Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty or tummy-tuck surgery is designed to firm and smooth the abdomen, eliminating accumulations of excess fat and loose, sagging skin.

Abdominoplasty surgery falls into the category of "excisional" body contouring whereby excess skin and fat are actually removed and excised.

Unlike liposuction which only removes excess fat and relies on skin elasticity to reshape the skin, abdominoplasty surgery surgically removes excess skin and fat while also tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. This can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, giving you a flatter, firmer, tighter stomach and a thinner, shapelier waistline.

If you have loose abdominal skin, stretch-marked skin after pregnancy, weakened abdominal muscles and/or excess abdominal fat that won't respond to diet or exercise, tummy tuck may be right for you.

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Liposuction

Liposuction, or the removal of fat deposits from specific areas of the body, is today the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in America. Liposuction can help sculpt the body by permanently removing unwanted fat from specific areas that seem to be immune to the effects of diet and exercise.

Although it can never be a substitute for exercise and dieting, liposuction can remove stubborn areas that just don't respond to more traditional methods. Liposuction should be viewed as a contouring tool and not a weight-reduction tool. It works best on people of relatively normal weight with firm, elastic skin who are bothered by pockets of fat in certain areas.

Although age is not a limiting factor, older patients with diminished skin elasticity may need other procedures done that also remove excess skin. For those who seek a smoother, better proportioned body, liposuction may be the answer. The results can not only be dramatic, but if combined with a regimen of diet and exercise, permanent...

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Gynecomastia - Breast Reduction for Men

Gynecomastia comes from the Greek word meaning “woman-like breasts”. Although rarely discussed openly, gynecomastia is surprisingly common affecting nearly 40-60% of men. This condition can be emotionally devastating leading to shame, humiliation, and a sense of demasculinization. From childhood taunting to anxiety over taking off his shirt at the beach, the man with gynecomastia deals with psychological stress every day. While there are certain medical causes of gynecomastia that should be ruled out, for most, the condition’s cause is unknown. For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or breast glandular tissue while in extreme cases excess skin is also removed. The goal is a chest that is firmer, flatter with an overall improved, more masculine contour.

Procedure

In a majority of cases, the predominant tissue component responsible for gynecomastia is excess fatty tissue. For this type of gynecomastia, breast contouring can be achieved using only ultrasonic liposuction techniques (UAL). With the latest technological advances using the Lysonix Ultrasculpt device, the dense fatty tissue of the breasts can be safely and easily removed via tiny incisions in the armpit or under the breast fold without the need for invasive surgery and potentially long scars. The fibrofatty tissue is ultrasonically liquefied and suctioned out allowing the skin of the breast to recontour (for more information on UAL refer to the Liposuction section of this website). In those cases where a small, central bud of breast glandular tissue also contributes to the gynecomastia, a small incision is made at the lower border of the areola and this tissue is surgically removed. Lastly, for those cases where an enormous excess of skin is also present, a formal breast reduction technique is necessary. Obviously, with these techniques a longer, more visible scar results which is the tradeoff to eliminate the contour deformity of enlarged, hanging breasts.

During the initial consultation, a detailed history will be obtained, followed by a thorough breast examination. The treatment plan will then be individualized depending on the severity of the gynecomastia, its’ tissue type and the quality of the skin envelope. The specific proposed procedure will then be explained including the risks, complications and the anticipated results.

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Butt Augmentation

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Calf Augmentation

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Post Bariatric Body Contouring

Dramatic weight loss whether achieved by proper nutrition and exercise or as the result of weight reduction surgery has many obvious health benefits. However, once you reach your target weight, you may find that you still do not have the fit and healthy body image you desire. Skin may be loose and sagging and, in many cases, your body contours may appear irregular and disproportionate. Over the past few years, bariatric surgery, often referred to as gastric bypass surgery, has become a common method of massive weight loss for clinically obese individuals. Often 100 or more pounds are lost.  After such massive weight loss, the skin and tissues lack the necessary elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body sizes. As a result, the skin that has been severely stretched now is unsupported, and creates redundant folds and pockets. Skin that folds upon itself can become macerated (wet and infected) and is not only unattractive but also a potential hygiene and health problem.

Surgical body contouring following massive weight loss improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports the overlying fat and skin, while also removing excess sagging fat and skin. The result is a more normal appearance to the body, with smoother, more proportioned contours. These body contouring procedures are in essence the final surgical phase of the total weight loss experience. It is important that weight be stable for at least 6-12 months before undergoing body contouring procedures. Additional weight loss may lead to further skin looseness while weight gain can create stretch marks and widened scars.

The types of body contouring procedures span the entire body from the face down to the knees and calves. Many patients require multiple, staged procedures to address all of their areas of concern. Often, it is the body contouring procedures that are more complex than the actual initial bariatric surgery. In many cases, healing can be slow due to nutritional issues related to the bypass procedure. Complications are typically more frequent than in non-bariatric patients and the final results can also be compromised due to the universally poor quality skin and tissues. It is imperative that candidates for these procedures understand their complexity and above all have realistic expectations regarding their final aesthetic outcome. With this in mind, however, the results can be dramatic and gratifying for both the patient and surgeon. For additional information about specific body contouring procedures, refer to the specific sections of this website.

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Other Body Contouring Procedures

Body contouring procedures may be classified into two distinct although often complimentary categories. Nonexcisional body contouring encompasses all forms of liposuction techniques. The fundamental concept to successful liposuction surgery is the elastic potential of the skin. Thick, younger elastic skin has the unlimited potential to “shrink-wrap” after the underlying fatty tissues have been removed. Thin, loose, older, stretched-marked skin lacks the potential to recoil and will therefore appear even looser and saggier after liposuction surgery. It is in this category of patients, those with thin, inelastic, loose skin where “excisional body contouring” is indicated. Excisional body contouring involves surgically excising excess skin and fatty tissues away in patients where the skin does not have the ability to shrink-wrap, including labiaplasty.

Where skin is loose and thin, it will fail to tighten after liposuction, and may even appear looser and baggier. It is in such cases that removal of excess skin is more appropriate than liposuction. In general, liposuction will make you look thinner, while lifts or tucks will make you look younger. Inner arms, inner thighs, outer thighs, and buttocks may lend themselves to either liposuction or lifts. If your problem involves loose skin with poor tone or stretch marks, lifting will work best. If your problem is excess fat with good skin tone, then liposuction is most appropriate. In some patients, a combination may be required. The crucial concept to always remember with lifts is that the tradeoff for a younger, tighter contour is a scar. In general, body lifting procedures are most appropriate for individuals who are of stable weight proportionate to their height and body frame.

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(Arm Lift) Brachioplasty

This procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the inner arm and armpit areas. The scar is well hidden on the inner aspect of the arm from above the elbow to the armpit and varies in length depending on the amount of excess skin that is present.

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Inner Thigh Lift (Medial Thigh Lift)

This procedure involves the excision of excess, loose, sagging skin from the upper inner thighs in a crescent pattern. The scar is well hidden in the groin crease and is usually undetectable if done correctly.

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Outer Thigh and Buttock Lift

Outer thigh lift and buttock lift are usually performed as a combined procedure. This operation involves the excision of excess skin from the upper outer thigh and upper buttocks leaving a belt-line scar well concealed within the bikini-line.

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Total Body Lift

A total body lift or belt lipectomy includes an abdominoplasty, inner thigh, outer thigh, and buttock lifts all into one procedure. The scar is circumferential within the bikini- line and incorporates all the incisions required for each of the lift procedures into one continuous scar. This procedure is extensive but the results can be extremely gratifying.

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