Salt Lake City Breast Implants, Smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgery :: Envision Cosmetic Surgery

BODY

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

An abdominoplasty, otherwise known as a tummy tuck, is an operation to remove excess skin from the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles. With time, weight gain or pregnancy, the abdominal skin can become loose. Often irreversible damage is done. Even when baby weight is lost, sometimes the skin is still loose. An abdominoplasty is designed to remove loose skin and cinch the muscles together in the midline, improving overall contour and hour-glass shape.

The resulting incision from a tummy-tuck lies low on the abdomen extending from hip to hip. Most or all of the skin between the belly button and the pubic hairline is removed. The skin above the belly button is pulled down over the belly button to the pubic hair area. A new hole is cut out for the belly button. Liposuction is used under the ends of the incision and on the upper abdomen to ensure the abdomen is flat. The amount of fat, loose skin and spreading of the abdominal muscles varies from person to person, which means an abdominoplasty varies as well.

The operation usually takes about two hours. Patients are completely asleep. An abdominoplasty is a major surgery and painful. A number of techniques are used to help with post-operative pain. A pain pump drips a numbing medication along the rib line. Nerve blocks are performed by injecting numbing medication just under the ribs from the back After a short stay in recovery, patients are able to go home.

It is important to begin walking the same day. A drain is placed to prevent any fluid from collecting between the muscle and the skin. All patients are seen the day after surgery and one week after surgery. The drain and any non-dissolvable stitches are usually removed at the one week post-operative visit. A tummy tuck is the most powerful procedure for contouring the abdomen available to a plastic surgeon. The results are thrilling.

For one reason or another some people develop excessive loose skin on the upper arm. Unattractive skin can be removed to improve the fit of clothing and the look of the upper arm. Liposuction can be performed when excess fat is present and the skin quality is good. If the skin is loose and sags, however, a lift may be necessary.

The disadvantage of a lift procedure is the scar on the inner aspect of the arm. Two types of arm lifts are available. For those needing minor improvement, and incision that runs from the front to the back of the armpit with liposuction may be sufficient. For those needing major skin reduction, the incision runs on the inner aspect of the arm from the armpit to the chest.

Obtaining a normal circumference of the upper arm allows clothing to fit better and greater patient satisfaction. Normal activity can be resumed within 1-2 weeks. Swelling is typical and there may be some mild to moderate discomfort over the first few days. The improved contour is rewarding and dramatic.

Buttock Augmentation

For those unhappy with the appearance of their buttocks, options are available. Augmentation with implants or fat, lipsculpting or a brazilian butt lift can all enhance the appearance of the buttocks.
 
For those with adequate amounts of fat, buttock augmentation can be performed by fat grafting. Grafted fat has many advantages. Since it comes from you, it’s yours forever. However, when fat is transferred it must establish a blood supply before it becomes permanent. Typically 30 to 50% of the fat is re-absorbed before a blood supply is established. If the fat that survives isn’t enough for the patients liking, another grafting sessions may be necessary.

Implants specifically designed for buttock augmentation are also available. The surgery is performed through a small incision made in the crease between the buttocks. The implants can be placed above or below the buttock muscle (gluteus maximus). The surgery lasts about two hours. The recovery is painful for when implants are placed below the muscle. For two weeks after surgery, patients avoid sitting as much as possible.

Sometimes the buttock volume is adequate but the excess carried in the love-handle area hides the fact. In this case, liposculpting around the buttock can enhance the look and shape of the buttock. Alternatively, the Brazilian butt lift is a combination of liposculpting around the buttock and fat grafting to enhance the buttock volume.

Though not as common as breast augmentation, buttock augmentation is increasingly performed and equally rewarding. Many Utah citizens who thought they would never consider plastic surgery have been thrilled with the results they have obtained from buttock augmentation. Combined augmentation with buttock liposculpting makes dramatic differences. Finally you can look forward to putting your swimsuit on!

