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Month: September 2016

How Does Body Contouring Improve Your Health?

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The benefits of body contouring surgery are more than just skin deep.

Losing a significant amount of weight is an accomplishment to be extremely proud of. Unfortunately, it also means having excess skin hanging off parts of the body. It also means having pockets of unwanted fat that don’t go away with exercise or diet. You may still be unhappy with your appearance despite losing weight. 

That is when body contouring comes in.

WHAT IS BODY CONTOURING?

Post-weight-loss body contouring is a combination of procedures specially designed to enhance the body’s shape after major weight loss. It also increases the appearance of a toned body by removing the redundant folds of skin left over after the weight loss. These unwanted fat, which are resistant to diet and exercise, can also be removed via liposuction for a more streamlined body contour.

COMMON BODY CONTOURING TREATMENTS

Depending on the patient’s needs, they may undergo one or several procedures. It all depends on their problem areas and where they would like to have their body contouring surgery.

PROBLEM

 SOLUTION
Loose arm skin Arm Lift
Loose/sagging breast skin Breast Lift (with/without Breast Reduction)
Loose thigh skin Thigh Lift
Loose buttock skin Buttock Lift
Loose back and tummy skin Body Lift (with/without Tummy Tuck)
Pockets of unwanted fat Liposuction

BODY CONTOURING IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

Other than the obvious benefit of having a more contoured body, how does body contouring surgery actually improve one’s health?

  • Improved comfort. Large folds of loose skin pose a large range of medical problems, such as intertrigo—a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection that occurs due to the difficulty in keeping the fold of skin clean and dry. By removing all the excess skin, not only will you feel a huge sense of relief from the weight of the skin, but you will also be free of the constant need to take extra care not to aggravate the skin condition.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
Panniculectomy, the removal of overhanging skin, may be eligible for insurance coverage if it meets the medical criteria. Check with your insurance company to better understand what criteria you would need to meet for insurance coverage.

  • Sense of motivation to maintain weight loss. Your body mobility may increase post-surgery as excess skin will no longer be in the way when bending over and doing ordinary chores and exercising. The positive psychological effects will help improve the lifestyle and the desire to maintain that weight loss.
  • Enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem. With all the health and physical benefits, it is no wonder that many patients report body contouring surgery boosts their psychological health.
  • Better lifestyle. Lastly, research also shows that when people look and feel good, they are more likely to engage in more physical and social activities. They even enjoy an improved sex life. The result: an overall better lifestyle!

MY ADVICE FOR YOU: BODY CONTOURING SURGERY

Even though body contouring surgery has a multitude of benefits, it is still a surgery that requires careful planning and much consideration. There is also surgery downtime that requires you to be off work for some time.

It is also best if body contouring surgery is done when you are healthy and at (or near to) a healthy weight for at least six months.

Always look for an accredited plastic surgeon with a lot of experience in body contouring procedures to guide you in making an informed decision.

body contouring singapore

To learn more about post-weight-loss plastic surgery, do contact us at:
Dr Marco Faria-Correa Plastic Surgery
Tel: +65 64648075
E-mail: enquiry@drmarco.com
Web: www.drmarco.com

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your plastic surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Always speak to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a procedure.

Should You Combine Multiple Plastic Surgery Procedures?

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A question that I regularly get is: “Can I combine my plastic surgery procedures together in one operation?”

The quick answer to this is YES!
But, it is important to take into account your overall health, while addressing all safety concerns first. Combining multiple procedures should also only happen when it benefits you. Every person is unique so the decision to combine or not will naturally have to be extensively discussed with an experienced plastic surgeon.

Nonetheless, there are some general advantages and disadvantages to having multiple procedures in one sitting. In this blog, I will offer my advice for anyone thinking of doing so.

ADVANTAGES OF COMBINING MULTIPLE PROCEDURES

  • Recovery – Combining multiple procedures in one operation means having to go through only one recovery as opposed to having multiple surgeries requiring multiple recovery periods. It also means needing less time off work and less trips to the clinic.
  • Costs and Time – Doing several surgeries at once is often more cost-saving and also time-saving than getting them done separately. Combining surgeries would mean that the pre-surgery preparation time required for each surgery (if conducted individually) would be saved, and time is money! Therefore, combining surgeries—one single anesthetist, one surgeon fee, one theatre booking and one hospital stay—definitely saves you time and money in the long run.
  • Anesthesia – Aesthesia presents one of the risks of operation, so the fewer times the patient is subjected to it, the lower risk of any side effects. (Although it also means having to be under anesthesia for longer, which can also be risky.)

DISADVANTAGES OF COMBINING MULTIPLE PROCEDURES

  • Complications – Combining multiple surgeries may increase the potential of complications, such as excessive blood loss during the surgery. This is why it is important for your plastic surgeon to be experienced to judge and decide if the operation should go on should any complications arise.
  • Trauma Limit – Even with today’s high standards of technology, any kind of surgery is going to have trauma on the body. There is a limit to the amount of trauma the body can take at any one time. Your plastic surgeon should be able to advice you on which combinations are recommended and which are not.

COMMONLY COMBINED PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES

I recommend combining minor surgeries, or a minor one with a major one to avoid complications and excessive time under anesthesia.

In some cases, I avoid combining non-sterile procedures (like rhinoplasty) with another procedure because it might increase the risk of infection. But sometimes, the sterile procedures can be done first to avoid the risk of infection. It actually all depends on each individual’s case.

FINALLY, MY ADVICE FOR YOU

Plastic Surgery SingaporeCombining multiple plastic surgery procedures is not only possible but also very beneficial.

If you are looking to undergo any combination of plastic surgeries, ensure that your surgeon is highly experienced and licensed by the medical board in their respective countries. Only an experienced plastic surgeon can best decide if combining procedures is the best option according to your specific characteristics. Your health and safety should also be their first priority.

Once you have found a plastic surgeon, always discuss any concerns or questions you may have during a face-to-face consultation. This will not only allow your surgeon to evaluate your condition, but also allow you to see if you feel comfortable with them (trust is important!).

In Singapore, plastic surgeons must be accredited by the Ministry of Health Singapore. Check here: https://bit.ly/1smGHDq

All in all, the safety of my patients is my priority, and I will only proceed with multiple surgeries if I think it is safe and it benefits my patients!

To learn more about combining plastic surgery procedures, do contact us at:
Dr Marco Faria-Correa Plastic Surgery
Tel: +65 64648075
E-mail: enquiry@drmarco.com
Web: www.drmarco.com

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your plastic surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Always speak to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a procedure.

Everything You Need to Know About Brazilian Butt Lift

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The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure that is gaining a lot of popularity at my clinic, and there are many reasons why. If you are considering getting a BBL, there are quite a few things that you should know beforehand.

WHAT DOES A BBL ENTAIL?

A BBL is a form of buttocks surgery that not only reshapes but also enhances the size of the patient’s buttocks so that it better fits the figure and provides an attractive overall proportion.

It involves two procedures: liposuction and fat grafting.

First, liposuction removes excess fat from areas of the body, including the back, stomach, arms, thighs and hips. The fat cells are then meticulously processed, purified and strategically re-injected into varying depths in order to lift, reshape, and create projection on the buttocks.

WHAT TYPE OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

brazilian butt lift singaporeThe two-pronged approach to BBL reduces the waist (love handles) and sculpts the legs while creating a natural projection and lift in the buttocks. The result is a beautiful new ‘S’-shaped curve.

Sometimes, I will also do additional liposuction around the bottom of the buttocks to improve the appearance of lift and contour, resulting in perkier, youthful buttocks and a more curvy and sensual overall body profile. Since the fat is from your own body, there is no chance of rejection.

Compared to butt implant surgery, which only focuses on augmenting the butt, BBL targets the love handles, hips, and butt, offering a complete body makeover.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BBL & BUTT IMPLANTS?

  • Procedure: BBL uses your own fats to enhance the buttocks, while the butt implant procedure involves surgically inserting a silicone implant.
  • Targeted Area: BBL addresses the waist, buttocks and upper thighs, sculpting the body into an hourglass figure, while butt implants involve only increasing the size of the buttocks.
  • Suitable Candidates: Not everyone is suitable for BBL. A combination of BBL and butt implants might be used if you do not have enough fat for transfer to the buttocks.
  • Risk: As with all types of foreign objects inserted into the body—even pacemakers—butt implants have a rare chance of the patient developing capsular contracture. To read more about capsular contracture or rippling, check out my blog: https://www.drmarco.com/lets-talk-about-capsular-contracture-in-breast-implants/
  • Recovery: BBL generally has a faster recovery (3-4 days) than butt implant surgery (2 weeks).
  • Results: As BBL uses your own fats, the final result is very natural, smooth, and soft. Butt implants give a more firm and projected outcome.

WILL I NEED ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES OVER THE YEARS?

A properly done BBL should NOT require additional procedures, even after several years.

After a successful BBL, some of the fat cells injected into the buttocks are naturally absorbed back into the body. Those that remain will stay there for the rest of your life.

Like the rest of the tissue in your body, the grafted fat will grow and age with you. This is why I usually advise my patients to keep a healthy lifestyle with exercise and the right diet to help keep their buttocks looking great!

MY ADVICE FOR YOU: THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR SUCCESSFUL BBL

A successful BBL largely depends on the plastic surgeon you choose. The surgeon’s patience, skill, and experience ultimately determine how well your BBL will look.

