In your 20s, skin is generally free of the signs of aging. Start a medically supervised treatment plan now to protect your skin from the harmful effects of sun and environment.
Proper cleansing, moisturizing, and use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily will help ward off early wrinkles and enlarged pores. Mild peels and topical treatments may help control acne.
Botox® injections can prevent lines and filler agents such as Radiesse®, Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and Juvéderm Ultra Plus® can be used to fill out smile lines and augment lips.
For unfavorable size and shape of body features, surgery may be in order. Rhinoplasty, otoplasty and other aesthetic procedures can often be performed.
Decreased firmness and skin elasticity are a natural part of aging. Introducing anti-oxidants into your skincare routine can help prevent sun damage that leads to lines and age spots. Also, alpha hydroxy acids in conjunction with retinoids and topical antioxidants can restore a youthful appearance to the skin.
Non-invasive laser procedures may improve fine lines, brown spots, and broken blood vessels. Botox® injections can diminish laugh lines and create a smoother forehead. Fillers like Radiesse®, Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and Juvéderm Ultra Plus® can be used to fill smile lines and augment lips.
For those in their 40s, damage caused by sun exposure become apparent. More aggressive skincare can help combat the visible signs of aging. A combination of topical solutions like tretinoin (Retin-A), AHAs, and BHAs, along with microdermabrasion brings the best results.
There are many procedures available to smooth and tighten skin. Photofacials, chemical peels, and topical treatments are effective in decreasing the signs of aging as well as minimizing pore size. Fillers like Radiesse®, Restylane®, Juvéderm® and Juvéderm Ultra Plus® can help restore volume in the mid-face and fill smile lines. For upper face and forehead lines, Botox® injections may be in order.
For those who choose the surgical route, face, brow, eye and neck lifts are very popular procedures.
By age fifty, regular skin examinations by a certified aesthetician or plastic surgeon are essential.
Maintaining natural moisture is more difficult. Peels and light therapy in combination with ultra-hydrating home care can help maintain the balance. Laser resurfacing combined with fillers to restore volume can provide an impressive rejuvenation.
In all likelihood, more extensive facial rejuvenation and resurfacing procedures will be necessary at this stage. Depending on your appearance goals, comprehensive surgery can reverse signs of aging in the face, brow, mid-face, and neck areas. A facelift or brow lift in conjunction with laser resurfacing can yield dramatic results. The payoff for more invasive surgery is a natural, more supple look that is virtually undetectable.
TUMMY TUCK (Abdominoplasty)
Description
After pregnancy, weight loss or simply as a part of the aging process, many people find themselves with excess skin and fat and loss of muscle tone around the tummy. Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is an excellent choice for both men and women seeking a tighter, flatter abdomen and smoother body contour. The procedure involves an incision made within the "bikini" or "boxer" line under the abdomen, extending towards the hip bones. The placement of the incision helps hide the scar under clothes following the procedure. Excess skin and fat are removed, the muscle beneath is tightened, the skin is redraped to provide a pleasing body shape, and often the belly button is moved to a new position within the newly contoured abdomen. In some cases, a "mini-abdominoplasty" can be performed, which affords many of the same results with shorter scars.
During your consultation at the Austin Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Maggi will examine you and discuss recommendations for the specific type of abdominoplasty to yield the best results. It is important to note that a tummy tuck procedure is not a weight loss treatment.
Tummy Tuck is performed using general anesthesia administered by a physician anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. This procedure typically takes Dr. Maggi 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
Recovery
A long-acting local anesthetic is used as a part of the procedure which minimizes any discomfort following the surgery. It is important to remain slightly flexed at your waist in order to be most comfortable and reduce tension on your repair. Following your surgery, dressings will be applied to your incisions and you will be wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your abdomen as it heals. Dr. Maggi will use drains to remove excess fluid which naturally collects after surgery, and these drains may be in place for several days following the procedure. You may experience some bruising for a week or so and some swelling for a few weeks after surgery. Most of Dr. Maggi's patients are able to return to work in about ten to fourteen days, depending on their tolerance.
Common Questions about TUMMY TUCK
1. Am I good candidate for a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
Tummy Tuck is a great procedure for women who have stretch marks and/or loose skin. This procedure is an excellent choice for those seeking a tighter, flatter abdomen.
2. What is the Tummy Tuck procedure like?
Dr. Maggi will place an incision below the bikini line and out towards the hip bones once you are placed under general anesthesia. The excess fat and skin are removed, the muscles underneath are tightened, the remaining skin is smoothed over the abdomen to provide a pleasing body shape, and often the navel is adjusted to a new position on the newly shaped tummy. In many cases, a mini-abdominoplasty may be done instead, with similar results and shorter scars.
3. What is recovery like after a Tummy Tuck?
Your greatest discomfort will be within the first 24-72 hours after surgery. You will need your significant other, parent or friend to take care of you. You will not be able to do much for yourself in the first couple of days. You will want to avoid any lifting, pushing, or pulling that requires you to strain, which will cause pressure and stress to your surgical area. Anything heavier than a quart of milk is too heavy. Some people return to work after one week, while others need two or more weeks to rest and recuperate.
4. Do you have any advice on how to minimize and treat my scar?
The first goal in our care of a healing wound is to optimize the environment so it does not detract from our natural healing process. This involves maintaining a good nutritional status. We also recommend to our patients to use silicone sheeting. This has been shown to greatly benefit the appearance of the final scar. We also suggest keeping your scar out of the sun’s radiation for 9 to 12 months.