Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
How Much Do Breast Implants Cost?
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!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Liposuction: One Of The Most Popular Cosmetic Surgeries Performed Each Year!
- 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!
Friday, December 21, 2007
You Don't Have To Look Like You Were Pregnant Just Because You Were!
· 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?
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.
As a result of Tammy's experience she learned about the 5 types of post-baby tummies.
They are as follows.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
What Kind Of Bra Should I Buy After My Breast Augmentation Surgery?
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.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Reasons Why An Individual May Not Be A Good Candidate For Cosmetic Surgery
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.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Are You Ever Too Old For Breast Augmentation?
Friday, December 14, 2007
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!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Importance Of A Board-Certified Surgeon
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.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
What's New In Cosmetic Surgery?
A litle known secret that will increase your breast enhancement results!
Click Here to find out more!
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Women of 1970 vs. Now
*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.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?
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.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Breast Enlargment Information
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!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Recovery Times For Our Most Popular Procedures!
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.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Hollywood vs. Reality
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.
Monday, December 3, 2007
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.
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.