Located in the Midwest, the city of Chicago has been a popular place for patients seeking world-class cosmetic plastic surgery treatments. Chicago is a great city to recuperate in after having surgery. The city has many of the world’s leading luxury hotels and restaurants. With the newly opened Trump Hotel along the Chicago River and the Hotel InterContinental along the Magnificent Mile, you’ll be able to enjoy the nightly fireworks display at Navy Pier from the comfort of your room. While dinning at NoMI on the seventh floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel you are sure to enjoy the breathtaking views overlooking Lake Michigan and the Water Tower Park. Carmine’s restaurant located in the trendy Gold Coast neighborhood is a favorite among everyone. While dinning in their outdoor café on Rush Street or enjoying the romantic ambiance inside the restaurant, you’re sure to enjoy the amazing energy of the city. Chicago has many attractions around the city- from the shopping on Michigan Avenue to architectural boat tours along the Chicago River and bus tours through many of Chicago’s historical neighborhoods. Visitors come to enjoy the award-winning Millennium Park to have their photo taken in front of the famous Bean or to enjoy the many art and music festivals that the park has to offer. The Chicago Marathon brings in thousands of runners, family, and friends each year. Grant Park located along Chicago’s lakefront serves as the starting point for the annual race, where a sea of runners await the sound of the officials gun to start the journey of the 26 mile race. Chicago has something for everyone from shopping to sports to Broadway shows. We look forward to your visit to Chicago.
Travelling to Chicago for Plastic Surgery:
December 14th, 2009facial rejuvenation: cosmetic eyelid surgery
December 12th, 2009The eyes are at times referred to as the windows to the soul. They draw attention and convey much of our expressions. Through them, we not only see the world, but the world sees us as well. Our eyes reflect much of what we feel physically and emotionally. Signs of aging and hereditary factors can greatly affect the appearance of our eyes. So, what they may reflect is not really how we feel.
If the excess, drooping skin of your upper eyelids make you appear sad or angry, or puffiness or bags make you look tired, then cosmetic eyelid surgery may be a solution for you. In general, eyelid surgery will give you a more youthful and energetic appearance. Specifically, eyelid surgery removes excess skin, eliminates bags and restores firmness to the area surrounding the eye, making you look more rested and alert. Here are some signs that you may be a candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery:
- Loose or sagging skin on the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
This surgery is most commonly performed on adult men and women in good health who have realistic goals for improvement of the upper and/or lower eyelids. A consultation is the first step to learn how eyelid surgery can improve the appearance of your eyelids and the surrounding region.
Sex & Plastic Surgery?
December 5th, 2009
No, this is not about Christian Troy on the show “Nip/Tuck”. Recently, there was an article published in a respected peer reviewed publication, the Aesthetic Surgery Journal1 that reported the results of a study focusing on the effects of cosmetic surgery on intimacy and sexual relationships. I have always known that the basic reason my patients undergo plastic surgery is to improve a certain part of their body and feel better about themselves. This article goes on to say that this newfound sense of well-being can lead to a higher level of comfort in intimate settings and greater satisfaction in sexual relationships. The results are interesting to read and have available in your memory bank for your next cocktail party. According to the report, more than 95% of respondents reported improvement in their body image. The patients who underwent breast and body contouring surgery declared improvement in sexual satisfaction, and made changes toward a decidedly more provocative style in clothing. To top it off, 70% of that group testified that their partner’s sex life had been enhanced – particularly if the surgery was on the breasts, abdomen and thighs. The study concluded that cosmetic surgery patients overwhelmingly feel better about their body after surgery. It is clear that the effect of cosmetic surgery extends well beyond the arena of just physical changes—and reaches into the bedroom.
Learn more about Plastic surgery and breast implants in Chicago.
1Guy M. Stofman, et al, “Better Sex From the Knife? An Intimate Look at the Effects of Cosmetic Surgery on Sexual Practices,” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Vol 26:1 (2006): 12.
Breast Augmentation with Silicone & Saline Implants in the Chicago Area
November 27th, 2009
Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of a woman’s breast. Due to its safety and effectiveness, it has enjoyed ever growing popularity and a high rate of patient satisfaction. Chicago Women who choose breast enhancement surgery do so to improve their self-image. Some feel dissatisfied because their breasts never developed to a size that meets their expectations. Others want to bring balance to a breast that is somewhat smaller than the other. Often, women want the procedure to restore their natural breast volume, which may have decreased as a result of pregnancy, weight loss or aging.
