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Watch a virtural cosmetic surgery procedure in 3-D!

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How Much Do Breast Implants Cost?

Breast Augmentation Cost & Payment

At the Avalon Clinic our prices are all inclusive, which means there are no hidden fees to you.

Saline implants start at $4700.00
Silicone gel implants start at $5900.00

The price varies depending on the type of implant chosen and the incision site.


We offer financing to those who qualify with affordable payment plans that make it easy for you to get the larger, fuller breasts you have dreamed about!

Liposuction: One Of The Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries Performed Each Year!

According to a study in May's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS):

• 80 percent of patients were satisfied with their results
• 86 percent would recommend the procedure to family or friends

"Liposuction is one of the most satisfying procedures for patients and most effective at eliminating localized fat," according to an ASPS representative.

To read this complete article click HERE!

You Don't Have To Look Like You Were Pregnant Just Because You Were!

How would you like to know:

· The 3 questions you should ask yourself before you do your next 1000 crunches?
· The 5 types of tummies and how to distinguish your own?

Tammy, 31 years old, is a dedicated mother and stylish lady. She and her husband have two children; a daughter 12 and a son who just turned 10. She is 5' 5" tall and weighs 140 lbs. She was a stay-at-home mom until 4 years ago when she entered the workforce. She loves her family, her job in an orthodontist's office and her compact, muscular body.

However, one thing that she doesn't love is her "pouch."

Her pouch appeared after the birth of her daughter. It grew even more after her son was born. During the second pregnancy, Tammy was convinced she would burst she was so big. Now, when she looks at it - which she tries not to do - she's totally depressed about her "baby bottom pouch". To begin with, she patiently waited the recommended 12 months after delivery for her tummy to flatten. It didn't.She tried everything on the market to get rid of it: online skin-tightening creams, tummy-tightening exercise equipment and other unconventional remedies. All were guaranteed to work, but none helped.

The "baby bottom pouch" persisted. Her friends told her it was just fat, that diet would take care of it. She conscientiously tried three different diets over the next 5 years. No change. Two years ago she hired a personal trainer. With her usual persistence, she did 250 sit-ups morning and evening for nine months.Not only was there no improvement, but the "pouch" had actually gotten worse with all those sit-ups.Trying to flatten her tummy was one of the most frustrating and lonely undertakings in the world. Last year one of her cousins even asked if she was pregnant. Ouch. That really hurt after all that work.

She couldn't count the number of times she wanted to give up and just accept it. Yet every time she got out of the shower and looked in the mirror, she felt disgusted with her body. Plus she had to stuff her pouch into her pants and quickly zip them up. Her feelings would fluctuate back and forth; from frustration to apathy and apathy to frustration. There were days she didn't want to get out of bed because she was so depressed.

But Tammy was a determined woman who valued her appearance. It occurred to her quite suddenly one day that perhaps she was a candidate for a tummy tuck. After calling a local cosmetic surgeon and making an appointment, she waited anxiously for the day to arrive.

The doctor asked her three very important questions; questions she wished she'd known years before.


1. Did she have a lot of deep white fat? No, almost none.
2. Did she have a lot of yellow fat? No, hardly any.
3. Did she have stretched skin she could grab with her hand? Yes, most definitely.

Tammy had her tummy tuck. The deepest layer of stretched skin was tightened and the pouch removed. She has her flat tummy back and she looks fabulous. She is ecstatic with her transformation, and both relieved and overjoyed that she could actually do something about her pouch.

As a result of Tammy's experience she learned about the 5 types of post-baby tummies.


They are as follows.

The least amount of change to the abdomen is associated with minimal stretched skin or bulging.In the next case, the skin is mildly stretched and bulges beneath the belly button.This is where Tammy was... lots of stretched skin and a bulge extending from very low to the area above the belly button.A bulge that has a hanging skin apron.Finally, a thick layer of fat accompanies the stretching and bulging. The key to determining your tummy type is to measure the thickness of fat in the abdomen. If it measures less than 3 cm (1.18 inches), this generally indicates that stretched skin, not fat, is the culprit. In Tammy?s case she had very little fat, stretched skin and a significant bulge to her abdomen.

She was a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Are you?

What Kind Of Bra Should I Buy After My Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Buying your first bra after your breast augmentation surgery is exciting, and it should be!
You finally made the decision to get the larger, fuller breasts you were dreaming about. For some women, they wanted more than just a little bit off fullness, they wanted huge breast implants. Regardless of which breast implant size you chose, every woman needs to have the correct fitting bra.

The women with larger than average breast implants and smaller than average frames report that the novelty of bra shopping really wears off-fast. If you are small-boned and are getting medium to large implants you may find that bra shopping can become frustrating. Although, it is a lot easier now that bra companies are realizing that they need bigger cups and smaller band sizes due to the popularity of the number of women choosing large breast implants.

Important: Choosing A Proper Fitting Bra.

It is very important that you wear a proper fitting bra. Many believe in formulas which determine your exact bra size, and while this can help and be the right place to start, each woman and her breasts, are different. It doesn’t take long wearing a certain bra for you to figure out if it does or does not fit you right

Finding the perfect bra isn't impossible after your breast enhancement procedure, it just may be a little more difficult. It is very important to find one which properly fits your frame and supports your breasts.

Tips for finding the perfect bra:

*If your bra band is riding up in the back and if you find your self trying to lift your breasts by shortening your shoulder straps you are only doing your breasts a disservice.

*Also very important, when buying a new bra it should fit snugly on the last setting (the loosest hook set) this way when your bra stretches with wear you can fasten it tighter if needed on the next two settings.

*If you find post-operatively that your bras bag at the nipple area, try purchasing a bra with Lycra in it which will conform to the breasts.

*If you have that horrible quadruple-boob look, where you look like your breasts have been split in two and spilling over and out of your, you may need a larger cup size.

*Do your breasts fall out when you bend over? You may need more coverage.

*Bra Care: It is best to either hand wash and line dry your bras or machine wash inside of a lingerie bag and line dry to extend the life of your bras. High heat will weaken elastic and ruin your bras.

Be sure to re-measure yourself in the event of weight gain or loss, even if 7 to 10 lb, pregnancy, or simply as time goes by. Measurements can vary over the years. Getting the advice of a professional bra fitter is important in the long term appearance of your breasts.

Reasons Why An Individual May Not Be A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Surgery

Here are some of the reasons patients may not be candidate:

Medical issues – some health conditions, smoking and prescriptions a patient is on can make it unsafe for an elective procedure to be done. A patient being significantly overweight can also be a concern with anesthesia.

Emotional or psychological problems- Along with being physically ready for surgery, a patient needs to be emotionally ready as well. A body will go through many different changes on the road to recovery, and a patient needs to be prepared for that.

Unrealistic expectations– Patients need to understand they can’t have “her breasts” or “his nose”, everyone’s results are different. Characteristics of an individual’s body, how they heal, and genetic make-up are all deciding factors in what their specific end result will be.

No caregiver– A caregiver is required to pick the patient up following surgery and stay with them for at least the first 24 hours. It’s also important to have a good support system to assist with any daily responsibilities a patient is unable to carry out during recovery.

