Total Body Surgical Blog

New Skin!! Total Body Surgical Cosmetic and Vein Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Dec 04, 2011 @ 04:04 PM

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What can lasers do for your skin??  ALOT!!!!  As time goes on and the natural aging process of the skin occurs there are many changes that occur.  Ultraviolet light from the sun, pollutants in the air, pollutants in what we eat, the loss of collagen as we age, genetics, loss of fat,....and the list goes on and on.  All of these things lead to the aging of our skin causing spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and even skin cancers.

uv light

Here is a comparison of young and old skin...here you see how the age spots form, the outer layer thins, and fat is diminished.  On a smaller scale we would see collagen loss as well.

skin    What we see on the outside is this....

aging  How can laser treatment alter these changes??  There are a number of effects that a good laser treatment can cause making the skin look and feel younger.  Laser can tighten the skin by causing new collagen to form as the damage caused by the laser is healed.  The outer layer of skin (stratum corneum) is also thinned and made more organized by laser treatment making the skin look and feel smoother and softer.  Dark spots (age spots) or dark patches (melasma) are not only caused by sun damage but also are aggravated by hormonal changes.  When lasers are used carefully and these treatments are combined with targeted skin care and sun protection, these spots can usually be treated and removed.

Laser skin resurfacing today is safer, cheaper, and recovery times are significantly less than ever before.  At Total Body Surgical we use the Cutera Pearl laser.  This laser is unique for a number of reasons.  It is a wavelength that penetrates well into the skin but shortens recovery time.  We have the only pearl in the area.  It gives the same results as a CO2 laser but the recovery time is only around 4 days.  This means that you can wear makeup after about 4 days but will have some redness for a week or two. 

Laser resurfacing can make a huge difference in acne scarring too.  Smoothing them and helping pigment changes they can cause. 

So if you want to get rid of age spots, melasma, acne scarring, or just tighten the skin up to look younger, come see us at Total Body Surgical.  We can get you started on the new you in 2012.  Now laser treatments are as cheap as $800....much cheaper than the big city.....schedule today!!   918-786-7780...cosmetic consultations always complimentary...

Don't forget our specials too!!

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Topics: laser hair removal, Laser treatments with fractional lasers and pearl, Liposuction, Skin care, hair removal, laser treatment, cosmetic surgery, skin damage, Obagi skin care line, lap band statistics

Laser Tatto Removal..What!! Total Body Surgical Cosmetic/Vein Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 11:41 AM

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Last week I tried to explain, in easy to understand terms, how lasers work.  Of course this is a very complicated subject involving physics and science so I tried to make it simple.  What you should try to understand is this....with lasers in Cosmetic and vein surgery, what we are trying to accomplish is using the right wavelength of light to excite or remove a certain color or tissue.  Over the next few weeks, I will attempt to help you understand what is possible using lasers.  I hope I am successful.

Today I am going to discuss how we use lasers to remove tattoos. 

When I was a kid....a long time ago....tattoos were one of the things that were considered very exotic.  You only ever saw them on merchant marines, sailors, WWII vets, etc.  I'm not sure when they came into vogue, but today, they are more than common.  Whether good or bad, they have also become much more complicated.

WWII tattoo  (Typical WWII era tattoo...single color, small in size, shallow depth of ink)

Todays tattoos have multiple colors, can be very large, and use technology that puts the ink in the skin with more uniformity and depth. 

tattoo (new tattoo...larger, more colors, broad spacing, deeper pigment)

The other thing we see is that the inks are mixed to create some of these colors which makes it more difficult to remove.

People get tattoos for various reasons and they usually get them when they are young.  Later in life, as skin changes and we age, they may become less attractive...and...styles change.  Some designs may fall out of vogue.  Another problem is employment.  Visible tattoos that are difficult to conceal may become a problem with some job seekers.  They were put on without regard for the future.  We run into this often.  Individuals want to advance in a job but cannot because of policies against visible body art.  For these reasons, many people want them removed.

