Archive for category: Personal

Massive weight loss is a huge change that brings with it feelings of accomplishment and celebration. But many people also find themselves frustrated by side effects of their success.

In particular, they wonder how to handle excess skin after losing a large amount of weight in a short period. Thankfully, there are a few cosmetic surgery procedures that offer dramatic post-weight loss results. Body lifts and tummy tucks are options to help augment your weight loss. If you are considering body lift surgery, here are a few considerations that should help you determine if it is right for you.

What is a Body Lift?

A body lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat deposits left behind after massive weight loss. The human body is a remarkable thing, but often it struggles to keep up with our fitness achievements. Once the skin has been over-stretched by the initial weight gain and then lost, the skin can not tighten and hence all the loose skin.

An abdominal lift after weight loss is appropriate for men and women who put in the hard work and lifestyle changes and want their appearance to reflect it. Body lift surgery removes large skin folds and fat from the hips, outer upper thighs, lower abdomen, and upper buttocks and sculpts the body’s size and shape to achieve desired results.

What You Need to Know

Body lift surgery is a surgical procedure that involves general anaesthesia and multiple incisions. It also requires you to have a consistent BMI for months leading up to and after the surgery.

There is a focused recovery period, with the first few days being especially critical for proper health and recovery. This includes exercise and activity restrictions that are gradually reduced as the body heals. The general timeline is two weeks before returning to work, four weeks before resuming most life activities, and eight weeks before a full return to physical exertion like exercise.

Procedures Involved

An abdominal lift involves general anaesthesia and multiple incisions; even though success rates are extraordinarily high, you must be a good candidate for a surgical procedure and work closely with your doctor to ensure the best results.

The surgery is a combination of tightening skin and removing skin and fat to achieve a more youthful and slim appearance. Selective incisions can provide a natural and tailored appearance that even the most successful weight loss surgery and exercise regimen cannot match.

When seeking a body lift surgery in Perth, the skilled care of Dr. Goldman’s team will help you achieve the overall body results you envisioned when embarking on your weight loss journey.

Insurance Options/Coverage

Body lift surgery is costly, though it is a life-changing investment in your health and appearance. The duration of each procedure is measured in hours, from 3-4 up to 8 or more. Some private insurance plans assist with operations, while others have accessed their accumulated superannuation funds to assist with payment.

Your selected surgeon’s office will provide you with a consultation that explores payment options and pricing, depending on the types of procedures and potential coverages. A more detailed price quote will explain the difference between fees and parties receiving payment, which can help you understand out-of-pocket expenses. 

Cost

As an involved inpatient surgery, the overall cost can sound intimidating. However, compared to the potential complications and life-changing transformations, the cost can easily be perceived as a lifelong investment instead of a one-time elective sticker shock.

Further, there are different methods and payment assistance plans to enable you to start living the life you dream of today without worrying about paying all of it upfront.

Next Steps

If you have achieved massive weight loss recently, first of all, congratulate yourself. But if you have been disappointed with aspects of your appearance in spite of a massive change at the scales, you may be a prime candidate for body lift surgery. While the primary considerations of the tummy tuck procedure and body lifts are cosmetic, there are many measurable health effects caused by excess skin and fat deposits, including:

• Difficulty in walking and exercising
• Poor posture
• Aching of the back and shoulders
• Chronic rashes and infections in the folds
• Personal hygiene issues due to the accumulation of sweat and problems without thorough cleaning of affected areas
• Low or poor self-esteem

All of these reasons should only encourage candidates that their desire for the surgery is valid to help them envision a life free from complications associated with an otherwise positive experience.

For many women whose bodies have deteriorated due to a number of factors, breast lifts are a great way to modify chest size, contour, and elevation.

This operation is also known as a “mastopexy” and is a rapidly increasing field of cosmetic surgery.

So what is a breast lift? Well, the main goal of this surgery is to reposition the breast and nipples in order to restore their natural look. This procedure may also involve removing excess skin, tightening the tissue and giving breasts a better shape.

The decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is not an easy one. In this blog, we will explore mastopexy, including facts, reasons to have the procedure, and common misconceptions about the operation.

Why get a breast lift?

In the article “The Truth about Breast Lifts”, plastic surgery professor Christina Y. Ahn notes that the reason that many people opt for the procedure is simply to get back what has been lost over time.

