Planning Your Breast Augmentation: Facts on Implants

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According to the latest statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast augmentation has consistently been the top cosmetic surgical procedure since 2006. Cosmetic breast surgery is a safe and transformative procedure, but it is highly important for patients to conduct their research and make informed decisions about their surgery. With the numerous online tools available and various sources claiming different information, plastic surgery research can often feel overwhelming. To help his patients learn more about breast enhancement and their implant options, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer shares a brief list of facts and reputable resources.

  • The FDA has approved three types of breast implants: saline, silicone, and highly cohesive silicone gel (also known as “gummy bear implants”).
  • Implants come in a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes to fit different bodies. During your consultation, there are tools such as sizers and imaging technology to help determine a proper size for your aesthetic goals.
  • Instead of breast cup sizes (A,B,C..), implants are measured by cubic centimeters (cc’s) which are determined by the amount of saline or silicone used to fill each implant.
  • The Keller Funnel™ is an FDA-approved device to directly transfer the implant from its packaging directly to the patient so the risk of contamination and complications are significantly reduced.
  • Surgical incisions can be made on various areas of the body to insert the implant such as under the breast, in the armpit, or even the belly button. The most common location is under the breast as scarring is covered and it provides direct access to the breast cavity.
  • Breast implants can be used for both cosmetic purposes as well as reconstructive. Depending on the patient’s body and preference, implants can be an option for breast reconstruction.

As a board certified plastic surgeon with vast experience in breast procedures, Dr. Moyer always reminds patients to check their surgeon’s background and credentials as well as implant information from the manufacturers.

  • The FDA publishes data sheets and approval information on their website.
  • Accredited professional associations like ASPS and The American Society of Aesthetic Surgery (ASAPS) provide lists of procedures and current events relating to plastic surgery. ASPS also has a list of questions to ask your surgeon regarding breast surgery.
  • Implant manufacturers such as Allergan®, Mentor®, and Sientra® offer breast implant information and safety guidelines.

If you are interested in breast augmentation or any other cosmetic procedure Dr. Moyer offers, please contact our office today. Be sure to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates and plastic surgery news.

Looking Forward to a New Year in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

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As we begin 2014, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer and his medical team reflects on last year’s accomplishments and research and look forward to the New Year. In 2013, Dr. Moyer continued his research on breast surgery techniques and improving patient safety. He has participated in studies for the Keller Funnel™ to enhance safety and efficiency for breast augmentation and research on the new highly cohesive “gummy bear” implants. With the breast survey discussing cosmetic procedures, patients could provide their opinions and preferences to further assist Dr. Moyer’s plastic surgery research.

In addition to research, Dr. Moyer has continued refining techniques such as the auto-augmentation with breast lift and a unique suspensory facelift developed at Emory University. With his patient’s safety and satisfaction as a main priority, Dr. Moyer and his team at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. won a Patients’ Choice Award for 2013. This title is awarded to physicians who have received near perfect ratings among online review sites. Finally, he was excited to announce his official certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery in December.

For the upcoming year, Dr. Moyer looks forward to continue seeing patients and authoring and researching studies on new technology, surgical techniques, and implant designs. If you’re interested in a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure with Dr. Moyer, please contact us today. Be sure to connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery updates.

The Keller Funnel™ Improves Patient Care and Safety during Breast Augmentation Surgery

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With plastic surgery research and patient safety as two of his main priorities, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer continues to research and implement the latest techniques and technology for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Recently, Dr. Moyer participated in a study on the Keller Funnel™, an FDA Class I device that facilitates the placement of breast implants into the patient’s body. This device improves patient care by decreasing the risk of infection and post-operative complications.

Breast augmentation surgery is designed to increase the size and volume of the breasts through the surgical insertion of saline, silicone, or highly cohesive silicone gel implants. The Keller Funnel™ assists breast enhancement by allowing direct transfer from the implants’ packaging to the patient’s breast cavity. The funnel minimizes the amount of skin contact and potential contamination during surgery, leading to reduced risk of infection and complications such as capsular contracture.

