Blog Archives - Page 30 of 32 - Tarola Plastic Surgery

Am I too Old for a Mommy Makeover?

No matter how healthy a mom might be, one or more pregnancies will put an incredible amount of strain on a woman’s body. Changes to one’s weight, breastfeeding, and a drastic shift in a mom’s hormones can change her body forever. This is why many women have turned to cosmetic surgery to once again feel confident in their appearance. For mothers that feel as if they are getting too old for a mommy makeover, it is important to remember that there is no set age when cosmetic treatments become ineffective, unsafe, or impractical.

Am I Too Old?

Before delving into the specifics of a mommy makeover, it is important for mothers to understand exactly how these surgeries will affect their body. The primary concern for older patients is how their body will react to the surgery. Some women are not the best candidates for cosmetic procedures even in their younger years while other patients have been able to enjoy amazing results well past menopause.

The key to a successful mommy makeover is properly screening the patient. Tarola Plastic Surgery will provide an evaluation and review your medical history. The ideal candidate for a mommy makeover is a woman that is done having kids, does not have serious health problems, and has realistic expectations about the procedures. If this sounds like your situation, then you could be just months away from your transformation.

What Is Included in a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is comprised of one or more cosmetic treatments that are carried out specifically to help women get back to their pre-baby appearance. These surgeries often help with some of the most problematic areas that women have after birthing and breastfeeding a child such as their midsection and breasts. In some instances, women also opt for treatments that will contour their thighs and buttocks as well. Some of the surgeries that you might benefit from include a breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

Cosmetic Issues That a Mommy Makeover Can Fix

A surgeon will often begin this process by removing excess fat around the torso and then contouring the abdomen. This is especially helpful for women that have a layer of skin hanging over their C-section scar. Many women also notice that their breasts are no longer as firm, large, or well-balanced after having a child.

No woman should ever feel as if she is out of options to change her appearance due to her age. Please feel free to schedule a consultation with Tarola Plastic Surgery today to discuss which of these amazing cosmetic procedures might restore your youthful appearance and help you regain your confidence.

When to Consider a Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian butt lift is a procedure that makes your buttocks look perkier and youthful. This treatment involves the use of liposuction near the buttocks to give your buttocks more definition and to inject your fat cells in the upper section of your buttocks.

The Brazilian butt lift involves two procedures. Fat is harvested from another part of the body and injected into the patient’s buttocks. Surgeons mainly perform liposuction on the outer thighs, abdomen and the parts above the patient’s buttocks. The surgeon later sculpts the area where fat has been harvested from to give it a slimmer and sensual look.

Many surgeons advise their clients to have a Brazilian butt lift instead of a silicone buttock implant because applying this method to transfer fat to the patient’s buttocks allows them to use their own fat tissue to improve the appearance of their behind. This procedure has a low risk of infection compared to buttock implants. Furthermore, patients who go through a Brazilian butt lift are not concerned about the dangers of introducing a substance such as silicone in their body.

The Brazilian butt lift helps patients achieve slimmer thighs and attractive buttocks. This procedure gives the patient a youthful appearance and slims their body through the even distribution of fat.

Who Qualifies for a Brazilian Butt Lift?

A Brazilian butt lift patient should be a healthy individual who does not smoke and can go through a surgical procedure. The right candidate should also have realistic expectations.

An important factor considered by surgeons when determining whether someone is the right candidate for the treatment is if the patient has sufficient fat for the transfer and the area where the fat stores are located. In many cases, 6-7 liters of fluids and fat are extracted during liposuction. Up to 1.5-2.0 liters is usable fat. Therefore, patients who are seeking after a Brazilian butt lift should have this amount of body fat for the procedure to go smoothly.

Last but not least any patient who wants to get this procedure should be ready to set some time aside for recovery. This means taking a break from work and other daily routines. The minimum time for recovery is a month.

In conclusion, if you want to get a Brazilian butt lift, you should seek out a qualified surgeon. At Tarola Plastic Surgery, we have extensive experience performing this procedure and leaving patients satisfied. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will then review your goals and tailor a treatment plan to help you reach them.

How Should I Prepare For Eyelid Lift Surgery?

Sagging eyelids are caused by a loss of elasticity in the skin. The constant force of gravity pulls the skin downward, resulting in a baggy appearance that is not only unattractive, it is also a potential detriment to a person’s ability to focus the eyes properly. Some people even have trouble maintaining a full field of vision because the upper lids are actually drooping. If you are suffering from sagging upper lids and baggy lower lids, you may want to consider eyelid lift surgery. This is an in-house procedure we at Tarola Plastic Surgery perform on a regular basis.

Eyelids and the Aging Process

Aging skin is less elastic because the supporting tissue does not stretch the epidermis properly. The eyelid skin is thin to begin with, and any loss of collagen results in fine wrinkles. The upper lid may actually slide forward and droop. Thinning membranes beneath the skin can allow fat deposits to bulge outward, and this further complicates the sagging problem.

The best way to correct sagging eyelid skin is to have a licensed surgeon remove the excess fatty tissue. This is a minimally invasive procedure that lasts only about one to two hours. Scars are tiny and unnoticeable, and there is no significant downtime after the procedure is completed.

How to Prepare For an Eyelid Lift Surgery

No special pre-surgical eye care is needed. During the consultation, we will examine the eyelid tissue carefully and inform you about what incisions need to be made and how much tissue needs to be removed. You will want to have someone come with you to the clinic because you will not be able to drive yourself home after the surgery is complete.

Before the incisions are made, we may administer a local anesthetic. The cutting procedure isn’t painful, but the anesthetic prevents involuntary eyelid movement during the procedure.

