2009 March | - Part 3

Recovering From Your Tummy Tuck

When you make the decision to have a tummy tuck, there are some things that you should be aware of for your tummy tuck recovery. Abdominoplasty is not a small procedure and you should be prepared for a couple of week recovery from the surgery before you are able to return to your normal activities. You should do a little research to make certain that you understand exactly what will happen and how you can speed your recovery.

Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise before the surgery will ensure that your recovery goes as well as it can. It is also important that you give your body the time that it needs to return to normal. Make sure that you arrange for someone to help you out while you are going through tummy tuck recovery. If you want the procedure to go as well as possible, let your body heal from the surgery that you have just gone through.

There will be some tummy tuck swelling during the first few days of your recovery. You should expect to feel some discomfort as well. The pain that you are experiencing can be controlled with medication. The doctor may recommend bed rest for a few days after the surgery. However, you should expect that your physical condition before the surgery will play a large part in how well you recover.

During the first few weeks of your recovery, the doctor may give you an abdominal binder to wear under your clothes. You may be required to wear this for several weeks after your surgery. You might also have to wear surgical stockings for a period of time as well. These will help prevent blood clots while you are recovering from your tummy tuck.

Your doctor may also suggest that you begin a light exercise routine after the first week. Of course, you should not do anything too strenuous during this time. If you are planning to start exercising during your abdominoplasty recovery, you should talk it over with your doctor. They will be able to let you know if the exercise that you have planned is appropriate.

Your tummy tuck recovery is a very personal thing. You should expect to go back to your normal routine when you feel that it is appropriate. It is not in your best interests to rush your abdominoplasty recovery and risk injury. Not everyone will recover in the same way and you should listen to your body while you are going through it.

The tummy tuck scar that you have will depend on the extent of the surgery. If you have had a complete abdominoplasty surgery, you will have a much larger scar than someone who only had a partial tummy tuck. The scars will be permanent, but they are usually in an area where they will be concealed with clothing and a bikini. It is one of the drawbacks to this type of surgery, but it can be handled effectively if you have a qualified plastic surgeon.

It is important that you take it easy after your surgery and let your body heal. Have someone helping you for the first few days to make sure that you are recovering well and that complications do not develop.

What Should You Ask During Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Making the decision to have a tummy tuck is one of the most exciting and stress inducing decisions that you will ever make. It is up to you to choose your surgeon and make sure that you are getting the best possible doctor to handle your procedure. Many people have never had a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon before and might be at a loss about what they should be looking for in their initial consultation.

The first thing that you should look for in the cosmetic surgeon that you are considering is whether or not they are board certified. Your cosmetic surgeon should be board certified with the board of cosmetic surgeons. You should find out if they have this certification and how long they have been a practicing plastic surgeon. The board of cosmetic surgeons will ensure that the doctor follows all of the procedures in the correct and safest way possible.

Ask the doctor how many tummy tuck procedures they have performed in their career. This can give you an indication of how much experience they have in the procedure that you are having done. There are some doctors who have more experience in one type of plastic surgery over another. If you are having a tummy tuck, you should look for the surgeon with the most experience in this particular type of cosmetic surgery.

Ask if you can see some before and after pictures of other patients. Most cosmetic surgeons will have these photos for you to view and determine the quality of their work. Keep in mind that they are most likely showing you their best work. Try to determine if there is a noticeable difference in the before and after pictures. This should show you how effective their surgery was for these patients.

You can also ask if they ever have to repair their surgery after it is completed. Most doctors will be honest about the number of times they have had to repair a cosmetic surgery that did not go as expected. Ask about the number of times a tummy tuck has had to be repaired.

Find out where the procedure will take place and if there are any additional costs to the surgery that they have not discussed. There are times when a doctor will state the cost of a tummy tuck as the fee that they will charge for their services. You will want to know about all of the additional costs as well. The cost of the facility, anesthesia and anything else that may not be included in the cost of the procedure.

There are a great deal of other questions that you may have about your procedure. Make sure that your doctor knows your complete medical history before performing your abdominoplasty. Also, specifically ask them if there is anything in your medical history that would exclude you from being an ideal candidate. There is a lot to consider when you are planning to have a tummy tuck. There are some great resources online that can help you with your first consultation with the doctor.

The Benefits Of A Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck

Getting a tummy tuck is a dream for those who have struggled to lose weight. Sometimes those last ten pounds just won’t come off no matter how hard you exercise and diet. If the weight is centered in your abdomen, it can be especially frustrating. The high cost of a tummy tuck and the invasive procedure that goes along with it, can cause some people to look for an alternative to tummy tuck surgery. There are some procedures that you can do that will give you the results you are looking for without all of the difficulties that are associated with a surgical abdominoplasty.

Mesotherapy is a tummy tuck alternative that uses vitamins and supplements that are injected directly into fat and tissue. The injections are made into the middle layer of the skin which is called the mesoderm. This is where the procedure earns its name. The procedure was discovered in France in 1952 and it works by increasing the blood flow to the areas of the body that were problematic and dissolve the fat that is collected there. The procedure is used for many cosmetic reasons, but spot fat reduction is one of the most popular. This non surgical tummy tuck, is becoming more and more popular in the United States.

Another popular alternative to tummy tuck surgery is a procedure known as SmartLipo. It uses a laser to target small areas of fat and actually dissolves the fat cells. It is generally only appropriate for those who are looking to lose a small amount of fat. The abdomen is not the only place where this procedure will be effective. It can be used in any of the areas of the body where liposuction would traditionally be used. For the stomach area, it can be a less expensive and less invasive procedure than a complete abdominoplasty surgery. However, it does not restore the appearance of the muscle and will only remove the fat from the area of the stomach. If you are a woman who is looking for something to restore the appearance of your tummy before you had children, this will probably not give you the best result.

You will find through your research that tummy tuck alternative procedures are becoming more and more popular. Many women and men are looking for something that will not require a huge investment in time for recovery and will give them quick results. Doctors are responding with these procedures that can improve your appearance and help you get rid of those pesky few pounds that just will not go away.

You should make sure that you investigate all of the alternative to tummy tuck procedures that you find so that you are sure about what you are getting into. You could still spend a large amount of money on these procedures and not get the results that you wanted. That is why it is important to stay informed on the topic and find the result treatment for your particular problem.

You may not require as much treatment as someone else will and these alternative to tummy tuck procedures might just be the thing that you are looking for.

All About Abdominoplasty- What Is It And Who Is A Good Candidate?

You might not be familiar with the term abdominoplasty, but if you heard the term tummy tuck you would know instantly what is being referred to. Many people believe that abdominoplasty surgery is a simple procedure that is used to correct the appearance of the stomach. The truth is that a tummy tuck is not a simple procedure and should be considered very carefully before you decide to go ahead with the surgery.

Like any surgery, there are risks and complications with an abdominoplasty surgery. The tummy tuck will involve a long incision in the abdomen from hip to hip. This incision is in the shape of a V with a flattened line at the bottom of the V. Once the incision is made the skin will be separated from the abdomen, which will expose the muscles. These muscles will be stitched into a new position to tighten up the area and minimize the appearance of the waist. When the muscles are in their new position, the skin will be stretched and the extra skin removed.

The doctor will have to replace the skin that had the naval as it is usually cut away during the tummy tuck. The doctor will create a new naval in a proportional position.

You should expect that the tummy tuck surgery will require a good deal of recovery. It is a major surgery and at least one week of recovery to three weeks is needed to return to normal activities. Although, you might not have to remain in the hospital overnight, you will have to make sure that you can recover at home. There are patients who remain in the hospital for a couple of days to begin their recovery. This is usually decided on a case by case basis. The area will be swollen and painful and you should be given pain medication for the pain.

