Breast Lifts in Orange County

Breast Lift Specialist Orange County

Serving Newport Beach, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County

Unfortunately for our bodies, gravity is always pulling. This leads to drooping eyelids, drooping faces, drooping tummies, and yes, drooping breasts. Big breasts tend to droop or sag more than small breasts as time passes, but no breast is immune. There are other important reasons that breasts can droop. Pregnancy is a major cause of breast drooping (medically referred to as “ptosis”). I’ve recently written several articles about “The Mommy Makeover,” a combination of procedures (including breast enhancement) designed to counteract the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some women develop breasts with unsatisfactory shapes, often with ptosis, right from the start, during puberty. Other women experience severe breast drooping after losing large amounts of weight. Fortunately, procedures are available to improve all of these problems.

Breast drooping, or ptosis, is usually improved with a surgery known as a mastopexy, or breast lift. A mastopexy can raise the nipple and the areola (the darker skin around each nipple) to the appropriate height. It can help to restore cleavage, lift the breast off the chest wall, and improve the appearance and feel of breast fullness. If the areola diameter is too big, the areolas can be reduced to a more pleasing size. Many women tell me that it’s much easier to find properly fitting bras, and attractive swimsuits or clothing, after undergoing a breast lift.

The first step is to determine whether you actually need a breast lift, or if your breasts are simply “empty” or “deflated,” as can often occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many patients who see me in my Orange County office requesting a breast lift actually benefit more from a breast augmentation. It’s important to consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery if you’re thinking about enhancing your breasts. Your surgeon must have the necessary education, training, experience, and judgment to help you to decide which procedure will provide the improvement you desire. Certainly, there are many women who do require a lift, and others who benefit most from breast augmentation in combination with a breast lift. A breast lift alone may not be able to restore the volume and upper breast fullness that some women seek. For such patients, adding implants to a breast lift can produce beautiful results.

Any breast lift will create come scarring on the breast. In most patients, the scars fade and become fairly inconspicuous with passage of time. Some patients, however, will form scars that remain more visible (but not in clothing or a swimsuit). There are different types of lifts, each producing different degrees of scarring. Many factors determine which type of lift is appropriate for any given patient.

When ptosis, or breast drooping, is quite severe, patients require a traditional type of mastopexy, or lift. This type of lift creates more scars, but is also very powerful. The breasts can be totally reshaped and repositioned with a full mastopexy. Once again, it may be helpful to add implants as well to improve upper breast fullness and cleavage.

I often perform a modified type of breast lift for my patients undergoing breast augmentation who also require slight tightening of the breast skin and slight elevation of the nipples and areolas. This is referred to as a “concentric mastopexy.” This type of lift creates a scar around the areola only. Since the scar is at the border of two different colors and textures of skin, it tends to blend in well. Photos illustrating this can be seen on my website

If your breasts are heading south, or if you’re unhappy with them in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 714-835-6500. We can arrange a free consultation, where I can help you to decide the best way to obtain the improvements you want. I evaluate and treat patients from all over Newport Beach and Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and LA County, as well as patients from other states, who are dissatisfied with their breasts. I look forward to helping you too.

Posted in Breast Lift Surgery, Home, Mommy Makeover | No Comments »

Orange County Mommy Makeover Surgeon: Breast Enhancement

Mommy Makeover Surgeon- Dr. Andres Taleisnik

As many women know so well, there can be a physical price to pay for having children. Unfortunate changes often occur in the breasts, abdomen (tummy), or other areas. I recently wrote an article about The Mommy Makeover, a combination of plastic surgical procedures designed to help women to regain their pre-pregnancy figures (or even better). A Mommy Makeover almost always includes a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty), and procedures to improve the breasts. I also wrote recently about the tummy tuck component of The Mommy Makeover in greater detail. This article addresses the enhancement of the breasts after pregnancy.

Many women who were entirely satisfied with their breast size and shape prior to pregnancy complain of decreased volume, emptiness of the breasts, or sagging afterwards. Fortunately, I can offer surgical options to improve each of those problems. It is important to consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as I am, since the surgeon must have the training, knowledge and experience to provide an individualized plan for every patient, since every woman’s needs and desires are unique.

Some women complain to me that their breasts are “saggy” after pregnancy, when they are actually just “empty.” Such patients may do extremely well with breast augmentation alone, using either saline or silicone implants (I’ve discussed the differences in a prior article). The implants can restore fullness, which is usually quite lacking in the upper breast and cleavage area in particular. There may be choices as to the final size or volume of the breasts as well. When you meet with me for your consultation, I will help you to determine whether augmentation alone will achieve your goals.

While augmentation alone may be sufficient for many women, there are certainly others who might benefit from a lift, or mastopexy, with or without implants. If the nipples are on the lower part of the breasts, or point downwards, a lift could be helpful. A lift is often beneficial if the nipples are near or below the level of the inframammary fold, which is the crease or fold beneath each breast.

