Society appears to be less judgmental about aesthetic procedures and in particular, Cosmetic Surgery.  Botox has become a household name and thanks to Baby Boomers, Cosmetic Surgery is on the rise. According to 2 recent surveys by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), Facelift and Blepharoplasty (eyes) surgeries have become the new most popular requested cosmetic surgeries:

Facelift surgeries rose 44% from 2008 to 2009
Blepharoplasty surgeries rose 42 % from 2008 to 2009

Also, 71% of respondents think society is less judgmental about Cosmetic Surgery than it was 5 years ago and 62 percent said society’s attitude toward Cosmetic Surgery made them feel more comfortable about getting a procedure. Having work done is not “TABOO’ anymore and refreshing your facial appearance can be done in less that 2 hours.

Code =‘BVM FREEBEE!’

Yes, it’s true- visit our OC Plastic Surgery office and ask our OC staff for your “BVM FREEBEE”. We’ll hand you a FREE- Jane Iredale lip pencil, or lipstick, or eye shadow, or foundation, or blush, or powder.

(One per patient-all Freebees are pre-packaged and choices are not available. No purchase necessary. P.S.These are NOT sample sizes! The average cost is $25.00)

Breast Augmentation by OC Plastic Surgeon, Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S.

A: During your consultation we discuss implant sizes and cup sizes, showing before and after photographs to help you visualize cup size. We have different size implants that you place in your bra to help you get a feel for how your new size will look. We stress the importance of guiding you in choosing the size that is proportionate to your body.

Burr von Maur is a skilled Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

Severe breast deflation after pregnancy is remedied with Mastopexy and Augmentation (as seen here).

Dear Dr. von Maur,

I have had 3 children and my body has changed so much. As much as I work out I still have a lot of excess skin on my tummy and my breasts are droopy and loose. What can I do to get rid of all this skin and get my figure back? I am so FRUSTRATED and want something done!!!! Is a Mommy Makeover what I need?

Dear Nicole,

I am glad you asked these questions your problem is very common and not unique. We specialize in Mommy Makeover Surgery which addresses all of your issues. Your tummy can be tightened and your breasts can be lifted, tightened and enlarged if needed.  If you have problem areas that aren’t going away with exercise we can help you there also.

As a specialist in Mommy Makeover Surgery your goals can be accomplished in one operation using general anesthesia. This is an out-patient operation so that you do not have to be hospitalized. Patients are so HAPPY and THRILLED with their results.

Please call our office with any further questions you may have regarding this amazing procedure.

LIPOSUCTION SPECIALIST-Dr. Burr von Maur

Serving Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, and Orange County 

Liposuction is the second most common cosmetic procedure performed on women in the United States.  There were 287,932 liposuction performed in 2007 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Liposuction is to remove unwanted fat as well as to precisely sculpt your figure.  Removing unwanted fat from specific areas such as the abdomen, love handles, hips, thighs, neck, chin, cheeks, and arms is also know as suction-assisted lipectomy.  Many patients have benefited tremendously from the precision procedures that are performed today using micro power-assist liposuction and combining this with the superwet techniques.  Dieting and exercise are important; however many areas do not disappear unless they are treated mechanically with liposuction.  Your surgeon will provide a brochure to help you understand more fully all the nuances of this procedure. 

The best candidates for liposuction are patients who have expectations that are realistic and wish to improve their confidence and appearance and have satisfactory skin tone.  If the patient is normal weight and has excellent elastic skin tone with localized pockets of excess fat in certain areas and is physically healthy, then these would be the best candidates.  Patients with diminished skin elasticity are also satisfactory candidates if they continue to exercise and diet appropriately.  When your surgery is planned, your general health will be assessed by your surgeon and different body contouring methods will be discussed including the possibility of a tummy tuck if there is excessive redundant skin in your tummy.  Your consultation with your physician should be frank about your desires and expectations and you should be able to get the answers that you need.  The Plastic Surgeon will assist you in deciding the right approach tailored specifically for you and he will discuss the appropriateness of your needs, effectiveness of the procedure, and safety at the same time.  Your Plastic Surgeon will assist you in the appropriate judgment that needs to be made for this procedure.  You are encouraged to choose a physician who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons which would assure that this physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and has had many years of additional training, specifically in general surgery and plastic surgery.  Prior to your surgery you should avoid excessive alcohol and smoking.  Your surgery should be performed in an accredited outpatient surgical facility with board-certified anesthesiologists.  Sometimes when smaller pockets of unwanted fat are removed, local anesthesia is possible; however, for larger contouring areas it is more advisable to use general anesthesia.  The actual time required for liposculpture depends on the size of the areas being contoured.  The superwet technique assists tremendously in assisting with shaping and decreased blood loss.  With todays power-assist techniques, smaller cannulas are used and precision is much more accurate.  The superwet or Atumescent procedures are utilized routinely because they assist both in shaping and decreasing blood loss.  A small amount of local aesthetic is also utilized at the same time which reduces postoperative pain. 

