Total Body Surgical Blog

Thought ya'll might like a break from the breast this week!  I guess you can have too much of a good thing, BUT, don't forget about our spring breast deal...hit the button above to check out our offer, it's a good one!

After a cold winter of intermittent goody indulgences (think Christmas and New year) and less sporadic exercise, the question is..... are you going to be ready for Summer?  Would you like a jump start to a new and healthy lifestyle?  Are there areas on your body that despite all the exercise and dieting in the world, simply will not go away?  You can blame that on your genetics, baby.  Unfortunately, we can't pick our parents, so what options does that leave us?

Thin girl with "saddle bags"...genetics in action.

The answer to that question is liposuction.  You may also hear the term "body contouring" , the terms are interchangeable.  Many of our patients who undergo liposuction body contouring improve not just their confidence, self esteem, and overall quality of life; but also comment on their new and increased volition to exercise and maintain their body in a positive fashion. At a far more drastic end of the spectrum, we have had others comment that a simple body contouring liposuction procedure has allowed them to experience and achieve goals that their appearance or body shape has prevented them from achieving in the past. 

love handles...spare tire

Men often collect and store their fat over their abdomen, breasts, and neck, whereas women will collect it in their waist (the dreaded muffin top), their abdomen, arms, and thighs.

"Muffin top"...funny but true.

So you're asking, what does this entail?  "I've seen it on TV and it looks soooo rough and painful."  Guess, what?  Things have changed.  Drastically. At Total Body Surgical, we use a technique that was popularized around 2005 on the West Coast called, laser lipo, lunchtime lipo, smartlipo, etc.

CoolTouch laser used at our facility.

Essentially, the process involves three steps.  The first part is the hardest step and takes the longest time.  What happens is numbing medicine (lidocaine with saline mixed) is placed into your areas of concern.  Once you are numb, the next portion involves using a laser to go in and melt the fat.  The laser also serves another really beneficial purpose... it helps to shrink down the skin.  Ok, that being said, we need to take a side trip and discuss this whole saggy and loose skin thing.  Picture a  10 pound sack of potatoes.  If you took 9 pounds of potatoes out of the bag, you'd have a heck of a lot of sack left over, right?  This is the same concept with your body and liposuction.  If we go in and remove a batch of fat from an area, it's inevitable that you're going to have some extra skin.  Now, whether or not that skin is going to snap back depends, once again, on your  genetics.  We only have so much elasticity to our skin.  As we get older, have babies, and yo-yo diet, all these factors act to decrease the amount of give and elasticity to our skin.  It's kind of like your favorite pair of socks that ends up around your ankles at noon time because the elastic has given up.   The laser helps to counteract this somewhat.  As I stated already, the overwhelming factor of whether your skin will shrink down or not completely depends on your genetics, but the laser certainly helps to optomize the situation.  Lastly, the third and final step to the procedure is the fun part.  This is where we insert a tiny tube underneath your skin and suck out all the melted fat.  This is where you lose your inches and get rid of that darn fat deposit.

Now, take into account that you will retain water and be swollen enough to not allow you to see your final appearance for about 12 weeks.  That means, getting ready for Summer and planning ahead is essential.  Make no mistake, Spring is peaking its head above the covers, and Summer is just around the corner!

Beside the breast augmentation special we have going this spring...we always have great deals on liposuction!  Check it out by hitting the lipo button.  Remember that Cosmetic Consultations are complimentary, so what have you got to lose???  Call 918-786-7780 TODAY.  Financing also available.

Tired of hearing about the breast???  This week I want to talk about the less than perfect breast that some women develop.  I know many of you women are tired of hearing about the perfect breast that is just a little small and can be made better by implants.  What about the breast, due to genetics, or abnormal development, cannot be helped by implants alone??  Let's talk about that today to give you a break!  However, I don't want you to forget about our breast enhancement special...it only lasts until April 30 so you have to act quickly.  Click the button below to get the details!!

Let's see how the breast develops normally, then we'll have a better appreciation for how these deformities can occur.  Then we will cover how we fix them to make the breast look more normal.  The normal breast is stimulated to form by female hormones that begin production at menarche or the start of menstruation. The picture below shows the normal progression of the breast as it grows from a bud that men AND women have.  Again, it is the female hormonal soup that causes them to form.

