Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Month: November 2021

3 Tips for a Speedy Tummy Tuck Recovery

Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, is a popular cosmetic correction for women and men who struggle with loose skin and tissue in the abdominal area. The surgery is effective in reinforcing the abdominal wall and removing excess, sagging skin.

While recovery is more extensive than most cosmetic procedures, you can implement some practices patients to make your healing period shorter and more effective.

Most tummy tuck patients take approximately six weeks to feel completely healed. To ensure you recover in that timeframe, or perhaps faster, here are three tips to help you speed up the process.

1. Eat Right

Eating a healthy diet with lean proteins, fresh fruits, and vegetables and drinking plenty of water is essential to a speedy recovery. Fueling your body correctly will help hasten the healing process with less risk of complications.

We suggest you grocery shop in advance of your operation to ensure you have everything you need when you return home. Also, you may want to do food prep to have nutritious meals readily available after surgery.

2. Wear Your Compression Garment as Prescribed

After your tummy tuck, Dr. Mussat will fit you with a surgical garment designed to support your sutures and prevent excess swelling and inflammation. Make sure you wear it as instructed to speed up your recovery time.

3. Avoid Lifting Heavy Objects

During your recovery period, you should avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for six to eight weeks. Also, don’t expect to feel well enough to stand up straight during recovery. To avoid straining your sutures, you may feel more comfortable staying hunched over for several days after surgery.

Other Suggestions to Consider

Here are some other tips to consider ensuring your tummy tuck recovery goes well and you heal correctly in the shortest amount of time.

  • Take all prescription and over-the-counter medications as instructed.
  • Have family and friends help you around the house.
  • Don’t do any strenuous workouts for six weeks, or until Dr. Mussat clears you to do so.
  • Walk around your house, yard, or street periodically to help circulation.
  • Don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake.
  • Get plenty of rest and sleep.

Why Choose Dr. Mussat to Perform Your Tummy Tuck?

Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat has extensive training and experience in her craft. She has been in private practice in downtown Chicago for over 20 years.

She graduated with honors from the prestigious and world-renowned University R. Descartes School of Medicine in Paris. She completed her residency at the State University of New York Health Science Center. Currently, she serves as assistant clinical professor of surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

If you would like more information about tummy tuck surgery, we are here for you. Contact Florence Mussat Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Chicago, Illinois, by calling (312) 751-9000 or scheduling a consultation online.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Facelift: Which Is Better for Your Goals?

While “having work done” was once something people only talked about in whispers, today, more of us are being open about the facial flaws we’ve resolved with anti-aging procedures. As techniques improve and patients proudly present their results to the world, you may be wondering whether a surgical or non-surgical lift can help you meet your goals.

Altering any aspect of your appearance is a highly personal decision, and one you should never take lightly. If your self-esteem is suffering due to facial wrinkles and volume loss, read on to learn the differences between surgical and non-surgical facelifts and which may be better to help you achieve your desired outcome.

What Is a Surgical Facelift?

Also known as rhytidectomy, a facelift tightens soft tissue to rejuvenate facial beauty. It addresses common skin flaws in the lower two-thirds of your face, including sagging cheeks, loose skin on the neck, and fine lines. Though you may associate facelift surgery with an outdated “wind-tunnel” look, Dr. Mussat’s advanced techniques and extensive experience ensure your results will be subtle and appear natural.

Aging affects more than the skin. It also impacts underlying facial tissues that may sag due to the combined effects of gravity and volume loss. Before removing excess skin, Dr. Mussat will reposition these tissues to restore your youthful contours, creating a refreshed and radiant facial appearance.

Then, she will address areas like the cheeks, jawline, and neck, helping you say goodbye to folds, lines, jowls, and the appearance of a double chin.

Your recovery period should last at least two weeks to allow enough time for you to heal. And, as with all surgical procedures, there are associated risks like infection and excess bleeding, though these are rare.

Non-Surgical Facelift

For people who are not yet ready to commit to facelift surgery and the required recovery time, Dr. Mussat also offers non-surgical solutions to address sagging skin and lost facial volume. These include Botox, dermal fillers, and the minimally invasive Silhouette Instalift.

Botox

Botox is a neuromodulator that addresses dynamic wrinkles and lines on the forehead, brow, and around the eyes. It temporarily halts muscle movement to address horizontal lines on the forehead and between the brows. It is also an excellent treatment for crow’s feet.

Botox is a safe, convenient treatment you can get on your lunch break. The results last up to four months, with minimal risks and side effects.

Dermal Fillers

Dr. Mussat employs dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm to correct folds and wrinkles that affect the midface below the eyes. These new-generation fillers use a naturally occurring molecule called hyaluronic acid to restore underlying volume and tighten the skin.

These fillers typically last for six months or more and, like Botox, are convenient and safe.

InstaLift

If you deal with volume loss or sagging skin that makes you look older than you think you should, you may want to consider InstaLift. It is a minimally invasive correction for men and women who look to refresh their facial appearance without incisions or general anesthesia.

The InstaLift technique relies on fine biodegradable sutures positioned deep into the skin layers. These advanced threads elevate sagging skin tissue for a more youthful midface, much like a surgical facelift. The outcome lasts about 18 months and is safe and painless. As your body absorbs these sutures, new collagen growth will result.

Love Your Looks at Any Age

If you would like to learn more about our surgical facelift for permanent results or non-surgical corrections without the risk or recovery associated with an operation, schedule a consultation today by contacting us or calling (312) 751-9000.