Have you ever undergone breast implant surgery? If yes, you may be a good
candidate for breast implant revision surgery. This surgery aims to change the shape
of the original implants or to replace them with new ones. Breast implants lose their
firmness and shape over time, and you would not want to walk around with sagging
breasts. That’s why you may need corrective surgery to improve your breasts’
appearance by replacing the implant material.
The revision surgery may involve breast reduction/breast lift or changing the
position of the implant material on your chest. It can also involve decreasing or
increasing the size of the implant material or changing its style.

Where a Breast Implant Revision Surgery Is Applicable

Despite the best execution and technique used during your original breast implant
surgery, some changes are bound to occur along the way. These changes may cause
your breasts to lose the appearance they had immediately after the surgery.
Some of these changes may make you feel uncomfortable. The best solution would
be to visit your plastic surgeon for a breast implant revision surgery to restore your
breasts to their original position and state.
Some changes to your breast implant may result from weight gain, weight loss, or
pregnancy. Some issues that a breast implant revision surgery can address include:

Change in your breast size

The most common reason many women go for breast implant revision surgery is to
either decrease or increase the sizes of their breasts. Most women, after undergoing
breast implant surgery, may feel that they could have looked prettier with smaller or
larger breasts. This makes them go for revision surgery to change the sizes of their
breasts.

When you go for this kind of change, your plastic surgeon will simply replace the
small implant material will a bigger one, if you want a bigger breast, or replace the
big implant material with a small one, if you need smaller breasts. If you know the
size of the original material used, you’ll make the work of the surgeon to be easier.

Deflation of Your Breast implant

Saline implants can leak or rupture, making your breasts deflate and sag. Leakage
isn’t a health concern, but it has esthetic consequences that can leave you with less
attractive or lopsided breasts.
Your plastic surgeon can remove the leaking implant and then fix a new one for you.
You may ask your surgeon to fix a new design or a new type of implant material. The
good news is that most of these implants have lifetime guarantees, meaning you
won’t be charged for the replacement.

Implant malposition

When the pocket holding the implant material is larger than necessary, implant
malposition will occur. In this case, the implant material will shift its position, making
the shape of your breasts to be distorted. This way, your breasts will lose their
attractiveness, and you’ll need a breast implant revision surgery to return the
implant material to its original position.
The surgery will also be necessary to reduce the size of the pocket so the problem
can not occur again. If you delay until the implant material gets damaged, then you
must have a new implant material installed. In most cases, the discomfort caused by
implant malposition may force you to seek help before the implant material gets
damaged.

Changing the Implant Type

There are many types of implant materials that you can choose from. If you feel that
the one you are having no longer suits your taste, you can go for a breast implant
revision surgery. This decision has nothing to do with any medical need or a feeling

of discomfort but is a matter of preference. However, to make such changes, let your
surgeon advise you on the best replacement.

Capsular contracture

When the scar around your implant tightens, the implant may change its position.
This is the condition referred to as capsular contracture. If it happens to you, revision
surgery will be necessary to return things to normal. Capsular contracture can be
caused by an infection in your breasts, bleeding in the breast, especially around
where the implant is, or trauma. It may also result from other factors unknown to
the surgeons.
Depending on the problem you are facing, your surgeon will decide on the best way
to deal with it. If it results from an infection, you may need to get treatment before a
new implant material is inserted for you. The surgeon will have to diagnose your
situation then put you on the treatment.

Improving the Feeling of Your Breasts

When you’ve had an implant for a long time, the feeling of your breast may change
because of the growth of breast tissues. Sometimes you may not notice this, but in
some cases, your breast may feel unpleasant and uncomfortable. If that is the case,
you may need an implant correction surgery.
The surgeon will change the size or shape of the implant material, then put it at an
optimal position to accommodate your breast tissues.

Reshaping and Repositioning in your Chest

Naturally, as you age, your breast will lose its firmness. As this happens, any implant
material that you had may also change in shape. This will change the overall look of
your breasts.
You’ll need revision surgery to reshape both the pocket and the implant material so
your breast can have a new look. This process may necessitate the replacement of
the old implant material with a new one.

