Walnut Creek 925-937-8377
Greenbrae 415-925-1700
Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Plastic Surgery

San Francisco Cosmetic Surgery Blog

New Year, New You: Revitalize Your Appearance With Cosmetic Surgery as an Investment in Yourself

December 28th, 2010

The holidays are a time to practice generosity of spirit, but also a time to treat yourself as much as you treat those around you. The dawn of a new year has a way of bringing with it thoughts of reinvention and renewed commitment to self.

This New Year’s, why not consider cosmetic surgery as both a reward and a catalyst to bring back that youthful appearance or enhance features you once thought were lost in years past? By improving your appearance through body contouring or facial rejuvenation procedures, you are taking a positive step towards a healthy body image and kickstarting a powerful motivational force to treat your body well. In fact, many women and men who have had cosmetic surgery often find that they are more motivated to engage in a healthier lifestyle through balanced eating and regular fitness activities as a result of their increased self confidence.

This is your opportunity to view the New Year as a time to achieve your personal goals. Have you been planning on making changes for a while now? There is no time like the present to take the first step in achieving your personal goals for 2011. At the San Francisco plastic surgery office of Dr. Robert Aycock, we can show you a variety of self-improvement procedures designed to accentuate your natural beauty and revitalize your appearance.

As part of your New Year’s resolution, perhaps you are considering one of the following cosmetic enhancements:

Facelift

Necklift

Browlift

Eyelid lift

Cheek implants

Lip augmentation

Breast enlargement

Liposuction

Tummy tuck

Or these nonsurgical beauty treatments:

Botox® Cosmetic

Dysport®

Juvederm®

Radiesse®

Restylane®

Sculptra™

Perlane®

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Hair Removal

Fat Transfer

Each person who walks through our doors has a personal reason as to why they are choosing now to move forward with physical enhancements. If you’ve been frustrated with certain aspects of your appearance, now may be your perfect time to look into cosmetic surgery. Even small physical enhancements have the power to restore confidence and build a positive total body image.

If you would like to do something special for yourself this New Year’s, please contact Dr. Robert Aycock for a one-on-one consultation. You can also visit Dr. Aycock’s Facebook page under Bay Area’s
Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

Christmas Cosmetic Wish List

December 12th, 2010

Why not treat yourself this holiday season with a personalized body contouring or facial rejuvenation procedure? Here is our top ten list for the perfect cosmetic surgery enhancements to brighten your winter and help you look as wonderful as you feel.

All I want for Christmas is…

1.  Younger-looking eyes.

With an upper/lower eyelid procedure called a blepharoplasty, you can replace a tired, aging eye appearance with a refreshed, youthful look. With this simple procedure, downtime is minimal.

2.  Fuller lips.

Choose from two safe and effective facial fillers called Alloderm® and PermaLip® for instantly fuller, more attractive lips.

3.  Minimized brow lines.

Dr. Robert Aycock offers BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®, two nonsurgical facial enhancement treatments that can reduce the look of forehead wrinkling with no downtime.

4.  Improve my neck lines and sagging facial skin.

The ever popular facelift, is a surefire way to turn back the clock and improve the look of several facial signs of aging.

5.  A flatter tummy.

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat for a flatter toned appearance.

6.  Fuller breasts.

Breast augmentation using saline or silicone implants can help you improve your overall proportions with an increase in breast size.

7.  Brighter skin.

The BBL BroadBand Light Laser is an easy way to rejuvenate dull, aging skin with no down time. Restore that youthful brightness to your face and even out your skin tone in minutes. The results are amazing!

8.  Better looking skin.

Dr. Aycock offers the Clarisonic Cleansing Brush, a treatment that minimizes imperfections and improves skin tone for healthy, beautiful skin.

9.  Fuller Lashes.

The new Latisse® lash treatment is proven to stimulate lash growth for darker, thicker eyelashes.

