Archive for June, 2011
Body Shaping with Body Implants and Body Contouring
Friday, June 24th, 2011
Body implants and body contouring comprise a variety of plastic surgery procedures that can create a more defined and personally pleasing shape to almost any part of your body. How big a difference can these procedures make for you? Your plastic surgeon can show you photographs of his or her patients taken before and after plastic surgery that demonstrate the change. If you live in the northern New Jersey area, we invite you to schedule a consultation at The Peer Group’s plastic surgery center in Florham Park to learn more, but here are some basics you should know:
Body implants are usually made of silicone-derived materials with the feel of firm muscle, and they’re available for many attention-getting parts of the body. Breast implants, the best known and most widely used implants, are made of softer silicone gel or are filled with saline (salt water).
Body contouring is a general term referring to cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that shape and improve the tone of the skin and underlying tissue. Examples of body contouring plastic surgery procedures include breast lifts, abdominoplasty, or tummy tucks, and liposuction. Body contouring is also often performed to remove excess skin and tissue on women and men after substantial weight loss,.
Many body implant procedures and other body contouring aesthetic plastic surgery procedures are performed for cosmetic reasons, to create a more pleasing appearance and better proportions, however, these procedures are also performed to correct congenital or injury related problems, which can result in an abnormal physical appearance. Whatever the reason and whatever the procedure, we recommend working with a plastic surgeon with experience performing these operations. That will put you in the best shape for achieving the outcome you want.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips
Monday, June 20th, 2011
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, can have a dramatic impact in trimming away midriff fat and loose muscle tissue, resulting in a slimmer, toned abdomen, as we’ve noted in previous blogs. But part of a successful tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure is an uneventful recovery, and that’s something every patient can play a big part in. So if you’re considering a tummy tuck, you should also be familiar with the recovery process, so you can be prepared for the changes in your normal routine that you need to plan for.
Your plastic surgeon will likely recommend that you move around as soon as possible after surgery. That will help you avoid developing blood clots, which can lead to complications. However, you should avoid strenuous activity. The risk of blood clots developing is greatest during the 72 hours after your plastic surgery procedure. A compression garment or an abdominal binder may be used to support the tissue and reduce swelling. Plan to take some time off from work – a week or two is usually sufficient depending on the type of abdominoplasty that was performed– to allow your body to heal.
In order to prevent the accumulation of fluid beneath the abdominoplasty skin flap, special sutures are placed, or more commonly tubes called suction drains are placed to remove that fluid. These tubes remain in place for several days and are removed in the office when the amount of drainage is low enough. Occasionally, fluid still re-accumulates and can usually be aspirated, or drained, by placing a small needle. Properly drained, such pooling does not interfere with recovery. The initial recovery period typically takes one to four weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure, and you should expect to take some time off from work to allow your body to heal and you should avoid strenuous activity during this period.
Cigarette smokers are at increased risk for developing skin necrosis, where some of the skin tightened by the tummy can die. Should this occur wound care and maybe even a skin graft may be needed. For this reason, smokers are typically advised to give up nicotine for one month or more prior to the procedure and throughout the recovery period.
Our qualified plastic surgeons at the Peer Group perform many tummy tuck operations at our plastic surgery in Florham Park. We invite anyone in northern New Jersey interested in learning more about these procedures to call or email us to schedule a consultation.
Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures
Friday, June 17th, 2011
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tucks can do what no amount of exercise or diet can: give your abdomen a leaner, more toned look that will make you proud to show it on the beach or under a snug garment. We previously blogged about post-pregnancy abdominoplasty, but there are many types of tummy tuck operations, and the terminology may seem complicated. So here’s a quick guide to the various kinds of abdominoplasty procedures that you may hear about, and what they can do.
A complete abdominoplasty involves a hip-to-hip incision made just above the pubic area. The muscles are tightened with sutures and excess muscle and fat is trimmed away. Liposuction is often performed in conjunction to smooth the transition areas between the abdomen and the flanks.
In a partial abdominoplasty the incision is less extensive and the abdominal skin is not completely detached from underlying tissue. This tummy tuck surgery is less extensive than a complete abdominoplasty.
