Many women choose breast augmentation to restore their confidence or feel more comfortable in their bodies. If you’re thinking about breast augmentation, you probably have a million questions swirling in your mind. What implant is right for me? Which type will look and feel most natural? Which breast implant option fits my lifestyle, body type, and personal goals? Take a deep breath. This guide will walk you through everything, helping you make the most informed decision for your unique journey.

4 Min Read:

The Difference Between Silicone and Saline Implants

For some, breast augmentation is about restoring fullness after pregnancy, while others want to address size differences between breasts or simply increase their size. Saline and silicone breast implants are popular augmentation options, but your choice really comes down to your body and the look you want to achieve with your augmentation.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants have a silicone outer shell filled with sterile salt water. If they ever leak, your body will safely absorb the saline. Many women like that these implants are filled after placement, which typically means smaller incisions and less visible scars. Saline implants tend to feel firmer than natural breast tissue, and sometimes you can see rippling under thin skin. Saline implants tend to cost less than silicone gel implants, and they are FDA approved for patients 18 and older.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants contain a special gel that feels a lot like real breast tissue. Women often prefer silicone implants because they look and move more naturally than saline. This can be beneficial for patients who don’t have much breast tissue before their augmentation. They do require larger incisions since they come pre-filled, but Dr. Joshua Halpern’s Finesse Technique® and his use of the implant funnel ensures smaller scars that are barely noticeable over time.

The natural look and feel of silicone implants, plus less visible rippling, make them a popular choice among patients and plastic surgeons alike.

Choosing the Right Breast Implant for You

When planning your breast augmentation, the type of implant you choose influences how your results will look and feel. Your personal goals and body structure will guide you and Dr. Halpern to the final decision.

Body Type

Your natural body shape matters when picking implants. If you have a smaller frame with less breast tissue, silicone implants often look more natural because they blend with your body better. Women with more breast tissue can usually achieve great results with either type, as their natural tissue helps hide the implant edges and any potential rippling.

Desired Results and Lifestyle

Think about how you want your breasts to look and feel after surgery. For a natural feel, silicone may be your best choice. For more noticeable fullness, especially in the upper breast, silicone gummy bear implants might be a better choice. Also, consider your daily activities. If you are very active and play sports, you might prefer a smaller size implant.

Age and Skin Elasticity

Skin with good elasticity can support either implant type well. If your skin has less elasticity due to age, weight loss, or pregnancy, silicone implants might give better results since they’re less likely to show rippling or edges through thinner skin.

What To Expect During Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

When you come in for your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Halpern will sit down with you to gain a comprehensive understanding of your body, goals, and desired results. Dr. Halpern will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you feel comfortable with the process ahead.

Use this consultation to ask questions about recovery, risks, and costs. A thorough consultation with Dr. Halpern sets you up for success by creating a clear plan tailored to your needs.

The Dr. Halpern Difference

Dr. Halpern brings something special to your breast augmentation. The tools and advanced techniques he uses during surgery ensure each and every patient enjoys optimal results and a fast, easy recovery. The Halpern Breast Lighted Retractor is a special tool that lights up the surgical area, giving Dr. Halpern better visibility and control during your procedure. This means more precise results for you.

What really sets Dr. Halpern apart is his Finesse Technique®. Unlike standard approaches, this gentler method creates breast implant pockets with minimal trauma to surrounding tissues. The result? Better cleavage, less bleeding, and typically a smoother recovery.

Beyond Saline and Silicone

Not feeling that either saline or silicone is right for your body? You have more choices available. Dr. Halpern offers fat transfer breast augmentation for those who want a more natural, subtle increase in breast size. You can schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Halpern, who can walk you through all your options and help find your perfect fit.

Searching for a Trusted Breast Augmentation Surgeon in Tampa, FL?

Dr. Joshua Halpern stands out among Tampa’s plastic surgeons, having performed countless successful breast augmentations throughout his career. His combination of artistry and advanced surgical techniques helps his patients achieve the look of their dreams. Dr. Halpern believes that when you’re striving to be your best self, you deserve his absolute best work to help you get there.

Ready to take the next step? Call us at (813) 872-2696 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

Categories: Breast Augmentation

If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, an important factor you’re likely considering is cost. There are many factors that determine the cost of plastic surgery, not limited to the surgeon’s location and experience, national averages, and the techniques used. This blog discusses the average cost of breast augmentation, as well as other determining factors to discuss during an initial consultation.

4 Min Read:

How Much Should I Pay for Breast Augmentation?