10. A more even skin tone.

Try Professional skincare products like SkinMedica Essential Serum and Obagi Blender for effective skin care products and nonsurgical skin improvement.

To schedule your holiday cosmetic enhancement, please contact Dr. Robert Aycock. We would be happy to recommend treatments during a personal consultation. Also feel free to visit Dr. Aycock’s Facebook page under Bay Area’s
Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

Put Your Best Face Forward With Age-Fighting Facelifts

September 7th, 2010

Facelifts are not just for older individuals who want to recapture their youth; facelifts are being performed on women and men in a variety of age groups to enhance self-confidence and restore vitality. At Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Center, Dr. Robert Aycock helps his patients get the improvements they desire with advanced facelift techniques to combat the physical signs of aging, sun damage, and stress.

Dr. Aycock and his cosmetic surgery team understand that the motivations can vary greatly among facelift patients. For some people, a facelift earlier in life is the perfect way to address premature aging and counter facial changes before they become too obvious. For others, this procedure is the perfect solution to correct deep brow furrows, sagging skin, and fat deposits for a dramatically younger look. We also have many patients who want to enhance their appearance to remain competitive and confident in work and social environments.

Here’s a breakdown of the differing age groups of men and women who are choosing the facelift procedure, along with some of the reasons why this is a popular choice for them.

Age 35-50

Women in this middle-aged group are beginning to notice some subtle signs of aging (such as loss of skin elasticity) and want to reverse wrinkling and loss of facial fullness. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, of the 94,247 facelifts that were performed in the United States in 2009, 21.1% of patients fell into this age group.

Age 51-64

Facelift recipients in this age group are attempting to minimize deep wrinkling and creases that reveal their true age. A whopping 58% of last year’s facelifts were performed on women and men in this age group.

Age 65

Facelifts performed on patients age 65 and over can dramatically reduce signs of old age and help senior citizens regain a sense of confidence in their physical appearance. At 19.3%, this age group falls third for most facelifts in 2009.

If you are considering a facelift, trust our highly skilled cosmetic surgeon to provide you with the important information you need to know to make a decision. To get an idea of the results that are possible with a facelift, please feel free to visit our before and after gallery.

Learn more about the facelift and our other facial rejuvenation procedures when you contact Dr. Robert Aycock in San Francisco. We offer in-depth consultations and physical evaluations to help you decide if this is the best path to appearance improvement. You can also visit Dr. Aycock’s Facebook page under Bay Area’s

Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

Mommy Makeover 101

August 15th, 2010

New mothers are often surprised at the way their bodies change after
pregnancy and delivery. Areas that were once tightened and toned become
relaxed and saggy.  Regular exercise and diet attempts seem to make little
difference. At Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Center, Dr. Robert Aycock offers solutions for improvement.  The “Mommy Makeover” is designed to help moms enhance their figure and build their
self-confidence.

Elements of the Mommy Makeover

This phrase “Mommy Makeover” is actually a combination of cosmetic surgeries that are sometimes performed simultaneously for dramatic results. A breast
augmentation (breast implants) and/or a breast lift in addition to a
tummy tuck help moms reclaim their body after having babies. Here are
a few details about these procedures.

Breast Augmentation
For women who experience loss of volume after childbirth, a breast
augmentation is a great way to increase breast size and create a more
toned contour. Patients can choose from a variety of sizes and textures
for a truly personalized, natural-looking result.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Pregnancy, childbirth and nursing take their toll on the breasts and
create sagging that can lead to feelings of self-doubt and longing for a
more youthful “once was” breast appearance. During the breast lift
procedure, the surgeon repositions the nipples and removes excess tissue
for a more youthful, lifted contour.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Pregnancy is notorious for stretching the abdomen skin and creating a
sagging tummy “pooch” that often makes wearing a swimsuit an unpleasant
experience. The tummy tuck is a popular procedure that removes excess
skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the abdominal muscles.

