Remember the “Baywatch Babe?” Embodied most famously by Pamela Anderson, the Baywatch Babe was the epitome of the 90s dream body—large, voluptuous breasts that soon became the standard in breast augmentation.

But things have changed since “Baywatch” first aired, including body trends. Women now want enhancement that doesn’t look so obviously enhanced. There’s still a focus on increasing volume, but that focus is now on ways that look and feel as natural as possible.

Dr. Renato Calabria specializes in breast fat transfer, a procedure that uses the patient’s own fat to increase breast volume without the need for implants.

Breast Augmentation Today: Back to Natural

Surgeons still see plenty of women who want bigger breasts. Over 320,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

But in recent years, surgeons are seeing more women who want a smaller implant size and a shape that’s less round and pronounced. A subtle—yet still noticeable—change in volume is what women are now looking for.

For women with these goals, breast fat transfer, also referred to as stem cell breast augmentation, perfectly fits the bill. It uses the patient’s own fat and injects it into the breasts, allowing for a gradual increase in fullness that looks and feels as natural as possible.

Breast fat transfer also provides an added benefit that implants can’t provide by removing unwanted fat from one part of the body and using that to enhance the breasts, improving overall body contours.

How Does Breast Fat Transfer Work?

Stem cell breast augmentation uses liposuction to extract the fat cells that are needed to enhance the breasts. The fat is typically removed from an unwanted area, like the abdomen, using small incisions and tubes.

The fat is processed and purified using a special device. Dr. Calabria then injects these purified cells into certain areas of the breasts to increase volume.

General anesthesia will be used before Dr. Calabria performs the liposuction and fat transfer. The entire procedure typically takes about four to six hours to complete.

Recovery

Patients may feel some soreness after stem cell breast augmentation, particularly in liposuction sites. Dr. Calabria may prescribe pain medication and instruct patients to wear a compression garment to help manage discomfort.

Typically, however, recovery tends to be easier than traditional surgery. There’s no risk of the breast rejecting the fat, which means fewer chances of swelling or other unpleasant side effects.

Results

With fat transfer, there’s always a chance some of the fat cells won’t completely integrate with surrounding tissues. Since breasts are primarily made of fatty tissue, they are an ideal site for stem cell fat transfer and augmentation.

Dr. Calabria uses specially purified stem cells that are more likely to retain their volume after the procedure is done. Breast fat transfer is a gradual enhancement process, with results becoming more apparent within months as the fat integrates with the rest of the breast.

Learn more about fat transfer by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Calabria. Contact our Beverly Hills office at (323) 612-0876, our Rancho Mirage office at (760) 836-0077, or our Milan, Italy office at +393494662323 to schedule a consultation soon.

Getting plastic surgery requires a lot of careful consideration. Patients think long and hard about what issues are worth undergoing surgery to correct. Choosing the right plastic surgeon, preferably one who is board-certified, like Dr. Renato Calabria, also takes a lot of time and thought.

There’s no denying the beautiful results that can come from plastic surgery, and recovery is part of the process of making your dream look a reality.

Recovery can vary based on factors such as genetics, age, your general health, and other reasons. Being prepared for what follows after that last incision is closed can help facilitate the entire healing process and increase the odds of having ideal results.

1. Make Good Health a Habit

In general, patients who are in good health tend to bounce back much more quickly. Their bodies are better prepared to deal with the trauma of surgery and the natural healing process.

Smokers will need to quit for at least a few weeks before and after the procedure since nicotine can greatly hamper the body’s ability to heal. Excessive drinking and certain medications, such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs, should also be avoided for the same reasons.

Patients should be encouraged to make certain lifestyle changes before surgery that will help facilitate healing and decrease the likelihood of complications. Creating healthy habits beforehand makes it easier to maintain them after the procedure. A healthier lifestyle will help to preserve the results for much longer.

2. Eat Right to Boost Healing

What you eat can make a difference in how you recover. Vitamin C and A, found in dark leafy greens and citrus fruits, contain wound-healing properties that boost healing. Amino acids found in lean proteins help increase tissue regeneration.

Foods high in fiber prevent constipation, a common side effect of pain medications, and heart-healthy fats like avocado and eggs provide the energy the body needs to recover. Drinking plenty of water is essential to good health, as proper hydration ensures the body is flushed of toxins and waste.

3. Know What To Expect

Despite incredible advances in the industry that are occurring daily, plastic surgery is still surgery, and you should expect some discomfort after the procedure. Knowing as much as possible about the process beforehand can help to improve the comfort of your recovery.

Patients will usually need to use bandages or compression garments right after surgery. A compression garment offers extra support to healing areas, reduces swelling, and helps keep surgical sites or wounds clean, reducing any risk of inflammation or infection.

