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The summer season is a hectic time for most moms. Kids full of energy at home 24/7, sports practice, swimming lessons, and activities with friends. You can run yourself ragged over the summer and forget to take any time for yourself. That back-to-school moment can be sad, but it can also provide you with some much-needed time to enjoy the calm. As you send your kids back to school, it might give you the chance to reflect on what you can do for yourself.

The busy lifestyle of a parent may mean that you spend less time focusing on yourself. It is common for us to see moms who are stressed, tired, and unhappy with their appearance. After having your children, restoring your pre-baby body may be more difficult to achieve than you thought. A Mommy Makeover may be just what you need to refresh your appearance and reclaim your confidence.

Mommy Makeover When Your Kids Return to School

It can be difficult to find the perfect time to undergo your Mommy Makeover, but the back-to-school season may be ideal for you. While you will still need help from your partner and friends with a carpool system, you will have long periods alone to recover, and you won’t need to do heavy lifting like if you had a baby still. The peace and quiet you have while the kids are away will help you recover quickly.

Additionally, undergoing a Mommy Makeover in the fall will help ensure that you are fully healed by the time the holidays roll around. You should always plan surgery at least two months before any major event to give enough time for swelling to subside and your results to become noticeable.

What Does Mommy Makeover Surgery Correct?

• Volume loss: A breast augmentation uses implants to restore lost breast volume that women often experience after nursing.
• Breast sagging: A breast lift repositions and firms the breasts for a more youthful and revitalized appearance.
• Abdominal pooch: A tummy tuck can restore a tighter, firmer abdominal contour, which you may struggle to achieve through diet and exercise.
• Stretch marks: A tummy tuck can also improve the amount and visibility of stretch marks by removing redundant folds of skin on which they are present.
• Excess fat: Liposuction can treat areas with stubborn fat deposits for a slimmer, toned appearance.

For more information about the Mommy Makeover recovery process, or to schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, contact Dr. Koch today. You can call our office at (716) 631-1220 or contact us online.

Have you previously undergone a breast augmentation and still aren’t happy with your results? It can be frustrating to spend the money and time trying to achieve your ideal look only to have your procedure not provide you with the results you want. Dr. Koch sees many women looking to improve their breast augmentation results and recommends implant exchange if you aren’t happy with your breast appearance. These are the top 3 (but certainly not the only) reasons implant exchange may be right for you.

1. Poor Sizing

Ideal breast size varies among women because no two ladies have the same body type or shape. Determining implant size during the augmentation process is a delicate balance of your wants and your existing body proportions. 3D imaging is a very helpful tool in selecting the appropriate size before surgery. Sometimes, the wrong implant size is chosen, resulting in dissatisfaction with breast size after augmentation. You may feel that your breasts are now too large for your frame, or you may still feel that your breasts are too small. With an implant exchange, we can switch out your current implants for ones that will better provide you with the bust size you desire.

2. Implant Damage

Implant damage can occur at any point after your augmentation, whether within the first year of having your implants or 10 years after your initial procedure. While most implant damage is due to age-related wear and tear. Damage to a breast implant can cause a leak or rupture that will result in a deflated, empty breast. If you have saline implants, ruptures are more immediately noticeable, whereas silicone leaks may not be as visible and may require an MRI to diagnose. It is important to exchange damaged implants as soon as possible to preserve your health and the aesthetics of your breast. Newer gel implants are available that will not leak.

3. Unattractive Appearance

As with determining your size, choosing the best implant type and placement for your breast augmentation is based on a number of factors. The wrong choices for your needs and body type can contribute to an unattractive breast appearance. Saline implants may cause visible rippling in some patients, silicone implants may result in prominent implant edges in others, and subglandular placement may create a more noticeably augmented appearance. Dr. Koch will help you determine which implant factor is causing your unattractive breast appearance and will make a recommendation on how to fix it. Sometimes just the implant type needs to be changed. However, changing the placement of your breast implants can also change the positioning and shape of your bustline.

