Breast Implant Safety: How Often Should Your Implants Be Checked?
Breast augmentation is an established and safe surgical procedure. If complications do occur—though statistically unlikely—they tend to be issues with the implants themselves, such as leakages and rippling. While manufactured to be sturdy and stable, breast implants aren’t designed to last for a patient’s entire lifetime, and they are continually subjected to natural wear and tear, so it’s important to monitor them over the years to watch for any changes. There are several ways you can check your implants to ensure that they’re functioning well and that there are no signs of other issues, such as breast cancer, that aren’t related to breast implants. Our Portland-based team at the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery can advise you and answer any questions you may have about how best to care for your implants. In the meantime, here are some general tips:
-
Perform Regular Self-Examinations
Self-examinations are not only one of the most effective ways to identify breast cancers, but they also allow you to check for lumps and changes in size that could be attributed to implant complications. If you notice anything that seems strange or worrying, talk to your surgeon about it.
-
Go for Routine Screening Mammograms
It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions for mammograms and tell the doctor that you have implants before they begin a screening. Implants can make the process more complicated and sometimes obscure the images, so it’s important to be sure everyone involved knows about the devices in advance.
-
Get a Breast MRI
MRI scans help you to screen for cancer and other abnormalities, such as implant ruptures. The FDA recommends having an MRI five to six years after your surgery, and then every two to three years after that.
When Should You Have Implants Replaced?
There’s no definite consensus for when implants need to be replaced, so the need for revision or removal is determined on a case-by-case basis. Breast implants are sturdy, low risk, and often last for decades, so if even you’ve had them for a long time, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should rush into having them replaced.
Generally, plastic surgeons don’t advise having implants removed or swapped unless you’re experiencing complications such as hardening, pain, rippling, or deflation. On average, most saline and silicone implants maintain their integrity for between 10 to 20 years, but some people have them replaced much earlier or later. Of course, you can also make a change if you no longer want your size or style of implants—or any implants at all—because your tastes or aesthetic preferences have changed.
Get more help and advice on maintaining breast implants from the Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery team. Give us a call at 503-882-0124, or complete a contact form on our website.
How Can BOTOX® Help You Get Rid of Crow’s Feet?
Although you might think that the skin on the face and all over the body is virtually the same, there are some parts of it that are more fragile and tend to behave differently than the rest. The skin around the eyes tends to be drier, thinner, and more delicate than other areas. and it is also on top of a mostly hollow area, which is why skin in that area has a tendency to become sunken and wrinkled. When your skin starts to lose its elasticity because of aging and constant stretching during facial expressions—whenever you squint, blink, and smile—tiny lines called crow’s feet can develop around the outside of your eyes. These bothersome lines look similar to the bony foot or footprint of a crow, with “toes” that stretch outward and make you look older. BOTOX® treatments from our Portland-based cosmetic injectors represent one of the best ways of softening these lines.
The orbicularis oculi, which is located around the eyes, is a very active facial muscle that is highly involved in facial expressions. It pulls the skin whenever it contracts. Your own habits can cause the lines associated with these contractions to deepen. This is as simple as overusing the muscles when you squint repeatedly in sunlight or due to poor vision, or even because you laugh and smile a lot. Genetics, sun damage, and dehydration can also worsen the appearance of these wrinkles.
Crow’s feet aren’t all bad—they’re said to be a sign that you’ve lived a happy life and add character to the face—but BOTOX® can make them less dramatic if you’re self-conscious about them and want to convey an overall more youthful appearance.
BOTOX® injections contain botulinum toxin, a substance derived from a bacterium found throughout the environment. When a small amount is injected directly into skin at the corners of the eyes, it relaxes the muscles by preventing signals from the nerves from getting to their intended destination. As a result, the muscles stay relaxed instead of pulling the skin with every squint and smile. In other words, the skin lies smoother when you make your normal facial expressions. This gives your face a younger and more energized look.
Explore your options for minimizing wrinkles like crow’s feet around the eyes with BOTOX® in Portland at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery. For more tips on neuromodulators, call 503-882-0124, or complete a contact form to request a consultation.
A Letter to our Patients
At The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery Dr. Waldorf and I, as well as the rest of the staff, dearly miss seeing our patients on a daily basis and wanted to have an opportunity to connect with everyone, if only virtually. We are amidst an unprecedented time in history where we, too, are doing our best to keep our patients, ourselves and our families safe and unaffected from the COVID-19 pandemic virus.
We are providing options for virtual interaction in follow up as well as consultations from both Dr. Waldorf and I. Our mission continues to be the same, provide the best possible care for our patients every day. While we are all trying to adjust to this new normal, we also realize nothing is normal. That being said, we are all trying to use humor to help us get through this.
As one of our nurses put it most succinctly last week, “Well, things are about to get really natural and we are all about to learn each other’s real hair color.” Behind the scenes, you will find that we are right there with you; watching our roots grow out and dearly missing our hairstylists; having the remnants of our nail polish peel or chip off and being reminded of how hard it can be to paint with your left hand and luckily viewed from a distance of 6 feet away, the errors are passable; wondering what the point of using makeup is and focusing on our skincare regimen, maybe a bit too much (I applied too much Retin A, and gave myself an aggressive chemical peel); spending a great deal more time in sweatpants than is typical.
We are all cherishing any interactions with people as we see them from six feet away either walking their dogs or picking up groceries. Earle, my dog, paws are sore from walking her so frequently.
Sticking to our exercise regimens has required some creativity and we all are spending time exercising (often clumsily) using novel equipment (hello soup cans) and being guided by Instagram feeds from our favorite gyms far more than usual. Yesterday I tried a Dance Cardio class and odds are my daughter will have that burned in her brain for all time as an epic fail.
Meditation has become something that everyone has time for and patience has become something that is essential to coming out of this as whole as we globally can manage.
We are committed to getting through this together, and will continue to be here for all of our patient’s. And until we can be closer than 6 feet apart, we will stay in touch virtually. Feel free to stay in touch with us as well, trust us, we miss you.
Be Kind to yourself and others,
Dr. Rachel Streu
COVID-19 Patient Update
UPDATED 3/26/20
In order to keep our patients, staff and community healthy we have implemented several protocols to try and reduce any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Waldorf Center precautions –
- All elective treatments and non-surgical consults* will need to reschedule to April 13th or later. (*Does not apply to surgeries or surgery consults, which will be addressed individually.)
- For medically necessary visits, upon arrival please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer available at the front desk.
- If necessary, we ask that only one person accompany a patient to their appointment.
- We request that patients and their family members do not come to the office if they have flu-like or respiratory symptoms (fever, coughing, shortness of breath). Please call us directly at 503-646-0101 to reschedule your visit.
- We will continue to maintain our high level of cleanliness and sanitize surfaces between each patient visit.
We appreciate your continued support and understanding!
Sincerely,
The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery
BIA-ALCL update for our patients: we feel it is essential that you be aware of the facts.
“Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon and highly treatable type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants. BIA-ALCL occurs most frequently in patients who have breast implants with textured surfaces. The current lifetime risk of BIA-ALCL is estimated to be between 1in 3817 to 1 in 30,000 women with textured implants based upon current confirmed cases and textured implant sales data over the past two decades. Since the initial case report in 1996, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) now recognizes approximately 270 cases in the US and a total of 688 worldwide (as of March 18, 2019).
Most of the patients who have developed BIA-ALCL receive an excellent prognosis following surgical removal of the breast implants and the surrounding scar tissue capsule. Continued follow-up after any breast implant surgery is suggested and important for patient health, but patients who notice pain, lumps, swelling, fluid collections, or unexpected changes in breast shape, including asymmetry, should contact their plastic surgeon. In most cases, women diagnosed with BIA-ALCL observed changes in the look or feel of the area surrounding the implant greater than one year after their initial surgical sites were fully healed, and on average eight to ten years after receiving textured implants.” (www.plasticsurgery.org/alcl)
On July 24, 2019, Allergan (an implant manufacturer) removed all of their textured breast implants from the market. The US FDA is asking that all patients monitor their breasts for symptoms (breast pain and/or swelling), but is not recommending removal of the recalled implants for women who do not have symptoms.
