Breast Implants: A Shape for Every Patient

When considering breast implants, one shape (or size) does not fit all. Patients are well aware that implants are available in two major categories: saline or silicone (I’ve discussed saline and silicone implants in a previous blog article). Most patients are not aware, however, of the various shapes of implants to consider. 

Most implants used for breast augmentation are round, whereas a smaller percentage have a “teardrop” shape. The “teardrop” implants, sometimes referred to as “anatomic” implants, are thicker (project or stick out more) towards the bottom of the breast, and thinner (project less) at the top of the breast. In theory, this could provide a more natural breast shape. In actuality, other factors are far more important in determining whether the breast appearance looks “natural.” Round implants don’t mean that the breast will look round. If the space for the implant (the implant pocket) is created properly, and the size chosen is appropriate, the round implant can provide an extremely natural appearance. I’ve stopped using the teardrop implants in recent years, mainly because the teardrop implant must have a textured, or rough, outer surface. The textured surface is necessary to keep the implant from rotating in the pocket, which might put the thicker and thinner parts of the implant in the wrong places. In my experience, the textured implants don’t settle into the breast as easily and naturally as the smooth implants. As a result, I mainly use smooth round implants. It doesn’t matter if a round implant rotates in the breast pocket, since this would not affect breast shape.

Another factor to consider is the “profile” of the implant. This term refers to the relationship between the diameter of the implant and its projection (how far it protrudes from the chest). The standard implant  has a “moderate” profile. There are also “high profile” implants that have a narrower diameter, with greater projection, for any given volume as compared to the moderate profile implant. A high profile implant might be ideal, for example, for a patient with a narrow chest wall. The high profile implant would allow such a patient to use the desired volume without the implants being too wide for her chest. There also exists a profile in between the high and moderate profile implants, referred to as “moderate plus profile.”

The “art” of breast augmentation involves consideration of implant texture, shape, and size among many other factors. Every patient is unique, and requires an individualized assessment and plan to achieve the best possible results from surgery. During your consultation, I’ll discuss these and other issues and decisions that will help you to achieve the appearance you’ve dreamed about.

Andres Taleisnik, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon in Orange County who offers a wide range of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck surgery (”abdominoplasty”), breast lift surgery, and breast augmentation surgery. To learn more, contact Dr. Taleisnik to schedule a complimentary consultation.

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Tummy Tuck: Full or Mini?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is an extremely powerful procedure that can dramatically reshape the abdomen. I’ve discussed tummy tucks in detail in another article, but I’d like to address here a point that’s confusing to many patients. Women often ask me whether they are candidates for a “mini” tummy tuck, as opposed to a full tummy tuck. They ask this question assuming that the mini tummy tuck means a shorter scar, which may or may not be the case.

Tummy tucks eliminate excess abdominal skin and fat, and tighten and flatten the abdominal muscles. Many and sometimes all stretch marks can be removed. A mini tummy tuck is recommended when the extra or loose skin is only  below the belly button, with a tight and flat upper abdomen. This is sometimes the case with fairly thin patients after pregnancies. The scar can be slightly shorter than for a full tummy tuck, but it might also be almost as long. A mini tummy tuck does not involve the belly button, so the belly button continues to look totally natural, without any scarring. Only the lower abdominal muscles are tightened. The surgery is shorter than for a full tummy tuck, and less expensive.

Most patients actually require a full tummy tuck to obtain maximal improvement. The full tummy tuck tightens the entire belly or abdomen, and to a much greater degree. The muscles above and below the belly button are also tightened and flattened. More stretch marks can be removed with a full tummy tuck, including all those from the belly button down. The scar is usually longer than for a mini tuck, but the results are so much more dramatic. For either surgery, I take care to place the scar very low, so that it can be hidden beneath most pants, underwear, and even bikini bottoms. With time, the scar tends to fade in most patients, becoming fairly inconspicuous.

Please call my office to schedule a no charge consultation to meet with me (714-835-6500). During your appointment in my Orange County office,  you will meet only with me, not a nurse or assistant. I will help you to determine whether you’d benefit most from a full or mini tummy tuck, or whether you might do well with liposuction instead of a tuck, or in addition. Please also visit my website at www.ataleisnikmd.com for more information and patient photos.