Mommy Makeover Results

Results of your procedure will depend on a number of factors, including
the condition of your skin and the techniques used. Choosing a highly skilled cosmetic surgeon can also make a big difference in your final appearance. By following a healthy diet and integrating physical fitness into your day, you can maintain your results, build muscle, and achieve the goals you desire. To get an idea of the results that are possible with the Mommy Makeover, please visit our before and after gallery.

Where to Begin
The Mommy Makeover gives you the chance to take back your body, to do something just for you with results that can help you feel great about yourself.

If you are excited to learn more about how the Mommy Makeover can help you
achieve a better body, please contact Dr. Robert Aycock to set up a
consultation. Also visit Dr. Aycock’s Facebook page under Bay Area’s
Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

SkinTyte™ For Tighter, Younger-Looking Skin

June 6th, 2010

You may have read about the incredible Sciton Laser, an innovative tool used to refine facial imperfections and enhance complexion, in a previous blog. Now, we would like to highlight the facial treatment called SkinTyte™ Photofacial Therapy, a nonsurgical skin enhancement that uses the light energy of the Sciton Laser to improve skin laxity and refresh skin appearance.

What is SkinTyte?

SkinTyte is a non-invasive treatment that is safe to use on a wide variety of skin types. Pulsed infrared light is combined with advanced cooling technology to target damaged tissue below the skin’s surface. The underlying collagen is gently stimulated into contraction, resulting in a tightened effect. While the dermal collagen layers are warmed, outer layers are simultaneously cooled, effectively minimizing discomfort and protecting surrounding skin. Anesthesia is rarely needed; however, a mild topical cream may be used to ensure comfort.

When is SkinTyte Recommended?

SkinTyte works well for patients with sun damaged skin or premature signs of aging, and it is also a great option for minimizing facial redness. If you have acne scars, Rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines, this might be the perfect treatment for you. Generally, patients enjoy an overall younger appearance after their sessions, though it may take three to six months to realize the full results. SkinTyte is most often used on the face, but can also be applied to the neck, chest, abdomen, arms, and hands. For best results, most individuals will require two to five sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart.

Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend SkinTyte as a freestanding treatment, before or after a face or neck lift surgery, after chemical peels or BOTOX®, or in combination with microdermabrasion and other facial rejuvenation sessions.

How Can I Learn More?

Renewing your skin’s appearance is simple and affordable with the incredible SkinTyte treatment. If you would like to learn more and find out if you are a candidate for this and other noninvasive skin care options, please contact Dr. Robert Aycock today or find him on Facebook under Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center. As an International Trainer for Doctors & Surgeons for Advanced Training on the use of the Sciton Laser, Dr. Aycock is a wonderful choice for your SkinTyte treatment.

Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation With Sciton’s Broadband Light™

May 15th, 2010

If you are searching for a non-invasive way to enhance your skin condition without significant discomfort or downtime, the revolutionary Broadband Light (BBL) treatment can deliver incredible results.  This state-of-the-art treatment is also easy, affordable, and highly effective for treating many different skin imperfections.

How BBL Improves Facial Appearance

Broadband Light is an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment that creates visible improvement using targeted laser energy. During a BBL treatment, the Sciton Laser is used to refine facial imperfections and enhance complexion, leaving skin refreshed and healthier. Light energy is delivered to the damaged skin cells in a precise, gentle treatment that requires no anesthesia. The top layers of skin are warmed, and skin cells are stimulated as they absorb heat. In minutes, irregular spots, acne, and discoloration can be minimized, creating a more attractive look and texture.

BBL patients love the fact that they don’t have to miss work or other important activities after a treatment. You can expect a slight skin darkening after your session, followed by a gradual skin lightening. The result is younger-looking, glowing skin that can lead to a more self-confident you!

Skin Problems Treated With Broadband Light

BBL may be used to treat a variety of skin issues, including age spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and facial spider veins, among others. This safe procedure is most commonly used to improve facial appearance, although other body areas like the neck may be treated, as well. Your skin type and condition will determine the outcome of your BBL treatments, so it is important to come in for a confidential consultation before scheduling your first session.

