Phloretin CF (Antioxidant)- Prevents, protects, and corrects against photo-damage, prevents cell mutation by shielding skin's DNA, accelerates cell turnover for more radiant and even skin tone, boosts skin's support structure, inhibits hyper-pigmentation. Use 1-3 drops after cleansing and toning on the face as well as neck and chest.

Hydrating B5 Gel (Daily Moisturizer)- Helps with tissue repair and replenishes nutrients the skin needs for a smoother and younger appearance. Use as a daily moisturizer AM and PM following Phloretin.

Physical Fusion Sunscreen (SPF 50)- Water and sweat resistant. This is a very sheer, tinted, and matte sunscreen ideal for sensitive skin. Gives the skin a glow. Use every AM as your final product. Reapply every 2 hours when in the sun.

BUY 1 GET 1!!!

Pucker Up

Purifying Cleanser

Conditioning Solution

Daily Moisture

Antioxidant Lip Repair

Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunblock

$150  

($200 value!!)

Love Me Do

CE Ferulic

Retinol .5%

Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunblock

 $200

($246 value!!)

P.S. I Love You

Phloretin CF Gel

AOX+ Eye Gel

Hydrating B5 Gel

Retinol .5%

Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunblock

$350

($408 value!!)

All My Loving

Phloretin CF Gel

AOX+ Eye Gel

Retexturizing Activator

Pigment Regulator

Retinol .5%

Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunblock

$450

($496 value!!)

"2011 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner - Anti-Aging Antioxidant

Phloretin CF® represents a new class of preventive and corrective topical antioxidant treatment. After five years of extensive research, SkinCeuticals developed this patent-pending breakthrough technology combining the newly-discovered, broad-range power of phloretin with vitamin C and ferulic acid in a biodiverse formulation to divide and conquer sources of damage at every level.

Phloretin CF®, a broad-spectrum treatment, protects against not only free radicals, but the range of other reactive molecules known to cause damage and DNA mutations among the integral cell types. In addition, it corrects existing damage by stimulating the synthesis of essential proteins and fibers and accelerating cell turnover. The result — a strengthened support structure on the inside and a more youthful, firm, radiant appearance on the outside."(SkinCeuticals website http://www.SkinCeuticals.com)

-----An antioxidant in your skincare regimen is a must!  SkinCeutical's CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF have won this award three times as the best antioxidant on the market today!  SkinCeuticals also has a new Phloretin CF Gel  and AOX+ Eye Gel.  Call us if you would like more information!  (405)751-LOVE (5683) or come by and take advantage of our holiday gift sets that include Phloretin CF or CE Ferulic.-----

     We now have SkinCeuticals Holiday Bundles: Prancer, Dasher, & Rudolph! If you or a loved one desires reduced fine lines, reduced sun or age spots, and overall texture and skin tone improvement not to mention sun protection, these bundles are a perfect way to save money and try SkinCeuticals key products....many of which have been praised in top beauty magazines. Call us to reserve yours today!

                                  SkinCeuticals.com 

*Prancer*

The Basic Necessities

*CE Ferulic- a revolutionary antioxidant combo delivering advanced protection against photo-aging, neutralizing free radicals while building collagen.

*Retinol - cell regeneration & collagen reproduction dimishes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, large pores, blemishes & blotchiness.

*Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunscreen - silky ultra sheer, SPF 50 UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, perfect for all skin types.

                                                                 $200 ($246 value!)

* Dasher *

The Anti-Aging Bundle

*Phloretin CF Gel - boosts skin's structure via collagen synthesis, improves laxity, deminishes age spots, increases cell turnover.

*AOX + Eye Gel - revives fatigued eyes with triple antioxidant gel, significantly reduces fine lines, puffiness & under eye bags.

*Hydrating B5 Gel - enriched vitamin B5 repairs tissue & replenishes nutrients.

*Retinol - cell regeneration & collagen reproduction dimishes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, large pores, blemishes & blotchiness.

*Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunscreen - silky ultra sheer, SPF 50 UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, perfect for all skin types.

                                                                  $350 ($408 value!)

* Rudolph *

The Hyper-pigmentation Bundle

*Phloretin CF Gel - boosts skin's structure via collagen synthesis, improves laxity, deminishes age spots, increases cell turnover.

*AOX + Eye Gel - revives fatigued eyes with triple antioxidant gel, significantly reduces fine lines, puffiness & under eye bags.

*Retexturizing Activator - visibly diminishes surface lines & wrinkles.

*Pigment Regulator - reduces brown spots, freckles, dark patches & blotchiness

*Retinol - cell regeneration & collagen reproduction dimishes fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, large pores, blemishes & blotchiness.

*Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunscreen - silky ultra sheer, SPF 50 UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, perfect for all skin types.

                                                                  $450 ($496 value!)

 If you have not had a consultation yet, we must have you come in for that appointment before we can get you scheduled.  Give us a call and we will see what we can do!

If you have any questions about this, call Rachel at 405-751-LOVE (5683)

 We look forward to hearing from you!

     Xeomin is the latest botulinum toxin. It is ideally used for crows feet, forehead lines, and in between brows just like other botulinum toxin products on the market today however the difference is Xeomin is "naked", meaning no additives. It is 100% botulinum toxin and nothing else. With additives, the body can build antibodies to the toxin, possibly causing it to quit working over time. Since Xeomin is 100% botulinum toxin, developing these disabling antibodies is less likely.

Our office is now using Xeomin and we would be happy to talk to you about it!  Give us a call to schedule your skin consultation to find out which injectables will work best for you!   

(405)751-LOVE (5683)

What parts of the body does Thermage CPT treat?
Thermage CPT can effectively and safely treat skin on most body parts, including face, eyes, tummy, arms, hands, thighs, and buttocks.

What skin condition does Thermage CPT treat?
Thermage CPT helps to tighten loose skin. It can also temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.

How many treatments will I need?
Thermage CPT is a single treatment. Results develop over a period of 6 months after the procedure is completed and results usually last around 2 years although this greatly depends on your skin’s condition, aging, and lifestyle.

How long does the procedure take?
We will give you oral pain medicine to relax you 1 ½ hours before the procedure begins. The actual procedure usually takes at least 1 hour. For larger body parts, it will take longer. Be sure to have someone drive you home. We can not give you the medicine if you do not have a driver.

How does the treatment work?
Thermage CPT uses radio frequency technology to heat the deep, collagen rich layers of your skin. The heat helps tighten existing collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen, which reduces sagging, contours, and improves the smoothness and texture of the skin’s surface.

How is Thermage CPT different from other tightening procedures?
Thermage CPT involves no surgery, injections, or downtime. No other treatment heats as deep as Thermage CPT. By heating the innermost layers of the skin, Thermage CPT is the most effective at tightening collagen and stimulating the formation of new collagen which results in tighter skin.

When do results appear and how long do they last?
Some visible results may be immediate but for most patients, measurable tightening and contouring appear gradually in the two to six months following a single treatment session. Your final result is reached at 6 months.

What does the Thermage CPT procedure feel like?
Each time the treatment device touches your skin, you will feel a brief cooling sensation, followed by a deep but brief heating sensation, followed by another cooling sensation. The heating sensation is a sign that the deep layers of your skin are reaching effective temperatures for tightening. Throughout the procedure, your nurse will ask for feedback on the level of heat sensation to help balance your comfort with maximum results.

There are usually two consultations before your treatment begins. The first consultation is with one of our RN’s who do the procedure. That appointment is free. The next consultation is with Dr. Love and it is $50. We are happy to try our best to make this process as quick as possible if you are wanting treatment soon.

Give us a call at 405-751-LOVE (5683) if you have any questions or to schedule your consultation!

Thermage CPT
Frequently Asked Questions

What parts of the body does Thermage CPT treat?
Thermage CPT can effectively and safely treat skin on most body parts, including face, eyes, tummy, arms, hands, thighs, and buttocks.

What skin condition does Thermage CPT treat?
Thermage CPT helps to tighten loose skin. It can also temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.

How many treatments will I need?
Thermage CPT is a single treatment. Results develop over a period of 6 months after the procedure is completed and results usually last around 2 years although this greatly depends on your skin’s condition, aging, and lifestyle.

How long does the procedure take?
We will give you oral pain medicine to relax you 1 ½ hours before the procedure begins. The actual procedure usually takes at least 1 hour. For larger body parts, it will take longer. Be sure to have someone drive you home. We can not give you the medicine if you do not have a driver.

How does the treatment work?
Thermage CPT uses radio frequency technology to heat the deep, collagen rich layers of your skin. The heat helps tighten existing collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen, which reduces sagging, contours, and improves the smoothness and texture of the skin’s surface.

How is Thermage CPT different from other tightening procedures?
Thermage CPT involves no surgery, injections, or downtime. No other treatment heats as deep as Thermage CPT. By heating the innermost layers of the skin, Thermage CPT is the most effective at tightening collagen and stimulating the formation of new collagen which results in tighter skin.

When do results appear and how long do they last?
Some visible results may be immediate but for most patients, measurable tightening and contouring appear gradually in the two to six months following a single treatment session. Your final result is reached at 6 months.

What does the Thermage CPT procedure feel like?
Each time the treatment device touches your skin, you will feel a brief cooling sensation, followed by a deep but brief heating sensation, followed by another cooling sensation. The heating sensation is a sign that the deep layers of your skin are reaching effective temperatures for tightening. Throughout the procedure, your nurse will ask for feedback on the level of heat sensation to help balance your comfort with maximum results.

There are usually two consultations before your treatment begins. The first consultation is with one of our RN’s who do the procedure. That appointment is free. The next consultation is with Dr. Love and it is $50. We are happy to try our best to make this process as quick as possible if you are wanting treatment soon.

Give us a call at 405-751-LOVE (5683) if you have any questions or to schedule your consultation!

50% Body Treatment

Also…

Face & Neck for $1500 (Regularly $3400!)

Limited Time Only!!  Call us today!

Thermage CPT, the latest generation skin-tightening laser, is clinically proven to help smooth, tighten, and contour the skin! This hot weather will not stop anytime soon so there is still plenty of time to enjoy smoother, tighter skin! Call us today to schedule your consultation and we can get your Thermage CPT treatment scheduled soon after!
405-751-LOVE (5683)

-How long does treatment take?
Fraxel Dual treatment usually takes around 1 hour, however, this time varies depending on the size of the area we are treating and how significant the damage is. When you come in for your treatment appointment, we will put a topical numbing gel on your face and let it set for 1 ½ hours. Also, we will give you medicine to help make your experience as comfortable as possible. Because of this, we ask that you arrange transportation. We can not give you medicine if you do not have a driver to take you home. After the numbing gel and medicine has completely taken effect, your treatment will begin and will last approximately 1 hour. As soon as the treatment is completed, we will clean off your face and then you may go home. Your entire visit with us during your treatment appointments will be around 3 hours. As far as your entire treatment plan, you will come in approximately every 6 weeks. The amount of treatments in a plan varies depending on your skin’s condition but most patients start with a 4 treatment plan.

-How many treatments will I need?
The amount of treatments you will need depends on how significant your skin damage is and we will need to see you for a consultation in order to determine your treatment plan and price for that plan. In general, most patients start with at least a 4 treatment package. A series of treatments is necessary to give you significant results. Fraxel Dual is not a one treatment fix and is designed to be a gradual process so that your skin can adjust and heal itself.

-What parts of the body can Fraxel Dual treat?
Fraxel Dual can be used on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and even larger body parts such as the legs.