Not willing to follow the process– The doctor gives specific instructions for the patient’s benefit. If a patient refuses to follow directions, this could cause complications to their health and final result.

Are You Ever Too Old For Breast Augmentation?

According to a recent Newsweek article nearly one-third of the women having Breast Augmentation patients were 40 or older!

In Response To Dr. Phil

The 20 Questions that Dr. Phil Wants You to have answers

to before you choose a cosmetic surgeon!


Since the tragic death of Kanye West's mother, Donda West, plastic surgeons have become the focus of the media. The safety of an elective surgery, as well as the skill and training of plastic surgeons is now under scrutiny.


Having being voted "The Best Place to Have Cosmetic Surgery" in Western Washington by King-5 (four years in a row!), The Avalon Clinic makes patient safety and education their number one priority.



The Avalon Clinic would now like to take the opportunity to answer Dr. Phil's questions.




How many times has the physician performed the procedure?
So far this year, our surgeons have completed nearly 1500 cosmetic surgery procedures.

This number includes breast augmentations, breast lifts/reductions, tummy tucks, liposuctions and rhinoplastys ("nose" jobs). We specialize in Breast Augmentation, Post-Baby Body changes, and after weight loss body re-contouring.

How long has the physician performed the procedure?
Our surgeons have between 12-30 years of experience doing these procedures. On larger surgical cases, our surgeons will often work together to get the patient the best possible outcome. Our surgeons attended medical school at Brown University, The Chicago Medical School, and The University of Washington and each is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.


Who will administer and monitor the sedation?
At the Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery, you will be closely monitored by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs).

CRNAs are anesthesia specialists and their main role is to monitor and administer the anesthesia medications during the duration of your entire procedure.

CRNAs are board certified and mandatory continuing education is required for re-certification every two years.

How long will the procedure last?
The actual surgery time varies on the type of procedure being performed.

Breast Augmentation (Saline or Silicone implants) is generally less than 1 hour.
Tummy Tuck on average takes less than 3 ½ hours.
Breast Lift takes less than 2 ½ hours
Breast Reduction less than 3 hours
Rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose) less than 2 hours
Liposuctions (length of time varies depending on what areas are treated at the same time) average surgery time ranges between 45 minutes to 3 hours.


*For safety reasons, the Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery has a standard requirement for the length of operating time. Surgeries generally do not exceed 5 hours.

In some cases, some surgeries may not be performed together for safety or other reasons and in cases such as these; the procedures are done staged (at a later time, usually 3-6 months later)


How long with the sedation effects last?
This will also vary from patient to patient. Some effects of the medications can last up to 8 hours after the surgery.

At the Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery, we require that anyone having surgery has a "Support Person" to be with them at all times for at minimum, the first 24 hours following any procedure performed at our clinic.

How long will it take to recover in the facility before discharge?
Once the surgery is completed, the patient is transported to the recovery room where they normally will spend approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour before going home. During this time, the patient is monitored and a nurse checks vitals. The support person is asked to be present to go over post-op medication instructions and what to expect in the recovery process.

Where will the surgery take place?
At the Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery, we have 2 certified and QUAD A accredited operating rooms on site. These operating rooms are subject to regular frequent inspections are required to follow OSHA regulations and standards.

What are the emergency plans?
Robert J. Kenevan, medical director and surgeon for the Avalon Clinic of Cosmetic Surgery, developed Kode Team, a pharmaceutical emergency / safety system to be used in hospitals and out-patient surgical facilities such as ours. The entire staff at the Avalon Clinic is certified in CPR, the Operating room staff is ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified. In addition to that, the medical staff trains 3 times per year with local paramedics. We know that emergencies can and do sometimes occur. We take patient safety seriously and understand the value of emergency training.

To which hospital would you be taken?
If an emergency situation arises that cannot be handled at the clinic, patients are transported to St. Clare hospital by ambulance. The hospital is less than 2 miles from our clinic.


Will post-operative medicine be necessary?
Most patients experience discomfort after surgery. Pain medication is prescribed after surgery and with some procedures such as a tummy tuck, a comfort pump is also given. These will help minimize the discomfort during your recovery process.

Will there be noticeable scarring?
All surgery involves some scarring, and because each patient is unique you need to discuss your questions about scarring with your surgeon during your consultation.

What realistic result can I expect?
Each person is unique therefore it is important for the doctor to examine you and discuss your personal goals. Our priority is educating our patients on every step of the way. Some people think that just because they are paying for something that they can have it done. We do turn away, approximately three out of twenty patients, who are not a candidate due to excessive weight, smoking (for certain procedures), a history of blood clots, or certain medications such as coumadin (a blood thinner). We want you to have an accurate expectation of exactly what plastic surgery can achieve for you.

Will the physician perform the procedure from the first cut to the last stitch?
Yes. The doctor will remain with you throughout your entire procedure.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?
All surgeries carry some degree of risk. During your consultation you will be fully informed, and your surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications associated with your procedure. Be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have, if you smoke, if you are on any medications, and if you have had any previous surgery. We want to get a complete evaluation of your medical history and/or existing medical conditions so we can provide you with maximal safety. In some situations we will ask you for a medical clearance from your physician in order to proceed with surgery. Without this clearance from your physician, surgery will not be completed at The Avalon Clinic. Our surgeons also meet three times a month to discuss certain patient situations as a group.

What are the warning signs or concerns to watch for?
We provide training for your caregiver to make sure they are able to recognize any warning signs, such as illness or allergic reaction. They are given information prior to your surgery and again in the recovery room so that they are fully prepared to take care of you. We have a nurse and surgeon on call and available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have during the healing process.


We know that cosmetic surgery is not without risks and want you to have the information you need to make a decision that is right for you!

The Importance Of A Board-Certified Surgeon

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) qualifies a surgeon to perform both body and facial procedures.

The "ABPS' is the only one of the 24 ABMS member boards providing certification in the entire field of plastic and reconstructive surgery from head to toe.

Click Here to verify Board-Certification.

What's New In Cosmetic Surgery?

From Dr. Kenevan!


A litle known secret that will increase your breast enhancement results!

Click Here to find out more!

The Women of 1970 vs. Now

Did You Know These Facts?


*48.4% of women were homemakers in 1970 vs. 20% (ages 20-24) and 17% (ages 25-34).

*27% of women with children under age three were in the workforce in 1970 vs. 50% in 2006.

*31% of women with infants were in the workforce in 1970 vs. 55% in 2006.

*4+ is the average number of children in the 24-39 age range vs. 1.8 today.

*Average age of an American woman’s first birth was 21.4 in 1970 vs. 25 in 2006.

*In 1970, 4% of women having their first child were over the age of 30 vs. 31% in 2006.

*10% of all live births were to un-married women vs. 35.8% today.

**Average age a woman got married was 21 in 1970 vs. 25.8 in 2006.

*In 1970, 9% of women age 25+ were college graduates with a 4 year degree vs. 59% in 2006.



According to Time Magazine, women in 1970 were primarily concerned with issues related to home and church.

In 1970 the American Association of University Women’s Journal reported that it was believed that a woman’s first responsibility was to be a feminine companion, mother and had less need to achieve in the academic field.