“Patients say, ‘I want my own breasts back,’” claims Ahn.

During her lifespan, a woman can experience changes in her breasts cause feelings of dissatisfaction. This can be due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding, heredity, or simply descending with age or the effects of gravity.

A breast lift is designed to elevate the breasts to a more youthful position, therefore reversing these changes.

What you should know

Increase in confidence

Breast lifts do not merely address one single requirement, but rather a collection of conditions associated with self-image. Patients that undergo a  mastopexy can benefit physically, aesthetically and mentally from the procedure.

A breast lift can be exceptionally rewarding for women who have lost their confidence. Improved breast shape and positioning can really help them feel better about their bodies and increase their self-esteem.

Rise in popularity

Breast lifts are becoming increasingly popular with many women. According to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the rate of breast lifts has increased by 70 percent between the years 2000 and 2014 [source], indicating that the benefits of mastopexy seem to be appreciated by a number of women.

Getting a breast lift

Source: Breast Lift 4 You

Before the breast lift, patients will meet with Dr Goldman for a pre-operation consultation. During this visit, or another pre-surgery appointment, the surgeon and patient will determine the end nipple position. A series of measurements are taken and the breasts are marked out and mapped to determine what region of the breast is to be removed and moved up to the new position.

They will then escort the patient into the operating room, which may be a hospital or day surgery centre. The patient then will meet the team, which will consist of nursing staff and anaesthesiologist and be given a general anaesthetic or sedative.

The surgery itself only takes about 4 hours. As well as removing excess tissue, the surgeon will use existing breast tissue to reposition the nipples.

Some patients choose to add implants during the breast lift surgery to add volume and roundness.

Back pain and posture

In the article Breast Reduction & Breast Lift 13 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Surgeries, the author states, “I wish I would have known how wonderful I was going to feel after this surgery. If I had, I would have done this years ago.”

As well as a reduction in back, neck and shoulder pain, she reports an increased sense of confidence because of how perky her breasts were. Her husband also noticed a positive change in her posture.

After the breast lift

After surgery, patients often experience discomfort, swelling and bruising. This typically last for a few weeks, though the surgeon will make suggestions to expedite the recovery period.  Post-surgery pain reduction typically includes prescribed pain medication or a surgical bra.

To facilitate the healing process, it is important to rest as much as possible, although most patients return to work and are able to do light activities after the first week. It is crucial to avoid heavy lifting for two months following surgery in order to avoid disrupting the healing process.

Breast Lift misconceptions

There is a wide array of misunderstanding that surrounds breast lifts. It is time to clear some of these up.

Breast lifts work better with implants

While overall outcomes of a breast lift may improve when combined with implants, it is not necessary in every instance.  Many patients can get excellent results just from a lift. It is best to discuss individual cases with a plastic surgeon.

Breast lifts will increase breast size

Breasts will not increase in size after a lift. They may appear to be larger, but that will be due to improved shape and positioning. While the quantity of breast tissue does not increase, the quality does. The addition of implants will increase the size if desired.

Permanent scarring post-treatment

No one wants unsightly scars, so it is understandable that this point can be of concern to those considering mastopexy. For the first few months after surgery, the breast lift scars can be very noticeable, often appearing very red and lumpy. But don’t worry– over time, scars will fade. There are some treatment options to reduce scar appearance.

Fortunately, scarring is easily hidden beneath clothing, undergarments, or swimwear. The trade-off is younger, firmer looking breasts, which is why the vast majority of women are happy with the result of the procedure.

Breast lifts permanently fix breasts

While breast lift surgery doesn’t delay natural processes and aging, most patients obtain very long lasting results thanks to new surgery techniques

Conclusion

During their lives, women’s breasts will change. Changes can occur from pregnancy, weight change, age or gravity. These changes are completely natural. For some women, breast changes can have an impact on confidence.

Having a breast lift can improve breast shape, projection, and symmetry, as well as give breasts a more youthful appearance. As a result, those who undergo breast lifts look and feel better in and out of clothes.

At the end of the day, whether to get a breast lift or not is completely up to the patient.

Choosing to undergo breast augmentation surgery is a big decision, so it is important to consider a number of factors before deciding to have the procedure performed.

