January 21st, 2012 admin
Kim Kardashian & Jennifer Lopez showing off their natural curves
Butt augmentation surgery has slowly gained in popularity during the last few years. Thanks in part to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, who have added more sex appeal to the rear area, women are looking into the cosmetic solutions to help them achieve a fuller and more round buttock as well. There are two methods for this type of procedure, butt implants and butt augmentation via fat transfer. This article will discuss the latter and help you determine if you are the right candidate.
Fat transfer is a medical procedure that utilizes fat tissue taken from the patient and is reinserted to add volume to other areas of the body. The first fat injections began in the late 1890s, but it wasn’t widely used for plastic surgery until 1984, when Dr. Mel Bircoll perfected the technique in his published paper, “Autologous Fat Transplantation Using Liposuction Techniques.”
According to Dr. Samuel J. Beran of the Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York, “fat transfers for butt augmentation is a relatively modern phenomenon in the last five to 10 years. The way it works is that you need to understand that fat is a living tissue. Just like any other tissue in the body, if I remove it from one area and place it in another area with a good blood supply, most of it will survive. It lives in its new home and acts just like it did in the old location.
“With butt augmentation, I take fat from one area, usually the stomach or the love handles, and place it into the buttock region. I deposit it exactly where it needs to be in order to sculpt a better looking buttock. It gives the patient a little bit of a lift, saves time, and increases proportionality and rounds up the curve,” added Dr. Beran.
A recent post on Dr. Beran’s blog indicated that butt augmentations via fat transfers is ideal for people who have enough fat stored in their trunk or extremities to serve as donor fat. The fat is removed through liposuction, where it is then purified and re-injected into the buttocks.
Dr. Beran explains that most fat is taken from the stomach and love handles because “most patients have a little bit of fat there to remove, they’re happy to have it gone, and it further enhances the figure because it narrows the front and sides and puts the fat in the buttock.”
Between 300 and 800 ccs of fat is needed for a successful fat transfer. As noted in another post, Dr. Beran can determine how much fat is necessary based on your desired outcome. He has performed this procedure successfully for hundreds of patients ranging from those in their 20s to mid-40s. Patients who have a slender body shape with little to no fat to spare are ideal candidates for butt implants, rather than fat transfer.
Butt augmentations via fat transfers costs around $10,000 and, like any cosmetic procedure, insurance will not cover it.
So if you are one of the hundreds of women that are unsatisfied with their butt and if this procedure seems right for you, please contact Dr. Beran for a consultation today.
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January 12th, 2012 admin
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly 300,000 women had breast augmentation performed in 2010. Roughly a 40 percent increase since 2000. Thanks to the many safe options available to patients, these numbers will certainly increase in the next 10 years.
Most women opt for this surgery to enlarge and enhance their breasts, but others do it to make their breasts look more symmetrical. When deciding on whether to move forward with breast augmentation, the burning question for many women remains – “How large should I go?” Dr. Samuel J. Beran is confronted with this question more often than not during consultations at his practice, Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York.
According to Dr. Beran, choosing the right breast size depends on the individual. “It is not one size fits all. Size B is good for some women and Ds are better for others. It really just depends on what will best flatter their figure.”
Before or after your consultation, you may want to ask the opinion of your significant other and/or close friends or family. The final decision is yours, but you should try to alleviate any doubts on the size.
It is incredibly important to have an honest discussion with your doctor and find common ground so that both the patient and surgeon are comfortable with the procedure. “During a consultation, the patient and I discuss their desires and my opinion. In the end, hopefully we come to a meeting of the minds,” said Dr. Beran, adding, “It is their breasts so they get the final say, but we both have to be comfortable that the result is going to be an enhancement and not something that’s going to detract from their appearance.”
If you are unhappy with your breast size after breast augmentation is performed, a breast revision procedure is always an option. But this involves additional expense, risk, and recovery, so be sure your breasts are as close to your desired outcome as possible the first time around.
