Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

How a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock Could Benefit Your Health

Physical fitness and good health are lifelong pursuits. Nothing beats looking and feeling great, but no one is born with a perfect body. Some have to work harder for these goals than others. Eating right and exercising regularly are positive steps in the right direction; however, sometimes it can be frustrating when they don’t yield the desired results. In other words, what do you do when working out and managing your diet does nothing to get rid of your belly flab?

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck in Lubbock can help you overcome the hurdles that sheer hard work and determination can’t erase. Pregnancy, the aging process, and drastic weight loss can weaken abdominal muscles and make the belly sag with loose skin. No amount of sit-ups or crunches can rid the abdomen of unsightly hanging skin. A tummy tuck  tightens muscles and trims stretched or loose skin and excess fat from the abdomen—giving the midsection of the body a flatter and more toned appearance.

This procedure can have dramatic results when paired with liposuction of the abdomen or other areas. It can also be combined with other procedures as part of a mommy makeover to restore a pre-pregnancy body contour. Beyond pregnancy situations, many patients requesting tummy tucks or liposuction wish to trim loose skin after experiencing extreme weight loss in a short period of time.

Medical Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Most patients seek out Lubbock plastic surgery to enhance their appearance and feel better about their bodies; but the advantages of a tummy tuck go far beyond what the eye can see.

Reduction of Stress Urinary Incontinence

After a vaginal delivery, women can develop a bladder control issue known as Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Women with SUI experience uncontrollable urinary leakage when they cough, sneeze, exercise, or even laugh. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can aid in the recovery of SUI by creating a slight soft tissue bladder obstruction near the pelvic area.

The findings of a study published in the March 2018 issue of the scientific journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, revealed that abdominoplasty can have a positive impact on post-pregnancy complications. Of the 214 participating mothers, 42.5 percent reported urinary incontinence to be a problem before having a tummy tuck. Six weeks after their tummy tucks were performed, that number dropped to less than 2 percent.

Relief From Back Pain

The same study also showed significant improvement for women who suffered from back pain. 51% of participants lived with back pain before their tummy tucks, whereas only 9% still complained of the discomfort afterward. Tightening weak abdominal muscles enables them to better support the spine. This improves posture and can relieve certain types of back pain.

Hernia Relief

A weak abdominal wall can lead to the formation of a ventral hernia. Tummy tuck surgery can help correct weakened abdominal muscles and pressure on the skin caused by a hernia. Core-tightening abdominoplasty can also help prevent future hernias as they are less likely to occur in those with stronger abdominal muscles. A doctor may choose to combine the tummy tuck procedure with that of the hernia correction which is not only a safe approach; it can save time and money in surgery and recovery.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock?

Just because you have some of the above-mentioned medical issues does not mean abdominoplasty is right for you. Potential tummy tuck patients should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out if plastic surgery will safely meet their needs and expectations. To get an idea about whether you might be a good candidate, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I in generally good health, physically and mentally?
  • Do I have realistic expectations for my surgical results?
  • Am I finished having children?
  • Can I keep my weight stable after the procedure?
  • Does the skin around my midsection look droopy?
  • Do I have weakened stomach muscles?

A simple test you can do at home will also help clarify whether a tummy tuck is right for you. Try laying on your back and seeing what happens to your stomach bulge. If it flattens out, then excess fat is likely on the outside of your stomach muscles. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can strengthen muscles and tighten loose skin giving you a flatter, healthier abdomen. If your midsection still looks rounded when you are laying flat, your stomach bulk could be further inside your abdomen and surgery may not be the right option for you. It’s important to consult with a board-certified surgeon who takes the time to explain the procedure thoroughly and knows how accurately to assess if you will benefit from a tummy tuck. Your surgeon should also carefully listen to your aesthetic goals to understand your expectations of any Lubbock plastic surgery. Call Rowley Plastic Surgery for a free, no-obligation consultation today!

