Breast cancer reconstruction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast cancer reconstruction.

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast cancer reconstruction.

 1 in 8 American women will get breast cancer, but not many of us truly appreciate what breast cancer means in the flesh. If you require a mastectomy (surgery to remove your breasts), you are not only left with a large soft tissue deficiency, but you are also left without an aspect of femaleness-- the breasts-- that can impact your perception of your own femininity.

I performed an implant-based breast reconstruction on both of these actual patients of mine under very different, but very challenging technical circumstances. Both women were extremely happy to feel whole again after having her body torn apart by cancer.

The vast majority of my practice deals with cosmetic surgery, but reconstructive surgery has a special place in my heart. These surgeries are gratifying, and this work is important. Moreover, doing these surgeries make me a better, more capable, more dexterous, more agile surgeon.

Performing a beautiful cosmetic breast augmentation (breast implant surgery) is second nature to me after spending so much time taking care of involved reconstruction cases like this one. 

Talk to your doctor about what type of breast cancer screening is right for you, and try to catch this disease in its early, treatable stages. For questions, please direct inquiries to my office at 212-452-2400 or office@LaraDevganMD.com.

What is "Flash recovery breast augmentation"?

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast augmentation, with a rapid recovery technique and minimal downtime

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast augmentation, with a rapid recovery technique and minimal downtime

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast augmentation, with a rapid recovery technique and minimal downtime

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast augmentation, with a rapid recovery technique and minimal downtime

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after breast augmentation, with a rapid recovery technique and minimal downtime

Recently there has been a marketing blitz advertising "Flash Recovery" or "Rapid Recovery" breast augmentation. Interestingly, when I see these terms on other surgeons' websites, I often see "TM" or "R" symbols immediately following them, indicating that these excellent yet not uncommon surgical procedures are trademarked or registered.

What is Flash Recovery Breast Augmentation?

"Flash Recovery" and "Rapid Recovery" breast augmentation are two flashy terms that reference modern, gold-standard surgical practice in breast implant surgery. They refer to the technique of breast augmentation popularized by Dr. John Tebbets, a Texas-based plastic surgeon and pioneer in the field.

Dr. Tebbets' system has a number of components, including:

• precise analysis of an individual's measurements and tissue type
• careful handling of breast tissue while in the operating room
• bloodless technique
• minimal touching of the implants
• early motion of the arms and upper body
• minimal use of pain medication
• typically, placement of the breast implants under the muscle (in the "dual plane")

Most board-certified plastic surgeons trained in the modern era of plastic surgery will use a variation on the Tebbets technique for performing your surgery.

My unique modifications of the Tebbets technique include all of the above, plus:

• use of a long-acting intercostal nerve block that numbs pain for up to 3 days after surgery
• use of ice compresses after surgery to minimize swelling
• use of a triple antibiotic irrigation prior to placing a breast implant
• changing gloves and re-sterilizing the body prior to placing a breast implant
• covering the nipple areolar complexes when possible to reduce the risk of infection from these sites

What can you expect from your breast augmentation journey?

In my New York City private practice, there are a few things that you can expect:

• Your surgery will take under an hour, typically about 30-60 minutes
• You will feel comfortable after surgery because of your nerve block and gentle tissue handling. Many patients take a very small amount of pain medicine, and some take none. It is normal to feel muscle soreness.
• You will be able to raise your hands above your head after surgery
• All of your stitches will be fully dissolvable
• You will not have any drains
• You will be able to shower the day after surgery
• You will not have special restrictive corsets or bands

Now what?

If you are thinking about breast augmentation, it is more important to check the qualifications and attributes of your plastic surgeon than it is to be swayed by seductive marketing terms like "flash recovery" and breast augmentation. Seek a surgeon who is not afraid to be honest with you about standards of practice surgery practice, and who is dedicated to giving you the best experience possible.

Contact my office at office@LaraDevganMD.com or call 212-452-2500

Tear trough filler (correcting dark undereye circles with injectables)

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and immediately after tear trough filler

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and immediately after tear trough filler

Dark circles and aging under the eyes are among the most common concerns in my New York City private plastic surgery practice. Women and men of all ages report that these characteristics-- thin skin, wrinkling, puffiness, and darkness under the eyes-- make them look older and more tired than they actually are.

