Liposuction is a very safe and reliable procedure. Like any medical procedure, it works best when used properly. For the removal of disproportionate fat, it can’t be beat, but liposuction should not be used as a method of weight loss, and liposuction should not be expected to tighten loose skin.
The Ideal Liposuction Candidate
The ideal liposuction patient is near their ideal body weight and has sufficient intrinsic skin elasticity, so that after the fat is removed, the skin will follow the new and improved contours. Pockets of fat, which form localized and disproportionate bulges, respond best. While some newer modalities of liposuction are claiming to reliably tighten loose skin, the jury is still out.
Skin Tightening Procedures
So how do plastic surgeons reliably tighten loose skin? The most common method is through surgical removal of the redundant skin. Abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck), for example, removes loose skin for the abdomen. A brachioplasty (an arm lift) removes loose skin from the arm. This liposuction video compares what liposuction can do for the abdomen and arms compared to what surgery can do. The recovery and indications for each are also discussed.
Body Beautiful
I recently reviewed the current state of liposuction on KRON‘s Body Beautiful with host Vicki Liviakis. The broadcast was a full half hour, so I have divided this liposuction video into four segments. The second lipo video segment is in this post. Links to the other three parts, and the liposuction introduction post can be found below.
Additional liposuction information is available on the Liposuction Page of DrMele.com. If you have questions about liposuction, you are invited to use the contact form to the left.
Please note: The 800 number in the video below was used for viewers to call in and ask questions during the live broadcast. Please do not call it now. For additional information, or to schedule a consultation appointment, please call my Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery office at (925) 943-6353.
This segment on Liposuction covers:
The areas of the body most commonly treated with Liposuction:
Abdominal Liposuction
Back Liposuction (Muffin Top Liposuction)
Flank Liposuction (Love Handle Liposuction)
Thigh Liposuction (Saddle Bag Liposuction & Banana Roll Liposuction)
Arm Liposuction
Neck Liposuction (Below the Chin Liposuction)
Buttocks Liposuction
Favorable Predictors
Stable weight
Near Ideal Weight
Younger Age
Good Skin Elasticity
Disproportionate Fat
Good Health
Healthy Lifestyle
Before and After Pictures: Lipo vs. Surgical
Arm Lipo Before and After Pictures
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Before and After Pictures
Abdominal (Belly) & Flanks (Sides) Muffin Top Lipo Before and After Pictures
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Before and After Pictures
How the location of the fat effects liposuction?
Liposuction Garments
Liposuction Recovery
The other segments of this broadcast can be found here:
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have released their annual statistics on cosmetic plastic surgery for 2009. Surgical and non-surgical procedures are tallied and compared to previous years. Overall the numbers are down 2% from 2008, but still up 147% since 1997, when the statistics were first compiled. Of the almost ten million procedures performed in 2009, 85% were non-surgical and 15% were surgical. He are some quick facts, a link to the full statistics can be found at the end of this article.
Additional information can be found on the ASAPS web site, or downloaded here. It is a large file, and may take a while…
*Dr. Joseph Mele offers these procedures through his Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery Office. Search the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog categories to the left, or click on the links above for more detailed information available on DrMele.com.
You have reached the fourth and final part of Post Bariatric Surgery San Francisco. The segments can be viewed in any order, but if you missed the first three releases, links are included at the bottom of the page.
I have had the opportunity to discuss post weight loss plastic surgery live on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful. The 800 number appearing on the video was only for the live show. To contact my Walnut Creek plastic surgery office for additional information, or to schedule a private consultation appointment, please call (925) 943-6353. Alternatively, a contact form on the lower left side of this web page has also been provided for your convenience, or click on this link for an expanded contact form.
Topics covered in this segment of Body Beautiful include:
Arm Lift Surgery, with Brachioplasty before and after pictures.
How do age and health effect plastic surgery?
How do I get rid of my baby pooch? Exercise, Tummy Tuck, both?
How can lumps left after liposuction be corrected?
What is the difference between liposuction and lipodisolve?
Post Bariatric Procedures
More information about Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery can be found on the Post Bariatrics page of DrMele.com. Here are links to video presentations about the more common Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery Procedures, and links to the first 3 parts of the above video can be found at the bottom of the page.
Sometimes weight loss is not enough. I see many patients who have lost hundreds of pounds, who still are not happy with their shape. If you were overweight, and lost 100 pounds, you should be very proud of yourself. It is not easily done. Whether accomplished with diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, it takes a lot of effort to change one’s lifestyle dramatically. Most patients are very happy with the weight loss. Often, however, more improvement is desired.
Where did all this skin come from?
After weight loss, the problem is no longer excess fat, but excess skin. Rolls of skin that bind at the waist. Redundant skin that drapes on the inner thighs. Flaps of skin that keep moving after the arm has stopped waving. Loose skin that can no longer support the breast and keep it on the chest.
The skin is an amazing organ. It is our greatest barrier to the outside world. It keeps us warm. It cools us down. It protects us from the elements and infection. When we gain weight, it grows, and continues to protect us. When we lose weight, it can shrink too, but there are limits. With weight gain, the skin can be stretched too far, and it cannot shrink back to its original size.
Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery
Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery can help. As a member of The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, I am able to assist my patients in their transition to a happier, healthier lifestyle. By removing excess skin, an tailoring what remains, I can help complete the transformation in ways that weight loss alone cannot.
Below is part two of a discussion about post weight loss plastic surgery that originally aired on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful.
This segment shows before and after pictures for liposuction, mini-tummy-tuck and tummy tuck. While most tummy tuck have only a horizontal scar that runs below the bikini line, I have included a fleur-de-leis tummy tuck. This type of tummy tuck is most often used after massive weight loss. A fleur-de-leis tummy tuck has a vertical incision in the midline in addition to the lower incision, which is used to further reduce the excess skin left after massive weight loss.
Please note, the 800 number appearing on the video is only for the live show. For more information, or to schedule a consultation appointment, please call me at (925) 943-6353, or contact me via the form on the lower left side of this web page.
Massive weight loss can lead to massive skin excess. Whether from diet and exercise, or after weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), excess skin can mask your hard work, and still make it difficult to find clothes that fit. Post bariatric surgery can help remove and tighten excess skin and reveal your true shape after weight loss.
What is Post-Bariatric Surgery?
Post bariatric plastic surgery is a collection of modified cosmetic plastic surgery procedures designed to remove and tailor the excess skin that weight loss leaves behind. While removing extra skin also means removing extra weight, the real strength of these procedures tightening the skin to reveal your new shape.
In my San Francisco post-bariatric plastic surgery practice, I use modified cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and specialized procedures to achieve optimal results. All post-bariatric plastic surgery requires careful, in-office, consultations and planning. Safety and predictability are paramount.
Video presentations for most post-bariatric procedures can be viewed by clicking on the list below. The back and buttock lifts have many variations, and are best discussed on an individual basis. More video presentations on cosmetic plastic surgery after massive weight loss, can be viewed on the post-bariatric page of DrMele.com.
I have had the opportunity to discuss post weight loss surgery on KRON4‘s Body Beautiful. Since the show is broadcast live, it allows you to call in with your questions during the show, and get them answered. Below is part 1 of 4 videos. You can find more videos on post-bariatric surgery (plastic surgery after massive weight loss) posted on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, or they may be viewed on my YouTube channel.
The 800 number appearing on the video was only for the live show. To contact my office for additional information, or to schedule a private consultation appointment, please call (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form on the lower left side of this web page.
After bariatric surgery, it is best to wait a year to allow your weight loss to stabilize. The body has time to adjust to its new physiological state, and the skin can tighten to the best of its ability. Post bariatric plastic surgery can then be tailored to the areas where the excess skin remains.
This video describes:
The differences between post-bariatric and other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.
Why it is important to wait a year after bariatric surgery before having cosmetic plastic surgery.
Where stretch marks can be removed on the body.
How many pounds can be removed with liposuction.
Post-Bariatric Surgery (Plastic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss) Links:
This is the third installment of three videos about tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) San Francisco. The original post is here just click: Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty). This video is from my recent appearance on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis.
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.
Here is the second installment of three videos about tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) San Francisco. In the previous post, Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty), I promised to post my recent appearance on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis. Below is the second of three videos with information on tummy tucks, and viewer questions and answers.
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 includes viewer questions about:
How long to wait after childbirth and bariatric surgery before having a tummy tuck?
How old is too old for a tummy tuck?
How long does a tummy tuck take?
Can other procedures be done at the same time?
Can a tummy tuck substitute for weight loss?
Does liposuction effect health?
More abdominoplasty videos and general information on the tummy tuck 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.
As mentioned in the previous post, Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty), I recently had the chance to discuss Tummy Tucks, San Francisco, on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis. It was a half hour live show, with information on the tummy tuck, before and after pictures, and viewer question and answer.
I have divided the show into three, ten minute segments, the first of which is included here. The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.
If you have any questions about tummy tucks, abdominoplasty, mini-abdominoplasty, liposuction or any cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, please call the office or use the contact form on this page. I will respond personally to your email. More common questions will likely appear here, as future blog entries.
This video includes two segments, The first segment covers:
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
What does a tummy tuck fix?
The second segment discusses:
Overnight stay after a tummy tuck.
Before and after pictures of several abdominoplasty patients after pregnancy and bariatic surgery and massive weight loss
How the muscle and skin are tightened.
More general information on the procedure can be found by 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. Even Wikipedia has an Abdominoplasty page.
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to discuss abdominoplasty, more commonly know as the tummy tuck, live in San Francisco on KRON4′s Body Beautiful. The show is half an hour long, so I will break it up into smaller themed segments. Look for it here in the near future.
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.
After children (or weight loss) the breasts lose volume and the abdominal wall is lax.
The Mommy Makeover remains one of the most frequently requested combinations of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Often performed to repair the damage after childbirth, the Mommy Makeover most commonly combines Breast Augmentation with the Tummy Tuck.
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.
