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September 19th, 2012

Is Liposuction Surgery The Right Solution For You?

Liposuction Surgery (Abdominoplasty) is one option to treat areas of excess fat in the stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breast enlargement), back, arms and neck. Liposuction is equally effective in both men and women.

The basic technique of Liposuction involves the removal of fat via a hollow metal tube (Cannula) that passes through your body’s fatty tissue. One of the most common types of Liposuction involves the aspiration of fat by attaching a pump that generates a vacuum. This is known as Suction Assisted Liposuction (SAL).

Understanding The Risks of Liposuction

Liposuction surgery is one of the two most common procedures generally performed by Plastic Surgeons (after Breast Augmentation). Fortunately, significant complications from Liposuction surgery are infrequent.

Risks and potential complications of Liposuction are best discussed directly with Dr. Moliver during your consultation and preoperative appointment because those risks will vary based on your personal health and body structure.

We stress to all patients that personal health is the place to start. We don’t remove fat from a person until they recognize the need for a healthy diet and lifestyle, which includes exercise, vegetables and kicking the cigarette habit.

Some potential complications may include Hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures. Other risks more specific to liposuction may include indentations and irregularities.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions we provide, both before and after your liposuction surgery.

The Liposuction Surgical Experience

liposuction

If you are a smoker, Dr. Moliver recommends that you quit well in advance of any surgery since smoking can impair the healing process. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued before undergoing Liposuction surgery. We will provide you with additional preoperative instructions during your consultation.Our goal is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable as possible.

Liposuction surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for 24 hours.

Day of Liposuction Surgery

Your Abdominoplasty may be performed at our AAAASF accredited surgical outpatient facility.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing liposuction surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

Concerning postoperative pain, many patients state that the area feels sore, as if they underwent a vigorous workout.

Recovery from Liposuction Surgery

It is important to understand that recovery time varies greatly among patients.

The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly. If you can elevate the body part, it is recommended to do so. Remember, you must not take Aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.

During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising, although the vast majority of patients have virtually no bruising. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within 10 days.

Call Today for a Free Consultation 281.282.9555

Learn More About Liposuction in Houston

August 29th, 2012

Rhinoplasty Procedures

A large nose might be acceptable on a man, but it can be quite undesired by women. Today we do Rhinoplasty procedures completely different from 20 years ago. Our whole goal is natural. At one time, nose jobs would leave the nose at a pronounced pointed tip on the end. We want to gently shave away the unwanted ridges and bumps to leave a soft shape that people say just looks nice! If you look at models, they don’t necessarily have “tiny” noses. It’s more about clean lines and gentle ridges. During Rhinoplasty surgery, we make a tiny incision between the base of the nose and the top of the lip.

The goal of rhinoplasty is a nose that looks natural and blends harmoniously with your other facial features. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait up to one year to see the final results of your rhinoplasty. You are likely, however, to begin enjoying your new look within weeks of your surgery. Occasionally, a touch up may be desired to further improve the results. If this is the case, the additional procedure is usually less extensive than the original operation.

For more information about Houston rhinoplasty, you can request a complimentary consultation online or call 281.282.9555 to schedule your visit.

Learn More About Rhinoplasty

August 24th, 2012

Dr. Moliver Discount – Military Members and Spouses

After spending 15 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, and nearly being deployed during Operation Desert Storm, Dr. Clayton Moliver has a deep affinity and respect for the men and women serving in the Armed Forces all over the world, as well as the families that support them from home.

To show our appreciation, we offer a 10% discount to all active-duty military members and their spouses in Houston.

Serving as a general surgeon in the Army Reserves, Dr. Moliver made it to the rank of Major. While in the middle of his Plastic Surgery residency his unit was assigned to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Moliver explains it as a time of mixed emotions, “I really wanted the opportunity to serve my country and care for any casualties,” he said.

Today, Dr. Moliver takes advantage of every opportunity to help those who serve our country.

We are also well aware of the important role families play in a soldier’s life. That is why the discount is also available to spouses. For those looking to surprise their husbands or wives upon return home, be sure to give our office a call for a free consultation!