Of course it is very rare for both breast to form exactly the same.  Perfect symmetry in the body is rare, so each breast is different, even in the same person.  This is why some women have difficulty finding a properly fitting bra.  There may be a half cup difference between sides.....this is not abnormal....just aggravating!  Here is a picture of different breast shapes and sizes.  This does not include all types of course, but it gives you an idea of how many variations of normal there are and also includes some of the abnormal breast shapes.

 (the "perfect" breast shape is a misnomer of course)

As you can see from the first picture, the breast bud starts first and develops concentrically, widening to form the breast mound.  If this concentric expansion is retarded, the breast forms as a tube, making the very constricted and abnormal looking.  The function of the breast is also retarded and in most cases, breast feeding later in life is not possible.

 This picture is a depiction of tubular breasts of different severities.  It is the mound of the breast that is constricted and does not spread out, therefore, the tubular shape of the breast. 

The other feature of the tubular breast deformity is a herniation of the nipple.  Normally, as the nipple and areola develop, they are "puffy".  The nipple is puffy until the breast mound spreads out.  As this happens, the nipple-areolar complex flattens to create the more "normal" appearing breast as a whole.

 Herniated "puffy" nipple.

So now that we know what a tubular breast deformity is.....what can be done about it?  To fix this problem properly, we must address several issues.  First, is the nipple herniation.  Fortunately, fixing the nipple also gives us access to the rest of the problem and allows the entire fix to be done through one incision.  We use the peri-areolar incision to make the nipple smaller and to allow access to the tubular, constricted, breast tissue below.

 This incision allows us to reduce the nipple size and when closed it flattens the nipple and areola into a more normal appearance.  The constricted breast is broken up below so that it is no longer in a tube shape and lays flatter. 

The last step is augmentation.  Since the breast only formed centrally, there is generally very little volume.  This can only be corrected by adding volume with an implant.  We place the implant below the muscle and through the same incision.  Saline implants or silicone implants are used as there is no difference in the result...again...it is personal preference.

The results are generally very good.  It does take some time for the skin to stretch and accomidate the new volume.  There also may be some creasing of the skin, usually the lower part of the breast, due to its tight adherence to the chest wall, that may take some time to stretch.  This skin may never stretch fully.  The goal is to get as near a normal appearing breast as possible.  This is not always achievable but any improvement is usually greatly appreciated.  The incisions heal nicely and the recovery time is about that of a breast augmentation.

 Good representation of tubular breast deformity repair.

Come see us today for all of your Cosmetic surgery, Vein surgery, Obesity surgery, and General surgery needs.  All Cosmetic Surgery Consults are complimentary, call 918-786-7780 or call toll free 1-877-weight0.  Be sure to take advantage of our breast augmentation special through April 30!!!!!

Boobs and Boats!!  Crass?  Shocking?  Well, it's not meant to be, but I sure got your attention, didn't I?  Here in Grove, we are welcoming the Bass Masters Classic this week, essentially the Super Bowl of fishing. With that, we are also having our annual boat show in town.  To many, boats means the lake, and the lake means sun and fun. 

 Summer fun!!

It seems that even though there was snow last week, Memorial Day is just around the corner.  Boats mean swimwear, sun tan lotion, strapless dresses and other summer wear.  This is the time many women think about breast enhancement.  That leads me to discuss our focus for the next 2 months: breast augmentation, AKA boob jobs.  Why are we focusing on this, you might ask??  If you didn't know, spring time is our breast enhancement special time.  Of course we are pretty affordable year round but in the spring, we pull out all the stops and try to make breast enhancement as affordable as possible. Hit the button below to get the details....

With a summer spirit in my mind, if you are considering breast enhancement, here are some things to think about. There are generally three categories women want to fall into after augmentation: 1) One that only the woman and her significant other notice. A very small change.  In this situation the desire is only improved shape and not necessarily size. 2) The second type is one where a difference is noticable but not over the top, enough to turn a few heads.  Essentially, enough to fill out a bathing suit, accentuate a nice summer top, or just make shirts fit better.  3) The third type is one that stops traffic.  Typically uncommon, we certainly try to  accomodate all wishes.  The bottom line, we want YOU to pick the size and shape that you feel most comfortable with.  Sure, we'll make suggestions, but ultimately, it is your body.  

