I am frequently asked this question: "I read about this on the internet, do you do this procedure?" Unfortunately, information on the internet can't always be believed. Numerous marketing techniques present new cosmetic procedures with misleading claims. The latest and hottest techniques can be dangerous and have permanent complications. Procedures should be properly evaluated and researched prior to presentation to the public.
The overall trend in plastic surgery is directed towards less invasive procedures that are safer and have shorter downtime. Some new procedures are better; some are not. So, what works in plastic surgery?
Laser versus traditional liposuction - Laser assisted liposuction devices were designed to remove fat and tighten the skin simultaneously. Unfortunately, numerous studies have failed to find any benefits to this technique. In addition, higher levels of free fatty acids are released with laser assisted liposuction and investigators are evaluating whether these fatty acids may result in liver or kidney damage. Ultrasound assisted liposuction has not been found to be of improved benefit.
Lunchtime facelifts, Lifestyle Lift, Quicklift- Short scar facelifts have been used by plastic surgeons for many years. These procedures all utilize internal suture tightening with less tissue dissection to tighten the deep facial tissues. Patients must be properly chosen for this procedure. "Quick and Lunchtime" are two misleading terms and should never be used in conjunction with facelifting procedures. Would you want a plastic surgeon to do a 'quick facelift' on you? I dont think that anyone would.
Thermage - Thermage has been associated with subcutaneous tissue destruction and its benefits are controversial.
Periumbilical breast enlargement "TUBA" - This procedure, also called belly button breast augmentation is also controversial. Breast implants are inserted through an incision above the belly button. The results are inconsistent and higher reoperation rates are reported.
Stem Cell Grafting - Fat cells taken from the abdomen have been found to have a small number of stem cells that will repair and heal tissue where it is injected. When injected into the face, early studies have revealed an improvement of the aging process. Stem Cell Grafting works. It is safe and effective.
Breast enlargement wit fat graft or stem cell grafting - This is an extremely controversial subject in plastic surgery. The primary controversy relates to the ability to detect breast cancer on a mammogram after the breasts have been injected with abdominal fat. There have been two conflicting studies in the medical literature and long term mammogram changes are not known.
Mesotherapy - Mesotherapy is the technique in which substances are injected into fat to dissolve or destroy the fatty tissue. This procedure continues to be controversial with no proven benefits.
Awake breast augmentation - This procedure is usually performed in an office setting instead of in an operating room. Instead of an anesthesiologist performing general anesthesia with the proper monitoring equipment, the procedure is done with numbing medicine alone or with oral medications. I have heard of people choosing their size while someone holds a mirror in front of their chest! The breasts go through so many changes after surgery so not only does this increase infection rates, the size is distorted with the numbing medicine, intraoperative draping and patients possibly being under the influence of medications.
Plastic surgeons know how delicately the pocket needs to be made for placement of the implant. This procedure is extremely precise. An uncomfortable, moving patient will lead to asymmetry, increased bleeding, and possibly severe risks such as a collapsed lung since the lung cavity is millimeters away from the implant pocket.
Some cosmetic procedures are quite foolish: dimple implants, toe shortening and buccal (facial) fat pad removal. Some procedures have unacceptable results and high complication rates.
Patients should always choose a board certified plastic surgeon for their cosmetic surgery. Would you rather have someone doing surgery on your body that has been trained and tested for years or would you like to have someone from a nonsurgical specialty that has taken a weekend course do your procedure? Safety is always the primary concern for any cosmetic procedure.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Ideal Weight Before Tummy Tuck?
Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) San Antonio / New Braunfels
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
How much weight should be lost before a tummy tuck surgery? San Antonio
Body contour surgery will always be safer with a better aesthetic result when a patient's weight is close to a normal BMI. Some patients are able to reduce significantly before surgery and then plateau. I have seen these patients complete their weight loss after the surgery is performed because they are motivated and they seem to get full more quickly since the abdomen is tighter. With small weight losses, usually the skin stays tight and the results are good. A major weight loss after a tummy tuck may cause loose skin.
Click here for more information and view before & after tummy tuck plastic surgery photos. >>
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
How much weight should be lost before a tummy tuck surgery? San Antonio
Body contour surgery will always be safer with a better aesthetic result when a patient's weight is close to a normal BMI. Some patients are able to reduce significantly before surgery and then plateau. I have seen these patients complete their weight loss after the surgery is performed because they are motivated and they seem to get full more quickly since the abdomen is tighter. With small weight losses, usually the skin stays tight and the results are good. A major weight loss after a tummy tuck may cause loose skin.