The simple fact is that tattoos are by nature associated with scar tissue which can never be removed.  For this reason, the skin can never be returned to its pristine, pre-tattoo state... but we can get close... most of the time.  In comes the q-switched laser (see last weeks blog for information on what this means).  The ink in a tattoo is deposited in the layers of the skin in "globs".  These packets of ink are a foreign body and our immune system is constantly eating away at them.  They are large though and this takes time....lots of it.  If you look at an older tattoo, the color is not as vivid, real old tattos may fade completely, and this is why.  By choosing the right wavelength of laser light and firing it at the ink there is a percussive effect that breaks up the "globs" into more manageable smaller deposits.  The body can handle these quicker and easier.

The easiest tattoos to remove are the black and red ones.  The q-switched 1064nm yag laser hits black very well and the q-switched 532 nm hits red.  When fired at the ink, there is a pop as it is dispersed into smaller packets that the immune system can handle.  The idea is to break up the ink without creating a lot of heat.  Too much heat can cause a burn and create a tattoo shaped burn scar.  The harder colors are greens, blues, and pastels.  For these we have to use blended wave lengths or pulsed dye lasers that have less quality and power.  Black and red tattos can usually be removed in several treatments 6-9, the other colors can take years to remove.  The other factor is the quality of ink used.  Some inks are easy and others are not.  Some inks contain iron oxides that are impossible to treat without creating heat AND resulting scar tissue.  Fortunately we see these inks infrequently.  That is what makes tattoo removal difficult and somewhat unpredictable.  There is a movement to standardize ink and this would be good.  It would make the removal process much more standardized as well.  Ethnic skin adds a whole other dimension to removal as pigment in the skin also attracts the light and changes in skin color can occur after removal that may be permanent.

Tattoo removal without local anesthetic is not without discomfort.  We usually use topical anethesia at a minimum and injected local on most.  Treatments are usually quick and done at 6 week intervals to allow the body to catch up absorbing the ink.  Removal can be costly due to the number of treatments and the expense of the laser equipment.  Q-switched lasers are not cheap and it takes multiple devices due to the different wavelengths required.

That's it...tattoo removal in a nutshell.  It is much more complicated but I don't want to overwhelm. Come see us at Total Body Surgical for a no cost evaluation and estimate if you want your tattoo removed....Call 918-786-7780 for an appointment to see our tattoo removal specialist or fill out the contact form and we will call you!!

Don't forget our special pricing on liposuction, lap bands, and nail fungus too.

Topics: Laser treatments with fractional lasers and pearl, Liposuction, laser treatment, Lap band, nail fungus, laser tattoo removal, Laser vein therapy

What else can I do?? Total Body Surgical Cosmetic/Vein Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Nov 06, 2011 @ 11:40 AM

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Last week we discussed more common general surgery procedures that can be performed with Cosmetic procedures.  What else can be done???  It is hard to come up with a complete list there are so many. 

Here are some suggestions:

Many people have a fear of needles.  While anesthesia is administered for other elective surgery, it is a great time to place dermal fillers in the nasolabial folds, marrionette lines, or even augment the lips.  Of course Botox can be injected as well.

More substantial procedures can be done as well.  Breast augmentation can be added to elective laparoscopic procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, small laparoscopic hernia repairs, many gyn procedures and so on.  Of course if the primary procedure is being done due to infection or obstruction or other serious illness, this is not possible.

Laser skin resurfacing can be done while under general anesthesia for non-emergent procedures as well.  This allows the procedure to be done without the discomfort sometimes associated with resurfacing.  Light therapy for sun spots or closure of facial veins can also be done.

Arm reductions, small area liposuction, face work, injections, laser work, tummy tucks, breast augmentation can all be added to general surgical procedures when the procedure is purely elective. 

What are the advantages of combining procedures??  As we discussed last week, the advantages are many.  First of all, a single anesthesia is very advantageous, lowering risk by limiting the number of anesthetic exposures.  Secondly, a single surgical recovery is much better than multiple ones.  The recovery is simultaneous.

There it is, short and sweet.  Procedures can be combined if desired and safe.  Come see us at Total Body Surgical and we can discuss what is possible.  Call 918-786-7780 or fill out a contact form and we will call you!  Don't forget our special pricing on liposuction, lap bands, nail fungus, and fillers.