If the breasts already have enough volume, a lift alone may be fine. Often, however, it’s not possible to restore the degree of fullness in the upper breasts that many women want without using implants. Such patients are candidates for an “augmentation mastopexy,” or lift plus implants.

There are also different types of lifts that can be used. If there is significant drooping (breast “ptosis”) or laxity of the breasts, a larger, more traditional type of mastopexy, or lift, must be used. Such lifts create more scars (which usually fade and become fairly inconspicuous as time passes), but are also more powerful, reshaping a severely saggy breast very nicely. If a more minor degree of lifting or tightening is required, there are lifts that involve, for example, scars only around the areolas. These are known as “concentric mastopexies,” “crescent lifts,” and others.

The good news is that a caring, well-trained plastic surgeon can improve MANY of the unwanted body changes that accompany pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. As you might imagine, it’s critical to seek a surgeon who is not only well-trained and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but who will also take the time to evaluate your specific issues and desires, and to review them with you in an understandable fashion so that you can make the best possible choices. I take pride in caring for my patients with more individualized and complete attention than can be found anywhere else, as you’ll discover when we meet. Please call my office at 714-835-6500 to schedule your free consultation.

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Orange County Mommy Makeover: The Tummy Tuck

Now that you’ve given birth to your child or children, one of the most wonderful and miraculous things a woman can do, you may be left questioning “What happened to my body, and what can I do to make it better again?” The Mommy Makeover was designed to help the millions of women who share these same concerns. I recently posted an article about The Mommy Makeover, a combination of surgical procedures performed at the same operative session. The main procedures include a tummy tuck (medically referred to as an abdominoplasty), a breast augmentation and/or breast lift, and liposuction of problem areas such as the thighs. In this article, I’ll discuss the tummy tuck component of The Mommy Makeover in greater detail.

Three unwanted changes can often occur to your tummy, or abdomen, after pregnancy: stretching or sagging of the skin, loosening or bulging of the muscles, and development of stretch marks. Fortunately, a well-performed tummy tuck can often improve all three of these problems. The main purpose of a tummy tuck is to remove excess, loose skin (and some fat at times). Every woman’s skin recovers differently after pregnancy. Some women are fortunate that their skin tightens up nicely, staying smooth and without stretch marks. More often, the skin doesn’t tighten back to its pre-pregnancy state. The tummy tuck excises, or cuts out, the excess skin. The extra skin, accompanied by drooping, folds or creases, and jiggling with movement, can occur in women of any age or size. I have performed tummy tucks, with excellent improvement, on women who are 5 feet tall and weigh over 200 p0unds, and on women who are 5′7″  tall and weigh 110 pounds. ANYONE can develop loose, hanging skin after giving birth. There are photos of women of different sizes on my website.

Another important part of the tummy tuck involves tightening the abdominal muscles. I don’t remember ANY post-pregnancy tummy tuck patients who wouldn’t benefit from tightening and flattening the muscles. Muscle laxity, of varying degrees, is just a fact of pregnancy, and occurs even in athletes and fitness trainers who do hundreds of sit-ups each day. Strong, permanent sutures (stitches) are used to tighten the rectus abdominis muscles. This pulls in the waist and flattens the bulging of the tummy.

Fortunately, tummy tucks can also frequently eliminate or markedly reduce stretch marks. Much of the skin containing the stretch marks may be cut out, with the remaining skin pulled tight and smooth. If the stretch marks are mainly at the level of the belly button or below, you may have few or no stretch marks after surgery.

It’s important to remember that, although Mommy Makeovers or tummy tucks are cosmetic procedures, they are indeed surgeries, and should be performed by plastic surgeons with the highest degree of training, ongoing education, and experience, including certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Andres Taleisnik has been a highly respected member of the medical community in the Newport Beach and Orange County areas for well over a decade. Please call 714-835-6500 to schedule a free consultation. You will meet only with Dr. Taleisnik, not a nurse or assistant. He will help you to determine which procedures are best and most appropriate for you, and will start you on the path back to the body you had before, or never had and always wanted.

Please watch for upcoming articles on other components of The Mommy Makeover, including breast augmentation/lift and liposuction.

Posted in Home, Mommy Makeover | 1 Comment »

The Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover Specialist

Orange County, Newport Beach, Riverside County

Having children is a wonderful experience for most women, but it often leads to many undesired changes in their bodies. Some women are fortunate (not many!), since their bodies recover almost to the pre-pregnancy shape. Most never quite regain the figures they had before giving birth.

Common unwanted changes include deflation or emptying of the breasts, sagging of the breasts, and development of stretch marks or loose skin and muscles on the tummy. These problems can develop even with an excellent diet, vigorous exercise, or use of creams and other “potions.” Fortunately, as a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Andres Taleisnik, M.D. frequently helps women in Orange County to regain their more youthful, pre-pregnancy bodies.

