Cosmetic Body Surgery Available in Dearborn, MI

Despite strenuous exercise and careful control of their diet, many people are saddled with stubborn fat deposits that persist despite their best efforts. These hereditary fat pockets can be extremely discouraging, especially when they are discovered at the end of a large weight loss.

In many cases, they can lead to a disproportionate-looking body, which can have disastrous consequences for confidence and self-image. This is why the board-certified plastic surgeons at Masri Clinic for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery offer liposuction in Michigan.

WHAT IS LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction, commonly known as “lipo”, is a medical fat elimination procedure that results in the contouring and reshaping of certain parts of the body. Depending on the type of liposuction, the procedure is done with a vacuum-like machine that “sucks” excessive fat deposits from targeted parts of the body, resulting in slimmer and more slender proportions.



Liposuction is a flexible surgical procedure that can be performed on a variety of different areas, including:

• Waist and abdomen
• Back
• Ankles and calves
• Thighs and knees
• Buttocks and hips
• Face area (neck, double chin, cheeks)
• Upper arms
• Chest

Liposuction is commonly performed with other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, including the mommy makeover, breast reduction, and facelifts.

Types of Liposuction

All liposuction procedures use the same basic method. Small incisions are made in the target area, and a thin, blunt tube called a cannula is inserted into them. Fat is removed through the cannula via suction from a vacuum or syringe. There are several additional techniques that can make the process easier, including methods for breaking up the fat during the procedure for safer, gentler surgery.

• Tumescent Liposuction: One of the most common approaches is tumescent liposuction, which involves injecting a solution that numbs the area and constricts blood vessels in order to minimize pain and bleeding. This is especially appropriate for removing fat near the face.

• Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses a hand-held device to send ultrasound waves through the fat deposit, breaking up the fat cells. This method is particularly good for large deposits of dense fat, such as the deposits commonly found on the back.

• Laser-Assisted Liposuction: Laser-assisted liposuction such as SmartLipo uses a laser to break up the fat cells. This method is ideal for small deposits around the neck or breasts, and it has the added benefit of an easier recovery since less force must be used to remove the liquefied fat.

Airsculpt Liposuction vs Laser Liposuction

As one of the latest types of liposuction to be developed, many patients ask about the AirSculpt liposuction technique and how it compares to our preferred techniques such as SmartLipo. Also known as the “lunchtime lipo” technique due to its quick procedure and short recovery time, the Airscuplt minimally invasive liposuction technique is much like the alternative lipo lasers, while incorporating the usage of air.

Unlike other laser lipo procedures that may require putting the patient under general anesthesia, AirSculpt avoids the general anesthesia by infusing air with a local anesthesia or numbing solution. This infusion is applied to the fat before it is melted by laser heat and removed with a cannula.

On top of avoiding general anesthesia, patients who undergo AirSculpt can also avoid stitches. Rather than the more common suture marks liposuction patients experience, AirSculpt patients can expect to take away only a small, freckle-sized mark; however, there is still a possibility of scars, as patients do experience a removal of skin.



While AirSculpt may sound like the ultimate non-invasive liposuction technique, it is important to note that there have yet to be any large studies performed on the effectiveness of AirSculpt, which is why it may still be recommended to opt for the more typical laser-assisted liposuction techniques which use intense pulse light, such as SmartLipo.

GOOD CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION

Unlike most other plastic and cosmetic surgeries, the liposuction procedure is never a case of “one size fits all”. Not just anyone is a viable candidate for liposuction, and those who are considering liposuction should be sure about their choice of procedure before taking it.

Many people confuse liposuction as being another weight loss procedure, however liposuction is generally unsuccessful when performed on most patients who are obese or overweight. This is because their fat is deeper in their systems, rather than right below the skin. An easy way to tell if you are a candidate for liposuction is to test the elasticity of your skin; if it is elastic, then your fat is right below the surface.