This is a very invasive surgery and is not right for everyone. Women who are planning to become pregnant again should consider waiting until after the last child is born to have a tummy tuck done. The patient who is the ideal candidate for this surgery is one that is in good physical condition. This usually includes those who have fat or excess skin in the abdominal area that is resistant to exercise. Abdominoplasty can help to eliminate this problem. Women who have had pregnancies and have muscles that are stretched beyond the place where the stomach can return to a normal position. Abdominoplasty is also an ideal choice for older patients whose skin and muscles are sagging due to the aging process.

Patients who still have more weight to lose or are considering another child should consider waiting for abdominoplasty until they have lost the weight or had the last child. The doctor should discuss your options with you when you visit for a consultation. If you are an ideal candidate for the procedure the doctor will discuss what you should expect from the tummy tuck surgery.

Cosmetic Surgery Facelifts

Cosmetic surgery facelifts are no longer only for the privileged few. Instead cosmetic surgery facelifts now reach beyond the rich and the famous into the lives of every day people. This change has been brought about through an increase in the number of qualified surgeons, thus driving the price down, as well as an improvement in the technology involved which has decreased the recovery period.

Before undertaking either a full cosmetic surgery facelift or minimally invasive facelift there are several steps that should be completed. All surgery carries with it certain risks. In the case of cosmetic surgery facelift ris\sks include bleeding, fluid retention, blood clot, infection, poor reaction to the anesthesia and scaring. How ever, under the care of a well-qualified plastic surgeon your risks are greatly reduced.

When you are completing plans for potential cosmetic surgery facelift you also must evaluate the reasons you wish to change the tone and musculature of your face. Never consider major surgery just to please some one else. The desire to resurface your skin or to look younger most come from you and you alone. Don’t underestimate the difference your appearance will make to your understanding of who you are. Women who undergo even slight changes find that it changes not only their appearance but also their self-esteem and their ‘inner vision’ of who they really are. Unfortunately our society bases much opinion on who a person is by how a person looks.

Interviewing and evaluating plastic surgeons for your procedure should included taking your comfort level with their communication style into account. Don’t underestimate the power of the surgeon to help you heal faster and in a way that gives you the most satisfaction with your results. References from patients who have under gone procedures with the surgeon and a back round check on the surgeon’s track record should also be included.

As you finalize plans for your cosmetic surgery facelift also consider the recovery period. Some of the minimally invasive surgeries do not require over night hospitalization but are in fact day surgery. Whether you are discharged immediately or spend several days at the hospital you may need help when you get home.

Your surgeon will probably send you home with prescription medication for the pain. Most patients how ever find that procedures have greatly advanced and only Tylenol is necessary for pain relief. You will be instructed to sleep with your head up for at least two days. The use of ice in the post operative period will help relief pain and decrease swelling. Doctors warn patients not to place ice directly on the skin to avoid an ice burn.

The recovery period can last any were from seven to fourteen days before patients are able to return to work. The difference in recovery time is based on the type of surgery performed, whether liposuction was included and the previous general health of the patient.

While cosmetic surgery facelifts have reached the general masses there continues to be the same concerns, and general risks as there were before. Hollywood, and magazines continue to show a certain image of beauty to which most women feel they must strive. Unfortunately even most of the models are air brushed to look as good as they do. We all have slight imperfections that when taken together form the basis of our exterior appearance. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your exterior reflects the interior of who you really are.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Skin Surgery

Cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery is considered more and more as people are searching for the elusive fountain of youth. In fact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that over 11 billion dollars was spent in 2006 in different cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures.

Surgeons make the distinction between reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. The goals of reconstructive surgery are to generally improve function and sometimes appearance after treatment for a tumor, accident, trauma, birth defect or illness. The goals of cosmetic surgery do not involve function but rather aesthetics. Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem.

The word ‘plastic’ is actually a derivative of the Greek word “plastikos” meaning to mould or shape. The term ‘plastic’ in plastic surgery actually has nothing to do with plastics but rather holds the Greek meaning of changing the shape of a particular body part.

Cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery was first performed in Roman times. Their surgeons had the ability to perform procedures such as repairing damaged ears, or the removal of branding or scars. In ancient India doctors used skin graft techniques as early as 800 B.C.

However, due to the many dangers of surgery cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery was rarely performed until around the 1900’s. Cosmetic surgery is usually an elective procedure that isn’t covered by today’s insurance companies. In some cases there are medical reasons for procedures, such as in the case of breast reduction, which is done for back pain relief.

There are lists and lists of potential cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery. If you can dream it – it has probably been done. Do you want to round out your cheeks, chin or jaw then facial implants are for you. Brow lifts will help to deal with sagging forehead skin; a nose job will help correct breathing problems and reshape your nose; ear reshaping is excellent to correct protruding ears; a plump pucker is achieved with lip augmentation. Have another body part or facial problem? Then cosmetic and reconstruction skin surgery has found a way to make it better.

No amount of surgery can achieve perfection but modern treatments allow surgeons to achieve improvements in form and function, which was impossible even 10 years ago.

There are two basic types of sufferers who are seeking cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery. Some have congenital deformities such as birthmarks, cleft lip or hand deformities. Others seeking reconstruction are a result of infection, accident or disease. Burns, lacerations, growths and aging problems are considered acquired deformities. For instance some adults with drooping eyelids have skin blocking their field of vision or an adult with an asymmetrical look secondary to paralysis may require a balancing facelift. Although appearance is enhanced, in the long run the main goal is to restore function.

All surgeries carry with them some degree of risk but when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon the complications are usually infrequent and minor. Because people vary in their ability to heal and pre-surgical general health the outcome of a cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery is not completely predictable.

Complications can include infection, excessive bleeding or blood clots, bruising and problems with wound healing as well as difficulty with anesthesia. Factors that can increase the risk of complications are smoking, poor general health, increase weight, impaired immune system, connective tissue disease, decreased circulation or poor nutrition.

Cosmetic and reconstructive skin surgery is an option that is available to more people today than ever before. Don’t be nervous about investigating the possibilities.

Chin Plastic Surgery

Chin plastic surgery can be done to reshape the chin or to correct excess skin and fatty tissue beneath the jaw that leads to a double chin deformity. In the second instance, a double chin deformity, chin plastic surgery often is accomplished using Tumescent Liposuction. This procedure works by removing the excess fat through an incision under the chin. This procedure has less side effects and a more rapid recovery than a facelift. It also has less scarring than with earlier methods.

The Tumescent Liposuction can easily remove the double chin and improve the chin and neck skin tightness. There is little bleeding and very little trauma to the tissue. No general anesthesia is used and recovery time is rapid and patients are usually comfortable throughout the procedure.

Chin plastic surgery that involves reshaping is also called Mentoplasty. This surgery will reshape the chin and might be recommended to a patient who is having a nose surgery in order to achieve facial proportion. Chin plastic surgery reshaping may involve an implant to reconstruct the chin area. There are risks to the use of an implant and although they are rare you should be informed prior to surgery about the possibilities.

This isn’t a complete list of risks that you may face but only a partial list of potential issues. A facial implant may shift out of alignment and a second operation maybe necessary to replace the position. An infection may happen, as with any surgery, but if it can’t be cleared up the implant may have to be removed and replaced at a later date. Surgery risks also include problems with anesthesia, blood clots, fluid retention and wound infection.

The insertion of a chin implant in chin plastic surgery may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The surgeon will insert the implant in a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The incision may be made inside the mouth along the lower lip or in the skin just under the chin. The chin is usually taped after surgery to minimize swelling and pain. Sutures will be removed in 5-7 days.

Recovery from chin plastic surgery requires little to no special care. The patient experiences discomfort and swelling in the area for several days. It may help to sleep in an elevated position for a week to keep the swelling to a minimum. It will be normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Your surgeon will have specific instructions for you about dental hygiene and eating as well as any other restrictions to your activities.

