Individuals who want a tighter, firmer abdomen through a tummy tuck in Naples are often worried about the amount of recovery time needed. Although each individual’s recovery will be different, I recently began offering a type of abdominoplasty surgery that helps speed up healing and reduces downtime for most patients. The approach is called “progressive tension abdominoplasty.” It includes a simple suturing technique that prevents fluid accumulation and eliminates the need for post-surgical drains. Some additional advantages of this method include:

• Minimized post-operative care
• Less risk of complications (such as seroma formation)
• Faster healing with less swelling and bruising
• Increased mobility after surgery and a more rapid return to physical activities
• No drains or special compression garments needed

Traditional tummy tuck surgery typically requires about 6 weeks of recovery time, and the patient may not be able to resume normal activities for 2 to 3 weeks. Patients undergoing the progressive tension approach, however, are much more comfortable after surgery and usually regain mobility in about a week. Plus, progressive tension abdominoplasty reduces the need for extended hospital stays. In the past, tummy tuck required an overnight stay in the hospital, but this technique makes tummy tuck truly an outpatient procedure.

If you have been considering a face lift in Naples, you may have heard about a new procedure called a “stem cell face lift.” This technique involves collecting stem cells from your own fat tissue, isolating the cells, and then injecting them into strategic areas of your face. Supporters of the treatment claim that the injections rejuvenate collagen and blood vessels and give the skin a plump, youthful look. While stem cell face lifts hold great potential for the future, more time and research is needed to verify the procedure’s safety and effectiveness. Meanwhile, there are other “tried and tested” approaches that can help you achieve the youthful results you are looking for– including the traditional face lift.

Understanding Face Lift

Face lift surgery has come a long way, and the techniques used today are much more advanced than methods of the past. Incisions can be camouflaged in the hairline, and the underlying muscles and fat can be adjusted for long-lasting results. Facial fat can be removed with liposuction or relocated with a fat graft in order to sculpt youthful facial contours and create a more natural appearance. Additionally, with the new injectable treatments available, a face lift can be enhanced long after the surgery for ongoing benefits.

Who Can Benefit?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no particular age group that benefits most from face lift surgery. Whether an individual is a good candidate depends on many factors, which are often unrelated to age. They include:

• Skin quality
• Physical and mental health
• Presence of loose, sagging skin
• Excess fat in the neck, cheek and jowls

Usually, the individuals who benefit most from face lift surgery have good skin elasticity and are in prime physical health. They also understand the benefits and risks of surgery and have realistic expectations about the results. Loose skin around the jawline and fat deposits in the neck area can also be corrected with face lift surgery. Patients whose concerns are related to the eyes or forehead may be better suited for an eyelid lift or a brow lift.

I watched a television program the other day that profiled celebrity fanatics who underwent plastic surgery to look like their favorite Hollywood star. As a plastic surgeon, I have helped many people improve their appearance through plastic surgery in Fort Myers. However, I never attempt to alter a person’s appearance in such a way that they are no longer recognizable. The art of plastic surgery is to enhance a person’s existing beauty; not to transform them into someone else.

It’s perfectly reasonable to admire certain physical characteristics in another person. In fact, during consultations at my practice, I may ask patients to bring in photos of celebrities or models with specific attributes that they find pleasing. I find this exercise effective in helping me understand their aesthetic preferences and what they’d like to achieve. However, it is my job as a surgeon to evaluate their ideals with their existing physical anatomy and then help establish realistic expectations about their results.

After plastic surgery, your features should look refined and aesthetically balanced. Choosing to work against your existing bone structure and anatomy can create unrealistic-looking results.

Many women considering breast augmentation in Naples who have recently had children tell me that they loved the look of their breasts while they were pregnant, but after childbirth, their breasts lost volume and now appear “deflated.” When a woman experiences a lack of breast volume as well as sagging, I generally recommend a breast augmentation combined with breast lift. This approach allows me to address 2 issues: loss of fullness and poor skin laxity. The breast implants are used to restore volume and fullness to the upper portions of the breasts, while the lift removes excess skin and creates better breast and nipple position. Typically, performing these procedures together is more efficient and reduces scarring.

You may benefit from breast augmentation with implants if you are unhappy with any of the following:

• Sagging, drooping breasts as a result of pregnancy or aging
• Breasts have lost volume and appear “flat”
• Asymmetrical breasts

During patient consultations at my Naples cosmetic surgery practice, I have the opportunity to meet each of my patients, get to know them and their goals for surgery, and discuss any questions about the procedure. At my practice, the 3 most common questions that come up in almost every consultation are:

1. How much does plastic surgery cost?

The price of your surgery will depend on many factors, including the type and number of surgeries performed, the anesthesia used, the surgeon you choose and where the surgery will take place However, the national averages, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, show that face, body and breast procedures can range from $2,000 to $7,300, while non-surgical procedures such as BOTOX® or laser skin resurfacing may cost from $375 to $2,100. Be wary of heavily discounted surgeries or extreme bargains – many of these surgeons are not qualified to perform plastic surgery, and you may be putting yourself at risk.

It’s important to understand that plastic surgery is an investment and you should be financially stable before your procedure. Many plastic surgeons offer financing options for your convenience. You can find this under the “Patient Resources” section of most plastic surgery websites.

2. Will I look like I’ve had work done?

Unfortunately, not all plastic surgeons have the skill or training necessary to achieve realistic-looking enhancements. However, if you choose a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon that is qualified and experienced, your results should appear natural. You can assess a surgeon’s skill by looking at the “before and after” photos on their website. These pictures are usually typical of a surgeon’s work and can give you an idea of the results you can expect.

3. How long is the recovery?

Your recovery will depend on the procedure or procedures you are having done and the surgical techniques used by your surgeon. However, for most procedures, plan for about 1 to 3 weeks of recovery time.

People often consider BOTOX in Fort Myers, Naples and surrounding areas to improve the appearance of frown lines and crow’s feet which make them appear older, grumpier and more tired than they actually are.

BOTOX can work wonders on the “frownies,” the lines in between the eyebrows caused over time by squinting and frowning. Patients who want to be free of the “frownies” can enjoy a more relaxed and refreshed appearance after surgery.

How BOTOX® Works on “Frownies”: A tiny needle is inserted into the area where the frown lines are. BOTOX is then injected to target the muscles causing these facial wrinkles. Within a few days, the overlying skin appears smoother and the appearance of wrinkles is greatly reduced.

What to Expect: Your “frownies” will ease up and stay that way for between 3 to 6 months before a touch up treatment is required.

What NOT to Expect: When you have treatment from a skilled injector, your face won’t appear frozen and you’ll still be able to make a full range of facial expressions. The main difference is that your frown lines will be a thing of the past.

I’m a big proponent of a natural, balanced look after breast surgery. I achieve this result in several ways, starting with developing an individualized treatment plan during the consultation and continuing on in the implant options and surgical techniques I offer.

Personalized Care

By providing highly personalized care I am able to create a deeper understanding of each patient’s goals. To me, a surgeon cannot create satisfying cosmetic results without this understanding of the patient. From there, I can advise each patient about options related to implant size and type, as well as placement and area of incision.

Preoperative Sizing & Portrait 3D Techniques

Women considering breast augmentation may be seeking surgery for several reasons. Their breasts may be smaller than desired, slightly different in size or out of proportion with their body. The careful choice of implant size plays a key role in creating a natural result for women in all these categories. During the consultation, measurements are taken and women can evaluate sample implants. I also offer Portrait 3D imaging for a computer-generated simulation of the results that are possible with surgery.

Implant Type & Placement

The implants I offer are either filled with saline solution or silicone gel. While I can achieve a natural-looking result with either implant type, more and more women are choosing silicone gel implants for a look and feel that is more like natural breast tissue. Implants can be placed above or below the chest muscles. Placement below the muscle can offer more coverage of the implants for a very natural slope and contour.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I always make time to ensure that my patients understand the many options available to them. This helps me design a treatment plan that will achieve their individual cosmetic goals. Here’s a list of the most popular body contouring procedures at my practice.

CoolSculpting™ by ZELTIQ™ & Using controlled cooling of unwanted fat cells, this procedure can reduce diet and exercise-resistant fat in the tummy, love handles, back, arms and legs without surgery, incisions or downtime.

Dimensional Liposuction & This procedure targets localized fat deposits in an outpatient procedure for a more youthful, contoured body that looks great in swimsuits and other clothing.

Tummy Tuck & Excess skin and fat, loose underlying abdominal muscles and stretch marks on the abdomen can all be corrected with carefully placed incisions that are concealed in most clothing.

Arm Lift & Sagging or drooping upper arm skin that does not tone up with exercise can be corrected in this outpatient procedure that blends liposuction and removal of excess skin for a tighter appearance.

Thigh Lift & This procedure tightens skin on the thighs that hangs or folds, for both a more attractive and more comfortable body after surgery.

Post Weight Loss Surgery & Skin is tightened and recontoured to reveal the body you’ve achieved through massive weight loss (with the stomach, hips and chest of primary concern for both women and men).

VelaShape™ Cellulite Reduction & The appearance of unsightly lumps and bulges of cellulite is reduced through this innovative procedure that uses heat and massage to smooth the tissue.

The research team reviewed tomography (CT) scans of the faces of three age groups of both men and women: Young (ages 20-40), middle-aged (ages 41-64) and older (ages 65 and up). The scans were originally performed for medical reasons, not for plastic surgery. Nevertheless, the scans showed remarkable differences in the facial bones between the age groups.

The researchers wrote in their study: “The facial skeleton experiences morphologic change and an overall decrease in volume with increasing age.”

One major change was an increase in the area of the orbital aperture, the bony surround for the eyeball. It appears to widen and lengthen with age. Aging also appears to reduce angles in glabellar, pyriform and maxillary bones, which are those around the mouth and upper jaw. The researchers also observed that the length and height of the mandible (jawbone) decreased with age, as well. Although these changes occurred in both men and women, many occurred in women in the young and middle age groups as compared with the men, in which most changes occurred between middle and old age.

“The bony components of the face are important for overall facial three-dimensional contour as they provide the framework on which the soft-tissue envelope drapes,” the authors wrote, adding that by using materials and techniques for skeletal augmentation, plastic surgeons can optimize results for patients seeking facial rejuvenation.

This information is something I stress when I talk to you about Sculptra.  The skin sags not only due to the loss of underlying fat but also the loss of bone, which is why I inject Sculptra both at the subcutaneous junction (for the loss of fat and thinning of the skin) and also deep in the supraperiosteal plane along the cheek bone, the temple, the nose and the jaw.  This helps add volume to the bone that has been lost due to aging, as you can see in the before/after of the 70-something woman above. Incredible improvement was gained simply through Sculptra.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Kent Hasen

Along a similar vein, women with implants actually have a much lower rate of breast cancer as compared to peer groups in the population. Researchers do not know why that is the case.

To your health & beauty,

Kent Hasen, MD