The Benefits of Vaser Liposuction

Good news Salt Lake City and all my patients or potential patients in Utah. A new study has confirmed what I suspected all along. I have been using the Vaser, an ultrasound assisted liposuction device, for a number of years and felt I was getting much better results.

This month in the Plastic and Reconstructive Journal, an article cam out that compared traditional liposuction to liposuction using Vaser. In the study, one half of each patient was treated with traditional liposuction and the other half with Vaser liposuction. The results showed the Vaser side “demonstrated improved skin retraction and reduction in blood loss” compared with traditional liposuction.

So if you are considering liposuction, come with confidence. Know that you will get the best possible care AND the best possible results as the Vaser is my favorite tool for liposuction. If you spend time at the gym but cant get the last little definition you want, or just inherited your parents thighs, I have a great option for you. Come in for a complimentary consult.

Dr Dunkley

Old Implants

Today was fun. I removed 30+ year old silicone implants and put in new ones. All current breast implants are made with the new “cohesive” silicone, which many patients mistakenly call “gummy bear” silicone. Regardless of what it’s called, you can cut the implants in half and the silicone doesn’t go anywhere. The silicone in the implants I removed today was the consistency of honey (which makes it very hard to clean out).

So Salt Lake City citizens, choose silicone implants for your breast augmentation and rest assured they are very safe. And remember they come with a life-time warranty. It seems all of Utah (and the surrounding states as well) are under the mistaken belief that implants have to be changed every 10 years. I hope my patients get longer than that. Come see us if you want to know what your options are. Envision Cosmetic Surgery is serving Utah. See you soon.

Spring Has Sprung

This spring has been one of my busiest ever. It seems everyone wants to look their best for summer. The fun thing is it hasn’t been just breasts this year. Tummy tucks, liposuction, even many facial procedures have been in high demand here in Salt Lake City.

The most rewarding thing is to see how happy patients are with their new self. I really enjoy the a added confidence they come in the office with and the smiles they display.What could a little something do for you?

I find everyone has something they wouldn’t mind tweaking. And in some cases (like after kids) it’s not a tweak, its a repair. Come visit us at Envision Cosmetic Surgery. The options are many and the results are just fun. Envision Cosmetic Surgery is serving Utah by making wishes come true. See you soon.

Dr Dunkley

Dermapen – The Beauty of an Ink-less Tattoo!

Many things in medicine are discovered accidentally and become common. Many people here in Salt Lake City had scars they didn’t like decided to cover them with a tattoo. Obviously the scar became less visible, but also the scars softened dramatically. The quality of the skin improved with tattooing.

This led to research by cosmetic and plastic surgeons on the effects of piercing the skin with needles. I will refer to this as needling. What did the research discover? Exactly what many people already knew: The quality of the skin improves, scars became less visible, and coloration evens out remarkably from needling the skin.

Multiple devices have come to the market to take advantage of these benefits. Most were in the form of a roller. Recently a new design was developed right here in Utah, with a tip that oscillates up and down. This device has many advantages especially ease of use, better precision and less pain.

The procedure is done by applying topical antiseptic to the face then removing the numbing cream in sections while treating those areas.

Now the big “so what”. Well what does it do? The results are fabulous even coloration to the skin as well as reduction of fine lines and wrinkles (and wow does it work for acne scars). And in three days, no one will know what you have done.

Come see what an ink-less tattoo can do for you!! We look forward to seeing you at Envision Cosmetic Surgery.

Winter is here – What to do? Surgery Perhaps!!!

As I left my home this morning in Cottonwood Heights (suburb of Salt Lake City), I discovered my plans to run were going to be altered. The rain was pouring so I switched into shorts and hit the Rec. Center treadmills. I am beginning to mourn for the end of fall as it has turned distinctly cold. If you are having the same feelings of woe as out-door training becomes more difficult, perhaps it’s time to take care of yourself in a different way.

Cosmetic surgery actually picks up in November and December. Why is that? Here are a few reasons. Fall sports are over. Hence the kids won’t need a full time taxi service on Saturday. When multiple kids are involved in sports, often parents have to split up to get everyone where they need to be. Hard to be laid up in bed during weekend sport craziness. Also there are holidays these months. When people already have time off, they don’t need as much time off work for recovery.

Sounds unbelievable I know, but many patients have their surgeries so they can recover during Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. For most surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lifts, face lifts or nose surgeries, I recommend a week off work. Some even go back sooner. For more involved surgeries such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or buttock / thigh lift, I recommend two weeks off.

For those who hate to stop exercising to have surgery, relax. For all but major surgeries you can exercise like normal in two weeks.

Thus, if you want to take care of yourself in a different way (not through exercise but with a nip, tuck or augmentation) and think the holidays are the perfect time to recover, act fast. Those days get filled up quickly. I hope to see you soon.

Dr Dunkley

Breasts – Sisters not Twins

Most breasts are not exactly the same from side to side. I take measurements of the breasts on every patient I see for a breast consult whether they want a lift, augmentation, combination of both or reduction. Often patients are aware their breasts are not the same size. However, the majority of patients are surprised to learn the breasts are not exactly the same from one side to the other.

A recent study released in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal confirmed what most plastic surgeons already know. Virtually all patients have differences in their breasts from side to side. The study titled “Incidence of Breast and Chest Wall Asymmetries: 4D Photography” looked at 125 consecutive patients. This is what they did and what they found.

