Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

Mommy Makeovers: More than Just a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

When we are young and anticipate the joys of motherhood, we can underestimate the toll that pregnancy, the demands of child rearing, and time can take on our body. But before we know it, we’re no longer those glowing, expectant mothers. With a little help from modern surgical technology, there are many ways to regain your sense of youthfulness, to boost your confidence, and reclaim the shape you sacrificed to have a family.

In our practice, we consult with many mothers considering tummy tuck in Lubbock who are surprised to learn how many options they have after childbearing. While not everyone loves the term, what pop culture often terms a “Mommy Makeover” is a popular term referring to a combination of procedures to target different areas of your body you wish during a single surgery. Several areas may be combined in one procedure to create the full look that is wanted with minimal downtime and a dramatic effect for the right patient.

If you’d like to see a little more (or less) curve here or there, whether after your pregnancies or as you age, you have several options to combine plastic surgery procedures covering different areas like tummies, breasts, hips, buttocks, and even submental liposuction to tighten up a threatening double chin.  

You get to decide—with only a single recovery.  So let’s discuss your options.

Breast Procedures: Breast Enhancement, Breast Lift, and Breast Reduction

When most people think about plastic surgery for breasts, they think of implants to increase breast size.  But there are other breast procedures that can help women feel better about their appearance and themselves, aside from simply increasing their cup size. Which procedure is right for you depends on your body and your preferences, a decision made in consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

After nursing, or simply with age, a woman’s breasts can sag, look deflated, and lose shape. If you would like to add volume and fullness to your breasts, then a breast augmentation with breast implants is a good option. If fullness is not a concern for you, but your breasts droop with the nipples pointing downward and/or the top of the areola lower than the crease under the breast when viewed from the side, you could benefit simply from a breast lift. And of course, it’s not uncommon for women to choose both breast implants and a breast lift, restoring their youthful appearance while adding fullness.

What if you have too much breast tissue? In addition to making some women feel uncomfortable with their appearance because of a lack of proportion or unwanted attention, having too large of breasts can create physical discomfort.  The weight can cause back, neck, or shoulder pain. Some women get rashes or irritations in the crease of the breasts. Some may even have numbness or tingling in their hands and arms. If any of this sounds familiar, a breast reduction may be a good choice for you (and may be covered by your insurance).  This procedure has some of the highest patient satisfaction rates in cosmetic surgery.

Abdominal Procedures: Liposuction and Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

Pregnancy can also leave women with loose, excess skin around their midsection, stubborn pockets of fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise, and a laxity of abdominal muscles (diastasis). If you have concerns about your belly, hips, or thighs, you have a couple of options, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction.

A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) removes baggy, stretched skin that hangs around after you have had children or lost a significant amount of weight. A tummy tuck can even remove some stretch marks from pregnancies, and includes tightening up your abdominal muscles. While a tummy tuck in Lubbock might not result in significant weight loss, it does have a significant effect on the abdominal core.

Liposuction, on the other hand, removes that fat in your belly and hip areas that doesn’t go away with exercise and diet. This procedure is designed to remove areas of localized fat persist despite any constant efforts to eliminate them. Liposuction can successfully reshape your body and works well as part of a mommy makeover, as women tend to hold on to fat as they age.

An extended tummy tuck uses a slightly longer incision to shape the hips, and is often combined with liposuction to tighten and shape the side of the waist.

Why Lubbock Women Choose Dr. Jane Rowley

Combining procedures can yield impressive results. However, with each added procedure, it’s even more important to find a trusted, board-certified plastic surgeon you can thoroughly consult with about your cosmetic goals who shares your perspective.  Dr. Jane Rowley always listens to her patients and is well known for being a collaborative guide that helps women develop a plan that best fits their individual needs and bodies.

