Category: plastic surgery
“Body contouring” refers to any procedure that changes the shape of the body. Surgical body contouring can be used to add volume to specific areas, remove unwanted fat, or get rid of loose skin. Adults of all ages can benefit from body contouring, and these procedures are suitable for a variety of different body types. If you’re in good health and close to your ideal weight, you’re probably a good candidate for body contouring.
Volume-Enhancing Procedures
Volume-enhancing procedures consistently rank among America’s most popular plastic surgeries. Their ability to create the perfect hourglass figure has made them a Hollywood staple. Many famous physiques have received some help from breast augmentation surgery and, more recently, the Brazilian Butt Lift. Unlike breast augmentation, the BBL doesn’t utilize silicone implants. Instead, the patient’s own fat is removed (via liposuction), processed in a centrifuge, and injected into the buttocks. This creates a permanent increase in volume that both looks and feels completely natural.
Fat Reduction Procedures
Though it’s not possible to use cosmetic surgery for significant overall weight loss, procedures like liposuction are excellent for “spot reducing” fat. Sometimes, fatty deposits in certain areas don’t respond to diet and exercise, remaining in place even when further weight loss would be unhealthy. People over 40, for example, often retain a little bit of belly fat, no matter how much they work out. This happens because fat stores more centralized around the abdomen as we get older. Liposuction can remove about five to eight pounds of this stubborn fat in one quick, easy procedure. Modern liposuction is only minimally invasive and can usually be performed with the use of just local anesthesia.
Skin Tightening Procedures
Loose skin is a common side effect of natural aging, pregnancy, and significant weight loss. Not only is excess skin unsightly and embarrassing, it can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. Loose skin is prone to chafing, and it can become chronically irritated or infected. Patients with more than an inch or two of loose skin in any area should therefore consider surgical skin tightening.
Dr. Florence Mussat offers a number of targeted skin resection procedures, such as the arm lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck surgery. She’s also one of a small number of plastic surgeons who have the expertise required to perform body lift surgery. This highly specialized procedure, which is usually recommended for bariatric weight loss patients, removes folds of loose skin from the whole circumference of the body. This procedure gives people who have successfully overcome obesity the freedom to exercise and wear any clothing style of their choice. Post-bariatric surgery is associated with vastly improved weight maintenance outcomes; when patients are happy with their shape, they’re much less likely to regain the weight they have lost.
Getting Started on Your Body Contouring Journey
Before you have any body contouring procedure, you’ll need to be within a healthy weight range. If you’re struggling to achieve this goal, we can help. Dr. Mussat also provides guided medical weight loss programs for her patients. These programs are designed by physicians to help patients lose weight safely—and keep it off. To learn more about medical weight loss or body contouring, contact us to schedule a consultation. We look forward to sharing our knowledge with you.
Labiaplasty is often referred to as being the little operation with the big recovery time. While the operation itself is brief, usually performed under local anesthesia and takes less than two hours, certain lifestyle adjustments need to be maintained for at least six weeks afterward. If you’re planning to book a labiaplasty consultation soon, here’s what you need to know to form a recovery schedule:
5 Things Facts about Labiaplasty Recovery
1. Labiaplasty recovery is not usually very painful, but some soreness is to be expected.
Most women experience some soreness and swelling for three to five days after their operation. In rare cases, this tenderness can last for up to two weeks. To maximize comfort, you’ll be given prescription painkillers after your surgery. Remember: it’s easier to prevent pain than it is to control it once it’s flared up. We suggest taking your first dose of medication before your anesthetic has worn off.
Adjusting your lifestyle will help, too. Try to spend the week after your surgery resting on your back in bed; only get up when necessary and avoid placing pressure on the area by sitting up directly. Instead, prop your body up on pillows if you want to read or watch TV. Note that cool compresses can be a great way to reduce pain and swelling.
2. You should plan to take at least one week off work.
Sitting, walking, and other normal activities will be painful right after you have surgery. You’ll need to take at least one full week off work to rest and recover. If you have a highly active job (one where you’re often required to bend down or lift heavy objects), you will probably need to take two weeks off, or longer. When you come in for a labiaplasty consultation, make sure to discuss the demands of your job with Dr. Mussat.
