How Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
When patients consider plastic surgery, it can be for any number of reasons – from physical to mental and emotional. They often overlap.
After all, some patients who want to improve physical features that cause embarrassment find increased self-confidence and enhanced body image post-op. So yes, plastic surgery improves quality of life.
And with surgeons worldwide using the latest technology, many of these transformations can happen in a matter of hours.
Physical Improvements
It’s fair to say that the majority of people seeking plastic surgery are looking for physical improvements. Perhaps they want to emphasize a certain part of their body – as they may with a Brazilian butt lift. For others, they want to draw the focus away from a body part such as a large nose or drooping eyebrows.
Yet, there’s another group of patients that may be looking to address an acute or chronic medical condition. Rhinoplasty or fixing a deviated septum, for instance, can greatly improve breathing for many patients. And patients who have survived breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy can benefit from reconstructive surgery.
In addition, other procedures can even address alignment issues in the body. In the cases of a tummy tuck or breast reduction, for example, patients report decreased back pain as a result of the front of the body no longer being pulled forward or the core muscles being out of balance.
Emotional/Psychological Benefits
In the vast majority of the above “physical” cases, the natural by-product of looking or feeling better is going to be higher self-esteem and a general sense of well-being that may have been missing previously.
The emotional outcomes will certainly vary from person to person. And much of this is based on their expectations. So a handful of patients may come in to have scarring or blemishes they want addressed. These procedures are usually straightforward and patients report a high rate of satisfaction.
For more complicated procedures, however, it’s crucial that patients understand what they can realistically expect. This is why each patient must spend time consulting with his or her board-certified surgeon.
Communication Is Key
Obviously, patients are made aware of the potential risks of their procedure. But if a patient is banking on plastic surgery to completely change his or her life for the better, their end result may end up being one of frustration, embarrassment, shame, or even anger.
That’s why there must be clear and concise preoperative communication between the patient and surgeon so that realistic outcome goals are established.
Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
It’s pretty clear that, if done correctly and working from realistic expectations, plastic surgery improves quality of life. It can allow patients to feel empowered and confident.
What’s more, it may even allow patients to reclaim their body that was taken from them due to injury, illness, or pregnancy.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll take the necessary time to discuss your personal goals and expectations to ensure the best experience possible.
The Lowdown on Scar Revision
If you’re an adult and you’ve lived life at all, chances are you have a scar. It’s the body’s way of healing after an injury, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
A scar consists of fibrous tissue that can be anywhere on the body. It might be flat, sunken, colored, or lumpy.
Someone with a flat and colorless scar in an obscure place may not think much about it. But for others with more obvious scars that cause them embarrassment, there is scar revision.
What Is Scar Revision?
Just as the name implies, scar revision is a procedure performed to alter the appearance of an unsightly scar, return function to a restrictive scar, or improve an itch or painful scar.
Depending on the type of scar, there are numerous approaches to scar revision:
Topical
Topical treatments are the least invasive approach. They’re usually the first go-to because of their simplicity.
Physicians may recommend OTC topical anesthetic ointments, antihistamine creams, or corticosteroids to encourage healing reduce any itchiness and discomfort. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a stronger corticosteroid cream for newer scars that are still pink and in the process of healing. This can combat excessive scar formation.
Another option that’s been used for decades is silicone. Used in sheet form, silicone is effective for treating scars from burns, surgery, or other more severe injuries that require hospital treatment. There are now silicone gels that can be applied to create a thin sheet within 4-5 minutes.
Injections
When a scar is raised, thick, and red, stronger interventions are usually required. Multiple small corticosteroid injections are made into the scar to reduce pain, itching, and redness from inflammation. Injections are typically given over several months at 4-6 week intervals.
Meanwhile, depressed scars are usually treated with filler injections. These may contain collagen and synthetic agents that are injected into or under the scar tissue. Filler injections are not permanent, however, So they need to be repeated every few years.
Surface Treatments
There are a wide variety of skin resurfacing treatments. They involve removing the top layer of damaged skin so new skin layers can form.
With dermabrasion, the skin layer is manually removed using a rapidly rotating device. This technique is ideal for minimizing skin lines, age spots, acne scars, and sun damage.
Acne scars and sun damage can also be treated with chemical peels. They’re also effective in treating wrinkles and melasma.