According to the latest American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) statistics, the average surgeon’s fee for breast augmentation is $4,875. However, this is just an estimate, as each surgeon and practice will command prices unique to their expertise, location, and more. Determining the actual cost that you can expect to pay requires more information that you should discuss with your surgeon during your consultation. Other factors that make up the final cost of a breast augmentation include:

• The cost of breast implants
• The surgeon’s experience
• Geographic location
• Facility (hospital fees)
• Anesthesia fees
• Miscellaneous costs

This may seem like a lot of uncertainties, but you can (and should) get all of this information from your initial consultation.

Important Questions To Ask During Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

When you meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Joshua Halpern, your consultation will provide you with as much information as possible about the procedure steps, results, and, of course, cost. After a consultation, Dr. Halpern will create a surgical plan for you based on your goals and the topics you discussed. This surgical plan also details the cost that will be expected of you for the surgery. Below are some questions to ask during your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Halpern or any other board-certified plastic surgeon:

1. What is your experience with this procedure?

You should always learn as much as you can about your surgeon during your consultation. Ask them questions about their experience in general, their experience with the specific procedure you want, and their certification. Dr. Halpern has years of experience achieving beautiful results for his patients and is constantly at the forefront of new, innovative cosmetic surgery techniques.

2. Where will the procedure be performed?

Some surgeons have on-site surgical facilities, which must be accredited by governing entities in your location. If they do have an accredited surgical facility, then your facility fees should be lower. However, most surgeons have hospital privileges in local hospitals where the surgeries are performed. Both options can result in a safe procedure and experience. Dr. Halpern attends to each one of his patients in his AAAASF-certified facility, allowing for a private, safe, and comfortable surgery experience.

3. Can I see before and after images?

Most surgeons have before and after images on their websites, but you should still ask to see their catalog at the time of your consultation, as they likely have a larger collection that hasn’t made it to the site. The more before and afters, the more likely it is that they have plenty of experience. You also want to ensure that they perform good work!

4. What is included in my breast augmentation price?

This is essentially the breakdown of all the fees included. It’s important for you to know where your money is going—a high surgical fee (the surgeon’s take-home) should reflect the surgeon’s relative expertise, experience, and results. Keep in mind that geography plays a role as well, as surgeons in more densely populated metropolitan areas must compete with a higher concentration of surgeons and also contend with higher costs of living and overhead for their offices. Dr. Halpern offers CareCredit® financing options for his patients to ensure his state-of-the-art surgical center is more accessible.

5. What are the risks of this procedure?

During your consultation, Dr. Halpern will be able to detail all prospective risks and challenges related to this procedure. Remember, all surgery carries some risk, so a surgeon who downplays risk and pain might not be trustworthy.

6. What is recovery like?

Each surgeon has slightly different recovery requirements and tips, so it’s a good idea to find out what your surgeon recommends. The more information they can supply you ahead of time, the better. You should also find out how much contact you’ll have with them during the recovery period, as you don’t want to be left in the dark if issues arise. Dr. Halpern is there for his patients every step of the way, and his Finesse Technique® improves the overall breast augmentation healing process. You can also find out if additional supplies, like your surgical bra and medications, as well as follow-up office visits, are all included in the final cost.

Interested in Breast Augmentation in Tampa, FL?

Dr. Joshua Halpern has perfected the art of creating customized, natural-looking breast augmentation results for his Tampa patients. A pioneer of minimally invasive and endoscopic surgical techniques that reduce recovery time and pain, Dr. Halpern can help you achieve your aesthetic goals with confidence. Call Dr. Halpern today at (813) 872-2696 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation.

Categories: Breast Augmentation

Breast implants aren’t forever—and they don’t have to be. If you want to remove your breast implants for any reason, this blog will give you a good idea of what you can expect from explantation surgery and its results.

5 Min Read:

The Shift Towards Smaller Breasts

More and more women are deciding that their breast implants are no longer working for them and want a solution. While breast explantation or breast implant removal surgery has been around as long as breast implants themselves, many patients are still hesitant about this procedure, as it leaves some questions—like aesthetics—unanswered.

Below, we’ll walk you through the process of explantation, why some women want to undergo this procedure, and what your breasts can look like once your implants are removed.

Why Do Women Want to Remove Their Breast Implants?

Just like the initial decision to undergo breast augmentation, the decision to have implants removed is entirely unique to the patient. Some common reasons women decide to have their implants removed include:

• They no longer like the aesthetic
• They feel their appearance no longer reflects their lifestyle
• Their implants are cumbersome or uncomfortable
• They are experiencing breast implant illness (BII) symptoms
• Their breast implants need replacing, and the patient no longer wants the upkeep

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to have your breast implants removed—you may even have a reason that’s not on this list; the decision is entirely your own.

