Los Angeles Plastic Surgery Center Blog | Dr. Bray

Who are good candidates for liposuction?

2009-06-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Some believe that liposuction is a weight loss tool, but this could not be farther from the truth. There is no more unhealthy way to lose weight than through liposuction. Liposuction should contour the body and is best performed on those already successful in following a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Problems with large volume fat removal

Animal studies reveal that if large amounts of fat are removed from one area, fat increases in other places in the body. Leptin, a hormone made in fat cells, drops when the fat is taken out, resulting in a big increase in eating and declining activity levels until the leptin rises.

Also, the more fat and tissue that is taken out during liposuction, including plasma, the higher the chances of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances-very serious conditions.
And the results of large volumes of fat are not as good as the results of smaller volume fat removal, having a greater likelihood of uneven or sagging skin. Because of this, large volume fat removal through liposuction is a poor risk all around.

The ideal liposuction candidate

The ideal candidate for the liposuction procedure is an adult from 30 to50 years old, male or female - healthy - who has already dieted and exercised away excess pounds; this individual also has good skin tone and expectations that are realistic.

If you feel you are a good candidate for the liposuction procedure, please schedule a Beverly Hills liposuction consultation at Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Silicone vs. saline implants

2009-06-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Choices do exist when it comes to breast augmentation. The primary options involve saline versus silicone implants

Saline implants

Two saline implants are on the market. The first is a fixed volume implant that is full of the complete saline content when it is implanted. The other is an adjustable volume implant that can be filled during the implant procedure, and its volume can be adjusted after the operation is complete. They come in sizes from about 100 cubic centimeters (cc, about three ounces) to about 800 cc. They can have smooth or textured shells, and they come in three different profiles. The higher the profile, the more the implant projects from the chest in relation to volume. Higher profile implants can help women with narrow chests achieve the results they are looking for.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants have the same options for surfaces, profiles, shapes, volumes, and thicknesses as saline implants. Sometimes, a silicone implant is even encased in a saline implant. Silicone gel-filled implants cannot increase and decrease in volume. In the1990's, connective tissue diseases were thought to be brought about by silicone breast implants in some recipients. This link has for the most part been discredited, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to collect data.

Advantages of Each

Some surgeons feel that silicone implants are more natural than saline. In fact, women seeking breast augmentation worldwide choose silicone implants 90 % of the time. Saline implants also have a few benefits. If a silicone implant ruptures, ruptures are harder to locate. If saline implants rupture, the implant deflates. If a silicone implant ruptures, the breast is unchanged—even with silicone leaking into tissue because the majority of silicone stays in the capsule the body forms around the implant. Replacing a silicone implant is also more complex than fixing a leaky saline implant.

If you are considering breast augmentation, please contact the office of Dr. David Bray at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we may assist you.

Mommy Makeover

2009-06-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

Childbirth and nursing can be tough on a woman’s body. Many women are seeking out procedures categorized as the “Mommy Makeover” to rejuvenate their appearance following these experiences.

Abdominoplasty

Typically the Mommy Makeover is comprised of a couple of elements. The central surgery is an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). This procedure can be enhanced by introducing liposuction for some areas. In abdominoplasty, the stomach area’s interior muscles are made taut. Skin is tightened over the region and excess skin is incised away after which the area is stitched back into place. Liposuction handles the final contouring and shaping, working on specific fatty areas that a healthy diet and exercise program can’t impact.

Breast Enhancement

Generally, a Mommy Makeover also involves a degree of breast enhancement, such as breast augmentation or breast lift, which will depend on the patient’s personal wishes. Following breast feeding, some women’s breast tissue decreases. An implant can restore this lost fullness. Many women chose to add increased size at this point. Sagging may be some women’s concern, and a breast lift procedure may be in order.

If you are mother who would like to explore the possibilities of a Mommy Makeover, please schedule a Mommy Makeover consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Breast Augmentation

2009-06-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Women seek out breast augmentation procedures for a variety of reasons. Breast implant insertion does more than simply increase your breast size: it can also create more youthful and firm breasts and enhance the body’s overall proportions. For example larger, fuller breasts make the waist appear to shrink and can put large hips and buttocks in proportion. In addition, breast implants can be used to correct breast asymmetry.