A mommy makeover can restore your confidence by helping you regain your natural, youthful beauty with a tighter stomach, slimmer hips, and a fuller or more proportionate bustline. If you’re looking for a tummy tuck in Lubbock or the surrounding areas, or any combination of cosmetic procedures to get the look you want, take time to chat with Dr. Rowley.  She wants her patients to be happy with their results–and themselves–she wants you to thoroughly understand all of your options and what procedures would work best for your lifestyle and body type. She will spend whatever time is necessary to make your plastic surgery experience the best one for you. With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Rowley is the leading surgeon in Lubbock that offers plastic surgery with a woman’s perspective.  Discuss your options at a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Rowley. Call to schedule yours today.

In Lubbock, Plastic Surgery Can Benefit Anyone

We all enjoy feeling good about our appearance. While it is true that most plastic surgery patients are women, more and more men are seeking out cosmetic procedures now. Men and women will always be different and strive for attractiveness in different ways. It is human nature to gain confidence when we are happy with the way we look, and men are realizing the benefits of plastic surgery that women have been enjoying for a long time.  Here’s a look at some of the top cosmetic procedures for men.

Blepharoplasty

A lift for the eyelids can take years off a man’s aging face. In Lubbock, plastic surgery for the eyes is popular with men because it makes them look young and fresh without the appearance of obvious scars. Droopy upper eyelids, as well as puffiness or bags under the eyes can be corrected. If the patient experiences difficulty with vision because of the sagging skin around the eyes, insurance may cover the cost of surgery.

Tummy Tuck

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck can help men the same way it helps women in Lubbock. Plastic surgery of this type gives men a tighter, leaner mid-section by getting rid of any sagging skin or fat around the belly. Abdominal muscles tend to be a focal point for many men, and a tummy tuck benefits the abs by tightening them from within. Women often seek this option after having children, but they are not the only ones who struggle with flabby stomachs. Whether a man feels he has a “dad” body, has lost a dramatic amount of weight, or is just fighting the aging process, a tummy tuck can provide the lean, athletic look he wants.

Liposuction

Men pinch and dislike the fat on their love handles just like women do. It is frustrating for men and women alike when their efforts at the gym and dedication to diet just don’t get the results they want. Liposuction targets specific areas of stubborn fat to improve body contour and create a slimmer look. It is not a weight loss surgery for men or women, but it can help smooth out those problem areas.

Male Breast Reduction

Many men feel self-conscious of their chest when it begins to droop with fat because of weight gain. A hormonal condition called gynecomastia also causes the male chest to resemble the female breast as breast tissue begins to swell. This problem cannot be resolved through diet or exercise because it is not related to excess weight. For men experiencing these issues in Lubbock, plastic surgery provides a way to get their ideal male physique back.

Rhinoplasty

Women often seek nose jobs to reduce the size of their noses and remove imperfections. It is more typical of men to want nose reshaping to fix problems caused by past injuries or to address breathing problems associated with snoring.

A nose job can give a man the shape and size of nose he wants to feel more confident in the face he puts forward in the workplace and social settings.

Plastic Surgery for Children?

Most people recognize the benefits of plastic surgery for men and women, but what about for our youth? When we are young, our bodies are still developing, and we are not mature enough to make decisions about making permanent elective changes to our appearance. Many procedures are not suitable for children, but otoplasty is one exception. Also known as ear pinning, this procedure is for people with any of the problems below:

  • Protruding ears
  • Large ears that are out of proportion to the size of the head
  • Drooping ears
  • Asymmetrical ears
  • Unhappiness with results from previous ear surgery

Children who have prominent ears are often subject to teasing and bullying by their peers. The playground can be a ruthless place. This type of interaction can have a negative impact on a child’s self-esteem, which can be difficult to rebuild. Children as young as age six can have the operation, but it is advisable to wait until they are mature enough to request the procedure themselves.