The process is fairly straightforward.  After discussing with you what it is you are looking for, we will have you use a sizing bra, and place actual implants within it.  Bring your favorite top to try on over this bra if you like.  Take as much time as you need.  Once a size is found, we then discuss what incisions you'd prefer.  There are four types: through the nipple, through the armpit, through the bellybutton, and underneath the breast.  The nipple or peri areolar incision is not something that we recommend, as the scar is visible plainly when viewing the breast from the front.  Making the incision through the armpit hides the scar, but it can be a bit more painful than the other types on incisions.

 transaxillary incision

Placing the implant through the bellybutton has really fallen out of favor because the higher likelihood of abnormal implant placement, and the fact that silicone implants cannot be placed this way.  The incision made underneath the breast is well hidden, and the least painful.

  inframammary incision

We like placement through incisions under the breast or through the armpit but we can place them through any approach.  If an implant ever needs to be replaced in the future, it is always done through an incision at the bottom of the breast. Next, we discuss placing the implants above or below the pectoralis muscle.  When possible we like to place them below the pectoralis muscle.  It gives the implant more support, and looks more natural.  The best way to think about it is like a natural bra.  Placing the implant above the muscle has less support, and gives more of a "stuck on" appearance.  We place implants above the muscle when a breast is borderline needing a lift. Next, our consultation will turn to the type of implants.  We offer two types: saline and silicone.  Both have their positives and negatives which we will discuss with you at your consult.  It really boils down to personal choice.  The saline implants are a little bit cheaper in price than the silicone.  The feel of the two types is distinctly different. The saline feels a bit more like a water balloon, which is essentially what it is.  It's a bag filled with salt water.  The silicone feels a bit more like actual breast tissue. 

http://youtu.be/kceaEMmi7pA (video showing the inside of a silicone breast implant)

The leak rate of saline implants are a little higher than the silicone implants- there is a 2% chance per year collective risk of having a leaking implant.  That means, at 2% a year, over 50 years, there would be a 100% chance that your saline implant would leak (50 yrs x 2%= 100%).  If a saline implant leaks, it is obvious.  It's a bit like having a flat tire on your car.  The saline that leaks out is easily absorbed by the body (55-60% of the body consists of saline already!). 

 http://youtu.be/ILWdCJNSTeI (here is a discussion about silicone implants)

If you wake up with a deflated saline implant, you call us, and within a very short period of time, it is replaced and you are back to normal.  If the implant leaks due to a defect, it is replaced under a warranty.  Silicone leaks can be a bit more difficult to diagnose. Wrinkling or rippling that can be seen on the sides of the breast has a higher incidence with saline implants.  What do I mean by rippling? 

 breast implant rippling

Have you ever been to the beach or swimming pool and seen a woman lean over, and the sides of her breasts have ripples in them?  That is from the native breast tissue thinning out, and the ability to see more of the actual implant.  This problem is a little more common with saline implants but can occur with either type.  It occurs more frequently in very thin patients with low body fat and large implants. 

We will be talking about implants for the next few weeks so stay tuned.  Remember that if you are coming from out of town you can email us through the contact form and we can do a great deal of the work, getting you ready here.  You come to the office close to the day of your surgery and it saves you time.  Remember this special only lasts until April 30 so you must act now!!  Call 918-786-7780 today to reserve YOUR time!!

Mommy Makeover.....what's that??  Well, the definition changes for different parts of the country, but here in Oklahoma it usually means a breast lift (with or without augmentation) and a tummy tuck (with or without liposuction).

As most women know, after having children, the ole body has a tendency to change a bit.  The hormones of pregnancy cause skin to stretch and in many cases, it never returns to the pre pregnancy tightness.  The connective tissue under the skin also stretches, leading to the end of that flat tummy.  We all see the movie stars that have babies and shortly after...LOOK GREAT!!  Unfortunately, most of us have to work for a living and cannot spend our days at the gym or in a spa pampering our skin and re-toning our musculature.  Even if we could do that, in many cases, our genetics make it impossible to shake the effects...in many ways, it's the luck of the draw.

