With over 100 rock climbing event attendees ranging from children to adults, rock climbing wasn’t the only activity on the menu. Featuring live entertainment, food, and a Mother’s Day craft creation station, event attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to meet local celebrities like Freddie the Falcon, some of the Falcons Cheerleaders, and Miss Georgia. Participants who climbed were able to compete for prizes like Atlanta Rocks! merchandise and Delta Airline tickets for the top fundraisers.

Resulting in a successful event, PRSF was able to raise approximately $30k through registration fees, donations, and PRSF merchandise sales. The money raised will assist PRSF in traveling around the nation filming and sharing breast cancer survivors’ stories. As a reconstructive breast surgeon, Dr. Namnoum understands the need for breast cancer support from initial diagnosis through physical and emotional healing.

If you missed the rock climbing event be sure to stay tuned to Dr. Namnoum’s blog and social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+) for information on upcoming PRSF events like their 2^nd Annual Founders’ Gala on October 20^th. Visit the PRSF website to learn how you can help, to see breast cancer survivors’ stories, or to find out how to share your story.

What is mommy makeover surgery?

Mommy makeover surgery is a combination of cosmetic procedures custom-tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs. A typical mommy makeover includes cosmetic breast surgery, liposuction, and tummy tuck. The breasts often begin to sag after pregnancy so breast lift surgery is a common component. However, women with small breasts may choose breast augmentation surgery to add breast volume and women with very large breasts may choose breast reduction surgery to reduce their breast size. Additionally, breast lift surgery can be combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction for optimal results. Liposuction can remove excess fat, and tummy tuck surgery helps to flatten and tighten the abdomen.

Who is a good candidate for mommy makeover surgery?

My description of a good mommy makeover candidate is a woman who is healthy, finished having children, and frustrated with her inability to re-gain the body she had prior to having children. However, a thorough consultation is necessary to determine whether or not a patient is a candidate for cosmetic surgery based on their overall health.

What are the benefits of having multiple procedures at once?

Some patients are nervous at the thought of having multiple plastic surgery procedures performed at once, but as long as the patient is healthy it is safe. In fact having multiple procedures at once works to the patient’s advantage. Instead of having each procedure separately and recovering from each singular procedure, they can get it all done at once and decrease the total recovery time.

When should a mother pursue mommy makeover surgery?

The opportune time to pursue mommy makeover is different for each patient, but it is important to wait long enough for your body to return to normal after childbirth. Some women wait to have cosmetic surgery until their children are grown, while others have the procedure when their children are toddlers. Although it is safe to have additional children after mommy makeover surgery, I advise patients to wait until they are finished having children as additional pregnancies will affect your plastic surgery results.

How long is mommy makeover surgery recovery?

Mommy makeover surgery is a highly involved combination of procedures, so movement should be limited for the first week and a half to two weeks after surgery depending on the procedure or combination of procedures performed. After that most patients are able to resume non-strenuous activity and can return to work. Strenuous physical activity should be suspended for about six weeks following surgery. Compression garments may be prescribed for a few weeks following surgery depending on the procedure(s) performed, especially if liposuction is involved.

How much does mommy makeover surgery cost?

The cost of plastic surgery is based on numerous variables like hospital fees, anesthesiologist fees, procedure costs, etc. Therefore, the price of mommy makeover surgery varies. Contact our office for more specific plastic surgery pricing information.

If you’re interested in regaining your pre-baby body, schedule a consultation today. You can visit my website to learn more about other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures I perform. Also be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for plastic surgery news and updates.

The study showed exercise improved stress management efforts during breast cancer treatment. The researchers chose 240 recently diagnosed breast cancer patients who had undergone their initial breast cancer surgery 4-10 weeks prior to recruitment. Half of the study’s participants took a 10-week behavioral therapy program focused on reducing stress. The other half received a less intensive single day session on stress reduction. At the end of the study, participants who were physically active showed less depression, a better quality of life, and less fatigue-related disruptions during breast cancer treatment.

In an article on WebMD about this study, breast cancer survivor Crystal King tells her story about exercising during her breast cancer journey. Although she made trips to the gym prior to her breast cancer diagnosis, a few months after her breast cancer surgery she began running outside for a change. She said running outdoors not only helped her feel less sad, but it also provided her with a feeling of control that breast cancer had taken away. Breast cancer treatment can be exhausting, and although King felt better on the days she worked out when she was “on the fence,” she said she did not push herself to exercise when she felt her worst during chemotherapy.

