If you look in the mirror and don’t recognize yourself anymore because the signs of aging have become so severe that non-invasive skincare treatments aren’t making a difference, we want to let you know there is a solution. At The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we offer the facelift an effective cosmetic procedure that can restore a natural, youthful-looking appearance.

Facelift FAQs: How It Works, What Kind of Results You Can Expect, and How Long They Last

Everyone knows that a facelift can deliver some incredible results, but if you’re considering this procedure, you probably have many different questions about what it is, how it works, and what you can expect.

If you want the results of a facelift and want the details about everything that happens between achieving those results, we can help. We’re going to provide you with all the information you need to know so you can make an informed decision about this procedure and then walk into the process with complete confidence.

How Long Do the Results Last?

When you undergo a facelift, expect some incredible results. Also known as rhytidectomy, this procedure will not only give you amazing results but long-lasting results as well. Patients can expect to enjoy their results for seven to ten years or longer based on their skin elasticity, and the rate at which they age after the procedure is complete.

This procedure will deliver anti-aging results, but it cannot stop aging. However, living a healthy lifestyle and taking good care of your skin after your procedure can help you enjoy your results for as long as possible.

Making Your Results Last Longer

Even though you cannot stop the aging process, you can take steps to enhance and prolong your results. The easiest and most cost-effective way to maintain your results involves living a healthy lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water, eating foods that promote skin health and a healthy body will go a long way in helping you maintain a tight, contoured, and lifted appearance post-op.

What To Avoid

As long as you avoid some specific foods and unhealthy habits, you can help maintain youthful skin in the years following your procedure. The number one way to maintain and enhance your results is to avoid smoking of any form. Not only does smoking pose significant health issues, but it negatively impacts the appearance and health of your skin as well as your body and your facelift.

Smoking will accelerate the aging process, so if you are a smoker, take every possible measure to quit. You should also work to avoid excess sugar and excess sodium. Sugar causes inflammation and will affect your blood sugar and cortisol levels which can speed the aging process. By simply avoiding processed foods, salt, and excess sugars, you can help ensure long-lasting results.

The Importance of Hydration

Hydration is extremely underrated when it comes to maintaining youthful skin. Drinking an adequate amount of water each day and avoiding the overconsumption of beverages that negatively impact the skin, like alcohol and caffeinated drinks, will go a long way in helping you maintain youthful skin long-term.

Drinking plenty of water daily along with avoiding beverages that will negatively impact your skin health and elasticity will help you enjoy your results for as long as possible. Plus, adequate water intake will help you maintain optimal skin health by promoting detoxification and adequate skin hydration.

Skincare

In-office anti-aging and skin-perfecting treatments combined with an effective morning and evening skincare routine will help you maintain and enhance your post-procedure results.

Facials, chemical peels, and other anti-aging skin treatments will help promote collagen and elastin production after your procedure and help you maintain a clear, beautiful, and healthy complexion. Additionally, using the right skincare products from a professional-grade skincare line with nutrient-rich ingredients will promote youthful, healthy skin.

Sunscreen

While skincare is important, so too is the level of commitment you have to wear sunscreen. The sun ages your skin, and if you want to help maintain your post-procedure results long-term, you can easily do so simply by investing in a high-quality sunscreen and making it a part of your daily skincare routine. Applying sunscreen regardless of the weather will protect your skin from sun damage and additional aging.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift is a surgical cosmetic procedure also known as rhytidectomy and involves the lifting, restructuring, and tightening of the lower two-thirds of the face. The procedure will address the signs of aging in the mid and lower half of the face by lifting, tightening, and contouring the skin and tissues.

What Does It Treat?

While this procedure primarily addresses the lower and middle half of the face, it does address some specific concerns. It will help address nasolabial folds, wrinkles around the mouth and lips, marionette lines, and jowls. It can also improve and tighten the appearance of the neck to help patients look and feel years younger.

How Does It Work?

Your Consultation

Rhytidectomy is a surgical procedure, so it’s important that you attend an initial consultation before scheduling this procedure. Even though this procedure addresses the same area of the face for all patients, we can customize it to your needs. It’s important that we understand your ultimate aesthetic goals so that we can plan your procedure accordingly to help you achieve the best possible results.

We will evaluate your primary problem areas in person and then custom-tailor your procedure. We want you to feel confident knowing that your facelift will correct your specific areas of concern and help you look and feel your best. We will also review your health history to confirm that this procedure is a safe choice for you.

Procedure Qualifications

It’s important that patients are in good physical, mental, and emotional health before undergoing the procedure. It’s very important that you understand the procedure’s limitations and benefits before moving forward. We will explain this during your initial consultation so that you are fully informed and prepared about everything involved in this process.

Your Procedure

You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment on the day of your procedure. Since you will receive anesthesia before the procedure begins, you will not be able to drive yourself home. You should have meals prepared and someone who can help at home for those first few days while you rest and recover.

During the procedure, our surgeon will address the problem areas, any excess skin, redistribute fat or tissue as necessary, and complete your procedure by suturing the incisions. He will use the SMAS technique during the procedure, which will deliver some amazing results. Depending on your specific treatment plan, the procedure itself can take anywhere from two to four hours total.

Your Recovery

A bandage of sorts will be applied to your face after your procedure is complete. Our surgical team will provide you with extensive aftercare and recovery directions so that you know how to care for your face in the days and weeks following your procedure. We will provide you with detailed instructions regarding what you should avoid and what activities you should do to promote a quick and healthy recovery.

Am I a Candidate?

If Botox, dermal fillers, and non-invasive anti-aging treatments aren’t delivering the kind of results you would like, you may be a good candidate for a facelift. If the signs of aging have become more severe and you have deep lines, extensive skin laxity, and other signs of aging that cannot be improved with non-invasive treatments, this procedure may be right for you. The best candidates understand the procedure and have realistic expectations going into this process.

This procedure is not designed to change your face and make you look like a different person but instead is designed to restore your youthful appearance by eliminating the more common signs of aging that affect the mid and lower half of the face. If you have realistic expectations and are committed to the recovery process and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to maintain your results, you can expect the entire process to be an enjoyable and effective one.

Restore Your Youth

If you want to restore that youthful appearance to your face, this procedure may help you reach your anti-aging goals while also helping you feel more confident about your appearance. Contact us today at The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, to learn more about this procedure and set up your consultation to see whether you are a good candidate.

A person’s eyes are like windows into their soul, but sometimes these windows need to be repaired. Your eyelids can become lax with age, resulting in not only an aged appearance but also impaired vision. If you are experiencing aging skin around the eyes, we can help. At The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, our expert surgeons are skilled in performing eyelid surgery that will change the way you see yourself as well as the world around you.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Eyelid Surgery?

There is a recovery period for every surgery, and with blepharoplasty it is no different. However, the recovery process is not difficult, and by the end of it, your beautiful and youthful eyes will be yours to enjoy.

Within two weeks of your procedure, any swelling and bruising will have faded, and most patients can return to work within 10 to 14 days. Even after you return to your normal daily routine, you will continue to heal gradually for several weeks following your surgery.

Promoting Your Recovery

You play an important role in your recovery. In order to ensure that you have the quickest and best recovery possible, you can take some steps.

You will have the best results when you take care of your body, get adequate rest, hydrate, eat well, and follow the aftercare protocol. Just remember, this is only a short period of time. Your eyes will be fully healed in no time, and you will be enjoying your results for a long time.

Here’s what you can do to speed things along:

Get Plenty of Rest

Even after eyelid surgery, it can be difficult to rest if you don’t have a naturally relaxed temperament. Don’t worry about all the tasks on your to-do list. Those things can wait. At this time, your recovery is your top priority, and rest is an integral part of that.

Rest on a regular basis throughout the day and night. As we sleep, our bodies regenerate and rebuild. Ensure that you are getting enough sleep each night and that you are getting enough rest throughout the day: whenever you feel tired, you should feel free to rest and sleep.

Don’t Be Afraid To Get Help

Now is the right time to seek assistance. The first few days after your procedure, ask a family member or friend to help you at home. By not having to worry about household chores, you’ll be able to rest, relax, and recover more quickly.

Make a list of the things that need to get done before your surgery and take care of them. Then get help for after your surgery so you can rest.

Follow all the Recovery Instructions

Following your procedure, your doctor will provide you with specific instructions that must be followed during the recovery process. To promote faster recovery, you will need to keep your eyes clean each day, sleep with your head elevated above your chest, and drink enough water to hydrate your skin.

Take your prescribed medications throughout your recovery period as directed by your doctor, and wear sunglasses at all times if you spend any time outside to protect your skin from the sun. It is best to avoid strenuous activities for two to three weeks while you are recovering.

Eat Well

Nutritional foods are as important for health maintenance as they are for recovery. It is essential that you give your body the right vitamins and minerals so that it can heal and rebuild quickly. When you’re recovering, make sure you eat a lot of healthy fats, lean proteins, and fruit and vegetables.

