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The effects of aging are inevitable, and often, the brow and forehead area show the first signs. With aging, the skin begins to lose its elasticity. Sun, wind, and pull of gravity all affect the face, resulting in frown lines, wrinkling across the forehead, and an increasing heaviness of the eyebrows and the upper eyelids, increasing the amount of skin between the brow and the lash line. Even people in their thirties may have faces that look older than their years. Successful plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. When a surgeon tightens loose skin and removes the excess, forehead wrinkling and drooping brows are modified. The procedure is called a forehead lift or brow lift. If necessary, the surgeon removes part of the muscle that causes vertical frown lines between the brows. The result can be smoother brow and a more youthful expression. To see what a forehead lift can do for your face, put your hands above your brows and outside the edges of your eyes and gently raise the skin upwards. Forehead lifts are an option if you have a sagging brow or deep furrows between the eyes. This procedure is usually done between age forty and sixty-five., although it may be necessary at an earlier age. Incisions can be placed at the hairline, behind the hairline, or in some cases, above the brow or in the mid-forehead. Your surgeon can help you select the best technique suited to your particular situation.
The main difference among the various options for forehead lifting consists of the placement of the incision. Based on variations in how men and women age and on new advances in medical technology, different methods are used to perform this procedure. If you are wondering how a forehead lift could improve your appearance, you need to know how these procedures are performed and what you can expect. The newest approach is endoscopic surgery. Several small one-half inches to one-inch incisions are placed just behind the hairline. Although this technique may require more surgery time, it is less invasive and results in the smaller chance of temporary scalp numbness. This procedure takes between one to two hours to perform. It is most commonly performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.
You will experience a certain amount of swelling and bruising in the 10-day period following the surgery. In some patients, this condition may include the cheek and the eye area as well as the forehead. You will be advised to keep your head elevated in order to reduced swelling. Cold compresses may further reduce swelling. As the incisions heal, you may experience some numbness as well as itching, both of which will diminish with time. The sutures are usually removed within 7 to 10 days following the surgery. If bandages have been used, they are removed in one to three days. It is important to follow the advice of your surgeon on resuming normal activities. For most patients, the recovery time will not exceed two weeks, but patients may still be advised to avoid strenuous activities for longer periods.
Individual results may vary. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
A well -defined chin helps give balance to the face and creates a major part of one’s profile. When people look in the mirror, most focus on the size and shape of their noses, their ears, sagging jowls, or fine wrinkling of the skin. But even though few examine their chins with the same discerning eye, having a “weak chin” is certainly not an asset. Surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose, are often the first to suggest that changes in chin size and shape may enhance a profile as much as rhinoplasty. It is common for the plastic surgeon to recommend chin surgery in addition to nose surgery when the surgeon sees that chin augmentation is necessary to achieve facial balance and harmony. Fortunately, this is relatively straightforward procedure that can make a major difference. If you are wondering how chin surgery could improve your appearance, you need to know how the surgery is performed and what you can expect from this procedure. Reading about this subject can address many of your concerns and provide you with the information to begin considering chin surgery. Successful plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. It is also key to understand all aspects of the surgery. A pleasing, balanced profile can be achieved by inserting an implant or moving the bone forward to build up a receding chin, or by reducing a jutting or too prominent chin. The results can be greater facial harmony and an increase in self-confidence. Another possibility for improvement through chin surgery is submental liposuction in which excess fatty tissue is removed to redefine the chin or neckline. When there is a contributing problem of dental malocclusions or birth defects in the structure of the jaw itself, surgery of the jaw can improve the form and function of the lower face and greatly enhance appearance.
Whether you are interested in chin surgery for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a qualified plastic surgeon is extremely important. During the consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your chin and jaw to pinpoint problems. In some instances, the surgeon will suggest chin surgery as a supplement to rhinoplasty because a small chin can make the nose appear larger. Your surgeon will weigh other factors that could influence the outcome of surgery such as age, skin type, and attitudes toward surgery. The surgical procedure will be described in detail along with reasonable projections. If you opt for surgery, your surgeon will describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia to be used, the surgical facility, any additional surgery, risks, and costs.
To augment the chin, the surgeon begins by making an incision either in the natural crease line just under the chin or inside the mouth, where gum and lower lip meet. By gently stretching this tissue, the surgeon creates a space where an implant can be inserted or the bone can be moved. This implant, made of synthetic material that feels much like natural tissue normally found in the chin, is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. This allows custom fitting of the implant to the configurations of the patient’s face. After implantation, the surgeon uses fine sutures to close the incision. In chin reduction surgery, incisions are made either in the mouth or under the chin. The surgeon sculpts the bone to a more pleasing size. For orthognathic surgery, the surgeon will make an incision inside the mouth and reposition the facial bones. The procedure, depending on the extent of the work, takes less than an hour to approximately three hours.
I believe Dr. Perez and office staff are superb. I got my appointment very quickly and soon after, everything was arranged for the date and time I picked for my surgery. At all times the care was excellent, follow up calls from the doctor himself the night after surgery as well as from the staff for the next 2 following days. I highly recommend the office and Dr. Perez. -Verified Patient
Immediately after surgery, the surgeon usually applies a dressing that will remain in place for two to three days. You will experience some tenderness. Post-operative discomfort can be controlled with prescribed medications. Chewing will probably be limited immediately after chin surgery, and a liquid and soft food diet may be required for a few days after surgery. After approximately six weeks, most swelling will be gone, and you can enjoy the results of your procedure. Rigorous activity may be prohibited for the first few weeks after surgery. Normal activity can be resumed after approximately ten days.
Plastic surgery makes it possible to enhance your appearance and eliminate signs of premature aging that undermine self-confidence. By changing how you look, plastic surgery can improve your self-image. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Every year, one hundred thousand men and women choose blepharoplasty to improve the way they look. Droopy eyelids can make you look older and can also impair vision. Blepharoplasty corrects these problems and also removes puffiness and bags under the eyes that make you look worn and tired. This procedure cannot alter dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles around the eyes, nor can it change sagging eyebrows. Though blepharoplasty is often performed as a single procedure, your surgeon may also recommend a browlift, facelift, or skin resurfacing to achieve the best results. If you are wondering how blepharoplasty can change the way you look, you need to know how eyelid surgery is performed and what you can expect from this procedure. This pamphlet can address many common questions and provide you the information to begin considering blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty removes the excess fat, muscle, and skin from both the upper and lower lids. The results can be refreshed appearance, with a younger, firmer eye area. Patients must also make a commitment to follow the pre-surgical and post-operative instructions of the surgeon. During the pre-surgical consultation, you will be examined or asked to answer queries concerning vision, tear production, use of lenses, and your desires for surgery. Your surgeon will explain what you can expect from blepharoplasty and take a complete medical history. Factors to be weighed include age, skin type, ethnic background, and degree of vision obstruction.
In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon first marks the individual lines and creases of the lids in order to keep the scars as invisible as possible along these natural folds. The incision is made, and excess fat, muscle, and loose skin are removed. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions, thereby minimizing the visibility of any scar.
In lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes the incision in an inconspicuous site along the lash line and smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle, and skin are then trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures. Eyelid puffiness caused primarily by excess fat may be corrected by a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The incision, in this case, is made inside the lower eyelid, and the excess fatty material is removed. When sutures are used to close this kind of incision they are invisible to the eye. They are also self-dissolving and leave no visible scar. Under normal conditions, blepharoplasty can take from one to two hours.
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is done purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve vision or surgery for eye deformity or injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part.
A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Post-surgery, It is not crucial that the eyes be covered. However, an ointment to prevent dryness of the eye area may be used. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal. Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will enhance healing and relieve discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe medication for discomfort. Permanent stitches will be removed in three to five days after surgery. Self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own.