Click here for more information and view before & after tummy tuck plastic surgery photos. >>
Tummy Tuck Surgery and Gall Bladder Surgery Combined?
Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) San Antonio / New Braunfels
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
Tummy tucks can be combined with other surgeries. San Antonio / New Braunfels
The risks of both procedures are increased. In general, I prefer not to combine gall bladder surgery with a tummy tuck. While this combination can be performed, it is important to consider the increased risks carefully.
Click here for more information and view before & after tummy tuck plastic
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
Tummy tucks can be combined with other surgeries. San Antonio / New Braunfels
The risks of both procedures are increased. In general, I prefer not to combine gall bladder surgery with a tummy tuck. While this combination can be performed, it is important to consider the increased risks carefully.
Click here for more information and view before & after tummy tuck plastic
surgery photos. >>
What is the difference between a tummy tuck & tummy tuck with liposuction?
Liposuction or Lipoplasty Surgery San Antonio / New Braunfels
Liposuction or Lipoplasty Surgery is an ideal procedure for people who want to remove fat from certain areas of their bodies.
About Liposuction San Antonio / New Braunfels
If you have dieted and exercised, only to be disappointed by a body that doesn't seem to respond to your efforts, you might benefit greatly from liposuction. During a liposuction surgery, Dr. Harris will remove fat from areas of your body that you wish to contour.
Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) San Antonio / New Braunfels
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
Liposuction can be combined with tummy tucks. San Antonio / New Braunfels
Liposuction is frequently performed on the pubis and flanks at the time of a tummy tuck. Liposuction of the upper abdomen can be associated with serious complications such as skin necrosis.
Liposuction can be performed simultaneously on the arms, thighs or knees if desired. It is best to discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon.
Click here for more information about liposuction >>
Click here for more information about tummy tucks >>
A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess loose skin, which occurs frequently as a result of child bearing. Sometimes, the muscle is separated because of the effect of being stretched during pregnancy. An option of this procedure is to repair the muscle separation.
Liposuction is frequently performed on the pubis and flanks at the time of a tummy tuck. Liposuction of the upper abdomen can be associated with serious complications such as skin necrosis.
Liposuction can be performed simultaneously on the arms, thighs or knees if desired. It is best to discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon.
What does art have to do with plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is all about proportions. When skin is tightened, will it match adjacent areas that haven't been tightened? When one area is enlarged or reduced, will it match body proportions that are kept the same size? Working knowledge of proportion and balance are essential to every artist, plastic surgery being no exception.
Many plastic surgeons have a strong art background. I have extensive training in art which included a portion of my college years in which I initially planned to become a medical illustrator and investigated postgraduate studies in this field. When I decided to become premed instead, an art professor told me that I was going to become a plastic surgeon. This was during the 1970s when plastic surgery was not as publicized and popular as it is today. Back then, plastic surgery was reconstructive and the cosmetic surgery was popular among the hollywood movie set crowd.
My art professor's prediction turned out to be correct. An art background blends perfectly with a plastic surgery practice. Every patient that I encounter utilizes some form of my art training. Three dimensional evaluation, marking the patient prior to surgery, sculpting tissue and creating balance and surgical harmony all relates to artistic asthetics.
Art is so essential to my practice that I could not imagine doing surgery or planning procedures without this background.
Many plastic surgeons have a strong art background. I have extensive training in art which included a portion of my college years in which I initially planned to become a medical illustrator and investigated postgraduate studies in this field. When I decided to become premed instead, an art professor told me that I was going to become a plastic surgeon. This was during the 1970s when plastic surgery was not as publicized and popular as it is today. Back then, plastic surgery was reconstructive and the cosmetic surgery was popular among the hollywood movie set crowd.
My art professor's prediction turned out to be correct. An art background blends perfectly with a plastic surgery practice. Every patient that I encounter utilizes some form of my art training. Three dimensional evaluation, marking the patient prior to surgery, sculpting tissue and creating balance and surgical harmony all relates to artistic asthetics.
Art is so essential to my practice that I could not imagine doing surgery or planning procedures without this background.
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