Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Blog | Dr. Linderman

Body contouring is an area of plastic and cosmetic surgery, which deals with the improvement of patient’s figures and shapes utilizing techniques such as fat removal, excision of excess skin and augmentation or volume increase. With the advent of bariatric surgery, an increasing number of patients are presenting with problems related to extreme weight loss. Procedures employed in body contouring surgery include excisions such as tummy tuck, body lifts, a thigh lifts, arm lifts and breast lifts. Problem areas with excess may be treated with liposuction alone or in combination with a skin excision. Patient requesting increase volume may be treated with implants such as breast augmentation or fat injection. To find out more visit Body Contouring.

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Frequently patients presenting for tummy tuck surgery for removal of excess skin of the abdomen will have marked skin redundancy involving the hips and back. This is often seen in patients after severe weight loss or bariatric surgery. When there is significant fat present and good skin elasticity, liposuction may be combined with the tummy tuck. However in most patients of this type a belt lipectomy is often indicated for an optimal result. In this procedure the tummy tuck excision is extended completely around the back as a belt. Recovery is very similar to a tummy tuck alone.

Labels: body contouring surgery

Well, on May 11, 2005 I had bariatric surgery (gastric bypass). At that time I weighed about 279 lbs and wore a size 26W. I had no major health issues.....yet! I had always struggled with my weight ever since I was a young child. After having two children it was becoming even more difficult for me to maintain my weight and stay healthy. I was finally told by an internist that my hormone levels, while within the normal ranges, were off balance for me. He suggested the gastric bypass surgery to "shock" my system back to normal. To satisfy my insurance, I went through an 18 month, doctor supervised weight loss program. I didn't lose a thing! I finally had the surgery and it was a success! Although I was a "slow loser" that first year, only losing 92 lbs, I was still getting healthier by the day. By the time I came to see Dr. Linderman in November of 2007, I had lost over 125 lbs and had been maintaining my weight at around 150 lbs for a year. I was happy to be in a size 12!!! After my initial consultation, Dr. Linderman and I decided the best course of action to remove my excess skin and firm up my mid-section would be the belt lipectomy. Just two weeks prior to my surgery date, I also opted for a breast augmentation. Even while pregnant and weighing close to 300 lbs, I had never gotten out of an A-cup bra. I felt that if I were going to go this far to help improve my body, I might as well make it proportional! On January 29, 2008, I had the belt lipectomy and breast augmentation. The surgery went extremely well and was a complete success!! I now weigh 130 lbs, wear a size 3-4 and have beautiful C-cup breasts! Just 6 months post-op the scars are already faded around my mid-section and practically invisible on my breasts. I would do it all over again without hesitation. For the first time in my life, I feel like ME!! I am so thankful to Dr. Linderman as well as his staff. Their professionalism, care and sincere concern are beyond compare.

Haydan Hibschman

Labels: body contouring surgery, breast augmentation

I am frequently asked if a new umbilicus is made in a tummy tuck or if it is moved. In a mini tummy tuck, the umbilicus is unaffected and not altered by this surgical procedure. In a full or standard tummy tuck, a surgical incision is made around the umbilicus. The upper abdominal skin is released from its underlying attachments to the muscles and then pulled down like a window shade. A small incision is made in this flap and the umbilicus brought out and sutured in its new location. The umbilicus is not detached or recreated. It is simply placed in a new position relative to the skin that has been removed.

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Because of the more involved surgery, the recovery period after a full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is longer than a mini tummy tuck. Patients are advised to be off work for two weeks with about six weeks for complete recovery. Strenuous exercise is limited for four weeks and abdominal work takes longer due to the muscle tightening performed at the time of surgery. Surgical drains are removed about one week postoperatively and patients may shower within three days of surgery. Almost are sutures are dissolvable and do not require removal. Learn more about tummy tucks and view before and after photos.

Labels: body contouring surgery

Because of the more involved surgery, the recovery period after a full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is longer than a mini tummy tuck. Patients are advised to be off work for two weeks with about six weeks for complete recovery. Strenuous exercise is limited for four weeks and abdominal work takes longer due to the muscle tightening performed at the time of surgery. Surgical drains are removed about one week postoperatively and patients may shower within three days of surgery. Almost are sutures are dissolvable and do not require removal. Learn more about tummy tucks and view before and after photos.

Labels: body contouring surgery

Rectus Diastasis refers to the separation of abdominal muscles, which run in the midline from the lower ribs to the pubic region. Frequently after pregnancy these two muscles will separate causing laxity or protrusion of part or all of the abdominal wall. During a tummy tuck procedure these muscles are repositioned and sutured back into their original position restoring shape and tone to the abdominal. In a mini tummy tuck only the lower half of the muscles from the umbilicus to the pubic region may be treated. To find out more about tummy tuck please visit the web page.

Labels: body contouring surgery

Ultrasonic Body Contouring (UBC) is an innovation in liposuction technique that takes advantage of the peculiar characteristics of fat cells to target them preferentially during liposuction.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the number of fat cells in the human body is set during puberty, with the body replacing a certain number of cells every year to maintain a consistent number and distribution. Fat deposits grow not because there are more fat cells, but because the individual cells store more fat and become distended. It is this distension that allows UBC to target them preferentially.

In UBC, a special cannula (or suction tube) is used that generates ultrasonic waves through the use of a piezoelectric vibration tip. The energy of the ultrasonic waves causes the distended fat cells to lyse (or burst), making them liquid and more easily removed by suction, while the more compact and sturdier cells in the area, such as nerves or vascular and connective tissues, resist the ultrasonic waves and are less likely to be removed during the procedure.

Ultrasonic Liposuction is particularly effective in areas where the fat is more fibrous making removal more difficult with traditional liposuction. Such areas include fat of the posterior hips and back. It is particularly effective in removal of fat found in men in the abdomen, love handles and chest region.

The advantages of this procedure include:

• Less damage to surrounding tissues
• Less pain and bruising
• More effective removal of fibrous fat
• Shorter recovery time
• Smoother contours following treatment

These results have been confirmed both through clinical studies and through numerous patient experiences. Not only is the procedure easier on your body, but it provides better results, as the lessening of trauma to the body leads to smoother extraction of fat and smoother skin following healing.

Do not confuse UBC with other liposuction techniques, such as power-assisted liposuction (PAL), in which a mechanically driven tip is used to dislodge tissue indiscriminately to make the procedure quicker and easier for the doctor, but may cause additional tissue damage leading to significant bruising, pain, and tissue damage, and may require a longer recovery period.

For most people, UBC represents significant advantages over traditional liposuction techniques. To learn more about this innovation, please contact Dr. Linderman at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana today for a complimentary consultation.

Labels: body contouring surgery