The “Mommy Makeover” – Body Contouring Post-Pregnancy

The effects of pregnancy and breast-feeding can lead to irreversible changes in a woman’s body. Don’t get me wrong! It’s worth it … your baby is worth it. But, following pregnancy, if you are having a tough time getting your body back, we are here to help!

Breast feeding can cause breasts to sag due to massive changes in the size and weight of the breasts over the course of pregnancy and then post-birth, too. Abdominal muscles become weak and overall, your body may redistribute the manner in which you carry weight in different areas. These changes tend to be permanent following the birth of your little bundle of joy, but there are options available to restore your body to a youthful and toned mom!

The “Mommy Makeover” does not need to include each of these procedures; however, these are the most common post-pregnancy body contouring requests: Lifting of the breasts and in some cases including an implant, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), scar revisions from c-sections, and liposuction.

Don’t rush into a “Mommy Makeover” … give your body time to change and heal. If you are breast feeding, you will need to wait until that stage is over before taking this step, but when you are ready, know that all of these procedures may be safely performed at Valley View Medical Center. Contact Board Certified surgeon, Dr. Jerry Guanciale, to schedule your consultation: (928) 768-1616.

If you smoke & you want surgery … consider this!

Often our patients question why we request they give up smoking before cosmetic surgery. The short answer: if you smoke, you risk not healing properly. The long answer: smoking and nicotine deprive your body of oxygen, and that oxygen is essential not only to heal safely, but also to healing well.

It’s imperative that you quit smoking at least two weeks before you undergo surgery and as many as eight weeks after surgery. This means no cigarettes, cigars, patches, gum, or oral nicotine.

Smoking before, during, and after a surgery will greatly hinder the healing process. Your body needs to the oxygen to transport the blood supply to the surgical area. A good blood supply ensures the body is able to create new tissue and repair the area resulting in a positive healing process.

Although this is difficult, not smoking for several weeks before and after surgery may ultimately help you quit for life. And, as you probably know and hear all the time, the benefits of quitting for good go well beyond better healing after surgery.

Consult with Dr. Jerry Guanciale – Fort Mohave and Bullhead City, Arizona’s ONLY Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon! 928.768.1616

Oh So Baby Soft … SKIN!

While we may never have that BABY soft skin again, there are five (5) key factors in keeping your skin as healthy, young, and fresh as possible!

H20: Drinking water is the best way to keep the body hydrated. Dehydrated skin actually stems from internal dehydration. A body is deficient in water causes organs to become dehydrated including the skin. Dehydrated skin causes very fine lines, flatl skin color and dry, tight skin.

Exercise: This is essential because it helps stimulate the lymphatic system, which keeps everything moving including your blood. Proper blood flow fuels the underlying cells so that they can function at their best creating a healthy glow.

Smoking: Chemicals in cigarettes are extremely damaging to the skin as they depletes the body of vitamin C and accelerates the rate at which collagen and elastin are broken down in the skin.

Diet: The digestive system and skin have a reciprocal effect on each other. Since the skin is a functioning organ, when not enough vitamins and minerals are ingested to fuel the body, the skin suffers.

Sun: Constant sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin from within, making the skin less elastic and thinner, leading to wrinkles. The effects of the sun begin as soon as we are exposed to it at an early age. Years later, we start to see brown and red spots along with wrinkles.

We have the skincare products as well as the laser and chemical treatments to customize a rejuvination plan for you! 843.995.5005

Dual Board Certified in General and Cosmetic Surgery, consult with Dr. Guanciale today!

Summer Survival Guide for Happy, Healthy, Glowing Skin

Are you craving beautiful summertime skin? It’s more achievable than you think. We are consistently asked by our patients what they can do to achieve happy, healthy, glowing skin so we wanted to share our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Which products should I use in the summer?
Sunscreen (ideally SPF 15 or higher) should be a part of everyone’s daily routine regardless of their skin type. There are several great skincare products offered at our office by Obagi (the #1 prescription skincare line) to keep your face smooth and wrinkle free while also protecting it during the summer months.