Final Words

When you have chosen to have breast implant revision surgery, you need to pick a
qualified surgeon to carry out the procedure. This is because this surgery is not like
other routine or standard procedures. It needs to be designed to meet your specific
desires and goals.
For example, if you need a specific breast size, your surgeon will have to assess your
current breast size and the size of the original implant material before deciding on
the size of the implant material to be used as a replacement. The surgeon must
develop a specific surgical plan to take care of all the issues you have raised.

The post Breast Implant Revision appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Just like I mentioned earlier, breast reconstruction helps individuals regain their confidence back after having a mastectomy. The main aim of breast reconstruction is reshaping or reforming one or both breasts after lumpectomy or mastectomy. Mastectomy is a form of surgical procedure where a surgeon removes the breast including the areola and nipple, to prevent or treat breast cancer. Lumpectomy, on the other hand, is the removal of a section of a breast that contains a small tumor. 

Although there are many factors and considerations that can help you determine the best type of breast reconstruction, there are two most reliable ones: 

• Prosthetics or implants: This type of breast reconstruction surgery uses saline implants or silicone. 
• Skip flap surgery or Autologous: This type of breast reconstruction surgery uses tissue from another body part. 

In some rare situations, a surgeon might apply or use a combination of these two types. This helps create a natural reconstruction of either one or both breasts. 

There are other techniques that can help the surgeon in charge reconstruct the nipple that surrounds the area if the treatment has affected it. As much as many patients prefer breast reconstruction done after treatment, it can also take place during lumpectomy or mastectomy. This process is known as immediate reconstruction.

Delayed reconstruction, which a good number of patients opt for, happens after reconstruction. In this case, an individual might opt for a reconstruction after the wound has healed and also other forms of cancer have ended. 

Types of Breast Reconstructions 

This sections discuses the different types of breast reconstruction surgery.

Implants

When using implants to reconstruct a breast, a surgeon will insert saline or silicone implants underneath the muscle or skin, this replaces the previous breast tissue. In most people, this process involves two stages. In the first stage, the surgeon will place a tissue expander underneath the pectoralis muscles or breast skin. This expander functions as a temporary implant that will gradually stretch the tissues remaining. After this process is done and the individual heals, the surgeon will then inject salt water or sterile saline through the skin into the expander once a week. It will make the balloon gradually grow, stretching out the overlaying muscle and skin until the affected breast reaches the size an individual is comfortable with. Once these chest issues heal and the surgeon adds sufficient saline to the expander in preparation for implant insertion, they then move to the second stage which involves inserting the implants. 

In the second stage, the surgeon will remove the tissue expanders and replace them with saline implant or silicone. This will reopen the initial original scar. During this procedure, no new scars are left on the chest. In some rare situations, a surgeon places a permanent silicone or saline implant during mastectomy without using the tissue expander. 

Skin Flap Surgery

During this surgery, the surgeon will take a tissue from a different body part and move it to the chest in a bid to rebuild the breast. In most cases, the surgeon usually removes tissues from the abdomen. The tissues might also Coke from other areas other than the abdomen like back, buttock or thigh. This type of surgery is highly sophisticated since it involves the transfer of tissue from one area to another. There are two methods that can be used for this surgery.

Free flap surgery – In this surgery, the surgeon will completely remove the blood vessels and the tissue that supply circulation of blood for breast placement. They will then stitch the blood vessels into others in the intended area of placement. Oftentimes, these vessels are usually very small, so surgeons use a microscope to sew them up in process called microsurgery. 

Pedicle flap surgery; in this type of surgery, a surgeon doesn’t remove the transplanted tissue from the vessels. Instead, the tissue will remain attached to the body, and the surgeon rotates it into the chest to form a firm breast. Just like the other type, a surgeon takes tissues from the back or abdomen for pedicle flap surgery. 

Deciding to Have A Surgery

When deciding to have a breast reconstruction surgery, they are various key factors that an individual should discuss with their doctor. Choosing a breast reconstruction surgery is a personal choice. Normally, many women grief over losing their breasts or experience self image problems and severe anxiety after mastectomy. For these reasons, many go for breast reconstruction. These are the important decisions to make:

• The type of surgery you’ll undergo.
• Whether to have both breasts operated on to match the reconstructed other beast. 