What You Can Expect

The upper lids are corrected by making a single incision along the natural curve lines of the eyelid. The skin is then separated from the underlying tissue. Excess fat and muscle are removed, and the skin is put back in place.

The lower lids may be treated in one of two ways. A small incision may be made on the inner lid and the excess tissue scraped away. In some cases, the incision is made on the outer surface and the skin pulled back to reveal the excess tissue. Sometimes a small laser tool is used to burn away some of the tissue. If the cuts are made on the epidermis, small stitches are used to keep the skin in place after the tissue is removed. These stitches dissolve naturally in less than a week.

After The Procedure

It is probably best to have someone stay with you for the first night after we perform the surgery. You may experience some redness and swelling on the lids. An ice pack or chilled gauze pads will help alleviate the swelling and reduce the amount of pain you feel.

Dry eyes are commonly experienced by some patients, but simple eye drops will help with this. You can expect to resume your normal activities in just a few days.

For More Information

Dr. Nicholas Tarola will be able to provide complete details on this type of reconstructive surgical procedure. Although considered a simple cosmetic treatment alternative, eyelid lift surgery can actually improve your ability to see well. In most cases, the results are long-lasting, with no need for a second surgical treatment for many years. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Tighten Skin around Your Abdomen with a Tummy Tuck

If you have lost weight through diet and exercise, but you still have paunch or excess skin around your midsection, you may be considering a tummy tuck. Also known as, “abdominoplasty, this surgical procedure removes undesired fat and excess skin, along with tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. The results are a leaner, flatter abdomen. Sometimes liposuction is performed with a tummy tuck to remove additional fat. It is important to know a bit about the procedure before deciding if it is right for you.

Candidates for a Tummy Tuck

Both men and women who are in good health can consider a tummy tuck procedure. Women who have been pregnant multiple times are often prime candidates for tightening of the abdominal muscles and removal of excess skin. Men or women who have lost a great deal of weight can also benefit if they find they are dealing with loose skin and excess fat deposits in the abdominal area.

It is best to wait until you are sure you are done having children or do not wish to become pregnant to have the procedure performed, as surgically tightened muscles can become separated during future pregnancies. Also, a tummy tuck is not an alternative option to weight loss. It should only be performed after you have lost weight or if you are not planning to lose a large amount of weight.

Types of Tummy Tuck

You will be able to meet with Dr. Nicholas Tarola at Tarola Plastic Surgery to receive a consultation and discuss your needs. There are several options depending on your issues and what you hope to achieve. A complete abdominoplasty involves cutting the abdomen from hipbone to hipbone, then contouring the muscle, tissue, and skin. During this type of surgery, your belly button will be re-positioned, and you may need to have drainage tubes placed beneath your skin for just a few days. A Partial or mini abdominoplasty are best for those whose excess fat is below the belly button. This is often a shorter procedure of about two hours because the navel will likely not need to be moved.

The Procedure and Recovery

Depending on how extensive your surgery is, it could take from about one to five hours to complete. You will receive general anesthesia and may need to stay overnight. For a few days after surgery, you will experience some pain and swelling. Soreness could continue for weeks or months, but your doctor can prescribe pain medicine. Possible complications include blood clots, bleeding beneath the skin flap or infection. Poor healing could require additional surgery. Expect some scarring to remain after healing. Prescription cream may lessen scars.

Though tummy tuck is considered major surgery, it has minimal risks and is a proven method to tighten skin around your abdomen.

Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Tarola if you have any questions or concerns.

Consider Ear Pinning Surgery for Protruding Ears

Many people struggle with protruding or misshapen ears. For children, this often results in teasing, bullying and even physical harassment, which can be traumatic, crippling their self-esteem and academic performance. Fortunately, otoplasty, more commonly known as “ear pinning,” is a simple and safe procedure for reshaping the ears into a more normal position and appearance.

Deciding if Ear Pinning is Right for You

Ear pinning can be done on children who are four years old and up, and the procedure may be performed on teens and adults. Protruding or misshapen ears do not just lead to bullying and other mean-spirited or hurtful treatment. They can also cause discomfort or inconvenience for the patient when dressing, grooming their hair or sleeping.

If you are considering ear pinning surgery for yourself or your child, there are a few things to keep in mind. Patients must be in good psychological and physical health, and your expectations for the results of the surgery must be realistic. For children, ear pinning surgery typically requires them to be absent from school for one week to allow for proper recovery.

The Ear Pinning Procedure

In most cases, ear pinning is done as outpatient surgery. General anesthesia is usually used for child patients, while local anesthesia and IV sedation are typically used for adult patients. In order to perform the procedure, Dr. Tarola will create small incisions behind the ears, which will be naturally hidden by the folds of the skin. These incisions allow him to gain access to the ear cartilage, which acts as the ears’ supportive structure.

Using this approach, Dr. Tarola is able to manipulate and reshape the cartilage in a way that provides a more normal ear shape and position. Ear pinning surgery is frequently done on both ears to ensure a uniform appearance. Once the ears have been appropriately altered, the incisions are sutured closed, and a special bandage is applied that is designed to hold the ears in their new position throughout the healing process.

What to Expect

After surgery, we will give you after-care instructions. It is necessary to rest for a day afterward with your head elevated. You will also be required to change the bandages regularly and avoid any activities that could rub, bump or otherwise cause trauma to your ears. Vigorous exercise should be avoided right after the surgery, but your surgeon will likely recommend gentle walking. Within a few weeks, you can go back to your normal exercise routine. The results of the surgery will also become fully apparent during this time. As with any surgery, ear pinning carries some risks, although they are uncommon. These can include scarring, infection and bleeding.

If you or your child struggle with protruding or misshapen ears, you should know that help is available. At Tarola Plastic Surgery, our medical team will work with you and your child to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan. Contact Tarola Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation.