Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

Your Options for a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

Abdominoplasty, better known as tummy tuck surgery, is becoming more and more common among women. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 129,753 tummy tucks were performed in 2017, a two percent increase from the previous year. The surgery removes excess skin and tightens muscles along the abdominal wall. It creates a smoother, firmer abdomen and improves self-image. A tummy tuck will not make you lose a large of weight, but it will tone up and flatten your midsection.

The Right Candidate

Diet and exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, but sometimes they do not have much of an effect on a waist with flabby skin. People who have loose skin after pregnancy or who have lost a drastic amount of weight can benefit from getting a tummy tuck in Lubbock. The ideal tummy tuck candidate also:

  • Is in good health
  • Does not smoke or use nicotine
  • Has realistic expectations
  • Can maintain a healthy, consistent weight

Tummy Tuck Surgery Options

When you undergo a tummy tuck in Lubbock, your abdominal muscles will be repaired and tightened by your plastic surgeon. The procedure takes about two hours and requires a general anesthetic. A horizontal incision is made just above the bikini line. The more excess skin you have, the longer the incision will need to be. Several different surgical options are available.

  • Mini Tummy Tuck: this method is for those with minimal sagging skin that is located mostly under the belly button. It requires an incision that is only a few inches long and corrects the pooch that many women have after bearing children. The navel usually does not need to be moved with this surgery.
  • Standard Tummy Tuck: a regular tummy tuck in Lubbock removes more skin and fat than the mini version. It is a more involved procedure and results in a scar that reaches from hip to hip. The belly button will be repositioned by your surgeon to keep the tummy’s natural look.
  • Extended Tummy Tuck: this version is for patients whose fat and loose skin extends from the belly to the sides of the abdomen. Liposuction is often done together with this procedure to achieve better body contour. The scar is longer than that of a standard tummy tuck, but it’s a small price to pay for such dramatic results.

What to Expect for Recovery

Most tummy tuck patients can go home within several hours after their surgery, but those undergoing the extended version may need to stay overnight for observation. Small drain tubes will likely be placed to help rid the body of extra fluid buildup. Compression garments will help with swelling. While resting during recovery is important, your doctor may encourage you to walk or move around to improve circulation. Expect to take 2-3 weeks off work and allow 6-8 weeks for your full recovery.

If you are thinking about a tummy tuck in Lubbock, these factors deserve your consideration:

  • Whether you fit the profile of a good tummy tuck candidate
  • What type of tummy tuck best suits your needs
  • Your plans for taking time off work for recovery

For more information about which tummy tuck procedure might be right for you, call our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

How to Tell if it’s Time for a Breast Lift in Lubbock

Plastic surgery for the breasts isn’t always about making them bigger. Some women simply need a breast lift, or mastopexy, to give their breasts a more natural, beautiful look. A sagging or drooping bust can be the unfortunate result of the aging process, gravity, significant weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. A breast lift in Lubbock can also be combined with augmentation or reduction if the patient desires a change in the size of her breasts.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Women who maintain a consistent healthy weight and are in good health, generally speaking, make the best candidates for any plastic surgery. It is also important that you do not smoke, or that you cut out nicotine before and after your breast lift in Lubbock, so as not to increase your risk for complications or impede the healing process. Some physical traits of a good candidate include:

  • Sagging, drooping, or pendulous breasts
  • Downward pointing nipples
  • Nipples that fall below the breast crease
  • Stretched out breast skin
  • Very large areolae

Mastopexy Methods

Depending on the amount of breast tissue and skin that needs to be removed, your plastic surgeon will use one of these methods to perform your breast lift.

  • Crescent Lift: Named for the shape of its incision, this lift is for patients with minimal excess breast skin and often for those getting implants. The incision is made on the top edge of the areola.
  • Donut Lift: Also called a periareolar lift, this method is for women who have mild sagging to correct. Two incisions are made: one circles the outer edge of the areola and the other creates a wide circle creating a donut shape of skin to be removed.  
  • Lollipop Lift: This mastopexy method uses incisions that resemble the shape of a keyhole to achieve a more dramatic lift. The resulting scars will run along the perimeter of the areola with a vertical line from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease.
  • Anchor Lift: Surgeons choose this method for women with the most severe cases of drooping breasts. The incision is similar to that of the lollipop lift, with the addition of another one made at the crease of the breast to create an inverted T shape.

What Happens After Surgery?