The best candidates are women who are looking for improvement in the way they look, who are physically healthy, realistic in their expectations, and fully understand their own motivations for wanting the procedure. The average recovery time for breast augmentation is minimal. Often times, patients undergo the surgery on Friday and are back at work by Monday. Many women find that their new figure gives them a greater sense of self-confidence whether they‘re on the beach or in the boardroom.
The search for the perfect implant has been going on for many decades. Silicone gel-filled breast implants were first introduced to the market in the 1960s. They did not, however, come under the regulation of the FDA until 1976. In January of 1992 the FDA asked for a voluntary moratorium on the sale of the silicone gel-filled breast implants due to public concern. Since 1992, numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety of breast implants. Those studies have revealed no scientific evidence to support a connection between breast implants and systemic health problems including connective tissue disease or breast cancer. Science has prevailed and silicone gel implants have been once again approved for general use by the FDA since November 2006 for the following indications— breast augmentation for women at least 22 years of age and for breast reconstruction in cases of cancer, trauma or deformity. Since 1989 silicone breast implants have been made with a cohesive gel formulation that acts as a unit rather than a liquid, and holds together uniformly in the unlikely event of a rupture. The unique qualities of today’s silicone gel-filled implants make it the filler of choice throughout many parts of the world. Women in the U.S. are no longer limited to using saline implants, and with the help of their surgeon, they can now make an informed choice.
Talk with your surgeon. Learn the risks and benefits for each type of implant before making a decision about using a saline-filled or silicone gel-filled breast implant. Understand that many of the “pros and cons” discussed with your surgeon will vary in importance from person to person. Silicone gel-filled implants are favored for a natural look and feel, but the scar will be of a greater length, proportionate with placing implants that are pre-filled. Saline-filled implants are filled to size after placement into the breast resulting in a smaller incision but are of greater risk for visible rippling and palpability. For many, the significant cost difference between the two types of implants can also be a deciding factor. Fortunately, today there are more breast implant options to help you get the result you deserve.
- Five Essential Steps Before Surgery in the Chicago Area
November 14th, 2009
1. Do your homework: Research the procedure, the benefits and the risks. Refer to www.plasticsurgery.org for the latest information on plastic surgery procedures.
2. Have Realistic Expectations: Ask your plastic surgeon about the benefits and risks of your surgery; discuss your expectations and understand side effects and recovery time.
3. Be Informed: Talk to patients who have had your procedure so you know what to expect.
4. Ask Tough Questions: Consult your plastic surgeon and discuss your full medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment.
5. Choose an ASPS Member Surgeon: Why? ASPS Member Surgeons are qualified, trained and properly certified. They adhere to a strict code of ethics, receive continuous education and operate only in accredited facilities. An ASPS Member Surgeon is your partner in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
Who is in a Plastic Surgeon’s Operating Room?
November 7th, 2009The operating room is very organized in its function and everyone has a specific duty. The whole team is responsible for your care. Typically there are five people in the room at any one time. The Chicago Plastic surgeon, anesthesiologist, scrub nurse/technician, and circulating nurse. The scrub nurse/technician is the individual who helps with instruments, assists the surgeon during the surgery, and is “scrubbed in” so he or she can not move around the room. The circulating nurse is not “scrubbed in” and can move around the room to help with other tasks throughout the surgery. You may ask who is the fifth person? The most important person in the room is the fifth person – the patient. So while you are asleep, many people work to ensure your safety and comfort.
Botox® : What You May Not Know
November 3rd, 2009There has been much attention paid to this drug since its approval by the FDA for cosmetic use to reduce frown lines. What you may not know, however, is that long before, it was used for other purposes such as treatment of various neurologic, orthopedic, gastroenterologic, and ophthalmologic disorders. Before its approval for cosmetic use, Botox had already been approved for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and cervical dystonia in 1989. It has also since been approved for treatment of axillary hyperhydrosis or excessive sweating in the armpits. Some recent and solid research has shown it to be effective even for certain types of migraine headaches.
There were 2,464,123 Botox® treatments for cosmetic purposes administered in the United States in 2008 alone (225,099 were men). There have been 1,000,000 plus people who received treatment with Botox® for medical and aesthetic purposes around the world. And there have been 100 years of study into the botulinum neurotoxins with 75 countries around the world who have approved use of Botox®. It continually ranks 1st on the list of “Top 5 Surgical and Non-surgical Physician Administered Cosmetic Procedures,” according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Although no drug is without its side effects, Botox® has shown itself to be applicable to many areas, medical and cosmetic, in a safe and consistently effective manner. Based on a survey of about 1000 patients, 97% were satisfied with their Botox® Cosmetic treatment. If you are bothered by your frown lines or other facial lines, discuss your options with a board certified physician who is trained and experienced in administering Botox®. Consult a board certified Chicago Plastic Surgeon.