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Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants

Patients often ask me whether they should choose silicone breast implants or saline implants. There is not a single “correct” answer, since every woman has different anatomy and preferences. The main difference between the two is that silicone implants are softer, while saline implants are firmer. This difference can be especially noticeable for thin patients with little breast tissue, since they will have less coverage or “padding” over the implants, which will therefore be easier to see and feel.

Silicone implants can often look and feel a little more “natural” than saline implants. Since a silicone implant is pre-filled, a larger incision is needed to insert a silicone implant than a saline implant, which can be inserted partially filled. A woman with small areolas (the dark skin around the nipple) may not be able to receive silicone implants through an incision around the areola, and instead may require an incision in the crease under the breasts. There have been questions in the past regarding possible effects of silicone if it leaks. For this reason, silicone implants were available only to women who met certain criteria, and who were enrolled in the large silicone implant studies, until Fall, 2006. After years of extensive testing, including evaluation of the many women who received silicone implants as part of the study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now allows any woman 22 or over to receive silicone implants. The FDA also recommended that women undergo an MRI examination of the breasts 3 years after receiving silicone implants, then every other year thereafter. Silicone implants are significantly more expensive than saline.

Saline implants remain the most popular choice in my practice. I can obtain very natural and beautiful results with saline implants too in most patients. Many of my patients prefer the firmer look and feel of the saline implants, which may result in a more “youthful” outcome. Most patients choose the peri-areolar incision, which generally is very inconspicuous (more on incisions for breast enhancement in another article). If a saline implant leaks, there are no concerns regarding a foreign substance in the body, since the implants contain only salt water. Saline implants may also be more helpful than silicone to counteract mild drooping or shape abnormalities of the breasts.

During your consultation with me, I will help you to decide which implant type will be best for you. There are a number of other decisions to make as well, including the shape or “profile” of the implants, the incision to use, the size, and others. I will guide you through the entire process, so that you will feel comfortable with your choices, and very happy with your results.

To schedule your consultation to meet with me (no charge), please call my office at 714-835-6500. Please also visit my website at www.ataleisnikmd.com.

Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants | 6 Comments »

What Can a Tummy Tuck Do For You?

There is probably no cosmetic surgery procedure that is as powerful, and life-transforming, as a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, which is also known as an abdominoplasty, can help women or men to improve the appearance and tightness of the abdomen or tummy in a beautiful and dramatic fashion. In summary, this procedure eliminates loose and excess skin and fat from the belly, tightens and flattens the muscles, and improves drooping in the pubic area. Often, all or most stretch marks can be removed at the same time.

Women frequently benefit from tummy tucks after having children. The skin and muscles become stretched during pregnancy, and often don’t tighten up fully after the pregnancy is over. When this occurs, no amount of dieting, sit-ups or other exercise will help: the extra skin must be cut out. Many of my patients who were embarrassed to wear any types of swimsuits actually resume wearing bikinis after their tummy tuck! The stretch marks from pregnancy are cut out during a tummy tuck, although stretch marks in the upper part of the abdomen may remain after surgery (but will usually look smoother and better).

Other patients, including men, seek a tummy tuck to address the loose, droopy skin that can result after losing a lot of weight. These patients are often thin, without any excess fat, but with skin so loose and wrinkled that it’s unattractive and even uncomfortable. A tummy tuck can eliminate that skin, and give patients the appearance and sense of good health that they were seeking when they lost so much weight in the first place. On my website, www.ataleisnikmd.com, is a touching testimonial from a woman whose life was transformed after I performed a tummy tuck for her following massive weight loss. She now runs in long-distance races, participates in triathlons, and feels more fit and attractive than ever.

Even patients that are still very overweight can benefit from a tummy tuck. I’ve operated on many patients who were 70 pounds or more over their ideal weight, but had been unable to lose any significant amount of weight despite many diets and exercise programs. When someone so overweight works hard to diet and exercise, and loses 10 pounds, he or she looks in the mirror and sees little change, since the rolls and loose skin of the abdomen hide the changes. It becomes discouraging, which is why so many people then give up and regain the weight. After a tummy tuck, with the fat, skin and rolls eliminated, even a 10 pound loss of weight results in an obvious change in appearance and the way that clothes fit. Patients who could never lose and keep off weight before are often able to lose large amounts of weight after the tummy tuck, because it’s so much easier to stay motivated when the changes are visible. Also, it becomes much easier to exercise without the extra tissue on the belly. Most of the before and after tummy tuck photos on my website, www.ataleisnikmd.com, were taken about 6 weeks after the surgery, and show the results of the surgery itself. A few show patients who were able to lose a lot of weight after their tummy tucks, resulting in an appearance change that is truly miraculous.