To flatten and soften scars, laser therapy involves pulsating concentrated beams of light at irregular skin in a targeted area. It also helps improve discoloration and tightens the skin to give it a younger-looking appearance.
Other surface treatments include skin bleaching (topical creams that lighten skin) and vascular laser treatment reduces the redness of scars with blood vessels.
Surgery
When it comes to changing the position and shape of scars, surgery can do the trick. It can also release a tight scar to improve movement. In the cases of scar excision and revision, scar tissue is removed, and a flap of adjacent skin reforms the area.
If there is no flap available, or if the scar being removed is very large, a skin graft is taken from a cosmetically less important area of the body to reform the area.
The Z-plasty method moves a scar into a natural crease or fold to minimize its visibility. In addition, tissue expanders can create healthy stretched skin by placing expandable silicone implants under the skin. The skin is then used to replace the excised scar tissue.
You Don’t Have to Live With Scars
There is a wealth of scar revision options.
So if you’re interested in lessening the appearance of (or getting rid of altogether) your scar, contact us today to set up a free consultation.
You’ll have the chance to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will guide you through the best treatment options for your situation.
What to Expect: Healing After Breast Implant Removal
If you had a breast implant in the past, there are many reasons you may be opting for breast implant removal. That’s nobody’s business but your own.
When an implant is removed, it’s known as explant surgery. And yes, it is surgery. So just as with any surgery, that means you can expect recovery time.
Obviously, every patient is different and there’s no one story that applies to all. There are some basics you can expect though.
The Basics for Recovering from Breast Implant Removal
You had implant surgery so you could use that as a baseline for your explant surgery. However, if your surgery was a long time ago, you may not feel comfortable relying on that.
Plan to spend the first several days recovering at home. It is essential during this period to avoid any excessive pulling or stretching of the area. Your incisions cannot be exposed to abrasion of any kind, so ditch the loofah. And don’t plan to hit the nudist beach for tanning. The incisions cannot be in direct sunlight either.
Compression garments will also be vital. These may seem like an inconvenience, but in the long run, they accelerate the healing process by managing swelling and bruising and promoting blood circulation. These garments are surprisingly comfortable. They do a stellar job at reducing postoperative discomfort. So regard them as supportive friends.
On average, you can expect to return to work in one week, unless you have a job that requires strenuous movement or lifting anything over ten pounds. (This includes children.) It’s important to give yourself extra time if that’s the case.
Further Explant Surgery Recovery Tips
Eating well and staying hydrated is always the rule of thumb. Abiding by your board-certified surgeon’s directions and attending follow-up appointments is also key. But there are a few other things you may not have considered.
Any time you’re healing from breast surgery (of any kind), you need to avoid using your upper body and chest muscles. You’ll need to wait at least four weeks to return to any exercise that uses these. Consider consulting a physical therapist who can design a post-op program that allows you to safely adapt to your new chest contour.
And speaking of adapting, any change to your appearance is going to require some adjusting. Having breast explant surgery can be particularly emotional. This may not be the case at all for you. Just in case you find yourself mentally struggling though, it’s a good idea to reach out to compassionate friends and family members ahead of the procedure to let them know you may need their support. Furthermore, you could also speak with a therapist.
At the end of the day, listening to your body is always the best practice so if you’re feeling that you need more time to rest and recover, honor that. You don’t want to end up with complications because you jumped the gun.
Wrestling With the Idea of Explant Surgery?
The decision to do breast implant removal is an important one and not to be taken lightly.
If you’re debating about whether this procedure might be right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our compassionate and board-certified plastic surgeons.
We will always have your back. (And front.)
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Thomas Pomfret Kilner
In the overarching field of medicine, plastic surgery is certainly among the youngest. At least in its current incarnation.
Yes, there were rudimentary plastic surgery procedures performed as far back as ancient Egypt times. But you can bet they didn’t look anything like today’s modern procedures.
It took a group of trail-blazing physicians practicing in the early 1900s to create the foundation for plastic surgery as we know it today. Thomas Pomfret Kilner was among this esteemed group.
Who Was Thomas Pomfret Kilner?
Kilner was born on September 17th in 1890 and was the son of a grammar school master. Always a good student, Kilner would go on to study at Manchester University where he was awarded medals in anatomy and physiology.
