Many of my patients are frustrated with that stubborn pooch that just won’t tone with diet and exercise.  If so, then a tummy tuck may be the surgical option that can give your mid-section the tweak it needs.  However, realistic expectations and talking to the right surgeon is necessary to begin your journey.  Like many of my patients, Janae 45, was unhappy about her excess skin and fat and she opted for the tummy tuck as she has had 3 children and was looking to have the extra loose skin and fat removed from her belly.

Though she is not considered obese, Janae was advised to lose a few pounds before considering the surgery.  With the loss of a few excess pounds, the results of the tummy tuck are much more impressive and the patient satisfaction is much higher. 

Toning the Tummy

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is the surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen.  The procedure not only helps tighten the skin where elasticity has been lost, it also tightens the muscles underneath that have become loose over the years with having children.  It also removes stretch marks and can be used to rebuild the belly button when the belly button has been stretched out of shape.

I usually perform tummy tucks in combination with Liposuction. This combo gives great results for patients such who have fatty tissue, especially in the upper tummy.

As for recovery time, “the procedure was on a Friday and I was actually back to work on Wednesday,” says Janae.

Wanting More

More often than not, liposuction is part of many tummy tuck procedures that I do.  Though liposuction will help you look better in tighter-fitting clothes, nothing will rejuvenate a tummy and make it look more like when you were younger, than an abdominoplasty.

For my younger patients with good skin elasticity and who are in relatively good shape, with no stretch marks and no significant abdominal bulging, I recommend the liposuction alone.  On the other hand, I always let the patients know about the less-than-optimal results they are going to get with just liposuction alone.  Liposuction does not tighten the muscles underneath nor remove excess loose skin.  Some areas may even appear worse after liposuction due to the skin becoming more prominent.

To view before and after pictures of this and other procedures, you may visit http://www.inlandcosmetic.com/before-after-photos/ .  Call 909-987-0899 to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Haiavy and to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Actress Emmanuelle Beart recently told French newspaper Le Monde, “I had my mouth done at 27. It was botched.”

An overdone lip augmentation is often referred to as a “trout pout” because the plumped appearance makes them resemble a fish.

The TODAY Show reports that Hollywood is obsessed with the trout pout because women think it makes them look younger; however, it actually makes them look older because nothing makes you look older than bad cosmetic surgery.

Avoid “Trout Pout”

While fuller lips may be considered more attractive than thin lips, bigger is not always better. If you go too big, you start losing the shape of your lips, the TODAY Show reports. It also becomes obvious that you’ve had work done when you get your lips over-plumped.

In addition to shape, keeping the right lip proportion is also important. Many surgeons say the bottom lip should be larger than the top lip to look natural.

It is important that your cosmetic surgeon guides you toward a natural look for your lip augmentation to ensure best results.

Dr. Leslie Baumann, a cosmetic dermatologist to celebrities, told TODAY that she has seen lots of overdone cosmetic surgery.

“Some people call me Doctor No because I talk people out of more things than I tell them to do,” Baumann said. “But it’s just so important to know when to stop.”

There are a number of options for lip augmentation, and your cosmetic surgeon will select the one that is best for you. Injectable fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, collagen, or fat are often used, although in some cases a type of implant may be recommended.

Learn more about lip augmentation in Chino Hills, CA.

While there are some rare instances when insurance covers the costs, such as after an accident, most of the time it is the patient’s responsibility.

“Consumers should be aware that cosmetic surgery is not covered under insurance, so all of the expenses must be paid out of pocket,” says Kevin Kautzmann, a certified financial planner.

Fox Business gives an overview of ten options for paying for cosmetic surgery, and here we offer a few of the highlights.

A health care or medical credit card is a credit card specifically for medical expenses and can be used for cosmetic procedures. Often these cards start with low promotional rates and can have reasonable payment plans.

If you don’t want to open a medical credit card, you could use your regular credit card or apply for a new one and take advantage of a 0% introductory period during which you could pay off your procedure.

For some, saving up and paying cash for a cosmetic procedure makes the most sense. “It may not be sexy, but the best answer for most people is to save each month until you have the bill covered—then get the procedure done,” says financial adviser Michael Masiello.

You can also check with your surgeon’s office to see if they offer payment plans. Some will create a plan tailored to a patient’s budget.

It may seem unconventional, but you could ask others to contribute to your procedure fund as a gift. This has become easier and more popular with online sites, such as DepositAGift.com and MyRegistry.com, as family or friends can make a deposit toward your procedure without even having to mail a check.

Learn more about financing options at Inland Cosmetic Surgery in Victorville and Chino Hills, CA.

