Dr. James Barber - Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Pittsburgh plastic surgery patients have many options when it comes to the aspect of anesthesia. The options can be confusing and the thought of anesthesia alone can make most cosmetic surgery patients very fearful. Well, never fear...because we are here...to help. (Yes, that was bad.) There are a variety of factors that play a role in determining anesthesia-the patient's body type, medical history, type of procedure, and extent of time in the operating room setting. Dr. James Barber will discuss your options so that you are clear on what to expect during and after surgery.

OPTIONS

Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is typically used for noninvasive procedures. The area surrounding the treatment site is numbed with local injections. The anesthetic can be applied as an injection in the tissue or as a "block". This approach is not recommended for larger-scale plastic surgery procedures because patients are typically fully awake and coherent. We normally use local anesthesia for procedures such as mole removals, laser skin resurfacing procedures, and facial filler treatments (upon the patient's request).

Twighlight Sedation
With this approach, there is a continuous stream of intravenous sedation which allows the patient to remain "awake" throughout surgery. The plastic surgery patient, while "awake", will not feel the procedure and will not remember the experience. We suggest twilight sedation for facial rejuvenation procedures-full facelifts, mini facelifts, eyelid lifts, and brow lifts.

General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typically used for more invasive procedures such as nasal surgery, tummy tucks, breast augmentations/lifts, and liposuction. This approach places the patient in a sleep state without sensation for the duration of the procedure. General anesthesia carries some risks however in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist, these risks are minimal.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Whenever you are heavily sedated or have general anesthesia, you put your life in someone's hands. Much of that responsibility falls to the person administering the medications and monitoring your vital signs. You need to know the qualifications of the person assuming that responsibility. Their training can range from specialization after earning a medical degree (anesthesiologist) to specialization after nursing training (nurse anesthetists) to nursing training only.

After years of performing cosmetic surgery procedures like breast enlargements, Dr. Barber is well aware of which approaches do--and do not--tend to work. Our Pittsburgh plastic surgery team works with only the most capable professionals to ensure your safety. We will advise you of the pros and cons to each method and make sure you are comfortable and confident that you are in the best hands.

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, brow lift, Dr. James Barber, face lift, liposuction, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, tummy tuck

We hear it all the time-"I don't know what size breast implant to use" or "I don't want to be too big".

Implant size is a very personal decision every breast augmentation patient will have to make. Actual bra cup size is an inexact estimate of final breast size due to differences in the cup sizes of bra manufacturers. So it's not always as easy as saying "I am an "A" cup and I want to be a "C". You may be an "A" cup with a certain style/make of bra and a "B" cup in a different style/make of bra. It also depends on how you like to wear your bra (tight or loose) and the amount of breast tissue already present.

Describing your ideal cup size will aid Dr. Barber, but it also helps to look at photos and "try on" different implant sizers. These sizers are made available to you during your consultation in our Sewickley, South Side (Pittsburgh), and New Castle locations.

Most patients decide the best way to determine size is in the privacy of their own home. The most accurate method of estimating the implant size (in ounces) is to fill a plastic bag with measured amounts of water to place in your desired sized bra. You can then study the look of your new shape-in your own home, for as long as it takes, with different styles of clothing. This is a fabulous fun way to get a better idea of what your new body will look like.

Contact our office today to schedule your consultation. 412-741-1976

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast lift, Dr. James Barber, implant sizing, New Castle, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Sewickley

National statistics show that breast augmentation surgeries increase dramatically every year. We have certainly seen the increase in our office. You would be surprised to learn that many of our conservative Pittsburghers have breast implants. Because we are a fairly conservative city, our implants tend to be a little smaller so that they better fit our body frame giving us a more natural look. Now we still get our ladies in from Vegas that like them big and beautiful, but most of our patients just want a breast implant that will take them up 1-2 cup sizes. They just want to look and feel womanly in (and out) of their clothes.

Breast enlargement surgery, or augmentation mammaplasty, changes the body contour of a woman who desires larger breasts. The procedure also corrects the volume loss in the breasts after pregnancy, or to correct asymmetrical breasts. The surgery usually takes 1 hour in an outpatient setting.

During your personal private consultation with Dr. Barber, we will discuss all your options for breast implant surgery-saline vs. silicone, implant size and shape, implant placement, and incision placement. We will also discuss the best way to keep you comfortable during and after your surgery. Pain pumps are now available and widely utilized to keep discomfort to a minimum which is a great option for patients that have a low pain tolerance.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Barber. 412-741-1976

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast implants