Knowing your body and knowing when it’s safe to push yourself harder during your workout or when it’s time for a break is important, especially during breast cancer treatment. However, it’s equally important to consult with a physician before beginning a workout routine. As a breast reconstruction surgeon and co-founder of Pink Ribbon Story Foundation  (non-profit breast cancer support group), Dr. Namnoum knows how easy it can be to do too much too soon during recovery.

Visit Dr. Namnoum’s website to learn more about the types of breast reconstruction surgery he performs or to learn about the cosmetic surgery he offers. Be sure to also check out the Pink Ribbon Story Foundation website  to view breast cancer stories and learn how you can share your story. If you haven’t already, connect with Dr. Namnoum on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ .

Lindsey paved the way for millions of women’s breast augmentation procedures including her daughter’s and granddaughter’s breast enhancement. Before the first breast implants were constructed, plastic surgeons tried breast enhancement methods like injecting silicone directly into the breasts. These methods produced poor results and caused infection, so the surgeons revised the technique by placing the silicone inside an elastomer shell.

Despite the fact Lindsey was not interested in breast enhancement in the beginning, she said she did receive more attention after the procedure even though she didn’t tell anyone about the breast implants for 30 years. She let her friends and family make their own assumptions of how her breasts grew from a B cup to a C cup practically overnight. About ten years after her procedure, Lindsey began to experience complications like capsular contracture. Rather than undergoing breast revision surgery as many women do who experience complications or just want to exchange their implants for a different size, Lindsey left her implants alone. Though not recommended knowing what we do today, she’s had them in place for 50 years now.

Breast implants have come quite a long way since 1962. You may have read about new breast implant technology on the rise like the bed-of-nails implant that repels breast cancer cells or biological breast implants that use a patient’s own fat encased in a shell to be inserted into a woman’s breast as a more natural solution for breast implants. Although neither of these types of breast implants are available yet, the FDA did recently approve a new type of silicone breast implant. Plastic surgeons are constantly testing breast implants, surgical devices, and plastic surgery technology to make them safer and improve results.

It is important to note breast implants are not lifetime devices. Lindsey can be viewed as an exception. Some patients’ breast implants last longer than others, but it is very important to go to routine follow-up appointments and receive regular mammograms as directed by your physician after breast augmentation surgery.

Nowadays, many plastic surgeons would have probably suggested Lindsey receive breast lift surgery to correct sagging breasts with or without breast implants, depending on her desires. Dr. James Namnoum conducts extensive plastic surgery consultations with each patient prior to their procedure to learn about their medical history, to find out what they hope to accomplish with their surgery, and to help the patient feel comfortable going into surgery. He performs both cosmetic and reconstructive breast procedures, as well as body contouring and some facial procedures. Visit his website to learn more about the cosmetic surgery he performs, and be sure to join him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for plastic surgery news and updates.

ATLANTA, GA April 13^th, 2012– Atlanta-based breast cancer survivors’ group, The Pink Ribbon Story Foundation (PRSF), is partnering with Atlanta Rocks! Indoor Climbing Gym for Rock Out & Rise, a family-friendly day of rock climbing competitions, crafts, DJ entertainment, photo opportunities with the Atlanta Falcon’s mascot and Falcon’s cheerleaders, and concessions to raise funds for the group’s mission. PRSF travels across the nation filming the stories of breast cancer survivors in the organization’s mobile studio as part of their television and viral series America’s Breast Cancer Memoir.

Not your typical breast cancer non-profit, PRSF uses narrative medicine (other women sharing their breast cancer stories) to help women and their families dealing with breast cancer. PRSF Ambassador Elizabeth K. shared in her video narrative, “The whole prognosis of cancer is so overwhelming… The other day I drove by where I went rocking climbing as a kid and I thought that is really a great picture of what it’s like in any crisis: you’re clinging to the rock. It’s one hand at a time, one foot hold at a time, and all you can do is hang on.”

