Sometimes, our bodies just do not respond to diet and exercise the way we want them to.  Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures can reshape many areas by removing excess fat and skin and toning muscle.  Below are some of the procedures we perform for body contouring.

Liposuction

The most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S., liposuction sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat that has not responded to diet and exercise from areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, chin, cheeks, neck and upper arms. Local anesthesia or general anesthesia may be used, and the procedure can last anywhere from one to five hours depending on the amount of fat being removed.

There are several different methods surgeons use when performing liposuction, including ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL) and suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL). In both types, fluid is injected into the area to be treated. Then a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible, and a cannula (small tube) breaks up the fat layer and suctions it out.

Click here for more information on Liposuction.

SmartLipo:  www.cynosure.com

Vaser:      www.liposelection.com

SmartLipo™ Laser Body Sculpting

SmartLipo™ is a new laser-assisted liposuction technique that simultaneously destroys fat cells and tightens skin. FDA-approved SmartLipo offers a faster, safer and less invasive alternative to other liposuction methods, with fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time.

SmartLipo achieves dramatic results by delivering Nd:YAG laser energy through a small incision to localized fat deposits on the face and body. The laser not only ruptures fat cells, which then drain away harmlessly, it also coagulates tissue on contact, stimulating collagen production for tighter skin and resulting in less bleeding. Fat removal can usually be done in a single 45- to 60-minute treatment with local anesthesia.

LipoSelection by Vaser®

LipoSelectionSM by VASER® combines new patented technology with advanced surgical techniques to gently dissolve and remove excess fatty tissue from the abdomen, hips, “love handles,” “saddlebags,” thighs, arms, back, knees, neck and chin. The LipoSelection procedure uses ultrasound energy to eliminate fat while leaving nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue largely undisturbed. Without damage to this tissue, patients experience little pain and achieve much smoother results than with traditional liposuction.

The Procedure

During the LipoSelection procedure, the area to be sculpted is filled with a special saline solution that makes the fatty tissue easier to dissolve. The VASER System also includes epinephrine, which shrinks blood vessels to help reduce bleeding and bruising, and lidocaine, an anesthetic agent that helps numb the site. A thin-grooved probe is then inserted to soften and break up fatty tissue on contact using ultrasound waves. Suction and massage of the sculpted site removes emulsified fat while leaving surrounding tissue relatively intact.

Results

The VASER system’s ultrasound technology causes minimal disturbance to important structural tissue, yielding smooth and shapely contouring. After the procedure, patients may experience some minimal discomfort and should expect some fluid drainage from the incisions as well as body swelling due to infusion fluids used during the procedure. Pain medication options and post-operative procedures will be reviewed.

Patients will wear a compression garment home from the procedure and may be required to wear this garment (under clothing) for two to six weeks post-operatively, depending upon the body area(s) treated and the amount of fat removed. This will provide comfort and support and will help the skin to better fit your new contours.

Anticipated recovery time varies with the extent of the procedure – the amount of fat removed, the number of areas treated, and so forth. Under physician guidance, with the exception of some activity restrictions such as heavy lifting, patients may be able to return to normal activities within days.

Progressive skin tightening will occur for four to six months following the procedure. During this time, it is essential to keep your follow-up appointments so the doctor can monitor your progress.

 

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty helps to flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles. The best candidates have pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded well to diet and exercise. The procedure can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy.

The procedure takes approximately two to five hours and can be performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia with a sedative. Recovery time ranges from two weeks to a few months. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, results are long-lasting. Abdominoplasty will likely leave a permanent scar stretching between the hips, although it should be low enough for even a bikini to conceal it.

Click here for more information on Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck).

Post Bariatric

Bariatric or gastric bypass surgery can be highly successful in helping morbidly obese patients lose weight. After the procedure, patients are often able to enjoy not only significant weight loss but also greater mobility, relief of symptoms and a lower risk of weight-related disease – not to mention a boost in self-confidence. One unfortunate result is that the stretched and inelastic skin hangs loose over the slimmer body.

Post-bariatric plastic surgery combines reconstructive and cosmetic techniques to tighten, lift and contour sagging areas for a more attractive appearance. The patient may choose to treat the arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, neck, face or other areas.

Procedures include:

• Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
• Breast Lift
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
• Buttock Lift
• Thigh Lift

Click here for more information on Post Bariatric Procedures.

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