Implants are commonly mentioned in association with Plastic Surgery and the most common association would be with the breast implant. This would be the most common implant utilized by plastic surgeons but the most common non breast implant is the chin implant. There is a large patient population that is dissatisfied with the appearance of their chin area and frequently it is due to a lack of projection or a small chin. There are other chin abnormalities which include large chins, asymmetric chins and it may be that the abnormality has to do with the mandible itself and not just the chin. If the chin deficit is unrelated to a mandible defect or a gross problem with malocclusion a simple chin augmentation may suffice.

Chin modification or Genioplasty can be performed with or without an implant. Implants are the most common type of Genioplasty and are constructed with a variety of materials, silicone and hydroxapetite being two of the most common materials. The other chin modifications involve actual cutting and repositioning of the bone with or without modification of the main part of the mandible.

Chin modification can be performed as an adjunct to other surgical procedures. A chin implant combined with the nose surgery can often bring the face into better harmony and actually decrease the amount of modification needed in nasal surgery. Another procedure that chin surgery is combined with is a facelift. Aging is usually accompanied by some bony atrophy and a small chin implant can enhance the jaw line so often sought after by patients desiring facial rejuvenation.

Drink plenty of water

This helps to flush skin cells of impurities and keeps the skin hydrated. Oddly enough when our skin is dry, sebaceous glands go into overdrive to keep it moist.

Cleanse morning and night

People with oily skin do well with a gel-based or “soapy” cleanser. This will help clean pores and strip away excess oil. Look for a cleanser that’s made specifically for oily skin such as LHA Cleansing Gel by SkinCeuticals.

Use a light moisturizer

Many people with oily skin are afraid to moisturize but – as mentioned above – when skin is dry, glands produce more oil to coat and protect it. Daily Moisture by SkinCeuticals not only hydrates, but helps reduce the appearance of pores as well.

Exfoliate once or twice a week

Exfoliating your skin helps rid it of dead cells and encourages cell turnover, bringing healthy skin to the surface faster. If you’re acne-prone, be gentle. Over-exfoliation can cause more breakouts.

Use a weekly mask

Masks help to cleanse and tighten the pores. Clay masks are especially great for oily skin.

It is not uncommon to gain a few extra pounds in the winter. Many people are less active during the winter season, and in fact, extra fat accumulation is evolution’s way of keeping us warmer in those colder months.

We are often asked whether liposuction can help in losing that “winter” weight and reshaping the figure. What we suggest to our clientele is to first maintain a healthy lifestyle: eating properly and exercising. Once you are within (or close to) a normal weight range, then liposuction can help remove fat from those stubborn areas of excess.

Liposuction is more of a “sculpting” tool that especially helps with bothersome areas in the abdomen, hips, thighs and other localized pockets of fat.

If you’re wondering, “Is liposuction for me?”, feel free to arrange a consultation. We can provide guidance for shedding excess winter weight and improving your shape.

Here are some great makeup tips for “mature eyes.”

Less is more for mature eyes, especially when it comes to mascara and eyeliner. Applying too much has an aging effect. Heavy mascara and liner around the eye make the eyes appear smaller and draws attention to fine lines and dark circles. Instead, concentrate on the upper lids. For extra “lift” draw a subtle thicker line toward the outer corners, where our eyes have a tendency to droop with age.

Applying “light” to the inner corner of the eyes immediately wakes them up. A quick way to add light is with the Jane Iredale Highlighter Pencil (both the white and pink sides work great). Run the pencil around the inside corner of each eye and blend the edges with your finger. You don’t have to worry about perfect application when applying light.

For eye shadow, avoid colors that are too dark and make the eyes appear tired. Eye Gloss by Jane Iredale is a beautiful, sheer, long-lasting eye shadow that comes in liquid form and dries to a sheer finish. It creates a great subtle look with just the right amount of silky color. When applying shadow in the crease of the eye, keep your eyes open. This way you can be sure to extent the color onto the edge of the brow bone.

As women age, we often lose the outside third of the brows. The Brenda Christian Universal Brow Definer is a remarkable one-color eyebrow formula in a convenient pencil form. It scientifically reads and automatically adjusts to the color of your eyebrow hair follicle, providing a natural, three-dimensional eyebrow appearance. You’ll be amazed!

