Often times there is seldom anything more gratifying than achieving a personal goal you set for yourself. For many of my patients, achieving dramatic weight loss goals is quite a feat that should be celebrated but instead, it is put on hiatus due to excessive skin left over from significant weight drops. As a board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience specializing in cosmetic breast and body procedures, helping my patients reach the pinnacle of their weight-loss journey is invaluable to me.
The biggest challenge after dramatic weight loss/gain is excess skin and tissue that can be difficult to manage with proper exercise and nutrition and can be embarrassing for a patient. There are a number of procedures that are designed to eliminate any cause for concern, to create their desired sleek, toned silhouette. Below are some of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery treatments for men and women following weight loss:
For more information about body contouring procedures like tummy tuck, breast, arm or thigh lift, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, today. Be sure to also stay updated on the latest plastic and reconstructive news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Breast surgery is a very personal and oftentimes taxing experience even when it’s elective. Whether you are receiving breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast reconstruction, it’s critical that you have a clear understanding of the procedure. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I always encourage my patients to ask as many questions as they like, and to return for a second conversation if need be after the initial consultation. Sometimes patients come armed with a long list of questions; all too often, however, patients arrive without having carefully thought about the information they will need to make an educated decision.
Below, I’ve put together a list of questions to help my breast surgery patients have a productive and informative consultation. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Use it as a starting point to help you brainstorm other questions and start thinking about what you personally want to get out of your breast surgery.
What are my breast surgery options? Not every technique or procedure is right for every patient. Using your medical history, physical state, and personal preferences, I can help you make a decision. I will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.
What are the possible complications for breast surgery? While serious complications resulting from breast surgery are unlikely, as with any surgical procedure, there are no guarantees.
What can I realistically expect from my surgery? I am glad to provide before-and-after photographs of patients who underwent the surgery you are considering. Remember, though, that no two patients are alike.
Will I have to make permanent lifestyle changes after my breast surgery? In most (but not all) cases, patients are able to return to their regular activities within a few months. Please ask if there is a specific activity you are curious about.
How will my breasts feel after surgery? It depends on the material (your own fat or tissue, or breast implants) you plan to use and whether you have breast reconstruction surgery. I am happy to share my opinion and experiences, if you wish, to help you make a decision.
What is recovery like? Your breasts will be bandaged immediately after surgery. You will need to take it easy for three to four days; high-impact activities like jogging are strongly discouraged. I may prescribe pain medication for you. When you are ready to go home, we will set up a date for your follow-up appointment.
The answers I’ve provided here are abbreviated versions of what you can expect to hear when you visit my office for a consultation. I hope that you use this list to come up with your own questions and to more thoroughly explore your needs and preferences when it comes to your breast surgery. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, please contact my office today. Be sure also to follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for important breast surgery news and information.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I have always felt strongly that every breast surgery patient should be thoroughly educated on all of the available options for treatment before committing to one. When it comes to breast reconstruction, a surgery that too frequently comes on the heels of a medically necessary mastectomy or lumpectomy, patients may be feeling particularly overwhelmed and unsure. It’s crucial that these patients are able to make an informed decision after having weighed each option against their needs and preferences.
Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on October 15 is an excellent opportunity to review the options available to patients preparing to undergo breast reconstruction surgery. I have performed all of the available options on many patients over three-plus decades as a board-certified plastic surgeon and believe that while there is no “best” reconstruction procedure, some are more appropriate than others for certain patients. Below is a brief explanation of some of the most common breast reconstruction techniques. It is best and most understandable to divide them into two basic choices – using the patient’s own tissue to build a new breast or using an implant to build the breast. We will first discuss using the patient’s own tissue.
TRAMflap: The TRAM stands for transverse rectus abdominis, a lower abdominal muscle above the pubic bone. In this procedure, I use a ‘flap’ – the skin, fat, and occasionally a portion of the muscle – to reconstruct the breasts. The muscle is not removed, but instead “rerouted” to the chest wall as it is the blood supply to the transferred lower abdominal fat. This fat is then shaped into a new breast. The result is replacement of breast tissue with the patient’s own fat and a tightening of the lower tummy like a tummy tuck.
Free TRAM: This is a variation on the TRAM flap procedure; instead of being rerouted, the flap is actually detached and reconnected to the chest.
DIEP flap: Different from other flap techniques, a DIEP flap does not require the use of abdominal muscles and instead utilizes blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) and the connecting fat and skin to reconstruct a breast. However, this operation takes significantly more operating time and has more risk for blood transfusions and flap loss.
Breast implants: Unlike flap procedures, which make use of a patient’s own tissue, breast implants are made from either silicone or saline and placed directly into the chest following a mastectomy.
Latissimus dorsi flap: I use skin, muscle, fat, and blood vessels from the upper back to help create a new breast. This procedure is usually combined with breast implants in order an appropriate shape and size to the new breast. The implant provided the volume to the new breast and the latissimus Doris muscle provides the coverage. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap can also be performed without leaving a scar on the back.
Supplemental fat transfer: Fat transfer during breast reconstruction is used to add volume to the new breasts and give them a more natural look and feel. Fat transfer is not necessarily part of reconstruction, however.
Each of these breast reconstruction options comes with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, potential risks, and possible benefits. I always encourage my patients to ask as many questions as necessary to help them feel confident and prepared to undergo surgery.
If you’ve recently undergone a mastectomy and are considering breast reconstruction, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest breast surgery news and information.
