Uncategorized Archives < Bay Area Plastic Surgery

Will Your Breast Implants Last A Lifetime?

Bay Area Plastic Surgery — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The lifespan of your breast implants is a topic that should be on your mind when considering breast augmentation or breast revision. You may be wondering: how long do breast implants typically last? Do they need to be replaced after a certain period of time? What happens to breast implants over time: do they sag or ripple?

Many women mistakenly believe that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. The average lifespan of breast implants is 10-25 years. Breast implants typically only need to be replaced if you have an issue with them, such as if one ruptures or capsular contractures occur. Here, we will discuss the average lifespan of breast implants and why they may need to be replaced.

The Average Lifetime of Breast Implants

While they may not last forever, breast implants can last a surprisingly long time, averaging between 10 and 25 years. This, of course, can depend on a number of different factors, including the type and size of the implants, surgical techniques, and the natural aging process of each individual patient.

There is much to discuss over whether saline or silicone implants have more durability when talking about the lifespan of breast implants. While some experts insist that silicone gel implants last longer than their saline counterparts, an MRI is needed to detect a rupture in silicone implants, whereas a rupture in saline implants will be immediately apparent.

Why Do Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced?

There are many reasons why someone might want or need to have their breast implants replaced, including aesthetic and medical reasons.

Some of these include:

Desire for smaller or larger breasts
Less or more projection
More cleavage
Asymmetrical breast or rib asymmetries
Capsular contracture
Ruptured implants
Breast implant illness

How Is Breast Revision Surgery Performed?

At Bay Area Plastic Surgery, Dr. Leonard Gray specializes in two approaches for breast revision surgery: straightforward revisions and capsular contracture revisions.

The straightforward revisions will involve you and Dr. Gray deciding upon the look you would like to achieve. Then during your revision, Dr. Gray will do his best to utilize the same incisions as your original breast augmentation surgery. This will help prevent any more scarring in new areas. From there, he will adjust the breast pocket. Implants do have a tendency to drift down or out to the size, so Dr. Gray will correct this by reshaping and inserting permanent stitches into the existing pockets. Once the new pocket is measured, Dr. Gray will insert the breast implants, close up the incisions, and you’ll rest in a recovery room.

For a capsular contracture revision, Dr. Gray will remove capsule tissue completely and entirely. He will then place Acellular Dermal Matrix in the lower part of the breast implant pocket. He will then similarly replace the implant, as described in a straightforward revision.

Schedule Your Breast Revision Surgery at Bay Area Plastic Surgery

While your breast implants may not last a lifetime, they can still look and feel amazing for years to come. If you think it’s time to replace your breast implants for aesthetic or medical reasons, don’t hesitate to call board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leonard Gray at (628) 265-0218 or contact us online through our website.

7 Things You Need to Know About Potenza RF Microneedling

Bay Area Plastic Surgery — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0000

If you’re looking to achieve a more youthful-looking complexion, you’ll first want to start searching for skincare treatments that will help boost your body’s natural production of collagen. While topical options can certainly help, it’s the in-office procedures that can really make the difference on your skin.

At the top of the list is microneedling with radiofrequency—specifically, the Potenza RF Microneedling. Here are seven things you need to know about this procedure and why its popularity continues to grow amongst doctors and patients.

1. What Is Microneedling With RF?

Microneedling is done with a handheld device that contains tiny needles that glide against the skin to create micro-injuries, or channels. These injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process, sending an influx of collagen to the tears in the skin, which help to repair all kind of skin issues from aging to discoloration.

2. What are the Benefits of Microneedling With RF?

The Potenza device works great for repairing damaged or aging skin. Here is a complete list of all the benefits you can expect from this non-invasive skincare procedure:

Improves lines and wrinkles
Breaks apart discoloration such as age spots and sun damage
Tightens the appearance of enlarged pores
Helps control acne breakouts
Regenerates scarring left by past acne breakouts
Assists in smoothing skin texture problems through deeper exfoliation
Provides a subtle lift to loose or lax skin
Can be used on all skin tones, textures, and types: oily, dry, sensitive, combination skin
Little downtime and fast results

3. Are There Any Side Effects?

After your Potenza RF microneedling treatment, you may experience some mild redness and swelling that may last a day or two post-treatment.