Some other factors that aid an individual decide the best type of reconstruction include: 

• The individual’s body type, slimmer people might not have enough tissue on other body areas to do a skin flap surgery.
• Overall health: Whether the individual smokes or not, severity, the location and cancer types.
• Other forms of treatment: Such as chemotherapy or radiation that the individual might have been given.
• Whether the reconstruction is to be done on one or both breasts.
• The number of breast reconstruction surgeries an individual is willing to undergo. 

Conclusion

As much as breast reconstruction is an effective way of regaining the shape of breasts, some individuals might need more than this procedure to fully reconstruct their breasts and regain their shape.

The post Breast Reconstruction appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

Often times after experiencing a dramatic weight loss, patients will see noticeable
sagging of the excess skin. This is primarily due to skin tissues lacking the elasticity to
conform to the body’s reduced size and structure. Dramatic weight loss typically occurs
after weight loss surgeries or significant lifestyle changes. Either way, surgical body
contouring is an effective way to remove excess sagging skin and fat. Body contouring
improves the shape of underlying support tissue and results in a better-proportioned
appearance with smoother contours. There are several procedures defined as body
contouring including:

● Arm lift: corrects sagging of upper arms
● Breast lift: corrects sagging or flattened breasts
● Facelift: corrects sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck
● Lower body lifts: corrects sagging of the abdomen, buttocks and/or inner and
outer thighs
● Medial thigh lift: corrects sagging of the inner thigh
● Tummy tuck: corrects excess skin hanging over the abdomen
Who is a qualified candidate for body contouring procedures?
Of course, anyone who has experienced significant weight loss should consider body
contouring. However good candidates for the procedures are:
● Adults whose weight loss has been stabilized
● Healthy adults without medical conditions that would impair the healing process
or otherwise increase their risk of surgery
● Nonsmokers
● Adults with a positive outlook and realistic goals
● Adults committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and
fitness

What costs are associated with body contouring procedures?

Body contouring costs can vary widely. Typically surgeons specializing in body
contouring base their prices on his or her experience level, type of procedure(s) used,
and geographic location. While most health insurance will not cover body contouring
surgeries or its complications, many surgeons offer patient financing plans. Always
speak with a certified surgeon in your area to get a more detailed quote. When choosing
a surgeon in your area for body contouring surgery, always keep in mind that the
surgeon’s experience and your comfort level with him or her are just as important as the
final cost of surgery.

Costs associated with body contouring surgery can include:
● Anesthesia fees
● Hospital or surgical facility costs
● Pre/Post-op medical tests
● Post-op garments
● Prescriptions
● Surgeon’s Fee
Scheduling a consultation and what to expect next
During your body contouring consultation your doctor will discuss with you these topics:
● Surgical goals
● Medical conditions including drug allergies and previous medical treatments
● Current medications including vitamins and herbal supplements
● Social history of alcohol, tobacco and drug usage
● Previous surgeries and outcomes
Your plastic surgeon will most likely:
● Evaluate your health and preexisting conditions or risk factors
● Examine your body and take detailed measurements where necessary
● Take photographs to log in your medical record
● Discuss procedure options and recommend a course of treatment
● Discuss likely outcomes and any risks or potential complications of body
contouring

For your physician to successfully and safely perform the procedure, it is important to be
completely transparent during your consultation. Be sure to ask questions and share
any concerns with your physician. It is always natural to feel some anxiety or
preoperative stress before a procedure. Talk with your physician thoroughly and ask
questions to fully understand all aspects of your body contouring procedure. Below
we’ve prepared a cheat sheet of questions commonly asked when going in for a
consultation for body contouring procedures. Feel free to take with you on the day of
your appointment.

What should I ask my plastic surgeon about body contouring?

● Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
● Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
● How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
● Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which
hospitals?

● Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state-recognized
accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
● Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
● What will be expected of me to get the best results?
● Where and how will you perform my procedure?
● What surgical technique is recommended for me?
● How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need
during my recovery?
● What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
● How are complications handled?
● How can I expect to look over time? After pregnancy?
● What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my
procedure?
● Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what
results are reasonable for me?

What are the risks of body contouring?