-What kind of results can I expect?
After your Fraxel Dual treatment plan is completed, you can expect to have softer, brighter skin with a more even skin tone and improved texture. Brown spots and fine lines and acne scars will be reduced as well. Results from the treatment are progressive meaning the next 3-6 months following your treatment, you will notice more improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to heal. Results can last for years depending on your age and skin condition. Keep in mind sun exposure (especially without sunscreen) can affect your results negatively so you want to be sure and protect your investment.

-What will I look like following the procedure?
You will experience redness and swelling after the procedure, resembling a significant sunburn. This usually subsides around day 3. Over the next several weeks, you will experience flaking and peeling of the skin. This is a good thing! This means it is working!

-Does it hurt?
Fraxel Dual is performed in-office. Our patients are given oral pain medicine and topical anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. Additionally, the Fraxel Dual is enhanced by a chiller device to help cool and reduce swelling during the procedure. You will feel an increased sensation of heat but it is not necessarily painful. Some of our patients even fall asleep during the treatment. We are sure to make it as comfortable as we can for you.

-Who performs the procedure?
Our extensively trained RN’s perform the procedure.

-Can I get a Fraxel Dual treatment instead of a facelift?
Fraxel Dual can resurface damaged skin but it will not offer the dramatic results of a facelift. Fraxel Dual is wonderful to use before or after a facelift to give you maximum improvement of your facial appearance.

We usually set patients up with an initial evaluation by one of our RN’s to evaluate your skin and determine if Fraxel Dual might be effective for you. This evaluation is free. You will meet Dr. Love before proceeding with a treatment plan and that consultation fee is $50. You may contact us at 405-751-LOVE (5683) to set up your evaluation.

                                                A Diary of my Facial Fraxel Treatment by Kate Britt

         Give us a call at Dr. Love's office if you have any questions or would like a consultation!  405-751-5683

     With so many options on the market today, most people understand that they do not have to accept thinning hair or premature hair loss. There are many low cost solutions that offer natural looking results. If you’ve been struggling with premature hair loss, you may have already tried some of these treatments in the form of shampoos and medications. Results with these treatments are likely temporary so you will have to use them the rest of your life. If you are looking for something more permanent while still looking natural, it may be time to consult with an experienced hair transplant surgeon.

     Hair transplantation surgery provides natural looking results and is an ideal solution for people with tired looking, thinning hair. At the Hair Transplant Center of Oklahoma, Dr. Tim Love, with 28 years of experience in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, provides the best in surgical results at an affordable price of only $3 per graft! If you multiply the repetitious costs involved with temporary methods of hair improvement over the years, you probably find that permanent surgical options are actually cheaper in the long run. Both men and women can receive wonderful improvement of their appearance and self-confidence with the natural looking, permanent results from hair transplants. Dr. Love has treated hundreds of men and women who have experienced the transforming results from Follicular Unit Grafting. This is the latest, most effective method of moving healthy hair from the back of your scalp to correct areas of loss and thinning.

     A consultation with Dr. Love will provide you information that will give you a better understanding of what to expect if you choose hair transplant surgery. After a thorough assessment through consultation or even pictures if more convenient, an individualized plan will be outlined and reviewed.

     The procedure is actually quite enjoyable and relaxing. It includes gentle sedation with careful and thorough attention. Thinning, unattractive hair doesn’t have to be an inevitability in your life, especially before your elder years. Hair Transplantation is a low cost alternative that will give you natural, permanent results.

     For a consultation, contact Dr. Tim Love’s office at 405-751-LOVE (5683) and we will connect you with Dr. Love’s nurse who specializes in Hair Transplantation. She will happily answer your questions and set you up with an appointment.

     It is no secret that cosmetic breast enhancement is a wildly popular procedure today. CNN estimates that approximately 100,000 breast enhancements will be performed in the US in 2011. In general, most women share a similar goal: natural looking results from safe cosmetic breast implants. How do you choose who to trust to perform your surgery? How do you know where you can get the quality you desire?