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia affects around 40 to 60 percent of the male population. Despite a healthy population that tends to be healthy, I am encountering more and more patients in the Salt Lake City valley with this issue. For men who feel self-conscious about the appearance of their chest, something can be done. Excess fatty tissue can be removed by liposuction or direct excision.

Liposuction allows excessive tissue to be removed with very small, inconspicuous incisions. For more problematic cases, an incision can be made in the junction of the areola and the normal chest skin and excess tissue directly removed. Following surgery a snug fitting garment is worn for several weeks to minimize swelling and facilitate healing. Visible changes are immediately noticeable.

Utah summers are a great time to visit the beautiful lakes or hang out at the pool. I want you completely comfortable when you remove your shirt. The Contour improvements delight patients and are permanent. Come see what is possible at Envision Cosmetic Surgery.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a common procedure for sculpting the body. Liposuction allows removal of undesirable fat while leaving the skin above without scars. Only a small incision is needed through which specialized instruments are placed for fat removal. New technologies such as laser (Smartlipo) and untrasound (Vaser liposelection) have been found to improve liposuction.

Liposuction works best for problem areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. When the skin quality is good, the skin shrinks as it heals. Common areas treated include the “saddle bags” or outer thighs, inner thighs, “love handles”, abdomen and neck to name a few. Liposuction is not a weight loss program but a sculpting procedure (for weight loss see HCG). Though liposuction permanently removes fat cells, enough cells remain that weight gain may still occur. However, typically the shape changes are permanent. If weight is put on, it comes on more evenly or in different spots.

After liposuction, bruising, swelling and numbness of the overlying skin may occur. Smartlipo or laser assisted liposuction, and Vaser liposelection or ultrasonic assisted liposuction, decrease some of the after effects of liposuction as well as improving the results. The heat generated by the laser improves skin tightening and the ultrasound vibrates cells apart allowing for smoother results. Both modalities decrease the pain of recovery allowing faster return to normal activity. A compression garment is worn for 2-6 weeks to assist the healing process.

Utah has a healthy population. Salt Lake City’s proximity to many outdoor activities helps. However, even among a healthy population, people will have problem spots. Lately many health enthusiasts that spend time at the gym find their way to my office. Be once again completely confident in your appearance. Liposuction gives immediate and visible results. Come see if liposuction is right for you.

Vaginoplasty / Labiaplasty / Vaginal Rejuvenation

Until recently, the aesthetic appearance of the female genitalia has not been discussed. No longer a taboo subject, Salt Lake City patients frequently ask about improving the appearance of the vagina.

The vagina has an inner (labia minora) and outer set of lips (labia majora). The normal appearance ranges from the labia minora being shorter than the labia majora to protruding slightly past the labia majora. Most women tell us they prefer the labia minora not to be visible.

Excessively long labia minora can be a source of discomfort from clothing or when involved in athletic activities. Interference during sexual activity has also been noted. Reduction labiaplasty, also known as vaginoplasty and vaginal rejuvenation, allows the sculpting of elongated or unequal labia minora to the patient’s preference.

As we age, fat often disappears from areas needed and increases where not wanted. The labia majora often loses essential fat and appear deflated. This change may be accompanied by increasing fat in the pad above the pubic bone (mons pubis). Fat grafting to the labia majora and or liposculpting the mons pubis can provide a more youthful and aesthetically appealing look.

Vaginal tightening is another popular request. Patients ask for this procedure when they feel that that they are excessively loose during coitus. Despite being tighter, sex isn’t always improved.

Recovery involves pain and swelling that may last a couple weeks. Patients are thrilled with the changes from a labiaplasty or vaginoplasty. Comments of increased confidence and improved feelings of sexuality are frequently relayed. We invite our Utah patients to come find out if vaginal rejuvenation is right for you.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

Even more procedures are offered at Envision Cosmetic Surgery. If your procedure is not listed try finding information through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s (AACS) website; www.cosmeticsurgery.org. Click on the “For Patients” tab and then select cosmetic procedures.