By 1912, at the ripe age of 22, he had won distinctions in pathology and surgery. He served as a demonstrator of anatomy from 1912 to 1914 and was a senior house surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
As he continued his studies and teaching, he had his sights set on joining a doctor in general practice. But World War I changed his trajectory.
Practicing Medicine During WWI
Kilner’s plans shifted when he was enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) where he eventually became a captain. He served four years helping injured men and women and by the end of the war in 1918, he was in charge of an orthopedic unit that specialized in fractured femurs.
Wondering what his next step would be, he was serendipitously advised to meet with Major Harold Gillies about a new hospital unit in Sidcup, England. Gillies was already gaining steam as one of the premier practitioners in a burgeoning specialty known as plastic surgery.
Kilner hadn’t heard of this new modality, but he was interested. And it wasn’t long before he was appointed plastic surgeon to Queen Mary’s Hospital for Face and Jaw Injuries. And while he would later become a consulting plastic surgeon for many hospitals, it took determination and commitment to get there.
Turning Plastic Surgery Into a Thriving Specialty
In 1921, Kilner and Gillies were the only plastic surgeons in the United Kingdom. They were taken by all the promise this new field offered to so many people.
They would visit provincial surgeons who shared this same interest in order to educate them. Over time, their technical know-how and teamwork inspired many other surgeons to shift to this new specialty. And within a decade, he and Gillies had established plastic surgery in the U.K.
In 1931, Kilner was part of the staff of St Andrews’ Hospital where there were two wards and an operating theater devoted wholly to plastic surgery. He worked there up through WWII collaborating with another doctor to perfect the operation for palate repair that was originally designed by Victor Veau. His interest in congenital deformities led him to study speech therapy and he would eventually be elected a Governor of the Central School of Speech Therapy and of Moor House Residential School.
Throughout the second world war, Kilner remained active in fostering plastic surgery. During this time, he developed the Bunyan-Stannard envelope for the treatment of burns. And in 1935, he was a college professor lecturing on the transplantation of skin.
It’s safe to say he made a real difference.
In 1939, only three London teaching hospitals had plastic surgeons on staff. But by the time of Kilner’s death in 1964, there was hardly a teaching hospital in all of the British Isles that didn’t have consultant surgeons in plastic surgery.
See What Plastic Surgery Can Do for You
Today’s plastic surgeons are indebted to pioneers like Thomas Pomfret Kilner who helped to make the field what it is today.
If he could see what a difference a century has made, he’d be thrilled.
So if you’re interested in the myriad ways modern plastic surgery can improve your life, contact us today! You may be pleasantly surprised.
Insist On AAAHC Accreditation for Your Plastic Surgery
When you opt to have an in-office surgical procedure, you want to be sure you’re getting the best care from your board-certified surgeon. That’s a given.
You may not give much thought to the office-based anesthesia accreditation organization of the clinic or facility where you’re having the procedure though. You may just assume your location is accredited. And if so, there’s just one organization.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. That’s why it’s important you look for AAAHC Accreditation for your plastic surgery.
Office-Based Anesthesia Accreditation Varies
According to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), there are three different accreditation organizations. JCAHO (the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), AAAHC (the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), and AAAASF (the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities).
All three organizations have received “deemed” status from Medicare. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll be looking at AAAHC and AAAASF specifically.
Why You Want AAAHC Accreditation for Your Plastic Surgery
First of all, you’ll want to ensure that your in-office clinic or facility actually has accreditation. It turns out that many do not.
Once you establish that your site does, it’s important to consider that not all accreditation organizations are created equal. AAAHC holds higher standards and offers more meticulous oversight than AAAASF.
Standards Addressed Through AAAHC
For example, the issues of State Licensure, Distinct Entity, Review of Patient Satisfaction, Cost of Care Reviews, Report Carding, Professional continuing education, and Immediate pre-procedure assessment by MD are all addressed in the standards for AAAHC, but not for AAAASF.
The standard of Pre-discharge evaluation by physician is also addressed clearly with AAAHC, but with AAAASF, it is more vague.
In terms of Documentation, Physical plant, Assessment of Patients, Continuity of Care, Safety, Medical Records, Confidentiality, Peer Review, Quality Improvement, and Risk Management, AAAASF receives a “good” rating for Safety, “fair” for Medical Records and Peer Review, and a “weak” rating for all of the others. Risk Management is not even addressed.
