Monthly Archives: February 2020

What is Beauty?

Beauty isn’t about looking like the supermodel on the cover of a magazine, but feeling happy and confident in who you are and sharing that light with others. Unfortunately, many women feel like an aspect of their appearance is preventing them living their lives to the fullest as the gorgeous goddesses they are inside. Part of the reason for this is society today is caught between two extremes – on the one hand, we are in the age of relentless social media, where our world is saturated with pictures of beautiful people. On the other, the idea of body positivity has recently become very trendy, and an unintended consequence of this is that women today often feel pressured fully love and embrace their bodies or risk betraying womankind. The clash of these two cultures puts women in a difficult place, as we are constantly being bombarded by pictures of perfect bodies while also being told that we must be content with whatever body we were given, including all of its flaws and imperfections. The truth is that most women have things they wish they could change about their bodies, and that is perfectly normal and okay.

Some women are fortunate enough to find ways to make those changes through lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise. Unfortunately, other changes are simply not possible to make on your own, and require the help of professional. This is where the expertise of a highly trained, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Traci Temmen can make a world of difference. Plastic surgery is a powerful tool that, when wielded by an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon who understands your desires, can dramatically impact the way you feel about yourself. The objective of plastic surgery is not to change who you are, but to help shape your body in such a way that makes you feel radiant and confident in your own skin. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Temmen understands how the close connection between looking good and feeling good can dramatically impact a woman’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.

As discussed above, a key goal of plastic surgery is to help you feel just as beautiful on the outside as you do on the inside. Many patients can immediately identify a problem area that they are most self-conscious of. For some, it’s a prominent nose that has always made them feel less feminine, or stubborn love handles that won’t disappear no matter how much they exercise. For many others, it’s embarrassment over having breasts that are small and flat, differently sized, or low and saggy. Whatever it is that is holding you back from feeling like the truest, most beautiful form of yourself, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is ready to listen to your story and work with you towards the appearance of your dreams. Not only is she highly skilled and experienced in many different areas of cosmetic surgery, but she also a perfectionist with an artist’s touch. Dr. Temmen meets individually with each patient to thoroughly review their medical history, lifestyle considerations, and aesthetic goals before making a plan to reach them together.

Contrary to popular belief, “plastic” in the context of plastic surgery does not mean synthetic. It actually means capable of being molded and shaped; able to exhibit growth, change, and renewal. If you feel like there is an aspect of your appearance that is bringing you down or preventing you from living life to the fullest, know that that field of cosmetic plastic surgery exists to help people affect powerful positive change in their appearance. Dr. Temmen understands that the body’s appearance can have a profound impact on how confident, attractive, and happy people feel, and takes the responsibility of sculpting it very seriously. She takes great care to thoroughly address all patient concerns and treat every patient like she would want a family member to be treated, all in the privacy and comfort of a boutique surgical setting.

If you are tired of hiding problem areas under baggy clothes or feeling unhappy when you look in the mirror, now is the time to take action! Let board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen work with you to transform your source of unhappiness and embarrassment into one of confidence and joy. You deserve to feel radiant and empowered to be the best version of yourself – and that is the true definition of beauty.

Interested in learning more about which cosmetic procedures could help you reach your goals? Take the first step and call 813-771-6393 to schedule your personal consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD today!

Breast Lift vs Breast Augmentation

For many women considering cosmetic plastic surgery, the key area they wish to change to feel more confident and beautiful is their bust line. Patients may have many different reasons for wanting to change the appearance of their breasts. Some women feel like their breasts are too small for their frame, and believe they would feel more feminine and attractive if they were a little bit larger. Other women may be happy with their current size, but wish their breasts looked more perky and youthful, rather than saggy and deflated. Whatever the reason, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen meets her patients where they are, and works with them one-on-one to create a personalized surgical plan to suit their body, lifestyle, and goals. In this post, I will break down the two main surgical options for creating a beautiful bust line: Breast augmentation with implants, and breast lift. Hopefully by the end of this post, you will have a solid understanding of the different options that are available to help you reach the body of your dreams!

