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How Should I Care For My Skin After My Chemical Peel?

Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

CHEMICAL PEEL POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS: 

Proper maintenance of your skin after a chemical peel will facilitate and enhance your rejuvenation process. It is important that you follow a few easy steps to achieve the maximum benefit from your peel.

What To Expect:

You will receive written instructions and a post-peel skincare kit with all the products you will need to care for your skin following your peel. During your recovery period, we request that you use only the products provided in your kit unless instructed otherwise. These products will keep your skin hydrated, protected and nourished.

For the first few days after your peel, your skin will look normal with some possible redness similar to a sunburn. In approximately 48 hours, your skin may feel tight and will begin to flake or peel.  Some patients will peel mildly while others will peel more dramatically.

It is important not to pick at your skin, which could potentially introduce bacteria, or cause scarring. Do not attempt to help the skin peel off.  Let this process occur naturally to avoid exposing immature skin and irritation.

Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-3 days after your peel as sweat my cause irritation or burning.

SUN BURN ALERT: The peel solution contains a blend of ingredients that may increase your skin’s sensitivity level to the sun, especially for the first TWO weeks following your peel. Please use the medical-grade, UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sunscreen provided in your post-peel kit (Castillo MD Skin Science Sun Defense SPF 45).

Post-Peel Instructions:

A.M.  Regimen for the first 48 hours (or until you begin to peel):

  1. Apply Castillo MD Skin Science Gentle Cleanser using a facial cleansing sponge to cleanse in a circular motion. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. Apply the selected Castillo MD Skin Science moisturizer provided in your kit and re-apply liberally as needed to maintain well hydrated skin.
  3. Apply medical grade sunscreen liberally and re-apply as needed.
  4. Avoid sun exposure.

P.M.  Regimen for the first 48 hours (or until you begin to peel):

  1. Apply the Castillo MD Skin Science Gentle Cleanser using a sponge to cleanse in a circular motion. Rinse and Pat dry.
  2. Apply the Castillo MD Skin Science moisturizer provided in your kit. Re-apply as needed to maintain well hydrated skin. moisturizer provided in your kit. Re-apply as needed to maintain well hydrated skin.

A.M Regimen days 3-7 (or until peeling has ceased)

  1. Apply the Castillo MD Skin Science Gentle Cleanser using a sponge to cleanse in a circular motion. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. Liberally apply the Castillo MD Skin Science moisturizer provided in your kit. Re-apply as needed to maintain well hydrated skin. Frequent applications of this emollient moisturizer will keep your skin feeling and looking better.
  3. Apply medical grade sunscreen liberally and avoid sun exposure.

P.M Regimen days 3-7 (or until peeling has deceased)

  1. Apply the Castillo MD Skin Science Gentle Cleanser using a sponge to cleanse in a circular motion. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. Liberally apply the Castillo MD Skin Science moisturizer provided in your kit. Re-apply as needed to maintain well hydrated skin. Frequent applications of this emollient moisturizer will keep your skin feeling and looking better.

To extend the life of your beautiful results, I recommend beginning a medical-grade skincare program designed specifically for your skin needs.

 

Yours Truly,

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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Posted in Instructions / Recovery Tips, Non-Surgical Treatments, Recovery: What to expect, Skincare & Aging, Uncategorized | No Comments »

What Is a Facelift and How Can This Popular Procedure Actually Benefit Me?

Friday, September 10th, 2021

WHAT IS A FACELIFT AND WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME?

Patients often consult with Dr. Castillo at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center when they begin to notice unwanted aging changes in the face and neck. Loss of collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in skin laxity, along with the loss of tissue and bone volume in the face are all normal parts of the aging process. When you combine those natural aging changes with gravity, years of cumulative sun damage, and hormonal changes, the result is often the formation of jowls, sagging facial and neck tissue, excess skin, wrinkles or skin folds, drier, thinner skin with pigmented spots and texture changes.