Co-founder and chairman of PRSF, board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Jim Namnoum of Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. detailed the event’s purpose, “There are numerous breast cancer related groups that host athletic events during the spring; however, PRSF’s mission is unique. We are using this to propel PRSF in aiding the nearly 600 women and their families diagnosed with breast cancer daily. By sharing their story, each woman can help others deal healthily with the tasks at hand and move toward healing.”

Climbers are asked to register for the event individually or as a group (up to 6 climbers) on pinkribbonstories.org prior to or at the event. The climbers with the fastest times will win prizes like two round-trip tickets to a customized destination on Delta Airlines. This is a family-friendly event open to the public. Climbers must be at least 5 to participate; however, the group has a variety of activities planned for attendees of all ages including a Mother’s Day Kid’s Craft Creation Station for younger supporters, mobile mammography unit from Northside Hospital, and refreshments from local food truck The Pickle, chef driven cuisine.

PRSF plans to host several events to further the organization’s mission this spring including their Second Annual Founders’ Gala at the Piedmont Driving Club on October 20^th. Further details may be accessed on the events section of their website.

To view other breast cancer survivors’ videos, share your story, register for the event, or learn more about The Pink Ribbon Story Foundation visit their website. Each PRSF Ambassador (featured survivor) interacts with their website page personally and welcomes inquiries for survivor and family support.

About Pink Ribbon Story Foundation

Pink Ribbon Story Foundation, 501c3, is committed to helping women with breast cancer and their families share their stories with the intention of helping other women who are currently fighting breast cancer advocate for themselves through their journey with the illness. Founded by James Namnoum M.D., F.A.C.S. and Eric Porterfield, PRSF uses contemporary media outlets in hopes of bringing women together to share their experiences and create lines of communication that foster hope and self-advocacy for women going through breast cancer treatment. To learn more about PRSF visit pinkribbonstories.org.

Sometimes referred to as skin removal surgery, body lift procedures typically involve removing excess skin and tissue. Body lift surgery may include liposuction to remove any excess unwanted fat remaining after weight loss depending on the patient’s needs. The fat harvested during liposuction can be purified and used to enhance the areas where fat is deficient via fat transfer, which is commonly used for Brazilian butt lift surgery. Additionally, extra skin is eliminated from areas like the tummy, arms, back, buttocks, hips, and thighs of body lift patients and underlying muscles are tightened as needed. During post bariatric surgery, Dr. Namnoum works to disguise any plastic surgery incisions within natural contours so scars will be less visible.

Just as the components of mommy makeover surgery depend on the patient’s specific needs and surgical desires, so do the components of body lift surgery. Therefore, no two body lift procedures are the same. This highly customizable procedure is completely dependent on a patient’s needs. One patient may have lost excess fat from mainly the upper portion of their body and seek arm lift (brachioplasty), breast lift, and/or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), while another patient may have lost a majority of weight from the lower half of their body and seek thigh lift and/or buttock lift surgery. Additionally, there are patients who require complete body lift surgery.

A typical body lift procedure may include one or more of the following procedures based on the patient’s needs: breast lift (occasionally breast reduction), male breast reduction, leg/thigh lift, back lift, buttock lift, tummy tuck (traditional or circumferential), liposuction, and/or arm lift surgery. During a plastic surgery consultation, Dr. Namnoum thoroughly discusses the patient’s medical history and surgical goals. At this point he helps patients determine which procedure or combination of procedures will help them safely reach these goals. If you’re interested in body lift surgery or another procedure Dr. Namnoum performs, schedule a consultation with him today to discover how to reach the plastic surgery results you’re after. If you haven’t already, connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for plastic surgery news and updates.

Many women seeking breast reconstruction are hesitant about the procedure itself and the type of breast implants used. Methods of breast reconstruction without breast implants are also being studied. For instance, you may have heard about Suzanne Somers’ controversial stem cell breast reconstruction procedure. Rather than receiving a breast implant, Somers opted for a reconstruction technique that involved taking fat from one part of her body, harvesting stem cells from the fat, then injecting the stem cells and fat into her affected breast. Since only one breast was affected by cancer, Somers’ surgeon performed breast reduction surgery on her healthy breast to ensure symmetry. Although breast implants are safe, researchers are constantly working to improve their structure to continually maximize results and minimize complications.

