19495 Biscayne Blvd.
# 204
Aventura, Florida 33180 (Miami Metro)
Phone: 305.931.3338
Fax: 305.931.3324
LIPOSUCTION | TUMMY TUCK | ARM LIFT | FAT TRANSFER
LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction is an elective cosmetic surgery procedure that has steadily been growing in popularity among both men and women.
It is better to think of Liposuction not as weight removal but as a contouring procedure. With Liposuction you can choose where you want to lose the fat and what shape you want your body to have. The benefit of Liposuction is that the weight does not come back. Exercise and dieting simply shrink your fat cells. If you stray from your exercise and dieting routine the weight can easily come back. Liposuction removes the fat cells permanently.
The techniques used for Liposuction surgery include Wet, Superwet, Tumescent, Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL), Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL), and Vaser Assisted Liposuction (VAL). Each Liposuction technique has its own benefits and possible complications. It is very important to discuss which technique Miami liposuction surgeon, Dr. Hochstein will be using.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of General Liposuction:
- Indelible ink is used to draw lines to help the surgeon
- Using the smallest needle possible local anesthesia is injected or general anesthesia is administered
- 1mm adits (incisions or access points for the surgeon) are placed in the skin
- Fluid is injected into the area
- A large, small or micro-cannula is used to suction out the fat
- After the removal of the fat, the incision sites are left open to allow drainage
- A compression garment is worn to help the healing process
Complications from properly done liposuction is extremely rare but talk to Dr. Hochstein about your specific risks.
The techniques used for Liposuction surgery include Wet, Superwet, Tumescent, Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL), Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL), and Vaser Assisted Liposuction (VAL). Each Liposuction technique has its own benefits and possible complications. It is very important to discuss which technique Dr. Hochstein will be using.
TUMMY TUCK
A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdomen wall are tightened. This procedure can drastically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. The procedure is particularly helpful to women who, through pregnancy have stretched their abdomen so far that it does not return to it's normal shape. Tummy tucks are often performed in conjunction with liposuction.
The best candidates for an abdominoplasty are men or women in good health and relatively good shape, but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to exercise.
Some of these risks of tummy tucks include infection and blood clots. These can be treated easily and are rare.
MINI-TUMMY TUCK VS. FULL TUMMY TUCK
Cosmetic surgery can help to enhance your figure through a variety of body contouring procedures, such as "abdominoplasty." This surgical procedure can be performed in two ways: a full tummy tuck or a mini-tummy tuck. This, of course, depends on your condition. Even if you are committed to a good diet and regular exercise, the excess fat that can accumulate in the abdominal area may just sit there and drive you crazy. The type of patients who most commonly undergo tummy tuck surgery are women left with a protruding belly after having multiple pregnancies.
Skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs.
The surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue together and stitches them, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall.
Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is removed. With complete abdominoplasty, a new opening is cut for the navel. Both incisions are stitched closed.
After surgery, the patient has a flatter, trimmer abdomen. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time.
If the storage of excess fat is predominantly in your lower abdomen, a mini-tummy tuck may work out best with improving the appearance of loose, stretched out skin. This technique is often done on an outpatient basis allowing for a quicker recovery period than with a full tummy tuck. Because a small, horizontal incision is made just above the pubic region, the discreetly-placed scar can be covered with clothing. To lose your pouch in the lower abdomen, the excess skin is cut and removed while the remainder is stitched back together for a firmer look and feel.
As compared to a fully tummy tuck, this minimal technique allows the navel to remain intact. A mini-tummy tuck can take about one to two hours, while complete abdominoplasty may take about two to five hours. There are distinct differences between a mini and full procedure. Besides the longer, hip-to-hip scar a tummy tuck produces, as well as the repositioning of the belly button, it also involves muscles tightening for beautiful results. Because this procedure is more intricate involving a much wider incision and more skin removal than a mini procedure, you will need to restrain yourself from work and activities during a longer period.
For both the mini and full techniques, you may receive general anesthesia or local anesthesia with a sedative. Dr. Hochstein commonly performs liposuction in conjunction with your tummy tuck technique in order to remove extra fat; this will help to contribute to a smoother abdominal profile. For more information about your options with abdominoplasty, please call our office to make an appointment for an initial consultation.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?
