Body Contouring Procedures

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Liposuction	Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Liposuction

Lipoplasty

Exercise and diet will make you healthy, muscular and lean. It does not always remove those stubborn LFD's (localized fat deposits). Every individual's fat distribution and body shape is genetically determined. What this means is that often no amount of diet and exercise will remove these stubborn fat deposits. Liposuction removes fat and fat cells thus sculpting the body and doing what diet and exercise alone cannot. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States today. Liposuction does not replace or serve as a substitute for good diet and exercise.

Lipoplasty, commonly known as liposuction, is a common surgical procedure that removes deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face or neck. Liposuction can be used to slim the hips, thighs, flatten the tummy, shape the calves and ankles or eliminate a double chin.

The best candidates for Liposuction are:

• Men and women of normal weight whom mainly want to improve their body shape and contours.
• People with fat deposits that are "trouble areas", where exercise and diet seem not to have any effect,
• People with good elasticity in their skin, so when the fat is removed, they will achieve a smooth appearance

The areas that liposuction can have the greatest effect on are the abdomen and waist area, the arms, back chin, neck, hips, buttocks, thigh ankles, calves and inner knees.

Patients of any age can undergo the procedure, but those who have greater skin elasticity will achieve the smoothest end result.

Our Huntsville Liposuction doctor may use the tumescent technique, which is where the fat is pre injected with a solution of salt water, local anesthetic and small amounts of adrenaline. The other type of procedure is the Ultrasound assisted Lipoplasty. This is a two-step procedure that uses ultra sound waves for energy, and liquefies the fat and then suctioned out.

During the procedure one or more incisions are made near the area to be treated. When possible, the incisions are made within the fold or natural creases in skin. Your doctor will then insert a small hollow tube called a cannula through the incision where he will then penetrate the underlying fat. The cannula is connected to a flexible tubing and suction pump. Your doctor then moves the cannula back and forth thought the fat, vacuuming the fat out through the tube.

The Procedure is very common with thousands of patients undergoing the procedure each year with no major complications. In rare cases the procedure has caused severe trauma, particularly when multiple or very extensive areas are suctioned at one time. Other possible complications include fluid accumulation and injury to the skin. Sometimes asymmetry or unevenness may require further treatment.

Before and After Photo(s)

Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty

A protruding abdomen as a result of weak abdominal muscles, weight gain or pregnancy is a condition that causes distress to thousands of people. This condition does not respond well to diet or exercise because the skin and underlying muscles have been stretched. Abdominoplasty has been designed to flatten a protruding abdomen through the tightening of abdominal wall muscles and removal of excess fatty tissue and skin.

Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss. The objective of surgery is to improve the contour or the body by flattening and narrowing the abdomen. The best candidate for the surgery is the individual who is of normal weight but who has weak abdominal muscles and excess skin and fat. Age, obesity and smoking habits are some of the factors the physician considers when evaluating a candidate for this procedure.

BEFORE SURGERY

Prior to surgery, a complete medical history is taken in order to evaluate the general health of our Huntsville Tummy Tuck patients. A careful examination is also conducted. The physician and patient discuss together what can realistically be expected. Photographs are taken before and after surgery to evaluate the amount of improvement. The type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure and possible risks and complications are also discussed.

Preoperative instructions include the elimination of certain drugs and aspirin in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. The patient is advised to bathe with an antiseptic soap for several days prior to surgery.

THE PROCEDURE

Abdominoplasty is usually performed in an out patient hospital setting under general anesthesia. The procedure involves an extended bikini incision made below one hipbone and across the pubic area to under the other hipbone. A second incision is made around the navel. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall and lifted up to the breast area exposing the loose tissue that covers the abdominal muscles. The weak abdominal muscles are sutured in order to tighten them. The skin is then lowered over the abdomen and excess skin and fat is removed. Before the incisions are closed, the navel is reconstructed, and drains are inserted to eliminate fluid buildup.

AFTER SURGERY

The drains that are used to eliminate fluid buildup will remain in place for 1 to 2 weeks and are removed in the physician’s office during a follow up visit. Pain or discomfort from the surgery is controlled with oral medication. Sutures are removed in the first week after surgery and a firm abdominal support garment is to be worn for several weeks following the surgery.

Patients should refrain from heavy lifting, straining or over activity for the first 6 to 8 weeks. Patients must walk and move the evening of surgery and activity is encouraged to minimize postoperative problems such as blood clots in the legs. Bruising and swelling which may occur around the treated area will disappear within a few weeks. Scars from the procedure remain but fade significantly in time.

Each year thousands of abdominoplasties are successfully performed. The amount of improvement is individual and depends upon the extent of surgery and the patient’s skin tone, body build and healing process. Complications connected with the procedure are rare; however, there are inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure. Possible risks and complications will be thoroughly discussed with the physician prior to surgery. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by the physician.

Most insurance companies do not pay for abdominoplasty if it is performed for cosmetic reasons. Some insurance companies do pay benefits if the patient has severe laxity of the abdominal wall with back pain and/or umbilical or ventral hernia. If you are interested in learning more about abdominoplasty, please call our office with any questions or to make an appointment for a consultation.

Before and After Photo(s)