It’s a common misconception that breast implants are built for life—they’re not. At some point in her life, a woman with breast implants will likely need to replace or remove her breast implants due to the nature of the implant itself, not the patient’s doing. An implant can rupture, shift in the breast capsule, or be constricted by painful scar tissue called capsular contracture. Some patients experience symptoms like fatigue, pain, discomfort, anxiety, joint pain, brain fog, autoimmune disease symptoms, and depression—all symptoms of BII. Others decide that the size, projection, and shape of their breasts no longer suit their lifestyle or look anymore and simply want to be rid of their implants.

We can go on. The bottom line: If you have breast implants and you want them removed, you’re not alone. You have options.

Will My Breasts Look Deflated After I Remove My Implants?

While we can go on about why someone would want their implants removed, you’re probably wondering what your breasts will look like after the implants are removed—and rightfully so! Just because you want your implants removed doesn’t mean you don’t care about your appearance. Before we can discuss results, though, we’ll quickly walk you through the explantation procedure.

What to Expect From the Explantation Procedure

The premise of the procedure is: your board-certified plastic surgeon will remove your breast implants, preserving the integrity of the breast tissue, muscles, and skin as much as possible.

The breast implants can be removed in an en bloc technique, during which the entire breast capsule (the scar tissue around the breast implants) is removed in one piece so that no scar tissue or breast implant materials (such as silicone) remain. This is popular with patients who are experiencing BII symptoms, but it’s only possible if the breast capsule and implants are in good condition (ruptures may make you ineligible). Otherwise, the implants can be removed in pieces.

Your surgeon will carefully close the incisions, and the surgery will be complete.

What Results Can I Expect After Explantation?

After explantation, your breasts will be smaller. The skin may even be stretched, depending on your age, the size of your implants, and how much natural breast tissue you have. These are all factors in the appearance of your natural breast tissue after explantation.

For example, if you have large breast implants or you have gained weight over the years since your initial procedure (which is very common), your breast skin may have expanded to accommodate these changes. If you are older or have poor skin elasticity (also very common), you may feel that your breasts are deflated or sagging after your procedure. It all comes down to your individual case: the size of your implants, the length of time they were in your body, the location of the breast enlargement incision, the integrity of your breast tissue and skin, and the amount of scar tissue and contracture around the implants.

Many women are ecstatic to have their breast implants removed, especially if they experience adverse reactions to their implants. Breast implant explantation is NOT a cosmetic procedure. However, there are still options for having aesthetically pleasing and comfortable breasts.

Dr. Halpern’s Explantation Techniques

Explantation can leave the breasts deformed. For this reason, Dr. Joshua Halpern invented the 3-dimensional recruitment lift. After undergoing an explantation, it is not uncommon to have depression deformities, stretched breast skin, and droopy breasts. Because of Dr. Halpern’s artistic background, he developed an innovative technique to preserve breast soft tissue and use the excess skin as a breast volume filler. This technique minimizes excess skin, enhancing the shape and perkiness of the breasts. He commonly performs this procedure with the explantation. By incorporating his Finesse Technique®, the majority of Dr. Halpern’s patients experience minimal discomfort and a much quicker recovery compared to traditional techniques.

Interested in Explantation in Tampa, FL?

Dr. Joshua Halpern is an award winning, experienced plastic surgeon, having served the community of Tampa for over 25 years. If you want to be free of your breast implants and feel confident with your results, don’t hesitate—call Dr. Halpern today at (813) 872-2696 or fill out our contact form to get started.

Categories: Breast Explantation

3 Minute Read: 

Having a nose that you are displeased with can be one of the most frustrating situations. For many who experience this, their dissatisfaction comes from an aesthetic place. Maybe their nose is too large or small for their face, or maybe an injury left the facial feature crooked or with humps and bumps. 

While aesthetics is a primary reason to consider nose surgery, it is not the only one. Nose surgery has just as many physical benefits as it does cosmetic ones. 

What Is Rhinoplasty?

The adjustment of the nasal profile is completed through a surgical procedure called rhinoplasty. With rhinoplasty, there are many degrees of complexity. Some operations address small bumps or abnormalities in the upper bony part of the nose. Others might combine smoothing bumps or protrusions. In addition, some patients would like changes made to their nasal tip (i.e., narrowing the tip) and others would like to address the flaring of the nostrils. Whatever the concern, rhinoplasty can restore a more proportional, better shaped, straighter, and more aesthetically pleasing nose.

Are There Physical Benefits to Rhinoplasty?

