Body Contouring

Body Contouring for Perfect Shapes

Breast Lift

Cosmetic Breast Surgery can have a tremendous impact on a woman’s self-esteem, and totally change the way she views herself. There are three different procedures.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is performed to enhance the appearance, size and contour of a woman’s breasts. Women consider breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty for different reasons. Some women feel their breasts are too small in relation to their body contour. Some women desire augmentation after size loss associated with pregnancy and lactation. Others desire to correct an asymmetry in breast size.

Breast augmentation is performed with implants that can be placed over or under the pectoralis chest muscle. The incision can be placed in the axilla (armpit), areola or lower breast. Breast augmentation can be assisted with endoscopes. When implants are placed beneath the pectoralis chest muscle, there is less interference with screening mammography. Women should be aware, however, that breast implants may interfere with the detection of cancer and that breast compression during mammography may cause implant rupture.

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either saline (a salt water solution) or silicone gel. A woman determines her desired size by fitting trial implants. Currently, saline filled implants are used on an unrestricted basis. Silicone gel filled implants are available only to women participating in approved studies.

Breast augmentation is a relatively straightforward procedure. As with any surgery, some uncertainty and risk are associated with breast augmentation surgery. Know your concerns and expectations. Review the benefits, risks and alternatives. Seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Breast Reduction

Large, heavy, pendulous breasts can be uncomfortable. The excess weight can cause neck pain, back pain, skin irritation, bra strap indentations, numbness or weakness. Breast reduction is known as reduction mammoplasty. The procedure involves removal of excess skin, fat and glandular tissue.

With this type of surgery, scarring can be extensive. Normal breast sensation, nipple-areola sensation and milk production are usually preserved. Possible side effects include pain and lumpiness from scar tissue and the inability to breastfeed. The reduction procedure reduces breast appearance, volume and contour, while preserving breast sensation and function. After breast reduction, women report tremendous improvement in their symptoms.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction seeks to recreate a breast with the desired appearance, contour and volume. The nipple-areola component also is recreated. Normal breast sensation and the ability to breastfeed are lost when the sensory nerves or milk glands and ducts have been removed or significantly injured.

The appearance, contour and volume of the breast can be recreated with implants or with a woman’s own tissue. If an implant is used, the implant is sized to match the opposite breast. A breast also can be recreated using a woman’s own tissue. At times, a segment of the lower abdominal wall can be used. Other tissue options for autologous (using your own tissue) reconstruction include the back muscle and skin or a segment of a buttock.

Thigh Lift

A Thigh Lift, or Thighplasty tightens loose sagging skin on either the inner or outer thigh, giving one more attractive, firmer, and youthful looking legs.

Your thighs may look dimpled with sagging skin or have a flabby appearance. The goal of a thigh lift is to lift and contour your thighs so that they look slim and in proportion with the rest of your body. A combination of a thighplasty and liposuction techniques may be performed to give the thighs a smoother, more toned appearance.

People considering thigh lift surgery should know that it is not a surgical means of losing weight. It is a procedure for those who are close to their ideal weight but unhappy with the appearance of their thighs.

Types of Thigh Lifts

• An inner thigh lift targets the skin in the lower portion of the inner thigh
• A medial thigh lift targets the skin and fat on the upper part of the inner thigh
• A bilateral thigh lift focuses on the skin on the front and outside of the thigh

The Procedure

Thighplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure with general anesthesia or an epidural. Depending on the type of thigh lift and the area being treated, the incision pattern will vary. The most common thigh lift technique begins with an incision in the groin area. In all cases, skin and/or fat is removed; the underlying tissue is reshaped and tightened and the remaining skin is lifted and smoothed, and sutured into place at the incision site. Surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours.

Recovery

Post-operatively, there will be bruising, swelling and soreness in the area. You will need to wear compression garments to minimize the swelling and promote healing. You may have drains in place to collect excess fluid and reduce the risk of infection. You will need to record the amount of fluid collected in a logbook. When the level of fluid removed meets your surgeon’s expectations, the drains will be removed.

The surgical sutures will be removed within two weeks. Pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications are typically prescribed during the post-operative period. You will not be able to use a bathtub, swim, or use a hot tub until you receive clearance from your surgeon. You may shower 48 hours after the procedure. You will most likely be able to return to work within 7 to 10 days and resume physical activity after 4 to 6 weeks. While there are scars, they are mostly hidden in your body’s natural creases, and they will fade over time.

Butt Lift

The Buttock lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the buttocks. It may be done as part of a tummy tuck (belt lipectomy) or lower body lift to contour the buttocks, groin, thighs and abdomen.

A buttock lift alone won’t add any volume to the buttocks. But sometimes, a buttock lift is combined with an augmentation procedure to alter the shape or size of the buttocks with implants or fat grafts.

During a buttock lift, excess skin and fat are removed from the buttocks. The remaining skin is then repositioned to create a more toned look.

Chin Lift

Chin Reshaping

Chin surgery, or mentoplasty, will reshape the chin either by enhancement with implants or through reduction surgery on the bone. Most of the time, chin surgery is done.

Chin Augmentation

Mentoplasty that augments the chin takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to perform. Either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia is used. During the procedure, an incision is made inside the mouth, which eliminates visible scarring. A pocket is created for the implant (typically made of semi-solid silicone), which is then placed and positioned in front of the jawbone. Once in place, the implant is secured with sutures. When an incision in the mouth is not possible, it is made underneath the chin so that the scar is not apparent. The patient returns home the same day.

Chin Reduction

Mentoplasty that reduces the chin takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to perform. General anesthesia is typically used. The procedure begins with the surgeon’s making an incision inside the mouth or under the chin. Excess bone and/or tissue and muscle are removed, and the tip of the chin is contoured to the desired shape using a bone burr or drill. In some cases, a piece of the bone is removed, and the chin is repositioned. Sutures are used to close the incision. The patient returns home the same day.

Recovery from Mentoplasty

After mentoplasty, a patient may experience tightness and swelling in the chin. Discomfort can be relieved with pain medication, although most patients report that pain is gone within 3 to 5 days. A compression garment may be taped to the chin to reduce swelling. For 2 weeks following mentoplasty, eating only a light, liquid-based diet is recommended. Sutures are removed within 10 days. Full recovery from mentoplasty takes 6 weeks.

Risks of Mentoplasty

Risks of mentoplasty include implant displacement or bone absorption (in augmentation), asymmetry, numbness in the lip and chin, infection and bleeding. In general, serious complications are rare.