icon

Author: esm_admin

How Much Do You Understand About Arm Lift?

Posted on by esm_admin

armliftprocedure_drmarcoplasticsurgery2018.1

Arm Lift is also known as Brachioplasty

It is a surgical procedure that: 

1. Reduces excess sagging skin that droops downward
2. Tightens and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm
3. Reduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region

In short, the upper arm is tightened with the removal of excess skin.

Why does the skin on the arms sag?
It can be due to various reasons, including:
– weight fluctuations
– ageing 
– genetics 

Who is a good candidate?
– those who present with very bad upper arm skin laxity

armliftprocedure_drmarcoplasticsurgery2018

According to Dr Marco, the location of the incision depends on a few factors, such as: 

– Arm flabbiness
– Skin elasticity
– Amount of excess skin
– Amount of fat for removal
– Amount of skin to remove and tighten

Dr Marco said incision placement can be done in the following locations:
– inner arm
– back of the arm 
– within the folds at the armpit

Based on years of experience, Dr Marco prefers doing an inner arm incision since they tend to heal better and the scar is not so visible.

Dr Marco said the main goals are to tighten the arm and to hide the scar along the natural creases/folds in the armpit as well as the inner arm. Based on our body anatomy of our arm muscles, there is a natural line between our biceps and triceps muscles. The trick in plastic surgery is using the anatomical line to dissimulate the scar.

This technique gives a long-lasting result. With this incision, it’s possible to remove a lot of the excess skin and tighten them, while lifting the skin around the elbow area.

After the surgery, patients must maintain their weight and also continue to exercise their arms to maintain strong muscle tone in the arms. For the scar, it will depend on the individual own healing.

 

To know more about the above procedure, call our clinic today at 65-6464 8075 to consult Dr Marco.

Knowing All About Eye Bags/Lower Blepharoplasty

Posted on by esm_admin

Eye Bags

With the ageing process, the tissue structures and muscles around the eye orbital area weaken. The fat around the eye area can become puffy and swollen due to various factors such as fluid retention, lack of sleep, smoking, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition.

Eye bag removal with transcutaneous method

What does it mean?
This is a very common method used by many plastic surgeons.

Suitable for?
– those with excess skin
– has bulging fats

Where is the incision?/ Where do you place the cut? 
– the incision cut is just below the lower eyelids (following your natural smiling line/ fold just below your lower eyelids)

Will the scar be visible? / How long it takes for the scar to fade?
– the scar may be a bit visible initially but will fade away in time

What is the surgery like?
– it is done as a day surgery case
– can take up to 1 .5 hrs, depending on the complexity

What is the recovery like? 
– minimal swelling and bruising for about 5 to 7 days
– one may resume back to normal routine exercise after 2 weeks

For the eyes bags removal, it can be a stand-alone procedure, or it can be done together with the upper excess eyelid skin removal, or together with a facelift procedure.

eyebag removal transub_drmarcoplasticsurgery

Eye bags removal via the transconjunctival method

Suitable for?
– an individual who doesn’t have any excess skin on the lower eyelids
– better for younger individuals
– shows only the bulge of fat

Where is the incision?
– incision is made in the inner part of the lower eyelid

How is the procedure done?
– is usually done under local anaesthesia
– can be done as a day surgery procedure
– takes around 1.5hrs, depending on the case complexity
– incision cut is made in the inner part of the lower eyelid
– the excess fat is removed, and the cut is closed up with stitches

What is the advantage of this method?
– no visible scar

What is the recovery like?
– minimal swelling and bruising for a few days
– resumed exercise around 2 weeks for most

eye bags thru transconjun

To know more about this procedure, call our clinic today at 65-6464 8075 to speak to our staff for more information.

How Much Do You Know About Xanthelasma?

Posted on by esm_admin


xanthalasma_drmarcoplasticsurgery

– It is a lipoprotein.
– It presents as yellowish plaques with fatty content, appearing as slightly raised skin in the eyelid area.
– It can grow in size and causes cosmetic disturbances.
– It is harmless.

What Causes One to Have Xanthelasma?

– Unknown cause
– Can be due to genetics
– Can be due to high cholesterol or high level of plasma lipids
– Can be due to high blood pressure
– Maybe related to a heart disease problem

It can happen to both men and women.

What is the Surgery like to Remove Xanthelasma?