Breast augmentation with other procedures

Sometimes breast augmentation is not performed in isolation. It can be coupled effectively with other procedures, such as the breast lift, especially to assist with sagging breast tissue. For sagging breasts that result from pregnancy, breast feeding, or just aging, a breast augmentation combined with breast lift is sometimes required to lift the breasts.

Breast implant options

Breast implant options are available for breast augmentation. Most implants produced and utilized today are made up of one or more outer shells of silicone, filled with liquid silicone or a saline solution. Implants can come in many sizes and shapes, and different sized implants can even be used for correcting breast asymmetry.

If you are considering a breast augmentation procedure, please contact the office of Dr. David Bray at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we may assist you.

Tumescent liposuction

2009-05-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

More and more people are taking advantage of the benefits that cosmetic procedures such as liposuction procedures can offer. If you are in generally good health, at or near your ideal weight, but are still unsatisfied with your figure, especially those stubborn fat deposits that exercise simply cannot remove, liposuction may be the ideal solution for you.

How the procedure works

Tumescent liposuction is a newer form of liposuction; the technique uses diluted anesthetic and saline solution to fill up the skin’s fat layer before getting rid of regions of excess fat. The area swells, allowing the surgeon a bigger work area. The additional solution also facilitates the removal of fat while the inclusion of a steroid causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing damage to blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. This makes recovery from the procedure faster and less uncomfortable. With the use of local anesthesia, general anesthesia is not necessary, so these risks are eliminated.

The combination of all these factors results in a shaping process is more sophisticated and better refined.

Safe and Less Costly

An outpatient surgery, tumescent liposuction is less expensive than procedures requiring hospitalization. And since the patient is conscious, the doctor can ask that his/her position change to gain better access to areas requiring correction.

Tumescent liposuction is very safe, and facilitates deep and surface fat layer removal with minimal discomfort. Also, quick recovery, better results, and less bleeding and bruising are characteristics of tumescent liposuction. Occasionally, minor complications such as skin irregularities, lumps, dimples, looseness of the skin, infections, numbness, and scarring rarely occur and are generally easily repaired.

If you are interested in tumescent liposuction or other liposuction procedures, please schedule a Los Angeles liposuction consultation at the Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Liposuction

2009-05-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

The liposuction procedure targets areas of excess fat, removing fat to give the body more healthy, youthful-looking curves. It is best used on those individuals who are successfully following a healthy lifestyle but have fatty areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Fat is removed through a slim, pliable metal rod, called a cannula. Depending on the area being targeted the equipment and the procedure can vary, with narrow cannulae used in areas where finer fat deposits are present, and wider cannulae in larger, tougher fat deposits.

Liposuction is can shape and contour the body, creating more attractive proportions by eliminating specific areas of fat that will not respond to healthy lifestyle habits, such as diet and exercise. Locations commonly associated with liposuction include the stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Liposuction can also be the procedure of choice for male breast reduction and facial recontouring, either by itself or as a complement to a facelift or neck lift.

It is important to note that liposuction is no quick route to weight loss. Risks of liposuction increase dramatically with body mass index, so it is recommended that you begin a routine of exercise and switch to a healthy diet before considering liposuction. Also, the results of liposuction depend heavily on skin tone and if your skin is not elastic enough, you may need an abdominoplasty or other body lift instead of liposuction.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities that liposuction could hold for you, please schedule a Los Angeles liposuction consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center the office of Dr. David Bray at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Full Abdominoplasty Results

2009-05-07T15:52:00.001-07:00

The full abdominoplasty is the best choice for those who have excess skin and muscle laxity above the belly button. This tummy tuck procedure is meant to correct excessive skin and correct muscle laxity between the pubic hairline and the ribcage.

The incision is generally at the panty line so that it will be concealed while wearing many types of underwear or a French-style bikini. If you are a beachgoer, visiting us with a distinct tan line can help Dr. Bray more precisely determine the incision placement. Most patients who have a tummy tuck are thrilled with their tummy tuck results, including the new fit of their clothes.

With proper postoperative care, the scar diminishes, and becomes a very secondary concern. A two-piece swimming suit can typically be worn following surgery, concealing the scar, but showing off the new, flatter tummy.

All surgeries include risks. Full abdominoplasty risks include blood clots, scarring, infection, and reacting to anesthesia. These risks are minimized if you are a healthy individual with near-ideal weight, and you work with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, please schedule a tummy tuck consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about this and other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Who’s a good candidate for abdominoplasty?

