Body Shaping

Liposuction

Liposuction has become one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today and is an extremely popular procedure for both men and women. Liposuction is an excellent choice if you are wishing to improve body shape and definition. Its primary purpose is to improve the appearance of the body by removal of excess fat from localized areas. Each individual has these local accumulations differing on the basis of sex, race, age, and heredity. The amount of fat that can be removed is determined by the patient’s wishes and Dr. Maggi’s recommendations, and limited only by medical safety.

Dr. Maggi most commonly uses the tumescent technique. This involves infusing a solution of saline and local anesthesia into the fatty tissue before removing it. This causes the area to become firm and swollen, which enables Dr. Maggi to extract fat more accurately and uniformly, thereby producing smoother and much safer results.

Our goal in liposuction is to produce a body contour that appears natural and is free of unsightly bulges. As with any procedure, there are limitations based on the patient’s skin texture, thickness, and ability to retract.

Recovery

Most patients are back to performing their routine duties after a couple of days, but others may require 6 or 7 days to recover. Recovery time varies with how many areas are treated and with the type of activity the patient tends to resume. A special compression garment is worn under clothing for a period of time after the procedure. The garment is designed to help the skin contract after the surgery and its use will help the patient to achieve better results. Full recovery from swelling and bruising can take several months. Endermologie treatments are recommended post operatively to ensure optimal skin retraction.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

After pregnancy, weight loss or simply as a part of the aging process, many people find themselves with excess skin and fat and loss of muscle tone around the tummy. Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is an excellent choice for both men and women seeking a tighter, flatter abdomen and smoother body contour. The procedure involves an incision made within the “bikini” or “boxer” line under the abdomen, extending towards the hip bones. The placement of the incision helps hide the scar under clothes following the procedure. Excess skin and fat are removed, the muscle beneath is tightened, the skin is redraped to provide a pleasing body shape, and often the belly button is moved to a new position within the newly contoured abdomen. In some cases, a “mini-abdominoplasty” can be performed, which affords many of the same results with shorter scars.

During your consultation at the Austin Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Maggi will examine you and discuss recommendations for the specific type of abdominoplasty to yield the best results. It is important to note that a tummy tuck procedure is not a weight loss treatment.

Tummy Tuck is performed using general anesthesia administered by a physician anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. This procedure typically takes Dr. Maggi 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

Recovery

A long-acting local anesthetic is used as a part of the procedure which minimizes any discomfort following the surgery. It is important to remain slightly flexed at your waist in order to be most comfortable and reduce tension on your repair. Following your surgery, dressings will be applied to your incisions and you will be wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your abdomen as it heals. Dr. Maggi will use drains to remove excess fluid which naturally collects after surgery, and these drains may be in place for several days following the procedure. You may experience some bruising for a week or so and some swelling for a few weeks after surgery. Most of Dr. Maggi’s patients are able to return to work in about ten to fourteen days, depending on their tolerance.

New Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy and the AfterEffects

Having a child is one of life’s most precious moments. However, sometimes that new bundle of joy brings along some changes in the female body. With every pregnancy there is stretching and a certain amount of distortion that takes place in the abdomen and breast. While very few are able to naturally re-achieve the body they had before pregnancy, the remaining majority of us may need a little help… and that’s why we are here.

When it comes to the abdomen, it can be pretty obvious on how these changes can occur. It is known that the uterus is typically the size of an average orange, and during pregnancy the baby grows inside the uterus, stretching it, as well as the abdominal wall. As the term progresses the baby continues to grow and stretch the wall of the abdomen. As this occurs, two vertically oriented muscles (Rectus muscles, which make up the “Six Pack”) begin to pull apart, and eventually separate. When this happens, surgery becomes the only option to bring them back together, and since there is no longer muscle in the midline of your abdomen, exercise becomes less of an option.

When it comes to stretching, the muscle wall is not alone. The skin also expands and stretches as the baby grows. This may be apparent near the navel, where stretch marks commonly develop. Once the pregnancy is complete and the baby is delivered, the skin tends to collapse, which may leave loose, dangling skin. And due to underlying stretched muscle, a bulge often appears in the lower abdomen.

