New Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
August 8th, 2016
A frequent topic of conversation is how to find a good cosmetic surgeon. Maybe what patients really want to know is how can they can get the result they want. Perhaps one of the best ways to judge your possible result is to look at un-retouched Before and After photos. Most surgeons develop an “aesthetic style” or a particular way of doing a procedure that reflects how the patient looks after recovery. Keeping in mind that not all patients desire the same look following surgery, Before and After photos are a nice way to see your options. Certainly there are other important criteria to use to find the right cosmetic surgeon for you. Tops on the list is credentials, so look specifically for Board Certification from the American Society for Plastic Surgeons. A quick search here, will tell you if your prospective surgeon is Board Certified by the ASPS.
Last year 127,967 Abdominoplasty surgery or the Tummy Tuck procedure were done, again landing it the TOP 5 most requested cosmetic surgeries. The most common complaint from patients seeking surgery was loss of muscle and skin tone due to pregnancy or weight gain/loss resulting in what is sometimes called muffin top. Often surgery is required to repair these changes when exercise and diet have failed. My patients report great satisfaction after having this tummy nipntuck. It is also one of the common procedures when combined with breast restoration that is referred to as the “Mommy Makeover.” I recommend doing each procedure separately to insure proper healing and minimizing complications that might arise when doing both at the same time. Mommy Makeovers have become more popular in recent years as more women no longer accept the physical changes that are sometimes the residual result from pregnancy.
For more detailed information on Tummy Tuck procedures, click here. To watch our television interview with my patient (a mother or 3) about her experience and how it changed her self-image following surgery, watch here.
No Stitches After Cosmetic Surgery?
June 29th, 2016
Is it true that all stitches need to be removed after cosmetic surgery? The short answer is no.
In the past, skin sutures (stitches) or skin staple closures needed to be removed after cosmetic surgery. Some surgeons still use removable skin sutures or skin staples to shorten the duration of surgery by quickly closing incisions using these older techniques, I do not. With the advent of modern absorbable stitches and surgical skin glue such as Indermil ®, which are FDA approved, the new technology makes removing stitches a thing of the past in my office. I find that by taking more time with incision closure during surgery, I can offer a better experience for my patients.
Choices: Absorbable stitches are simply absorbed by the tissue and replace the need for suture removal. Surgical glue is similar to “Superglue” and is now being used to close small skin cuts, lacerations and also as tissue closure for surgical incisions. How does surgical glue work? It is applied by an applicator to the skin. Once it comes into contact with the skin, the glue hardens rapidly and holds the edges of skin together nicely so the skin can heal.
I prefer to use surgical glue and absorbable stitches for several reasons. I have found that patients really dread the removal of any skin closure device. It is very stressful for most patients to remain still while someone picks at a tender incision to remove sutures or staples. I also believe that surgical glue most often provides the least visible scare after healing. And finally, skin glue seals the incision. The adhesive material in DERMABOND ® or INDERMIL ® forms a strong microbial shield to protect wounds while they heal. There is a suggestion that the glue actually reduces the risk of infection. It also yields a better overall scar. The surgical glue does away with the need for most of the bulky dressings of the past, making recovery easier for the patient to manage. The glue simply washes off in the shower within about two weeks.
Surprisingly, many of my patients are unaware of these new methods and are pleasantly surprised at not having to worry about the need for removal following their surgery. It appears that none of my patients have missed out on the stress of having stitches or staples taken out!
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