You can find more reasons for implant exchange on our breast revision page. If you would like more information on the implant exchange process or to schedule your breast consultation, you can call Dr. Koch’s office today at (716) 631-1220, or you can contact us online.

There’s a lot you should do to prepare for a plastic surgery procedure. From consultations to lab tests and even setting up your resting place—there is much to do that you may not even stop to think about whether your body is prepared for surgery. Providing your body with the proper nutrients before and after your surgery is essential to a safe procedure and a great recovery.

How Does Nutrition Impact Your Recovery?

It takes energy to heal your body following surgery. If your body is deprived of the proper proteins, vitamins, and minerals it needs, your recovery can take longer, you can feel poorly throughout, and your results may not be as great. Nutrients and hydration play a significant role in skin elasticity, which can impact the quality of your body contouring results.

Eating Healthy Before Surgery

You cannot eat for many hours before your surgery because of the anesthesia used. However, in the weeks leading up to then, you want to make sure your diet is full of the necessary vitamins and minerals your body will need throughout recovery. You should also maintain proper hydration to help keep your body functioning properly. The week before surgery, avoid foods that are just empty calories with no nutritional value. Suggested foods to eat during this time are:

• Lean proteins (chicken, fish, or turkey)
• Whole grains (but limit your fiber intake two days before surgery)
• Fruits (that are high in vitamins B and C)
• Vegetables (that are packed with iron)

Feed Your Body the Right Way After Surgery

The first day of your recovery can take a toll on you. Nausea may prevent you from wanting to eat solid foods, and a liquid diet may be recommended for the first 24 to 48 hours. However, it is important that you don’t deprive yourself of nutrient-packed foods. Fiber-packed foods may be helpful because anesthesia and pain medication can cause constipation.

Since fatigue is common following any surgery, healthy carbohydrates are necessary to maintain your energy levels. Healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals should be included in your diet to provide your body with necessities to heal itself. Suggested foods include:

• Dark green veggies
• Citrus fruits
• Berries
• Fish
• Chicken
• Nuts
• Avocados

For more pre- or post-operative information, you can call Dr. Koch’s practice at (716) 631-1220 or contact us online.

For years, breast augmentation has been the most popular plastic surgery procedure performed, with over 300,000 women undergoing the procedure each year. Breast augmentation has also seen a steady increase over the past decade as techniques and implant options help women achieve a more natural breast appearance. However, in 2016, liposuction finally overtook breast augmentation in the number of procedures performed.

Courtesy of ASAPS

Courtesy of ASAPS

Why Did Liposuction Overtake Breast Augmentation?

Beauty trends are always changing, but breast augmentation has been holding steady numbers, with around 300,000 procedures performed annually. Liposuction saw an increase over the last five years but was still trumped by breast augmentation until 2016. The chances are that liposuction has become more popular as body shape has become more important than breast size to many people. Additionally, liposuction was the top male procedure in 2016, with over 45,000 surgeries performed. With an influx of both men and women undergoing the procedure, it makes sense that it became more popular than a gender-specific surgery like breast augmentation.

Why You May Choose Liposuction

Liposuction is the most versatile fat removal procedure available. It safely and effectively eliminates areas of stubborn fat, even contouring finer areas that may not be reached with non-surgical options. You might choose liposuction to improve the definition of your:

• Abdomen
• Hips
• Thighs
• Arms
• Back
• Neck
• Legs
• Chest

 Combining Procedures

The statistics provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) don’t indicate whether these liposuction surgeries were performed as standalone procedures or in combination with other surgeries. You can choose to combine your liposuction procedure with tummy tuck, arm lift, body lift, or breast augmentation surgeries for better definition and more beautiful results.

 
If you are interested in seeing how liposuction can benefit you, schedule your consultation with Dr. Koch today. You can call our office at (716) 631-1220, or you can contact us online.

Your skin tells the world what’s happening in your life. If you’re tired, your skin—especially around your eyes—will show it. If you’ve gotten too much sun or are overheated, your skin can offer clues. Your skin is also a reflection of your general health and well-being. Translation? What you put inside your body makes its appearance known on your skin.

