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The information provided is an introduction to various plastic surgical procedures. If you are interested in having plastic surgery, a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons will help you decide what procedures might benefit you.
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Please select from the list below for more information.
LIPOSUCTION
(Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
| Procedure: |
Improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device. Can be performed using the tumescent technique, in which targeted fat cells are infused with saline containing solution with a local anesthetic before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. Common locations for liposuction include chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles.
For larger volumes of fat or for fibrous body areas, ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) may be used. UAL is a new technique in which a ultrasound probe is inserted beneath the skin to "liquify" the fat before it is suctioned. |
| Length: |
1 to 2 hours or more. UAL: 20-40 percent longer than traditional liposuction. |
| Anesthesia: |
Local, epidural, or general. |
| In/Outpatient: |
Usually outpatient. Extensive procedures may require short inpatient stay. |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation. Tumescent: Temporary fluid drainage from incision sites. UAL: Larger incisions for cannula. |
| Risks: |
Asymmetry. Rippling or bagginess of skin. Pigmentation changes. Skin injury. Fluid retention. Excessive fluid loss leading to shock. Infection. UAL: thermal burn injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound device. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activity: 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising: 1 to 6 months or more. Use of tumescent technique or UAL may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling. |
Duration of
Results: |
Permanent, with sensible diet and exercise. |
Information provided by ASPS
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ABDOMINOPLASTY (Tummy Tuck)
| Procedure: |
Flatten abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles of abdominal wall. |
| Length: |
2 to 5 hours. |
| Anesthesia: |
General, or local with sedation. |
| In/Outpatient: |
Either depending on individual circumstances and extent of surgery. |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary pain. Swelling, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, tiredness for several weeks or months. |
| Risks: |
Blood clots. Infection. Bleeding under the skin flap. Poor healing resulting in conspicuous scarring or skin loss. Need for a second operation. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks. More strenuous activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years. |
Information provided by ASPS
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MALE BREAST REDUCTION
(Gynecomastia)
| Procedure: |
Reduce enlarged, female-like breast in men using liposuction and/or cutting out excess glandular tissue. (Sometimes covered by medical insurance.) |
| Length: |
1 hour or more. |
| Anesthesia: |
General or local. |
| In/Outpatient: |
Usually outpatient. |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation. |
| Risks: |
Blood clots. Infection. Bleeding under the skin flap. Poor healing resulting in conspicuous scarring or skin loss. Need for a second operation. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 3 to 7 days. More strenuous activity: 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling and bruising: 3 to 6 months. |
Duration of
Results: |
permanent |
Information provided by ASPS
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BODY CONTOURING AFTER MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS
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Body contouring after major weight loss reduces the excess skin and fat that is left behind from the expansion of skin, loss of fat and lack of tissue elasticity that often occurs after a major weight loss. This sagging skin commonly develops around the face, neck, upper arms, breast, abdomen buttocks and thighs and can make your body appear irregular and misshapen. If you have undergone dramatic weight loss either through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, and you are at your optimum weight loss goal, you may choose to have this procedure.
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| Procedure: |
Removal of excess skin/tissue from areas of the body due to massive weight loss. (Rarely covered by medical insurance.) |
| Length: |
4-6 hours or more. |
| Anesthesia: |
General |
| In/Outpatient: |
Either depending on individual circumstances and extent of surgery. |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary pain. Swelling, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, tiredness for several weeks or months. |
| Risks: |
Infection. Fluid accumulation. Injury to the skin. Asymmetry. Excessive scarring if tissue was cut away. Need for second procedure to remove additional tissue. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 3 to 6 weeks. More strenuous activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years. |
Duration of
Results: |
permanent |
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