Foods high in salts or sugars, foods containing processed ingredients and chemicals, or excessive alcohol can hinder the recovery process. If you’re already eating a healthy diet, you’re ahead of the game and can eat normally after your surgery to aid your recovery.

Apply Ice

Using ice after surgery can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to promote healing. When you apply ice to your eyes, you will reduce post-surgical effects and improve the appearance of the area as quickly as possible. Your eyes will feel comfortable and your surrounding skin will be benefited as well if you apply ice throughout the day at different intervals.

Plan Ahead for Meals

Preparing meals in advance can help you prepare for your recovery. Make meals that can be easily frozen and reheated so that you and your family have meals ready without spending a lot of time preparing them.

Know What To Expect

Be realistic about what you can expect during your recovery. Recovery will take some time, but it will not last forever. In order to enjoy your beautiful eyes as soon as possible, you should invest in yourself during your recovery and follow all of the instructions.

It won’t be possible to do this on your own, and even if you hate asking for help, you will need it during this time. Many people care about you and want to help you heal as quickly as possible.

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Aging does not spare the eyes. The muscles of the face weaken as we age, and gravity takes over. Once evenly proportioned fat in your face begins to move and is displaced. It can result in hooded, aged-looking eyes that can make you look and feel older than your actual age.

Blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin and gently reconstructing the area to improve the appearance of the eyelids.

What Does This Surgery Treat?

Blopharoplasty is performed on eyes with signs of aging. This procedure is performed on patients with both cosmetic and medical symptoms. As a cosmetic procedure, it can make your eyes appear younger and healthier. After surgery, all of the bags and drooping eyelids that once characterized the area will be reduced or completely removed.

Speaking medically, if the eyelids have drooped to the point that they are affecting vision, this procedure can help restore the eyesight. Surgery can open up your eyes so you can see more clearly. Even if you opt for this procedure for purely medical reasons, you will also enjoy youthful-looking eyes as a result.

The Process

A consultation, the procedure, and your recovery are all part of the blepharoplasty procedure. Each step is critical to obtaining the best results.

Consultation

During this consultation, we’ll talk about your medical history, evaluate your eyes, and help you decide if this is the right treatment for you. You can also ask questions during this time and get all the facts about everything involved as you make your decision.

The whole treatment plan will be customized to your needs, to help you get the results you’re looking for.

Procedure

We will determine during your consultation whether this procedure will be performed on both of your eyelids, or just one. In order to treat your upper eyelid, an incision will be made in its crease during the procedure. Incisions will be made just below your eyelashes if your lower eyelid is going to be treated. Scars are not visible after the surgery because incisions are made in strategic places on the eye.

Excess fat and skin will be removed from the areas following the incision in the correct location. If necessary, your doctor may reposition the fat inside the incision and tighten the surrounding muscles according to your needs and aesthetic goals. Once the incision has been carefully closed with precision and accuracy, the procedure will be completed.

Recovery

Once your procedure is complete, recovery begins. Be sure to follow the tips we’ve already discussed here to have the fastest and easiest recovery possible. We’ll make sure you have all the information you need before the procedure and review it with you afterward, as well.

Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

You may be a candidate for a blepharoplasty if you are unhappy with the appearance of your eyes that are showing signs of aging, or if your eyesight has been affected by those same signs. It does not matter what the reason is, whether it is cosmetic or eyesight-related. We can help open up your eyes and improve your vision while making you feel more youthful. The first time you visit with us, we will determine if this is an appropriate procedure for you.

Talk to Us Today To Learn More

Our goal is to make you feel more comfortable with the way you look, especially in an area as critical as your eyes. Whether you are interested in improving your vision or improving your appearance, we can help. We invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our experts at The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL to determine if blepharoplasty is right for you.

If you’ve been thinking about breast augmentation but are worried you’re too young or too old, rest assured age is a very small piece of the puzzle. At The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we don’t believe women should forego the bodies they want simply because of a number. Instead, more emphasis should be placed on factors like your physical health and reasons for surgery.

What Is the Best Age for a Breast Augmentation?

You should first understand that saline implants are FDA-approved for women 18 years or older, while silicone implants are indicated for women 22 years or older. Once you’ve reached the appropriate age limits for the implants you want, you’re free to move forward with the surgery.

Now that the legalities have been dispensed with, we can tell you women from ages 25 to 65 choose to have a breast augmentation (BA). In other words, implants are not associated with a “best” age. The number of years you’ve accumulated should play very little part in your decision to get implants. Far more important are your mental and physical health – and your reasons for wanting a BA in the first place.

Little More Than a Number

Let’s talk about maturity for a moment, which must be considered when speaking of implants. We mean both physical and emotional maturity. Some women bloom later than others with breasts that continue developing into their mid-twenties. It’s important you wait until your body has completely finished growing before scheduling your surgery, meaning you may need to wait longer than others.

Think About Your Why

Emotional maturity is a little harder to define. The decision to get implants is one that’s very personal. You need think about your goals and why surgery is right for you. For instance, an emotionally mature woman ready to handle the BA surgery and recovery wants implants to make herself happy.

But a woman choosing implants for her partner or because she thinks others will find her more attractive likely is not emotionally mature. This is an important consideration, and our office will speak to you about your reasons for surgery to ensure you’re a strong candidate.

A Brief Data Review

If you’re on the fence about a BA, it might be helpful to see what women in a range of age brackets are choosing. Take a look at the following data for 2018, provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons: 

• Women aged 20 to 29 accounted for 29% of all breast augmentation procedures
• Women aged 30 to 39 accounted for 37% of these procedures
• Women aged 40 to 54 accounted for 29% of these procedures 

Between the ages of 30 and 55, women are usually settled into their careers and likely to be finished having children and breastfeeding. Alternatively, these women may have reached the decision to not have kids and simply want a more youthful profile. Last but not least, women aged 30 to 55 are physically and emotionally mature enough to make decisions for themselves. They know what they want and are pursuing surgery to fulfill their own needs.

Implant Guidelines

Generally speaking, we recommend teens wait until they are at least 18 years old to get breast implants, unless a special circumstance warrants surgery sooner. The human body doesn’t fully develop until the late teens, and many girls gain weight between the ages of 18 and 21. This can affect breast size, and it’s best to wait until breasts have stopped growing so the implants remain proportionate with the rest of the body.

Emotional reasons also factor into this recommendation. Young teenagers may lack the emotional maturity to fully commit to implants. They may not follow our recommendations for rest and relaxation and, in turn, interfere with their results. Consent is another issue to consider; parents must provide the necessary authorization for a 16- or 17-year-old to undergo surgery.

During puberty many teens feel unhappy with their changing bodies, but this sense of discomfort is not usually best treated with a physical solution. The vast majority of teens who experience dysphoria find that it eases as they get older, and this is the sort of occasion where counseling may also help. Of course, if they are still unhappy with their appearance in their later teens or early twenties, then breast implants are an option.

Is Any Age Too Old?

As a society, we tend to think that women stop caring about their appearance after a certain age – say, 40. But this is absolutely not true. Older women often choose to get breast implants because they want to feel more confident in their own skin. Implants can improve the size, shape, and fullness of breasts, make them more proportionate, and even improve symmetry. But depending on a woman’s age, she might think she’s too old for BA.

So, is 55 the cut-off? Or 65? The truth is this surgery does not pose an upper age limit. We’ll repeat our earlier statement: what matters more is your physical health. Many older women are healthy enough to successfully have surgery and are then thrilled with their results. And women over the age of 40 consider BA for reasons that are quite different from those of younger women. To illustrate, they often want to:

• Restore a more youthful shape
• Regain lost volume
• Improve their feminine curves
• Choose from a wider range of clothing

Mammograms Won’t Be Affected

Women over age 40 often sometimes how their implants will affect mammogram results. We’re happy to say that in most cases, the implant don’t interfere with imaging abilities.

You can help by letting the facility or clinic know you have implants ahead of time. The technician performing the imaging can then take pictures from different angles to obtain the most accurate pictures possible. In addition, the mammography machine will not squeeze or damage implants, meaning it’s perfectly safe to proceed with the test.

The Addition of a Breast Lift

As a woman ages, her breasts tend to naturally sag. This is owed to different factors, including hormonal changes, gravity, and genetics. Weight gain or loss and diminishing skin elasticity also contribute. Many times, sagging causes the nipples to point down rather than out.

With this in mind, women over the age of 40 commonly choose to combine a BA with a breast lift. The latter restores shape and position so the breasts sit higher on the chest wall. In combination, the two procedures can rejuvenate breasts so they appear fuller, perkier, and more youthful-looking. This might be the ideal option for you based on your age and the physical appearance of your breasts.

