Procedures

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Breast Implant Sizes

Breast Implant Specifications, Sizes, & Dimensions

There are many different types of breast implants available in the United States. Only two companies, Mentor Corp. and Allergan, have received FDA approval for their implants.

Implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures. There are silicone, saline, smooth breast implants, textured breast implants, round breast implants, anatomical breast implants. There are various “profiles”, such as moderate profile, high profile, and low profile breast implants (this is how ‘tall’ it would be if you looked at it sitting on a table. You will want to familiarize yourself with the options available so that you can get an idea of what type of implant you want.

Some surgeons have a preference for a certain type of breast implant, such as smooth round breast implants, for example. Other surgeons don’t have a particular preference. You should know the advantages and disadvantages to all of the breast implants currently available and I’ll be glad to talk to you about them during your consultation. This knowledge will allow you to ask more educated questions at your consult, as well as help you to decide which particular breast implant is right for you.

Tags: Breast augmentation, breast augmentation plastic surgeon, Breast implants
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Overfilling / Underfilling Saline breast implants

Overfilling

Saline implants come in a wide range of sizes, and all of them have a minimum and maximum fill amount that is recommended by the manufacturer. For example:

The Mentor Style 1600 smooth round 300cc implant can be filled to (f/t) 325cc. 325cc is the maximum amount of cc’s recommended by the manufacturer. 300cc is the minimum fill amount recommended for that particular implant size.

If a breast implant is filled past the point of the manufacturer recommendation, this is considered “overfill”. Overfilling (depending on the amount) makes the implant feel firmer, and doesn’t provide any distinguishable size difference.

It is very important to remember that overfilling the breast implant gives the implant manufacturer the right to void the warranty in the event of a rupture. This doesn’t mean that they will void it, but it does give them that option. It also doesn’t mean that it will rupture, or even is more likely to for that matter.

Overfilling may also INCREASE your risk of having visible and/or palpable ripples.

Underfilling Saline Breast Implants

If the implant is not filled to the minimum recommendation, it can get folds in it, which can jeopardize the integrity of the implant. The constant “rubbing” of the fold can lead to rupture. Visible ripples are also more common in implants that are not filled to the minimum recommended amount, depending on the amount of breast tissue you start with.

In other words, if you have a Mentor Style 1600 300cc size implant, you will want it filled to a minimum of 300cc, nothing less, and preferably, no more than 325cc, which is the optimum fill level recommended by Mentor.

Underfilling may also void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Tags: aumento de cenos, aumento de senos, best breast augmentation dallas, best plastic surgeons dallas, Breast augmentation, Breast augmentation Dallas
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Considering Plastic Surgery? What to Expect When Visiting Dallas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade

For many, the decision to undergo plastic surgery is a dream come true. Attending your consultation is the first step toward making that dream a reality. When attending your consultation with Dallas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade, there are a few things you can be sure of.

Regardless of the cosmetic procedure you have selected, your consultation is sure to be informative. Dr. Meade and his staff are here to give you all the information you need about your procedure to make an informed decision as to what is best for you. There are almost always options associated with cosmetic surgery. For some this may be incision locations and for others this may be selecting the right dermal filler. Dr. Meade will help you understand all of your options and assist in selecting the options that will produce the results you desire.

During your consultation you can expect to discuss your medical history. These details of your medical past will help Dr. Meade determine if you are at higher risk of complication. As with surgery of any kind there are risks involved. A portion of you consultation will be dedicated to discussing these risks and how you can reduce your individual risk of complication.

We understand the excitement that often surrounds the initial consultation. Should you forget to ask a question or an additional question arise after your consultation, feel free to contact our office. Our friendly staff is ready to help you along the path to achieving your body goals.

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Dallas Plastic Surgery Before and After Photo Gallery

Dallas board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade offers a number of plastic surgery procedures as well as less invasive procedures to help his patients reach their body goals. For some considering Dallas plastic surgery, simply reading about the procedure may not be enough. Some people would like to see plastic surgery results to get a better idea of what kind of results may be achieved.

