Contact Us
9101 N. Central Expwy.
Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: 214.827.2814
Location

    The Positive Benefits of Having Plastic Surgery

    Author Archives: drj

    The Positive Benefits of Having Plastic Surgery

    Posted on January 22, 2015 by drj — No Comments ↓

    Physical issues can affect your self-esteem and overall satisfaction with life. Patients frequently complain that their aging faces, or their saggy breasts and tummy, instill negative feelings on a daily basis. Having plastic surgery can give you the freedom to focus on the enjoyable aspects of life.  Not only can having plastic surgery improve your confidence and self-esteem; it typically leads to positive changes in diet and exercise habits, leading to a healthier and better you.

    Choosing to undergo any type of plastic surgery can be a difficult decision to make and the internal dialogue of someone considering plastic surgery can seem more like a battle!

    “Am I just being vain?  Maybe I’m being selfish.  Will my results attract positive or negative attention?  I’ve worked so hard to reach my weight loss and health goals, now I want to look my best!  Should I go ahead and do it, or wait?  What will my family, friends and co-workers think?”

    Plastic surgery is a very personal decision and the results can be life altering.  If you’ve ever thought having a nose job or a facelift will help you feel more confident when interacting with others, or that a mommy makeover after having children will help you feel more like you again, or that liposuction may finally help you achieve the physical results you’ve worked so hard to attain with exercise and eating right, then having plastic surgery can be a physically and emotionally beneficial option for you.

    Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany studied the psychological effects of plastic surgery on 544 patients; their results are reported in the journal “Clinical Psychological Science“. .  They compared 544 first-time surgical patients with two other groups: one group was 264 people who had previously wanted plastic surgery and then decided against it, and the other group was assembled of 1000 people from the general population who have never been interested in having plastic surgery procedures.  No significant differences existed among the three groups in regards to issues such as mental health and overall satisfaction with life.

    The psychologists examined the patients before surgery, as well as three, six and twelve months after having surgery.  On the whole, the surgical claimed to have achieved their desired goal, and were satisfied with the long-term results.  Compared to those who had chosen not to have plastic surgery, the patients who had plastic surgery demonstrated more enjoyment out of life and reported feeling healthier.  They were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and found themselves more attractive.

    Having plastic surgery is a serious commitment that should be approached with realistic expectations. Like all surgery, there are risks associated with having plastic surgery.  Be sure to see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon if you are interested in learning more about which plastic surgery procedures may be beneficial for you.

     

    Separating fact from fiction: breast implants, mammograms and breast cancer

    Posted on November 4, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    When you scour the Internet, you will find very disparate points of view regarding whether breast implants interfere with mammograms, which are meant to screen for and diagnose breast cancer. So what’s the truth? Can saline or silicone breast implants make it harder to detect breast cancer during screening mammography?

    According to most radiologist, breast implants, whether saline or silicone, can obscure mammogram images. That being said, no studies exist that demonstrate a reduced ability of mammograms to detect breast cancer in women with breast implants. Thus mammograms still remain the most common way to screen for breast cancer in women who have breast implants.

    For women who have breast implants, find a mammogram facility that has extensive experience performing and reading mammograms of women with breast implants. Make sure the center knows that you have breast implants, so that they can obtain special mammogram views, in addition to standard ones, to better evaluate your breast tissue.

    Ask about the clinic staff’s experience when you make your appointment. You’ll want to know that the clinic obtains special mammogram views in addition to the standard mammogram images to better evaluate the breast tissue.

    In addition, if you have noted any changes in your breasts, be sure to tell your doctor – he or she may decide that additional imaging procedures are needed, such as ultrasound or MRI, to screen for breast cancer.

    Thus, if you are getting breast implants, you should feel confident that adequate screening tools for breast cancer are still available to you!

    What about breast cancer? Is there any link between breast implants and cancer?

    The answer is yes, but not in the manner that you probably think. In 2011, the FDA found a possible association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) — a rare cancer of the immune system. However, this connection between breast implants and ALCL isn’t crystal clear.

    ALCL can develop in various parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and skin. On rarely does develop in the breast. In fact, ALCL is diagnosed in only about 1 out of 500,000 women annually in the United States. ALCL of the breast is even more rare, as it is diagnosed in only 3 in 100 million women per year in this country.

    The FDA reports about 60 cases of ALCL among the millions of women worldwide who have breast implants. Thus, the number of patients with this diagnosis is very small. In the majority of these women, the behavior of the disease is less aggressive than with traditional forms of ALCL. With removal of the implant and the surrounding capsule, most of these women experience complete disease remission.

