Women who come to our practice for breast augmentation do so for a number of reasons.  Many women choose augmentation as a way to balance the size of uneven breasts, regain volume after pregnancy, or simply to gain a better proportion between their breasts and the rest of their body.  A breast implant is a silicone shell that is filled with either a sterile saline solution or silicone gel.  The silicone that is used in the implant is a cohesive substance that is more a solid form than a liquid form.  This implant material has a very low rupture rate and has undergone extensive research and testing over the last two decades.  There are a wide variety of sizes available.   During your complimentary consultation here in the office you and the breast surgeon will determine the optimal type and size of implant for you.

When you come into our office your procedure, you are also giving back to the community.  We proudly donate a percentage of pre-profit proceeds from every procedure that we perform.  Combined, we have over 90 years experience in plastic surgery.

In our office we use the Sciton XC Laser to address patient concerns with scars, wrinkles, lines, age spots, sunspots and freckles.  It provides superior results because it can be administered with great precision of depth.  The machine depth can be controlled depending on the patients desired downtime.    Laser treatment recovery varies from a couple of days to several weeks.  There are many options such as Profractional laser, Microlaser peel and IPL.  During an initial complimentary consultation, you will meet with a laser specialist to find out which treatment will be best for you.

We are pleased to announce that we have two very experienced and reputable Board Certified Plastic Surgeons that have joined our practice.  Dr. Reza Sadrian and Dr. Carol  Hollan partnered with the Smoot’s earlier this year.  They bring with them years of experience and a strong following of returning patients.  They are extremely experienced in all types of plastic surgery-facial surgery, nose surgery, breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks.  We also offer full laser skin care clinic as well as injectables and fillers.

We will be at the Head-to-Toe Women’s Expo April 16th, 17th & 18th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  This is a great place to meet with one of our four Doctors-Dr Wendell Smoot, Dr John Smoot, Dr Reza Sadrian or Dr Carol Hollan and get answers to all of your plastic surgery questions.  All of the doctors perform all types of plastic surgery-breast surgery, nose surgery, face surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks.  We also have a full laser and skincare clinic located in our suite.  Our new laser treats brown spots, age spots, wrinkles and sun damage, all with just a few days of downtime.  Most patients feel the expo atmosphere is less a intimidating place to get questions answered by a plastic surgeon.

How long the results of your cosmetic surgery procedure will last is a question you should ask La Jolla, California cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Smoot, during your initial consultation. The answer will most likely depend on your age, general health, the type of procedure you are having performed, and certain environmental and lifestyle factors. Reconstructive surgery results may last a lifetime while certain cosmetic procedures may last ten years or more.

Plastic or cosmetic surgeons cannot hold back time. The areas of the body on which cosmetic procedures were performed, at some point will once again show signs of the aging process. It may take five, ten or fifteen years, but the aging process will continue. At that time, you may need minor surgery to tighten up a few wrinkles or you may need a repeat of the total procedure. Everyone is unique and her or his response to the surgery and factors governing what happens to their bodies after the surgery and the following years must be taken into account.

The tightening of droopy eyelids may need to be redone ten years later. Lower facial surgery ages more quickly than upper facial surgery. Usually, breast implants need to be replaced every ten to twenty years.

If you have questions concerning how long the benefits of a cosmetic surgery procedure will last, please contact California cosmetic surgeons Wendell Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S., and John Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery today.

Early detection tests for breast cancer save many lives each year. Breast implants make it more difficult to see breast tissue on mammograms, but x-rays called implant displacement views (Eklund view) can be implemented to examine breast tissue in more detail.

The x-ray technician will attempt to displace the implant out of the image to get a better view of the breast tissue. Displacing the implant to the side can also protect it from the possibility of rupture. Anyone with a breast implant should do a breast self-exam every month to get to know the normal contours of her own breast. Scarring around an implant may create a hard texture, but you should not feel lumps.

Research into whether breast implants lead to a delay in breast cancer diagnosis has been inconsistent. Studies using standard mammograms have revealed no difference in the average time to detect breast cancer in women with breast implants as compared to those without breast implants. If you have silicone breast implants it is suggested you have an MRI every two years. Breast cancer screening guidelines are the same for all women, with or without breast implants. It is recommended every one to two years after age forty.

If you have questions about breast implants and breast cancer detection, please contact California cosmetic surgeons Wendell Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. and John Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery today.

Reconstructive surgery is surgery performed on abnormal body structures caused by congenital defects, trauma, disease, etc. Reconstructive surgery generally improves function but also may improve appearance. Reconstructive surgery is covered by most health insurance plans.

Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance plans because it is considered to be elective in most cases. Cosmetic surgery is not considered a medical necessity. However, some surgeries require special consideration by the health insurance industry.

Some surgical procedures can be considered reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on the patient and his or her particular circumstance. For instance, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), usually performed to achieve a cosmetic enhancement, may also correct severely drooping eyelids that obscure vision. Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) that corrects a defect that causes breathing problems is another example of cosmetic surgery having a corrective and cosmetic result at the same time. Only Dr. Smoot, after an initial consultation, can decide why and if you need a specific surgery to correct your problem.

If you have questions concerning cosmetic surgery and insurance coverage, please contact California cosmetic surgeons Wendell Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. and John Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery today.

Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) brings balance to your facial structure by correcting a weak chin. A weak chin can be caused by a congenital abnormality, age-related bone loss, or facial trauma caused by injury or disease. A weak chin can make a nose appear larger than it is and can give the appearance of a fleshy neck when none exists.

Although chin enhancement is a simple procedure, it requires the skill and the good aesthetic eye of an experienced plastic surgeon. A balanced profile achieved by inserting a chin implant, will result in improved facial symmetry and increased self-confidence.

Most chin augmentation surgeries are performed on an out-patient basis in a surgery center, hospital or surgeon’s office. Chin implants can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will decide which is best for your particular circumstance. The procedure usually lasts about an hour. There may be bruising and swelling for a few days after the procedure. Normal activities can probably be resumed after a week or ten days.

If you are interested in learning more about a chin implant procedure, please contact California cosmetic surgeons Wendell Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. and John Smoot, M.D., F.A.C.S. at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery La Jolla today.