Take Shape Now Offering Labiaplasty

Take Shape Surgery Center is now offering Labiaplasty.

Labiaplasty is a minor surgical operation to reduce the size of the Labial Minora. An oversized labia is generally defined as Labial Hypertrophy. Women with Labial Hypertrophy show an oversized Labial Minora compared to the size of the Labial Majora. This can in turn cause painful intercourse, problematic hygiene and low self-esteem.

Labial Hypertrophy can be caused by several factors such as genetics, aging, mechanical stress such as child birth, disease or infection. This condition generally isn’t treated medically unless it’s caused by a disease or infection. Surgery is the first and best option for women who are looking to reduce the size of their Labia Minora for either aesthetics or medical reasons.

The surgery is considered a minor procedure and since the pain and care are minimal the client can usually go home on the same day. The procedure is performed in a discreet setting, under local anesthesia, in about 30-45 minutes. The use of a hygienic pad is recommended for comfort for the first few weeks. Like other surgeries, post-swelling is usually experienced. Your doctor will most likely schedule a follow up appointment 1-2 weeks after your procedure. Physical activity can generally be resumed 3-4 days after the surgery; however, the client should refrain from wearing tampons, tight clothes or underwear and abstain from sexual intercourse for at least 4-6 weeks.

Labiaplasty is a great procedure to consider if you want to revamp and renew your genital area. Recovery time is very short and it’s known to have a very high rate of patient satisfaction. Don’t be afraid to get specific with your doctor. The more information you can give them about your desired results the more they can help.

Many women believe that the best option is an OB/GYN, because they treat gynecologic problems.  However, they do not have the same training that a plastic surgeon has, when dealing with blood, flow, preservation of sensation, and an overall eye for aesthetic beauty.  If you would not trust your breasts or face to other surgeons, why would you trust your most sensitive and private of areas.  You deserve the best, most delicate and precise surgeons available.

Let Take Shape Surgical Center give you the confidence you seek about your private parts once again. Make yourappointment today! 

Take Shape Plastic Surgery, PA offering support to the Transsexual Community

At Take Shape Plastic Surgery we are proud to offer Sex Reassignment Surgeries (SRS) thereby joining the other providers that perform hundreds of these surgeries every year in the United States. Sex Reassignment Surgery alters the physical appearance of an individual to more closely resemble that of the other sex. Take Shape offers free consultation for patients interested in Male to Female Surgery (MTF), Female to Male Surgery (FTM), and Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS).

Patients seeking surgical procedures to match their bodies to the identifying sex must first meet a series of psychological and medical qualifications. They must be healthy enough to endure the physical and psychological stress of surgery, usually have undergone at least 1 year of Hormone Replacement Treatment, and have had a Real Life Experience (RLE) for at least one year during which they live their lives as a member of their desired sex. It is also important for patients to have realistic goals and expectations of the final result and to have a complete understanding of the surgical process; its risks and complications and possible alternative options.

For patients seeking MTF surgery, we focus on Breast Augmentation and Buttock Enhancement (also called Brazilian Butt Lift) to create a more feminine contour. In addition to breast and buttock surgery, facial feminization surgery (FFS) procedures include Hairline Correction, Forehead Recontouring, Brow Lift, Rhinoplasty, Cheek Implants, Lip Lifts and Filling, Chin and Jaw Recontouring, and Thyroid Cartilage Reduction to create more feminine facial features. For patients seeking FTM surgery, Take Shape follows patients currently on Hormone Replacement Therapy (which adds hair and muscle mass) and offers them a Mastectomy to masculinize the chest and Buttock Reduction or Enhancement to create a more masculine body shape. Genital Reconstruction such as Vaginoplasty and Phalloplasty are not currently offered by Take Shape.

Highlighted Procedure: The Brazilian Butt Lift

Take Shape Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale will now be offering gluteal augmentation for patients looking to improve the contour and aesthetic appeal of their buttocks. Plastic Surgeons, Christopher Low MD MS, George Dreszer MD and Russell Sassani MD are now offering free consultations for patients interested in gluteal augmentation, otherwise known as the “Brazilian Butt Lift”.

The procedure was first performed in the late 1960’s using breast implants to enhance the buttocks, the results were suboptimal and complication rates were high which led most US plastic surgeons to abandon the procedure. During the next several decades, plastic surgeons in Mexico, Brazil, and other South American countries continued in the search for better procedures and improved implants for gluteal augmentation.
Currently, there are two primary techniques in buttock augmentation, gluteal implants and autologous fat grafting. Creating a more aesthetic female torso requires augmentation of the buttocks and more importantly a reduction of the waist and lower back. Only autologous fat grafting can accomplish these goals. Gluteal implants cannot. During autologous fat grafting, sculpting of the waist and lower back requires aggressive liposuction of the presacral area in order to create the feminine inward sweep of the lower back. This liposuction is routinely done at the time of the autologous fat grafting but should not be routinely done at the same time as the gluteal implants.