The popular term today for a combination of surgeries designed to reverse or improve the damaging effects of pregnancy is “Mommy Makeover.” Dr. Taleisnik often performs abdominoplasties (tummy tucks) together with breast surgery (breast augmentation, breast lift, or both) to provide a rapid and dramatic appearance improvement. Liposuction, such as for the hips or flanks, can be added as well.

For most women who are in reasonable health, it’s reasonable to do the various procedures at once. This results in a single anesthetic, a single recovery period or absence from work, and a lower overall cost than doing procedures separately. Dr. Taleisnik will help you to determine which procedures will be most beneficial for you, and whether you’re a candidate for the full “Mommy Makeover.” Please call his assistant Linae at 714-835-6500 to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Taleisnik.

Please watch for future articles on the individual surgeries that make up the “Mommy Makeover.”

Posted in Abdominoplasty, Breast Augmentation, Home, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover | 1 Comment »

Cosmetic Breast Revision Surgery in Orange County

Every woman hopes that her breast surgery, whether it be an augmentation, a lift, or a reduction, will produce beautiful results that last for many years. Often, this is indeed what occurs. Sometimes, however, there can be causes for dissatisfaction, either from the original surgery itself, or from the changes that occur with passage of time. Most of the time, these concerns can be improved with a well-planned and executed breast revision surgery. Revision surgery can be tricky, so please be sure to consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as I am. I help patients from throughout Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties (and from other areas and States) to achieve the results they’re seeking.

 I perform revision breast surgeries for many different reasons. After augmentation, some women feel that their size is not what they were seeking. Implant size and shape can be changed to produce a result that pleases the patient. In my own practice, very few patients request a change of implant size, since I routinely insert sizer implants at the time of surgery to best determine what size implants will best accomplish the patient’s goals. Patients come to me who have had breast augmentations that resulted in one implant sitting higher than the other. I’m usually able to improve that situation as well.

 Sometimes a patient can be very happy with her original augmentation, but she develops problems as time passes. The implants can leak (either suddenly or gradually), since we don’t expect them to last forever. It’s usually straightforward to change the implants when that occurs. Some patients may develop capsular contracture. This refers to the tightening and hardening of the scar tissue (or capsule) that always forms around foreign objects in our bodies. Usually, the capsule stays thin and soft. Occasionally, it becomes thicker and harder. This can make the breasts unnaturally hard, and can distort the shape or position of the implants. Sometimes, it can even be painful. The treatment involves exchanging the implants, combined with performance of a capsulectomy. This means that the hard scar tissue is cut out, leaving the breast soft again.

 Another cause of dissatisfaction after breast augmentation can be the breast drooping that may occur as time passes. Skin loses elasticity as we age, and may begin to stretch out. This can happen often to women who haven’t undergone augmentation as well, but the extra weight of the implants can contribute. I frequently perform breast lifts, or mastopexies, to help women in this situation. The breasts can be lifted and tightened to provide a nicer, more youthful appearance (often with more comfort as well).

 I also see women in my practice who have undergone breast lifts or reductions elsewhere, and now need a revision of those procedures. As with anything else, the breast tissue can stretch and sag even after a lift or reduction, especially as the patient ages. A revision of the lift or reduction can often improve the situation significantly.

 Once again, please remember that any revision surgery is more complex than the original procedure. It’s important to consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who performs revision procedures often.

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Orange County Breast Asymmetry

Most women have some degree of breast asymmetry. This is natural, and it’s rare for a woman to have breasts that are exactly the same. There may be differences in size between the right and left breast, or differences in shape or the degree of ptosis (drooping). Sometimes, the differences are  significant enough that correction or improvement is desired. As an Orange County plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, specializing in cosmetic breast surgery, I frequently perform surgeries to help such patients.

Differences in size are often improved with the use of breast implants. Different volumes or implant shapes can be used on each side, generally improving the symmetry. Usually, other modifications are needed a the same time in order to maximize the results. The position of the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast) may need to be raised or lowered. Changes might be necessary within the breast tissue itself, such as to allow a “cone-shaped” breast  to become more rounded. 

Some Orange County patients benefit from a mastopexy, or breast  lift. There are different types of mastopexies that are possible. Some patients may require a lift on both sides, with one side lifted or tightened more than the other. Some patients may require a lift on one side only. Yet other patients may benefit from a reduction on one side, and a lift or even augmentation on the other side.

Surgery for breast asymmetry is specialized, and every patient in Orange County is completely unique. It’s important to consult a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as I am. It’s just as important to find a surgeon who will take the personal time with you to determine the best way to address your asymmetry.

Dr. Andres Taleisnik

Posted in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Home | 1 Comment »

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.

Posted in Abdominoplasty, Mini Tummy Tuck | No Comments »

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 | 7 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 »