In 1970 The Women’s Strike For Equality took place in NY City and promoted gender equality based on the possibilities for women to become liberated from outside the home and enter the workforce and protested the unequal status of women and was themed “Out of the kitchen and into the world.”

The women’s liberation movement was in full swing to fight for equal rights, pay, maternity leave, child care, birth control, abortion, sex discrimination vs. in 2006 liberal abortion law, contraception for all, separate taxation for married people, improvements in maternity leave laws, the abolition of restrictions on women in government posts, sexual harassment and gender discrimination in educational institutions.

Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?

Know What Procedure Can Help Your Breasts Look Better Then Ever!

When considering cosmetic surgery, many women do not know if they may need a breast lift or a breast augmentation to achieve the results they desire.


Each of us has a different story. Some women have always been small and kept hoping that their breasts would eventually grow. They kept hearing, “Be patient, you’ll mature.” For other women their breasts changed with weight gain or loss, pregnancy and nursing. Whatever it may be that has brought you to where you are today, know one thing …YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE IT! All it takes is a consultation with one of our Board Certified Surgeons to find out if it’s a Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation that will get you on the road to becoming a new and more confident you!

What You Should Know About A Breast Lift Procedure …

These days’ women are very conscious about the shape and size of their breasts. Whether you think they are too small, saggy or not as firm as you would like, they can be a source of embarrassment, making you feel unfeminine and unattractive. The female breast plays a significant role our body image, the feeling of being feminine, sexy and attractive. Cosmetic surgery of the breast is not about being vain; it’s about looking and feeling good about your body and your self-image. Keep on reading to find out how you too can love your body!


Either because of changes following pregnancy, time or weight loss, breasts can begin to droop and look aged. This represents the effects of gravity and tissue stretching that leads to a disproportionate relationship between the amount of stretched skin (excess) and breast tissue. In some cases of sagging or drooping the nipple points down rather than forward.

Here’s what the Mastopexy or Breast Lift procedure can do for your sagging breasts!

Move your nipples back up on the breast where they belong
Restore proportion to your breasts
Give you a more youthful appearance
Restore what you lost with pregnancy and weight loss
Reduce your areola (the pigmented area around the nipple)
Increase your confidence
Balance asymmetries of your breasts
Give you better shape


The goal of a breast lift, also known as a Mastopexy, is meant to bring your nipples back up where they belong and re-position your sagging breast into a more youthful appearance without adding extra volume.



What You Should Know About The Breast Augmentation Procedure …

For some women, it’s a matter of them feeling that they don’t have any breasts, let alone enough to droop and sag, or they feel that their breasts are just flat, too small, or smaller than they want to be. A Breast Augmentation is a procedure that is designed to enlarge your breast size by using saline filled implants. A breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed each year! You don’t have to spend another day embarrassed about your breast size. Join the thousands of women who have already chosen to live the life they were mean to, in a body they love!

Here is what a Breast Augmentation can do for you…

Make your breasts larger
Give you more fullness
Increase their firmness
Enhances your self-image
Boosts your confidence
Gives you more freedom with fashion and clothes
Give you more shapely breasts



The goal of a breast augmentation is to give you larger, fuller breasts and to help you feel better about yourself. What else could you want? If you feel good inside then you portray that outside to everyone around you

Don’t let another day pass you by without doing something about how you feel! Determine if you are a candidate for a Breast Lift or a Breast Augmentation by having a consultation! The information that you will receive from us is invaluable!

Find out what it will take to give you a body that is beautiful in your own eyes! A simple and powerful way to do something for you starts with a consultation with one of our Board Certified Surgeons.

Breast Enlargment Information

What Type of Breast Implant is Right for You?

With all of the different types of breast implants on the market today how do you know which one is right for you? It is easy to do some research and decide what you think is the best choice for your body, based on what you have read. Also, for some women, they just take a look at their friend’s bigger breasts and think “Wow, those look great! I want exactly what she has… larger breasts!”

Unfortunately, what is right for someone else may not be right for you. The only way to know what is truly the best choice for you is to get the recommendation of a Board Certified breast augmentation doctor.

The types of breast implants that are available today come in different profiles, shapes and filling. Regardless of which type of implant chosen, they all have the same goal… to make your breasts larger! There are 3 main types of implants that are used by breast augmentation surgeons’ nation wide.

The first and most common implant is the smooth, round implant. Currently, 88% of the cosmetic surgeons in the country use the smooth round implants,” according to A Mentor Corporation representative.

Each person is unique, therefore it is important to find out what type of breast implant is right for you.

There are 3 main types of smooth, round implants:


The Smooth, Round Moderate Profile Implant.

This implant has been the most popular implant for over 20 years! It gives a full rounded look and adds greater dimension to the breast.

The Smooth, Round Moderate Plus Profile Implant.

This implant has the full, rounded look of the Moderate Profile implant but comes with a slightly higher profile.

The Smooth, Round High Profile Breast Implant.

This implant offers a patient with more projection than the other smooth, round implants and is also a better fit for women with a narrower chest.

You can get either a silicone gel breast implant, or a saline filled implant. The most commonly used material to fill an implant is saline, which is a sterile salt water solution that is normally found in the body. Many breast augmentation plastic surgeons use these safe, saline-filled implants when doing breast augmentation because of their high reliability and safety rating.

Another consideration for patients is where the incision will be for inserting the breast implants. There are several ways to insert implants, but most often the incision is placed underneath the breast, in the natural crease of the breast. Other incision options include around the areolar complex (the pigmented part of the breast) and the armpit.

During a consultation your surgeon will take accurate measurements of your breasts and listen to what you want. From that data you will get a recommendation that will help you to find out how you can get bigger breasts!

Recovery Times For Our Most Popular Procedures!

Have you often thought about having cosmetic surgery but not sure if you had enough time between work and family obligations to recover?

Here are the recovery times for some of our most popular procedures!

A Breast Augmentation is 3-4 days off work,

A Breast Lift is 1 week,

Liposuction is 1 week,

A Tummy Tuck is 2 weeks,

A Rhinoplasty (or “nose job”) is 2 weeks.


It is important to remember that everyone is different but these recovery times represent the average time for recovery for a specific procedure.

Hollywood vs. Reality

Thanks to the “reality” shows about cosmetic surgery, it has been launched into public awareness like never before. Each week millions of people tune in to see who it is going to be next.

Even better, we get to see this amazing transformation unravel before our eyes in just 1 hour!

These shows definitely keep your interest, especially if you have ever thought about having cosmetic surgery yourself and if you are like most people you can’t wait to see what they had done or how they look in the end. What seems to be overlooked is the fact that this is Hollywood’s spin on cosmetic surgery.

Yes, they use real people who have surgery but what isn’t shown on these makeover shows is what really happens behind the scenes.

From all appearances it looks like some of these people are having several procedures done at once, and sometimes they are doing more than one surgery, but most of the time these surgeries are staged, meaning that they only do 1 or 2 surgeries at a time, wait at least a couple of weeks and then do another surgery.

This is what they don’t show you!

From what you watch on your television, you see them while they are under anesthesia and then a few surgery moments which gives the impression that it’s all being done at once. Another issue that seems to be overlooked by the mainstream media is the fact that with any surgery there are potential risks and complications. Even the healthiest of people are free from that possibility and that is why it takes an average of 3-4 months for the people who are going through their extreme makeovers to get to their final outcome of what is seen at the end of the show.