After your 1½ – 2-hour breast lift surgery, you will wake up wearing a compression garment or surgical bra. You may experience some soreness as the anesthesia wears off, but your doctor will provide medication to help you manage the pain. Mastopexy patients should sleep on their backs during recovery and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Most women return to work 5-10 days after their breast lift in Lubbock and can resume full normal activity within 4-6 weeks.

Giving your breasts a fresh, youthful look may be just what you need to get your confidence back. Some of the important decisions you will make about mastopexy include:

  • Whether you are a good candidate for a breast lift in Lubbock
  • What type of lift would best fit your needs
  • Whether you want breast augmentation or reduction to complement your lift
  • What to expect from your recovery

For more information, call our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

How a Healthy Lifestyle Can Improve Liposuction Recovery

Just about anything worth doing requires real effort on our part. Plastic surgery is no exception. Patients who take no responsibility and expect their procedure to magically fix their bodies set themselves up for disappointment with their results. While plastic surgery may seem like a shortcut, patients need to be serious about maintaining a healthy lifestyle if they want to get the full benefits.

Tips to Help Speed Liposuction Recovery

  1. Drink Plenty of Water. It may seem like a no-brainer, but many people in Lubbock don’t get their recommended daily amount of water. Drinking enough water is important for everyone, especially those who are going through liposuction recovery. Staying hydrated fuels the body as it heals and can help diminish the appearance of scars. Drinks like alcohol, coffee, and soda do not count toward the goal of eight glasses of water per day.
  2. Be Active. Strictly follow your doctor’s orders regarding your levels of activity following your surgery. Most procedures will require you to scale back your gym time for a couple of weeks. Once you have your doctor’s approval, give yourself time to work back to your normal activities. After having liposuction or other plastic surgery, it is important to maintain a healthy weight; otherwise, it could negatively affect your results.
  3. Eat Right. If you don’t already have a healthy diet, use plastic surgery as an event in your life that marks the perfect time to start one. Eating nutritious foods will help you keep your newfound confidence and take care of your improved figure. Given the right nutrients, your body will have what it needs to minimize swelling and inflammation and even reduce scarring. Talk to your doctor about making healthy changes to your diet and how it can impact your liposuction recovery experience.
  4. Cut Out Nicotine. If you use nicotine and are considering a procedure like liposuction in Lubbock, you need to plan on quitting for a while. People who smoke have greater liposuction risks for complications during surgery as well as during the healing process. Your plastic surgeon will most likely want you to stay off nicotine for a few weeks before and after your procedure. Nicotine reduces oxygen and blood flow to the skin, which can result in improper wound healing and scarring.
  5. Be Patient. Your body will heal after plastic surgery, but it will not happen overnight. Every patient’s experience is different. Even a perfect candidate for surgery will experience some degree of bruising and swelling after having work done. The full results of your procedure can take months to be revealed, so don’t get down if your progress is taking longer than you imagined it would. Keep a good support network of family and friends in the loop so you can rely on them during your recovery.

Change How You See Yourself

With spring break fast approaching and stores proudly displaying this season’s skimpy swimwear, it’s hard not to picture yourself poolside. If you feel less than excited about wearing your swimsuit in public, plastic surgery could help you gain the confidence to change that. There is no reason to let a flabby belly or stubborn bulges of fat hold you back from feeling good in your own skin. But how do you decide which tummy procedure is right for you?

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, but a tool to help eliminate specific areas of fat on the body. Fat is suctioned out through tiny tubes to improve the body’s contour, giving the patient a slimmer, sleeker figure. Areas that respond well to this procedure include the thighs, back, love handles, and chin/neck region. When your strict diet and exercise regimen do nothing for certain spots of stubborn fat, it may be time to look into liposuction in Lubbock.

A tummy tuck provides dramatic results by getting rid of excess skin on the belly and firming up the overall appearance of the stomach. Weakened abdominal muscles are tightened, and the belly button is sometimes repositioned for a more natural look after the skin has been pulled taut. The tummy tuck comes in different options for your unique needs: your doctor can recommend the mini tuck, the standard version, or the extended tummy tuck for your individual shape. Talk to your plastic surgeon about which procedure is right for you, or whether your best results will be achieved by combining the two.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock. Not only does she have extensive training and expertise and skill in her field, but she also has the honesty and compassion that put her patients at ease. If you have questions about liposuction recovery or any other aspects of your plastic surgery experience, call our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.