In addition to cosmetically altering a patient’s appearance, rhinoplasty is undertaken to repair damage from a traumatic injury or improve breathing difficulties. For some people, the septum, or the wall that divides the nose into two channels, could be deviated, meaning that the opening of one nostril is larger than the other. This makes breathing through the nose labored and can lead to side effects such as snoring or troubles sleeping.

While some deviated septums are genetic, others are caused by a traumatic injury. Facial injuries not only lead to aesthetic complications, but they can also result in breathing troubles and infection. Sometimes, if an injured nose is not repaired, and an infection develops, the person may be at risk of their nose collapsing due to the damage done.  

This is why it is always important to consult with a surgeon after a nasal injury.

What Is Involved in Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty procedures require local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the surgery. The surgeon will artfully adjust the bone, cartilage, and skin of the nose to achieve the patient’s desired results. In some cases, cartilage may be harvested from the ear, or another part of the body to build up certain sections of the nose. Nostrils can be narrowed and resized, and other significant aesthetic or practical improvements can be made.

How Long Is the Recovery From Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is most typically an outpatient surgery. The amount of downtime required following the procedure depends on its length and complexity. It can be as minor as taking it easy for a day or two, or it may involve several weeks of avoiding strenuous activity. 

There will likely be some bruising and bleeding. Dressings may need frequent changing, and sometimes a splint will be used to protect the nose area. Followup visits are required. 

Dr. Joshua Halpern developed the Finesse Technique. He does not pack the nose. This technique allows for a quicker recovery time versus traditional techniques. Watch our video below to see a testimonial of a young patient who is less than two weeks out.

Interested in Learning More?

If you think you might benefit from minor or major nose reconstruction with rhinoplasty, get in touch with the friendly intake staff at Dr. Joshua Halpern’s office by calling (813) 872-2696 or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories: Rhinoplasty

3 Min Read:

Mothers give up everything for their children, including their bodies. And often, no amount of exercise or diet can get you back to where you were pre-baby. 

The Mommy Makeover is a personalized set of plastic surgery procedures that help to reverse some of the impacts pregnancy and age have on a woman’s body. Mommy Makeover surgery often includes a tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation, and liposuction.

Even though the Mommy Makeover includes several techniques, it is a straightforward process, and with the use of Dr. Halpern’s “Finesse Technique”, the recovery process is also relatively easy. While your healing period will depend on your chosen surgeries, the recovery basics remain the same. 

Dr. Joseph Halpern invented the “Finesse Technique ®” which helps his patients experience less pain and bleeding, and have a quicker recovery. 

These six tips can help ensure that you will have a speedy Mommy Makeover recovery.

1. Get Enough Rest

One of the most important things you can do for a speedier recovery is to ensure that you get enough rest. Resting allows your body time to recharge and focus your energy on healing. 

Ask your plastic surgeon how much downtime you will need so you can schedule time off work and your daily activities.

2. Wear Compression Garments

Many plastic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery, require you to wear compression garments after surgery to reduce swelling and promote circulation. These tight compression garments can feel constricting and be challenging to keep clean; however, you must wear them for the duration that your surgeon suggests. Garments help to hold your body in the contouring shape so that you avoid any irregularities from developing. Additionally, they help quicken recovery by facilitating the healing process.

3. Clean Your Drains

If your procedure includes a drain (to prevent fluid build-up), it is important to empty the drain, monitor and record the amount of fluid, and keep the drain clean. If you do not empty and clean the drain, an abscess can collect, and an infection can form. This will lengthen your recovery time.

4. Eat a Nutritious Diet

Our bodies need proper nutrition to function and heal at a regular rate. Eating wholesome food, including fruits and vegetables, will ensure your body has the energy it needs to recuperate.

5. Follow Your Prescription

If your plastic surgeon prescribed any medication, it is essential to take it, and make sure that you are following the safe and proper dosage. This medication can help with recovery and reduce the risk of infection or other complications.

6. Avoid Strenuous Exercise

Strenuous physical activities can weaken your body, pulling its energy from the recovery process. Additionally, intense physical activities can increase the chance of incisions being reopened.

Interested in Learning More?

If you are ready for your Mommy Makeover, schedule your consultation with Dr. Halpern by calling 813-872-2696 or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories: Mommy Makeover

3 Minute Read: 

A prominent and projecting chin is the quintessential masculine facial feature. Chin implants restore or highlight the prominence of the male jawline. While many men can experience significant satisfaction with a chin implant alone, others could benefit from an additional facial procedure (whether it is an anti-aging procedure like facelift surgery or an augmentation surgery like rhinoplasty).

How Is a Chin Implant Inserted?