A Few Final Details

Implants last a long time, up to 15 years or more. Depending on your age when you get them, they may even last a lifetime. We’ll monitor your implants to ensure they continue meeting your lifestyle and aesthetic needs. If they need to be replaced at any time, we’ll develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Having said that, you should know recovering from BA surgery is relatively quick and easy. You will need to take some time away from work to properly heal, but patients generally feel like their old selves in just a few days. Everyday routines can be resumed in one or two weeks, and you can usually engage in exercise and strenuous physical activity after four to six weeks.

Improved Materials and Techniques

Today’s implants are better than ever, providing women with a very natural look that emphasizes their feminine beauty. New implant options include those that are teardrop-shaped to mimic the contours of natural breasts more closely. They provide more fullness at the bottom and taper toward the top. New silicone gels also look and feel like real breast tissues. The bottom line? You have plenty of options to meet your aesthetic goals.

Surgical techniques are also vastly improved, and an experienced provider can help you choose the right implant and incision during your consultation. After the surgery, you can look forward to very smooth, youthful-looking results.

Forget About Age

Don’t let age stand between you and the body you want. Breast augmentation can improve the shape, size, and symmetry of your bust, and thanks to medical advances, your results will look soft and natural. Whether you’re 25 or 65, now is your time. Schedule your consultation today by contacting The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL.

The natural wear and tear of aging begins to show on our skin as we get older. The degradation of the collagen framework that keeps our skin smooth and firm breaks down over time, leading to loose skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. If this natural aging process has you dissatisfied with how your skin looks, the amazing results that Juvederm dermal fillers provide may be the solution you’re looking for. Our expert team at The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL is standing by to help you find out if this line of products can give you the results you’re looking for.

How Does Juvederm Work?

This treatment is a gel-based dermal filler that has been approved by the FDA to fill out and lift your skin, fighting the appearance of aging with zero downtime required. Almost every patient at any stage of the aging process can benefit from this line of products, as there is a filler for every different concern. 

The secret to the way this treatment improves the volume of your skin and smooths over wrinkles and lines is hyaluronic acid, the key ingredient each of these fillers uses. To help make the injection painless and comfortable, these solutions also include a minuscule amount of lidocaine. Treatment sessions typically last just 5 to 45 minutes and instantly give you lasting, attractive results.

What Happens During a Treatment Session?

To provide your skin with an instantaneous lift, the dermal fillers are injected directly under the surface. You’ll be left with a more youthful appearance right away as the solution tightens and fills wrinkles and lines that appear on your skin. The results look entirely indistinguishable from the other parts of your skin, with a natural, soft look and feel. The natural look means that nobody will know that you had treatment done unless you decide to tell them, but the age-defying results are clearly noticeable.

The Key Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is created naturally by your body for use as a hydrating sugar. The healthy, vibrant glow of youthful skin is a result of hyaluronic acid plumping and cushioning the skin and helping it retain moisture. By using cross-linked hyaluronic acid, Juvederm products are able to prolong the lifetime of youthful skin and maximize the lift you see. 

Afterwards, your body will naturally break down the product. Because the active ingredient is something that is naturally found in the body, most patients are good candidates for these fillers.

What Is This Treatment Used For?

Most of the often-occurring signs of aging can be alleviated with just one appointment using the wide variety of different fillers included in this line of products. Your unique needs will be determined during your first consultation so that our experienced professionals can recommend you the right combination of fillers. Among all the issues these injections can help with, here are some of the more common concerns:

Fine Lines

Due to simply the natural movements of your facial muscles, you may notice fine lines in the delicate skin near your eyes, or the area around your mouth, or on your forehead. Despite being somewhat thinner than wrinkles, these lines become more visible with time. You can restore a smoother, softer appearance to these regions of the face by erasing lines using a dermal filler injection.

Wrinkles

For most people, folds and wrinkles in the skin start developing in their mid-twenties. Other factors such as sun exposure can accelerate these wrinkles forming as we continue to age. Correct the texture of your skin and temporarily turn back time by using a dermal filler to erase even the most severe of wrinkles.

Sagging, Loose Skin

As the collagen framework that supports your skin begins to break down, you’ll notice skin laxity. This is a natural consequence of the process of getting older, but you don’t need to live with this skin if you don’t like its appearance. Restore a younger look and fix skin laxity by using a dermal filler to add fresh, noticeable volume to the affected areas.

Decreasing Volume

The process is slow enough that you may not immediately notice it, but hollow areas that make you appear older begin to form on your face due to a loss of volume in your skin. Achieve fuller, rounder cheeks and a more voluminous midface area using the proven results that a dermal filler can provide.

Undefined, Thin Lips

You may not be fully confident in the appearance of your lips if you’re noticing the appearance of fine lines, smoker’s lines, or a general loss of volume or definition. You can see the signs of aging in and around your lips eliminated with one easy treatment using a dermal filler specially formulated for this issue. Create more full, plump lips that have a soft, natural look and feel, further define your lips’ borders, and accentuate your Cupid’s bow using this proven treatment.

Are Results Long-Lasting?

There is some variance in how long your results will last depending on the specific concerns you have and the fillers that are used to treat them. External factors that damage your skin and hasten the aging process, such as harmful sun exposure, can also decrease the effectiveness of dermal fillers. However, by following the instructions that your doctor gives you following treatment, you can get results that remain for between 6 and 18 months. 

Touch-up treatments that enhance your results and help achieve the image you’re looking for can be helpful during this time. Typically, most patients continue with one or two injection appointments per year to maintain results and keep their skin wrinkle-free and youthful looking after the initial timeframe. You can enjoy a more youthful appearance for many years to come if you use a committed treatment plan.

What’s The Difference Between a Dermal Filler and Botox?

Another common solution to lines and wrinkles appearing with age is the treatment called Botox. However, these two treatments are designed to remedy different types of concerns. Dermal fillers are designed to target static wrinkles, lifting and smoothing your skin and restoring the firmness and volume it loses over time. Typically growing deeper as time passes, these wrinkles don’t move the same as the rest of your facial movements, making them stand out. 

On the other hand, neurotoxin treatments like Botox are designed to temporarily ease dynamic wrinkles, which are often invisible if the face is at rest. Making facial expressions tends to make these wrinkles more noticeable, usually in the forehead, and they can be alleviated by blocking nerve signals from transmitting to specific facial muscles. Results from Botox treatments typically last between 3 and 4 months. To address both static and dynamic wrinkles, it may be beneficial to use both of these treatments in conjunction with one another.

Who Is This Treatment Intended For?

Most patients are eligible for this treatment because of the safe and effective nature of fillers. You may be eligible for treatment if you are an adult man or woman who is considered about skin laxity, wrinkles, or lines on your face. The only qualifications are that you should be generally in good health, are free from any irritation or infections on your skin that could interfere with the injections, and you have realistic expectations for the results you’ll get. It is also necessary that you don’t have any allergies to the ingredients this product is comprised of. 

Patients of all ages can benefit from using this treatment, although most patients tend to seek treatment when they’re older than 35 years of age. Severe skin laxity may use other forms of treatment to be efficiently treated than a dermal filler such as Juvederm. As covered earlier, those dealing with dynamic wrinkles they wish to correct will be better served by other treatments. Those concerns are better addressed by using Botox or another service. Don’t worry if you are unsure if this treatment is right for you; our doctor can evaluate you and help you find the treatment that best suits your needs.

Restore a Younger Look Today!

Our team of experts are standing by to help you learn more about how Juvederm can help you reach the appearance you’re looking for. Using these high-quality products, you’ll take years off of your age to look and feel your very best by adding a youthful lift to different regions of your face. Contact The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL today to schedule your consultation! 

At Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we commonly have clients asking us what we can do to improve their midface. Specifically, people are concerned about the size or shape of their noses. Some people were born with a deformity; other people have suffered a traumatic injury due to a motor vehicle accident or sports accident. Today, we’re talking about rhinoplasty, the perfect solution for people who are concerned about their noses.

How Long Does It Take to Recover After Rhinoplasty?

Generally, it takes a full year to recover from the best rhinoplasty Sarasota. Although this may sound like an intimidatingly long time, most of the recovery timeline is similar to any other aesthetic procedure. For example, you are free to resume cardio roughly three to four weeks after your procedure, and you can get back to pumping iron just six weeks after your procedure.

How Can I Speed Up the Recovery Process?

There are many things you can do to speed up your recovery process.  We will give you an all-inclusive list of what to do post-op during your initial consultation so you can have the smoothest, fastest recovery possible.  Here are some actionable steps you can take for the best possible recovery process:

Listen to Your Doctor

Once Dr. Jeffrey K. Scott M.D., F.A.C.S. determines you are a good candidate for this procedure, he will give you numerous prescriptions to fill, such as antibiotics. Take these antibiotics precisely as prescribed, including adhering to the time of day and dosage. Don’t think you don’t need to take them because you do not have an active infection. These antibiotics are not to treat an infection. Rather, they are to reduce the chance of an infection.

