Archive for the ‘Body Contouring’ Category

Study Reveals Why Young Women Have Interest in Plastic Surgery

Monday, May 24th, 2010 by editor

The current issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery includes a study about psychosocial predictors of interest regarding specific plastic surgery procedures.  According to authors of the study, certain physical, social and psychological factors can predict interest in breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, and abdominoplasty.

Results of the study were based on a questionnaire conducted of 3500 (1862 respondents) young women in northern Norway.

Respondents who were interested in rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction were motivated by “complex psychological factors.”   Researchers found correlations with lifestyle factors such as divorce, history of teasing, education, self-image, body dysmorphic disorder, and the so-called Big-Five personality traits.

Survey questions about tummy tuck surgery revealed some unique findings.  Most participants who were interested in the procedure were interested in it exclusively. Having children and having a desire to repair the bodily changes occurring after childbirth were consistently correlated with interest for a tummy tuck.

Click here to read an abstract of this study

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After Bariatric Surgery: Steps for Looking and Feeling Good

Monday, April 19th, 2010 by editor

Bariatric surgery alters or removes parts a person’s stomach to induce weight loss. Common procedures include the lap band, an inflatable silicone tube that restricts food intake, and the roux-en-y gastric bypass. If you have consistently failed to lose weight with diet and exercise, bariatric surgery can reduce body weight and decrease risks of obesity. But choosing to undergo surgery is only the first step. In order to maximize the positive outcome, there are a number of extra steps and lifestyle changes that need to be made.

Nutrition

Patients of bariatric surgery are often at risk for nutrient deficiency. According to nutrition doctor Ingrid Kohlstadt MD, nutrients like Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Protein, Various B vitamins, omega-3s, and omega 6 fatty acids all have potential for deficiency in a bariatric surgery patient. Ask your doctor about maintaining proper nutrition – immediately after your surgery as well as during the years that follow. [Ingridients.com]

Post Bariatric Body Contouring

After massive weight loss, skin does not contract to a normal level. To remove folds of loose skin, a comprehensive surgical approach is often needed. A complete lower body lift treats sagging skin on the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and outer thighs in one procedure or in staged procedures. Incision patterns vary, and may include a circumferential incision around the body to remove the “belt” of excess skin and fat.

Other procedures are performed to treat localized problems. Brachioplasty (arm lift) can treat sagging skin in the arms and thighplasty can remove excess tissue in the upper thighs. [Post Bariatric Body Contouring]

Exercise

Trainers for the American College of Sports Medicine recently gathered for the 14th annual Health and Fitness Summit, where they discussed the best exercise programs for bariatric surgery patients. They recommended aerobic exercise as the core focus for these patients because it is good for easing into an active lifestyle.

To quicken fat loss and improve your range-of-motion, resistance training and flexibility exercise should be gradually and cautiously integrated. [American College of Sports Medicine]

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Abdominoplasty: A Procedure For Men?

Monday, February 15th, 2010 by editor

Because tummy tuck surgery is often discussed in the context of women trying to bay area man tuckimprove their figure after pregnancy, many potential patients remain unaware of the surgery and how it may benefit them. Men are often part of that group and therefore, often hesitate to speak with doctors about this procedure.

One patient who documented his tummy tuck experience online said he perceived a “stigma or shame associated with male tummy tucks,” saying he was “initially embarrassed” when he first made inquiries about the operation.

A good plastic surgeon will be able to give you specific advice about abdominoplasty on a male patient. One man on RealSelf asks about skin laxity on his abdomen due to weight loss:

I’m dealing with loose skin after a 50 lbs weight loss in my teens. I’ve totally transformed and I’m very athletic with well-defined abs, but have laxity mostly below the navel and around the lower back. The problem areas are very localized and I hide it under the belt line with no one suspecting I was obese. But I feel “unfinished.” The front skin is very thin and hangs, the back is mostly smooth. Is there a tummy tuck technique that would excise the abdominal skin and provide modest tightening in the lower back?