himself.  The scars from liposuction are minimal and usually do not require revision.  After your procedure you will experience discomfort and most likely a large amount of drainage.  This drainage is encouraged as it is desirable to reduce the buildup of excess fluid.  Right after surgery you should expect to feel swollen and bloated and there may be some pain, burning, and swelling, and do not expect to feel great immediately after your surgery.  You must allow time and nature to reduce the swelling and soreness.  Getting back to normal is a gradual process.  You will begin walking the first day and your activity will increase as you begin to feel better.  Strenuous and vigorous impact activity should be avoided initially but as time goes by then you will be able to move up your program of activity.  You will notice an immediate difference in the way your body looks after surgery; however, over time, usually six to eight weeks, improvement increases as swelling subsides and bruising decreases.  You will find that after about three months or so your clothes will fit more comfortably and you need to be aware of the importance of healthy diet and regular exercise afterwards.  In general liposuction is a procedure which is extremely helpful and carries a high degree of satisfaction with improved self-esteem and confidence.

Newport Beach Breast Augmentation Specialist

-If you are Considering Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedure on women with 291,350 procedures performed in the United States in 2007 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Augmentation mammoplasty enhances the size and shape of a womans breast.  This accomplishes many things for you including improvement of your body contour for personal reasons and to help balance differences in breast size which may occur.  It is effective to reduce the size of breasts following pregnancy and may be used in reconstructive surgery after mastectomy. 

Please ask your surgeon if there is anything you do not understand about augmentation mammoplasty.  The mammary implants are usually placed behind the pectoralis major muscle but occasionally placed directly behind the breast gland itself.  You may increase your bust line by one or more cup size and this can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence.  You should discuss your expectations thoroughly with your physician and be comfortable with your Newport Beach surgeon.  The best candidates for Newport Beach breast augmentation are women who wish to improve their appearance and women who are healthy and have realistic expectations.  If you wish to improve the way you look, then a breast augmentation is very helpful. 

The FDA has determined that the new gel implants are safe and effective as well as saline implants.  Our preference in most patients is to use silicone gel fill breast implants, although some patients prefer saline and we use those as well.  During your consultation for your Newport Beach Breast Augmentation we discuss all the different surgical techniques and decide which technique is the best personally for you.  If your breasts are sagging, your doctor may recommend a breast lift.  You should be open with your physician and discuss all of your expectations.  Frequently your Orange County surgeon will ask you to try on implants inside your bra to give you an idea of the size you wish to become after the implants are inserted.  This is very helpful to give you a visual of the size and also to help you feel more comfortable.  Most insurance companies consider breast augmentation as not medically necessary and this procedure is generally not covered by insurance.  When you have your surgery, you should make arrangements to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center in Newport Beach.  The surgery is generally performed using general anesthesia with board-certified and experienced anesthesiologist.  The procedure takes about 1 to 12 hours to perform, and after your surgery, you will be up and around in about 12 to 24 hours or so.  The dressings are changed the day after the operation.  You are placed into a specific surgical bra and the stitches are removed in about one week.  Getting back to normal after the breast augmentation depends on your activity.  We ask that you avoid extreme impact activity such as aerobics, running, tennis, and marshal arts, etc. for about six weeks.  You can work your way up through various non-impact physical activity including walking, stationary bicycle, and elliptical cross-trainer.  It is recommended that your physician follow you regularly after the surgery for at least one year and that you comply with all the instructions.

