Mommy Makeover: Breast augmentation, Breast lift, Tummy tuck, Liposuction

Tag Archives: Breast Lift

What is a Mommy Makeover?

Motherhood can be a beautiful, life-changing transformation, as you watch your precious infant grow while showering him/ her with every ounce of affection. All beautiful things come at a cost, and this one sure does! Through childbirth, your body has transformed through a series of stages, leaving it in a state that your youth-self would have probably not be that proud of. Needless to say, you can enjoy your motherhood while getting back in shape, through a simple mommy makeover plastic surgery. Dr. Suzanne Quardt, an experienced plastic surgeon of Palm Springs, says that a growing number of moms are undergoing these makeover surgeries today as they don’t want motherhood to mark the end of their youthful days. Here are some common surgeries that women today undergo as part of their mommy makeover routine.

Breast augmentation

The breasts can reduce in volume or sag, post-pregnancy. Either way, breast augmentation can help in making the breasts appear fuller and firmer. During a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery, the cosmetic surgeon places implants(silicone or saline) in the breast area. This makes the breasts appear more voluminous. The surgery lasts for about one or two hours. Soreness and bruising are common occurrences post-surgery, you should be able to resume your regular activities within two weeks. Although its results are permanent, it may require replacement, a few years down the line.

Breast lift

If you’re dead against implants as they make you feel uncomfortable, you could probably look at getting a breast lift. This plastic surgery, helps in dealing with poorly shaped, droopy breasts. During the procedure, excess droopy skin is removed, while the breast tissues are lifted, along with the nipples/ areolae being repositioned or reduced. The surgery can take anywhere between one and half hours to three hours. The results are permanent, although gravity can have a mean way of showing them down with time. You can get back to your everyday routine within one or two weeks after surgery.

Tummy tuck

During a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon removes any excess skin in the abdominal area. He may move around the navel so it suits the surgically operated abdomen, along with firming up the walls to strengthen the abdominal muscles. The surgery could take two to five hours. The recovery takes time, although you will notice a dramatic difference in your tummy, one you get the surgery.

Liposuction

If diets and exercises are not making a difference to your fat issues, liposuction could be the key to look better. A liposuction involves draining out excess fat from the body. As inviting as that sounds, you don’t have to get all worked up, as the procedure isn’t all that gory. Advanced technology and equipments have enabled the use of laser and ultrasound to breakdown the fat during liposuction. The surgery can take anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours, based on how many areas you’re getting treated through the surgery. You may have to put on compression garments to reduce the swelling after surgery. While you may experience soreness in the days following surgery, you can start appreciating the results of the surgery within three months.

breast augmentation Dr. Suzanne Marie Quardt, or “Dr. Q™” as she is known among her patients, is an experienced plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She received her residency training in general and plastic surgery from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She then completed a post-graduate fellowship training program in Specialty Plastic Reconstructive and Burn Reconstructive Surgery at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA.

Dr. Q served as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at the prestigious Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage from 2009 to 2011, and currently serves on several Hospital Committees there. She provides a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures for her patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert area. She performs surgical procedures either at a hospital or in fully accredited outpatient surgery facilities along with board certified anesthesiologists. For her contributions to the field of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Q was named as one of the Coachella Valley’s “Top Docs” by Castle Connelly, Ltd in Palm Springs Life magazine.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Augmentation mammaplasty, commonly known as breast augmentation, is a surgical procedure to enhance the breast size and volume with the help of breast implants. Patients may seek breast implant surgery from a qualified cosmetic surgeon for one or more of the following reasons:

Patient has naturally small breasts due to genetic reasons.
Patient perceives her breasts to be small and is unhappy with them.
Patient has lost breast volume following a pregnancy or major weight loss.
Patient’s breasts are moderately asymmetrical.
Patient has undergone a mastectomy and needs restoration of breast size and shape.

Breast augmentation can make the breasts fuller and more attractive. The procedure has gained popularity with new advancements in breast implant qualities and surgical techniques. FDA approvals for silicone gel and saline implants have prompted many patients to consider this treatment over the last few years. In some cases, breast implant procedure may be combined with breast lift plastic surgery to achieve more effective results.

Choice of Implants

Saline breast implants include a saline solution that is biocompatible, and the patient has no risk even in the case of an implant rupture. These implants are FDA approved for women who are 18 years or older. Silicone implants are filled with highly cohesive silicone gel. Silicone implants are FDA approved for women who are 22 years or older. These implants may have a better natural touch and feel in the perception of some patients. Patients in Palm Springs and Palms Desert can discuss their options with Dr. Q to determine the most appropriate choice of implants in their case.

Procedure

Breast augmentation is usually performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. The plastic surgeon will determine the right type of anesthesia for a patient, depending on the extent of procedure, patient’s health condition and status, and other factors. The procedure begins by the placement of an incision, and the implants are placed inside through the incision. The surgeon will prepare a treatment plan in advance in close consultation with the patient. The type of incision and the location of the breast implants will be chosen at that time.

The incision may be placed within the curve below the breast, in the underarm, or around the areola. A skilled cosmetic surgeon will ensure that the incision is placed discreetly to hide the scars as best as possible. The decision on the type of incision will be taken after considering the patient’s unique body shape, the type of implants chosen, the extent of enlargement planned and the patient’s personal needs.

The implant placement can be done under the chest muscle or between the chest muscle and breast tissue. Again, the choice of implant location will depend on various factors. Dr. Q discusses various aspects involved with both types of placements with her patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. The success of breast augmentation cosmetic surgery depends to an extent on the right decisions made in terms of incision, implant location, and the choice of implants.

Recovery

Post-surgical recovery period will vary from one patient to another, but most patients will recover within one to two days following the surgery. Initial results of the surgery will be visible immediately, and complete results can be seen once the swelling and bruising subsides. Most patients can resume their normal activities and outside work within 10 to 14 days. Vigorous exercise and heavy lifting activities should, however, be avoided until the recovery is complete. Any or the incision marks will fade and reach their final appearance (actually, virtually non-appearance) in a few months.

pdps_drbiopic Dr. Suzanne Marie Quardt, known as “Dr. Q™” by many of her patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, is a board certified plastic surgeon providing innovative cosmetic surgery as well as non-surgical procedures. Dr. Q received her medical degree along with the Faculty Organization Award for Most Outstanding Research Project from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-NJ Medical School campus in Newark. She performed a sub-internship at Columbia University and received a letter of recommendation from the famous Dr. Oz.

Dr. Q completed her general surgery residency, plastic surgery residency and research at the USCLA and LA County/USC Medical Center. She followed it up with an advanced fellowship in Specialty Plastic Reconstructive and Burn Reconstructive Surgery at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA. She honed her skills further with an American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)-accredited Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship in Marina del Rey, CA.

Dr. Q was included among the Coachella Valley’s “Top Docs” by Castle Connelly, Ltd. in Palm Springs Life magazine. She has also been nominated by her peers as one of the region’s Top Plastic Surgeons for two consecutive years in Palm Spring’s Life and Castle and Connolly Medical Ltd.

Procedures at Dr. Q Plastic Surgery

Dr. Q is a reputed cosmetic surgeon in Palm Springs and Palm Desert for a comprehensive range of surgical as well as non-invasive treatments. Some of the key procedures provided by Dr. Q include the following:

Facial Procedures

• Brow Lift
• Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Facial Liposuction
• Facial Procedures FAQ’s
• Lip Enhancement
• Mini Facelift
• Rhinoplasty

The face is the most visible part of the body from an aesthetic point of view. When the signs of aging appear on the face, they can be very easily noticed. A number of cosmetic surgery procedures are available to reduce these signs of aging. Patients may choose to go for a complete or partial facelift surgery or specific procedures such as rhinoplasty, brow lift or lip enhancement.

Breast Surgery

• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reconstruction
• Breast Reduction
• Breast Revision

Breast Implant Options

• Saline Breast Implants
• Sientra’s Gummy Bear Implants
• Allergan Natrelle Breast Implants
• Mentor Breast Implants

Breast surgery is usually a major procedure, and it should be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon only. Dr. Q provides breast augmentation to patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, and helps them make appropriate choice in terms of the type, size, texture and quality of breast implants. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries today. The procedure may sometimes be combined with breast lift to raise the sagging breasts apart from adding more breast volume. Non-elective procedures such as breast revision and breast reconstruction may also be provided by experienced surgeons.

Body Contouring

• Abdominoplasty (“Tummy Tuck”)
• Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
• Body Lift
• CoolSculpting
• Labiaplasty
• Liposuction
• Lipotherme (Laser Liposuction)
• Lower Body Lift
• Mommy Makeover
• Reverse Abdominoplasty
• Thigh Lift

Patients who suffer from unwanted fat deposits in specific areas of the body such as abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, calves, cheeks, neck, or knees may opt for liposuction or other body contouring procedures. Women may also opt for a comprehensive mommy makeover following a pregnancy in order to regain their pre-pregnancy figure. Less invasive procedures such as laser based liposuction and non-invasive options such as CoolSculpting are also available for patients in Palm Springs and Palm Desert at Dr. Q’s office.

Male Surgery

• Breast Reduction for Men
• Gynecomastia
• Liposculpture

Specialized cosmetic and corrective surgeries for men can be received from a reputed cosmetic surgeon. These may include state of the art procedures such as liposculpture. Some men suffer from an abnormal condition of enlarged breasts. This condition can be corrected with plastic surgery.

Non-Surgical Procedures

• Chemical Peels
• Botox and Dysport
• Facial Fillers
• Laser Procedures
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Lip Enhancement
• Liquid Facelift
• Latisse
• Skin Care

Many patients are desirous of achieving an attractive and youthful appearance, but do not wish to undergo an elective cosmetic surgery procedure. A number of non-surgical treatments are now available for such patients. Results of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments are effective, but may not last for as long as the surgical outcomes do.

However, these treatments do not involve much downtime and avoid the typical risks and complications that may be associated with a surgery. Dr. Q provides the latest and proven non-surgical procedures for patients in Palm Desert and Palm Springs, who are unable or unwilling to undergo a surgery.