By comparison, AAAHC receives a “good” rating for Medical Records, and “strong” to “very strong” ratings for everything else, including Risk Management.
In addition, AAAHC requires a board-certified doctor to perform anesthesia, while AAAASF requires only a nurse anesthetist.
Finally, a reappraisal of medical staff is performed annually through AAAASF, but biannually with AAAHC. So it seems that the choice is pretty clear.
You Deserve the Best!
The decision to have plastic surgery is not one most patients make without careful consideration. So if you’re ready to take the leap, then contact us today.
We insist on only board-certified surgeons and AAAHC accreditation for your plastic surgery. We will not settle for less.
And neither should you.
Tips For the Speediest Recovery From Plastic Surgery
If you’re planning a plastic surgery procedure (or two), you might have started scouring the internet to see how long it’ll take to recover. This is pretty normal. After all, you want to have some sense of what to expect.
You’ve probably also noticed in your search that there is usually a span of possible time for recovery (i.e. 3-5 days, 2-3 weeks, etc.).
Obviously, recovery times will vary based on the person as well as the procedure(s) performed. Still, there are things you can do that will give you the speediest recovery from plastic surgery.
1. Swallow Your Pride
Whatever your plastic surgery procedure, you can expect to need some help in the day or days that follow. Particularly in cases where the surgery is more complicated or there are multiple procedures performed.
So if you have trouble asking for help and think you’re better off doing everything on your own, you can expect a longer recovery time. On the flip side, you can arrange to have someone help you get to and from your procedure, as well as handle any child care, pet care, and/or chores around the house.
By gracefully accepting help, you’ll eliminate the stress and worry about getting your daily tasks covered. Allowing yourself to rest instead is only going to facilitate your recovery.
2. Eat Well and Hydrate
In order to optimize your body’s healing abilities, you need to give it the proper fuel. Lean proteins, fresh produce, and plenty of water are going to speed up the recovery process much faster than potato chips, Oreos, and cola.
You may also need to avoid or cut way back caffeine and alcohol while recovering. Both of these can cause dehydration which is detrimental to healing.
3. Get Moving… But Mindfully
Obviously, if you’ve had a major procedure such as a Mommy Makeover, you won’t jump on the treadmill and run two miles the next day. Chances are, you won’t even feel like doing that.
Yet, as inclined as you may be to revel in the comfort of lounging on your couch for days on end, it IS a good idea to move around a bit in the days that follow your surgery. Movement keeps blood circulating and this forwards healing. Your movement might be something as simple as just walking around your house, condo, or apartment. Over time, you may build to a light walk outside.
The key is to take it slowly. Ease back into regular movement – even if you think you’re ready to tackle that two miles on the treadmill. You don’t want to undo what you had done. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at an even longer recovery time.
4. Steer Clear of Tobacco
If you never use tobacco, you can skip this one.
On the other hand, it’s important to understand that you’ll have to go through the difficult task of quitting smoking or vaping tobacco for at least a month prior to having your procedure. Recovery is not going to be a free pass to light up again.
The nicotine in tobacco inhibits the body’s ability to heal and can lead to all sorts of complications during recovery. Knowing this, you may want to consider your plastic surgery procedure as the ideal transition to quitting smoking altogether.
5. Simply Put – FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS!
Here’s the deal.
Any quality board-certified surgeon will give you specific instructions for post-op care which should be followed to a T. These will include guidelines on diet, which medications and supplements to take, when and how long to wear a compression garment, proper ways to clean incisions, and the safest time to return to exercise.
What’s more, be sure you go to any scheduled follow-up visits. It’s important for your doctor to see that you’re healing properly and that there are no complications. S/he can also advise you on when you can return to your daily activities as well as more strenuous exercise.
By sticking with the protocol, you’ll have the smoothest and shortest road to recovery.
The Speediest Recovery From Plastic Surgery Is Up To You
Try not to get too bogged down in what the internet says. At the end of the day, you’ll have the speediest recovery from plastic surgery when you follow your doctor’s orders and give your body what it needs to heal.
Simple as that.