Take advantage of all of these products and more by visiting the Skin Care Center.

Hopefully everyone out there in blog land has been eating right, exercising and getting fit. You may be seeing the fat dissolve, but are unhappy with the loose skin left behind. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be just the ticket you need to look and feel better about your shape.

An abdominoplasty consists of removing excess skin and tightening the underlying muscle (which can be stretched during pregnancy). It is often an instant hit with those who have had this surgical procedure.

Tummy tuck is a very safe procedure, but you should still be properly evaluated as to whether you are an appropriate candidate (body mass index must be below 30) and what you can do to make yourself a candidate. You also will want to know the risks and benefits so you can make an educated decision about proceeding.

Feel free to schedule a consultation if you are considering this procedure.

As we approach the spring season, many women begin to think about how well they will “fill out” their bathing suit. Augmentation of the breasts can be very helpful to those women who have developed smaller breasts than they would have liked or for women who have lost some size following pregnancy.

You will need guidance about appropriate implant size, location of the implant (under or on top of the muscle), type of implant (gel or saline), and associated procedures (breast lift). A thorough consultation will help you to get the results you desire.

It is important for those seeking augmentation to know all of the alternatives, benefits and risks involved in this elective procedure. There are a number of physicians out there who have gone to weekend courses and claim to know all the ins and outs of this procedure. However, this type of “education” cannot replace the years of training and experience that Certified Plastic Surgeons have achieved.

The decision to proceed with augmentation should not be taken lightly. Give yourself the best chance of having the right outcome by seeking the services of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with the expertise to help you attain your goals.

We have recently been made aware of a problem with certain silicone implants manufactured in Europe and used in other countries. The implants involved are Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP) and Rofil Implants. These implants were reportedly filled with an inferior industrial silicone and have been associated with a higher rupture rate. Since the industrial grade silicone may have impurities not yet determined, it has been recommended that the implants be removed.

Implants manufactured in the United States must be inspected by the FDA, which provides assurance against such risks. Our practice has not used either of the above named implants. Countries where the recalled implants were likely available include England, France, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany and the Czech Republic.

We are happy to provide assistance if you or someone you know may have been affected by this recall.

The new year is upon us - a time when many people think about improving their body image. Although there are several surgical procedures that can help (such as liposuction and tummy tuck), there are things we can do for ourselves without going under the knife. Resolving to lose weight and get fit can be daunting. Instead, think about small steps that can lead to a healthier lifestyle and eventually a better look.

1. Start some type of regular exercise. Be realistic about what you can do (almost anyone can walk) and how much time you have to commit.
2. Stop eating foods you know are not good for you and pick healthy alternatives (like nuts, veggies and fruit).
3. Find a partner to work with who also wants to get fit.
4. Don’t let anyone derail you from your personal goals.

Remember it will take a good month or so to establish regular habits. Once you’ve lost weight and improved your health, then we are here to further assist you.

A frequent question arises during the discussion of surgical procedures and it has to do with returning to work or resuming normal activities. Surgical procedures are different in that some only involve skin and others involve deeper layers including muscle and tendons and/or bone.

We generally leave sutures in about 5 days, but there are some exceptions to this, especially in areas that involve the scalp or lower extremities. In addition to the skin sutures there are usually deep sutures placed; that is they are under the skin and these generally dissolve over the course of 70 days.

The wound strength then varies depending upon the depth of the wound and structures repaired deep to the incision. We generally consider a wound to achieve about 80% of its strength over the course of 6 weeks and this is why the return to work date is usually around that period of time if it involves repair of deeper structures or involves a lot of stretching of the area operated on.

We also ask that during the immediate postoperative period that no heavy lifting be done and this usually is for the first week and is to help prevent bleeding, which can occur with transient rises in the blood pressure and this occurs with heavy lifting or straining.

Scar maturation usually takes between 6 months and a year. We usually think of scar maturation as the loss of the redness and thickness of the scar. This also explains why scar revisions are not recommended until about 6 months to a year after surgery to allow for the scar to fully mature before considering yet another procedure.