     ∙Experience: You should look for more than physical evidence that your doctor went to school a long time ago. Many assume their doctor is skilled and experienced because he or she is available or listed on their health plan. This is not what you should base your judgment on, however. It is very important to consider the doctor’s experience with the surgery you are interested in. Dr. Tim Love has 28 years of experience in breast augmentation and cosmetic enhancement. He also serves as a consultant in the development and production of new products. Dr. Love is in fact one of only 30 plastic surgeons in the U.S. that offer Cohesive Gel Implants, otherwise known as the Gummy Bear Implant.

     ∙Technology: Dr. Tim Love is one of a very few doctors in the U.S. who has been specifically chosen to participate in 5 different studies for the FDA confirming the safety and benefits of breast implant surgery. This keeps him very up to date with the newest technology in breast implant surgery.

     ∙Prestige: Of the studies Dr. Tim Love has participated in, he was one of only 25 surgeons nation-wide selected to participate and contribute patients to Allergan’s historical CORE implant study which provided data to the FDA in 1997. These surgeons have a high reputation and are some of the most sought-after doctors for reconstructive and cosmetic breast enhancement surgery.

     All options in breast enhancement are available by Dr. Tim Love including breast augmentation with implants or even the patient’s own tissue via fat grafting. Correction of breast droopiness or excess volume using the most current techniques in breast lift and/or reduction procedures are also provided by Dr. Tim Love.

     You deserve to have confidence in your surgeon and receive excellent, natural looking results. Dr. Tim Love has been voted the Best Plastic Surgeon in his home state of Oklahoma 3 years in a row, is board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a member of every major surgical society in the world.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at
405-751-LOVE (5683)

We would LOVE to see you!

     If you have been through pregnancy, you probably have some sagging skin on your abdomen or breasts. Many women find it difficult to correct this issue no matter how many trips to the gym or how many crunches they do. Droopiness of the breasts and loss of volume can be hidden with a bra but it is still frustrating to many moms remembering the appearance of their breasts before. A Mommy Makeover specifically targets correcting these issues so that moms can be moms and still be happy with their bodies.

     Dr. Love has 28 years of experience and is considered as a breast and tummy surgery expert. Breast volume restoration can be provided by silicone implants or even use of your own fat tissue. Dr. Love can even provide cohesive gel implants (Gummy Bear Implants). He is one of few select surgeons in this country who can! This is one of the latest technologies in breast implants and to be one of a select few permitted to use these implants speaks volumes about a surgeon’s skill and expertise.

     As far as the tummy is concerned, Dr. Love is an expert in correction of droopy, stretch-marked skin, lax abdominal muscles, and excess ‘baby weight’ of the hips and flanks (love handles) using the most current and effective techniques.

     Each patient presents her own unique features and changes so a complete assessment through consultation allows Dr. Love and staff to develop an individualized plan of improvement and assistance from beginning to end!

     Give us a call and we will happily get you scheduled to get your plan started!

405-751-LOVE (5683)

     If you are considering breast augmentation, especially if you are considering getting silicone implants, having a silent rupture might be one of your concerns.  Traditional silicone breast implants of the past have always had the potential of an undetected rupture unless picked up on a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. A solid silicone gel breast implant is a solution that provides zero silicone leakage, giving you greater piece of mind!

     This solid silicone gel is found in the latest advancement in breast augmentation: the Cohesive Gel Implant. This implant is known as the “gummy bear” implant because of its solid, gummy-like texture and contains no liquid.

     Only a few doctors were chosen to participate in the studies for the Gummy Bear Breast Implant studies and Dr. Tim Love of Oklahoma City was one of those doctors. Dr. Love was invited to participate in clinical research studies of Cohesive Gel implants by both major breast implant manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor. These studies sought Dr. Love’s input in collecting information which was submitted to the FDA confirming the safe and unique benefits of Cohesive Gel breast implants. Dr. Love’s expertise in breast enhancement surgery were also recognized by his previous sponsorship of 4 other groundbreaking studies submitted to the FDA.

     Allergan’s CORE study followed patients for 10 years following surgery and it was instrumental in the return of silicone to the market for unrestricted use. Dr. Love was the single largest contributor to this study.

     Dr. Love hopes to contribute design improvements to the next generation of Cohesive Gel Implants as well.

     Feel free to call our office at 405-751-LOVE(5683) if you have any questions regarding the Cohesive Gel Implant study. We are happy to speak with you and even schedule you a consultation to find out which implant fits your needs.

Open House!

Register to win great gifts from Obagi, SkinMedica, & SkinCeuticals!

Call 405.741.LOVE or contact us here for more information.

LOVE your new hair. Learn more about hair restoration. Contact our office for more details.

Hurry to save 10% on your surgery by August 31st!

We'd LOVE your vote again!

Vote online at the OK Gazette.

Tim R. Love, M.D. has been named “Best of the Best” Cosmetic or Plastic Surgeon for the second year in a row by Oklahoma Magazine.

"We are honored to accept this award again," said Dr. Love. "Results of readers' polls can serve as good testimonials for others who may be in need of services. Potential patients should also always look for physician credentialing in the specific field of plastic surgery. Making sure that the plastic surgeon is Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can help consumers have the safest treatment possible."

We'd LOVE your vote again!

Thanks for voting Dr. Love "Best of OKC" for the past two years!

"Best Place to have a Cosmetic Procedure Performed"

"Best Website"

Vote now: www.okgazette.com

Thanks for voting Dr. Love BEST of OKC for Plastic and Cosmetic Procedures for the past two years. Thanks for your vote again this year!

Vote online at www.okgazette.com

Good Morning America's Robin Roberts & OKC Patient share Breast Reconstruction experiences following cancer

Oklahoma City patient shares her journey through breast reconstruction surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer in this ABC newscast including Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts' own experience.

Learn more about Breast Reconstruction Surgery in Oklahoma City, or contact Dr. Love's office for a consultation.

Here are some rules to check and make sure you’ll LOVE your breast augmentation surgery.

Be safe and sure when choosing your cosmetic surgeon. One of the most important things to look at when choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation is their experience. You obviously want a plastic surgeon that has performed lots of successful breast augmentation procedures. You should also look for a plastic surgeon with board certification. This means they have the specialized training to perform difficult plastic surgical procedures like breast augmentation.

It is a good idea to have a consultation with several cosmetic surgeons before making your final decision. Personal impressions are not as important as certifications, but you’ll still want to feel comfortable with whomever you choose.

Check out before and after photos! A good plastic surgeon will be proud of the work they have done, and readily be able to show you before and after photos of women who are close to your physical build. Most cosmetic surgeons these days have a page on their website with breast augmentation before and after photos.

These are important, because you will be able to have some idea of how your breast augmentation will be once you have recovered, and give you some ideas on what size you want. It will also help alleviate fears of bad results from your procedure.

Make sure your surgery is for YOU, and nobody else! One of the worst mistakes you can make is having cosmetic surgery for someone other than yourself. While it can be an additional benefit of surgery to improve the quality of life at home, you will only really find happiness with your breast augmentation procedure if it is something you desire.

Once you’ve done the research, chosen the right Oklahoma or Texas plastic surgeon and had your breast augmentation procedure, you will find that breast augmentation can leave you feeling rejuvenated and sexy again!

After four children and a glimpse of what gravity had in store for her,
one woman chose silicone breast implants. It wasn't easy.

