Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery | Dr. Desman

Lose weight, breast feed a baby or blow out a few more candles and the next thing you know your waist has a new addition – your breasts. In years past, women bought more supportive bras and tried to keep those straps from digging into their shoulders. Now, women have more options with plastic surgery. When you contact Dr. Desman at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery in Arlington, Virginia, he'll go over those options to modify size or position of the breasts.

If you have sagging breasts or want to simply increase or decrease your cup size, choose a qualified plastic surgeon that can help you determine whether a breast lift would be better than breast augmentation.

What's the Difference?

Although often confused, the two procedures can be remembered by thinking of the lift as a "hand up" and an augmentation as a "hand out." Here's what occurs with each procedure.

Breast Lift

• Does not change the size of your breasts
• Breasts are raised and the contours reshaped to eliminate sagging
• Dr. Desman will relocate the position of your nipples and areola during surgery
• Excess skin is removed under the breast to tighten the skin, thus providing the lift
• Scars are minimal and are located beneath the breasts

Breast Augmentation

• Entire look of the breasts change when implants are used to increase or decrease the bust line
• Women who have had a mastectomy often have breast augmentation as part of their reconstruction surgery
• Asymmetrical breasts can be better proportioned in this procedure
• Augmentation can be done in conjunction with a breast lift

Please contact our office, if you are considering cosmetic surgery for your breasts. Dr. Desman offers free consultations at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery, in Arlington, Virginia.

When it comes to your face, trusting anyone without the skills, knowledge and credentials to help you attain the cosmetic surgery results you want is foolish. Only trust those board-certified surgeons in the desired area of expertise. Those who are qualified are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Additionally, when a plastic surgeon undergoes specialized training as a facial specialist, he or she is then certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The best indicators of surgeon's qualifications are his or her medical training and surgical experience. By contacting Dr. Desman at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery, you will be assured that you’ve chosen well-qualified surgeon who has been in performing facial cosmetic surgery since 1995.

Taking Steps to Give Your Face the Best

Considerable surgical skill is needed during facial plastic surgery. Procedures like facelifts and rhinoplasty (nose surgery) involve incisions placed in very delicate areas. So find the best surgeon for the procedure by following these steps:

1. Ask your physician, friends or family members, who have had a similar surgery, about possible recommendations.
2. Check surgical credentials before scheduling a consultation.
3. Narrow your choices down and schedule a face-to-face meeting.
4. During the consultation, ask most, if not all of the "43 Questions You Need to Ask a Plastic Surgeon During Your Consultation Appointment and BEFORE you Decide on a Doctor"
5. Ask for patient testimonials, view before & after photos, and consider asking to speak with a patient that has had a similar procedure.

If you are confused about whom you should hire to perform your facial cosmetic surgery, please contact our office. We will arrange a private consultation for you to discuss any fears or reservations you may have before taking the next step to improve your appearance.

Since the introduction of the Body Mass Index (BMI) in the 1990s, which gave us the controversial measurement for estimating a healthy body weight, we've been warned that food increases, along with lack of exercise have contributed to America's growing weight issue. Few have heeded the warnings about excess weight leading to heart disease and diabetes, but others have dropped those nagging pounds.

Unfortunately, when body size increases and then suddenly decreases, excess skin doesn't snap back into place like a fresh rubber band. When you've gained and then lost weight, Arlington plastic surgeon Dr. Desman can help. Cosmetic procedures like liposuction, the new VASER LipoSelection and tummy tucks are just three of several methods used to decrease stubborn areas that remain following weight loss.

Commonly Known Obesity Causes

The debate over the causes of obesity rages on, yet a few commonly known factors for weight gain remain. Those who struggle with additional weight often have more than one contributing factor. The most common factors are:

• Genetics – a family history of obesity increases the odds of obesity by 25 to 30 percent
• Physical Inactivity – overweight people are typically less active than normal weight adults
• High Fat/Calorie Diet – when caloric intact is identical, the person eating a high fat diet will store more excess calories as body fat
• Age – as you age, your muscle mass decreases and fat accounts for a greater percentage of your weight
• Emotional or Psychological factors – to many, food is used as a comfort or celebration
• Medical Problems – low thyroid function and hormonal imbalances account for a small percentage of obesity causes

If your recent weight loss has left excess skin on your face, neck, upper arms, tummy and thighs, don't let that spoil your recent success. Please schedule a consultation today at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery, in Arlington, VA.

