November 24th, 2012 Dr. Mele
What does the mini in Mini Tummy Tuck mean to you? In Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, mini means less downtime, less expense and shorter period of time before you can enjoy your results. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well it’s not, but there is a catch. Mini procedures are great, but they require a more experienced guide.
Mini Tummy Tuck Before and After (Mini Abdominoplasty)
Why More Experience is Necessary for Mini Procedures
In general, mini procedures are not more difficult than their maxi counter parts. In fact, the majority of the mini procedure’s upside comes from their simplicity. This is also the mini’s limitation, and truly knowing the limitations of a mini procedure is only possible if you have experience with the read deal. For a Mini Tummy Tuck, this means experience with both Abdominoplasty and Liposuction.
Let’s Talk Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck? The procedure combines the best skin tightening techniques of a Tummy Tuck with the shortened recovery of liposuction. For appropriately selected patients, this means more value. This means a great result for less (downtime, discomfort and dollars).
When the “Simple” Procedure gets Complicated
Since a Mini Tummy Tuck seems simpler and easier than a Full Tummy Tuck, you might think less training would be necessary, but this is not the case. Taking a weekend course on “How to Perform a Mini Tummy Tuck,” is a great refresher when you already know how to do a Full Tummy Tuck and Liposuction. There is no downside to learning how best to integrate and refine two techniques into a hybrid that gives great results, with a shorter recovery period, for well selected patients.
The Problem with Mini Tummy Tucks
The problems occur when a weekend course is the entirety of a cosmetic surgeon’s training. It is not possible to learn everything that is needed for a Mini Tummy Tuck in a few hours or even days. Without a sound foundation in general Plastic Surgery techniques, the necessary anatomy, the specific techniques and the alternatives to the Mini Abdominoplasty, the mini procedure surgeon cannot achieve maxi results. It takes years of training and experience to learn both how to do a Mini Tummy Tuck and who will benefit from a Mini Abdominoplasty.
Who should Get a Mini Abdominoplasty?
Who is good candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck? To a major degree, the answer depends on you, the Mini Tummy Tuck patient. Both the anatomy of your abdomen and your expectations will influence the decision making process. No matter how much is saved by having a mini procedure, if it does not accomplish what is expected, it will not seem worthwhile.
The Best Mini Tummy Tuck Candidates
The best candidates for the Mini Tummy Tuck are healthy, with good skin tone and problem isolated to the lower abdomen. The best candidates have too much loose skin for Liposuction, but lack muscle and skin laxity in the upper abdomen. If the skin laxity, and muscle pooching is isolated to the area below the belly-button, a Mini Abdominoplasty may be able to accomplish everything that we would want a full abdominoplasty to do.
Mini Tummy Tuck Consultations
As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, with over 15 years in private practice, I know that the Internet is a great source of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery information; however, the information needs to be adapted to each patient’s specific requirements. If you are interested in Body Shaping Procedures like the Tummy Tuck, Mini Tummy Tummy Tuck or Liposuction, call (925) 943-6353 today to schedule your personal consultation appointment.
Posted in Home, Liposuction, Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty), Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) | No Comments »
November 17th, 2012 Dr. Mele
The battle of the belly bulge ramps up for winter. As we enter the holiday season, big meals, more parties and less daylight for exercise combine to help us gain a little winter fat. Diet and exercise are still our best defense, but for those stubborn areas of disproportionate fat, or loose skin, there are some secret weapons.
Liposuction
Liposuction is not a substitute for a good diet and exercise plan, but it is a great compliment. Unlike weight loss, Liposuction allows you to choose the area where the fat is removed. If you have a stubborn bulge of disproportionate fat, Liposuction can sculpt the area, smooth out the unwanted curves, and accent the desired ones. More articles on Liposuction are available on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog. Click on Liposuction under “Categories” on the left, or visit DrMele.com’s Liposuction information page.
Tumescent Liposuction Before and After Pictures
Tumescent Liposuction of the Abdomen – The problem here is purely fat. The skin is smooth and tight and the abdominal muscles are fit. Localized, disproportionate fat was selectively removed with Dumb-Lipo, not Smart-Lipo. No laser, no ultrasound, no radio-frequency electromagnetic waves, just safe, reliable tumescent liposuction. Good-bye belly bulge.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominoplasty is also not a substitute for diet and exercise. It compliments weight loss in an entirely different way. Sometimes, after pregnancy or weight loss, the skin of the abdomen is over stretched, and cannot recoil. The loose skin accumulates on the lower abdomen, and overhangs the belt-line, or even the belly-button. The skin roll may be more noticeable when sitting or bending over.
Tummy-Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Before and After Pictures
Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty – The problem here is skin. After massive weight loss, multiple rolls of redundant skin are seen at the belt-line, the belly-button and even higher. The Tummy Tuck permanently removes loose abdominal skin and allows tightening of the abdominal muscles. Clothes now fit. Good-bye belly bulges.
Weight loss can remove the unwanted fat, but does nothing to tighten the abdominal wall skin and muscle. Unlike Liposuction, a Tummy Tuck removes excess skin and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. It can remove the fat from the lower abdomen, along with central stretch marks. More articles covering the frequently asked questions about Abdominoplasty can be viewed by clicking on Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) under “Categories” on the left, or visit DrMele.com’s Tummy Tuck information page.
Mommy Makeovers
Mommy Makeovers address both the belly and the breasts. Sometimes weight loss leads to a loss of breast volume, or sagging. A Mommy Makeover is a combination of abdominal rejuvenation (Liposuction or Tummy Tuck) with Breast Enhancement (Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift). The Mommy Makeover is often performed after pregnancy, or more specifically after a woman is done having children.
