Breast Augmentation in Virginia and Maryland: Gel or Saline?

I've written before about the strengths and weaknesses of gel and saline implants.

I've also done a video discussing the difference.

For most women considering breast augmentation the one factor that can not be adequately expressed in words or images is the way the implants feel, both to you and to your partner. Until you have had the opportunity to touch the implants you won't be able to make an informed decision on which you prefer. The memory gel implants have a cohesion that makes the fill material feel more like your natural breast tissue. Saline implants can work fine for women with more tissue to start with (since there is more to cover the implant) especially if you don't overfill them.

I have gotten great, soft, naturally appearing augmented breasts with both types of implants. In my opinion the memory gel implants are the better of the two if the feel of the breast is important.

I hope this helps.

Come in and experience the difference.

Dr. Jabs

Plastic Surgery Video Testimonials in Virginia, Maryland the District of Columbia

I am pleased to announce that my video testimonial page is up and running on our main website. You can view real patients that explain what their surgical experience was like and how it made them look and feel. These videos give you the experience of actually talking to someone who has had the procedure you are contemplating.

You can also see real operations being performed (breast augmentation and tummy tuck/liposuction) as well as view short videos explaining the differences between gel and saline implants, how we make breast augmentation less painful and how to choose implant width with your surgeon.

Dr. Jabs

Tummy Tuck vs. Lipo in the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia)

Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?

I see many patients who want to rejuvenate their stomach/abdominal area (especially after childbirth) but aren't sure if they need liposuction or a tummy tuck. Liposuction is great if your muscles aren't lax and you don't have extra skin in the area. If you have had children you may need more. You may need to remove some extra skin and tighten the abdominal muscles along with liposuction of the area to achieve your goals. This involves an incision in the lower abdomen but results in a markedly flatter stomach. You can view a video of me doing a Tummy Tuck procedure here.

In between these two options is the "mini" tummy tuck where the liposuction is done but only the lower part of the abdominal muscles are tightened. This has the advantage of a shorter incision and no scar around the abdomen.

You can read more on my website, www.cosmeticplastics.com, and see before and after photos of liposuction of the abdomen and of tummy tucks. I also have a video testimonial from a previous liposuction patient and a tummy tuck patient to help you understand what the procedure is like from a patient's point of view.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs

Be Safe, Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

It doesn't matter how good you look if you don't survive the surgery. Safety is the number one concern of board certified plastic surgeons. Research your doctor and be certain they are Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Recently a woman in Atlanta chose to have her breast augmentation surgery done by a non-certified eye doctor and almost died in the process due to bleeding. You can view the video or read the article by clicking on these links. It is never too late to do the research, even if you have scheduled surgery. Choosing the right doctor can be a matter of life and death.

Dr. Jabs is an experienced, Board Certified, plastic surgeon who does surgery in hospital affiliated and approved surgery centers in both Maryland and Virginia

Dr. Jabs

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

I recently treated a young lady whose complaint was that her nose had a round, non-projecting tip. This is due to the shape and strength of the cartilage that makes up the tip. You can try to treat this by reshaping the existing cartilage in the tip, but this only provides a slight improvement. What is needed is to add cartilage to provide strength, support and projection to the tip. In this case I harvested some cartilage from the septum (the wall in the center of the nose that separates the right and left sides), and carved a strut for the tip and a "shield" graft. The strut was placed in the "columella" (little column), in the center of the nose that separates the nostrils. This provided support for the tip so it wouldn't collapse. The "shield" graft (see attached picture) provides shape and projection to the tip.

My young patient was seen on the 5th postoperative day and the small sutures in the columella were removed. The tip was slightly swollen but the new projection and shape were readily apparent. Pain was minimal. She is off to college in a few weeks with an enhanced self image.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs

Decreasing Post Operative Pain

If you check around the web you will see many people state that breast augmentation under the muscle can cause a significant amount of pain. We have found a way to markedly decrease that pain which means your recovery from breast augmentation will be more comfortable, with less chance of nausea from narcotic use. Take a look at the attached video that explains the procedure and feel free to email me at jabs@cosmeticplastics.com with any questions you might have.

All the best,

Dr. Jabs

Top plastic Surgeons

Northern Viginia Magazine just came out with it's list of Top Plastic Surgeons. I am pleased to be included since this list was generated from the recommendations of other plastic surgeons. The magazine will publish it's list of doctors in the October issue (Top Plastic Surgeons), in their February issue (Top Doctors) and in their June issue (Besot of NoVa). I plan to take out a half page section in the magazine to direct people to my new web page (available any day) that features video recommendations from actual patients. You will be able to hear from women (and men) that have actually had plastic surgery and see how it has changed their lives. You'll learn about their experiences from the moment they contacted the office, thru the consultation, surgery and recovery phases. I'll also be posting information videos as well as videos of actual surgeries. More to follow as the page evolves.

Dr. Dean Jabs

Plastypac: Lobbying for Patients

I spent the day with fellow plastic surgeons from around the northeast lobbying our representatives in Congress. We came together under the auspices of PlastyPac, the official political arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Specifically we were encouraging our senators and house members to seek a permanent fix to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) calculation used to determine Medicare compensation, that continues to be "patched" to avoid a drastic cut in compensation to surgeons who treat the elderly. We also asked them to support the Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery (CARES) act that mandates insurance coverage for the treatment of birth defects. It was a beautiful day on Capital Hill. We met with Senator Mikulski, Senator Cardin, Rep. Van Hollen, Rep. Sarbanes and Rep. Bartlett.

It was a real eye opener to see how young the staffers are that make so many of the important decisions when briefing their bosses that affect us all. I listened a lot and learned from fellow surgeons who have been doing this for years.

I encourage anyone living or visiting the D.C. area to take some time and express your views to your representative. You will learn and gain respect for how things get done in a democracy.

Dr. Jabs

Virginia Gold Cup Races

My wife and I had a great time at the Virginia Gold Cup steeple chase races yesterday. The weather was warm with light breezes. We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the magnificent horses. It was my first Gold Cup. It was fun to see so many women fashionably turned out, and oh the hats the hats.

We went in support of Becky's Fund which is a group that promotes freedom from domestic violence. They had a big tent with lots of people in attendance. Everyone was having a good time. We happened to meet a group of young people who had recently graduated from Penn State and Michigan State. Well spoken, articulate and lots of fun. If they are typical of their schools then they are definitely doing something right.

It was a fun way to support a worthwhile cause.

Dr. J

What’s New at the Aesthetic Society meeting

I just spent the last 4 days at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) meeting in Washington DC’s Gaylord Convention Center. It is an annual event that is held in different parts of the country. ASAPS is the premiere national society for plastic surgeons that are interested in ways to improve face and body shapes. Doctors from around the country present their research on better ways to achieve safe effective results, with and without surgery.

The meeting consists of Scientific Sessions as well as course lectures that deal with everything from what’s is on the leading edge of plastic surgery to better ways to serve our patients. There are also courses that teach specific techniques and how to improve patient safety. The open hall in the convention center was filled with company representatives showing their wares. These included anything and everything associated with plastic surgery (breast implants, post surgical garments, skin care, financing, computer programs, instruments.....).

Hot topics that you may read about in national beauty magazines in the next few months include the recent approval of Dysport which is a Botox like medicine, fat transplantation to increase breast size (as well as contour the face to put off a facelift), and a new saline breast implant (Ideal Implant) that has many of the characteristics of a gel implant.

I have come back energized and excited to put what I have seen and learned to use. Please feel free to contact me to learn more about these topics or anything else you may have questions about.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs