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 rhinoplasty. 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 rhinoplasty. 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.

Injections are made into problematic areas. Thanks to the treatment being highly targeted, the product will never affect surrounding areas. It is quick and virtually painless, with some patients asking for a topical numbing treatment to be applied beforehand. Even without numbing cream, the needle is so fine that patients report no discomfort throughout.

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 painless, 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. 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.

If your breasts do not sit quite where they used to be, a breast lift could be exactly the treatment that you’ve been looking for. These days, lifts are easier and more effective than ever. Our team at The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, Florida has helped many women just like you look and feel their best. If your breasts could use a little pick me up, talk to our expert team, and learn more about your options.

What Does a Breast Lift Involve?

Lifts are outpatient treatments that only take a handful of hours to perform. The good news is that you will probably only need one lift in your lifetime. Most people find that their breasts stay right in position after the lift is done. Although everyone is different, the basic treatment is to lift the breast tissue and remove any excess skin. Sometimes the areola is reduced in size as well to make the breasts look more aesthetically appealing. Talk to our team about your goals, and we will come up with the best treatment plan for you.

Types of Treatments Available

There are two basic types of lift treatments available; Incision Mastopexy and Vertical Mastopexy. We will walk you through the details of both types of treatments during your initial consultation. Essentially, the Incision Mastopexy removes more excess skin, which is an excellent option for those who have lost a significant amount of weight or undergone several pregnancies.

Additional Breast Augmentation

Sometimes people want a larger cup size with their lift, so a concurrent breast augmentation is an option. At The Plastic Surgery Center, we offer many augmentation options are will be happy to discuss the right one for you and your body type.

The “Mommy Makeover”

Mommy Makeovers have been gaining in popularity over the last several years, and it is very easy to see why! Pregnancy can take a huge toll on women’s’ bodies, and the Mommy Makeover helps to put everything back in place, as good as new. Mommy Makeovers generally involve a lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, and can include additional treatments like breast augmentation or stomach contouring.

You don’t need to be a mommy to get one of these treatments either. At The Plastic Surgery Center, we can help you sculpt your perfect body through a series of treatments designed just for you.

Why Do People Get This Treatment?

There are plenty of reasons why people opt to lift their breasts. Simple gravity takes a toll on all of our bodies, moving previously high breasts lower on our torsos and causing our nipples to point downwards instead of out. Although you can get a breast lift at any age, the majority of people who opt for these treatments are in their 40s or 50s, and many have had multiple pregnancies or weight loss. The elasticity in their chests is not what it used to be, and they want the youthful bodies that they once had. Fortunately, with this simple treatment, virtually anyone can get their old body back.

Treatment Benefits

There are several immediate benefits to getting a lift, and over time, most people notice more and more of them:

• Higher, rounder breasts
• More self-confidence
• A chest that looks better in clothes
• A more aesthetically-pleasing areola 
• A slimmer appearance

You might also feel more confident wearing swimsuits or tops that you didn’t have the confidence to wear before and experience more intimate joy with your partner due to an enhanced sense of confidence and body image.

Additional Breast Treatments

At The Plastic Surgery Center, we offer many different types of treatments to address all of your breast concerns. Sometimes patients like to combine one or more of these treatments with their breast lift. Talk to us about your specific needs and we will give you our expert opinion on the best course of action for you. Our primary goal is to give you the white-glove treatment and to make sure that you are happy with the process every step of the way.

Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a very popular treatment that can make your breasts appear larger or fuller. Some women like to have an augmentation done along with their lift, especially if their breasts are thin or narrow. We offer two different kinds of augmentation treatments. Talk to our team to determine which one works best for you. All of our treatment plans are perfectly safe and effective.

Saline

Saline implants are saltwater-based and have a firmer feel than silicone ones. They are better for women with more native breast tissue and are FDA approved for women over the age of 18.

Silicone

The benefit of silicone is that it looks and feels a lot like native breast tissue. Made out of gel, silicone implants can be used to increase the volume of your breasts and change their shape. Silicone implants are not FDA approved for women under 22.