Pregnancy and weight gain both can lead to enlargement of the breasts and belly. After childbirth, or weight loss, the breast can lose volume and may sag, and the abdomen can get stretched out of shape. A Mommy Makeover can help both areas. For information click on the Mommy Makeover listing under Categories” on the left, or visit DrMele.com’s Mommy Makeover information page.
Mommy Makeover Before and After Pictures
Mommy Makeover – The problem here is childbirth. The breast have deflated and the tummy is stretched out and lax. Both the skin and the muscle of the abdominal wall are affected. Breast Augmentation combined with a Tummy Tuck, reestablish her pre-pregnancy appeal, and maybe a little more. Hello Mamma.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Soccer season is over. Summer memories are fading. Before Thanksgiving, most of us are at our lowest weight of the year. Before the Winter doldrums set in, it’s a great time to get rid of those little bulges before they try to grow after Thanksgiving. If you have been considering a little body shaping, now is a great time to come in for a consultation. Call (925) 943-6353 and schedule your personal consultation appointment, today. Give yourself something really worth protecting this Winter, and be doubly ready for Spring.
Posted in Home, Liposuction, Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty), Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) | No Comments »
November 10th, 2012 Dr. Mele
Capsular Contracture occurs when the Breast Implant’s pocket is too tight. When a Breast Implant is placed, the body forms a pocket to hold the implant in place. Without this pocket, the Breast Implants would not stay in a predictable position. When the pocket becomes too tight, it can move the breast implant or make the breast feel firm. Breast Augmentation Revision is used when capsular contracture causes visible changes in the Breast Augmentation.
Breast Augmentation Revision – Capsular Contracture Before and After Pictures
Breast Augmentation Revision: Left – before shows capsular contracture and superior malposition; Right – after capsulotomy/capsulectomy the right Breast Implant is lowered to a better position.
Breast Augmentation Revision for Capsular Contracture
The Breast Augmentation Revision before and after pictures above show an example of the correction of capsular contracture. The picture on the left shows Grade III capsular contracture. As the capsule contracts, it squeezes the Breast Implant causing an apparent reduction in size of the breast implant. In this case, the lower pole of the breast implant is being squeezed more than the upper pole. The result is superior Breast Implant Malposition.
Correction of Capsular Contracture
Capsular Contracture is treated with either release of the capsule (capsulotomy) or removal of the capsule (capsulectomy). A Capsulotomy allows the capsule to expand, resulting in a softer breast augmentation. A capsulotomy can also be performed selectively in cases of malposition, to move the breast implant back into the proper position. Capsulotomy works best for thin, tight capsules.
A Capsulectomy is used when the capsule is thick. By completely removing the pocket around the implant, a new pocket is allowed to form. The Breast Implants may also be changed to help prevent recurrence. Capsulectomy is also used for breast implant removal when a silicone breast implant leaks. This allows for removal of all the contained silicone gel.
Breast Augmentation Revision Results
In the before and after pictures above, the right side shows the results. The right breast implant was lowered and is much softer. The upper pole of the breasts are now even, which increases the number of necklines that can be worn. The nipples and inframammary folds are also even, improving the appearance out of clothing too.
Breast Augmentation Revision Consultation
If you are considering breast augmentation revision, call (925) 943-6353 to schedule your personal consultation appointment.
Posted in Breast Implant Revision Surgery, Capsular Contracture, Home | No Comments »
November 3rd, 2012 Dr. Mele
The Next Generation in Breast Implants
Breast Augmentation took another leap forward in this, its 50th year. Advances in both the implant’s shell and filling are now available in the US. The five year data is in, and these new implants provide the softer enhancement of silicone Breast Implants with significantly lower leakage rates.
Sientra’s High-Strength Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Sientra’s New Breast Implant Line
With the introduction of the first FDA approved High-strength Silicone Filled Breast Implants, Sientra is the first Breast Implant manufacturer to bring the next generation of Breast Implants to the US. High-strength silicone is used in both the shell and the filling of their implants. Moreover, their technology is used in both Sientra’s Round Breast Implants and Sientra’s Teardrop Shaped Breast Implants.
Allergan and Mentor’s Form-Stable, Highly Cohesive Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Allergan Natrelle Style 410 (gummi-bear) breast implants come in 12 shapes and many sizes.
Allergan and Mentor are not far behind with the anticipated approval of their own lines of From-stable Breast Implants. Both companies are awaiting FDA approval of new lines of Teardrop Shaped Breast Implants. For Allergan, the Natrelle style 410′s will provide shaped implants with options in height, width and projection. For Mentor, the Mentor CPG (Contour Profile Gel) Implant provides similar options. Both companies already have available silicone gel filled Breast Implants, but it is unclear if there are plans to incorporate high-strength silicone into their round Breast Implants.
San Francisco Breast dot com Updated
Click to Visit SanFranciscoBreast.com’s New Breast Augmentation Page
To keep you abreast of what’s new, I have expanded the Breast Augmentation section of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog‘s sister website, SanFranciscoBreast.com. New pages have been added to provide more information about Breast Augmentation, Breast Implant Options, Breast Augmentation Incisions, Breast Implant Placement, Today’s Breast Implants, the History of Breast Implants, Breast Implant Warranties and Breast Implant Care. To help with navigation, links to these new pages are provided at the top each related page on the San Francisco Breast website. Click on Breast Augmentation to visit the new Breast Augmentation section.
Posted in Breast Augmentation, Home | No Comments »
