Dr. Mele discusses Tumescent Liposuction (aka: Liposuction, Suction Assisted Lipectomy and Liposculpture) on the San Francisco Bay Area's News Station, KRON4.

Liposuction, specifically Tumescent Liposuction, remains the gold-standard in efficient, safe and predictable fat removal. It allows for the selective removal of fat from areas that are disproportionate in a way that weight loss cannot. While weight loss is indicated for obesity, liposuction is superior for the spot removal of localized collections of fat that stubbornly remain, even if you are near your ideal weight.

Mesotherapy Banned

France recently banned one of the largest “alternative” fat removal treatments because it posses a significant risk to the patient’s health. The law was far reaching, and included ALL non-surgical alternatives to liposuction. The French court found that the inclusion of some already approved methods was inconsistent with the spirit of the law, and consequently has issued an injunction pending narrowing of the law’s scope.

San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction Expert

Below is the first segment of four from an appearance on the San Francisco Bay Area News Station, KRON, Channel 4. The topic for discussion was Liposuction and Liposuction alternatives, both surgical and non-surgical. The (415) number on the video was for viewers to call in with questions during the live show. If you have questions, please call our Walnut Creek Liposuction Expert at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form in the left column.

San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction Video

Tumescent Liposuction Topics Covered

Topics covered during the above San Francisco Bay Area Television appearance include:

• The recent French Mesotherapy Ban
• Problems associated with Mesotherapy
• Inclusion of Some Approved Treatments in the French Mesotherapy Ban leads to the requirement for modification
• Tumescent Liposuction
• The ability of Tumescent Liposuction to selectively remove fat
• Do lasers, ultrasound and radiofrequency dramatically improve the results of Tumescent Liposuction?

Additional Liposuction Videos

Additional Liposuction Videos from this appearance are available on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog via the following links:

• San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction – Part 1 of 4 (You Are Here)
• San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction – Part 2 of 4
• San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction – Part 3 of 4
• San Francisco Bay Area Liposuction – Part 4 of 4

Additional Liposuction Information

Additional information on Liposuction is available online on my personal Plastic Surgery Web Site by clicking here -> Walnut Creek Liposuction

Part one includes a brief discussion of tummy tucks and abdominoplasty with before an after pictures. Here is a link to part one: Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) San Francisco Video – Part 1 of 3.

Part two includes questions from the television audience recorded live during the airing of Body Beautiful. For more specifics, click on this link: Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) San Francisco Video – Part 2 of 3.

The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.

This segment answers questions about:

• How long is the recovery after a tummy tuck?
• When can I lift my child?
• What are the limitations on lifting after abdominoplasty?
• When may I return to work after a tummy tuck?
• Will a tummy tuck help low back pain?
• Can a mini tummy tuck or liposuction substitute for a tummy tuck?
• Do I need to wear special garments after surgery, and if so for how long?

More tummy tuck videos and general information on the abdominal rejuvination can be found on this blog by clicking on the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) link under Categories (to the left), or click here to get to the abdominoplasty page on my main web site: DrMele.com.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, or any cosmetic plastic surgery, be certain your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I am certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. You can check my, or any other physicians certification here: The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Tummy tuck before and after pictures. All three layers (skin, fat and muscle) of the abdomen are improved. Click on picture for more examples.

Many common tummy tuck questions came up during the show and even more questions were raised afterwards from the audience and in the emails that followed. The most common question asked was, “Who needs a tummy tuck?” I would like to share some of the reasons people have tummy tucks here.

First the disclaimer, when I answer general questions the answers are generally true; however, sometimes specific situations arise with an individual that leads to a different answer. While what you read on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, or on my personal web site (DrMele.com) is carefully designed to provide you with the information needed to learn about plastic surgery, it is important to actually see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before any specific course of action can be recommended. Every patient is different, and consequently every operation is different. A vital ingredient for a beautiful plastic surgery result is individualizing the plan to suit your specific needs.

Who needs a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall. It improves three layers: the skin, the fat, and the muscle. The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is in good shape and not too far from their goal weight. In order to be a candidate, you should need help in at least one of the following three areas that the surgery improves.

Loose Skin

Loose skin can be caused by pregnancy and weight loss. Both stretch the abdominal skin. If the skin is stretched too much, it cannot recoil. After pregnancy or weight loss, the skin may remain stretched and begin to hang. Unfortunately, in this situation, more weight loss does not help. Instead it leads to more loose skin.

A tummy tuck removes this loose skin from the lower abdomen, and tightens the skin that remains. This results in a smoother contour and better fitting clothes.

Excess Fat and Stretch Marks

Whenever I am removing excess lower abdominal skin, I can remove two other problems: excess fat and stretch marks. Excess fat that is below the belly button, is removed along with the excess skin. Women tend to put most the excess fat between the muscle and the skin, making it easy to remove. Men more often put excess fat behind the muscle, where it is not accessible. This internal fat must be lost with diet and exercise, and cannot be surgically removed.

Any stretch marks that are in this skin, are also removed. If the stretch marks are confined to the central abdomen below the belly button, the majority, if not all of them, can be removed with a tummy tuck.

Muscle Laxity

Babies and internal fat are behind the muscle layer of the abdominal wall. Because of this, pregnancy and weight gain also stretch the muscle layer. The muscle, and its case, can become overstretched to the point that the abdomen cannot be sucked in, not matter how strong the muscle layer. Tummy tucks allow me to tighten the case of the muscle and provide a smooth flattened foundation that can support the gut and keep it contents from pushing forwards.

If someone is significantly overweight, it is the internal fat that prevents me from being able to optimally tighten the abdominal wall. If the abdominal wall cannot be maximally tightened, abdominal fullness will remain. In this situation, additional weight loss will improve the results.

The first two segments of the video are now posted on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog. Here is the link to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) San Francisco Video – Part 1 of 3; here is the link to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) San Francisco Video – Part 2 of 3; and here is the link to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) San Francisco Video – Part 3 of 3.

After children (or weight loss) the breasts lose volume and the abdominal wall is lax.

Depending on what needs to be fixed, however, other procedures can be substituted. Sometimes a Breast lift is added to, or used instead of the Breast Augmentation. If the breasts remain too large after childbirth, a Breast Reduction may be more appropriate. The Mini Tummy Tuck can sometimes replace the full Tummy Tuck, and Liposuction is often used as an adjunct.

The combination of breast enhancement and abdominoplasty is usually performed after childbirth, but is also common after significant weight loss. In both instances the problems are similar. The breasts may lose volume and support, and the abdomen is often left with excess skin and muscle laxity. The Mommy Makeover restores lost volume and support to the breasts and tightens the abdominal wall (skin and muscle).

The woman pictured to the left is lucky. Although she has lost volume in her breasts after childbirth, her nipples remain high above the inframammary fold (the bottom of the breast). This means a breast lift is not needed. Instead, the lost breast volume was restored. Breast implants were placed behind the pectoralis muscle with a natural result.

Her abdominal wall had been stretched, resulting in loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles. There is a small amount of fat behind the lower abdominal skin, but this will be removed when the skin is tightened. Overall she is in good shape, and a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover.

Starting at the Top – Breast Augmentation

Before Mommy Makeover, the breast have lost volume and are smaller than before pregnancy.

After Mommy Makeover, breast volume has been restored to a pre-baby state.

Breast augmentation was performed to restore volume. The goal was to restore the lost volume, and just a little bit more. Smooth round implants where placed behind the muscle via a periareolar (below the nipple) approach. This gives a nice teardrop shape the the breasts. By selecting the appropriate size, a very natural appearance can be obtained.

Around the Middle – The Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Before Mommy Makeover, the abdominal muscles and skin are over stretched.

After Mommy Makeover, the abdominal muscles and skin have been tightened.

The Bottom Line – Restoring Proportions

After children (or weight loss) the breasts lose volume and the abdominal wall is lax.

After Mommy Makeover, the abdomen is flat and the breast's proportions are restored.

The art of plastic surgery has a lot to do with proportions. By giving volume to the breasts and taking volume from the abdomen, an aesthetic balance is achieved. But, there is more benefits than just looking nice. Clothing fits better and the energy wasted on feeling self conscious can be used for more productive endeavours. Having children is something to be proud of, not looking like you’ve had children … priceless.