“We absolutely treat our patients like we would expect to be treated if we were patients.” says Jamie Hill, RN of Politis Plastic Surgery
Continue readingPatient Communication is Important
What to Expect from Breast Implant Removal
Hi My name is Dr. Effie Politis with Politis Plastic Surgery. Breast Implant Surgery removal has been very popular lately, especially with all the social media concerns around this Breast Implant illness.
Continue readingDoes mastopexy reduce breast size?
Some undergo mastopexy or breast lift surgery that rejuvenates and helps restore the shape of the breasts. Learn more at Politis Plastic Surgery.
Continue readingSaline vs Silicone Breast Implants
Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Effie Politis and I just want to compare and contrast saline versus silicone implants, as we know women often undergo breast enhancement surgery to get a breast volume and shape that is more proportional to their body.
So, let’s start out with saline implants: We all know that saline is a fluid that is placed in a silicone shell. It is an “uncontrolled” type fluid, so it doesn’t have a lot of structural support. So it often causes rippling and wrinkling and it stretches out women’s lower-poles.
The advantage of a saline is that if you have a rupture or a tear, your breast will deflate and you can just look in a mirror and see that almost immediately in your body [it] just resorbs the fluid.
Silicone implants that are now in the market are medical grade and they are very cohesive, so they have a nice gel-to-shell ratio and they really help your breast tissue respond nicely. I do enjoy the feel of a silicone implant on my patients because it almost acts as one with their breast tissue. It also provides better structural support in the long term.
However, the issue with silicone implants is that we don’t often recognize a tear. This is why you have to be aware of your body. You have to follow-up with your plastic surgeon at regular surveillance intervals. If you do feel like there is a compromise, most women complain of some breast pain [or] perhaps some scarring around the implant, and we have some imaging modalities to diagnose this, please call our office or DM me on social media if you have any issues with your implants as I am a plastic surgeon with an expertise on breast surgery. Thanks so much.
What is Breast Explantation Surgery
Hi everyone, this is Dr. Effie Politis and I’d like to talk about a great article on the April edition of the PRS called contemporary strategies in breast explantation surgery.
So, what is explantation surgery? It is a surgery in which someone proceeds with removing their implants and not replacing them. I’m seeing quite a few patients that are interested in this surgery for various reasons. We all know that implants are man-made devices.
The first reason that women would opt to undergo the surgery is because of implant rupture. I tell women that breast implants are not a “one and done” device, they are a prosthetic that is placed in your body so you need surveillance and you likely will need one or several surgeries in the future if you opt for breast implants. There is a small chance of them rupturing. We can discuss more the difference between saline and silicone ruptures in the future.
Number two is Breast Implant-Associated ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma), this is a rare lymphoma associated with textured implants which I do not use. So it’s not really an issue with my practice but I do see some patients with prior history of textured implants.
Number three is breast implant illness. This is a large topic that’s often discussed on social media. It’s a name given to patients for a wide range of symptoms. The current data shows that there is no cause and effect relationship between implants and these symptoms, however, we certainly are proponents of what women want to do with their bodies. So if they want their implants removed they certainly have the right to have that done. However, the data based on long term studies does not show whether explantation surgery reliably reduces these symptoms.
The last reason women want their implants removed is for non-medical reasons like effects of aging, weight changes, pregnancy, and shifting perspective in aesthetic beauty, as we know there is a movement towards smaller breasts. So women seeking explantation surgery just need to be aware of the risks and benefits in any adjunct surgeries that can be done to enhance their breasts. We look at each woman on an individual basis. It’s a woman’s choice to have their implants removed and we consider the patient’s risk profile, patient preference as well as safety when guiding them on whether explantation surgery is the right surgery for them. I would advise you all to always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon with a specialty in breast surgery when considering these types of procedures. You can always DM me or look at my website as I’ll have more information. Thank you so much.
Subfascial Breast Augmentation with GalaSHAPE 3D Scaffold
This patient is 5’7″ and 166lbs.
She is a massive weight loss patient and had a mastopexy when she was younger.
After having 5 children, she wanted to correct the deflation in her breast and restore upper pole fullness.