Individuals considering liposuction should be:

• Nonsmokers
• An adult who is no greater than 30% of their ideal body weight
• Decent muscle tone with elastic but sturdy skin
• Completely healthy, with no major medical conditions or illnesses that can make the procedure or recovery more difficult

Liposuction should be treated as a final resort rather than a first option, as there are many procedures and methods that do not require surgery that may help an individual before turning to liposuction. If you want to consider liposuction, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I tried dieting and exercising?
• What are the other treatment options available to me?
• Am I prepared for the possible risks, complications, and long recovery time?
• Do I really need liposuction, or am I simply overweight or obese?
• Does my skin have the right elasticity for liposuction?

Why Should You Get Liposuction?

Aside from the obvious benefit of having unwanted fat removed from the body, there are many ways that an individual can benefit from liposuction.

• Problem Areas: Liposuction typically targets “problem areas” in the body when it comes to fat. Areas that you may have struggled with all your life, such as the thighs and the hips, can be melted away with liposuction

• Fatty Tumors: Liposuction has been known to also eliminate lipomas, or benign fatty tumors that are found are the body

• Better Habits: Patients who undergo liposuction usually pick up and maintain better lifestyles and habits after the procedure, such as proper diet and exercise

• Overall Health: Liposuction patients lose an average of 10 pounds after the procedure, and this weight loss does wonders towards improving the body’s overall health

• Male Breasts: Men with gynecomastia, or male breasts due to excess fatty tissue in the breasts, can experience significantly slimmer breasts after a liposuction

• Long-Lasting: On top of immediate results, patients can also expect results that will last for years after the procedure, as long as they maintain their healthy habits

• Excessive Sweating: Excessive sweating can be a huge issue for some people with too much fat in certain areas. Liposuction dramatically reduces fat stores, solving excessive armpit sweating as well as chafing between thighs and other body parts

• Immediate Results: Unlike other procedures, patients don’t have to wait weeks or months before seeing significant results. Liposuction produces immediate results, so patients can feel better about themselves right away

• Healthier Mentality: Liposuction patients generally report a healthier and brighter disposition and self-image after the plastic surgery procedure. A slimmer body can be easier to love and maintain, especially for patients who have struggled with certain areas for years

Putting on a bikini doesn’t have to be so hard. But significant weight loss, childbirth, and other issues can leave your once tight and slender tummy into one with various lumps and clumps of unwanted fat, excess skin, and bothersome stretch marks.



At Masri Clinic, we are proud to be home for the best tummy tuck Michigan can provide. We are the top provider of cosmetic and plastic surgery in Michigan, understanding the needs, concerns, and goals of those seeking the tummy tuck solution. Over the years we have created a seamless, simple, and easy tummy tuck path, helping patients achieve their dream tummies in no time.

WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?

The tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is a medical and cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the patient’s abdomen area. The tummy tuck is most beneficial for patients who have just lost a significant amount of fat, but now have an abdomen with loose extra skin. This procedure leads to a flatter and smoother abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, thus allowing a restoration of the body’s weakened core muscles.

For individuals who have loose, sagging skin, the tummy tuck is perhaps the best (if not only) option to truly remove it. While other procedures may be able to partially hide the excess skin, no procedure can reverse the growth of that skin. The only option then is to have it removed via the tummy tuck procedure.



The tummy tuck also restores or re-strengthens the core muscles in the abdomen. When we are born, we naturally have a slight gap between the sides of the “six-pack” muscles, or the rectus muscle. This gap begins at half an inch in our youth, but lengthens over time due to age, pregnancy, and other factors. As the gap widens, so does the abdomen, giving it a softer and looser appearance. Only through a tummy tuck can the muscles be restored properly.

Types of Tummy Tucks

Patients can choose from two types of tummy tucks: the full tummy tuck or the mini tummy tuck. Your doctor or surgeon will generally recommend the best type of tummy tuck for you, which will depend on a number of factors centered around your body and expectations.

Full Tummy Tuck:

The full tummy tuck abdominoplasty is, predictably, the more complex and invasive procedures of the two, and is better for patients who are further from their ideal body weight and abdominal appearance. Patients who are looking for a complete abdominal skin rejuvenation, with significant results both below and above the belly button, should consider the full tummy tuck.

This procedure involves a panniculectomy, a medical procedure which removes the excess tissue and skin from the lower part of the abdomen (the pannus). During this procedure, doctors will also usually perform a liposuction to remove any stubborn fat in the area.

