Month: October 2015

Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is the surgical placement of breast implants to increase fullness and improve symmetry of the breasts, or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

At the Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gregory Bland uses saline and silicone gel implants and the recently approved form – stable ‘Gummy Bear’ Silicone implant. When possible, Dr. Bland  prefers placing saline implants partially under the pectoral muscle, as there are several advantages to this. Silicone implants can be placed partially submuscular, subfascial or subglandular depending on ones tissue characteristics.

While there are several possible incisions available, Dr. Bland prefers an incision in the natural crease below the breast (inframammary incision). However, the incision can also be placed in the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple), or in the armpit (Axillary incision). Some discussion has been given on the belly button incision, however, this procedure has never been FDA approved and is not offered at the Center for Plastic Surgery in Colorado Springs.

The procedure is generally performed in the operating room of The Center for Plastic Surgery in about one and a half to tour hours with an IV sedation or General Anesthesia.

Before you decide to undergo breast augmentation, we suggest you do your homework and your research. A good source for information is the American Society For Plastic Surgeons.

The cost of breast augmentation will vary but a personal consultation will present you with options including finance options available with CareCredit.

It is important to remember that breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.  The recovery period for breast augmentation is typically two weeks to resume aerobic type activities.  As with all surgeries, there are risks, although rare, and may include a chance of infection, bleeding and breast asymmetry. Also, hardening of the breast, visible implants, and malpositioning have also been reported.

About the Center for Plastic Surgery: Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees – a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). A prominent Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bland is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Abdominoplasty, also known as a Tummy Tuck, is indicated for patients with loose skin, excess fat, and lax muscles. These conditions are most commonly present after childbirth or excessive weight loss.

Abdominoplasties remove excess skin and fat as well as tighten lax muscles creating a more youthful and firm abdomen. Although a relatively long scar results, the scar can be placed low allowing for styles such as hip-hugger pants or skirts and bikinis. If only slight to moderate laxity is present, a mini Abdominoplasty, which limits the length of the scar, may be indicated.

One of the  most common questions we hear at The Center For Plastic Surgery is if a patient is a good tummy tuck candidate.  If you can answer yest to all of these questions, the answer is yes, you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck by Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gregory Bland.

    • You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
    • You have realistic expectations
    • You are a non-smoker
    • You are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen

The typical operative time, which will be performed in our  state-of-the-art operating theater will take approximately 1 1/2 to 3 hours with local sedation or general anesthesia and recovery generally takes two to three weeks before resuming moderate physical activities.

As with all medical procedures, it is important that you do your research.  Consider your options and look at before and after photos.  Make sure that your surgeon is a board certified with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a member of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The cost of a tummy tuck will vary but a personal consultation will present you with options including finance options available with CareCredit.

It is important to remember that tummy tuck surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. As with all surgeries, there are some risks including infection, unsightly scarring, fluid collections, navel irregularities, and the need for revision can occur.

About the Center for Plastic Surgery: Dr. Bland holds two Doctorate degrees – a Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). A prominent Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bland is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.