Utilizing endoscopic, mini scar, techniques (that Dr. Halpern helped to pioneer), a form-stable silicone implant is inserted and placed on top of the natural chin bone. This implant improves the size, shape, and projection of the chin, revitalizing the look of the entire face. Surgery is typically less than one hour, and recovery is relatively quick.

Have You Considered Combining Facial Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic procedures can be time-consuming. As a result, men who are thinking about getting a chin implant and other forms of facial rejuvenation should consider combining procedures, enabling them to minimize the time taken out of their busy schedules. 

What Cosmetic Procedures Can You Combine with Chin Implant Surgery?

Neck Liposuction

Male neck liposuction is commonly performed in combination with a chin implant because it removes the submental (under the chin) fat that creates the look of a double chin. Since the goal of a chin implant is to highlight and enhance chin projection, the presence of neck fat is a significant detriment. Removing this fat through liposuction allows men to achieve a more sculpted and squared-off jawline.

Mini-Scar Neck Lift

A mini-scar neck lift is beneficial for chin implant and neck liposuction candidates who also have loose neck muscle. Since liposuction does not remove or tighten skin laxity, an additional cosmetic procedure, such as a neck lift, may be necessary.

Renuvion®

Renuvion® is a minimally invasive skin tightening technique that can be used to correct minor laxity on the neck. This is ideal for men who may not require the extensiveness of a mini-scar neck lift. 

Facelift 

Since a chin implant is designed to draw attention to the lower part of the face, it would be a shame if the surrounding areas were riddled with sagging tissues and deep creases.  Facelift surgery for men addresses these signs of aging by tightening skin and tissues in the lower two-thirds of the face. 

Rhinoplasty

While the nose is not connected to the chin in the same way as the neck and lower face, combining rhinoplasty (nose surgery) with a chin implant produces a comprehensive transformation of a man’s overall appearance. This combination creates and highlights angular, masculine facial features.

Why Should Men Consider Facial Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic procedures enhance features as well as eliminate weak points, enabling men to enjoy a much-improved aesthetic appearance. This tends to have a positive effect on men’s self-confidence and change how others perceive them (whether socially or in the workplace). 

Interested in Learning More?

If you are interested in learning more about chin implants or any procedure that can be performed in combination with a chin implant, contact Dr. Joshua Halpern by calling (813) 872-2696 or by filling out our online contact form.

Categories: Cheek Lift, Millennial Facelift, Rhinoplasty

3 Minute Read: 

Facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that smooths the wrinkles and repositions the sagging tissues in the face, resulting in a rejuvenated appearance. This procedure can be performed on both men and women, and while the overall purpose of a facelift is the same between genders (to restore youthful contours), the procedure is not identical.

Men and women’s faces have physical differences. Knowing these differences is important when performing facial rejuvenation in men because you do not want to feminize their features, and you want them to look younger naturally (e.g. “Hey Jeff, did you lose weight? Because you look great!”)

Dr. Joshua Halpern’s background (which included being an art student at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) has definitely been a major positive influence when he performs facelift rejuvenation on men (and women).

Why Would Men Consider Facelift Surgery?

While women are statistically more likely to undergo facelift surgery than men, men are turning to the facial rejuvenation in greater numbers than ever before. The desire to look youthful and stay competitive in the business or dating world crosses genders, and men are becoming comfortable with the idea of achieving this youthfulness through cosmetic means. 

So, with more men considering facelift surgery, how does this procedure differ between men and women?

Incision Placement Matters

Facelift incisions tend to run along the hairline so that the hair can easily conceal the resulting scars. Unfortunately, men tend to lose their hair more often and quicker than women. Therefore, facelift scarring can be more identifiable on a man. 

Even though Dr. Halpern utilizes his Finesse technique with the Millennial facelift—a practice that requires smaller incisions and results in less bruising, bleeding, and scarring, there are still incisions made, and placement still matters when performing facelift surgery on a man.

Dr. Halpern does everything in his power to ensure that the scars are camouflaged, making them difficult to see. Dr. Joshua Halpern had one patient grow a goatee. When he went back to work two weeks after surgery, his secretary said, “Mr… that goatee looks great on you. You look 15 years younger!”

I had a dentist who told his family he was having jaw surgery. The day after surgery, his daughter told him, “that jaw surgery took years off your face.”

Blood Supply Should Be Taken Into Account 

Men have a richer blood supply than women. This causes their face to bleed more during surgery and puts them at a higher risk of developing hematoma (the collection of blood under the skin) following facelift surgery.

Because of the difference in blood supply, precautions must be taken during the male facelift to ensure a safe surgery and a healthy recovery.

