There has been a great deal of progress in abdominoplasty. Previously, the procedure included heavy anesthesia and a long recovery time. About ten years ago, doctors started combining liposuction with abdominoplasty. This move advanced the tummy tuck to a new level. And, when doctors started performing the operation with the patient awake, advanced the procedure even more.

An awake abdominoplasty, otherwise known as a “tummy tuck,” is a popular procedure for cosmetically altering the appearance of the abdomen. Many people find that the abdomen is one of the most difficult areas to tighten up, even after weight loss and exercise. The awake abdominoplasty tightens the skin and muscles of the abdomen, while allowing you to remain awake throughout the procedure.

While this technique is great, it is best suited for active people who have tried to rid themselves of excess fat and skin through diet and exercise. If the diet and exercise program has been unsuccessful, an awake tummy tuck is a logical way to take care of this problem. If you have had multiple pregnancies and the abdominal muscles are stretched and weak, the awake abdominoplasty may be helpful. Even if you have had previous abdominal surgery, this method is safe.

Being awake lets you see the results of the procedure before the doctor is finished, as well as allowing you to avoid the side-effects of general anesthesia. Instead, the doctor uses a local anesthetic, called Tumescent.

To get rid of thick rolls of fat and excess skin, the doctor first excises the skin with liposuction. This method preserves the blood vessels in the abdominal area, which results in a more rapid recovery, and it also reduces complications.

An awake tummy tuck can result in an attractive new waistline complete with a tight, flat stomach. Fortunately with recent innovations, the procedure can be done with minimal discomfort and risk.

Tags: Abdominoplasty, Awake Abdominoplasty, Awake Tummy Tuck, center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon

Traditional liposuction is gradually being replaced by laser liposuction. Here’s Why:

Traditional liposuction is performed under general anesthesia and carries with it the possibility of some fairly serious side-effects including allergic reactions, skin damage, the puncturing of an internal organ and infection. A patient will also take at least one or two weeks to recover from traditional liposuction surgery, and the targeted area can sometimes display significant bruising and swelling.

In traditional liposuction, which is a fairly invasive procedure, one or more incisions are made in the target area and the cannula – a metal, straw-like object – is inserted under the skin and is then used to break down the fatty tissue in the area. This fatty tissue is then evacuated or sucked out through the use of a device called an aspirator.

Laser lipo is preferred to the traditional liposuction surgeries for a variety of reasons including that it takes far less time, and the required recovery period is so short so as to be almost non-existent. Laser liposuction also stimulates the skin to produce collagen-containing connective tissue, which tightens up the skin surrounding the target areas and reduces scarring.

Laser liposuction, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthetic and involving a slight incision being made in the skin through which a tiny cannula is inserted. A heated laser beam is then played through the cannula directly onto the target areas where it heats up and then emulsifies the fat cells in the area. These liquidized fat cells are then either expelled from the body through the body’s natural waste disposal systems or are sucked out with the help of a small aspirator, and a patient can choose which fat-evacuation procedure would suit him or her best. No stitches are required and no drains are used.

The action of the laser also cauterizes the tiny blood vessels found in the target area, which has the effect of reducing pain, bruising and swelling, and, depending on the extent of the laser liposuction, patients can usually return to their normal activities almost immediately after the procedure has been completed. Laser liposuction also combats cellulite and reduces stretch marks, and the targeted fatty tissue is permanently removed.

Tags: center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon, laser lipo, laser liposuction, LaserLipo, philadelphia, SmartLipo

“Smarteyes” surgery, technically known as blepharoplasty surgery, is simply eyelid surgery. It is most commonly performed for cosmetic purposes, but it has functional benefits as well as cosmetic ones. Smarteyes surgery is used to remove unwanted fat, excess muscle and excess skin from the eyelids. This helps remove the aged, saggy and droopy look from your eyelids, which helps give you a more youthful appearance. Smarteyes surgery offers you several aesthetic benefits.

Smarteyes surgery, first of all, improves the overall appearance of your eyelids and, therefore, your entire face. By removing the excess skin that obscures the natural fold in your eyelid, you instantly look younger and less tired and aged. Smarteyes surgery also gets rids of the puffiness in your upper eyelid that gives you a tired look. In the lower lids, Smarteyes surgery can even correct fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, it can also get rid of the bags beneath your eyes and the droopiness that sometimes occurs revealing the white portion of your eye behind the iris.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of Smarteyes surgery and the reason why most people have it done is that it makes you feel better about yourself. When you look better, you feel better. And when you feel better, you have more self-esteem and confidence. By feeling younger, fresher and more attractive, you feel more optimistic, and that in itself gives you more energy to accomplish more throughout your daily life.

In addition to aesthetic benefits, Smarteyes surgery also has functional benefits. When the excess skin is removed from the eyelid, your vision could improve. Your peripheral vision might have been obscured somewhat from droopy, sagging eyelids, and with the removal of that, it could improve again.

