Tag: liposuction

Let’s Talk About Tummy Tucks

Should I Get a Tummy Tuck?

The quest for a slim, sexy stomach may seem like it never ends, but for some individuals, tummy tuck surgery (also called abdominoplasty) can be the answer for flat, firm abs.

While there are a variety of fat removal and body contouring procedures, tummy tuck surgery is one of the best options for tightening up your midsection. However, this procedure may not be a great option for everyone. If you’re wondering whether a tummy tuck is right for you, we’re breaking down some of the qualities that make for a good candidate for this surgery below.

How Does a Tummy Tuck Work?

Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen area and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The surgery is performed through an incision that extends from above the pubis toward each hip.

In many instances, tummy tucks also require a second incision near the belly button to allow for removal of skin and fat. Extra skin is removed from the body, and abdominal muscles are drawn together before the incision is closed with sutures.

Results from a tummy tuck are permanent, though gaining weight after surgery can reduce effectiveness. Recovery from the procedure typically takes at least four weeks, after which surgery recipients can resume normal activities.

Unlike liposuction, which is a wonderful procedure for removing fat, a tummy tuck is much for effective for addressing sagging or loose skin. It not only eliminates fat but also helps to remove extra skin and tighten up the appearance of abdominal muscles.

Is a Tummy Tuck Right For Me? 4 Questions To Ask

If you’re curious whether you’re a candidate for a tummy tuck, ask yourself the questions below.

1. Do I Have Excess Skin?

If you’re mainly concerned about fat removal rather than excess skin, a less invasive surgery like liposuction may be a better fit for you. However, if your main area of concern is excess abdominal skin, a tummy tuck may be your best option.

Abdominoplasties are particularly effective for individuals that have recently given birth, lost weight or have dealt with weight fluctuations. In these instances, excess skin in the midsection is quite common.

2. Am I Content With My Weight?

If you’re considering a tummy tuck, it’s important that you are close to your ideal weight before the procedure, because weight fluctuations, both gains, and losses, can cause adverse effects. Tummy tucks do not provide significant weight loss, and the surgery is primarily used for body contouring and adjusting the shape of your midsection.

It wouldn’t make sense to remove excess skin with a tummy tuck surgery if you’re going to continue losing weight after the surgery. Losing weight after abdominoplasty may cause loose skin again- defeating the purpose of getting the surgery.

3. Will My Diet and Activity Support a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is not meant to replace proper diet and exercise. While the surgery provides permanent effects, weight fluctuations may diminish the positive results.

Since this surgery draws your abdominal muscles together and creates a flatter abdomen, weight gain can cause unusual fat distribution near the hips, back or other areas. That being said, understand that maintaining your figure through a healthy diet and exercise routine is important for recipients of tummy tuck surgery.

4. Will I Have More Children?

Are you a woman planning on having another child? If so, then know that a tummy tuck is not for you – at least until you’ve had your last pregnancy. While tummy tuck surgery is ideal for addressing post-pregnancy issues, the procedure is not advised for women that will become pregnant again. Pregnancy naturally stretches the skin and muscles of the abdomen, which can cause many complications for abdominoplasty recipients.

So, Should I Get a Tummy Tuck?

As a general rule, if excess abdominal skin is your main area of concern and you plan on staying at your current weight, a tummy tuck is typically a great option. For individuals mainly trying to remove excess fat from their midsection, liposuction may be better, as it is a less invasive operation with a faster and easier recovery time.

Every individual is different and it’s recommended to consult with an experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeon to learn how a tummy tuck procedure would affect your body. If you are interested in learning more about whether abdominoplasty is right for you, you can visit our office for a consultation.

The 10 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures For Men

While women still receive more than 90% of all cosmetic procedures, more than 1.3 million procedures were performed on men in 2016, an increase of almost 100,000 compared to 2015.

As service offerings continue to expand and the stigma over men receiving cosmetic services fades away, more and more men are seeking out aesthetic procedures. To get a better idea of the procedures that are attracting men to cosmetic clinics, we’re breaking down some of the most popular cosmetic procedures for men, both surgical and non-surgical, below.