Remember than in any facial surgery you may feel and look better in a short period of time but it may not be best to do certain activities that will result in your face being bumped and jarred for several weeks.

It is important to have a clear understanding of what will happen and why you wish to have this procedure done. While having the procedure may improve your appearance and increase your self-esteem it won’t solve your problems. Some believe that it will improve your self-confidence while dealing with your specific life issues but as for solving those life issues they are the same before and after the surgery.

Cheap Plastic Surgery

Cheap plastic surgery isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Most of the information about cheap plastic surgery is found in countries outside of the United States. Most people looking for cheap plastic surgery soon realize that it isn’t cheap at all. When you are looking at the big picture of cosmetic and plastic surgery cheap may not be cheap at all.

There are those physicians who may do an operation for less than it costs most surgeons. The question is how do they accomplish this and why?

In some instances the advertising will give you one price but once you get into the office the price changes. In one scenario the physician may insist you sign up for a surgery before even seeing you. They explain that this keeps their cost down by only seeing patients who are serious. And they may explain that the cost you saw advertised is only the doctor’s fee and doesn’t include the office fees, anesthesiologist and operating room.

Other surgeons may be board certified in another specialty but started performing cosmetic surgeries years ago. The doctor operates in his office using conscious sedation or ‘twilight’ sleep. Neither he nor the office is certified. This keeps their cost down but also decreases the quality of performance you can expect.

Most plastic surgeons are not trying to rip you off but have legitimate costs and have to pass those costs on to their customers. On the other hand if most doctors in your area have one cost and one has costs that are well above those don’t assume that the operation is a guaranteed success.

Cheap plastic surgery isn’t really cheap since you are paying for the expertise of your surgeon and for every patient who has sued a plastic surgeon, which translates into higher malpractice insurance premiums. If your surgeon isn’t charging you then you have to wonder about their expertise and their malpractice insurance. If their insurance isn’t charging a high premium then they aren’t declaring they do cosmetic surgery.

Costs can also vary depending upon the location of the surgeon. Surgery in Africa or Eastern Europe is cheaper than surgery done in the U.S. and even surgery in New York is significantly higher than surgery performed in other parts of the U.S.

Women’s magazines often advertise cheap plastic surgery in the form of vacations to Eastern Europe, or Africa countries or to the Caribbean. However the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons warns that although the procedures are much cheaper patients can need corrective surgery when they come home to correct the problems caused. Using these cheap plastic surgery options is also chancy because the patients often don’t meet the surgeon until just before the procedure when it has already been paid for. They return home with little to no adequate medical records.

Cheap plastic surgery may just mean knowing exactly how much the procedure will cost up front both financially and in your time and energy. Repeating a procedure because it didn’t go well, recovery from an infection or corrective surgery to repair a mistake can cost both financially and in lost time from work.

Before considering investigating cheap plastic surgery as an option weigh the risks and benefits to the procedures. It may just be in your best interest to stick with the physician and hospital facilities which are renowned world wide for excellence in care.

Recovery Center Plastic Surgery

Recovery center plastic surgery is time that encompasses the plastic surgery from the time the patient is released from the operating room until they are able to resume normal activities. This recovery time can vary depending upon the surgery, the number of procedures performed and the general health of the patient prior to surgery.

Each person will tolerate pain post-operatively in a different way and most surgeons will consider this when they are doing a pre-operative evaluation and prescribing medication post-operatively. Appropriate medications are necessary to minimize the discomfort, which also decreases the recovery time. Research has shown that patients who experience the least amount of pain and discomfort will actually recover more quickly than those who feel they experience a greater amount of pain.

Pain and discomfort are perceptions that differ from person to person and are based on experiential situations prior to the surgery, neurological innervation to the surgical site and the persons ability to tolerate or experience pain.

Most facial cosmetic surgeries have minimal discomfort while liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable and adominoplasty or breast augmentation will have discomfort equal to that of a C-section.