Autologous Breast Fat Transfer

The autologous breast fat transfer treatment is an exciting new method that uses the patients’ own fat to reshape and enhance their breasts. This treatment is popular for two reasons; since you are using your own organic material, there is less chance that you will have an allergic reaction or problem with the implant, and you get to remove unwanted tissue from another area of the body. Most people see it as a true win-win!

Talk to our team about what option is best for you.

Reduction

On the other hand, sometimes people want to reduce the size of their breasts during the lift. Too-large breasts can feel and look cumbersome and contribute to other health complaints like back issues or poor posture. They can even cause your bra straps to cut into your shoulder tissue. Sometimes, larger breasts can even make you look heavier than you actually are by hanging too low on your frame.

Breasts can be reduced and lifted at the same time, giving you a more streamlined look and boosting your self-esteem at the same time.

Lifestyle Choices for Perky Breasts

A breast lift is one way to raise your chest and help you look perkier and healthier, but you can also change your lifestyle to keep your chest nice and high before or after the treatment.

Invest in a Good Bra

A good bra is so important. Your bra is your last line of defense against sagging, so it’s important to have a proper, professional bra fitting and invest in bras that won’t let you down. Get good bras with a lot of support even if you have to spend a little bit of extra money on them. It’s worth it in the long run. Not only will your breasts stay higher, but your back will likely feel better, your posture should improve, and you may just look slimmer and more fit overall.

Stop Smoking

Smoking can do a lot of damage to your health and body, including decreasing the elasticity of your skin. As the skin around your breasts loses its elasticity, your chest will begin to sag. Butt out the cigarettes to keep your breasts lifted up higher, in addition to many other health and beauty benefits. Even cutting back will help protect you against premature aging and the health effects of cigarettes.

Protect Your Skin

The sun might feel so good on your skin, but it can also wreak havoc on your chest. Sun damage can lead to wrinkles and make skin look looser and saggier. Protect your delicate chest with a good SPF, and make sure that you reapply it if you go into the water or are outside for a prolonged period of time. You can also wear a light-weight shirt in a light color to keep the sun’s rays off your skin.

Exercise

Work out those pecs! Your breasts rest right on top of your pectoral muscles, so by simply working out your chest, you will strengthen the muscles behind your breasts and make them appear higher. It’s important to note that you can’t actually strengthen your breast tissue itself. Breast tissue is made up of fat, not muscle, but you can strengthen your chest muscles and your core. Additionally, exercise can lead to better posture over time, which will help stand straighter and make your breasts appear to be higher as a result.

Invest in a good exercise bra. It’s tempting to buy cheap bras for exercising, but when you’re moving your body around a lot, you need your breasts to be secure. Excess bouncing during your cardio can cause your breasts to sag even more. It’s important to get fitted for an exercise bra, just as you would for any other type of bra. Do the jump test to make sure that your breasts don’t move when you do. If they stay put, you know that you have a winner.

Stop Crash Dieting

Crash dieting can cause our weight to fluctuate dramatically and make our skin stretch and contract more than it is comfortable doing. Excessive weight loss and weight gain will almost certainly make your breasts sag, so try to keep an even keel when it comes to dieting. The best idea is to eat a diet rich in the right types of foods, stick to an exercise regimen that works for you, and try to incorporate other healthy lifestyle habits, like a good sleep schedule and stress-relief plan, into your life.

These lifestyle tips can help your breasts stay perky and high and can also spill over into other areas of your life and wellness. Start small and take actionable steps to work towards a healthier you.

Reclaim Your Body Today

If your breasts simply don’t look the way that they used to, we can help. Our team has over 25 years of experience in cosmetic surgery and we believe in personalized care, compassionate and actionable treatment plans, and involving you every step of the way. Your comfort is our mandate, and we want you to have the best possible experience. All of our treatments are safe, effective, and as minimally invasive as possible. Our goal is to help you walk away feeling renewed and confident, as well as looking youthful and naturally your best.

A breast lift can enhance your body and give you back the look and feel of your younger days. Let us help you find your personal Fountain of Youth. Contact The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, Florida at 1-800-941-4302 for a no-pressure consultation on your options.

If your friends are constantly telling you that you look tired, sad, or upset, you might be a good candidate for a blepharoplasty. This sophisticated cosmetic procedure can make you look happy and alert by changing the appearance of your eyelids. At The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida, we can use this technique to improve your upper and lower eyelids.

Blepharoplasty Basics: Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

If you’ve never liked the appearance of your eyelids or are frustrated by how your eyelids have changed over time, you might be a good candidate for a blepharoplasty. This aesthetic procedure can be an ideal way to remove puffiness from under your eyes. We can also use this technique to fix droopy, sagging skin on your upper eyelids.

To be eligible for this cosmetic procedure, you should be an adult who is in relatively good health. Since bleeding disorders and other health problems can affect your ability to get this procedure, we will need to go over your medical history before we begin the process of improving your eyelids. In addition, we will need to carefully examine the skin in and around your eyes.

Why Have My Eyelids Changed Over Time?

Exposure to the sun, your genes, and other factors will cause the appearance of your eyelids to change as you get older.

Changes in Your Skin

The skin on your eyelids is very thin and delicate. In fact, the skin on your upper eyelids is one of the thinnest, most fragile areas of your body.

As you get older, the elastin and collagen in your skin will become weaker. In addition, exposure to the ultra-violet rays emitted by the sun will cause these structural proteins to degrade. As these proteins lose strength, the delicate skin on your eyelids will become loose and inelastic. These changes may cause your eyelids to droop and sag.

Changes in Your Muscles and Tissues

As you age, the muscles and tissues in this area of your body will also begin to change. There are layers of muscle and fat underneath the skin in your eyelids. These layers are separated by a thin membrane that is known as the orbital septum. Your orbital septum and muscles will become weaker as you get older.

When your muscles and orbital septum lose strength, the fat under your eyes will move into new positions. These changes may cause you to develop bags under your eyes. In addition, your upper eyelids may become loose and puffy.

What Will My Initial Consultation Be Like?

During your initial consultation, we will carefully assess the condition of your eyelids. We will also review your medical background and talk about the puffiness, sagging, and other issues that are bothering you. After we have discussed your aesthetic goals, we can tell you whether we can improve these problems by enhancing your upper eyelids, your lower eyelids, or both.

To help us give your eyelids a youthful, attractive look, you should consider bringing in photographs of you that were taken 10 to 15 years ago. These old photographs can help us determine how the appearance of your eyes has changed over time.

How Should I Prepare for My Eyelid Procedure?

We will probably tell you not to take blood-thinning medications like aspirin for a few days before your eyelid procedure. These medications can alter the behavior of your blood and make it more difficult for you to recover from this procedure.

In addition, you might have to stop eating or drinking during a specific time on the day before your appointment. Since our instructions will be tailored to fit your unique needs, we will provide you with more information when you schedule your blepharoplasty.

What Techniques Can Be Used to Improve My Upper Eyelids?

This procedure can be used to minimize sagging and puffy skin on your upper eyelids. We may begin your procedure by making temporary marks in the skin in your target area. These marks will direct us as we make a tiny incision into the fold on each of your upper eyelids.

We will use these incisions to remove excess skin from your eyelids. We can also remove or reposition some of the fat that is located under your eyelids. Removing this fat will reduce puffiness in this location. We will finish your procedure by using sutures to close your incisions. We may also apply an ointment and bandages to your eyelids.

What Techniques Can Be Used to Improve My Lower Eyelids?

A lower eyelid procedure is designed to minimize bags and puffiness underneath your eyes. We can accomplish this goal by performing an inside or outside lower eyelid procedure.

Inside Lower Eyelid Procedure

If you have excess fat but no unnecessary skin around your lower eyelids, we will probably recommend that you receive this type of procedure. We may put protective plastic shields into your eyes at the beginning of your procedure. Next, we will carefully hold out each of your lower eyelids.

Once your eyelids are in position, we will make a small incision into the membrane that is located on the inside of your lower eyelids. This membrane is known as the conjunctiva. This incision will allow us to remove fat deposits that are located under your eyelids.