We continue to ask all of our surgical patients to follow up every 1-2 years for routine checkups at The Waldorf Center. If you notice any changes in your breasts, you should call our office to be seen sooner. We are happy to discuss any questions you may have, either over-the-phone or in person. Feel free to contact us any time at 503-646-0101 or contactus@waldorfcenter.com.
Botox Pricing Effective August 1st, 2019
The cost of Botox Cosmetic continues to increase, and The Waldorf Center has managed to maintain $13 per unit pricing to its valued patients for over 10 years. For Dr. Waldorf and her team, increasing prices is something we never take lightly. To maximize your cosmetic outcomes, we will continue to only dispense Botox in 10-unit increments.
Effective August 1st, 2019 Botox Cosmetic will be offered at $14 per unit or membership pricing of $12 per unit for anyone enrolled in our (WE) Waldorf Essentials membership program.
For more details on our new WE (Waldorf Essentials) membership, please contact us directly at contactus@waldorfcenter.com or call 503-646-0101.
How Do I Pay for Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Treatments?
Patients of The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery have many options available to them when it comes to paying for plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments. Those who wish to receive minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like CoolSculpting, Botox, Juvederm, or cosmetic surgery such as a breast augmentation, tummy tuck, face lift and rhinoplasty, have several payment options to consider. Here are four financing options to consider when paying for your cosmetic procedure.
HEALTHCARE CREDIT CARDS
The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery offers CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and Prosper Healthcare for financing solutions. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that you can use for all Waldorf Center services to include Botox, dermal filler, plastic surgery and more. For qualified applicants, CareCredit offers 0% interest for up to 12 months. Additional payment plans through CareCredit include extended payoff periods featuring reasonable interest rates and fixed monthly payments. Alphaeon Credit and Prosper Healthcare are also available as financing options to pay for all your cosmetic healthcare needs. You can apply for these financing options by clicking HERE.
PERSONAL LOAN
Applying for a personal loan through your local credit union or bank is a quick and simple choice when looking for options to pay for your procedure. This type of a loan features a fixed interest rate with a predetermined repayment plan, which usually lasts for two to six years. Generally, having a solid credit score will equate to interest rates lower than that of a credit card. If you don’t have a strong credit history, you’ll likely receive loan offers with an interest rate equal to those of a credit card.
PERSONAL CREDIT CARDS
For some patients using a personal credit card to pay for surgery is the best option. When using a personal credit card, you can earn rewards, points and in some cases cash back. On the other hand, some patients prefer to use credit cards that have no annual fees and an introductory period offering 0% APR to save on interest and fees. The Waldorf Center accepts all major credit cards to include Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
SAVINGS
Saving up the funds you need to pay for your surgery, or your next Botox treatment is always an option. The major benefit of saving up for your procedure is not having to pay unnecessary interest. It may be more important for some patients to have an “in case of emergency” savings account.
In summary, it is important for patients to take the time to consider all financing options before making a final decision. Take the time to explore and shop for the best financing option for you while making sure to read the fine print. For more information on the HEALTHCARE CREDIT CARDS we offer please call us directly at 503-646-0101 and we would be happy to assist.
Introducing Emsella
The Waldorf Center Introduces Groundbreaking and Completely Non-Invasive Treatment for Incontinence in Women
The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery announces the introduction of a first of its kind treatment, BTL EMSELLA™-- the only device available to target a woman’s entire pelvic floor region for the treatment of incontinence. This unique technology revolutionizes the women’s intimate health and wellness category by providing those suffering from incontinence with a completely non-invasive option. The “chair” design of the device itself allows women to remain fully clothed for treatment, with no pain or downtime, so patients can walk out immediately following treatment.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our female and male patients the BTL EMSELLA™ treatment as it offers maximum results without downtime,” shared Dr. Kathleen Waldorf, FACS. “This is truly revolutionary as up until now, invasive treatments have been the only option to effectively address these serious issues, so we’re delighted to finally have a treatment solution that is truly non-invasive.”