To get back on point, after babies and breast feeding, the breast, which enlarged during milk production, shrinks and in many cases sags.  The nipple position that used to be perky now points in a more Southern position and can lose volume.

Here is a picture that shows the different degrees of ptosis or droop.  A or "normal" is perky, high and tight.  After children, all bets are off as to where you will end up.  My experience is that if you start off with little or no breast tissue, the post pregnancy changes are less dramatic than if you start off with a large amount of breast tissue.

Other issues can also occur with shape and in some instances breast abnormalities that have been present since birth.  As you can see in the pictures below, chest wall shape, breast size, breast development, and nipple shape can all play a roll.

With all of this in mind, we try to help you return to your pre-pregnancy state if possible.  This may or may not include implants, but what it does do is re-position the nipple and lift the breast tissue that is hanging.  Some of this tissue may get removed if it is well below the fold where the breast hangs over the chest wall.  My personal experience is that most women desire implants to increase the fullness in the upper pole of the breast.  The incisions can differ depending on how far the nipple needs to move but usually they are in the form of an anchor or "lolly pop".  The nipple is not "removed", it is rotated into its new spot conserving the nervous innervation and blood supply.  These incisions have a tendency to heal very well and after 6-12 months they turn into little white lines.  Implants, saline or silicone, are placed through the same incisions and usually under the muscle so they stay in place over time.

Now for the tummy.....   We see stretch marks, sagging skin, bad c. section scars, bulging, hernias...you name it.  The way to remedy all of these things is with the tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck is done through an incision in the lower abdomen a few centimeters above the labia.  The incision goes from hip bone to hip bone and also around the stalk of the belly button.  The skin is raised off of the underlying connective tissue and muscle up to the ribs.  Once this is done, the loose muscle and underlying connective tissue is tightened back up to make the abdomen flat.  The skin is then pulled down and the extra is removed.  A new opening for the belly button is created.  The smooth, non stretch marked skin from above the belly button is pulled down and stretch marked tissue, scars, etc. are removed.  The incisions are closed and within 6-12 months they become thin white lines.  Some can get away with a mini tummy tuck which removes a small amount of sagging skin (below the belly button) only.

Liposuction can be added to either procedure to remove problem areas in the hips, under the arms, thighs and saddle bags.

The great thing is this.....at Total Body Surgical, we can do both procedures at the same time, saving time and money.....one anesthetic, one recovery time.  How can we do this??  Because we have two fellowship trained Cosmetic Surgeons that work very well together.  We can do both procedures in under three hours and usually as an out patient.

Get your pre baby body back....come see us today!!

Call 918-786-7780 for a complimentary consultation!

We have special spring pricing to help you get back in shape for summer!

Hey everyone!!  Hope ya'll are avoiding the flu bug...bad deal!  People are dropping like flies around here.  The epidemic should be over in a couple of weeks and we'll all be feeling better.  In the mean time, drink plenty of liquids and keep the tylenol handy.

What I want to talk about today is the other epidemic we face in Oklahoma, and essentially the entire country....obesity.  As most of you know, we are in the process of becoming a center of excellence for bariatric surgery.  The new guidelines are out for review and if accepted in the current state, we should be there this year.  What that means is, we will be able to accept Medicare, Soonercare, and most other insurances.  This is good news.  Our goal is to provide quality care locally, big city care with a small town twist.  We are also committed to giving great value, the best pricing around.

We are in the process of doing seminars in multiple towns in the area.  The schedule has been set, but not finalized.  The first one was in Grove this past week and it was a great success.  They last about an hour and cover weight loss surgery, post weight loss cosmetic surgery, and a little about veins.  It's a great opportunity for us to meet you and for you to see what we are about.  It also gives you the chance to start the ball rolling to the new you.  With the lap band, or the gastric sleeve, you can expect to lose a substantial amount of weight and in doing so, correct many of the problems associated with that weight.....hypertension, type II diabetes, joint breakdown, sleep apnea, cholesterol issues, and others.  For those with insurance, we can start the process for you at the seminar (in fact, the seminar is usually a requirement).  For those without insurance, we are working up something special to give you the best price available anywhere.  This will be a limited offer so if you need help, or know someone who does, keep and eye out here...you don't want to miss it.  Of course our current lap band offer still stands and is a great one.