4. Who Is a Good Candidate for Potenza RF Microneedling?

This treatment is generally well-tolerated by all skin tones and textures, but it’s especially beneficial for patients with early-to-moderate signs of aging. It nearly fills this so-called “treatment gap” for patients who have early loss of collagen and elastin, who want to maximize their appearance without surgical intervention.

5. How Fast Do You See Results from Potenza?

Texture results and skin brightness can typically be seen about two weeks after treatment. Though it may take around two to four months with regular treatments to see the ultimate effects of collagen tightening in more dynamic wrinkles, most patients report a significant change in their skin after the first few treatments.

6. How Does Potenza Differ from Other Microneedling Options?

Unlike previous microneedling devices with radio frequency, Potenza offers both monopolar and bipolar settings along with a much more extensive array of treatment heads that allow your treatments to be tailored and individualized to treat your specific needs.

7. How Do You Get Started with Potenza?

Easy! To learn more about Potenza RF Microneedling, call Bay Area Plastic Surgery at (628) 215-1671 or contact us through our convenient website portal to schedule your personalized Potenza consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leonard Gray. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Three Things You Should Know Before Getting An Eyelid Lift

Bay Area Plastic Surgery — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0000

The eyes can tell a lot about a person—sometimes they can tell too much. The skin around the eyes is some of the most delicate on the entire face. Because of this reason, they are also the most susceptible to early signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, droopy eyelids, and dark circles. Unfortunately, there are not many ways to easily fix these common signs of aging, nor are there many preventative measures we can take. However, there is one solution that can help restore the youthful brightness of your eyes. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can help correct fine lines and wrinkles, improve eyesight by lifting sagging skin, and restore those youthful contours to the face.

At Bay Area Plastic Surgery, Dr. Leonard Gray is a board-certified plastic surgeon and has been conducting surgical procedures for over 20 years. His most popular treatments include those of the breasts, body, and face. Due to his emphasis on patient education and his attention to detail, he is one of the most sought-after plastic surgeons in the Bay Area. When considering eyelid lift surgery, here are three important things you should know before getting an eyelid lift.

1. What is an Eyelid Lift?

Eyelid surgery, medically known as a blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the eyelid to restore a more youthful appearance to the face. An eyelid lift can also include lower eyelid surgery that involves using a filler, such as Belotero, to fill the depressions under the lower lid and restore the original contour to the lower area.

Some of the benefits of eyelid lift surgery include:

Smoothes lines and wrinkles
Removes excess, sagging skin
Improves eyesight
Reduces under-eye bags

2. Will There Be Noticeable Scarring?

As with any surgery, some scarring is expected. However, Dr. Gray’s approach only requires small incisions made into the natural lines and folds of the eyes. Once the surgical healing has passed, the incisions shouldn’t be noticeable even to the naked eye.

3. What To Expect During Recovery?

The recovery process is usually not extensive. Some swelling and bruising are to be expected, but most patients don’t experience much pain. By applying ice packs and elevating your head, you can help minimize swelling, bruising and speed up recovery. Light activity and avoiding heavy lifting are recommended for the first two weeks following surgery. Most patients may be able to return to work only a few days after their surgery.

To prepare for your surgery, be sure that you have completed all house chores before your surgery. Taking care of this in advance will give you time to rest and recover from your procedure. Ask a family member or friend to assist you to and from the hospital and at home while you recover, as your vision might be a bit blurry.

Eyelid Lift Surgery in Bay Area, CA

Dr. Gray’s reputation and results when it comes to eyelid lift surgery speak for themselves. Patients from in and around the area come to Dr. Gray for his knowledge, expertise, and passion for patient care. Restore the youthful appearance of your eyes for years to come with eyelid lift surgery in the Bay Area. For more information, contact us at (628) 265-0220 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.