If you keep up with our blog, you may have read about biological breast implants, which we’re hoping will become available in the next few years. Biological breast implants use a patient’s own fat, similar to fat transfer for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, to fill a surrounding shell that’s inserted into the breast. Dr. Namnoum believes even though saline and silicone implants are safe, biological breast implants would decrease the risk of complications like capsular contracture since fewer of the device’s components are not foreign to the body.

Researchers at Brown University have a different type of breast implant in mind specifically designed for breast reconstruction surgery. This breast implant has a special surface that actually repels breast cancer cells while attracting healthy cells to cut down on breast cancer recurrence. Its surface is comparable to a “bed of nails” on the nanoscale (i.e., one 50,000^th of the width of a human hair). It is still unclear why the breast cancer cells do not thrive on such a surface. However, the researchers testing and comparing this breast implant believe it has something to do with the cancer cells’ inability to completely wrap themselves around the shell’s contours reducing their nutrient intake. While the bumpy texture deters cancer cells, it actually attracts healthy cells.

More research is necessary before these breast implants will be available for breast reconstruction or even breast enhancement. Be sure to keep up with Dr. Namnoum’s blog and social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+) as he strives to keep patients updated on plastic and reconstructive news and technology.

Research shows that success in a workout program goes hand-in-hand with enjoyment of that program. I always encourage my plastic surgery patients to find enjoyable exercises that can increase their physical activity. Certain physical activities like Tai Chi and yoga can even be used during plastic surgery recovery (with a plastic surgeon’s guidance, as it’s not safe to do too much too soon) to maximize plastic surgery results and healing. Whether you enjoy running, stretching, hiking, riding bikes, or other activities, do what gives you pleasure to promote your mental and physical wellbeing.

Rest is another important element in overall health; our bodies do not function as well without sleep. However, it is interesting to find that lack of sleep could possibly be a component of obesity. The study reported by Medical News Today showed that people in the study who were sleep deprived ate on average 500+ more calories than those in the study who got an adequate amount of sleep. Therefore, if you’re trying to lose weight, make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye. Sleep deprivation has other effects on the body as you may have learned in my blog on sleep deprivation and wrinkles.

Many of the patients I encounter are seeking body contouring procedures like cosmetic breast surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction, which means they care about their bodies. I often remind patients that I can do my part to enhance their outward aesthetics, but they have to focus on healthy living and the mind/body relationship in order to achieve overall wellness. I try to provide helpful information through my blog, as well as through Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Be sure to visit my website for more information on the plastic and reconstructive procedures I perform or schedule a consultation to learn more about a particular procedure of your interest.

The radio station, WLUP, wanted to grant a woman who they felt deserved breast enhancement surgery with an opportunity to feel more complete. To enter the “Breast Year Ever” competition, contestants sent in a photo and an essay describing why they should win. The stories were so compelling that the station actually chose two winners. One woman’s husband entered her saying she deserved it after saving his life three years prior by donating her kidney after his failed. The other winner suffered with cancer during her childhood and the radiation used to treat the disease caused hormonal issues, which resulted in no breast development.

Dr. James Namnoum was glad to hear that the radio station was not only giving away a free breast procedure, but also a free consultation to these deserving women. As he constantly teaches patients, doing research before pursuing plastic surgery is vital, and consultations are a part of that research. Plastic surgery consultations give patients the opportunity to learn more about their prospective procedure as well as get to know their plastic surgeon better. It also allows the surgeon to learn more about the patient’s medical history so that he or she is better prepared for surgery.

Breast asymmetry and lack of development are not the only issues women (and men) have with their breasts. Some women are bothered by sagging breasts as a result of aging or pregnancy while others’ breasts are so large that they suffer back pain. Although men with gynecomastia (overly large male breasts) don’t often complain about pain associated with their breasts, they can relate to the embarrassment caused. Women bothered by sagging breasts can often benefit from breast lift surgery in which excess tissue is removed and remaining tissue is tightened to place the breast in a more youthful position. Those bothered by overly large breasts often seek breast reduction surgery, and Dr. Namnoum even performs male breast reduction surgery.

If you are interested in learning more about cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery or another procedure Dr. Namnoum performs, visit his website or schedule a consultation. Be sure to connect with Dr. Namnoum on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for plastic surgery news and updates.