August 17th, 2012

Tubular Breasts

If you’re a baby boomer like me, you might remember exclaiming excitement through the word tubular. I know this word was once, or maybe still is, a part of many of your vernaculars — even if you aren’t a surfer dude. You may be surprised, I know I was, to learn this word shows up in many a medical book too.

Needless to say, if you are a woman who’s accustomed to this word medically, it takes on a much different meaning.

Women with small and narrow breasts that have large, pointed nipples and areolas have a condition known as Tubular Breasts. The breasts are usually far apart, typically sag — even at a very young age, and can occasionally be asymmetrical.

Tubular Breasts form during puberty. The tissue that gives women nicely-formed, cone-shaped breasts doesn’t fully develop. The term tubular in this case clearly does not mean awesome, but comes from the tube-like appearance of the breasts.

Many women become so embarrassed by this condition that they’ll even refuse to remove their bras when they come into the office. Please know that this condition is not strange or weird. This is not a condition where one’s physical well-being suffers, but rather a condition that results in the deflation of confidence. Many women suffer from this condition, and are just as perplexed as to how they can attain the body they want and deserve.

Tubular breasts can be treated through plastic surgery, which includes breast implants and tissue expansion methods. Seventy to 80% of the time, Tubular Breasts can be corrected without scars on the front of the breast by doing a breast augmentation. Special work is done to improve the roundness of the lower pole of the breast. This along with how we manage the patient post operatively is the key to our success.

The results will be totally tubular … and this time we do mean awesome!

August 1st, 2012

Beauty Through A Healthy Diet

It should go without saying that fruits and vegetables are critical to a healthy lifestyle. These gems from nature contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a boatload of other awesome nutritiousness that won’t be found in any French fry you eat. However, did you know that a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables can also be beneficial to your looks?

Carotenoids, organic pigments that naturally occur in fruits and vegetables, when consumed, affect the skin’s pigmentation. Recent studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland showed that eating more fruits and vegetables has a similar effect on the skin as sitting out in the sun — without those detrimental carcinogens. These Carotenoids increase redness, yellowness and the overall darkness of skin color, which according to the human eye is more appealing.

“We found that given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by Carotenoids, people preferred the Carotenoid skin color,” Dr. Ian Stephen, the study’s lead researcher, said in a statement. “So if you want a healthier and more attractive skin color, you are better off eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables than lying in the sun.”

Beyond just brightening the body’s overall coloring, vitamin-rich diets also help to keep the skin smooth and clear of blemishes. Especially if you add a healthy water consumptions as well.

According to results from the study, adding three servings of fruits and vegetables per day had a significant effect on the attractiveness of research participants.

This is an easy, healthy way to improve your looks at home, so give it a try!

It’s amazing what a healthy diet can do to make you look good and feel good. We want to stress, living a healthy lifestyle generally leads to a happy one. Body augmentations can help, but they aren’t always the solution. You need to be your own kind of beautiful!

Questions? Call 281-724-3162

Learn More About Living A Healthy Lifestyle

July 3rd, 2012

My Israeli Journey: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands

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My wife Michelle and I never imagined when we began organizing plans to form a new Synagogue south of Houston that 16 years later it would lead to an eyeopening experience in a land 7,000 miles from home.

In June, 45 members and extended family of our Synagogue Temple Beth Tikvah took the 14+ hour journey to Israel for a 10-day bus tour of the Holy Lands.

We began our trip in Tel Aviv, the second most populated city in Israel. Our Rabbi and other members planned an intensive trip that didn’t leave much time for sitting around with umbrella drinks that’s for sure! We had a guided bus that made on average three stops per day at different sightseeing activities. Our tour guide Yaacov (Israeli name equivalent to Jacob) was born and raised in Israel, and provided a wealth of information along our travels.

One of the first breathtaking sites we explored was the ancient battle lands of David and Goliath. The mountains were abounding, and Israel turned out to be a lot more lush than I was expecting. The Israeli government built a system of irrigation tubing that covers the country and delivers – to the drop – the exact amount of water that every plant needs to live in the dry, hot conditions.

We toured multiple Kibbutz facilities along our travels. The Kibbutz is a shared community of people that live and work in one compound and share all resources provided or created.

One particularly meaningful stop was to a children’s Kibbutz used to rehabilitate abandoned children around the world, and teach them to contribute to society.

I’m not sure I have ever seen water as pretty as we saw at the Rosh Hanikrah Caves on the Lebanese Border. While standing on a line between countries of such turmoil was intimidating for sure, however, standing out on bluffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea filled me with an amazing calm. The world is beautiful in this little pocket of land.

Other adventures included a boat tour on the Sea of Galilee; walking tour of Tsfat, the birthplace of Kaballah; and rafting down the Jordan River.

In Tsfat is where someone captured this silly image of me blowing a Shofar. The Shofar (Hebrew: שופר‎) is a horn, traditionally shaped like the horn of a ram, used for Jewish religious purposes. Blowing the Shofar is incorporated into Synagogue services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Shofars come in a variety of sizes, but I held the big one!

Probably the most unique experience for me was riding a camel to lunch in the land of Abraham. We then got to dine on delicious, fresh foods (as you can see in the picture) in an authentic Bedouin tent.

I have to say that all of the food along the trip, particularly in the open-air markets was wonderfully fresh and catered nicely to vegetarians. I will say it was interesting to eat salads for breakfast … but when in Israel!

Our time at the Dead Sea and climbing Mount Masada was the most physically challenging. The Dead Sea, while fascinating to float in, felt like acid if it got in your eyes or, god-forbid, a cut! The salt content of the water is over 35% (compared to the ocean at ~3%), making a single drop burn like hell, and your whole body unable to sink.

The 2,000 steps to the top of Mount Masada required a feat of endurance under the beating desert sun. Even at 8 in the morning, the sun is as high as noon here.

The hike is well rewarded when you reach the top, and miles of ruins lay out before you.

From the Dead Sea valley we travelled on to spend four days in Jerusalem, the Golden City of David, the capital of Israel, and Holiest of Holy Lands. We participated in a fascinating archeological dig, and searched through authentic rubble for ancient treasures. Our group uncovered pottery and tiles from thousands of years ago! In Jerusalem I managed to get in a little running time. The twists and turns of the hilly roads made for an interesting jog that almost landed me lost forever!

The spiritual head to the trip came when we visited the Western Wall. It was an overpowering feeling to place a written prayer in the cracks of the old wall, and stand with my son before one of the religious Meccas of the world.

Symmastia is a Rare, but Fixable Complication of Breast Augmentation

May 11th, 2012

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In very rare instances, Symmastia can occur as a defect of breast augmentation surgery. When implants are inserted too close to the midline of the body, it causes a lifting of the skin away from the chest, creating an unattractive connected appearance sometimes referred to as “breadloafing.”

Symmastia can also occur as a rare congenital defect in which soft tissue connects, or webs, both breasts together at the sternum (breast bone). Symmastia seems to be more prevalent among thin women, mostly due to the minimal tissue and/or fat covering the sternum.

In our experience, Symmastia generally occurs due to aggressively cutting open the chest muscle during an implant operation. In the early years of breast augmentation, surgeons would attempt to release some of the chest tissue in order to get the implants closer together, which can cause the defect as well.

I must give a kind word of caution to everyone reading this and having second thoughts about getting a breast procedure done. Symmastia is the least common of all cosmetic breast augmentation complications.

Today we take a much less invasive approach to altering the body. Our goal is to nip and tuck, not cut and stretch.

Symmastia can be due to malposision of the breast implant alone. In these cases one or both implants migrate across the midline lifting up the skin of the sternum. Or it can be a lifting of the skin only. Or symmastia can be both a lifting of the skin and shifting of the implant. After carefully examining the patient to determine the caus eof the symmastia a plan is developed specific for that patient. These days I often use either Belladerm or Strattice for repair of implant malposition or symmastia.

In the following video, Dr. Moliver walks you through a procedure to fix a Symmastia case.

WARNING: The following video contains graphic surgical footage, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

April 16th, 2012

Breast Implants - Saline versus Silicone

A recent question on Facebook prompted a longer response than we expected, so we thought we’d share it!

