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Plastic Surgery Associates, S.C.
COSMETIC/PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES(Click on any procedure to see details)
Many women are unhappy with the size of their breasts. They my feel that their clothes do not fit them properly due to the smaller size of their bust, or may be self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top. Some women have breasts that are very different in size, and desire correction. Breast augmentation uses an implant, currently inflated with saline, to increase the size of the breast. Sometimes this may be combined with a breast lift to give the maximum improvement in breast size and shape. The implants can be placed beneath the breast tissue, or beneath the muscles of the chest wall.
A small incision is used to position the implant. Implants are commonly placed through a small incision in the fold beneath the breast, or through an incision at the edge of the areola (colored part) of the breast. In some case, the implant may be placed through an incision in the armpit. When getting a mammogram, a patient with breast implants should always tell the technician she has implants. Breast augmentation is currently a very successful and satisfying surgery for the patient.
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This procedure is designed for people who have stretched abdominal muscles or skin. It is best performed on people who are near their appropriate weight or plan future pregnancies should postpone the surgery. During the surgery, the excess skin is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. The procedure is particularly helpful to women who have lost contour of their abdomen after pregnancy, or have stretch marks on the lower abdomen. There will be a permanent scar that stretches from hip to hip, passing just above your pubic hair. There is also a small scar around your belly button.
Some people require only minimal tightening and may be candidates for a mini-abdominoplasty, which involves a smaller scar, but also less tightening of the abdomen. Drains are placed during the surgery, which generally stay in about 5-7 days, depending on the amount of drainage. Your surgeon may want you to wear a compressive garment after your surgery. The first garment is usually applied at the time of surgery, but you may wish to purchase extra garments to wear during your post-operative period. This procedure is done as an outpatient surgery at the Bluemound Cosmetic Surgery Center, and you will go home with your family after the surgery. Most people prefer to sleep in a recliner for the first few nights, as the skin of your abdomen will be stretched tightly. Most people will require 2-4 weeks of recovery time. Some people will return to work within about a week, while others with more physically strenuous jobs will require more time off. We recommend that patients do not smoke for at least 3 weeks before and after surgery. Top of page
Time, gravity, and exposure to the sun and elements can cause the facial skin to loose its elasticity. There are several fat pads beneath the skin that help to provide normal contour to the face. As the skin sags, these fat pads fall out of position. This causes prominent folds and jowls to develop. A facelift can reposition the skin and underlying tissues to restore a more youthful look. The scars are carefully positioned in the hair and around the ear. This surgery is done at the Bluemound Cosmetic Surgery Center on an outpatient basis. Your family will take you home after surgery. You will be able to go out in public with appropriate covering make-up after about 10-14 days.
The swelling may take up to 4-8 weeks to disappear depending on the technique used. We recommend that you keep your head elevated for the first few days after surgery. You must stop smoking for at least 3 weeks prior to and after the surgery. If you have any medical problems, these must be appropriately controlled prior to your surgery. There are also some variations on the facelift to address specific problem areas. Midface lifts address the prominent folds that stretch from the nose and down the cheeks. The incision usually placed beneath the eyelashes of the lower lid. Swelling is more prolonged than in a standard facelift.
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People who have areas of fat that will not disappear with diet or exercise are good candidates for liposculpture. Liposuction uses a cannula, which is moved through the fat beneath the skin. The fat is first treated with a solution of saline with medications to allow it to be more easily removed. Suction is then applied to remove the fat. Liposuction is done through small incisions, so scarring is minimal. Liposuction is designed to contour specific areas of fat. It is not useful for weight reduction, and it does not help sagging skin. Your doctor will discuss the appropriate procedures with you.
The surgery is done as an outpatient at the Bluemound Cosmetic Surgery Center. It is commonly done under general anesthesia. You will be placed into a compressive garment after surgery to lessen the amount of swelling and to help contour the tissues. The swelling usually lasts up to 3-4 weeks. Massage is helpful to diminish swelling. Most people are comfortable after a few days.
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Body Contouring (Panniculectomy): This surgery is specifically designed for people who are heavier than their ideal body weight, and have an apron of skin that hangs down in front of them. The skin can collect moisture, causing painful rashes in the folds of the skin. Sometimes the skin and fat hang down so far that they can interfere with walking. Breast cancer is very common, affecting one out of every nine women. Many times, mastectomy, or removal of the breast is indicated. Reconstruction of the breast may give a woman greater comfort in her body, and lessen the psychological impact of the loss of a breast. Recent legislation by the federal government guarantees insurance coverage for reconstruction of the breast. There are many options for the woman seeking reconstruction of the breast. Implants are perhaps the simplest form of reconstruction, and will fill the volume lost in the mastectomy of an average breast, however may not have the most natural look for feel. Autologous tissue reconstruction uses tissue from another area of your body to recreate the breast mound. The tissue is usually taken from the abdomen or back. This can provide a more natural appearance and feel.
You should discuss reconstruction with your breast surgeon before undergoing a mastectomy. Several factors need to be taken into consideration, including the severity of the cancer, the need for other therapies to treat the cancer, the condition of your body for reconstruction, and your expectations of reconstruction.
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Overly large breasts can cause a number of physical and psychological problems including back, neck and shoulder pain, skin irritation beneath your breasts, grooving of the shoulders from your bra straps, and restriction of physical activity due to the size and weight of the breasts. This surgery may also be used when the breasts are particularly important to choose the method most appropriate for your body. We can also offer limited scar breast reductions for appropriate patients. The scars are not visible under clothing, including many low-cut tops and also many types of swimsuits.
Breast-feeding may be possible using some surgical techniques, but can never be guaranteed. Very large breast may require the nipple to be relocated as a skin graft, which leaves it insensate. Most women are very satisfied after breast reduction surgery. Back pain that is caused by breast weight will often diminish or disappear.
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Some women are pleased with the size of their breasts, but are very unhappy with the shape of their breasts. Time, gravity, and childbirth all affect the breast, and my cause it to lose its youthful position and shape. The breasts will start to droop, with the nipple pointing downward. There are numerous methods to lift the breast surgically, each designed for different stages of ptosis, or breast droop. Breast lift surgery will leave permanent scars on the breast, but these may fade with time. In cases where breast volume has also been lost, a woman may wish to combine breast lift surgery with breast augmentation.
The breasts can develop recurrent drooping as a woman continues to age. Large changes in weight can also cause recurrent breast drooping. Breast lift surgery is not a substitute for a bra: the woman should still wear an appropriate supportive garment. There is also a risk of skin loss, loss of sensation, or asymmetry of the breasts. The results can be long-lasting with appropriate care, and most women are very pleased with the return of a more youthful breast.
Top of page Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Baggy, sagging eyelids can make a person seem older, or give them a tired appearance. Many people choose blepharoplasty to remove some of the excess fat and skin that accumulates around the eye with age. This can give the eyes a younger, fresher look. The scars are small and well hidden in most patients. The surgery is done as an outpatient. Patients are instructed to keep their heads elevated, and to apply ice packs to the eyes for the first 2 days after surgery. There is bruising and swelling after this type of surgery, which usually disappears after about 2-4 weeks, but most people are comfortable in public with cover-up makeup or glasses by 7-10 days.
People with thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, eye problems, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes should always inform their doctor of these problems, as they can cause problems when undergoing eyelid surgery. Many people will combine this procedure with a facelift.
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Please call us if you have additional questions on these procedures or any others not listed.
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Plastic Surgery Associates, S.C. | 262.970.5600 |
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