Boost Confidence With Breast Reduction
When you hear the words “large breasts,” do you immediately think of women? Most of us do. It makes sense. Large breasts on women is, to some extent, considered desirable. Large breasts on men is almost certainly considered embarrassing.
Yet, women with large breasts often face the same embarrassment as men – with an added dash of shame and objectification.
Fortunately, breast reduction surgery was developed for both women AND men who face the challenges of having breasts that are simply “too large.”
Breast Reduction for Women
Because the issue of overly large breasts plagues women more than men, we’ll start with the challenges females face in this arena.
As woman age, their breasts sag. For women with huge breasts, this can create an illusion of being overweight. Furthermore, there’s the potential for back, shoulder, and neck pain from excess breast tissue weighing them down. In fact, women often suffer from cuts and abrasions on their shoulders from the straps of extra supportive bras.
In addition, the weight of extra breast tissue can lower exercise tolerance and drain large-breasted women of the confidence and sense of accomplishment that comes with a regular workout regimen.
Women who experience breast reduction surgery find it liberating. During the breast reduction procedure, the surgeon removes that troublesome excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin.
For those who need a moderate reduction, the board-certified surgeon will typically use what’s known as a lollipop incision. This is an incision made around the areola and down to the breast. In the cases of those who need a significant reduction, an anchor incision continues along the crease underneath the breast.
Whatever the case, a breast reduction is accompanied by a breast lift to fully restore the shape and contour of the breast.
Reducing Breast Size in Men
Just like women, men have breast glandular tissue. For some men, however, there can be abnormal or excess breast growth. This is known as gynecomastia.
How much excess tissue or growth a man experiences depends on a variety of factors. For example, middle-aged and older men have some of the same issues with sagging breast tissue that women do. For other men, larger breasts may appear with weight gain, or have a genetic component.
And no matter how much a man may diet or exercise, it doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Just as women benefit from breast reduction surgery, so too do men.
In order to remove excess fat, liposuction is frequently performed for male breast reduction. An incision around the areola is utilized to remove excess glandular tissue, and then the skin around the areola is tightened to create a masculine physique.
With male breast reduction surgery in particular, some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may be necessary to ensure long-lasting results and decrease the likelihood of reoccurrence.
Such changes are definitely worth it though.
Discover a New You With a Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can relieve the pain and/or embarrassment that comes with breasts that are too large.
It simultaneously serves to improve your physique, restore your confidence, and create a more balanced and proportional appearance.
So contact us today to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Each one will sit down with you to discuss best options and then customize breast reduction options specifically suited to your unique individual body type.
Is There Such a Thing As Thigh Lift?
For all of the joy that comes with intentional weight loss, there is one rather sizable drawback. Loose skin.
Much of the focus on TV and in publications has been on abdominoplasty (a.k.a. “tummy tuck”) to rid the abdominal area of loose skin. But what if you experience a lot of your weight loss in your thighs and are left with loose skin there?
Fortunately, there IS such a thing as thigh lift.
So How Does a Thigh Lift Work?
There are basically two kinds of thigh lifts (known medically as thighplasty).
If vertical laxity is the primary issue, the thigh lift is performed through an incision in the groin area. The scar from the incision is usually hidden in the crease. This is referred to as a transverse minimal or short scar thigh lift.
In other cases where there is circumferential laxity, the thigh lift is performed using an incision that begins at the groin, but then extends down toward the knee. This procedure is known as full scar, or “hockey stick”, and allows for tightening of the thigh circumference.
Both procedures are medial thigh lifts and serve to lift the skin while fat and excess skin are removed.
The Addition of Other Procedures
While thighplasty can be performed on anyone feeling discouraged by extra skin around the thighs, there are occasions where the surgeon may recommend additional procedures to ensure complete integrity of the thigh lift.
In many cases, liposuction is used in conjunction with thighplasty to contour the the knee area, internal thigh area, and saddle bags.
Also, patients with heavier legs achieve the best results when debulking liposuction is performed six months before the thigh lift. This is because performing liposuction of the medial thigh while simultaneously excising skin from that same area will almost always result in problems with wound healing and deliver less aesthetic results.
With patients who have experienced massive weight loss, many surgeons prefer to establish mid-body surgeries such as lower body lift, abdominoplasty, and mastopexy first. They will then proceed at a later date with an extremity skin lift surgery such as thighplasty.
