Category Archives: Plastic Surgery

Advancements in surgical techniques have led to a dramatic improvement in the safety and efficacy of cosmetic surgery procedures over the years. But the single most important factor that impacts the final outcome of a procedure is still the skill and experience of the operating surgeon. Patients should spend time to evaluate and choose the appropriate surgeon for their needs.

Particularly, a major procedure such as breast reduction is a personal journey for a woman. She should select a surgeon she can trust and feel comfortable with. Dr. Bryson Richards is a board certified plastic surgeon providing innovative and advanced procedures for the breast, body and face. Patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive breast reduction procedure from Dr. Richards.

Credentials

Dr. Richards is board certified by the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery. He received training in advanced cosmetic plastic surgery at the pre-eminent Cleveland Clinic. He graduated from Cornell Medical School in New York City and was chief plastic surgery resident at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

He is regularly invited to speak at national meetings to share his expertise with other plastic surgeons. Dr. Richards has won numerous awards and honors in recognition of his excellence and authority in the field of plastic surgery. He has also published scientific papers in cutting edge research areas related to the field of surgery.

Choosing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the most authoritative board in the country with stringent standards of selection for awarding certification. A cosmetic surgeon with this certification would have received at least three to five years of medical training, including a minimum of two years exclusively in plastic surgery training.  

A board certified plastic surgeon would also invest in continuing education, adopt the best surgical techniques, maintain best practices and follow the latest safety protocols in order to deliver optimal solutions to the patients. Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for breast reduction surgery.

Customized Treatment

Each woman’s breast anatomy is unique, and her personal needs and goals will also vary from others. An experienced breast surgeon will know that best outcomes in a procedure such as breast reduction can be obtained when the surgery is tailored to fit the specific needs of the patient.

Dr. Richards will carefully customize breast reduction surgical plan and incorporate the patient’s anatomical, health and cosmetic requirements to produce most satisfying outcomes. He believes that a one size fits all or a cookie cutter approach to procedures such as breast reduction will not serve the patient’s purpose.

Personalized Care

The patient should ideally choose a breast reduction surgeon with whom she can develop a personal rapport, and who is willing to provide her with personalized care and attention at every step. Dr. Richards is accessible to his patients, right from the first consultation to the surgery and the recovery process. He keeps the patient at the center of every decision that is made with regard to her breast reduction surgery.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Before a woman decides to proceed with breast reduction cosmetic surgery, she should have a clear understanding of the procedure, and confidence in the ability of the breast surgeon. She should freely ask questions to clear her concerns and doubts about the practice and the procedure.

An informed patient will be in a position to make better decisions and feel more confident about her choices. A dedicated breast surgeon will answer all questions of the patient in detail in a simple language. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Questions about the Surgeon

• Do you have a board certification in plastic surgery, and if yes, from which board?
• How long have you trained in the field of plastic surgery, and how many years of experience do you have?
• Have you performed breast reduction previously, and what is your rate of success in this procedure?
• What surgical venue would you recommend for my breast reduction procedure?
• Do you have staff privileges at one of the local hospitals?
• Can your office handle an emergency, if any should arise?
• If I want to undergo a revision procedure following primary breast reduction, will you perform it?
• Do you receive patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas?

Questions about the Procedure

• Will I make a suitable candidate for breast reduction?
• Are there any surgical techniques to perform breast reduction in a less invasive way?
• Will I need to make any lifestyle or dietary changes or alter the schedule of my current medications prior to surgery?
• Will you use general or local anesthesia to perform the procedure?
• Can you provide me with some breast reduction before and after images pertaining to your earlier patients?

Questions about Recovery

• Are there any risks and complications involved in breast reduction?
• For how long will I be confined to bed after the surgery?
• Are there any instructions I should follow during the initial recovery phase?
• Is the recovery going to be painful?
• When should I expect to return to work or resume my normal routine?

Questions about the Costs

• How much will it cost me to undergo breast reduction surgery at your practice?
• Does your price quote include the pre- and post-surgical expenses?
• Will I be able to save a significant amount if the surgery is performed at a surgical center instead of a hospital?
• Will I have to pay additionally for any post-surgical appointments with you?
• If I combine two or more surgeries, will it improve the overall cost-effectiveness of the procedure?
• With regard to insurance and financing, will your office staff be able to offer me some guidance?