Autologous gluteal augmentation is performed on patients desiring a more defined waist and fuller, rounder buttocks. This procedure is done at Take Shape Surgery Center, LLC, and is performed with minimal scars and healing time. The first step in gluteal augmentation is the aggressive liposuction of the hips, lateral thighs, lower back, and abdomen. The liposuction performed in these target areas will improve the shape of the buttock, making it appear rounder and proportionally larger. The harvested fat removed during liposuction is then processed in order to obtain the maximum amount of fat stem cells. Through tiny incisions, the harvested fat cells are then transferred into the upper and lateral buttocks in order to create the greater volume and improved definition.

Sculptra Injectable

What is Sculptra Aesthetic?

Sculptra is an injectable liquid used to add volume to areas of the face to create a soft, natural, more youthful recontouring of the face. It builds your own collagen while it gradually disappears. When done well, it doesn't have that "over stuffed" look that is all too common when too much Juvederm, Restylane or Radiesse are used in the cheeks. It is best for adding volume to: 

• hollow cheeks
• softening boney cheekbones
• nasolabial and melolabial folds (nose to mouth/mouth to chin)
• hollow chin area
• defining the jawline
• hollow temples
• some body sites  

What is Sculptra made of?

Sculptra (generic name is "poly-L-lactic acid" or PLLA) is a synthetic of lactic acid.  Lactic acid is made in our muscles after exercise.  Polylactic acid is lactic acid molecules stuck together in strings (a polymer).  It is made in a laboratory and contains no animal products and no human DNA.  It very gradually disappears by the action of your own cell enzymes.

Is Sculptra FDA approved?

In 2009 Sculptra got its full FDA approval for cosmetic use in the United States. It has had partial FDA approval here for over five years. It has been used extensively in Europe for over ten years and is approved in Canada, Europe, and over 20 other countries.

How is Sculptra different than Juvederm/Restylane (HAs)?

Sculptra adds volume to the face and fills grooves and hollows. This can give some lift and help with wrinkles because many wrinkles are created by loss of volume (think of a deflating balloon). Juvederm and Restylane (HAs), in general, fill specific wrinkles and lines. In the past few years longer lasting HAs have been added like Juvederm Ultra Plus and Perlane. These can also be used for cheek contouring and a "lift" effect. The choice between the HA fillers and Sculptra often comes down to the amount of volume replacement desired, your age, and maintenance issues.

Modern Facial Implants Offer Beautiful Results

Today, thanks to modern technology, there is a safe, permanent method to correct a weak chin and to provide those high cheekbones sought after by men and women worldwide.

Beauty may only be skin deep. But, for centuries, well-defined facial features have been considered traits of physical beauty.  Prominent cheek bones and a strong chin provide balance and definition to the face.  Strong chins are associated with leadership, masculinity, and honesty which is the reason why some men say it gives them more confidence at job interviews and top level management. The same goes for high, prominent cheek bones which are associated with beauty, femininity, and supermodel sex appeal in women.  Thanks to modern technology, there is a safe, permanent method to correct a weak chin and provide those high cheekbones sought after worldwide.

Facial implant procedures are often performed along with other procedures. It’s not uncommon for rhinoplasty to be combined with chin augmentation because a weak chin may make the nose appear larger and adding definition to the chin can help to correct this. The incisions made during facial implant surgery are typically small. For chin augmentation, the incision may be located on the inside of the mouth along the lower lip or on the skin just beneath the chin. For check augmentation, the incision may be located on the inside of the mouth on the upper lip or on the lower eyelid.

Three-dimensional computer technology currently produces a new generation of more accurate anatomic facial implants that permit more effective, long-lasting and pleasing results in facial augmentation. A major step in the evolution of facial aesthetic surgery, which merges plastic surgical techniques with custom implant designs to improve the relative balance of facial features. Facial implants not only aesthetically improve bone structure, but can also be used to help reverse the signs of aging. Contemporary facial implants are contoured to imitate the natural bone structure and youthful form of the overlying soft tissues.

Chin implant surgery increased more than breast augmentation, Botox and liposuction combined last year with both men and women opting for the procedure in nearly equal numbers, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Thanks to modern facial implants, tens of thousands of Americans are achieving the shapely chins and cheeks that bring balance and contour to their face.


Dr. Russell Sassani is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. He is university trained in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has additional specialized fellowship training.

After graduating with Highest Honors from Rutgers University, he obtained his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

His residency training in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery was at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He then went on to complete post-residency fellowships. These included a Hand Surgery Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, a Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship at the University of Miami, and a Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship with the renowned Drs. Baker, Gordon and Stuzin in Miami.