On the surface it would seem that by just getting everything done at once it’s more convenient. You have one surgery, one time going under anesthesia and you can heal from everything at once…sounds reasonable doesn’t it?

Well, now think about your body. Our bodies are well designed machines equipped to deal with stress and trauma, to a point. If you overload it then it can’t do what it needs to do, heal itself properly or at the rate that it should. For a lot of people, if you are in good general health, having one bigger cosmetic procedure combined with something smaller is usually tolerated well.

For example: a tummy tuck procedure combined with a breast augmentation is very popular.

This surgery lasts around 4-5 hours, which is considered to be a safe length of time by most surgeons to be under anesthesia for an elective cosmetic surgery. The benefit to staging multiple procedures is so that progress can be assessed and directed to provide better results.

Your safety should be the #1 concern of your plastic surgeon and yours too.

Just something can be done doesn’t mean it should!

Those reality shows that we are watching on television are not reality at all and what you are seeing is a lot of work that is done over an extended period of time then as it’s put together it is done in a way that gives the impression that it was accomplished in one surgery and without a lot of down time for recovery and without complications.

Don’t be misled by the media. What they are promoting is unrealistic ideas of what is possible for most people. Not only are thousands of people coming under the assumption that anything can be done with cosmetic surgery, but they also that it can all be done at once.

Shows such as these do educate on a certain level (reality television is meant to be a form of entertainment) but, they also give people expectations of something that just isn’t realistically possible for them.

It is a natural desire to want to improve your appearance. Being reasonable and educated about what cosmetic surgery can do for you can lead to a more successful outcome physically and emotionally with your surgery.

The #1 Reason Women Have Cosmetic Surgery

Typically, social stereotypes have led society to believe that it’s the vain, superficial women who chose to have cosmetic surgery. It is no secret that a boost in confidence and having a positive self-image can contribute to a woman’s over all well being but the majority of women do not have cosmetic surgery for anyone other reason than for themselves.

Some of the common misconceptions about why women have cosmetic surgery are:

They do it to attract men.

They do it to boost their career.

They do it for vanity.

They do it to look better than the neighbors.

They do it too look like their favorite movie star.

Although there may be some truth to the reasons listed above, the real truth, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery...

The number one reason women have cosmetic surgery is because they are unhappy with their body.

Almost ¾ of women surveyed said they think about their size and shape every day.


This matches up with our data at The Avalon Clinic stating over 50% of our patients were uncomfortable and embarrassed about their bodies. This is a very significant number of women and mothers in our society who want to improve their appearance. Cosmetic surgery has become a mainstream phenomenon and it is women just like you who are the real face of cosmetic surgery.

That is the reality, and the real reason why 9.9 million women had cosmetic surgery last year alone.

Cosmetic surgery can have a dramatic positive effect on a woman’s physical appearance. There is a direct link between a woman’s physical appearance and her emotional well-being. Many women feel that the changes due to weight gain/loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gravity and aging leaves them feeling less than attractive and uncomfortable with their bodies. These things can often leave women to feel awkward and embarrassed, causing them to shy away from not only public situations but intimate as well.

For women who already have a positive out look on life and are just dissatisfied with one or two specific areas, cosmetic surgery will often brighten their already positive outlook. Most often they become far more energized about their personal physical appearance and get a boost in their levels of self confidence.

Women no longer have to feel guilty or let stereotypes force them into living in a body that they don’t like. Whether they are a college graduate, a mom, working professional or wife and anything else, they can also look like the woman that they want to be, with no apologies.

If having cosmetic surgery is something that you have thought about, then the first step is to contact one of our board certified cosmetic surgeons who specialize in caring for women with Post - Baby Bodies.

We Have The Secret...

You see it on television.
You hear about it on the radio.

It's the pictures of smiling women, and their bubbly laughter that play over and over in your mind. They are moms, just like you, with real lives and bodies that have been left with post-pregnancy changes.


But there is a difference between you and them... they have chosen to have a reason to smile.

When people first started hearing more about cosmetic surgery in the media, it was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, cosmetic surgery suddenly became mainstream, affordable and acceptable. Women are now freely talking about how they learned to take care of themselves, and their families, by letting go of the guilt.


On the other hand, because anyone can post almost anything online, finding accurate information can become a nightmare. You type in cosmetic surgery and a million things pop up. Confused, you don't know where to begin. You have to spend hours searching and sorting for reputable and credible information... if you can even find it.


But this information overload problem has become a great opportunity, for those of you who want to do your research, and get accurate information from board certified plastic surgeons. The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery wants to give you clear, effective and educational information to help you imagine yourself with the full, perky breasts that you may have had before children, and a flatter, smoother, tighter stomach.


It is possible!


In the past women felt hopeless and powerless about their post-baby body changes but today's woman does not have to stay trapped, hiding their deflated, saggy breasts and stretched out stomachs, behind baggy clothes and padded bras.

All you simply need to do is pick up the phone and call, and at the end of the day, you'll have your questions answered, a stack of educational materials and be one step closer to the body of your dreams!

Call the surgeons that specialize in caring for women with
Post-Baby Body Syndrome©!

How To Be Calm And Relaxed Before Surgery

7 medical problems associated with surgery,

and 7 steps to reduce surgical risk.



Last week there was an article in the newspaper as well as on TV regarding Donda West, Kanye West’s mother, who died the day following surgery. When a member of my family dies, I feel great sadness and emptiness in my heart. Loosing a loved is one of the most desolate, lonely feelings in the world. I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and pray they may experience peace in their time of sorrow.



This event caused me to reflect upon how fragile life is and how great the responsibility I bear as a practicing surgeon. I know surgery has risks. In fact, 12 years ago I developed a safety pharmaceutical system for use in doctors’ offices. Safety has always been a concern of mine.



I did some soul searching following this event and I asked myself these questions:



· What do we do to ensure our patients’ safety?

· Can I make things even more reliable than they are now?



Here are some of my insights on safer surgery.



Surgical Problems:

There appear to be seven main medical problems that can be associated with surgery.



1.Allergic reactions to medications

2.Drug overdoses

3.Trouble with blockage of the airways

4.Infections

5.Bleeding

6.Pneumonia

7.Deep blood clots that break off and go into the lungs



Reducing Risks:

There are seven areas of focus and ways to reduce risk



Proper Patient Selection
- Know the patient: have appropriate medical information, clearance and patient management. Not every patient is a candidate for surgery.



Patient Preparation
- Remind patients that eating before surgery creates a high risk of lung problems such as pneumonia. I once had a patient arrive for surgery after eating an egg McMuffin 30 minutes before. I didn’t operate on her that day.- One of the most important things is getting patients off medications and supplements that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, garlic and fish oil.


The Proper Support Person
- The time after surgery is a very important period, so having a reliable support person is important. He or she is responsible to give appropriate medicines, to call if there are concerns and make sure the patient is walking as prescribed. Walking expands the lungs, prevents pneumonia and keeps clots from forming in the legs.




Operating Room Certification
- There are different certifying organizations for operating rooms. It is important to have proper certification, which ensures that the standards have been met.




