Page 15 - Rana Sampson Issue (1)

Women Mean Business
Dr. Marialyn Sardo

Making Mommies Smile

There is one fact that is immediately obvious upon meeting One of the key elements when selecting a physician to perform this
Dr Marialyn Sardo and that is that she truly cares about each and type of plastic surgery is primarily their experience and training with
every one of her patients. Not only does she want to be certain that the selected procedure. Dr. Sardo’s specialty in breast and tummy
they are receiving the best care possible, but she is there to answer tuck procedures makes her the perfect choice. We asked Dr. Sardo
any question or concern they may have. In her plastic surgery prac- why she chose this profession and was surprised to learn that she
tice she utilizes the latest technology available, but her approach to was determined to enter into the medical profession at a young
her patients is old school. She provides that personal touch that is age. “It was actually thanks to my brother who had a childhood job
too often missing in the medical community today. Dr Sardo does sweeping up a doctor’s office. He would come home every day
a variety of procedures for her patients, but the one which has be- with magazines from the physician’s office. I would devour these
come extremely popular is known as the “Mommy Makeover.” journals, and when I came upon an article with pictures of children
who were helped by reconstructive cranial facial surgery I felt an
The Mommy Makeover involves multiple procedures, performed immediate interest in this area of medicine. I knew that I wanted
during one outpatient surgery visit, which can erase the damage to to help children with birth defects.” Dr. Sardo went on to gradu-
their bodies that many women experience during childbirth. “Not all ate Phi Beta Kappa from San Diego State University with honors in
women require the Mommy Makeover after pregnancy, but there are chemistry. She then attended medical school at the University of
some who are adversely affected by the strain put on their bodies. California, San Diego School of Medicine. Staying in the Southern
It is often a combination of the amount of weight gain and hered- California area for her general surgery training she trained at the
ity that determines the effects that University of California, Los Angeles and
childbearing will have on a woman.” the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical
For some women they are back in Center. After her training she went on to
their bikinis in no time after giving Boston University Medical Center where
birth. For others, no matter how she completed her specialized training in
hard they hit the gym and cut down plastic and reconstructive surgery.
on calorie intake they cannot get
back their pre-baby bodies. In those Dr. Sardo has performed various proce-
cases their stomach muscles have dures for San Diego women since 1987.
been stretched and the elasticity of In researching plastic surgery procedures
their skin is such that it will not allow it is easy to see that women still be-
their stomach to return to its previ- lieve that investing in yourself proves to San Diego
ous state. This is when Dr. Sardo have a positive return. According to the Woman
comes in and helps them regain American Society of Plastic Surgeons,
their pre-pregnancy bodies and they in 2009, 1.5 million cosmetic surgeries
often look even better than before. and 11 million noninvasive-minimally
Women are thrilled with the outcome invasive procedures were performed. 15
of this procedure. With statistics such as these we asked
Dr. Sardo what the latest innovations are
The Mommy Makeover usually in this area and she surprised us with
consists of breast and abdominal a term we had not come across before.
surgery. The breast surgery can be “One of the most popular non-invasive
either breast augmentation or breast procedures requested is being referred to
lift and it is generally accompanied as the Vampire Facelift. The real name
by abdominoplasty(tummy tuck) is Selphyl which is a technology where
and/or liposuction. The procedure the growth potential of your own platelets
is done during one surgery visit, and is used to enhance the collagen forma-
may entail an overnight stay. Recu- tion in your face. The process involves
peration time is about six weeks with drawing a couple of tubes of blood which
the patient able to return to work are then spun down and the platelets are
within 10 days of surgery if they removed. These platelets are rich with
have a sedentary job, a bit longer growth factors, so when they are injected
if they have more active profes- back into your face it will improve firm-
sions. Having several procedures ness and fullness in a 3-4 week period.
done at once cuts down on surgical costs and recuperation time so The results have been shown to last approximately 18 months”
many women prefer this to having the procedures done separately.
Women are thrilled with the results and regain much of their self Dr. Sardo understands the concerns of women and is always
confidence that can be damaged by a poor body image. Dr. Sardo willing to discuss even the minutest details that may concern her
suggests that it is often best to wait to have the procedure until 6 patients. “It’s not about returning to your 20’s, it is about restoring
months to a year after delivery as it is important that the body has and rejuvenating your body and face to look more like you feel on
healed from the pregnancy. Dr. Sardo also suggests that it is best the inside. Correcting the changes brought on by age, childbearing,
to have a Mommy Makeover performed when you have completed sun damage or genetic factors helps you feel better about yourself.
your family. However, there is no danger if a patient should become Being more self confident contributes to a fuller more enjoyable life.”
pregnant after the procedure is performed. Thanks to Dr. Sardo, many San Diego women agree.
March/April 2011