Dr. Sassani's particular areas of interest and expertise are cosmetic surgery of the face, plastic surgery of the breast (enlargement, reduction and reconstruction) body contour surgery (liposuction and tummy tucks) and laser skin resurfacing. His reconstructive interests and expertise include reconstruction after facial trauma, reconstruction after cancer surgery, burn reconstruction, and hand surgery.

For more information on Dr. Sassani visit the Take Shape Plastic Surgery website. 

How Many Women Get Breast Implants Each Year?

If you're a woman looking into getting a breast augmentation, one of your reservations about the procedure may be the idea that relatively few women go for it these days. An admirably cautious notion that happens to be far from the truth.  

Have you ever wondered exactly how many women get breast implants each year in the United States? After all, it seems like a lot of Hollywood celebrities have perfect breasts and the woman in your yoga class is just too flawlessly shapely to be natural, right? Well, the answer is a lot more women than people think are undergoing breast augmentation each year.

Breast augmentation was the #1 procedure in the country in 2011 with 307,000 women getting implants. This is a 4 percent increase from the previous year and a 45 percent increase from 2000.  These statistics show that breast augmentation is one of the fastest growing procedures in the industry because women want to feel confident about their bodies and their breasts. You have the right to feel beautiful, and if that means enhancing your breasts so you can feel comfortable in a top or bathing suit, that's okay.

The dramatic increase in breast implant surgery does not necessarily reflect a similarly dramatic increase in the number of women with breast implants, however. Many women who undergo surgery are replacing old implants that have broken or caused problems; some women report as many as ten or more surgeries as their implants are replaced over the years.

The important thing to remember is that breast enhancement is for yourself. It's not about what a man thinks or even what your friend thinks, it's about doing what can help you feel beautiful. More and more women are realizing this and that's why thousands of breast augmentations are performed in the United States each year.

There's no reason to feel insecure about your body now, or even your decision to get implants. It's time to focus on what will make you a more comfortable and empowered woman. If that's getting a breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon today. You have the right to look and feel your absolute best!

Breast Augmentation: Q&A

What is the ideal breast size?

Picking the right size of the breast implant is absolutely one of the most important decisions in the breast augmentation and implant process. This being the case, good surgeons will discuss several approaches to help the patient make the best decision based on the following:

• anatomy
• personal preferences
• aesthetic appearance patient wishes to achieve 

Some surgeons may even request that the patient wears a bra with the augment inside to see the possible appearance.

In general, attractive breast augmentation should be in proportion to the woman’s overall body shape. An implant too large for a small frame is usually an obvious give away that a patient has undergone a breast augmentation procedure. Women wanting to go from a small A cup to a full D cup also need to understand the stretch limitations of breast skin.

What are the exercise restrictions in the post-operative period?

In the post-operative period, it is necessary to avoid any types of exercise which requires vigorous raising of the arms above the level of the head for at least 10 days after surgery. The majority of patients find it possible to return to work and drive in about 7 days. However, if their occupation requires particularly strenuous movements and lifting then they should not return to work for around 2-3 weeks.

Power walking can commence within 7 days, light jogging within about 3 weeks. Full gym and pilates regimes may start after 4-6 weeks. Most people may begin upper body weights after 6-9 weeks, with contact sports, martial arts, boxing, and football (soccer) allow 12 weeks. Make sure you consult with your surgeon about your own individual needs before and after the surgery.

Is breast feeding possible after breast augmentation?

Breast feeding is certainly possible after a breast augmentation procedure. The majority of implants are placed behind the muscle and the implant is not inserted through the nipple-areolar complex. Preformed this way the procedure in no way effects the milk ducts.

If you are hoping to continue prolonged breast feeding, however, you need to be aware that this can create the possibility of stretch marks on the breasts and certainly accelerate breast droopiness.

Should you become pregnant following your breast augmentation procedure, then your existing breast tissue will be subjected to the normal hormonal influences of a natural gestation period.

During this time it is perfectly natural for your breasts to enlarge and the skin to stretch accordingly.
Once a pregnancy and breast feeding ceases, your breast tissue will naturally shrink down. It is impossible to predict to what degree these natural changes will occur, however the breast implant volume will remain the same throughout this time.

What is capsular hardening and how is it treated?

This is the most serious complication of a breast augmentation procedure. The latest implants are covered in material which has greatly reduced the incidence of capsular contraction formation. A “capsule” or capsule formation is a layer of scar tissue that normally forms around any artificial material placed in the body. It is important to realize that this is the natural response of the body to foreign material.

In the majority of cases, this capsule is so soft that it is virtually undetectable, not affecting the breast implant in any way. Capsular hardening occurs when this layer of scar tissue shrinks around the breast implant, squeezing it so that it starts to feel firm, or in some cases, quite hard. If this is going to occur ,it is mainly in the first three years after implantation. It is not a health concern and implants are only removed if the shape has become distorted or the patient is experiencing pain.

Contact Take Shape today for questions, planning and preparing for your breast augmentation surgery.