She underwent bilateral breast augmentation with Sientra smooth round HSC+ silicone implants, 355cc, moderate profile.
This was a quick turn-over, 24-hour recovery breast augmentation procedure.
A massive weight loss patient who had a mastopexy or breast lift in the past likely has week tissues and ligaments that require internal support or scaffold for stable and optimal long-term results.
I had Galaflex placed to support her lower breast pole, so the implants do not bottom out.
Each patient is evaluated whether there is a need for the Galaflex “internal bra”.
Post-op photo is 5 days after.
[Tap to view in full on IGTV!]
Are you a candidate for this procedure?
Your best bet is to come in for a consultation to determine whether you are an ideal candidate, but typically, the ideal candidate is relatively healthy and maintains a healthy weight. If you are a candidate for traditional breast augmentation, you are likely a candidate for this procedure too.
For more info on our 24-hour breast augmentation procedure, check the link in our bio.
Do breast implants make you float?
Do breast implants make you float? Will it save you from drowning?
Those are some questions that a few may have wondered about breast implants at some point.
Here’s the thing, breast implants are NOT a floatation device. They will not make you buoyant, nor are they a suitable alternative for a life vest.
“Breast implants are different from the weight of the natural breast, but not by much. While fatty tissue weighs slightly less than water, saline will, as mentioned, weighs roughly the same, and silicone, slightly more. “
“The differences between the natural tissue and a breast implant are minor, and, to the untrained eye, virtually undetectable.”
While breast implants are naturally buoyant (as seen in the video), “when placed in the body, however, the buoyancy of breast implants demonstrated by benchtop testing becomes irrelevant. Post-surgery breasts are no more likely to drown you than they are to save you from drowning.”
So, to answer the question above, no, breast implants will NOT make you float, and it will NOT save you from drowning.
Now, if you know someone who says they want to get large implants to have a built-in life-jacket, you can conclusively tell them to take some swimming lessons instead. 😅
What to consider before you get a breast augmentation
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Considering breast augmentation?
Whether your reasons are for the enhancement of your appearance, correction of uneven breasts, or following a mastectomy procedure, there are several things you have to keep in mind.
When considering breast augmentation, it is important to speak with a plastic surgeon who will help you decide whether the procedure is right for you. At Politis Plastic Surgery, we will conduct a physical exam, get your medical history, listen to your concerns, consider your aesthetic goals, and offer options for how to proceed. We only recommend this surgical procedure to patients in good health who have realistic expectations. This is why the consultation is critical.
While your surgeon may use implants, fat transfer, or both to augment your breasts, the decision primarily depends on your existing breast tissue, body mass, and frame, as well as your desired body shape. The surgeon will create a personalized plan and provide you with pre-operative instructions to ensure the experience is as easy, safe, and comfortable as possible.
There’s more info on breast augmentation in our website. You can check the link in our bio.
Here is a sneak peek of our recent breast augmentation patient. Will share a full before & after soon, along with the behind-the-scenes of the procedure! Stay tuned!
What happens when implants too large for your chest/thorax are placed?
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What happens when implants too large for your chest/thorax are placed?
Implant displacement, stretched-out thin breast tissue, and asymmetry.
This can only be fixed with revision, implant exchange, implant place change, and tissue scaffold for support.
Patients, do your homework. Implants need to be sized through tissue-based planning techniques by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
The 14-step plan is then initiated in OR to prevent contamination of implants leading to capsular contracture. Otherwise, tissue distortion and collapse as well as device malposition and capsular contracture are guaranteed down the road. This ultimately leads to more surgeries and low patient satisfaction.
Interlocking Cogwheel Suture for Mastopexy
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The Interlocking Gore-Tex periareolar suture technique is used for periareolar closure to avoid postoperative widening of the nipple-areola complex.
The GORE-TEX® Suture is a microporous, monofilament suture of flexible biomaterial for excellent handling, reduced hole-leakage, and minimal irritation in soft tissue approximation.
This permanent suture helps in stabilizing the nipple-areolar complex over time to prevent widening or stretch deformity.
Swipe for a video of Dr. Effie using this technique and an uncensored version of this photo!
