When Are Steroids Used in Plastic Surgery?
When you think of plastic surgery, the first thing that pops to mind is probably not steroids.
But the steroids used in plastic surgery aren’t meant to make you buff or accentuate your newly revitalized appearance.
They are used as part of the healing process. And they aren’t used in every procedure.
When Are Steroids Used in Plastic Surgery?
Steroids have multiple applications in the expansive field of plastic surgery. We’ll take a look at four of the biggest areas.
- Post Op Swelling
Every type of plastic surgery procedure is going to require some amount of downtime. In some cases it might be days. In others, it could be more like months once all is said and done.
For those who undergo plastic surgery, returning to work and activities of daily living as soon as possible is key. Steroids can reduce swelling and even improve bruising following surgeries. This is especially important for facial surgeries.
Studies have shown that a single dose early steroid administration right after rhinoplasty surgery does reduce bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes. However, this is not a long term fix. Three days post surgery, they don’t seem to have much benefit.
Therefore, a short course of steroids around the time of surgery is considered most beneficial in improving healing.
- Healing Scars/Keloids
If you have a noticeable, poorly healed scar in a highly visible place such as on your face or hands, it can negatively impact how you feel about your appearance. A non-invasive procedure involving steroids can help.
That’s because steroids break the bonds between collagen fibers, thereby reducing the amount of scar tissue beneath the skin.
What’s more, steroids can also prevent a surgical wound from becoming a hypertrophic scar or keloid. So if you’re thinking about having plastic surgery, but have a history of hypertrophic scars or keloids, your plastic surgeon may inject steroids into the area before surgery begins.
These injections can either prevent a scar or keloid from forming, or reduce the scar’s size. Surgeons may also administer an additional steroid injection during surgery.
In the event that a scar or keloid develops post surgery, steroid injections every four to six weeks – for a total of five injections – are recommended.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Patients with CTS have compression of the median nerve in the wrist. This can create numbness, pain, and even disability. Before succumbing to surgery, doctors recommend a steroid injection of the wrist.
In fact, according to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about one-third of patients treated with steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome didn’t need any further treatment over the course of several years follow up.
This seems to indicate that corticosteroid injections in the treatment of CTS are therapeutic. Further studies are needed, however, to determine which groups of patients are more likely to gain lasting benefit from steroid injections.
- Topical Treatment of Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Although new technology is making strides in treating skin conditions for dark-skinned individuals, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) has been the most common adverse effect of laser treatment in this population.
Therefore, a recent study set out to investigate the effect of short-term application of topical corticosteroids on the incidence of PIH. After ablative fractional resurfacing surgery, a topical corticosteroid cream was applied to one side of the face for the first 2 days, followed by an application of petrolatum jelly for the rest of the week. The other side was treated with petrolatum alone.
The side of the face treated with petrolatum alone had a higher incidence of PIH (75%) than the side of the face treated with the topical corticosteroids and petrolatum (40%). Plus, the PIH occurring on the petrolatum-treated sides was significantly higher in intensity and covered a larger area when compared with the corticosteroid- and petrolatum-treated sides.
The Healing Power of Steroids
It’s clear that the steroids used in plastic surgery are not long term. Yet in the short term, they can have some pretty powerful healing effects.
So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure and have further questions about how steroids may be a part of your healing, contact us today for a free consultation.
A board-certified surgeon will be happy to go into full detail about their use to put your mind at ease.
The New Generation of Chemical Peels – the VI Peel
The New Generation of Chemical Peels – the VI Peel
Chances are you’ve heard of a chemical peel. You may have even had one.
As we grow older, the unfortunate signs of aging and UV damage become apparent. Chemical peels are an effective way to bring a more youthful glow to skin that’s grown dull or is damaged.
Up until now, they haven’t been ideal for every skin type though. Particularly for those with sensitive skin or with darker pigmentation.
But the VI Peel has changed all of that.
What Is a VI Peel?
The VI Peel is one of the safest chemical peels on the market and is ideal for a wide range of skin types. It can dramatically improve the skin’s texture and tone, leaving it with a clear and radiant glow.
Using a unique blend of minerals, salicylic acid, vitamin C, phenol, retinoic acid, and TCA, the VI Peel works to safely remove damaged layers of skin and promote cellular growth. At the most basic level, this blend will help the skin to build collagen and elastin; tightening the skin, shrinking enlarged pores, and erasing fine lines and wrinkles.
