Facial Rejuvenation

Looking how you feel and not your age grows more important as the years add up. This feeling is often more noticeable around the holidays as we visit friends and family. Many people think surgery to improve facial appearance is time consuming, risky and very invasive. This really isn't true. By using liposuction, micro fat transfers and minimal incision (S-lift) types of facial surgery we can dramatically improve appearance with minimal downtime. The weeks before or after the holidays are popular times because vacation time is readily available.

If you have been thinking of getting rid of the extra skin in your neck and lower face and improving the appearance of your eyes come in for a free consultation and learn how these minimally invasive procedures can work for you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Dr. Jabs

Capsular Contracture Repair after Breast Augmentation

A certain number of women will experience capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast caused by scar tissue surrounding the implant) after a breast augmentation. Research into this phenomenon points to either bleeding or infection (which may be subclinical) as the two most likely causes. Both of these conditions result in inflammation which is the first step in scar formation and thus capsule formation.

The usual treatment is to remove the implant, remove the capsule and replace the implant. A drain is usually placed as well. But even this treatment doesn't work in some patients.

The use of a lining agent such as Strattice to cover the implant is often used in breast reconstruction where covering tissues, especially when tissue expansion is used, can be quite thin. In these cases it was seen that patients had a very low incidence of capsular contracture. The presence of the extra material, especially covering the implant where there is no overlying muscle seems to impede the formation of capsules. The big drawback is the cost of the material ($2600 for two sides) and the fact that the operation takes a bit longer which can also add costs. It is all worth it if a soft, compliant result can be obtained in an otherwise very difficult situation.

I just used Strattice for the first time for this application in a patient that had a recurrent capsule. Everything went very smoothly. I look forward to seeing her long term results. If you or a friend have experienced a problem after breast augmentation, this procedure holds great promise.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs

Maryland and Virginia Body Contouring After Weight Loss

With more and more people concerned about their health and longevity, we are seeing an increase in the number of people that have managed to lose a considerable amount of weight. This leads to sagging skin everywhere. Typically we address the worst first. This tends to be the belly for most people with an extended tummy tuck used to bring up the laxity in the hips and outer thighs.

One procedure that I have had very good luck with is using the excess tissue from the upper hip/posterior upper buttock that would have been discarded to augment and build out the buttock region. This buttock often sags and looks flat after weight loss. By leaving the tissue attached to a blood supply, I can rotate it into a pocket that fills the majority of the void created with massive weight loss. The result is a bottom that looks more round and full and less droopy and old. All of this without the need to use foreign material. It lasts and doesn't carry the higher risk of infection.

As you can see below in this early post operative photo, not only is the abdomen flatter but the buttocks are rounder and smoother



Anyone who has worked so hard to lose so much weight deserves to look as good as possible.

All the Best,

Dr. Jabs