Breast augmentation is a life changing experience. Although size is important, there are many factors to take into consideration. Below are some areas of importance when discussing this procedure with your doctor.
Attaining the “perfect” breasts depends on many variables besides the size of the breast. But if size is the most important aspect of breast augmentation for you, the key is to listen to your surgeon. Dr. Beran is an excellent doctor who will guide you step-by-step through the process. With his expert advice and your preferred breast size, you will no doubt have the breasts that you have always desired.
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January 5th, 2012 admin
Fat transfers are one of the oldest plastic surgery techniques in use today. Sometimes referred to as fat grafting, the procedure uses the patient’s own excess fat tissue from a donor site on the body and re-implants it elsewhere. The first fat transfer ever performed dates all the way back to 1893 when German physician Franz Neuber built up a patient’s sunken cheek using upper arm fat.
Since then, fat transfers have continued to be relied on by plastic surgeons to help patients all over world in addressing bodily defects and reconstructing problem areas.
In more recent the times, fat transfers are being used in exciting ways for cosmetic surgical procedures. One of the common types of techniques today is called an autologous fat transfer, which involves withdrawing the fat with a syringe or tube called a cannula. The transferred fat that re-vascularizes can then survive in its new location. The process is repeated until optimal results are achieved.
Another commonly performed type is the butt augmentation fat transfer. This involves withdrawing fat from the body and sculpting the buttocks area with it, creating a fuller, curvier shape for women. Thanks to influences from Latin stars and singers like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, butt augmentations are gaining popularity as women pay more attention to their hips. Some men also choose to have the surgery to fill out their physique.
One of most attractive features of fat transfer is that it uses the patient’s own fat, making chances of rejection very small. They are outstanding ways to re-sculpt the body without using any foreign implants.
As it stands today, fat transfers remain of the great achievements in plastic and cosmetic surgery for their versatility, efficacy, and safety. If you would like to learn more about the fat transfer services provided by Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York, call the office today to schedule a free consultation.
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December 28th, 2011 admin
Dr. Samuel J. Beran and medical staff of the Cosmetic Surgery Associates of Westchester P.L.L.C. perform many cosmetic surgical procedures and always incorporate the latest techniques and technologies to best treat patients. Provided below is a basic description of our most popular procedures, as well as their average cost.
Breast Augmentation
This is usually performed to enlarge naturally small breasts or those that have decreased in size post-pregnancy. It also is performed to improve asymmetrical breasts. It is accomplished by the surgical insertion behind of a saline or silicone gel-filled implant. The implant is typically inserted through a small incision in the crease just underneath the breast or around the areola. The all inclusive cost for saline implants is $4,995, and for silicone implants it is $5,995.
Liposuction
This is a versatile procedure that can be performed in areas all over the face and body to remove excess fat. Liposuction is ideal for people who have stubborn areas of localized fat that despite diet and exercise do not go away.
A small, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through one or more tiny incisions. The cannula is connected to a vacuum pressure unit. The surgeon then guides the cannula to permanently vacuum away unwanted, excess fat. Professional fees for this treatment average $3,000.
Tummy Tuck
Also referred to as abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery removes excess fat and loose skin to create a more contoured and streamlined midsection. A tummy tuck can restore loose skin and weakened muscles. The procedure is popular with both men and women who experience dramatic weight loss. It is also a go-to treatment for women who, despite diet and exercise, have difficulty shedding all of their post-pregnancy weight. Liposuction is sometimes involved in tandem with a tummy tuck. Professional fees for this treatment average $5,000.
Breast Lift
The purpose of a breast lift is to restore the natural contour of a woman’s breasts. This is done by reshaping and elevating the breast tissue to a higher level and lifting the nipple and areola to a higher position. The surgeon removes excess skin from the lower portion of the breast and reshapes the remaining skin. Breast lifts are sometimes used in tangent with breast augmentations, depending on the patient’s needs. Professional fees for this treatment average $4,500.
Mommy Makeover
Mommy makeovers are comprised of cosmetic surgical treatments to address the physical changes incurred from pregnancy, child birth, and breast feeding. Common postnatal effects can include breast drooping, unwanted fat deposits, and a change in stomach contours. To improve these features, Dr. Beran performs procedures such as breast lift surgery, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tuck surgery. Whatever your needs are, they will be addressed in a consultation so that the right surgical approaches for you can be identified. Because the procedures performed are always varied depending on each individual patient’s needs, costs can vary widely.
Rhinoplasty
Nose reshaping alters the size and shape of your nose’s bridge and tip. There are two types – “open” and “closed” rhinoplasty. A closed procedure is performed through incisions made inside the nose. An open procedure benefits patients with more complex correction needs. With this technique, a small incision is made on the outside of the nose, across the dividing tissue between the nostrils called the columella. The surgeon then turns the outer tissue of the nose back to gain visualization of the internal structures. Additional incisions, like those in a closed approach, are made inside the nose. Professional fees for this treatment average $4,000.
Facelift
Facelift surgery is ideal for patients who have multiple areas on their face and neck that have sagging skin. If there is only or two areas with heavy wrinkles or lines, injectable treatments such as Botox ® or Juvederm ® could be a better option. Otherwise, a facelift addresses many areas of the face and provides a strikingly youthful appearance.
Incisions are made discreetly below the hair line and follow the natural facial contours down to the ears. This is done in order to be easily concealed by hair and makeup. Typically, the layers of facial tissues are then tightened through lifting and repositioning the skin. In some less extensive procedures, sometimes called a “mini lift,” the tightening is minimal and is designed to get rid of early folds and jowls. Professional fees for this treatment average $6,500.
If you are interested in any of the above procedures, contact the Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York. Consultations are free and will help you determine which procedure is right for you.
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December 20th, 2011 admin
Everyone has heard the term “plastic surgery” and most probably feel that they understand what it means. The first things that come to mind are most likely breast implants, Botox, and Hollywood, given the reputation that those two words have gained through the mainstream media.
However, it may surprise you to find that plastic surgery isn’t quite what you think it is. By nature, plastic surgery is a restorative practice that is dedicated to the reparation and reconstruction of facial and bodily defects. Many things can cause physical defects, such as birth disorders, vehicular or work accidents, burns, and diseases.
So what about the purely aesthetic surgical procedures, such as breast implants or Botox? There is a term for these as well: cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing patients’ appearances through surgical and medical means. For example, breast implants are surgical, whereas Botox injections are medical. Cosmetic surgery can be performed all over the face and body.
One of the other key differences between cosmetic and plastic surgery is in the training that the doctors and surgeons receive. There are specific residency programs designed to train plastic surgeons in the United States. Cosmetic surgeons, on the other hand, have no specific related residency program. Instead, they serve their residency in a wide range of other medical branches, with common examples including dermatology, otolaryngology, general surgery, and plastic surgery. Some training for cosmetic surgery may or may not be included in the training for other medical disciplines. Typically, cosmetic surgeons receive training post-residency.
For this reason, it is important to be aware of your doctor or surgeon’s experience and training regarding your particular medical needs. Dr. Beran is a surgeon who has extensive experience with both disciplines. He is board certified by American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery. His work has led him to receive honors such as the Certificate of Advanced Education in Cosmetic Surgery, and he is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
For more information regarding the difference between a cosmetic and plastic surgeon, and are interested in a procedure, contact Dr. Beran at his New York, Harrison, or Mount Kisco office today, Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York, to schedule a consultation.
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December 13th, 2011 admin
More women today, and even some men, are opting to have butt implant surgery to increase the shape of their buttocks to enhance their figure or physique. This is especially true for athletic and thin-framed people who are having difficulty achieving greater shape due to their build. The choice to get implant surgery has also gained popularity among women thanks in part to Latin influences where there is greater physical emphasis on the hips.
