Fat grafting sounds like a technically advanced form of treatment. It is, but don’t let this fool you into thinking that this procedure is new. Due to its widespread use in buttocks augmentation, fat grafting is getting a lot more attention today. More than a great way to add contours to the body, this technique is very promising when it comes to facial rejuvenation. In fact, there aren’t many Philadelphia facelift procedures performed today without at least a full discussion of the value of fat injections.
Fat injections? From what?
To inject fat into the face, we must obtain it from someplace, right? This is one of the beautiful things about fat grafting: we take it from another part of your body. Because fat is harvested in this way, you can feel comfortable with its organic nature; that no adverse reaction could occur as it could with, say an implant or other foreign substance. Also, there’s something to be said for the benefits of removing extra fat from a place like the buttocks, hips, thighs, or stomach!
Why would we do this?
Why, when there is a full armament of dermal fillers at our disposal today, would anyone consider putting their hard-earned dollars into fat grafting? Besides the whole organic thing, that is. The capabilities of fat may surprise you.
The very nature of fat makes it uniquely suited to facial rejuvenation. When inserted into the receiving tissue, fat will grow right along with what’s already there. It will fully integrate; no separation. Here, it will also expand and contract naturally, as your facial fat should. If that isn’t enough to peak your interest, you may also want to know about the longevity of results from fat grafting.
Many people assume that fat grafting is less advantageous than synthetic fillers because a certain amount of fat will be absorbed. In fact, this painstaking process is quite successful at restoring contours, and at creating lasting results. Many patients enjoy a younger-looking face for up to 7 years, without having to schedule periodic touchups, as is necessary with dermal fillers.
The natural effect of aging is volume loss in the face. See how Philadelphia fat grafting could change the way you view your aging process. Call our Bryn Mawr office at 610-527-4833.
GALTOX education
Muscle hypertrophy from repeat grinding of teeth when patients are sleeping may result in overly prominent masseter muscles. This can be examined by clenching ones jaw and looking at the contours of the jaw line. If the jaw line looks more pronounced and a palpable firm area is noted indicating flexed muscle then this would warrant an evaluation by a physician hopefully a plastic surgeon with expert command of the anatomy of the face and consideration for botox treatment of this area.
Buccal lipectomy is an extreme intervention. Consideration for this should be undertaken only after exhaustive evaluation of non surgical and conservative care.
Chin hypoplasia may be amenable to filler and would be a temporary treatment. 
Micromastia (small breasts) with breast ptosis (droop) can be one of the most challenging aesthetic procedures for plastic surgeons. Often the footprint of the breast needs to be lowered to accommodate the implant and then the breast tissue and nipple position are shifted based on the new breast mound. As most breasts are not identical minor asymmetries can be amplified following breast augmentation mastopexy.
Before & After Gallery
Dr. Brannon Claytor uses advanced techniques to provide natural-looking outcomes. See the results for yourself in our patient gallery.
Careful follow up with your plastic surgeon is strongly recommended as well as the breast massage techniques.
Capsular contracture is a condition that occurs when the body’s scar tissue contracts around a foreign substance. The etiology for this is hypothesized to be reactive to an irritant, usually a micro amount of bacteria that normally co-exists on the skin. This subclinical infection can result in a fibroblast response which can result proliferation of myofibroblasts which contract to form a tight band around the implant. THis is usually a process that takes several weeks to months or even years to occur.
It is highly unusual for a capsular contracture to form in a matter of days. It is however, no unusual or in fact is more likely than not the scenario that a native breast that has a new implant takes several days to accommodate the now volume and can “feel” very tight and firm. Close evaluation by your surgeon is vital during this period as periodically a hematoma may form and this would result in noticeable asymmetry.
Liposuction can help you make a beeline for the physique you have been wanting. Many men and women use this surgery as a way to put the “icing on the cake” of their weight loss journey. There are enormous benefits to be had from taking the leap, but that leap should also be carefully assessed. Here, we will talk about a few things you want to do, and a few things you don’t.
- DO take your time in choosing the cosmetic plastic surgeon you want to perform your liposuction. Also do your research on the types of liposuction that are available today. Tumescent liposuction has been proven safe and effective, as has ultra-sound or laser-assisted liposuction, which minimize tissue trauma during surgery. There are also non-surgical laser liposuction procedures used today, but this approach is not likely to be as effective as surgical fat-reduction.
- DO talk with your doctor about any questions at all regarding your surgery, how to prepare, and how to recover. Following post-operative instructions is vital to a smooth recovery. This means that you will be careful about listening to your body, and mindful about how much you try to do during the first month after your surgery.
- DO avoid smoking and taking over-the-counter or herbal remedies not approved by your doctor. Smoking inhibits oxygenation to tissue, which gets in the way of optimal healing. Certain home remedies, such as vitamin E, can inhibit proper clot formation and also stand in the way of healing.
- DON’T expect to see a new physique immediately after surgery. This high of an expectation can leave you feeling frustrated, and may even make you wonder why you went through surgery at all. Post-operative swelling will fade week after week. After about a month, you should see a better you in the mirror. However, swelling continues to subside for another few months.
- DON’T choose a liposuction procedure based on cost or any type of special deal. It is vital that you know your physician’s qualifications in order to feel confident in the safety and precision of your procedure.
Liposuction could be your ticket to a svelte midsection, smaller thighs, or even a thinner chin. Learn more when you call 610-527-4833.