Our comprehensive before and after photo gallery of real Dallas plastic surgery patients offers potential patients opportunity to see the kinds of results a skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Meade is able to produce. Feel free to take note of the results you like and mention them at your plastic surgery consultation. Photos are a great way to make sure your surgeon knows just what you are looking for in terms of results.

A consultation with Dr. Meade will help you understand what to expect before, during, and after your plastic surgery procedure. Each patient has different needs and as such a custom surgery plan will be created to ensure optimal results. The best way to enter a consultation is with an open mind as Dr. Meade may suggest a different or additional procedures so that your wishes can be met.

It is important to note that while two people may undergo the ’same’ procedure, the results may be very different.

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Saline or Silicone Breast Implants

Saline vs. Silicone –

Here’s some information that I’ve put together for my patients considering a breast implant type. It’s very updated and I’ve added a little background information to be as thorough as possible. Nowadays, the amount of information on the internet can be overwhelming so I’m providing you with a summarized, unbiased view that I’ve put together of the facts.

The truth is that silicone feels more natural than saline, nobody questions that. You’ll hear people say they chose silicone over saline for this reason, but you need to know that there are many other factors to consider in addition to this one. That’s just one reason to do silicone and in all fairness you need to know that there are other considerations.

While you’re reading this, remember that both options (silicone and saline) are excellent. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER. They each have pros and cons so NOBODY can tell you that one is better than another. All they can tell you is their opinion which you may or may not select.

This way you can decide which is best for your lifestyle and which is most compatible with what you would want for the long term. Remember that I could pick it for you, but since you’re going to live with it I think it’s only fair for you to know the facts and choose what best fits what you want. Then we can talk about which you chose and why.

After years of waiting, silicone implants are finally back. Since 1992 there has been a ban imposed by the FDA on the sale of silicone gel implants. Women wanting silicone implants, since then, have had to “qualify” for the implants by meeting specific criteria to be included in a study. The ban was imposed due to claims of a connection between silicone gel breast implants and autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases and even cancer.

Scientific evidence since that time conducted by the Institute of Medicine and experts from all over the world has shown no such connection to exist. In July of 05’ a letter was sent by the FDA to a silicone implant manufacturer stating that silicone implants could be used if certain criteria were met. And as of November 2006, silicone implants are available to all breast reconstruction and revision patients, as well as women 22 years of age and older seeking cosmetic breast enhancement. A number of conditions came attached to the approval, including studies and follow-up.   So what’s different about these implants? In the 70’s and 80’s silicone implants were made of a more liquid consistency. Since the early 90’s implants are made of what is called a cohesive gel. That is the silicone in these implants is more cohesive or stable in form. If one of these implants is cut the implant for the most part will maintain it’s shape and not leak out. The shells of the implants in the 70 and 80’s were thinner and more likely to leak. It’s almost like they would sweat a little.
The implants today have shells that are made of several layers. This makes the implants feel more firm but help cut down on gel bleed. Gel bleed is the term that describes small amounts of the silicone moving through the shell. Although these implants are firmer than the implants of the past they are still softer in feel in comparison to saline. The so called “gummy bear” implants are also a cohesive gel implant. These are even more cohesive than the standard gel implants and therefore maintain their shape more. Due to the added firmness, the incision must be a bit larger and the shape of the implant is an anatomical shape. These implants are currently being used in Europe, and may have more use in reconstructive type cases.   Some think these are too hard. Originally, implants were designed like this but were discontinued because they were thought to be a little too hard. It turns out that they are experimenting with these again.

Saline implants are the salt water filled implants that have been used in place of silicone implants, since the silicone ban. Now in addition to the choices of size, shape, shell type, incision site, location (above or below the muscle), patients will have to choose between silicone and saline implants.  