After Surgery
Recovery time will, of course, depend on all of the above factors.
Pain from the thighplasty procedure though is usually minimal and easily managed with medication. Patients do need to rest and avoid excessive leg movement as much as possible in the first week after the procedure.
Most patients can return to work after a week, with bruising and swelling generally gone within the month. Within a few months, they can return to their regular activities.
Celebrate a Leaner and Healthier You
You don’t have to accept the extra skin on your thighs from weight loss as merely a troubling side effect.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss which sort of thigh lift is right for you. And make your transformation complete.
The Details on High Volume and Debulking Liposuction
If you’re a naturally large person, you may find it far too easy to put on weight and far too difficult to take it off.
You may have even considered getting liposuction, but feel that it may not make much of a difference for you.
Fortunately, there is now high volume and debulking liposuction that was created specifically for larger people whose aesthetic goal is a noticeable reduction in size.
High Volume Liposuction
Not all liposuction is created equal.
In traditional liposuction, around two liters of fat is removed. For someone who is quite large, removing small and localized fat deposits isn’t going to make much of a difference.
This is why high volume liposuction was developed.
As far as how much fat is removed, each state has different laws and recommended limits of fat removal. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), however, recommends no more than 5 liters of liposuction aspirate, or fat, be removed in a surgery at one time.
Similar to traditional liposuction, high volume liposuction is performed on multiple areas of the body to enhance natural curves and proportions.
It is safely performed in an operating room with proper anesthesia from a board-certified anesthesiologist and in an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) facility. Fluid monitoring, urine output, blood pressure and EKG monitoring, temperature control, and the use of appropriate medications contribute to the safety of this procedure.
Even so, high volume liposuction should be performed only by a board-certified plastic surgeon with an extensive and meticulous skillset and a keen eye for body shape to deliver safe and consistent results.
High volume liposuction can also be performed in combination with abdominoplasty (better known as a tummy tuck) and breast surgery.
So Then What Is Debulking Liposuction?
During procedures such as brachioplasty, thighplasty, and abdominoplasty there is often the need for skin excision, or removal.
For larger patients who are planning surgery which requires skin excision, debulking liposuction is often recommended 6-12 months previous to the procedure. This allows for proper healing time.
Debulking liposuction permanently removes resistant fat cells from trouble areas. As such, skin surgeries result in a nicer aesthetic outcome when debulked prior to removal.
In addition to preparing them for skin excision, this procedure is also performed on obese patients to improve or jumpstart their journey to healthier choices and to improve exercise capability.
Before the Procedure
Preop labs are performed to optimize electrolyte balance and ensure an adequate complete blood count (CBC). Patients with comorbidities may need overnight monitoring of vital signs, fluid shifts, and urine output.
Subcutaneous heparin or intraoperative steroids are often used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and postoperative edema, respectively.
Some patients may require pre-op cardiovascular clearance and possibly a stress echocardiogram to ensure stress of large volume removal will be tolerated.
After the Procedure
Blood loss is minimized by using tumescent liposuction techniques. Anticoagulant therapy is often used to prevent postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
In extreme cases of fat removal, patients may be admitted to the ICU. This is for the purpose of monitoring cardiac output with continuous monitoring and possible use of central lines, with or without Swan Ganz monitoring.
Along with monitoring, intraoperative use of warming blankets and sequential compression devices are used to promote blood flow and normal coagulability.
Postoperative blood transfusions may be needed as well.
Any swelling after the surgery may be hastened by the use of lymphatic massages and wearing appropriate body garments.
Could High Volume and Debulking Liposuction Help You?
If you’re ready to lighten up a bit and think that high volume and debulking liposuction might be right for you, now is the time.
Many patients find that they are able to drop several clothing sizes after undergoing this highly effective procedure. So contact us today to speak with our surgeons and find out about your options.
Maintaining Plastic Surgery Post-Op Results
Plastic surgery is just like any other surgery.
So just as you wouldn’t (we hope!) do nothing but sit on your couch and eat salty potato chips after heart surgery, there are effective ways of maintaining plastic surgery post-op results too.
Although some of them may require a small amount of medical intervention, but most of them are pretty straightforward lifestyle choices.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices Make a Big Difference
To maintain plastic surgery results more effectively, you’ll need to take a look at the choices you make from day to day. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are You Eating a Healthy Diet?