Flatten Your Belly With a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

As women, we often give our lives to our families. As mothers, this also means we give our bodies. Do you remember the you before you had kids? Back before you ever referred to your stomach as your “belly?” Even before your bra came with extra clips and hooks to accommodate someone else’s feeding schedule? It may be a bit foggy (let’s not even get started on all those sleepless nights), but try for a moment to remember how you felt about your body before any of the changes that come with having a baby—the things you took for granted. While you may not be able to do anything about those lost nights of sleep, and life chooses a lot of things for you, you also have choices. You CAN reclaim your body.

One way is with a tummy tuck in Lubbock.  Sometimes, you need more than diet and exercise to reverse the effects of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. The tummy tuck easily gets rid of loose skin that won’t disappear even after you reach your pre-pregnancy weight, no matter how much you diet or exercise. Many women choose to combine procedures in a “mommy makeover” to cover several areas of concern at once. In addition to a trim waist, you can consider breast procedures to regain a youthful bustline (with either a breast lift, breast augmentation, or maybe a breast reduction, if that’s right for you), and liposuction to target those troublesome fat pocket areas that have developed over time. Maybe the makeover won’t turn back the clock entirely, but it sure can help bring back the look and confidence you once had. You can be you again, the you that you remember.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a “[t]ummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.” The procedure is done through a low horizontal abdominal incision. The skin is elevated off of the abdominal muscles, and it is redraped and excised. The abdominal muscles are tightened at the same time with permanent sutures in multiple layers. Often liposuction for contouring of the hips and thighs occur at the same time as the abdominoplasty. It’s typically an outpatient procedure, taking about two hours under general anesthetic. Most patients can return to work in about two to three weeks. Full activity is typically resumed after 6 to 8 weeks.

What to Consider Before a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

The first questions you have to ask yourself if you are considering a tummy tuck in Lubbock is ““Why do I want plastic surgery?” and “What am I expecting from it?”

These two factors will impact how happy you’ll be with the results as your surgeon does. It’s important to examine the motivations for plastic surgery to make sure it’s the right choice for you. From larger procedures like a mommy makeover to smaller ones like submental liposuction, all can have profound effects on your life and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Motivation

First, look at your motivations for getting surgery. Is it something you’ve always wanted for yourself, or is it something someone close to you has been pestering you about, but not something you’re as interested in? If it’s the latter, you should think twice before proceeding. Drastic life changes should always be done because it’s something you want for yourself, not something someone else wants for you.

Expectations

At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we want you to pursue plastic surgery for the right reasons so you’ll be happy and satisfied with your results; but that’s only half of the equation. Having proper expectations is also very important to your final satisfaction. Surgery can’t make you into a different person or look like someone else in a magazine. If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed–-no one is perfect, so welcome to the club! At the same time, we can all improve, and surgery gives us options that diet and exercise can’t.  So, focus on progress and improvement, not perfection. The latter simply doesn’t exist.

These are just a couple of reasons why the initial consultation is so important. From ear-pinning to a mommy makeover, each procedure and each patient is different and have different needs to be discussed.

Benefits

It’s easy to imagine the aesthetic benefits of a tummy tuck in Lubbock, after all, you can just look at those old photos and remember what it was like to fit into that dress. What you might not know is that for women who are mothers, a tummy tuck can have physical health benefits. A recent study of women who had postnatal abdominoplasty, showed a marked reduction in back pain and urinary incontinence, common results of pregnancy and childbirth:

“The study included 214 women undergoing abdominoplasty with repair of the abdominal muscles . . . . The women’s average age was about 42 years, with an average of 2.5 deliveries.

“Before and after surgery, the women completed questionnaires rating their disability from back pain and urinary incontinence . . . about 51 percent of women had moderate to severe disability from back pain, while urinary incontinence was a ‘significant concern’ for 42.5 percent.

“On follow-up questionnaires . . . only nine percent of patients still had moderate disability from back pain. Urinary incontinence remained a significant problem for less than two percent of women.”

At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we offer no-obligation consultations, so we can get a good feel for your needs, motivations, and expectations. We can address any questions you might have about the surgery you’re interested in, and we can talk to you about realistic options. We will help you determine if a certain procedure is a good fit for you and if it isn’t, Dr. Rowley will tell you honestly and help find other solutions. Women trust her because she doesn’t sugar coat and will tell you the truth about what you can expect, always with your best interests in mind. Call today for your no-obligation consultation today.