We are also planning Botox events in Grove and in Tulsa this month to be ready for the holidays.  Special pricing will be offered at these events.  Sign up using a contact form and we will inform you of the dates and times....or you can call.

More next week!  Oh, and like us on facebook!

Topics: cholecystectomy, Liposuction, tummy tuck., laser treatment, cosmetic surgeon, Breast Augmentation, augmentation, Botox, arm reduction, pigment, Tulsa

What can I combine with Cosmetics? Total Body Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 @ 10:03 AM

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I here it all the time....if I had only known, I would have had a tummy tuck when I had.....fill in the blank.  I must say that one of the great things about having experience and credentials in two fields (General and Cosmetic Surgery) allows me to offer a number of options that many cannot.  Of course Cosmetic procedures can be combined.  We do it all the time...tummy tuck with liposuction....face lift with eyelid surgery....tummy tuck with breast lift or augmentation....and the list goes on.  I will usually combine procedures as long as it takes less than around 4 hours.  I feel that this is a safe limit for anesthesia and for me this is about the limit of concentration for me and the surgery crew.  If I think adding procedures can be done in this time limit and it makes sense, we can do it.  If not, we divide the procedures into different days.
But what about combining cosmetic and Non-cosmetic procedures??  At Total Body Surgical we do them all the time.  It saves time and money for our patients.  One anesthetic and one recovery period gets people back to normal quickly instead of doing both twice.

The most common combination is a hysterectomy and tummy tuck.  This is an ideal combination.  The incision for a hysterectomy is low and transverse in the abdomen.  The tummy tuck incision is in the same area.  Hysterectomies are usually a fairly quick procedure and when combined with a tummy tuck the 4 hour time limit is more than enough time to do both, with considerable time to spare.  At Total Body Surgical we enlist (or are enlisted by) the OB/GYN surgeons Dr Thomas or Dr Dietz.  Most women having hysterectomies have had one or more children with the common pooch, stretch marks, and loose skin that goes along with it.  It is the perfect combination....one anesthesia....one recovery.

The second most common is hernias and a tummy tuck.  Many people have belly button, inguinal, or incisional hernias that need to be fixed.  These repairs can be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck very easily.  Depending on the size and location of the hernia I can either fix it laparoscopic or open.  The incisions are not made through the skin as the skin is moved out of the way during the tummy tuck.  The repair can be done with mesh if needed and AGAIN, one anesthetic and one recovery period!! 

The third procedure is the cholecystectomy.  The most common general surgical procedure can easily be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck.  The skin is moved as with a normal tummy tuck, then the gall bladder is removed through laparoscopes and the tummy tuck is completed.  There is no sign of the procedure afterwards and only one anesthetic and one recovery. 

Procedures that do not fit with cosmetic surgery are bowel surgeries.  These procedures are "dirty" procedures by nature due to bowel contents and just don't fit due to infection risks.

Sooo, if you were thinking about a tummy tuck and then had the bomb dropped that you also need a cholecystectomy or hysterectomy or hernia....come see us at Total Body Surgical and we may be able to save you time and money.  Check our portfolio page and see if you can pick which tummy tucks were combined procedures....there are some!!!

Call 918-786-7780 or fill out a contact form and we will call you.  Don't forget our special offers on liposuction, treatment of nail fungus, lap bands, and fillers.  Please feel free to write comments or suggestions for other blog topics AND like us on FB!!!

Topics: cholecystectomy, Liposuction, tummy tuck., cosmetic surgery, Lap band, dermal fillers, hernia, hysterectomy

Unconventional Uses for Botox, Total Body Surgical Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Oct 09, 2011 @ 04:16 PM

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Last week
we discussed (and hopefully dispelled) many of the myths about the use of Botox.  The FDA  has approved the cosmetic use of Botox in the  Glabellar region or the area between the eyes and forehead.

foreheadwrinkles                    botox before

However, off label uses for the medicine have become common place.  I like to use it around the eyes to elevate the brow, treat crows feet, and to open the eye to show more of the iris or colored part of the eye.  Botox is VERY effective in these areas and due to the small size of the muscles, it requires only a very small amount.

crows feet  Notice the "crows feet" around the outer aspect of the eye and the hypertrophy or enlargement of the muscle below the eye.  Botox works extremely well to smooth these areas creating a more youthful look.

Another area that can be improved is the neck.  Many men and women develop banding of the muscles that lead to wrinkling of the skin.  Botox relaxes the muscles that cause the banding and the skin smooths very well.

A third area is around the mouth.lip wrinkles

Many people start to form lines around the mouth due to the pursing motion of the muscles around the lips and loss of volume.  Smoking, using a straw, pursing the lips all create the lines.  When used carefully, Botox can help smooth these areas.  Add some volume and the mouth appears much younger.  Be warned that it may create some temporary weakness and this should be expected.  The chin area can also be smoothed with botox.

Another off label use is for Masseter muscle enlargement.

masseter hypertrophy

This can occur due to genetics or teeth clenching.  Botox can weaken the muscle and allow it to shrink giving the face a less angular look.

Botox can also be used to treat hyperhydrosis or excessive sweating.  The best area to treat is the under arm but it is also effective on the palms and feet.  Many people have this problem that cannot be resolved with anti-perspirants.  A simple test done at the time of treatment shows where the sweating is most profuse and small amounts of botox are injected.  It is very effective and seems to have good longevity....6 months to a year.

These are just a few of the off label uses for Botox.  There are many others and more are tried all of the time. 

Next week I will discuss volume replacement with dermal fillers and other things such as fat or implants.

Be sure to check our liposuction, nail fungus, and lap band offers.  Many are taking advantage of them, saving significant money, and getting GREAT results!!

Cosmetic consultations are complimentary so call today 918-786-7780 or fill out our contact form!

Topics: Liposuction, brow lift, cosmetic surgery, Lap band, Botox, dermal fillers, lip augmentation, nail fungus, wrinkles

Botox Myths from Total Body Surgical Cosmetic, Vein Center

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Oct 02, 2011 @ 04:06 PM

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Watch this video for a little laugh....

http://youtu.be/nB7wtLMsm5c

This little cartoon displays many of the myths about botulinum toxin and its use in making us look younger.  Botox, made by Allergan, and Dysport, made by Medicis, have been around a long time.  Other similar products are on the horizon and these newer products will be just as effective and may drive down the cost.

For this blog I will refer to all of them as Botox as it is the most notable. 

Botox was originally marketed for muscle disorders that caused spasm, disfigurement, and pain.  It worked very safely and very well.  As time went on, many of us realized that wrinkles in the face were caused by common muscles of expression that, over time, cause the skin that overlay the muscles to crease.  The areas most commonly noticed are in the forehead, between the eyes, and the crows feet around the eyes.  They are caused by us raising our brow as if surprised: forehead wrinkles, looking concerned: the "elevens" between the eyes, and smiling or squinting in the sun: crows feet.  It was noticed that when these muscles are weakened with Botox, the wrinkles were markedly reduced.  Over time, FDA approval was requested and granted for Botox use in these areas for cosmetic reasons. 

Treatment with Botox started off being only for the "wealthy" as the cost was high.  Also, there were many misconceptions about the complications that could occur and fear due to rumors of deaths from the proper use of the product. 

Here are the facts:

1.  Botox and other similar products are very safe.  The amount injected by qualified injectors is so small that there is essentially no risk of any serious complication.  As with any other injection, there is the small risk of bruising and if the medication is injected into the wrong muscle group there could be some brow droop or eyelid droop that is self limiting.

2.  Botox is not an anesthetic.  It does not cause numbness where injected.  It does weaken the muscles but when done correctly, they can still be moved, just not with as much force.

3.  Botox does not work immediately.  In some of the smaller muscle groups it works quickly (within a few hours), in the larger muscle groups it may take as long as a week.

4.  Botox is not permanent.  In the typical patient, it lasts about 4 months.  Some shorter and some longer.  The average patient receives Botox every 4 to 6 months.

5.  Some wrinkles may not disappear with Botox.  Deep wrinkles that have been present for some time will be softened after injections but probably will not go away. 