Large shifts in weight gain and loss can ruin the elastin and collagen of the skin, so it’s important you’re eating well.
Avoid foods that are high in sugar, dairy, and refined grains – especially right after your surgery. They can increase inflammation, swelling, and pain.
Then once you’ve recovered from your surgery, you’ll want to continue focusing on healthy eating. This is especially key after any body shaping procedure. For example, maintaining low visceral fat after a tummy tuck is crucial.
Whatever the case, stick with lean protein. Healing incisions and all postoperative wounds require 1gm of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. After the healing process, 1/2gm per kilogram bodyweight is appropriate to maintain healthy muscle mass and a strong immune system.
Also, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep that post-surgical shape. A nutritionist may be worth the money to protect your plastic surgery investment.
- How Often Do You Exercise?
Obviously you don’t want to crank out an hour on the elliptical immediately following surgery. But once you get the okay from your surgeon, you’ll want to either return to or start a regular exercise regimen three to four times per week.
You may want to work with a personal trainer who is familiar with your situation and is aware of the most effective exercises. For instance, someone who understands what would be the best core exercise after abdominoplasty to help keep the abdomen flat after diastasis repair.
He or she can also help you to find the perfect balance between cardio and strength training to keep you feeling more energized rather than burnt out.
- What Do You Do to Protect Your Skin?
No matter your procedure, it’s important to take care of your skin. So keep your exposure to the sun at a minimum by using sunblock (an SPF of at least 50 – even in the winter) and wearing the appropriate clothing to protect against harmful UV rays.
In addition, use moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid moisturizers after any face procedures. ALLASTIN Trihex Technology is a solid recommendation.
- Do You Smoke?
No matter how much you may love smoking tobacco, the negative effects on the body and skin can’t be denied. It can actually slow your body’s healing process as well.
So whatever plastic surgery procedure you’ve chosen, be sure to avoid tobacco while you recover in order to heal properly. Then after that, make the effort to quit altogether. Not smoking will ensure your plastic surgery results will last even longer.
- How Much Water Do You Drink?
Post-plastic surgery care includes adequate hydration. As water is essential to replenish fluids lost during surgery, you’ll want to drink plenty of it. And then make it a regular part of your life to keep your body operating at its optimal capacity.
- Do You Get Enough Sleep?
Yeah, we know. Getting enough sleep is a tough one. But given its tremendous healing powers, it’s crucial you’re making the effort to get the right amount each night.
Maintaining Plastic Surgery Post-Op Results Medically
While diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices are key in maintaining your post surgical results, it’s impossible to stop the aging process or to rewire your genetics. So you may want to consider nonsurgical touch-up procedures to help enhance and extend your results.
For example, touch up liposuction after a tummy tuck can further improve the thick abdominal flap. Fillers, laser, PRP, and fat can be used to support the 3D improvement after a face lift. Your surgeon may even recommend botox to weaken forehead muscles after a brow lift.
Another factor to consider post surgery is capsular contracture. So in the case of breast augmentation, you’ll want to use prophylactic antibiotics with all dental cleanings and procedures and remain hyper vigilant of all possible infections that may also instigate a capsular contracture.
Your board-certified plastic surgeon will supply you with a comprehensive packet of post-operative instructions. Following these will ensure the healthiest recovery. And don’t hesitate to ask him or her specific questions about your recovery process.
Are You Considering Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is sound investment. Especially when you go the distance in maintaining plastic surgery post-op results.
So if you’re considering improving your life with a plastic surgery procedure, then contact us today. We’ll be happy to sit down with you to discuss all of your many options.
What to Expect From a Lower Eye Lift
When you glance in the mirror, are you bothered by sagging, wrinkles, or bags in the under-eye area?
If so, you can smooth out and tighten that area with a lower lid blepharoplasty – also known as a lower eye lift.
The lower eye lift is not a one-size-fits-all procedure though. So knowing what to expect from the procedure will depend on which approach the plastic surgeon takes.
Different Approaches to a Lower Eye Lift
A qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon will always perform a comprehensive examination of the skin, tendon, muscle, and fat compartments to determine which approach is appropriate for the patient.
Transconjunctival Approach
Eyelids serve three purposes – to keep the eyes properly moisturized, to protect the eye, and to provide expression to the face. Because human interaction and expression is such a huge part of our lives, the area around the eyes is one of the first to surrender to aging.