The communities we will be coming to soon are, Vinita, Pryor, Tallequah, Joplin, Miami, Grove, Claremore, to name a few.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you get on track.  Of course you can call for an appointment at any time....918-786-7780

Breast augmentation....is it too early to get ready for summer 2013???  NOOOOOOOOO!!!  In fact, now is the perfect time.

For most women, the surgery is only the beginning.  It usually takes about 2-3 months for implants to settle and skin to stretch to accomidate the implants.  Why??  Well, let's get into that.

  This young lady is a good example to discuss.  For women who have never had children have tighter skin than those who have not...in most cases.  This makes sense in that their breasts have not enlarged gradually over nine months, then shrunk down after.  When the skin is tight and implants are placed, it takes a little bit of time for the skin to stretch to accomidate them, in some cases, up to three months or so.  The other thing to consider is the distance between the nipple and the fold under the breast.  If you look at this picture, in the 45 degree view, you can see the natural fold under the breast that delineates the breast from the chest wall.  This is the nipple to fold distance.  In women with small breasts, who have not had children, this distance is usually very short.  If you can imagine placing an implant in this breast, the implant will ride high until this skin stretches to accomidate the new and extra thickness of the implant.  After the skin stretches, the implant drops into place giving the more natural look that most women want.

As you can see in this picture, the nipple to fold distance in the first photo is essentially non-existant, in the after photo, 3 months later, the implant has settled, the skin has stretched, giving a nice result.  Again, 3 months later!!

For women who have had children, AND those who have not, when we put implants in below the muscle (the more popular way to place them to decrease creasing and rippling of the implant and skin) the muscle does not like to stretch.  Think about it, when you stretch your muscles, it can be uncomfortable until you put the muscle back into the resting position.  The pectoral muscle is no different.  It contracts in an attempt to resume its resting position as well.  This contraction pulls the implant up on the chest wall making it ride high.  It also takes time for the muscle to stretch and allow the implant to drop.  It seems that the bigger the muscle, the longer the implants lose this battle.  We use massage and a velcro strap to help the process proceed quicker, but it still takes time.

Implants can only be placed one way....through the skin.  Whether they are placed through the arm pit, below the breast, through the nipple, through the belly button, or through a tummy tuck incision, there is still an incision.  For saline implants, about 2 cm (less than an inch) and for silicone, 4 cm (a little less than 2 inches).  It takes a little time for these small incisions to heal.  When summer arrives, with enough time, they are barely noticed.  Not enough time, they can be seen. 

It is now January.  At Total Body Surgical, we always have great pricing on breast augmentation, AND the pricing is all inclusive.  This means that the price includes anesthesia, implants, physician, and facility fees.  The only other costs are for medications, and for the post operative bra that is needed...about one hundred dollars.  If you've been thinking about it, NOW is the time to proceed.  You will look great by March, before the summer outfits are even coming out of the closet.  The implants will have settled, incisions will have healed, and you'll be ready for summer fun.

Come in today or call for an appointment 918-786-7780.  Operating time is filling up quickly so act today!!

Latest news coverage for Total Body Surgical and Green Country Bariatrics from Joplin, Mo.,.....check it out....
http://www.koamtv.com/story/20349961/integris-grove-fights-back-against-obesity-with-help-of-new-surgeon

Vaginal Rejuvenation....well, don't expect a lot of pictures for this one folks!!  A very touchy subject to be sure.  I'll try to get through this without offending anyone, here goes.

Why vaginal rejuvenation?  The simple fact is, the vagina does a lot of hard work during pregnancy and delivery.  The tissues in the vaginal wall, the labia, the cervix all stretch to incredible size to allow the infant access to the outside world.  The aftermath can leave changes that do not resolve.  For men, imagine trying to stretch your lips around a watermelon then returning to normal....impossible right?  My point exactly.  The vagina and labia undero chronic changes and never return to the pre partum state.