Outside Lower Eyelid Procedure

If you have excessive amounts of skin on your lower eyelids, we will probably advise you to receive an outside blepharoplasty. During this type of procedure, we may begin the process of improving your eyelids by putting protective plastic devices into your eyes. Next, we may make temporary markings on your lower eyelids. These markings will guide us as we make incisions into your skin.

We will make a small incision into the skin on the outside of each of your lower eyelids. Next, we will make a small incision into the muscle under each of your lower eyelids. We will use these incisions to eliminate your excess fat and remove unnecessary skin from this area of your body. Removing your excess fat and skin will make your eyes look less puffy and tired.

What Type of Anesthesia Will I Receive During My Procedure?

The type of anesthesia that you need will depend on the methods that we are using to improve your eyelids, whether you are improving your upper or lower eyelids, and other factors. Under many circumstances, we can use local anesthesia during your procedure. This type of anesthesia will numb the skin and tissues around your eyelids.

If you are making more extensive improvements to your eyelids, you might need to receive general anesthesia. If you use this type of anesthesia, you will be unconscious throughout your procedure.

How Long Will My Eyelids Take to Recover?

It’s important to spend some time at home resting while your eyelids are recovering from this procedure. Although your body’s healing process will be unique, it’s normal to spend about one to two weeks recovering from your eyelid procedure. During this time, we may instruct you to take medications that will help you remain comfortable. We may also ask you to apply cold compresses to your treatment area.

You will also need to visit our office so that we can analyze your eyelids’ response to your procedure. We may remove your sutures during your follow-up visit. In addition to visiting our office, you should not participate in strenuous physical activities for the next three weeks.

When Will I See Positive Changes in My Eyelids?

You will not see the final results of your eyelid procedure right away. Instead, you’ll need to be patient while your eyelids recover from your procedure. Fortunately, the healing process is usually relatively short, and you should notice improvements in your eyelids within about two weeks. You will probably see the full effects of your eyelid procedure within six months.

Will the Changes in My Eyelids Last for a Long Time?

This eyelid procedure will create lasting improvements in the skin and other tissues on and around your eyelids. In fact, if you take good care of your skin, your eyelids are likely to look alert, fresh, and youthful for many years.

However, you will need to have realistic expectations about the long-term effects of your eyelid procedure. Although this procedure is very effective, it will not stop your eyelids from continuing to change as you age.

Will My Health Insurance Cover the Cost of My Eyelid Procedure?

Under many circumstances, this procedure is designed to improve your appearance by making your eyelids look more youthful and alert. If you are receiving this procedure in order to achieve this aesthetic goal, your health insurance is unlikely to cover your costs. That said, some eyelid procedures are designed to improve your vision. If your eyelid procedure is medically necessary, your insurance is likely to pay for your costs.

Can I Improve Other Features During My Eyelid Procedure?

Combining a blepharoplasty with other cosmetic procedures can be a good way to fix sagging or loose skin on other areas of your face. For example, it’s common to receive a brow lift in connection with your eyelid procedure.

A brow lift is designed to address sagging on the upper portion of your face. Your forehead will develop wrinkles and your eyebrows will move into a lower position on your face as you get older. As your skin wrinkles and your eyebrows sag, you may begin to look tired or upset. During a brow lift, we will fix this issue by making small incisions in or around your hairline. These incisions will allow us to improve the appearance of this portion of your face.

Will This Procedure Remove the Wrinkles at the Corners of My Eyes?

It’s normal to have lines and wrinkles around the corners of your eyes. These wrinkles, which are commonly known as crow’s feet, are caused by squinting, smiling, and other facial expressions that cause the skin in this area to crease and fold.

This procedure is not designed to remove your crow’s feet. If this issue bothers you, you should consider using Botox to diminish these wrinkles. Botox is an injectable product that will temporarily minimize your crow’s feet. Administering this injectable is a very quick process, and your crow’s feet are likely to be reduced for at least three months.

Improve Your Eyelids

Fixing your saggy upper eyelids will make you look rested, youthful, and alert. In addition, we can use special techniques to remove the bags and excess skin on your lower eyelids. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of using a blepharoplasty to enhance your upper or lower eyelids, you should contact us at The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida to set up an initial meeting.