How often should I replace my sunscreen?
Sunscreens should be replaced every season even if it hasn’t expired to ensure that the active ingredients are still effective.

Are there any products or routines that should be avoided in the summer?
Avoid acne extractions. These can increase inflammation and the likelihood of scarring.

How often should I exfoliate?
Exfoliating is great for the skin as it removes dead skin cells and stimulates the production of new skin cells which keeps skin looking younger and wrinkle-free. We recommend exfoliating 2-3 times per week during the summer as skin tends to be oilier and bacteria builds up on the surface of facial skin, causing bumps and acne breakouts. This will keep oil in check and prevent breakouts. For a light refresher, but a deeper exfoliation other than what you can achieve at home, try microdermabrasion or other light laser skin treatments.

Can I have a filler treatment in the summer months?
Injectable treatments such as Botox, Juvederm, and other muscle inhibitor injections or dermal fillers an be performed all year long.

Is there anything else I can do to protect my skin?
Invest in a great hat! Yes we are recommending you go shopping. You will look stylish and your face will thank you.

Dr. Jerry Guanciale is a Board Certified in General Surgery as well as General Cosmetic Surgery. Consult today for any of your cosmetic needs – (928) 768-1616!

Skin – Your Body’s Largest Organ! Keep it Healthy!

Glowing skin is healthy skin! Healthy skin is fresh skin! Fresh skin is new skin! New skin is made of new cells! When the rate at which cells are renewed slows down, that is when your skin (and you!) will appear aged and older. While naturally aging plays a role in a slow down of skin cell turnover, you don’t have to leave it all in the hands of Father Time! You can keep your skin cells healthy, refreshed and happy with some easy lifestyle choices!

The saying “you are what you eat” rings true not only for your weight, but the health of your skin, too! Ingesting high levels of sugar will boost skin inflammation and its damaging effects, for example. Eat good fats and oils found in foods like tuna, salmon, soybeans, tofu, olive oil and avocado! These helpful fats and oils will help regulate cell metabolism, boost cellular repair, and suppress inflammation.

Encourage cell renewal by removing the top layer of dead, old, dull skin cells with a quick microdermabrasion treatment or peel, either laser or chemical. Varying levels for varying needs – both are a great way to jump-start healthy skin!

Supplement your diet with Vitamin E to prevent oxidative damage and protect your skin’s cell membranes. Vitamin E isn’t the only vitamin beneficial in the alphabet of vitamins! Vitamins A, C, K and B are also vital to repairing, protecting and renewing skin cells.

Skin cell renewal is slowed with environmental stressors such as free radicals and sun damage. Battle back with incorporating Vitamin C into your skin care regimen. Vitamin C can be a strong ally to cell renewal as is wards off free radical and sun damage when used regularly and properly. Consider using Obagi Professional-C® Serums!

Medical grade skin care products by Obagi will round out your efforts for healthy skin! Why trust your skin to anyone else when Obagi is #1 in medical products. It’s a regimen you will be on for life once you see the difference in your skin!

If your skin is healthy, fresh, and new … YOU will be radiant, youthful, and glowing! Consult with Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Jerry Guanciale, today!

Enhance! Augment! Reshape! … With Breast Enhancement Surgery!

Breast augmentation surgery is the use of implants to enhance breast shape and size. The decision to undergo breast augmentation is a very personal, but very rewarding one. Many different types of women benefit from the procedure whether they are simply trying to restore what they lost with pregnancy, or improve upon their natural shape and size. Breast augmentation can also improve the balance of your figure and help restore self confidence.

Many options exist with this procedure so that it may be tailored to each patient and their individual goals which can vary from a small, athletic, completely natural look to a more voluptuous noticeable enhancement. It is very important to take the time and explore the available options appropriately to arrive at the best plan for YOU! Board Certified General Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Jerry Guanciale, is here to customize the best plan for you to achieve your goals!