The Proper Emergency Equipment
- Equipment must be in place to ensure appropriate action if something happens. Staff Training to Respond in Case of Emergency Emergency Protocols
- If an emergency arises, everyone knows what to do.





Your role as a patient is to be informed and understand your responsibilities. Nothing is more gratifying than having a successful surgical outcome and a happily transformed patient.

Post - Pregnancy Breasts

There is very little in the literature about the permanent changes that can occur in the woman’s body as a result of pregnancy.

I refer to this group of changes as the Post - Baby Body Syndrome.

In my experience, some women after pregnancy have all of these changes, while others have moderate to merely a few changes.

The following story is an example of the changes that can occur in a woman’s breast.Kathy (not her real name) is a 31-year-old mother of two healthy, active boys. She breastfed each of them for about four month, after which her breasts were noticeably smaller. They were, in fact, shrunken, shriveled and sagging. Kathy’s breast volume had decreased from a full C cup to barely a B. She had deep stretch marks and thinning skin that hung loose and lifeless. Her breasts lacked form – were more like empty sacks - and the nipples actually pointed to the floor. Our 31-year-old mother was embarrassed by her body.

She told me she felt both sickened and ashamed to be naked.

Each day when she stepped out of the shower and saw herself reflected in the mirror, she was so discouraged. Despite diet, exercise, time and attempting to maintain a positive attitude, the breast anatomy did not change.AnatomyIn order to understand the changes you must understand the anatomy of the breast.

There are four anatomical structures of the breast.

1. The breast glands, which are the milk ducts that produce the milk post-pregnancy.
2. Varying amounts of fat, which is spread between and around the gland structures.
3. The skin envelope, which holds the breast.
4. Connective tissue structure - called Cooper’s ligaments - which is the basic support structure, the scaffolding that helps the breast maintain its shape.

Hormonal Changes Occurring During PregnancyDuring pregnancy, specific hormones are released in the body.

These affect the breast in two main ways.
1. They cause the fat, in particular the gland system in the breast to expand and enlarge.
2. They cause the connective tissue system in the breast to become softer.

Anatomical Changes That Occur After the Post - Partum Period.
The breast’s glandular system shrivels, shrinks and nearly disappears. The fat within the breast decreases or conversely increases in some circumstances. The skin becomes thinned, looses its elasticity and often develops stretch marks. The nipple area, areola, can increase in size while there is generally an overall loss of volume of the breast.

Appearance of the Breasts.
The appearance of the breasts can change dramatically. There is loss of volume or fullness in the upper part (pole) of the breast. The general contour becomes rounder; loosing its pyramidal shape and becoming more globular. There is a general hollowing of the breast as it deflates and flattens, sometimes having an ‘empty sack’ appearance. The areola can spread, become lighter or darker, and the nipple often will droop in position.

Many women tell me their body feels out of balance; they look old and tired with Granny Moses-like breasts. They describe their breasts as used up and sloppy-looking. Many report they have a desire to hide their bodies.

That once they become mommies they forget who they used to be.

Categories of Breast Types.
There are five main of types of breasts that exist after the post partum period.

Type 1: There is minimal stretching of the skin and some loss of volume . The breast changes shape slightly.
Type 2: The breast has a significant loss of volume and the nipples are starting to descend, sagging to a position almost level with the breast fold.
Type 3: There is extreme loss of volume. The skin is considerably stretched with a resulting drooping shape to the breast and the nipples have actually descended below the skin fold.
Type 4: The breast is very large and droopy.
Type 5: One of the breasts may have lost volume and the other may have gained volume. The breasts are lopsided.Times Have ChangedThere appears to be a shift in the perception of how women view their bodies after pregnancy.


In the past, the belief was women had to live with what pregnancy did to their bodies. There is now a growing awareness of not only the different changes affecting a woman’s breast post partum, but a realization that these changes can and are being corrected by cosmetic surgery.

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Post Baby Body Syndrome

Pregnancy leads to changes in a woman’s body. After pregnancy many of the changes can be reversed either totally or partially. However, in some women the changes persist long after the post partum period despite good intentions and best efforts on their part.

Here is an example.


I had a neighbor years ago who had two children and after her pregnancies she noticed a pouch in her abdomen. She was very determined to improve and possibly resolve this problem. She hired a personal trainer and together they worked diligently for nine months. During that period of time she did 250 sit-ups in the morning and 250 sit-ups in the evening. The result of that was her muscles were strong but she still had the pouch in her abdomen.


What determines if the changes that occur will persist after post partum period?

The key here is what I call the shriveled balloon effect. It is basically the extent to which the skin and tissues have been stretched during the pregnancy that determines the tissues’ ability to snap back into their pre-pregnant condition.


For example: if you take a normal balloon and put a little puff of air in it and let the air out of the balloon, it will return essentially to its normal shape. If you take the same balloon and put air in it and keep expanding the balloon until it is about ready to pop and let the air out, the balloon is thinned and shriveled and it is not the same as what it was prior to blowing it up. Very similar thing happens in pregnancy to the skin of the breasts and abdomen.


For example: Let’s consider a woman that is about 5’ 2” and about 110 lbs. and gains 65 lbs in pregnancy. Often times the stretch that occurred during pregnancy are such that the body isn’t able to snap back into the shape it was before pregnancy. On the other hand, if the same 5’2”/110 lbs. woman gains only 25 lbs., the stretch is much less likely to persist and it is more likely she will have a relatively normal shape after the pregnancy.

What is the definition of the Post Baby Body Syndrome?

It is the changes that occur in a woman’s body after the postpartum period that persist despite exercise, diet, and nutrient treatment. These changes are often permanent. I discovered the syndrome after the following event occurred in the life of one of my patients.

We will call her Mary, though this is not her real name. She was scheduled for a Tummy Tuck. She is 43 years old, normal weight and great health. She runs several miles three times a week and does yoga twice a week. She has two teenage sons, and since their births she has had a persistent bulge and loose skin in the abdomen. She wanted to do something about it and finally decided to have surgery.


In the process of getting ready for her surgery she went to her Primary Care Physician to get routine blood work done. When her doctor saw her, Mary was told that she needed to lose weight and there would be no value of having a Tummy Tuck. Mary was very angry with her doctor, as it was obvious to her he did not fully understand her situation. Besides which she felt that the doctor was preaching to her. Much later, Mary shared with me the story of what had happened and how she felt that day.




What became obvious to me is that many of my patients who come in believe they are failures, because the effort they expended to get rid of the pouch in their abdomen, for example, were to no avail. I was shocked to discover that a medical professional was not even aware there can be persistent body changes in a woman after pregnancy and sometimes, no matter what they do in terms of exercise, diet or therapy… those changes persist.

What are the criteria for Post- Baby- Body Syndrome?

Often the skin is stretched and loose, and does not have the ability to snap back normally like skin with good tone does.


The fascia ( tissue holding the muscles) - particularly the muscles of the abdomen -has been stretched. No amount of exercise or sit-ups will help this skin to return to normal.
The pelvic area is often widened, looser and may have a slight tilt.

There are breast volume changes. Sometimes the breasts are larger but more often than not, there has been a shrinking resulting in a loss of breast volume. In addition, there can be a difference from one side to the other, with the breast being lopsided as a result.
Often times weight has been added to the hips and outer thighs. That, coupled with the widening of the pelvis, leads to a more matronly appearance. A matronly widening, if you would.
There can be changes in the floor of the pelvis resulting in dysfunction of urination and bladder control.

There are often some vaginal changes that occur as well.

In summary, women after pregnancy can generally be divided into two main groups. One group can return their body to normal or near normal with exercise and proper diet.
The other group of women find that despite all efforts - exercise, diet, etc. - the changes that have occurred to their body are permanent, persistent and do not respond to conservative modalities of treatment.





Robert J. Kenevan, M.D
Medical Director
Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Myths

With the information overload of cosmetic surgery available today, it is no surprise that there is also just as much misleading and false information out there as well. Whether it’s over the internet, television, friends or acquaintances, it is extremely important to make sure that the information you receive comes from credible and reputable sources. There is a substantial amount of information that is not accurate.

Cosmetic surgery is real surgery and you owe it to yourself to do your research, talk to people who have had cosmetic surgery and make appointments with board certified surgeons in your area.

Myth #1: You can fix anything with cosmetic surgery.

This is heard almost daily by cosmetic surgeons when a patient calls or comes in for a consultation. There are many factors to consider when someone is choosing to under go a cosmetic surgery procedure. The first thing to ask is, “Is the concern of the patient a real fact or deformity?” and “Will their physical limitations and situation lead to an aesthetically pleasing result in the eyes of the patient and the surgeon?” If the answer is no then the reasons why should be addressed. Cosmetic surgery can not give you a “perfect” body, nor can it fix everything. There are physical limitations limited by our own unique individual characteristics.


Myth #2: Breast Implants cause or increase your risk for breast cancer.

The Institute of Medicine found evidence that breast implants do not cause breast cancer or the recurrence of breast cancer. How ever it is still essential to undergo routine screening for breast cancer which includes: self breast exams, mammograms, and clinical breast exams. Just as you would if you didn’t have breast implants.

Myth #3: You can’t breastfeed if you have implants.

According the the Mayo Clinic, breastfeeding with implants is safe. Because breast milk is considered the primary and best choice for babies, the Mayo Clinic also encourages women with breast implants to breast feed if they are able to do so.

Myth #4: Implants need to be replaced every ten years.

Unless you are having a problem or concern then there is no need to do anything. Some patients may have reasons to want to replace their implants however; it is not required. They are man made devices and there is no guarantee as to how long an individual implant will stay intact.

Myth #5: Liposuction can be used as a weight loss tool.

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery employed to remove excess fat from specific body parts. This surgical procedure is not an alternative to exercise and dieting and should be used only to remove the stubborn fat that does not respond to exercises and diet. Liposuction is not a weight loss method but a method to remove fatty deposits throughout the body. Generally the fat is removed from thighs, chin, buttocks, love handles (abdomen), breasts and stomach for women and chin, waist, breasts and buttocks for men.

How To Pick Your Implant Size At Home

Have you ever thought about having larger breasts?

Have you researched breast augmentation or possibly even had a consultation with one of our board certified cosmetic surgeon?

If so, then you have probably wondered what size would be right for you.

The following information is designed to help you discover what size you would like to be in the privacy of your own home! By following these simple steps you have the freedom to try on many different sizes and wear them around for as long as you would like.
This experiment will give you more freedom to try out different volumes in the privacy of your own home.For many women, cc’s does not mean anything to them and they tend to speak in cup sizes, not volumes. Breast implants that are used in breast augmentations are filled according to the volume of the implant, which is done cc’s.

We know that for most women this will not give them any idea of what cup size that would be for them. That is why by following these instructions you can get an idea of the volume range that works best for you.

So, in order to try this at home for yourself here is what you will need:

•Qt. size baggies (preferably that zip closed)

•Measuring cup with Milliliters (Milliliters is the same as cc’s)

•Sharpie pen

•Sports bra

You can use the bathroom or kitchen, just find a place that has a faucet and counter top to set your supplies out.The first thing you want to do is put on your sports bra. Get near a faucet that allows you some counter space to lay your supplies on.

Depending on your current anatomy and what size you think you would like to be you want to fill your measuring cup with WARM water using the milliliters side. Milliliters are the same as cc’s, so for example, a 300 cc implant is the same as a 300 ml of water.Pick a starting volume and fill baggie with warm water.

When done, try to get out as much air as possible. Fill 2 baggies (one for each side) and then place them inside your bra. It might be helpful to keep track of the volumes you are using and what you like.

It’s as simple as that!

Have fun experimenting with different sizes and make sure that you try them on with some shirts also so that you get a better idea of what the changes would mean to you!

How To Define What Is A Sagging Breast

Sagging or dropping of the breasts is a natural, inevitable process that happens to most all women at some point. The most notable sagging happens through normal life experiences.

Webster’s dictionary defines sag as: to sink downward by, or as if by weight or pressure. Cosmetic surgeons have definition of sagging and it is when the nipple falls below the infra-mammary fold, or the crease of the breast. A Ptotic (or sagging) breast, is measured according to the level of droop that is present.

To determine if you have a truly ptotic breast you would need to get the recommendations of a board certified cosmetic surgeon. Through a physical exam and measurements, the surgeon could then give you accurate information in regards to your own unique situation. Another way to get an idea if you are in doubt, is to look at your breasts from the front and side.

Which way are your nipples pointing?

If you turn to the side and look in a mirror, where are your nipples in relation to the fold of your breast? If they are just at or above that fold, chances are that your breasts would not be considered to be sagging. If your nipples is lower than the fold, then sag is present.

Breasts can start drooping at any age, because they do not have muscles in them. They have ligaments and connective tissue. When the gravity pulls the breasts down, those ligaments and the skin can stretch, and so the breast droops. This depends on the elasticity of the skin and of the ligaments, as determined by your genes and diet and also, the normal aging process.

Some common reasons for sagging is when a woman loses weight or through breast involution.

When you lose weight, some of that fat disappears from your breasts. Typically the skin and the ligaments inside the breasts don’t retract accordingly, resulting in an empty looking breast that then may sag.

Breast involution is a process where the milk-making system inside the breast shrinks because it’s not needed anymore. This happens either after weaning, or right after pregnancy if you don’t breastfeed at all, or during menopause. When the tissues inside the breast shrink, and the skin surrounding it doesn’t, the breast can look empty and saggy.

There are also childless women who feel that they have sagging breasts and wonder if it’s normal. It is true that sagging happens to all women at some time or another. Even if you never get pregnant, your breasts will probably start to droop as you age.

If your breasts are bothersome, or you have thought about what can be done to improve the appearance and shape of your breasts, then a surgical intervention might be something to consider. A breast lift is designed to lip and re-shape the breast to give it a more youthful, desired appearance. A breast augmentation is designed to restore volume and shape to the breast. Schedule a consultation with a board certified surgeon to find out what it will take to get you the breasts that dream of.

How To Prepare For Your Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

Have you made the decision to have a cosmetic surgery procedure?



Then now it is time to learn how to prepare yourself, your body and your support system about what to expect throughout the process.


