Dr. James Barber - Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Plastic surgery and vanity wrongly and unfairly go hand in hand. Quite the opposite is true, actually. Mariam Webster's definition of vanity is: inflated pride in oneself or one's appearance. Cosmetic surgery candidates typically lack pride in their appearance and suffer with low self-esteem. I am always quick to correct a patient that walks into the office saying "I am so vain for wanting a breast lift", for example.

When patients reach out to Dr. Barber, it is usually because they have a deep desire to feel better about themselves, which is NOT vanity. Desire for self improvement is a natural impulse, and typically people who seek plastic surgery are simply unhappy about an aspect of their appearance.

Pittsburgh plastic surgery encourages and promotes a strong, positive self-image. It can be a rewarding choice if done for the right reasons. Let's be realistic. Wanting to look like Angelina Jolie is neither healthy nor realistic. Examine the reasons behind your decision. Why do you want surgery? Are you doing it to please someone else? Are you doing it in hopes of changing your life? Improving your appearance could help promote a positive change in many areas of your life, but you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you think it will change your life as a whole.

Many patients tell us they want to look younger because they feel young on the inside and they want the outside to reflect it.
Other positive motivations may be:

• Look younger for personal/professional reasons. (Example: stay competitive in the workplace.)
• Change a feature that they have never liked. (Example: Pittsburgh rhinoplasty)
• Finally get what nature forgot. (Example: Pittsburgh breast implants)
• Repair damage from weight loss/gain or pregnancy. (Example: Pittsburgh tummy tuck)

It is Dr. Barber's job to help potential Pittsburgh plastic surgery patients examine and understand their motivations. Speak openly and honestly with your surgeon. Honesty and a healthy perspective will lead to a realistic and successful experience.

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

Labels: breast implants, breast lift, Dr. James Barber, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck

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

Many patients are not bothered JUST by a small breast size, but more by a body that is not proportional. A common concern is clothing that does not fit properly because the lower body is a different size from the upper body. We hear it all the time in our office. The top doesn't match the bottom--I have a dress that fits perfectly at the top but is too snug at the bottom. Most women desire an attractive silhouette that is balanced. Dr. James Barber, a Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, will help you achieve your goals.

Dr. Barber likes to look at the body as a whole, beyond breast volume and cc's, for a natural looking, balanced result. Liposuction can de-emphasize common problem areas resulting in a slimmer dramatically more proportional look while enhancing the curvier results of breast augmentation.

Problem areas that may benefit from liposuction:

Abdomen-a flatter abdomen enhances the results of a breast augmentation.

Saddlebags-wide outer thighs take away from even the perkiest of breasts and can make the body appear larger. Smoothing out these areas elongates the legs and brings the focus upwards.

Upper back-dreaded back fat effects women of all sizes. Correction to this area will help improve the look of your upper torso allowing you to wear slimmer more form-flattering clothing.

Flanks and buttocks-fatty deposits on the flanks and buttocks gives your body a pear shape. A slimmer lower body emphasizes a smaller waist and a fuller bust.

To discuss your Pittsburgh cosmetic surgery options in a personal private consultation, contact our office today. 412-741-1976

Labels: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast implants, Dr. James Barber, liposuction, pittsburgh cosmetic surgery, Pittsburgh plastic surgeon