2009-05-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

The popularity of the abdominoplasty procedure has been on the rise in recent years. However, in order to ensure a good outcome, it is important to determine if you are a good candidate before moving ahead with any procedure. This is the case for most cosmetic procedures.

Good candidates for abdominoplasty surgery (tummy tucks) have the following characteristics:

• Close to their ideal body weight (within 30%) – you many still be a good candidate if you have a lot of fat in an isolated area
• Want to remove loose skin, some fat, and muscle laxity in the abdominal area that is diet- and exercise-resistant
• Weight stable for six months or more
• Good skin tone and elasticity
• Realistic expectations
• Emotionally stable
• Understands the risks of surgery

If you smoke, have quit smoking in the recent past, or are often exposed to second-hand smoke, be aware that smoking decreases the amount of blood that flows to your body's tissues. The result is slower wound healing, skin loss, higher risk of infection, more scarring, and a variety of other possible complications.

If you are planning to lose quite a bit of weight, do so prior to your surgery. If you wish to get pregnant, consider waiting on abdominoplasty surgery since your abdomen will just become stretched with another pregnancy, and a number of women experience additional discomfort during pregnancy following a tummy tuck.

If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, please contact Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we may assist you.

Mini-tummy tuck

2009-04-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

If you have sagging skin in the abdominal region rather than a protruding stomach, a mini-tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, versus a full abdominoplasty, may be all you need to create a sleeker appearance. Where the full tummy tuck provides tightening throughout the abdominal region, the mini tummy tuck only provides tightening between the navel and the pubic region.

The mini tummy tuck procedure

A local anesthetic coupled with a mild sedative is usually enough for a mini tummy tuck. The length of the incision is generally decided by the amount of skin the physician wishes to remove; the length will usually not be as long as required for a full tummy tuck. During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon recreates the navel. This does not generally occur in a mini abdominoplasty.

Just as a mini tummy tuck procedure utilizes a smaller incision than the full tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck also requires that a lesser portion of the abdomen be exposed; after stomach muscle tightening, the doctor pulls down the skin, cutting away any unwanted tissue and securing the remaining skin in place. A drainage tube may be placed temporarily at the site of the incision.

Your surgeon may employ liposuction to refine his/her results depending on the outcome of the first procedure.

If you are considering a mini tummy tuck procedure, please schedule a mini tummy tuck consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 today.

Asian blepharoplasty

2009-04-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that 50-75 percent of all Asians either do not have a crease in the upper eyelid or have an underdeveloped crease. Sometimes, people without an upper eyelid crease feel this part of their appearance is unattractive or excessively marks their ethnicity and therefore they desire a surgery that can help them achieve the double eyelid.

A popular choice for Asians

A variety of eyelid surgery approaches can be used to create the double eyelid. These include a full-incision, partial incision and even a non-surgical method (called the DST method). Each on of these approaches can have advantages over the others depending on what the patient is attempting to achieve and the initial appearance of the eyelid. In Asians that do have a crease, this crease can be different in size and shape than the typical crease visible in other ethnicities. Surgically creating a double upper eyelid recently has evolved into one of the most widely sought after procedures for Asian women in both Asia and the United States.

Reasons Asians undergo the procedure

An added eyelid crease can make the eye seem to grow in size and the face appear more open or less tired. Make-up can become easier to apply. The vast majority of Asians who select eyelid surgery do so for these reasons, not to look more “Western” or “American.” For those who go the route of a full eyelid surgery, pockets of fat under the eye can be taken out, and the surrounding eye area can be smoothed and revitalized.

If you are an Asian interested in the possibilities of an eyelid procedure, please schedule a blepharoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we may assist you.

Upper vs. lower eyelid blepharoplasty

2009-04-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

A fairly easy way to create a more youthful look is to have an eyelid procedure, or blepharoplasty. These procedures can be done to the lower or upper lids, or to both lids.

Why blepharoplasty?

The whole point of blepharoplasty is to reduce that tired, puffy look that many of us acquire as we grow older. Upper eyelids start to become hooded and lower lids develop baggy tissue—these are the areas where blepharoplasty can triumph. Even vision problems can be corrected if the upper eyelid droops so far that vision is impaired. Sometimes, if aging issues are particularly focused in the eye area, an eye lift may be all that is needed to generate a much more youthful look.

Blepharoplasty for Asian women

Around 50-75 percent of all Asians have a single eyelid; they do not have a crease in the upper eyelid. Creating a double upper eyelid through surgery has grown into a popular procedure for Asian women.

Adding the crease seems to make the eye larger and can open up the face. Make-up is easier to put on. Asians who chose this type of surgery do so for these reasons and are not desirous of a more “Western” look.

If you are interested in exploring blepharoplasty or other cosmetic enhancement procedures, please schedule a Los Angeles cosmetic surgery consultation at the Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Tummy Tuck

2009-04-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Although liposuction is good for targeting stubborn fat deposits, it is sometimes insufficient. The full abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure typically used for patients with a large protruding abdomen due not only to fat, but also to excess skin that cannot be counted on to retract after a liposuction and to loose abdominal muscles.

The tummy tuck procedure

During a full abdominoplasty:

• The surgeon makes his/her incision from one hipbone to the other.
• In the full procedure, the patient’s navel is detached; this allows the surgeon to pull up the skin and reveal the full abdominal area, up to the ribcage.
• As the surgeon works, he or she is not limited to working in the area between the pelvic region and the navel.
• The surgeon tightens the underlying muscles with permanent sutures, trims and redrapes the skin, and incises away any remaining fat.
• The surgeon also makes an incision that allows the navel to be reattached.

Your abdominoplasty procedure may be combined with liposuction to provide additional shaping and contouring and to get rid of additional fat.

If you are considering an abdominoplasty procedure, please schedule a Beverly Hills abdominoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about the abdominoplasty procedure.

SUN PROTECTION

2009-04-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

Anthelios Sun protection products offer you advanced sunscreen protection against UVA and UVB rays. Anthelios contains the first FDA approved sun filter in over eighteen years. Mexoryl is the ingredient that offers this broad range of protection. This product is PABA free, non greasy light and suitable for sensitive and acne skin. Anthelios has been clinically proven to be safe for children over six months of age. This product is outstanding for athletes. The lotion stays stable on the skin FIVE TIMES LONGER than any other sun protection product on the market.
This skin care product
is easy to use.
Call Cathy, Medical Esthetician at Dr. Bray's office 310 534-8300 fpo further information

Blepharoplasty

2009-03-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

As we age, we often acquire a tired, bored, or angry expression that is completely involuntary. This is because of the effects of gravity and other causes of aging on the tissues of the upper face. The brows contract and the eyelids sag, and they stay that way, making us seem angry or tired even when we are happy. A relatively uncomplicated way to enhance and refresh your appearance is through a procedure called blepharoplasty, otherwise known as an eyelid lift.

What blepharoplasty can do

This surgery brings to life the skin around the eyes, and can include both the upper and lower lids. Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery works to target that tired look that can occur with aging—even when you are not feeling at all tired. Upper eyelids that droop and sag and baggy tissue below the lower lids are perfect examples of facial areas that eyelid surgery can dramatically improve. If you have both puffy lower eyelids and dark hollows under the eye, the one can be the solution of the other with fat relocation from the lower lids to fill in the hollows. If vision is impaired or obstructed by the upper eyelid drooping into the range of sight, blepharoplasty can correct this situation also.

If your signs of aging tend to be focused on your eye region, a blepharoplasty may be the answer for you, and you may not need to undergo a complete face lift.

Blepharoplasty in combination with other procedures

However, if you are looking for a completely refreshed look, many other procedures are often combined with blepharoplasty. In some cases, a blepharoplasty will not give good results without a brow lift, although in some cases Botox injections for either deep forehead wrinkles or crows' feet can provide good results.

The two forms of blepharoplasty, upper lid blepharoplasty and lower lid blepharoplasty can be done individually or together, depending on your needs and preferences.
If you are interested in exploring blepharoplasty or other cosmetic enhancement procedures, please schedule a bleaphroplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

How blepharoplasty is performed

2009-03-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

With eyelid surgery, the patient has the option of getting the upper lid or lower lid done, or having both lids corrected. The decision is the patient’s based on his/her preference.

Upper lid blepharoplasty

For an upper lid blepharoplasty, the cosmetic surgeon makes an incision is made along the upper lid’s crease to eliminate unwanted fat that creates a puffy appearance; the surgeon then tightens eyelid skin and muscle to greatly reduce the droopy, saggy look. The incision is then closed.