The surgeon should have a high level of patience to take the fat, purify it, and meticulously load it into syringes in a non-traumatic method. The surgeon must then strategically re-inject the fat in small amounts while massaging to spread the fat evenly. The surgeon must be experienced to vary the depths of each injection to maximize the fat contact with the blood supply to ensure optimal fat survival.

The procedure requires not only artful skill but also the experience to plan the surgery to suit each individual’s body type and requests.

Good communication between you and your surgeon is always important. I encourage you to discuss all your questions and concerns with the plastic surgeon you choose before embarking on your makeover journey.

Brazilian Butt Lift Singapore

To learn more about Brazilian Butt Lift, do contact us at:
Dr Marco Faria-Correa Plastic Surgery
Tel: +65 64648075
E-mail: enquiry@drmarco.com
Web: www.drmarco.com

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your plastic surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Always speak to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a procedure.

Why is Breast Reduction and Lift So Rewarding?

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With the many different types of breast surgery that address different issues, the two that are the most similar are breast reduction and breast lift. Due to this, the two procedures are regularly requested and performed together.

The truth about breast reduction and lift is that it is one of the most rewarding plastic surgeries around because it has the potential to alleviate physical discomfort while providing emotional liberation for many women.

BREAST REDUCTION vs. LIFT

The main difference between breast reduction and breast lift is that breast reduction requires the removal of breast tissue and/or fats, while breast lift does not.

When a patient’s aim is to have a significant amount of volume and weight reduction in their breasts, a breast reduction procedure will help reduce a few cup sizes.

When the concern is more about improving their silhouette so that the breasts are positioned higher, perkier, and firmer—but not smaller—a breast lift would be more suitable.

After a breast lift, the breasts might appear smaller than before. That is normal and is actually due to the new position of the breasts.

WHEN TO CONSIDER BREAST REDUCTION AND LIFT

Women with a genetic history of overly large breasts or who are overweight normally request breast reduction and lift surgery.

Consider breast reduction and lift surgery if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Breasts that are overly large in comparison to your body
  • Constant back, neck, and shoulder pain
  • Breasts that feel too heavy all the time
  • Poor posture or difficulty maintaining the right posture due to the weight of breasts
  • Numbness and soreness on the shoulder from weight pulling on bra straps
  • Skin abrasion from the friction of the bra or skin-on-skin contact
  • Lopsided breasts—one is larger or is at a different position than the other
  • Downward-pointing nipples that are significantly below the fold of your breasts
  • Difficulty finding clothes or bras that fit properly
  • Restriction of physical activity due to heaviness and bulkiness of breasts
  • Feelings of unhappiness and loss of confidence about your breasts
Breast reduction and lift Singapore
Backache due to overly large breasts

Breast reduction and lift can be performed at any age. They can be performed on some teens as young as 15 years old. However, I usually recommend waiting until after puberty for the breast to stop growing first to ensure the best overall results.

To add an extra perspective to this, breast reduction does not necessarily have to be limited to females. Male breast reduction (gynecomastia) is a fairly common procedure that I also perform for my male patients. I have written a blog post with very interesting information relating to gynecomastia. Read about it here: https://bit.ly/sd6s89f

INSURANCE CRITERIA FOR BREAST REDUCTION AND LIFT SURGERY

Costs incurred from breast reduction and lift surgery may be eligible for insurance claims. Insurance criteria for approval for surgery vary from one insurance company to another. Contact your insurance company for specific details, criteria, and eligibility requirements for insurance claims.

PREGNANCY AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

Pregnancy after breast reduction surgery might affect the shape, size, and appearance of the breasts, possibly reversing some of the positive changes made during the plastic surgery procedure.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as when the patient is a teenager with breasts so large that they feel very self-conscious about themselves. The priority is to address their health and mental well-being first before worrying about the after-effects of future pregnancies.

In such instances, I often discuss breast reduction and lift surgery thoroughly with my patients to guide them in their decision. I want to ensure my patients feel confident and happy with their bodies.

WHY BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY IS SO REWARDING

Breast reduction and lift surgery is so rewarding because it alleviates physical and emotional discomfort while also enhancing the patients’ appearance!

My patients report increased self-confidence and a renewed sense of freedom to wear the clothes they want to wear and participate in physical activities they had previously shunned. It was indeed liberating for them!

While most of my patients report immediate relief from their back, shoulder and neck pain after their surgery, it does take a while for the final results to set in. Once the recovery period is over, they can expect to feel lighter and have better posture. They can also expect to feel happier with their figure and have better self-confidence that definitely lasts for a lifetime!

Breast reduction and lift singapore

To learn more about breast reduction and lift surgery, do contact us at:
Dr Marco Faria-Correa Plastic Surgery
Tel: +65 64648075
E-mail: enquiry@drmarco.com
Web: www.drmarco.com

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your plastic surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Always speak to your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a procedure.