Grand Rapids Cosmetic Surgery Blog
August 1st, 2011
One of the most common forms of plastic surgery in the United States is breast augmentation. With over 300,000 procedures performed every year, this common plastic surgery procedure should still be approached with the same preparation as any surgery.
The experienced plastic surgeons at the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan will work closely with you during your pre-operative consultations to ensure you are sufficiently prepared for your surgery. However, there are some simple steps you can take to help the surgery and your recovery go as smoothly as possible.
How to Prepare for Breast Augmentation Surgery
If you smoke, quitting before your breast augmentation surgery is highly recommended. Smoking interferes with your body’s natural healing response and can cause surgical complications as well.
Our doctors will give you a list of postoperative supplies. Be sure you have these supplies prior to your surgery to provide greater ease during your recovery period. Make sure that you have a space in your home where you can relax during your recovery. You will want to be properly supplied with reading materials like books and magazines, and movies to provide yourself something to do while you fully relax. You may want to get a friend or family member to stay with you or check in on you in the days following your breast augmentation to help care for you.
Have plenty of healthy snacks readily available. You’ll need to keep your energy up to recover, but want to make sure you are not turning to packaged foods high in fat. Protein shakes, energy bars, fruits and nuts make great snaking alternatives.
Most importantly, have the contact information for our office and friends and relatives close at hand. These will come in handy if you have any concerns or last minute needs after your surgery.
We will work closely with you from your first visit through your complete recovery to ensure you are safe, comfortable, and satisfied with your results. Everything you need during your recovery will be discussed with you during your breast augmentation consultation.
If you are considering breast augmentation in or around Grand Rapids, Michigan, please contact the board-certified plastic surgeons at the Centre for Plastic Surgery to schedule an initial consultation today.
Posted in Breast Augmentation |
July 29th, 2011
The elements, age, genetics, and lifestyle choices all have an impact on the appearance of your skin. As you begin to notice fine lines and deeper wrinkles, BOTOX® Cosmetic may offer an ideal solution. You may consider BOTOX® Cosmetic to be a procedure reserved for older people, but frequently both men and women as young as 25 throughout the Grand Rapids, Michigan area are turning to BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce the appearance of aging skin.
Proactive vs. Reactive BOTOX® Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic is able to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles including:
- Laugh lines
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead wrinkles
Results from BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can last from three to six months, with more frequent injections being common for people with deeper lines. It makes sense then to begin injections proactively, before your wrinkles become deep and highly noticeable. While BOTOX® Cosmetic can reduce the appearance of even deep wrinkles, maintaining a youthful and appealing appearance is easy with biannual visits to our office as soon as lines appear.
Waiting for injections can lead to a more noticeably enhanced look. Instead of reacting to lines and wrinkles, actively reducing them as soon as they appear can lead to a consistently beautiful complexion.
If you are beginning to notice lines and wrinkles throughout your face, please contact the helpful staff at the Centre for Plastic Surgery to see how we can help keep you looking young and attractive with BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Posted in Skin Care |
June 7th, 2011
When looking for a plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you have several choices. It may seem less expensive to choose a “cosmetic surgeon”, but it is essential to recognize why this is the case. Anyone with a medical degree can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon. Frequently, cosmetic surgeons are actually family practitioners or OBGYNs who have attended a weekend course and have begun to offer complex surgeries or procedures.
To become a plastic surgeon, years of additional training are required. To become a board-certified plastic surgeon, additional training and proof of exceptional results are required. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, even for the most basic forms of plastic surgery, helps guarantee that you are in capable, skilled hands.
Why Choose Centre for Plastic Surgery
All of the surgeons at Centre for Plastic Surgery are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Three of our physicians have been included in the Best Doctors in America listing, and Dr. Brundage as well as Dr. Leppink have been listed as one of America’s Top 100 plastic surgeons. Our devotion to quality patient care and stunning aesthetic results has made us one of Michigan’s top plastic surgery centers.
Board-certification means our ability to provide optimal results has been verified by a third party. When it comes to selecting a plastic surgeon, you deserve someone who can produce results that will make you look and feel your absolute best.
If you live in or around Grand Rapids, Michigan and are looking for a plastic surgeon, please contact the board-certified plastic surgeons at the Centre for Plastic Surgery to schedule an initial consultation today.
Posted in Plastic Surgeon |
May 24th, 2011
Weather in Grand Rapids, Michigan can vary wildly. Cold, dry winter months, hot humid summer months, and everything in between all have an impact on your skin. Skin care is essential to looking and feeling your absolute best, but what is the best way to protect your skin in our particular climate?
Skin Care Throughout the Seasons
Just like you wear different clothes to protect your body during each season, your skin has different needs depending on the weather. Looking after your skin is almost as simple as putting on a sweater, and the benefits will last for years to come.
The winter months in Michigan can have a serious drying effect on your skin, and extra moisture is essential to avoid becoming dry and chapped. During the winter, you should use a high quality,emollient lotion over your entire body. The moisturizer you use for your body should not be used on your face, however. Choose a light, non-clogging face lotion with a SPF of at least 15 to protect your face. The sun still has the potential to damage your skin in the winter, particularly if you ski or spend much time outside.
During the summer, your skin will not need as much moisture because the atmosphere is more humid. In the summer, the key is sun protection and pore cleansing. Make sure you apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during the summer months to avoid skin cancer and premature aging. Also take time once a week to apply a cooling face mask to remove dirt and oil produced by sweating.
Taking these simple steps can help provide you with skin that is soft, youthful, and healthy for years to come, but cannot reverse all of the damage caused by the elements. If you begin to notice sun spots, wrinkles, and other indications of elemental exposure, we offer several solutions to restore youth and beauty to your skin.
If you are interested in learning more about skin care in or around Grand Rapids, Michigan, please contact the skin care experts at the Centre for Plastic Surgery to schedule an initial skin care consultation today.
Posted in Skin Care |
February 18th, 2011
The choice to have a facelift is a highly personal one. A facelift can reduce lines and wrinkles due to aging, and can lift sagging areas in the jowls and neck. The decision as to the best time to pursue a facelift must be based on your personal feelings about your appearance.
If you feel that the wrinkles on your face are excessive and do not reflect the way you feel about yourself, you might decide to have a facelift procedure to restore a more youthful appearance. There are different approaches to a facelift, and the procedure that will work best for you depends on your particular needs.
A full facelift can effectively eliminate extensive lines and wrinkles. If your signs of aging are more minor, you may want to consider a mini facelift, a somewhat less comprehensive procedure often preferred by slightly younger patients. A facelift or mini facelift can also be combined with an eyelid lift or nose reshaping surgery to increase the effectiveness of the results.
A consultation with the Western Michigan plastic surgeons at the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery can help you decide which facelift procedure is best for you. During your consultation, you will discuss your aesthetic goals and evaluate your facial features. We will also show you before and after pictures of previous patients to help you get a better idea of what a facelift can accomplish.
Please contact our experienced plastic surgeons today to schedule your facelift consultation. The Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery serves patients in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Lancing, Michigan.
Posted in Facelift |
February 12th, 2011
When it comes to breast augmentation, choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important factors affecting your patient satisfaction. When you consult with a breast augmentation surgeon, asking the right questions can help you be sure you get all the information you need to make a good decision. During a consultation with the Michigan plastic surgeons at the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery, we will be sure to answer all of your questions and be sure you are comfortable with your final decision.
Some questions you will want to be sure to ask during your consultation include:
- How many breast augmentation procedures have you performed?
- What type of breast implant do you prefer to use?
- Do you typically place breast implants above or below the muscle?
- What size breast implant would you recommend for me and why?
- What are your policies regarding revision surgery if it becomes necessary?
These questions can give you a good idea of the surgeon’s experience and how he will approach your breast augmentation procedure. Your surgeon should be focused on the size and type of implant that is best for you, as well as the type of implant procedure that will work best for your goals, needs and body type.
In addition to asking detailed questions, it is helpful to look at before and after photographs of previous procedures the doctor has performed. This will help give you a better idea of the results your potential surgeon generally achieves.
To schedule a consultation about your breast augmentation, please contact the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery in the Grand Rapids, Midlands, Kalamazoo, and West Michigan area.
Posted in Uncategorized |
February 10th, 2011
For women who wish to have breast augmentation, a common question asked at our consultations is at what age will the procedure be most successful. The success of a breast augmentation, as well as the best age to undergo the procedure, is largely dependent on your individual needs, goals and overall health. However, there are some basic guidelines to help you during your decision process.
One of the main reasons your age can be a factor in the choice to have breast augmentation involves the development of breast tissue. Your breasts can continue to grow and change up to the age of eighteen, sometimes even longer. The majority of women who have breast augmentation do so during their twenties or thirties. A consultation with the Michigan plastic surgeons at the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery can help you decide if the time is right for your procedure.
In general, any adult over the age of eighteen can choose to get breast implants. Some guidelines regarding breast augmentation, though, are based on the type of implant being used. If you wish to have a saline implant, FDA guidelines state that you must be at least 18. However, for silicone implants, you must be at least 22 years old.
Please contact the experienced breast augmentation surgeons of the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery today to schedule your initial consultation. We serve patients in Grand Rapids and throughout Western Michigan.
Posted in Breast Augmentation |
February 8th, 2011
The recent rise in popularity of cosmetic surgery tourism has led many people to travel overseas to have their procedure performed. One reason people choose this option is due to cost. The cost of cosmetic surgery can be considerably lower overseas than it is in the United States.
However, there are several caveats to consider when choosing to travel overseas for your plastic surgery. While the cost might be lower, regulations and education requirements for plastic surgeons are often different. Also, the quality of the work and the safety of the facility might not be on a par with what can be achieved in the United States.
Another major issue associated with cosmetic surgery tourism is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to receive adequate follow-up care with a surgeon who is out of the country. If you experience any complications or post-operative problems, it will be much more difficult to consult with your doctor if he is not local, and a second overseas trip will increase the cost of your procedure considerably.
If you do wish to explore the options of overseas surgery, be sure to do a great deal of research about the doctor you plan to see. Evaluate the surgeon’s certifications and experience, and make sure you get personal recommendations from previous patients.
The Grand Rapids plastic surgeons at the Centre for Plastic Surgery can provide you with high quality services from highly qualified surgeons. We will evaluate your plastic surgery goals and be with you every step of the way – including during your recovery period – to ensure that you receive exceptional results in an extremely safe environment.
Please contact the experienced cosmetic surgeons at the Grand Rapids Centre for Plastic Surgery today to schedule your initial consultation. We serve patients in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Lancing, and throughout Western Michigan.
Posted in Uncategorized |
September 8th, 2010
We all aim to age gracefully, accepting what nature and life’s little moments hand us. But, while internally we fight the good fight, eventually, those laugh lines, age spots or scarring are bound to cause us to resist …if only a little bit.
If you find yourself looking in the mirror and wishing you could give your skin a tune-up, we suggest cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation.
At the Centre for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Brundage and his staff can give you a comprehensive list of skin rejuvenation options, such as: injectable fillers and BOTOX ®, a revised daily skin care regimen, and skin resurfacing procedures, such as ActiveFX and DeepFX fractional laser treatment.
While injectable fillers and a good skin care plan can hold back to appearance of lines, wrinkles and other unsightly skin flaws, fractional laser skin resurfacing targets the deep dermal layers of the skin, triggering healing responses that lead to tissue regeneration and new collagen formation throughout the entire treatment area.
There are several up sides to choosing fractional skin rejuvenation. First of all, it is a one-time, minimally invasive, out patient procedure, performed right in our office.
And, because laser skin resurfacing procedures such as ActiveFX and DeepFX are targeted treatment methods, we are able to treat specific areas of the skin, meaning there is less collateral damage to the skin around the areas at issue.
If you live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area and want to know more about laser skin resurfacing options, please contact the Centre for Plastic Surgery, today.
Posted in Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing |
August 16th, 2010
At the Centre for Plastic Surgery, we encourage our patients to do their research before selecting a breast implant type. For example, the first talking point we discuss with our patients is silicone vs. saline breast implants.
First, let’s address the safety issues. Yes, silicone has been considered dangerous in the past, but in 2006, the FDA approved a new, safer silicone implant, after extensive testing showed that they were safe for general use. Saline, on the other hand, has a reputation for being much safer, primarily because the human body can easily absorb saline solution, which is essentially saltwater.
Secondly, if a rupture should occur, silicone implants will leak and the silicone gel from inside the implant will slowly collect in the body, making it difficult to immediately recognize if there has been a rupture and harder to manage the after-care. In rupture events involving saline implants, evidence of a leak is dramatic, as the saline solution dissipates quickly into the body and the implant simply collapses or deflates.
And finally, there is the issue of aesthetics. Silicone implants offer more natural looking and feeling results, because silicone gel is more similar in consistency to breast tissue. In comparison, because they are filled with water, saline breast implants can show more “rippling”, depending on your body type and how the implants were placed.
If you want to learn more about silicone and saline breast implants, please contact the Grand Rapids cosmetic surgeons, at the Centre for Plastic Surgery, today.
Posted in Uncategorized |
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