An extended abdominoplasty is a complete abdominoplasty performed by a plastic surgeon in conjunction with a lateral thigh lift. The lateral thigh lift shapes the flanks and smoothes the contours of the upper thigh.
A high lateral tension tummy tuck is a relatively new procedure. Abdominal muscles are tightened horizontally, as well as vertically as is done with standard abdominoplasty, resulting in a flatter abdomen and more defined waist line.
A circumferential abdominoplasty is an extended abdominoplasty combined with a buttock lift. This is also called a belt lipectomy or body lift. The scar completely circles the body like a belt. This cosmetic plastic surgery is most appropriate for individuals who have experienced massive weight loss, and want excess skin trimmed away.
Our plastic surgeons at the Peer Group in northern New Jersey have experience with all these tummy tuck plastic surgery procedures. If you live in the region or are interested in learning more, call or email us at our plastic surgery center in Florham Park to schedule a consultation.
Preparing for successful Eyelid Surgery
Monday, June 13th, 2011
With its ability to give your eyes a more youthful appearance, eyelid surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed today, eliminating bags under the eyes as well as droopy eyelids. We recently blogged about the recovery process for eyelid plastic surgery. That’s an important subject because the recovery period for this or any other plastic surgery procedure plays a big role in your comfort as well as the final outcome of the treatment. Learning about the recovery process beforehand enables you to plan ahead and be prepared for any necessary adjustments to your schedule and daily activities.
If you’re considering eyelid surgery – also called blepharoplasty or an eye lift – here are a few basic things to keep in mind to make the first few days after eyelid surgery to ensure the recovery goes as smoothly as possible: Make sure to keep the skin protected and at the proper moisture level as it heals. For the first couple of days after the plastic surgery procedure, an ointment treatment can keep incisions moist. Simple ice pads can reduce post-operative swelling and bruising, and prescription medications capable of reducing swollen, bruised skin are also available. When sleeping, keep your head elevated higher than the body. The improved drainage of fluid from the area will speed recovery. Whether the procedure was performed on your upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both, simple ocular exercises like closing and opening your eyes and looking up toward the ceiling while keeping your head stationary help keep your eyes lubricated after the eyelid treatment. If you’re going outside, wear dark glasses to prevent irritation from the wind and sun.
Follow your cosmetic plastic surgeon’s instructions for post-operative care and you’ll be well on the way to smooth recovery. Most patients can return to work within a week to ten days of the surgery. Some signs of the eyelid plastic surgery may still be visible, but they can be covered by makeup. Our staff of plastic surgeons at The Peer Group in northern New Jersey performs many blepharoplasty procedures, and we invite you to schedule an appointment at our plastic surgery center in Florham Park to learn more.
Recovering from Eyelid Surgery
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Eyelid surgery can have a dramatic impact on restoring a more youthful appearance to your eyes, removing the bags and the droopy eyelid tired look. One of the first questions we get from patients considering eyelid surgery performed by our plastic surgeons at The Peer Group in northern New Jersey is about the recovery process. Given the sensitivity of the eyes, and how important our vision is, people considering eyelid surgery want to know about the level of discomfort and how long it will take until they’ve recovered from having “work done” on the eyelids. To be sure, you will require time to heal, but the recovery is fairly quick and not unduly uncomfortable. You will experience swelling and bruising as a result of the surgery. The swelling usually peaks the morning after the plastic surgery procedure was performed., while bruising begins to fade in a few days. A mild aching or burning sensation is also not unusual, but this discomfort is easily controlled with non-prescription pain relievers and application of cold compresses.
Swelling usually subsides within ten days while bruising is gone within two weeks.
Normal activities can be resumed within two days of your plastic surgery, but strenuous activities should be avoided for two to three weeks after the procedure. Your cosmetic plastic surgeon will review the recovery process and advise you when you are healed sufficiently for various activities. A small amount of puffiness around the eyes may persist for several months after eyelid surgery, but these aftereffects will eventually disappear, leaving your eyes with a more youthful and vigorous appearance.
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