Thus, it’s not uncommon for younger people to develop prominent fat bags without excess skin under their eyes. These can be addressed through a transconjunctival approach which removes the fat without leaving a visible incision or scar.
No-Touch Technique
In cases where there is skin laxity, a pinch of skin may also be removed just under the eyelashes. This is called a no-touch technique – meaning that the orbital septum is not violated (or touched) which can minimize complications.
Trans-Septal Fat Removal
For patients who are experiencing significant aging of the skin and sagging muscle, the plastic surgeon needs to elevate a skin and muscle flap off of the septum and remove the fat trans septally.
From there, the muscle can be trimmed and tightened with an orbicularis oculi hitch suture. This approach with limited surgical invasiveness is proven both safe and effective in reversing muscle descent with skin redundancy, while simultaneously providing lid support.
Canthopexy
The primary support structure for the lower eyelids is the lateral canthal tendon. It’s located under the skin at the outer corner of the eye. Meanwhile, the orbital muscles provides additional support and enables the opening and closing of the eye.
As we grow older, the lateral canthal tendon and muscle begin to stretch and sag and the lower eyelid becomes weak. A tendon tightening procedure called a canthopexy can serve as a support for lower eyelid skin without cutting or detaching the tendon and muscles.
The canthopexy supports weak eyelid tissues, increases muscle tone, and improves the shape of the eye while restoring the supporting structures.
Treatment of the fat can include removal for large bags until the excess is flush with the bony rim, also known as the orbit. The surgeon is careful to avoid over resection which can create a gaunt appearance. The fat can also then be flipped over, rather than removed, to cover the deep tear trough and bony rim.
If there is a lack of orbital fat, some patients may benefit from fat grafting.
Experience Rejuvenation With a Lower Eye Lift
Get rid of sagging skin and those under-eye bags with a lower eye lift. Contact us today to speak with one of our surgeons about which approach is right for you.
Each one is highly effective, non- or minimally invasive, and guaranteed to bring a smile back to your face when you gaze into the mirror.
What Is an Upper Body Lift?
Losing a lot of weight is something to celebrate.
Yet, after massive weight loss, there are often multiple skin folds of the lateral chest and back. In addition, there may be loose skin on the arms and sagging in the breasts.
And no amount of diet and exercise alleviates the condition – zapping some of the joy out of the celebration.
Fortunately, an upper body lift can resolve this.
How Does an Upper Body Lift Work?
The name “upper body lift” may conjure an image of a strangely lifted upper body – the likes of which can be found on Popeye. But it’s not that at all.
An upper body lift consists of mastopexy or brachioplasty, combined with direct excision of lateral chest rolls.
It is commonly a two-stage procedure. Debulking liposuction is performed to permanently remove resistant fat cells. Then after adequate healing time, the extra skin is excised.
Let us explain further.
Mastopexy
The mastopexy procedure is more commonly known as a breast lift. This is the process of raising and reshaping a sagging breast by removing excess skin and then tightening the surrounding tissue to support the new contour.
If the areola has become enlarged over time, this can also be remedied with a breast lift.
Incisions are made along the inframammary fold under the breast to reduce the appearance of scarring.
Brachioplasty
A brachioplasty, also referred to as an arm lift, reshapes the back part of the upper arm. It removes extra skin and tissue to give the upper arm a smoother appearance.
During a brachioplasty procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon removes extra tissue from under the upper arm, as well as folds of skin and fat. The remaining tissue is sewn back together to create a more stream-lined contour.
In some cases, the surgeon may also need to remove extra tissue on the side of the chest and the back. The incisions follow the skin rolls, which are often referred to as an inverted v deformity of the upper back.
To reduce the appearance of scarring, the incisions from excision of the lateral chest wall rolls are placed curvilinearly along the direction of the skin excess and may be tied into the posterior axillary fold, or posterior armpit skin. They may also be tied into the mastopexy procedure by connecting the incision into the inframammary fold.
Upper Body Lift Recovery
The best results from an upper body lift occur when the patient is at goal body weight or has experienced massive volume loss after bariatric surgery.
Depending on the extent and type of surgery, most patients can expect to return to their normal routine or go back to work in about 10 to 14 days.