There are different types of tummy tucks, and different technical points that distinguish an excellent tummy tuck from others. I’ll write more about these issues in futures articles on this blog. It is crucial to understand from the start the importance of choosing a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as I am. I wrote a previous article about this topic, emphasizing that many doctors may offer a procedure such as this, but only a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has the necessary education, training, background, and experience to provide you with the best chances of a beautiful result, with the highest safety level and quality of care.

Posted in Abdominoplasty | 2 Comments »

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most common and effective surgeries that I perform. This procedure removes fat by suctioning it with a thin tube, using small incisions that can usually be placed in very inconspicuous locations. It is important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. If you are overweight before the surgery, you’ll still be overweight after the surgery, but will LOOK slimmer. Liposuction is ideal for removing bulges or localized deposits of fat, especially those that do not disappear not matter how much you diet or exercise. Even patients who are thin and physically fit often have spots that are troublesome, such as the inner or outer thighs, the roll beneath the butt, or the hips. Liposuction might help you to feel more comfortable wearing bathing suits or other clothing. I often perform liposuction for overweight patients as well, removing bulk and bulges.

You may have heard about various options and techniques pertaining to liposuction, such as “tumescent technique,” “ultrasonic liposuction,” or “power-assisted liposuction.” These terms refer to the way a plastic surgeon prepares the fat to be suctioned, and the way it is actually removed. I’ll discuss these issues in more detail in an upcoming blog.

It is critical that you consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery if you are considering liposuction, or any other cosmetic surgical procedure, rather than other doctors who may advertise that they do liposuction. The keys to a good outcome include the doctor’s ability to determine whether liposuction is indeed the best option for a given problem or patient, or whether other procedures might be more effective. Doctors who have taken a weekend liposuction course don’t have the large armamentarium of surgeries and skills that a board-certified plastic surgeon does. Also important is the surgeon’s ability, training, and experience. Finally, in the unlikely event that a complication occurs, you’d want a fully-trained and experienced physician caring for you, to make sure your end result is as good as possible.

My website, www.ataleisnikmd.com, reviews my extensive background and training in plastic surgery. I take pride in caring for each and every one of my patients in the most comprehensive, individualized, personalized manner possible. The initial consultation is always with me, not a nurse or assistant. I want to ensure that the patient understands the options and consequences fully, and that I understand what the patient is truly trying to achieve. Whether a patient is seeking breast augmentation, a tummy tuck,liposuction, or any other procedure, every patient has unique preferences and unique challenges. I spend a lot of time with every patient, to an extent that exceeds virtually any other office, to be sure that we are both comfortable with our choices, and are striving for the same goals. Every postoperative visit is supervised personally by me as well. From beginning to end, you will be cared for like nowhere else.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation to meet with me, please call my office at 714-835-6500. You can e-mail questions to me from my website, www.ataleisnikmd.com. I answer each e-mail personally.

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Breast Augmentation in Orange County

Few procedures have as great an impact on a woman’s appearance, self-esteem and confidence as breast augmentation. This surgery is generally performed for women age 18 or over, although it can occasionally be appropriate for those under 18 as well. Many women who seek breast augmentation never experienced much breast development. Others complain of decreased breast fullness and volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Still other women develop empty, sagging breasts after losing significant weight, or have an unsatisfactory breast shape. Finally, many women who already have nicely shaped and sized breasts simply wish to increase their size. After surgery, my patients often tell me that they feel more feminine, sexier, and more comfortable and confident wearing bathing suits and many types of clothes.  They often undergo breast augmentation seeking to improve the proportions of their figures, balancing their breasts with their shoulders, hips and butts. The results after breast augmentation can be dramatic for all of these reasons, and I receive great satisfaction from the joy my patients express to me after surgery.

There are many options and choices when considering breast augmentation, including whether a breast lift should be combined with the augmentation. Many women who feel that their breasts are droopy or saggy actually just have breasts that are now empty, and can obtain beautiful results with breast implants alone. Others clearly would benefit from a lift with the augmentation. Other considerations include use of saline or silicone implants, standard or high profile implants, incision location, placement of the implant above or below the pectoral muscle, improvement of asymmetries, and determining the implant size that will provide the look YOU are seeking. I will discuss all of these issues in future blogs in more detail.

