Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Blog | Dr. Linderman

Carmel and Indianapolis, Indiana

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Is Plastic Surgery Permanent?

As a general rule, plastic surgery procedures can leave you looking trimmer and younger for many years. But it's important to take care of yourself to maintain results, especially if you've had procedures to remove fat and excess skin, or to otherwise contour your body.

If you've had plastic surgery, the following factors will help maintain your results long-term:

Good health
Sensible nutrition
Regular exercise
Following your doctor's instructions

Maintaining a sensible regimen of diet and exercise will help prevent a reoccurrence of fat deposits, overly stretched skin, and unsatisfactory body contours that led you to seek plastic surgery in the first place. In addition, if you've had work done on your abdomen or breasts, a subsequent pregnancy could have adverse affects on your post-surgery figure.

If you've had a breast augmentation, it's important to monitor your implants for possible rupture or leakage. While implants can last several years, if they leak or break they must be removed and replaced, or simply removed.

Dr. Richard Linderman of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana has had extensive experience with breast and body contouring procedures. If you have any questions about the permanence of plastic surgery or any post-surgery considerations, please contact Dr. Linderman's Indianapolis, Indiana offices for additional information.

posted by Evan Langsted at 5:24 PM

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

While many of us have body imperfections that we'd like to improve, there is probably no greater trouble area than our stomachs when it comes to excess fat and lack of tone and definition. After years of healthy eating and exercise, we are often still left to suffer with those stubborn tummy bulges and loose skin.

But thanks to the skillful hands of Dr. Linderman, there are options for both men and women who are battling the bulge in their stomachs. There are two surgeries that are quite popular to tone the stomach and minimize the amount of excess skin: liposuction and tummy tucks (abdominoplasty). Though both are aimed at improving the look of your abdomen, the two treatment procedures are quite different.

If you have excess fat in the lower abdomen, thighs, buttocks, upper arms or under the chin that simply won't get smaller no matter how much you exercise, you may consider liposuction. If you're suffering from stretch marks, skin laxity, or a jelly-like appearance of your abdominal skin, you may need to have a tummy tuck.

Liposuction may be for you if:

Your actual body weight is close to your ideal weight, at least within 30%.

You have excess subcutaneous fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.

You want to remove fat pockets in the abdomen, arms, knees, thighs, chin, neck, hips, calves, and ankles.

You have good skin tone and elasticity without the existence of loose, saggy skin or stretch marks.

A tummy tuck may be for you if:

You have been pregnant and have stretched and weakened abdominal muscles and stretch marks in the lower abdomen.

You have a loose and sagging abdominal wall.

To learn more about both of these procedures, please contact Dr. Linderman at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana today to schedule your initial consultation.

posted by Mandy W. at 5:20 PM

Friday, April 24, 2009

Is FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approval important with Cosmetic Surgery?

The FDA does requires approval of some devices and medications used in cosmetic surgery. Examples include breast implants which the FDA has determined to be safe for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. Injectable fillers like Restylane and Juvaderm as well Botox for facial lines have been studied and approved for use. FDA approval is a benchmark for evaluating a product’s use and safety but occasionally products may be used outside these guidelines and found to be effective.

posted by Mandy W. at 1:13 PM

Can I go back to work after tummy tuck surgery?

As a general rule, I advise my patients to take two weeks off from work following a full tummy tuck and one week for a mini tummy tuck. This may vary with the particular patient and the job they perform. Drains are usually placed and may be in place for up to one week. These are inconspicuous and do not affect recovery. A very healthy fit patient with a low activity job may return in four days with a mini tummy tuck. An older patient with a very strenuous job with heavy lifting may require three weeks off work.

posted by Mandy W. at 1:09 PM

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Will Breast augmentation change the shape of my areola?

It is very uncommon for the shape or size of the areola to altered following breast augmentation. Frequently women who have stretch marks of their breast will notice some improvement from the increased tension on the breast from placement of a breast implant. Rarely the diameter of the areola could be increased in the individual with very large implants causing severe stretching of the skin.

posted by Mandy W. at 4:26 PM

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

When will I be able to return to work after my injectable filler procedure?

Some patients may have minor bruising and swelling after placement of injectible fillers and numbness may persist for two to three hours similar to having a dental procedure. Most patients return to work the following day after they receive injectible fillers.

posted by Mandy W. at 3:41 PM

Friday, April 10, 2009

Will I have drains after breast augmentation surgery?

It is my routine to not place drains after routine breast augmentation surgery. With the soft touch technique using electrocautery for all surgical dissection, there is almost no bleeding and drains are not indicated.

posted by Mandy W. at 1:28 PM

Monday, April 6, 2009

Can I exercise immediately after breast augmentation?

With the 24 Hour Recovery Routine, early stretching and daily activities are encouraged. I place a ten-pound weight limit on my patients for the first week after surgery. Patients can usually resume their exercise routines in about two weeks with minor restrictions. Immediate high impact exercise can elevate blood pressure and increase the chances of postoperative bleeding.

posted by Mandy W. at 5:56 PM

Thursday, April 2, 2009

How do breast lifts work?

In evaluating a patient for potential breast lift or mastopexy, I will determine how much breast ptosis is present, what is the quality of the skin envelope and what is the relationship of current breast volume to overall skin excess? These factors allow me to recommend to my patients the most appropriate surgical procedure and implant type.

Breast lifts are performed to correct ptosis or droopiness of the breast and to improve breast shape. Older techniques relied strictly on modification of the skin envelope with the addition of a breast implant when indicated. My current approach in mastopexy surgery is to alter the shape of the breast tissue with internal sutures and tailor the skin to adapt to the new shape. This promotes longer lasting results with less recurrence. When adequate volume is present, a Brazilian Breast Lift is performed without placement of a breast implant.

posted by Mandy W. at 4:32 PM

Can a breast augmentation reduce the size of my nipples?

Breast augmentation does not affect nipple size however the size and projection of the nipple can be easily modified during breast augmentation surgery. Depending on nipple shape and size, the diameter and projection can be easily altered with minimal cost and discomfort.

posted by Mandy W. at 4:12 PM