When deciding to undergo plastic surgery it is necessary to weigh the risks and
potential complications to your personal goals. Your physician will go over these risks in
detail and have you sign the proper consent. However, it is a great idea to have the best
understanding before speaking with a plastic surgeon. Body contouring risks can
include:
● Bleeding
● Infection
● Fluid accumulation
● Poor wound healing
● Skin loss
● Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism
● Excessive or widened scars
● Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
● Anesthesia risks
● Unfavorable scarring
● Residual skin laxity or contour irregularity

How to properly prepare for your body contouring procedure

Your plastic surgeon may ask you to prepare for your body contouring procedure days
before the actual procedure. It is essential to the success of your procedure that you
follow each step precisely. Your doctor may ask you to:
● Get cleared for surgery by your bariatric surgeon and/or primary care doctor

● Get specified pre-operative lab tests
● Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
● Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
● Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements or other
medications that may increase bleeding

Typically body contouring surgeries are performed in an accredited office-based
surgical facility6, licensed ambulatory surgical center or a hospital. If your body
contouring is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive
you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

What to expect after body contouring surgery and recovery

Following the procedure, your incisions will have dressings or bandages applied to aid
in infection control. Often, small tubes will be placed under the skin temporarily to drain
excess blood or fluid that may collect. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions on
how to care for the surgical sites. Your surgeon may prescribe topical and or oral
medications to aid in healing. Your surgeon will also go over any concerns to look for
regarding the incision sites or your overall health. You will also be expected to follow up
with your surgeon over the next few months to monitor your healing progression. Your
surgeon will expect the following of you while recovering at home:
● Avoid bending, straining or lifting for the specified time period
● If tightening of abdomen or thighs is involved your physician may instruct you to
avoid standing fully erect or stressing internal sutures as they heal.
● Surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, motion, swelling or
abrasion while healing.
● It is important to be up and walking as soon as possible and drinking plenty of
water to minimize the risk of DVT (blood clots in legs)

How soon should I expect to see the results of body contouring?

Results can be seen almost immediately following your procedure in most cases.
However, other cases may need up to 2 years to see the final results. Be aware that
even with optimal results you will still have visible scarring. Body contouring is a long-
lasting procedure, provided you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. It is
also natural to see a loss of firmness with age. While good results are expected from
your procedure, there is never any guarantee. Some people need multiple surgeries to
achieve their desired results. Always follow your physician’s instructions for after your
procedure to ensure the best possible results.

The post Body Contouring appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

Arm lift, also called “Brachioplasty”, is a plastic surgery that eliminates the annoying, excessive, and sagging skin from the upper arm by removing deposits of fat. Once the excessive skin is removed, the plastic surgeon tightens the skin and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue to form a new and prettier contour in the arm. This change may not only make the patient appear slimmer overall, but he or she may also look younger.

The plastic surgeon helps choose the best treatment according to the cosmetic goals and the natural contours of the arms and the body, always maintaining a suitable ratio. This plastic surgery may be performed alone, but it is usually performed in conjunction with other procedures like body, neck, or facelift; likewise, it can be performed with breast augmentation or abdominoplasty. Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) show an increase in this kind of surgery during recent years, possibly due to the increased rate of bypass surgery, which causes patients to lose a lot of weight quickly thus resulting in sagging skin.

This procedure is most common in women; however, men can obtain great benefits, too. Likewise, most patients are over fifty-five years old, which supports the theory that it helps to eliminate the sagging skin caused by aging.

Who is an ideal patient for an arm lift?

In some cases, a person may improve his/her upper-arm appearance with exercise, but in other cases the skin has lost its elasticity, which can’t be corrected by exercise. Those who feel self-conscious about their upper arms and desire to remove all of the excess fat and sagging skin may find an excellent option in an arm lift.

When a person has lost weight quickly (from undergoing bariatric surgery, after pregnancy, or with diet and exercise), he or she may have redundant underarm skin and can benefit from an arm lift, too. Likewise, this surgery may also help when a person wants to remove the signs of aging in the arms.

The patient who undergoes this procedure should be physically healthy, a non-smoker, and committed to a healthy diet and lifestyle to maintain a stable weight both before and after undergoing the procedure. It is also important that the patient has realistic expectations and understands the limits of the plastic surgery.

