Blog

Do I Need a Lift or Augmentation After Pregnancy?

November 14th, 2019

4 min read

Pregnancy and childbirth create significant changes to the breasts due to a shift in hormones, blood flow, milk production, and the stresses of breastfeeding.

This can result in a breast appearance that is saggy or deflated.

Breast surgery is common after childbirth, and while many women know they are interested in surgery, most are unsure of the procedure best suited to their needs.

Breast procedures restore a woman’s ideal, natural-looking breast following childbirth.

Why Do the Breasts Change So Much?

Your breast volume is directly linked to your hormones—it is for this reason that many women experience sore breasts during their periods.

These hormones increase early on in your pregnancy, resulting in noticeable changes in the breast tissue like swelling and increased sensitivity.

Your breasts also experience trauma from the tugging and manipulation caused during breastfeeding (if you decide to do so).

These changes do not always allow the breast tissues to bounce back the way that you want them to.

Unfortunately, some women are more predisposed to post-pregnancy sagging and deflation than others.

Age, genetics, weight, and skin quality all play a part, and some women discover that their breasts would benefit from a post-pregnancy treatment.

What Surgical Procedures Are Appropriate for You?

Sadly, there is no single all-encompassing procedure that can solve all of a woman’s breast concerns.

Following pregnancy, most women benefit from a breast lift, breast augmentation, or the combination of both.

The best treatment plan for you depends on your current breast appearance and what you are ideally interested in afterward.

If You Experience Sagging

Breast ptosis is the most common aftereffect of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. As your hormones return to their natural, non-pregnancy levels, the volume diminishes, leaving the breast tissues weak and more liable to sag.

Breast lift surgery is performed to raise the breast and restore a youthful breast position.

Breast lift surgery offers several variations and incision techniques, depending on your specific needs and the level of ptosis you present.

A periareolar, or Benelli, lift creates less post-operative scarring; however, this technique cannot address the same tissue laxity as the anchor lift, which allows for the most significant amount of correction.

The lollipop lift corrects sagging and reshaping of the breast. This type of breast lift is commonly used and allows the surgeon to remove excess skin and reshape the entire breast with an easily hidden scar. This type of lift involves two types of incisions. One around the edge of the areola, and one running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold, creating a “lollipop” shape.

If You Experience Deflation

Breast sagging is not the only change in the breast tissues following pregnancy. Some women actually experience the loss of previous breast volume (think of a sport’s ball that has lost some of its air).

If this occurs, a breast augmentation may counteract the loss.

Augmentation following pregnancy allows for any type of implant (silicone or saline) to restore volume and breast contour.

If You Are Interested in a Breast Makeover

While some women find satisfaction with undergoing only one of these surgeries, other women find that their breast dissatisfaction stems from both sagging and deflation.

These women, whether they have had one child or several, may benefit from combining a lift with their augmentation.

Performing these procedures together allows for the most significant level of breast enhancement while minimizing cost and surgical strain (when you compare the combined surgery to surgeries performed at separate times).

Before and after image of a breast augmentation showing a change in volume and shape.

When Should You Choose Breast Surgery?

Breast surgery can restore women’s physiques after having children.

Candidates are healthy women whose hormones have returned to normal and are no longer breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant again anytime soon.

While breast surgery will not affect a future pregnancy (and you may still be able to breastfeed), an additional pregnancy will affect the quality of your results.

Have More Questions?

If you are looking for a breast lift or augmentation near you, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift

What Should You Look for in Your Plastic Surgeon?

by Frederic Corbin

September 25th, 2019

Choosing a surgeon is an essential element of plastic surgery. Not only are you trusting your surgeon to keep you safe throughout the procedure, but you are also counting on that person to provide you with aesthetically desirable and lasting results.

Unfortunately, not all surgeons are equal, and it is up to you to choose the one that is best for you and your aesthetic desires.

White marking arrows on young woman.

While it can be challenging to know what (or who) you are looking for, you can ensure that the choice you make is one that you will be happy with for years to come if you follow some general guidelines.

Training

It should go without saying that schooling and training are essential when it comes to choosing the person who will be responsible for your safety and the results of your surgical procedure.

Look up where they went to school (both undergraduate and medical), and find out what kinds of schools those are. Also look up internships, residencies, and fellowships.

This knowledge will begin to give you an outline of the surgeon’s qualifications and expertise.

Because plastic surgery is elective, you get to choose the surgeon you want to perform your surgery. Don’t be afraid to be picky. You are the one who will be living with the results.

Certifications

The American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies plastic surgeons. By being certified by the ABPS, a surgeon has demonstrated expertise in the field of plastic surgery.

Certification by the ABPS also allows for membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a prestigious society that guarantees training, skill, and experience.

ASPS Logo

Experience

While many plastic surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, some surgeons specialize in specific techniques.

Feel free to ask your prospective surgeon about their specialties and how long they have been performing them.