It’s important to note, however, that major weight fluctuations can compromise the results. Furthermore, this procedure shouldn’t to be performed on women who are planning to become pregnant, or who are further planning to lose a large amount of weight.
Celebrate Your New Body!
Don’t let sagging folds of skin put a damper on your confidence after weight loss.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the option of an upper body lift. It’s time to contour your new body, restore your confidence, and celebrate your efforts.
You’ve earned it.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Lifts?
Do you fondly remember a time when your breasts were firmer, rounder or perkier? Or perhaps they’ve never had the fullness you desire.
If so, now is the time to consider mastopexy – a.k.a. a breast lift. In this procedure, a plastic surgeon can raise and reshape your breasts to give them the look you desire.
The surgeon can also remove extra skin around your areola, if so desired, to reduce the size of it.
Different types of breast lifts serve different purposes. The one that’s best for you will depend on the appearance of your areola and level of ptosis – the medical term for sagging.
Why Do Breasts Sag?
Most women experience sagging at some point in their lives.
Pregnancy is one big culprit. During pregnancy and nursing, the breasts become engorged with milk. Once milk production ceases post pregnancy, the breasts decrease in size – often resulting in drooping. This is exacerbated with each additional pregnancy.
Weight loss can also create sagging. The skin and support structures of the breast accommodate for weight gain. Similar to pregnancy, once that weight is shed, if the tissue doesn’t have enough elasticity, the breast can’t regain its shape and will droop.
Of course, age is a factor – in both the above situations and just in general. Over time, gravity causes breast tissue to stretch downward. Plus, tone and elasticity decrease as we age.
Finally, in some cases, ptosis is congenital. Some adolescent girls develop breasts that sag and have downward pointing nipples – leaving them to feel extremely self-conscious about the appearance of their breasts.
The Three Grades of Ptosis
To simplify, there are three components to a breast.
First there is the nipple and the skin that surrounds it (the areola). Second, there is the glandular tissue and fat that compose the breast, known as the parenchyma. Third, there is crease underneath the breast which is referred to as the inframammary fold.
In a youthful breast, the nipple and parenchyma sit above the inframammary fold.
When there is mild sagging and the nipple lies at the level of the inframammary fold with the parenchyma below it, this is considered Grade 1 Ptosis.
With Grade 2 Ptosis there is more moderate sagging. In this case, the nipple sits below the level of the inframammary fold, but is still above the lowest hanging part of the parenchyma.
It’s considered Grade 3 Ptosis when the sagging is severe enough that the nipple lies well below the inframammary fold and at the bottom of the breast. At this stage, it is situated at the lowest hanging part of the parenchyma along the inferior contour of the breast.
Once the grade of ptosis is determined, then the surgeon can recommend a specific type of breast lift.
Different Types of Breast Lifts
There are basically four types of breast lifts.
A crescenteric lift is performed on patients whose breasts sag minimally. This is often the lift of choice when the areola needs to be raised around 0.5 to 1 cm. A crescent shaped incision is made at the top of the areola margin.
With a periareolar lift, the size of the areola can be reduced. It also helps to correct a mild degree of sagging. In this procedure, a donut of skin is removed around the areola to centralize the nipple-areola complex at the center of the mound. Approximately 1.5 cm of lift is achieved while reducing the diameter of an enlarged areola.
Designed for women who require a medium amount of surgical correction, two dimensions of skin can be changed with a lollypop lift. Both the nipple areola complex location and the perkiness of the breast (reducing transverse excess skin) are addressed in this procedure.
A full lift is recommended when there is excessive sagging and a long hanging breast. In this procedure, all three dimensions of the skin envelope can be tightened along with nipple areola position, perkiness, and the inframammary fold scar to reduce the vertical excess.
What About Breast Implants?
An implant alone increases projection and fills out the skin envelope or loose skin but does not lift a sagging breast.
As such, it’s not uncommon to combine an implant with any of the above lifts. This will depend on the level of ptosis, as well as degree of deflation (the volume loss which requires an implant, fat, or auto-augmentation to correct).
Could a Breast Lift Be Right for You?
If sagging breasts or overly large nipples are making you feel self-conscious, let us help.
Contact us today to learn about the different types of breast lifts and which one may be right for you.
And head into the spring and summer with restored self-confidence and a “lift” in your spirits.
Improving Loose Skin After Massive Weight Loss
There are so many benefits to losing a lot of weight.