Facial Structure Are Not the Same

Men and women do not have (or want) the same facial structure. Whereas women tend to desire more oval facial contours with high cheekbones and narrow chins, men traditionally want more squared-off faces with stronger, more prominent jawlines. 

Because the ultimate facial shape is different, the techniques used in male facelift surgery and female facelift surgery must be tailored to gender. This will help ensure that the tissues are tightened and repositioned in the correct place and will uphold the patient’s desired outcome.

Want to Know More About Facelifts? 

If you would like to learn more about your facelift options in Tampa, Florida, contact Dr. Halpern at (813) 872-2696 or fill out our online contact form today. 

Categories: Millennial Facelift

3 Minute Read: 

Thanks to aging and sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles become more visible and the gradual sagging of the skin causes the face features to look less youthful. These developments can often be frustrating, especially when they are not easy to correct on your own. You may have tried a variety of rejuvenating face creams, only to discover the results are nowhere near what you desire.

For decades, plastic surgeons have been offering traditional facelift surgery as a way to address the unwanted signs of aging. This procedure is invasive, which could potentially be a deterrent for many potential patients. Now, surgeons have more techniques at their disposal than ever before, allowing them to address aging features with the traditional facelift or with a mini-lift.

These procedures will provide you with the youthful and rejuvenated facial structure you desire. 

What Is the Facelift? 

The traditional facelift is a surgical procedure that eliminates the visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. The cosmetic procedure trims and tightens excess skin and redistributes or removes fat tissue. 

Typically, the traditional facelift incision starts at the hairline of the temples and continues around the ear and to the lower scalp. 

What Can a Facelift Do?

Anyone bothered with the signs of aging (whether they have deep-set lines or only the beginnings of laxity) may be the right candidate for this cosmetic procedure. 

Due to the comprehensiveness of this process, the facelift will rejuvenate the jowls, sagging under the chin, and deep creases between the mouth and the chin.

A facelift only addresses the lower two-thirds of the face. It is common for people to combine other procedures with a facelift to receive the results they desire. Procedures such as eyelid surgery, cheek lift surgery (mid-facelift), brow lift, or neck contouring are common surgeries combined with a facelift. 

What Is the Mini-Lift?

Not everyone who desires facial tightening requires a full facelift. The Millennial lift, endoscopic mini scar cheek, brow, facelift and/or neck lift, the minimally invasive facelift, and Renuvion™ (radiofrequency skin tightening) may be alternatives for patients with a lesser degree of aging.

A mini-lift is a less invasive procedure that tightens deep facial tissues. A typical mini-lift procedure uses shorter incisions around the temples continuing around the ear. These options often require less downtime, bruising and swelling, and scarring.

Dr. Joshua Halpern has many satisfied mini-lift patients coming into his office seven to 15 years following their procedure that still look rejuvenated.

What Procedures Can I Combine With My Facelift or Mini-Lift?

While both the traditional facelift and the array of mini-lifts tighten skin, none of them address surface irregularities or skin tone concerns. Laser resurfacing treatments can be performed after your facial surgery to restore an even skin tone and texture.

In addition, eyelid surgery of the upper or lower eyelids or an endoscopic/mini scar brow lift can rejuvenate the upper portion of the face. 

Want to Learn More About Facelifts and Mini-Lifts? 

If you are interested in a facelift or mini-lift in Tampa, Florida, call us at (813) 872-2696 or fill out our online contact form. 

Categories: Millennial Facelift

7 Min Read:

Some women go into their breast augmentation consultation with the expectation that their future breast implants will be with them forever. 

Therefore, they are surprised to hear that those implants may not be as permanent as they previously thought. 

Breast implants, like any other human-made object, are not foolproof and not immune to damage. While breast implants can be expected to last for many years or decades, they should not be expected to be permanent.

How Long Will My Implants Last?

There is a popular notion that breast implants will only last for eight to 10 years before they will need to be replaced.

While this is true for some women, others experience much longer results—sometimes upwards of 25 or 30 years. 

Recently, Dr. Joshua Halpern had a patient come in for a consultation for a facelift. She was 47 years old. Dr. Halpern performed a breast enlargement on her 25 years ago and she still has the original implants. 

“My mother relieved me to you,” the patient said. The patient’s mother was an OR nurse at a major hospital in Tampa. “My mother told me you were the most meticulous surgeon she ever worked with.”

Implants do not have a definite lifeline; instead, they are affected by external factors like trauma or implant complications.

What Can Happen to My Breast Implants?