They both are thought to last the same amount of years and they both have a very very low incidence of rupturing (popping or leaking). So this shouldn’t be a major consideration in determining a difference.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of silicone implants? The main advantage of the silicone implants is that they have a more natural feel and less visible rippling (wrinkling in the outer shell – you can see this in the office if you grab an implant). All breast implants have transverse creases which form around the edge know as rippling, saline do this more than silicone. Although silicone implants have this also it is far less evident when compared with the saline implants. This will be particularly important for women who have thin skin, perhaps after childbirth and breast feeding, or for women with extremely small breasts. For women with at least a B cup or with thicker firmer breast tissue rippling will most likely not be an issue because it’ll be camouflaged by breast tissue in most areas. However, the silicone implants will have a softer feel.   One of the disadvantages of the silicone implants are that they come pre-filled. This means the incision sites have to be larger and the surgeon won’t be able to adjust the implants at all after inserting them. For example a 450 saline implant might have a fill range between 450- 540 cc’s. This means the implant can be filled anywhere in this range depending on the type of look and size the patient wants and also to gain symmetry between the breasts. With the silicones the next size up after 450 might be a 500 cc implant. So the surgeon will have less flexibility with the silicone implants.
Lastly, a consideration in the scar tissue formation must be mentioned. The silicone implants have always been thought to cause a more intense reaction and more dense scarring. Nowadays corporate implant studies have shown a similar scar reaction between the two options but I think they have a conflict of interest because they profit more from selling a silicone implant. Nothing against the companies, but those are the facts.
I still believe that the scar reaction is thicker around a silicone implant and many plastic surgeons around the world do as well. This can mean two things. Additional scar could make the exchange sometime down the line (15years?) a little more difficult but that’s not really a big deal – it just means that surgery might last another hour or so and drains could be involved postoperatively. The second thing is that capsular contracture is more likely in silicone implants than in saline. Capsular contracture is a thickening of the natural scar shell around the breast implant and it can be felt to be hard and on rare occasion it can even be symptomatic (painful). The incidence varies greatly according to the studies you read so I won’t even quote any. I think the bottom line comes down to the fact that capsular contracture could happen with both options and it is a bit more likely to happen over the long haul with silicone implants. This being said, the majority of patients don’t develop capsular contracture with either but it’s still a factor to consider. Let’s not focus too much time on something that doesn’t happen the majority of the time.

Statistics can be confusing, so I tried to avoid them. I don’t want it to sound too generic, but I’m trying to keep as truthful as possible by using descriptive terms such as ‘rare’ or ‘usually’ and avoid some of the silly absolutes out there that are inaccurate dogmatic values. With this info, make a list of each and let me know your thoughts, we’ll have a much more fair conversation where you’ve had some time to digest all of these data.

Tags: Breast implants, dallas breast augmentation, gel implants, saline implants, silicone implants
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Dallas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade in the Media

Dallas board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade is widely sought by the media for his expertise on all aspects of plastic surgery including the latest in surgical techniques and trends. From magazine articles to news interviews, Dr. Meade is often asked to share the knowledge he has gained from his years of plastic surgery experience.

As a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Meade has extensive surgical training and passed rigorous testing to acquire this prestigious voluntary certification. As a skilled board certified plastic surgeon, many people both in the media and potential patients turn to Dr. Mead for all of their plastic surgery needs.

Click here to view some of the many videos featuring Dr. Meade and the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute.

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Meeting with Dallas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade

Choosing a plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your plastic surgery procedure. One of the best ways to gauge if a plastic surgeon is right for you is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon in your area and discuss your desires for plastic surgery. During a consultation with Dr. Meade, there are a few things every patient can expect.

During your consultation, Dr. Meade will ask questions about your medical history. He will then ask questions about your desired results for the procedure you are interested in. Using this information, Dr. Meade will then custom tailor the surgical procedure you are interested to meet your individual needs.