Along with feeling more confident about your appearance, it can help with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Massive weight loss has also shown to improve cholesterol, blood glucose, and insulin levels, as well as relieve back pain.
The only real drawback is skin laxity. Improving loose skin after massive weight loss can feel like a never-ending challenge.
Why Does This Happen?
One of the biggest factors is collagen.
Made of densely packed fibers, collagen is a major building block of skin and helps provide it with structure. When those fibers in the skin get stretched, as is the case with carrying too much weight, they don’t bounce back once the weight is shed.
And then there’s elastin, which is a key protein in the skin. It’s what helps the skin to return to its original position when pinched or poked.
As we age, the body produces less collagen and elastin. So they can’t be relied upon to replenish the skin after massive weight loss.
“Problem Areas”
People who lose a lot of weight are often left with excess skin on the torso, upper back, arms, legs, face, and neck.
When there is excess skin on the torso, back, and limbs, many people try to diet and exercise but with little to no success. And since losing weight can lessen lymphedema, decreased swelling in the arms and legs can also add to the issue of excess skin.
Abdominal muscles that have been stretched due to diastasis – the separation of abdominal muscles that often happens during pregnancy – can also add to the issue of abdominal laxity and prominence.
And excess skin around the neck and face can create the appearance of significantly advanced aging – thereby negating some of the increased self-confidence that comes from losing weight in the first place.
Moreover, excess skin can cause intertrigo – a common rash that shows up between the folds of excess skin.
So what’s a person to do?
The Best Way for Improving Loose Skin After Massive Weight Loss
One of the most enjoyable aspects of losing a lot of weight is the ability to fit into smaller and more stylish clothes. However, when there is excess skin due to this weight loss, it can make certain clothes feel awkward or even uncomfortable.
It can also lead to problems with intimacy.
Furthermore, skin and stretching of the abdomen muscles in diastasis can cause difficulty with exercise and maintaining that healthy new weight. This can lead to loss of self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Surgery to remove the excess skin and tighten the muscles is usually the only solution.
Any number of body lift surgeries are the most common procedures used to improve skin laxity after massive weight loss. These include tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, as well as buttock, arm, and breast lifts, circumferential body lift, mastopexy, and upper body lift.
As for skin laxity in the face, a three-dimensional rejuvenation procedure is often recommended. Loose muscles are repositioned, then a board-certified plastic surgeon removes the excess skin and increases volume in the newly tightened skin through fat grafting.
The results are amazing.
Get the Full Benefits of Losing Weight!
Is improving loose skin after massive weight loss a priority for you? If so, contact us for a free consultation.
You’ve made great strides in your weight loss. So why not reap all of the rewards?
Am I Too Old for Plastic Surgery?
It’s often been said that age is just a number. There are times when this philosophy is more applicable than others.
For example, if you’re currently an AARP member, your age is certainly going to limit your ability to partake in, let’s say, parkour.
On the other hand, if you’re wondering whether you’re too old for plastic surgery, this is one of those cases where age really is just a number. In fact, plastic surgery is remarkably beneficial for the older population.
Here’s why.
Plastic Surgery Increases Quality of Life
While this is true for every age group, plastic surgery can positively impact the 60+ crowd in unique ways.
Depression and anxiety become increasingly problematic as we age. Some of this is due to a lack of self-esteem and confidence as we deal with an ever changing (and drooping) appearance.
Cosmetic plastic surgery has the unique ability to boost self-esteem. After a facelift and/or neck lift, patients report a renewed interest in life. They feel younger and more confident. It’s no wonder then that the majority of facelifts and neck lifts are actually performed on the older population.
This sense of revitalization can also lead to more intimacy in relationships, as well as increased socialization. Beyond improving quality of life, there are many situations where plastic surgery is a health benefit too.
You Can Improve Health With Plastic Surgery
Given all of the focus on Hollywood stars and plastic surgery, you may not realize the ways plastic surgery can also improve health. This is especially important for the aging population.
For instance, older patients who struggle with sagging eyelids or eyebrows are working with a compromised field of vision. Because it happens slowly and over time, they may not even realize it. Once they receive eyelid surgery or a brow lift, they find their field of vision is much improved.
Furthermore, there are the increased health risks that come from carrying extra weight. This is of particular concern for those with diabetes – a condition that occurs far more frequently among senior citizens.