As the child grows during the pregnancy, the breasts grow dramatically as well. Even after delivery, the breasts continue to grow and stretch due to hormones and breast feeding. Once breast feeding is no longer necessary, the breasts tend to revert to their normal sizes, however there is a possibility of stretch marks and loose skin.

Although not all cases are exactly the same, every pregnancy has stretching and transformation of the body. Sometimes it may take a second or third child to cause the lasting marks, but thanks to the New Mommy Makeover, we’ve devised a combination of treatments which will assist you in re-attaining your desired body.

Breast Treatment

Working our way from the top, there are several options for the breast, and it all depends on the complexity of the drooping and the loss of tissue, or perhaps it is the simple desire to replace lost fullness or firmness. Mild droopiness can be improved with breast implants, without a breast lift. If the nipple is not too low, and the breast tissue is not too soft, and the patient is willing to accept a slight increase in breast size, this option is a good choice. Final results may take several months to be reached with breast augmentation, especially if there is some drooping before the procedure.

Another option available is Mastopexy, known commonly as a breast lift. This can be done without the use of breast implants. Breast lifts bring the nipples back up, usually along with the tightening of the skin under the breasts. Please keep in mind, that breast lift alone will not correct the loss of fullness in the breast, particularly the upper breast which occurs after pregnancy. Therefore many choose to do both breast implants (size depending on desired result) and breast lift. This combination allows the recovery of fullness in the upper portion of the breast. Alternatively, the removal of droopy breast, added with breast augmentation can allow the breast to have a more desired shape without being enlarged.

Abdomen Treatment

When it comes to the abdomen, the most common procedure involved is an Abdominoplasty or a Mini-Abdominoplasty. This surgery allows us to tighten the abdominal muscle from the rib cage to the pubic bone. This also includes the tightening of the lower and upper abdomen. “Mini” is similar, but focuses mainly on the skin and muscle from the belly button down. Both of these procedures result in a slight scar that runs along the lower abdomen, which can be discreetly hidden within the swimsuit line.

If the abdomen has some excess fat, Liposuction is a great surgical way to remove excess fat though tiny openings. This is a good way to remove fat in the upper abdomen when performing a Mini-Abdominoplasty.

Removal of Fat (Liposuction)

Both abdominal and breast surgery play a significant role in the New Mommy Makeover, but it’s liposuction that allows us to reduce and minimize localized collections of fat. Liposuction is the permanent removal of this type of fat. Although this can be done safely with a Mini-Abdominoplasty, it is not generally combined with a full Abdominoplasty. This procedure focuses on areas such as the hips, thighs, and knees. Other options include the lifting of the arm and/or the thighs.

Procedure Combining

These procedures can be done individually or in combination with each other. We are happy to tailor a procedure right for you. With the advancement of anesthesia, monitoring, and medicines, longer procedures are now safer then ever before.

Having a child is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be a big step back for your body, with all the effects it can have on you. The New Mommy Makeover is a great way to raise your confidence, as you begin to raise that new child. To find out more about what Plastic Surgery can do for you, call Dr. Maggi 512-345-3223 or set up a consultation.

Male Chest Surgery (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Many men develop excess skin and/or breast tissue on their chests. This condition is called gynecomastia and can be a cause for embarrassment and even discomfort. The exact cause of gynecomastia is still uncertain, but is likely related to an imbalance in hormones or the tissues linked to them. The condition can be treated with direct excisional surgery, liposuction, or a combination of these two procedures and can provide very pleasing results.
 

Recovery

General anesthesia is usually chosen for gynecomastia surgery, though local anesthesia with sedation may also be opted for. Recovery from swelling after the procedure typically takes about 1 to 2 weeks. The patient wears a compression wrapping around the chest for those first couple of weeks to reduce the swelling. Oral pain medication will be prescribed to control the usually minimal pain and discomfort experienced after the surgery. Many patients return to work as soon as 1 to 2 days after surgery. However, Dr. Maggi usually requires patients wait at least 3 weeks before pursuing exercise or other more strenuous activities.