A Declining Economy Taking Its Toll On Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures

With the current economy money is tight and many people are cutting back on their spending, which in turn affects nearly every industry in the United States, and in some cases, the world. The cosmetic surgery industry has hit harder than other industries. This is most likely due tot he fact that most every plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure performed today is considered an elective surgery- or in other words- not a necessary surgery procedure required to maintain life.

Over the past few years, the plastic and cosmetic surgery industry has experienced a steep decline in the number of all procedures performed, but especially the very popular procedures such as Breast enhancement, Body contouring procedures such as liposuction and Abdominoplasty. In reality, it is no real secret why these ever-popular surgical procedures have suddenly become less popular. elective surgeries such as these can cost thousands of dollars, and most people are looking for less expensive solutions for looking younger.

Tummy Tuck Surgery Creates Positive Change in Your Appearance

Abdominoplasty surgery, also referred to as a tummy tuck surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove the excess fat tissue, trim and tighten the the abdominal skin and tighten the muscles of the abdomen in the mid to lower abdominal region providing a trim, fit looking mid section.

For women who have had more than one pregnancy, often times experience sagging skin in the abdominal region due to the skin stretching as the belly gets larger during pregnancy. When performing this plastic surgery procedure, the plastic surgeon lifts away the sagging skin, and stretches the skin downward toward the pelvis. The plastic surgeon will remove the excess skin, and the scar will generally rest at the "bikini line." At this time, the surgeon will also remove excess fat tissues and tighten the abdominal muscles using stitches. In many cases, the abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck procedure requires moving the position of the navel upwards to compensate for lost abdominal skin. This procedure is often performed in combination with a liposuction surgery procedure of the thighs, hips love handles to enhance the overall result.

Is Body Contouring Surgery Right for You?

Body contouring surgery involves removal of fat tissues, rearranging the skin and tightening muscles in order to create a more youthful appearance. The plastic surgeon utilizes different techniques to achieve a unique, lasting aesthetic result custom tailored for each patient. Your plastic surgeon will work closely with you to develop a surgical approach that is optimal for you. The following includes information about the two main body contouring procedures.

Liposuction surgery is a procedures that involves the removal of fat from problem areas of the body such as love handles. Liposuction procedures can be performed alone, or in combination with other body contouring procedures. Patients who are excellent candidates for liposuction have pockets of fat that do not respond to regular exercise and proper diet. For Liposuction surgery, the Best results are achieved when the fat is localized to specific problem areas and the patients has good skin tone.

Abdominoplasty surgery, also referred to as a tummy tuck, is a procedure designed to tighten the loose and/or hanging skin of the abdomen, hips, and pubic area. Patients who have loose or sagging skin around the abdomen and softened abdominal wall muscles are excellent candidates for an abdominoplasty procedure. In some cases, a patient may also suffer from abdominal bulges and hernias. These problems can be treated effectively in conjunction with an abdominoplasty surgery procedure.

Two Forms Of Surgery For Post-Partum "Tune-ups"

The birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in a woman’s life. However, it is often distressing, especially to first-time moms, when their bodies do not spring back into pre-pregnancy shape, often leaving them with sagging breasts, stretched abdomens, and an overall matronly feeling. Motherhood now has a new shape. Thanks to advances in cosmetic surgery, postpartum mothers can now reclaim their bikini bodies faster than ever before. Many women,although ecstatic about newfound motherhood, are riddled with insecurity after childbirth due to excessive weight gain in areas which may not have been troublesome before. Women primarily seek two forms of surgery as post par tum “tune-ups”— abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as a tummy tuck), and breast enhancement surgery(including breast lift and breast augmentation).

Unlike women who are simply overweight, pregnancy puts a certain strain on the body which cannot always be com bated by diet and exercise alone. The midsection of the abdomen can be compared to a girdle, a garment which is composed of an elastic portion which, when stretched, is likely to become one size too big. In the abdominal section,women often lose the desired “girdling” effect after childbirth, which can occur in varying degrees. Pregnancy not only weakens the muscles, but stretches out the connective tissue, which for most women will not revert to original form on its own. A tummy tuck not only targets excess skin, but also works to re tighten the connective tissue so that the abdominal wall reacts to give the waistline a desirable indentation. Without tightening the connective tissue and exerting a girdling effect on intra-abdominal contents, women cannot achieve their pre-pregnancy appearance.

As with any surgical procedure, it is important that anyone considering a plastic or cosmetic procedure do their research and consult with a qualified and skilled surgeon such as Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Dr Ackerman. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you fully understand the chosen procedure prior to having the surgery. There are numerous websites out there that provide good information about plastic surgery. The best one I have found is lookingyourbest.com. This free website offers a wealth of detailed and accurate plastic surgery information and even offers a free service to help those wanting plastic surgery locate an experienced and qualified surgeon in their area.

Abdominoplasty Can Help Provide The Body Tone You Desire

The abdominoplasty procedure is an operation which is performed to eliminate excess fatty tissue and skin folds in the mid to lower abdominal region. Often, women who have experienced multiple pregnancies have an excess amount of skin in this region as a result of abdominal swelling during pregnancy. During this procedure, the surgeon raises abdominal skin and tissue, stretching it downward and removing the excess with a closure within what is referred to as a “bikini line.” Repair of muscular structures is done at the same time. Often, the procedure involves repositioning the navel to a higher level. To enhance the result, liposuction of the hips and abdomen is often performed.

The procedure begins with the plastic surgeon making an incision that goes from hip to hip along the lower pubic area, made in an area that will allow the resulting scar from the procedure to be hidden under a bathing suit or underwear. The surgeon will then lift the loose skin from the abdominal wall, at which point the loosened “rectus” muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength are tightened and repaired. This provides essentially the same effect of an old-fashioned girdle.

The belly button, or “umbilicus,” will be disconnected from the abdomen. The loose skin will be removed, the abdominal wall will be tightened, the thighs and buttocks will be tightened, and the belly button will be reattached. Drains will be used on each side of the abdominal incision in order to remove excess fluid and prevent buildup after the procedure.

In the abdominoplasty, postoperative scarring is significant and may take from six months to a year for resolution; it will never disappear completely. Most often abdominoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Routine activity can be resumed within ten days, but sports and exercising are prohibited for six weeks to allow the muscle to heal properly.

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty

The Abdominoplasty procedure (Tummy Tuck) was developed by plastic surgeons in order to treat skin looseness and stretch marks that developed with age, after pregnancy, and with weight fluctuation. Typically, the procedure involved removal of loose lower abdominal skin up to and above the level of the umbilicus (belly button) and tightening of the abdominal muscles in the midline. A small surgical incision was created in the upper abdominal skin when it is pulled down to the level of the umbilical stalk. In order to remove the lower abdominal skin to the level of the belly button, surgeons elevated the upper abdominal skin and fat off the muscle fascia up to the level of the lower costal (rib) margins.

Because older abdominoplasty techniques emphasized removing the largest amount of lower abdominal skin in the midline, and removing the skin that surrounded the (umbilicus) belly button, these procedures often produced an unnatural appearing abdomen with scars that were too close to the umbilicus. Insistence on complete removal of the abdominal skin around the umbilicus is often a cosmetic error, which produced unnaturally high abdominal scars.

Older techniques of abdominoplasty also produced wide scars with depressions that resulted because the deep tissue of the surgical incision was closed with absorbable sutures.

The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty was developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Ted Lockwood to create a more natural and aesthetically pleasing abdominal appearance as a result of abdominoplasty surgery. The HLT Abdominoplasty is noted or the following features:

1. Emphasis on lateral lower abdominal skin excess excision and post surgical skin tension

2. Reliance on the strength of the superfascial system for incision closure and optimization of scar.

3. Limited undermining of upper abdominal skin/soft tissue flaps, which preserves abdominal flap blood supply and allows for liposuction of the abdominal region without compromising skin viability.

4. De-emphasis on removing all skin up to, around, and above the umbilicus.

5. Liposuction to treat upper and lateral abdominal and flank fat deposits.
   

Because abdominal skin and tissue laxity are greater on the sides of the abdomen, and away from the midline, treatment of laxity in these regions is paramount to obtaining better results with abdominoplasty. With the HLT Abdominoplasty, lateral tension is emphasized because tissue laxity increases from the midline to the sides of the trunk with age and/or with weight fluctuation Therefore, the emphasis of skin removal and tightening is shifted from the midline to the sides of the lower abdominal skin and soft tissue.

The Superficial Facial System (SFS) is a connective tissue layer interlaced with the subcutaneous fat that lies between the deep dermis and abdominal fascia. Closure of the deep layers of fat with permanent braided nylon sutures integrates the strength of the (SFS) in the resulting abdominoplasty incision. The permanent stitches, which secure the deep layers of fat surrounded by the SFS, create a durable narrow scar and prevent a "ledge" effect that occurs when absorbable stitches are used on the deep fat layers. The muscles of the abdominal wall are sutured to treat muscle laxity and create an internal corset. The belly button position is transposed.

Liposuction is performed with the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty for additional abdominal contour improvement in appropriately selected patients. The combination of liposuction and HLT abdominoplasty gives results that surpass those obtained by either procedure alone. Liposuction of the upper and lateral abdomen improves appearance and often allows the contour of the upper abdomen to show definition where it did not exist before. Not only is the abdomen tightened with this technique, but the anterior thigh is also lifted as well. These features are unique to the High Lateral Tension abdominoplasty technique, and are not as readily achieved (if at all) with traditional abdominoplasty techniques.

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty may be performed with liposuction of the back and flank regions. In these cases, the operation becomes one of Total Truncal Rejuvenation as the contour of the entire torso addressed in one operation.

It is always highly recommended that you consult with a specialist such as Indianapolis, Indiana Plastic Surgeon Dr David Slatton before any surgery procedure. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you understand the procedure fully prior to any surgical procedure.

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty

The Abdominoplasty procedure (Tummy Tuck) was developed by plastic surgeons in order to treat skin looseness and stretch marks that developed with age, after pregnancy, and with weight fluctuation. Typically, the procedure involved removal of loose lower abdominal skin up to and above the level of the umbilicus (belly button) and tightening of the abdominal muscles in the midline. A small surgical incision was created in the upper abdominal skin when it is pulled down to the level of the umbilical stalk. In order to remove the lower abdominal skin to the level of the belly button, surgeons elevated the upper abdominal skin and fat off the muscle fascia up to the level of the lower costal (rib) margins.

Because older abdominoplasty techniques emphasized removing the largest amount of lower abdominal skin in the midline, and removing the skin that surrounded the (umbilicus) belly button, these procedures often produced an unnatural appearing abdomen with scars that were too close to the umbilicus. Insistence on complete removal of the abdominal skin around the umbilicus is often a cosmetic error, which produced unnaturally high abdominal scars.

Older techniques of abdominoplasty also produced wide scars with depressions that resulted because the deep tissue of the surgical incision was closed with absorbable sutures.

The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty was developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Ted Lockwood to create a more natural and aesthetically pleasing abdominal appearance as a result of abdominoplasty surgery. The HLT Abdominoplasty is noted or the following features:

1. Emphasis on lateral lower abdominal skin excess excision and post surgical skin tension

2. Reliance on the strength of the superfascial system for incision closure and optimization of scar.

3. Limited undermining of upper abdominal skin/soft tissue flaps, which preserves abdominal flap blood supply and allows for liposuction of the abdominal region without compromising skin viability.

4. De-emphasis on removing all skin up to, around, and above the umbilicus.

5. Liposuction to treat upper and lateral abdominal and flank fat deposits.
   

Because abdominal skin and tissue laxity are greater on the sides of the abdomen, and away from the midline, treatment of laxity in these regions is paramount to obtaining better results with abdominoplasty. With the HLT Abdominoplasty, lateral tension is emphasized because tissue laxity increases from the midline to the sides of the trunk with age and/or with weight fluctuation Therefore, the emphasis of skin removal and tightening is shifted from the midline to the sides of the lower abdominal skin and soft tissue.

The Superficial Facial System (SFS) is a connective tissue layer interlaced with the subcutaneous fat that lies between the deep dermis and abdominal fascia. Closure of the deep layers of fat with permanent braided nylon sutures integrates the strength of the (SFS) in the resulting abdominoplasty incision. The permanent stitches, which secure the deep layers of fat surrounded by the SFS, create a durable narrow scar and prevent a "ledge" effect that occurs when absorbable stitches are used on the deep fat layers. The muscles of the abdominal wall are sutured to treat muscle laxity and create an internal corset. The belly button position is transposed.

Liposuction is performed with the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty for additional abdominal contour improvement in appropriately selected patients. The combination of liposuction and HLT abdominoplasty gives results that surpass those obtained by either procedure alone. Liposuction of the upper and lateral abdomen improves appearance and often allows the contour of the upper abdomen to show definition where it did not exist before. Not only is the abdomen tightened with this technique, but the anterior thigh is also lifted as well. These features are unique to the High Lateral Tension abdominoplasty technique, and are not as readily achieved (if at all) with traditional abdominoplasty techniques.

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty may be performed with liposuction of the back and flank regions. In these cases, the operation becomes one of Total Truncal Rejuvenation as the contour of the entire torso addressed in one operation.

It is always highly recommended that you consult with a specialist such as Indianapolis, Indiana Plastic Surgeon Dr David Slatton before any surgery procedure. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you understand the procedure fully prior to any surgical procedure.

What Is A Tummy Tuck?

Though liposuction alone can help many, others may find a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty to be the right solution. Plastic Surgeons often encounters patients who have dieted, jogged, and done everything possible and still were unable to reduce their abdomen and stomach area. A Surgeon's goal in a tummy tuck procedure is to create a flat, firm stomach and a thinner waist. As with all of his surgical procedures, The Surgeon tailors a tummy tuck to individual needs with a variety of techniques. A "partial" or "mini" tummy tuck can be applied in conjunction with liposculpture.

The tummy tuck procedure tightens the muscles to provide a sleeker, stronger abdominal wall and to make the waist smaller. Loose, lax skin often compromised by stretch marks, is removed. You will be up in a day or two after surgery, but activity may be restricted for three or four weeks while tissues firm and heal.
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BOTOX® is the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedure with 3.8 million treatments in the U.S. in 2005. Botox works by improving the appearance of wrinkles in the face that are caused by muscle contraction. There is no down time required for a Botox injection. It is relatively painless and results are apparent within a few days. The effects of Botox typically last approximately four months.