What happens when breast implants break?
November 1st, 2009
Patients often ask, “Well, what happens if my breast implants break?” The answer depends on which type of implant you have. With a saline filled implant, you will notice a significant decrease in size. Your body reabsorbs the saline that is coming out of the implant and it deflates. You will see a difference immediately and no further testing is needed to make the diagnosis. With silicone gel-filled implants the signs are different. You may have no symptoms at all, or may feel a shape change or more firmness to the breast. There will be no deflation as your body does not reabsorb the silicone gel. However, this is not harmful to your body and the newer gel-filled implants are more cohesive and, therefore, less likely to travel beyond the implant pocket.
With both types of implants you will need to be examined by a Chicago board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether or not your implant has broken. With saline implants the diagnosis will be made with a physical exam alone. With a silicone gel-filled implant you will also need an MRI to confirm the leak. Once the diagnosis has been made, you can discuss the different options available with your surgeon regarding replacement surgery. Often times the implant replacement procedure is simple and less involved than the original augmentation surgery. The implant pocket is already there and, therefore, you will have much less pain and recovery time. Sometimes the pocket or capsule surrounding the implant may require revision or you may desire to change your implant type from saline-filled to silicone gel-filled. These are all questions that you can discuss during your consultation with a Chicago Plastic Surgeon.
Interested in a Tummy Tuck with a Chicago Plastic Surgeon?
October 28th, 2009A flat, well-toned abdomen is something that most of us strive for at the gym. Sometimes, regardless of appropriate diet and exercise, we cannot reach our goals. Even people that are close to their ideal body weight can develop a protruding abdomen with loose and sagging skin. The most common causes are heredity, pregnancy, prior surgery, significant weight fluctuations or even congenital spine abnormalities that affect posture.
There are many techniques available for abdominal contouring. Liposuction, for example, is used when localized fat is the cause. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, may be the answer to a tighter, flatter abdomen when excess fat is combined with loose, sagging skin. Also, abdominal muscles that have weakened or separated, called diastasis, can also be corrected at the time of a tummy tuck. In addition, Chicago women who have undergone a c-section may often have their scar revised at the same time. This will give the abdomen a profile that is smoother and firmer, which can often enhance body image and confidence.
A tummy tuck in Chicago is not a substitute for appropriate diet and exercise. A great outcome can be diminished by significant weight fluctuations. If you are planning substantial weight loss or considering pregnancy, it may be advisable to postpone your surgery. Abdominoplasty is ideal for adults of any age who are in good health, stable in their weight, moderately fit and have realistic expectations for the outcome.
Breast Feeding and Breast Implants
October 26th, 2009Many Chicago women believe that breastfeeding has a negative impact on the appearance of their breasts. When seeking body contouring procedures after pregnancy, women often mention that lactation and breastfeeding contributed to the loss of breast shape or volume. Reports indicate that among the most important reasons women choose not to breastfeed their infants is their concern over changes in breast shape. Such attitudes are found in a number of cultures, socioeconomic settings, and age groups.
A recent study addressing the effects of breastfeeding on breast shape was published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The study concluded that the number of past pregnancies, rather than breastfeeding, was found to be more important. Breast sagging, or ptosis, after pregnancy was attributed to hormone regression and increased strain on breast skin from the engorgement of pregnancy. The article states, “A history of breastfeeding was not found to be associated with a greater degree of breast ptosis in patients presenting for postpregnancy aesthetic breast surgery. Age and cigarette smoking, both of which are associated with a loss of skin elasticity, were found to be positive predictors for breast ptosis, as were larger prepregnancy bra cup size and number of pregnancies. Whereas breast ptosis appears to increase with each additional pregnancy, breastfeeding does not seem to worsen these effects. Expectant mothers should be reassured that breastfeeding does not appear to have an adverse effect upon breast appearance, beyond the effects of pregnancy alone.” Learn more about Breast Implants in Chicago.
Source: Aesthetic Surgery Journal, The Effect of Breastfeeding on Breast Aesthetics, Brian Rinker, MD, Melissa Veneracion, MD, Catherine P. Walsh, MD, Volume 28, Issue 5, Pages 534-537