Category: Breast Enhancement

The “Mommy Makeover” is a catchy nickname for a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to reverse the visible effects of pregnancy on the body. Sagging breasts, stretch marks, excess skin on the abdomen, and fat in new and undesired places are just a few of the side effects of pregnancy, and the Mommy Makeover can remedy all of them.

Those who consider the Mommy Makeover have likely tried every diet and exercise routine available to try to get their pre-pregnancy body back. The truth is, no amount of diet and exercise can eliminate excess skin, perk up deflated breasts, or remove stretch marks. New fat deposits on the lower abdomen and thighs are also often extremely difficult – if not impossible – to remove.

Depending on the results you desire, Dr. Wald offers any combination of breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), and liposuction to correct the bodily changes that result from pregnancy.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can significantly boost a woman’s confidence, especially after childbirth. Breast implants will increase the size and improve the shape of a woman’s breasts. There are many choices associated with this procedure, and Dr. Wald will thoroughly inform you of all your options during your consultation.

Breast Lift

Women often have sagging breasts after pregnancy. Sagging can be slight or more severe, with the nipples falling below the breast crease or pointing downward. A breast lift will remove excess skin and elevate the breasts to a higher position. This procedure does not increase breast size, which is why it is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery targets excess skin and fat in the upper and lower abdomen, resulting in a trimmer, firmer midsection. As a result of pregnancy, many women have weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), which are tightened during this procedure. Stretch marks will also be removed if they are located on the skin that is to be excised.

Liposuction

Liposuction will target all the areas of the body where fat seems to “stick.” The arms, back, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, and flanks are just some of the common areas women choose to firm up with liposuction. The best candidates have good skin elasticity and do not have excess sagging skin. Those who do have a significant amount of excess skin will have better results with tummy tuck surgery.

Dr. Robert Wald has been performing the Mommy Makeover for many years at his practice in Fullerton, CA. He can help you determine the combination of procedures that will re-create your pre-pregnancy body and restore your confidence. If you would like to learn more about the Mommy Makeover procedure, please schedule a consultation by calling (888) 401-2806. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 at 8:00 am and is filed under Breast Enhancement, Breast Lift, Liposuction, Mommy Makeover, Tummy Tuck.

When considering breast augmentation, many questions may arise during your research. The most common questions pertain to breast augmentation pricing and why the cost difference is so drastic. Many different factors can contribute to the final cost of your breast augmentation, and it may take additional inquiries to decide the best surgeon for you. This blog will help you understand what to expect when pricing out a breast augmentation procedure and the elements that will raise or lower your estimated charges.

Factors That Adjust Pricing

Costs will vary, but on average, for a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform saline breast augmentation, the cost is approximately $5,500, and silicone implants cost about $6,500. Lower rates for this procedure should be examined thoroughly as a lot of times there are extra charges involved that are not advertised. Some additional charges can include:

• Demographics: The location of your procedure will have an affect on the price. For instance, in Omaha, Nebraska, the cost will be at the lower end of the price range. In Beverly Hills, however, the cost will be at the higher range. The overhead each plastic surgeon has in their area, and the price patients can afford in a specific location contribute to a difference in pricing.
• Required lab work: Bloodwork and other tests may be necessary prior to or directly after your procedure and may not be included in your estimated price.
• Surgical center or surgeon fees: These rates can range between $2,500 to $4,000 anywhere in the nation. This payment handles your doctor’s expertise, time, office visits, and all of your care.
• Breast implant fees: Only two manufacturers exist for breast implants, and they typically cost between $800 to $900 per pair for saline implants and $1,800 to $1,900 per pair for silicone implants.
• Operating room fees: Depending on the facility and how long your augmentation takes will determine a more accurate price for this. Lower pricing may indicate that the operation is performed in an office building or the doctor’s personal surgical site. Part of your research should include checking accreditation and safety of the surgical facility. If the procedure is completed in someone’s personal office clinic, it is recommended that you look elsewhere to undergo your breast augmentation surgery.
• Anesthesia and anesthesiologist fees: Cost for these fees will vary, especially if you opt for a board-certified anesthesiologist. Being selective about who you choose for your anesthesiologist is critical to ensure that your medication is being administered correctly.

Total Price for Breast Augmentation

Patients can expect to pay a total between $4,500 and $6,500 for saline implants and $6,500 to $7,500 for silicone gel implants. Asking about what is included or excluded in pricing estimates as well as requesting an itemized breakdown can help you make an informed decision. It is normal to be skeptical regarding your procedure, and you should demand the best for your operation.

Your Comfort Comes First

Selecting a doctor who makes you feel comfortable is essential for you to achieve the best results. Your payment may be a sensitive subject at first, but you want to ensure that your desired outcome is safely achieved. An excellent plastic surgeon with extensive experience will put you at ease during your breast augmentation procedure.

At Dr. Wald’s office and surgical center, our team is devoted to providing the best results for our patients. We never compromise the patient’s outcome or safety in our practice. Review our breast augmentation before and after images and contact our office to schedule a consultation by calling (714) 312-3549.  

This entry was posted on Friday, March 1st, 2019 at 9:38 am and is filed under Breast Enhancement.

Which breast implant is better for me, silicone or saline?

The moratorium on silicone implants was lifted 2 years ago.  This FDA edict began in 1992.  During this time, (1992-2011) only women with breast cancer, or chest deformities, or ruptured implants, were allowed to have silicone gel.  As a result, normal women who wanted breast augmentation during this time were required to have saline implants.  The result of breast augmentation with saline implants is quite good, but there are differences between silicone and saline.

The appearance of saline implants is quite good but not quite as natural as silicone. Saline implants are firmer due to the water component located within the shell of the implant.  A silicone device has silicone gel on the inside of the shell and for this reason silicone gel implants are softer than saline.

The main concern the FDA has about silicone implants is how to detect a leak.  If a silicone implant ruptures, in almost all cases, the breast appears to be normal.  It maintains its softness and symptoms are uncommon.  Occasionally, however there are obvious changes with a rupture.  The symptoms include pain and throbbing and an obvious change in the shape of the breast.  Because detection of a rupture is difficult, the FDA recommends that a woman with silicone implants obtain a MRI of her breast every 3-4 years.  The MRI is the best test available to detect an implant rupture.

However, the MRI is only 85% specific for rupture and not a 100%.  For this reason there are some false negatives and positions with the MRI.  A woman with saline implants will not have required an MRI for implant leak because if a saline implant ruptures it will deflate.  This is easily detected both by patient and doctor and is a 100% safe if it does rupture.

The other concern about implants is capsular contracture.  When this occurs, the breast become firm, misshapen and occasional discomfort; this problem can occur with either saline or silicone.  The literature suggests that there is no difference in contracture with either silicone or saline.

Another difference between silicone and saline is the amount of rippling and palpability of the implant.  Since saline is firmer, this tends to cause more rippling or waviness of underneath the skin. The saline also is more palpable because of the firmness.   A woman with small breasts and a minimal amount of body fat is quite susceptible to rippling and for this reason I always suggest silicone in this type of women.

Another difference between silicone and saline are the cost.  Saline implants are less expensive than silicone.  Silicone costs approximately $2000.00 for a pair and saline about $1000.00.  Both implants have a 10 year warranty by the manufacturer.

In summary, both implants are good, but there are differences between the two.  Every woman has to make her own decision about which is best.

Please contact Dr. Wald with any questions/comments or to schedule a consultation.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 at 4:04 pm and is filed under Breast Enhancement.

TEARDROP (ANATOMICALLY) SHAPED BREAST IMPLANTS

Breast augmentation is a very popular surgery that is safe and reliable with wonderful results. Patients now have several choices for implants. These include saline, silicone gel and the new anatomically shaped implants (Gummy Bear). All of these implants provide good results, but each implant has advantages and disadvantages.

Saline implants are cheaper than the silicone gel products (approximately $800 less expensive). The main advantage this implant has over silicone is the detection of a leak. Since a saline implant is like a water balloon, a rupture in the shell will cause the implant to deflate. Therefore, every woman will know when a rupture occurs. No ultrasound or MRI is needed to detect a leak since the rupture is obvious. The main disadvantage of a saline implant is that it is firmer and not quite as natural feeling as the silicone products.

Silicone gel implants were first used 50 years ago. The earlier devices had some problems including a high frequency of rupture and silicone gel bleed. They were very soft and naturally appearing. The newer silicone gel products have a thicker shell and less likely to rupture. The gel is more cohesive (thicker) than the earlier devices. These devices come with a smooth surface and a textured surface. An MRI or ultrasound is required to detect a leak. They were re-approved by the FDA two years ago to be used in all women. We believe the rupture rate is approximately 3% over the first ten years and will probably last twenty to thirty years.

Anatomically shaped implants (Gummy Bear) are the newest devices recently approved by the FDA. Reported benefits to these implants include more natural/proportionate breast shape, improved longevity, decreased likelihood of capsular contracture, decreased likelihood of postoperative rippling and a lower incidence of re-operation. Gummy Bear breast implants is a slang term referring to this implant since when it is cut in half, it won’t leak similar to cutting a gummy bear in half.

These teardrop shaped breast implants are made of high strength silicone gel. This material is very dense, resulting in a semi-sold form. The main advantage to these implants is that because they are semi-solid, they maintain their shape and remain in an upright position when they are positioned in the breast. These implants have been designed to replicate the look and feel of a natural breast. They are more naturally shaped and will lack the excessive fullness in the upper breast that is seen commonly with round implants. Even though these implants may rupture, no free silicone is delivered into the breast pocket or tissue that occurs with a round silicone gel implant.

In summary, a patient has choices for breast augmentation. Each implant has advantages and disadvantages and it is up to the woman to make her own choice.

Please contact Dr. Wald with any questions/comments or to schedule a consultation.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at 6:05 pm and is filed under Breast Enhancement, Uncategorized.

Following breast augmentation or breast mastopexies (breast lift), revisional surgery may be necessary in a few cases.  The patients tissue elasticity and the amount of stretching that can occur after these procedures is variable and may necessitate a minor revision. A period of six months is required for all the swelling and tissue stretching to occur. At this time, further adjustments to the breast can be performed.  Sometimes the infra mammary crease may need to be elevated in order to correct a double bubble appearance.  This occurs when the infra mammary crease is too low allowing the implant to fall and cause distortion of the breast.  In mastopexies, the scars may need to be revised and the tissue envelope tightened.  Even though these complications occur infrequently, the patient must realize that these problems can occur and may need to be corrected.

In my practice, I spend a lot of time with the patient showing photographs of patients with the types of scars following mastopexies. I also show surgical results following revisions. In almost all cases, revisional breast surgery is met with satisfaction and the scars and shape of the breasts are markedly improved.

Come in to my practice I would love to talk with you.

                                                                                                                    Dr. Robert M. Wald Jr.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm and is filed under Breast Enhancement.