Breast implants may need to be replaced for a variety of reasons. The three most common are physical trauma, implant complications, or natural wear-and-tear.

What Is Implant Trauma?

Trauma to a breast implant can occur at the time of the initial breast augmentation or years down the line. 

While it is not common, an implant may be damaged during insertion. Breast augmentation requires the use of sharp specialty tools. If one of these tools accidentally comes into contact with the implant during the process, the implant shell may be damaged. 

Dr. Halpern was informed by an implant company that his rupture rate is 20 times less than the national average in part because of how he inserts the implant and closes up the wound. 

Alternatively, some implants experience trauma after the patient has left the surgical room. 

Breast implants are incredibly durable and able to withstand an enormous amount of pressure. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Physical trauma—such as that experienced in car accidents, falls, or other injuries—can cause irreversible damage to an implant.

Damaged implants often result in an implant rupture or deflation—when the implant shell weakens and allows the internal silicone or saline to escape out of the shell. 

Implant rupture leads to aesthetic distortion and should be handled as soon as possible. 

As some silicone implant ruptures are not readily noticeable (silent ruptures), women with these implants are required to undergo MRIs or ultrasounds every other year to verify the health and durability of the implant. 

What Are Implant Complications?

Implant complications are the most common reason for the removal of breast implants. 

Complications can occur at any time following breast augmentation and, unfortunately, require additional breast surgery to repair.

Common complications include capsular contracture and implant displacement.

Capsular contracture is a complication that causes physical discomfort and aesthetic distortion. This is the result of hardening scar tissue constricting around and squeezing the implant. Capsular contracture is addressed with the removal of the implant and the scar tissue.

Dr. Halpern has been told he has one of the lowest rates of capsular contractures in the county. 

Implant displacement, such as bottoming out or symmastia, occurs when the implant travels out of the designated breast pocket. Implant displacement can result in an unnatural breast appearance. 

How Can I Reduce My Risk for Implant Problems?

Unfortunately, there is often no way to eliminate or even reduce your risk of needing future breast surgery. Even if your implants do not experience damage or complications, there is still a chance that they will need to be replaced due to normal wear-and-tear. 

Women with breast implants should always be vigilant about the feeling and appearance of their implants.

If you are interested in learning more about breast enhancement surgery, are looking for breast enhancement near you, or are experiencing a complication with your implants, contact Dr. Halpern by calling (813) 872-2696 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

What Should I Do if I Experience a Complication With My Implant?

If your implant is physically damaged and causing pain or aesthetic distortion, breast implant repair is in your future. 

Unfortunately, implant complications will not fix themselves, and you will need surgical assistance to restore aesthetics and comfort to your augmented breasts.

Breast implant repair, or breast revision, is performed by removing the damaged implant, possibly removing part of or the entire breast capsule. A brand new implant is inserted into the breast pocket, and the incisions are closed.

Breast revision can be performed using the same incision as your original breast augmentation.

Is It Safe to Replace My Implants?

It is safe to replace your implants. You are not required to replace your breast implants after they have been removed, although many women choose to. 

Breast revision is the ideal time to remove your implants permanently—if you are unhappy with their aesthetic or feel—because the implants are already being removed from the breast pocket. A breast lift can be performed simultaneously to correct any ptosis (breast sagging) or to incorporate stretched out breast tissue as an autograft to help add breast tissue internally for a better shape after removing the breast implants. 

How Durable Are Breast Implants?

The durability of breast implants is one of the most common worries that women have about breast implants. 

While a breast implant has the appearance of a balloon or pillow, it is not nearly as fragile. Breast implants can be stepped on, run over, or dropped, and none of these events should have an effect on the implant shell. 

Is It Hard to Remove a Ruptured Implant?

There is no way around removing a deflated or ruptured implant since there is no way to repair a damaged silicone shell. 

Saline implants deflate almost immediately following a break in the shell. Silicone implants are not as readily noticeable.

Silicone implants are very different than saline—especially newer silicone implants. New silicone implants are made with a thick cohesive gel that holds its shape even if the shell is weakened or cut. 

This thicker gel is beneficial because it makes it less likely that silicone gel will escape into the body.

Free silicone gel from silicone implants is difficult to remove because it can move out of the breast pocket and become absorbed by the surrounding tissue. 

Still, a ruptured silicone implant should be removed as soon as possible. Dr. Joshua Halpern has one of the longest experiences in treating this problem.   

Do I Need to Remove Scar Tissue?

Scar tissue, secondary to a capsular contracture, should be partially or completely removed during a breast revision—especially one that is due to capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is caused by constricting scar tissue, and not removing it can cause the complication to recur. 

What If My Implant Moves?