3. You’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise for at least one full month after your labiaplasty.
The tissues of the labia minora are extremely delicate. They remain prone to tearing for weeks—even after your sutures are gone. You will need to limit all forms of strenuous activity, like vigorous exercise and lifting heavy objects, for one month after having a labiaplasty. If you try exercising after this amount of time has passed and discover that it still causes you pain, you should stop immediately and wait another two weeks.
Note that some forms of exercise, such as cycling, should be avoided for at least six weeks after having this type of operation. Cycling places a great deal of pressure on the treatment area and must be approached with caution.
4. You’ll need to abstain from sex for six weeks after having a labiaplasty.
The amount of friction involved in sexual activity creates a strong risk of tearing. To ensure complete healing and reduce the risk of infection, you’ll need to avoid sex for six weeks after having a labiaplasty.
5. Mild lingering or periodic soreness for weeks or months after labiaplasty is normal.
Scar tissue takes a long time to fully mature (usually between six months to one year). In the meantime, it’s normal for this type of tissue to sometimes become slightly inflamed, causing minor soreness or irritation. If this happens to you, don’t panic; apply a cool compress to the area and rest it. If you have severe soreness, redness, and inflammation, you should see a doctor right away to rule out the possibility of infection.
As a final note, after your operation, you’ll be given special bathing instructions and a disinfecting cleanser. Make sure to use this cleanser to minimize the risk of infection, as the area is particularly prone to developing post-surgical infections.
Booking Your Labiaplasty Consultation
If you have any questions about this procedure, or you’re ready to book a consultation, contact us. Dr. Mussat is a highly experienced female plastic surgeon who has extensive knowledge about this procedure. She’ll be happy to answer your questions and put your mind at ease about having a labiaplasty. While labiaplasty recovery involves some lifestyle adjustments, the rewards of this procedure—increased comfort and confidence —are well worth it.
If you’re like most women, the idea of having your “lady parts” operated on probably induces a cringe. However, it’s important not to discount the many potential benefits of labiaplasty surgery. Today, more and more women are choosing to have this operation to improve both their sex lives and their self-confidence. Here’s what you need to know before booking a consultation:
What is Labiaplasty Surgery?
Labiaplasty is not highly invasive, but due to the delicate nature of the tissues involved, it’s important to find the right surgeon and adhere to proper recovery protocol. During labiaplasty, your surgeon will numb your labial area with local anesthetic, meaning you won’t feel any pain during this procedure. Your surgeon will then make a series of small incisions and remove any loose skin that is present before suturing the tissue closed so that it can heal. The process typically takes under two hours, and you’ll be able to go home soon after. Just expect to be very careful with the area that’s been operated on for the next four to six weeks: You’ll be given special cleaning instructions to prevent infection and you’ll be asked to avoid any vigorous activity, including sex. Remember that the tissue will be prone to tearing while it’s still healing, so proper care is of the utmost importance.
Most labiaplasty patients can return to work after about one week. If you work a highly active job, however, this may not be the case. Make sure to discuss your career with Dr. Mussat when you come in for a consultation; this way, she can help you plan your recovery properly.
Why Do Some Women Need to Have a Labiaplasty?
The labia minora (the fragile, hairless folds of skin that surround the vagina) are usually housed within the tougher, hair-covered labia majora. This arrangement prevents the labia minora from becoming irritated or damaged during normal activities; meanwhile, the labia minora help to seal off the vagina so that dirt and bacteria don’t get inside.
In some women, however, this natural arrangement is out of order. Their labia minora are too large and therefore protrude beyond the labia majora, putting the labia minora at risk of damage and irritation. This condition can either occur due to a congenital defect (that is to say, the woman is born with it or develops it during puberty) or due to the stresses of childbirth. During vaginal birth, the labia must stretch to many times its normal size in order to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Sometimes the labia minora are able to return to their usual size, but more often than not, they remain enlarged. For this reason, labiaplasty surgery is often included as part of a mommy makeover.
What are the Benefits of Labiaplasty?
If you’re suffering from an enlarged labia minora, you stand to gain a lot from labiaplasty surgery:
1. Labiaplasty will dramatically reduce irritation and your risk of infection.
Because the labia minora are so delicate, even normal movements (like walking and sitting down) can cause the labia minora to chafe if they’re not protected by the labia majora. Over time, this chafing becomes chronic and damaging, increasing a woman’s risk of infection. By placing the labia minora inside the labia majora, labiaplasty can greatly increase comfort and prevent this risk.
2. Labiaplasty can improve your sex life.
Labiaplasty enhances sexuality in a couple of different ways. One, it’s been shown to improve vaginal sensation, making it easier for women to achieve climax. Two, by making the labia minora smaller, labiaplasty can reduce chafing during sex. This makes sex less painful and more enjoyable for women who were previously impacted by an enlarged labia minora.
3. Labiaplasty can reduce self-consciousness.
Even though having an enlarged labia minora is nothing to be ashamed of, many women with this condition feel extremely self-conscious about the appearance of their vaginal area. This can cause them to avoid intimacy, placing a strain on their relationships and their personal happiness. Labiaplasty is therefore often vital to helping women affected by congenital or pregnancy-related labial abnormalities reclaim a healthy sex life.
Learn More About Labiaplasty
In terms of comfort, confidence, and sexual enjoyment, few procedures can match what the labiaplasty has to offer. If you would like to know more about this procedure, feel free to contact us and schedule a consultation. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Mussat can answer any questions you may have with compassion and insight.
Summer, the time of sun, fun, and fewer clothes. The heat is high, the skies are blue, and most people do not want the summer to end. While summer is one of the most beloved seasons, it can be a very difficult time for people that haven’t spent all winter preparing for summer. The idea of bikinis, swimming trunks, shorts, and tank tops can be terrifying. But there is a way to calm your worrying! Dr. Mussat can offer some solutions to get your body summer ready! These procedures will have you feeling confident and ready to strut your stuff.
Liposuction
If you are wanting to rid annoyingly present fat deposits from basically any area of your body, then liposuction can do the trick. Liposuction can be performed in the following areas: knees, thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, flanks, back, upper arms, neck, and chin. This procedure will leave you feeling less bogged down by fat and able to fit into those cute summer shorts and dresses you’ve been eyeing. The ideal candidate for this procedure will have skin that can easily shrink back. In addition, the ideal candidate will be in current good health. This includes a healthy diet, exercise, and a healthy mental state.
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that is performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the area desired by the patient and the unwanted fat cells are cleaned out. Once the procedure has been completed, the incision site is covered with soft bandages along with a compression garment on top to help minimize any swelling.
Tummy Tuck
This procedure is not one that can be done at the beginning of the summer but needs to be planned out further in advance. The recovery time is longer than a procedure like liposuction, but its results are well worth it. An ideal tummy tuck patient has loose, hanging skin and issues tightening the skin on their own through diet and exercise. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia. Surgery may include some liposuction along with a horizontal incision from one hipbone to the other. During the procedure, permanent sutures are inserted in the area called the muscle fascia. This holds the muscles together after the procedure is finished. Finally, the procedure ends with the remaining skin being reapplied over the area and then bandaged up with two different types of dressings. Once complete, a tummy tuck provides you with a leaner, more confident midsection.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is popular in the springtime because it needs to be done in plenty of time before the start of summer. Done in spring, this procedure will most definitely have you ready for that beach party or vacation.
A breast augmentation will give you three choices of implants: saline breast implants, silicone gel breast implants, and form-stable silicone gel breast implants. While all three deliver great results, there are pros and cons to all of these choices and it’s important to discuss your goals and lifestyle with your surgeon.
The actual procedure involves an incision in one of four areas. These areas include the underside of the breast, under the arm, around the nipple, or through a previous incision. The implant is placed through the incision and then stitched up. The surgery is very routine and very effective.
Breast augmentation can deliver natural-looking results you will love and can give you the curvier figure that you never had or that you lost.
Brazilian Butt Lift
In addition to a voluminous chest and flattened tummy, a butt lift can also add a wow factor to your summer body. The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure that enhances the derrière without using butt implants. This procedure harvests fat from around the abdomen and thighs to be transferred to your buttocks. According to the Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, BBL has seen a 58% increase in popularity. The ideal candidate for this procedure will have enough fat in other parts of their body to be used in the butt lift along with all the other factors that have been mentioned.
Chemical Peels, Dermal Fillers, and Botox
Botox and Fillers can help fine lines and wrinkles disappear. Facial procedures are harder once spring and summer roll around due to the sun, but they are possible. Chemical peels are one of these procedures and should be done in the earlier months before summer. However, Botox and fillers can be administered year-round without the need for extra precautions.
If you are ready to get the summer body of your dreams, you can schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat. During your initial meeting, our surgeons will provide you with all the information you need about the procedure(s) and answer any questions you may have.
To schedule your consultation, call 312.751.9000!
The “overdone plastic surgery look” is an accidental trend. It is definitely easy to spot someone who has had “work” done. Worried that your plastic surgery results will look unnatural? Here are a few tips to help you out. Don’t worry, you’re not the first person to want to keep your procedure a secret.
What Actually Makes Plastic Surgery Look Overdone?
The most significant piece to the puzzle of having great, natural looking plastic surgery is your surgeon. There are several different factors that create the ideal surgeon for the job. The first is that your surgeon should be board-certified. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, board-certified surgeons must complete medical school, 3-5 years in a residency training program, and pass a stringent oral and written exam on a certain specialty.
It is important that your surgeon has trained specifically for this area and has developed their skills for plastic surgery. Your surgeon should have a portfolio of success stories and they should have performed your procedure a significant amount of times. Practice makes perfect! In addition to their skill, your doctor should also work in an ASPS accredited hospital or facility. An accredited facility or hospital will have the appropriate, top of the line equipment and tools available.
There are some other factors that can make someone look overdone. For one thing, is important that the procedure be completely customized. Meaning, your procedure should be unique and tailored to your specific appearance. For example, the famous actress Christie Brinkley has to experiment with her Botox injections to finally get the results that she wanted.
Another aspect is time. Give yourself time and have patience. Slower is always better. Too many procedures at one time can lead to someone looking like they have had plastic surgery. Have a few small procedures when you are starting out and go from there. You might find that you like what you the less invasive procedures provide instead of going to more extreme ones.
What Are Non-Surgical Procedures?
Botox and dermal fillers are often referred to as minimally invasive procedures. There is a common misconception that fillers and Botox are the same, but they are not. Botox is used is typically used in the area of the forehead, eyebrows, and outer eye area to smooth lines and wrinkles. Fillers are smooth gels used to bring volume to the face and smooth out wrinkles.
All of these procedures, when done correctly, will look natural. Again, it is important to have a physician that knows what they are doing. Each person’s face is different; therefore, their procedure will be different than anyone else’s procedure. If a doctor does not pay specific attention to the patient’s case the result can come out unnatural and highly noticeable.
Can Surgical Procedures Look Natural?
The easy answer is yes! Many patients prefer the “natural” look in modern plastic surgery. Again, it is important to have a surgeon that knows what you want and knows how to get those results. Your surgeon also needs to be able to customize your surgical procedures towards your unique anatomy.
Which Surgical Procedures Can Look Natural?
A great surgeon will be able to make any kind of surgical procedure look natural. Breast augmentation is the insertion of breast implants. A breast lift will improve the look of drooping breasts. A reduction will, of course, reduce your breast size to a more natural looking appearance. Breast reconstruction is typically used to rebuild your breasts if you have had a mastectomy. Fat grafting provides volume to a particular area of the body that lacks it. Liposuction is used to remove fat from unwanted areas. Tummy tucks are commonly performed on patients who want a more athletic tummy. Facelifts can bring a more youthful look on the face. Finally, Blepharoplasty is used to bring a younger look to the eyes.
How Do I Know Which Procedure to Get?
If you do not know which procedure you want it is important to talk to a professional before making any decisions. Your doctor will tell you if your expectations are realistic and what procedures you can undergo to help you achieve your goals.
So, remember to take it slow. There is no need to rush plastic surgery. Take it one procedure at a time. Ask your questions and do your research so that you can make the right decisions.
To learn more about natural-looking plastic surgery results from a skilled surgeon, contact Dr. Florence Mussat for a consultation.