What changes occur?  The outer appearance changes that occur are numerous, but the biggest ones that most women notice are a thinning of the mons area with a loss of fat in the mons and labia majora.  Secondly the labia minora becomes effaced (thinner) and become stretched and longer.  In some cases the labia minora may protrude beyond the labia majora.  The third change that most women notice is a change in the coloration of the labia majora.  It can become much darker, losing its original pinkish hue and becoming brown or in some cases almost black.

The inner changes that can occur are also many and can be complex.  As the infant travels down the vagina, it stretches to a very large size.  Hormones cause the tissue to become very elastic to allow this to occur, however, damage may be done, especially when large babies deliver.  One of the common internal changes that occurs is the enlarging of the vaginal diameter.  This can have long term effects when it comes to sexual satisfaction for both the woman and her partner.  Other things that can happen that are a little more severe and beyond the scope of Cosmetic Surgery are cystoceles and rectoceles.  Cystocele occurs when the connective tissue of the front of the vagina tears and allows the bladder to fall into the vagina.  This can cause difficulty in holding the urine and also cause an unsightly bulging to the front of the vagina.  Rectocele is when the same thing happens in the back wall of the vagina and the rectum bulges in.  These problems can occur simultaneously and may require a surgical procedure to fix, if they are bad enough.  The common problem we deal with is just trying to tighten the vagina after it has dilated, recovered from delivery, but just not to the pre delivery state.

How does this effect Cosmetic appearance??  Well, I'd show you some pictures, but for the sake of modesty, I'll pass.  With newer summer fashions, swim wear, tighter shorts and pants, in many cases the changes can be seen under clothing.  Also, many women are self conscious and are embarassed when naked with their partner, not to mention the decrease in sexual satisfaction.

What does this have to do with Cosmetic Surgery??  Our goal at Total Body Surgical is to take care of all of the Cosmetic needs of our patients and this is a Cosmetic need.  What we do to fix the problem is using one or two procedures.  They can be used individually or in combination.  The first is the labiaplasty.  What this involves is removing the extra and discolored labia.  Labiaplasty leads to a more pleasing appearance to the external genitalia and can also help with the appearance in clothing.  This is a quick procedure with very little down time and in many women, it can be done in the office with some IV sedation.  Healing in this area is very quick and there is only minimal discomfort.  Added to this, to address the thinning of the Mons area, we will often do some fat grafting in the area to make the outer appearance of the mons and labia majora look more youthful...it can make a huge difference.  Second is addressing vaginal laxity.  How do you deal with this??  We make a very small incision at the base of the back of the vagina and insert a laser fiber.  The laser energy causes the vagina to tighten over the next few weeks.  We also tighten the entroitus a little and close the skin.  All of these procedures can be combined and can be done in the office for select patients.  Others, can be put to sleep in the Operating room if that is desired.

What you have when finished is very much like what we see in a face lift.  No fundamental change in the anatomy, just the appearance you had before age and children altered it.  Also, an improvement in the vaginal function.

We recommend that the procedure ONLY be done after having ALL of your children!  It is also a procedure that can be combined with other GYN surgeries, like tubal ligation or hysterectomy.

Come see us today and we'll talk about it....918-786-7780.

Click on the buttons to see our special offers!

What does Christmas have to do with Cosmetic Surgery??? Well let's talk about it. 

Christmas is rapidly approaching believe it or not, it is only a few weeks away.  Now is the time to start thinking about gifts and what can be done for the new year.  Many don't think about anything Cosmetic, but let me help you change your mind.  Instead of that sweater, tie, or other gift that will be worn on Christmas day and then never seen again, how about giving something that can be seen every day!! There are a number of things that are affordable and can make you or your loved ones look and feel better.....much more useful than a sweater!!

First:  Laser hair removal.  We have pricing on laser hair removal that are the best in the country.  If you have young ladies in your life, this is a great gift.  At $50 per area per treatment you can give the gift that keeps on giving for about $300 per area.  No more razors, always ready for summer wear...what a gift.  For guys, we must bring this up carefully but if you listen well, the opening usually comes up so pay attention.  We can remove hair on the face, bikini area, and under the arms on women and for men, chest and back hair removal is all the rage.  Call the office at 918-786-7780 and we can get you a nice gift certificate to put under the tree!

Second:  Botox or dermal fillers.  Everyone has heard of Botox and many of us use it regularly.  It is a great help in reducing wrinkles in the face, stopping excessive sweating, and relieving headaches.  In many cases our loved ones are already using it so why not pre buy and save some money!!  We have special pricing on pre-bought Botox at $9 per unit.  If you figure the average number of units at 30, that is $270 per treatment....very affordable.  The treatments take about twenty minutes and last up to 6 months.  You can take care of his or her whole year with one gift certificate.  Dermal fillers like Radiesse or Juvederm can also be pre purchased at a special price.  These are used to fill nasolabial folds (the wrinkles between the base of the nose and the mouth) and marionette lines (wrinkles from the side of the mouth).  They last about a year.  We also do the so called liquid face lift that fills the cheek area getting rid of lines under the eyes and in the cheek.  This is very rejeuvenating and less traumatic than the real thing.  We are offering a syringe of filler for $400 (usual price $500) and if you purchase more we will lower the price on multiple syringes.  Either of these gifts will get you big kisses.  Call us at 918-786-7780 and we will get you a nice certificate.

Third:  Venous sclerotherapy.  This is the time to get rid of those ugly spider veins before we are back in shorts.  These treatments are done in the office and are fairly quick.  Normally we charge $350 per session but for Christmas, we will lower that price to $300.  What a nice gift to give....getting your legs back, being able to wear shorts again without embarassment.  For a nice gift certificate, call 918-786-7780.

Fourth:  Liposuction.  This can be a little more of a touchy subject but if your significant other is continually complaining about belly fat, saddle bags, love handles, muffin top, fat arms, any other area or combination of areas, they are asking for liposuction but don't know how to say it.  Smaller areas are perfect for liposuction with short recovery time and amazing results.  We have all the specialized equipment too.  Laser liposuction is amazing at helping tighten up the skin after removing the fat.  We will give you a 10% discount on the first area and a 20% discount on a second area.  That is up to a 30% discount on two areas of liposuction.  That means that you can give a gift that will change those complaints into complements.

Fifth:  Breast augmentation.  College students, wives, and girlfriends are always talking about having breast implants to improve self image by improving appearance.  What better gift to give.  We have the best pricing on silicone and saline implants right here in Grove.  Christmas is a great time to schedule and take advantage of the winter to heal up and be ready for summer. 

There you have it...some great ideas for Christmas gift that I guarantee will be appreciated.  Dr Miller and I or our nurses are also ready to help if you have questions about what is appropriate.  Call us today at 918-786-7780 and GET YOUR SHOPPING DONE early for once!!!!

Winter time is vein time a wise man once said (that's me ya'll)!!

Why is winter time the time to worry about those pesky leg veins??  Well, it's because you are already wearing pants.  In spring and summer we want to wear shorts, or other more revealing clothing, it is then too late to conseal any ongoing treatment.  In winter, the healing process can take place under your clothing and people won't ask too many questions.  Now is the time to treat spider veins and larger varicose veins.

Spider veins are small areas that most of us get as we age.  These are pesky and ugly but usually do not indicate any major underlying problem with the larger venous system, although they can be an indicator.  They look like the skinny legs of a spider, thus the name.  They can also look like a bruised area that doesn't go away.  Spider veins progress with time and can be made worse by certain occupations..standing, etc.  They usually cause little concern except for their ugly appearance, however, they can become large enough to bleed if traumatized and an episode like this can be very frightening. 

What do we do for spider veins??  The best way to handle them is with sclerotherapy.  Now that may sound scary but really it is pretty simple.  We inject the veins with a chemical that causes them to stop working.  Sometimes a small clot forms in them and over time, your body resorbs the clot and vein eliminating the problem.  The process is fairly easy, quick, and causes minimal pain.  We have you wear a tight (compression) stocking for about two weeks after the injections and after that....nothing.  You may have some areas of pigmentation in the area for a few months and this usually resolves without further treatment.  Because this problem is superficial, most insurances consider this treatment Cosmetic and will not cover it under the usual policy.  We charge $350 per treatment and a treatment consists of two vials of the solution we use which is the safe amount at one sitting.  If more treatments are required, we usually wait about 6 weeks before re-treating.  Small areas usually require only one session.  Big, or multiple areas may require several sessions.

For a little larger veins we call reticular veins, we still use the sclerosing solution.  Sometimes it is used in a higher concentration and we use an instrument called a vein light. 

The vein lite allows me to see the larger veins under the skin that fill the small spider veins on the surface.  This instrument produces a very bright, circular light that produces no heat and is very good at showing reticular veins as you can see from the picture above.  I can then inject them with the sclorosing solution, stop the blood flow, and with time, the vein is eliminated by the body.  I usually try to find and eliminate any of these veins at the time I do the routine sclerotherapy.  Again, stockings should be worn for two weeks after the therapy and strenuous exercise is avoided for two weeks as well.  This helps in preventing future spider veins originating from this one source at least.  

Maintenance may be required when treating spider veins.  They usually sneak back into your life after a few years, even if all of them are eradicated along with the reticular veins.  I like to recommend that less is more....in other words, if we treat a large amount the first series of treatments, it is a lot easier to keep up by treating small areas as they arise.  Don't let them get out of hand again. 

More about varicose veins next time.  Don't forget our special pricing and come meet Dr. Miller, he knows veins too!!!

Sorry for the hiatus!  Finally moved in and most of the boxes are unpacked.  We are now official residents of the Grove community!!  Time to get down to business.

I have written here a few times about obesity and the problem just keeps getting bigger and bigger (no pun here).  The consequences of this supersizing phenomenon are going to be serious for society at large and for those individuals that are involved.  Rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint failure, and high cholesterol are all on the rise.  Probably the biggest casualty of obesity is the loss of quality of life and productivity.  There is an untold psychological effect that cannot be measured.  We are seeing our children getting bigger as well, the problem is becoming world wide.

At Total Body Surgical, we offer weight counseling and have medical and dietary solutions for those who need help.  For some, these methods can be very effective.  Unfortunately, most people with a significant weight issue have been down this and many other roads on numerous occasions and have been unsuccessful. 

At Total Body Surgical we also offer the Lap Band for those that can afford to lose weight on a slower basis and are willing to pay attention and work a little to drop the weight.  Surgical options are great for the times when diets and medication fail.

So what's new??  INTEGRIS, the Grove medical community, and Total Body Surgical are committed to serving the Grove community and the surrounding communities in Joplin, Tulsa, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers and any areas between.  We are getting serious about weight loss by increasing our committment.  The most consequential thing we are doing is bringing in a fellowship trained bariatric surgeon.  Dr. Nate Miller will be joining the practice next month and we are very excited to have him on board.  He is a very skilled young surgeon who is board certified in general surgery, has completed a Cosmetic surgery fellowship, and just completed a Bariatric surgery fellowship in Houston.  He will bring his expertise to Grove to help get our official bariatric surgery program going.  Not only will we be able to do Lap Bands, but now we will be able to offer gastric sleeves for those that need to lose the weight quicker.  The gastric sleeve has minimal maintenance too.  Another addition is Danny Ludwig, RN.  He is our new bariatric coordinator.  He is there to help you walk through the process.

With the addition of Dr Miller, we can now offer the full service of medical and surgical weight loss, then help you remodel the body by removing the excess that comes with massive weight loss.

We are stepping up our game by bringing you the most qualified people and offering the best in Bariatric, Cosmetic, and Vein surgery.  We are also constantly trying to give you the best experience available.  Our team, Mekala, Trish, Janet, myself, Danny, and now Dr. Miller are always striving to make your experience the best it can be.  Of course, with the addition of new staff and a new Doctor I am sure there will be some growing pains, but we will do our best to keep them minimal.  We are all very excited to serve your needs with great service AND competitive pricing. 

Come see us today for a weight loss consult or to get your new look on. 918-786-7780  And don't forget our ongoing special pricing, click on them to see...