A displaced implant is an implant that has shifted or moved outside of the breast pocket. 

Even though a displaced implant is usually undamaged, it is still often removed. This allows your surgeon to repair the breast pocket and ensure that the implant will not travel outside the breast pocket for a second time.

Where Can I Find Breast Implant Repairs in Tampa, FL?

If you are experiencing a complication with your breast implant, contact Dr. Joshua Halpern by calling (813) 872-2696 to set up your complimentary consultation. 

Categories: Breast Implants

4 Min Read

Many men and women can relate to the feeling of wanting to lose a couple of pounds. 

This would allow their clothes to fit a little looser and/or allow them to feel a bit better about the physique that they see when looking in the mirror. 

Body contouring procedures allow patients to accomplish that. 

While liposuction is still the most common cosmetic fat reduction procedure, it is not the only one, and non-surgical body contouring is gaining in popularity. 

One of these non-surgical treatments is the UltraShape® Power, an ultrasound-based body contouring procedure that reduces unwanted fat on the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, and bra fat. 

Why Should You Consider Cosmetic Body Contouring?

While diet, exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle are beneficial to keeping excess weight at bay, it is not always enough. 

Stubborn diet and exercise-resistant fat pockets accumulate with aging, pregnancies, weight fluctuations, and genetics. 

The inability to remove these pockets naturally can be frustrating, so much so that it leads many men and women to consider cosmetic body contouring.

How Does the UltraShape® Power Remove Fat?

Unlike other techniques, UltraShape® Power reduces unwanted fat without surgery, downtime, or discomfort.

This technique uses non-thermal, focused, ultrasound energy that eliminates a portion of fat cells without damaging the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and tissues. 

Ultrasound energy targets fat cells and causes them to transform into fatty acids (a process that is known as cavitation), which are eventually processed out of the body. 

Most patients require a series of three UltraShape® Power treatments spaced two weeks apart to reach optimal results. These sessions usually take 30 minutes per treatment area.

What Is Ultrasound Energy? How Is It Beneficial for Fat Reduction?

When most people hear ultrasound, their thoughts immediately go to pregnant women and sonograms. 

While ultrasound imaging is used during pregnancy, pregnancy is not the sole purpose of ultrasound. 

Ultrasound is energy in the form of high-frequency sound waves. 

When these waves are administered to pockets of excess fat, it causes the fat cells to break down. 

Once the cells rupture, the body naturally eliminates them from the body. 

How Does Liposuction Differ from UltraShape® Power?

Liposuction is the gold standard for cosmetic fat reduction. 

This surgical procedure is so popular that its name is nearly synonymous with fat reduction.

Liposuction requires small incisions made near the area of unwanted fat. 

A thin, hollow tube—known as a cannula— is inserted through this incision, and fat cells are suctioned out with the aid of a vacuuming device. 

The popularity of liposuction has caused many variations of the procedure to develop. Dr. Halpern offers Vibrostat®, which is vibration-supported liposuction. 

During a Vibrostat® treatment, the cannula vibrates, which allows for more gentle yet more powerful liposuction treatment. 

The vibration used with the technique increases patient comfort, speeds patient recovery, results in less bleeding, and allows for more significant fat removal. 

Is the UltraShape® Power Interchangeable With Liposuction?

Both procedures are effective in getting rid of unwanted diet and exercise-resistant fat pockets, but they are not interchangeable. 

While the UltraShape® Power has some benefits over liposuction, liposuction has advantages over the UltraShape® Power. 

The ideal technique for you will depend on the extent and locations of unwanted fat.

Benefits of UltraShape® Power

• It is non-surgical
• There is no pain or resulting scars
• There is no downtime
• Treats common “trouble spots” like the abdomen, flanks, and thighs

Benefits of Liposuction

• Removes a greater percentage of fat
• Addresses additional areas, such as the buttocks, under the chin, and back

How Long Do the Results Last?

The results of both liposuction and the UltraShape® Power are considered to be permanent because the fat cells that are removed or destroyed cannot be reproduced in the body. 

While the fat cells are gone for good, the remaining fat cells in the body can expand in size if a healthy lifestyle is not followed. Therefore, the longevity of your liposuction of UltraShape® Power results depends on your dedication to maintain them.

Interested in Learning More?

If you think that either of these procedures can benefit you, contact Dr. Halpern by filling out our online contact form. 

Dr. Halpern offers body contouring procedures for patients in Tampa, Florida, and the greater Tampa area.

Dr. Halpern has lectured nationally and internationally on ultrasonic-assisted liposuction and power UltraShape®.

Categories: UltraShape®