6.  Botox does not "fill in" wrinkles.  It simply slows down the underlying muscle strength and if the skin is able, it will smooth out by not being wrinkled by muscle contraction.

7.  Botox is now becoming very affordable.  Prices, due to increasing competition, have fallen.  Also, as new products come to market, the price of the product should fall, allowing us to charge less.  The average price of a treatment now is around $250-$300 where it used to be twice that much.

8.  Treatment with Botox usually takes less than 10 minutes.  I use the smallest needle I can get and it is essentially painless.

So, there you have it!  Hopefully these points will help dispense many of the myths that surround Botox use.  It is one of the most effective medications I have ever used and patient satisfaction exceeds any other medication when used on the right people. Like Total body Surgical on Facebook and get Botox at $9.00 per unit!!! Don't forget our liposuction special pricing and the newest treatment for toenail fungus!!

Call or fill out our form for a complimentary cosmetic consultation....918-786-7780!!!

Topics: laser hair removal, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, cosmetic surgery, Botox, dermal fillers, nail fungus

The In and Out of Liposuction (no pun intended!)

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Sep 25, 2011 @ 10:34 AM

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I am writing on liposuction today to introduce a fall pricing reduction at Total Body Surgical!  We are pros at this procedure and NOW is the best time to do it.  Why??? Well, liposuction does take some time to completely heal and "stabilize".  Getting ready for next summer starts today!  I have extensive training and experience with all types of liposuction and not to toot my own horn....am pretty good at it!

Liposuction has been around for a long time.  The first procedures were deadly in fact.  It was rediscovered and refined later but still often required blood transfusion and hospitalization.  Due to the work of Dr. Klein (a dermatologist), new and better transformations in the procedure now make it safe and more effective for the right people. 

Who are the right people you might ask.  Liposuction works best for those who are "in shape" but have problem areas.  A chubby tummy, hips or love handles, saddle bags or outer thighs, inner thighs, chest, arms, or neck.  Liposuction IS NOT a weight loss procedure.  For those with smaller areas that they just cannot get rid of, liposuction is a procedure you should consider.

Modern liposuction can usually be done in an office procedure room.  We use sedation and tumescent fluid so that you can come and go the same day.  Tumescent fluid is the key to limiting pain and blood loss.   The technique, developed by Dr. Klein, is based on good science and is very safe when done properly.  The fluid is made using lidocaine (a local anesthetic), epinephrine (a normal chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict or get smaller), and saline (salt water in concentrations that occur in the blood).  After marking the areas to be treated and sedation, the areas are injected with this fluid.  This causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict and numbs the area thus markedly limiting blood loss.  The areas fat is then removed with a small hollow tube.  This is done very carefully to not leave any defects or dents.liposuctionThe channels of fat removed shrink with time and the area smooths and recontours.  Without the fat!  Vaser and Laser liposuction are technologies that are used to heat the skin so that it shrinks to fit the smaller size of the underlying fat pad.  In my experience, using these technologies alone, without revoming the fat, does not give satisfying results and recovery times are about the same....a few days, then soreness for a couple of weeks.  The fat that is injured during the procedure and not removed is absorbed by the body.

The complications that can occur are:

-lumpiness (usually occurs if weight is gained after liposuction)

-bruising (resolves with time)

-sagging skin (the one variable that cannot be controlled.  Usually not a problem if the areas are selected appropriately)

-hyperpigmentation (especially in ethnic skin)

-dents (occur by removing too much fat in an area and can usually be repaired with revision)

Deaths can occur and are discussed by the media at length.  These usually occur when inexperienced physicians give too much lidocaine.  We are very meticulous about the dosing and when done properly, lidocaine toxicity is very rare.  However, any cosmetic procedure can have REAL complications and should not be taken lightly!  That's why I only do liposuction in the office on healthy individuals. I see patients personally, evaluate them, discuss the procedure's risks and benefits, and if I feel it is not the procedure to give you the results YOU desire, I will tell you.

Please go to my portfolio page to see some of my results and click on the picture or button to see our exclusive pricing on liposuction.  ACT NOW as this is a limited offer!!  Call 918-786-7780 for a complimentary consultation or fill out the contact form and we will call you....I look forward to meeting you!!