Lower lid blepharoplasty

Two alternative procedures exist for a lower lid blepharoplasty eyelid surgery.

Method one resembles the upper lid blepharoplasty procedure. The surgeon makes a small cut right under the lash line next to the lower eyelid. Using this incision, the surgeon is able to take out fatty tissue that causes bagginess and puffiness under the eyes. Skin and muscle are tightened to create a refreshed appearance. Finally, the surgeon closes the incision.

Method two for the lower lid blepharoplasty is called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. Patient without a lot of skin and muscle that need to be removed do best with this procedure. The surgeon makes an incision inside the lower eyelid so that the scar will be hidden. He/she then eliminates excess fatty tissues and closes the incision.

Should you be interested in an upper lid blepharoplasty, lower lid blepharoplasty, or both procedures, please schedule a blepharoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery at 310-534-8300 to learn more about how we may assist you.

Revision Rhinoplasty

2009-02-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why a rhinoplasty may need to be redone. The reasons may either be due to appearance or problems with nasal function. These indications may be a cosmetic or functional problem. Reasons for a revision rhinoplasty procedure include: open roof deformity, inverted V deformity and pollybeak deformity.

Open roof deformity sometimes occurs after the nasal hump has been taken out. Fractures of the nasal bones close the open roof. Or, in some instances, a dorsal cartilage graft improves an open roof deformity.

Inverted V deformities can occur when the upper lateral cartilages of the nose collapse. Your physician should pinpoint the deformity’s cause and plan proper treatment accordingly.

Pollybeak deformities may be caused by from unsatisfactory tip projection, less-than-adequate dorsal hump reduction, or even by scar tissue. Your surgeon can find out why the deformity exists and correct it.

Other problems can occasionally occur with rhinoplasty surgeries. Correction procedures are extremely complex and require the skills of a highly trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon.

If you are undergoing problems with your rhinoplasty procedure, please schedule a revision rhinoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about how we may assist you.

Rhinoplasty for Hispanic Americans

2009-02-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

A variety of techniques are available for Hispanic individuals who seek out the rhinoplasty procedure. Hispanic nasal characteristics vary widely and are even explained in medical literature. Distinctions include the Castilian nose, reflecting Mediterranean ancestry and the mestizo nose, reflecting Native American heritage.

Typically, the Castilian nose has a high nasal bridge and a normal nasal tip. The mestizo nose involves a somewhat broad base and a thicker tip. Of course, many, many Hispanic patients are not in either of these classifications. Since Hispanic’s nasal characteristics are so wide-ranging, a nasal analysis should be carried out before any type of rhinoplasty surgery is performed.

If, however, the nose does fall into one of the two categories mentioned above, the following procedures are generally followed. For the Castilian nose, the dorsal hump is decreased in size, and the tip is refined. The mestizo nose typically does not have a nasal hump. Instead, the mestizo nose involves techniques for shaping and projecting the nasal tip outward. Suturing procedures and cartilage grafts are employed. Cutting away excess nostril skin can also help to reduce the size of nostrils.

Should you wish to explore the possibilities of rhinoplasty, Dr. David Bray is highly familiar with assisting Hispanic individuals in this area. Please schedule a Los Angeles rhinoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Rhinoplasty

2009-01-20T14:55:00.000-08:00

Our senior doctor has over 25 years of experience performing rhinoplasty, or "nose job" procedures. This is exactly the kind of skill level and background that should be your criteria as you explore corrective nose surgery.

Rhinoplasty is a complex surgery that requires a high degree of training—even though the changes are often quite minute. Since every nose and face is entirely unique, the trick is to make a change to the nose that is still completely natural and complementary to the face, but fixes areas of discomfort, such as a hump or overlarge tip. Skill and experience are key.

As you explore your rhinoplasty alternatives, be sure to locate a cosmetic surgeon who has a specialty in rhinoplasty surgery. As with any cosmetic surgery, be certain that your physician is Board Certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. Your physician should also be trained to discuss every aspect of your surgery with you—both in terms of physical and psychological outcomes.

The rest of your facial features will appear altered by your new nose. A less prominent nose can bring out your eyes or lips; many patients are thrilled with this effect, but others need time to adjust. Make sure and speak with Dr. Bray about this before your surgery and it will help with the adjustment period.