My grandfather who is 86 had eyelid surgery with Dr. Garri in the office. They accommodated to his needs and Dr. Garri was able to do it under local anesthesia to avoid the trip to the OR. The procedure was painless and short. At all times the doctor and staff made my grandpa feel super comfortable. Since we had such a good experience 3 more people from my family have had procedures with Mosa. Not only surgical but spa services. Super experienced staff. Will go back any time!!! -Graciela M.
Facial aging begins in the mid-thirties with the formation of dynamic wrinkles. These are wrinkles produced by the continuous action of the facial muscles. As aging progresses further, the facial tissues will continue to lose elasticity and the collagen will weaken, other folds and wrinkles begin to develop. These are known as “static” folds because they are not subjected to muscular movement. Both kinds of visible aging can be vastly improved by a facelift procedure.
The majority of patients that undergo the facelift operation do so in their late fifties or early sixties. Occasionally, facial aging procedures such as neck lifts may be done earlier. Patients are many times confused about what exactly a facelift corrects. A facelift is able to correct both dynamic and static wrinkles is a more permanent way. Early on these lines may be corrected with minimally invasive procedures to fill in the depressions. However, as they become deeper, a facelift may be the most effective treatment.
The traditional facelift operation is aimed at improving the neck and the facial jowls. This procedure is appropriate for those patients that have a sagging neck and jowls but do not have midface descent. In this operation, the skin is raised from the deeper tissues in the face and neck. These underlying tissues, known collectively as the “SMAS” are then tightened. The skin is the draped back and the excess is trimmed. The surgery can take from two and a half hours if only the facelift is being performed to four hours if a blepharoplasty (eyelift) is being performed in conjunction. The surgery involves incisions in front of the ear, underneath it, and then in back of the ear and into the hair.
Post-surgery, the face will be wrapped with a tight bandage used to keep the skin flat. Pain should be minimal with medication, however; any significant pain should be reported to the physician immediately. If a blepharoplasty was performed, some bruising will be visible on the eyes. It is also recommended that the patient keeps the head elevated whenever possible, as this tends to reduce swelling. Ice packs applied without pressure to either side of the face might also be helpful. Mild swelling may be present for approximately two weeks. It is recommended that physical activity, such as running or lifting be resumed only after the fourth week. The remainder of the swelling typically resolves in the third week.
I am a cardiologist in Broward County and decided to travel all the way down to South Miami to have a consult with Dr. Perez. His bedside manner is impeccable, not only in making me feel comfortable with his skills, but also because his demeanor makes you feel so relaxed. He is confident yet humble, which is a hard thing to find in a doctor, much less a surgeon. I decided to have him as my plastic surgeon, and my results are amazing. From a doctor, to a doctor....he is the BEST. -Verified Patient
The final results of a facelift are visible between six and eight weeks post-op. The results of a facelift operation usually turn back the clock approximately ten years and the results last about ten years. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about how to treat your particular situation.
Plastic surgeons use facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these implants will help provide a more harmonious balance to your face and features so that you feel better about the way you look. There are many implants available, manufactured from a variety of materials. They may help strengthen a jawline or bring the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face.
Facial implants can enhance your appearance and bolster your self-esteem. If you are looking for improvement, not perfection, in your appearance and are realistic in your expectations, you may find that a facial implant is the right choice for you. Your operation may take place in an office-based facility, a freestanding surgical center or a hospital outpatient facility. Sometimes, your plastic surgeon may require that you stay overnight. Your doctor will make such a recommendation based on your overall medical condition and whether another cosmetic procedure was performed simultaneously with the facial implant surgery.
Plastic surgeons will frequently use such implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient. For instance, a teenage girl may want her nose reshaped or her chin brought forward so that these traits are better proportioned. The more mature patient may choose to have an implant placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. For example, during a facelift, a patient may wish to have implants placed over the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful appearance. Implants may also be selected to fill out a face that appears “sunken” or tired.
Remember, with any facial surgery, you may feel and look better in a short period of time. However, it may not be advisable to participate in certain activities — especially activity that may result in the face being jarred or bumped — for several weeks. It’s best to check with your plastic surgeon about such matters.
I am a cardiologist in Broward County and decided to travel all the way down to South Miami to have a consult with Dr. Perez. His bedside manner is impeccable, not only in making me feel comfortable with his skills, but also because his demeanor makes you feel so relaxed. He is confident yet humble, which is a hard thing to find in a doctor, much less a surgeon. I decided to have him as my plastic surgeon, and my results are amazing. From a doctor, to a doctor....he is the BEST. -Verified Patient
You may be surprised to find that most people won’t recognize that you’ve had facial implant surgery — only that you look better.
Orthognathic surgery is sometimes called “Surgical Orthodontics” because, just as an orthodontist repositions the teeth, with orthognathic surgery the jaws are placed in their normal anatomic position. Just as “orthodontics” means “straight teeth,” “orthognathic” means “straight jaws.” In fact, because moving the jaws also moves the teeth, orthognathic surgery is usually performed in conjunction with orthodontics so that the teeth are in proper position after surgery. The objective of orthognathic surgery is the correction of a wide range of minor and major facial and jaw irregularities. The benefits include an improved ability to chew, speak and breathe. In many cases, an enhanced appearance can also result.
The unequal growth of the jaws, injury or birth defects can produce problems and symptoms that require treatment by a team that usually includes an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an orthodontist, and sometimes your dentist. In order to determine if you are a candidate for orthognathic surgery, an evaluation of your condition by this team is necessary.
In diagnosing your need for orthognathic surgery, the surgeon and the orthodontist will work closely together. The orthodontist is responsible for moving the teeth so they will fit together properly after the jaws have been repositioned, and the surgeon is responsible for repositioning the jaw(s) so the teeth and jaws are in proper alignment.
People who can potentially benefit from orthognathic surgery include those with an improper bite and those with jaws that are positioned incorrectly. Jaw growth is a slow and gradual process, and in some instances, the upper and lower jaws may grow at different rates. The result can be a host of problems that can affect chewing function, speech, long-term oral health, and appearance. Injury to the jaws and birth defects can also affect jaw alignment. While orthodontics alone can correct many “bite” problems if only the teeth are involved, orthognathic surgery may be required if the jaws also need repositioning.
Orthognathic surgical procedures last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the amount and type of surgery needed. In lower jaw surgery the rear portion of the jawbone behind the teeth is separated and the tooth-bearing portion is moved forward or backward, as appropriate. In upper jaw surgery, the jaw can be repositioned forward or backward, or the jaw can be raised or lowered. Certain movements may require the jaws to be separated into several parts, with bone added or removed to achieve the proper alignment and stability. Other facial bones that contribute to the imbalance may also be repositioned, augmented, or reduced in size. In most cases, incisions are made inside the mouth and there will be no visible external scars.
Immediately after surgery, you will be moved to the recovery room until the general anesthesia has worn off. An intravenous apparatus attached to your arm can provide required medications and nutrients until you are able to take sufficient liquids by mouth. To aid in healing, your jaws may be prevented from moving with the use of fixation appliances. In many cases, the jaw sections are held together during the healing period by small screws placed by the surgeon. In other cases, wires are used to hold the bones together and keep the jaws from moving. The initial healing phase will take approximately 6 weeks, but completion of the healing process will take 9-12 months. During the entire healing phase it is critical that you practice the best possible oral hygiene. Your surgeon and orthodontist can assist you in this area and may recommend the use of some special oral care devices.
What an amazing company. They have doctors that cover many different specialties and have a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Makes the experience of going to either location (South Miami or South Beach) enjoyable! 5 stars across the board. -Alex L.
Orthognathic surgery moves your teeth and jaws into a new position that is more balanced, functional and healthy. Not only should you be able to bite and chew better than ever before, but your appearance and speech may be enhanced as well. The results of orthognathic surgery can have a dramatic and positive effect on many aspects of your life.