    Thus, although any association between breast implants and cancer is concerning, we need to keep the risk in perspective. The number of women in the general population who have ALCL is exceedingly low, and the number is even lower among women who have breast implants. In addition, there has been no correlation between breast implants and traditional forms of breast cancer.

    Thus, if you have breast implants, always remember that the possibility of getting ALCL is exceedingly small. If you do notice any unexpected swelling, pain or lumps, let your doctor know so a proper evaluation can be performed.

    Five things to remember about Ebola

    Posted on October 21, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    Over the last several weeks, the news in Dallas has been dominated by coverage of the Ebola virus. Now that some of initial fear has subsided, it’s time to become truly educated about the Ebola virus, particularly in case a new series of cases emerge in the United States.

    Ebola causes hemorrhagic (bleeding) fever and is thought to have originated in bats. Despite the recent attention it has received, Ebola was first discovered almost 40 years. Since its discovery in 1976, the virus has had 5 major outbreaks in West Africa, leading to more than 2700 deaths. Although there has been recent success with experimental treatments in treating patients afflicted with the Ebola virus outside of Africa, as of now, there is no known cure.

    First thing to remember: actual infections with Ebola are incredibly rare. Despite assertions otherwise in the media, Ebola is not spread in the air or in water. Ebola can only be spread through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who has the disease.

    Second: although the incubation period for the virus is 21 days, it is not contagious during that time. A person has to have a fever and actively be showing symptoms to pass the Ebola virus to another person.

    Third: As of today, only 8 patients in the United States have or have had infection with the Ebola virus. Of these patients, only contracted the disease in the United States, both of who were health care workers caring for a patient infected with the Ebola virus who was demonstrating active signs of infection. Also, as of today, only one patient has died in the United States from Ebola. Recovery from the disease comes from supportive care of infected patients and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola develop antibodies that allow them to fight off the infection for at least 10 years, if not longer.

    Four: Symptoms of Ebola are not subtle. They include high fever (greater than 101.5 degrees F), muscle pain, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding. Symptoms usually present 8-10 days after exposure to the body fluids of an infected patient, but can occur anywhere from 2 to 21 days.

    Five: It’s important to stratify high risk from low risk exposure to Ebola. High risk comes from needle sticks or mucous membrane (lining of mouth, gums, anus, etc.) exposure to blood or other body fluids without appropriate protective garb. Low risk exposure are brief physical contact to a patient with Ebola (pat on back, hug, shaking hands).

    Ebola is a scary disease, there’s no way to sugar coat it. That being said, public fear in the United States has dwarfed the actual magnitude of the problem. It’s important to stay calm and remember the facts, particularly if we are faced with more cases in this country.

    Do Botox and injectable filler treatments really have to hurt?

    Posted on October 8, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    Virtually all patients love their cosmetic treatments with Botox and cosmetic fillers. Who wouldn’t love a quick procedure that can make wrinkles disappear? Unfortunately, many patients don’t love the pain they associate with Botox, Juvederm or Voluma treatments. They hate the feeling of a needle entering their facial skin and this makes them dread their appointments for facial injections. Fear not! There are things your plastic surgeon can do to lessen the pain associated with injections of Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma or any other filler.

     

    Most of these adjunctive treatments rely on the gate control theory of pain to diminish the pain associated with needle sticks. The gate control theory of pain, which was first proposed in 1965 by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall, states that non-painful input close the “gates” to painful input, which prevents the sensation of pain from traveling to the central nervous system. When the “gate” to the central nervous system is closed, patients cease to experience pain. In such a manner, stimulation by non-painful input is able to suppress pain.

    466x270xGateTheory-Diagram-Combination.png.pagespeed.ic.A1lkNv2zF1

    One such treatment utilized is the Vibration Anesthesia Device. This device uses vad1vibration to produce a local anesthetic effect, effectively reducing pain associate with needle sticks. During Botox or filler injections, either your injector or an assistant will hold the device directly over the site that will be stuck with a needle. The vibration will stimulate nerve fibers, effectively blocking the painful signal associated with the subsequent injection. Because the signal doesn’t travel to the central nervous system, the patient will experience the vibration sensation but doesn’t experience pain.

     

    Another such treatment is ice. The injector will apply an ice pack to the area of injection immediately before the needle stick. Much like the Vibration Anesthesia Device, the ice pack will stimulate nerve fibers that transmit the sensation of cold. This will block the nerve signal transmitted by Botox or filler injection, thereby limiting the sensation of pain.