Breasts come in many shapes and sizes and, due to the aging process or other external factors, tend to change their shape and/or location over time. When you don’t feel good about your breasts, it can negatively impact your self-esteem and self-confidence. At the Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL, we understand your concerns and can treat your condition with a fat transfer breast augmentation.

What Is a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

This is a procedure during which fat is removed from one part of your body and injected into your breasts. The process involves liposuction on an area of your body that has adequate fat deposits. Fat cells are removed from this area, sterilized, and then reinjected into your breasts to create firmer, larger, natural-feeling breasts.

Fat injections are not the only method by which you can increase the size of your breasts. The other option you have is breast implants. While both can result in larger breasts, a fat transfer breast augmentation uses your own fatty tissue to increase your bust size instead of silicone or saline implants.

How Much Fat Do You Need for a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation?

Augmenting your breasts via fat transfer requires a certain amount of fat in the donor area. The exact amount of necessary fat will vary from patient to patient depending on their cosmetic goals. For example, a woman looking to go up one cup size will require less donor fat than someone who wants to upgrade two cup sizes.

Women who have very little excess body fat will have a hard time finding an adequate donor area from which fat can be harvested. For these women, breast implants will generally provide better results. Additionally, women with adequate donor fat deposits who are looking for a much larger bust may benefit more from implants as well as fat transfer.

What Are Some of the Common Donor Areas for Fat Transfer?

Many consider the ideal female form to be soft and curvy, with a narrow waist and wider hips. Genetics, age, and lifestyle factors all influence the shape of a woman’s body and it can be difficult to reach your cosmetic goals without one or more treatments or procedures. Below are a few of the most common areas from which donor fat can be harvested.

Abdomen

Men generally carry more weight in their abdomen than women do, but for some women, there is enough fatty tissue to harvest. Depending on what your cosmetic goals are, you may be able to select this area as your donor site.

Flanks (Love Handles)

Love handles tend to go hand-in-hand with significant excess belly fat – but not always. Women looking to trim their waist size down to a more desirable one can have fat removed from their flanks and injected into their breasts, thereby producing a more pleasing body contour.

Thighs

Women tend to accumulate more fat in their lower body, making the thighs a common place for fat transfer. Thighs are a great place to have fat removed if you feel like your body is out of proportion and your hips or thighs are significant contributors to that condition.

Upper Arms

Another area that makes a good candidate for fat transfer is the upper arms. Many women who gain weight, whether through pregnancy, aging, or lifestyle, experience the accumulation of fat on the upper arms. The fat that accumulates up here can get soft and jiggly faster than other areas of the body.

When fat is removed, your upper arms can look smaller, tighter, and more toned, depending on the amount of fat there to begin with.

Buttocks

A large, round butt is popular nowadays, making the buttocks seem like an odd place to want to have fat removed. However, everyone’s cosmetic goals are unique to them, and there are plenty of women who aren’t interested in having their buttocks enhanced but would prefer to have it reduced in size.

Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentations are common procedures because most women qualify as candidates for surgery. Not all women do, however. Below are some of the criteria necessary for breast augmentation candidates.

You Are in Good Health

No matter what your reasons for wanting to undergo fat transfer breast augmentation surgery, the most important factor in your candidacy is your health. You need to be in good health to undergo surgery, and any medical issues, no matter how benign they may be, should be disclosed to your provider along with your complete medical history.

Having a medical condition does not preclude you from candidacy. There are plenty of conditions that have nothing to do with the surgery and will not affect it at all. The only conditions your provider is concerned with are those that may complicate surgery, such as blood clotting issues or others that may inhibit healing.

You’re Looking to Correct Abnormalities in Symmetry

Asymmetrical breasts are incredibly common. Many women have breasts that are different sizes from one another to some degree, so if you think you’re the only one – think again. Fortunately, just because a lot of women have asymmetrical breasts doesn’t mean you have to.

If you’re shy or embarrassed about the difference in size between your breasts, or you just want them to be symmetrical, you can be a candidate.