If you have any questions, please bring them up during your initial evaluation. You can also ask any questions you may have about post-op instructions once your procedure is complete. If you have any queries during your recovery period, please feel free to call us. We are more than happy to explain anything you’re confused about throughout the recovery process.

Listen to Your Body

Everyone’s recovery experience is unique. Some people find themselves completely alert three hours post-op and stay up engaging in relaxing hobbies until they are ready for bed. Other people find that they spend 24 hours drifting in and out of sleep. Rest if your body is communicating that it needs more rest. Don’t feel bad if you can’t pay attention to an entire television show.

Get Plenty of Rest

Do your best to get at least 7.5 hours of sleep nightly during the first couple of weeks after your procedure. Ideally, you should get nine hours of sleep nightly. It is important to sleep between 7.5 and nine hours per night because it takes 90 minutes to complete a sleep cycle. Therefore, you will be able to complete five to six sleep cycles nightly. Allow your body the energy it requires to heal itself.

Keep Your Head Elevated

Your recovery period will last longer than it should if you sleep on your side following your procedure. You won’t negatively affect your results if you sleep on your side, but your results will be affected if you sleep on your stomach.

For the fastest recovery period, it is crucial that you sleep on your back with your head elevated for six weeks following your procedure. We recommend using two or three pillows to prop your head up. To keep yourself from tossing and turning at night, we recommend using a travel pillow or surrounding yourself with rolled up towels.

Use Cold Compresses

Using cold compresses during the first 72 hours post-op will also shorten your recovery period. It is strongly advisable to use a cold compress for five minutes at a time, five times daily during the first three days. Nevertheless, it is not recommended that you apply the cold compress directly to your nose. Instead, you should apply the cold compress to your cheeks.

Wrapping frozen produce in a dish towel will provide you with the same benefits as a cold compress. Similarly, if you don’t have a cold compress, you can wrap a bag of ice in a dish towel.

Eat Lots of Produce

One of the best things you can do to shorten your recovery process is loading up your plate with lots of produce. Your body doesn’t just need a great deal of energy to heal itself; it also requires a lot of micronutrients. Vitamins A and C are particularly beneficial when you’re seeking to shorten a recovery period.

You can get large doses of vitamin A in dark, leafy greens. Vitamin C is found in abundance in citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables. Vitamin C is so important for healing because it contains the building blocks required for your skin to produce extra collagen.

Eat Bioavailable Protein

Collagen is an essential protein for keeping your skin tight, smooth, hydrated, and healthy. However, your skin doesn’t just need vitamin C to produce this essential protein. It also needs lots of bioavailable protein. Ideally, you should eat plenty of lean fish, low-fat nuts, game meat, and eggs every day.

On the other hand, you should try to eat full-fat dairy products because they are far less processed than reduced-fat dairy products. If you don’t get enough protein in your diet, you will be in for an unnecessarily long recovery.

Stay Cool

Heat causes tissue swelling which will prolong your recovery process. Therefore, it is highly advisable to avoid saunas, steamy showers, steam rooms, hot baths, and hot bowls of soup. Take lukewarm showers, avoid vigorous exercise, and eat foods that aren’t steaming hot early in your recovery period.

Refrain From Blowing Your Nose

If you get too hot, your nasal passages will experience swelling. This can make you feel congested, but you shouldn’t respond to this feeling by blowing your nose. Instead, use a saline spray to moisturize your nasal passages gently until the urge to blow your nose passes. You can purchase a saline solution or make your own.

To make your own saline spray, boil a cup of tap water to ensure it is sterile. Then, combine it with half teaspoons of salt and baking soda. If you boil tap water, allow it to cool until it is tepid. If you don’t want to boil water, you can use distilled water. Either way, your saline solution may be stored safely for up to 72 hours.

Don’t Pump Iron

We know how hard it is to skip leg day. However, you need to refrain from vigorous exercise for six weeks following your procedure for your recovery’s sake. We will advise on the intensity at which you may exercise when you come in for your follow-up appointment. Until you get the green light, avoid dynamic stretching, bending over, and lifting.

Don’t Wear Sunglasses

Remember, it is essential that you avoid applying pressure to your nose during the first six weeks of your recovery. Unfortunately, this means you can’t wear reading glasses, prescription glasses, or sunglasses during the first six weeks post-op.

If possible, wear contacts if you need to wear glasses for vision correction. If you can’t, talk to your ophthalmologist about ordering lighter frames. Only wear your glasses when you really have to, and wear a splint under your glasses.

Minimize Sun Exposure

Eating plenty of protein and vitamin C will go a long way in supporting extra collagen production. Unfortunately, your diet alone is not enough to speed up your recovery if you are damaging your existing collagen. You need to minimize sun exposure to keep your existing collagen healthy and ensure you’re not slowing your collagen production. Wear at least SPF 35 and minimize time outside between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Discover Today How to Look and Feel Your Best

Were you in a vehicle or sports accident that led to a misshapen nose? Do you have trouble breathing when you lie on your back due to a deviated septum? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for the best rhinoplasty in Sarasota. While recovery usually takes a full year, you will only need to focus on your recovery for a couple of weeks.

To learn more about this procedure, please contact us today at Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL to schedule your initial evaluation. We are happy to answer all of your questions regarding the entire process, from preparation to recovery.

At The Plastic Surgery Center, with offices conveniently located in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, we are proud to offer our patients the opportunity to achieve a flat and toned midsection through the procedure called the tummy tuck. This procedure offers many different benefits and has become one of the most popular body contouring procedures among men and women who want to improve their abdomen the easy way.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular body contouring procedures because it is so effective. It can completely transform the midsection of both men and women who want to achieve an aesthetically pleasing abdomen. It doesn’t require hundreds of crunches or a restrictive diet to achieve results: just one appointment.

Both men and women can benefit from this procedure and reach their aesthetic goals, feel confident in their own skin, and finally buy that bathing suit and wear it with pride.

There’s No Diet Required

Abs are made in the kitchen, but even when you follow a strict diet, you still can’t always achieve abs of steel. Losing weight and toning your midsection will help improve your abdomen to some extent, but it will not address loose skin. So even if you do achieve those abs of steel, you’ll never see them if you don’t first eliminate the stubborn fat and excess skin that’s hiding those muscles.

One of the benefits of a tummy tuck is that it doesn’t require that you begin another fad diet to achieve a flat midsection. All it takes is one procedure, and you’ll get the kind of results that you may have never dreamed possible, and you won’t have to undergo a restrictive diet to earn those results.

It Removes Excess Fat Cells 

If you’ve always struggled with abdominal fat, this procedure can remove it permanently. During the procedure, Dr. Scott will use liposuction to gently suction fat cells from your abdomen. Once these fat cells are removed, they will be gone for good.

Your body can’t regrow additional fat cells after liposuction. Removing stubborn fat from the abdomen makes a significant difference in your appearance because it helps reveal your abdominal muscles so that you can show off all your hard work in the gym.

It Addresses Loose Skin

There are some treatments designed to help tighten loose skin by stimulating collagen and elastin production, but a tummy tuck is one of the best ways to correct loose abdominal skin because it doesn’t just stimulate collagen production; it removes it entirely. During the procedure, your surgeon will cut away any excess tissue and tighten the remaining portion of the stomach, so all of that loose, hanging skin will be nonexistent once your procedure is complete.

It Can Tighten the Abdominal Muscles

Not only does a tummy tuck tighten the skin and remove excess fat, but it also corrects any issues with the abdominal muscles. It can restructure the abdominal muscles to make them tighter and more toned.

This is especially helpful for women who have suffered from diastasis recti, a condition that results from pregnancy. Diastasis recti occur when the abdominal muscles pull away from one another. This procedure will correct that separation and help you have tighter stronger muscles.

It’s a Customizable Procedure

Another one of the many benefits of this procedure is that we can customize it to your needs and goals. Dr. Scott can perform a mini tuck or a full tuck based on your needs and goals.

The Mini Tuck

The mini tuck addresses excess skin in the lower portion of the abdominal abdomen. It focuses on loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles below the belly button. It is called a mini tuck because it doesn’t address the entire midsection; just the small, lower portion.

This is a good choice for those who don’t need or want to revamp their entire midsection, just the lower portion. If a pouch or mild skin laxity has come to define your lower stomach, you may be a good candidate for the mini tuck.

The Full Tuck

The full tuck addresses the entire stomach. If loose skin, excess fat, and muscle weakness affect your lower and middle abdomen, the full tuck may be the best option for you. One of the differences between the mini and full tuck is the incision location and whether or not the belly button is addressed during surgery.

During your initial consultation, you will meet with Dr. Scott, who will review your problem areas and confirm that you are a good candidate for the procedure. At that time, he will customize your procedure to your goals to help you achieve the best results possible.

It Will Increase Your Confidence

If you’ve finally reached your goal weight, but a significant weight loss or one or multiple pregnancies have left you with excess skin, fat, skin laxity, or abdominal weakness, it may be hard to feel confident about your midsection. If that’s the case, you may qualify for a tummy tuck, a procedure that is guaranteed to help you feel more confident.