Very often, people can become overwhelmed by major changes or tasks. The more prepared you are for your surgery, the more relaxed and reassured you and your support system will feel.

Here are four things you can do to prepare for your procedure.


1. Define your goals.

*Write down a list of goals you'd like fulfilled through your cosmetic surgery procedure, including emotional as well as the physical.


2. Get physically prepared for your surgery.

*Ask how you can maximize the results of your procedure through healthy lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and sun protection.


*You may have to take specific supplements or medication prior to your surgery.


*If you are a smoker, it is likely that you will have to quit two weeks prior to your cosmetic surgery procedure.


*Remember, surgery forces the body to go through a great deal of healing, so the better you take care of yourself before hand, the easier it will be to heal.

3. Schedule your surgery and plan for recovery.


*If you think you may want to have additional cosmetic surgery in the future, consider having two or more procedures performed together to save time and costs.


*Pay attention to the description of the procedure. The more people know about what is happening to their body, the less anxiety they have both before their surgery and afterwards.


*Make sure you understand just how long you will need to heal from your cosmetic surgery procedure.


*In almost all cases, patients are not able to drive or walk unassisted after cosmetic surgery, you will most likely need someone to drive you to your surgery, drive you home and remain with you for the first 24-48 hours. It might be a day or two before you may begin to take care of yourself.



* Schedule ample recovery time away from work and plan on following the doctor's recovery protocol very closely. Trying to do too much too soon following surgery can jeopardize your health and your results.



*Make sure you have help during your recovery time - if you have children, make arrangements for some support in the home so you can truly relax during your recovery period.

4. Schedule your follow up visits.

*With almost all types of cosmetic surgery, you will need to return to your surgeon one or more times afterwards. Your surgeon will assess how you are healing, inspect your incisions, and remove stitches or bandages.


*Your surgeon should inform you of what to expect next in the healing process and when to come return.


*Many times, your follow up visits are scheduled prior to surgery.


*It is advised to keep all of your paperwork and information stored in one place.


Remember, it is important to verify that your cosmetic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and operates only in a fully accredited and certified operating room.

Step Into New Skin

You stretch your arm out in the darkness and silence the buzzing alarm…

its 6:30 am.

You take a deep breath as you stretch under your blanket and you can hear the sound of your neighbor’s vehicle already motoring off to work. After you bring yourself to a sitting position and place your feet on the floor, you decide its cold so you slide into your slippers.

Now you feel better.

You groggily shuffle your feet to the bathroom and flick the light on, you wince at the wattage of the bulb. You turn the water on at the sink and let it run over your fingertips until it is the perfect temperature. You splash water on your face and squeeze some cleanser into the palm of your hand. You begin to wash and you feel the usual soreness, the pain of even touching your face that comes with the burden of acne.

You rinse and pat dry. Then you lean in towards the mirror. You turn to the left, then the right. Four new pimples, just over night! You’re not surprised though, after all you have been dealing with this since the sixth grade. You used to get teased on a daily basis, all the way through high school. Sure, you had friends but even they lovingly picked on you. Now that you are an adult you feel like everyone notices your acne before they notice you. You feel ashamed and embarrassed so you spend a lot of time styling your hair to cover your face and you rarely look people in the eye.

Your mother used to tell you not to get worked up over it, that you would grow out of it one day…but that day never came.

At times you’ve lost hope of ever having beautiful skin.

You make your way to the kitchen and pour yourself some coffee. You sit next to the open window at the table. This is your quite moment before waking up the kids. You feel better. As you let the scent of your drink fill the air as you look outside to the lawn. The sprinklers have kicked on; it must be 7:00 am now.

As you sip on your coffee, you notice out of the corner of your eye, a gift certificate. It is sitting in the middle of the table, under a stack of bills and junk mail, it is for a free skincare treatment, suddenly you are excited. You remember when your best friend gave it to you so you could see a skincare specialist at the Avalon Clinic. At the time you figured, “Nothing else has worked for my skin, why should this?” Then you pause for a moment…

Now you are thinking of how your best friend steps into a room without hiding her face, without averting her eyes to the floor, and you realize how long you’ve waited to have that for yourself. She has had chemical peels and microdermabrasions at the Avalon Clinic; she also uses their products to maintain her skin in between treatments…and her skin is radiant!

You feel better as you reach for the phone, then you pause and smile at yourself because you know you are about to take the first step towards changing your life, your self esteem and your skin.

The Number One Reason Women Have Cosmetic Surgery

Typically, social stereotypes have led society to believe that it’s the vain, superficial women who chose to have cosmetic surgery. It is no secret that a boost in confidence and having a positive self-image can contribute to a woman’s over all well being but the majority of women do not have cosmetic surgery for anyone other reason than for themselves.

Some of the common misconceptions about why women have cosmetic surgery are:

They do it to attract men.
Husband chasing after a younger woman?

They do it to boost their career.
It’s easier to find a job if you are “attractive.”

They do it for vanity.
I must have the perfect body.

They do it to look better than the neighbors.
They just have to look better than all their friends.

They do it too look like their favorite movie star.
Then their life will be glamorous and exciting too!


According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the number one reason women have cosmetic surgery is because:

They are unhappy with their body.
Almost ¾ of women surveyed said they think about their size and shape every day.

This matches up with our data stating that over 50% of our patients at the Avalon Clinic were uncomfortable and embarrassed about their bodies.


This is a very significant number of women and mothers in our society who want to improve their appearance. Cosmetic surgery has become a mainstream phenomenon and it is women just like you who are the real face of cosmetic surgery. That is the reality, and the real reason why 9.9 million women had cosmetic surgery last year alone.

Cosmetic surgery can have a dramatic positive effect on a woman’s physical appearance. There is a direct link between a woman’s physical appearance and her emotional well-being. Many women feel that the changes due to weight gain/loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gravity and aging leaves them feeling less than attractive and uncomfortable with their bodies. These things can often leave women to feel awkward and embarrassed, causing them to shy away from not only public situations but intimate as well.

For women who already have a positive out look on life and are just dissatisfied with one or two specific areas, cosmetic surgery will often brighten their already positive outlook. Most often they become far more energized about their personal physical appearance and get a boost in their levels of self confidence. Women no longer have to feel guilty or let stereotypes force them into living in a body that they don’t like. Whether they are a college graduate, a mom, working professional or wife and anything else, they can also look like the woman that they want to be, with no apologies.

If having cosmetic surgery is something that you have thought about, then the first step is to call and schedule a consultation with one of our board certified surgeons!

Are You Ready For Cosmetic Surgery?

There are several factors to consider when deciding to have cosmetic surgery. It is important to realize that this is a decision which should be made by you, for yourself and for the reasons that are right for you. The ideal candidate for aesthetic surgery is an individual who recognizes a specific area in which his or her appearance could be improved and has a strong personal desire to make a change

Whatever your reasons for choosing cosmetic surgery, it is important to have realistic expectations. Improving a feature of your face or body may give you greater self-confidence and add to your sense of well-being, but it is not a guarantee of happiness or improved relationships with others. Surgery can enhance your appearance; the rest is up to you.

According to Robert Kenevan, M.D. Medical Director at the Avalon Clinic: “In order to be considered a good candidate for surgery I look for these four things: good general healthy, a support system, realistic expectations and have they done any research.”