Butt implants are made of silicone and usually inserted beneath the fibrous lining that encases buttock muscles, called the fascia. They can also be placed in the intramuscularplane, which is typical for thin patients with little body fat. They are generally available in four styles. Style 3 is the most common due to the fact that it is a round, non-directional implant. It is also easy to work with in that it can be placed under the fascia as well as in the intra-muscular plane. These implants provide increased projection uniformly around the buttocks. And as non-directional implants, the issue of any movement or shifting is virtually eliminated.
Styles 1 and 2 are more oval in shape and are directional implants. These are placed behind the fascia and unlike circular Style 3, have to be specifically oriented by your surgeon to best suit your body’s needs. Style 2 is wider and more circular than Style 1.
Style 4 implants are completely unique to the individual, are custom-made, and have no prototypical shape.
Each style of butt implant varies in its dimensions. Depending on your body type, your desired look, and what the surgeon feels is appropriate, the Style that is best for you will be chosen based upon its ability to give you the most natural appearance.
If you are interested in receiving butt implants and would like to know which style would be best for you, contact Cosmetic Surgery Associates of New York today to schedule a free consultation.
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November 30th, 2011 admin
Men and women now have many cosmetic options when it comes to maintaining a youthful facial appearance; however, they are often unsure which treatment will best meet their aesthetic needs. So, if you’re trying to figure out which procedure is best for you, here are some criteria to consider:
Dermal fillers are much less expensive than a facelift, not to mention requires far less procedural and recovery time. Consequently, patients who would like to receive dermal filler treatment, such as Juvederm® or Restylane® (both derive from hyaluronic acid, which is naturally occurring in the body) will require continuous treatment sessions in order to preserve the results – effects are temporary. Facelift surgery, on the other hand, are permanent and also more comprehensive.
Take a look at your face in the mirror and consider the parts that have an adequate amount of mobility. Notice anything around the mouth? That’s right, there’s a lot of muscle here and not a lot of fat. This will naturally lead to gradual wrinkling and line formation. If you are simply looking to improve your lips or areas above and below them, then fillers may be the way to go. Another facial area full of muscles that does not have a lot of fat is the forehead. This is a very common area for Botox ® treatment, because this type of injectable is designed to block the muscle movement that causes wrinkles to form. The areas around the eyes are certainly prone to wrinkles as well, due to the constant use and contraction of muscles. Like all parts of the face, age plays a significant role in its wrinkle development. Botox injections commonly target the forehead area for a smoother appearance.
Now, consider some other parts of the face. Look at your cheeks, jowls, and neck. These areas contain much more fat that than those listed above and are affected primarily by age. There is nothing we can do about decreasing facial fat with age; it is just one of the facts of life. For patients who have multiple issues in these areas, and have some wrinkles they would like to address in the more mobile facial regions as well, a facelift may be the way to go. As said before, it is more comprehensive than injectables and is best for patients who have several issues they want to address.
If you would like to discuss your concerns with Dr. Beran, feel free to call his office and schedule a consultation. We will be happy to help you make the best decision between Botox, Restylane, & Juvederm.
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November 23rd, 2011 admin
It is no secret that one of the most highly-targeted areas of the body in cosmetic plastic surgery is the stomach. Everyone wants a flat mid-section, and while diet and exercise are the healthiest ways to achieve this goal, some people may need a little extra help. Listed below are a few considerations to determine if now is the ideal time to undergo a tummy tuck.
First of all, it is important to know what a tummy tuck can accomplish. This cosmetic procedure removes excess fat and skin in the abdominal region, as well as tightens weakened stomach muscles. It is one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the country; the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report that approximately 150,000 tummy tucks were performed in 2010.
