Endoscopic Tummy Tuck

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If you have been wondering if you qualify for an abdominoplasty, and don’t think you have enough excess fat or skin for a full, or even mini-tummy tuck, then maybe you should ask your plastic surgeon about endoscopic tummy tucks.

This popular tummy tuck variation is for women who find themselves caught somewhere in between the need for a mini-abdominoplasty or liposuction. For instance, perhaps the amount of baggage around your midsection is too great for lipo, but there isn’t enough loose skin for a mini-tummy tuck. That is where the endosocopic technique comes in.

The idea behind this process, and how it differs from other tummy tuck procedures is that no skin is removed; only fat cells. In other words, your abdomen might protrude, but is still fairly firm, with retained elasticity. And the best part about this method of abdominoplasty surgery is that it is a lot less invasive, and it also results in less scarring, swelling and bruising, as well as a milder recovery period.

By now you’re probably wondering how the procedure is performed. Well, when you first begin the process, several small incisions are made at your pubic bone and the belly button. This makes the scars easy to hide and barely visible. This is aided by the use of an instrument called the endoscope.

Now, the next step is to use specific tools, long and slender in endoscopic-exclusive design, to tighten and tone the abdominal muscles. The removal of any possible excess fat tissue is administered through the use of liposuction.

The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, but will leave you with slight discomfort for a couple of days. However, your newly tight and flat tummy will heal and enhance your body contour in just a matter of weeks. Discuss this option with a plastic surgeon if you feel that this may be the procedure to help you obtain the results you desire.

Extend the Benefits of Your Tummy Tuck

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Did you know that there is non-allergenic, alternative to collagen?

Autologous is collagen obtained from your own body. During a cosmetic surgery procedure in which fat is removed from the body – a tummy tuck for example -the excess fat is saved and then sent to a lab to have the collagen extracted and prepared for re-injection. It can be stored – frozen – for up to five years if you are not ready to use it right away.

Used for the same purposes as collagen: to smooth out wrinkles; create a fuller smile; and/or fill in deep facial lines, autologous collagen injections are gaining popularity. A few years back, the procedure was featured on an episode of Sex and the City when a friend of Samantha’s looked years younger as a result of the procedure.

Often referred to as Autologen, a brand name, patients may opt to use their body’s own collagen to minimize the risk of rejection. Unlike other forms of collagen, it is easier on the immune system and minimizes disease transmission.

The drawback to using autologous collagen is that there is a requirement of a previous cosmetic surgical procedure in order to be able to acquire the materials for the filler. Additionally, there is a processing time of about
three to four weeks from the time of extraction, to when the lab is finished
processing. Spacing your cosmetic procedures out in advance and taking
advantage of frozen storage, is a great option.

The results tend to last from four months to a year, and the cost varies from about $1200 and up.

The Thigh Lift

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As abdominoplasty procedures gain popularity and rise in numbers each year, one plastic surgery procedure you may not know too much about is called the thigh lift.

As per the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, “a thigh lift reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin, and in some cases fat.” This results in more proportioned body shape below the midsection, with smoother skin on the legs. Furthermore, this procedure can be applied in combination with other treatments such as liposuction, butt lifts and tummy tucks

In 2011, as reported by ASAPS just below 14,000 thigh light surgeries were performed, making it the 14th top surgery of the year. Candidates for this surgery should have relatively stable body weight, are otherwise healthy, and who have reasonable expectations, and who suffer from excess tissue along the inner, medial and outer thigh region. In addition, if you smoke you will have to quit a reasonable amount of time before having the procedure done.

So, basically, your thigh lift surgery will result in skin that is raised, tightened and firmed. This is achieved with a number of small incisions made at the region you want treated. Normally, your plastic surgeon will recommend an incision at the groin leading downward and toward the back of your thigh. However, depending to the degree of your procedure sometimes only an incision at the groin is necessary.

This, of course, is something you and your plastic surgeon will decide upon together. Now, in a medial thigh lift you can expect the incision to begin at the groin and extend around the hip. In any case, after the removal of excess tissue, the incisions will be closed with the use of sutures.

Be sure to discuss with your cosmetic surgeon about how to place the incision in strategic spots where they can be easily hidden by clothing and swimsuits. The results of your thigh lift are almost immediate, although you should also expect a recovery period that can last up to a month. In most cases, your doctor will require you to wear a compression garment for the majority of this period.

Once fully healed, your thigh skin will not only look refreshed and rejuvenated, but it will feel smoother as well. The side benefit of this, and even more so if combined with other body reshaping procedures, is that this plastic surgery will inspire you to continue a healthy and active lifestyle, increasing your confidence and self-esteem each time you look in the mirror!