Should you wish to explore a rhinoplasty procedure, please schedule a Los Angeles rhinoplasty consultation with the Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Rhinoplasty for African Americans

2009-01-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

Some African-Americans enjoy having the option of reshaping their nose to their desired proportion without diminishing its unique ethnic features. The African-American nose is incredibly diverse, and each case must consider the unique concerns of the individual patient.

Dr. Bray typically performs a nasal analysis and uses the results to recommend what enhancements can be made to the nose. The goal is to enhance the nose’s appearance in a way complementary to the rest of the face while maintaining a healthy nasal airway; improving the nose’s proportion relative to the face is key.

In African-Americans considering rhinoplasty, a frequent concern is that the nose seems too wide or too large. A flat nasal dorsum, wide nostrils or nasal base, and a bulbous nasal tip can cause this concern. A rhinoplasty to address this would include dorsal augmentation, or roof of the nose or bridge of the nose augmentation. The tip can be sutured to make it narrower, and cartilage grafts can be implemented for more refinement. The nostrils can be made narrower by removing nasal skin.

Some people express concern over scarring, but if an external incision is required, Dr. Bray places it discreetly, and modern healing aids and skin treatments dramatically reduce the appearance of scars.

If you are an African-American seeking rhinoplasty, we are sensitive to your needs and will work closely with you to meet them while respecting your ethnic heritage. Please schedule a rhinoplasty consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Board certification for facelift surgeons

2008-12-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Board of Facial Plastic Surgery states that over 100,000 face lift procedures are performed annually, making it a relatively common cosmetic surgery. Despite its frequency, it is still a highly invasive procedure that requires local or general anesthesia and carries with it a risk of complications following surgery.

It is critical that patients do their research and find surgeons with exactly the right medical training and experience; significant surgical ability and long-term plastic surgery experience enhance the chances that patients will achieve a great face lift outcome. Patients should always seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Select a board-certified plastic surgeon for the following key reasons:

Certification means that your physician successfully completed an educational program that the board has fully approved.
Your physician met board certification requirements that include passing an examination designed to measure his or her ability to provide good medical care.

The kind of training your surgeon received and his/her skill level are key to the results that will be achieved. Some surgeons simply have higher skill levels than others.

Should you wish to explore the possibilities of a face lift procedure, please schedule a facelift consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Facelift results

2008-12-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

You can expect that your face lift will take the clock back several years when it comes to your appearance. Your face will have a more youthful contour. You will see less sagging skin. You will see dramatic improvement in some wrinkles like nasolabial folds, neck folds, and/or the tear troughs depending on the type of facelift you had performed.

Although a facelift can take as much as a decade off your appearance, you will continue to age—doctors just have not figured out how to halt that process yet! Be patient with the healing process and know that after a few short weeks, you will be able to enjoy a more youthful appearance.

Post -Surgery Depression
Post-surgery depression is a problem for some patients as they struggle with bruising, swelling and the healing period. Full results may take several weeks to be apparent. But after a couple of weeks, swelling will go down and you will be able to use make-up to hide any remaining bruising. Dry skin can be an issue for many months, and remember, your scars will diminish somewhat with the passage of time. The majority of face lift patients will start to see improvements in their appearance and notice their positive outcomes in as little as three weeks.

Additional Surgeries
Sometimes it is possible, even advisable to have multiple procedures performed at the same time. These treatments could be used to enhance your face lift outcomes. Options that are commonly used include lip augmentation and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), both of which will help restore your youthful appearance, and will not add any additional recovery time.

Should you wish to explore the possibilities of a face lift procedure or additional enhancements, please schedule a facelift consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Facelift and face shape

2008-11-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, time takes its toll on the aging face, literally changing its shape. When you observe the face of any youthful male or female model, high, full cheek areas are apparent. The idealized face, especially of a young woman, is heart-shaped or roughly triangular.

In contrast, observe the face of the older person. It will be clear that facial fat in the cheek region has traveled to the area above the upper lip and jowl area, or even further to the jaw area—one of the most tell-tale signs of aging.

This movement of fat down the face has a dramatic effect on appearance:

The eyes look hollowed out and tired.
The folds that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth deepen.
Jowls form at the jaw line.
The facial shape is no longer a youthful triangle, but more of a rectangle.

