The Tummy Tuck - what are the options?
The tummy tuck, otherwise known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical technique used to improve the appearance of the abdomen or belly. It is not the intent of this article to describe the alternatives between abdominoplasties and liposuction, this we will do in another article. Rather our goal is to describe the many options available for patients considering a tummy tuck.
Many changes to the abdomen can, may, or will occur, as a patient gets older. Three basic components change: the laxity or looseness of the skin, the protrusion or bulging of the muscular wall of the abdomen below the skin, and the quantity and distribution of fat.
The key component in choosing a body contouring procedure is the surgeon analyzing what condition the patient has, and assessing what the patient's goals are. Lets first consider fat distribution. With most abdominoplasty procedures, some liposuction is performed. It is not just enough to flatten the abdomen, the torso must be contoured. This usually requires some liposuction being performed on the flanks and the hips. The surgeon must be very careful where the liposuction is performed because suctioning in regions where the skin is going to be pulled tight can cause poor healing and even death of some skin regions. Skillful, meticulous suctioning of the subcutaneous fat will help bring in the waistline and contour the hips so that they match the newly shaped abdomen.
The muscle wall also needs to be carefully evaluated. If there is bulging of the muscle wall, the plastic surgeon can tighten appropriate areas in order to flatten it. Some patients have a bulging of the lower abdomen. This is common. However, others have a bulging of the muscle wall throughout the abdomen. It is not actually the muscle that is tightened, but the outer covering to the muscles that is called the fascia. Many patients try and do abdominal exercises to flatten their "abs". This will get the muscles stronger and perhaps larger, however, this does not tighten the critical fascia that has become stretched out. The "muscle plication" performed as a component of the abdominoplasty is a key component in creating a flatter belly.
Aging, pregnancy, weight loss or weight gain, and environmental effects such as smoking will change the elasticity and laxity of the abdomen's skin. The skin can loosen either in just the lower abdomen, it may loosen only in the upper abdomen, or it can loosen throughout the abdomen. Where the skin has become lax and the quantity of laxity, determines our surgical approach. Abdominoplasty incisions for skin laxity vary significantly. In fact, we perform 5 differently located incisions based on the problem.
The endoscopic abdominoplasty uses the smallest incision, slightly shorter than a c-section scar and located in the same place. The procedure is only used in patients who have no skin laxity. Through this incision, liposuction and muscle plication is performed.
The mini-abdominoplasty procedure uses an incision a little bit longer than a c-section scar and enables us to remove small amounts of laxity of the lower abdomen.
A full abdominoplasty scar also lies low in the torso's natural skin creases but extends to the hips. It allows the surgeon to remove the skin from where a c-section scar would be located to above the umbilicus (belly button). This produces tightening of both the lower and upper abdominal skin.
A reverse abdominoplasty incision is located under the breasts. There are some patients who only have skin laxity in the upper portion of the abdomen. This incision is ideal for this patient.
Finally the last incision occasionally used is the vertical midline incision. It may be used in patients who have had an extreme amount of weight loss and have significant laxity or in the rare patient who only has significant stretch marks located centrally around the umbilicus but these extend both above and below the belly button.
Understanding the options is critical and choosing the right operation. You want to be happy with your results and know what to expect.
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If you are one among the many thousands of teenagers or adults that suffer from acne infections on your torso, you have probably been looking for information on how to eliminate acne on your back. Large and aching cysts under the skin, general tenderness and redness and even pus filled pimples and sores are all signs of acne on your back. This condition is usually called bacne to differentiate it from face acne.
Nobody wants to be spotty. It is a universal truth. Regardless of how old we become--bad skin, be it the rare zit or full blown acne--is shameful. Acne, in particular, can be a problem for us for much longer than we had counted on when we first entered puberty as young adults. For a long time we've covered our faces with high-priced chemicals and products hoping to keep the acne far from us. But what if you could clear up your skin in much easier and less harmful ways?
No one really wants to be affected with zits. It really is just the simple truth. It doesn't matter how old we become, zits, pimples, acne -- terrible skin in whatever form it takes -- is embarrassing. Acne, in particular, can be a plague for us for considerably longer than we had counted on when we first entered puberty as young adults. We spend years slathering ourselves with every chemical and acne fighter we can find.
No one wishes to be seriously affected with spots. It is a universal truth. It doesn't matter how old we get, zits, pimples, acne -- bad skin in any form it takes -- is shameful. Acne particularly can plague us for far longer than we had planned when we were young adults entering puberty. For years we have covered our faces with high-priced chemicals and products aiming to keep the acne from us. What if you could assist your skin without having to be forced to take that type of drastic action?
Acne Vulgaris or commonly known as acne is a skin illness usually appears during our teenage years when one's hormones and skin oil glands are most productive. It may result in a great deal of changes not just in a person's physical appearance but psychologically at the same time.
There are numerous options available to the plastic surgeon to rejuvenate the upper face, or what we call the brow. Both non-surgical options and surgical options are available.
As the face ages it loses volume, the skin loses elasticity and becomes wrinkled, and the soft tissues drop. In the upper face or what we call the brow, this can cause wrinkles across the forehead, wrinkles between the eyebrows (11 lines), lowering of the position of the eyebrows, and heaviness in the upper eyelids.
Plastic Surgeon's like to anatomically breakdown parts into their elements. It helps us understand the anatomy better and envision a better surgical plan. Thus when we consider facial aging, we divide the elements of the face into the upper-face (brow), periorbital region (eyelids and surroundings).
Face it, for most people, getting rid of unwanted hair is a daily drudgery. Alternatives that allow for less shaving are painful, costly, and need to be repeated forever. Waxing, electrolysis, and even laser treatments are painful and in some cases require topical medication to soothe the pain.
The Brazilian Butt-lift, otherwise known as fat transfer to the gluteal region, is designed to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks. The technique utilizes minimal incisions and allows for a fairly fast recovery and return to normal activity.
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