Thermage, IPL and Erbium laser are the three non invasive ways to enhance the appearance of your skin. The Magnolia Surgery Center in Riverside is equiped with a IPL and Erbium laser. The choice is yours.
Silicone vs. Saline
Since 1992, when it was banned, we could no longer offer silicone to our patients. I switched to “saline” and wrote an article on the subject, deploring this ban.
Not familiar with saline, after using it for a few years, I discovered its advantages over silicone.
These advantages are:
1. Saline allows a better size symmetry. Indeed, silicone cannot be as close because it is prefilled and goes by 30-40 cc increments. This precludes more accurate size adjustment during the surgery.
2. This incidence of capsular contracture is somewhat higher with silicone. This is due to two reasons:
Reason 1: The so-called “low bleed” of silicone gel through the envelope of the implant. Though minimal in new implants, it can be a problem.
Reason 2: The new silicone implants have silicone gel that is more cohesive than the old ones in order to leak less. This has made the “armpit” (transaxillary approach) no longer possible, because the implant is no longer soft enough. We must go through the “nipple” or “under the breast” to insert the implant. The main advantage of the armpit is minimizing the tissue trauma caused by the other two techniques. The less the trauma, the lower the incidence of hematoma (bleed), seroma (serum fluid collection), and the less the risk of capsular contracture.
3. If a problem results from a breast implant, it is usually more difficult to treat if the implant is silicone versus saline. The silicone gel can contaminate the pocket, with formation of silicone granuloma (mass of scar tissue).
4. In the case of rupture, the saline leak is immediately diagnosed. The breast flattens down and it is very easy to correct. A silicone leak is not diagnosed clinically. There is no sign of rupture. This is why the manufacturers (Mentor and Allergan) stipulate, “It is recommended that a first MRI evaluation take place starting three years after implant surgery and then every two years after that, even if you are experiencing no implant problems”. This precaution implies a more difficult and expensive followup, since an MRI is not usually covered by insurance for this type of indication.
5. Finally, the cost can be another consideration since silicone is twice as expensive as saline. The higher cost of silicone might lead one to believe that silicone is better. It is incorrect. The silicone engineering is more costly, but the main reason is the consequence of the silicone crisis. This crisis has cost the manufacturers about one billion dollars, lost in lawsuits and compensations. That money needs to be recovered some how.
All of this said, the return of silicone is quite welcome.
It allows the women to have the choice. If they want it, it is available.
It allows me to recommend and use it when indicated. Indeed, it is definitely indicated when women have tissue that is too thin to cover a saline implant, which is rougher on the tissue than silicone. In that case, silicone is better because the saline implant may become palpable. The possibility of rippling is a little higher with silicone, but rippling is possible with both saline and silicone implants.
The patient now has the choice between the two types of implants. I hope that they understand the advantages of each type before making an educated choice. I remain at the disposal of our patients to recommend one or the other on a case-to-case basis.
Magnolia Plastic Surgery is now providing a free initial limited time plastic surgery consultation here in our Riverside office. You will have a free consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Carli, who will explain your surgical options, finance options and answer any questions you might have in regards to your procedure. Also Click here to view our current specials. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with Dr. Carli by calling 951 688-8660 now!
Skin care is a lifelong commitment. Everybody’s skin is different. Whether your skin is, for example, filled with acne, pigmented, sallow, lined or lacking luster, using the right products and receiving treatments such as chemical peels is essential in correcting and preventing what ails you. Let’s face it (no pun intended) your face is the first thing people notice. With so many practitioners out there and little salons popping up, where does one turn? You want quality. You need expertise. You definitely deserve the attention and customer service. Look no further than to Dr. Carli’s Esthetics. Finding a skilled paramedical esthetician who will partner with you every step of the way is the key to unlocking what holds you and your confidence prisoner. Her name is, Erin Turner.
Magnolia Plastic Surgery Introduces Latisse
A New Innovation In Eyelashes
Dr Alexander Carli and the asthetic staff at Magnolia Plastic Surgery proudly introduces Latisse, the first and only prescription eyelash treatment which is approved by the FDA to grow your lashes longer, fuller and darker.
Latisse works effectively because of its active ingredient: bimatoprost. Research suggests that the growth of eyelashes occurs by increasing the percent of hairs during the growth phase. Bimatoprost helps lashes grow longer, thicker and darker because it can also prolong this growth phase.
Lattise is easy to use, FDA approved and effective. It was developed through years of research by Allergan, a pharmaceutical leader with over 60 years of expertise in prescription eye care products.
Now you can grow longer, fuller darker lashes. Let the professional staff at Magnolia Plastic Surgery provide you with more details about this exciting new product! Call Today 951 688-8660.
Since September 15, 2008, Plastic Surgery is almost at a standstill. Understandably so. Cosmetic Surgery being a luxury, it is the lowest priority. Though realize the crisis will not be forever, we all save.
The financial “Tsunami” is not just financial. Part of it is a psychological reaction as we have seen in the last crisis between 1990 – 1995, when companies were folding and/or leaving California.
The main question again, is how long? Nobody knows. So, should we wait or should we spend to look and feel better? We are not sure.
More than ever, the decision to go for cosmetic surgery is based on money. So is the competition among cosmetic surgeons.
We try to guess. Nothing is sure but one thing. A lot of Cosmetic Surgeons or “self-called” Cosmetic surgeons are making an all out effort to attract potential “clients” with potent promises. For example, breast augmentation for $2,999 as advertised on a billboard on Highway 60 East. The magazines and other media are used for “inexpensive surgery and great deals”.
People, once more, be careful.
“You get what you pay for” and “it is too good to be true” are time tested adages. Try to remember and don’t get fooled. These ads are false. They keep from you essential information such as the credentials of the surgeons, the type of surgical facility and the pre-and post-operative care.
You think you save money when actually you pay a high price for a second rate, at best, surgery. There are so many ways to lower a fee by lowering the quality of care.
The media are paid to claim anything. The one’s paying can be and are sometimes unscrupulous.
You think you get a deal. It is a poor deal as you may realize too late. If you don’t have the money, wait. Do not become the prey of the market. Do not add a cosmetic problem to your financial one.
In these hard times, our practice works with you. Our financial department can assist you with options that can help to make your surgery affordable without compromising the quality of care. Meanwhile, you can scrutinize every aspect of our practice, including specials, on our website http://www.magnoliaplasticsurgery.com