My approach to correcting the under-eye area is non-surgical in many patients. I use Botox to smooth out the crows feet and injectable hyaluronic filler to smooth out the tear troughs to achieve beautiful results in my patients. Botox lasts 3-4 months, while hyaluronic filler (Juvederm, Restylane, or Belotero) lasts 1-2 years in this area.

I caution patients to seek tear trough augmentation and correction only from highly experienced providers with extensive experience and proven results in this area. Not only is tear trough filler technically delicate and challenging, but poorly executed filler can cause tissue injury, asymmetry, lumpiness, skin necrosis, and permanent blindness. Please do your homework before seeking tear trough filler, and remember to find a board-certified plastic surgeon to take excellent, meticulous care of your face.

Getting natural, luscious, long-lasting lips

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after corrective lip augmentation of another doctor's work.

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after first time lip augmentation

Injectable lip fillers have become an extremely popular cosmetic treatment in my New York City private practice. Women and men of all descriptions, backgrounds, and ages are interested in lip augmentation to get a fuller contour of the visual focal point of the lips.

Reasons for seeking lip augmentation include:

• Getting dramatic, voluptuous lips like Kylie Jenner or Angelina Jolie
• Getting moderate, sensuous lips like Rachel McAdams or Selena Gomez
• Getting subtle, full lips like Taylor Swift or Gigi Hadid
• Smoothing smoker's lines (perioral rhytids) around the mouth
• Improving upper and lower lip volume loss (atrophy) that occurs over time
• Correcting aging-related changes of the lips, such as sagging and drooping
• Improving overall lip balance and shape
• Accentuating the Cupid's bow
• Correcting another doctor's previously performed fillers

I am passionate about the small details of facial aesthetics, and my goal for each patient is to offer a beautiful, custom-tailored result. If lip augmentation is something you are considering, I invite you to come visit my office for an in-person facial analysis, consultation, and treatment. Please call 212-452-2400 or email office@LaraDevganMD.com for more information.

Getting rid of a double chin with submental liposuction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after under-the-chin liposuction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after under-the-chin liposuction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after under-the-chin liposuction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after under-the-chin liposuction

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after under-the-chin liposuction

Many patients complain of focal fat deposition under the chin ("double-chin")-- not only is this area troublesome, but it can also make the face appear chubbier and the whole body appear heavier.

There are two major options for treatment of submental fullness, or under-the-chin fat. 

Submental liposuction

The first option, and what I consider to be the gold standard treatment, is submental liposuction. With this technique, I make a tiny 3 millimeter incision hidden underneath the chin crease and utilize narrow cannulae (sterile surgical instruments like straws) to physically suction out the fat.

The advantages of submental liposuction are that:

• fat removal is permanent
• I am able to focally and selectively reduce fat depositions wherever they are bothering you
• I can slim the entire jawline and angle of the mandible
• downtime is minimal
• the surgery can be done under local anesthesia only (wide awake)
• only one intervention is needed
• patient satisfaction is extremely high

There are essentially no disadvantages of submental liposuction, except for the fact that it does create a tiny scar underneath the chin. Overall, I find this to be the vastly superior approach for under-the-chin fat.

Kybella

A newer technique for getting rid of stubborn fat under the chin/ neck area is an injection called Kybella. This FDA-approved product is made by Allergan, the company that makes Botox and Juvederm. It contains deoxycholic acid, which is an enzyme that dissolves fat permanently. Kybella has gotten a lot of press lately because Khloe Kardashian and her sisters have credited it with helping them with sleeker, thinner necks and chins.

The advantages of Kybella include the fact that:

• it is an injection (and not a surgical procedure)
• there is no downtime
• the procedure is done while you are awake
• there are no scars created

The disadvantages of Kybella include that:

• patients can require 2 to 6 treatments spaced out over the course of year
• each treatment is associated with a moderate degree of swelling
• Kybella is best used right underneath the chin and cannot effectively target the angle of the mandible or further-back areas of the jawline
• it can be painful

For the most beautiful, robust results, I find that submental liposuction is the best approach for the vast majority of patients. However, I have had great success with Kybella as well. To figure out the best approach for your needs, lifestyle, anatomy, and goals for surgery, I would recommend coming into my New York City private practice for a consultation with me.

Recent review by an actual submental liposuction patient of Dr. Devgan