The patient’s breasts were photographed, loaded onto a computer and three dimensional images were made. The images were then sliced like a bread loaf to get a 4th dimensional (4D) view. Each individual slice was then flipped around a vertical axis and laid on-top of itself. The result? You may have guessed it: “Overall, 100% of the women had some degree of asymmetry (soft tissue and/or chest wall) confirmed by 4D photography.”

So the next time you look at your breasts in the mirror, remember, differences from side to side is the norm. After all, as the title says, the breasts are sisters not twins.

The Joy of Fat?

One thing in the cosmetic surgery industry that we have a love/hate relationship with is FAT! The aging process is so unfair. We gain fat where we don’t want it and lose it where its needed. Why do our lips thin out or our breasts deflate while the thighs grow and never let go.

Fat is an ideal filler. We use many synthetic fillers to reduce wrinkles or enhance lips. However, fillers such as Radiesse, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and collagen products all go away within 6 months to 2 years. And should you try breast enhancement with a synthetic filler, the cost would be outrageous. Did I mention concerns about reactions.

Fat is ideal. It is plentiful (usually), it lasts, and you never react to your own fat. Additionally, studies have shown stem cells are plentiful in fat. That’s a good thing as stem cells have regenerative effects wherever placed. Thus as a filler fat is awesome. Fats only drawback is when moved, 30-70% is absorbed by the body before re-establishing a blood supply.

The aging process has specific effects on the face, the number one problem being volume loss. Bones recede, cheeks shrink, fat everywhere (except the jowls) withers. With fat, we can reverse these effects and put back what was once there. Another benefit is there’s plenty of it meaning breasts and bottoms can be enhanced. Already have implants? Fat can conceal rippling or give a little extra fullness.

Oh the woes & joys of our friend fat. If you are having a love/hate relationship with your fat, come in and see me. Lets figure out how to help you love your fat.

Dr Dunkley

The Perfect Vagina?

Cosmetic surgery of the vagina is more and more common. Not long ago, a discussion regarding the appearance of the vagina would have been taboo. Now television programs highlight many different cosmetic surgeries including surgery of the female genitalia. Whether familiarity, greater personal awareness or advances in medical knowledge are the reason, cosmetic surgery of the female genitalia is increasingly common.

Cosmetic vaginal surgery encompasses a variety of surgeries and expectations. Not all expectations or claims are accurate. G-spot amplification, improved sexual function and increased sensation may be overstated. However, improved appearance and comfort are a reality; therefore, requests for cosmetic vaginal surgery continue to grow.

Cosmetic vaginal surgery usually involves treatment of three areas; the mons pubis (pelvic fat pad), the labia minora (inner lips) and the labia majora (outer lips).

Vaginal tightening procedures move beyond the realm of appearance to functionality. Based on a gynecologic surgery called colporrhaphy, mild vaginal laxity can be addressed by bringing together the posterior portion of the vagina.

Most surgeries may be performed with sedation and numbing medication. This means that you are breathing on your own, but you will not remember anything. Healing from vaginal cosmetic surgery requires nothing be placed in the vagina and complete abstinence from sex, for a number of weeks. When healing is complete, the genitalia show little signs of surgery.

Many women, unhappy with the appearance of their vagina, suffer in silence because they are unaware of the options available to them. As cosmetic surgery becomes increasingly common, cosmetic vaginal surgery will also become increasingly common. Several options exist to enhance the appearance of the female genitalia and despite controversy the popularity of these surgeries continue to grow.  Having repaired a number of unsuccessful surgeries, please be sure your surgeon is practiced in this area of cosmetic surgery before hand.

Plastic Surgery: A Seasonal Business?

An oddity I have noticed in my practice is that every year in the late summer & fall, my practice slows down. The first year I bought my practice, I thought I would soon be closing my doors. I have since that time realized that my business cycles (spring is the busy time when everyone prepares for summer). As summer vacation ends and school begins I simply prepare now for the inevitable slow down that are the months of August and September.

I have guessed as to the cause of this cycle. I have surmised that as the school year approaches, the last of the summer vacations are taken. Then when kids go back to school, it takes a while to get back into the routine of school and more rigid schedules. These are, however, just guesses.

If you are reading this I have two things for you. First, if you can think of another reason for the very consistent cycle (i.e. the slow down every late summer/fall) I would be interested in your thoughts. Second, I am offering an unprecedented $400 off on cosmetic surgery done during the months of August and September if you mention you saw the discount on my blog.

I offer complimentary consults. Come in and take advantage of this offer.

Hoping to see you soon,

Dr Dunkley

 

The 10 Year Myth

One of the most common misconceptions I come across during consults for breast implants is what I have named the “10 year myth”. Time and time again I am asked if breast implants have to be changed every 10 years. I can emphatically answer this question with a resounding NO.

I am amazed how prevalent this thought is. I have asked patients where they came across this information and have not found a specific resource. It always seems to be something they have heard. Fortunately, implants last until they rupture (which is very uncommon) or until a patient becomes unhappy with the shape of the breast (unfortunately breasts head south with time and may not always look as good as they did right after getting implants). I am always hopping a patient will get 15 to 20 years minimum time out of their implants.

The only time 10 years is ever mentioned is where the warranty is concerned. The implant companies are very confident in their products. They offer a life-time warranty on the implants themselves. For the first 10 years a patient has the implants, the implant company will even pay part of the surgeons fees for replacement surgery. This only applies if the implant deflates or ruptures. This doesn’t cover sagging of the breasts, or capsular contracture or any dissatisfaction with size. The warranty is strictly for deflation or rupture.

Hopefully being better educated will help patients make more informed decisions. At the very least it is helpful to know you wont have to have breast surgery every 10 years. Hope to see you soon!

Dr Dunkley

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