Mary M. Mitchell, who has written several etiquette books, recently wrote a Reuters story about what she views as proper etiquette regarding cosmetic surgery.

For instance, if you run into a friend or acquaintance who looks different and you think they’ve had cosmetic surgery Mitchell says, “Don’t blurt out a comment.”

Many people may be sensitive about speculation on their appearance.

If you do ask a question, she recommends keeping it simple and keeping your reaction low-key.

Here are some other tips from Mitchell:

Don’t ask.

Don’t ever ask a person if they’ve had a specific procedure, such as a “nose job” or “implants.” It’s bad manners, according to Mitchell. Instead, tell them they look great, and it’s their decision to volunteer specifics.

Don’t criticize.

If a friend is considering cosmetic surgery, respect their choice. Don’t try and talk them out of it, says Mitchell. However, “it is equally important not to agree that the person does, indeed, need the work done,” she says. It is their decision to make.

Don’t judge.

When someone tells you they have had a procedure, she says the safest reply is to ask if they are happy with the results.

Don’t gossip.

When discussing cosmetic surgery, don’t ever share the names of other people you know that have had a procedure.

Be solicitous.

If someone reveals they have had cosmetic surgery, Mitchell says to ask how they’re feeling.

If you’re the one who has had a procedure and you don’t mind sharing, Mitchell says that “you can make it easier on those around you by opening the conversational door.”

Interested in cosmetic surgery? Contact Inland Cosmetic Surgery in Victorville and Chino Hills, CA.

There’s anecdotal evidence from surgeons that this is a growing cosmetic surgery trend.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Mitchell Chasin says, “Years ago, we would see a wife come in and she would say, ‘I can’t let my husband know what I’m doing.’ And then the husband would come in and he would say, ‘You know what, this is a secret, please don’t tell my wife.’”

But today, according to patient Ira Almeas, the man’s attitude is usually along these lines: “If you’re gonna look good, I want to look good!” Almeas and his wife each had Botox, fillers and laser treatments.

NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman says that part of the increase in couples pursuing cosmetic procedures together is attributable to the increase in cosmetic procedures in men, who now account for about 9% of those getting cosmetic surgery.

“It’s been destigmatized with men,” says Snyderman, who says procedures like Botox and fillers have become more acceptable.

Doctors who say they are seeing more couples cosmetic surgery report that their patients are typically in their late 30s to early 60s. Usually the women are done having children and both are having trouble losing weight through diet and exercise alone.

It’s no surprise then that liposuction is one of the procedures that is very popular with couples, although men and women often target different areas.

According to surgeons, men often request liposuction for their stomach, chest or chin, while women request any number of areas, such as their thighs, neck or arms.

Reita Greene, 59, had a facelift in January and says she was motivated because, “I wanted to have at least one good picture with my grandchildren before I die.” Her boyfriend of 16 years plans to have the procedure as well.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, TODAY Show

Per Hedén, MD, PhD, of Sweden, says the injection is a simple and safe alternative for women who want to enhance their breasts, but aren’t ready to have breast implant surgery.

“Hyaluronic acid gel injection … provides immediate results with minimal discomfort, and in clinical trials, it was associated with high ratings of breast general appearance, shape and firmness,” Dr.  Hedén told Cosmetic Surgery Times.

While hyaluronic acid fillers have been used for years to treat facial wrinkles, using them for the breasts is relatively new.

The hyaluronic acid gel that has been developed for use on the breast, Macrolane, is approved for use in Europe but does not currently have FDA approval in the United States.

Dr. Hedén says there have been no serious complications with Macrolane noted in studies, but it is too soon to have any long-term data on the procedure.

Breast Implant Alternative?

While the filler offers a less-invasive alternative to implants, it actually often opens the door to implants, according to Dr. Hedén, who says that 30 percent of his patients who first try injections eventually undergo breast augmentation.

In addition to a lack of long-term data, the gel has a few other drawbacks of which patients should be aware. The absorption of the material isn’t predicable, and the amount of gel that remains after a year varies anywhere from 5 to 85 percent. In addition, patients will probably need a touch-up after nine to 12 months, according to Dr. Hedén.

Since Macrolane does not have FDA approval, breast augmentation is the procedure most women choose in order to enlarge their breasts. One other possible alternative is fat grafting. Used mainly for the face, some cosmetic surgeons now use the technique for breast enhancement as well.

While there will always be scarring with breast implants, New You Magazine recently gave an overview of some of the incision techniques being used to reduce the visibility of scarring.

Breast Augmentation Incisions For Minimal Scarring

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina, an Oklahoma cosmetic surgeon, pointed out that: “Different patients have different definitions of ‘minimal-scar’ surgery. But for some women, a scar on the breast just isn’t acceptable.”