So if you’re ready to get started on your plastic surgery journey, contact us today. We guarantee you’ll never walk the path alone.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Sir Archibald McIndoe
Plastic surgery may seem like a purely contemporary field of medicine. After all, nobody was getting Botox injections in the days of the Wild West.
The truth is, plastic surgery has been around in some form or another for over 4,000 years.
Sure, plastic surgery as we know it today certainly reached new heights in the 1960s and 70s. But pioneers of plastic surgery such as Sir Archibald McIndoe developed innovative techniques in the 1930s ad 40s that served as a strong foundation for all that would follow.
Early 20th Century World Wars Paved the Way
In a previous post, we talked about Dr. Harold Gillies and the advancements he made in giving World War I soldiers with disfigured faces a more appealing appearance.
Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients he witnessed. Working in tandem with other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures that would literally change the face of plastic surgery.
Injuries from World War II presented new challenges for doctors in the 1930s and 40s. Dr. Archibald McIndoe was one of those doctors.
Who Was Dr. Archibald McIndoe?
Born in New Zealand in 1900, McIndoe attended medical school there and was eventually invited to the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. to continue his studies.
While serving as first assistant in Pathological Anatomy, he was offered an assistant surgeon post. He went on to specialize in surgery of the liver. During his years of studying the liver, he discovered and mapped blood supply to the liver. One supply was normal and the other pathological. He theorized that one of those supplies could be shut off when excising part of the liver.
He was correct. And this gave him both tenure and fame in the U.S. Yet he longed to practice in the UK.
What Is the Plastic Surgery Connection?
Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, McIndoe had a tough time finding work and establishing his career. It was a chance meeting with Dr. Harold Gillies (who also happened to be a cousin of his) that his luck shifted.
Right from the beginning of World War II, McIndoe was dissatisfied with the burn treatment techniques that were standard medicine at that time. Tannic acid and jelly were used to dry and tighten tissue and reduce fluid loss. The problem was, severe burn contractures were the result. So McIndoe devised new techniques for treating burns – the most famous of which is the saline burn bath.
McIndoe and Gillies eventually went into practice together – giving soldiers a chance at a more normal life. Gillies had discovered that moving tube pedicles from one part to an adjacent area was more effective. This was referred to as walking. McIndoe took walking to a new level that ensured only unburnt tissue was used in reconstructing and replacing burnt tissue.
Eventually they developed a comprehensive and holistic burn unit that addressed the physical, social, psychological, and functional aspects of the airmen’s issues. By the end of the war, 649 airmen mostly from the United Kingdom (though some hailed from Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Australia and Eastern Europe) had undergone treatment in this innovative burn unit.
McIndoe passed away at the age of 59. But his humanitarian legacy lives on today.
Curious About Today’s Modern Plastic Surgery?
Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Archibald McIndoe played a critical role in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.
So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.
Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeons. Contact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Most of us have some aspect of our bodies that we wouldn’t mind changing. It could be a little extra belly fat, drooping eyelids, or sagging skin.
Plastic surgeons can address fixes like these to satisfy their patients and give them new confidence.
There is a small percentage of the population, however, who never feel better about their appearance because they struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, are obsessively preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their appearance. The operative word is ‘perceived.’
In reality, what they’re seeing is not nearly as prominent as they think it is. In many cases, it’s not even noticeable to others. Yet from their view point, the perceived flaw is so hideous and ugly that it negatively impacts every aspect of their lives.
Once referred to as “dysmorphophobia”, BDD causes severe distress to those who experience it. They will repeatedly look in the mirror or reflective surfaces and obsess over how terrible they think they look. They may avoid social or public situations where they feel people are staring at them and judging their perceived ugliness – even though there’s nothing physically wrong.
Sufferers may seek out the help of cosmetic surgeons or dermatological aestheticians to alleviate the problem. But to no avail because the condition is not physical. It’s mental. No matter how many procedures or treatments they try, they still see themselves as disfigured. In the meantime, they spend a lot of money they may not even have.
This is why ethical plastic surgeons tend to steer away from doing procedures on patients struggling with BDD.
Who Is Impacted By BDD?
BBD might not sound like a serious condition. It may seem easy enough to just ‘get over’ these perceived faults. But it simply doesn’t work that way. The brain is a powerful organ. And for those in the throes of the disorder who refuse to leave their homes, it can become dangerously isolating.