Generally, patients over sixy-five years may tolerate the procedure; however, in some cases, the plastic surgeon may apply extra tests before approving the procedure to avoid potential complications.

It is important to remember that the final opinion about a patient’s candidacy for an arm lift is decided by the plastic surgeon.

What are the advantages of an arm lift?

After an arm lift surgery, the patient will look better with form-fitting, short-sleeve or sleeveless clothes, and even naked. Likewise, he/she will recover self-esteem. Those patients who have lost a lot of weight prior to the surgery will look better, and all of their effort and dedication will be more noticeable. Overall quality of life may improve.

What are the disadvantages of an arm lift?

After an arm lift surgery, the patient may have visible scars from the armpit to the elbow in the inside of the arm (especially when the procedure is extensive). The way the final scars will look is unpredictable; this just depends on the healing capacity of each patient.

How much does an arm lift cost?

According to ASPS’s 2014 statistics, in average, an arm lift costs $3,936. This can vary widely according to the extent and difficulty of the procedure; full upper arm lift are usually more expensive than mini-arm lift.

In addition, the costs of anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other expenses like post-operative medication should be considered. This is a cosmetic procedure, so most insurances will not cover it nor potential complications of the surgery.

Good plastic surgeons commonly have expensive fees, but his or her experience and knowledge in the field is very important to obtain the desired results, and it is important for the patient to feel safe in the surgeon’s hands.

What is the pre-operative cares for an arm lift?

During the first consultation, the plastic surgeon can determine if the patient is a good candidate for this type of surgery; for this, it is important to know the patient’s desired outcomes, all of his/her medical conditions, allergies, and current medications (including herbals and vitamins).

During this consultation, the plastic surgeon will examine the patient’s skin, to determine its quality and the natural shape of the arm; this is important to avoid post-operative deformities. The plastic surgeon will take pictures of the arms of the patient to compare with pictures taken after the procedure. At this moment, the patient and the plastic surgeon should decide together both the type of anesthesia and the type of arm lift.

It is important for the patient to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol at least four weeks before the surgery. Likewise, some current medication should be modified to avoid bleeding. On the day of the surgery, the patient should wear comfortable and loose clothing.

The patient shouldn’t omit any detail of his/her health because this may increase the risks. Knowing all the details about the patient’s health, the plastic surgeon may need to take certain precautions to protect the patient’s health.

The patient may ask the plastic surgeon for before/after photos from previous patients, to see if the results are similar to the patient’s desired results. It is also important for the patient to clarify any doubt before undergoing the surgery; the results of this procedure may widely alter the appearance of the body, so it should be a personal and definite decision.

What is the general procedure of an arm lift?

The patient may be under local or general anesthesia; this depends on the patient’s conditions and the plastic surgeon’s considerations. This procedure usually takes between one to two hours. Some lines will be marked with a permanent marker in the arm to guide the surgeon during the procedure.

After that, the surgeon will proceed to make incisions (mainly in the inside or the back of the arm) in order to remove the excessive skin and fat (liposuction may be used to remove difficult deposits of fat). The incisions will depend on the technique being used; this is selected according to the amount and location of the excessive skin and fat. These may be:

– Full Upper Arm Lift (also called standard or extended brachioplasty): This technique includes an incision from the armpit to the elbow. This technique allows for the elimination of excessive skin from the entire upper arm. It is very beneficial after a rapid weight loss (bariatric surgery patients) or for inelastic skin caused by aging. The incision may be created like a curve or in a form of “z” to minimize the final scar.

– Mini-Arm Lift: In this case, the incision is smaller, made only in the armpit. This technique is beneficial when there is little excess of fat and skin in the upper arm (it is mainly around the armpit). The scar will be practically invisible, but it won’t allow an extensive revision of the arm.

After the plastic surgeon makes the incisions, the excess of skin and fat will be removed. When the incision is closed, the arm obtains a firmer and smoother contour. Two types of sutures are used: beneath the skin (it will be absorbed by the body and bring support to the internal structures) and some external stitches (to close the skin). The plastic surgeon will always be careful to hide the scars the best as possible (the patient should know that it is impossible to perform this procedure without leaving any scar).