Here are some options for breast implant incisions that avoid the breast entirely.

Arm Pit: This technique uses an incision in the pocket of the armpit and works best for those with deep armpits. One of the advantages of this incision, according to Dr. Cuzalina, is that the surgeon can visualize the muscle with a camera during surgery.

Belly Button: The transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) has the incision through the belly button, so the incisions are hidden in the navel. One drawback is that only saline implants can be used, and Dr. Cuzalina said that patients without a lot of fat on their stomachs may not be the best candidates.

Tummy Tuck: The transabdominoplasty, or TABA technique, can be used when the patient is having a tummy tuck at the same time as the breast augmentation. The surgeon then uses the tummy tuck incision to place the implants. However, this technique can’t be used if the patient also wants a breast lift.

If you are considering an incision technique away from the breast, be sure that your cosmetic surgeon is experienced with the technique you want, as the minimal-scar techniques can require greater skill.

How Your Hands Age

As you age, your hands lose fat, volume and elasticity; because the skin is thinner and more translucent, you begin to see the underlying tendons and veins. Years of sun exposure cause brown spots to appear.

Luckily, cosmetic techniques can turn back the clock — even for your hands.

“The hands are a hot new area,” said Dr. Neil S. Sadick, a dermatologist in New York City. “Now that we have the face so well treated, we’re looking at the hands, neck and décolleté.”

Hand Rejuvenation Techniques

For lost volume, wrinkle fillers, such as Radiesse, Juvederm or Perlane, can be injected under the skin on the hand to plump it up.

Intense pulsed light or CO2 laser resurfacing are options for removing sun spots.

Some of the other techniques that are being used for hand rejuvenation include:

• Lasers, such as Fraxel, to remove wrinkling or discoloration.
• ReFirme to tighten the skin.
• Sclerotherapy to treat varicose veins.

However, Dr. Sadick did not recommend surgery on the hands. He said that surgical removal of excess skin is not an option for the hands since it causes scarring and doesn’t heal well. In addition, there’s a higher risk of complications.

Dr. Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist, said the most important thing to do is to apply sunscreen to your hands.

“Treat your hands like you treat your face. People wash their hands so much these days that they’re washing off their sunscreen,” she said. Her tip? Keep a small sample size of sunscreen in your handbag and reapply after washing.

Sientra’s implants have been approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years and older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age.

With the latest approval, there are now three silicone gel-filled breast implants approved by the FDA in the U.S. They are manufactured by Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.

“Sientra has successfully broken the existing duopoly in the U.S. by offering surgeons and patients a new choice,” said founder and CEO Hani Zeini, in a statement.

Zeini also said that the company will offer shaped implants in addition to standard round implants.

The approval was based on a three-year clinical trial of 1,788 participants. The trial had similar complications and outcomes found in studies of other breast implants.

“Data on these and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” said William Maisel, MD, deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Maisel stressed that women should be aware that breast implants are not lifetime devices and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential.

Post-approval, Sientra will continue to monitor the clinical trial participants for seven years. In addition, they will have a 10-year study of 4,782 women who receive Sientra silicone implants to collect data on long-term complications and outcomes. Finally, Sientra must also conduct case studies to evaluate the association between their implants and five rare diseases, including brain cancer, cervical/vulvar cancer and lymphoma.

Learn more about breast implant choices and breast augmentation. For more on the breast implant approval, read the press release from the FDA.

The poll of 55 women who had breast surgery reported a 34% increase in overall satisfaction with their sex life after surgery on average.

The poll also found:

• 61% of women said they had sex more often after their breast procedure.
• The average post-surgery sex life satisfaction score (8.13, on a 10-point scale) jumped two points compared to the average pre-surgery score  (6.07).
• 70% of respondents said their overall sex life satisfaction improved after the procedure.

While the poll was not scientific, a previous study did have similar findings.

A 2007 study from the University of Florida found that women reported improved self-esteem and enhanced sexuality after breast augmentation surgery. In this study, there was an increase for ratings of sexual desire (78.6%), satisfaction (57%), and arousal (81%), compared to initial scores before surgery.

The 84 women in the study did not have low self-esteem or poor sexual function before surgery. “They were already OK with self-esteem and sexuality — they just wanted larger breasts,” said researcher Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, PhD. “They got increased levels of self-esteem and sexuality.”

While it appears that breast surgery may enhance a woman’s sex life, researchers and surgeons warn that it cannot help those women who have serious underlying psychological issues, such as body dysmorphic disorder.

Learn more about breast augmentation or breast lift surgery in Victorville and Chino Hills, CA.