Not only are they fully convinced that they have a faulty nose, hair, skin, eyes, chin, lips, or overall body build, but they believe there is ABSOLUTELY no solution and they are doomed forever. It’s not surprising, therefore, that there’s an increased risk of suicide for those who struggle with BDD.
Late adolescence (ages 16-18) is typically the time that symptoms of BDD tend to emerge. But it can start showing up in a milder form around the age of 12. Because teenagers as a whole can be moody and generally dissatisfied with their appearance, BDD is often overlooked and may not be diagnosed until the sufferer is well into their 20s or even 30s.
BDD Is Not Isolated to Women
Females have been fed a steady diet of perfect body images by the media for years. Unrealistic expectations of how a female should look has driven women to despise their own bodies, suffer anxiety and depression, and even driven them to eating disorders. As such, BDD was once more prevalent in women.
That’s changing.
While some women are waking up to their own issues with BDD, males are now entering the BDD arena. That’s because media has started emphasizing the unrealistic male physique as well. In fact, in the past 25 years, men’s rate of dissatisfaction with their bodies has tripled.
As such, BDD is now becoming prevalent among men. Is it particularly problematic for teenage boys who are turning to steroids and also developing eating disorders to achieve this ‘perfect’ body that doesn’t exist. And as they continue to see no results because of their warped perception, they develop depression that can lead to drinking and drug problems.
Wanting to Look Your Best Is NOT a Disorder
Obviously, there’s a huge difference between feeling dissatisfied with a fixable problem and struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
If you are mentally healthy, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best! So if you’re ready to consult with a plastic surgeon about a procedure that will help you feel better about yourself, then contact us today!
In the meantime, if you think that you or someone you know may be struggling with undiagnosed BDD, you can connect with the BDD Foundation to get answers to your questions and find support.
What Is Scar Revision?
Having a scar is seen by some as a ‘battle wound’ of which to be proud. For others though, a scar can be an embarrassing aberration or even something which compromises their ability to function.
Fortunately for the latter group, there are multiple scar revision procedures available to improve cosmetic appearance and/or restore function.
And while no scar can be completely removed, many of these procedures truly go the distance.
Different Types of Scars
The type of treatment for your scar revision will be based on the severity, location, size, and even type of scar. Yep. That’s right. Not all scars are created equal.
We’ll take a look at three of the most common types of scars addressed in scar revision:
- Keloid
A keloid scar is a rounded, thick, and irregular cluster of tissue that occurs when the skin is wounded. In the case of keloid scars, they extend beyond the border of the wound and are often red or darker than the regular skin surrounding it.
- Hypertrophic
Like keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar is often red in color and is thick and elevated. (Atrophic scars, by contrast, are below the surface of the skin.)
Unlike keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar does not extend beyond the borders of the skin injury.
- Contractures
Contractures depart from keloid and hypertrophic scars in that they occur when an area of skin is damaged or even lost. Rather than a raised appearance, a contracture scar pulls the edges of skin together resulting in tightness of the area. This pulling can also affect the ability of tendons, muscles and joints in the area to move effectively.
Treatment Options for Scar Revision
In cases where scarring is not severe, there are multiple options for surface treatments to soften irregularities and reduce uneven pigmentation. These are typically done by changing the surface of the skin.
For example, hydrafacial and/or chemical peel solutions soften irregularities in texture and color by penetrating the skin’s surface. Laser or light therapy procedures alter the surface of the skin to enable healthy new skin to form at the scar site. And dermabrasion mechanically polishes the skin.
In some cases, steroid injections may be utilized to decrease itching and redness as well as shrink the size of the scar. Pressure therapy – where an appliance is worn over the scar for a prescribed amount of time – may also be recommended.
It’s important to understand that in many cases, the patient will have a combination of these procedures to achieve the desired result.
Surgical Procedures
When the scar is more severe and/or is affecting the patient’s ability to function, then surgery is the usual recommendation.
In the most basic procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon removes the scar formation with an incision. He or she then places stitches to help close the wound.
More complicated scarring may call for the following:
- Skin Graft or Flap
In situations where skin is damaged or lost, skin grafts may be chosen. With this procedure, the surgeon removes the scar tissue, takes a piece of healthy skin from another area of the body, and attaches it to the wounded area.