The Top 5 Surgical Cosmetic Procedures For Men

  1. Liposuctions

Liposuction was the most popular surgical cosmetic procedure for men and women in 2016, and a total of more than 26,000 men received the surgery last year. Over the years, liposuction has consistently been the most popular surgical procedure for men.

When it comes to liposuction, many men are most concerned about the lower abdomen and oblique (love handles) areas. For men, these are typically the last areas that respond to diet or exercise, whereas with women, the thighs are often one of the more problematic areas.

  1. Nose Surgeries 

Nose surgery, also referred to as rhinoplasty, was the second most popular surgical procedure for men in 2016, with over 55,000 men opting for the procedure. While many women receive the procedure as well (nearly 168,000 in 2016), the surgery is the 2nd most common for men and ranks as the 6th most common for women.

Whether men are receiving rhinoplasty to correct a previous nose injury, fix a breathing issue or to improve their facial profile, the surgery has become very popular for men in recent years.

  1. Eyelid Surgeries

Eyelid surgery, also called Blepharoplasty, was the third most common surgery for men last year, with just over 30,000 men receiving the procedure. The procedure helps men reverse the signs of aging near the eyes by removing excess skin and tissue. In some instances, eyelid surgery is conducted to address excess skin that has impaired peripheral vision.

  1. Male Breast Reductions

Unique to males, male breast reduction is conducted to treat Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men), and more than 27,000 men received the surgery in 2016. Since 2015, this surgery has risen in popularity, and continues to be one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures for men.

  1. Facelifts

The 5th most popular surgical procedure in 2015 was the facelift, and more than 12,000 men received facelifts in the U.S. last year. The procedure reverses signs of aging, especially around the jawline – one of the most predominant features for men.

However, facelifts for men offer different challenges than they do for women, particularly due to facial hair and bigger, more predominant cheekbones, jawlines, necks and veins. 

The Top 5 Non-Surgical Procedures For Men

 

  1. Botulinum Toxin (Botox®)

While Botox® is still overwhelmingly the most popular procedure for women, men have also increasingly accepted Botulinum Toxin with a total of 447,508 men receiving the injectable in 2016.

Frown lines and crow’s feet lines are quite common for aging men, and Botox is a great option for men looking to decrease wrinkles and fine lines. Botox is also approved by the FDA to treat chronic migraine headaches, and some men have opted for the procedure for that reason as well.

  1. Hyaluronic Acid

Along with women, hyaluronic acid treatments (Juvederm®, Voluma®, Restylane® and more) are the second most popular non-surgical procedure for men. More than 58,000 men received a hyaluronic acid treatment in 2016.

The target area for hyaluronic acid procedures varies based on the treatment, though men often opt for the treatment to address issues under the eyes, around the chin area, near the nasolabial fold or around the mouth and cheeks.

  1. Hair Removal

Most adult men understand the complications of unwanted hair. That’s why laser hair removal was the third most popular non-surgical procedure for men in 2016, with more than 194,000 male recipients.

Laser hair removal treatments can be conducted on a variety of different body parts for men, though the most common areas include the chest, back, stomach, shoulders, neck or genital area.

  1. Photo Rejuvenation (IPL) 

IPL Photofacial treatments are used to treat a variety of skin issues, including redness, acne scarring, rosacea, hyper pigmentation and broken capillaries. Because of the treatment’s ability to address a wide range of skin problems, the procedure has become quite popular and nearly 74,000 men received the treatment in 2016.

  1. Nonsurgical Skin Tightening

Nonsurgical skin tightening procedures such as Ultherapy use ultrasound or radiofrequency waves to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles or loose skin. These treatments are a great option for men not ready to undergo facelift surgery, and 73,000 men received non-surgical skin tightening procedures in 2016.

Because men face many of the same cosmetic issues as women and their own unique challenges as well, more and more men are looking to cosmetic procedures to help them feel comfortable in their skin. At Jefrey Fishman, MD, FACS, we recognize the unique issues men face, and have worked with countless male patients to help them achieve their desired look.

To learn more about the procedures listed above or to explore other common cosmetic procedures for men, call us today at 248-643-7374 or schedule a complimentary consultation online.

*Data courtesy of PlasticSurgery.org.