If you have worked hard to reach your body goals but are unhappy with the appearance of your stomach, undergoing this procedure will help you finally reach your aesthetic goals and feel more confident about your appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens During the Procedure?

To begin a tummy tuck, Dr. Scott will make an incision in a strategic and precise location on the abdomen. Doing so will help reduce any visible scarring. Then, he will remove excess skin and tighten the area. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the area. The abdominal muscles may also be restructured and tightened to create a more toned appearance. Once the procedure is complete, sutures will be made, and you will begin your recovery.

Should I Worry About Scarring?

During this procedure, Dr. Scott carefully creates incisions in strategic locations to minimize any scarring. He will make incisions in the least noticeable areas of your abdomen so that you will not notice any visible scarring. During your initial consultation, he will review the incision locations and answer any questions you may have about what kind of results you can expect post-procedure.

How Soon Can I Return to Work?

Most patients can resume work within one to two weeks of the procedure. Based on the nature of your work, your total downtime may vary. Dr. Scott will provide you with more information about your recovery during your initial consultation.

What Kind of Recovery Can I Expect?

Typically, most patients who undergo this procedure spend anywhere from one to two weeks recovering. Your total recovery time will depend on many factors, including your current health, age, the complexity of your procedure, and how much physical exertion is required at your place of work. While you will begin to feel more like yourself within a few weeks of your procedure, you can expect the incision site to take anywhere from six to 12 months to heal and fade.

You will be provided with a compression garment to wear during your recovery to help support your newly contoured abdomen. We also encourage patients to begin exercising as soon as possible to help them recover quickly, increase circulation, and promote lymphatic drainage. However, you should avoid any heavy lifting or intense exercise for one month post-op.

How Can I Make My Recovery Easier?

The best way to ensure a quick and healthy recovery is to make healthy choices. Eating foods that promote healing can make a big difference in helping you recover more quickly. Choosing lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates will help nourish your body and give it the foods you need to heal. Enlisting help at home during the first few days of your recovery will go a long way and give you the space you need to rest.  

Having someone who can help you with children, meals, and household chores will enable you to rest and recover. Additionally, you should wear your compression garment as directed to help promote healing and lymphatic drainage. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding nicotine and alcohol, and resting when needed will go a long way in helping you recover quickly so that you can enjoy your new midsection as soon as possible.

When Will I Notice Results?

As your body heals, you will notice an improvement in the appearance of your midsection. The changes made to your midsection deliver immediate results, but your final results will be most noticeable within a few weeks of your procedure. As your body and skin mold to fit your new body contours, you will see improvements in your midsection daily.

Will My Results Last Forever?

This procedure is intended to deliver permanent results, but you are responsible for maintaining your results. Gaining weight, getting pregnant after your procedure, or making unhealthy lifestyle choices can negatively impact your results.

It’s important that you maintain a consistent exercise routine, eat a healthy diet, and avoid weight gain or an additional pregnancy after your procedure. Doing so will ensure that your results are long-lasting, and you can enjoy your flat, tight, and toned abdomen for many years.

Who Is a Candidate?

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men and women who have significant skin laxity, abdominal muscle weakness, and excess fat in their midsection. Women who have experienced one or more pregnancies suffering from excess skin and stubborn fat in their midsection make good candidates for this procedure.

Additionally, those who have lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin that they can’t treat with non-invasive skin tightening treatments can benefit from this procedure.

The Importance of a Consultation

An initial consultation is the best way to determine if this procedure is right for you. During your consultation, Dr. Scott will evaluate your medical history, learn more about your aesthetic goals, and confirm that you are a candidate. Then, he will customize your treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.

Get a Flat Stomach the Easy Way

There’s no doubt about it; this procedure really will give you the stomach of your dreams, and you won’t have to go to the gym or go on another diet to achieve it. Increased confidence and abs of steel are within your reach thanks to this effective body contouring procedure. Contact us today at The Plastic Surgery Center located in Bradington and Sarasota, FL, to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about this procedure.

As we age, it’s common to develop wrinkles like frown lines, crow’s feet, and worry lines. Over-the-counter creams can only do so much; the most effective way to target these issues is to go under the skin. That’s how Botox works and it’s what makes it one of the most powerful and popular anti-aging treatments available. Here at The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL, we can use this treatment to smooth the skin, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and giving you a gorgeous, more youthful look.

What Exactly Does Botox Do?

This minimally invasive, FDA-approved treatment corrects wrinkles and deep lines that develop from – and become more pronounced with – repetitive facial movements. These lines are called “dynamic wrinkles”. Treatment works by targeting not the skin, but the muscles underneath it. With time, the acts of frowning, squinting, and other dynamic facial movements cause many prominent wrinkles to form on the face.

But in this treatment, the product is injected directly into the muscles below problem areas on the face. The product relaxes the muscles so that they don’t move. When the muscle activity is reduced, the skin on top smoothens visibly and doesn’t crease with movement. Patients love that they can emote freely and know that wrinkles aren’t forming as they talk and laugh. It’s effective on even very severe wrinkles, such as deep frown lines or worry lines. These gorgeous results last for as long as four months and the treatment itself takes a maximum of half an hour.

What Is Treatment Like?

Before

Prior to your treatment, we’ll ask you to come in for a consultation at our beautiful Bradenton office. This meeting gives us a chance to review your medical history and any medication you might be on to ensure you’re physically in a good condition for treatment. We’ll also talk about your cosmetic goals and make sure that this treatment is the most effective way to help you achieve them. We’ll design a treatment plan tailored to your needs and then you’ll be all set to come back in for your appointment!

On the Day

We’ll ask that you come in with a clean face for your appointment so there’s no risk of any foreign substance interfering with the injections. We perform treatment in-house so that the experience is comfortable and relaxing.

This session can take between ten and thirty minutes, depending on how many areas you’re looking to treat. It will also depend on how deep lines are and even the thickness of your skin tissue. We generally perform between three and five injections in a session to best target and treat the problematic areas. We’ll follow the plan we developed during your consultation, so you’ll know exactly what’s going to happen.

Afterward

Unlike many invasive surgical methods of rejuvenating the skin, this treatment requires no downtime following your session. Many of our patients carry on with their days as per usual right after, whether that’s returning to work or carrying out errands. Because we don’t use anesthetic, you can even drive yourself to and from your appointment. You’ll notice changes develop over the next few days, with optimal results becoming apparent after about three days.

Are There Any Steps To Follow After Treatment?

As mentioned above, you won’t need any rest period after your treatment. There are, however, a few guidelines we recommend so that your skin can heal quickly and you can enjoy the best results. Avoiding extreme heat, direct sunlight, and rigorous exercise will protect your sensitive skin from getting damaged. While you can likely return to your normal skincare regime quickly, we may advise against using products with active ingredients like retinol for twenty-four hours or so. We may offer more specific guidelines during your consultation based on your lifestyle or any specific skin concerns.

What Results Can I Expect From This Treatment?

People love how quickly their results develop following treatment. You may even notice your wrinkles diminishing straight away! It takes roughly three days to see the full results, which in comparison to many surgical alternatives is no time at all. This is a world of difference to at-home treatments and creams, which can take months to make any changes to the appearance of wrinkles. Not only that, but they’re usually faint changes that only reduce wrinkles and lines rather than eliminating them entirely.

Your skin with smooth as the muscles underneath them relax. Deep wrinkles will fade away and lines will even out. You’ll also find that regardless of how much you move your face, creases and folds no longer appear. You can say goodbye to crow’s feet when you’re squinting, lines between your eyebrows when you’re frowning, and long horizontal lines when you raise your eyebrows.

Because the treatment is so precise, untreated areas nearby will remain completely unaffected. This helps results look even more natural, so patients can enjoy their privacy. Subtle results mean no one will have to know you underwent treatment unless you want to tell them.

How Long Do Results Last and What Happens When They Fade?

Generally, Botox lasts for between four and five months. After this time, the muscles become active again, and wrinkles reform. Most of our patients loved their results so much that they happily book in what we call a “maintenance” or “touch-up” session.

We can talk about this during your first consultation, or you can call us when you start to notice wrinkles returning. Because it’s such an easy treatment, another appointment slots seamlessly into even the busiest of schedules. It will be very similar to your initial session and just rejuvenate the skin again.

How Does This Treatment Work?

The product used in injections is called Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox. When injected, it blocks the signals between nerves and the muscles nearby. So no matter how much your brain tells muscles to move and contract, without the nerves passing on the message, they won’t. This kind of treatment is called a “neuromodulator”. With relaxed muscles not affecting the skin and causing dynamic wrinkles, patients can enjoy moving and emoting freely.

Can Men Have This Treatment?

People of all genders develop these lines and wrinkles over time. For that reason, this treatment isn’t gendered in any way. It’s designed for anyone experiencing frustrating, stubborn wrinkles. In fact, men often experience the negatives of deep lines even more than women do, as these lines can make them look particularly angry or frustrated.