You Want a Younger-Looking Contour

Aging affects your breasts in different ways. Some women experience natural breast enlargement due to increasing amounts of fatty tissue. Other women can experience sagging or deflated breasts as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. Women in the latter category can benefit significantly from breast augmentation, especially if they are experiencing a loss of volume.

You’ve Lost Volume Due to Mastectomy

The main reasons a woman will undergo a mastectomy include the existence of breast cancer or as a preemptive move if breast cancer runs in the family. As you can imagine, a mastectomy seriously reduces the volume of your breasts. Many women choose to undergo breast augmentation post-mastectomy to restore them.

It should be noted that women who have undergone a mastectomy may require breast implants to fully-restore (or enlarge) their breasts. Fat transfer breast augmentation can also help in shaping the breast to fit your aesthetic requirements.

You Want to Restore Your Pre-Pregnancy Bosom

The rapid weight gain and hormonal changes that come with pregnancy can wreak havoc on your body – especially your breasts. As they fill with milk they get heavier and can begin to sag. Also, once you’re finished breastfeeding and no longer producing milk, your breasts can sag and deflate thanks to the extra tissue and stretched skin acquired during pregnancy. Additional gains in size due to weight gain can also cause your breasts to sag once the weight is lost.

You’ve Lost a Lot of Weight

If you’ve recently lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise, good work! Weight loss can be difficult and requires a lot of dedication and consistency. However, you can’t choose where your weight comes off, and when it happens in your breasts, they can lose a moderate to significant amount of volume.

If you’ve lost weight in some places but not in others, a fat transfer breast augmentation can address both areas at once by relocating fat from an area of abundance into your breasts.

Can You Pair It With Other Procedures?

Of course! One of the great benefits of elective cosmetic surgery is that many procedures can be paired with others, therefore providing more dramatic results without having to undergo another surgical procedure down the road. Here are a few popular procedures that can be done at the same time as your breast augmentation.

The Procedure Itself Is Two-in-One

Fat transfer breast augmentation is a two-part procedure. The first part includes harvesting fat from your donor region and the second involves reinjecting it into your breasts.

This means that you can sculpt one area of your body you feel possesses too much fat and reinject it where you want it most – your breasts.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is frequently paired with breast augmentation for women who want larger and perkier breasts. These clients often have more comprehensive cosmetic goals.

Often, women suffering from sagging, drooping, or deflated breasts will elect to undergo a breast lift as well as breast augmentation to enlarge and reposition their breasts to provide a younger-looking contour.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck addresses a distended abdomen that, more often than not, includes loose skin. The procedure addresses both issues by creating an incision (which is hidden in the underwear/bikini line) through which the patient’s stomach muscles are sutured into a tighter, flatter position, and excess fat and skin are trimmed from the area.

Tummy tucks and breast surgery are often paired together in a mommy makeover procedure, as pregnancy usually affects the breasts and abdomen the most.

Liposuction

Removing fat from your donor area is usually done via liposuction. Sometimes a patient will want more fat removed from the area than she needs to augment her breasts. In these cases, additional fat may be removed from the donor site that doesn’t get used during the augmentation process. In some cases, a patient will want more than one area treated with liposuction to provide more dramatic, stunning results.

Anyone looking to undergo more than one procedure at a time should bring it up to their provider at the initial consultation. Your ability to have two procedures performed during the same session will depend on which procedures you want, your provider’s comfort level with the procedures, and whether or not you’re healthy enough to undergo both at the same time. Some providers may suggest undergoing only one procedure at a time to decrease the amount of stress put on the body.

Can Breast Augmentation Be Used to Reduce Breast Size?

Women looking for breast augmentation aren’t all looking for larger breasts. Some women who suffer from lower back or shoulder pain as a result of their large breasts can benefit from the procedure. It’s possible to have the breasts reduced by fat removal – the same as every other part of your body. You can then choose to have the fat re-injected somewhere else or simply have it removed entirely.

For more comprehensive and robust results, a breast augmentation can be paired with other procedures, including a tummy tuck, a breast lift, or liposuction. If you’d like larger breasts and you think that fat transfer breast augmentation is right for you, call us at the Plastic Surgery Center in Sarasota, FL to schedule your consultation.

Is It Possible to Freeze Your Fat Away?