As with any procedure, there are health risks associated with breast enhancement surgery. Some of the associated complications are not pleasant. However, there is a very small likelihood of these problems occurring. Risks are further diminished if you have the procedure performed by an accredited surgeon in a fully equipped medical clinic or hospital.

Before actually having surgery, surgeons will discuss the possibility of things going wrong, including symptoms and side effects as well as any recommended corrective treatments/further surgery. Anyone considering this surgery should be proactive and educate himself or herself in order to make an informed decision.

Breast Augmentation Safety in Australia

When it comes to breast augmentations, Australia has high standards in regards to safety, and surgeons must adhere to strict codes, as noted by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the Therapeutic Goods Administration. ( Federal Government body dealing with the licensing of breast implants)

Because of these safety benchmarks, cosmetic surgery performed in Australia is less likely to encounter surgery mishaps than in destination surgeries.

This is a result of two factors.

1. Highly trained, accredited surgeons.
2. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is an Australian government body that approves and regulates the use of medical devices like certain types of saline and silicone filled implants. Think of them as an industry watchdog, who monitor the use of implants and investigates any surgery incidents that occur.

Breast Surgery Risks

There are inherent risks associated with any type of surgery.  With breast implants that risk is roughly 1 per cent [source]. Below is a list of issues a patient may encounter from breast augmentation surgery.

Local Complications

This refers to problems that arise around the breast area because of the implants or the surgery itself.

Potential problems include:

• Chronic breast pain
• Infection
• Numbness of breast or nipple
• Necrosis (skin death)
• Hematoma (blood collecting around an implant)
• Seroma (fluid collecting around an implant)
• Surgical complications

[Source]

Rupture – Surgery, aging or trauma are just some of the factors of breast implant safety that can lead to a tear or hole in the outer shell of the breast implant. This can lead to leaking or deflation of implants. If this occurs, the implants should be removed.

Implant removal – It is estimated that as high as 20 per cent of women who receive a breast implant will have them removed within 8 to 10 years because of complications.

Capsular contracture – This is a breast implant risk in which the area around the implant hardens, which can cause pain due to tightening tissue according to the FDA. There is no known cause of capsular contracture, but it can often follow infection, seroma and hematoma. If a surgeon classifies capsular contracture as severe, additional surgery may be required to remedy the problem.

Medical Tourism

Despite the financial incentive to have breast enhancement performed overseas, it is much safer to have it done in Australia. The likelihood of needing follow-up surgeries after an overseas breast augmentation may also negate the cost benefit.

What are the risks?

• Increased rate of infection
• Hospitals and medical clinics are not equipped for emergencies
• Surgeons are not accredited to Australian standards
• Much shorter process
• Medical ‘holiday’ is restricted because of the time it takes to recover
• English is second language, making it difficult to communicate with the surgeon and medical staff
• If something goes wrong, it is hard to understand what recourse can be taken because the customs and laws are unfamiliar
• No post-operative follow up

For more information, check out this video on the potential risks of breast augmentation surgery.

Despite it being a cheap and popular option for Australians—thousands of people flock to the shore of Thailand each year to have the procedure performed—the quality of the cosmetic enhancement tends to be better in Australia. There are also fewer risks.

For more information about why medical tourism is a risky endeavour, please refer to Medical Tourism: a cost/benefit analysis.

Controversy

There has been a great deal of media attention centred around the question: are breast implants safe? Over the past few decades, controversy has arisen linking silicone-filled breast implants with certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. There is, however, no supporting evidence to confirm this negative misconception regarding breast implants and health.

Recovery

Breast enhancement is major procedure and requires significant recovery time. During the first few days to weeks, swelling, pain, discomfort and bleeding are to be expected. Medication and a surgical bra will be provided to alleviate post-operative pain.

When the swelling begins to subside, the patient will be able to be more active, but will still need to avoid strenuous exercise. After 2-3 months, healing should plateau and the patient will be able to gradually introduce more intense exercise into their routine.

To help facilitate healing and reduce the appearance of scarring, it is best to follow the surgeon’s advice exactly. Doing so will also decrease the risk of post-operative complications.

Want a trusted surgeon?

To minimise risk, it is prudent to use an experienced and skilled cosmetic surgeon to perform a breast augmentation. Robert Goldman is a surgeon with those credentials and is a registered specialist surgeon.

He provides his patients with the highest level of care and ongoing support for the best possible results.