It is important to understand what breast implants will NOT achieve! Breast implants alone are not adequate to lift severely droopy breasts. In such cases a breast lift (also known as mastopexy) should be performed either simultaneously with augmentation or separately to achieve an appropriate shape. This approach is commonly used for patients who want to restore shape and volume as well as lift their breasts. If you were hoping to use breast implants for this purpose … stop here and no need to read any more because implants alone will not lift your breasts.

Size and shape:
One of the very important options for breast augmentation is obviously size. Along with this, shape is also very important. A range of implants exist to provide everything from a smaller, flatter, more natural appearing breast to a larger, rounder, more noticeable appearance. Dr. Guanciale will take the time during your consultation to consider all of your goals and to match this with your anatomy to help find the best implant for you.

Incisions:
Another important option for breast augmentation is the location of your incision to place the implant. The main options are around the nipple, under the breast, and under the arm. Each of these incisions have their advantages and disadvantages and Dr. Guanciale will extensively discuss these with you during your consultation.

Implant location:
A third important option when considering breast augmentation is the final placement of the implant. The main options available are either on top of the chest muscle, or underneath it. There are multiple variations of these two procedures and these are used when necessary and tailored to each individual and their anatomy and goals. The main advantage of placing the implant on top of the muscle is a slightly quicker recovery on average and possibly less breast animation in the future. Some of the advantages of placing the implant under the muscle include: better visibility with mammogram, lower risk of rippling or wrinkling, lower risk of breast tightness over time, a more natural appearance in certain patients, and lower risk of implants sagging over time. As with the other options, implant placement is tailored to each individual for optimum results.

Type of implant:
The last major option regarding breast augmentation is the type of implant placed. The main options regarding implant type are saline and silicone. Multiple studies have been performed on both implants and both have been found to be very safe and are FDA approved. Both implants have advantages and disadvantages. The most recent studies have shown a higher patient satisfaction rate with silicone implants as well as a more natural look and feel with lower risks of wrinkling and rippling as well as lower rupture rates. As with all options, the type of implant you choose is a personal decision and the risks and benefits will be extensively discussed with you considering your goals and anatomy.

Breast enhancement surgery is a big decision … be sure you have all of the information YOU need to make YOUR decision! Consult with the ONLY Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon in our area, Dr. Jerry Guanciale today!

Does the LASER in Laser Liposuction REALLY make a Difference!?!

With all of the various treatments and procedures that are continually advertised and promoted, how do you know what to believe? We are often asked, “Is laser liposuction really better than traditional liposuction?” and the honest answer is YES, in most cases, the laser in laser liposuction does make a difference!

Before reading about why laser liposuction is better than traditional liposuction, it is important to understand that traditional liposuction still has a place in Dr. Guanciale’s Procedure Toolbelt. Traditional liposuction is an effective procedure for larger patients looking to remove a significant amount or large areas of fat deposits. Laser lipolysis, or laser liposuction is very effective, but most effective when targeting specific pockets or fat deposits.

Laser liposuction includes traditional liposuction. The suction action of traditional liposuction is still used during laser liposuction; however, laser liposuction has multiple added benefits to both the patient, Dr. Guanciale, and the overall result.

Laser liposuction only destroys the targeted fat cells. The traditional liposuction technique affects all tissue in the treated area which causes more bruising, pain, and longer recovery. The laser ruptures and liquefies the targeted fat cells making them easier to suction from the body. The laser and the heat it generates also causes the blood vessels and collagen within the skin to coagulate. As the patient heals, the skin tightens and becomes more firm.

Board Certified General Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Jerry Guanciale, uses the Palomar™ SLIMLipo™ Laser Liposuction system when performing laser liposuction. The SLIMLipo™ is a revolutionary liposuction technique that uses tiny laser fibers to melt away fat cells and literally slim targeted areas of the body for an overall improved body contour.

Unlike traditional liposuction, SLIMLipo™ is effective for melting fat and not simply tearing through tissue structure. By using the laser liposuction, the result is less body trauma, significant fat removal and dermal heating for skin tightening results.