By Joan Kron

It was barely two weeks after Christmas, and things were just returning to normal. She was awake at 6:30 that morning as usual, glancing occasionally from her pillow toward the TV and the local Oklahoma City news. After nudging her husband out of bed, she went from room to room rousing their four kids. She checked that teeth were brushed and shoelaces were tied – and managed to shower and dress herself. Nothing fancy: leggings and an oversize denim shirt, clothes that would be easy to get in again later that day, after it was over.

She hadn't eaten since midnight and had been instructed not to eat this morning. But the children lined up on stools at the kitchen bar didn’t notice their mother was skipping breakfast. She fixed an Eggo waffle for one child, toast and cereal for the others, and coffee for her husband, who was taking the day off to be with her. While the kids loaded their backpacks, she loaded the dishwasher. If something were to go wrong today, she didn’t want to be remembered as someone who left dishes in the sink.

Everyone piled into the red Ford Expedition. It was still too early to drop the kids at school, so she'd arrange to leave them with a friend – one of three she had let in on her secret. “That means the whole world knows,” she jokes now. But she's hoping her parents never find out: “It made me feel like a schoolgirl, keeping things from Mom and Dad, but they'd be really upset if they knew what their daughter was doing.” From the friend's house, she and her husband headed for the operating room used by plastic surgeon Tim R. Love, where she handed over the two sturdy Warner’s bras she’d been told to buy for the occasion – a 34D and a 36D, without underwires – and became part of history.

“It didn’t feel historic,” says Debbie, as we'll call her, of the breast implant surgery she underwent that morning. The stay-at-home mother was more concerned about ending up too chesty. “When I woke up from the anesthetic,” says Debbie, a size 6, “my first words were, 'I hope I don't look like Dolly.'”

In 1992, after women began blaming their silicone implants for lupus, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases, the Food and Drug Administration banned silicone-gel implants for cosmetic purposes – until the devices could be proven safe. In the ensuing panic, thousands of women rushed to have their silicone implants removed, and even more joined a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers that culminated in a $4.25 billion settlement and the bankruptcy of Dow Corning.

During this moratorium, silicone-gel implants have been tightly controlled – available only for three medical conditions: for breast reconstruction in cancer patients after mastectomy; to replace implants that have ruptured or are problematic; and to repair birth defects, such as a sunken chest or misshapen breasts. And the health of anyone receiving these implants has to be tracked. But all that didn't really bother Debbie. “I've always been attractive and had a good body,” she says. “When you're young, you don't think your body will change. I never thought about implants. After four kids, I still looked good, but when I turned 40, things started going.” Swimsuit shopping clinched it. “I began to realize I didn’t look the same anymore. I was losing fullness. I couldn't fill out my bra.” She blames it on breast-feeding. Push-up bras helped, but “when I was out of my clothes, it bothered me,” she says. What she really wanted was natural fullness – or at least natural-looking fullness. A friend of hers had gotten implants, and Debbie thought they looked good. “I wanted restoration. You put new tires on a car – why not maintain our bodies if we have that option?”

For almost a decade, women like Debbie who just wanted to look better in a bra or bathing suit had no alternative but saline implants – which are actually silicone shells filled with salt water. Saline implants, though, are no panacea. They can leak, deflate, and rupture. Unless the patient has a great deal of breast tissue, the outline of the implant often can be seen, and the skin covering the implant can ripple like a flaccid water balloon. And just as with silicone implants, the body quickly forms a capsule of scar tissue around the foreign implant that may contract, becoming hard and painful.

Whatever the risks, women have been willing to take them. There are 120,000 implant operations performed each year, as many as there were before the implant crisis began. And the numbers are rising. Four out of five implant patients simply want bigger breasts. “Most breast-implant candidates don’t want to be in your face or push your eyeballs out,” says Los Angeles plastic surgeon Barbara Hayden. “They are usually very intelligent women, but time or pregnancy has made them self-conscious about their drooping breasts.”