Dr. Meade spends quality time with each Dallas plastic surgery patient to be sure that he fully understands their needs and desires. Delivering quality individualized patient care is the number one priority of both Dr. Meade and his staff. Dr. Meade and his staff strive to create a caring comfortable environment their patients will feel relaxed in.

We invite you to contact our office to schedule your confidential consultation and see for yourself why so many choose Dr. Meade for all of their Dallas plastic surgery needs.

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Dallas Liposuction Helping You Trim Down Your Trouble Areas

The sun is coming out all over the country. More and more men and women are hitting the gym in attempt to trim down their trouble areas. Some people will meet their goals while others will be left feeling defeated. Don’t let your trouble areas keep you down. Dallas board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ricardo Meade can help you slim down using Dallas liposuction procedures.

Liposuction can be used to trim down many parts of the body including upper arms, thighs, abdomen, back, knees and even the neck. Liposuction is not a form of weight loss but is best suited for people who are in relatively good shape but have pockets of fat that do not respond to traditional diet and exercise. Dallas liposuction targets specific areas of the body by removing excess body fat, leaving the treated areas smoother and in proportion to the rest of your body.

If you would like to learn more about how liposuction can improve the appearance of your trouble area, contact our office to schedule your confidential consultation. Our staff is ready to help you make your plastic surgery dreams a reality.

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Dallas Breast Lift Surgery

Many women who are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts are under the impression that breast augmentation is the cure all procedure for breast woes. While breast augmentation helps many women unhappy with the size of their breasts, women who are unhappy with their breasts because they have begun to sag may be more in line for Dallas breast lift procedures.

There are many reasons breasts begin to sag including aging, genetics, breast feeding and gravity. Significant weight loss can also play a part in sagging breasts. Using breast lift surgery, Dr. Meade is able to reposition breasts into a more youthful position. Nipples can also be lifted into a higher position and also made smaller when needed. The goal of breast lift surgery is restore the breasts to a more youthful appearance.

Breast lift surgery is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to produce optimal results. A consultation with Dr. Meade will help you better understand what breast lift surgery will and won’t do. Contact our Dallas area office to schedule your confidential consultation and be on your way to a more youthful appearance.

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Saying Good Bye to Flabby Arms with Dallas Arm Lift

There are some parts of out body that just do not respond well to diet and exercise. Flabby upper arms are often joined by sagging skin at the back of the arm. When our skin loses it elasticity and fat decides to make it’s self at home around our upper arms, we are left with an appearance that is less than desirable. Dallas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Meade can help improve the appearance of your arms with a cosmetic procedure called an arm lift.

There are a number of cosmetic procedures that may be used alone or in conjunction with an arm lift to get rid of unwanted fat deposits and improve the appearance of sagging skin around the arms. For some, liposuction alone can really help. Others may opt for a mini arm lift rather than the complete arm lift procedure or Brachioplasty. A consultation with Dr. Meade will help you determine which Dallas cosmetic procedure will produce the results you are looking for.

Using the arm lift procedure, Dr. Meade will remove unwanted fat from the upper part of the arm, the arm pit, and down to the elbow. The result is arms that are smoother, and more firm in appearance. Both men and women generally make good candidates for Brachioplasty. During your consultation, Dr. Meade will discuss your medical history as well as your motivations for wanting to address your arm issues. After your evaluation, Dr. Meade will suggest a surgical plan to meet your goals.

We invite you to schedule your consultation with Dr. Meade and learn how Dallas Arm Lift procedures can improve your appearance.

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Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Dallas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute · 9101 N. Central Expressway · Suite 600 · Dallas, TX 75231 · (214) 823-1691
Legacy Plastic Surgery Institute · 5425 W. Spring Creek Pkwy · Suite 120 · Plano, TX 75024 · (972) 801-2100

Dr. Meade is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that specializes in breast augmentation, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), rhinoplasty (nose surgery), liposuction and facelift. He serves Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Tulsa, Houston and San Antonio.