SLIM stands for “Selective Laser Induced Melting”. SLIMLipo™ is the first FDA-approved laser-assisted lipolysis system and provides effective removal of fat deposits from nearly any area of the body such as the:

•Inner and Outer Thighs
•Upper and Lower Abdomen
•Arms
•Upper Back/Bra Area
•Flanks/Love Handles
•Hips
•Buttocks
•Chest
•Neck/Face
•Calves/Ankles

SLIMLipo™ Laser Liposuction offers patients many benefits over the traditional liposuction procedure including:

•Less bruising
•Less swelling
•Faster recovery times
•Smoother results
•More precise body definition

The major benefit of laser liposuction isn’t in melting the fat rather it is tightening the skin. With the use of the laser, Dr. Guanciale is heating the skin in a very controlled way. The skin tightening benefits make it ideal as the laser augments the building of collagen and results in improved skin tightening and smoothness as the patient heals.

Why does Dr. Guanciale use the SLIMLipo™ equipment over Sciton’s SmartLipo, for example? Well, not all laser lipolysis systems are equal and it’s technology that makes the difference. You need to understand the importance of the laser wavelength used to melt fat. Many laser liposuction machines on the market use a 1064nm or 1320nm laser wavelength. Research demonstrates that the best wavelength which is most highly absorbed by fat is 920nm, a wavelength patented and owned by Palomar™ Medical and used in the SLIMLipo™ system. The same system used by Dr. Guanciale.

So, YES! Laser does make a difference when you are considering liposuction! Consult with Dr. Jerry Guanciale today to learn if traditional liposuction or SLIMLipo™ Laser Liposuction is the best procedure choice to target your stubborn, unwanted areas of fat. Don’t delay – call today for a more contoured you tomorrow!

Breast Augmentation: A common procedure, YES! One-size-fits-all, NO!

While breast surgery is a common procedure, it is not a “one-size-fits-all” type of surgery. There are many decisions that Dr. Jerry Guanciale’s cosmetic plastic surgery patients need to consider when undergoing a breast augmentation. Implant shape, size and type are all important and while patients would like to make all of the choices, the patient’s body habitus and type of skin also play a role in the final selections to aid in the best outcome. So, which is best for you? Silicone or Saline?

Both silicone and saline implants can result in a natural look; however, silicone breast implants tend to provide a more natural feel. Today’s silicone implants are made of a cohesive gel material that more closely mimics the weight and suppleness of natural breast tissue.

Thin patients or those that have only a small amount of natural breast tissue to cover their implants are often prime candidates for silicone gel implants because silicone are softer and less prone to rippling, allowing for a more natural result.

Patients with pronounced asymmetry in the size of their natural breasts may be good candidates for saline implants. The volume of saline solution in each implant can be adjusted to even out breast size.

Incision size is a common patient question. Because the saline solution in saline implants can be added after the implant shells are placed in the chest wall, the incisions to place saline implants are slightly smaller than silicone implants.

If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, breast size is a key decision. Women often return for a second augmentation because they want to be larger than the first surgery result. Picking the right size includes taking into account your body type, frame and height, rather than just picking a cup size.

Cup size is rather arbitrary when talking about implants because sizes are not consistent between bra manufacturers and there is really no universal size measurement. It is important to educate patients on how to choose the right size for them based on volume and fullness of the implants selected. Finding an implant that fits the patient’s body habitus and size will allow for optimum results.

In choosing a breast implant size, it is important to remember that the skin must stretch to accommodate the implants. This is why the health of the patient’s skin is another consideration. If you have poor skin elasticity or are prone to stretch marks, it is best to choose an implant of a size and shape that will not put undue stress on the skin.

In addition to volume, breast implants area also available in four (4) profiles: low, moderate, moderate plus, and high profile. The implant profile affects the projection of the breast implants and will alter the look of the natural your breasts. For example, many patients who desire more upper fullness, or cleavage, and are less concerned with a natural looking implant will choose high profile.