How is the post-operative care for an arm lift?

This kind of surgery usually requires several weeks of recovery, so the patient should find someone to take care of him/her, including driving him/her home after the procedure. During the first days, the patient may experience some inflammation and soreness, so he/she may take painkillers and antibiotics. The discomfort and pain should decrease after the first forty-eight hours.

The patient and his/her caregiver should change the dressings, bandages, and drains placed after the surgery. The patient should also sleep with the arms elevated (it is recommended to use between two and three pillows to support the arms) to minimize the swelling during the first days.

The patient should avoid baths before the first post-operative consultation; during this time the patient must be cleaned with sponge baths. Compression garments are required during healing to minimize swelling, too; this should be removed only during the cleaning of the incisions.

In the first consultation after the brachioplasty, the plastic surgeon will remove the bandages and external stitches; this consult is scheduled between five and seven days after the procedure.

The plastic surgeon will explain how long it will take before the patient can return to his/her normal level of activity, exercise, and work. But it is good for the patient to walk as soon as possible (short distances) to promote healing and avoid blood clots; stretching and careful movements are permitted too. However, all those movements that include lifting the arms over the head (like combing) are prohibited during the first days. Driving is permitted after ten days.

The patient should take two or three weeks off from work. Cardiovascular exercise should be avoided (for approximately one month after the procedure or according to the surgeon order) and strenuous activities (like heavy lifting and running) for at least six weeks. After this time, it is possible for the patient to return to his/her normal level of activity.

However, the patient should remember that everyone’s body heals in a different way, so visiting the plastic surgeon at the scheduled appointments may help to heal appropriately. The second visit is usually planned in the fourth week. At this time, the plastic surgeon may allow the patient to start mild exercise.

What are the results of an arm lift?

The new contours of the arm will be smoother and tighter and these results are evident immediately after the procedure. However, the final results are evident when all the swelling and bruising have gone. During the first six weeks, the scars will be pink and firm (very visible) and they lose color between nine and twelve months after the procedure.

The results of an arm lift may last many years if the patient keeps a stable weight; new changes of weight may promote the return of a loose skin. Aging may cause skin to change and become flaccid again, which may alter the results of the surgery.

If the patient notes any change in his/her arms, then he/she should visit the plastic surgeon for a new evaluation. Most patients agree that the scars that are left by the surgery are nothing compared with its benefits.

Like any other plastic surgeries there are not guarantees with this procedure, some patients may require two or more procedures to achieve the desired outcomes.

What are the risks and complications of an arm lift surgery?

When this procedure is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, he/she may identify the risks in advance and plan the procedure to avoid them and if the patient follows all the advice of the plastic surgeon, there is a lower risk of complications; however, the patient may present complications like: adverse reaction to anesthesia, hematoma or seroma, infection and bleeding, changes or permanent loss of sensation (from nerve damage), scarring, poor wound healing, swelling of the hands, blood clots, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, persistent pain, non-absorption of internal sutures, and asymmetry between the arms or unsatisfactory results (the patient may need additional procedures).

There are other less-invasive methods to improve the appearance of the arms; these methods are ideal for those patients who cannot undergo surgery. Nevertheless, the results from these procedures are less dramatic than those results provided by plastic surgery.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

The post Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

It is very common for people who have lost large amounts of weight through either conventional methods or surgery—and have lost the skin elasticity—to remain with an excess of fat and skin in different areas of the body. Ordinary factors such as the aging process, sun exposure, getting pregnant, and heredity can affect skin elasticity, causing sagging skin.

This can cause aesthetic, medical, and psychological problems because the patient has difficulty finding clothes that fit well and is prone to develop skin infections and painful rub in the skin folds—and all of these things can affect his/her self-esteem.
A body lift is an excellent plastic surgery that helps to improve the quality of the skin and underlying tissues (which support external tissues), so it is ideal for people with an excess of fat and skin. This procedure can also remove cellulite, creating a smoother and more regular skin surface.

According to the patient’s needs, this procedure may be performed in the upper, mid, or lower region of the body. Using this technique, the arms, breasts, abdomen (including the sides and lower back), buttocks, groin, and thighs (any part, or even the thigh circumference) can be improved.

A body lift surgery can be adapted to the patient’s needs and desires, but it is important to know that a body lift does not have as its main objective removal of fatty tissue. Liposuction alone is used when the patient has good skin elasticity so that it can fit without problem to the new body contour. This is why, in patients with poor skin elasticity, both the liposuction and the body lift procedures should be combined to achieve better results.

Who is an ideal candidate for a body lift surgery?

A body lift is considered major surgery, so the person that desires to undergo this procedure should meet certain criteria or conditions, including the following:

– The patient should be near his/her ideal weight—in some cases, this means losing between 30 and 50 percent of the excessive weight.

– Patients have sagging or drooping skin and stubborn fat deposits in multiple areas of the body.

– The patient should maintain his/her weight, and he/she should be willing to embark on a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and exercise (if the patient has wide variations in weight, it may affect the results of the surgery). In most cases, the plastic surgeon suggests waiting 2 years after the patient is near his/her ideal weight to perform the procedure. This recommendation serves 2 purposes: giving time for the skin to reshape itself, and being sure that the patient will not have substantial weight variations.

-Patients should be physically healthy, including good mental and psychological health, and be a candidate for general anesthesia.

– If the patient is a woman, she should have her maternal wishes fulfilled, because future pregnancies can alter the results of the procedure.

– The patient should have a positive attitude and be realistic about the results of the surgery.

What are the advantages of a body lift surgery?

– Clothes will fit better and the body will appear slimmer, so the patient may note results of weight loss.

– Loose skin that causes chafing, rashes, and infection will be removed.

– Surgery will smooth bulges and rolls that make the patient self-conscious, thereby improving the patient’s self-esteem.

What are the disadvantages of a body lift surgery?

– There are fairly large scars (that the surgeon will try to hide or minimize).

– This is major surgery, so the recovery after the procedure is long.

– Sometimes the patient needs to stay at the center where the procedure was performed for 1 or 3 days, but if he/she doesn’t want to do that, he/she can hire a nurse to take care of him/her at home.

How much does a body lift surgery cost?

A body lift is a surgery that should be adapted to each patient, so the final cost of the procedure will depend on the type of body lift the patient needs. For example, if the patient desires to eliminate excess tissue from specific areas of his/her body, he/she may undergo a lower, upper, or mid-body lift. On the other hand, the patient may desire to remove excessive tissue from multiple areas of the body, and this option is more complex.

The average cost of lower body lift surgery, according to 2014 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is $7,843. A lower, upper, or mid-body lift procedure generally ranges from $6,000 to $8,000; usually, the full-body lift will cost between $10,000 and $17,000, but more extensive procedures may cost up to $50,000.

Generally speaking, insurance companies will not pay for a body lift. Insurance companies will only pay for procedures they have deemed “medically necessary”—so they only will cover this procedure if they feel that the skin excess is interfering with the patient’s normal life.

What is the preoperative care for a body lift?

During the consultation with the plastic surgeon, the patient should discuss why he/she wants to have the procedure, his/her expectations, the best technique according to his/her body contour and particular needs, his/her medical record (to determine diseases or conditions that can present risks of complication), medications (including supplements), and other habits like the use of cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs. The surgeon will evaluate the general health of the patient, examine the patient’s body, and take pictures for the medical record.

It is important that the patient begins preoperative care at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure; this includes no smoking, no drinking alcohol, and no taking medication that could cause bleeding. Staying hydrated is an excellent way to help with the healing process. The patient should also find someone to drive him/her home from the hospital.

The patient should clean his/her skin regularly to prevent infection. Skin excess can harbor harmful bacteria, so the patient must make sure to wash it regularly to keep it sterile and healthy.

What is the general procedure of a body lift?

This procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. The type of body lift surgery should be selected according to the patient’s desires and the area that will be treated. It may be performed only in a specific part of the body, or in large areas in the same procedure. In the latter case, the plastic surgeon can create a completely new body contour.

– Lower body lift (belt lipectomy): This type of body lift is frequently used because it has the advantage of treating the low part of the body during the same procedure. With this procedure, the plastic surgeon can improve the contours of the patient’s body and improve the appearance of the buttocks at the same time. This method is less invasive than undergoing a full-body lift, but it can only help patients who desire to change solely the lower part of their body.

In this case, the plastic surgeon will begin by making an incision across the lower part of the abdomen, also called the “belt-line.” After that, the incision is extended from the thighs; later, the plastic surgeon proceeds to remove excessive tissue in order to raise and reshape the butt and thighs. Before cutting the excessive tissue, the skin should be tightened to ensure an excellent outline. Likewise, this procedure can be combined with an abdominoplasty.

– Mid-body lift (torsoplasty): This type of body lift is also very common because the plastic surgeon can change the contouring of the entire abdominal area and thighs during the same surgery, creating a regular contour.

In this procedure, the plastic surgeon uses similar incisions to the ones required by the lower body lift; one is made around the abdomen to correct the abdominal muscles, putting them very close and making stitches between them and the deep tissues, forming a flatter abdomen (this procedure can repair injuries in the muscles, too). When the plastic surgeon finishes the muscle repair, he/she proceeds to remove the excess of fatty tissue and skin.
The recovery time after this procedure is longer because the plastic surgeon has to manipulate deep structures like the muscles and underlying tissues.

– Upper body lift: This technique includes upper arm lift, breast lift, and back lift.
Upper arm lift: Individuals who are considering an upper arm lift (Brachioplasty) may have the fat removed from their arms by liposuction, but if the patient wants to have loose skin reduced on the arms, the doctor will make an incision underneath the armpit or along the back of the arm. For patients with massive weight loss, it is likely that this incision will run from the elbow to the armpit and perhaps extend along part of the upper chest wall and toward the back; after that, the excess skin is removed.

Breast lift: The plastic surgeon will likely make three incisions: one around the areola, the other extending from the bottom edge of the areola down to the breast crease, and the final underneath the breast (following its natural crease and curve). The surgeon will then remove any skin excess and relocate the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast. This is the most common way to perform a breast lift, but there are other incisions available, depending on the shape and contours of the chest.
Back lift: Patients who want fat rolls removed from around their middle or lower back will have incisions on both sides of their mid back (or near the bra line for women) to remove the excess skin.

– Total or full-body lift: For patients with significant amounts of skin excess throughout the midsection, lower body, and extremities, this technique is the best option because it includes an upper body lift as well as a lower body lift. In some cases, the plastic surgeon performs this surgery in steps, because performing the surgery all at once may take between 4 and 7 hours.

In all cases, the surgeon will work to place the incisions so that the scars can be hidden by underwear or clothing. Finally, all incisions will be closed in multiple layers over drains (to control stretching and swelling). The plastic surgeon can make stitches that bring support to the deeper structures. After that, the plastic surgeon uses external sutures and adhesives to close the incisions, and after that, they will be covered with bandages and compression garments.

Although the patient may note the results of the procedure immediately, the final results are not evident until the healing process is complete.

What is the postoperative care of a body lift?

Depending on the intensity of the surgery and the number of procedures the patient undergoes, he/she may be asked to stay in the hospital for up to two days as he/she recovers, although many patients will be able to return home after a few hours.
It may take between two weeks and two months for the patient to return to work after a body lift surgery. This is a major surgical procedure and requires significant recovery time. Strenuous activity (such as lifting five pounds or more) must be avoided for several months; walking is encouraged after surgery, but no further exercise until sufficient healing has occurred.

It is very important to follow the surgeon’s post-operative care instructions so that the skin and underlying tissue can heal properly, yielding beautiful and healthy results.

During the recovery time of a body lift, the patient should use dressings or bandages over all treated areas; likewise, the plastic surgeon may place some drains under the skin, which help to eliminate any abnormal accumulation of blood or other fluids. A medical compression garment can also be used during recovery, and the patient only should remove it to bathe. Some plastic surgeons allow the patient to cease using these bandages 2 days after the procedure. For pain management, the patient may use intravenous painkillers during the first days in order to relieve the discomfort and pain, although some patients only use oral medication to control the pain.

If incisions have been done in the back, the patient may need to refrain from lying on his/her back until recovery is complete. If the patient undergoes Brachioplasty surgery, he/she will likely be advised to keep his/her arms elevated (above the heart) for a few days after the procedure.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

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