What size breast implant should I go with?

One of the most commonly asked questions with our prospective breast augmentation patients. When it comes to choosing the size for a breast augmentation, several factors need to be considered. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I can guide you through the process. Here's what you should consider

1. Body Proportions and Frame: Your body proportions and frame play a crucial role in determining the appropriate implant size. Factors such as height, weight, chest width, and existing breast tissue are considered to achieve a balanced and natural result.

2. Desired Outcome: Clearly communicate your goals and expectations to your surgeon. They will assess your desired cup size and shape to help guide you in choosing the appropriate implant size.

3. Tissue Characteristics: The quality and quantity of your existing breast tissue are important. Patients with minimal breast tissue may require larger implants to achieve their desired size, while those with ample tissue may achieve their desired results with smaller implants.

4. Lifestyle and Activities: Consider your lifestyle and the activities you engage in regularly. If you're involved in sports or physical activities that require significant chest movement, you may prefer a size that allows for comfortable participation without compromising your lifestyle.

5. Surgeon's Recommendation: Trust the expertise of your plastic surgeon. Based on their experience and knowledge, they will evaluate your individual factors and recommend a range of implant sizes that are suitable for your unique anatomy and goals.

During a consultation, I will take measurements, conduct a physical examination, and use inspiration images or sample sizers to simulate potential outcomes. This allows you to visualize different sizes and make a more informed decision. Remember, the ultimate goal is to achieve a result that enhances your overall proportions, looks natural, and aligns with your expectations. Our office encourages open communication to help ensure a satisfying outcome.

I'm getting a breast augmentation at Dr. Devgan's office, what should I expect?

It’s natural to feel some level of apprehension or concern about undergoing cosmetic surgery. However, you should not let fear deter you from making the decision to go ahead and do it! Here at our office, we want you to know what the sequence of events are leading up to, on, and after your breast augmentation.

First, we’ll meet for your initial consultation, whether that be in person or via Facetime. We’ll chat about your goals and concerns, and I’ll ask you to send some inspirational photos. If you’re a good candidate for a breast augmentation, you will then meet with my surgical coordinator, who will share all surgical details with you in an in-depth meeting. Our surgical coordinator and I will be readily available throughout the whole process. Leading up to surgery day, our coordinator will be communicating via phone call, making sure all questions are answered.

On surgery day, you will come to the office one hour before your case is scheduled to start. You will first meet with my nurse who will go through all the pre-operative information, which includes your medical/surgical history, post operative medication, and incision care. A pregnancy and nicotine test will be done. Our board-certified anesthesiologist will meet with you next. All patients who undergo a breast augmentation are required to be asleep for this procedure. You will be under light IV sedation or “twilight” anesthesia. This means you’ll be breathing on your own, but you will not remember anything from the operating room. Lastly, you will meet with me, where we will go over your inspiration photos and confirm sizing. Afterwards it’s go time! My nurse will walk you to the operating room where the surgery will take place. Breast augmentations typically take one hour. Afterwards, you will wake up in the recovery room. My nurse will be monitoring your vitals, fluid intake, and incisions post operatively. Usually, after one hour in the recovery room, patients feel comfortable walking out on their own. Your escort and our nurse will help assist you into your car to travel to your recovery destination.

What is the difference between silicone and saline breast implants?

When it comes to breast implants, saline and silicone are two different types of filling materials used. Here are some key differences between saline and silicone implants:

1. Filling Material: Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution (saltwater), while silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel.

2. Consistency: Saline implants have a firmer feel compared to silicone implants. Silicone implants are designed to closely resemble the feel of natural breast tissue.

3. Rupture Detection: If a saline implant ruptures, it deflates quickly, and the saline solution is harmlessly absorbed by the body, making the rupture noticeable. Silicone implant ruptures are often referred to as "silent ruptures" because they can go undetected without regular imaging, such as MRI scans.

4. Appearance: Silicone implants typically provide a more natural look and feel due to their gel consistency. Saline implants may have a slightly more noticeable "water balloon" appearance, especially in patients with less breast tissue.

5. Naturalness: In very thin patients, silicone implants are less likely to show rippling and fold flaws and may thus appear more natural.

6. FDA Approval: Both saline and silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in the United States.

It's important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like myself, to discuss your specific goals, medical history, and individual factors that may influence the choice between saline and silicone implants.

What is the difference between a midface lift and a lower facelift?

A midface lift and a lower facelift are two different surgical procedures that address different areas of the face.

A midface lift focuses on rejuvenating the middle portion of the face, including the cheeks and the area around the nose and mouth. It targets sagging or drooping cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, and a tired or sunken appearance. The procedure involves repositioning and lifting the underlying tissues to restore volume and smooth out wrinkles in the midface area.

On the other hand, a lower facelift primarily targets the jawline, jowls, and the neck. It addresses sagging skin, excessive fat deposits, and muscle laxity in the lower face, resulting in a more defined jawline and a tighter, more youthful appearance. The procedure typically involves repositioning and tightening the underlying tissues, removing excess skin, and sometimes liposuction to enhance the contour of the jawline and neck.

Both procedures can be performed separately or in combination, depending on the patient's specific concerns and goals. It is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the most suitable approach for achieving the desired results.

Dr. Devgan recognized by Goop as one of New York’s best cosmetic surgeons

Written by Jack Nicastro

Goop recently published a shortlist of their favorite physicians in an article entitled: “The goop Guide to Cosmetic Surgeons.” Given goop’s aesthetic preference for a natural, understated look, it is no wonder that Dr. Devgan, known for her “beauty is in the details” motto, ranks as one of their top picks.

Goop applauds Dr. Devgan for her signature facial procedures which accentuate her clients’ natural beauty without leaving distracting scars. Specifically, goop cites Dr. Devgan’s non-surgical injectable procedures as well as her minimally invasive surgical techniques such as suture suspension lifting and eyelid zip-stitch, both of which are visually seamless.

Dr. Devgan's Stitch-work Lauded in Vogue

Written by Jack Nicastro

Vogue’s Maya Singer recently published a piece exploring the large surge in cosmetic surgery during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Maya posits that a combination of an abundance of time away from the office, ubiquity of face coverings and sheer boredom account for the uptick in aesthetic-enhancing procedures. Moreover, just as Dr. Devgan hypothesizes in her Eyelash Index, Maya reiterated that the amount of time spent on zoom seeing our sunken under eyes and distorted noses may also be responsible for renewed interest in facial cosmetic surgery.

Maya herself sought out Dr. Devgan to remove an invisible cyst from a nasolabial fold and lamented how the only person to appreciate her “her teensy incision with a couture-worthy stitch” and “her fine handiwork was [her] boyfriend.” Whatever the reason for the increased interest for cosmetic surgery, those who are in the market for bespoke, virtually imperceptible aesthetic enhancements go to Dr. Devgan.

Dr. Devgan interviewed by Coveteur on the subject of Suture-Suspension Lifting

Written by Jack Nicastro

Coveteur recently wrote an exposé detailing the uses and limitations of thread lifts in cosmetic surgery. To get an expert opinion on the matter, Coveteur consulted Dr. Devgan on what it is and why she recommends it to patients.

While commonly referred to as simply “thread lifting,” the official name of the procedure is: “suture-suspension lifting.” Dr. Devgan explains that this minimally invasive cosmetic option works by using barbed surgical sutures; first the threads find purchase deep in the tissue, then tension is applied to reposition sagging skin.

Debuting in the 1990’s, Dr. Devgan details that the sutures have credibly improved over time. Using modern technology, custom-molded polymer sutures are able to be placed deeper in the tissue and hold more weight - two and a half pounds each - than ever before. Even though suture-suspension is still not as permanent a solution as facelift, it has nonetheless improved “exponentially.”

Some plastic surgeons are hesitant to practice thread lifts as they believe the results aren’t permanent enough. Dr. Devgan - who has performed the procedure over a thousand times - believes they provide an important middle ground between injectables and surgical facelifts. While facelifts remain the gold standard of cosmetic surgery, suture-suspension presents a great option for those patients who do not wish to undergo the general anesthesia and prolonged recovery times associated with more traditional surgical methods. 

5 Easy, Breezy and Free Skincare Tips

Written by Jack Nicastro

The most important part of skin care is developing and adhering to a skincare regimen that works best for you. Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty features myriad products designed and clinically-tested to help you achieve your skincare goals and our dedicated staff on the beauty team are ready, willing, and able to help you choose the products that are right for you! Our skincare F.A.Q. page which contains detailed information on the purpose and function of each of our products is also a great resource. In addition to products, staying hydrated, getting a sufficient amount of sleep, and avoiding stress are also tried and true methods for a glowing complexion. That being said, here are some other healthy habits to help your skin look and feel its best!

1. Just as one adopts a skincare regimen to look and feel your best, staying healthy with physical exercise will further this goal. Wearing appropriate clothing for physical activities is imperative to improving skin quality. Clothes that produce friction and don’t wick away sweat are likely to clog your pores which can result in chest and back acne.

2. Breakouts around your hairline, forehead, or neck could be a result of hair products clogging your pores. To avoid this, be certain to completely rinse off the conditioner from your hair, cover your face while applying hair spray, and keep face products away from the hairline.

3. It is natural to support your jaw or chin when you are low on caffeine and the work day is drawing to a close, but, if you want to keep your skin clear and acne-free, you must resist resting your head on your hands! Given the amount of time we spend touching our phone screens, clacking away on our keyboards, and clicking our mice, our hands are bound to be covered in acne-causing bacteria. Add to that the heat of our palms and weight of our heads, and the environment becomes perfect for bacteria to proliferate and cause you a bad skin day.

4. Given that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes of direct exposure, it is important to limit your time spent unprotected from the sun. Remember to ALWAYS wear sunscreen, even if you don’t see the sun. Avoid direct sunlight during solar noon, the time of day when the sun is at its peak and its rays are at their strongest, to avoid the worst UV damage.

5. Completing a thorough nighttime skin routine is essential in maintaining excellent skin quality. The skin regenerates itself the most between 9PM to 12AM when cell mitosis occurs at its highest rates, so it is necessary to provide it with the nutrients to help it do so. However, facilitating your skin’s rejuvenation with products is not the only aspect of a good nighttime skin regimen; sleeping on your back will prevent you from developing positional wrinkles that can be caused by sleeping on your side or stomach. Crucially, since these wrinkles are caused by pushing and pulling of skin and not by muscle contractions, they cannot be removed with botox. In the inevitable event that you roll over onto your slide while sleeping, silk pillowcases can help prevent acne by providing a gentler environment for the skin than traditional materials. Memory foam pillows also help prevent wrinkles from developing by not compressing the skin.

In conclusion, you shouldn’t rely on skincare routines alone, but should couple them with healthy practices that will not only help you achieve beautiful skin, but a happier life!