Total Body Surgical Blog

Now is the time!!!  Time for what you ask??  Time to get a jump on summer!

There is a lot that can be done to get ready for a new look this summer.  Probably the biggest thing (no pun intended) is a breast augmentation.  Many women think about doing this when summer is already here.  Then, it is too late in many cases to enjoy them.  It does take a few weeks to recover and regain normal activity.  So in reality, now is the time.  Do it in the winter, recover in the winter, and unveil in the spring and summer.  Spending time at the pool or lake in your new suit with new assets will be great fun for you after an augmentation. 

Whether you want saline implants or silicone gel implants, we, at Total Body Surgical can take care of your needs.  We are here to please.  I will personally listen to your desires, we will discuss the pros and cons of different implants, placement options, and especially sizes.  Most women are worried that I will choose the size and you will be stuck with it.  At our facility I will give you a range of sizes based on your measurements and we will try them on in your clothes and YOU decide so you can get the look you want.  Our special pricing for this summer is $3899.00 for saline implants and $5099.00 for silicone implants.  This includes all fees with the exception of medications that you will get from the pharmacy.  It includes the pre op and all post op care. 

The other big thing we have discussed recently that can make a huge difference is liposuction.  Many women have small areas (hips, thighs, saddle bags) that are unsightly.  These areas are difficult to get rid of even is you are in great shape and exercise regularly.  This is when liposuction shines!  For small areas we can do them in the office with or without sedation and it is very affordable.  Recovery time for a single small area is very short (a weekend or so) and when using the laser the skin contracts well over the next few weeks and looks great.

Our pricing for liposuction is fantastic and we have bookings available now.  As summer approaches, spring break, etc. get closer, the operating times get tight. 

Come now and get these special prices and book your time before it is gone!!

Don't forget our amazing hair removal offer as well!  Just $50. per treatment (an average of $300 per area).

New blogs starting after the new year.

Let's hope 2012 will be a great one and that things actually do "change".

Look for some of the same offers this year AND some new ones.

Thank you all for making our year a very good start here in Grove.

Last week we talked about who is ready for Cosmetic Surgery after weight loss surgery.  If you have not read that installment, read it first.  Today we are talking about one of the most common procedures desired after weight loss and that procedure is the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.

After massive weight loss, either surgical or diet, many people have excess skin in the upper and lower abdomen.  This is not only unsightly but can cause to infections, rashes, and leads to the problem of where to put it in clothing etc. In a few cases, insurance may even cover the removal, but in most instances, it is considered Cosmetic and remains uncovered.  When covered by insurance, usually only the lower hanging skin is removed and this skin and fat is called a pannus.  The procedure is called a panniculectomy and is meant only to remove the skin that is hanging and prone to infection.  It is not meant to be a cosmetic procedure.

In a true tummy tuck, the entire abdomen is addressed.  The skin in the upper and lower abdomen is addressed and the underlying muscle is tightened.  The idea is to regain the appearance and shape that was lost with weight gain. 

There are two common types of tummy tuck.  The first is the full tummy tuck that is probably the most common.  The incision is across the lower abdomen and around the belly button.  I like to keep the incision as low as possible to conceal it below garments and swimwear.  The belly button stays where God put it but the skin and fat is elevated, pulled down and removed.  Before re-attaching, the muscle is tightened in the middle of the abdomen to flatten the stomach and get rid of any laxity in the connective tissue.  The upper skin is then pulled tight and sewn to the lower skin.  Finally, the belly button stalk is located and a new opening is created in the overlying skin and it is sewn in place.  A plastic tube drain is placed in the space under the skin and it stays in place until this space stops producing fluid....about a week.  During this time I advise patients to stay bent over a little until the skin stretches.  A garment is also worn for several weeks. 

Full Tummy Tuck

For people that already have an incision in the middle of the upper abdomen, an anchor abdominoplasty or Fleur Des lis tummy tuck may be more appropriate.  This can tighten the waist as well.  Here is a video that demonstrates the procedure.

Anchor or Fleur Des Lis tummy tuck

The second most common type of tummy tuck is the lipoabdominoplasty or Avelar abdominoplasty.  In this technique, the fat is removed with liposuction until the skin becomes loose.  The incisions are made in the lower abdomen and around the belly button, the skin is pulled down and removed.  A tunnel is made to allow tightening of the underlying connective tissue and a drain is placed. I could not find a good video for this procedure....guess I need to make one!!

It just depends on your specific needs and wants when choosing a technique.  Many cosmetic and plastic surgeons try to make everyone fit into one procedure.  Find one that can offer choices and be sure to look at before and after pictures AND be sure they are the Doctors work and not someone elses!!

Come see us at Total Body Surgical Cosmetic Surgery to investigate all of the options.  Don't miss out on our special pricing on a number of procedures.  Press the tabs below to see them.

Next week...the arm reduction. Thanks for reading!!

Dr. Jeff Swetnam of INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical

Here is the newest (or maybe oldest) form of breast augmentation.

 WHAT!!!!!

Don't believe it.....I don't either.  If all you had to do is think about breasts to make them bigger, most guys would have Triple D's!!

The last week in this blog, we discussed the different types of commercially available breast implant materials.  The natural types that are now being touted are fat grafting.  Some people are having great results with this and we are too.  However, it can be somewhat unpredictable and you have to have liposuction to get the fat.  Some women have so little fat that it is impossible to get enough to make a difference.

The time honored and gold standard is the breast implant.  These can be placed through several approaches, quickly, and with very predictable results.  Please see previous blogs and videos to get the facts on implants that are currently on the market.

My philosophy is to give you the size and shape that YOU want.  I hear stories all the time about Doctors that give their patients the size and shape that he or she feels will "fit them the best" and most of these women are too big or too small.

The way implants are sized is by the shape and size of the chest wall we are trying to fit.  You would not pull a semi truck into your garage at home now would you....  We don't worry about cc's as much as we are concerned with matching your anatomy and the look you want.  When you come for a consult at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical we will measure first, then allow you to try on a range of implants that match your body, put on shirts that you want to wear and allow YOU to decide.  Bring friends, significant others, or husbands to help you.  The girls in the office can also give their opinions if you like. 

We hope you will come see us for a complimentary consultation.

918-786-7780

Now through June, breast augmentations are starting at $3699.00.  Look GRAND on Grand this summer!!