But It Goes Beyond That
The VI Peel also provides stunning results to those struggling with dull or damaged skin as a result of acne, rosacea, sun damage, or melasma and other hyperpigmentation issues.
It requires no oral or IV sedation and is nearly painless. Plus, for those with darker skin types, it requires no skin preconditioning. And given that this blend is packed with vitamins and minerals, the VI Peel is far more nourishing than a traditional chemical peel.
Another benefit of the VI Chemical Peel is that it can be performed on the face or the body. It serves as a stand alone cosmetic treatment, but can also be used in conjunction with lasers, injectables, and any other aesthetic procedure.
What Can You Expect?
For a procedure that garners such amazing results, it’s a relatively quick treatment. It typically takes 30-45 minutes for the solution to be applied evenly on the skin. From there, the solution penetrates your skin in order to reach the deepest layers. Once the solution dries, it is left on for at least 4 hours while you go about your normal, day-to-day activities.
After the initial treatment, the peeling process typically takes 5-7 days from the point of application to completion. As with any chemical peel, this time will vary based on the treatment you seek. Once the process is complete though, your skin will be clear, soft, and supple with a noticeably youthful glow.
Could a VI Peel Be Right for You?
Clear and radiant skin can be yours without the frustration of an extensive procedure with a long downtime. The VI Chemical Peel can boost your skin’s elasticity and essentially reverse the signs of aging. Plus, with $50 off any VI Peel right now during our fall specials, why pass it up?
To find out if this procedure is right for you, contact us today for a free consultation. Our highly trained experts will discuss your goals, evaluate your skin, and then create the perfect treatment plan based on that.
Bariatric Skin Removal for a Whole New You!
If you recently had bariatric surgery or lost a lot of weight, you know how life-changing it is.
You look better. You feel better. Maybe you’ve bought all new clothes. Or perhaps you’re engaged in activities you previously couldn’t do. You feel lighter and more confident. Most importantly, you’re healthier.
Yep. For the most part, these changes are really positive. There is one drawback though.
Excess and loose hanging skin that remains after the weight loss can leave you uncomfortable, embarrassed and reminiscent of the days when you were overweight. Fortunately, bariatric skin removal procedures were developed with this in mind.
Areas Most Affected by Hanging Skin
The degree to which you experience excess skin depends on your skin’s elasticity, i.e. its ability to shrink back over the new foundation. Elasticity decreases with age, sun exposure, weight gain then loss, pregnancy, and genetic factors. Also, if you’re a smoker, your skin has less elasticity.
Obviously, your skin will be loosest in the areas where you lost the most weight.
The area people are most concerned with is the belly. There’s even a term for the overhanging apron of skin that folds over the abdomen. It’s called pannus and aside from being unsightly, it can also cause skin irritation and rash.
Because there are so many different areas that can be affected by weight loss, there are a number of procedures that fall under the umbrella of bariatric skin removal.
Procedures for Bariatric Skin Removal
An abdominoplasty (i.e. Tummy Tuck) is the most common procedure performed. And there are many different levels. It may be simply a matter of removing the pannus, also known as a panniculectomy. But there might be the need for a more complete tummy tuck with contouring of the abdomen, tightening the abdominal muscles, and moving the belly button.
Thigh Lift/Arm Lift
Treatment of loose skin on the thighs and buttocks involves an array of procedures that are customized to a patient’s individual needs. For example, an Inner Thigh Lift is performed by creating a crescent-shaped incision that allows the surgeon to remove excess skin. For patients with extremely loose skin, the Extended Inner Thigh Lift procedure uses a different incision that allows for even more excess skin to be removed.
Similar to the Thigh Lift, the particulars of an Arm Lift (or Brachioplasty) depend on each patient’s individual needs.
Various Body Lift Procedures
Since weight gain and loss is unique to the individual, plastic surgeons have to get creative when it comes to removing rolls of skin on the back and sides. So they may employ various other body lift procedures.
In addition, while liposuction is not used as a sole procedure for patients who have lost a lot of weight, it may be used along with lifting procedures to get a better contour.
Breast Reshaping
A large amount of weight loss in the chest/breast can result in the presence of sagging, deflated breasts in both men and women. For men, a breast reduction may be required. For women, the surgeon may recommend a breast lift with or without implants.
Could Bariatric Skin Removal Be Right for You?
If it’s been 12-18 months since your major weight loss or bariatric surgery, your weight has been stable for 3 months, and you’re just plain ready to get rid of that excess skin, then contact us today for a free consultation.
Your surgeon will advise you on the best bariatric skin removal procedures to treat your specific trouble areas.
And right now through October 31st, 2020, you will receive $1500 off a Thigh Lift, Arm Lift, or Body Lift. So don’t wait!
Is a Chemical Skin Peel Right for You?
The term chemical skin peel might sound intimidating. But don’t be fooled.
A chemical peel is one of the most popular non-invasive procedures for rejuvenating the appearance of your skin. And it’s incredibly effective.
So if you’re tired of your skin looking old and tired, and you’re longing for a more youthful and appealing appearance, a skin peel could be just what you need.
How Does Skin Get Damaged?
Your skin is composed of two layers – the epidermis and the dermis.
The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin that falls victim to all the wear and tear of life. Over the years, sun damage, poor diet, repetitive motion, and hereditary factors take their toll on the epidermis – resulting in wrinkles, scars, uneven skin pigmentation, and even pre-cancerous lesions.
Meanwhile, the dermis is protected by the epidermis. It’s composed of connective tissue made primarily of collagen and elastin fibers. These fibers form a network that provide support and elasticity.
However, just like the epidermis, the dermis is negatively impacted by sun damage and aging that break down this support network. Collagen production is reduced and this contributes to wrinkle formation.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and under the eyes. They’re also effective in removing spotting and uneven pigmentation caused by genetics, sun damage, and aging.
They’re even useful in treating certain types of acne.
When you opt for a chemical peel, a skin professional will thoroughly clean your skin. Then he or she will apply one or more chemical solutions (such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid) to localized areas of your skin.
This creates a tingling sensation that lasts 5 – 10 minutes. Cool compresses are then applied. The application of these acids creates a controlled wound that will eventually peel away.
It might sound alarming to lose a layer of skin, but this action actually cues your body to generate more collagen. The result?
Once you recover, you’ll have a new layer of skin that is rejuvenated, healthier and blemish free.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Because chemical peels are non-surgical, recovery time is relatively short. The amount of time will depend on how deep of a peel you need. For light peels, most patients can return to their everyday activities right away.
Deeper peels may require a little longer, as well as protective ointment and dressings.
It’s also important to note that patients with ALL skin colors will see the results from chemical peels, as VI skin peels are formulated for darker skin.
Don’t Fear the Chemical Skin Peel!
If you’d like to bring a more youthful glow to your face, neck, or hands, you’ll be hard pressed to find a simpler procedure than a chemical skin peel.
Contact us today for your facial rejuvenation consultation.
One of our board-certified doctors will carefully assess your skin to help you determine what process if best suited to meet your needs.
Make a Major Change with Lipo 360 During Our Summer Specials
Time is running out to take advantage of the amazing Summer specials at Star Plastic Surgery.
So if you’re looking to make a dramatic change to your body, now is the time. In fact, you’ve only got until August 31st to have three areas treated with Lipo 360 for just $5500. That’s a savings of $2000!
The obvious question now, of course, is this:
What is Liposuction 360?
Liposuction 360, known more simply as Lipo 360, is a surgical procedure that’s conducted 360 degrees around the body in order to sculpt a new waistline or contour particular body areas.
Lipo 360 uses ultrasonic, laser, or power-assisted technology to selectively dislodge body fat so that it’s easier to remove. By dislodging the fat, surgeons can remove it more consistently – minimizing trauma and force.
Most commonly, Lipo 360 refers to decreasing the waistline in a 360-degree fashion and the procedure is performed in two stages around the body.
Beginning with the back, the surgeon removes excess fat in upper back rolls and the lower waist, as well as bra fat and lower back fat.
In the second stage, the patient is turned over for the abdomen and flank liposuction. Depending on the situation and the amount of loose skin remaining, the patient may require a tummy tuck as well.
Arms, as well as inner and outer thighs, may be contoured as well.
It should be added that 360 Lipo can be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation, breast lift, and Brazilian Butt Lift procedures as well.
The Lipo 360 Procedure
Wondering what to expect?
The first step is to meet with a surgeon who will sit down with you and listen to your specific wants and needs. Based on those, he or she will make specific recommendations as to the best ways to shape and define your body.
Lipo 360 requires general anesthesia and at Star Plastic Surgery, we used only board-certified anesthesiologists.
Each board-certified surgeon is highly trained in using special techniques to accentuate your curves resulting in dramatic new contours that look completely natural.
The Recovery
You can more than likely expect to return to normal activities within just a few days after a Lipo 360 treatment – particularly if you follow post-op instructions provided by the surgeon.
These specific recommendations are given by your surgeon to ensure quicker healing and optimal results, so you should plan to avoid very strenuous activities or exercises following the procedure. This will encourage healing.
Are You a Good Candidate for Lipo 360?
If you are within your ideal body weight and want to remove fat from troublesome areas that haven’t been affected by exercise, Lipo 360 is a great solution.
It targets both small and large areas of the body to give you the shape and curves you’ve always wanted. So don’t let our Summer specials pass you by.
Contact us today to set up your free consultation and to save $2000!
Why is Juvederm Voluma So Popular?
Enjoy Savings Now on Juvederm Voluma
The Summer specials are in full swing until August 31st at Star Plastic Surgery.
If you’re of a certain age, you’ve likely noticed how your face is changing. More specifically, it appears to be shifting downward. Age and gravity work together to make that happen. And it all comes down to the fat in your face.
Once upon a time, when you were younger, the fat in your face was more evenly distributed to effectively plump your forehead, cheeks, temples, and other areas around your eyes and mouth.
But as the ravages of time took over, those fat pads lost volume and your face becomes deflated. It’s not just you though! It happens to all of us.
So thank goodness for Juvederm Voluma. It takes the place of that lost fat and adds volume back to your face for smoother and younger-looking skin.
How Does Juvederm Voluma Work?
It might sound like some sort of miracle fix, but we can assure you, there’s no snake oil here. To sweeten the deal, the whole process is fairly simple.
Simply put, Voluma is a gel that’s made from a modified form of hyaluronic acid (HA). It’s injected into the cheek area to gently lift the skin and restore volume.
In the past, plastic surgeons used fat injections to add volume to sagging faces. The line of thinking was – if it’s the fat that’s losing volume, then just replace it with new fat. There were a few problems with fat injections though.
First, fat can be unpredictable so performing fat injections required significant experience to achieve consistent results. And second, while fat injections promised to serve as a permanent filler, many patients were dissatisfied when this didn’t prove to be the case.
Using injectable HA such as Juvederm Voluma, however, is safe and predictable. It does not require anesthesia, and it produces immediate, long-lasting results that are more natural. That’s because HA is found naturally through out the body.
The primary role of HA is to attract water to keep fat, muscles, bones, and skin hydrated. But it also plays a part in collagen production in the skin. Thus, injecting HA into the face not only plumps the face and reduces smile lines, wrinkles, and sagging, but it also triggers the production of collagen to add even more fullness.
What You Can Expect from the Treatment
Before you embark on your Juvederm Voluma treatment, you’ll have an in-depth consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon. This is your opportunity to explain your specific desires. The doctor will then go over all options with you to determine the best plan.
The procedure itself consists of Voluma filler being injected deep into your facial tissue. The filler is formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to ensure a more comfortable treatment. The amount of time it takes will depend on the complexity of your treatment. But a simple treatment can be done in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Your doctor can give you a ballpark estimate for your situation.
After treatment, you’ll need to avoid makeup for up to 12 hours. Keep yourself protected from the sun (which you should be doing anyhow!) and avoid any activity or position that may put pressure on the treated area for one week.
And that’s it! Who knew turning back time could be so simple?
Save Money on Juvederm Voluma
If you’re intrigued by the simplicity of Juvederm Voluma, then now is the time to take advantage of this amazing non-surgical procedure.
Right now, and through the end of August, you can get you can get two syringes for just $1100. That’s a savings of $500!
So contact us today for a free consultation. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get that youthful glow and suppleness back into your face with Juvederm Voluma.
How Is a HydraFacial Different from a Traditional Facial?