When Debbie first consulted Tim Love, in November, “I just assumed I would have saline. Without a doubt,” she says. “I felt it was salt water, not foreign to the body. If you had a leakage, you wouldn't worry about it being a problem. I didn’t realize the container was silicone.”

But later, Love informed her that silicone gel was an option and that medical trials of the implants were about to being. Love was 1 of 24 doctors participating in the first study, run by McGhan Medical, the implant manufacturer. A small number of women who wanted cosmetic augmentation would be allowed to have silicone, on one condition: they had to agree to return to their doctor for checkups, MRIs (for some of the women), and quality-of-life questionnaires regularly for the next ten years.

“We talked quite a bit about the silicone issue,” says Debbie. Love showed the couple the results of several large-scale studies that found virtually no connection between autoimmune diseases and implants – findings confirmed two weeks later by a panel of experts appointed by the judge in the class-action lawsuit. Love didn’t discourage Debbie from saline. He told her she had enough tissue to cover a saline implant. It was her choice.

Debbie didn't need to think it over. She chose silicone because “it is more natural-looking and –feeling than saline.” And she knew a woman with saline implants who told her she would have preferred silicone. Debbie’s husband agreed with the choice. Still, she worries. The disease she fears most is cancer. She felt better when Love pointed out that there wasn’t a higher incidence of cancer with implants. “I wanted to make sure I could have mammograms and they could be read,” she says. That's why she elected to have the implants under the muscle, where they don't interfere with X rays. “I would be more apprehensive if I weren't part of a study,” Debbie admits.

Once she made her decision, she says, she did worry about how long she would be out of commission. And what the scar would be like. The few friends who knew made subtle attempts to dissuade her. One was a nurse. “She warned me about anesthetic,” recalls Debbie, “and told me about women who come into the ER with big, hard breasts.”

On the day before surgery, Debbie was surprised to learn that she was patient zero. And that surgery could not proceed until she had read all the informed-consent documents and answered pages of questions about her physical and mental health and expectations. “We were under the gun to get these government forms filled out,” she says. The results of the study will help the FDA decide whether, once again, Americans can get silicone-gel implants from any doctor for any reason – without special permission.

After the surgery, Debbie was home in bed and pretending to have the flu by the time her children got home from school. “I had less pain than I anticipate,” she says, but she admits she had a month of anxiety till she got used to her new breasts. “At first I thought, ‘Oh, they're huge.’ And they were really hard. It took two weeks for them to feel soft. It was painful to lie flat. When you flex a chest muscle, the implant will move and it's a weird feeling,” she says. “It still feels kind of odd and uncomfortable to lift the hatchback on my car, but it's getting better.”

It was an adjustment for her husband too, she says. “A week after surgery, I said to him, ‘You haven't commented much.’ He said, ‘I don't think you needed the surgery.’ That destroyed me.”

The ugly postsurgery support bras weren't helping. After her one-month checkup, Debbie decided she needed to shop. Her husband was taking her to Las Vegas to celebrate, away from the kids. “That was my coming-out party,” she says. “We went to a Victoria's Secret there the first day and bought three bras. I had to buy a double-D because I was still swollen. The girl behind the counter asked me how I felt about being a double-D. She said she thought the perfect cup size would be a C. I told her, ‘I don't have a problem with it.’”

Nor does her husband. “He finally admitted, ‘You really look good. You look like you used to look,’” says Debbie, who is relieved to report – five weeks after surgery – that the implants “don’t feel foreign anymore. I can’t tell you where the implant stops and I start. It feels really natural.”

She admits, with a touch of embarrassment, to a new fascination with her body. “I look in the mirror more now,” she says. Part of her newfound confidence is knowing that as part of a study, she has a doctor who is as interested in her well being as she is. “ I don't want to take health risks,” she says. “I hope I haven't done something that will hurt me later.”

For more information about breast augmentation, contact Dr. Tim Love's office today.

Get 20% off surgical fees for any procedure performed in February 2010. Contact us or call 405.751.LOVE (5683) for details.