Procedures - Body

Abdominoplasty ("Tummy Tuck")

Generally referred to as a "tummy tuck", abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure also helps to flatten the abdomen by tightening the surrounding muscles. Women with stretched abdominal areas due to previous pregnancies can benefit considerably from abdominoplasty, although they should have completed their childbearing before considering the procedure. Older individuals whose skin has lost some of its elasticity and are slightly obese can experience an improvement in their abdominal area.

If you are in generally good physical shape but are concerned about abdominal fat deposits or loose skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, the procedure can potentially reduce or even eliminate a protruding abdomen. Abdominoplasty can produce a permanent scar which can possibly extend to both sides of your hips, although the scar will likely be located below the bikini or bathing suit line.

See Before & After Photo Gallery

For additional information on abdominoplasty visit:
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Cosmetic-Procedures/Tummy-Tuck.html

Liposuction (Lipoplasy/Suction Lipectomy)

Now among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, liposuction (also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy") sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas around the inner and outer thighs, knees, buttocks, waist, hips, abdomen, neck and upper arms.

Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, but the procedure can eliminate areas of fat that are unresponsive to typical weight-loss methods.

See Before & After Photo Gallery

For additional information on liposuction visit:
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Cosmetic-Procedures/Liposuction.html

Buttock Augmentation

Brazilian Butt Lift

The fat used for buttock augmentation is usually taken from the patient's abdomen, hips, thighs or lower back. Fat is removed using liposuction, in which a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) is inserted through small incisions, and then moved back and forth to loosen excess fat, which is suctioned out using a vacuum or cannula-attached syringe. The fat is then purified, and injected into the buttocks at different depths for maximum absorption.

It can take up to a year to see the final results of fat-transfer buttock augmentation, because the fat needs time to be completely absorbed. The results of buttock augmentation using fat transfer are often more natural-looking than those from implants, but a downside of the fat-transfer method is that the body reabsorbs part of the fat over time, so some of the initial fullness is lost. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients tend to retain 60 to 80 percent of fat that has been transferred.

Buttock Implants

The incisions for buttock implants are made in the crease between the buttocks. After the incision or incisions are made, a silicone implant is inserted in each buttock within or above the gluteal muscle. The tissue within the buttocks is sutured, and the incisions are closed using sutures, adhesive or tape. Drains are usually inserted to prevent fluid from building up, and are left in place for about 7 days.

The results of buttock augmentation using implants is permanent, and are immediately apparent after surgery. Final results are evident after 6-months, at which point most of the swelling has subsided and the implants have settled.

See Before & After Photo Gallery

Brachioplasty ("Arm Lift")

Brachioplasty (arm lift) is a surgical procedure performed to remove the loose, hanging skin that often develops on the underside of the upper arm as a result of aging, weight loss or weight gain. Brachioplasty is ideal for patients who have an excessive amount of hanging skin and/or fat that does not respond to diet and exercise; maintain a stable weight; do not smoke; and have realistic expectations for surgery. Patients must also be healthy overall, with no major medical conditions that can be affected by surgery.

During brachioplasty, an incision is made along the inside of the upper arm; it often spans the underarm to the elbow. Excess fat is removed, either by direct excision or liposuction. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the arm's underlying supportive tissue is tightened using internal absorbable sutures. Skin is then sutured back together; absorbable stitches may or may not be used to close the incision. Brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation and, depending on the amount of skin and fat that are removed, takes 2 to 4 hours. Patients are able to return home the same day as surgery.

For a patient who needs only a small amount of skin and fat removed, a minimal-incision arm lift may be performed. A less invasive way to remove excess fat and tissue, it requires only a few small incisions near the underarm.