Body
Body Contouring
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The skin of the abdomen may become loose and stretched out after pregnancy and weight loss. These changes will not respond to exercise and variable amounts of fat may accumulate and become resistant to diet and exercise. Abdominoplasty may be indicated in these situations and serves two purposes. The loose skin and excess fat of the lower abdomen is removed (often removing stretch marks as well) and the deep muscle layer of the abdominal wall is tightened to flatten and contour the abdomen. In some people, a protruding abdomen that is out of proportion to the rest of the body may be re-contoured to give balance to the torso. Scars from prior surgical procedures may limit the results, whereas other abdominal scars may be removed all together. Women planning future pregnancies or significant weight loss would be best served by postponing an abdominoplasty. Recovery may take 2 to 4 weeks with avoidance of strenuous activity for 6 weeks.Liposuction (Suction Lipectomy)
Men and women deposit fat in specific areas of the body that may become resistant to healthy diet and regular exercise. Liposuction removes these localized collections of fat from various sites of the body, including the abdomen, hips, thighs, back and neck. The procedure is highly effective in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon, and leaves only tiny scars, often less than one-half inch in length. Keep in mind that skin quality is a critical factor in predicting the final results. Skin with good tone and elasticity will "re-drape" evenly over the area where fat has been removed. However, skin that has significantly thinned and stretched may "hang" from the body, giving an undesirable result. A skin tightening procedure (abdominoplasty, thigh lift, etc.) may be recommended.In any liposuction technique, saline fluid with various amounts of lidocaine (for local anesthetic effect) and epinephrine (for local vasoconstriction to decrease blood loss) are used to infiltrate the treatment area prior to fat removal. Tumescent technique simply refers to the use of a specific amount of fluid that gives a very full, tight appearance to the infused area. Much of this fluid is removed with the fat and the remainder is absorbed and eliminated by the body
Significant advances have been made in liposuction and have resulted in increased safety, more precise results and quicker recovery. Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is a state-of-the-art technique using ultrasound waves to liquefy the fat prior to its removal. Although UAL does not replace the standard liposuction techniques, it can be a more effective tool in removing fat from more fibrous areas of the body, such as the male breasts, back or upper abdomen. It is also effective for high volume liposuction. Recovery from liposuction takes several days to 2 weeks, depending on the number of areas treated, and requires wearing a special form-fitting garment for 3 to 6 weeks. The results attained from liposuction are essentially life long since the fat cells have been permanently removed. However, appropriate diet and exercise are critical to maintaining your health and new body contour. Dr. Parva is experienced in UAL and standard liposuction techniques and provides his patients with a complete evaluation and recommendation as to the most appropriate treatment plan to address each individual's needs.