 |
Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery Thomas M. DeWire, Sr., MD, FACS Specializing in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Body Contouring |
|
| Post-Pregnancy Contour Restoration |
| Mini Tummy Tuck and Tumescent Liposuction Correction of Post-Pregnancy Physical Changes: | ||
| Although pregnancy is worth the effort, some of the physical and anatomical changes associated with pregnancy are not quite as desirable. Under the effects of hormonal changes, the pregnant female body undergoes fat redistribution, as well as initial stretching, and then involution, of the lactating breasts. This tends to leave many women with unexpected fat deposits, and loss of breast fullness. Even heavy exercise post-partum fails to budge these genetically determined fat storage sites. Fortunately, if ideal body weight ( or close ) can be maintained, the excess fat can often be removed by liposuction ( see below). Breast shape changes can also usually be restored by Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift or both. The Tumescent Liposuction technique has been widely popularized over the last several years as a logical progression from older liposuction procedures. The injection of a large volume of dilute local anesthetic (lidocaine) with very dilute adrenaline, to eliminate blood loss, has allowed safe and comfortable, large volume Liposuction in our Office Surgical Suite. Thin syringe suction tubes (cannulae) are used to sculpt and remove the fat accurately and artistically. For most patients this | procedure is accomplished with local anesthesia alone, although sedation is added when necessary. Since there is minimal bleeding with this technique, there is minimal bruising, swelling, or pain, and the results are evident much more quickly. Patients are ready to leave the office almost immediately after surgery, shower at 24-48 hours, and return to work in a few days, with exercise at 2 weeks. A stylish compression garment is generally required for two to three weeks after surgery, limiting swelling and helping shape. Tumescent Liposuction may be applied to many sites of the body including: Face and Neck (see Submental Lipectomy ), Abdomen (often with Mini Tummy Tuck), Hip/flank area, and Thigh/Buttocks areas. Other sites include the Male Pectoral / Breast area (see Gynecomastia), arms, knees and calves. Combining Tumescent Liposuction with Mini Tummy Tuck is very useful to correct some of the undesirable skin and fat distribution changes following pregnancy. See also Tumescent Liposuction Page. Representative patient photos are displayed below. A Post-Pregnancy Contour Restoration Data Sheet is found here: Lipo & Tummy Tuck | |
Photos Before and After Surgery:
| Case 1: Thirty seven year old woman with history of C-section, Abdominal Hysterectomy and Appendectomy as well as post-pregnancy weight gain and fat redistribution with marked abdominal skin excess resistant to diet and exercise. Treated by Tumescent Liposuction and Mini Tummy Tuck. |  |
 |
Tumescent Liposuction of the abdomen, back, and hips and Mini-Tummy Tuck done in the Office Surgical Suite with mild sedation. Scar is seen at about 8 weeks and will fade with time. This patient also lost about 20 pounds post-op by dieting. |
 |
 |
Lateral before and after photos of the same patient. Tumescent Liposuction and Mini TummyTuck. Bathing suit or undies will cover the scar until it matures and fades. | |
 |
 |
Before and after photos of back and hips prior to Tumescent Liposuction. Note particularly the improvements in the back, as well as the hips/flanks. | |
| Case2: A 34 year old woman with history of two pregnancies and undesirable post-partum fat distribution and abdominal skin laxity. Exercise and dieting were futile. Treatment was by Tumescent Liposuction and Mini Tummy Tuck. |  |
 |
Before and 1 year after photos of Tumescent Liposuction of the abdomen and hip areas, along with a Mini-tummy tuck done in the Office Surgical Suite under local anesthesia with mild IV sedation. Transaxillary breast augmentation was done shortly after. A mature tummy tuck scar is minimally visible at one year. |
 |
 |
Lateral view demonstrates the significant improvement of the abdomen, as well as the hip and upper buttocks regions. |
Post-Pregnancy Contour Restoration Data Sheet
| Maps to Office |
 |
 |
| Terms of Use |
| ©Copyright 1997-2005 Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery: Thomas M. DeWire, Sr, MD, FACS Revised: October 29, 2007 04:06:31 PM |