to 10 days, and light exercise in 3 weeks. Best of all, the results create a NATURAL, youthful face rejuvenation.
Dr. Pollack performs the short scar face lift at the Sharp Outpatient Pavilion, a state of the art surgery center adjacent to San Diego’s newest and most technically advanced hospital. Call us for a free consultation.
Posted in Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Frown Lines, Home | No Comments »
May 23rd, 2011
Information and answers to common questions about plastic surgery, Del Mar, San Diego
Dr. Larry Pollack - Del Mar, San Diego Plastic Surgeon
Delmarplasticsurgeryblog.com was designed to provide interesting and useful information about a variety of topics in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery. I still get a lot of very good questions, however, from both my patients and people I meet at parties! So we’re going to regularly answer some of the questions on the blog. Hopefully you’ll get answers to specific questions you might have.
“HAVING GENERAL ANESTHESIA SCARES ME. IS IT SAFE?”
Yes, if you are healthy and if you have a board-certified anesthesiologist and a safe operating environment. At Del Mar Plastic Surgery, all our surgeries are performed at the Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion, a state of the art modern facility adjacent to the hospital, and is staffed by only board-certified experienced physician anesthesiologists. You are monitored from start to finish by the most advanced technology available.
“I DON’T WANT A FULL FACELIFT, BUT I HATE MY NECK! WHAT CAN I DO?”
Not everyone needs a full facelift to correct an aging neck, Newer “short-scar” facelift techniques can give amazing and long-lasting results with less risk and down time. However, each person must be evaluated individually to determine the best procedure for their own problem, and also have reasonable expectations about the results.
“I BREAST FED BOTH OF MY CHILDREN FOR 6 MONTHS AND MY BREASTS LOOK SAGGY AND EMPTY. WILL A BOOB JOB HELP?
A “boob job” can mean several things, including a breast augmentation alone or with some type of breast lift. Many women who breast feed for a long time can develop “ptotic” or droopy breasts, where the nipple points downward instead of out, as well as a loss of volume. This cannot usually be fixed with just a breast augmentation, but instead also needs a breast lift. Although this leaves a few more scars on the breasts, they usually heal very well, and the resulting shape and appearance of the breasts is worth it. If there is no sagging, but only “deflation” or loss of volume, a breast augmentation alone will work very well.
Check the blog regularly for more Q & A’s and call our office at 858-450-9100 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Pollack.
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Facial Procedures, Frequently Asked Questions, Home | No Comments »