Funny how as a kid, you just can’t wait to “get older.”  You dream of the days when you can drive, go to bed when you want to, get up when you want to, make your own decisions, have total freedom… “BE AN ADULT.”  Well, apparently there is more to getting older than just gaining independence. Decades later, here we are “faced” with the full view of what giving up our youth really means.  Jowls. Sagging. Wrinkles.

So now what? The way I see it, there are 2 good choices:

  1. Truly accept the aging changes that are staring back at you in the mirror and live happily ever after.

OR

  1. Do something about it: Consult a Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon like Dr. Castillo on the options of a facelift and live confidently and happily ever after.

 

WHAT IS A FACELIFT?

A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens sagging tissue and skin of the lower face (cheeks, jowls, neck), resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance.  A facelift is typically preformed under general anesthesia and will take on average 2.5 – 5 hours of surgical time.

During this procedure, excess tissue, skin, and fat are removed and muscle and skin that has been pulled downward by gravity over time is re-positioned to create a more rested, youthful appearance.

 

WHAT CAN A FACELIFT DO FOR ME?

In a nutshell, a facelift will make you look younger than you do today. It helps to repeal the forces of nature: time, stress, environmental factors, sun, gravity, hormonal changes, volume loss, decreased collagen and elastin production.

A facelift can:

  • Remove your jowls and turkey neck
  • Tighten your sagging muscle structure
  • Lift your cheeks
  • Remove any loose, sagging skin, therefore tightening the remaining skin
  • Give you a more defined jawline
  • Deliver a smoother, more youthful, more inviting version of you.

WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

Going into surgery with an appropriate set of REALISTIC expectations is the key to being happy with your surgical results.  Your surgeon can help you to understand what can and cannot be accomplished with a facelift. Here is where I would strongly recommend you listen to your surgeon, rather than Dr. Google (who by the way, didn’t actually go to medical school).  The results can vary from individual to individual depending on the severity of aging you present with before surgery, your skin quality, the amount of time you have spent in the sun over the course of your life, your genetics and your anatomy or facial shape and your lifestyle habits.

While surgery cannot stop you from aging in the future, it can certainly turn back time. Most people can expect to look 7-10 years younger after a facelift. For more information on facelifts review more of our blog entries on facelifts and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Facelift, Facial Surgery, Neck Lift | No Comments »

Feel Prepared: What to Expect During Your Consultation for Breast Augmentation

Wednesday, January 17th, 2018

When you arrive for your breast augmentation consultation at our Champaign, Illinois, office, you will be greeted by our patient coordinator. She will ask you to fill out very short registration form. A member of our clinical team will escort you back our breast consultation room and will ask some questions regarding your health history. We will ask you for a list of current prescribed medications, allergies, past surgeries and dates.

You will then meet with Dr. Castillo to discuss your goals and desires for breast augmentation. Dr. Castillo and a member of clinical/surgical team will complete a quick physical exam, including some chest measurements. Once he knows your measurements and desires, he will be able to suggest an appropriate breast implant size for your body proportions. Then the fun part begins! We will give you a few sets of implants to try on to help you visualize your new body proportions. This will allow you to determine your choice of implant size with ease!

Once you find a size that you like, Dr. Castillo will talk in detail about what you can expect before, during, and after your breast augmentation surgery. Personally, I think thoroughness is one of Dr. Castillo’s best attributes. New patients (and long-standing ones too) continually comment on how much they appreciate both his willingness to be thorough during his explanation and that he is clear about realistic expectations and body proportions. Our goal is for you to gain the knowledge you need to make an educated decision that is BEST FOR YOU.

Speaking of decisions… I just want to be clear—you do not need to make a decision at your consultation appointment! No pressure! Think of this as a fact-finding mission. You can go home and think about the information your gathered during your consultation. Is breast augmentation right for you? Think about your experience with Dr. Castillo, our facility, and our staff. Are we the right team for you? Of course that being said, many of our patients do choose to schedule their surgeries while they’re here for their consultations. So, if that is what you prefer, we are able to get everything set up for you before your leave our office.