You’ll be happy to know you can freeze away fat. This is possible with a treatment called cryolipolysis or, as it’s more commonly known, CoolSculpting.

Cryolipolysis is the result of innocent child’s play. It came to the attention of doctors that eating popsicles – or ice pops – reduced fat in children’s cheeks and caused them to form dimples. From there, doctors realized fat freezes more readily than skin. Cryolipolysis protects the skin while freezing and eliminating fat in hard to reach places.

Describing CoolSculpting

The brand name of cryolipolysis is CoolSculpting. The FDA approved this technique in 2010, and it has since been widely accepted as a liposuction alternative. The popularity of CoolSculpting is plain to see: it hits those areas that don’t respond to natural weight loss measures. For example, bra bulges, love handles, and under chin padding can rarely be lost with diet and exercise alone.

CoolSculpting reaches these parts because it allows for precise therapy. During treatment, rounded paddles are used on the skin similar to a vacuum. We apply the paddles to those areas previously designated for treatment. You are required to do nothing but sit in a chair. We encourage you to relax, read a book, or watch a movie on your tablet.

Treatment Specifics

This therapy freezes fat cells so they die. During this process, the cells crystalize, are broken down, and then get dissolved by the immune system. These actions take several months for the body to complete.  

The best news is that once they die, fat cells do not return. They don’t regenerate, and other fat cells within your body will not mobilize to replace those that were lost. This is how you achieve the trimmer and more contoured appearance you want – the fat cells truly are eliminated.

What to Expect

Each session to freeze your fat away lasts about an hour. During treatment, you’ll likely feel some cold that lasts between five and 10 minutes. After that, treatment continues in a painless and easy-to-complete manner. You’ll feel very little.

Once we detach the applicator from your skin, we’ll conduct a brief massage to break up those cells that received treatment. This helps to enhance the process of cells freezing and dying. You don’t need to worry about recovery time because CoolSculpting omits incisions and damage to other tissues. You’ll be free to carry on your day.

The Results

On average, you can expect to lose about 20 percent of your existing fat in the treatment area. Achieving these results will likely require multiple sessions, and you can expect to see complete results a few months after starting treatment. But not to worry; you’ll start to notice a gradual improvement much sooner than this.

Your Expectations

Going into this therapy requires that you have reasonable expectations. CoolSculpting is not intended to help you lose weight. In fact, we encourage patients to be at their ideal weights prior to treatment. This will help you maintain results for as long as possible; although CoolSculpting removes fat cells, those that remain can still enlarge if you gain weight.

Knowing that this therapy is not a weight-loss tool can help you set reasonable goals. CoolSculpting can, for example, remove the jiggle in your midsection, viscerate extra padding near the buttocks, and target other stubborn spots (we’ll cover this more later). The point is that you can use this therapy to add definition to certain parts of your body.

Most Popular Treatment Areas

This leads us to the areas that are most popular for CoolSculpting treatments. We’ll start with the stomach, which is one of the body’s most common fat storage sites. You can likely blame this on cortisol, the hormone known for its fight or flight response.

Cortisol, released in higher qualities during times of stress, prompts the body to hold onto its fat stores. So, no matter how well you’re eating or how much exercise you’re undertaking, it can be nearly impossible to lose fat in this area. For this reason, patients commonly want CoolSculpting here to give their abdomen a leaner appearance.

Thighs

Fat that settles in the thighs can be just as stubborn as that in the abdomen. Thighs tend to be more problematic for women than men, which we can attribute to reproduction. The body naturally stores more fat in this area to support lactation when women need to breastfeed. Breastfeeding requires a great deal of energy, and the body recognizes this in advance.

It’s also true that some patients – men and women alike – naturally have more fat cells in their thighs. CoolSculpting can effectively tackle fat that exists on the inner thigh and on the outside (saddlebags).

Chin

Padding under the chin can strike even the thinnest patients. This we blame on the natural aging process, which depletes skin of its natural volume and firmness. As skin starts to sag, and fat moves down the face from the cheeks, it settles to create a “double chin.”

