Tummy Tucks are for Men Too!

A tummy tuck involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. The result is a tighter and more athletic-looking abdomen. Did you know? It is the sixth most common plastic surgery procedure in the United States.

More often than not, plastic surgery procedures like tummy tucks are associated mostly with women. It is unfortunate that many people have this notion because it is untrue. Men do also get tummy tucks or abdominoplasty. In fact, statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that over 4,000 men undergo the procedure every year.

Of course, the most practical application for men would be to lose stubborn fat and excess skin. However, tummy tucks can also benefit physically fit men whose abs aren’t as defined as the ones they often see in male celebrities. A tummy tuck can help bring out the washboard abs that were hidden underneath excess skin all along. You can finally hold your own against the ever-present beach photos of famous six-packs!

If you are interested in undergoing a tummy tuck, make sure that you consult a respected plastic surgeon in your area, one that is know for body sculpting abilities and has great patient testimonials, too! By working with an experienced surgeon, you virtually guarantee yourself that you’ll be going home absolutely satisfied with the results.

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The Most Sought-After Plastic Surgery Procedures

Improving your body under the knife has become a lot more common, especially in the past decade. In 2013, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports more than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the U.S.

Here are some of the top plastic surgery procedures of 2013:

Breast Augmentation

Whether it’s done with implants or with lifts on the tissues, breast enhancements dominate the list. Most women look to augment their cup size, while others simply want to counter the sagging effects of aging and/or motherhood. Silicone implants are the top choice, for their natural appearance and soft feel.

Nose Jobs

Nose reshaping surgeries have decreased in occurrence since year 2000, but hundreds of thousands are still getting the procedure. The dramatic effect of altering this part of the face makes it such an in-demand procedure. A slight alteration of the tip of the nose, for instance, can erase years from your face.

Facelifts

The best facelifts get no attention. Natural results are the gold standard and most often acheived by a skilled surgeon who combines a number of procedures to get the best results, targeting exactly what that patient needs, not what “everyone” ought to have.

Liposuction

Most people who undergo liposuction have the procedure to remove stubborn body fat after failing to get results from diet and exercise. Tummy tucks – the sixth on the list – are done with liposuction to contour the waist, tighten the abdominal wall and remove loose skin. The incision is well hidden at the bikini line and is a favorite procedure for men, too! Liposuction can be done on the upper arms, chin and neck, thighs, back, chest, and love handles. A skilled surgeon can sculpt the body using liposuction, leaving a smooth, youthful result.

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Preparing for a Facelift

You’ve had your consultation and are now just two weeks from your facelift! This is an exciting time, one of anticipation and even a little anxiety. Now it’s time to focus on your results, and the best results start with proper preparation. There are many things you can do and in fact, must do, in the 14 days before your procedure.

Skincare

The condition of your skin going into surgery has a direct impact on the procedure and your recovery. Well-cleansed and hydrated skin responds best to surgery itself and is ready to heal immediately afterwards. Get a really good exfoliating, nourishing and hydrating facial about a week before your facelift. It’s a good practice to have a facial every month if you can. Your face will love it and it’s a great way to treat yourself to some very important quiet time just for you and your youthful face.

Medications

There is a very long list of medications, vitamins and natural supplements you will be required to stop taking two weeks prior to your facelift procedure. Aspirin products and many vitamins and herbal supplements impact blood flow and clotting. Some can interfere with anesthesia.

Nicotine

Nicotine—whether from cigarettes or patches—should also be stopped prior to the facelift. This chemical can interfere with blood circulation and increase the risk of complications from receiving anesthesia. You may be required to sign a waiver that says you completely understand the risks associated with smoking and use of nicotine prior to surgery. Your surgeon takes your health and safety seriously enough to be certain you are completely informed.

Food

No food or water past midnight prior to your procedure. Again, this is important for anesthesia and is the standard of care for any surgical procedure.

Hair

Yes, your hair can play an important role in your procedure. For facelift patients, having hair a bit longer may give you options to camouflage incisions or style differently as your heal. Often these little things mean a lot and unless you’ve had facial surgery like this before, you wouldn’t think this could have such a positive impact on your recovery.

It is vitally important that you follow your pre-procedure instructions carefully and work closely with your surgical coordinator to get your questions answered. A positive attitude and attention to detail will serve you well, in the weeks before and the weeks after. Here’s to your youthful and refreshed look after your facelift!

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Here’s What to Expect from a Liposuction Procedure

First thing’s first: you should know that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is surgery to remove diet-resistant fatty deposits from hips, thighs, tummy and back. It is also done on the neck and chin area, upper arms and chest. The best outcomes are experienced by patients who have been successful on a medically supervised weight loss program, and have changed their lifestyle and adopted healthy eating habits and regular exercise that includes cardio and strength training.  The best liposuction surgeons combine years of experience, skill and artistry to sculpt the body into pleasing curves, leaving youthful fullness yet revealing the muscle tone and bone structure that makes your look and shape unique.

All patients undergoing liposuction should be medically cleared for the procedure. Different forms of anesthesia are used for different types of liposuction and your safety is vital. Generally, liposuction is done with tiny incisions and a skilled plastic surgeon will hide them in natural body folds. A thin tube, a cannula, is moved back and forth to loosen the targeted and fat and suction pulls the fat through the tube into a collection bin or syringe.

Once the procedure is done, you will be asked to refrain from strenuous physical activity to allow your body to heal. Most patients experience short-term bruising and swelling in treated areas. Your body’s natural healing powers go to work over the next weeks and months as your new shape is revealed. Your surgeon will monitor your recovery and gradually allow you to return to normal activities as your body and incisions heal. You may also be required to wear a compression garment. Do this as long as directed or longer. The constant and consistent pressure helps your skin form nicely to your new shape.

Laser-assisted liposuction is a common in-office procedure that targets small areas of fat as a final finesse to your shape or to remove small pockets of unwanted fat like the bra area of the back or sculpting the chest or waist. Local anesthesia is typically used in this procedure and the patient remains awake. The laser liquefies the targeted fat which is removed using a tiny cannula and surgical vacuum device.

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