Considering a Tummy Tuck? Here are some things to Consider before the Procedure

Today, many individuals find that diet and exercise are the key to weight loss and a tighter stomach.  However, when regular ab workouts and healthy eating over an extended period bring limited results, many people become disheartened.  This is where tummy tucks come in.

A tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic surgical procedure where a plastic surgeon removes excess fat and skin in/on the abdomen and tightens the muscles in the abdominal area.  People who are working to lose weight with minimal results and women whose abdomens are stretched post pregnancy are some of the main people who choose tummy tucks.  Over the past several years, tummy tucks have increased in popularity in the United States, with thousands of people getting the procedure each year.

What to Consider Before the Procedure

Before choosing to have a tummy tuck, it is important for patients to do their research.  The following are a few necessary things to consider:

• Who is performing your procedure?  The plastic surgeon you choose can have a significant impact on the results of your procedure.  Before selecting a surgeon, ensure he is board certified through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and has had previous experience performing abdominoplasty procedures.  Patients can also get in contact with former patients of the same surgeon to ask them about their experience.
• What kind of procedure do you want? There are several tummy tuck procedures patients can choose from.  They can have a procedure that addresses a) the lower abdomen only, b) both the upper and lower abdomen, or c) the upper and lower abdomen and the sides.
• How long is the procedure? A typical procedure lasts 1-5 hours.
• Are you prepared for the recovery time? Compared to other cosmetic surgery procedures, tummy tucks tend to have a longer recovery time.  Patients should expect to have swelling that lasts for several weeks post surgery.  It can be helpful to ask the surgeon and staff, what other recovery symptoms they should expect.

Love the Results of Your Procedure

Although getting a tummy tuck is a big and serious decision, it also comes with a lot of benefits.  Post procedure patients have a flatter, tighter, more toned tummy.  Abdominoplasty also comes with several health benefits, namely the reduction of fat cells, which helps abdominal organs to function properly. The results of abdominoplasty usually last throughout the patient’s life, giving them long-term confidence with their “new” slimmer body.  

Safety Concerns to be Aware of When Considering Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has been performed across the world for many years and continues to grow. Plastic surgery helps those who want to fix deformities or achieve a specific look. Any surgical procedure is risky, and there are safety concerns that you should be mindful of. It is important to do a health background check and be aware of any diseases that run in your family.  For example, a history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, or obesity can result in more complications during surgery. Smoking can also increase the risk of possible complexity. Surgery can still be performed, but it is important to choose the right doctor who is knowledgeable in informing the patient of the risks.

The surgeon should perform a series of medical evaluations and communicate to the clients of possible complications. He/she should inform the client of ways they can prevent these risks, before the surgery. Complications that can occur after surgery include bleeding, excessive swelling, and infection. It is very rare that these incidences will occur, but it is important to stay informed as a possible candidate for cosmetic surgery. Investing in an experienced board certified surgeon, like Dr. Motoki, will help minimize the risk and help make your experience worthwhile.

A Forehead Lift can Remove Wrinkles that have Developed Over Time

As the years go by, our foreheads get quite a workout.  The forehead is used to make facial expressions, and over time, the skin can become wrinkled or misshapen.  For this reason, you may want to consider getting a forehead lift.  If you see deep creases in the skin or wrinkles forming above your eyebrows, this is a simple procedure that can revitalize the look of that area.  Since the skin is elastic, our surgeon can move it into a position that keeps it tight and looking youthful.

We are currently offering specials on many surgical procedures, and you can view those by visiting our website.  As for the surgeon who would be performing your forehead lift, you couldn’t ask for someone with better qualifications, especially at our reasonable prices.  Our goal at Body by Motoki is to ensure that patients are treated with respect before, during and after their procedures.  It is common for our patients to feel like they are part of a friendly community when they enter our offices.

Beyond the friendly atmosphere, you’ll notice that we take great care in cleaning and preparation of our facilities.  There are rigorous checklists for all surgical procedures and for after you go home to recover.  Although Dr. Motoki’s prices are reasonable, his reputation is growing in popularity, so we encourage patients to book in advance whenever possible.  This vital first step will ensure that you have access to a respected, board certified surgeon at the time that you are ready to have your procedure.

Breast lifts can return perkiness and form

Are you considering breast augmentation?  You may also want to learn more about breast lift procedures.  Aging, changes in weight, and having kids can all cause breasts to lose perkiness and begin to sag.  A breast lift will improve the appearance of the breasts by elevating them and eliminating sagging.

If you are unhappy with how your breasts look, this might be the best choice for you.  Do you simply want to return your breasts to the perkiness they previously had?  Then a simple breast lift could be what you need.  This procedure will help decrease laxity in the breasts that has occurred over time.

Breast procedures often come with scarring.  A minor breast lift can be done while only leaving a small scar that encircles the nipple areola.  Sometimes the scar may go below the areola area depending on the severity of the procedure.

A breast lift is also a great option to combine with other procedures.  Breast lifts can be done at the same time as implants, which can make the results even better.  Not only will you be getting a larger, rounder breast but they will also be more perky and in a better position.  Combining these two procedures can also save money and time.

Liposuction could be the solution to help you fix those trouble spots

Are you working hard and eating right, but still have problem areas of your body that just keep the fat on?  The best way to get fat out of your body is a combination of diet and exercise.  How many people have tried different diets and types of exercise, but find that those troublesome spots just don’t show any improvement?

It’s not uncommon for people to have parts of their body that just don’t respond to exercise or diet.  This can be extremely frustrating and leave people feeling disheartened.  If this is the case for you, then liposuction might be the perfect solution.  This procedure removes excess fat from common problem areas such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and upper arms.  It’s ideally suited for people who are close to being at their ideal weight, but just need a little help fixing certain areas.

Liposuction is a great choice for women who have recently had a baby and can’t seem to get rid of the last little bit of fat.  With a recovery time of as little as one week, this can be an easy and effective way to help you reach your goals and achieve your desired body and look.

Skin Care Tips to Prevent Wrinkles and Keep Skin Healthy

Skin care is one of the highest priorities for many people who want to achieve a younger and more natural look. Caring for your skin is always important for maintaining healthy skin, and can help prevent wrinkles and other issues as you get older. Here are some of our top tips for maintaining healthy skin throughout your life.

Don’t Smoke: Smoking cigarettes causes many issues within the body that can lead to deteriorating skin. Smoking causes the blood vessels in the body to contract and cut off the oxygen supply to the skin. The reduced oxygen levels allow for toxins to spread more freely throughout the body, and creates skin wrinkles. Smokers also often develop lines on their lips that can make them appear much older than they really are.

Avoid Tanning Beds: While tanning beds have declined in popularity recently, the goal of having smooth tan skin is still at the top of many people’s priorities. Tanning beds have not only been linked to skin cancer development, but can also cause the elasticity of the skin sag and droop.

Don’t Pick at Acne:  While the temptation to pick at acne can be great at times, this can often lead to bumpy skin and unsightly scarring. In some cases picking can make the acne worse and slow the healing process.

Find a Good Moisturizer: Find a product that works well with your skins temperament and use it regularly.  This keeps your skin looking fresh and promotes elasticity and durability. 

Is cosmetic surgery a safe way to get your pre-motherhood body back?

Becoming a mother can be one of the greatest accomplishments in a woman’s life, and the blessings of childbirth and breastfeeding are countless.  While the end result of pregnancy is awesome, one thing every woman can agree with is that saggy breasts and a flabby abdomen are outcomes of pregnancy that are not so great.

Stretching, sagging, and loss of shape are all words that can come to mind when looking in the mirror following pregnancy and it can be discouraging.  Just remember that you are not alone and many women face the same challenges.  A growing number of moms out there are now turning to mommy makeovers as a solution for restoring their body back to its pre-pregnancy state.

While giving the body time to normalize, and implementing diet and exercise can help, there comes a time when it may be obvious that cosmetic surgery is the only answer for feeling and looking normal again.  Mommy makeovers consist of a combination of surgical procedures including breast augmentation, breast lifts, liposuction, and abdominoplasty.

Depending on where your body has taken the biggest hit, you may choose to undergo just one or possibly multiple surgical procedures.  Undergoing surgical treatment may seem overwhelming at first, but keep in mind that many mothers out there have been through the same experience and a mommy makeover was the answer and may just be the answer for you as well.