The desire to appear attractive to others is part of human nature. It motivates us to take care of our bodies by eating healthy, exercising, and grooming daily. Although it presents itself in different ways, this instinct is present in men, women, and children in Lubbock. Plastic surgery is a tool that can be used to enhance the beauty, physique, and confidence of people who wish to improve a certain aspect of their appearance. We are used to seeing women dominate the plastic surgery demographics, but men and even children can benefit from it as well. Some of the most popular procedures for men include:

  • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift)
  • Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
  • Liposuction
  • Male Breast Reduction
  • Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

For more information, contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today and schedule your no-obligation consultation.

What You Should Consider Before Your Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

The way we shop for things has changed a lot in the last several years. With online reviews and free shipping, you can easily buy just about anything without getting off your couch. “Shopping” for a doctor should require more effort. If you want the person responsible for your plastic surgery to be top of the line, you will have to do more than just click to add to your cart. Online reviews are a good starting point, but meeting with a few doctors, talking to friends and family, and doing research of your own will increase the likelihood of finding the right plastic surgeon.

Do Your Homework

Patients planning on having plastic surgery in Lubbock have several important decisions to make. Your results, safety, and care depend on the doctor you choose. You may have a handful of doctors in mind as you begin your research. Check out their websites, talk to anyone you know who recommends them (or doesn’t!), and then check up on them yourself.

You can review the doctor’s background by contacting the medical board of the state in which they practice. They should have a license in that state, and the medical board carries information on any disciplinary history as well as complaints against them. Keep in mind that if the surgeon has practiced in more than one state, you will need to look up their medical board history with each of those locations.  

The Importance of Board Certification

Anyone with a medical license can claim to be a cosmetic surgeon. For this and other reasons, it is essential that your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). You can make sure your doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery by visiting the American Board of Medical Specialties’ website.

But what exactly does this certification mean? It means your surgeon has the credentials and training necessary to be qualified to perform plastic surgery in Lubbock safely. ABPS board-certification requires plastic surgeons to complete the following:

  • Three to five years of general surgery training
  • Two to three additional years of plastic surgery training
  • Oral and written exams
  • Continuing education each year in the medical field
  • Written test every ten years

Questions to Ask about Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Write down your questions and bring them with you to your consultation. This is your chance to get a real feel for the person you will be trusting with your appearance and your safety. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about anything that concerns you; there are no wrong questions! Consider the following for starters:

  1. How much experience do you have with my procedure? If you want to get a tummy tuck, you will be able to have more confidence in a surgeon who performs them on a regular basis, rather than one who specializes in another area but is willing to do the surgery for you this time. A good follow-up to this question is finding out just how many times they have performed your procedure.
  2. Am I a good candidate for this procedure? Do not be offended if your plastic surgeon’s answer is no. They are trying to protect you from something that would either not get you the results you want or would be unsafe. They may suggest an alternative or recommend waiting for a period of time.
  3. How do I prepare for my surgery? Most plastic surgery requires patients to quit smoking before and after their operation; your doctor will advise you on the exact timetable. Be sure to reveal any and all medications, vitamins, and supplements you may be taking as some may interfere with the procedure.
  4. What happens if complications arise? Find out who to contact should anything out of the ordinary happen. You will need to know what to do if certain side effects take place and if there will be additional costs for their treatment.

If you care about the safety and final results of your plastic surgery, you need to put in the time to find the right doctor. Cosmetic surgery gone wrong is not an easy thing to fix. Doing your homework now will save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Remember the following when planning your plastic surgery in Lubbock:

  • Get referrals from family and friends
  • Review your plastic surgeon’s background history
  • Double check that your doctor is board-certified by the ABPS
  • Go over questions you want to address during your consultation

During your consultation, don’t ignore your gut feeling. Even if everything checks out on paper, but you do not feel right about the surgeon, don’t hesitate to move on. Plastic surgery is an investment in yourself. When you put forth the effort and do your due diligence, you can have a positive experience with excellent results.

For more information, contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today and schedule your no-obligation consultation.