A financial benefit of Smarteyes surgery is that many insurance policies will cover it. Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance since they are an elective procedure. However, because Smarteyes surgery can actually improve your vision, it qualifies as a non-elective procedure. You may have to take a field test proving to what degree the excess skin hinders your vision, and your surgeon can assist you with this.

Tags: center for smartlipo, Eyelid Surgery, pennsylvania, philadelphia, Smarteyes Surgery

About the Selphyl® System – Because Nothing is More Natural Than You…

The Selphyl® System enables the safe and rapid preparation of natural autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) utilizing a small amount of a patient’s own blood.  The Selphyl® System is being used by physicians worldwide.

Fast and Easy…

Physicians utilize the Selphyl® System in office, and the entire procedure takes no more than 30 minutes. The Selphyl® System is safe and reliable and no adverse reactions have been reported to date.

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Women who are naturally flat-chested may suffer from a lack of confidence and self-esteem. In the modern world, women are constantly bombarded with images of the ideal female body. The classic curvy silhouette, made famous by Hollywood screen sirens and fashion models, is one that some women do not match up to, and this can lead to them being labelled as having a ‘boyish’ body type. Women of this type may find it difficult to attract a partner or feel that they are less attractive to their partner because of this.

‘Boyish’ body types with no curves may feel that they do not fit in with other women because of the difference in their appearance. It can also be difficult for practical reasons. Buying clothes on the high street can be a challenge for women with boyish figures, as many retailers manufacture their clothes to fit and flatter curvier proportions, and it can be embarrassing for women with a ‘boyish’ shape to find that clothes are ill-fitting. Most brands of lingerie and swimwear are manufactured for women with curves, and for women who are flat-chested it can be nearly impossible to find lingerie that is fitted and flattering. Very few manufacturers offer sizes such as double AA or smaller, so purchasing fitting underwear can also prove expensive and time-consuming.

Women who undergo breast augmentation surgery commonly report a high level of satisfaction with the procedure and the results. Many say that they feel more confident as a result of their new curves, and more attractive to the opposite sex. At the Center for Smart Lipo, an expert team led by the renowned Dr Goldfarb will provide you with a friendly and courteous consultation. The Center offers a natural method of breast augmentation, in which fat is extracted from another area of the body and, using a patented growth enhancement process, injected into the breasts to give a fuller shape that appears completely natural. The results are excellent, and the procedure is carried out by fully qualified staff in a welcoming and comfortable surgery center.

Tags: Boyish Figure, center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon, Flat Chest, Natural Breast Augmentation

Each year, over six million cosmetic procedures are performed on patients between the ages of 20 and 39. A large portion of these are considered “Mommy Makeovers.”

As the name suggests, today’s mothers value not only taking care of their children, but taking care of themselves as well. And sometimes, that pre-pregnancy body just won’t come regardless of exercise or dieting. This is where a Mommy Makeover comes in — to help moms look and feel their best. Making sacrifices for the children doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything about herself!

Mommy Makeovers allow busy moms to take some time off for rest and rejuvenation, both inside and out. And for moms, being in touch with how they feel has a tremendous impact on the family’s attitude. Feeling youthful and self-confident is an admirable goal that any child would do well to emulate. And having a positive self-image pays dividends both at work and in the home.

So what kinds of procedures are mommies undergoing? One of the most popular selections is a tummy tuck, which has seen tremendous growth in popularity in recent years. Many mothers find that despite careful dieting and exercise, the abdomen refuses to contract. Considering how stretched those skin and muscles were during pregnancy, this is no surprise.

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, creates a slimmer waistline and flatter abdomen by tightening abdominal muscles and removing excess skin and fat. In this procedure, surgeons simply suture the walls of muscle together. Mommies who maintain their weight and indulge in a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, are rewarded with satisfying long-term results.

Tummy tucks are performed as outpatient surgery. Traditionally, general anesthetic and a low incision has been used, but some physicians are now using local anesthetic with the Avelar technique, which involves using liposuction to discard unwanted skin and fat. The traditional incision often creates a thick wall with an unwanted layer of fat underneath; the Avelar technique eliminates this side effect. Plus, this new method preserves the blood supply to the abdominal wall, resulting in faster recovery and less risk of complications.

With the public’s increasing acceptance of plastic surgery, mommy makeovers are a great way for moms to re-capture their youthful self-image and to feel great about themselves.

Tags: Abdominoplasty, Awake Abdominoplasty, Awake Tummy Tuck, center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon, laser lipo, Mommy Makeovers, philadelphia, smart lipo

In traditional liposuction, which is a fairly invasive procedure, one or more incisions are made in the target area and the cannula - a metal, straw-like object - is inserted under the skin and is then used to break down the fatty tissue in the area. This fatty tissue is then evacuated or sucked out through the use of a device called an aspirator.