– It is commonly done as a day surgery case under local anaesthesia.

– Surgery time is usually very short, depending on the case’s complexity.

– Stitches are usually removed after 3 to 5 days, and there are minimal swelling and discomfort.

If you suspect you have the above problem or would like to consult for the above problem, do call our clinic at 65-6464 8075 today for your appointment.

Rectus Diastasis Can Happen to Men As Well: Don’t Ignore the Abdomen Buldge

Posted on by esm_admin

You may have thought that rectus diastasis usually happens to postpartum women, but this condition can also affect men. In fact, it can affect anyone. 

Examples of what a rectus diastasis looks like :

DiastasisRecti rectus diastasis in man

How do you check for rectus diastasis? 

You can perform a self-check following the steps below:

1. Put your fingers where your belly button is. While trying to do a sit-up, you will feel a gap deep in your midline.

2. When doing a sit-up, there is a sausage-like bulge on the abdomen.

3. If you are a fairly lean person and careful with your diet and exercise but have a bulge on your abdomen or a “pregnant looking bulge” that does not go away, these point toward possibly separated abdominal core muscles. You may have a rectus diastasis problem.

The best is still to make a proper consultation with a plastic surgeon to confirm your problem.

So what does rectus diastasis mean? 

Rectus refers to the abdominal or core muscles.

Diastasis means separation gap. 

Rectus diastasis means there’s a gap between the left and right abdominal muscles or a separation in the midline of the core muscles. The separation gap can be larger than 2 cm. 

rectus diastasis diagram

How can this happen to men?

This rectus diastasis can happen to anyone, for example:

  • Improper weight management: It can happen to those who go back and forth in weight gain and loss. 
  • Poor exercise technique: It can also result from improper way of doing exercise or workout routine, particularly strength training exercises. It can also occur from poorly managed sit-ups or weightlifting exercises.
  • Idiopathic: This means anyone can get it at any point in their life.

If you think you might be having this above problem or want to know about the above treatment, call us at 65-6464 8075 for an appointment.

Removing Excess Upper Eyelids Skin/ Upper Blepharoplasty

Posted on by esm_admin

One of the earliest signs of early ageing in the face is the notice of the droopy upper eyelids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery involves the removal of upper eyelid skin, which can help to dramatically improves one’s appearance of tired and droopy eyes.

How do we remove excess upper eyelids skin_drmarco_2018

According to Dr Marco, he will typically remove only the excess eyelid skin that is bothering the client. In cases where there are some pockets of fats that make the eyes look puffy, Dr Marco will also remove these fats during the procedure.

In some circumstances, this procedure can also be combined with an Endoscopic Browlift or a Browlift Procedure to give a more rejuvenated look around the eye socket/eye orbital area.

This is a simple and straightforward day surgery procedure typically done under local anaesthesia, and lasting around 45 minutes. There will be some slight swelling and minimal bruises seen. Stitches are usually removed within 3 to 5 days and one can resume back to exercise around 2 weeks.

Fat for My Breasts?

Posted on by esm_admin

Plastic Surgeon Dr Marco said it is possible to use your own body fat to enlarge and enhance your breasts.

This is known as the fat grafting procedure.

Firstly, one will have to be:
a. assess how much they wish to enlarge & enhance
b. sufficient body fat for grafting
c. undergo a medical check-up to know she is fit for surgery

The procedure will start with liposuction to get excess fat in areas such as hips/love handles, inner or outer thighs, and even arms.

After harvesting the fat, it undergoes a centrifugation process to separate and remove unwanted components such as blood, water or oil. The remaining fat is then injected into the breast.

According to Dr Marco, this procedure is getting more popular and provides two benefits for ladies. They can have breast enlargement to their desired size and liposuction of excess fat.

For more information about the above procedure, contact our clinic at 65-6464 8075 for more information.

Understand Breast Lifting & Breast Reduction

Posted on by esm_admin

What do you mean by breast lifting & breast reduction?

The breast lift, also commonly known as mastopexy and breast reduction, is done to improve the shape of your breasts, especially if they are sagging due to various reasons such as:

– Breastfeeding

– Pregnancy

– Ageing

– Unstable weight gain and loss

What does it involve?

The procedure includes the breasts, nipples, and areola. Dr Marco commented that he sometimes removes some breast tissue, tightens the skin, and readjusts the areola. If necessary, he also reduces the nipples. The most effective way to do a breast lift is through an inverted T-incision.

Why is it done?

The reasons can vary. Often, it is because the lady complains about the heavy weight of the breasts that can cause back, neck, and shoulder aches and pain, causing postural problems.

It also can cause skin irritations problems. Heavy breasts tend to leave deep indentations on the lady’s shoulder.

Heavy or big breasts can also cause disturbance to daily activities, such as participating in sports or any physical activities that may cause pain and discomfort.

It can also cause some psychological self-consciousness and emotional distress if the breasts are out of proportion to her height and weight.

According to Dr Marco, almost most of the women who choose to undergo breast lifting/breast reduction surgery feel instant relief. They can dress and fit themselves nicely into their bra and clothes.

The breasts which are lifted and reduced are lighter and firmer, and more evenly proportioned. More importantly, it makes their daily activities easier since they no longer have neck and shoulder pains.

To know more about the above procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our clinic at 65-6464 8075 for an appointment with Dr Marco.

How Much Do You Know About Inverted Nipples?

Posted on by esm_admin

How to correct Inverted Nipples?

Having beautiful breasts means the world to every woman. For some who have inverted nipples, it can make them feel less attractive.

What are Inverted Nipples?

It is caused by the fibrotic tissue or the ligament that holds the nipple inwards, causing the nipple-areola muscle to contract and fail to project the nipple outwards.

It can happen to either one or both breasts, can be hereditary, and happen in men. While it can be unattractive, it does not cause any health problems or risks.

woman _breast_fbWhat will it affect?

Breastfeeding may be affected as there is an increased risk of mastitis, which is a breast infection or inflammation during lactation.

How can we treat this Inverted Nipple?

For mild cases, the nipple can be stretched out to make it pop.

For severe ones, undergoing surgery can help to solve this problem. Note that re-inversion of the nipple is a possibility, and there might be some temporary loss of sensation after the surgery.

If you suspect you might have this problem, do seek clarification and consultation with your plastic surgeon.

To learn more about inverted nipples, 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.

Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Posted on by esm_admin

Understand What is Breast Reconstruction 

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to recreate the breast after one has undergone breast removal due to cancer. The reconstruction may not restore the full function of a normal breast, but it gives women a sense of feeling feminine once again, enhance their self-confidence and self-esteem, and also increase their quality of life.  This breast reconstructive surgery allows one to feel complete as a woman.

What are the options for breast reconstruction?

There are various options available, such as:

Using breast silicone implants – This procedure is usually done in the first stage if there is sufficient skin, or it can be done as a second-stage reconstruction. After the mastectomy,  a tissue expander is placed and filled to a desired volume to stretch the skin pocket. The tissue expander is then stretched over a few times before it is ready for the second stage of reconstruction.

Using own body tissue – In some cases, it is possible for one to undergo a  tissue flap procedure. It can be from the patient’s own body tissue from the abdomen, which is the TRAM flap, or the latissimus dorsi flap, taking the tissue from the back.

Using fat from own body – We can also harvest fat from various body areas to graft to the breast for reconstruction.

Does breast reconstruction also include the nipple?

It depends on the complexity of the case. In a nipple-areola-sparing mastectomy, these structures are preserved. If the nipple and the areola are removed during the mastectomy surgery, it’s possible to reconstruct the nipple at the last stage after the completion of the breast reconstruction.

How do I know I am suitable for breast reconstruction?

There are choices for an immediate breast reconstruction or a delayed/later breast reconstruction. The choice depends on your medical condition and the surgical plans discussed with your breast surgeon.

Can medical insurance cover breast reconstruction?

If your surgery of mastectomy or lumpectomy is covered by medical insurance, your reconstruction surgery should be covered by medical insurance as well. Check with your insurance company about your coverage.

Is this considered cosmetic surgery?

Breast reconstruction is considered a reconstructive surgery and not a cosmetic procedure. Of course, the goal of the procedure is to reconstruct a breast with a nice cosmetic result.

What else do I need to know about breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgery best performed on patients with a high chance of being cured of breast cancer. We will not do any breast reconstruction without the clearance and green light of the oncologist.

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

Chat With Our Representative

Hi! Click one of our channels below to chat on WhatsApp

Our team representative will get back to you as soon as possible.

Dr Marco Faria Correa
Questions? Chat with us