     

    Furthermore, most cosmetic fillers, including Juvederm, Restylane and Voluma have formulations that are pre-mixed with lidocaine. Lidocaine is the most commonly utilized local anesthetic agent used clinically. Because these fillers are pre-mixed with a local anesthetic, as your plastic surgeon injects, your face will gradually numb. This allows subsequent injections to be performed in regions of skin that no longer have sensation. By blocking the sensation experienced by the initial needle stick by using the Vibration Anesthesia Device or an ice pack, and then by utilizing a filler that is pre-mixed with local anesthetic, your treatments can become virtually pain free.

     

    To learn more about the Vibration Anesthesia Device, visit the following website. To learn more about ice packs, place some water in your freezer or visit a Northern state in the winter!

     

     

    Is there a link between marijuana and gynecomastia?

    Posted on September 15, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, is one of the most common reasons that men consult with plastic surgeons. In fact, according to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), between 2011 and 2012 there was a 30 percent increase in men undergoing plastic surgery specifically for gynecomastia. Although there are a multitude of reasons for the development of gynecomastia, one of the most common reasons is a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone circulating in the blood stream compared with estrogen.  Logically, anything that decreases testosterone levels or increases estrogen levels causes an imbalance in the ratio between estrogen and testosterone. The body responds to this by creating excessive breast tissue.

    There are many things that can make the ratio of testosterone to estrogen to become unbalanced.  Natural hormonal changes that occur with age, many prescription medications, street drugs and alcohol, certain health conditions, anabolic steroids and herbal products have all been shown to throw off the normal ration of testosterone to estrogen.

    The first association between marijuana and gynecomastia was a study performed in 1972 that demonstrated a clear link between marijuana usage and gynecomastia; this was contradicted that a smaller study done in 1977 looking at soldiers that showed no clear link between marijuana and gynecomastia. There have been many studies that show the active ingredient in marijuana can decrease testosterone levels. Marijuana suppresses the natural levels of testosterone in men. This imbalance very likely contributes to tmale breast development.

    If you have smoked marijuana or currently use marijuana, there are surgical procedures in place to treat your gynecomastia. If there has been a small to moderate increase in the breast size then UAL (Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction) most likely is the procedure of choice.  This procedure is very similar to “regular” liposuction but is aided by the use of a thermal broke that breaks up fibrous male breast tissue prior to removing with a liposuction cannula. The surgeon would use a very small incision on the breast, and then utilize suction to remove the excess fatty tissue. For men with larger breasts that also sag, a surgical excision to remove excess skin and breast tissue, as well as reposition the nipple and areola, is a better option. Healing time depends from patient to patient, but typically most patients can resume normal activities within one to two weeks.

    Botox and its role in treating cancer

    Posted on September 11, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    If there wasn’t already enough to love about Botox, now there is one more thing. As we all know, Botox injections into the face have wonderful cosmetic benefits and can make you look years younger by removing wrinkles from the forehead, crow’s feet and glabella (between the eyebrows). What you almost certainly didn’t know is that new research from Columbia University Medical Center has found that Botox may have a role in limiting the growth of stomach cancer. The research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, demonstrated that the combination of chemotherapy and Botox boosted survival rates 35% in mice compared to chemotherapy alone. Given that gastric (stomach) cancer is the fourth-leading type of cancer and the second highest contributor of mortality in the world, if the same results ultimately are shown in humans, this could lead to saving thousands of lives..

    The primary authors of this groundbreaking work have noted that, with stomach cancer, many nerves exist in and around tumor cells; this is true in both mice and human cancers. The authors hypothesized that blocking nerve signals to cancer cells could make them more vulnerable by blocking one of the key factors that control their growth. One of the treatments therefore utilized in treating gastric cancer is a surgical procedure known as a vagotomy, in the primary nerve to the stomach, the Vagus nerve is cut. Although effective in limiting nerve signals to tumor cells, it is an invasive surgical procedure with significant potential complications.

    Botox achieves its effects, even for cosmetic applications, by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Blocking acetylcholine through facial injections lessens wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. Acetylcholine also stimulates cell multiplication, thereby providing a link to cancer treatment.

    Phase two of clinical trials using actual patients is now currently being conducted in Norway. Botox can be administered to the nerves to the stomach by inserting a small fiberoptic tube through the mouth to the stomach; the procedure is relatively quick and patients can go home shortly after the procedure. Obviously, this has yet to become mainstream treatment in the fight against gastric cancer, but the obvious potential benefits are huge!