One of the more important things about having surgery in a private surgical facility rather than a hospital is that you will already know the staff prior to your surgery. The staff members that you meet during your consultation and pre-op visits will be with you on the day of your surgery, in your recovery room with you, checking in with you by phone after surgery, and at each of your post-operative visits.

I recommend checking out a few of my other blog posts on breast augmentation:

To meet with Dr. Castillo and learn more about breast augmentation, request a consultation or call our office in Champaign.

Best Regards!

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Breast, Breast Enlargement | 1 Comment »

Post-Tummy Tuck: A Case of the Missing Navel!

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

While all cosmetic or plastic surgeons have their own style and artist preferences, there is certain criteria that needs to be met to say you have delivered a good surgical result for your patient. We have been seeing a very strange occurrence with tummy tuck results from other practices who visit our Champaign, IL, offices lately, one that I believe warrants discussion.

Over the past 1 ½ -2 years, Dr. Castillo has seen a number of patients from other practices who are seeking a second opinion on their tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) results. These patients share that they are unhappy with the results. “Something just doesn’t look right,” they say. While they may not know exactly what they are unhappy with, they KNOW something isn’t as expected.

With one professional peek at their tummies, it’s shockingly obvious. They are missing the “crown jewel” of any good tummy tuck – the navel!! We have also seen a few patients with poorly re-constructed, misshapen, or poorly placed navels as well. Either way, it would make it difficult for a person to feel good about the new look of her/his tummy.

Technically called the umbilicus, the navel or belly button is the focal point of any abdomen. It is the single most important anatomical component and without one, an abdomen can look like something straight out of the movie Alien! Acute attention to the details of placement, size, shape and depth are paramount in the final appearance of an abdomen. That deserves repeating… Acute attention to the details of placement, size, shape and depth are paramount in the final appearance of an abdomen. The navel immediately reveals the age of an individual by its location, shape and size. Compare your current navel to the one in a picture of your navel as a teen. You are likely to notice some changes.

As you can imagine, undergoing a tummy tuck only to find that your navel does not look natural or worse yet, it is missing all together, can be disappointing to say the least. As a patient, you have spent upwards of ten grand, you have taken time off work, you went through the recovery process and are full of excitement… all with the goal of having a beautiful, sexy, more youthful abdomen, only to find that while you were sleeping, somebody has swiped your crown jewel!

slim-1391235_640As part of Dr. Castillo’s surgical team, I observe the delicacy and care in which he handles the re-creation of the umbilicus. It was surprising to me that there are surgeons (though small in number) who do not place proper importance on the re-construction of a natural looking navel. There are many wonderful, dedicated cosmetic surgeons around the world who can deliver a proper, natural-looking, youthful new tummy for you. It’s up to you to choose one who is knowledgeable, experienced and determined to deliver the look you desire!

So my best advice to anyone considering a tummy tuck is to ask lots of questions about what you are getting and what your surgeon’s vision of a proper abdominoplasty is. Look closely at his/her before and after photos. Carefully examine the position, shape, size, depth and proportion of the patients’ navels. This is not the time ignore the proverbial “elephant in the room.” Demand a proper navel!

To see Dr. Castillo’s beautiful, natural-looking tummy tuck results, view his photo gallery. Request a consultation to meet with him and discuss your options.

 

Yours Truly,

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Body Procedures, Tummy Tuck | No Comments »

Do You Know The Best Season for Your Cosmetic Surgery Procedure?

Wednesday, December 7th, 2016

Are you considering a facelift, tummy tuck, or another plastic surgery procedure? Many of Dr. G.D. Castillo’s patients in both his Champaign cosmetic surgery practices will often ask if there is a better time of the year is to have the particular surgery they are considering. Truthfully, most surgeries can be performed anytime of the year but each season does lend itself to certain advantages. Hopefully this blog post will give you some points to consider when choosing the best time for you and your lifestyle.

FALL:

Fall is known to be a time for change. The leaves change, colors change, temperatures change, daylight hours change, so why not make some changes of your own?