One of the major reasons women opt for a tummy tuck is to reduce the excess skin left over from pregnancy. Other reasons that both men and women seek a tummy tuck are to address sagging skin from aging, post-surgical conditions, and the excess skin after significant weight loss.
For these reasons, if you plan on losing more weight or becoming pregnant, it may not be the best time to undergo tummy tuck surgery. Other factors that may qualify you as a good candidate: You do not smoke, are at a stable weight, and are committed to a balanced diet and exercise regimen.
It is important to also emphasize that a tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss; rather, it is designed to help reshape an already physically healthy body. As always, consult a qualified surgeon to make sure a tummy tuck is a good option for you at this time in your life.
If you are interested in undergoing abdominoplasty or have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Beran to schedule a consultation.
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November 15th, 2011 admin
One of the most common plastic surgery procedures is also one of the oldest: breast augmentation. Since their invention 50 years ago, silicone implants have been carefully studied and refined. Now in their fifth generation, they are safer and produce better results than ever.
In 1961, Dow Corning researchers Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow created the first implant. It was a rubber shell filled with silicone gel. They were firm to the touch and certainly did not have the kind of give and flexibility that implants have today. Another difference was how they were implanted. It was believed then that implants had to be attached to breast tissue in order to stay in place. In the early stages, a silicone mesh was fixed to the implant, but was soon discontinued. As the years went by, the shell gradually became thinner and less bulky.
It was not until the 1970s that the second generation of implants came to be. These were thinner yet and contained more liquid silicone filling. The evolution of the product was there, but this was a problematic time for the still new technology as these implants was said top rupture easily and leak silicone. This lead to many lawsuits against Dow Corning, not to mention quite a bit of controversy over the safety of the procedure. The FDA even banned the implants’ use for 14 years.
In the early 1980s, manufacturing improvements brought the implant back in improved and safer form. Third generation implants’ cover material was reinforced with silica to help against silicone leaking. The fourth generation followed soon thereafter in the mid-1980s with the focus centering on the implants’ filling. Thicker, silicone gel filing finally put implants back on the map and these fourth generation versions regained FDA approval in 2006.
Today, there is a fifth generation of implant that is better than ever. The silicone material is not only thick and cohesive, it’s formally more stable. The gel these days is a hybrid material that’s solid in shape but has enough softness to give the implants a more natural give and feel. The implants have a bounce to the touch and when cut open, they not only retain their shape, but do not leak.
If you are considering getting breast implants, call Dr. Beran’s office to schedule a consultation.
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November 7th, 2011 admin
Today’s market for wrinkle-fighting injectables is greater than ever thanks in part to the wild popularity of Botox, which has been administered nearly 12 million times in the United States since 2002.
Botox is quite unique compared to other injectables; it is an FDA-approved botulinum toxin that is injected into a particular facial muscle to block the nerve impulses that contract, and naturally create wrinkles. Extremely effective, its results can last from three to six months. Regular follow-up treatments are required to preserve the outcome.
While Botox has proven to be very safe for the majority of patients, another type of injectable may be a better fit for you. Two popular and safe alternatives are Juvederm® and Restylane®. Unlike Botox, these injectables are dermal fillers, meaning that they are injected just beneath the skin to “fill” certain areas of the face in order to reduce lines and wrinkles. They are sometimes used to help smooth out scars as well. Both Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin, making these injectables resistant to rejection. Additionally, both products last longer than Botox at six months to a year.
Because Juvederm and Restylane are both similar in make-up, cost, and duration of results, it is best to speak with a qualified specialist to see which filler is right for you. Some doctors report minor differences, such as how Juvederm more readily diffuses into the skin tissues. Because Restylane does not diffuse as quickly, it can be argued that it is easier to mold into facial areas.
Each of these three products is leading the way when it comes to fighting aging and sending wrinkles back in time. If you would like to learn more about Botox, Juvederm, and Restylane, please contact the office of Dr. Beran to schedule a consultation.
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