Take processed foods for example. Societies and geographical locations that eat very little junk also experience fewer skin issues such as acne and dermatitis than people in locales like the United States. The results shouldn’t be surprising. The more natural, whole foods you eat give your body the essentials it really needs, which means it can spend more time helping to maintain—not to fix—your body’s systems.

Interested in eating well for your skin? Use the ideas in this infographic:

With summer quickly approaching, people will soon be baring more skin to keep cool under the UV rays. The sun is going to come out soon enough, so it is time to get those last-minute cosmetic “touch-ups” done before summer makes its mark. Some common goals people want to achieve before summer include improving the appearance of their face and getting rid of those last few inches before having to put on a bathing suit at the beach or pool.

Whether you want a smoother, fresher face or a more contoured, flattering physique, Dr. Koch offers a variety of procedures that are bound to help you meet your goals.

Procedures for Your Last-Minute Touch-Ups

With so many options available, you can choose to undergo one or more cosmetic procedures to help you look your best this upcoming summer season. You won’t feel the need to shy away once the hot summer sun comes out after taking advantage of these “touch-up” procedures.

Cosmetic Facial Aging Treatments

• BOTOX® Cosmetic: This injectable contains a protein neurotoxin derived from botulinum toxin A, which temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles to prevent them from contracting. BOTOX® Cosmetic can reduce the appearance of:
  • Crow’s feet
  • Frown lines
  • Forehead lines

• Skin resurfacing: A chemical solution is applied to the skin to thin the outer layer, which allows the skin to create more collagen and grow new, healthy skin cells. Skin resurfacing can reduce the appearance of:
  • Facial wrinkles
  • Sun-damaged skin
  • Acne scars

Body Shaping Procedures

• Liposuction
  

  Liposuction of the outer thighs.

  : A small, thin tube (cannula) is used to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body and sculpt the desired contours. Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle; it is ideal for patients who have stubborn localized fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.

• Fat transfer: Using the liposuction procedure, unwanted fat is removed from one area of the body, and the fat is then purified and injected into the buttocks to create shape and add volume.  

It is the perfect time of year to get your skin fresh and body into shape before throwing on more revealing clothing. You can get summer-ready by undergoing one or a combination of facial rejuvenating and body sculpting treatments.

 
Dr. Koch can evaluate your body and your goals to help you decide on the best treatment for your needs. Schedule your consultation by calling (716) 631-1220 or by filling out our online contact form.

Facial aging can be a prominent concern for many men and women over the age of 30. With the improvement of injectables, more people are turning to these non-surgical treatments to address their facial aging. While injectable treatments are great for patients who have volume loss and surface wrinkles, they won’t improve the deeper causes of aging. If you want to erase years from appearance, facelift surgery may be the best option for you.

Treating Facial Sagging

The older you get, the more likely it is that sagging facial tissue is the leading cause of your aged facial appearance. Facelift surgery is the only proven technique to treat facial laxity. While injectables may improve wrinkles or volume loss, a facelift restores a firmer, more toned appearance. In addition to removing excess skin, a facelift addresses the drooping muscles of the face for a deep correction.

Deeper Treatment for Longer-Lasting Results

Dr. Koch’s facelift techniques focus on treating the drooping facial muscles that cause facial sagging. If left untreated, sagging muscles will affect the long-term quality of your results. This is why people who choose non-surgical treatments, like injectables, don’t yield the same rejuvenation results. Non-surgical treatments provide surface correction. By working deep in the tissues, you can achieve more dramatic results that last longer.

Combine With Other Procedures

Facelift surgery only provides correction to the midface and jawline. It can be combined with other facial enhancement procedures to achieve total facial rejuvenation results. Commonly combined procedures include:

• Eyelid lift to treat sagging eyelids
• Forehead lift to improve drooping brows
• Neck lift for a more defined jawline
• KYBELLA® to reduce the appearance of a double chin
• Laser skin resurfacing for a better complexion

To see if facelift surgery is the right procedure to reverse your signs of visible aging, schedule your consultation with Dr. Koch today. Call us at (716) 631-1220 or contact us online.