Cosmetic surgeons know that these changes, although inevitable, can be remedied. Their face lift techniques focus on raising the facial fat that has drooped into the upper lip, cheek and jowl region. The fat can be moved back up to the cheek area where it originated. This affects the face in three key ways:

Reduces the lines between nose and mouth.
Rebuilds the full cheek area that is found in youthful faces.
Raises the fat from the jaw area, eliminating jowls.

When these steps are accomplished, the face’s youthful triangular shape is restored.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of a facelift procedure, please schedule a Los Angeles facelift consultation with Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

Face lift

2008-11-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

The medical term for the face lift procedure is rhytidectomy. The procedure involves repositioning the muscles and tissues of the face to create a refreshed and younger-looking appearance.

Today’s facelifts are a big improvement from yesterday’s procedures. Key differences exist:

Modern face lifts do much more than pull skin tightly over facial features, creating that stretched look that we connect with facelifts of the past.
Cosmetic surgery has advanced to provide a naturally enhanced appearance by raising droopy tissue, tightening worn muscles, and filling in furrowed regions
New technology has made healing from a facelift a faster and less uncomfortable process

The first facelift involved simply tightening the skin to reduce wrinkles, but in the 70's surgeons began also to tighten the SMAS (sub muscular aponeurotic system), the thin layer of muscles and nerves below the skin. This would give better and longer-lasting wrinkle reduction. Unfortunately, many surgeons simply pulled the tissue tight.

Nowadays, surgical advances have allowed cosmetic surgeons to get better results with less stress on the skin and muscles. This has led to the creation of a number of mini facelifts that can give results comparable to full facelifts with a shorter procedure and recovery time.

But technology is not the only issue. With a facelift, it's important to pick a cosmetic surgeon with the skill and aesthetic sense to remedy sagging skin, muscle and tissue while maintaining (or even enhancing) the natural contours of your face.

If you would like to take advantage of the dramatic improvements in face lift technique, please schedule a Los Angeles facelift consultation at the Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options.

The Ancient Art of Rhinoplasty

2008-03-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

The first recorded use of rhinoplasty is in India, where it was used first to reconstruct severed noses from at least the sixth century BCE. It is described in detail in the Sushruta Samhita, written by the surgeon Sushruta, a practitioner of plastic and skin surgery. The text describes many types of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including:

Reconstruction of the nose
Repair of cut earlobe
Repair of cut lip
Skin grafting

Sushruta's technique involved the transplantation of tissue from the cheek, although others used tissue transplanted from the buttocks. The tissue was shaped to match the missing portion of the nose, and small tubes were inserted to allow the patient to breathe, as well as to provide shape and support for the nostrils.

By the fourth century, Indian scholars had noted that functional results could be improved if some of the skin from the transplanted tissue were turned inside the nostril to create the inner lining. Then the procedure was modified to the use of a forehead flap by the fifteenth century AD, about the time the procedure spread to Persia and thence to Arabia, Egypt, and Italy. The Shushruta Samhita was translated into Latin in 1844, providing one of the seminal texts for the budding interest in cosmetic surgery in the West.

Since then, rhinoplasty has been reformed by the use of advanced medical techniques, but the goal is still the same: to provide people with a remedy for perceived cosmetic problems of the nose.

The Personal and Professional Benefits of Blepharoplasty

2008-02-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

Eyes are considered by many to be a window into a person's soul, and it's true that many unconscious movements of the eye can betray a person's true feelings about a situation or another person. However, as we age, sagging upper lids and puffy lower ones can give a completely false impression of how we are feeling. They can make us seem tired or disinterested, bored or angry. Giving a false impression like this can lead to many personal and professional difficulties.

A perpetually disinterested look can make our spouses or partners believe we are bored with the relationship, leading to or contributing to friction in the relationship. In our professional lives, so much is riding on first impressions. Whether you're going for a job interview, trying to make a sale, or meeting a client face-to-face for the first time, droopy, puffy eyes can make you seem sluggish, dull, or, even worse, shifty.

If you have noticed that people are saying you look tired or angry, even when you're happy. If sales don't seem to be closing the way they used to. If your resume is getting you interviews, but you just can't land that great new job or promotion, it may be your sagging eyelids are to blame. A blepharoplasty or eyelid lift can rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes, making you look as sharp as ever and letting your real feelings show. Contact Dr. Bray today to learn more about blepharoplasty and what it can do for you.