Find out how many times they have completed the procedure of your choice (whether it is breast augmentation, tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, or facelift surgery), and look closely at their before and after pictures to see if you are happy with the results and can imagine similar results for yourself.

The Comfort Test

While education, training, and skills are the most important aspects of choosing the right surgeon for your procedure, you should not overlook the importance of feeling at ease with your surgeon.

You should find someone that you feel comfortable with and confident in. How well do they listen to you? How interested are they in you? How compassionate are they toward your insecurities and the reasons for your interest in surgery?

Why Should You Choose Dr. Frederic Corbin?

Tummy tuck side image before and after procedure by Dr. Corbin

*Actual Patient* Results May Vary
Tummy Tuck Patient 8

Dr. Corbin has been transforming patients’ lives for over 25 years. Dr. Corbin has degrees from some of the top universities in the country and memberships in both the American Medical Association and the International Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, making him qualified and respected both at home and overseas.

He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and someone who will listen to your concerns as well as your desires.

If you are ready to discuss a potential plastic surgery procedure, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out his online contact form.

Categories Choosing a Surgeon

Where Can You Turn When Diet and Exercise Fail?

by Frederic Corbin

August 12th, 2019

Many men and women try to tone their bodies through healthy diet and exercise. While these are both necessary for a healthy lifestyle, they are not always enough to create the trim and firm lines that many desire. Whether the excess pockets of fat were a result of age, pregnancy, or leftover from significant weight loss, some fat does not respond to regular diet and exercise.

While being unable to achieve the definition you are striving for can prove frustrating, the unwanted fat pockets do not have to be permanent. Both surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are available to help you get and maintain the sculpted body that you desire.

young woman in sportswear touching her belly.dieting and weight loss concept-img-blog

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that targets unwanted fat on the abdomen, hips, thighs, back, knees, ankles, arms, and neck. This procedure allows for the safe removal of localized pockets of excess fat and can provide lasting results and a firmer contour after one treatment.

There are several different liposuction techniques available, one of which is the SAFELipo® technique. SAFELipo® utilizes a three-step process that first separates the fat from the surrounding tissues so there is less heat damage to the surrounding cells. Then, the fat is removed through a suctioning device known as a cannula. After that layer is removed, SAFELipo® performs its final step: fat equalization. This step allows the remaining layer of fat to be smoothed for the most natural-looking and highest-quality results. This technique is highly specialized to the patient and can provide long-lasting tone.

*Actual Patient* Results May Vary

What Is BodyTite™?

BodyTite™ offers non-surgical fat removal as well as the firming of mild to moderate skin laxity. BodyTite™ uses radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, a minimally invasive technique that does not require liposuction-sized incisions.

Instead, a tiny incision is made that is just large enough to insert the BodyTite™ probe. This probe administers thermal energy to the underlying tissues that eliminates fat and tightens skin.

The radiofrequency introduced liquefies the fat so it can be removed easily through a microcannula, allowing for the safest removal of unwanted fat. BodyTite™ offers noticeable body contouring and smoother skin after one session with no downtime or scars and comes with a reduced chance for surgical-related complications.

How Does Liposuction and BodyTite™ Differ From Weight Loss?

When an individual loses weight through diet and exercise, the fat cells in the body are reduced in size, not removed. Every person is born with a specific number of fat cells—a quantity that will not be altered regardless of weight fluctuations.

This is where liposuction and BodyTite™ differs from weight loss. When a patient undergoes cosmetic body contouring, fat cells are physically removed from the body, thereby lowering the total number of fat cells present in the body. Since the fat is removed, cosmetic body contouring offers lasting results.

What Are the Limitations?

Liposuction and BodyTite™ provide noticeably slimmer contours; however, even they have their limitations. Cosmetic body sculpting is designed to do just that: sculpt and enhance. They are ideal for patients who have localized pockets of fat but who are otherwise in good shape and are physically healthy. These procedures are not intended for significant weight loss, nor should they be considered as an alternative to a healthy lifestyle. For patients who are looking to remove a more considerable amount of excess fat, they will need to look elsewhere before considering cosmetic body contouring.

Both of these procedures provide long-lasting results since the fat cells they target will not reproduce in the body. But even though the removed fat cells are gone, the remaining fat cells can still expand, and, therefore, it is possible to gain the weight back if a healthy lifestyle is not followed.

Occasionally, patients also experience a decreased amount of skin elasticity after weight loss or because of aging. Liposuction does not tighten the skin, and the skin tightening available with the BodyTite™ has limitations. For patients with a more substantial amount of laxity, additional cosmetic surgeries such as an abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, or thighplasty may be necessary.

If you are experiencing frustration due to the inability to tone and sculpt your body contour, contact Dr. Corbin today by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out his online contact form.

Categories Body Contour

Finding the Right Time for a Mommy Makeover

by Frederic Corbin

July 11th, 2019

A Mommy Makeover is a procedure for women who are dissatisfied with the physical changes brought about by pregnancy and childbirth. While most women welcome the joys and responsibilities of motherhood, many are less inclined to accept the presence of excess skin, pockets of fat, loose abdominal muscles, and the deflated appearance of the breasts.

This is where the combination of procedures that make up a Mommy Makeover can shine.

mother and baby on bed-img-blog

Am I a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Do You Have Elongated Breasts?

Breasts are often left elongated and deflated from the size fluctuations and trauma caused by pregnancy and childbirth. The round, compact, and perky breasts you once had may stretch and sag while the nipple-areola complex enlarges and shifts downward.

Breast lift surgery with or without augmentation is performed to restore youthful and perky breasts.

Have Your Abdominal Muscles Separated?

Often, pregnancy results in a condition known as diastasis recti, or the separation of the abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery repairs this separation while trimming away lax abdominal skin.

Do You Have Unwanted Pockets of Fat?

Pregnancy causes drastic changes to your body, allowing fat pockets to develop in places that you may never have had fat before. Unfortunately, even if you can find time to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle, some areas of fat are often resistant.

The only sure way to rid yourself of these unwanted pockets of fat is liposuction.

Are You Ready for a Mommy Makeover?

When Did You Have Your Child?

Your body takes time to heal after having a child. Although it may sound appealing to jump onto the surgical table immediately following the birth, it is important to have patience. A healthy and fit individual will heal better than a person whose body is already working overtime to recuperate from childbirth.

Also, the quality of your results will increase the closer you are to your desired weight. If you gained weight during pregnancy, you might want to try and lose some of it naturally before resorting to surgery.

Typically, surgeons suggest waiting six months to one year before undergoing a Mommy Makeover.

Can You Reasonably Handle Your Recovery Period?

Any new mother can understand the difficulties of taking care of a young child. Suddenly, your schedule is not your own, and you are at the beck and call of your little one.

This can prove difficult for someone who is recovering from surgery. A Mommy Makeover requires you to rest for several weeks—weeks that you will not be able to carry, play with, or take care of your child alone. You must have someone present at all times that will be able to help with these activities.

Are You Done Having Children?

This question is essential when determining your Mommy Makeover candidacy. Additional pregnancies will impact—possibly reverse—your surgical results. It is strongly suggested that you postpone any surgical procedure until you are sure that there will be no more pregnancies in your future.

For more information about the Mommy Makeover, or to see if you are a candidate, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories Mommy Makeover

Why Should You Consider Rhinoplasty After A Facial Injury?

by Frederic Corbin

June 12th, 2019

Facial injuries can occur at any time. Between car accidents, sports injuries, and falls, your nose is always at risk. Because your nose projects outward, it is far more susceptible to cosmetic and functional damage. While some nasal breaks can be repaired manually, more severe injuries, multiple breaks, or breaks that have already started to set may require a surgical fix. Rhinoplasty can be performed on injured noses to restore aesthetics and functionality by realigning and reshaping the nasal structure.

young man defeated in sports game suffered loss with broken nose-img-blog

External Complications

A cosmetic deformity is one of the major reasons patients turn to rhinoplasty after an injury. Even though many individuals believe that it is alright to allow a nose to heal on its own, this is not without risk. A broken nose is like any other broken bone: if it is not set correctly, it will not heal correctly. Patients may discover that their once well-shaped nose is crooked, flattened, or humped. Surgery is the only option to correct a nose with a cosmetic concern such as this.

Internal Complications

Nasal obstruction is the most significant concern after a facial injury. A broken nose can lead to a deviated or perforated septum. Both of these conditions diminish breathing capabilities and can result in additional complications such as headaches, recurring sinus infections, nosebleeds, and trouble sleeping. When there is a blockage to the nasal airway, a technique known as septoplasty can be performed. Septoplasty repairs a deviation by realigning the soft cartilage of the septum to allow for proper airflow.

There is a sudden rush of blood to the nose when it experiences trauma. Occasionally, this blood will collect and create a septal hematoma that, if left untreated, can lead to an infection. Infections settle into the cartilage and begin to eat away at it, causing the collapse of the nose. A collapsed nose is complicated to treat and should be avoided at all costs.

How Soon Can Rhinoplasty Be Performed?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that improves nasal form and function. Because facial injury causes both external and internal bruising and swelling, it can be challenging to diagnose the underlying concerns initially. Often, patients will need to wait a few days before undergoing surgery so that the surgeon can see the damaged structure without the bruising and swelling getting in the way. While some waiting is helpful, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible. The chances of complete restoration are increased significantly when the damage is corrected shortly after the injury. Rhinoplasty can, however, benefit patients with fully healed nasal injuries. Rhinoplasty after a broken nose can greatly enhance confidence and self-esteem that may have been affected by the injury.

To learn more about the benefits of rhinoplasty after a broken nose, contact Dr. Corbin by calling his Beverly Hills office at (310) 284-8384, his Brea office at (714) 671-3033, or by filling out his online contact form.

Categories Rhinoplasty

Blog

Do I Need a Lift or Augmentation After Pregnancy?

Why Do the Breasts Change So Much?