For many patients, breast augmentation with implants is an excellent choice. In this procedure, either saline or silicone implants are surgically inserted to provide attractive and natural-looking volume. Breast implants are a great choice for patients who are happy with the shape of their breasts, but wish to increase their size. However, they may not be a good option for women who want to change the shape of their breasts, such as make them perkier, firmer, or less saggy. It is also important to note that breasts implants will not alter the position of the nipple and areola. There are many different options for breast implantation, including the implant composition (saline or silicone), where the implant is placed in relation to the pectoralis muscle (above or below), and where the surgical scar is located (in the armpit, in the crease under the breast, or around the areola). To learn about these options in more detail, please check out the blog post called “Saline vs Silicone Implants”, or go to the “Breast Augmentation” tab on this website!

A breast lift is another great option for enhancing the appearance of the breasts, and has some key differences that set it apart from breast augmentation using implants. In this procedure, undesired saggy extra skin and tissue is remove to facilitate lifting the breast to a higher position. During this procedure, the nipple and areola are raised to a more youthful position along with the breast tissue. The benefits of this procedure include eliminating droopiness by lifting up the breast and nipple-areola complex, tightening and firming the breast tissue, and improving the shape and fullness of the upper part of the breast most affected by sagging. This procedure is ideal for patients who wish to turn back the clock on breasts that have become deflated due to childbearing, weight changes, or aging. Women who wish to increase their breast size, but are happy with their current shape and nipple position will probably find that their goals are better suited to breast augmentation with implants rather than a breast lift.

So what happens when a patient wants a little bit of both – desiring to decrease sagginess and improve breast shape while also adding additional volume? In these cases, a combination procedure of a breast lift with implants can be performed to give the patient the best of both worlds – elevating the breast to provide youthful lift and inserting implants to add beautiful volume and fullness. Having an open and thorough conversation with your plastic surgeon is key to identifying which procedure is right for you. Dr. Temmen also recommends that her patients choose several before and after “wish pics” to go over together so she can fully understand their goals.

Dr. Traci Temmen is highly trained and experienced in cosmetic breast surgery, including breast augmentation using implants, breast lift, and the combined breast lift with implants. She is a true perfectionist, and is committed to creating a safe and beautiful result for each and every patient. If you want to feel confident and sexy in your favorite swimsuit or little black dress again, don’t wait any longer! To learn if you are a candidate for any of the above procedures, book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, by calling 813-771-6393 today.

Saline vs Silicone Implants

For many women considering cosmetic surgery, the feature they are most interested in enhancing is their breasts. Full, round breasts are closely associated with notions of femininity, fertility, and desirability, which unfortunately leaves many women who weren’t lucky enough to inherit the perfect pair feeling less confident and attractive than they would like. Some women feel like their breasts are way too small for their frame, while others may be looking to add additional volume, or simply create a rounder shape. The unfortunate truth is there isn’t much patients can do in the realm of lifestyle changes to alter breast shape and size – you can’t really “work out” your breasts! However, with the power and precision of plastic surgery, you can finally have the appearance of your dreams! Breast augmentation with implants is a safe and easy option for adding beautiful shape and volume to the breasts, all while minimizing scars and recovery time. In this post, I will explore this topic in further detail, as well as compare the two main types of breast implants: saline and silicone.

For patients interested in a breast augmentation procedure, one of the first decisions they will make with their plastic surgeon is choosing between saline and silicone breast implants. Saline implants consist of a silicone-based outer shell that is filled with saline, while silicone implants are composed of solid silicone throughout. From a health and safety standpoint, both implant types are FDA approved and safe options for patients when inserted by an experienced and skilled board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Traci Temmen. The only exception is that currently, the only implant type that is FDA approved for patients ages 18-21 is saline. Both saline and silicone implants have similarly low rates of complication and rupture. One advantage of saline implants is that a ruptured implant will immediately become obvious to the patient because it will deflate quickly as the sterile saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body. The rupture of a silicone implant, on the other hand, is usually not picked up by the naked eye because the implant will still hold its shape, and so must be diagnosed with MRI imaging.