Tummy tucks with partial skin excision and no incisions around the belly button are called mini tummy tucks or modified tummy tucks. When patients do not have enough excess skin to need a full tummy tuck then they may be a good candidate for a mini or modified tummy tuck.
The difference between the two procedures is that a mini tummy tuck is dissection and advancement of the lower abdomen after removal of skin and fat from BELOW the belly button and LEAVING the belly button attached to the abdominal wall. Often patients who are good candidates for this have a small tummy pooch and little to no anatomic issues above the umbilicus and that area of the belly is left undisturbed except for some possible liposuction if indicated.
Now the Modified tummy tuck is a procedure that is also known as the “float” abdominoplasty with the umbilicus being released from the abdominal wall to allow access for the repair of any rectus diastasis if it exists and then translocating the umbilicus lower as the entire skin flap is advanced inferiorly with the skin excision to make the abdomen flatter and tighter. This often lowers the position of the umbilicus.
A persistent gap in the rectus muscle may be a natural post-operative result.
Call for a consult (610) 527-4833 or Contact us today to learn more »
Tummy tuck without the use of drains is a novel concept that involves modifications to the classic tummy tuck procedure. It is not simply the same operation just without the use of drains. One of the modifications involves placing quilting sutures. While this is a widely used technique, it too has some shortcomings. First, it can lengthen the duration of the surgery. Second, it may result in some abdominal contour irregularities which if present you hope will resolve with massage and lastly it may be operator dependent.
Our technique involves keeping Scarpa’s fascia at the abdominal wall and thus the lymphatic system is preserved and drains into the groin lymph nodes. Thus this technique requires a level of sophistication and technique experience to perform. It was pioneered by Brazilian plastic surgeons and has been reported many times in the literature.
Look for a plastic surgeon with this experience if you are interested in drainless tummy tuck.
View before and after photos of Dr. Claytor’s abdominoplasty patients.
*Individual results may vary.
Breast augmentation surgery has lead plastic surgery procedures for several years. Within this area of aesthetic medicine, we have seen a change in trends that reflects what women find attractive, and what they consider to appear beautifully feminine. To make a major decision like enhancing the breasts takes time, and it takes a lot of contemplation. Here, we will discuss how being critical could be your best method of getting the results you want.
The Usual Path
One of the things that the typical plastic surgery patient says during her consultation for breast augmentation is “I want a C cup,” or any other size cup, for that matter. Her decision may have gained support from well-intended girlfriends who agree that a certain cup size would be a great choice. Here’s the thing . . . Cup size is only one measure of breast size. You could look at a number of different women, all with the same cup size, and notice marked differences from one to another. So, if you can’t necessarily just choose a cup, how do you move forward toward your desired result?
Dr. Claytor practices with outstanding surgical skill and an eye for details. He takes pride in working with each patient through the process of planning the most appropriate surgery. During your consultation in our friendly practice, you will discuss your expectations and preferences, and will observe images to help you identify what these are.
Here’s When to be Critical!
It is so easy to look at Before and After Images and think “that’s it! I want that!” Here is when it’s vital to slow down and develop a critical eye. Remember, a given size or shape will look different based on body type. When considering what may look best on your frame and size, it is necessary to view only the images that resemble your own attributes. This way, you get the most accurate depiction of the results that are possible for you.
Breast augmentation surgery can be an exciting endeavor. We are here to support you through your process. For a consultation with Dr. Claytor, call 610-527-4833.
For a number of years, we have seen breast augmentation sit at the top of the list of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. The decision to enhance any part of the body is one that is personal to each patient. Ultimately, though, the outcome of larger, more shapely breasts tends to be greater satisfaction with personal image and, in turn, improved confidence overall. The fact that breast augmentation is so popular proves that there are benefits to this procedure. It also creates room for misinformation. Here, we will resolve questions you may have.
Final Appearance
One of the most common misconceptions about augmented breasts is that they will no longer look authentic. We can understand where this idea came from; there was a time during which the trend really was for augmented breasts to look larger and rounder more than to look natural! Today, the trend is to achieve the right result for the individual patient. In fact, many of the patients who opt for augmentation today choose smaller sized implants; just enough to round out or add volume in all the right places.
Consequences of Implants
Here is a myth about breast implants: they will cause the skin to become saggy sooner in life. This has not been proven. One of the points of our initial exam and consultation is to assess the elasticity of the skin before we place implants. If necessary, we will discuss the value of mastopexy, or lifting, in addition to augmentation. The presence of implants beneath skin or muscle actually does not create weight that increases the pull of gravity on the breasts. The reason that breasts naturally become saggy as women grow older is that the skin changes, not because breast tissue is too heavy.
Patients of Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr receive personal attention for their cosmetic concerns. If you are not fully satisfied with the size, shape, or volume of your breasts, schedule a consultation with us. This way, you know that you are obtaining the most accurate information to help you feel confident about your decision regarding breast augmentation.
Often patients will ask for volume replacement in their face to erase sun damage or years of damage from mimetic muscle injury to the soft tissue. Of course the quickest and least amount of down time would be a filler. This is a very good option sand will last many months.
However, ultimately the bodies own response to this filler will be to degrade it and break it down. A more durable and pliable alternative is to use ones own fat. By transferring the fat from the abdomen or thighs where women often have unwanted fat to areas of the face or buttocks a reasonable amount of retention of transferred fat would be in the order of 50%. This transplanted tissue now brings a vitality and luster to the overlying skin that is not possible with filler alone. However, it is a much more involved process. Look for a plastic surgeon who operates in a Quad-A certified surgical facility to maximize safety.