Our face is the first thing people visually notice about us. Our ears rarely attract attention when normal in size and relationship to other facial features. However, protruding, large or misshapen ears can detract from facial appearance. Children with prominent ears may suffer the ridicule of peers and a resulting lack of self-confidence. If protruding ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery of the ear to correct this. Ear surgery is plastic surgery performed to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. It can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth, or that becomes apparent or worse as your child develops.
Prominent ears in a child are often noticed shortly after birth. In this situation, sometimes ear molding can be instituted with some success. This is done by positioning the ear cartilage in its proper shape and holding it there with the use of headbands and certain dressings. This type of treatment is often successful in the very young child due to the high level or circulating maternal estrogen which makes cartilage very pliable. These high levels of circulating estrogen often disappear by age of six months or so, and by this time, ear molding is no longer a very effective treatment modality in reshaping malformed ears. Sometimes adults who have prominent ears but for whatever reason have not sought correction, decide to consider treatment so that their ears have better shape and are more harmonious with the rest of their face. Whether a child or an adult, patients who are healthy and good surgical candidates can look forward to a surgical treatment which is very efficacious in addressing their concern.
Although ear surgery to correct protruding ears can be performed with local anesthesia with or without sedation in adults, children usually require general anesthesia for the procedure. This surgery can be performed on an ambulatory basis in either a hospital, surgical facility or office operating room. Surgical correction of protruding ears uses techniques to reduce enlarged conchal cartilage. Usually, through an incision in the skin behind the ear, internal, permanent sutures are placed to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place. Once the cartilage stitches are done, external “skin” stitches close the incision, which is not visualized due to its strategic location behind the folded ear. Surgical techniques are individualized, taking care not to distort other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance. Ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ear, visible once the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during initial phases of hearing are removed.
Bandages or dressings will be applied to keep the surgical site clean, protect it from trauma and to support the new position of the ear during initial healing. Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages. It is essential that bandages remain intact and are not removed, for any reason. Failure to do so may result in loss of some of the correction and may require a secondary surgery. A return to light, normal activity is possible as soon as the day following surgery, as long as the ears are protected. Children should refrain from rough or aggressive play until healing is complete. Healing will continue for several weeks and incision lines will slowly refine and fade. Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
Everyone at the MOSA offices are great! The staff is very caring and attentive to the patients. I recommend others to visit for any cosmetic/ spa/ surgery services 🙂 -Cristina M.
The outcome of surgery to correct protruding ears is present almost immediately. It may take several months for swelling to completely subside and incision lines to refine and fade. During this time, proper skin care and diligent sun protection are essential. In addition, the ears should be protected from extreme cold or injury. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Nose surgery or rhinoplasty has a long history and has improved in style and technique over time. The “look” of rhinoplasty has also changed with the times. In the sixties, people often wanted a “ski slope” nose with a scooped out look and a very thin tip. Today, people seek out surgeons that can create a nose that looks natural and does not stand out. In fact, an ideal nose should blend with the face and “bring out” the eyes. In addition to more functional purposes, a rhinoplasty can also be done for functional purposes.
The ideal candidate for rhinoplasty is any person who is not content with their nose and would like to have it improved. Of course, the person should be in a state of good health and able to go through the surgery. There is no ideal age for rhinoplasty, as patients from ages sixteen and older can undergo the surgery. Any functional problems should be discussed at this time. For example, whether there is any nasal obstruction, allergic nasal symptoms, or sinusitis. Theses may require further workup. It might be possible to address these issues at the same time as the cosmetic rhinoplasty is performed. It is important for the surgeon to fully understands what the patient expects out of his/her rhinoplasty surgery, and just as important for the patient to fully understand the limitations of the operation.
The rhinoplasty operation can be performed with either local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. The decision should be determined together with the surgeon, the patient, and the anesthesiologist. Occasionally, grafts may be required to achieve the desired result. Grafts are structural elements, typically made from cartilage. For example, they can be used to define a tip or to fill in depressions. They can easily be acquired from the cartilage in the septum. If work needs to be done on the nasal bones, for example, to narrow the width of the nose, an osteotomy of cut in the bone is performed. If the width of the nose is excessive, sometimes a small amount of the tissue is removed from the base of the nose in order to narrow the dimension at this point. Although this can result in small scars, they are usually very well concealed.
The head should be kept elevated using two pillows. This helps to reduce swelling. Ice compresses should be applied to the eyes for the first forty-eight hours. This is done to help reduce swelling and bruising around the eyes, which typically resolves in five to seven days. Some surgeons may place a small gauze in the nose, which may be removed on the first or second day after the surgery. There is typically some swelling inside the nose, which may not allow the patient to breathe through the nose for several days. This typically resolves in five to seven days. There is a small cast that is applied to the bridge of the nose. This is removed in the sixth or seventh post-operative day. About seventy percent of the swelling resolves in the first three weeks. The remainder of the swelling can take up to four to six months to completely resolve. Swelling at the tip of the nose is particularly resistant and can last for a long time. Most surgeons advise the patient that the final result of the procedure cannot be truly appreciated for six months to a year, the amount of time for all the swelling to resolve.
Where magic happens... highly recommended! -Cristina B. R.
While the final results of the surgery may not be completely evident until several months after the surgery, most patients look better than before surgery right when the cast comes off. Patients that undergo rhinoplasty are, by and large, extremely happy. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Augmentation mammaplasty is a procedure commonly done to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast. The technique is utilized for several indications. For example, women who fell that their breasts are too small for their body size, or those who would like to balance any breast symmetry. Finally, it may also be employed as a constructive procedure in women who have had mastectomies for the treatment of breast cancer. Although some of the techniques are the same, the reconstruction of post-mastectomy patients will not be covered here.
A breast augmentation could be right for you if you are unhappy with the size, shape, or symmetry of your breasts. You can also benefit from a breast augmentation if you experience sagging breasts due to age, pregnancy, or dramatic weight loss, although in these cases, mastopexy (breast lift) might also be indicated. During the initial consultation, it is important for your doctor to have the thorough knowledge of your medical history especially any history of breast disease, symptoms related to the breasts such as pain, lumps, nipple discharge, etc. and any significant family history of breast cancer. If in the appropriate age group, your surgeon might also recommend that you have a mammogram prior to your surgery. History of smoking, which might affect healing, or taking medications that might influence your blood clotting is also important issues to consider when planning surgery. In deciding which size breast implants to use, your surgeon will need information from you as to which look you are trying to achieve. Every woman is of a different body shape and size and has different desires and expectations. There are certain guidelines and techniques that can be utilized to help the surgeon and you arrive at an implant size that is right for you.
Augmentation mammaplasty is usually an ambulatory procedure and can be performed in a hospital, same-day surgery center, or office OR setting. It can also be done under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will discuss these options with you. No matter which incision the surgeon decides to use, the rest of the surgery involves the dissection of a pocket into which the implant will be placed. The type of implant used will be determined by you and your doctor during your consultation based on your body type and your vision for results. The pocket will be dissected just behind your breast and here there are two options as well. The pocket can be made just behind your breast tissue but superficial to the chest muscles (pectoralis muscle). This implant placement is said to be sub glandular. Another option is to make the pocket deep or behind the pectoralis muscle in what is called a subpectoral placement. There is some literature to suggest that placement of the implants in the subpectoral position might lead to a decrease in one of the potential postoperative complications of this procedure, capsular contracture.
Breast augmentation is usually done on an outpatient basis and the patient is discharged home the same day as the surgery, once she has recovered from the anesthesia. The surgeon will sometimes place a wrap around the breasts or place a special brazier to keep the implants in the desired position. Usually, there is significant soreness for the first two to three days which can be controlled with pain medication. While swelling and soreness is normal during recovery, it is important to watch for signs of infection such as a fever, bright red skin, and excessive bleeding. The surgeon might ask you to take off the wrap around the chest in about 48 hours or you might be asked to leave it until you come to the office for a follow-up visit. Depending on which sutures are used, these might have to be taken out at the post-op visit or they might dissolve on their own. Two weeks after your surgery you may begin breast massages three to four times a week. Following the post-op instructions provided to you will help ensure a quick recovery with successful results.