Statistics show that approximately 35% of women worldwide are affected by urinary incontinence, which presents itself in three forms: stress (leakage during physical activity), urge (strong & sudden), and mixed (combination of stress and urge). Incontinence is often a result of child birth and/or the natural aging process, and can have a dramatic effect on a woman’s quality of life. Women often report having to give up exercise and a decrease in self-confidence and intimacy as a result of incontinence.
Harnessing the power of HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) technology, BTL EMSELLA™ stimulates the entire pelvic floor at once—with a single session providing thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor muscle contractions, comparable to thousands of Kegels.
A recent clinical study demonstrated that 95% of patients treated reported satisfaction and significant improvement in their quality of life following six treatments with BTL EMSELLA™. Additionally, 67% of treated patients totally eliminated or decreased the use of hygienic pads in day-to-day life.
For optimal results a series of six, twice –weekly, 28 minute treatments are required. Call The Waldorf Center to learn more and schedule your complimentary phone consultation - 503-646-0101.
miraDry Stops the Sweat!
With hot summer days right around the corner you may be worried about all that extra sweat and body odor. If you are bothered by your underarm sweat or odor and are seeking a long-lasting solution, then miraDry® is for you! Imagine being free from the embarrassment, discomfort, and worry of underarm sweat and odor. Think about all the times you won't have to worry about whether or not your antiperspirant is going to fail you, or if your shirt will show wet marks when you take off your jacket. When you put your luggage in the overhead bin, will everyone see sweat marks? When you’re out for the day and don’t have time to shower before going out at night, will you feel confident that you’re at your best? Now you won’t have to worry about underarm sweat anymore!
miraDry® is the first and only non-invasive treatment to permanently eliminate your underarm sweat and odor glands. FDA-cleared, the miraDry® treatment is done in the comfort of one of our treatment rooms and takes about 90 minutes. After your treatment, you can expect to see immediate and lasting results. It is the perfect solution to rid yourself of all the bothersome issues caused by the inconvenience and embarrassment of underarm sweat and odor.
- Would you like to have sweat-free underarms?
- Are you bothered by sweat and its impact on your daily routine?
- Are you frustrated by white chalky antiperspirant marks on your dark clothing?
- Are you tired of ruining clothes with antiperspirant stains?
Be on your way to sweat and odor-free underarms and schedule your complimentary miraDry® phone consultation HERE, or call 503-646-0101 to schedule.
Breast Implant Choices and Options
How do I choose the right implant?
Choosing the right breast implant size for my patients is key to being able to deliver the results that my patients expect. Oftentimes, women look for examples in women who are unlike themselves. They hear from their friends how large of breast implants they should have. Women look to me for guidance in understanding what they want and giving them the best options in implants that will achieve their goals.
What most women don’t know before they come in is that the right implant size for each patient is completely unique to their anatomy and goals. I prioritize a complete discussion regarding breast implant sizing technique for each individual patient. During the sizing process I take measurements of the breast width and nipple position and fully assess the skin and existing breast tissue. Once this is completed, I utilize an advanced 3 D modelling visualization system called the Vectra that helps predict the appearance of the patient after breast augmentation is completed.
We review the implant styles and profiles that are ideal for achieving the goals of the patient. There are certain measurements that will narrow the range of implants that would be appropriate for patients given goals of being modestly or more fully enhanced. The base diameter (width) of your breast will determine the width of breast implant appropriate for size. The amount of soft tissue you have to place over the implant also plays an important role. Placing implants that are inappropriately sized can lead to complications and outcomes that are aesthetically and functionally undesirable such as implant migration, over stretching of skin which in extreme circumstances lead to stretch marks. In nearly all cases, with this fine attention to the sizing process at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery, patients are thrilled with their outcomes.
For more information please call our office at (503) 646-0101, and one of our patient services specialists will be happy to assist you.
Written by: Dr. Rachel Streu, FACS