After the excess tissue and skin is removed with the panniculectomy, the abdominoplasty is performed to tighten the abdominal muscles. As the full tummy tuck is a more thorough procedure, the incision is generally long, spanning from the two hip bones, or across the bikini line.

Mini Tummy Tuck:

The mini tummy tuck (partial or mini abdominoplasty) is better for patients who require less dramatic improvements to their abdomen. Patients who can benefit from the mini tummy tuck are those who currently have decent abdominal muscle tone and upper belly skin, and only need help with their lower abdomen, or the area below the belly button. These patients are generally fit and slender, with just a minor issue of excessive fat and skin in their lower abdomen.

When performing a mini tummy tuck, surgeons cut a much smaller incision into the bikini line, ranging from four to eight inches. Here, the surgeon will tighten the abdominal muscles beneath the belly button and suck out small clumps of fat via liposuction.

Full Tummy Tuck

Purpose: To cut and remove excess fat and skin in the upper and lower abdomen (above and below the belly button), creating dramatic changes to the body. Can remove stretch marks and large amounts of skin and fat

Candidate: Patients who need help with their entire abdomen region, typically those who have experienced pregnancy or significant weight loss and now have stubborn fat as well as excess skin with stretch mark

Incision: A full bikini line incision, from hip bone to hip bone

Pros:

• Dramatic bodily transformation
• Excess skin with stretch marks is removed, along with fat with liposuction
• Abdominal muscles in the upper and lower abdomen can be restored

Cons:

• Much bigger and obvious scarring
• Long tummy tuck recovery period

Cost: Depends on your location, but tummy tuck cost can range from $9000 to $15,000

Mini Tummy Tuck

Purpose: To cut and remove small amounts of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen (below the belly button).

Candidate: Patients who are at or near their ideal body weight and body proportions, who only need some help with the area below the belly button, where there may be stubborn clumps of fat and some excess skin. Generally patients who are in overall good health

Incision: Incision is just 4-8 inches in the bikini line

Pros:

• Smaller scarring
• Less downtime than a full tummy tuck
• Provides help for patients who don’t need significant bodily changes
• Experience skin tighten

Cons:

• Not best for patients who need dramatic changes to their body, with tummy tuck resulting in subtler changes

Cost: Depends on your location, but cost can range from $6000 to $12,000

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR TUMMY TUCK?

The most common candidate for the tummy tuck procedure is an individual who has recently experienced significant weight loss (fat or pregnancy). Women who have experienced childbirth tend to develop a pannus; this is the loose, soft pocket of skin that exists above the pubic region.

The pannus can be extremely difficult to lose through diet and exercise, and oftentimes remains permanently. This can bring down a woman’s self-image, affect their hygiene, and make it difficult to fit in certain clothing.

Individuals who are good candidates for tummy tucks fall into the following criteria:

• For women, they are done having children (as having another child can ruin the results of a tummy tuck)
• They have excess skin looseness around the abdominal area
• They are in good health, with no major health issues that may complicate the surgical procedure or react negatively to anesthesia
• Their unwanted fat is beyond the abdomen’s muscle layers. This means that patients who have “beer bellies” cannot benefit from a tummy tuck, as that kind of fat is deeper in the body
• The best body type for this procedure is the “skinny fat” body type; obese patients may be recommended to other solutions

While many patients who opt for a tummy tuck are those who have experienced significant weight loss or fat reduction, a tummy tuck is also regularly performed on patients who are close or at their ideal body proportions and weight, but possess sagging or loose abdominal skin and fat. This can be caused by:

• Pregnancy
• Heredity
• Unrelated surgeries
• Aging
• A history of weight fluctuations

Why Should You Get a Tummy Tuck?

Whether you are considering a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, the tummy tuck procedure is a great step towards loving your body once more, especially after experiences such as significant weight loss or childbirth.

Aging, weight loss, and pregnancy can significantly alter your body shape and body proportions, and with the tummy tuck, you can find renewed self-confidence and a boosted self-image every time you look in the mirror. Wear a two-piece bikini with confidence once again.

Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefits of a tummy tuck, there are actually several medical benefits from the procedure. These include:

• Less back pain: There are many causes of back pain or sciatica, but one of the causes in mothers is the weakened stomach muscles after massive weight loss or childbirth. By returning strength and firmness to the abdominal muscles, the tummy tuck procedure can actually help reduce a patient’s back pain.
• Stress urinary incontinence treatment: Stress urinary incontinence or SUI is a condition experienced by both men and women (particularly women who have recently experienced childbirth) in which the individual has increased pressure on their bladder, resulting in less bladder control. This results in urinary “leakage” during impactful actions such as laughing, coughing, and even sneezing. Tummy tucks are known for helping to treat SUI.
• Posture improvement: Abdominal muscles play a significant role in helping individuals maintain proper posture. With renewed and stronger abdominal muscles leading to less back pain, patients generally experience a natural direct improvement to their posture, due to the extra support from their abdominal muscles to their spine.

What are the Costs of a Tummy Tuck?

According to a recent survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an average tummy tuck in Michigan and the United States costs $6000 - $7000. While this procedure costs more than the average cosmetic surgery, it is important to remember that the tummy tuck is a major procedure that produces dramatic results, improving a patient’s livelihood for years to come.



It is also a one-time-only procedure, meaning unlike other cosmetic and medical procedures, patients do not need to come in for more treatments for tummy tuck maintenance.

The cost of your tummy tuck will depend on your location, the experience of your surgeon, and the type of tummy tuck procedure required. Other costs may include:

• Hospital or surgery center costs
• Medication prescriptions
• Medical tests
• Surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees

Like any procedure, a patient’s success with the tummy tuck is most guaranteed by the expertise and experience of their surgeon.

We all deserve to love our own body. And for women, an important part of the body is the breasts. If you find yourself unhappy or unsatisfied with the size or shape of your breasts for whatever reason, you’re not alone. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States for the last several years.

Masri Clinic is Michigan’s home for world class breast augmentation procedures. With triple board-certified surgeon Dr. Haitham Masri and his elite patient-centric team and practices, we have served countless patients in Michigan, connecting them with their ideal breasts.

WHAT IS IT?

Breast augmentation or breast implant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed around the world. Simply put, the breast augmentation procedure is performed to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts.

While the procedure is simple, straightforward, and relatively risk-free, there are various factors that a patient and their doctor must consider before going through with it, such as the type or material of their breast implants, the type of incision for the breast implant procedure, and the desired size and shape of the breasts.

In a breast augmentation procedure, an incision is made into or around the breast area. From there, the doctor positions the breast implants under or over the muscle of the breasts. After placement, the incisions are closed and the entire procedure is complete in just one to two hours.

Everything You Need to Know About Different Types of Breast Implants

Unlike most surgical procedures, breast implant surgery is highly customizable. Breast augmentation patients can choose their desired implant positioning, type of breast implant (material, shape, and texture), breast implant size, and more. It is important for a patient to have a firm understanding of the breast implant options available to them prior to undergoing the procedure.

MATERIAL

The type of material a breast augmentation patient chooses can help define the sturdiness of the breast implant as well as its “feel” and longevity. Breast implants consist of an outer core and an inner core (or a rubber shell and a filling). While all breast augmentation implants have a rubber shell made of silicone, there are three types of filling a patient can choose.

SALINE IMPLANTS

Pros:

• Uniform firmness, feel, and shape
• Inflatable, allowing for a smaller incision
• Flexible and adjustable
• More affordable cost
• No MRI required during post-op exams

Cons:

• Can feel less natural than other materials
• In rare cases, the implant can leak (however the substance is safe for the body)

Saline breast implants are known for their uniform firmness, feel, and shape throughout the whole implant. This is due to their inflatable nature: when inserted into the incision, saline implants are empty.

After they are properly positioned, the implants are filled with sterile saltwater, creating the breast augmentation effect. The purpose of using implants that are inflated inside of the breast is to minimize the size of the incision.

Aside from creating a uniform firmness, feel, and shape throughout the breasts, saline breast implants are chosen for their flexibility. Patients can adjust the volume of the saltwater in their implant without suffering a large incision (with saline implant, the incision site is generally near the areola).