Most people require help in the first two days after a procedure, especially if they have small children to care for. Recovery center plastic surgery for eyelid surgery can approximately last two days and with the use of sunglasses patients may be comfortable outside the house in 3-4 days. With makeup they can return to work in one week. Facelift surgery requires 10-14 days before they are able to return to work and breast augmentation patients may be able to return in 7 days.

Recovery center plastic surgery patients often ask when they can return to their pre-surgical exercise routine. Again, this time is based on the type of operation involved. Most patients are encouraged to begin with walking on the second operative day to decrease the risks of anesthesia to the surgery post-operatively. Regular aerobic exercise isn’t allowed in the first two weeks in order to decrease the risk of bleeding, swelling and bruising. Weight lifting or contact sports should be avoided for at least 1 month.

Prior to the crucial recovery center plastic surgery time period the patient should gain a good understanding of what the recovery process will be so they don’t overextend themselves and ruin the effects of the surgery. During this recovery period it is important to follow the advice of your doctor precisely. Ignoring the advice of your physician can seriously impact the overall results of the surgery. Your doctor is in the best position to give you advice about your recovery and the effect this will have on the results of your surgery.

Prior to your surgery enlist the help of your family and friends. During the time period immediately after surgery it is crucial that you rest and recover. Having support and help will only improve the results of the surgery.

Often overlooked in recovery center plastic surgery, the psychological impact of the surgery should be considered. While there are obvious physical changes the emotional and psychological impact will be more subtle but equally important. The truth is that any surgery will result in a wide range of emotions from happiness to depression. The best way to cope is to have a realistic expectation of the possible emotions you may experience and the results that you can expect from the surgery.

Plastic Surgery Face Acne Scars

Plastic surgery face acne scars are among the top five reasons people have non-invasive cosmetic procedures according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Acne scars are visible and often cause young people difficulty with self-esteem and self-worth. Greg Estrada and his ex-girlfriend founded the Washington based Acne Scar Support Group after a friend of theirs committed suicide at age 22 because she was depressed about not being hired as an attorney and was convinced the reason was that it was her acne scars.

Acne affects more than 17 million adults in the U.S. Estrada believes that if an adult suffers from severe acne scarring and tells you they’ve never contemplated suicide – they are lying.

Many men and women seek out the care and advice of dermatologist for acne scar removal or reduction. There are options available and you should be educated about the choices so you can make an informed decision about which treatment would work best for you and your lifestyle.

The possibility of removing the scars completely depends upon the person, skin type, age and how deep the scar is. Mild acne can go away without a trace using plastic surgery face acne scars while more severe scars don’t usually disappear completely but do become less obvious.

Before committing to plastic surgery face acne scars with your doctor ask what results you are likely to achieve. If the physician tells you that your skin will be perfect after having deep scars from cystic acne be wary! Magical results are not usually possible.

Plastic reconstructive statistics surgery requires pretreatment of your skin. It should be clean and free of acne or other blemishes before procedures. So first, make an appointment with the dermatologist to stop the acne breakouts. After skin has healed the scar treatment can begin.

For shallow scars a chemical peel may be sufficient. However, be sure that your skin type will tolerate a chemical peel. Those people who have high melanin counts in their skin can often have permanent burn scars from a chemical peel.

If your acne scars are deeper your doctor may recommend dermabrasion, laser scar removal or light therapy. These three treatments all remove the top layer of the skin, which theoretically allows for regeneration of new and healthier skin. Often a combination of treatments is required for the best results.

Plastic surgery face acne scars include the use of collagen injections. The idea behind the injections is to replace the damaged tissue, which works well when the scars are not to deep.

In the most severe cases your surgeon may recommend a plastic surgery face acne scars that is more complete. You should consider this option only if other options are not likely to help. Not only is a more complete plastic surgery face acne scar removal more expensive and hold more risk but should your acne return there will be less skin layers to work with during scar removal.

There are many different plastic surgery face acne scars options so there really is no reason to leave your scars untreated. Do your research and make an appointment.