Your Personalized BBL Treatment

After a thorough skin analysis, Dr. Aycock will make his personal recommendation for enhancing the tone and texture of your skin. You may need multiple BBL treatments to achieve the desired degree of skin refinement. If you like, Broadband Light can be combined with other nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatments for an amazing, vibrant appearance enhancement.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, you can visit renowned facial rejuvenation specialist Dr. Robert Aycock, who offers real results and a philosophy of comfort and personal service. Contact Dr. Aycock today to learn more about Broadband Light, as well as other Sciton Laser treatments like Skin Tyte™, MicroLaser Peel™, and ProFractional™ Treatment. You can also visit him on the Web at www.aycockmd.com or find him on Facebook by searching Bay Area’s Premier Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Center.

Reshape Your Backside With a Buttock Lift

March 20th, 2010

Are you curious what you might look like with a more shapely, defined backside? A buttock lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance and refine the contours of the lower butt/upper thigh region. It is often recommended for women or men who have excess skin and fat in this area as a result of aging or significant weight loss.

Buttock Lift Details

During this procedure, loose skin is tightened and reshaped. The surgeon will remove any excess skin and fatty deposits. The result is a smoother buttock appearance, better fitting clothes, and improved self-confidence.

Is it Right For You?

Buttock lift is frequently performed along with a thigh lift (also called a leg lift) for dramatically slimming results. If you have flabby skin or dimpling in the buttock area, you can learn more about the benefits of a buttock lift and find out if you are a candidate during a personal consultation with Bay Area plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Aycock.

What to Expect

After you and your surgeon discuss risks, benefits, surgical steps, and incision sites, you can go ahead and schedule your procedure for a time when you can focus on recovery. Your duration in the surgical suite and your length of recovery  will depend on whether you are having the buttock lift alone, or adding a leg lift, arm lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, or other combination procedure.  This surgery is performed using general anesthesia, so you will need to have a friend or family member available to drive you home. In some cases, an overnight stay may be recommended to ensure correct healing.

Get Started

If you have questions about the buttock lift or other cosmetic body contouring procedures, Dr. Aycock is available to guide you to the procedures that will help you look as good as you feel. For more information, please contact us online so we can set you up with a personal, in-depth plastic surgery consultation.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Cosmetic Surgery and Today’s Safety Standards

March 8th, 2010

Cosmetic surgery, the art and science of enhancing the physical appearance of facial and bodily features, is safer than most people might expect. Cosmetic procedures are becoming more accessible and affordable, and people today are more open about sharing their cosmetic surgery experiences. Frequent improvements in technology, equipment, and safety have helped procedures like liposuction, breast lift, and facelift see a decline in complication rates and become much safer than they once were. You can improve safety, too, but choosing your procedure, your facility, and your surgeon wisely.

Surgeon Accreditation

When you choose a care provider who is an ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) member, you can expect vast experience and focused expertise, two traits that are integral to achieving safety in the operating room. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), he or she has endured many hours of patient care, rigorous testing, and peer evaluation.

When you choose a Board-Certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Robert Aycock, you are guaranteeing that your surgeon has received at least five years of surgical training, plus a minimum two-year plastic surgery program. ASPS members are also fully trained in the field of cosmetic surgery, meaning they have thorough knowledge of all types of plastic surgery procedures, including facial plastic surgery, body sculpting, and reconstruction. ASPS surgeons must also commit to regular continuing education training, including frequent updates in patient safety.

Facility Accreditation

When you choose a surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can relax knowing he or she operates in accredited facilities only. A facility receives accreditation only after it has met a wide range of qualifications set by a state or national accrediting agency. For instance, accredited centers must maintain extremely low complication rates. When considering a cosmetic surgery facility, do not be afraid to ask your doctor about the practice’s safety standards and how they reduce risk of complication in their accredited outpatient surgical center.