While saline implants are known for feeling firmer than natural breasts, skilled cosmetic surgeons can create the natural feel with sub-muscular implant placement, preferably below or beneath the pectoral muscle. This also negates the general risk of the saline implant creating a rippling appearance on the skin.

When choosing between saline or silicone in terms of implants costs, saline implants are usually more affordable than silicone or gummy bear breast implants. Patients also will not require an MRI when undergoing postoperative examinations.



While there are cases of the saline implant leaking through minuscule holes and eventually collapsing, it is important to note that the salt water substance within the inflatable implant is safe for the body to absorb. In cases of collapse, patients do not have to worry about safety, but are required to have the implant surgically removed (and if desired, replaced).

GUMMY BEAR IMPLANTS

Pros:

• Thick silicone gel implant, meaning it is less prone to damage or rupture
• Feels and looks natural
• Textured implant surface to keep it in place

Cons:

• Required MRI surveillance
• Longer incision

Also known as form stable breast implants, gummy bear implants are silicone implants with highly cohesive gel. This creates a firmer and sturdier surface, as the silicone gel implants are thicker than that of traditional silicone breast implants. This means that if the implant breaks or becomes ruptured, it will still retain its original shape and structure.

Gummy bear implants might be the most durable implants on the market, as they can withstand applied pressure without their shape becoming damaged or altered. While the choices of placement site and incision site are roughly the same as other silicone implants, gummy bear implants require a longer incision to accommodate for its thicker filling.

Finally, gummy bear implants are teardrop-shaped implants (as opposed to round implants). This creates an appearance of a breast with a natural bottom half droop, with less upper breast fullness. While there is a risk of the implant rotating slightly – causing a disfigured appearance – gummy bear implants are textured, giving your soft tissue the ability to grow around the implant, thus keeping it in place.

SHAPE

There are two kinds of shapes that a patient can choose for their breast implants: round breast implants and teardrop-shaped breast implants. As the names suggest, round breast implants have a consistently round and firm appearance throughout the implant, while the teardrop shape breast implants are shaped like tears. Each shape has their own advantages, and the type a patient chooses is determined by their breast implant goals.

ROUND BREAST IMPLANTS

Pros:

• More affordable
• No rotation problems
• Fewer complications

Cons:

• May look less natural for women with less body fat

Round breast implants are the most common shape for breast implants, as they provide a fuller look, with more volume, thickness, and cleavage. There are four kinds of round breast implants, ranging from high to low projection; the best kind of round breast implant for you will depend on your goals and expectations.



Round breast implants are ideal for women who want to counter sagging breasts, lifting the breasts and creating an all-around full appearance. This shape also costs less than teardrop breast implants, partly due to the textured nature of teardrop implants (as opposed to the smooth texture of round breast implants.

TEARDROP-SHAPED BREAST IMPLANTS

Pros:

• Looks better for thinner women with less breast volume
• More natural teardrop look
• Textured to keep it in place

Cons:

• There is a slight/rare risk of rotation

Teardrop breast implants create a less full but more natural look, as the implants are created with a bottom-heavy appearance, similar to a teardrop. While patients will not experience fullness in their upper breast, they will feel significant fullness in the lower half of their breasts.



Women who are more concerned about retaining the natural-appearance of their breasts often choose the teardrop-shaped breast implant. While there is a slight risk of teardrop-shaped implants rotating within the breasts – thus creating a disfigured appearance – this complication is extremely rare, and most patients will never experience it.

Implant Placement

After choosing the type of breast implant for a patient, doctors must consider the placement of the implant. There are a number of factors that can influence implant placement, but generally doctors can choose from three places to insert the implant. An implant can be inserted as a subglandular placement, subpectoral placement, or submuscular placement.

Subglandular Placement

The least complicated breast implant placement, subglandular placement places the breast implant right in front of the muscle, or in the back of the mammary gland. This is generally the preferred placement for women who regularly exercise, as it avoids possible interference with the pectoral muscles.

However, subglandular placement implants have a greater chance of developing capsular contracture, and are more vulnerable to rippling and being visible. This is due to the close proximity the implant has to the outer layer of the skin, with only the mammary gland and the skin in front of it.

Subpectoral Placement

Subpectoral placement places the implant another layer deeper, right underneath the muscle known as the pectoralis major. What’s interesting about this placement is that the pectoralis major has a certain structure that means only part of the implant is covered by it; the upper part being covered by the pectoralis major muscle, and the bottom half hanging underneath.

As this placement is deeper than a subglandular placement, there is increased inflammation, longer recovery time, greater pain (due to the required adjustment of the muscle during the procedure), but also less risk of visible rippling and capsular contracture.

Subpectoral placement is a great choice for most women, however patients with sagging breasts might want to steer clear. This is because the unsupported bottom half of the implant might increase the sag, and even possibly create a second separate bulge in the breast.

Submuscular Placement

The deepest placement type, the submuscular placement of the breast implant places it behind wall of the chest muscle (including the pectoralis major and non-pectoral muscles). With a longer recovery time and a more difficult procedure for the patient, the benefit of the submuscular placement is that they placed optimally for future mammograms.

Breast Implant Incision Types

Another important decision that the patient and their doctor must make together is the type of incision to be used for the breast augmentation procedure. While the chosen incision type is significantly influenced by the type of breast implant, understanding the various incision types can help a patient better decide their preferred breast implant.

Peri-areolar Incision

The peri-areolar incision is the incision made around the areola, or just along the lower edge of the areola pigment. This incision is strategically placed on the edge of the areola to help hide or camouflage the incision scar.

As this is the smallest incision possible for breast implants, the peri-areolar incision is generally reserved for inflatable saline breast implants, which demand the least space. For any other kind of breast implant, the peri-areolar incision is most probably not a possible option.

Inframammary Incision

The inframammary incision is done right underneath the breast, the area typically covered by the underwire of a bra (where the breast and the ribcage tend to meet). This incision can be long enough for most types of breast implants, and is best for women who have enough breast tissue for the breast to hang over the scar and hide it. This incision is not recommended for women with smaller breasts.

Trans-axillary Incision

Sometimes referred to as the scarless breast augmentation, the trans-axillary incision doesn’t leave a scar on the breasts or any visible part of the torso. This is because the incision is performed in the armpit, leaving behind a tiny scar that is typically hidden by the arm. The trans-axillary incision is notably more difficult than the inframammary and peri-areolar incisions, due to the distance from the incision to the breast.



After creating an incision in the fold of the armpit, the surgeon must then cut a channel to the breast. The implant is placed through this channel and pushed into proper placement in the breast. Should any complications arise during the procedure, the surgeon will be required to create a crease or nipple incision to remove or revise the implant.

Trans-umbilical Incision

Also known as the bellybutton incision or the TUBA incision, the trans-umbilical incision is the least commonly performed incision, with few surgeons who offer it due to its high risk of complication.

This incision begins at the upper edge of the bellybutton. With an endoscope, the surgeon cuts through the fat from the bellybutton to just below each breast. From here, a pocket is cut leading into the breast, and the implant is rolled and slid into place through the tunnel and the pocket.



When performed successfully, the trans-umbilical incision leaves the patient with less recovery time and scarring than other breast implant incisions. However, as the implants have to be slid through a tunnel from the bellybutton to the breasts, they have to be inflatable (thus saline).

BEST CANDIDATES FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION

The average age for women who undergo breast augmentation is 35, but adult women of all ages, from 18 to senior years, can successfully undergo a breast augmentation procedure. As breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure, anyone who is in good general health is a viable candidate for breast augmentation.

Patients who are experiencing the following breast issues may benefit from breast augmentation:

• Asymmetrical breasts (in volume or shape)
• General unhappiness with breast size or breast appearance
• Sagging breasts
• Breast appearance changes due to weight loss
• Breast volume loss due to breastfeeding
• Required breast revision from previous breast surgery procedure

Choosing to undergo a breast procedure is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Only patients who have thoroughly considered and understood the following should move forward with the procedure:

• You understand your goals, reasons, and expectations for breast augmentation
• You have reviewed the results of previous patients of breast augmentation and understand what the procedure can achieve
• You understand the potential risks of breast augmentation
• You are mentally and emotionally stable and secure
• You understand the importance of post-operative maintenance and follow-up appointments, as well as the future need to replace your implants

What are the Costs?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average breast augmentation cost is $3824. Breast implant costs are determined by the location of the procedure, the type of breast augmentation to be performed, and the experience and expertise of the surgeon involved.

What’s the Recovery Time?

The recovery time after a breast augmentation procedure varies depending on the type of breast implant and the type of incision performed in the procedure.



On average, patients can expect a recovery time of a few weeks, with about 1-2 weeks of downtime from work and regular exercise. Patients should avoid driving for at least a week, and it is recommended to wear a sports bra constantly for three months after the procedure.

Relationship to Tummy Tuck Surgery

Many patients who consider the breast augmentation procedure are also interested in the tummy tuck surgery, and vice versa. A common question we get at Masri Clinic is whether the tummy tuck surgery and the breast augmentation procedure can be performed at the same time.

If a patient is in reasonably good health, there should be no problem performing the tummy tuck and breast augmentation together. These two procedures are commonly combined at many clinics; in many cases, it is encouraged to combine these two procedures, as it means a patient will only have to go through recovery once.

Women with large or heavy breasts may suffer from a number of physical and emotional problems. Many women are self-conscious of their large breasts and they may refrain from certain physical activities or wearing certain types of clothing because of them. They may also experience back pain, bra strap grooving, skin irritation or rashes beneath the breasts, and posture problems. The breast reduction is a solution.

Some Solutions

Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is a surgical procedure which can improve large, heavy or pendulous breasts, making them smaller, lighter, firmer and more proportionate to the rest of the body. While the surgery is performed on women of all ages, it is often recommended that young women wait to have surgery until the breasts have fully developed. Women who are planning to breast feed in the future may also be advised to postpone surgery.

How a Breast Reduction is Performed

There are several techniques which may be used to reduce the size of the breasts. These will be discussed with your Detroit surgeon at the time of consultation and the best approach will be determined based on your individual needs. There are three basic incision patterns which may be used:

1. Around the areola in two concentric circles
2. Around the areola and continuing in a vertical line down to the breast crease
3. Around the areola, continuing in a vertical line down to the breast crease and then continuing horizontally in the crease beneath the breast



Working through the incision, the surgeon will reposition the nipple and, if necessary, reduce the size of the areola. The breast tissue is then reduced, lifted and shaped. This may be combined with liposuction techniques to remove the excess fat. In rare cases where excess skin is not a factor, excess fatty tissue may be removed through liposuction alone.

The surgery usually takes between two and four hours. When completed, the breasts may be taped and a bandage or surgical bra applied.

Keeping the Patient Comfortable

General anesthesia is most often used for breast reduction surgery to keep the patient comfortable.

The Immediate After-Effects

Some swelling and bruising in the breasts can be expected. The breasts may ache for a period of time but this can be alleviated with medication. Patients are usually able to return to work within two weeks.

The Risks

As with all surgical procedures, there are potential risks associated with breast reduction. These may include bleeding, infection, poor healing, and adverse anesthesia reactions.

The Results to Expect

Breast reduction is one of the most rewarding of all plastic surgery procedures in Detroit, MI. Results are immediate and long lasting.

BREAST REDUCTION FAQS

A body lift is the name for a combination of procedures that can correct this problem. Typically, it consists of a tummy tuck, thigh lift, and buttock lift, but it will be tailored to your own specific needs. These procedures remove excess skin and some fat to create sleeker contours, a slimmer appearance, and great increases in both comfort and confidence.

n our modern society, a smooth, toned body is the ideal. Not only is it considered the most attractive, but it also makes things like finding clothes and simply moving around much easier. Unfortunately, diet and exercise alone can't create that body for everybody. Loose skin can be a problem for anyone with poor skin elasticity, but it is especially problematic for those whose skin has been stretched by significant weight loss or pregnancy. The resulting loose skin is not only embarrassing but also uncomfortable. In extreme cases, it can hinder movement and even lead to rashes and infections.

Am I a Candidate?

A body lift can benefit anyone with loose, hanging skin on their stomach, lower back, thighs, or buttocks. It can also help with low, flat, or unevenly shaped buttocks as well as sagging in the groin. While it cannot remove large amounts of fat, it can be an appropriate treatment for people with smaller, localized deposits of stubborn fat. Since a body lift is a major surgery, candidates should be in good health and should not smoke.

Consultation

All cosmetic surgeries begin with a consultation, but it is especially important in this case since a body lift is tailored specifically to your situation. During your consultation, you'll first detail your problems and explain your desires for the surgery. Dr. Masri will then examine you before discussing which approaches he thinks will be most useful for your case.

Nearly all body lifts will involve a tummy tuck. Depending on your needs, this could be a standard, mini, or extended tummy tuck. The standard version involves a horizontal incision from hip bone to hip bone. There is also an incision around the navel to allow removal of skin and fat above the belly button as well as below. A mini tuck uses a smaller horizontal incision and has no navel incision, so it only permits skin removal below the navel.

If you have loose skin on the lower back, an extended tummy tuck may be appropriate. This extends the horizontal incision past the hip bones around the back to allow removal of skin on the flanks and lower back. If you are getting a buttock lift as well, the incision can be placed lower on your back just above your buttocks to allow skin from the buttocks to be pulled up and tightened.

If a thigh lift will be part of your body lift, there are two types of incisions. A medial thigh lift requires an incision in the groin and allows skin removal on the inner thigh. In extreme cases, a wedge of skin can be taken from the groin to the knee to allow maximum recontouring. For the lateral, or outer, thigh lift, the procedure is slightly more complex and must be tailored to your specific situation. Ideally, the incision can be incorporated with the incision for your buttock lift or hidden in the creases below the buttocks.

Many patients also get liposuction as part of their body lift. The location and extent of this will depend on your needs, but the procedure is relatively simple. It involves a number of tiny incisions and a suction tool to remove localized deposits of fat. In some cases, a laser or ultrasound device will also be used to help break up more stubborn deposits. Dr. Masri can advise you if that will be helpful in your situation.



Since a full body lift is a major undertaking, Dr. Masri will carefully go over your medical history as well as the precautions that you should take to minimize the risks of the procedure. In a few cases, the surgery may need to be broken up into two sessions with a healing period in between for safety reasons.

Procedure

Your body lift will begin with sedation, which could be either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. After you are sedated, the exact order of events will vary, since the procedure is tailored specifically for you.

In most cases, buttock and lateral thigh lifts will be performed first with you positioned on your belly or side. After the incisions are made, excess fat will be removed, and the skin will be pulled up to tighten it before the excess is trimmed off. You will then be moved to your back so that the front can be addressed with a tummy tuck and inner thigh lift.

If you are getting an inner thigh lift, an incision will be made in the groin to allow excess skin to be removed. Then an incision will be made across the hip bones for the tummy tuck. The abdominal skin will be pulled down and the muscles sutured together to tighten them. Your belly button will be repositioned and sutured into place, and excess skin will be trimmed off before the incisions are carefully closed in layers to hold things tight and minimize scarring. Finally, dressings and drains will be placed before you are moved to the recovery room.

Possible Risks and Complications

Like any major surgery, a body lift has the risks of bleeding, infection, hematoma, and reactions to anesthesia. Some patients also experience changes in sensation like numbness or tingling. These normally go away over the first few months, but in some cases they can persist for up to a year or even longer. Poor healing and scarring are also risks of the surgery, but they can be minimized by proper wound care and avoidance of sun-tanning, smoking, and other skin-damaging habits.

Recovery

After your surgery, you can expect to experience significant swelling and bruising. The bruising will fade in 3-4 weeks, but the swelling may take up to 3-4 months to go away. There will be moderate discomfort, but it will be manageable with prescribed medications. Movement will be difficult at first, and standing up may be impossible for several days. However, it is important to try to move around starting the day after surgery in order to minimize blood clotting. You'll need to wear a compression garment to support your healing tissues for a few weeks, and you'll receive specific instructions on minimizing the stress on your incisions and caring for any surgical drains.



You'll need help at home for several weeks after surgery, since it will take at least two weeks before you can move around well, and you won't be able to lift anything or do strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. Most patients will be ready to return to a desk job in 3-4 weeks, but it will take six months or more before you are fully healed.

Body Lift Surgery FAQs