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 »
May 18th, 2011
Cosmetic Surgery Makeover in Del Mar, San Diego
Chances are, once you have decided to undergo a facial procedure to enhance your appearance, you are fairly invested in how you look. The decision to undergo a facelift, browlift, laser procedures, or eyelid surgery is a big one! Give yourself plenty of time to heal and don’t expect to feel “normal” right away. Even the slightest changes to your face might make you uneasy at first. Here are some tips to feeling better quickly and maximizing your results:
• Once your doctor allows you to wear makeup, visit a specialist at your local department store who can help you color match your skin and cover any residual bruising.
• Interact with friends….the isolation of recovery can lead to post-op depression. Allow yourself to visit with people who love you.
• Get your hair done. If you need new color, spruce it up! Get a new style or a blow-out. Why spend all the money on surgery and leave your hair in an old, dull style?
• See a brow shaper. Eyebrows are extremely important in framing the face. Wax your brows and your upper lip for a smooth appearance.
• Most of all, take it easy on yourself. If your new look isn’t just right, give it some time. Cosmetic surgery “recovery” is not overnight.
Kate
Posted in Eyelid Lift, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Home, Liquid Facelift | No Comments »
March 24th, 2011
Wrinkle Removal with Facial Fillers in Del Mar, San Diego
Everyone likes to see results instantly. With many surgical procedures, the healing process takes time and the results of surgery cannot be enjoyed right away. The beauty of facial fillers is that the improvements can be seen immediately right in the doctor’s office. Fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse can be injected during an office visit that takes approximately 10 minutes. The most common areas for fillers are the lips and the nasal-labial folds (smile lines). They can also be used in the small wrinkles around the mouth and in conjunction with Botox in the frown lines.
Before and after image: Radiesse injection to the naso-labial folds (smile lines).
Most facial fillers are designed to last about 6 months to a year. It is highly recommended that a professional skin care program be followed as well to maximize the benefits of any cosmetic treatments. Consult with Dr. Pollack about which fillers are best for you.
Posted in Botox, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fillers, Frown Lines, Home, Juvederm, Liquid Facelift, Radiesse, Restylane | No Comments »
March 13th, 2011
Facial Fillers: Cosmetic “Spackle” so you can Sparkle!
I am often asked at parties and in the office: How can I get rid of these lines on my face without surgery? The answer usually is injectable fillers. Fillers are what they sound like – they “fill in” lines, scars, and creases like spackle does for your wall!
Years ago, the main filler was collagen, but it required an allergy test, and lasted only a few weeks. The most common fillers today are hyaluronic acid, found in Juvederm and Restylane, and hydroxyapatite, found in Radiesse. These have the advantages of not needing allergy testing, lasting 6-12 months, and producing instant results. I use Juvederm and Restylane for plumping the lips and treating fine lines around the mouth and eyes. I prefer Radiesse for deeper lines like the nasolabial fold, the smile creases between your nose and the corners of the mouth. For more permanent results, I use fat injections by harvesting your own fat and injecting it where it is needed.
We have done “Liquid Facelifts” in the office by combining these fillers around the mouth, cheeks, and forehead with BOTOX in the frown lines for a quick but effective facial rejuvenation.
For a free consultation and more information about dermal fillers, call Del Mar Plastic Surgery at 858-450-9100 or link to delmarplasticsurgery.com.
Posted in Botox, Facial Procedures, Facial Rejuvenation, Fat Transfer, Fillers, Frown Lines, Home, Juvederm, Liquid Facelift, Radiesse, Restylane, Skin Care | No Comments »
March 13th, 2011
Plastic Surgery – Multiple Procedures in One Surgery, San Diego
So you’ve decided its time to see some plastic surgeons about getting the body you want and deserve. Perhaps you had a few babies, lost some weight, or just don’t feel as good as you did in your twenties. You write down your “wish list” and head out to see the doctor. Typically at the consultation, the doctor or his consultant will ask you to prioritize the list of procedures you are interested in. Many patients will arrive at the consultation wanting to have multiple plastic surgery procedures in one surgery, which can certainly be accomplished within reason. So the question arises, “which surgeries can I combine?”
There is a limit to how much surgery can safely be performed at one time. We try to limit the amount of time under anesthesia to no more than 6 hours. A mommy makeover usually consists of a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast surgery (lift and/or implants). Adding a thigh lift, arm lift, or facelift to this surgery is usually not recommended. Due to the length of the surgery, and the issues with recovery, adding any additional surgery would unacceptably increase risks. Usually, when considering which procedures to combine, we must consider if the patient will be able to compensate for the area of the body that needs to heal. For instance, when a patient has breast and tummy surgery, she will rely more heavily on her legs postoperatively. Having thigh lift surgery increases the amount a patient relies on her arms and abdominal muscles to move around. These are all factors to consider when requesting all-in-one surgery. At Del Mar Plastic Surgery, Dr. Pollack and his team consider safety first when designing every patient’s treatment plan.
Kate
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Breast Revision, Home, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck | No Comments »
