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Plastic Surgery Blog

at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery
Jun 06
0

How Hair Restoration in Bellevue Can Help You Regain Confidence

By | Uncategorized

Why Thinning Happens

Genetics, hormonal shifts (especially dihydrotestosterone sensitivity), stress, autoimmune conditions, and nutritional gaps can all shrink hair follicles over time. Once a follicle miniaturizes beyond repair, regrowth creams and vitamins rarely deliver full density—making procedural restoration the surest route to thicker coverage.

First Things First: Is a Procedure Necessary?

Before any graft counts are planned, a board-certified provider will:

  • Map your hair-loss pattern – Norwood scale for men, Ludwig for women

  • Review labs & medical history – thyroid, ferritin, hormone levels

  • Check scalp health – inflammation or scarring can alter the game plan

  • Explore nonsurgical aids – minoxidil, finasteride, low-level laser therapy, PRP

When conservative therapies plateau—or you want a more substantial cosmetic change—surgical or regenerative options come to the fore.

Modern Restoration Techniques Offered in Bellevue

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Individual grafts harvested in tiny punches (0.8–1 mm).
• Virtually invisible dot scars behind the ear-to-ear fringe
• Fast return to short hairstyles

Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT/Strip)
A single strip of scalp yields thousands of grafts at once.
• Higher one-session graft counts for advanced loss
• Linear scar hidden in longer hair

Hybrid “U-FUE” Plans
Combine FUE for the hairline and FUT for bulk density.

Regenerative Boosters
PRP or exosome injections paired with either method to speed healing and awaken dormant follicles.

Eyebrow & Beard Transplants
Microscopically dissected grafts redefine brow shape or fill patchy facial areas.

Your surgeon selects the approach that best matches donor supply, hair caliber, and styling goals.

What to Expect Before Surgery

  1. Photo Documentation – multi-angle images for surgical mapping.

  2. Preview Design – hairline drawn with input on height, recession curves, and temple flow.

  3. Donor-Area Planning – density checks ensure extraction won’t thin the back and sides.

  4. Medication Prep – some patients begin finasteride or minoxidil two weeks beforehand to bolster existing strands.

  5. Lifestyle Tweaks – quit nicotine and limit alcohol to optimize graft survival.

Recovery & Growth Timeline

  • Days 1–5: Small crusts form around grafts; sleep slightly elevated.

  • Week 1: Gentle rinse allowed; tiny scabs flake off.

  • Weeks 2–3: Transplanted hairs shed—normal “dormant” phase begins.

  • Months 3–4: New hairs pierce the scalp; initially thin and color-light.

  • Months 6–9: Bulk of density appears; patients resume full workouts.

  • Month 12+: Final caliber and curl pattern mature; scar lines fade further.

Consistent use of doctor-approved topicals (and optional PRP “booster” visits) can enhance thickness and longevity.

Pros & Potential Risks

Benefits

  • Permanent redistribution of your own living follicles

  • Natural angles and grain that grow, cut, and style like native hair

  • Minimal downtime—most return to work in 3–5 days (FUE)

Possible Complications—rare but discussed openly: infection, temporary shock-loss of surrounding hair, minor numbness, or grafts failing to take. Surgical precision, sterile technique, and realistic density targets keep Bellevue outcomes predictably high.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grafts will I need?
Counts range from 800 for a receded widow’s-peak to 3,000+ for full top coverage; your pattern and donor density dictate the number.

Is the procedure painful?
Local anesthesia makes the process comfortable. Most describe post-op soreness similar to a mild sunburn, managed with OTC pain relief.

When will people notice?
Redness subsides within a week. Friends often notice new growth around month four, but full transformation is judged at one year.

Will I have to shave my head?
For FUE, short trimming of the donor zone is typical; “no-shave” techniques exist for smaller sessions aimed at hairline refinement.

Can the new hair thin again?
Transplanted follicles retain the donor region’s resistance to DHT, so they’re far less likely to miniaturize. Native surrounding hairs can still recede, which is why maintenance meds are advised.

A fuller hairline can reset how you face mirrors, cameras, and conversations. If you’re ready to see what modern hair restoration in Bellevue can achieve, arrange a confidential consultation and map out a strategy tailored to your scalp—and your confidence.