The patient may also request to see the reviews and testimonials of past patients who have received breast reduction from the same cosmetic surgeon. The patient should make final decisions only after she is satisfied with the surgeon’s answers to her questions on breast reduction.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Breast reduction cosmetic surgery procedure can help to create more proportionately sized breasts for a woman who is bothered by heavy, pendulous breasts. At the time of pre-operative consultation, the breast surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of breast reduction and help her to make an informed choice.

Patients should feel free to ask questions and clarify all their concerns and doubts prior to choosing breast reduction surgery. The consultation opportunity should be fully utilized to gain insights and feel more confident about the procedure. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Patient’s Goals

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will try to understand from the patient why she wants to undergo breast reduction plastic surgery. While many women seek this procedure for cosmetic reasons, some may also want this surgery to get rid of persistent pain or discomfort in the back, neck or shoulders and other limitations of movement and clothing caused by oversized breasts.

Based on the patient’s feedback, the surgeon will be able to create an appropriate surgical plan to meet her personal aesthetic and health goals through breast reduction.

Health Evaluation

Breast reduction is a major procedure, and may involve general anesthesia in some cases. The patient should be fit enough to sustain the surgery as well as anesthesia. She should not be suffering from any such medical conditions that may cause excessive bleeding, delayed healing or pose other risks during or after the surgery.

Patient’s drug allergies, if any, will also be taken into account. The surgeon will assess her health records, breast anatomy, quality and elasticity of skin, and then determine her candidacy for breast reduction.

Current Medications

Before visiting the surgeon’s office for a breast reduction consultation appointment, the patient should ideally prepare a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications that she may be currently taking. Any herbal supplements and vitamins should also be included in the list.

The surgeon may ask her to stop using certain medications and supplements for about two weeks prior to breast reduction surgery. The schedule of some prescription meds may have to be altered in consultation with the physician.

Lifestyle Changes

If the patient is a smoker, the cosmetic surgeon will ask her to stop smoking for a certain period of time before the surgery. Nicotine in tobacco can limit the oxygen supply in the blood and pose risks for the patient during the surgery. Smokers are also at a higher risk of slow recovery after breast reconstruction surgery.

The surgeon may also recommend the patient to choose a balanced diet and increase the intake of lean proteins. A physical fitness regimen should ideally be followed prior to the surgery.

Images and Testimonials

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon may present breast reconstruction before and after images as well as testimonials of past patients. Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for breast reduction surgery and various other procedures.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Breast reduction is a major cosmetic surgery procedure involving significant pre-operative preparation. Well-prepared patients will typically achieve safer and more effective outcomes.

During the initial consultation, the breast surgeon will discuss the preparatory steps with the patient and address her doubts and concerns, if any. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Advance Preparatory Steps

The following steps should ideally be followed well before the scheduled date of breast reduction plastic surgery procedure.

• Contact the general physician, specialists and hospital for past health records to be submitted to the breast surgeon’s office for their review.
• Prepare a list of all medications, including both prescription and non-prescription drugs, blood thinners such as aspirin, herbal supplements and vitamins to present before the surgeon.
• Get any specialized mammograms, lab tests or x-rays done as recommended by the surgeon.
• Adjust the schedule of the prescription medications in consultation with the primary physician, as required.
• Stop smoking for a certain period of time prior to the breast reduction surgery, as per the surgeon’s advice.
• Complete any pressing tasks at the workplace or home before the date of surgery in order to ensure a fairly stress-free post-operative recovery phase.
• Arrange for a friend or family member to drive the patient back home after the breast reduction procedure.
• Arrange for aftercare for a few days or have someone stay at home with the patient to assist with household tasks.

Patients can improve their chances of a safer, more comfortable, and faster recovery when they follow these recovery instructions as closely as possible.

A Day Prior to the Surgery

Just a day prior to the breast reduction surgery, the patient should follow these simple guidelines, which will be provided by the cosmetic surgeon:

• Take adequate rest and have a full night’s sleep before the surgery day.
• Do not eat or drink anything for about eight hours before the surgery.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before the scheduled time of surgery.
• Do not wear jewelry, other expensive accessories and body piercings on the day of the surgery.
• Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothes on way to the surgical center. The top should button in the front for easy handling after the surgery.
• Diabetics should make sure to have their vital parameters checked on the morning of the surgery.