5 Tips For a Successful Tummy Tuck Recovery

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No matter the preparation you took into securing a stress-free postoperative period, there’s always the chance that you either forgot something, or just didn’t think of it in the first place. This, of course, happens to everyone. Fortunately, your plastic surgeon will provide you with a postoperative instruction list—everything from what you shouldn’t be doing to exactly what you should be doing—and how often.

It is quite important that you go over these instructions with your surgeon, as you will need to understand them thoroughly.

However, there are always a few extra precautions you can take to ensure a speedy and worriless recovery is in store for you:

  • Write up a shopping list That’s right, you get to go shopping! In the weeks before surgery jot down anything that pops into your mind that you may need following your surgery. This list should include all food and water items, healing aids, any extra comfort items such as pillows and blankets, and entertainment items like movies and books.
  • Keep in touch with your plastic surgeon A full abdominoplasty can be quite an invasive procedure resulting with an intensive recovery period. Check in with your plastic surgeon’s clinic periodically and update them on all things related to your recovery.
  • Research your homeopathy Certain homeopathic remedies can speed up the recovery process due to their swelling and bruise reducing qualities. However, some of these remedies need to be taken before your surgery, so it is wise to book an appointment with a naturopath ahead of time. This also needs to be discussed with your plastic surgeon.
  • Watch what you eat For the first few days you won’t want to eat anything heavy. Keep it mild. Drink plenty of liquids and avoid salt, as sodium increases swelling. A good idea is to cook plenty of freezable dinners in the weeks before your surgery. This makes it easier for you to stay healthy during recovery.
  • Keep your bedside busy Chances are you may be bed-ridden for a while. Make sure your bedside is cleared of unnecessary items and instead keep everything you might need within reach. This can include things like water, bedpans or buckets, your medication, books and extra pillows and blankets.

The goal always is to make your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible for you. It is also wise to have an emergency list nearby in such case you need to call a friend or family member to help out or keep your company for a few hours. As with everything else, arrange this list before your plastic surgery.

Tummy Tucks: Not Just for Women

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With the rise in popularity of “manscaping” and spa procedures designed especially with men in mind, it is not a big surprise to learn that more and more men are also opting for a tummy tuck procedure of their own. That’s right, abdominoplasty is not just for the ladies anymore.

Terms like “love handles,” “spare tire,” and “beer belly,” are making many men more aware of what is happening below the neck. Like women, the reasons men opt for a tummy tuck varies greatly. Some are looking to get rid of excess skin after a dramatic weight loss. Others are seeking to keep their abdomen muscles tight and toned as they age. For men, fat tends to naturally accumulate in the abdominal region. In some cases, diet and exercise simply will not produce the desired results.

As with any other type of tummy tuck, there are different techniques for men to choose from. They also have a choice between a complete tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck, sometimes called partial abdominoplasty. Many men choose to combine the tummy tuck with liposuction which helps to slim their waistline. The increasingly popular procedure has been very successful in creating a flatter abdominal area in men and, when combined with diet and exercise, leaves them with a more toned stomach for years afterwards.

No matter what technique or procedure a man chooses, tummy tucks generally takes between one to two hours to complete, with varying recovering times. A full tummy tuck procedure can range in price from $6,000 – $10,000.

Finding Your Abdominoplasty Plastic Surgeon

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Don’t get the wrong idea. Searching for a plastic surgeon can be quite an overwhelming task. You may not realize just how many cosmetic surgery clinics or hospitals exist in your area until you finally begin your search.

Now, the rule of thumb is to not settle on a plastic surgeon unless you are 100 percent certain that this is the doctor for you. You need to feel comfortable with your choice and you need to also be well aware of the particular surgeon’s credentials and reputation.

As per the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, here is a list of topics you should definitely plan on discussing in your consultation with your plastic surgeon:

  • Is the doctor a member of ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)? This ensures the doctor is a certified member by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). When your surgeon tells you he is a “certified-member”, be sure that he is indeed referring to ABPS. Only ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), thus ensuring your surgeon has met special requirements, is properly experienced and is keeping up with industry changes and evolutions.
  • Find out if your doctor has hospital privileges, even if your procedure can be safely performed in the doctor’s office. If your doctor has privileges to perform the same procedure in a hospital then he has been properly evaluated by a hospital review committee and deemed competent and well trained. ASAPS strictly recommends you look for another plastic surgeon if your current surgeon does not have hospital privileges.
  • Is your plastic surgeon accredited? If anesthesia is used at your surgeon’s facility then the clinic has to have met specific criteria: it must have been state-licensed, Medicare-certified, or accredited by an organization that is recognized by the state or nation. This denotes a facility in which a high level of care has been taken and strict requirements met.