Doing Botox at Home

Unlike some face masks and peels, this treatment should never be tried at home. Our team has spent years studying and training to be able to professionally and expertly perform this treatment. They have access to the best resources and a state-of-the-art facility here in Bradenton, FL. Even if a person has access to the right products, the person performing the treatment is just as critical in the process.

Trying this at home could be very painful and even lead to lasting damage. At the very least, it won’t achieve optimal results. Not only do the staff at The Plastic Surgery Center know exactly what they’re doing, but their friendly and considerate demeanor will offer you a relaxing and stress-free experience.

Where Can This Treatment Be Applied?

This treatment targets deep lines that form when facial muscles contract, so we can use it on almost any of these wrinkles. That usually ends up being around the eyes, eyebrows, and forehead. We also treat around the mouth a lot.

No matter where you’re experiencing these lines, if they’re bothering you, it’s worth bringing them up with us during your consultation. Dr. Jeffrey Scott and his knowledgeable, attentive team will offer you expert advice about how this treatment can help you, how to manage your expectations when it comes to results, and what might be some good alternatives if it isn’t the right path.

What Are Some Alternative Treatments?

Sometimes, Botox doesn’t target the cosmetic concerns patients have. For example, many people are less troubled by dynamic wrinkles and more worried about sagging skin that’s creating marionette lines around the mouth, hollow cheeks, and a droopier jawline.

These signs of aging are caused by a loss of elasticity in the skin, which stops it from staying plump and lifted. We lose elasticity because of aging, sun exposure, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and even stress. If these are your skin concerns, we highly recommend dermal fillers.

These are injectables with a very similar treatment process, but they aren’t neuromodulators. Instead, they replenish the skin with hyaluronic acid, which plumps it and smooths out lines and folds. They also stimulate the growth of proteins like collagen and elastin, which keep the skin voluminous and supple. They can be very effective on nasolabial folds, the cheeks, and even plumping the lips. Like Botox, they’re quick and easy, producing fast and noticeable results with zero downtime. During your consultation, we can decide which treatment might be a better option for your skin concerns.

Why Should I Choose This Treatment Over Surgery?

Whilst surgery can be an incredible way to combat the signs of aging, it’s a big commitment. Patients are usually required to take time off work to heal, plus they need to organize a ride from their procedure and maybe even care for a few days. Some people are also worried about using anesthetic if they’ve found they have reactions to it.

If you have the time and are interested, however, then we highly recommend it. Procedures like facelifts and eyelid surgeries can refresh the skin in truly dazzling ways, leaving patients looking more youthful and thrilled with their new looks.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

As mentioned above, wrinkles and lines can affect people of any gender. The same goes for skin tone and even age (as long as you’re over eighteen). Dynamic wrinkles are caused by factors beyond age, such as genetics and lifestyle, so if they’re bothering you, come and have a chat.

Pregnant women or people on certain medications may be advised against this treatment. During your consultation, we can decide if you’re ineligible and happily talk through some excellent alternatives that we offer here.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you’ve been unhappy with deep, dynamic wrinkles on your face, you might be a good candidate for Botox. It can do what pharmacy-bought creams can’t and combat these lines from within, so you can enjoy lasting, beautiful results in no time at all. Ready for smoother, younger-looking skin? Visit The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL, today.

At The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, we have the privilege of working with patients of all ages. From injectable fillers to lower body lifts, these treatments help both men and women look their best at any stage of life. The same is true of a mommy makeover in Tampa – despite its name, it’s a package that’s right for almost anyone.

What Is the Right Age for a Mommy Makeover?

As a society, we tend to think of only young women or new mothers as wanting to rejuvenate their appearances. These limiting beliefs exclude all other females, assuming that at a certain point, they no longer care if their breasts are firm or their tummies are taut. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Women of all ages long to turn heads when they walk into a room. Having said that, there is no “right” age for a mommy makeover. They’re quite common at almost any age, whether your children are still young or now live away from home. But you should also know this package of procedures isn’t only limited to parents – it’s just as perfect for women who have never had kids and simply want to address body issues they aren’t happy with.

Tailored to Your Liking

The beauty of a full-body makeover is that it’s designed to meet your goals and can include almost any combination of procedures. The most common are:

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck

These procedures can be switched, however, to rejuvenate your face, backside, or even your arms. Think of it as a package that runs from your eyes to thighs, helping to remove wrinkles, get you back into waisted clothing, or help you fill out that little black dress with smooth, feminine curves.

Don’t Let Age Deter You

If you’re worried about age, rest assured it matters far less than you think. From 25 to 55 years old, the procedures incorporated into your makeover address concerns caused by pregnancy, aging, or both.

What matters more than age is overall health. We’ll review your medical history to ensure surgery is right for you. If you are a non-smoker and don’t have a health condition that increases your risks of having surgery or anesthesia, there’s every reason to believe surgery is just as safe now as when you were 10 or 15 years younger.

Ask for Clearance

All patients should consider asking for their doctor’s clearance prior to undergoing surgery. It’s equally important you answer questions about your present and previous health with honesty. Provide us with a list of medications you’re currently taking and, finally, have any tests we recommend for you before the procedure. These might include bloodwork, a mammogram, or an EKG.

Waiting Has Its Benefits

You may not realize it, but waiting to have your makeover comes with its own advantages. For instance, our younger patients often struggle to find someone who can look after their family for several weeks after the procedure. This is crucial because lifting and carrying anything, even youngsters, is off the table for up to six weeks as your body heals.

When you have older children, you don’t need to worry about arranging for a care provider who can carry and then put them to bed. By waiting, you’re also more likely to have the time necessary to prepare for and sufficiently heal after surgery. And with expenses like daycare no longer a concern, you can probably invest in yourself with greater ease.

A Few Considerations

We recommend you wait a year after the birth of your last child to schedule your makeover. Having another child after your makeover may undo all the hard work and effort put into your procedure. You should also be at or near your ideal weight; losing an additional 20 pounds or more can alter your results.

Reasons to Have This Makeover

The effects of time and childbearing can take their toll on the body. Breasts droop, abdominal skin stretches, and muscles grow loose. Over time, even with a healthful diet and exercise, skin continues to lose elasticity, tissues in the face sag, and pockets of fat cling stubbornly to specific spots.

While this sounds bleak, rest assured that former contours can be restored. The key is in understanding your body can’t always rejuvenate itself alone; in other words, you need help. And that’s what a full-body makeover provides: help to invigorate your body rather than alter it. Women who want to once again see their formerly flat abdomens and perky breasts need only select the right procedures. We take care of the rest.

Just One Recovery Period

If you were to choose the procedures of your full-body makeover individually, you would have to endure four or five different recovery periods. This means more time away from work, your family, and all the other activities you love doing.

But because we strategically plan your makeover to complete all the included procedures at once, you have only one recovery. You’ll also save money, as packaged plans are more affordable than individual surgeries. With the extra money kept in your pocket, you can buy new clothes or take a trip to showcase your newly svelte body.

A Reward for Yourself

Whether you’re a mother, aunt, daughter, sister, or friend, women give much of themselves emotionally and physically. They help others and often forget about self-care in the meantime. Now is a chance to give back to yourself by caring for your body and mind. Don’t feel guilty about a little indulgence – when you feel happy with your body and appearance, you’re better equipped to care for your friends and family.

Diet and Exercise Aren’t Enough

If you’re like most women we know, you strive to live your best possible life. This includes eating right (most of the time) and getting in at least the occasional workout. Yet you have a few trouble spots that just won’t disappear. Maybe extra padding remains on your thighs or stubborn fat clings to your middle. The point is you can’t lose these pockets, and there’s a reason why: the human body is designed to hold fat.

You may think this is a biological flaw, but in reality, it serves two crucial purposes. First, women need fat to support pregnancies and then feed babies. Second, in the event you cannot find food, that extra fat will help you survive. This is where a mommy makeover provides what the human body cannot give itself: precise fat loss, skin firming, and muscle tightening.

Renewed Confidence

The emotional and physical demands of caring for others – children or not – can leave you feeling older and less attractive than you are. But a makeover restores that feeling of sexiness. Your clothes will fit better, and the reflection in the mirror will boost your confidence.

Don’t worry – you don’t need to pick your procedures alone. We’ll offer professional advice and then craft your treatment plan, ensuring all facets of your body type are considered.

Fix What You Don’t Like

We recommend that prior to your consultation, you take a look in the mirror and identify those parts of your body you’d most like to address. But don’t feel pressured to change everything if certain spots make you happy. If your breasts have dropped a size or two since breastfeeding and are now more comfortable, you don’t have to restore them back to their previous size.

Likewise, if your buttocks are fuller or your hips wider now that you’re a little older, and you like how they look, leave them be. The point of a full-body makeover is to address what you don’t like and leave the rest intact. Never let the opinions of others factor into your decisions – all that matters is how you feel.