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Topics: Liposuction, tumescent liposuction, cosmetic surgery, laser liposuction, total body surgical, vaser, smart lipo

Onchomycosis...What's that?? Total Body Surgical Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Sep 11, 2011 @ 11:00 AM

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Onchomycosis, also known as nail fungus, is a very common problem.

It is a problem that can make people very self conscious and is often very difficult to treat effectively. The cause is a fungus called tinea unguum.  The fungus infects the nail bed where it is protected, moist, warm, and has a good supply of food.  Common risk factors for fungal infection are:

 

  • Getting manicures and pedicures using utensils that have been used on other people

  • Getting minor skin or nail injuries

  • Having a nail deformity or nail disease

  • Having moist skin for a long time

  • Poorly functioning immune system (Diabetes and smoking)

  • Wearing closed-in footwear

Symptoms

Nail changes on one or more nails (usually toenails):

    • Brittleness

    • Change in nail shape

    • Crumbling of the outside edges of the nail

    • Debris trapped under the nail

    • Loosening or lifting up of the nail

    • Loss of luster and shine

    • Thickening of the nail

    • White or yellow streaks on the side of the nailnail fungusThese changes in the nail are unsightly and can lead to discomfort, and to the inability to wear certain footwear due to the thickness of the nail.  Until recently, the problem was very difficult to treat.  Creams, vinegar, nail removal, were the only options.  Then came oral medications:

Over-the-counter creams and ointments generally do not help treat this condition.

Prescription antifungal medicines taken by mouth may help clear the fungus.

      • You will need to take the medicine for about 2 to 3 months for toenails; a shorter time for fingernails

      • Fluconazole griseofulvin, terbinafine, and itraconazole are used to treat this condition.

      • Your health care provider will do lab tests to check for liver damage while you are taking these medicines.

In some cases, the health care provider was required to remove the nail. Nails grow slowly. Even if treatment is successful, a new, clearer nail may take up to a year to grow in. AND the treatment effectiveness is only about 50%.

So why am I writing this???  Well, there is a new treatment that is being used that is about 80% effective and I can give it to you.  NO blood tests, NO risk of liver damage, NO anesthesia, NO pain.  Also, very quick and usually only takes two treatments.  It is done using FDA approved laser treatment. 

The treatment is done in the office and takes about 15 minutes.  We use a 1064 YAG laser that warms the nail and kills the fungus.  We treat all 10 toes and repeat the treatment in 6 weeks.  Usually the nail re-grows and looks normal in 3-6 months.  NO anesthesia is required and can be done on the day of your first visit is you schedule.  If more than 2 treatments are required, the cost is greatly reduced.

The expense of the medications and lab work required could exceed $1000.00 and, again, was only 50% effective.  The laser treatment for all toes, both feet, two treatments is $800.00...very affordable.

Book your appointment today and tell them it is for treatment of nail fungus so we can schedule laser time.  We will have you back in open toed shoes or sandles before next summer!!!  Call 918-786-7780 or fill out the contact form and we will call you!

Don't forget out lap band special AND we are starting a new liposuction promotion until Christmas...get one area 10% off and get a second smaller area FREE!!!Click me                          

Click on image to see lipo special offer!

Topics: Liposuction, laser treatment, cosmetic surgery, nail fungus, total body surgical

I hate my legs!! Total body surgical Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Aug 14, 2011 @ 11:10 AM

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Since there have been no requests about special interests, I get to choose!!  The next few weeks I will address veins and what to do about them.

The reason Cosmetic Surgery and Vein Surgery are so intimately associated is quite simple.  I can liposuction, augment, and tuck everything to make the body look great, and yet, if your legs look like this.....

varicose veinspider veins
it makes it hard to wear a dress, shorts, a swimming suit, or any other attire. 

Vein disease or chronic venous insufficiency, is a common problem.  It is thought to effect at least half of the population to varying degrees.  It is thought that the problem is hereditary, but can have other causes such as trauma or thrombosis (clotting).  The veins causing the problem have valves in them that no longer work properly.  The muscles of the lower leg act as a pump to move blood up the veins as they contract.  The valves are supposed to allow the blood to travel towards the heart but not let it return down the leg.venous valvesThis picture illustrates normal valve activity.venous valvesThe second image shows a comparison of normal with abnormal function.  When these valves are defective, the blood is allowed to return down the leg, increasing pressure and causing tributaries to dilate and become tortuous.  Spider veins also develope as the pressure causes enlargement of smaller veins in the skin.  The disease is not limited to appearance either.  This process causes cramping, restless leg syndrome, skin discoloration, rashes, ulceration with secondary infection, swelling, and ultimately, disability. 

The reason that these problems happen is multifactorial.  Pressure, low oxygen tension in venous blood, and the leaching of iron products from the hemoglobin in the blood and into the skin.  Depending on the severity of the reflux these symptoms may occur early or late in life.  

I hope this discussion helps shed light on why venous problems develope.  Over the next few weeks we will dive into the diagnosis and treatment of chronic venous disease. 

Topics: Liposuction, varicose veins, tummy tuck., spider veins, Breast Augmentation, cosmetic surgery, chronic venous insufficiency

And Now my face! Total Body Surgical Cosmetic Surgery

Posted by Jeff Swetnam, MD on Sun, Jul 31, 2011 @ 12:33 PM

 

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fat faceFor the last installment on massive weight loss, we will look at the face. Massive weight gain can cause unrecognizable changes in the face.  The neck, cheeks, and chin become stretched with fatty deposits and cause skin changes that may be permanent even after weight loss.

sagging face

For the lucky few, facial skin will shrink back to its near normal state.  In these cases, nothing is needed.  For the most part, however, what we see is skin that sags in the neck area and jowl formation in the lower face.  Wrinkles may also appear in the cheek area and in the mid face we see volume loss that creates that "tired" look.  In people that lose massive amounts of weight, these changes can occur regardless of age.  When weight loss patients present, they usually have numerous areas of concern and I try to help them prioritize because we cannot do all procedures at once.  Some want their face fixed first, some don't, again, it is a matter of priority.

The only way to gain long term results in recovering a youthful face are lifting procedures.  We devide the face into three main areas. 1. The lower face and neck. 2. The mid face. 3. The brow.  A fourth area would be the eyelid that I will talk about in a later blog.  

The lower face and neck lift.  This procedure addresses the excess neck skin, jowling, and wrinkling in the cheek area.  Sagging skin in these areas can be very pronounced after massive weight loss.  Incisions for this procedure are placed around the earfacelift incisions   and a small incision under the chin.  The arrows show the direction of pull on the skin and the underlying muscle.  If the neck is not lax, a mini face lift (s-lift, lifestyle lift, day lift, etc.) can be done which shortens the incision to the front of the ear and only partially up the back of the ear.

The brow, when sagging, can cause visual problems and most notably can cause wrinkling in the forehead because of continuous muscle contraction as your brain lifts the brow.  For the most part, I use the endoscopic approach to lifting the brow.  This is done through small incisions in the hair that are essentially invisible.  The brow is lifted and anchored.  After doing this procedure, the forehead becomes smooth and the hooding over the eye is gone.

EndoscopicBrowLiftIncisionSThe face lift and brow lift can be done simultaneously if desired.

For the mid face, the problem is usually loss of volume and a hollow appearance develops.  I feel the best way to remedy this problem is by replacing this volume.  This can be done in several ways.  The shortest lasting way to do this is with a filler product.  The volume is placed over the cheek area.  The second best product is fat.  The fat is harvested from the hip or abdominal area and transplanted back into the face rejuvenating the mid face.  The longest lasting way is with implants.  These are solid silicone, pre-formed devices that replace the lost volume in the area.

facialimplants99These three procedures are the ones most commonly used to treat and rejuvenate the face after weight loss.  Not everyone fits the usual mode however, and consultation to figure out the best treatment for you is essential.  Come see us at INTEGRIS Total Body Surgical for a complimentary cosmetic consultation.

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Topics: Liposuction, tummy tuck., Breast Augmentation, thigh lift, breast lift, butt lift, Face lift, eyelid surgery