A poorly shaped booty is becoming an increasingly common problem among women. In the past decade, we have seen a shift that has celebrated the more curvaceous and voluptuous backside. The downside for many women is that no amount of diet or exercise will provide them with the butt profile they desire. Luckily, there is a solution in the Brazilian Butt Lift.

What Is the Brazilian Butt Lift?

In the past, butt augmentation was performed using just implants. While implants would increase the size of the buttocks, they often yielded unnatural results. For this reason, many women were wary to undergo this enhancement procedure. However, new advancements in fat transfer techniques have allowed surgeons to increase the size and shape of the buttocks while maintaining a natural appearance.

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) uses these modern fat transfer techniques to achieve the booty shape you desire. Liposuction is used to harvest your own fatty tissue from areas it is not wanted, and the fat is purified, leaving only strong fat cells. This purified fat is then carefully grafted into the butt in even layers. Dr. Koch is able to tailor the shape of your behind to highlight your body’s curves.

Benefits of BBL

• Liposuction to harvest fat provides an improved body contour and enhances the overall shape of your body
• Doesn’t result in noticeable edges like implants
• Long-lasting results
• Shorter recovery period
• Increased confidence in your booty and body

 
If you are looking to enhance the appearance of your buttocks while maintaining a natural appearance, schedule your BBL consultation with Dr. Koch today. Call us at 716-631-1220 or contact us online.

Photo via Pixabay by Lazare

Staying healthy can be a difficult task these days, as busy as life can be. For many of us, eating right and getting in daily exercise is a chore that has to be planned days in advance, and thinking about the best ways to keep our bodies and minds in good shape is often overwhelming.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your mind, body, and soul are in the best shape possible, it just takes a bit of planning and a little resolve. Staying healthy is about more than sticking to a strict diet and doing certain types of exercises; it’s also about making sure you’re stress-free and eating the right types of foods.

Here are a few of the easiest ways to do just that:

Cool Off

On hot days, you’re far more likely to get a headache or migraine than on any other day. Stay cool, and if you feel a headache coming on, sip ice water and keep a cool washcloth on your forehead to minimize the risk of brain pain.

Keep a Cool Head

De-stressing is essential in these stressful times, so make it a point to carve out some quiet time for yourself each day. Whether it’s an hour of reading before bed or waking up twenty minutes early so you can sit in peace with a cup of coffee, making time for yourself outside of the chaos of everyday life is imperative and can keep your heart strong and your mind sharp.

Get Outside

Getting outside in the sun can help you stock up on vitamin D, which is great for teeth, gums, bones, and the immune system. If you throw in some exercise, you can also get the benefit of increasing your melatonin–which helps you sleep–and boosting your mood. Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risk of several diseases, including multiple sclerosis, and can even fight off the flu.

Increase Your Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C is great for your skin and immune system as well as your bones and gums, and it can prevent certain cancers and even the common cold. If you’re a smoker, your need for vitamin C is greater than an average person’s. The easiest ways to get it is through food, such as citrus fruit, apples, dark leafy greens, broccoli, and red bell peppers.

Protect Your Heart

Millions of Americans are at risk for heart disease, so it’s important to keep it healthy with a diet rich in omega-3s (found in fish), nuts, berries, grapes, and good fats. Be sure to start off every day with a healthy breakfast chock full of protein and skip the soda and foods high in cholesterol. You might consider trying the Mediterranean Diet, which is full of plant-based foods, seafood, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and herbs and spices instead of salt.

Watch the Knees

Your knees, ankles, and feet get a lot of wear and tear on an average day, especially if you have a job where you’re on your feet a lot, so it’s important to take good care of them. Walking at a medium pace, wearing good sturdy shoes, and keeping your feet well groomed and moisturized are all great ways to ensure they stay healthy.

If you are interested in improving your appearance, contact us to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Todd B. Koch. Call us at (716) 631-1220, or fill our our online contact form for more information.