The next point of comparison that is very important to patients is the look and feel of the implants. As previously discussed, saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution and so have more of a “water balloon” feel to them. Patients who choose for their implant to be inserted underneath the pectoralis muscle, or who already have abundant overlying breast tissue, can achieve a natural look with this type of implant. However, patients who want their implant placed on top of the muscle closer to the surface and who have little overlying tissue may find that their saline implants show more wrinkling or rippling through the skin. In comparison, silicone implants are made of solid silicone, and so have more of a “gummy bear” feel to them that is designed to more closely mimic breast tissue. In particular, women who have little overlying breast tissue or who plan to have their implant inserted on top of their pectoralis muscle may find that this implant type creates a more natural look and feel. Dr. Temmen works closely with her patients to identify the implant type that best suits their body, lifestyle, and aesthetic desires.

When it comes to insertion, there are a few differences between saline and silicone implants. Saline implants are inserted deflated, and then filled with sterile saline solution once in place. This enables the line of incision to be a little bit smaller, and also allows tiny adjustments to be made to the final implant volume in the operating room to achieve that perfect look. Silicone implants, on the other hand, are solid and so cannot be inserted “deflated” like saline ones can. Thus, the line of incision may need to be slightly longer in order to accommodate the size of the implant. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is skilled and experienced at multiple methods of implant insertion to ensure that her patients have the least noticeable scars possible, usually only about 1.5 to 2 inches in length and well-concealed. These methods include making the incision around the areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple), in the axilla (the armpit), or in the inframammary fold (the crease underneath the breast). Many patients love the axillary approach to implant insertion because the scars are discretely located in the natural crease of the armpit, leaving absolutely no marks on the breasts. Dr. Temmen is an expert at breast augmentation using any of these techniques, and works one-on-one with each patient to ensure that they have a beautiful result with the most invisible scars possible.

Hopefully this post helped shed some light on the similarities and differences between the two main types of implants used in breast augmentation. If you still have questions, or are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for breast augmentation or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today!

Should I gain weight for a BBL?

The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a cosmetic procedure that has become very popular with patients because it does what many women have always dreamed about – moves some of your very own fat from your tummy to your rear! In this post, I will explain this procedure in greater detail before delving into a common question many patients have when considering this procedure, which is: “Should I gain weight for a BBL?”

Put simply, the BBL is a two-part surgery that utilizes liposuction to add precise volumes of natural fat to the buttocks in order to create a rounder, more attractive shape. In the first part of this surgery, areas of unwanted fat are gently removed from the stomach and sides using liposuction. This step serves two goals: One, to provide a supply of natural fat for later transfer. Two, to make those stubborn fat deposits you have never been able to get rid of finally disappear, smoothing and flattening the abdomen. In the second step of the BBL procedure, the fat that was harvested during liposuction is precisely transferred to the buttocks and sculpted into the desired shape. One great aspect of this procedure is that very precise volumes of fat can be transferred to different aspects of the butt, creating the perfect shape for you. Dr. Traci Temmen meets extensively one-on-one with her patients to ensure that each BBL is personalized for each unique patient to create a beautiful result that is tailored seamlessly to your body and aesthetic goals.

Many patients who are interested in learning more about this procedure are curious if it would be to their benefit to gain weight beforehand in order to make more fat available for liposuction and fat transfer. While this is a good thought, in reality it is typically best for patients to just maintain their normal weight before the procedure. The reason for this is that patients who gain weight specifically for a BBL may be disappointed that their result changes when they lose the extra weight again once the surgery is over. This is because this post-surgery weight loss will cut down on the volume gained through the BBL, changing the size and shape of the buttocks achieved in the operating room. Instead of gaining weight, it is recommended that patients try to be close to their ideal, stable weight before the procedure. This maximizes the chance that the result achieved during surgery will not change substantially afterwards due to weight fluctuations, but remain the full, beautiful shape the patient desires.