Reducing abdominal girth with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can help not only to improve blood sugar levels, but it can lead to lower blood pressure as well. This means it’s possible to reduce need for anti-hypertensive meds, insulin requirements, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and anxiolytics.
In addition, shedding extra weight through a breast reduction can help to decrease back pain and increase exercise tolerance so that the patient can sustain good health through movement. Also, breast reduction has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer – especially in those over 50.
Finally, most people in an older age group tend to be optimized from a health standpoint because they get regular check ups with their primary care physician.
So the availability of plastic surgery has nothing to do with age. Really the biggest factor when considering plastic surgery for the older crowd has to do with comorbidities.
Comorbidities Are Always Addressed
When there is the presence of one or more conditions often occurring with a primary condition, these are known as comorbidities. In a recent blog post, we posed the question about the viability of performing plastic surgery with comorbidities.
Comorbidities can be physiological or psychological and include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), psychiatric disorders, and substance abuse – to name a few.
In these cases, pre-op screening and primary care, internal medicine, and cardiac clearance are often performed to ensure safety. Once that clearance is achieved, the surgeon can safely proceed.
That’s all there is to it.
There’s No Such Thing As Too Old for Plastic Surgery
If you’ve been thinking a change would do you good but felt you were too old for plastic surgery, now you know the truth.
So if you’re ready to start exploring your options, contact us today for a free consultation.
Not only will you have a renewed outlook on life, but you may walk away a healthier person!
The 411 on Plastic Surgery With Medical Conditions
One of the most common questions plastic surgeons hear is, “Can I still have plastic surgery with medical conditions?”
The short answer is, “As long as your health is optimized for surgery, it is safe.”
That’s why highly professional plastic surgeons not only provide compassionate care, but they also conduct a pre-op screen to catch any major medical issues – such as a mammogram before breast surgery.
Performing Plastic Surgery With Medical Conditions
Cosmetic surgery can be performed on patients with many medical issues including asthma and diabetes. In fact, abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, can actually improve diabetes and boost overall health by lowering blood pressure.
Even so, pre-op clearance is of the utmost importance in situations where there is a pre-existing medical condition.
Labs are run that include complete blood count, electrolytes, blood sugar, kidney and liver function, and coagulation profile. And electrocardiograms (EKG)s are checked for those over 40 years of age or with pre-existing conditions warranting one, such as high blood pressure.
Board certified anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons gather all of this information to assess any risk stratification the patient may have. From there, they set up a highly specialized surgical plan to treat the patient.
During surgery all patients are fully monitored and adjustments to vital signs are made accordingly. In higher risk groups, the surgeon and anesthesiologist may recommend hospital-based surgery as a precaution and keep the patient overnight for observation.
It’s also important to note that any plastic surgery performed on those with medical conditions should involve doctors and nurses with Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
What If I Have a High BMI?
Surgeons treat elevated BMI patients all the time. With advancements in medical technology, some of the previous challenges that obese patients faced can now be mitigated – making BMI merely a number.
Patients who are overweight or obese are more likely to have sleep apnea – meaning they temporarily stop breathing while sleeping. Anesthesiologists take this into consideration and the condition is easily treated in the recovery room with CPAP devices.
And issues such as high blood pressure which are common in obese patients are closely monitored and controlled. The aforementioned EKG may also be administered pre-op to determine if there are other cardiac issues.
To reduce the risk of blood clots in patients with a higher BMI reading and when performing multiple procedures, subcutaneous heparin is given before the operation to effectively lower this risk.
Plastic Surgery and Cancer Care
Finally, it’s important to remember that plastic surgery is frequently done for medical reasons. For example, it plays an important role in cancer care for many patients.
Cancer treatment can damage the function or appearance of a body part or parts. Patients seek reconstructive plastic surgery to repair those changes; making it hugely beneficial to the health and wellbeing of cancer patients.
So while plastic surgery isn’t performed when a patient is actually going through treatments, it is often a godsend in the aftermath.
Do You Still Have Questions?
If you’re curious about having a plastic surgery procedure but need more assurance about the safety of plastic surgery with medical conditions, contact us today for a free consultation.
Our surgeons will take the time to answer any of your questions and address your concerns. They will tell you honestly and upfront about your specific situation, any possible risks, and how they will be addressed.
Then you can make an informed decision.