There are many advantages to having surgery during this time of year. The kids are back in school. Busy summer schedules and beach days have come to an end (at least here in the Midwest) and life is starting to get back into a more consistent routine after summer. The holidays are coming up and with a little planning you can have surgery and be healed with no remaining telltale signs all before your first holiday get-together.

lipo jeans to bigThere are also a few long holiday weekends like Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. This is a good time to have body contouring with liposculpture or even neck liposcultpure. Breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and even mini-facelift procedures are possibilities over long weekends. It is usually cool enough to camouflage yourself with an over-sized shirts, turtlenecks or scarves.

The only real disadvantage to having plastic surgery this time of year is that you are heading into the holiday season. It you have a lot of pre-holiday prep work or demands, it might be more challenging.

 

WINTER:

Winter is typically a very popular time to have surgery and for good reason; it is generally a slower, more laid back time. You can extend time off from work by adding vacation days to the beginning or end of holiday time. For this reason, it’s an ideal time to have surgeries that take more than a long weekend to be presentable, like a facelift, forehead lift, eyelid surgery, fat transplant or rhinoplasty.

It is easier to hide out for a few days without friends and family getting suspicious of your absence. It’s a common time to be stuck at home with “the flu or a cold” for a few days. Since no one wants your flu or a cold, they are likely to stay away. 😉

Winter wardrobes make it easy to conceal post-surgical swelling and bruising of the face or body. Scarves, turtlenecks and cute winter hats make it easy to hide lady covered with scarfthe signs of a recent facelift or forehead lift. Big, comfy sweaters can hide slower movements that are necessary just after breast surgeries, tummy tucks, and body contouring. Since you will need to avoid sun exposure after surgeries like laser resurfacing, winter is also the easiest time to stay out of the sun.

I cannot really think of any disadvantages of having surgery in the winter, though winter sometimes creates procrastination and before you know it, it’s spring and you’re suddenly in a time crunch to meet your cosmetic goals.

 

SPRING:

Spring is probably the most motivating season. It’s a very popular season for 4562 smallscheduling liposuction, tummy tucks, breast surgery and mommy makeovers. Patients are looking ahead to late spring and summer and want to get their body in check before heading to the beach, going to class reunions, weddings, vacations, or just having less clothing to conceal their areas of concern. It is also a great time for those who couldn’t fit a facelift, brow lift, rhinoplasty into their winter schedule because you can still conceal with a big spring hat, scarf and sunglasses for the first few days if you have bruising or swelling to cover.

 

SUMMER:

Summer can be a more challenging time to have certain cosmetic surgery procedures, as it is more difficult to avoid sun exposure to lasered skin or new, exposed incisions. If you are a gardener, a golfer or work outside, summer may not be the best season to have laser surgery. Most surgeries will impinge on your summer activities, at least to some extent.

However, if your daily summer lifestyle doesn’t include spending lots of time summer-cute-hipster-beautyoutside and you are accustomed to protecting your skin from the sun depending on your lifestyle, if you’re someone who already restricts the amount of sun exposure you get, or if you are willing restrict the time you spend outside for awhile, it can be a good option.

If you have kids at home, summer is a good time to send them off to Grandma’s house or summer camp for a fun-filled week while you concentrate on your recovery. By the time they return, they will be none-the-wiser. Since most people are pretty busy during the summer months, it won’t be too suspicious if you disappear from your social scene for a week.

Procedures like breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, eyelid surgery and tummy tuck procedures are good summer surgery choices. If summer is not a good time for surgery but you want a more youthful look for all your summer events, consider BOTOX Cosmetic or dermal filler treatments, or facials and skincare to keep yourself looking fresh until fall.

I think James Taylor said it best when he sang “Winter, spring, summer, or fall…all you’ve got to do is call…”

 

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Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

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Posted in Body Procedures, BOTOX® Cosmetic & Dermal Fillers, Breast, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery, Facelift, Facial Surgery, Laser, Liposuction, Non-Surgical Treatments, Rhinoplasty, Tummy Tuck | 3 Comments »

Ask Our Expert: How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Celebrate And Go Bra Shopping?

Thursday, April 21st, 2016

Ask Our Expert:

When can I go bra shopping after having a breast augmentation?