Nearly six years ago, the FDA reinstated the approval for use of silicone implants; however, the law still limits the use of silicone implants to patients 22 years or older. Both silicone and saline implants are FDA approved and are safe.

Because of the variances between silicone and saline implants, there is a difference in price point that many consider. Breast implant manufacturers charge more for silicone breast implants than saline breast implants. That increased expense is passed on to the patient so a breast augmentation with silicone implants is slightly more expensive than an augmentation with saline implants.

The thoughts above are just brief highlights of some considerations when deciding between saline or silicone breast implants. It is easy to get overwhelmed reviewing the pros and cons of each implant type. A consultation with Dr. Jerry Guanciale is best to discuss the best breast implants to meet your unique needs.

Dr. Jerry Guanciale is Board Certified in General Cosmetic Surgery and General Surgery with a fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery trained in Beverly Hills, California.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff or the Big Stuff … or AT ALL! Reduce or eliminate your Axillary Hyperhidrosis!

Axillary Hyperhidrosis plagues men and women. It is a condition where the body produces more perspiration than is needed causing excessive sweating under the arms even in cool and cold temperatures and usually even without physical exertion. Excessive sweating can be aggravated by stress, but that is not always the cause.

Axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating under the arms) causes patients to have extreme anxiety and self-consciousness because it cannot be controlled and is often embarrassing. However, it can treated with the use of laser liposuction.

SlimLipo Laser Liposuction of the axillary is a one-time minimally invasive surgery performed under a simple local anesthetic that has a very high success rate. The goal of the laser liposuction to treat axillary hyperhidrosis is to permanently destroy and remove the sweat glands in the armpits.

During the procedure, each under arm is treated with a numbing anesthetic. Once numb, small incisions are made at the edge of the targeted areas. A small laser liposuction cannula is inserted to destroy the targeted sweat glands. Then, the liposuction targets the surrounding fat and glands removing them permanently. The whole procedure for both underarms takes less than 90 minutes. The lasting effect … a lifetime!

The procedure is safe and effective! It is a huge life style improvement for those with hyperhidrosis! Patients report that following the procedure, they no longer sweat through their shirts all year around and they are able to wear most anything with confidence and less anxiety.

Consult with Board Certified Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Jerry Guanciale, to learn if SlimLipo Laser Liposuction to treat axillary hyperhidrosis is right for you! It’s a simple procedure with minimal recovery that could change your life! 928.768.1616

How old are you according to your HANDS?

You use them every day! You wash them multiple times a day, they are exposed to sun all year around not by choice, they work hard and they are often the second thing (first is the face/eyes) people notice when they meet you for the first time! Your hands. Men and women often feel that the look and the health of their hands age them! Give your hands a bit of TLC and take years off your first … and second … and third impressions!

Just like with your face, buttocks, and feet, as you age, your hands lose youthful volume. Natural fat transfer procedures that are often only associates with adding volume to the face and buttocks can also be used to restore volume and plump up hands. Dr. Guanciale offers the cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, fat grafting with the use of the Adivive LipoKit system to effectively remove your own fat from one area of your body and target your hands to re-inject the natural fat to add volume.

Dark spots created by sun exposure/damage are hard to avoid, but relatively easy to resolve. IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments are quick and not very painful. Destroy the melanin that is creating the spots letting your skin repair itself with new, clear skin to give a more even tone and texture. For a more intense treatment, consider a chemical peel to remove the top layer of skin and extra pigment. Dr. Guanciale offers the cosmetic plastic surgery aesthetic treatments of IPL and chemical peels at varying strengths to ensure the treatments are customized to target your needs.

Moisturizer and sunscreen application daily, following hand washing, and all year around will also aid in the health of the skin. Hydrate with drinking lot of water daily as well … not only your hands will thank you, but your body will too!

Dr. Guanciale is Board Certified in General Surgery and General Cosmetic Surgery.