If your nose has drawn unwanted attention then rhinoplasty (nose surgery) might be right for you. Two types of surgical procedures are available with a rhinoplasty operation. By consulting with Arlington plastic surgeon Dr. Desman, at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery you'll learn about these two types and which will be most suitable in your specific case.

Whether the unusual shape of your nose is due to genetics or injury, choosing a plastic surgeon to reshape it to your liking is paramount. When you contact an experienced plastic surgeon, like Dr. Desman you'll learn everything about rhinoplasty, including risks of nose surgery, what type of nose best suits your face and the types of incisions available to you.

Incision Choices
Plastic surgeons will either choose the option of an open or closed rhinoplasty. Open rhinoplasty is used for major nose reshaping with incisions being made on the outside of the nose. Closed rhinoplasty is for minor nose reshaping and incisions are made within the nose.

Weighing Advantages and Disadvantages of Both
If Dr. Desman needs greater access to the surgical area to make more precise adjustments, or finds your surgery to be a more complicated procedure, he'll likely choose open rhinoplasty.

Disadvantages of Open Rhinoplasty:

• Longer recovery time
• Greater risks for swelling and bruising

If Dr. Desman sees that your nose reshaping will be fairly minor, he'll likely recommend closed rhinoplasty.

Disadvantages of Closed Rhinoplasty:

• More difficult for surgical manipulation
• Only viable for procedures possible through small incisions

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose or nose function and live in the Arlington, Virginia area, please contact our office today.

As the most striking feature on your face, the nose can be a source of pride or a source of shame. Those who abhor the bumps, humps, droops, hooks and breathing problems that come with a misshapen nose are the first to tell you a beautiful nose would make a difference. Dr. Desman understands such feelings and can work with you to create the rhinoplasty results you desire.

Each year, half a million people choose nose surgery (medically referred to as rhinoplasty) to improve their looks. When prospective rhinoplasty patients contact Arlington Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Desman, he'll go over the risks of rhinoplasty and give a fairly accurate view of the potential results through computer rendering.

Rhinoplasty Changes that Make a Difference

Whether you desire rhinoplasty for aesthetic or functional reasons, know that this widely requested cosmetic surgery has the most satisfied patients. Plastic surgeons can make a number of aesthetic changes for your nose, like:

• Change the tip of your nose - accomplished by adding, removing or repositioning cartilage
• Change the nose bridge shape - done by removing excess cartilage and bone from the bridge or dorsal bone
• Narrow the nostrils - by removing skin from the base of the nostrils and moving them closer together
• Reduce the overall nose size - achieved by removing tissue from the nose base or breaking and repositioning the bones in the nose
• Increase the overall nose size - fulfilled by adding cartilage, skin or bone, either from a donor site on the patient's body, or using synthetic material
• Change the nose angle - performed by trimming the septum, which is the thin membrane separating the nostrils

If you are hesitant to undergo the rhinoplasty procedure, know that you are not alone. Many prospective patients have the same feelings. Please contact our office so that Dr. Desman at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery in Arlington, Virginia can answer your questions about the rhinoplasty procedure.

When prospective cosmetic surgery patients meet with a surgeon the questions asked are always similar. Patients are most concerned with pain, recovery, candidacy, scarring, and also payment. Knowing the answers to some of these questions in advance goes a long way toward helping you feel more comfortable about your decision.

Does plastic surgery hurt?

Patients who receive extensive facial procedures like a facelift or rhinoplasty (nose surgery) will incur more bruising and swelling. Procedures that involve surgery on the extremities or torso will have some uncomfortable days following the procedure, but not as much bruising and swelling that can cause pain.

When can I return to work and exercise?

Recuperation from surgery varies depending upon the procedure and the individual. Most patients require assistance for the first few days and then are ready to return to after that. Patients with small children may require a few extra days of assistance.

Would I be a good candidate for plastic surgery?

If you have a strong personal desire to make cosmetic surgery, you are likely a good candidate. However, only a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, like Dr. Eric Desman at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery in Arlington, Virginia, can offer a qualified opinion.

Will I have scars after the surgery?

Skin incisions always cause some scarring; it's a natural way for the body to heal. Yet, placing scars where they will be least noticeable is what Dr. Desman is trained at providing his patients. Highly skilled surgeons can achieve your desired look with minimal scarring and even perform scar revision for patients unhappy with scars from previous surgeries.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery options in the Arlington, Virginia area, please contact Dr. Eric Desman today to schedule a consultation.