One of the more common problems of aging is progression of visual obstruction related to the eyelid. The most common cause seems to be extra upper eyelid skin that can hamper vision or can weigh down the entire eyelid causing blockage. Other causes include a “weak” upper eyelid that won't raise completely, or a brow that has lowered enough to impede vision.

All of these issues can be addressed surgically, and are often covered by insurance if vision is significantly impaired. A simple field of vision test by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can quantify the problem and determine whether coverage is available based on your insurance company’s guidelines.

As plastic surgeons we are trained in the surgical treatment of this problem. We are happy to be of service to you. An evaluative consultation by one of our physicians can help in determining the best approach to rectify visual obstruction.

As many of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We hope that all women are doing their monthly self examinations and yearly routine mammogram screening. If you do find something suspicious you should immediately seek the help of your primary care physician who can guide you through the appropriate evaluation.

As plastic surgeons, we are fully trained in the options for breast reconstruction. The basic types of reconstruction include the use of implants, tissue rearrangement (flaps) or the use of both together. With a consultation we can help you determine which type of reconstruction is best for you. We work closely with all of the local general surgeons to optimize your outcome and guide you through the reconstructive process.

Many people wonder what does Botox® actually do and where is it most commonly used.

Botox® is an injectable liquid that will stop the motion of muscle into which it is injected. The result of this is loss of motion in certain facial muscles and therefore the improvement and possible elimination of certain wrinkles on the face. The three most common areas injected include the frown lines, the lines across the forehead and the crows feet region. The results of the injection will generally last for 2 - 4 months and will require re-treatment once the Botox® has worn off.

In many spas and practices a technician will inject you, but at Plastic Surgery of Kalamazoo both Dr. Nave and I feel that the personal touch by the physician in both educating you about your options and performing the procedure is preferable.

We would like to offer a warning regarding the use of the popular flame type devices used to ward off mosquitoes.

In the past month, we have treated three people for burns that resulted from the use of these supposedly harmless summertime products. Napa Home & Garden has recalled the Napafire and FIREGEL, which have been the cause of several burn injuries around the country.

The recall involves about 460,000 containers of gel fuel, which were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, Restoration Hardware and other stores.

Injuries occur due to the gel fuel igniting suddenly after being poured into a firepot that is still hot or has an existing flame, resulting in a small burst of flames much like an explosion. This flame burns blue or clear with little smoke, making it hard to see. The gel adheres to the skin and is difficult to extinguish resulting in a deeper burn. It is recommended that if you have this product, you stop using it and return the product to your store of purchase. For more details, click on the ABC News report below. 

Have a safe summer!

Summer will soon be upon us, and we all look forward to spending time outdoors and in the sun. Unfortunately, too much sun can lead not only to sunburn, but also to greater long-term problems.

Long-term and repeated exposure to the sun (even with use of sunblock) is associated with aging of our skin and loss of its elasticity. This will eventually lead to early development of skin wrinkling and an aged appearance. These effects can be minimized with laser treatment, but limiting your exposure to the sun is the best regimen for keeping your skin soft and smooth. A good skin care program—along with avoidance of the sun—will further improve the youthful look and quality of your skin.

An even more significant threat is the sun's role in the development of skin cancer. With the growth in the use of sunblock people are actually exposing their skin for longer periods of time, and this is leading to the rise of skin cancer. Some of these cancers can be very aggressive (Melanoma) while some are for the most part curable, especially when caught early (Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Cancers).

If you have a skin lesion that is suddenly growing, bleeding, non-healing, or irregular and pigmented, seek evaluation by a medical professional as soon as possible. Your best chance is with early detection and treatment. Better yet, enjoy plenty of time in the shade this summer. Your skin with thank you!

Springtime is often the season that women consider cosmetic procedures such as breast enlargement and tummy tucks. It is important that you are well informed as to the procedures available to you and their potential pitfalls.

There are many physicians from many specialties that are attempting to do plastic surgical procedures with minimal to no training (extended weekend course). A board certified Plastic Surgeon has done 2 - 3 YEARS of extended training, in order to give you the best chance of an optimal result with less risk of potential post operative problems. Just as you wouldn't want your cardiologist or lung specialist to have only a weekend of experience in their training, make sure you go to a fully Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for your cosmetic surgical concerns. It is important that you do your homework first before you choose your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.