Are you constantly trying different lotions and serums at home to attain healthy and glowing skin?
If you’re not having much success, it may be time to step up your game. Your face and pores would surely benefit from a traditional facial or a HydraFacial.
But you may be wondering, what’s the difference? We’ll take a look.
The Traditional Facial
Any facial will consist of a customized mask that will cleanse your pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, and treat other concerns you might have.
With a traditional facial, a skincare specialist first cleans your face by gently massaging a cleanser to your face and neck to remove any traces of dirt or makeup. They remove the cleanser with warm water and a soft cloth or cotton pad, then proceed to buff away dead skin cells with an exfoliating cream or scrub.
An extraction is then performed to remove the excess oil or dead skin cells from pores that have become very clogged.
Typically, the final step of a facial is a massage that works to improve the lymphatic drainage in your body.
So How Is a HydraFacial Different?
In a nutshell, the biggest difference is that a HydraFacial adds the nourishing benefits of microdermabrasion. With microdermabrasion, your skincare specialist infuses a serum to gently remove the outer layer of your skin and extract even more impurities while removing dead skin cells.
The microdermabrasion process has three steps and there are definitely similarities between a HydraFacial treatment and a traditional facial. The HydraFacial procedure commences with having your skin cleaned and exfoliated.
During the extraction process, a light acid peel is applied to dissolve damaged and dead skin cells. A technician uses an extraction nozzle to remove the excess dirt, oil, and other gunk to help open your pores.
After that, your skincare technician uses a tool to infuse a serum that’s been uniquely formulated to address your skin type, as well as your specific issues. The serum also serves to increase elasticity and hydration in your skin.
The whole process takes 30 – 45 minutes and is completely non-invasive. Here is the best part though:
A Single Treatment Delivers Immediate Results
Although it has powerful exfoliating effects, the HydraFacial treatment is gentle and doesn’t involve lasers. Yet, it provides clearer, cleaner, and more vibrant skin immediately. And usually without discomfort or redness.
A HydraFacial can deliver the following results:
- Improved skin tone and texture
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
- Shrinkage of enlarged pores
- Increased elasticity and firmness
- Decreased brown spots or other discoloration
- Manageability for oily skin
Plus, you’re able to reapply makeup and take part in regular activities immediately after your HydraFacial session, while experiencing visible results instantly.
There isn’t much you can say THAT about anymore.
Save Now on HydraFacial Treatments
Just as with traditional facials, you’ll get the best results if you continue with regular HydraFacial treatments.
Right now through August 31st, 2020, you can get six HydraFacial treatments for just $600 during our summer specials. So take advantage of this great deal.
Contact us today for your free consultation. Cleaner, clearer, rejuvenated skin can be yours with a HydraFacial.
Dr. Elan Reisin is the Face of Plastic Surgery
Each year in August, Detroit HOUR runs a special section entitled the Faces of Detroit.
It’s a great way to get familiar with some of the folks in Detroit who stand out from the crowd for their stellar services and commitment to their work.
Next month, Dr. Elan Reisin of Star Plastic Surgery will proudly be the Face of Plastic Surgery for Detroit.
What Makes Dr. Reisin Unique?
If it’s highly experienced doctors you’re looking for, then Dr. Elan Reisin, M.D., F.A.C.S., and his team of surgeons are exactly what you’re seeking.
Not only has Dr. Reisin completed more than 15,000 cosmetic surgeries with his team, but he’s also a published medical authority on breast surgery. Surgery of the Breast, by Dr. Reisin’s mentor, Scott L. Spear, M.D., includes Dr. Reisin’s co-authored chapter on breast augmentation.
Furthermore, Dr. Reisin is board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has received numerous national awards including the 2014 Consultant to the National Institute of Medicine and the 2014 National Academy of Plastic Surgery Award of Honor/Lifetime Laureate.
Aside from his current status as the Face of Plastic Surgery in Detroit, Dr. Reisin is also a multiyear Detroit Hour Magazine Top Doc honoree. He was first voted the prestigious Top Doc in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2015, when he received the most votes in the category by a selection of his peers.
After that, he went on to receive Top Doc status in both 2017, 2018, and 2019. He will once again receive this honor in October of this year.
An Impressive Education
Dr. Reisin was fortunate to be raised under the tutelage of his world-renowned plastic surgeon father, Dr. Jorge Reisin. He spent his childhood summers in Argentina where he learned to speak fluent Spanish.
A serious and diligent student, Dr. Reisin was named the 1990 Top Hispanic High School Student in the United States for his academic achievements. He was also recognized as an accomplished athlete.
It wasn’t long before he was recruited by top universities and would eventually receive an academic scholarship to the University of Michigan. He was also the recipient of the Michigan Achievement Award.
After completing his residency, he joined his father at the Reisin Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where he was recognized with the Patient’s Choice Award from 2008 – 2015. He also received the Compassionate Doctor Award from 2010 – 2014 and is recognized in the “Top Doctors” for the Washingtonian in Washington, D.C.
A Born Teacher
As a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Reisin has traveled internationally to learn from top plastic surgeons. Inspired by these surgeons, he knew early on the importance of giving back.
Dr. Reisin enjoys teaching his colleagues. He is both an injector specialist and an adept physician trainer – serving often as a featured speaker in the art of achieving the maximum results for patients who have opted for temporary injectable treatment instead of facial plastic surgery.
He has also been honored for his service, dedication and mentorship to the residents of the Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Training Program at Georgetown University Hospital. And he has given back through philanthropic trips to the Dominican Republic to treat children with congenital and traumatic deformities.
Finally, after five years of serving as an attending physician and teaching surgical residents at the prestigious Georgetown University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Reisin decided it was time to realize his vision of a state-of-the-art AAAHC surgical center and medical spa.
From that vision, Star Plastic Surgery was born. And that is precisely where Dr. Reisin now spends his days as Medical Director – grateful for all of the opportunities and eager to help his patients find new confidence and comfort in their bodies.
Experience the Best
So if you’re looking the true face of plastic surgery in the Detroit area, look no further than Dr. Elan Reisin at Star Plastic Surgery in Novi, Michigan.
Contact Star Plastic Surgery today to discuss your options with a member of their team. And you’ll soon know what it means to be cared for by the best!
The Wonders of a Tummy Tuck with Exparel
Are you considering a tummy tuck to tighten your abs and flatten your stomach?
If so, there’s no time like the present.
Advances in surgical procedures have made tummy tuck surgery more streamlined than ever before. And a revolutionary new medication called Exparel puts the kibosh on the myth that recovery is terribly painful.
In fact, patients who have a tummy tuck with Exparel feel little pain in the days that follow surgery. Sound too good to be true? Read on.
Doing away with Drains
Once upon a time, patients would wake up from tummy tuck surgery to find they had to manage two or even three drains. These drains were required to siphon off the fluid that built up in the body between the newly lifted tissue during the surgery and the abdominal wall.
Drains were, to put it mildly, a drag. The hoses got crimped and they sometimes clogged. Plus, the portal of entry was a veritable breeding ground for bacteria.
Fortunately, the progressive tension sutures surgeons use today did away with those cumbersome drains.
Rather than placing drains in the space beneath the lifted and repositioned tissue, a skilled surgeon advances the skin flaps down toward the incision line. This eliminates the space created during the procedure. It also decreases the tension on the final line of closure, which creates a much more aesthetic scar.
And all of this means a smoother and faster recovery. Especially when used in tandem with Exparel.
What Is a Tummy Tuck with Exparel?
It’s pretty great, is what it is.
Typically, the first three or four days after a tummy tuck surgery were once the most painful. So post-surgical pain was usually treated solely with narcotics.
Now, narcotics do a stellar job at managing pain. But they also have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, constipation and nausea. Furthermore, they present the risk of addiction – as is evidenced by the current opioid epidemic in the U.S. So it’s important they’re used sparingly.
Thus, responsible plastic surgeons have turned to Exparel.
This long-lasting extended release anesthetic helps to ease the pain during early recovery. And it works in much the same way you get a shot to numb your mouth at the dentist’s office.
This miracle medication is administered at the end of the surgery before the patient is awakened. It’s either done prior to closure by the surgeon by direct injection into the nerves behind the muscle, or by the anesthesiologist by way of TAP lock after closure. It simply blocks the nerves of the abdomen during the procedure.
Either way, when the patient comes out of surgery, much of the abdominal area is numb. And where there’s numbness, there’s little to no pain. Plus, unlike at the dentist, it continues to provide pain control for up to three days.
While it doesn’t eliminate the pain during recovery, it greatly reduces the amount of narcotics (by about 66%) that a patient will need.
The fewer narcotics, the better.
Forget the Pain
You don’t have to be a victim of excruciating pain to reap the rewards of a flat belly.
A tummy tuck with Exparel can make your dreams of a gorgeous toned abdomen a reality without subjecting you to days of torture. So don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your free consultation. One of our board-certified surgeons will consult with you on best options.
And you can soon have a slimmer, flatter tummy without the “payoff” of pain.
Why Is It Called Plastic Surgery?
Some people believe that the term plastic in plastic surgery refers to breast implants. Others think that plastic surgeons work with plastic material in reconstructing parts of the body.
They’d be wrong on both counts. The term plastic surgery has been around since the late 1700s/early 1800s.
By contrast, the first man-made plastic (also known as Parkesine) wasn’t invented until 1862. And breast implants were developed in 1961. Furthermore, breast implants are not made of plastic.
So why is it called plastic surgery then?
It Is All Greek to Me
Like many words in the English language, the origin of the word plastic comes from Greek. It’s derived from plastikos, which means to mold, shape, grow or form something.
That’s precisely why the synthetic polymer we mentioned above was eventually dubbed “plastic.” Because of its ability to be molded or shaped. But the term plastic surgery already existed by that time.
Before It Was Known As Plastic Surgery
Interestingly enough, the first instance of plastic surgery can be traced back to the year 2000 B.C in India. During that time, removing one’s nose as a form of punishment was commonplace. So to appease those who had lost their noses, surgeons would create a wax replica of the missing nose, and secure it with skin from the cheek or forehead.
Procedures were recorded in an ancient text known as the Sushruta Samhita and many are still used today. For example, one procedure involved taking skin from the forehead, elevating it off of the underlying muscle and skull, and then rotating it down to reconstruct the nose.
This sort of flap is still used today in patients who have lost part or all of their nose as a result of trauma, cancer, or cocaine use.
So Why Is It Called Plastic Surgery?
Any plastic surgeon worth his or her salt knows about the book, On the Surgery of Mutilation by Grafting. It was written by Gaspare Tagliacozzi and while likely not the title he may have chosen today, it was a highly influential text.
In the book, there’s a great quote that lays the foundation for the current understanding of plastic surgery:
We restore, rebuild, and make whole those parts which nature hath given, but which fortune has taken away. Not so much that it may delight the eye, but that it might buoy up the spirit, and help the mind of the afflicted.
But this was the 1500s, so it still wasn’t known as plastic surgery. It would be a couple of centuries later before that appeared. And oddly enough, there’s no agreement on the where and when of the debut of the term “plastic surgery.”
Some say it was first coined in 1798 by Pierre Default of Greece. Others say it was in 1818 when German doctor Carl Ferdinand von Graefe coined it to describe the process of doctors who molded or reshaped body tissues.
Modern Plastic Surgery As We Know It
Regardless of the exact origin of the term plastic surgery, modern plastic surgery now comprises both reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries.
After World War I, soldiers suffered devastating injuries that required innovative solutions to repair them. Wounds needed to be closed with tissue from elsewhere in order to restore a “normal” appearance and function.
Improved and advanced innovations were required during World War II to help those soldiers. Yet, once surgeons recognized that they could manipulate tissues to reconstruct devastating injuries, attention slowly started to shift to manipulating tissue in a “normal” appearing person in an attempt to achieve a more “perfect” appearance. And this was the birth of cosmetic plastic surgery.
Early cosmetic plastic surgery was very expensive and typically reserved only for the ultra-rich and Hollywood stars. But since then, the field has expanded and now just about anything that someone wants improved can be done so through plastic surgery.
No plastic needed.
Could Plastic Surgery Boost Your Confidence?
Now that you know why is called plastic surgery, it’s strange to think that early plastic surgery procedures were performed over 4000 years ago. And without anesthesia.
Of course, procedures have come a LONG way since then. There are so many more technological advances to help mold and shape your body. So if you feel self-conscious about some part of your appearance, then contact us today.
It’s more than likely we can do something to improve it.