The Common Components

Earlier, we listed four procedures that are commonly included in the mommy makeover package. The first, breast augmentation, enhances your breast size so they appear fuller and bigger. Many women opt for this surgery to restore lost volume, such as commonly happens after breastfeeding. We use implants made from silicone or saline in a variety of styles so you can achieve the look you want.

Keep in mind a breast augmentation is different from a breast lift. The latter can give you a younger, perkier appearance by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissues. This essentially reshapes the breasts so they no longer appear droopy or saggy; it also elevates the nipples so they project outward rather than downward.

Tummy Tuck

This procedure is a great way to tighten abdominal muscles and, again, remove excess skin to achieve a flatter abdomen. The uterus stretches during pregnancy to accommodate your growing baby, and muscles often separate to create a pouch that remains even after you’ve lost the pregnancy weight. A tummy tuck corrects this to give you smoother and more toned contours.

Liposuction

We’ve already discussed stubborn body fat, but now we’re going to talk about how you can get rid of it. Liposuction allows you to target those areas that seem all but impossible to lose, including the thighs, back, and hips. It even works on the abdomen to eliminate tummy bulges.

Remember, however, a mommy makeover is intended to be completely customizable. This means you can also choose from any number of other therapies, including:

• Facelift
• Brow lift
• Breast reduction
• Arm lift
• Thigh lift

 

Plan Your Recovery

In the weeks after your makeover, we’ll want to see you in the office for a follow-up. We’ll review your progress and ensure you’re healing properly. The key during this time is to properly rest. This will mean limiting household chores and taking time away from work. You’ll also need to stock up on healthful foods, stay hydrated, and create a resting place for yourself with comfortable pillows and blankets.

Recovery periods vary between patients and depend on the procedures you elect to have. While you won’t be able to resume vigorous exercise for a while, you will be encouraged to walk shortly after your procedure. This will keep muscles l imber and promote strong blood flow to tissues that are healing. As we monitor your progress, we’ll let you know when it’s safe to get back to normal activities.

A Makeover for You

Parent or not, if you have concerns you want to address on your face or body, a mommy makeover can swiftly take care of them. We’ll design treatment around you, and if you’re worried about your age, don’t be. The more important factor is your health. Restore your confidence and schedule your consultation today by calling The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL.

We have smart televisions, smartphones, and smart cars, and they all make our life easier in so many ways. What if there was a way to apply this concept to the beauty industry? We have news: there is, and we have it. At Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we are proud to offer Smart Lipo, a smarter way to do liposuction so that you get all of the benefits without the downsides.

 

What Is Smart Lipo?

Liposuction can be invasive, but there’s a new minimally invasive treatment that accomplishes the same goal and does it without the drawbacks. Smart Lipo isn’t a way to lose weight, but it’s a way to get rid of stubborn fat that diet and exercise methods haven’t been able to.

 

It permanently removes stubborn fat from the body but uses a laser to do so. Laser-assisted liposuction has extra benefits when compared to traditional liposuction, and provides you with a much quicker recovery time.

 

How Does It Work?

Smart Lipo, also known as laser-assisted lipo, takes the goal and process of traditional liposuction to the next level. It begins with the fat-melting process. A tube called a cannula is used to help direct the medical-grade laser into the stubborn fat.

 

The laser heat then softens and melts the stubborn fat, making it much easier to remove from the body. Melting the fat before removing it makes a world of difference. Once melted, the fat cells are gently suctioned out of the body. This laser-led method results in fast recovery and significantly less downtime.

 

The Importance of Realistic Expectations

One of the most important things that you can do before you choose this procedure is to make sure that you have realistic expectations. Doing so will help you walk into your procedure with confidence and have the best recovery. It’s also important to know what Smart Lipo can and cannot do.

 

It can get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that simply don’t respond to diet and fitness efforts, but it can’t get rid of large amounts of fat. It also can’t prevent the development of new fat cells that come with weight gain. To maintain long-lasting results, you need to make sure that you continue to eat healthily and maintain a consistent exercise routine. Doing so will help you enjoy your results forever.

 

The Smart Lipo Difference

Many people are wary of going under general anesthesia because of the added risk factors. With Smart Lipo, you don’t need general anesthesia; the entire procedure can be performed with local anesthesia. You won’t have to go under or worry about any of the risk factors associated with being put to sleep. As a bonus, your recovery will be that much better. Many patients are back to work and can resume all of their normal activities after a weekend of rest following the treatment.

 

There Are Fewer Drawbacks

Laser-assisted lipo works in such a way that you won’t have to worry about the normal side effects that are just par for the course when it comes to traditional liposuction. The entire treatment focuses on making everything seamless and easy, which helps promote a quick recovery. The fat-melting process is designed to help you recover faster without experiencing all of the normal side effects that accompany the traditional version of liposuction.

 

You’ll Get Quicker Results

We live in a world of now. Everyone wants everything now. Waiting is a thing of the past, and if we do have to wait, even for a web page to load, we’re incredibly inconvenienced. This applies to beauty and body contouring treatments as well. We want to see results as soon as possible. With Smart Lipo, you won’t have to wait around for results but will get that quick satisfaction.

 

What Happens During the Procedure?

Your Consultation

This process begins with a consultation that takes place in the comfort of our office. During the consultation, we will review your goals, analyze your problem areas, discuss your health history, and review any medications that you have or are currently taking to make sure that you are a candidate for this procedure. Once we confirm your candidacy, we will develop a customized treatment plan that will meet all of your needs.

 

The Day of Your Appointment

Your procedure will begin with your before pictures. These pictures are important because they’ll give you and us something to look back on and compare with your after pictures. You’ll be able to see a clear and visible difference in how you look before and after Smart Lipo Tampa. Then, we will mark the spots of your treatment areas so that we can treat you accurately with precision.

 

The treatment areas will then be numbed through the use of local anesthesia so that you remain completely comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the numbing takes effect, the cannula will be inserted into the treatment sites, creating a pathway for the laser. The laser will then be inserted into the cannula and the fat-melting process will begin.

 

The Fat-Melting Process

Once the laser has been inserted into the treatment sites, the fat-melting process will begin. The heat generated by the laser softens and then melts the fat so that it can be removed with a different cannula, gently and efficiently.

 

After all of the fat has been removed in the target areas, we will clean the treatment sites, and then your procedure will be complete. Traditional liposuction can take four hours or more, but the benefit of laser-assisted lipo is that it typically only takes two hours to complete per treatment area.

 

The AfterCare

Once your procedure is complete, we will let you rest for a short time, and then we will provide you with the aftercare instructions that you need to follow to ensure a quick recovery.

 

The Importance of Your Recovery

Most patients find out after about a week of rest that they’re ready to get back on their feet and resume their daily activities. We will provide you with all of the aftercare instructions you need so that you can experience the best recovery possible.

 

We will be with you every step of the way and will walk along this journey with you. If at any point in the process you have any questions at all, simply contact our office and one of our experts will be happy to help provide you with the answers that you need.

 

Rest, Rest, Rest

The number one way to speed your recovery is to give your body the proper amount of rest. If you’re a type-A person, this may be difficult for you but know that every hour you spend resting will get you one step closer to getting back on your feet and enjoying your results.

 

If you can, enlist someone who can help you with household chores and duties, such as cleaning and meal preparation during the first day or so following your procedure. Cooking meals and doing laundry are the last things you want to be doing when you really should be relaxing and resting.

 

Wear Your Compression Garment

Compression garments were created for procedures just like this one. They help your body recover by limiting the amount of fluid build-up. If your body does hold onto extra fluid during your recovery, this garment will also help your body get rid of it that much faster. We will ask you to wear your compression garments for the first few weeks following your procedure and then as needed for your comfort during your recovery.

 

Avoid the Gym

After a week of resting, most patients are ready to resume all of their normal day-to-day activities. It’s important during that first week that you don’t over-exert yourself by doing any strenuous activities, and that includes hitting the gym. The more time you give your body to recover, the faster you’ll be able to get back to your workouts and show off your new tighter, toned body.

 

Quit Smoking

Smoking is detrimental to any recovery process after any procedure. Chemicals and cigarettes steal the oxygen that your body needs especially during your recovery. As a result, you won’t see your results as quickly as you would if you didn’t smoke.

 

We will advise you to quit smoking during your recovery, so if you are a smoker, you can get a step ahead of the process and make your recovery that much faster and that much more painless by quitting the habit before your appointment.

 

Attend Your Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up appointments are an important part of your recovery process. During these appointments, we will check on your treatment sites and make sure that everything is healing accordingly so that you can get back to all your favorite things and enjoy your new results as quickly as possible.

 

Who Is a Candidate?

There are several different groups of individuals who qualify for this procedure. Laser-assisted lipo is not a weight loss procedure. It cannot help those who are obese lose a significant amount of weight, but it can treat stubborn fat on those who are at or near their goal weight.

