 |
 |
||||
 |
||||
Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)Liposuction Thigh Lift (thighplasty) Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Skin Cancer Scar Revision Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) View Photos Procedure: Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) - A brachioplasty is a procedure involving the skin and fat on your arms, typically the posterior part. Some people are born with large arms while others develop loose, hanging skin with increasing age or after large weight loss. Basically there are two options with dealing with this issue. First you may be a candidate for fat removal with liposuction alone. This is best for those patients who have relatively good skin elasticity and have mostly fat. The second group of patients typically have loose and wrinkled skin that has lost all its elasticity and have fat. This group requires fat reduction as well as skin removal. The scar typically runs along the posterior aspect of the arms as well as in the underarm area. Anesthesia: General Anesthesia, or in some cases IV Sedation with local Side effects/risks: As with any surgery, complications of arm lifts include infection and bleeding, although these are unusual. Other important complications include poor wound healing, resulting in conspicuous scars that may necessitate a second operation. Smokers are advised to discontinue smoking three weeks prior to surgery, as smoking increases the risks of complications and delays wound healing by altering blood circulation in the skin. The scars of the surgery often become more red two weeks after surgery and then begin to fade 2-3 months later. The scars never completely disappear and take from 12-18 months to reach their final appearance. It is imperative that you not allow sun exposure to these scars while they are still red. If sun exposure is to occur, however, a sun block with a rating of 15 or greater should be applied. Recovery: Your arms will be swollen for several weeks following the procedure. Dr. Caridi will see you at the office 2-3 days following surgery to remove dressings, assess your wounds and to possibly remove drains if used. Silicone gel sheeting is recommended to make sure you make the best scar. This is typically applied on the scar for at least ten hours a day for the first eight months or so. back Liposuction View Photos Procedure: Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy) - Liposuction improves body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a cannula (hollow tube) and vacuum device. A number of techniques can be used at the surgeon's discretion. Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is a technique in which an ultrasound probe is inserted beneath the skin to "liquefy" the fat before it is suctioned. Power assisted liposuction (PAL) is a technique in which a power assisted device uses a reciprocating rather than rotating motion to facilitate the movement of the cannula in the tissues. This reduces the amount of force needed, and no heat is generated. The tumescent technique infuses a saline solution containing a local anesthetic into targeted fat cells before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. All of these choices are helping plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Common locations for liposuction iinclude chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. Anesthesia: General recommended, or in some cases Local with IV sedation. Side effects/risks: Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation, temporary fluid drainage from incision sites, asymmetry, rippling or bagginess of skin, pigmentation changes, skin injury, fluid retention excessive fluid loss leading to shock, infection. UAL: thermal burn injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound device, larger incisions for the ultrasound probe. Recovery: Recovery varies greatly depending on the amount of liposuction done. Most people can return to work in 5-7 days, and be back to exercising in 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising can take 6-8 months. The use of postoperative homeopathic supplements such as Arnica and Bromelain may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling. back Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)Procedure: Thigh Lift (thighplasty) - A thigh lift is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from either the inner or outer thighs of individuals in whom liposuction alone will not correct the condition.Anesthesia: General or local with sedation Side effects/risks: Following surgery patients may experience temporary pain, swelling, possible bruising, soreness and fatigue. The incisions will fade and flatten with time. There is minimal or no bruising. Swelling is mild to moderate and peaks at two to three days then disappears rapidly over the next three weeks. There is moderate to minimal pain that is controlled by oral medication. The entire area will feel tight for several months. The scar can migrate from the crease over time and become more visible. Recovery: You can resume many activities within the first week, and most by three weeks. You can usually return to work in 1-2 weeks depending on the individual. Exercise and strenuous activity may be done at 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. back Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) View Photos Procedure: Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) - Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. If your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty; also know as a mini-tummy tuck Anesthesia: General anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation for a mini tuck at the discretion of our anesthesiologist. Side effects/risks: Temporary pain, swelling, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising and fatigue for several weeks or months. Blood clots, infection, bleeding under the skin flap, poor healing resulting in conspicuous scarring or skin loss and the need for a second operation are much less common side effects. Recovery: For the first few days, your abdomen will be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort that can be controlled by oral medication. We also infiltrate numbing medication on the abdominal fascia that helps reduce discomfort considerably. All patients are sent home the day of their procedure. Though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible and as the tightness softens over the week you will walk normally. In healthy motivated patients, recovery usually lasts two weeks at most. Many patients return to work after one week and resume exercise in three or four weeks depending on their tolerance. It’s important to remain slightly flexed at your waist in order to be most comfortable and reduce the tension on your repair. Mild swelling can persist on the lower abdomen for 6 to 8 weeks. Drains are usually inserted at your procedure and will remain for about 5 days. Heavy lifting is avoided for the first two weeks (25 pounds or more). Extra help will be beneficial for the first seven to ten days particularly if there are young children around. Sleeping in the flexed position for the first week or so will provide extra comfort. A recliner or hospital bed (rented) has come in quite handy for many patients. Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. It is recommended that you use silicone scar strips on your incisions for at least six months afterwards in order to ensure the finest scar result. This must be worn for at least 12 hours a day. We encourage patients to wear store bought compression garments for several months after the procedure for swelling control, general comfort and scar softening. back Skin CancerProcedure: Skin Cancer on the Body - While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80 percent appear on the face, head, or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous. Most skin cancers are removed surgically, by a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. If the cancer is small, the procedure can be done quickly and easily. The procedure may be a simple excision, which usually leaves a thin, barely visible scar, or curettage (scraping) and electrocautery may be performed. In this procedure the cancer is scraped out, and an electric current is used to control bleeding and kill any remaining cancer cells. This leaves a reddened area for some time, which eventually turns white or skin colored.Anesthesia: local Duration of Results: variable - recurrences are possible Side effects/risks: Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, the consequences may range from a small but unsightly scar to permanent changes in facial structures such as your nose, ear, or lip. Recovery: Varies depending on the complexity of the procedure performed. back Scar Revision View Photos Procedure: Scar Revision on the Body - While no scar can be removed completely, plastic surgeons can often improve the appearance of a scar, making it less obvious through the injection or application of certain steroid medications or through surgical procedures known as scar revisions. Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to reposition a scar so that it more closely conforms to the natural lines and creases of the skin, where it will be less noticeable. It can also relieve the tension caused by contracture. Not all scars lend themselves to Z-plasty, however, and it requires an experienced plastic surgeon to make such judgments. Skin grafts and flaps are more complex forms of scar surgery. Your surgeon decides the need for these. Anesthesia: Skin grafts and flaps: general anesthesia Duration of Results: permanent Side effects/risks: These procedures are normally safe, but there is always the possibility of complications. These may include infection, bleeding, a reaction to the anesthesia, or the recurrence of an unsightly scar. Recovery: Skin grafts and flaps require several weeks or months for complete healing. back |
||||