Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck refers to the surgical contouring of the mid-section of the body. A patient may decide to have a tummy tuck for a variety of reasons. One common reason that a patient may have a persistent bulge in the lower abdominal area is due to the relaxation of the lower abdominal muscles secondary to either pregnancy or cesarean section. Another common cause of a persistent area of fullness is significant weight loss.

The patient’s experience begins with a thorough evaluation during a complimentary consultation at Horizons Plastic Surgery. During this visit the patient is informed about the procedure and is educated about the risks and complications associated with abdominoplasty. Financial and scheduling information is provided.

The surgical procedure is three to four hours in duration.  The excess skin and fat of the lower abdominal area is removed and the muscles are repaired to help flatten the area.  The incision is planned to accommodate most bathing suit options.  Most patients may resume normal levels of activity in a few weeks.

Abdominoplasty is a relatively safe and popular procedure that helps contour the lower abdominal wall. The ideal candidate has already invested time and effort into their well -being with a healthy lifestyle.

Before and After Examples

Liposuction

Liposuction is not a substitute for diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. After a patient has achieved his/her desirable body weight there may be areas of fatty tissue that just will not go away. The fat deposits that are ideally treated with liposuction should be discreet, well defined areas that are out of proportion to the rest of the patient’s fat layer.

Liposuction of small areas may be performed using local anesthesia and mild sedation. Larger areas are usually treated under general anesthesia. The treatment area is first infiltrated with an anesthetic solution consisting of saline, Lidocaine and adrenaline. The fat in this area is then removed by the movement of the hollow tube or cannula back and forth while the suction is in force. The fat collects in a canister and is discarded. The patient is then placed in a compression garment to reduce swelling.

Before and After Examples

Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss

The obese patient who loses a significant amount of weight will usually experience partial or complete resolution of a host of medical problems such as diabetes and hypertension. Unfortunately, the skin usually fails to contract enough to live up to their cosmetic goals and expectations. The abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, breasts and neck are common areas of complaint and surgical improvements are almost always possible.

It is recommended that the patient achieve and maintain his/her target weight for several months. During a consultation at Horizons Plastic Surgery, attention is focused on the medical, nutritional, psychological and physical condition of the patient. Priorities are established and the patient’s goals and expectations are explored.

The most common starting place is surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the front of the abdomen with tightening of the midline muscle components. In some patients, the next procedure will be to contour their backside, elevate the buttocks and tighten the outer thigh. Other procedures include arm tightening, rejuvenation of the female breast, and a host of facial procedures such as facelift, eyelid correction and fat grafting to add soft tissue volume back to overly thin facial features.

These procedures are performed under general anesthesia in the Surgical Suite at Horizons Plastic Surgery.

Before and After Examples

Vaginal Rejuvenation

The term ‘vaginal rejuvenation’ includes both surgical and non-surgical techniques to improve the appearance and function of the female genitalia.  Enlargement or asymmetry of the labia can be a source of concern for many women and may be associated with hygiene issues, concerns about appearance and in some cases interfere with sexual enjoyment.

“Labiaplasty’ refers to the surgical reduction in the size of the labia minora.  The results are a reduction in the length of the labia minora so they do not protrude past the hair-bearing labia majora.

Labiaplasty is performed under general anesthesia in the surgical suite at Horizons Plastic Surgery.  Most patients require a week off from work.  Risks and complications include hematoma, infection, scarring and over-resection.  Return to normal sexual activity occurs after four-six weeks of healing.

Before and After Examples