BREAST LIFT

Breast lift, is the surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, loosing or gaining weight and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. The size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple can also be reduced. Breast implants are inserted simultaneously. If the breast is small or has lost its volume, both their firmness and size can be increased.

In the initial consultation the breasts will be examined and measured while standing or sitting. The size and shape of the breasts, any asymmetry, the consistency of the gland and the condition of the skin will be discussed as they can interfere with the results.

Depending on the age and family history, a mammogram (breast x-ray) may be necessary before surgery.

The breast lift is performed, usually under general anesthesia, taking between two to three hours depending on the size. The incisions are marked before surgery where the exact plan of the operation is made. The area from which breast skin will be removed and the new location for the nipple are outlined. The excess skin is removed first, and the nipple and areola complex are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure designed to flatten a protruding abdomen by tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall and removing excess fatty tissue and skin. Many patients combine their tummy tuck with other cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.

The best candidates for Abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If the patient has scarring from previous abdominal surgery, the doctor may recommend against Abdominoplasty or may signalize that scars could be unusually prominent.

Abdominoplasty is usually carried either under general anaesthesia.  The procedure takes about two to three hours and one night stay is recommended.  For the first few days the abdomen will be swollen and the patient is likely to feel some discomfort, which can easily be controlled with pain medication. Physical activity will be limited somehow after the surgery, but with the support garment, the patient is going to be able to increase activity at a steady pace. 

The patient is encouraged to begin walking as soon as possible although must refrain from any strenuous activity or lifting weights for 2-3 weeks.

One important matter is that scars usually fade over time and are placed in areas where they will be easily hidden by underwear. Stitches are absorbable and most patients are able to return to their desk jobs 7-10 days after.

 Patients who understand well this surgery are usually very satisfied since results are quite dramatic giving them a slimmer, trimmer figure, with a flatter abdomen.

 Turn Back the Clock on Ageing with Fraxel

 Fraxel is the latest state of the art skin rejuvenation for sun damaged skin.

Just as a damaged painting is delicately restored one small area at a time, or a photographic image is altered, pixel by pixel, Fraxel Laser Treatment improves your appearance by affecting only a fraction of your skin at a time with thousands of tiny microscopic laser spots.

Think of pixels in a photo when you think of Fraxel Laser Treatment (FLT). If you look at a newsprint photo up close, you'll see that the image is actually comprised of thousands of tiny spots of ink. Similarly, Fraxel Laser Treatment produces thousands of tiny treatment zones on skin, known as Micro Thermal Zones (MTZs), in the emerging science of Fractional Photothermolysis.

These MTZs penetrate deep into the dermis and eliminate old epidermal pigmented cells. Just as important, though, are the areas of skin the Fraxel laser leaves untouched. The Fraxel laser is so precise that it penetrates through the stratum corneum, as if it was a window, and leaves it completely intact. For every Micro Thermal Zone the laser targets and treats intensively, it leaves the surrounding tissue unaffected and intact. This "fractional" treatment allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tissue to replace skin imperfections.

After your very first Fraxel Laser Treatment, you will begin to feel the difference in your skin, as it gradually becomes softer, smoother and fresher. Fine lines around your eyes will noticeably fade. So will uneven coloring and the brown spots caused by aging and sun exposure.

After several Fraxel treatments, your friends and family will marvel at how youthful and healthy your skin looks. The results are so discreet and natural that only you and your doctor will know you've had a laser surgical procedure.

What Happens After my Fraxel Treatment?

After your Fraxel treatment you will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then virtually no discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for five to seven days. This is a normal sign that the skin is healing deeply, that dermal tissue is being repaired, and there is good blood circulation. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in two to three days.

New epidermal skin develops immediately, within 24 hours after the Fraxel treatment. This process of skin repair involves:

Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel treatment, producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy, youthful appearance.

You may apply make-up or shave soon after treatment.

Typically patients find they can go back to work soon after the Fraxel treatment or the next day.

Fraxel® Laser Science

Treating the skin fractionally with patterns of microscopic laser spots, each of which is 70-100 microns in diameter, results in a unique wound healing process. This is aided by the fact that each laser spot (known as a Micro Thermal Zone, or MTZ) is surrounded by healthy tissue. Many of the stem cells and melanocytes in the papillary dermis are spared. Fractional wound healing results in both rapid reepitheliazation of the epidermis as well as collagen remodeling to depths of 400-700 microns.