Body

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck):

People who have loose abdominal skin and extra fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes these conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may remove some of the stretch marks, located below the navel.

Liposuction:

The basic technique of liposuction involves the removal of fat via a hollow metal tube (cannula) that is passed through the fatty tissue. One of the most common types of liposuction involves the aspiration of fat by attaching a pump that generates a vacuum. This is known as suction assisted liposuction (SAL). In addition, a motor may be used on the cannula that causes the cannula to vacillate back and forth thus performing much of the “work” of liposuction know as power assisted liposuction (PAL). An ultrasonic generator may produce sound waves above audible frequency that “breaks” the fat cells and the broken down fat is removed by SAL. A laser can also be employed to break down the fat cells. Each of the methods has advantages and disadvantages. These methods will be discussed with you at the time of the consultation. Additionally, the above techniques may be combined to yield optimal results. The decisions concerning the appropriate technique will best be accomplished by Dr. Brownstein.

Upper Body Lifts:

Upper body lift surgery is designed for individuals who have excess upper body skin and hanging tissue. Most often, this excess skin is the result of significant weight loss due to bariatric surgery procedures. Other times, individuals develop drooping skin in the upper body as a result of aging or pregnancy. An upper body lift is a combination of three body contouring procedures. Excess fat and skin are removed from the chest/breasts, the upper back, and the arms. Excess tissue is then removed from the upper back, then, your surgeon will move to the chest/breasts, ends with an arm lift procedure. Upper body lift surgery takes approximately 6-8 hours, uses general anesthesia (the patient is asleep), and requires an overnight stay in the hospital or surgery center.

Lower Body Lifts:

The lower body lift surgical procedure tightens loose, sagging skin in the buttocks, posterior thighs, hips, outer thighs, and anterior thighs. It utilizes incisions, which pass from the back around the hips to the front of the thighs. The loose skin, as well as underlying fat tissue, is removed from below the incision to allow suspension of the remaining tissues to stretch and smooth the lower body, especially the buttocks and thighs. The surgery begins in the back and requires repositioning during the surgery to address the hips and outer thighs and front of the thighs. It can be combined with an abdominal skin tightening if needed. If a previous tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) has been performed or is not needed, the lower body lift can be extended to tighten the inner thighs.

The incisions are designed to be hidden by clothing and sportswear or to lie in normally occurring anatomic folds. Layered suture techniques are used to carefully close the area of incision in order to maintain the lift, tightening and smoothing the remaining skin.

Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss:

For people who have drastically reduced their weight, one or more Body Contouring procedures may be recommended. Body contouring procedures may be performed in one surgical session or may be more safely performed in stages depending on your overall health, the type and extent of procedures being considered, along with recommendations by your plastic surgeon during the consultation process. The result of this procedure is to reduce excess fat and/or sagging skin and tissue, giving you a more contoured, toned look.

Areas treated by body contouring include the neck, upper arms, female and male breasts, abdomen, flanks, back, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and ankles.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lifts):

An arm lift, or otherwise known as brachioplasty, can remove the excess skin and fat deposits, leaving the upper arms with a more pleasing and youthful contour. As a person ages, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. An incision extends from the elbow to the underarm, and sometimes on to the side of the chest. In some instances, Dr. Brownstein may recommend that liposuction be used alone or in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat in the upper arms.

Leg Lifts:

A leg lift, also known as a thigh lift or “Thighplasty,” is designed to rid the loose, hanging skin in the thigh and buttocks, which tends to remain on a patient’s body following significant weight loss (either through gastric bypass or other body contouring procedures). A leg lift is intended to tighten and firm these areas, improving overall body contour.

Fat grafting (including buttock):

Fat injection or grafting has broad applications in cosmetic surgery. Fat injected into areas requiring volume-enhancement produces safe, long-lasting, and natural-appearing results as volume is replaced to tissues where fat is diminished. Fat grafting usually involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, washing/ purifying it, and the carefully re-injecting it with specially designed instrumentation into the areas requiring augmentation. The procedure may need to be repeated more than once to achieve the desired result.

Lower Body Lift ( sometimes referred to as Torsoplasty or belt lipectomies):

A Lower Body Lift is a collection of procedures targeted to improves the appearance of the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The operation is frequently performed to remove excess skin and fat following massive weight loss. The Lower Body Lift procedure combines a Tummy Tuck, Inner Thigh Lift, and Outer Thigh/Buttock Lift. A Lower Body Lift is a serious procedure which involves the exchange of one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars).

One of the best candidates for Lower Body Lift surgery is a person who has lost a massive amount of weight, either through Bariatric Gastric Bypass surgery, Gastric Banding or weight loss from dieting. Such a person may have lost 50 pounds or more, and now left with folds of surplus overstretched skin on their backs, trunks and thighs. A Lower Body Lift procedure is not a weight reduction procedure. Obese individuals who intend to lose weight should postpone all forms of body contouring surgery until they have reached a stable weight. The sequence and duration of a Lower Body Lift procedure varies according to the needs of the patient. In cases that require the removal of fat, liposuction is performed prior to removing excess skin. Any essential repairs to the abdominal wall (such as hernia repair) usually can be made at the time of the Lower Body Lift.