Saw Dr. Perez for breast augmentation! Highly recommended, knowledgeable and skilled surgeon. Extremely pleased with results!! -Charlotte L.
Some results of a breast augmentation are noticeable right away. You can get a better idea of final results as swelling subsides over the next few weeks. A breast augmentation can give you fuller, youthful looking breasts. The results of a breast augmentation often lead to higher self-confidence as well.
Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts–at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts. Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift.
In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon and to listen to his or her opinion. Every patient–and every physician, as well–has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts. The surgeon will examine your breasts and measure them while you’re sitting or standing. He or she will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure–such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin–and whether an implant is advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they’ll be moved higher during the procedure and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breast. Your surgeon should describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result.
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. Another common technique involves an incision around the areola and a vertical component only. This is sometimes referred to as a “lolly-pop” scan. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast. Incisions outline the area of skin to be removed and the new position for the nipple.
After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon. Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your surgeon.
I recommend Dr. Perez 100%. After enduring a bilateral mastectomy due to breast cancer Dr. Perez was my plastic surgeon in a breast reconstruction. The reconstruction was a complete success. I never imagined my breast would look this perfect again. He is very caring and makes his patients feel great. After something as frightening and discouraging as breast cancer we should all have a plastic surgeon like Dr. Perez to turn to. -Verified Patient
You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won’t keep you firm forever–the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer. Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Women with very large, pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight-from back and neck pain and skin irritation to skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Bra straps may leave indentations in their shoulders. And unusually large breasts can make a woman-or a teenage girl-feel extremely self-conscious. Breast reduction, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed for such women. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.
Breast reduction is usually performed for physical relief rather than simply cosmetic improvement. Most women who have the surgery are troubled by very large, sagging breasts that restrict their activities and cause them physical discomfort. In most cases, breast reduction isn’t performed until a woman’s breasts are fully developed; however, it can be done earlier if large breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. The best candidates are those who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results. Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed.
Techniques for breast reduction vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola, extends downward, and follows the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast. The surgeon removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, and moves the nipple and areola into their new position. He or she then brings the skin from both sides of the breast down and around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the armpit area. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downward, and along the lower crease of the breast. In some cases, techniques can be used that eliminate the vertical part of the scar. And occasionally, when only fat needs to be removed, liposuction alone can be used to reduce breast size, leaving minimal scars.
After surgery, you’ll be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for the first day or two. You may feel some pain for the first couple of days especially when you move around or a cough and some discomfort for a week or more. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to lessen the pain. The bandages will be removed a day or two after surgery, though you’ll continue wearing the surgical bra around the clock for several weeks until the swelling and bruising subside. Your stitches will be removed in one to three weeks. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, your breasts may still ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. You should avoid lifting or pushing anything heavy for three or four weeks.
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. Most women can return to work (if it’s not too strenuous) and social activities in about two weeks. But you’ll have much less stamina for several weeks, and should limit your exercises to stretching, bending, and swimming until your energy level returns. You’ll also need a good athletic bra for support.
I absolutely love everyone in this office. I personally got a breast augmentation and arm lipo by Dr. Garri and I am so happy with my results. The team at Mosa med spa are super professional, very friendly and attentive to all of their patients. From Carmen, to Graciela, to the ladies at the reception area, all are very sweet and make you feel very calm and comfortable. Honestly I don't have one bad thing to say about their care and service. -Jessica F.
Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first few weeks, it may be six months to a year before your breasts settle into their new shape. Even then, their shape may fluctuate in response to your hormonal shifts, weight changes, and pregnancy. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Abdominal etching is a form of liposculpture intended to address problem areas of fat deposition, which are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure improves the contour and shape of the abdomen, giving it muscular definition and sculpted contour. Through the use of liposuction, our patients can have the “six-pack abs” appearance (usually in males), and the athletic female vertical lines.
While having a contoured body is always desirable, abdominal etching goes a bit beyond, giving the abdomen a muscular, athletic appearance. Ideal candidates are healthy, athletic patients who are close to ideal body weight (or within 30% is recommended). Abdominal etching is best done in younger and middle-aged patients who have optimal skin elasticity. It is usually combined with liposuction of the flanks also known as “love handles.” The procedure is similar to standard liposuction in that excess abdominal and flank fat is removed, but it also involves defining the peaks and valleys commonly seen in a well-toned abdomen in females and a muscular and athletic abdomen in males. This is done by accentuating the vertical and horizontal lines (inscriptions) that delineate the abdominal musculature. During the initial consultation, your surgeon can determine if this procedure is an option for you, as patients who have excess fat as well as excess skin, might be better served by other options such as a tummy tuck. Overall, abdominal etching provides a very well-defined and athletic appearance to the abdomen for both men and women although the degree of muscular definition might be different and might be tailored to the wishes of the patient.
Once it is established that liposuction with abdominal etching is the best surgical option for the patient, a detailed physical examination and evaluation of the patient’s anatomy should be performed. Physical examination includes examination for differences in intrinsic anatomy such as deviation from ideal contour, scars, asymmetry, dimpling and cellulitis, skin tone and laxity, presence of hernias and excess skin. Sometimes a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis might be indicated as a way to rule out the presence of abdominal wall (ventral) hernias.
Abdominal etching requires general anesthesia in an accredited surgery center or hospital. Prior to the procedure, the surgeon will carefully palpate your abdominal musculature and make pen marks in your abdomen that carefully delineate your unique abdominal muscular anatomy. After the patient is positioned in the operating room, small, strategically placed incision are made in order to insert the liposuction cannulas. First, tumescence fluid (containing saline with local anesthesia and epinephrine) is injected to minimize bleeding and for pain control. Afterwards, liposuction of the flanks and abdomen is performed in order to remove excess fat and give the torso a healthy, youthful, and overall athletic contour. After the overall shape is achieved to the surgeon’s satisfaction, a smaller liposuction cannula will carefully sculpt the depressions and valleys that represent the separation of different abdominal muscle groups. Once the surgeon is satisfied with this sculpting process, the excess tumescence fluid will be removed, the access incision will be sutured and the patient will be placed in an abdominal binder. Sometimes some of the access incisions are left open so as to aid in the drainage of some of the retained tumescence fluid.
It is very common to experience drainage of a significant amount of light pink fluid for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This fluid leakage or drainage is not only normal, but desirable. A few days after surgery the abdominal binder placed in the operating room is replaced with a compression garment. By doing this, it allows the skin to reattach to the abdomen in the proper position so that the athletic appearing lines are made visible. The compression garment also minimizes free space under the skin where fluid can accumulate in the postoperative period. You might find that this compression garment will give you added support and comfort as you heal in the first few days after the procedure. You should be able to return to normal daily activities within a couple of days and nobody should notice your garment underneath your clothes.
I am a cardiologist in Broward County and decided to travel all the way down to South Miami to have a consult with Dr. Perez. His bedside manner is impeccable, not only in making me feel comfortable with his skills, but also because his demeanor makes you feel so relaxed. He is confident yet humble, which is a hard thing to find in a doctor, much less a surgeon. I decided to have him as my plastic surgeon, and my results are amazing. From a doctor, to a doctor....he is the BEST. -Verified Patient
Although you will see an immediate effect after this surgery, the final appearance improves on a daily basis as the swelling decreases. About 80 to 90% of the swelling resolves in the first two weeks, while the final 10 to 20% swelling may take several weeks. After the first couple of weeks, you will see progressive improvement. Normally it takes about three months for all the swelling to completely dissipate, and another three months for the skin shrinkage to finalize. Thus, the final results for the procedure will be evident at about six months. In order to optimize results, we recommend that patients follow a healthy low fat and salt diet. Most patients resume light aerobic activity about four weeks after surgery and can resume their normal exercise routine after six weeks. Our patients are then placed on a custom lab and genetic based diet and exercise plan to maintain long term results. With proper diet and exercise regimen, we have patients maintain their abdominal etching results for years without recurrence of unwanted fatty deposits.
A well-toned body with smooth contours often is a sign of fitness achieved by healthy diet and exercise. But exercise cannot always achieve results for individuals who have loose, sagging skin and uneven contours. Aging, sun damage, pregnancy and significant fluctuations in weight as well as genetic factors may contribute to poor tissue elasticity and can result in sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. If you desire a firmer, more youthful-looking body contour, when a surgical body lift may achieve your goals. In general, a body lift reduces excess fat and skin in resulting in smoother skin and contours. These physical changes to the body can improve your body image and enhance self-confidence.
A body lift surgery is performed to correct excess loose and sagging skin and irregular contours of the abdominal, thigh, buttock and groin areas. This operation can improve the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging fat and skin is removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity. In addition, a body lift can improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite. Body lifting procedures may be appropriate for individuals who are of the stable weight that is reasonably proportionate to their height and body frame. In addition, it is recommended that women considering future pregnancies postpone an abdominal body lift since pregnancy may diminish results. Body lift procedures may be performed on adults of any age who have realistic goals in mind for improvement of their body contour.
A body lift is usually performed under general anesthesia in a hospital, surgery center, or an office-based operating room. It usually entails an overnight surgical stay. The incision is often extensive and involves a circumferential incision around the mid-section of the body. Usually, the patient is first placed in a prone position and once the back is finished, the patient is then turned and the abdominal portion of the operation is performed. A body lift treats the buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs in one procedure. A circumferential incision around the body removes an apron of excess skin and fat and repositions and tightens tissues.
The body lift procedure is usually done with an overnight hospital stay. Once your procedure is completed, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling and to support your new contours as you heal. You will be instructed to return to light walking as soon as possible to minimize the potential for blood clots and other complications. You must avoid bending, straining or lifting for several days. Where tightening of the abdomen or thighs is involved, your plastic surgeon may also instruct you to avoid standing fully upright and stressing any internal sutures as they heal, and to sleep with pillows elevating your knees. Initial wound healing may take 7-14 days, after which time sutures will be removed if necessary. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity in a few weeks, so long as you do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise. Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling dissipates and incision lines continue to improve. You must practice diligent sun protection until the healing process is fully complete.
I have been a patient of Dr. Garri at MOSA for 4 years now. At MOSA I have had Botox, laser hair removal, and liposuction. Consultations are always informative and entertaining. The support staff is professional, courteous and accommodating. I have always been very happy with the results. I have referred many of my friends and family and all have been extremely pleased. -Erica L.
The results of body lifts are visible almost immediately, however it may take several months for your final results to fully develop. Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin’s surface will resolve over time. It may take a year or more for incision lines to refine and fade to some degree. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your improvement should be relatively permanent. The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Although a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, and exercise are the optimal tools to achieve and maintain a healthy, toned, and youthful body, there are certain areas of the body where fat deposits are highly resistant to these modalities. For these areas, liposuction offers a great alternative to eliminate the amount of fat present, and to contour the remaining tissue to a more desirable shape. Although a rudimentary type of liposuction was performed as early as 1921, it wasn’t until the 1970s when the available technology made it possible to perform liposuction as we know it today. Liposuction has reached such popularity that it has become the most common cosmetic surgery procedure performed in the United States.
Liposuction is intended to address problem areas of fat deposition which are resistant to diet and exercise and to improve the contour or shape of the body. It is not intended as a weight-reduction modality. Thus, liposuction is indicated on healthy patients who are within a certain range of their ideal body weight (within 30% is recommended).
Liposuction results are best noted in younger patients who have optimal skin elasticity. Liposuction has been successfully performed in all areas of the body including face/neck, arms, torso, and legs. Although most of the time liposuction is performed as the sole procedure, there are times when it is combined with other surgical procedures such as a facelift or a tummy tuck in order to optimize the results.
Local liposuction of a small area can be performed in an office setting and even with local anesthesia. When the areas to be treated are more extensive, however, usually a hospital facility and general anesthesia are required. After the patient is positioned, usually the areas to be treated are injected with a solution which contains saline, local anesthesia and epinephrine (a solution which shrinks the size of the blood vessels in the area). This is done in order to minimize the amount of blood which is suctioned with the fat. This, in turn, will not only decrease the chances that a blood transfusion will be necessary after liposuction, but will also minimize the swelling and bruise after the procedure.
After the areas to be treated are contoured to the surgeon’s satisfaction, the small skin incisions are closed with small (usually resorbable) sutures. The surgeon will then usually apply a compression garment to the areas that were treated right in the operating room. This garment is to be worn for a period after the surgery which can last from days to weeks, depending on the area that was treated. By doing this, it allows the skin to reattach to these tissues in the proper place and also minimizes free space under the skin where fluid can accumulate in the postoperative period. You might find that this compression garment will give you added support and comfort as you heal in the first few days after the procedure. You should be able to return to normal daily activities within a couple of days. As your body heals and the skin shrinks over the next few days to weeks, the improvement in the areas treated will soon become evident.
For any significant liposuction, your surgeon might keep you in the hospital overnight. This is to allow you ample time to recover from your anesthesia and to make sure all body fluids removed by the liposuction process are replaced. The day following your surgery, however, you will be able to go home. You will be encouraged to be as active as possible and you should be able to return to normal daily activities within a couple of days. ou can anticipate some swelling, bruising and numbness at the surgical site. There might be some soreness as well, which is usually easily controlled with mild to moderate pain medication. Bruising and swelling will be greatest within the first couple of weeks and will then begin to dissipate. With time, the swelling and numbness will resolve. This will be further enhanced as your level of activity progressively increases. The incisions will heal to the point where they will become almost imperceptible. This process will take several weeks to months and it is important to be patient while your body heals.
I absolutely love everyone in this office. I personally got a breast augmentation and arm lipo by Dr. Garri and I am so happy with my results. The team at Mosa med spa are super professional, very friendly and attentive to all of their patients. From Carmen, to Graciela, to the ladies at the reception area, all are very sweet and make you feel very calm and comfortable. Honestly I don't have one bad thing to say about their care and service. -Jessica F.
As opposed to other procedures in plastic surgery where the final changes become evident almost immediately, liposuction is the type of procedure where the initial changes are followed by the continued improvement over time, as the residual tissue swelling diminishes over the course of weeks to months. Your initial result will be enhanced with time as you feel increasingly better and more confident with your new body shape. Furthermore, this might lead to a more active lifestyle which will reap further benefits in creating a more youthful, toned, and healthier you.
The inner thigh is one of those problematic areas of the body where fat tends to accumulate and at the same time, the skin is very loose. Because of this, liposuction is not very effective at dealing with excess fat and skin in this area. Even if the fat is removed, the skin will remain loose and will not contract or shrink as it does in other areas of the body. This is the reason why when there is excess fat deposits and skin on the inner (medial) thigh, most surgeons recommend an operation called a medial thigh lift.
Patients troubled by excess fat and skin on the inner thigh, might have other concerns such as fat deposits and droopy outer thighs as well. In evaluating your particular situation, the surgeon will ask about your particular area of concern, as the inner (medial) and the outer (lateral) thighs are not addressed by the same surgery. Liposuction of the medial thigh is one of the operations with one of the lowest patient satisfaction rates. This is because even if the fat is removed, the skin remains loose and the inner thigh remains droopy.
The medial thigh lift is usually done under general anesthesia in a hospital setting or ambulatory surgical facility. The operation involves removing a wedge of skin and excess fat tissue from the inner thigh while strategically placing the scar in the natural fold between the thigh and the groin. The initial incision is made in the crease between the leg and the groin. If the circumference of the thigh needs to be addressed as well, there is a possibility that a longitudinal incision might need to be made running vertically on the leg along the inner thigh.
Your surgeon might opt to use drains for this operation. These drains are usually in the form of small tubes that are placed through the original incision or through a puncture in the skin and are designed to evacuate any blood or serous fluid which might otherwise accumulate in the incision or under the skin. Your surgeon or the nursing staff will give you instructions on the care of these drains and will teach you how to empty them when they become full. Keeping a record of the amount of fluid collected by the drains will help your surgeon decide when to remove them.
The medial thigh lift is usually done under general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay is usually recommended. Although pain is not usually a hallmark of this operation, you might experience a significant amount of “tightness” or “stiffness” on the inner leg and groin. You might be asked to remain to lie down for most of the first day and to keep your legs as close together as possible while walking. Your surgeon might opt to use a compression garment which will give you some support and will also keep the tissues compressed and potentially minimize the accumulation of fluid or blood under the tissues. You will be instructed on the care of the drains if they are used and on the care of the wounds. You will usually be allowed to shower after the first 24-48 hours after the surgery and will be instructed on keeping the wounds clean and dry. You might also be asked to apply antibiotic ointment to the incision lines on a regular basis.
On your postoperative visit, the incisions will be inspected, and drains and sutures might be removed if indicated. With time, the stiffness will disappear and soon you will be able to get back to normal walking and leg function. Continued care of the incision lines and optimal hygiene will optimize the scar and decrease the risk of complications.
I received excellent care and follow-up. The doctor lets you know what to expect and the staff is top notch. The breast reduction procedure went well and the results are magnificent. The doctor comes with my highest recommendations. -Verified Patient
The medial thigh lift is an operation which offers a great option to deal with a difficult area of the body, where liposuction offers less than optimal result. After the incisions heal and the stiffness disappears, you can expect more toned, and trimmer thighs with scars which are barely noticeable even in swimwear. Although this operation only addresses the inner thigh, it can also reduce the circumference of the thigh resulting in a more youthful and toned look to the entire upper leg. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
When most people envision what they consider an ideal or beautiful body, a slender midsection with a small waist and a toned abdomen is usually part of that image. The abdomen, however, is, unfortunately, one of those areas of the body where fat tends to accumulate. Furthermore, with aging and especially after pregnancy, there is also increased laxity of the abdominal wall which includes the skin, muscles, and a dense fibrous layer covering the muscles called fascia. Although proper diet, a healthy lifestyle, and exercise can help tone and create a fit mid-section, sometimes the combination of fat deposition and laxity of the abdominal wall make this goal impossible to achieve through those means alone.
The frustration of trying to deal with a lax abdominal wall through exercise and diet alone has been experienced by many. Patients who experience this problem and are otherwise healthy are good candidates for this operation. In the patient who is a candidate, a tummy tuck can address the following problems:
An abdominoplasty is normally a 2 1/2 to a 4-hour procedure which is done under general anesthesia in a hospital, surgery center, or office-based surgical facility. Most surgeons prefer the patient to stay in the hospital the night of the surgery.
To perform the surgery, a horizontal incision is made on the lower part of the abdomen just above the pubic region. Another incision is made around the belly button to separate it temporarily from the rest of the abdominal skin. Although the belly-button is separated from the adjacent abdominal skin, it is left attached to the fascia. The belly-button will later be reattached to the abdominal skin, once this is placed in its final position. Most surgeons will employ the use of drains (tubes placed under the abdominal skin which is meant to drain any fluid collection in this potential space).
Post-surgery, you will also most likely be wearing a compressive corset (abdominal binder) around your lower abdomen.
You will usually be sent home from the hospital on the first or second day after the surgery. Although you can anticipate some discomfort, there might be more of a feeling of tightness than pain, and this is usually managed very easily with moderate pain medications that you take by mouth. You will probably feel more comfortable wearing the abdominal binder as this will provide more support while you perform normal daily activities. You will be asked not to participate in any strenuous physical activity for several weeks after the surgery, but you should be able to resume normal activities including going back to work within the first one to two weeks. Over the course of the first few weeks, there will be some swelling at the surgical site which will slowly resolve. There will also be some numbness of the abdominal skin which will also slowly resolve.
What an amazing company. They have doctors that cover many different specialties and have a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Makes the experience of going to either location (South Miami or South Beach) enjoyable! 5 stars across the board. -Alex L.
The changes in abdominal contour due to this operation will become evident soon after the operation. Not only will they be easily visible despite the initial swelling, but you will also feel the abdominal wall much tighter than before. Your clothes will fit much better, and you will have a much more youthful and fit mid-torso. Once the scar fully matures, it will become a very fine line, which will not be readily evident. The tummy tuck operation offers a long-lasting effect which will greatly rejuvenate your midsection for many years to come, as long as you maintain a sensible and healthy lifestyle.
While tummy tuck results are long-lasting, there are certain lifestyle choices you can make that will extend your results. Before even making the decision to get a tummy tuck, you'll want to think about your lifestyle, and if you are a woman you will want to consider whether or not you plan to have or have more children.
Having the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle after a tummy tuck will prevent any dramatic weight gain that could affect your results. As for women who plan to have more children, pregnancy would stretch out the skin and muscles of the stomach. This stretching of tissue and muscle would reverse your results. For best results, patients should wait until they are at a stable weight and done having children for the most long-lasting results.
Botox is the registered trademark name of the botulism toxin produced by Allergan. This is a natural protein produced by bacteria which has the physiologic effect of blocking nerve impulses to muscle, thereby blocking muscular contractions. Patients can enjoy the relaxing of fine lines and wrinkles with minimal downtime and discomfort.
A discussion of Botox would be incomplete without an introduction to facial wrinkles. There are two types of facial wrinkles, dynamic and static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are those caused by a combination of gravity and loss of skin elasticity and are typically located in the lower third of the face. Examples of these types of wrinkles include the nasolabial folds (those that go from the nose to the corner of the lips) and marionette lines (those that go from the corner of the lips to chin). These wrinkles are not treated by Botox. Instead, they should be treated with “fillers”. These are other types of injections that ‘fill-in” the valleys caused by the wrinkles. The filler injections will be discussed in another chapter.
Dynamic wrinkles are those wrinkles caused by the activity of the facial muscles. Typically, these wrinkles are located in the upper third of the face and include the forehead wrinkles, the wrinkles in between the eyebrows, those around the eyes (otherwise known as “crows feet”). These wrinkles are best treated with Botox, which acts to relax the muscles that produce these wrinkles. The easy application of the substance via injection causes the disappearance or at least improvement of these wrinkles. Botox is considered a minimally invasive procedure for facial rejuvenation. As such it is a relatively simple outpatient procedure for the patient. There are no absolute contraindications to the use of Botox.
Typically, Botox is an injection that is administered using small needles which allow for a relatively fast and painless injection. After the injection, the skin area is cooled with a small packet of ice to help reduce local swelling. The swollen area typically returns to normal within two hours. Usually, several injections are needed per area to be treated. Although the
Patients typically can return to normal activity, such as work on the same day. However, patients are asked to refrain from exercise the same day. The effects of Botox start to become apparent in five to seven days. Occasionally small touch ups may have to apply in the second week to perfect the appearance. Botox usually lasts about four to five months. As the patient continues to use Botox, the time between the treatments may sometimes increase. This may be because the patient subconsciously learns not to use the specific muscle treated. This, in turn, leads to improvement of the wrinkles with less Botox. This is also theoretically due to the muscle atrophy that eventually develops when these muscles of facial expression are not used for a prolonged period of time.
I have been a patient of Dr. Garri at MOSA for 4 years now. At MOSA I have had Botox, laser hair removal, and liposuction. Consultations are always informative and entertaining. The support staff is professional, courteous and accommodating. I have always been very happy with the results. I have referred many of my friends and family and all have been extremely pleased. -Erica L.
Just a few days after your Botox treatment, you can expect to look much more refreshed and youthful. Whether targeting a single or several areas of concern, Botox treatments are a simple and effective way of accomplishing your goals of a more youthful, rested and vibrant look. It is strictly up to you whether to repeat the treatment every several months to maintain the look, or whether to use Botox occasionally just prior to significant life events when looking your optimal best is the top priority. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
While tummy tuck results are long-lasting, there are certain lifestyle choices you can make that will extend your results. Before even making the decision to get a tummy tuck, you'll want to think about your lifestyle, and if you are a woman you will want to consider whether or not you plan to have or have more children.
Having the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle after a tummy tuck will prevent any dramatic weight gain that could affect your results. As for women who plan to have more children, pregnancy would stretch out the skin and muscles of the stomach. This stretching of tissue and muscle would reverse your results. For best results, patients should wait until they are at a stable weight and done having children for the most long-lasting results.
There are several causes of brown spots on the skin. Sun exposure, certain medications, hormones, and simple genetics can all contribute to the brown spots, also called “sun spots”. A brown spot is an area of skin with either a higher number of pigment cells (called “melanocytes”) or an increased number of pigment molecules (called “melanin”) located within the melanocyte.
Some excess melanin rests in the epidermis – the top layer of your skin – and some resides deeper in the dermis. Because of this, brown spots are really a diverse group of skin issues and require different lightening treatments.
This treatment is common for the following patients:
Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light devices remove brown spots and patches from the skin by selectively targeting the melanin and melanocyte, leaving other skin cells intact. This is why laser brown spot removal is the safest and most effective treatment choice for removing this type of skin damage from the body.
Lasers have dramatically advanced the way we treat skin issues, and certain lasers have been designed to just remove brown spots. The treatment is a quick office-based procedure, requires no anesthesia, and usually takes 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size, color, and depth of the spot, as well as the number of spots to be treated.
Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are used for this purpose. The precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient’s needs. A Chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons — to enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. A chemical peel may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. In certain cases, health insurance may cover the peel procedure. Be sure to check your policy and contact your insurance company before the procedure is performed.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can’t spare the time to recover from a phenol or TCA peel. AHA peels may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. Your doctor will make this decision during your consultation and as the treatment proceeds. An alpha hydroxy acid, such as glycolic acid, can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes, and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel. In fact, more than one TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired result. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than with a phenol peel.
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths. Since phenol sometimes lightens the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you. Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it’s applied to the neck or other body areas.
AHA peels/treatments: Your doctor will apply the AHA solution to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually takes no more than 10 minutes. No “after-peel” ointment or covering is required. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved.
Phenol and TCA peels: Typically, the skin is first thoroughly cleansed. Then, the surgeon will carefully apply the phenol or TCA solution. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. A full-face TCA peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months. Mild TCA peels may be repeated as often as every month.
After an AHA peel, it is common to experience some temporary flaking or scaling, redness, and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment. After a phenol or TCA peel, your doctor may prescribe a mild pain medication to relieve any tingling or throbbing you may feel. If the tape was used to cover your face, it will be removed after a day or two. A crust or scab will form on the treated area. To help your face heal properly, it is essential that you follow your doctor’s specific post-operative instructions. A TCA peel may also cause significant swelling, depending on the strength of the peel used.
With an AHA peel, the temporary redness, flaking, and dryness that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. A fresher and improved skin texture will result with continued AHA treatments. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day.
With a phenol peel, new skin will begin to form in about seven to ten days. Your face will be very red at first, gradually fading to a pinkish color over the following weeks to months. During this time, it is especially important that you use a sunblock or blotchy, irregular skin coloring may result. After healing, the skin is lighter in color, tighter, smoother, and younger looking.
South Miami location is the best! Have tried laser at couple of different places but I wouldn't laser anywhere else. Nicole was great, the office staff was helpful, and I was never waiting for more than 5 minutes. Simply the best. -Priscilla N.
Improvements from AHA peels may be very subtle at first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of your skin. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
Dermabrasion and derma planing help to “refinish” the skin’s top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping. The treatments soften the sharp edges of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother appearance. Dermabrasion is most often used to improve the look of facial skin left scarred by accidents or previous surgery or to smooth out fine facial wrinkles, such as those around the mouth. Both dermabrasion and derma planing can be performed on small areas of skin or on the entire face. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, scar removal or revision, or chemical peel.
Dermabrasion and derma planing can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but neither treatment will remove all scars and flaws or prevent aging. Before you decide to have a skin-refinishing treatment, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
Men and women of all ages, from young people to older adults, can benefit from dermabrasion and derma planing. Although older people heal more slowly, more important factors are your skin type, coloring, and medical history. For example, black skin, Asian skin, and other dark complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy after a skin-refinishing treatment. People who develop allergic rashes or other skin reactions, or who get frequent fever blisters or cold sores, may experience a flare-up. If you have freckles, they may disappear in the treated area.
In addition, most surgeons won’t perform treatment during the active stages of acne because of a greater risk of infection. The same may be true if you’ve had radiation treatments, a bad skin burn, or a previous chemical peel.
Dermabrasion and derma planing can be performed fairly quickly. The procedures usually take a few minutes to an hour and a half, depending on how large an area of skin is involved. It’s not uncommon for the procedure to be performed more than once, or in stages, especially when scarring is deep or a large area of skin is involved.
In dermabrasion, the surgeon scrapes away the outermost layer of skin with a rough wire brush, or a burr containing diamond particles, attached to a motorized handle. The scraping continues until the surgeon reaches the safest level that will make the scar or wrinkle less visible.
In derma planning, the surgeon uses a hand-held instrument called a dermatome. Resembling an electric razor, the dermatome has an oscillating blade that moves back and forth to evenly “skim” off the surface layers of skin that surround the craters or other facial defects. This skimming continues until the lowest point of the acne scar becomes more even with the surrounding skin.
Right after the procedure, your skin will be quite red and swollen, and eating and talking may be difficult. You’ll probably feel some tingling, burning, or aching; any pain you feel can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon. The swelling will begin to subside in a few days to a week. In any case, you surgeon will give you detailed instructions to care for your skin after surgery. For men, this will include delaying shaving for a while, then using an electric razor at first. It’s very important that you understand your doctor’s instructions and follow them exactly, to ensure the best possible healing. Your new skin will be a bit swollen, sensitive, and bright pink for several weeks. During this time, you can begin gradually resuming your normal activities. You can expect to be back at work in about two weeks.
I absolutely love everyone in this office. I personally got a breast augmentation and arm lipo by Dr. Garri and I am so happy with my results. The team at Mosa med spa are super professional, very friendly and attentive to all of their patients. From Carmen, to Graciela, to the ladies at the reception area, all are very sweet and make you feel very calm and comfortable. Honestly I don't have one bad thing to say about their care and service. -Jessica F.
Refinishing treatments can offer dramatic improvements in the surface of your skin, but it will take some time before you see the final results. A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about how to treat your particular situation.
Restylane treatment is an effective and long lasting alternative for facial rejuvenation. Gaining the look you desire is as easy as it is quick. And the results are instantaneous. No pre-testing is needed and a session often takes less than 30 minutes. Depending on the effects desired, an initial treatment is usually maintained with occasional follow-up treatments. For wrinkle treatments no pain relief is generally necessary, however, it can be easily arranged at your request. When enhancing the lips, pain relief in the form of a local anesthetic is often used.
During treatment, the crystal- clear gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very thin needle.The gel then gives natural volume and smoothes the wrinkles. The ability of hyaluronic acid products to integrate with adjacent tissues allows the free passage of vital nutritive elements like oxygen and hormones to pass between fragments of the gel. The result is healthy, natural looking skin.
After the treatment, some common injection-related reactions may occur, such as swelling, redness, pain, itching, discoloration and tenderness at the implant site. These typically resolve spontaneously within one to two days after injection into the skin and within a week after injection into the lips. Other types of reactions are very rare, but about 1 in 2000 treated patients have experienced localized reactions thought to be of a hypersensitivity nature. These have usually consisted of swelling at the implant site, sometimes affecting the surrounding tissues. Redness, tenderness and rarely acne-like formations have also been reported. These reactions have either started a few days after injection or after a delay of two to four weeks and have generally been described as mild to moderate and self-limiting with an average duration of two weeks.
I believe Dr. Perez and office staff are superb. I got my appointment very quickly and soon after, everything was arranged for the date and time I picked for my surgery. At all times the care was excellent, follow up calls from the doctor himself the night after surgery as well as from the staff for the next 2 following days. I highly recommend the office and Dr. Perez. -Verified Patient
Much like other procedures personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.
In order to maintain and improve the health and appearance of skin, a proper skincare regimen is essential. Although the specific products depend on skin type and skin conditions, every effective regimen must include three fundamental elements—Prevention, Protection, and Correction. At MCPS, our product philosophy and consumer education programs are built around these principles. These three steps address and minimize the effects that environmental aggressors have on the skin.
To prevent accelerated skin aging and skin cancer, it’s imperative to use a daily topical antioxidant. This targeted range of products prevents skin damage by neutralizing the free radicals generated by UV rays, infrared radiation, and other environmental factors like pollution, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoke.
Photodamage created by the sun is the number-one cause of accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. In order to prevent this damage, it’s essential to protect skin with sunscreen.
To minimize lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and other visible effects of past damage, we offer products designed to correct. These potent skincare products are formulated with powerful ingredients and advanced technologies to restore a healthier, younger-looking complexion.
These three components ensure an effective skincare regimen for maintaining and improving the health and appearance of skin.
Abdominal etching is a form of liposculpture intended to address problem areas of fat deposition, which are resistant to diet and exercise. This procedure improves the contour and shape of the abdomen, giving it muscular definition and sculpted contour. Through the use of liposuction, our patients can have the “six-pack abs” appearance (usually in males), and the athletic female vertical lines.
While having a contoured body is always desirable, abdominal etching goes a bit beyond, giving the abdomen a muscular, athletic appearance. Ideal candidates are healthy, athletic patients who are close to ideal body weight (or within 30% is recommended). Abdominal etching is best done in younger and middle-aged patients who have optimal skin elasticity. It is usually combined with liposuction of the flanks also known as “love handles.” The procedure is similar to standard liposuction in that excess abdominal and flank fat is removed, but it also involves defining the peaks and valleys commonly seen in a well-toned abdomen in females and a muscular and athletic abdomen in males. This is done by accentuating the vertical and horizontal lines (inscriptions) that delineate the abdominal musculature. During the initial consultation, your surgeon can determine if this procedure is an option for you, as patients who have excess fat as well as excess skin, might be better served by other options such as a tummy tuck. Overall, abdominal etching provides a very well-defined and athletic appearance to the abdomen for both men and women although the degree of muscular definition might be different and might be tailored to the wishes of the patient.
Once it is established that liposuction with abdominal etching is the best surgical option for the patient, a detailed physical examination and evaluation of the patient’s anatomy should be performed. Physical examination includes examination for differences in intrinsic anatomy such as deviation from ideal contour, scars, asymmetry, dimpling and cellulitis, skin tone and laxity, presence of hernias and excess skin. Sometimes a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis might be indicated as a way to rule out the presence of abdominal wall (ventral) hernias.
Abdominal etching requires general anesthesia in an accredited surgery center or hospital. Prior to the procedure, the surgeon will carefully palpate your abdominal musculature and make pen marks in your abdomen that carefully delineate your unique abdominal muscular anatomy. After the patient is positioned in the operating room, small, strategically placed incision are made in order to insert the liposuction cannulas. First, tumescence fluid (containing saline with local anesthesia and epinephrine) is injected to minimize bleeding and for pain control. Afterwards, liposuction of the flanks and abdomen is performed in order to remove excess fat and give the torso a healthy, youthful, and overall athletic contour. After the overall shape is achieved to the surgeon’s satisfaction, a smaller liposuction cannula will carefully sculpt the depressions and valleys that represent the separation of different abdominal muscle groups. Once the surgeon is satisfied with this sculpting process, the excess tumescence fluid will be removed, the access incision will be sutured and the patient will be placed in an abdominal binder. Sometimes some of the access incisions are left open so as to aid in the drainage of some of the retained tumescence fluid.
It is very common to experience drainage of a significant amount of light pink fluid for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This fluid leakage or drainage is not only normal, but desirable. A few days after surgery the abdominal binder placed in the operating room is replaced with a compression garment. By doing this, it allows the skin to reattach to the abdomen in the proper position so that the athletic appearing lines are made visible. The compression garment also minimizes free space under the skin where fluid can accumulate in the postoperative period. You might find that this compression garment will give you added support and comfort as you heal in the first few days after the procedure. You should be able to return to normal daily activities within a couple of days and nobody should notice your garment underneath your clothes.
I am a cardiologist in Broward County and decided to travel all the way down to South Miami to have a consult with Dr. Perez. His bedside manner is impeccable, not only in making me feel comfortable with his skills, but also because his demeanor makes you feel so relaxed. He is confident yet humble, which is a hard thing to find in a doctor, much less a surgeon. I decided to have him as my plastic surgeon, and my results are amazing. From a doctor, to a doctor....he is the BEST. -Verified Patient
Although you will see an immediate effect after this surgery, the final appearance improves on a daily basis as the swelling decreases. About 80 to 90% of the swelling resolves in the first two weeks, while the final 10 to 20% swelling may take several weeks. After the first couple of weeks, you will see progressive improvement. Normally it takes about three months for all the swelling to completely dissipate, and another three months for the skin shrinkage to finalize. Thus, the final results for the procedure will be evident at about six months. In order to optimize results, we recommend that patients follow a healthy low fat and salt diet. Most patients resume light aerobic activity about four weeks after surgery and can resume their normal exercise routine after six weeks. Our patients are then placed on a custom lab and genetic based diet and exercise plan to maintain long term results. With proper diet and exercise regimen, we have patients maintain their abdominal etching results for years without recurrence of unwanted fatty deposits.
Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It may affect only one breast or both. Though certain drugs and medical problems have been linked with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the vast majority of cases. For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.
Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body’s new contours. The initial consultation with your surgeon is very important. Your surgeon will need a complete medical history, so check your own records ahead of time and be ready to provide this information. First, your surgeon will examine your breasts and check for causes of the gynecomastia, such as impaired liver function, use of estrogen-containing medications, or anabolic steroids. If a medical problem is the suspected cause, you’ll be referred to an appropriate specialist. Once your surgeon knows how much fat and glandular tissue is contained within the breasts, he or she can choose a surgical approach to best suit your needs.
If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location–either on the edge of the areola or in the underarm area. Working through the incision, the surgeon cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin from around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breast. If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, your surgeon will likely use liposuction to remove the excess fat. A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is made around the edge of the areola–the dark skin that surrounds the nipple. Or, the incision may be placed in the underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula, which is attached to a vacuum pump, is then inserted into the incision.
Whether you’ve had excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon. You’ll be swollen and bruised for awhile–in fact, you may wonder if there’s been any improvement at all. To help reduce swelling, you’ll probably be instructed to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for a week or two, and for a few weeks longer at night. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final results of your surgery are apparent. In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal. You’ll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough–which could be as early as a day or two after surgery. Any stitches will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure. You’ll be told to stay away from any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you’re back to all of your normal activities.
Where magic happens... highly recommended! -Cristina B. R.
Gynecomastia surgery can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them frankly with your plastic surgeon. It is realistic however to expect a more masculine chest contour after gynecomastia surgery. The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. If your expectations are realistic, chances are good that you’ll be very satisfied with your new look.