Your Role in Safety

Remember, you can reduce your risks by choosing your provider carefully, providing a thorough medical history, and having realistic expectations about what cosmetic surgery can do for you. To learn more about cosmetic enhancement and today’s safety standards, please contact Dr. Aycock at his Bay Area practice.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Fuller Lips in One Affordable Procedure

February 22nd, 2010

Plump, pouty lips are a symbol of attractiveness for women and a highly desired feature in cosmetic practices across the country. Volume loss in the lips is a common sign of aging, but you can find many ways to add volume and achieve youthful lip contour with the help of an experienced plastic surgeon.

Lip augmentation is a procedure that is gaining popularity thanks to the many innovative materials and techniques that have made this treatment accessible and affordable. Choose from noninvasive injectable options, or opt for a more permanent enhancement with lip surgery. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. Depending on the treatment type you choose, recovery can range from one day to one week.

Here are some of the ways you can achieve fuller lips:

Injectable Fillers

Injectable fillers use bovine or human collagen, hyaluronic acid, and synthetic substances to replace depleted collagen and create a fuller lip appearance. Injectable fillers such as Restylane®, or Juvederm®,have been shown to produce very natural-looking results, but they are temporary solutions that require regular repeat injections.

Surgical Collagen Replacement

During a surgical procedure, AlloDerm® is inserted into the upper and lower lips. AlloDerm achieves dramatic results using actual sheets of collagen that can last up to one year.

Permanent, Synthetic implants

These advanced medical materials create safe, biocompatible lip implants that can help patients get permanent plumpness. Material choices include GORE-TEX®, SoftForm®, or ePTFE (Perma Lips).

Find out which treatment can give you the full lips you desire. Dr. Robert Aycock offers a variety of lip augmentation options, along with other facial rejuvenation procedures like facelift, cheek implants, and chin implants. For more information on these and other advanced cosmetic treatments, please contact Dr. Aycock at his state-of-the-art Bay Area facility.

What Cheek and Chin Implants Can Do For You

February 7th, 2010

Facial cosmetic surgeries have become increasingly popular as new technologies and techniques have made these procedures safer, less invasive, and more affordable. Many people have heard of popular anti-aging procedures like the facelift, eyelid lift, neck lift or a brow lift. But if you are unhappy with your underlying bone structure, facial implants may be the best plastic surgery option for you. High, well-defined cheekbones and a pronounced chin have always been recognized as features of beauty and distinction for both men and women.

Improve Facial Structure With Cheek Implants

Few are born with strong, chiseled cheekbones. And for those who are lucky enough to have genetics on their side, the aging process can cause full, plump cheeks to loose muscle tissue and volume over time.

Cheek implants are a wonderful way to enhance beauty and rejuvenate facial appearance. They are also often recommended to add symmetry for people with structural imbalance in the mid-face area. Cheek implants come in a variety of styles and sizes so you can get precisely the look you want.

Add Balance With Chin Implants

A weak chin may put unwanted focus on the nose, or make the mouth area seem to protrude. While some people try to de-emphasize a weak chin by growing a beard or using makeup, only a cosmetic chin implant can help you achieve permanent improvement.

Chin implants can be used to create a strong chin appearance, effectively balancing out the other facial features and adding a confident, assertive element to one’s facial personality.

If your goal is to enhance the contours of your facial structure and emphasize (or de-emphasize) certain features, facial rejuvenation through cheek and chin implants can get you the dramatic results you seek.

Are Chin and Cheek Implants Right for You?

Get all the details on the facial cosmetic surgery options available to you during a one-on-one consultation with one of the Bay Area’s most respected and experienced cosmetic surgeons. Please contact Dr. Robert Aycock to set up your confidential, no-obligation visit.

—Lindsey Kesel, Cosmetic Surgery Consultant

Call our San Francisco plastic surgery office at 925.937.8377 or contact us online.