A good candidate for Abdominoplasty Surgery:
- Is close to their ideal body weight (within 30%)
- Wants to remove specific areas of loose skin or fat that is diet- and exercise-resistant
- Weight has been stable for 6 months or more
- Has good skin tone and elasticity
- Has realistic expectations
- Is emotionally stable
- Understands the risks of abdominoplasty surgery
INITIAL CONSULTATION
At your initial consultation, Dr. Hochstein will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdomen, and assess your skin tone. Be specific about what you would like done, i.e. bring your favorite bikini bottoms. If your surgeon fully understands your expectations, he'll be able to determine whether your goals are realistic.
If your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also know as a mini tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Liposuction alone may create the best result. You will want to discuss these options with Dr. Hochstein upon your consultation.
You are at increased risk for complications if you have diabetes, poor circulation, heart, lung or liver disease, smoke, have a family history of blood clots, take certain medications, etc. You'll want to discuss your medical history thoroughly with your Miami tummy tuck physician before you choose to undergo surgery. Here at Dr. Hochstein's office we only use Board Certified Doctor's for all are Anesthesia needs. You can look up all information on are Anesthesiologist under Patient Education.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY WITH DR. HOCHSTEIN
You will get specific instructions on how to prepare for a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications on consultation day.
If you are a smoker, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. It is important to avoid overexposure to the sun or tanning beds before surgery, especially to your abdomen. Do not go on a stringent diet before surgery, as this can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, let Dr. Hochstein know as soon as possible because your surgery may need to be postponed.
Arrange for someone to drive you home, and take care of you for a day or two after your surgery. (You may need to have someone drive you back and forth for your first few follow-up visits).
If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.
GETTING YOUR LIFT BACK TO NORMAL
It will take you a few weeks or months to feel like yourself again. If you are in good physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty will be a lot faster. Some people can return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate. Most patients can drive their vehicles within 5-7 days. But plan on having someone drive you to the office for you first few follow-ups after surgery.
Exercise of some sort is very important, even if just walking around your house. It will not only help you heal better but it can reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone your muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided for 4-6 weeks and you are cleared by Dr. Hochstein.
Scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they'll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
ARM LIFT
Indications
Arm tissue relaxes and descends with aging, gravity, and weight loss. The drooping of skin is from a stretching of the anchoring fascial system and loss of supporting fat. The extra sagging can result in significant "loose hammock" like deformity from the axilla to the elbow. Some call this a "bat wing" deformity.
The Surgery
There are different degrees of ptosis (drooping) deformity. Brachioplasty arm reduction surgery can remove the excess tissue and reduce the circumference of the upper arm. Surgical correction depends on the amount of extra skin and how loose the supporting tissues have become. Extra skin is removed from incisions along the inner arm. The incision must be placed where the tissue can be best tightened.
The most common incision extends from the elbow to the axilla. This permits the excision to maximally address the redundant skin in the middle. Modification of the incision may be necessary to limit scar contracture in the axilla.
Surgical sculpture involves not just the superficial skin, but also the deeper attachments that have loosened.
In cases of limited extra skin, the incision can be hidden in the axilla. This can re-suspend tissues in some cases but is not a very good answer for extensive redundant skin.
Risks
Because of the level of the incisions, visible scars can be a major concern. It becomes a choice between the loose wobbling extra skin and the scar from the excision. Meticulous surgical technique, after surgery scar care can limit the degree of scarring. Clothing style can help camouflage some of the scar, but not the loose skin before surgery. Other possible complications include persistent swelling of the arm, infection, bruising, and bleeding. Nerve injury can result in numbness and change in feeling.
This surgery is not suitable after mastectomy or operations in the axilla lymph nodes. Those with multiple infections of the sweat gland may also not be candidates for brachioplasty. Drainage of the arm may already be impaired, and further surgery may lead to permanent arm swelling.
Anesthesia
This operation is usually done as an outpatient under general anesthesia or local with sedation. The choice depends on the extent of the operation, but most are more comfortable having this done asleep.
After Surgery Care
Recovery takes one to two weeks, depending on what was done. Return to work depend on the activity needed on the job but is often about 2 weeks. The dressing may be extensive with elastic support or something smaller. You will need to protect the incisions after surgery. Limiting lifting is important. Elevation with pillows increases comfort. It can take 6 months or more to see how the scars will evolve.
FAT TRANSFER
Fat transfer is a procedure that takes fat from one area of the body and transplants it to another. The goal is to fill in a wrinkle, crease, or a depression caused by trauma, surgery, aging, or acne. It can also be used to enhance facial features, such as making the lips or cheeks fuller, or filling in the groove under the eyes. It is a popular alternative to other filler substances, such as collagen, Restylane, and Perlane. This procedure can be done at any age.
For more information on fat transfer or to schedule a consultation, please contact us.