Dr. Chris Hess, a Fairfax plastic surgeon, answers: “Even though we tend to have better skin tone than women, we can still end up with excess skin due to skin memory. It sounds like you could undergo a mild excision of the excess tissue — less than a mini tummy tuck.”

Some cases are more severe. When a man has experienced a greater weight reduction, the full tummy tuck may be recommended. Dr. Cuzalina of Tulsa Surgical Arts writes “Do not hesitate to use a full abdominoplasty for a male patient with extreme skin laxity. Men tend to heal better than women after abdominoplasty.”

A comprehensive approach such as this may be necessary to provide satisfactory results. Dr. Alan Matarasso, scientific editor of Aesthetic Surgery Journal tells Modernmedicine.com “you really need to treat [men] circumferentially, all the way around, because if you ask most men what bothers them, it’s the ‘love handles,’ and that goes all the way around to the back.”

Clearly, many plastic and cosmetic surgeons can offer specific advice for men considering abdominoplasty.  So if you think you might benefit from the procedure, ignore any perceived “stigma” and ask a qualified surgeon for more details.

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Tummy Tuck Surgery: Making a Well Informed Decision

Monday, January 18th, 2010 by editor

Today, I want to talk about the importance of making a well-informed decision when you are considering cosmetic surgery. Specifically, let’s focus on one of the most requested procedures – the tummy tuck – and how you can determine which procedure might be best for you.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is one of the top 5 plastic surgery procedures performed each year in the U.S. The traditional abdominoplasty involves removing a significant amount of loose, sagging skin, tightening the abdominal muscle wall, and reshaping the upper and lower abdomen. In the process, stretch marks in the area are eliminated and the navel is repositioned to accommodate the new contours of the body. The result is often dramatic, with the mid body restored to a taut, firm condition and a more youthful, attractive appearance.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty (also known as a partial abdominoplasty or “mini tummy tuck”) is a variation on the full abdominoplasty, but designed to remove excess fat and loose skin only on the lower abdomen, below the navel. If you are within 10% of the ideal weight for your age and height and have relatively good skin tone and muscle tone on your upper abdomen, you may benefit from this procedure.

A mini abdominoplasty typically consists of removing excess fat and loose skin to correct a sagging lower belly. In some cases, the procedure includes tightening the lower abdominal muscles and/or doing liposuction to further sculpt the abdomen into an aesthetically pleasing shape and contour. Mini abdominoplasty will not eliminate stretch marks on your upper abdominal area, and the navel is left intact.

Which Procedure is Right for You?

To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the mini abdominoplasty, it’s important for you to do your homework. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already on your way and that’s great! You’ll want to gather as much information as you need to help you make a choice that’s best for you and that you feel comfortable with.

If you know individuals who have undergone this procedure, you have the advantage of being able to learn about their experiences and ask questions you likely have. But even if you choose not to discuss it with anyone, you have a wealth of information at your disposal.

Read the rest of this entry »

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VASER Liposuction Video with Q&A

Monday, January 4th, 2010 by editor

Q: What is the best method of liposuction?

A: There is no best method because each platform has its own benefits. For example, water-assisted liposuction can remove a large volume of fat, while VASER liposuction is good for ultra-precise body contouring.

Q: Why do I keep hearing about new liposuction methods?

A: Plastic and cosmetic surgeons are trying to set themselves apart with more effective liposuction methods. You might hear about “reduced downtime” or “reduced trauma to surrounding tissues” in the marketing for these procedures; just know that any proven liposuction technique will utilize the same basic tools as the standard tumescent liposuction technique.

Q: Can I get liposuction anywhere on my body? What is the most common area to treat?

A: Lots of people are surprised to hear that liposuction can treat many areas of the body. Areas like the abdomen and thighs are probably most common, but you can get liposuction below your chin or even around your knees.

Q: What type of doctor is most qualified to perform liposuction?

A: To get the best results, see a plastic surgeon for your liposuction.

Q: Is liposuction “minimally-invasive” like some of the advertising says?

A: The techniques have improved over time, making recovery quicker and incisions smaller, but liposuction is still cosmetic surgery. It’s not like getting a quick Botox injection.

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