Now that you’ve discussed your surgeon’s credibility, don’t be afraid to ask him for references and testimonials from past patients. Similarly, don’t be afraid to inquire about any complications he may have had in the past. Let’s take a look at questions specific to the reasons you are there:

  • Experience Has your surgeon performed this specific surgery in the past? How many times and how often? What sort of training has he had pertaining to this procedure, and is he aware of and skilled in new techniques?
  • Risks & Recovery You want to know everything involved with the actual surgical procedure. Inquire about any risks you may have to deal with and how to prepare for them. Also, your surgeon should advise you on all things related to your recovery, which will include many tips on how to have the smoothest postoperative period possible.
  • Cost Discuss all the costs involved in your surgery. Most often, insurance providers won’t cover the cost of plastic surgery procedures. Clinics will want the money upfront. However, most clinics are also open to a financing plan. Be sure that your doctor points out all areas of cost, and also find out if surgical revisions, in the rare case they might be needed, are factored into the original cost.

Remember. When it comes to surgery you get what you pay for. Do not settle for a plastic surgeon that does not make you feel comfortable or who isn’t skilled enough to help you obtain the results you desire.

 

Is it Time For a Tummy Tuck?

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Are abdominoplasty procedures on the rise in North America? Yes. Are women younger than ever before now seeking this treatment? Yes. Why are tummy tucks suddenly so popular?

Well, that one may need to be explained a bit further. It’s just as true that in the past a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck was a plastic surgery procedure popular amongst women in their 50s and 60s, as it’s true that these days the trend increasing is acceptance amongst young mothers—women in their 30s and 40s. In some cases, even women as young as their 20s are now seeking abdominoplasty to help reclaim that body they once had before pregnancy.

Simply stated, no matter what age category you may find yourself in, the reasons behind consulting with a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck procedure are often shared by all women.

So how do you know when it’s time for you to go under the knife for an abdominoplasty? Basically, this is something only you yourself can determine, however, chances are that at this stage in life a great level of dissatisfaction toward your body shape and weight is a motivating factor.

There is no doubt that having children can be the most rewarding and joyful experience in life, but many mothers—no matter how much they exercise—feel they can never again achieve that pre-pregnancy body they once had. The truth is that childbearing, especially multiple pregnancies, will usually have a profound effect on a woman’s body. The shape of the abdomen will not return to its once-flat state due to the intensity of the stretched skin and damaged abdominal muscles. Exercise is important as it helps you get back into shape, helps you lose weight and improves your cardiovascular health, but, sadly, it does not reshape loose skin. This is something only surgery, such as a tummy tuck procedure or liposuction can improve.

A tummy tuck normally lasts about two hours. Depending on the amount of fatty tissue that needs to be removed, it can be a somewhat intense recovery period. However, the popularity of Mommy Makeovers these days is proof alone that women no longer are willing to settle for an unattractive and unflattering body image.

The procedure itself involves an incision made at your hipbone before excessive skin and fat is removed from the lower abdomen. The stomach muscles are then tightened, sealed and ready to give back that flat stomach you can proudly show off.

So what do you think? Making an appointment for a consultation with a certified-plastic surgeon is not a commitment. However, it may give you one or more things to think about.

Are You Bigger Than You Think?

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This is probably not something most of us will want to hear, but here it goes.  A recent article published in the New York Times suggests that not only is our population getting fatter, but we are also stepping into ‘fat denial’ about it.

Basically, several unrelated studies are drawing similar conclusions in terms of how people really perceive themselves. It turns out that our brains are having a difficult time catching up, so to speak, with our diets. Our self-image issues are entering a brand new category as we now tend to see ourselves as thinner than we actually are—until, that is, we actually ‘see’ ourselves…such as in a reflection when we least expect to, or a photograph on Facebook. And that’s when we realize it’s not the camera that’s adding that extra 10 pounds, it’s just how we look.

Here’s the deal. The study, performed by a group from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, surveyed 3,622 Mexican men and women where they would estimate their own body to be placed on a chart that ranges from very underweight to obese. The research indicated that people at an average-normal weight selected the correct chart positioning 80% of the time. However, over half of overweight subjects (58%) considered themselves as ‘normal weight’, and of those individuals considered obese, 75% perceived them self as overweight, yet only 10% described their body size correctly.

What’s more interesting is that these findings are consistent across the world and within varying cultures and age groups. Does this mean that we, as a civilization, are starting to perceive our fatter-selves as normal?

Well, apparently, and according to scientists, the deception lies in our very own brains. Basically, as our bodies change over time, due to age and weight fluctuations, the part of the brain that adjusts consciousness (the posterior parietal cortex) of these changes can sometimes go a bit haywire. This ‘internal calibration system’, scientists are finding, is more complicated that one might imagine, and may lead to new findings about the psychological factors behind people who suffer from anorexia, bulimia and body dysmorphic disorder, and even perhaps those who are obese.