Orange County Facelift

A facelift in Orange County is an operation which is designed to improve and rejuvenate the lower two-thirds of the face.  The usual concerns the patients have are those of loose neck and jowls, and upon presentation to the Plastic Surgeon, these concerns are expressed. 

During the consultation process, a comprehensive evaluation by your Plastic Surgeon should include evaluation of not just the neck and jowls but the entire face including the cheeks, brows, and eyelids as well as any other bothersome areas that the patient expresses.  The facelift itself is designed to firm up the neck and lower cheek area but frequently the cheeks themselves have descended along with skin of the jowls and neck and it is not uncommon that lifting the midface area along with the lower face is an exciting and useful adjunct and is usually performed with the facelift itself; furthermore, if the patients require forehead rejuvenation, this can be accomplished at the same time and is done so in many of the patients.  The ideal candidate for facelift is a patient who has realistic expectations and who is healthy and does not smoke cigarettes.  If the patient smokes, they should stop two or three weeks ahead of time.  Ideally skin tone and muscle tone should be satisfactory in order to create a younger and fresher look.  It is rare to have complications after facial rejuvenation surgery. Sometimes hematoma (a small collection of blood that must be removed) can occur.  Numbness is common in the cheek areas.  Healing difficulties usually are not a problem unless the patient has a history of smoking.  Any underlying individual medical problems need to be addressed and corrected prior to the surgery. These would include but are not limited to correction of high blood pressure.  Most facelift procedures are performed as an outpatient in a certified surgical facility with a board-certified anesthesiologist.  It can be done with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation depending on the preference of the physician and in full discussion with the patient.  Aftercare facilities are available, and since this is an outpatient procedure, it is highly recommended that skilled aftercare personnel be involved in the patients care.  The facelift operation itself is a longer procedure than a mini facelift.  It may take four hours or more depending on how many additional procedures are done.  For example, if a mid-facelift is recommended simultaneously and/or a brow-forehead lift, then this adds more time.  The reason that the procedure takes as long as it does is that there are elements of meticulous suturing and dissection that are performed in order to be precise with this procedure.  The exact placement of the incisions is usually within the hair, within the edge of the ear, and then behind the ear and into the hair behind the ear.  They are well positioned and hidden so that when they heal they are not noticeable. 

It is not infrequent that along with loose skin and laxity of the neck there are pockets with excessive fat that need to be trimmed.  This can be performed with direct removal or frequently with facial liposuction for better neck contouring.  Usually small drain tubes are inserted overnight to remove any excess fluid that accumulates with time.  Postoperative pain with facelift surgery is not common.  There is discomfort that is controlled with oral pain mediation.  Numbness of the cheeks is seen frequently but subsides over many weeks.  It is recommended that the patients keep their head elevated and cool packs applied the first 24 to 48 hours or so.  Most sutures are removed in about a week to ten days.  The recovery period of about three weeks is usually satisfactory for feeling comfortable in public. Patients are up and about in a few days.  The healing of a facelift and the diminution of swelling is gradual as is the decrease in bruising gradual.  As time passes and the swelling decreases and bruising decreases, the patients continue to improve in their appearance.  This should be thoroughly discussed with the patient ahead of time and reinforced after surgery.  Initially the patients face may feel rather different or strange but over time as facial movements improve and swelling decreases and the bruising goes away the appearance becomes more normal.  The scars from the facelift and mid-facelift are well hidden in normal facial lines and after they mature are barely visible.  Chances are that you will be thrilled with the results of your facelift.  The goal is to give you a new lease on life.

ADDENDUM: When you visit the Plastic Surgeon in consultation about your Orange County Facelift, be sure you ask as many questions as possible.  You may wish to visit the doctor a second or even a third time.  The facelift operation itself is not simply a skin operation but rather an operation that tightens the underlying deeper tissues and muscles which assist in holding the skin up and in a youthful position.  This is important because the effect is more natural and also a longer lasting result.

Dr. von Maur and his staff will provide you with the knowledge to make an informed decision when choosing a plastic surgeon.

Please check back often for updated articles on news and plastic surgery procedures we offer at our Orange County plastic surgery practice.