Fit Individuals

Some of the fittest people you know have turned to this procedure as a way to hone their body and get a little bit closer to perfection. Stubborn fat is stubborn regardless of your body type. It doesn’t differentiate between the average person and the marathon runner or those who love toning their bodies at the gym.

This procedure will get rid of the stubborn fat that has been standing in the way between you and your six-pack so that you can finally show off those muscles that you worked so hard to build. You can’t spot treat in the gym, but you can spot-treat in our office and that is the beauty of this procedure and why so many people have chosen it to help them finally reach all of their body goals.

Those Who Are at a Healthy Weight

If you aren’t a fitness fanatic but you are finally at your goal weight, this procedure can help you lose those last few pounds of stubborn fat that just won’t seem to respond regardless of what you do. It will help you do what your diet and your exercise routine simply cannot.

If you are obese or you’re not at your goal weight yet, you aren’t disqualified from this procedure entirely. Once you lose the weight necessary to get healthy and be at the weight that’s right for your body type, you can look to this procedure to help you fine-tune any leftover areas holding onto stubborn fat.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re ready to finally get the body of your dreams without all of the drawbacks that are typically associated with traditional liposuction, we can help. Contact us today at Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, and schedule your initial consultation with one of our experts to find out how Smart Lipo can help you.

If you have large breasts, you will be likely to develop back and shoulder pain. In addition, you might feel self-conscious about your appearance and have difficulty participating in sports and exercise programs. At The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL, we can address these issues by providing you with a breast reduction. This procedure will bring your breasts into proportion with your other features.

Are You a Candidate for Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is used to decrease the size of your breasts. This procedure can alleviate a variety of emotional and physical problems. If you are experiencing these issues, you are likely to be a good candidate for this procedure.

Considering Your Physical Issues

Large breasts can cause you to experience a wide range of physical challenges. For example, you are likely to develop shoulder, back, or neck pain. This pain can become worse over time. Further, your breasts may cause your bra strap to make uncomfortable indentations in your skin, and you might develop rashes on the skin in the creases under your breasts. It’s also common to have difficulty taking part in exercise programs and sporting events.

If you are experiencing any of these physical issues, you should think about using a cosmetic procedure to reduce the size of your breasts. Bringing your breasts into proportion with the rest of your figure will reduce your back pain and make it easier for you to take part in physical activities.

Considering Your Emotional Challenges

In addition to causing you to experience physical problems, your large breasts can create emotional challenges. You might feel self-conscious about your figure and develop depression or anxiety. Further, you might not feel comfortable wearing certain types of clothing. Changing the size of your breasts will decrease your anxiety and improve your self-esteem.

Considering Your Health

To achieve favorable results from this type of cosmetic procedure, you will need to meet a number of medical requirements. In particular, you might not be able to get a reduction if you have a bleeding disorder or other significant health problem. Further, you will need to have a realistic understanding of the positive changes that you are likely to see in your breasts.

Why Do You Have Large Breasts?

Your genetics, weight, and other variables will influence the size of your breasts.

Your Genetics

Your genes will affect the size and shape of your breasts. You can inherit the tendency to develop large breasts from your mother, aunts, grandmothers, and other relatives on both sides of your family.

Your Weight

You don’t have to be overweight to have disproportionately large breasts. If this type of figure runs in your family, you might be a slim, active person with very large breasts. However, gaining weight can change the condition of the fatty tissues in your breasts. As a result, your breasts will probably become bigger if you gain a large amount of weight.

Your Hormones

Your production of hormones will also impact the size of your breasts. For example, you will experience hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These changes are likely to increase the size of your breasts.

How Should You Prepare for Your Reduction?

Before you receive your breast reduction, you will have an initial consultation with us.

Receiving an Initial Consultation

Your consultation will give you an opportunity to ask us questions about this procedure. In addition to asking questions, you should be ready to discuss your reasons for seeking this procedure and review your medical background in detail. You will also need to tell us about any allergies or health issues that you have. For example, you should tell us if you have received a cosmetic procedure or experienced a medical issue that affected your breasts in the past.

During your consultation, we will carefully examine your breasts, take photographs, and measure specific features in this area. We will also give you more information about the type of cosmetic techniques and anesthesia that we will use during your procedure.

Preparing for Your Procedure

Once we have scheduled a date for your reduction, we will give you individualized instructions to follow. Although your set of instructions will be personalized, we are likely to ask you to quit smoking cigarettes. In addition, you may have to temporarily stop using aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications. Further, we might instruct you to stop eating or drinking by a certain time on the day before your reduction.

What Type of Reduction Will You Receive?

We will use different methods to reshape, reduce, and lift your breasts. The size and shape of your breasts, your cosmetic goals, and other variables will affect the techniques that we will use to achieve these goals.

Beginning Your Reduction

We will typically begin your reduction by providing you with general anesthesia. This medication will allow you to remain unconscious during your procedure. Although the length of your reduction will vary, this procedure will usually take about three to four hours.

Reshaping Your Breasts

We can use a variety of different incision options to improve your breasts. For example, we might start your procedure by creating anchor-shaped incisions around your areolas and the undersides of your breasts. Alternatively, we might make vertical incisions in your breasts. If you have very large breasts, we may perform a nipple graft during your procedure.

We will use these techniques to remove extra fat, skin, and other tissues from your breasts. In addition, we will move your nipples to a higher, more attractive location on your chest.

Removing Extra Fat

In addition to using incisions to improve your breasts, we may perform liposuction during your reduction. If we use this technique to change your breasts, we will suction out some of the fatty tissues in this location. Depending on your needs, we may also remove extra fat from your armpit area.

Completing Your Procedure

After we have repositioned your nipples, we will use dissolvable sutures to close your incisions and place bandages or tape on your breasts. In addition, we might put you into a special bra or compression garment that will keep your breasts in position during the beginning of your recovery period.

Since your reduction will be an outpatient procedure, you won’t have to spend the night in the hospital. After we have observed your reaction to this procedure, you will be able to go to your home and start your recovery period.

What Should You Expect During the Recovery Period?

Your recovery period is likely to last for several weeks. During this time, you will need to schedule time away from your job and make some adjustments to your typical routine.

Taking a Rest

You should plan on taking at least seven days off from your job. If you have childcare responsibilities, you should ask a friend or relative to care for your children during this time. This person can also help you cook meals, clean your home, and perform other daily tasks.

While you are beginning your recovery, we may instruct you to take over-the-counter or prescription medications. In addition, you should not perform challenging fitness routines or pick up heavy objects for about four to six weeks.

Wearing a Special Bra

We will probably instruct you to wear a special type of bra for the next several weeks. After you remove your special bra, you will probably need to wear a supportive sports bra for up to four weeks. You should not wear a bra with an underwire during your recovery period. The underwire in this type of bra could rub against your incisions and disrupt the healing process.

When Will You See the Final Impact of Your Reduction?

Your breasts will be noticeably smaller after your procedure is complete. However, the tissues in this location will take several months to completely heal. You will typically see the final impact of your reduction within six to 12 months.

Will Your Procedure Permanently Improve the Size of Your Breasts?

The techniques that we use to decrease the size of your breasts are likely to have a permanent effect on your figure. As a result, you shouldn’t need to receive additional treatments or procedures to change the size of your breasts.

However, our procedure cannot prevent age, weight gain, and other factors from changing the shape and size of your breasts. For example, your breasts can become bigger if you gain a large amount of weight after you receive your reduction. Further, going through menopause or pregnancy can alter the appearance of your breasts. It’s also common to develop sagging problems as your skin becomes weaker and less elastic.

Should You Use This Procedure To Improve Your Breasts?

If you have very large, heavy breasts, you will be likely to develop sagging problems. For example, your breasts may move into a lower position on your chest at a relatively early stage in your life. You can improve this issue by getting a reduction. In addition to decreasing the size of your chest, we will improve your appearance by positioning your breasts into a higher location on your chest.

Receiving a Breast Lift

Alternatively, we can change the position of your breasts by giving you a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy. We can use two main techniques to reposition your breasts.

During a vertical mastopexy, we will make small incisions around your areolas and the lower folds in your breasts. If you receive an anchor incision mastopexy, we will make additional incisions in your lower breast fold. These incisions will allow us to gently raise your nipples and tighten your skin.

Choosing a Procedure

The procedure that’s right for you will depend on the size of your breasts, the condition of your skin, and the goals that you are trying to achieve. If you are primarily interested in fixing your sagging issues, we will probably advise you to receive a breast lift. If you would like to minimize sagging problems and decrease the size of your chest, we are likely to recommend a reduction.

Schedule a Consultation

Very large breasts can interfere with your ability to exercise and spend time playing sports. In addition, you might struggle to find comfortable bras and suffer from back and shoulder pain. Receiving a breast reduction can correct these problems and increase your satisfaction with your figure. To learn whether you are a candidate for this procedure, contact us at The Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL.