Dr. Nick Slenkovich – Colorado Plastic Surgery Center

Denver, Colorado

What is a Mommy Makeover?

May 24, 2010 – 9:41 am

A mommy makeover consists of a group of cosmetic procedures to help you restore your youthful proportions and body contours after childbearing and breast feeding. You can choose from various breast enhancement and body contouring procedures, as well as different skin care treatments to address facial blemishes that can be a result of pregnancy hormones.

After pregnancy and breastfeeding, as exhilarating and gratifying as they are, the body typically goes through changes to its shape. The breasts may sag, the abdominal muscles may be weakened and there may be unwanted fatty tissue and/or skin in the abdomen,.

Most mommy makeovers include a breast lift to restore the breasts higher on the chest and perhaps reposition the nipples. Breast augmentation, in addition to a breast lift, is also a good option to restore volume and fullness. Dr. Nick will discuss the many choices associated with Breast augmentation including the implant size, placement, type, shape, etc. ahead of time and help you decide what the best options are for achieving your desired result.

Body contouring, including a tummy tuck and liposuction, is also an option. Dr. Nick can treat specific areas that have been unresponsive to diet and exercise, such as the lower abdomen, hips, and waistline.

Skin problems can also develop during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. We can help you with a new skin care routine and with products that will bleach discolored areas. A chemical peel is another option that is usually very successful in facial rejuvenation. With breast enhancement, a slimmer profile, and rejuvenated skin, you will be pleased when you glance in a mirror and it can all be done right here according to your schedule and budget.

To learn more about mommy makeovers and how yours can best be designed, please contact our Colorado plastic surgery center today.

Categories: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Mommy Makeover

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Picking the Right Breast Implants: Profile

May 23, 2010 – 9:38 am

All breast implants used in breast augmentation by Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich are round, but this does not mean they are all the same shape. Breast implants come in different “profiles” to help you get the results you desire from your breast augmentation procedure.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Slenkovich will perform a breast exam and take measurements of the width of your breasts. Those measurements determine which size and profile implant will give you the most natural result.

A breast implant’s profile is a description of its shape, how wide it is compared to how much projection it gives. Implant profiles are designed to allow a woman with a more narrow breast width to have the option of more projection and cleavage without having to use a larger implant.

We use Allergan Natrelle smooth round breast implants, which come in three different profiles:

  • Moderate Profile: less projection, wider
  • Midrange Profile: more projection, narrower
  • High Profile: Highest projection, narrowest base

How much does the shape change between the profiles?
A 125 cc silicone gel implant is about 10.0 cm (4 in) wide and 2.2 cm (just less than 1 inch) high in Moderate Profile, but 8.9 cm by 2.8 cm in Moderate Plus and 8.3 cm by 3.5 cm in High Profile, so a High Profile implant has 65% more projection and 20% less diameter than the Moderate.

The profile of the implant can be very important for getting the results you want from your breast augmentation. Women with narrower chests who want more dramatic results can use higher profile implants to get the projection they desire without having their breasts seem too crowded or too large for their chests.

We can talk to you about your breast implant options and help you make the best decision for your body and your cosmetic goals. Please call or email us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nick Slenkovich.

Categories: Breast Surgery

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What Is Capsular Contracture?

May 22, 2010 – 9:34 am

Capsular contracture is an uncommon complication of breast augmentation in which the scar capsule around the breast implant begins to contract around the implant usually just on one side. As a result, the breasts may become hard, misshapen, or slightly painful.

Every patient who undergoes breast augmentation develops a scar around her implants and under normal conditions the pocket around the scar remains open, allowing the breasts to look natural. Capsular contracture develops when the pocket contracts and squeezes around the implant, causing the breast to look very round and firm.

More recent studies show a much low rate for capsular contracture, including a study that followed almost 5,400 breast augmentation patients for an average of nearly four years and recorded a rate of severe capsular contracture of only 1.7 % (less than 1 in 50).

It is not currently understood what exactly causes capsular contracture, but it seems to be more commonly associated with:

  • Infection
  • Hematoma (a broken blood vessel that causes blood clotting or bruising)
  • Seroma (fluid collecting beneath the skin)
  • Trauma to the breast

While the exact cause of capsular contracture is not well understood, Dr. Slenkovich takes certain measures to prevent it:

  • Submuscular placement of the breast implant
  • Prescribing antibiotics after surgery and before any other procedure, including dental work
  • Teaching patients massage techniques to perform after surgery
  • Selecting the right plastic surgeon

Possible complications are an important factor to consider before any procedure. At the Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, we are dedicated to patient education and patient safety. We do our utmost to reduce your risk of any complications. To learn more about breast implants any possible complications and the benefits, please schedule a consultation at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center.

Categories: Breast Surgery

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Surgery in an Office vs. a Hospital vs. a Surgery Center

May 21, 2010 – 9:33 am

In Colorado, there is no legal requirement that an outpatient surgery, such as a breast augmentation, be performed in a licensed surgical facility. Since most plastic surgeries are performed as outpatient surgeries, many plastic surgeons conduct surgery in their offices. This situation has the highest likelihood of serious adverse outcomes because there is no guarantee that emergency equipment or procedures are in place in the rare event that something goes wrong.

Other surgeons may seek to reduce risks by performing surgeries in a hospital. Although a hospital is a licensed surgical facility, neither the facility nor the personnel is dedicated to plastic surgery. This can lead to scheduling difficulties and delays. Plus, hospitals often have less comfortable and private recovery areas. Infection rates can also be much higher in a hospital than in an ambulatory surgery center.

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, we put your safety first, and that’s why we decided to build our own ambulatory surgery center dedicated to ensuring the safety of our patients. Our surgery center is licensed, accredited and certified by three different agencies with rigorous and distinct standards. This gives us the confidence to know that we have done everything in our power to ensure your safety.

Your comfort and convenience matters to us as well. Our surgery center allows us to have more control over scheduling and enables us to give our patients the level of post-operative care and comfort they deserve.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery in Colorado, please contact Colorado Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule a thorough consultation with Denver cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Nick Slenkovich and learn more about surgery in a hospital vs. a surgery center.

Categories: Dr. Slenkovich

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Post-surgery bra fitting at Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie

May 21, 2010 – 9:01 am

It is said that women deal with change better than men. Maybe this is because mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, women are constantly facing the “ebb and flow” of life. Some of the most dramatic changes occur with age, but pregnancy and weight-related issues can bring about major transformations as well. The fact that these changes generally happen gradually allows us time to adapt.

After my breast augmentation, I was thrilled with my new look, but it was frustrating to have to wear a support bra for a full two weeks following the procedure. I wanted to show off my “enhancements” right away, but I knew that this unflattering garment was an important part of the healing process and I was willing to do whatever it took to achieve the best possible result. When I was finally able to replace the support bra with a “real” bra, I headed for the mall to buy the sexiest, laciest thing I could find.  I was shocked to discover that most department stores, and even the popular lingerie shops, do not carry the size I needed, other than styles that seemed designed for my grandmother! I had assumed that, having met what I imagined was the “ultimate standard” for women by having my breasts enlarged, my choices would be greater.  Instead, I was experiencing the futility of endless searching and subjected to the humiliation of having blushing salesgirls half my age trying – unsuccessfully – to “size” me. It was terribly disappointing.

At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, we give all of our breast surgery patients a gift certificate to Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie at their six-month post-operative visit. This is an exceptional shop that specializes in meeting the needs of hard to fit women, as well as post-surgical and mastectomy patients. After months of struggling with ill-fitting bras that pinched and poked me, it finally dawned on me that I am not just an employee here… I am also a breast augmentation patient!  I immediately set off for Pampered Passions to find the perfect bra.

It was a great experience. Alicia owns this lovely, tasteful boutique, and her warmth and compassion are evident throughout. The theme of the shop is “Nurturing the female spirit,” and Alicia is certainly doing that. After a cheerful greeting, she and her staff offered me something to drink and set my granddaughter up with a coloring book so that I could shop without distraction. They were then able to accurately “size” my bust in a caring and professional manner. I felt absolutely no embarrassment. Once I knew what my true size was, they allowed me time to browse through dozens of absolutely beautiful bras. With so many styles to choose from, I appreciated Alicia offering suggestions for what selections might be most flattering for me. They even had an entire wall of “sale” items, which enabled me to purchase several bras without paying a fortune.

I was so excited as I drove home that day, and I have been thrilled with my new bras since. It is something I had never really given any thought to before my surgery, but am hoping now to enlighten other women considering breast enhancement. You may have some unexpected challenges, but there is help available… and it is definitely worth the effort.

Suzanne London Patterson – Surgery Center Coordinator

Categories: Uncategorized

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Dr. Slenkovich explores new “Ideal Implant”

May 13, 2010 – 3:20 pm

At this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich got a chance to look at the new Ideal breast implant. Double click on the videos below to see his reaction to the new implant.




The Ideal Implant is designed to combine the best features of saline and silicone-gel implant: the natural result of silicone gel and the safety of saline. Many women prefer silicone implants because of the natural look and feel they provide, but are hesitant to use them because of the chance of “silent rupture” and the FDA’s MRI recommendation.

The Ideal saline-filled breast implant looks like a standard silicone implant on the outside, since the edges have been lowered to contour better to the chest wall. Inside it contains several additional implant shells that are “nested” together. This design allows for more control of the saline solution and lessens “sloshing.” The internal structure also helps to minimize wrinkling and rippling, which are common complaints of traditional saline implants.

The new implant is still in clinical trials and will require two years of follow-up research in order for the implant to be approved by the FDA. If they do complete FDA-approval Dr. Slenkovich will most likely offer the Ideal Breast Implants at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center for his breast augmentation patients.

Learn more about the difference between saline and silicone implants.

Categories: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Surgery, Dr. Slenkovich, Plastic Surgery News
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Why Breast Size Changes When You Lose Weight

May 5, 2010 – 11:37 am

Did you know that the mammary glands are a network of thin, milk-producing tubes surrounded by deposits of fat? These deposits of fat create the shape of your breasts and are affected when you begin to lose weight and see a change in the size of your breasts.

Many women who begin to exercise regularly and eat healthy diets find themselves frustrated when they not only lose weight but lose volume in their breasts as well. Often this is the opposite effect that you would like to have, and you may find yourself considering breast enhancement surgery.

Breast augmentation is one way of controlling your body’s changing shape, and you may even find that once you are on track to a healthy lifestyle, you would like to increase the appearance of your bust to help accentuate your new physique.

You may be interested in breast enhancement because your weight loss has also caused your breasts to sag. A breast lift may be the right option to help you return an appearance of fullness to your breasts, and to compensate for the change in your breast shape.

You can learn more about changing breast sizes by contacting Colorado Plastic Surgery Center. Please contact breast surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today to learn more about breast enhancement options available in Denver, Colorado.

Categories: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift

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Silicone Breast Implant Myths

May 4, 2010 – 11:34 am

The myth of silicone breast implants being dangerous has been dispelled since they were released back into the market by the FDA in 2006. Silicone breast implants are one of the most studied medical devices and improvements in recent years have made them as safe as any other type of implant. Some common, and untrue, myths about them include:

Silicone breast implants can leak into my body.

The type of silicone used in today’s silicone breast implants are made of a thick, cohesive gel that bonds to itself. Even if a silicone breast implant were to break, the silicone would not leak out into your body. It would remain in one cohesive mass.

Silicone breast implants are more likely to break than saline breast implants.

Silicone breast implant casings and saline breast implant casings are often made out of the same material. Nothing in either type of breast implant is more likely to make the outside of the breast implant break.

The silicone in breast implants is toxic to my body.

Your body contains trace amounts of silicone naturally. These amounts of silicone are not toxic to your body and do not cause any form of illness or disease. The silicone contained in breast implants also does not cause damage to your body, and does not seep into the surrounding tissue to damage it.

For more information on the difference between saline and silicone implants, see this entry.

To learn more about silicone breast implants, please contact breast surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today, serving Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

Categories: Breast Augmentation, Dr. Slenkovich

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Nipple Sensitivity after Breast Augmentation

May 3, 2010 – 11:27 am

You may already be well informed about breast augmentation and scarring, but still have some questions that are holding you back from enjoying the benefits of breast augmentation. Like many women, your major concern may be retaining nipple sensation after your surgery, and the possibility of losing sensitivity may be holding you back.

Of all the types of breast surgery available you are least likely to lose sensitivity after standard breast augmentation. One of the major factors involved in the possibility of losing nipple sensitivity is directly connected to surgery surrounding the areola and nipple. In breast augmentation these areas are not affected, since Dr. Slenkovich generally uses an inframammary crease to make the incision.

Depending on your breast implant placement you are even less likely to experience any type of sensitivity loss. Implants placed submuscularly often do not affect the natural breast at all. This means that the buffer provided by your muscles helps prevent nerve damage. Even in subglandular placement, however, sensitivity loss is extremely rare.

If you are interested in breast augmentation but would like to learn more about the risks and benefits, please contact breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today in Denver, Colorado, and find the answers to your questions.

Categories: Breast Augmentation

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How to Find Your Bra Size

April 29, 2010 – 4:32 pm

After you have had a breast enhancement procedure, or even if you are just considering one, it is important for you to know your correct bra size. Not only will this help you remain comfortable and find clothing that fits you properly, but it will protect your back and shoulders against unnecessary injury that could be caused by an ill-fitting bra. You will need to find your new bra size after you have had:

There are many options for finding your right bra size. After breast enhancement surgery you will be fitted with a pressure garment to help your breasts heal and to provide comfort after surgery. We generally recommend patients shop for new bras no sooner than six weeks after their surgery. At that point implants have settled into their breast pockets and incisions will not be irritated by any underwire.

The easiest way to find your right bra size is by taking advantage of a bra fitting service like those available in a department store or lingerie shop. If you are uncomfortable with this option, however, you can follow these steps using a tape measure:

1. Measure around your rib cage directly below the crease of your breasts in inches. This is your band size.

2. Loosely measure around the fullest part of your breasts in inches.

3. Subtract the band size from your second measurement. This represents your cup size. For each inch you should go up another cup size. So 1” difference is an A cup, 2” difference is a B cup, 3” difference is a C cup and so on.

4. Once you have a band and cup size, try on several bras to make sure they support you correctly and fit comfortably in the band. You may find that you need to go up or down a cup size or even a band size to find the correct fit.

At every breast patient’s 6-month follow-up appointment, she will receive a gift certificate to Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie. Pampered Passions specializes in professional bra fittings and focuses on “nurturing the female spirit” with every customer.

Please contact breast enhancement surgeon Dr. Slenkovich today to learn more about breast enhancement options available to you in the Denver, Colorado area.

Categories: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Dr. Slenkovich

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