Jun 02
0

Gynecomastia Surgery Bellevue: Understanding Your Options for a Flatter Chest

By | Uncategorized

Why Gynecomastia Happens

Hormonal shifts, certain medications, weight fluctuations, and even genetics can trigger excess glandular breast tissue in men. When lifestyle measures fall short, surgery—often called male breast reduction—remains the most predictable way to restore a flatter, more masculine chest.

Do You Need Surgery—or Something Else?

Before discussing the operating room, your board-certified surgeon will rule out reversible causes:

  • Medication side-effects (e.g., anti-androgens, some antidepressants)

  • Endocrine disorders—thyroid or testicular problems may require medical treatment first

  • Pseudo-gynecomastia—fat-only fullness that sometimes responds to targeted weight loss

If glandular tissue is confirmed by exam or ultrasound and persists longer than 12 months, surgical removal is usually the gold standard.

Surgical Techniques Available in Bellevue

TechniqueIdeal CandidateKey Points
Liposuction-OnlyGood skin tone, fatty enlargement, minimal glandTiny incisions at the chest edge; rapid recovery
Sub-Areolar ExcisionFirm gland beneath the nipple-areola complexDirectly removes dense tissue; may combine with lipo
Combination (Lipo + Excision)Most common presentation—mixed fat & glandSculpting plus complete gland removal for smooth contour
Skin-Tightening Add-OnsSignificant laxity after large volume removalRadiofrequency or surgical skin excision to prevent sagging
High-Definition Pectoral EtchingAthletic men seeking muscle shadowingStrategic fat removal to highlight natural borders

Your surgeon will tailor incisions to hide along the areola edge or chest crease, keeping scars discreet.

The Consultation & Pre-Op Preparation

  1. Comprehensive History – hormones, meds, lifestyle.

  2. Physical Exam & Imaging – confirm tissue type and thickness.

  3. Goals & Expectations – flat? sculpted? minimal scarring?

  4. Smoking Cessation – at least four weeks prior for best healing.

  5. Medication Review – pause blood-thinners and certain supplements per your surgeon’s timeline.

Recovery Timeline at a Glance

  • Day 1–3: Compression vest 24/7; mild soreness managed with oral analgesics.

  • Week 1: Return to desk work; swelling peaks then starts to subside.

  • Week 2–3: Light cardio allowed; no chest workouts.

  • Week 4–6: Gradual return to resistance training once cleared.

  • Month 3+: Final contour refines as residual swelling resolves and tissues settle.

Consistent compression and lymphatic massage (if advised) speed the process and refine the result.

Potential Risks & How We Minimize Them

While complications are rare, they may include contour irregularities, fluid collection (seroma), changes in nipple sensation, and visible scarring. At Cosmetic Surgery for You our AAAHC-accredited facility, meticulous hemostasis, layered closure, and judicious liposuction angles help drive complication rates well below national averages.

Maintaining Results Long-Term

A stable weight, muscle-strengthening routines, and balanced hormones help preserve your new chest profile. Significant weight gain can enlarge residual fat cells, while anabolic steroids or other hormone-altering substances risk glandular regrowth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does gynecomastia surgery take?
Most procedures last 60–120 minutes, depending on technique and volume removed.

Will insurance cover it?
Many policies exclude gynecomastia as “cosmetic.” However, documented pain, rashes, or psychological distress may win approval—our team can assist with pre-authorization letters.

Is the procedure painful?
Discomfort is typically mild. Most patients describe the first 48 hours as tightness rather than sharp pain and manage well with prescription or OTC medications.

When will I see final results?
A noticeably flatter chest is immediate, but swelling masks definition for 6–12 weeks. Scars continue fading up to one year.

Can the condition return?
True glandular tissue does not regenerate. Extreme weight gain or hormonal changes can enlarge remaining fat or stimulate new gland growth, but recurrence is uncommon with a healthy lifestyle.

Ready to Learn More?

A confident, streamlined chest can make shirts fit better and workouts feel more rewarding. To explore whether gynecomastia surgery is right for you, schedule a private consultation at our Bellevue office. Our board-certified team will map out a personalized treatment plan and provide an all-inclusive quote—no pressure, just clarity on your path forward.