As you might imagine, every woman has her own goals, concerns and challenges when undergoing breast augmentation. All breast augmentations are unique. It is therefore critical that you select a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  My website, www.atlaeisnikmd.com, reviews my extensive background and training in plastic surgery. I take pride in caring for each and every one of my patients in the most comprehensive, individualized, personalized manner possible. The initial consultation is always with me, not a nurse or assistant. I want to ensure that the patient understands the options and consequences fully, and that I understand what the patient is truly trying to achieve. Whether a patient is seeking breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, liposuction, or any other procedure, every patient has unique preferences and unique challenges. I spend a lot of time with every patient, to an extent that exceeds virtually any other plastic surgery office in Orange County, to be sure that we are both comfortable with our choices, and are striving for the same goals. Every postoperative visit is supervised personally by me as well. From beginning to end, you will be cared for like nowhere else.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation to meet with me, please call my office at 714-835-6500. You can e-mail questions to me from my website, www.ataleisnikmd.com. I answer each e-mail personally.

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Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

There are now so many individuals offering cosmetic surgical procedures that it can be very difficult for a patient considering surgery to choose the best or most qualified doctor. Advertisements for plastic or cosmetic surgeons are everywhere, so how does a patient make sense of all the information?

First, you should be aware that ANY doctor can call him or herself a cosmetic surgeon, and can legally perform many types of cosmetic surgeries even if they’re not actually plastic surgeons. Also, many doctors advertise that they are “board certified,” but don’t indicate the specific type of board certification they have. There are many unofficial boards and societies, with very official sounding names, that grant certification or society membership merely by paying a fee. 

The ONLY board that counts for a properly trained plastic surgeon is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Surgeons that have received certification through this board have gone through many years of rigorous training, passed written and oral exams on a periodic basis, and had their practice patterns and results evaluated by reputable peers. Most board certified plastic surgeons are also members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the main professional society of true plastic surgeons.

Why is it important to choose a properly board certified surgeon? You are entrusting your body, your health, and your well-being to someone. An ABPS certified surgeon has the training, skill and experience to help you decide which of many procedures and options will help you the most. A dermatologist or gynecologist who has attended a weekend liposuction course may recommend liposuction even if other procedures might be more appropriate for a certain patient, because that’s all they have to offer. A properly certified plastic surgeon has a large array of procedures and techniques that he can utilize to give you the results you truly want, and knows when to use which. He also has the training and experience to handle problems or complications, even if they may occur infrequently.

My website, www.ataleisnikmd.com, reviews my extensive background and training in plastic surgery. I take pride in caring for each and every one of my patients in the most comprehensive, individualized, personalized manner possible. The initial consultation is always with me, not a nurse or assistant. I want to ensure that the patient understands the options and consequences fully, and that I understand what the patient is truly trying to achieve. Whether a patient is seeking breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, liposuction, or any other procedure, every patient has unique preferences and unique challenges. I spend a lot of time with every patient, to an extent that exceeds virtually any other office, to be sure that we are both comfortable with our choices, and are striving for the same goals. Every postoperative visit is supervised personally by me as well. From beginning to end, you will be cared for like nowhere else.

If you’d like to schedule a consultation to meet with me, please call my office at 714-835-6500. You can e-mail questions to me from my website, www.ataleisnikmd.com. I answer each e-mail personally.

Posted in Choosing a Plastic Surgeon | 2 Comments »

Welcome to Orange County Plastic Surgery Blog

As a plastic surgeon serving the city of Newport Beach and all of Orange County, Dr. Taleisnik is pleased to offer his services and experience to help you with your decision to undergo plastic surgery.

Specializing in procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks, to name a few, this Orange County cosmetic surgeon is able to answer all your questions and concerns about the benefits, risks and choices involved in plastic surgery.

Please feel free to read this blog and learn more about plastic surgery. You can visit Dr. Taleisnik’s website for more detailed information on the cosmetic surgery services he provides in Orange County.

Dr. Taleisnik is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is centrally located in the City of Orange adjacent to St. Joesph Hospital, and frequently cares for patients from the following cities:

Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton,

Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills,
Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia,
Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park
Westminster, Yorba Linda,  and Orange County.

Dr. Taleisnik also serves Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and Los Angeles County.

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