Over the years, surgeons and psychologists have found that certain attitudes indicate cosmetic surgery is appropriate for a patient.

Is There a Real Flaw or Imperfection?

First, is there a cosmetic flaw that lends itself to surgical correction? Do you have small, large or sagging breasts? Do you have a large nasal hump or bulbous tip? Is your stomach stretched and hanging? Does this flaw lend itself to improvement?

Are You Motivated for Yourself?

You are better suited for cosmetic surgery if you wish to please yourself, not your family or friends. Can you honestly say to yourself, "I want this operation even if no one but me ever notices anything has changed?"

Are Your Goals Well Defined?

The person who enters Dr. Kenevan’s consultation room and asks a vague, unfocused question, such as "What can you do to make me look better?” or “I haven’t liked the way I look for years." Does not have a clear goal in mind and may not be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery.

At The Avalon Clinic for cosmetic surgery we are committed to building a relationship with you. We want to know about you and your goals. We want you to be so satisfied with your experience here that you will always come back to us and refer your friends and family. Contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444 today and receive a FREE gift!

5 Tips To Protect Yourself From The Sun!

Did you know that Seattle ranked 29th out of 32 cities in a 2007 nationwide-poll conducted by The American Academy of Dermatology? Respondents were tested on their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning and sun protection. At the same time, melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer, is one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer in Washington State.

Common arguments that Dermatologists hear from their patients:

“It’s Cloudy Outside”

A full 80% of dangerous Ultraviolet (UV) light passes right through cloud cover; those thick layers of water vapor will not protect you from sun damage. UV rays reach you on cloudy or hazy days as well as bright, sunny days. UV light also reflects off any bright surface such as water, cement, sand, or snow; causing burns from both above and below.

“I Never Burn, I Only Tan”

Any tan is a sign of damage. It means your skin has suffered cancer causing mutations and permanent damage to elastin and collagen. Do you have dark skin to begin with? Even the very darkest skin is equal to only SPF 5—far below the SPF 30 recommended for everyone.

“The Sun Clears Up My Pimples”

Even dermatologists cannot deny the initial magic the sun works on acne. A little color camouflages pimples and the UV rays do have a slight drying effect. But UV rays also stimulate the sebaceous glands, making your skin oilier. The skin thickens to defend itself against the sun, which in turn blocks pores and causes more pimples. It is a vicious circle. Wear sunscreen.

“I Always Sit In The Shade”

Sunlight—specifically UVB rays—reflect off most surfaces and will find you even under your beach umbrella or favorite tree. A better way to judge how much UVB exposure that you are getting is to note how much open sky you can see rather than how much sun is actually hitting you.

“Sure I Burn A Little At First, But Then It Turns Tan”

All it takes is one really bad sunburn to increase your risk of Melanoma (a potentially fatal form of skin cancer). It is also important to know that a very bad sunburn from years ago could come back to haunt you. It is a good idea to have your dermatologist perform a complete checkup annually to keep an eye on any suspicious moles or lesions that might indicate Melanoma.


At The Avalon Clinic we are here to help you achieve your dreams. We are located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons has over 20 years of experience and is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

We want you to be so satisfied with your experience that you will always come back to us and refer your friends and family. To receive your FREE gift contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!

All About Botox!

Botox™ is a substance which - in low doses - is injected beneath the skin to minimize or smooth out lines and wrinkles on the face. It relaxes the muscles around the eyes, giving the recipient a clean, smooth facial appearance.

The results are temporary, lasting from three to six months.

Botox was first approved in December 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders -blepharospasm and strabismus. Doctors observed that wrinkles around the eyes improved as well. After further testing by the manufacturer, in April 2002 the FDA approved Botox for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), a medical condition that is not serious.

What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a purified protein (Botulinum Toxin Type A) produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, that is injected directly into the tiny facial muscles that contract and cause wrinkles. The injected toxin will then weaken or paralyze the muscles, causing the overlying skin to smooth out.

Is it harmful?
No, it is not harmful. Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been well established.
Botox treatment is the number one cosmetic procedure performed each year.

How long does the Botox treatment take?
Botox Cosmetic is a quick and minimally invasive procedure that takes approximately 10 minutes. There is no downtime.

What does it feel like? Does it hurt?
The needle used is very fine and only a tiny amount of liquid is being used at each injection site. The pain associated with the injections is easily tolerated. The medicine tingles like a bee sting during the injection, but subsides within seconds.

How long does it last?
This depends entirely on the patient, but an average patient with a single treatment will last for approximately 3 months.

The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our artistry is helping our patients look and feel their very best.

The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible! Contact us at http://www.avalonclinic.com/ or call 1-800-408-4444.

How To Prepare For Surgery

Once you have done your research and decided cosmetic surgery is right for you, the next step is to schedule a consultation and meet with a doctor. The purpose of this consultation is to address your questions and concerns. It is here that you will discuss your hopes and dreams for your new body. You will be examined by the doctor in order to receive specific recommendations for your specific situation which are designed to help you get from where you are at now to where you’d like to be. This is a very important part of the process because everyone’s situation is different.

One of the most important things for you to do is be completely honest with your doctor. Please be sure to inform your doctor of any medications that you’re taking, as well as any vitamins, herbs, and/or supplements that may be included in your diet. There are certain medications that can cause delayed healing after surgery. These medications should be avoided for at least one week before and one week after surgery.

Some patients believe that all their problems will be corrected with surgery and they will have a “perfect” body after they heal. The truth is cosmetic surgery may make positive improvements which significantly impact your life, but you must talk to you doctor about realistic expectations.

It is important to realize that everyone recovers differently from surgery. Each individual will have his/her own pain tolerance level and individual healing pattern, which makes it impractical to compare one patient’s recovery to another’s. Although everyone heals at a different rate, your recovery will generally follow a similar time line. Most of the discomfort you may feel will be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Do keep in mind that you will need to take time off work, the length to be determined by your doctor and your individual situation.

The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients’ look and feel their best.

The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible!
Contact us at http://www.avalonclinic.com/ or call 1-800-408-4444.

What To Ask Your Cosmetic Surgeon

It Is Possible!

If you have been researching or considering cosmetic surgery, then it may be time for you to take the next step in achieving your dreams. A consultation with one of our Board Certified Surgeons will give you the information you need to make an educated decision.

At The Avalon Clinic for cosmetic surgery we are committed to building a lasting relationship with you. We want to know about you and your goals. When you schedule your consultation, it will be an hour set aside just for you: to get your questions about cosmetic surgery answered.

Some important things to ask you Surgeon:

Are you Board Certified?
Do you have before/after pictures?
Am I a candidate for surgery?
What are some of the risks associated with this surgery?
What are your recommendations for me?
What can I expect during recovery?
How will discomfort be managed?
Are your prices all inclusive?

These are only a few of the questions that you should have answered by the end f the consultation. By getting accurate information from credible sources, you will have a greater understanding of what to expect during the process and how to prepare for what lies ahead.

At The Avalon Clinic we are here to help you achieve your dreams. We are located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience.

We want you to be so satisfied with your experience here that you will always come back to us and refer your friends and family to us. Contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!