Some degree of pre-operative stress and anxiety is expected a day prior to the surgery, and is not a cause for worry. The surgeon may prescribe a mild calming medication to be taken on the night before the surgery.

Pain meds, bandages, loose garments, extra pillows, and other essential items should be arranged at home in advance so that the patient will not face inconvenience when she returns home from the surgery center. Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for breast reduction surgery and other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Breast reduction cosmetic surgery is generally considered a safe and not a rigorous procedure, but patients should know about the potential risks associated with the surgery. Typical risks include the chance of infection, poor anesthesia reaction, and irregular nipple height. However, the potential benefits of breast reduction usually outweigh the risks associated with the surgery.

The breast surgeon will discuss about the potential risks and complications during the initial breast reduction consultation. The first goal of the surgeon will be to help the patient make an informed decision. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas.

Asymmetrical Breasts

One of the risks after breast reduction plastic surgery is that breasts may become significantly asymmetrical. However, if the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon, this risk will be very rare. But if this condition occurs, it can be corrected by a subsequent revision surgery.

At the same time, patients should know that breasts are not entirely symmetrical. A minor difference in size and shape is natural, and should not prompt additional corrective surgery.

Irregular Nipple Height

Breast reduction involves changing the size and shape of the breasts and shifting of some skin. Therefore, there is a risk that the nipples will not be placed at the same height after reduction. In some cases, the nipple and areola will be detached and grafted back on the breast.

In other cases, the nipple will remain attached, but the breast skin will be altered to fit the smaller sized breasts. In both approaches, the risk of nipple height becoming uneven exists.   

Changes in Sensation

Loss of sensation in the breast is a risk following reduction mammaplasty, particularly if the areola has been removed and then grafted. Although areola grafting is aesthetically pleasing, the detachment from the breast tissue could lead to loss of sensation in the nipples.

To some extent, even non-grafting breast reduction procedures have the risk of altered sensation in the nipples or breasts as a whole. Sometimes this change of sensation may be temporary, but in rare cases, the sensation loss can be permanent.

Breastfeeding Issues

Following breast reduction, it is possible that the woman may not be able to breastfeed. The amount of risk will depend on the type of surgical technique applied for the procedure. In case of traditional anchor pattern breast reduction, the risk affecting the ability to breastfeed increases. Several milk ducts are removed in this type of reduction, making it more difficult to breastfeed in the future.

In case of vertical incision breast reduction, the risk of not being able to breastfeed is reduced. In this case, at least a part of the nipple will remain connected to the milk ducts. Breastfeeding risks in breast reduction are usually minimal if the patient has more fatty tissue and less glandular tissue, and breast reduction is performed using liposuction.

Infection is another common risk in breast reduction, just like any other surgery. Patients in Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive breast reduction performed by Dr. Richards.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Breast reduction cosmetic surgery procedure can help to create more proportionately sized breasts, and at the same time, alleviate pain and discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders. Women who are considering breast reduction should learn about the steps involved in the procedure, and then make a careful decision about going ahead with the surgery.

During the initial consultation, the breast surgeon will explain the procedure steps to educate the patient and help her make an informed choice. Patients should feel free to ask questions and relieve themselves of any pre-surgery anxiety. Dr. Bryson Richards is an experienced plastic surgeon providing breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV and surrounding communities.

Consultation and Preparation

Prior to the breast reduction plastic surgery procedure, the surgeon will conduct a detailed consultation. The patient will have the opportunity to discuss her personal aesthetic goals from the procedure, and have her medical history evaluate to determine candidacy. The surgeon will also provide the guidelines for pre-operative preparation to help ensure that the surgery goes safe and smooth.

Administering Anesthesia

The first step in the breast reduction surgery will be to place the patient under general anesthesia. In a few cases, local anesthesia with IV sedation may be used. General anesthesia will put the patient to deep sleep during the procedure. A qualified anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist may be present throughout the surgery to monitor the patient’s response. The patient may experience mild side effects of anesthesia for a few hours after the surgery.  

Incision Placement

Breast reduction will involve one of three incision techniques: an anchor incision, a vertical incision or a scarless incision. The anchor incision is a traditional incision made around the areola, vertically down the breast, and then horizontally along the breast crease.

The vertical incision is placed around the areolar border and vertically down the breast for reduced scarring. A scarless incision involves tiny incisions made at the breast crease or at the armpit, and the excess fat is removed through liposuction.

Surgical Reduction

Through the incisions, the surgeon will remove excess fat, tissue and skin from the lower portion of the breast. If the patient has largely fat tissue in the breasts, she may just require liposuction to reduce the breast size. This will result in minimal scarring, less breast tissue trauma, and reduced chances of complications.

Nipple Repositioning

In case of breast reduction, the surgeon will reposition the nipples higher up on the breast. The procedure may or may involve removal of the nipple from the breast and then grafting it in the desired place. Women with very large breasts usually require the nipple to be removed for repositioning. The surgeon will let the patient know in advance whether or not nipple sensation may be altered or completely lost as a result.

Closing the Incision

The surgeon will close the incisions using removable or dissolvable sutures. The technique used for sealing the incisions will be discussed prior to the surgery. Dr. Richards is a dedicated and standout cosmetic surgeon who receives patients from Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas for .

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

The sticker price is one of the key starting points for many women who want to receive breast reduction cosmetic surgery procedure. The breast surgeon will explain the cost aspects in detail and enable a woman to make a well-informed decision about undergoing breast reduction. The patient should consider the costs of the procedure in context of the quality standards and services offered at a particular practice.

Breast reduction costs can vary from one practice to another and even from one patient to another at the same practice in a few cases. Insurance coverage, whether full or partial, may sometimes be available in case of breast reduction surgery. Dr. Bryson Richards is a dedicated plastic surgeon providing breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV and surrounding communities.

Factors Impacting the Price

The dollar figure of breast reduction plastic surgery will be influenced by several factors. Some of the key financial components that constitute the overall cost may include:

• Fee charged by the breast surgeon
• Surgical venue costs
• Fee of the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist
• Mammograms and other pre- and post-surgical tests
• Prescription drugs
• Surgical bra and compression garment
• Post-op visits to the surgeon’s office

Breast reduction will often be performed as an outpatient procedure. But in a few cases, overnight hospital stay may be required, which will add to this surgical episode. Other factors that will affect the costs include:

• Location of the practice
• Skill and experience of the operating surgeon
• Extent of surgery and type of surgical technique
• Need for additional procedures such as liposuction

Costs and Quality Relationship

In a few cases, the patient may get unusually low priced offers for breast reduction. The patient should treat such offers with abundant caution and conduct their own due diligence before selecting the practice just because the price appears too compelling. Such offers may entail some hidden charges, which the patient will only learn about later.

The patient should ideally choose a practice for its quality standards, the services and facilities offered, and the credentials of the cosmetic surgeon who will perform breast reduction. Safety and predictability of results along with reasonable costs should be the right factors to consider for such a major surgery. Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas for reduction mammaplasty and other procedures.

Insurance Aspect

Breast reduction is among the handful of cosmetic procedures where the insurer may cover the full or partial costs under specific conditions. If the patient needs breast reduction solely to treat medical problems caused due to excessively large breasts, she may be eligible for insurance coverage.

Nagging pain in the back, shoulders or neck, repetitive skin infections and rashes caused at the base of the breast due to oversized, sagging breasts may make breast reduction a medically necessary treatment with insurance coverage.

The patient should talk to their insurer and the surgeon well in advance. The surgeon’s office may be able to support with legitimate insurance paperwork in cases where they determine that breast reduction is medically recommended.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Women with oversized, sagging breasts will usually make sterling candidates for breast reduction cosmetic surgery. Excessively large breasts can lead to pain in the neck and back, limit a woman’s lifestyle choices and activities, create shoulder discomfort or indents where bra straps are support, and even lead to breathing issues.

Candidates for reduction mammaplasty will usually feel burdened by the large size of their breasts. Following breast reduction, these candidates can usually achieve a more proportional figure and renewed feeling of self-confidence and physical relief. Dr. Bryson Richards is an experienced plastic surgeon providing breast reduction to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Candidate Characteristics

Ideal candidates for breast reduction plastic surgery will include women who are bothered by the appearance of large, pendulous breasts. The breasts will typically get in the way of their everyday activities and cause occasional or persistent pain and discomfort. A majority of woman candidates who choose to undergo breast reduction are concerned about eliminating physical pain and irritation above all else.

However, even in cases where a woman is not much troubled by the physical effects of oversized breasts, she may still want to have breast reduction to achieve an enhanced self-image – one of the several benefits of this surgery. Some women may also like to receive this procedure to fit better into clothing of their choice.

Breast reduction is ideally recommended only for candidates who are mature and have fully developed breasts. But in exceptional cases, the surgery can be performed on younger candidates if their breasts are causing significant physical hardship and pain. The procedure should not be performed on women who have plans to breastfeed because the surgery will remove many of the milk ducts that lead to the nipples.

Candidacy for Specific Types of Reduction

Women in general who want to receive breast reduction should have realistic expectations about the surgery and be knowledgeable about the surgical options available to them. With this knowledge, they can engage more effectively with the cosmetic surgeon to determine their candidacy for a particular breast reduction technique.

Women with excessively large breasts may be good candidates for traditional anchor pattern breast reduction surgery. This technique allows for a significant amount of excess skin and breast tissue to be removed than other techniques. The traditional technique is also more effective for candidates who have more glandular tissue than fat. This is often the case for women with excessively dense breast tissue, very thin women, and the ones who have not yet reached menopause.

Vertical incision breast reduction may be more appropriate for women with moderate to large breasts. Women requiring the removal of very large amounts of breast tissue and fat may not be good candidates for this method. Women with more of fatty breast tissue than glandular tissue may be stellar candidates for scarless breast reduction because liposuction can only reduce the volume of fat in the breast.

Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas for breast reduction and various other surgical and non-surgical procedures.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Signs of aging will first show on the face before they appear in other areas. That makes facelift a critical cosmetic surgery procedure for many people who want to extend their youthful facial appearance by several years. But to achieve best outcomes with facelift, the patient should have full clarity about the procedure, make the right choices about the practice, the surgeon and the surgical technique, and maintain reasonable expectations.

Dr. Bryson Richards is a board certified plastic surgeon providing facelift and various other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. During the initial consultation, Dr. Richards will address all questions, concerns, and doubts of the patient in accurate details, and help them make an informed decision. Patients in Las Vegas, NV and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive facelift surgery from Dr. Richards.

Key Questions

It is a fabulous idea for the patient to prepare a list of all the questions they want to ask the surgeon during the facelift plastic surgery consultation. Some of the important questions may include:

• Are you a general surgeon or a trained plastic surgeon?
• Do you have a board certification in plastic surgery?
• For how long have you been working in the field of plastic surgery?
• Have you previously performed facelift surgery, and what is your success rate for this procedure?
• Do you have staff privileges to perform facelift at a local hospital?
• Would you recommend a hospital or another surgical venue for my procedure?
• Is your team of medical assistants fully trained and experienced?
• Do you receive most of your patients from in and around Las Vegas, NV?
• Will I make a suitable candidate for facelift surgery?
• Are there any non-surgical alternatives to facelift?
• What according to you would be an excellent, average and poor outcome in facelift surgery?
• Can I have access to facelift before and after images of some of your previous patients?
• Can I speak to one of your staff members or take an office tour to familiarize myself with your practice?
• Would you provide me testimonials of your some of your past patients who have received facelift surgery?
• Will you perform facelift using general or local anesthesia?
• Can your practice deal with any emergency that may occur during or after the surgery?
• Will you be accessible during all my visits to your office with regard to facelift surgery?
• How much time will it take inside the surgery room?
• Will I have to undergo any prior medical tests?
• What are the risks and complications that are usually associated with facelift surgery?

Additional Tips

Before visiting the facelift cosmetic surgeon for a consultation, the patient should review their practice website, blog or social media accounts. With some amount of background knowledge, the patient will be better placed during the consultation to ask relevant questions. Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas for facelift surgery and various other surgical and non-surgical procedures.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.