A Breast Reduction in Lubbock Can Help You Get Your Life Back

Sometimes it seems that society has a fixation on large breasts. What many don’t realize, however, is that having large breasts creates a lot of discomfort and can drastically decrease your quality of life, both physically and emotionally for many women. Being “well-endowed” can mean physical discomfort, unwanted attention, embarrassment, and an inability to do normal things like exercise or find clothes that fit well. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Experts estimate that close to a million women nationwide experience physical problems due to larger breasts. If you are among them, then a breast reduction in Lubbock may be for you. Here are a few things to think about when deciding if a breast reduction is right for you.

  • How is your Posture? As women age, their shoulders tend to roll forward. Shoulders of women with larger breasts can roll even further forward, causing problems with posture that can contribute to back, neck, or shoulder pain. Some may even feel numbness in the body caused by nerve damage from poor posture. If large breasts are affecting your posture, consult a doctor about the benefits of a breast reduction. With this procedure, women can stand a little straighter with a lighter chest.
  • How is your Activity? We all know the benefits of exercise and living an active lifestyle. Larger breasts make some exercise difficult, or even painful to carry out. If you feel your breasts get in the way, or make normal activities difficult, consider the liberating effects of breast reduction plastic surgery. Women can move around with more freedom when a heavy chest is lightened.
  • How is your Self Image? Having larger breasts can have adverse effects on your self-esteem and contribute to having a bad body image. If you feel self-conscious about your looks because of larger breasts, talk to your doctor about the advantages of having a breast reduction. Women who go through the procedure often have a better body image and rebuild their self confidence.

If you have overly large breasts, you know for yourself that these problems are real. Because larger breasts can create legitimately difficult life experiences, breast reduction surgery may be covered by your insurance, unlike other breast procedures which are more aesthetic. So cost may not even have to be a factor when deciding whether you can move forward with this procedure.

What is a Breast Reduction?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a breast reduction is “a procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size more in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts.” Sometimes your areola (the darker area around your nipple) is also made smaller and may need to be repositioned. In practical term, according to Dr. Jane Rowley, a breast reduction in Lubbock, generally takes approximately two hours under general anesthetic in the office operating suite or a surgicenter. Most patients are typically off work for 10 to 14 days, but may require up to three weeks, with six weeks before a return to full activity. The procedure may also be combined with a breast lift.

Benefits of a Breast Reduction

Women who have had a breast reduction procedure are among the most highly satisfied of all people who get plastic surgery. In fact, 97% of women who’ve had their breast size reduced say that they procedure was worth it.

Among the many benefits are an improved ability to move and to be more active. Exercise will be less restricted. Breast reduction can help alleviate back pain and neck aches. Some women have even reported fewer headaches. Even your sleep quality may be improved. This is important, because with better sleep and exercise, your general health and well-being will improve. Many women with larger breasts also suffer from painful shoulder indentations from bra straps. This will be alleviated with smaller and lighter breasts.

And don’t overlook the emotional impact of a breast reduction. Women with large breasts can suffer from anxieties and depression caused by insecurities in their self image. When you no longer feel self conscious about large breasts, you can feel an emotional freedom as well as a physical freedom. Whether while wearing a swimming suit or just shopping for clothes that fit, this freedom is emotionally healing. Mental health is an important part of our overall health and quality of life and should not be overlooked or underestimated.

Where to Get a Breast Reduction in Lubbock

The benefits of a a breast reduction procedure include less back pain, greater mobility, and increased self confidence. For women considering a breast reduction in Lubbock, they also have the added benefit of Dr. Jane Rowley. As one of the top plastic surgeons in Lubbock and Texas itself, Dr. Rowley has considerable experience in carrying out successful breast reductions. Plastic surgery is a personal decision and can be a life changing experience.

If you are experiencing difficulties because of overly large breasts, contact Rowley Plastic Surgery and learn about what options are available to you. Call today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.