This is a great question. Bra shopping is one of the first things our breast augmentation patients in the Champaign area want to do after breast surgery! Honestly, I’ve even had patients who want to head to the mall straight from the recovery room! (Just to be clear, this is definitely not recommended!)

As I am often referred to as a “professional shopper,” I can absolutely relate to how anxious you are to rush out and load up on the cutest, sexiest, prettiest bras you can find. Who could blame you for wanting to showcase your beautiful new breasts? But here is the thing: you really need to wait for 6-8 weeks to break the bra bank.CPS Blog Photo 4578

Your final breast augmentation recovery will take time, and that’s especially true if you’ve also had a breast lift. Your breasts are going to go through a few stages and changes before they settle into their final shape and position. These changes affect how your bras fit and, ultimately, how you feel in them.

While most of your swelling will be gone within the first 10-14 days after your breast surgery, you will have a bit of residual swelling that needs to resolve over time. At first, your breast implants may also sit a little higher than you expected. This is because the chest muscles need to make room for the implant. Once there is more room in the pocket, your implants will assume their intended position, and then look out Victoria’s SecretCPS Blog Photo 5075, there’s a girl on a mission!

So, What’s a Girl to Do in the Meantime?

You will wake up from surgery already wearing a comfortable sports bra, compliments of Dr. Castillo and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center. Within 3-7 days, you will be able to go braless or wear a sports bra or wireless bra. My best advice is to harness your willpower and buy just one or two sports or wireless bras until Dr. Castillo lets you know the time to go shopping has finally come!  Then grab a girlfriend and make a day of it. You deserve it after exercising all that restraint!

If you haven’t yet had a breast augmentation, you can view some of our patients’ before-and-after photos to see the type of results you can expect.

To learn more about the breast augmentation process or to schedule a consultation, contact us online or call our office at (217) 359-7508 (Savoy).

Happy shopping!

Yours Truly,

Roxanne Grace Hammond
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D

FACEBOOK.     INSTAGRAM

217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

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Quality Facial Plastic Surgery Is Popular Now Then Ever Before!

Friday, January 15th, 2016

Orange isn’t the new black this season!  It looks like facial plastic surgery is now the new black, especially the facelift procedure in our Champaign-area office.

In the last few years, facial plastic surgery has gained a tremendous popularity. What’s more, it seems to be a very open topic. Patients, especially women, are no longer hiding the fact that they’ve had plastic surgery. Even among Dr. Castillo’s midwest conservative patients, it seems that “don’t ask, don’t tell” has changed to, “Hey, I just told my girlfriend about my facial plastic surgery experience, and she will be in your office next week for a consultation.” Over the past year, facelifts have become our most popular surgery. We are currently performing more facial plastic surgeries than breast augmentations!

So why has facial plastic surgery, such as facelift, neck lift and rhinoplasty, become the hot ticket? Why is facial plastic surgery more acceptable now than in the past? Why are more patients willing to share the very information about their patient status that we go to great lengths to keep confidential?

Baby Boomers Abound

Well, I’m not a behavioral expert, so I can only speculate. Of course, there is the fact that baby-boomers make up the largest segment of the population, and they fall within the age category for most facelifts. But I think the aging population is only a small part of the equation.

Be Your Best Self

I think that women are more empowered today than they were even 10-15 years ago. They hold high-powered positions in the workplace, they are often the highest earners in their families, and they are regarded as equals more than ever before. I think this power gives many women the voice to openly discuss and pursue the things that will improve their quality of life. They have a taste of what self-improvement can do for their lives, whether it’s using a personal exercise coach, opting for cosmetic dental work, changing their hair color, or getting a face lift. Instead of trying to hide their decisions, they are now speaking out to say, “I love my results, and I’m so happy I did this for myself!” They want to share their personal joy, and they’re willing to let their friends in on the secret so their friends can also reap the rewards of self-improvement.

Media Influence

We also have to consider the power of media. Plastic surgeons are frequently quoted in top magazines, discussing the latest advances in procedures and techniques. Celebrities are more open about their cosmetic procedures. Multiple TV shows focus on cosmetic surgery and take viewers through the process (though some are a little unrealistic for my taste).