    So next time you are getting your cosmetic treatment with Botox, remember that big things are still being discovered with this amazing drug. Not only is Botox fantastic at making us all look younger, but could also have tremendous health benefits in the fight against cancer!

    Avoid potentially harmful medications before surgery!

    Posted on September 4, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    Before cosmetic surgery there are many things you have to think about. One very important thing to discuss with your doctor is the medication that you are currently taking. Herbal medications need to be included in your list of medications, as they can have many potent and unexpected side effects.

    Avoiding aspirin, NSAIDS, (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) alcohol, and herbal supplements such as fish oil for at least two weeks pre-operatively is optimal.  If a doctor has specifically put you on blood thinning medications for health reasons, your plastic surgeon will need to know this to make arrangements on taking you off.

    Aspirin is a drug that affects platelet function. Platelets are a type of cell in your body necessary for forming clots, which is important to limit bleeding during surgery. The process for platelet regeneration typically takes two weeks to replace any affected platelets. You would need to stop taking any aspirin two weeks prior to your plastic surgery procedure therefore to regenerate your platelets.

    Alcohol, especially red win,e is another substance to avoid before your procedure. Alcohol interferes with coagulation (clotting) of the blood and can increase the chance of bleeding during surgery, therefore prolonging your recovery. Alcohol can also increase your postoperative swelling as it widens your blood vessels, which in turn can cause your body to swell.

    Other medications to avoid would also include many herbal supplements. An impartial list includes Fish Oil, Ginko Biloba, Garlic, Ginger, and Vitamin E, just to name a few. Most patients do not inform their doctors of the herbal medication they are taking because they see them as safe and natural. This does not mean that they do not cause side effects! To prevent an avoidable complication that may arise in surgery, your doctor needs to know every medication you are taking. Stopping these medications two weeks prior to surgery can significantly decrease bleeding during and after surgery.

    Even something seemingly “innocent” such as cinnamon or licorice will need to be stopped before surgery. Cinnamon is a medication that contains coumarone, which is a compound of Warfarin; this is one of the most common prescription blood thinners prescribed to patients. This is just one example of a “simple” herbal medication that actually can have some major consequences.

    Obviously, avoiding a postoperative complication is ideal with any surgery, but particularly in regards to completely elective surgery. The best thing you can do as a patient is provide your plastic surgeon with a complete list of medications you take, both prescription and over-the-counter. In addition, if your physician provides you with a list of medications to avoid, read the list and follow it! This could mean the difference between an uneventful and complication-filled recovery.

    Is sleeping on your stomach bad for your breast implants?

    Posted on August 16, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    One of the biggest areas of controversy after breast augmentation concerns the optimal sleeping position. Many plastic surgeons tell their patients not to sleep on their stomach after surgery. The length of time varies, but usually, plastic surgeons tell their patients to avoid tummy sleeping for 2-12 weeks postoperatively. So what’s the truth?

    The first thing to know is this: sleeping on your stomach will not make your breast implants more prone to rupture. Although, occasionally, implants have been known to rupture after being subjected to excessive forces (i.e. seatbelt injury or mammograms), they are designed to withstand tremendous force. The amount of force required to induce breast implant failure has been demonstrated to be greater than one thousand pounds; as a point of reference, the average mammogram exerts approximately 32 pounds of force. When implants break after being subjected to force, the likelihood is that those implants were likely going to fail for other reasons. Given that, it is fair to say that sleeping on your stomach will not make you more likely to break your breast implants.

    So what can go wrong? Virtually all large breasted women or women who have undergone breast augmentation will tell you that sleeping in the prone position (on their stomach) causes their breasts to move laterally (outward) and downward. In the first few weeks after breast augmentation, while the body is forming a new capsule around breast implants, the implants shifting into an abnormally low and or lateral position could lead to a worse cosmetic result. Even worse, those results can remain permanent without revision surgery. For that reasons, virtually all plastic surgeons tell their patient to lay on their back or upright in a recliner for at least a few weeks after surgery.

    What about later? Does sleeping position matter a few months or years after surgery? The answer is a most definite….maybe! In women who are prone to breast implant malposition, or the implants drifting downward or outward, the force placed on the implants while sleeping on the abdomen may allow the implants to gradually shift in position over time. Other women, with thick breast tissue, thick pectoralis major muscles, or strong capsules around their breast implants may not experience this problem at all. The women most as risk are thin women with very little breast tissue, women who didn’t have a well-formed breast crease before surgery, women whose implants are disproportionately large, and women with “bad genes” whose tissues simply aren’t strong enough to support their breast implants while laying on their stomach.