One of the main differences between saline and silicone breast implants, aside from the implant’s fill material, is the placement of them in the patient’s body. Saline implants are initially empty so they are inserted and then filled with sterile saline solution to the desired volume while silicone implants are already pre-filled and formed. The Keller Funnel™ allows Dr. Moyer to safely place silicone and highly cohesive silicone gel implants using smaller incisions like the ones used for saline implants, reducing the size and appearance of scars.

If you are interested in breast enhancement surgery or any other cosmetic procedure, please contact us today. For more plastic surgery updates and research studies, follow Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

The New Generation of Silicone Gel Breast Implants’ Effect on Capsular Contracture

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In the October 2012 issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer conducted a study titled, “The Effect of Silicone Gel Bleed on Capsular Contracture” with Drs. Ghazi and Losken, also from Atlanta. In the study, the latest generation silicone gel breast implants, also known as highly cohesive gel implants, were tested for its effect on a common breast implant complication. Capsular contracture is an implant complication that occurs when the body forms excess scar tissue around an implant, creating a hardened breast texture and appearance. Dr. Moyer’s study explored how silicone gel bleed, or when the silicone fill of an implant leaks out of the shell, affected the breast.

The use of silicone breast implants in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction is increasing each year, according to statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The highly cohesive silicone implants used in the study are Mentor’s Contour Profile Gel® (CPG) and Allergan’s Natrelle 410® implants. Since these implants are fairly new, Dr. Moyer has extensively researched the safety of these breast implants in his lab both at Emory and Georgia Tech.

Results conclude that the silicone gel fill does not harm the patient’s body, as the new implants are stronger and safer, and that even in the event of an implant rupture, the body will react locally but not systemically. Dr. Moyer continues investigating techniques and new developments in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

For more information on a procedure or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today. Also, connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery news.

Lift and Enhance Breasts with Auto Augmentation Technique

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Breast augmentation and breast lift procedures are commonly performed in combination. Breast augmentation uses breast implants to enhance the shape and size of breasts, while breast lift surgery restores breasts to a more youthful position. Breast lifts address problems caused by factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, and gravity that can cause skin to lose its elasticity and the breasts to shift downward as we age. While patients can choose breast lift as an individual procedure or with traditional breast augmentation using implants, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer uses an auto augmentation technique to lift and reposition breasts while also using excess breast tissue to augment the breast’s size and shape.

Traditional breast lift surgery is performed by making an incision around the areola and under the breast’s crease to trim excess skin and reshape the breast for a firmer, natural position. The areola and nipple can also be repositioned or reduced for a more proportional result. Breast lift surgery alone will not significantly alter breast size or increase volume in the upper part of the breast. Breast lift with auto augmentation, which is short for autogenous tissue transfer augmentation, uses existing excess breast tissue as a substitute for an implant to augment the breast. Since auto augmentation is performed using the patient’s own tissue rather than foreign material, post-operative risks are minimized.

To perform a breast lift with auto augmentation, Dr. Moyer performs a traditional breast lift to tighten skin and reposition the breasts. After completing the lift, Dr. Moyer uses inferior breast tissue from the sagging lower area of the breast to restore fullness to the upper portion. Auto augmentation preserves excess breast tissue by transferring tissue to serve as an “implant” instead of simply discarding excess skin and tissue. This technique provides a natural and safe way to enhance breasts without implants or additional surgery. However, it is important to discuss treatment options with Dr. Moyer to discuss your aesthetic goals and which procedure will achieve the most natural results.

If you’re interested in breast surgery or any other cosmetic and reconstructive procedure that Dr. Moyer offers at his Atlanta and Cumming practices, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

Mommy Makeover – Is it Right for You?

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Being a mother is one of the most rewarding and selfless jobs a woman can have, but the physical changes that occur to you can leave some women desiring the body they once had.  There has been an increasing trend in women electing a “mommy makeover” procedure: a combination of cosmetic procedures aimed at rejuvenating the breasts and abdominal area to help women achieve their pre-baby bodies.