Skin flaps are the next level and address situations where there is damage to the blood vessels as well as the skin. Similar to skin grafts, with a skin flap, the section of skin that’s harvested includes its underlying blood vessels, fat, and muscles.
- Tissue expansion
Some patients who wish to avoid a skin graft may opt for tissue expansion instead. In this procedure, an inflatable balloon is placed under the skin near the wound site.
Slowly and over time, the balloon is filled with a sterile solution so as to stretch the area of healthy skin around the wound. Once the skin is sufficiently expanded, the scar is removed and the newly stretched skin replaces the tissue.
Obviously, this procedure involves multiple visits and procedures which can take some time.
Are You In Need of Scar Revision?
Even though a scar cannot be completely eliminated, scar revision procedures can greatly reduce its appearance or address your inability to function normally because of it.
So if you have a troublesome scar, then contact us today to discuss the options available to you.
The long-lasting results will leave you feeling more confident in your appearance and comfortable in your body.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Are you frustrated with excess fat or skin around your lower abdomen beneath your belly button? Have you tried diet and exercise as a solution and they’re not working?
Perhaps you’re already familiar with the tummy tuck procedure and feel like that’s more than you need.
If so, then you’re one of the countless folks who could benefit from a mini tummy tuck.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
In a previous post we discussed the difference between a full abdominoplasty (the fancy way of saying tummy tuck) and a mini tummy tuck.
This post will strictly address the mini tummy tuck – a procedure that’s less invasive than a full tummy tuck and aims to lessen or eliminate that troublesome pooch dwelling on the lower belly.
How does it work?
With the ultimate goal of flattening the lower abdomen, a board-certified plastic surgeon makes an incision about 4-8 inches long in the lower abdomen. From there, he or she may tighten loose muscle, remove flabby skin, and/or possibly use liposuction to remove excess fat. The procedure varies from patient to patient depending on their specific situation.
In there is excess skin, it will be trimmed and laid flat. Depending on where and how much excess skin is in the area, this can potentially remove stretch marks. In addition, the lower abdomen muscles may be sutured together in a way that isn’t visible on the outside.
Once the procedure is complete and the patient recovers, he or she will have an enhanced lower abdomen contour.
Who Should Get a Mini Tummy Tuck?
It’s important to understand that the purpose of ANY tummy tuck is not as a weight loss measure. This procedure is used to alleviate imperfections that are confined to the lower belly area.
The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck struggles with the above-mentioned pooch, has tried diet and exercise as a solution (but to no avail), is in good overall health, and is at a weight that’s in a healthy range.
Patients most often seek out a mini tummy tuck to do the following:
- Address Age-Related Issues
Many female patients seek the counsel of plastic surgeons during menopause or their later years when weight gain becomes more common in the midsection. Some of this is hormone related.
Often times though, it’s the result of the natural decline of muscles as the body ages. As the body becomes more prone to weight loss, stubborn abdominal fat settles onto the belly.
- Smooth Out Post-Pregnancy Changes
After giving birth, many women feel like they’re living in somebody else’s body. For these women, getting their bellies back to pre-pregnancy shape is impossible. No matter how hard they try.
A mini tummy tuck can go the distance in tightening and flattening that post-pregnancy trouble spot. This is one of the main reasons that it or a full tummy tuck is often part of the whole Mommy Makeover package.
- Correct a Ventral Hernia
Sometimes massive weight loss, an appendectomy, or a C-section can cause a ventral hernia. This is when the intestinal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall and creates a pooch. A plastic surgeon may recommend a mini tummy tuck in this situation to flatten and reshape the belly.
Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
Compared to other procedures, the mini tummy tuck recovery process is fairly simple. Most patients require an abdominal binder for at least a few weeks to support the abs as they heal.
Fortunately, since the mini tummy tuck is less invasive than the full version, there is minimal swelling and healing happens faster. Most patients see some immediate results. Within six weeks, the full results appear.
And as long as there is no weight gain or pregnancy, the results are permanent.
Are You Considering a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Now that you’ve been schooled on the mini tummy tuck, you may be ready to take advantage of all it has to offer. Of course, you’ll want to explore all your options with a plastic surgeon.
So contact us for a free consultation.
We’ll guide you on the most effective route to a firmer, flatter belly that will help restore your youthful confidence.