In addition, what makes this all more complicated is that similar findings are popping up in research amongst children. One study found that 70% of obese children described themselves as slimmer, the majority of which were a lot more likely to underestimate their weight if they had parents who were also obese.

However, it may not just be a case of denial. Another study conducted by researches at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston realized that of the women studied and who gained five pounds, one in three did not register the weight gain, and, furthermore, only 85% of women were aware that they gained over ten pounds.

Maybe the brain is just indicating that slight weight-gain isn’t really a hefty priority—at least not one we need to be conscious of. Until, of course, we see that photo in which we don’t even recognize our self…

Celebrity Profile: Patricia Heaton Plastic Surgery

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Patricia Heaton has no bellybutton. That’s right, if you take a look at some before and after photos of Patricia Heaton’s abdominoplasty, it’s easy to see that the procedure had eliminated this small piece of her navel. However, judging by her post-abdominoplasty photos, in which the Everybody Loves RaymondEmmy winning actress struts about on a beach in a barely-there bikini, this little tidbit really doesn’t seem to bother her.

Patricia Heaton proudly shows off her post-tummy tuck body.

It’s also quite common. As plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn describes, “Many patients who have a tummy tuck have a hernia of their belly button as well. Some surgeons will repair the hernia at the time of the surgery.” Others, meanwhile, Youn adds, make “plans to remake a new one later.”

It’s anybody’s guess if Heaton has by now gone back for her bellybutton restoration, but one thing that’s certain is that the mother of four is definitely satisfied with her plastic surgery results.

In an interview with People Magazine, Patricia Heaton revealed all her cosmetic surgery secrets. She stated the reason behind her decision to seek out a partial-Mommy Makeover was pure vanity.

“I mean it, vanity,” she admits, “I had four babies and four C-sections and my stomach looked like the map of the world. My breasts were hanging down from breast-feeding those babies and my nipples were like platters. I wanted to fit into the gowns that I finally got to wear.”

So what did she decide upon with her plastic surgeon to resolve the issue?

“I had a breast reduction and a tummy-tuck and I feel fine about that and I feel fine about saying I did it,” the actress explains, suggesting that these procedures are not necessarily uncommon amongst her peers. “There is an awful lot of illusion in Hollywood, but it’s better to be honest if you can.”

As you know, a tummy tuck will tighten your abdomen with the removal of excess skin and fat. A board certified and highly trained plastic surgeon will be skilled enough to hide any scarring within the bikini line, thus making it practically invisible. Most women who undergo tummy tucks for post-pregnancy reasons tend to combine their procedure with a breast reduction and sometimes decide on a breast lift and/or augmentation as well.

And what’s Patricia Heaton think of her makeover? Well, not only is the actress quite vocal about the work she had done, but is also proud to show it off, saying, “I would recommend it to anyone.”

Who Wants a Tummy Tuck? Over 60% of Mothers!

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That’s right, you are not misreading the headline. A new study found here found that an impressive 62% of women who have had children would consider undergoing plastic surgery procedures if it meant they were to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies.

No longer, it seems, are women embarrassed or hesitant to discuss mommy makeovers, a combination plastic surgery consisting of a tummy tuck, breast lift with breast augmentation using silicone or saline implants, and liposuction. In fact, tummy tuck popularity has skyrocketed in the past ten years, and breast augmentation and liposuction treatments have battled for the number one plastic surgery spot since ASAPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons) began tracking data 15 years ago.

Related to this are ASAPS-published statistics that find plastic surgery acceptance on a yearly increase, with most current data establishing that more than half of Americans now publicly approve of such procedures.

After all everyone wants to look and feel young, right? Even those women who are still considered young are now seeking mommy makeovers to help rejuvenate their image. The same study found that while it used to be a set of procedures for women in their 50s and 60s, it has now become so mainstream that mothers in their early 30s are getting the procedures done.

And it makes sense.

New York based Plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman explains the reasons why, saying that, “Breasts deflate, weight settles on the hips, and thighs and stretched stomach muscles won’t snap back through exercise.” He then adds that, “The weight gain associated with pregnancy, the loosening of the skin and stretch marks, are a major concern for [young mothers].”

In fact, mommy makeovers are becoming so popular that it’s being coined as the “Mommy Makeover Trend.” ASAPS reports that last year alone an astonishing 325,000 mommy makeovers were performed on women who are in the between the ages of 20-39! And some women are even going as far as to add facelifts and butt lifts to their combination.

The final price tag? Well, it really depends on the combination you decide on with your surgeon. However, one other reason the trend continues is that when a multitude of plastic surgery procedures get grouped together there is a high savings in cost, the amount of time it takes in surgery, and, best of all, it means a shorter recovery period in comparison to performing each surgery separately and over a number of months or years