The beauty of a mommy makeover is the ability to customize a combination of procedures from tummy tucks and liposuction to breast lifts and breast augmentation based on your individual needs.  This gives Dr. Hunter Moyer the ability to target and effectively treat problem areas in one surgery.  Pregnancy can cause dramatic changes to the body despite healthy diet and exercise routines.  Some women experience loose skin, stretch marks, sagging breasts and exercise-resistant fat deposits that can only be corrected with body contouring procedures.  The best candidates for mommy makeover are those who have reached a desirable weight and are no longer breast feeding their infants.

Popular mommy makeover components like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is desirable as it tightens the abdominal muscles to smooth the midsection, remove unwanted fat and excess skin.  Stretch marks are reduced while also narrowing the waistline to reveal a more contoured look.  In addition to the abdominal areas, pregnancy can affect the breasts.  Whether due to breastfeeding or volume fluctuation, the breasts often lose their elasticity and shift downward, creating a pendulous shape.  Fortunately, cosmetic breast procedures like breast lift can correct breast position by removing excess skin, reshaping the breasts and lifting them higher.  Dr. Moyer eliminates sagging and creates a more proportionate and youthful aesthetic.  Breast lifts are often combined with breast augmentation to increase volume, and Dr. Moyer also offers the auto-augmentation lift where some of your excess inferior breast tissue is used as an “implant” during the lift.

Atlanta plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer believes that every woman should feel their best: he spends quality time with each of his patients to answer any questions and tailor the right procedures for optimal results.  To find out more about the cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures that Dr. Moyer offers, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.  Don’t forget to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the latest news and updates.

Have You Seen Dr. Moyer in the May Issue of The Atlantan Magazine?

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Featured in The Atlantan’s May 2013 issue, Atlanta plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer answers frequently asked questions about breast implants. With the FDA’s recent approval of Allergan’s Natrelle 410 highly cohesive silicone gel implants, many patients have asked about their implant options for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. In the article, Dr. Moyer addresses the differences between silicone implants and the new “gummy bear” form stable implants.

Saline and silicone implants are silicone elastomer shells filled with either sterile saline solution or a silicone gel. Both are also FDA approved for use in breast enhancement and breast reconstruction surgery. Allergan’s 410 cohesive gel implants contain a stronger outer shell and are filled with a thicker, form-stable silicone gel, reducing the likelihood of leakage or shape loss.

If you are interested in breast surgery or any other cosmetic procedure Dr. Moyer performs, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Be sure to also connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery updates and news.

Join Dr. Moyer for a Breast Implant Q&A Session on May 1

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For patients interested in breast augmentation, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer will be hosting a free question and answer session at Northside Forsyth’s 1400 building, suite 390 on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 6 pm. During the Q&A, patients can ask questions about breast implant options and breast procedures they’re interested in. Dr. Moyer will present information on saline, silicone, and the most recent FDA-approved Allergan 410 cohesive gel breast implants. To attend this free event, please RSVP to Rebecca Brock at (404)-250-3393.

Check Out Dr. Moyer in the March Issue of Jezebel Magazine

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If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up a copy of Jezebel Magazine’s March issue to learn the latest on lasers from Dr. Hunter Moyer, AYA Medical Spa, and Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. Last month, Atlanta Plastic Surgery added Sciton® laser technology to their menu of non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. In the article, Dr. Moyer helps to answer commonly asked questions about Sciton®. This new skincare technology is available at AYA Medical Spa, owned and operated by Atlanta Plastic Surgery, at their Northside location in Atlanta. As a laser resurfacing option to eliminate wrinkles, scarring, acne, uneven skin tone, and unwanted hair, Sciton® can treat most skin types. See the article below to learn more.

If you are interested in Sciton® laser technology or other non-surgical or surgical procedures, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Also be sure to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more updates and news on plastic surgery.