Saturday, May 30, 2009

Breast Lift after Massive Weight Loss

This case was presented at the 59th annual scientific meeting of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons in Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, California by Dr. Karen Horton as part of a special Mastopexy Panel of expert surgeons.

This patient is a 45 year old woman who lost 150 pounds on her own, without bariatric surgery!

Her goals were to lift her breasts and achieve a natural shape, without implants.

A breast lift (mastopexy) was done using a superomedial pedicle technique. Additional abdominal contouring surgery was also done at the same time.

Below are her early postoperative photos at two months after surgery:

Monday, May 25, 2009

New Beauty Magazine - An excellent resource for beauty and cosmetic procedures


NewBeauty, The World's Most Unique Beauty Magazine, is revolutionizing the way people learn about beauty and cosmetic enhancement.

NewBeauty reveals the latest advances in plastic surgery, dermatology and cosmetic dentistry, while arming consumers with the educational information they need to make the best beauty decisions.

NewBeauty provides up-to-date information about surgical and non-surgical beauty solutions and must-have products, as well as the top spas and salons across the country.


Click here to see Dr. Horton's New Beauty profile.

Latisse: An exciting addition to women's beauty regimes

LATISSE™ (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for inadequate or not having enough eyelashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker.


Tips for Success — Your guide to making the most of LATISSE™

Once you know how to apply LATISSE™, it's important to understand a few simple tips to help you make your treatment as effective as possible.

Follow these guidelines for best results:

Think routine

Try to incorporate LATISSE™ into your nightly routine — for example, after you've washed your face and brushed your teeth.

Keep it handy

Store the LATISSE™ bottle near your other skin care products or toothbrush, so you won't forget to apply it each night.

Have patience

LATISSE™ (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% takes time to work. Only use it once a night, and don't overuse it, as this may increase the chance of experiencing eye redness or itchiness.

Start fresh

If your eye makeup remover leaves an oily residue on your eyelids, wipe off any excess oils with soap and water to ensure a clean surface before you apply LATISSE™.

Follow the rules

Always use the sterile, disposable FDA-approved applicator provided in the kit. Don't try to apply LATISSE™ with a cotton swab. The LATISSE™ applicator is specially designed to hold a drop and release a drop.

Don't play catch up

If you miss a dose one night, don't apply more just to catch up. Simply apply LATISSE™ the next evening and stay on schedule.

Beware of germs

Don't let the tip of the bottle or applicator contact your fingers or any other unintended surface, in order to avoid contamination.

Chart your progress

When you start using LATISSE™ solution, be sure to mark your calendar and take pictures throughout weeks (0, 4, 8, 12, 16), so you can have your own "Before & After Gallery."

Where to find Latisse?

It is available only through a Doctor's prescription. Visit Dr. Horton's website for information on setting up a consultation to discuss this treatment further.

"Mini" tummy-tucks may not fully address all abdominal issues


"Mini" abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a term often used to comfort those who are apprehensive about surgery that their recovery will be less than that of a standard procedure.

Often "mini" implies that the entire procedure will not be done - i.e. shorter scar, less surgical dissection, less downtime, etc. as compared to a "standard" procedure.

However, a tummy tuck often requires addressing the entire abdomen, from xyphoid process (just below your sternum) to just above the pubic bone.

A mini-abdominoplasty often only addresses the lower abdomen, risking leaving the upper abdomen still bulging and less tight.

Ensure your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon performs a complete examination of your belly, including evaluation of "rectus diastasis" (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles) that is common after pregnancy or weight gain.

A full abdominoplasty is usually what I recommend in order to correct the entire abdominal wall. This will ensure the best possible result is achieved, often with similar downtime and recovery to the "mini" operation.

Dr. Karen Horton and Women's Plastic Surgery is now on Twitter!

Visit me on Twitter and sign up for tweets!

http://twitter.com/drkarenhorton

Monday, May 18, 2009

Tummy tuck recovery with young children at home

Following any surgical procedure, you need to expect some major downtime.

After a tummy tuck, I generally recommend avoiding lifting more than 5 pounds for 4-6 weeks and to avoid twisting and bending motions during that time.

You will likely wear an abdominal 'binder' (light compression garment) that supports the front of your abdomen and your back and helps to protect the work done during surgery.

With young children at home, you will need some HELP!

Hopefully, a family member or caregiver can assist with activities of daily living for both you and your children after surgery for a period of around 6 weeks.

If you are considering surgery but don't have the resources or supports necessary to undertake a tummy tuck or other "mommy makeover" surgery, then WAIT until it is safe for you and your loved ones to proceed.

Safety is key when planning multiple cosmetic procedures

Planning cosmetic procedures on many parts of the body at the same time is often done:

  • To reduce the number of anesthetics given for each procedure
  • To lower the overall cost for O.R. time and Anesthesia fees
  • To have a single recovery period and less overall down-time

However, SAFETY is key in planning ALL combined cosmetic procedures!

Some procedures are complimentary - i.e. breasts and body (tummy), breasts and liposuction on on front of the body, face and neck together, tummy and thigh contouring.

I advise my patients to choose two major body parts to address at one time and to limit it to that at any one time.

Time under anesthesia is another consideration. There is no 'magic number', but the longer the procedure, the greater the overall risk.

Also, selecting procedures on one side of the body only (all on the front or all on the backside) is another simple way to limit the amount of work done at any one time.

Lengthy procedures on more than two body areas at one time increases the time under anesthesia, increases the risk complications (blood clots in the legs or lungs), fluid overload or dehydration, postoperative pain and immobility, and many others.

Lastly, consider the recovery! Ouch!

It is advisable to have some body areas functional and pain-free so that you can get around and peform your activities of daily living safely.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Feel Your Boobies!


Feel Your Boobies is a campaign targeting young women to do breast self examinations and to facilitate the early detection of breast cancer. See below for more information:

The "Are You Doing It? Reminder Campaign is the annual Feel Your Boobies campaign focused on our mission of utilizing unexpected and unconventional methods to remind young women to "feel their boobies".

Many young women tune out messages about breast cancer because they don’t believe they are at risk. Here at Boobies Central, we know that research shows that simply “feeling your boobies” (aka “breast awareness) is just as effective at identifying lumps or other breast changes as the traditional step-by-step process of “breast self-exams”. And that’s exactly why we’re here -- to give you “a friendly reminder when you least expect it”. So get feeling girls, and remind a friend to do the same.

See the website for detailed information about breast cancer early detection.

Feel your boobies!