    The bottom line: If you have breast implants, the safest position to sleep in is on your back. In addition to its other benefits, which include prevention of back and neck pain, reducing the incidence of acid reflux, and minimizing wrinkles, sleeping on your back may just keep your breast perkier too!

     

     

    Beware Black Market Butt Shots

    Posted on August 4, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    More and more women are getting plastic surgery to lift and increase the size of their buttocks. By far, the most popular method is with the Brazilian Butt Lift, which involves performing extensive liposuction of the trunk and transferring the removed fat to the buttocks. Buttock augmentation with fat, although a safe and effective procedure, is not cheap. Costs of surgery include those of a surgery center, anesthesiologist and a surgeon and, as a result, costs thousands of dollars. As the popularity of surgical procedures increase, an illegal and dangerous black market for buttock augmentation is also emerging.

    More and more case reports are emerging of women who have been injected with a variety of substances, including cement, polyacrylamide hydrogel, olive oil, tire sealant (“fix-a’flat”), superglue, petroleum jelly and industrial grade silicone. In many of these cases, patients have become deathly ill and developed gross deformity of the buttock; in the worst cases, patients have even lost their lives. Although these illegal butt shots can have dangerous consequences, patients are still turning to them given that they’re relatively inexpensive.

    Why are illegal injections so potentially deadly? These procedures can trigger a strong autoimmune response, which essentially involves the body attacking itself as it tries to eliminate the foreign substance. This can result in severe inflammation, abscess formation, discoloration of the skin, or even tissue death. In even more severe cases, these substances can travel through the bloodstream and spread to other tissues or organs, which can result in septic shock or even death.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigations says the numbers of cases unlicensed practitioners to perform illegal buttock injections are on the rise, especially in Florida, New York, California, Arizona, and Texas (see reference here).

    So what do you do if you want a bigger butt? Know that you’re not alone. In 2013, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that almost 10,000 people received a buttock augmentation with fat (Brazilian Butt Lift), which is huge increase from 10 years ago. In addition, nearly 1000 people received gluteal implants, which are solid silicone implants placed to increase the size of the butt.

    If you can’t afford surgery, do not proceed with illegal injections. The consequences can be severe. Not only is the risk of deformity very high, but the potential life threatening consequences are not over-exaggerated. Many plastic surgeons participate with financing companies that can allow you to space payments out over many months or even years, making a surgical buttock augmentation much more affordable.

    Frequently asked questions about buttock augmentation

    Posted on May 21, 2014 by drj — No Comments ↓

    In the past five years, the popularity of buttock augmentation has exploded in the United States. This is one of the most commonly performed procedures by Dr. Jejurikar; this blog is designed to go over some basic information regarding the procedure.

    What exactly is a butt augmentation?

    Buttock augmentation is surgery designed to increase the size and projection of the buttocks. By far, the most commonly performed procedure utilizes a patient’s own fat, which is harvested by liposuction and then transplanted to the buttock; this procedure is known as the Brazilian Butt Lift. Another technique, largely reserved patients with insufficient fat reserves, is buttock augmentation utilizing gluteal implants.

    What are butt shots or butt injections? Can they can be used to enhance the buttocks instead of surgery?

    In the United States, no available filler will provide adequate volume to make a noticeable difference. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane or Voluma would require thousands of dollars worth of injections to provide an obvious enhancement and do not provide permanent results. Other fillers, such as silicone, petroleum jelly, hydrogel, etc., can be dangerous and can cause permanent deformity or fatal complications. Your body’s own fat, without a doubt, is the best technique available.

    Who’s the ideal patient for a Brazilian Butt Lift

    Patient’s need to have some excess fat in order to get a great result. Ideally, excess fat around the waist or on the back and love handles can be removed through liposuction and then injected into the buttocks. The liposuction not only gathers material to use for buttock augmentation, but narrows the waist, leading to a dramatic transformation of the whole body.

    To learn more, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Jejurikar’s office at 214-827-2814.

     

    Contact

    Contact

    Our Location Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute

    9101 N. Central Expwy.
    Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75231
    Tel: 214.827.2814
    Dallas | Dr. Jejurikar

    Stay Connected

    Ready to get started?
    Request a Consult