Although not your typical plastic surgery case, Caitlyn Jenner brought much attention to cosmetic surgery and the changes it can accomplish. All of these factors make facial plastic surgery more relatable to the average person who just wants to look and feel their best. It shows us that there are numerous surgical and non-surgical options, and we can have some say on how we age and how we take care of our bodies, our health, our skin, and our overall appearance.

Natural-Looking Results

Dr. Castillo’s patients appreciate the natural, well-rested, and youthful look that he has built his reputation on. Patients often tell me that they are so amazed that no one has figured out that they had facial surgery (that’s the sign of really good surgery, by the way). Our patients’ friends just notice how great or well-rested they look and assume they have a new hair cut or mattress. Recently, I have had several patients share that they had no intention of telling anyone about their surgery or skin rejuvenation procedure. But after surgery, they were so thrilled with their results that they were eager to share their story with friends and say, “Yes, I had a facelift, and I’ll be happy to give you the name of my surgeon.”

If you want to see the results you might expect from a facelift, browse through our before-and-after photo gallery. You can also schedule a facelift, neck lift, or rhinoplasty consultation by contacting us online or calling us at (217) 359-7508 (Savoy).

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Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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Posted in Facial Surgery | No Comments »

Helpful Explanation on Why You Want to Massage After Breast Augmentation

Thursday, October 15th, 2015

My thoughts on the value of massaging breast implants.

There is a controversy following breast surgery as to should breast implants be massaged or not, and in order to answer this question we need to go into just what happens during a breast augmentation.

CPS Blog Photo 5042 A breast augmentation typically done below the pectoral muscle (submuscular) is one in which a pocket is developed beneath the breast, above the thorax (chest cage), and in between the midline (the sternum), and the lateral border of the pectoral muscle just before the armpit (axilla).  This pocket needs to be large enough to accept and contain a breast implant.  We need to remember that a breast implant is typically an envelope filled with saline solution or an envelope filled with silicone gel.

In my Champaign cosmetic surgery practices, typically we use saline prostheses; however, these thoughts are applicable to both silicone and saline prostheses.  Neither saline solution or silicone gel can get hard; however, certain implants (breasts) become firm or hard.  So, how does this happen?  In order for an implant to feel firm or hard your body needs to make a capsule, that is, a cover over the implant that is tight.  This can happen even if it is not very thick.  We actually can make a good example by putting a piece of Kleenex on top of an implant and putting some pressure with that Kleenex over the implant, this will make the implant feel pretty hard.  So, it is not difficult to make an implant feel firm or hard if even a thin capsule becomes snug or tight over an implant.

Massaging will prevent this capsule over the implant from becoming “tight” over the implant.  This is done by moving the prosthesis up, down, towards the sternum and towards the axilla.  When one does this, there is more room inside of the pocket for the implant to fit in.  This keeps the implant feeling soft.  This is important not only because implant will feel soft but it is also important in the sense that an implant which moves freely inside of the pocket is one that allows the breast to move normally and behave as a natural breast.  A natural breast moves with normal chest movements so we could even say that there is a certain wiggle of the breast when one moves.  This is desirable and relates to the normality of a breast as compared to a breast that is fixed to the chest wall and it looks fake or unnatural which is typically the case when a prosthesis feels firm.

While we don’t know why some implants become firm in some people and do not in others, we do know that through massage, we can create a wide pocket for the implant to  “live” in.  This allows the implant to feel softer than it would if the pocket was tighter.  It is this simple reasoning that is the answer as to why it is not only desirable but also necessary to massage an implant after breast augmentation surgery.  There really are no drawbacks to massaging an implant.

We also need to remember that in order for an implant to be able to be massaged, it needs to be a prosthesis that is smooth.  Textured prostheses do not lend themselves to movement and so they should not be massaged.  By in large most Breast enhancement surgeries today in the United States are carried out with smooth prostheses, so the argument that all prostheses should be massaged is a good one.

G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

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