Tummy Tuck vs Mini Tummy Tuck

What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure that
will remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen.

Plastic Surgery in Nashville, TN

An incision is made across the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone. A second incision is made around the belly button.The skin and fat are separated from the abdominal wall. Excess skin and fat are then excised. The abdominal muscles are tightened by shortening them and suturing them together. A small incision creates a new opening for the belly button. It is brought out through the opening sutured to the new skin. Stretch marks and scars may be removed during surgery.

Drains may be placed in the skin and removed a few days later. The drains reduce swelling by collecting excess blood and fluid. All incisions are closed. The procedure is usually performed in a hospital or surgery center as an outpatient procedure with a 10-14 day recovery period.  Exercise may be resumed 6 weeks post surgery date.

A mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, may be recommended for patients that are within 10% of their ideal body weight. This procedure is less invasive procedure with a smaller incision. While a full tummy tuck involves an incision around the navel and across the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck leaves the navel intact. Liposuction is sometimes employed and the fat is removed from below the navel, tightening muscles from the navel to the pubis.

If your abdominal muscles require more extensive tightening and your body weight is more than 20% above your ideal weight, your plastic surgeon is more likely to recommend a full abdominoplasty. This frequently is performed with liposuction to obtain the best results.

If you would like more information on a Tummy tuck, please contact our office to make a consultation with Dr. Robbins.

 



The Mommy Makeover – A Plastic Surgery Combo

The joys of motherhood can be very challenging at times.  You spend most of the day feeding and cleaning up after your little ones and yet you still have to find time to exercise.  Working hard to get rid of those extra pounds you put on during pregnancy is not easy but sometimes no matter how hard you work, you just can’t get rid of all the loose skin on your tummy.  Pregnancy defiantly takes a toll on your abdominal muscles and skin as well as the post nursing effects on your not so perking boobs anymore!

Oh to be young again…well maybe not 18 but having your pre-pregnancy body back sure would be great!

A Mommy Makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures done to help you get your pre-baby body back. It can include a mix of tummy tuck (to remove loose skin and regain firmness) and breast enhancement (which can include breast lift and/or breast augmentation).

Combining the 2 surgeries is cost efficient, saving on anesthesia and OR fees and the recovery time is no longer (10-14 days).

If you would like more information or a consultation with Dr. Robbins, please contact our office for an appointment or attend our Mommy Makeover Open House event next month, September 17, 5:30-7:30.  Dr. Robbins will be giving a presentation on the 2 surgeries and we will have drawings and giveaways for those who attend!

Hope to see you there!



The Best Skin Care Ingredients To Use In Your 40’s

By the 40’s, hopefully you’re already committed to a good skin care home care routine.  By putting in the extra effort, you’ll get the reward of healthier, younger-looking skin down the road.  The skin will certainly behave differently under the influences of hormones, but how do they affect it from ages 40-50?  These are the peri-menopausal years, and this stage of aging can occur up to ten years before actual menopause.  Peri-menopause is when the estrogen slowly starts to decline. Estrogen is very involved in the normal function of the skin. It directly affects the function of key cells in the skin, like the fibroblasts (produces collagen and elastin), keratinocytes (closely involved in skin protection) and melanocytes (involved in evenness of skin color, etc.). It also helps regulate hair follicle function (hair production) as well as sebaceous gland activity (producing skin oils). While the hormonal changes are gradual, many will notice an increase in lines around the eyes, between the eyebrows, on the forehead and around the mouth.

As your skin changes through the years, it’s important that your skin care regimen evolves with it. So how do you choose which products to use? There are so many anti aging products on the market, let me suggest some ingredients to seek out in your skin care products if you’re in your 40’s.

Retinol – Whether it’s a product that includes retinol, or a prescription retinoid, I highly advise using this result promising ingredient. Vitamin A derivatives are incredible for skin. They help reverse sun damage, fight lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture and build collagen. What more could you ask for out of this product!  The most beautiful skin I treat in my practice belongs to those who have been using a retinol/retinoid religiously.

Skin Lightner – Did you know that melanocyte cells decrease about 10% every decade after the age of 30 which results in irregular pigmentation? Using a natural skin lightener like Vitamin C&E treatment is really important to fade brown spots. Also, researchers have found that when you use a serum containing BOTH vitamin C and E under sunscreen, it helps to provide four times the protection of sunscreen alone.

Antioxidants – These help protect skin against ultraviolet radiation, as well as environmental insults like pollution. They help neutralize free radicals that form as a result of injury to the skin and minimize DNA damage. Not only are they protective to skin, but they also help reverse signs of aging.

Sun Screen – Just because you don’t sunbathe doesn’t mean you’re not getting the UV damage. Wear a sunscreen built into your moisturizer, applied to both your face and neck, rain or shine, inside or out—and your skin will thank you for years to come! I highly recommend daily protection SPF 30 for those in their 40’s since it’s very lightweight and will not clog the pores.



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