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How Do Tummy Tucks Work?

get plastic surgery las vegas for a trim and slim tummyTummy Tuck

If you have been considering a tummy tuck procedure, there is a good chance that you are wondering how the procedure works. With this guide, you can learn about the general step-by-step process of tummy tucks from one of the most knowledgeable Las Vegas plastic surgeons Dr. Brandon Reynolds.

*Just remember, this guide is here to give you a general understanding of how the abdominoplasty works. This is, by no means, the full extent of what can take place during your procedure. Every patient is different, therefore, every plastic surgeon must approach every procedure with a fresh mind.*

Step 1

First, you will be marked by your plastic surgeon to determine exactly where the incisions for your tummy tuck will be made. Of course, you want to make sure that you are okay with the placement of the incision because that is where your scar is going to be. If you are concerned about being able to cover the scar in your underwear or a low cut bathing suit, mention that to your plastic surgeon.

Step 2

Next you will be prepped for surgery by being washed with an antibacterial solution. This is done to reduce the risk of infection at the site of the incision from the surrounding areas. Your entire abdomen and likely your pubis will be washed just to be safe.

Step 3

Next, you will get your anesthesia. In most cases, you will have general anesthesia. In some cases, an IV sedation is possible. This is between you and your doctor so remember to discuss this with him or her as the date of your procedure gets closer.

Step 4

The incisions will be made depending on the type of tummy tuck you are receiving. A mini tummy tuck will have a shorter incision than a tummy tuck that is removing excess skin and fat from the sides of your abdomen. A full tummy tuck procedure will require an additional incision around the belly button. Don’t worry; however, the belly button is not detached from the abdomen wall.

Step 5

The skin and fat layer is lifted off of the abdominal muscles starting at the incision. This layer of skin and fat tissue is lifted all the way up to the xiphoid process.

Step 6

Next, the diastasis recti is fixed. It is essentially what keeps your tummy flat. So, it is fixed to that it creates something like an internal corset.

Step 7

Next the extra fat and skin are easily removed. Your surgical table is tilted upward so that you bend at the waist. This makes it so that there is more skin that can be removed. Your surgeon will pull the skin down toward your feet to and will carefully measure the amount of skin that will be removed. The goal is to make your tummy tighter without creating pulling or tension when the incision is closed.

Step 8

In most cases, drains are placed under the skin for any fluids that collect during healing. Sometime during the two weeks following your plastic surgery procedure, the drains will be removed without any extra surgeries.

Step 9

The incisions are closed with sutures starting at the deeper levels then working up.

Step 10

Finally, the incisions will be covered with some type of sterile strip to provide an extra barrier to infection,

If you want more information on the details of this plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure, schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgeons Las Vegas residents can trust. The professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery can answer all your questions. For more information about the tummy tuck, call 702.410.9800.

I Lost Weight: Is monsplasty the fix for a Flabby Pubic Area?

After losing a significant amount of weight, there is a chance you will have loose skin in areas you didn’t realize were possible. You may be experiencing loose skin in your arms, thighs, abdomen, and even your pubic area.

That area, known as the mons pubis, faces the floor instead of forward when there is a significant amount of sagging skin as the result of your weight loss. With the help of a monsplasty by one of the best Las Vegas plastic surgeons, you can revitalize this area.

The Procedure

bikini after surgery with plastic surgeons las vegasA monsplasty, also called a mons lift, a pubic lift, or a mons pubis reduction, is usually done at the same time as a tummy tuck. That is because, when there is significant sagging in the pubic area, it is usually accompanied by a significant amount of excess skin around the abdomen.

Depending on which plastic surgeon you choose, you may be able to forego this procedure when you get your tummy tuck. If the surgeon makes the incision low enough, it can be possible to remedy the problem of a sagging mons pubis while removing the excess skin around the abdomen. In some cases, however, the sagging in the pubic area is too severe and a monsplasty needs to be performed as well to truly solve your problem.

In a monsplasty procedure, an incision is made just above the the pubic hair line. The excess skin there is removed in order to tighten and lift the mons pubis. After the extra skin is removed, the remaining skin is lifted and tightened. Then, the incision is closed. The scar that results from a monsplasty sits low enough that it will be covered while wearing bathing suits or underwear.

Benefits

There are many benefits to having a monsplasty done. When the extra skin is eliminated in that area, rashes, skin infections, and foul odors that may have been a common occurrence should no longer be a problem.

Another appreciated benefit is increased confidence in your clothes. Excess skin in the pubic area usually makes the pubic area bulge. This creates lumps and bumps in your clothing that make many people feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. This can be the case no matter what you wear to try to cover up the excess skin.

A monsplasty is also a good option for women who have recently given birth. During pregnancy, the mons pubis is stretched significantly. For many women, that area does not shrink back down to its original condition.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Reynolds and take all your questions about monsplasties to the best plastic surgery professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. For more information about monsplasties or anything else, please call 702.410.9800.

Brachioplasty Arm Lift Surgery

If you are considering an arm lift to tackle stubborn loose skin and excess fat on your arms, you have the right to be informed. Learn about brachioplasties from the plastic surgeons Las Vegas.

What is a brachioplasty?

arm lift from plastic surgeons las vegasA brachioplasty is a plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure that tightens the appearance of the upper arm by removing the extra skin. The remaining skin is repositioned so that the entire arm is lifted and firmer. Because of the lifting nature of the procedure, it is also called an arm lift.

You can benefit from an arm lift if you have recently shed enough weight to now have loose, hanging skin on the upper arm. After severe weight loss, the skin is often times unable to shrink down to the new size of your body. This issue can be made worse with age.

Just keep in mind that an arm lift is not done to help you lose weight. It is not a procedure that is done to remove large amounts of fat deposits. For an arm lift to be most successful, you want to be sure that you are as close to your ideal weight as possible. If your goal is to remove weight as well, you can discuss the option adding liposuction to your procedure with one of the plastic surgeons Las Vegas offers.

The Procedure

Before your arm lift, your surgeon will probably run a few tests just to make sure there are no health issues that could complicate your procedure or healing. There is a good chance you will be asked to cease taking certain medications and supplements. Your surgeon will also ask that you stop smoking approximately two months before your procedure.

After your arm lift, you want to give yourself plenty of time to heal. Have someone there to drive you home so that you don’t put stress on your arm right after surgery. If this person can stay with you for a few days, that is ideal.

After the Procedure

There will be some degree of swelling after your arm lift procedure. Most of it should dissipate within six weeks. You’ll see the full end result of your procedure within three to six months. As long as you don’t gain or lose a significant amount of weight, those results should be permanent.

In most cases, you can return to non-strenuous work after about two weeks. You should wait at least four weeks before going back to a more strenuous work environment. Before you do, consult with your surgeon to make sure it is safe.

There are possible complications that you will want to keep in mind. Just remember that every person is different. If you are concerned about the complications you may experience, talk with your primary care physician and plastic surgeon to get the most accurate information.

Schedule a consultation with the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. Here, experienced plastic surgeons put your needs and concerns first. For more information about the plastic surgeons Las Vegas offers, contact 702.410.9800.

Suffering from Flabby Arms After Weight Loss?

flabby arms need las vegas plastic surgeonsAs you grow and gain weight, whether healthy or unhealthy, your wonderfully flexible skin stretches to accommodate you. When you lose weight, your skin will generally shrink back to “normal” as long as the weight loss didn’t happen too quickly.

In some cases, the skin at the arms is just unable to snap back into place. When that happens, you do have options. A brachioplasty, or an arm lift, from one of the Las Vegas plastic surgeons can give you the toned and tight upper arms that you have been working so hard for.

Just like with all forms of plastic surgery Las Vegas procedures, there are different types of arm lifts. The type of arm lift is determined by how much excess skin and fat that needs to be removed. The more significant the amount of removal, the more significant the resulting scar will be.

Mini Brachioplasty

In this version of the procedure, there is a relatively small amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. Usually, that extra skin is localized near the armpit. As a result, the scar from this procedure is localized in the same area. You will only be able to see it when you lift your arm above your head while you are wearing sleeveless tops. Even in cap sleeves, this scar will be covered.

Traditional Brachioplasty

This type of arm lift targets excess skin from your armpit to your elbow. The incision will begin at your armpit and will run down a length of your arm that has been deemed necessary for the best possible results of your procedure. The resulting scar can be hidden with tops that have a three-quarter sleeve or longer. In a short sleeved or sleeveless top, you can see this scar during various activities.

Extended Brachioplasty

This procedure extends the traditional brachioplasty to include the skin that is under your armpit and down the side of your chest. The resulting scar will be in the shape of an L and the incisions join at your armpit. While a majority of the scarring can be hidden with clothing, you run into the same exposure as a traditional arm lift when you wear short-sleeved or sleeveless tops.

Complications

Keep in mind that complications are possible and can include delayed healing, infection and hematoma. Reduce the likelihood of this happening by scheduling a consultation with one of the skilled Las Vegas plastic surgeons available in the valley. With the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery, your care is a top priority. For more information about arm lifts, call 702.410.9800.

Considering an Inner Thigh Lift?

get thigh gab from las vegas plastic surgeonsThere seems to be a misconception that people who are struggling with problem areas on their bodies just need to work harder. These people are usually prescribed extra doses of cardio, strength training and veggies.

If you are struggling with the inner thigh area, then you know that this is not always the case. Many times, genetics and excess skin are the culprits. As you have probably determined, these two issues cannot be remedied with regular exercise and clean eating habits.

Your genetics will be a major factor in determining whether you are dealing with primarily stubborn fat that won’t go away, excess skin, or a pretty even combination of the two. A consultation with one of the Las Vegas plastic surgeons will steer you in the direction of a procedure that fits your situation best.

Stubborn Fat Solution

If stubborn fat is your primary concern, you are most likely going to need a plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure called liposuction. If your skin is taut with minimal stretch marks, this should be the only procedure you need. Small incisions will be made along the creases where your groin and buttocks meet your leg. The small scars that appear will be nearly impossible to see because of where they fall on your body.

Excess Skin Remedy

For women who are dealing more with excess skin than excess fat stores, you’ll want to consider a skin removal surgery. This procedure will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin to restore a youthful look. The amount of recovery and scarring will be dependent on how much skin you and your surgeon decide to remove.

Thigh lift procedures that are milder will generally have an incision that follows the line of the crease where the groin meets the leg. This type of scar is easily hidden by your clothing. You can get a good amount of contouring with minimal scaring in this procedure.

Thigh lift procedures that are removing larger amounts of excess skin will result in more scarring. There will be a second incision that travels vertically down your leg just like the inseam of your jeans. This secondary vertical incision makes it possible for the surgeon to remove significantly more skin than was possible in the milder version of this procedure.

While it sounds drastic, this added incision can give you the smooth and shapely thighs you have always dreamed of. Depending on the length of the scar, it can be hidden with your clothing. Also remember that scars lighten with time. A dermatologist can help you lighten the scar even further.

Of course, for you to achieve your best results, you may want to consider combining these two procedures. This way, you are able to achieve the sculpted and smooth legs you’ve been dreaming about.

Talk with one of the skilled Las Vegas plastic surgeons at Reynolds Plastic Surgery to discuss your options. For more information about the thighplasty, call 702.410.9800.