Body Surgery Procedures

If you have struggled to achieve a flat and toned abdomen due to pregnancy, fluctuations in weight, aging or even genetics, tummy tuck surgery may be a solution. Also known as abdominoplasty, in most instances, the procedure tightens separated abdominal muscles to reveal a firmer and smoother abdominal profile. Variations of this procedure include a panniculectomy that only focuses on skin removal in the lower abdomen. This procedure is often performed along with liposuction to create an hourglass shape.

During tummy tuck surgery, an incision is made between the pubic hairline and the belly button. The shape and length of the incision will vary and be determined by how much excess skin you have to remove. The incision is placed low enough to be concealed with clothing or a bathing suit. Some cases may require a second incision to remove extra skin in the upper abdomen.

First, the underlying weakened muscles are repaired. The abdominal skin is then pulled, the excess skin is trimmed, and the remaining skin is sutured together. Your surgeon will create a new belly button, and the new belly button is pulled through and stitched into position. You can expect to return to moderate activities within one to two weeks; however, you will have to refrain from vigorous exercise for up to two months.

After significant weight loss or with age, you may have discovered that your arms have developed a drooping or sagging appearance. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, trims excess, loose skin and reduces pockets of fat in your upper arms while tightening the underlying supportive tissue. This procedure tightens and smoothes the underlying tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm. You’ll see immediate results, with a more noticeable long-term change revealed as swelling eases.

During the procedure, an incision is made in the inner arm or along the back of the arm. Its length can run from the armpit to the elbow but will vary depending on the amount of skin and fat to be removed. Fat can be excised under direct vision or removed with liposuction. The excess skin is removed, and the surgical wound is closed. Sometimes, the armpit area may also need to be surgically tightened.

Your recovery time can vary and may last for several weeks. During that time, you may need to wear compression garments and utilize draining tubes to avoid infection. You should be able to notice a difference immediately after surgery and see the final results after the swelling and bruising subside.

Liposuction is a body contouring treatment that removes stubborn pockets of fat from areas such as the abdomen, arms, ankles, knees, neck, waist, thighs, hips, buttocks and double chin to create a more defined look. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures and can simultaneously target several areas of the body. “Lipo,” as the procedure is often called, is not an effective treatment for cellulite or obesity.

Liposuction is performed by inserting a thin hollow tube into small incisions throughout the targeted area to loosen excess fat. A surgical vacuum attached to the tube suctions out the dislodged fat. During recovery, compression garments or bandages may be worn to reduce swelling, and temporary drains may be placed in the incisions to remove excess blood or fluid. It may take one to two weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside and up to several months before you see the final results. Scarring should be minimal and fade over time.

Because of their high functional use and environmental exposure, our hands can show significant signs of aging over time. Many notice wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, loss of volume and thinning skin, and they wish to restore the appearance and texture of their hands while preventing further aging and damage. Fortunately, autologous fat grafting has proven to be an effective option to help address age-related volume loss and the resulting prominence of veins and tendons on the back of the hands.

Hand rejuvenation procedures offer an effective method for correcting the appearance of an aged hand. To recreate a youthful appearance, autologous fat grafting begins with liposuction in another area of your body that may have a little extra fat. The extracted fat is refined and reinjected into the top of the hands to replace any volume loss that has occurred over time. You may experience redness, slight discomfort and swelling at the injection site immediately afterward. Within two to three weeks, you should be able to resume normal activities, including a return to work. Your final results should feel soft, look natural and can last several years.