Traditional liposuction is performed under general anesthesia and carries with it the possibility of some fairly serious side-effects including allergic reactions, skin damage, the puncturing of an internal organ and infection. A patient will also take at least one or two weeks to recover from traditional liposuction surgery, and the targeted area can sometimes display significant bruising and swelling.

Laser lipo is preferred to the traditional liposuction surgeries for a variety of reasons including that it takes far less time, and the required recovery period is so short so as to be almost non-existent. Laser liposuction also stimulates the skin to produce collagen-containing connective tissue, which tightens up the skin surrounding the target areas and reduces scarring.

Laser liposuction, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthetic and involving a slight incision being made in the skin through which a tiny cannula is inserted. A heated laser beam is then played through the cannula directly onto the target areas where it heats up and then emulsifies the fat cells in the area. These liquidized fat cells are then either expelled from the body through the body’s natural waste disposal systems or are sucked out with the help of a small aspirator, and a patient can choose which fat-evacuation procedure would suit him or her best. No stitches are required and no drains are used.

The action of the laser also cauterizes the tiny blood vessels found in the target area, which has the effect of reducing pain, bruising and swelling, and, depending on the extent of the laser liposuction, patients can usually return to their normal activities almost immediately after the procedure has been completed. Laser liposuction also combats cellulite and reduces stretch marks, and the targeted fatty tissue is permanently removed.

Tags: center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon, laser lipo, laser liposuction, pennsylvania, philadelphia, SmartLipo

Richard Goldfarb, MD has been awarded the status of Fellow in the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.

As a Fellow in ASLMS,  Dr. Goldfarb, who is a leader in cosmetic surgery, is an important part of the world’s preeminent resource for laser research, education, technology, and clinical knowledge.

Tags: ASLMS, center for smartlipo, Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon Philadelphia, laser lipo, pennsylvania, philadelphia

Everyone has heard the horror stories. Healthy young woman goes in for cosmetic surgery and then dies under anesthesia. Sometimes, it’s a mistake. However, general anesthesia always carries with it certain risks. On top of the risk of death, the disorientation after the surgery can, for some people, result in an extended recovery period. General anesthesia is also expensive and, along with the fact that you may have to stay in the hospital overnight, significantly adds to the cost of the procedure.

The answer is to perform the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure while the patient is conscious. Local anesthesia is used to control pain, whilst allowing the patient to see the results and even discuss them with the surgeon before the procedure is completed. Also, the procedure used is less invasive than a traditional abdominoplasty. The technique used is a form of liposuction, which negates the need for a large incision and does no damage to the blood vessels or muscles in the abdominal area. As a result, recovery time is quicker, less than 48 hours for most patients, and there is little or no scarring.

The procedure is best for healthy and active individuals. It is also extremely effective in dealing with stretch marks caused by multiple pregnancies. Because general anesthesia is not used, serious complications are uncommon. The much smaller incision reduces the risk of infection. Blood clots do occur, but can be minimized by becoming active again as soon as possible after the procedure, although heavy lifting should be avoided for about four weeks.

An awake abdominoplasty is a procedure that has many advantages over traditional cosmetic surgery. The reduced risks, including the risk of death always associated with general anesthesia, combined with the shorter recovery time and lower costs, make this a good choice for any patient who’s doctor considers them suitable.

Tags: Abdominoplasty, Awake Abdominoplasty, Awake Tummy Tuck, center for smartlipo, pennsylvania, philadelphia, SmartLipo

People who go on a weight loss program are often left with sagging skin. They find that no amount of exercise improves the elasticity or contours of the skin. Invasive surgery is one option to get rid of the excess sagging skin and gain a more youthful appearance. Some people are not interested in taking this route to improve their skin.

Body contouring is seen as one way that is more appealing to tighten sagging skin and remove cellulite. Body contouring is usually performed on the buttocks, the abdomen, upper arms, breast. Removing excess fat and skin in these areas immediately improves the appearance of the skin. Thus, giving the patient a brand-new outlook on life. Just about anyone concerned about the appearance of their skin after a major weight loss is eligible for the body contouring.

One body contouring method used by leading experts in the field is the Reaction System. Many medical experts approve this system. This system is perfectly safe for body contouring and has been recently approved by the FDA. Patients report that they are entirely amazed at the results and would recommend the procedure to others who are concerned about sagging skin on the body.

This procedure is preferred because of the many advantages over other more invasive procedures. Advantages include permanent removal of fat after one session. A few other popular procedures require several treatments before improvement in skin texture. The skin appears much smoother and firmer. There is also a quick recovery time after the procedure. Most are able to return to their regular life after a day or so. Patients report that they do not experience any adverse side effects or any discomfort. This is a true testament to the procedure and why many prefer body contouring over more invasive operations. Contact your plastic surgeon and ask them about body contouring today.

Tags: Body contouring, cosmetic procedures, philadelphia, smartlipo pennsylvania