The Top 3 Benefits of a Mommy Makeover
Your body can—and very likely will—change in major ways throughout pregnancy and after childbirth. In fact, many women find that their breast shape is never again the same as it was prior to pregnancy. The skin on the abdominal area may become stretched, or the abdominal muscles below may be stretched out and separated in a condition known as diastasis recti. Addressing these changes via a healthy lifestyle can often be difficult—if not impossible—which is why many people consider having a Mommy Makeover as a way of addressing unwanted contours and other cosmetic problems. Even so, many potential patients wonder: Is a Mommy Makeover worth it?” Our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery team believes that the answer to that question depends on each individual patient’s needs and what their goals are for enhancing their body shape.
Overall, though, know that the surgery has a very high satisfaction rating, since the results can be transformative. A Mommy Makeover can restore your body to its proportions and contours prior to pregnancy—or sometimes even better.
Although the procedure can be ideal for someone who has had children and wants their body to look more like how it did before their pregnancy, a Mommy Makeover can also be beneficial for someone who wants a specific combination of procedures that may involve skin tightening and fat reduction.
Continue reading for the top benefits associated with this form of cosmetic surgery:
- Multiple concerns can be addressed in just one procedure, which may be more convenient. Patients will only have to undergo one surgical session, go under general anesthesia only once, and have a single recovery. You can combine different types of procedures—such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction—into a single “package.”
- Medical or functional issues can be addressed in addition to cosmetic improvements. For example, patients can treat different kinds of medical concerns such as diastasis recti, ventral hernias, urinary incontinence, and back pain with a tummy tuck during a Mommy Makeover.
- A patient’s confidence may be improved, and they may have a boost in self-esteem when they see the results in the mirror. This can be a great factor for improving mood, since positivity can increase in a positive feedback loop.
Is a Mommy Makeover worth it for you? Our team at the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery will guide you on everything you want to know about this procedure so that you can determine whether it’s the most suitable procedure for your lifestyle, situation, and goals. Call us at 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
Should You Combine BOTOX® With Skin Care Products?
Expression wrinkles—which are lines that appear only when certain facial muscles are moving, such as crow’s feet and frown lines—often begin to show for the first time during our 20s. They may become more pronounced as we get older and our skin loses collagen. Injectables like BOTOX® are effective for relaxing these wrinkles, generating more visible and reliable results than topical products. The injectable minimizes wrinkles by working directly on the muscles to prevent the contractions that cause the skin to crease. But does that mean topicals don’t do anything? One of the questions patients often ask us is, “Can I use skin care products after BOTOX®?” Our Portland-based team at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery highly recommends continuing to maintain a great skincare routine even after you have injectable fillers or neuromodulators. Here’s why:
While treatments like BOTOX® can dramatically improve the appearance of expression wrinkles within a very short time, they are no replacement for a proper skincare routine that you maintain consistently throughout your life. At-home skincare products keep skin looking more youthful and healthy overall, and also amplify the results from injectables.
Our collection of Waldorf Skin Solutions—all clinically proven products—contains pharmaceutical-grade ingredients that produce beautiful results on their own or complement the effects of other treatments, including injectable wrinkle relaxers.
Some examples include:
Barrier Repair Cream
Being strategic about moisturizers is important during the weeks and months that follow your BOTOX® treatments. Our Barrier Repair Cream, which contains ceramides, powerful antioxidants, and ginger root extract, is highly effective for soothing and nourishing skin that is dry, sensitive, or sun damaged.
Brightening Cream
Wrinkles aren’t the only effects of aging. Hyperpigmentation and other forms of discoloration may also occur due to sun damage or other causes. To restore a more even, healthy skin tone, we recommend our Brightening Cream, which contains ingredients such as kojic acid that are clinically proven to prevent melanin production.
Hydracell Zinc Arnica and Copper Treatment
Our Hydracell treatment is ideal for use after injectables. It contains arnica (which reduces swelling and accelerates healing), zinc (which promotes healthy skin and may extend the lifespan of botulinum toxin injectables), and copper peptides (which encourage tissue formation and collagen growth).
NIAMOIST Intensive Repair
This ultra-hydrating moisturizer contains niacinamide, ceramides, and peptides along with myristoyl hexapeptide-5, which has anti-aging effects.
If you’re searching for suggestions on what to use after BOTOX® injections at our Portland-based practice, our team at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery can explain more about the benefits of combining our skincare products with injectable wrinkle treatments. Call 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form.
Can Juvéderm® Correct Deep Wrinkles?
Aging and wrinkles are two things we can’t completely avoid as we go through life, regardless of how well we care for our skin. Injectables like the Juvéderm® collection of facial fillers are famous for their ability to minimize wrinkles that are linked to the loss of collagen and facial fat or damage from the external environment. The sun’s rays break down collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. We know that hyaluronic acid fillers are often used for correcting more superficial wrinkles, but is Juvéderm® good for deep wrinkles? Portland’s Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery explains that wrinkles are in different shapes and sizes, varying in terms of severity. Knowing the different types and what causes them can help you find the most effective treatment. For example, certain types of Juvéderm® are ideal for treating pronounced facial wrinkles, such as deep nasolabial folds.
The first wrinkles we often see forming on our face are the ones that are only visible when certain facial expressions, such as crow’s feet and frown lines, are being made. These are caused by the constant muscle contractions that happen during facial expressions and are only visible when the face is animated. However, other types of wrinkles remain even when the face is at rest. These are caused by loss of volume from the skin, and they may start off as fine lines but become deeper over time as more collagen is lost.
Some examples include nasolabial folds between the sides of the nose and corners of the mouth, as well as marionette lines on the chin. Facial fillers—especially brands that contain hyaluronic acid—are the go-to treatments for these types of wrinkles because they lift the skin and add volume to the area. Juvéderm® is added beneath the skin around the cheek to correct severe facial wrinkles and make the surface appear smoother. Since they are easily injected and have minimal to no recovery time, they’re a comfortable and convenient solution.
If you’re searching for an answer to questions like “Is Juvéderm® good for deep wrinkles?” our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery can explain more about the benefits of these injections. Call us today at 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation if you would like to learn more about what these treatments involve.
Which Types of Breast Implants Are Safest?
There are many decisions patients will need to make when they’re getting breast implants from our Portland-based practice, including which implant filling type, shape, and texture will be most suitable for them. One of the questions patients often ask us when they’re considering breast augmentation surgery is: “Which types of breast implants are safest?”
When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, all saline and silicone breast implants that are FDA-approved are considered safe for breast enhancement surgery. Although the devices do need to be monitored and maintained over time, the FDA has extensively studied them and determined that they are safe in the majority of cases. Both filling types have a good safety record and performance, however some patients do consider saline to be a more low-risk option.
Silicone implants are made with a synthetic material that has a similar feeling to body fat. Some patients prefer these implants because they think the devices look and feel the most realistic. Saline implants, on the other hand, have an outer shell made from silicone but are filled with sterile saltwater and are more prone to rippling. The reason why some patients consider saline to be a slightly “safer” option is because the saltwater is safely reabsorbed into the body if a rupture were to occur.
Furthermore, it will be obvious if a leak occurs because a saline implant visibly deflates, changing in size and structure, alerting a patient to the problem, which can be quickly addressed. Silicone implant ruptures are less obvious and often go undetected because the thicker silicone gel remains trapped in the surrounding tissues. The leaked gel may cause discomfort and hardening of the breasts, but it is not linked to any major health problems. Regular MRI scans are recommended for women with silicone implants.
The best implant type for you depends on your goals and preferences. During your consultation, we will discuss your options, as well as any risks or potential complications with you.
Want to learn more about breast implants? Contact the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery for more information if you’re thinking about having this procedure. Call us at 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
3 Things You Should Know Before Getting Breast Implants
Although trends are always changing, breast augmentation has been one of the most consistently popular forms of plastic surgery over the past couple of decades. The procedure can be both exciting as well as slightly intimidating. It’s normal to be curious about what the surgery involves (as well as what you can expect during recovery) and have plenty of questions, while at the same time be looking forward to the potential of being able to transform or restore your appearance. If you’re thinking about getting breast implants to achieve the silhouette you’ve always wanted, there are many decisions you’ll have to make. At first, you may be a little confused about where to start. Patients have to consider recovery time, different types of implants, costs, and other factors when they’re planning to get what is often simply referred to as a “boob job.” The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery team can provide answers to all of these questions and more, but there are three factors patients should be especially aware of when they’re considering breast enhancement at our Portland-based office:
1. Choose a Size That’s Right for Your Frame
In many cases, when someone isn’t totally happy with their breast augmentation results, it’s because they don’t like the size of their implants. Although it might be tempting to go big, most experts warn patients to be conservative in their approach and not to choose an implant size that’s overly large for their anatomy. Still, the decision is up to the patient! There are many ways to see how specific implants would look. The Waldorf Center offers Vectra 3D imaging to provide a very realistic view of how different sized implants will impact a patient’s unique proportions.
2. They Can Feel Very Natural
One of the most common misconceptions about breast implants is that they’ll feel overly hard or unnatural. Implants that are properly placed can be very difficult to detect, and your breasts will most likely have a squishy, softer texture by the time your body has healed after the surgery.
3. Implants Won’t Correct Sagging Skin
If your main goal is to restore sagging breasts to a perkier position, it’s better to have a breast lift. The extra volume from breast implants on their own can even make sagging worse. Breast augmentation can often be combined with a breast lift if you want extra volume and lift at the same time. It’s important to share your goals during your consultation, so your plastic surgeon can develop the appropriate plan for you.
Get advice about breast enhancements from the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery team. Call us today at 503-646-0101 or send a message online to request a consultation.
Who Are the Best Candidates for CoolSculpting® Elite?
Weight loss can be a complex process, and it’s even more difficult when you have pockets of extra fat in certain areas because of genetics or hormonal influences. These bulges might not go away no matter how much the number goes down on the scale. The great thing about CoolSculpting® Elite at our Portland practice is that the nonsurgical treatment can give you a more toned physique with natural-looking results—but without you having to worry about incisions or recovery time.
Not sure if non-surgical fat reduction is the most suitable option for you? You might qualify for this treatment if you:
- Are at or close to your goal body weight
- Do not need significant reshaping in any one area
- Have some minor deposits of fat that are resistant to attempts to lose weight through exercise and dietary changes
- Are not interested in having surgery or don’t want to have scars
- Would like to target fat loss in a way that wouldn’t be possible at the gym
- Want to lose a larger amount of fat than would be possible with just standard CoolSculpting®
The best cosmetic procedure to target excess fat varies depending on the individual. Plastic surgeons will consider your skin type, skin laxity, scars, and tattoos on areas that are being treated, along with the amount of pinchable subcutaneous fat you want to lose—and whether or not there’s a hernia in the treatment area. CoolSculpting® Elite isn’t designed for patients who have large amounts of fat to lose. You won’t be able to predict exactly how much fat will be lost during a session, but studies suggest that as much as 25 percent of the fat cells in a treatment area can be reduced in the area—and these fat cells can’t grow back. Note that some patients require multiple treatments to get the results they want.
Find out more about non-surgical fat removal in Portland by contacting the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery if you’re interested in body contouring procedures. Call us 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
Can Fillers Improve Marionette Lines?
Marionette lines—which get their name from their resemblance to the split jaws of string puppets—are creases that start at the corners of the mouth and stretch vertically down to the chin. In addition to being visible creases, they can also make sagging on the lower third of the face appear more pronounced. Since the skin around the mouth area is thinner and more fragile compared to the skin on the rest of the face, wrinkles are more likely to form there, especially when the skin loses its elasticity and volume over time. Hyaluronic acid-based facial fillers are believed to be one of the best ways of addressing these wrinkles. Not everyone gets marionette lines, because each person’s facial structure is different—and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you do have them, because they’re completely natural. But if you are bothered by these lines, Juvéderm® from our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery can help to treat the wrinkles. There aren’t any injectable fillers that can “remove” wrinkles for good, but when injected in the correct way, they can temporarily create the appearance of plumper and smoother skin for several months.
People usually focus a lot on wrinkles that develop on the upper part of the face and are caused by facial expressions, such as crow’s feet or forehead lines. However, many of the wrinkles that form on the face are associated with advancing age and deficiency in collagen—a protein that makes skin plump and firm. These lines (including marionette lines) are called static wrinkles and are etched into the skin like grooves.
Fillers like Juvéderm® add fullness to the cheeks to replace some of the volume lost when fat pads shrink in that area. When you start by adding filler to the upper and mid-face, the increase in volume there typically has the effect of reducing slackness in tissue that causes sagging. It can also be added directly to the mouth and chin area to address marionette lines and other lower-face wrinkles.
For more information about injectable facial fillers like Juvéderm®, contact our Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery. Call 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation and tell us more about your cosmetic goals.
What Are the Benefits of Cheek Fillers?
The volume in your cheeks has a significant influence on your overall facial appearance. Full cheeks are associated with smoother-looking skin and balanced, pleasing facial proportions. In fact, high cheekbones, plump cheeks, and a slim jawline are the three attributes associated with what is often called the “triangle of youth.” However, aging causes the structure of our faces to change, so that it becomes thinner in some areas while sagging occurs in other parts where elasticity is lost.
One method of enhancing the appearance of the cheeks and restoring the triangle is with fillers to raise the volume above and around the cheekbones. Cheek fillers like JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC are injected directly below the surface of the skin. Most fillers that are used in the cheek areas contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally water-retaining substance your body uses to keep connective tissues hydrated. These fillers blend with existing tissue in a subtle-looking way and are well tolerated by patients.
There are many potential reasons why people choose to have cheek fillers from our Portland-based practice, including:
Lack of Volume Due to Aging
Age-related loss of collagen and fat can result in a deflated or under-projected appearance in the cheeks. Patients can restore healthier, youthful looking contours by using filler injections in the mid-cheek to re-volumize them.
Deep Nasolabial Folds
The creases that stretch down from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth are called nasolabial folds, and are also referred to as smile lines or laugh lines. Everyone has these indentation lines—even children—but they become more pronounced with age. Injectable fillers can soften nasolabial folds so that they are less noticeable.
Cosmetic Enhancements
Even if you’re in your 20s or 30s and aren’t showing loss of volume or other severe signs of aging, cheek fillers help to sculpt cheekbones and add more dimensions to the face. Fillers can create the illusion of a more mature, sleek, and sophisticated appearance if you’re bothered by a “baby face” that is overly soft and rounded.
To learn more about what to expect with cheek fillers, contact the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery. Call 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation and tell us more about your cosmetic goals.
4 Science-Backed Ways to Fight Cellulite This Winter
Cellulite—while typically a strictly cosmetic condition and not a serious health issue—can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with when it comes to your skin. Since it’s caused by interconnecting collagen fibers below the surface, even losing weight won’t make it go away completely. Whether you’re just showing slight cellulite when your skin is compressed or muscles are contracted, or you have more severe dimpling that is visible even when the skin is at rest, you can make the most of the winter months with non-surgical cellulite injectables from our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery.
Winter is on its way, and this season is ideal to start some skin-smoothing cosmetic treatments. You can take advantage of the frosty weather and get the procedure you want to prepare you for the following summer. Although there is minimal to no downtime needed for many non-surgical treatments, getting them done during the colder and darker times can give you a mood boost and an incentive to make it through to the end of a dreary winter. These gradual treatments often require months for results to fully work, so you can address your cosmetic concerns ahead of time before any weddings, reunions, or other social events of the upcoming year.
Here are several tips for addressing that unwanted orange peel texture on your buttocks and thighs:
1. Try Qwo™
Qwo™ is an ideal method of reducing cellulite because it targets the root cause of the problem: the tightened bands of collagen that segment groups of fat cells and pull down on the skin above. Qwo™ contains enzymes that break up to collagen, so when it is injected into dimples, it releases the cords so that the skin sits smoother.
2. Protect Your Skin from Sun Exposure
Sun exposure doesn’t cause cellulite, but too much UV exposure can weaken connective fibers in the skin, making the surface thinner and causing cellulite to look worse. Avoid tanning and wear SPF even on winter days to keep your skin protected.
3. Build Muscle
Exercise is not a cure for cellulite but building muscle and losing some weight may make your skin look firmer.
4. Emtone™
Emtone™ uses a combination of radiofrequency and mechanical targeted pressure energy to dismantle cellulite by reducing the tension that contributes to dimples on the arms, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
For more tips on cellulite, contact The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery. Our team can help you find the best way of treating your unwanted dimples. Call 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to schedule a consultation if you want to start planning.
Top 5 Aftercare Tips for Lip Filler Patients
If you have always naturally had thin lips or want to restore a supple appearance to lips that have lost their fullness due to aging, lip fillers at our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery are ideal for adding volume.
Lip fillers are a simple, straightforward treatment that only take a few minutes to be completed. However, what patients do at home after getting their injections will impact the kind of results they get, as well as how long their results last.
Note that it’s completely normal for patients to experience some minor side effects such as redness, bruising, and swelling after getting fillers. With that in mind, read the following tips for taking care of your lips after getting filler injections in order to optimize results, reduce side effects, and prolong the lifespan of fillers between appointments:
- To relieve swelling, bruising, and discomfort, you can use an ice pack on your lips or hold an ice cube covered in a cloth against them.
- While light, gentle exercise such as walking as fine, it’s best not to engage in any strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours, because having an elevated heart rate from working out can aggravate post-treatment swelling and bruising.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of plain water from a cup or glass and eat hydrating foods, as this will help you to heal faster. Avoid eating too much salt, because the mineral could cause dehydration and make swelling worse.
- Avoid putting too much pressure on and straining your lips by kissing, touching, or massaging them directly before the filler has time to settle, as this could disturb the injection sites. This also meaning avoiding smoking cigarettes or drinking from straws that force the lips to pucker.
- Get advice from your injector on when it will be okay to start taking painkillers again and which ones will be okay to take.
Need more advice on lip fillers? The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery team can help you decide whether this cosmetic procedure is a good option for you. Call us at 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to schedule an appointment.