The textbook answer to the saline versus silicone debate is:

Saline breast implants. Saline implants are filled with saline, generally during your surgery. Saline implants are often criticized for feeling hard or unnatural, but improved surgical techniques — such as placing the implant behind the chest muscle and slightly overfilling it — have helped these complaints. Saline breast implants are available for women 18 and older looking for breast augmentation, or women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Silicone breast implants. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel — a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Some women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. Silicone breast implants are available to women age 22 and older for breast augmentation, or women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Silicone implants constitute 80% of the breast augmentations completed by our office in the Houston area over the past few years. We find that saline implants on women with petite frames or A-cup breasts often look very fake, and have a much higher incidence of rippling and folds being either palpable or visible.

Silicone implants are softer to touch, and much firmer. If the patient has a moderate amount of her own breast tissue, and the implant isn’t too large, there may not be any difference to the feel.

Finally, two similar sized implants, one saline, the other silicone – will have different projections to the cup size your breasts will become. The saline implants typically have a 10-20% greater amount of projection, hence the somewhat more “fake” look in smaller framed women.

If a discussion on price is what you’re looking for, generally gel (silicone) implants run about $1,000 more than saline in the Houston market.

Learn More About Saline Breast Implants

Learn More About Silicone Breast Implants

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April 16th, 2012

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy – IPL Special!

If you are not familiar with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, it is the most innovative skin treatment system we have seen in years. It involves specially constructed Xenon Flash Lamp bulbs and focusing optics to rapidly discharge high energy light on to your skin.

The pulses of light produced by IPL equipment are very short in duration, so discomfort and damage to non-target tissues is minor. IPLs work more directly on the top layers of the skin, and generally do not penetrate deep enough to damage the epidermis.

Although some salons use IPL for hair removal, we have the best technology in the industry for laser hair removal, The Lumenis LightSheer Duet. We choose other uses for this therapy.

Our IPL machine is the Lumenis One, and we use it for removing brown spots and red areas primarily on the face. In addition to, IPL can be used to treat:

Sun Damage and Vascular Changes
Acne
Rosacea
Broken capillaries

CLICK HERE FOR TREATMENT PRICING

We also offer package prices that include 1 FREE TREATMENT, as well as monthly specials on a selected service or two. Just give us your email address and we will add you to the list to receive our specials!

Learn More About Other Spa Services Available!

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March 29th, 2012

Facial Transplant Success

This past week The University of Maryland announced the successful outcome of the most extensive full face transplant ever. There are several fascinating things about the recent wave of Complex Composite Allograft Transfers (translated: transferring tissue from one human to another as a mass of different types of tissues in one large block – i.e. skin, fat, muscles, bones, teeth, nerves, etc.). The most recent trend is towards face and hand transplants.

It’s so easy to overlook the complexities and intricacies of a massive surgery such as this when viewing before-and-after photos from a computer; gushing over the transformation, and gasping at the surgery length of time. It’s fun to imagine exchanging looks with a supermodel, but no one ever talks about the impact that a surgery such as this would have on a person’s day-to-day life. Now I do want to preface that a decision about surgery is simple when facing an injury such as a gunshot to the head. However, these advances in technology make me envision a time in our future when transplanting one’s face is as common as liposuction. What will we take for granted then, and what will we not consider?

First is the psychological effect of having a completely different face. The “who am I factor” would be overwhelming to the recipient. As would the haunting feeling of the other person who gave his face, and is now peering back in the mirror. Someone, somewhere would look at this person and see a loved one who is actually dead.

The other topic not often thought about by the lay public is that these recipient patients typically have to be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their life, just like a kidney or heart transplant patient. This is not only very expensive, but there are several dangerous side-effects. This also does not even begin to examine the ethical questions of who pays for this surgery (patient or the insurance company), and is a candidate justified in his reasons for a transplant.

As a side note, a recent article in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (February edition) by Curtis Cetrulo, et al from Harvard, circumvented the need for anti-rejection drugs using a novel gene therapy to convert the donated tissue, into tissue that the patient’s body recognizes as its own and will not reject. The study was done in lab rats, but laid the experimental basis for similar work in humans.

The day may not be far off when very large parts of one person are transferred to another without the lifelong drugs that are now routine and often overlooked by the public. I can guarantee you these things are not overlooked by the patients. #VeryExpensiveLifeChange

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