Patients may need a compression garment for the following procedures:

• Stem cell breast augmentation: Garment will provide support to breasts and/or fat extraction sites.
• Stem cell facelift: Garment will provide support to the repositioned facial tissues.
• Body contouring: Garment will provide support to augmented body parts (buttocks, breasts) and re-contoured areas (tummy tuck, thighs, arms).
• Breast revision: Garment will provide support to breasts after fat grafting revisions.

Swelling and pain, as uncomfortable as they are, are signs the body’s natural healing mechanisms are doing their job. Typically, the worst symptoms happen in the hours and days right after surgery. To help mitigate the discomfort, pain medication will be prescribed after most procedures.

4. Get Plenty of Rest

Rest is crucial right after your surgery since this is when your surgical sites are at their most fragile and tender. Patients will need to take plenty of time to rest to let their bodies recuperate. Doing too much too soon can put patients at risk of opening up wounds and slowing down the healing process.

Patients can plan ahead to make sure rest is a top priority during recovery. Here are some ways to best prepare for your recovery:

Take Time Off

It can often take a few weeks for the body to fully heal, so patients should plan to take time off from work and make any other necessary adjustments to their schedule well in advance.

Line Up Help

Having an extra set of hands around immediately after your surgery can be extremely helpful for patients who have small children or other responsibilities. Some patients will also likely need someone to help drive them home from the hospital after surgery.

Set Up Recovery Area

Some procedures may require patients to sit or recline in certain positions. Setting up a recliner, hospital bed, or another resting area is best done beforehand to avoid any unnecessary stress on the day of the surgery.

Stay Calm

It’s natural to feel impatient after surgery, especially in those first few days where discomfort is at its highest. Be patient with yourself, and give yourself the time you need to recuperate.

Taking these few extra steps before surgery will help you achieve a better outcome following your plastic surgery.

Thinking about plastic surgery? Dr. Calabria can help patients achieve the results they want. Contact our Beverly Hills office at (323) 612-0876, our Rancho Mirage office at (760) 836-0077, or our Milan, Italy office at +393494662323 to schedule a consultation soon.

It can sometimes be challenging to determine which cosmetic procedure is best suited to your particular needs. There’s a need for the most natural and authentic-looking results possible, particularly when it comes to facial rejuvenation. Patients want to avoid an “overdone” or “too-tight” look that makes it look obvious that there’s been work done.

Often, patients turn to injectable fillers for an easy, minimally invasive way to treat signs of aging. But other options can help restore aging skin without the need for touch-up or follow-up treatments. Dr. Calabria’s revolutionary non-surgical facelift helps smooth facial skin and replace lost facial volume by using the patient’s own tissues for natural and long-lasting results.

Non-Surgical Facelift

A non-surgical facelift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses the patient’s own stem cell-enriched fat as a type of filler to rejuvenate the facial tissues. The stem-cell enriched fat itself also helps trigger a natural regeneration process. This leads to longer-term rejuvenating results with little to no scarring or side effects.

Dr. Calabria uses liposuction on certain parts of the patient’s body to extract the fat cells that are then purified using an enzymatic process. These cells are then injected into areas of the face that have experienced loss of volume, scarring, or other skin conditions. The injected stem cells give skin a fuller, smoother appearance, along with promoting new skin growth for further rejuvenation.

Stem Cell Facelift

The stem cell facelift is a little more intensive than a non-surgical facelift, but still uses the patient’s own tissues to achieve ideal rejuvenation results. Again, Dr. Calabria extracts fats from areas of the patient’s body to re-infuse them into the facial tissues. After the stem cell-enriched fat cells are injected, Dr. Calabria then re-drapes and anchors the facial tissues through two simple incisions. A stem cell facelift combines vertical facelift techniques with the state-of-the-art stem cell process to provide a natural-looking and naturally regenerative effect.

Synthetic Injectable Fillers

Injectable dermal fillers, more commonly known as fillers, can also provide many of the same benefits to patients as the stem cell or non-surgical facelifts. Fillers are very popular because they are generally non-invasive and provide quick, noticeable results. Fillers can also help replace lost facial volume, smooth lines and wrinkles, plump up lips or other facial areas, and correct facial scarring.

There are several different types of filler available that treat particular concerns or specific areas of the face. Fillers can be made using naturally occurring substances, such as calcium hydroxylapatite and hyaluronic acid, or synthetic materials such as polyalkylimide or polylactic acid. These materials help promote collagen production, leading to smoother, younger-looking skin. While recovery is typically quick, repeated treatments may be needed to correct specific areas or treat certain conditions. Most fillers also require biannual or annual touch-ups to maintain optimal results.

Benefits of Non-Surgical Facelifts Over Fillers

The non-surgical facelift and stem cell facelift can:

• Smooth and soften facial skin
• Replenish lost facial volume
• Trigger natural skin cell regeneration
• Contribute to new skin growth
• Lead to continual and long-lasting skin improvement

These two procedures provide many advantages over other non-invasive options. One of the biggest benefits of either procedure is the long-lasting effects. Dr. Calabria’s use of the patient’s own tissues leads to a shorter recovery period for the patient. The enriched cells themselves also trigger a regrowth process that extends the rejuvenating results of the initial procedure. Results typically last much longer than fillers, which usually need touch-ups at least once a year. A non-surgical or stem cell facelift will instead lead to continuous skin rejuvenation and an overall more youthful, vibrant look for years to come.

Curious about Dr. Calabria’s stem cell or non-surgical facelifts? Contact us and schedule a consultation soon.

We’re all looking for ways to stop the hands of time. The development of lines, wrinkles, folds, and sagging skin, especially on the face, can be detrimental to your self-esteem and confidence. Many of us are looking for the best ways to fight back time’s effects, and a growing majority of people are choosing to go under the knife to get the rejuvenation they desire.

Dr. Renato Calabria is constantly at the forefront of the most advanced processes in the plastic surgery world to get his patients the most long-lasting results. Patients seeking to combat aging by undergoing plastic surgery can rest assured they will get the results they want with minimal pain and risk. But there are a few different methods you can use at home to slow down the aging process every day:

Stay Hydrated

It’s no secret that water is the key to life—so why would that be any different for your skin? Staying hydrated not only contributes to your health in general, but it can also help minimize the loss of facial volume and keep skin clear. Patients are urged to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and try to steer clear of alcoholic drinks, which can be dehydrating.

Quit Smoking

Not only will your lungs thank you, but so will your skin! The nicotine in cigarettes impairs blood flow to your skin, which means it gets fewer nutrients. Over time, the other chemicals present in cigarettes also start to cause premature sagging and wrinkling. So for many patients, putting down the pack of cigarettes can be the first step towards regaining the healthy appearance they desire.

Maintain An Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Patients are encouraged to adopt a morning and night skincare routine which includes cleansing at least twice a day, toning the skin, and moisturizing every day and night. There is a multitude of products available for every skin type and budget, and every patient will require their own unique routine based on their needs, age, and concerns. Setting up this routine—and sticking to it—will often lead to healthier, younger-looking skin.

Wear Sunscreen Regularly

Exposing your skin to the sun’s dangerous UV rays can result in irreversible damage. UV rays can cause inflammation, dark spots, and wrinkling, while also reducing the skin’s natural healing processes. Fortunately, there is a simple way to block some of the sun’s most damaging effects: by including sunscreen in your daily skincare routine. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to get the best level of protection.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help fight the effects of aging, especially on your skin. Fruits high in Vitamins A and E, such as mangoes and berries, or vegetables high in fiber, such as spinach and kale, all contribute to healthy skin and overall health. Fruits and veggies with a high water content, such as cucumbers, can also help keep patients hydrated.

Further Ways to Combat Facial Aging

Patients can use the methods above to start to fight back against aging at home, but some concerns may need to be addressed by an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Calabria. The loss of facial volume is one of the most visible indicators of aging and ultimately leads to more wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Dr. Calabria offers a few procedures that can help slow this down and give patients a younger look:

• Non-surgical facelift: For this procedure, Dr. Calabria uses adult stem cells derived from the patient’s own fat to plump and rejuvenate facial tissues. First, the patient undergoes liposuction to extract the fat cells before Dr. Calabria puts them through an enzymatic process that breaks down the fat and extracts the most stem cells out of it. Then, this stem-cell enriched fat is injected into the face. This causes facial skin to create new blood vessels and encourages new growth. The skin then rejuvenates itself,  leading to fuller, plumper, younger-looking skin. Results are also long lasting, as opposed to dermal fillers.

• Hand rejuvenation: It’s common for many people to diligently pay attention to the signs of aging in their faces while ignoring the skin on other parts of their body. As a result, patients may end up with a fairly youthful-looking face—but ancient-looking, wrinkled, and spotted hands! Dr. Calabria offers a simple hand rejuvenation procedure, which uses stem-cell enriched fat grafts that are injected back into the skin to improve the texture of the skin of the hands. Dr. Calabria also offers RADIESSE® injections, which can be done under local anesthesia with little to no downtime and results that last up to a year.

• Stem Cell Facelift: The stem cell facelift offered by Dr. Calabria gives patients the best of both worlds when it comes to surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. It is a combination of the stem-cell enriched fat process used during a non-surgical facelift alongside vertical facelift techniques to give patients the most long-lasting results. Dr. Calabria will extract the fat cells, process and purify them, then inject them underneath the facial muscles. The facial muscles are then redraped, tightened, and anchored vertically. This is particularly helpful for patients with deep lines or excessive sagging skin, which are better treated with this method than with a non-surgical facelift.

Whatever the concern may be, Dr. Calabria can help patients achieve the results they want. Contact our Beverly Hills office at (323) 612-0876, our Rancho Mirage office at (760) 836-0077, or our Milan, Italy office at +393494662323 to schedule a consultation soon.