Thanks to the precision of targeted treatment, CoolSculpting can be applied to an area as small as the chin to remove fat cells. This restores one of the most youthful aspects of your face: a tighter jawline and more prominent neck.

Upper Arms

Unfortunately, CoolSculpting isn’t ideal for treating jiggly or sagging skin on your arms. It can, however, be used to freeze fluffier fat in the upper arms to provide a more contoured appearance. This is especially ideal for men and women who have lost fat elsewhere but can’t quite get their arms where they want them to be.

Buttocks

Like the thighs, this is another area where the female body naturally stores more fat to support fertility. Men can similarly experience pockets of fat under the buttocks. Excess fat here can cause the body to look disproportionate. CoolSculpting smooths the buttocks to give a lifted and firmer appearance

Back

Fat pockets can exist in two prominent spots of the back: love handles (the flanks of the lower back) and midback on the sides – in women, this is known as bra bulge, but men can experience it as well. Just as CoolSculpting can treat small areas, it’s also ideal for larger spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many patients ask if CoolSculpting is safe, and we proudly report that it is. It’s not only safe but also highly effective. Some patients prefer this method to liposuction simply because it is non-invasive, which in and of itself makes it slightly safer.

What Are the Side Effects?

Patients also ask if the process to freeze your fat away comes with side effects. These are minimal, with the most common being slight redness in the treated area. You may also experience a little stinging or tingling. All in all, this therapy is more comfortable than most. The risk for human error is almost nil, and there’s no swelling or wound care to contend with.

It’s important to note that any side effects you might experience will resolve quickly. Again, this is because the treatment is non-invasive and doesn’t cause external body damage.

When Should You Start?

Patients who are planning vacations, family reunions, or weddings typically want to know the ideal time to start treatment. We suggest scheduling three to six months in advance of your event. This allows plenty of time to see complete results, and your skin will be nicely smooth.

Can You Treat Multiple Areas At Once?

We can certainly administer treatment to several parts of the body in one session. This reduces the time you need to spend in our office and also provides faster results. Many people refer to this as a cumulative effect, in which wobbles and pockets in multiple areas are targeted at the same time to improve your overall appearance.

How Many Treatments Are Necessary?

This is a tough question to answer, as treatment varies from person to person. One patient might need two or three sessions, while another may need four to achieve the desired results. In most cases, patients do need more than just one session.

We can tell you we’ll formulate a treatment plan that provides this information before you begin treatments. Additionally, as we monitor your progress, we’ll adjust the number of sessions you need if necessary.

The Skinny On Fat

People tend to think of fat as being universally the same, but it’s not. For better distinction, fat cells can be identified by three different colors: white, brown, and beige. Fat is also stored in three different ways: essential, subcutaneous, and visceral.

We provide you with these labels so you understand that fat throughout the body is not consistently the same. That in the stomach, for example, is visceral fat and can increase your risk for conditions like diabetes and stroke. Essential fat can be found in critical places like the brain and nerves, while subcutaneous fat sits beneath the skin.

Fat Is Important

Having some fat in the body is vital to crucial functions, including those that:

• Regulate temperature
• Stabilize hormones
• Improve reproductive health
• Store vitamins
• Ensure proper neurological function
• Maintain healthy metabolism
• Balance blood sugar

Having too much fat, however, can contribute to increased risk for disease, as discussed earlier. This is why having the correct amount of fat – a balance, so to speak – can promote overall health.

Dispelling The Myth

One of the most common myths is that high-fat foods cause too much fat. The reality is that refined, processed foods contribute far more to weight gain than dietary fat. Specifically, eating a lot of refined sugars can cause you to pack on more visceral fat. This poses this greatest risk for disease.

We urge you to remember that consuming more calories than you burn will also contribute to your body’s fat reserves. The best way to maintain your results after CoolSculpting is to enjoy a well-balanced diet and skip the refined sugars and grains. Staying physically active will further contribute to a toned body and improve cardiovascular health.

Lose Your Fat

To achieve the lean and youthful body you want, we recommend you freeze your fat away. This easy, non-invasive treatment can be done on a lunch hour or after you take the kids to school. Schedule your appointment today with The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, and enjoy the improved you.