In addition to the reasons discussed above, gaining weight before a BBL is also typically not recommended because it’s just not necessary! When working with a thin patient, a small amount of precisely transferred fat can make a big difference. In addition, generally slim women do not desire a really large butt, but are mainly interested in creating a rounder, fuller shape by adding a little bit of volume in just the right places. Dr. Traci Temmen is highly skilled and experienced in performing BBLs on slim patients, and consistently achieves stunning results. To see some real examples of patients before and after their BBL transformation, please check out the “Before and After” section of this website, and select the “Skinny Brazilian Butt Lift” tab.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is a safe, highly skilled, and attentive physician who is committed to helping patients get the appearance they’ve always dreamed of. If you would like to see if you are a candidate for the Brazilian Butt Lift or any other cosmetic surgery procedure you are interested in, call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation today!

When should I remove or replace my breast implants?

For patients who already have or are considering getting breast implants, a common question that may be on their minds is, “When should I remove or replace my breast implants?” Breast implant removal, also known as explantation, is a procedure many women choose for a variety of reasons. Some women may find that as their bodies change with aging, pregnancy, or weight gain, they no longer want the increased size from their breast implants. Others may simply evolve their personal preferences over time and wish to have their implants removed. Still others may have unfortunately gotten a result they were unhappy with from their breast augmentation, and immediately desire a change. There are also a few different medical indications for explanation. These may include implant rupture, capsular contracture, infection, or addressing any concerns the surgeon or patient has. It is important to remember that foreign objects introduced to the body – whether it be a pacemaker, knee replacement, or breast implant – are not considered lifelong devices, and require some maintenance over time.

Whatever the reason a patient is exploring the option of having her implants removed, Dr. Traci Temmen recognizes that the explantation decision is a big one for many women, and is often accompanied by worries of what the breasts will look like after the procedure. Dr. Temmen works one-on-one with each patient, listening to their wishes for their appearance after explantation as well as their concerns and fears. She works together with her patients to develop a personalized plan to achieve an attractive result that is as close to the patient’s goal appearance post-surgery as possible.

Another point patients considering explantation should keep in mind is there is significant variability in breast appearance after the implants are removed. For some women who had smaller implants placed, more recent implantation, or more robust overlying tissues and tighter skin, a breast explantation surgery alone may yield a very aesthetic result. This means that after 4-6 weeks of recovery, the skin will tighten and the breasts will “fluff up” with minimal sagging or drooping. Typically, these patients have the best chance of attaining results from explantation alone that look most similar to their pre-implantation appearance. For women with larger implants, who have had them for a long period of time, or have less robust overlying tissue and looser skin, a simple breast explantation procedure may leave a result the patient is unhappy with. In other words, removing the implants in these patients without doing any other procedure may leave the breasts with a “deflated” or saggy appearance.

In these cases, there are many options for improving the breast appearance – and Dr. Traci Temmen is an expert at working with her patients to identify the best option for them that will yield the most beautiful and natural-looking result. These options include breast reduction, breast lift, and liposuction with fat transfer to the breast. The breast reduction and breast lift options are ideal for removing excess tissue that causes the breasts to sag, creating a perkier and more youthful appearance. A breast reduction removes more tissue than a breast lift, so it is generally better suited for women who wish to decrease the size of their breasts even more in addition to removing their implants. Liposuction with fat transfer to the breast is a great option for filling out breasts that look “deflated” after explantation. In this procedure, fat is first liposuctioned form the patient’s midsection, which has a slimming and smoothing effect. This fat is then precisely transferred to the patient’s breasts, providing soft, natural-looking volume. As a highly skilled female plastic surgeon,

Dr. Traci Temmen has both the technical skill to perform all of these variants of breast explanation as well as the patience and understanding to listen to her patient’s wishes and concerns, ensuring that they leave with a result that makes them feel beautiful and confident.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen expertly performs breast explantations of all variations with beautiful results! To view some real examples, please explore the tabs under the “Breast” section of the “Before and After” tab of this website, including the “Breast Implant Removal” and “Fat Transfer to Breast” tabs.

If you are interested in seeing if you are a candidate for breast implant removal, or any other cosmetic surgery procedure you are interested in, book a one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD: 813-771-6393.