Body Procedures

Mommy Makeover, Liposuction, Arm Lift, thigh lift

Mommy Makeover

The “mommy makeover” typically refers to a tummy tuck and breast enhancement procedure performed at the same time.  The overall goal of the mommy makeover is to remove excess, streched skin in the abdomen and restore sagging breasts to a more youthful appearance.  Although this combined surgery is often called a “mommy makeover”,

There are multiple combinations for a mommy makeover and the difference comes down to how much deflation or sagging of the breasts there is along with the best tummy tuck option for you (standard, extended, or extended plus).

Tummy Tuck with Breast Augmentation involves placing implants only without reshaping the breast tissue.  The implant can correct very minor sagging to restore the breasts to a fuller shape.  Generally a breast augmentation is a good approach for mildly deflated breasts without excess sagging skin.

Tummy Tuck with Breast Lift (Mastopexy) rearranges the breast tissue to lift and shape breasts.  Patients with adequate breast tissue that sags to a significant extent are good candidates for a breast lift.  A breast lift alone can restore a natural shape to the breasts.

Tummy Tuck with Breast Lift and Implants (Mastopexy Augmentation) is a breast lift combined with implants.  This is the best option for patients who have both deflated breasts and excess skin.  The implants restores volume in the breast and the breast is then lifted by re-draping and sculpting the breast tissue to create a more youthful shape.


Frequently Asked Questions

During your complimentary consultation, we will discuss your personal desires for breast enhancement and examine your breasts to determine the amount of breast tissue and take measurements to establish the extent of sagging.  Your goals combined with measurements and observations from your exam will guide which procedure is the best one for you.

Mildly deflated breasts can often be treated with just placement of implants (breast augmentation).  Yes, within limits.  However, your body dictates whether this is an option. If there is too much sagging skin, there is no choice but to have a lift with or without implants.

This can be done. However, keep in mind that the upper aspect of the breast will continue to appear very flat, and you will only have cleavage with the assistance of a bra. Due to the high baseline price of the lift, the cost of implants does not greatly affect the overall expense of restoring the breasts. Most patients elect to have implants due to this factor.

Yes.  It is part of our standard protocol for abdominal sculpting.

The flank (love handles) and midline area above the belly button are treated.

We suggest taking a minimum of one week off if you have a low physical exertion desk job. If your job involves heavy lifting or you work in a less-sterile environment (such as a day care, nursing home, industrial, et al), you need to take more time off to promote optimal healing of your incisions.  We will have a conversation about the nature of your work and make a recommendation based on that. 

Due to the breast-related factors mentioned above, there is a range. Please visit our price list page.  We also offer a $1000 discount for combining a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with a breast augmentation or breast lift.

We are happy to share our photo gallery with you using one of the following options:

Text Us at 612-424-2767 for a Before and After link | Visit us on Realself | Use the Request a Free Consultation form to view photos in clinic.

Liposuction

Large and small area liposuction can reduce fullness in the area by removing fat. Liposuction is not a skin tightening process. After liposuction, the skin contracts over the treated area. Although liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss, it is an effective way of targeting specific areas of subcutaneous fat, which is the fat just underneath our skin. Visceral fat, which is the fat underneath our muscles, cannot be removed via liposuction.

Areas responsive to Liposuction

  • Upper Arms
  • Bra Line Area
  • Mid Back Area
  • Upper Abdominal Flanks
  • Lower Back Flanks
  • Medial Thighs
  • Chin

About the Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is performed in the outpatient surgical center under general anesthesia.  Fluid is injected into the tissues to facilitate the removal of fat, numb the tissues, and reduce blood loss. Blunt tubes are then used to suck fat out of the problem areas. You are then transported to recovery, and then you are able to go home and sleep in your own bed or easy chair. You will need assistance for the first couple of days and you will need someone to drive you home.

What to Expect During Recovery

The liposuction access sites are small and do not require sutures. This allows the tumescent fluid injected during the procedure exit the body and this speeds the rate at which swelling decreases.  Healing rates vary between individuals. Swelling and bruising may occur after this procedure and it can take months in some cases before the result is fully achieved.  It is normal for the treated areas to be quite sore for a few weeks after liposuction.

Depending on the area treated, a compression garment may be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liposuction is priced by area.  A small area is $2500 and a large area is $5000.  Liposuction is also included in specific procedures such as tummy tuck, arm lift, and thigh lift.

Liposuction works for patients with firm, elastic skin.  Skin that is soft and thin from stretch marks, weight loss, or natural aging will not reshape as well.

Liposuction does not fix uneven spots in your body that are not related to fat. Liposuction alone does not fix dimpled skin or “cellulite.”  Liposuction can only address subcutaneous fat (the fat directly underneath the skin), but cannot change the natural contour of your body shape and cannot address visceral fat (fat we store underneath our muscles).

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Many individuals have excess skin on the back of their arms (bat wings) due to genetics or massive weight loss. Depending on the degree of skin and excess fat, there are a few techniques available to improve the contour of the arms. In the case of moderate excess of fat and good skin tone, liposuction alone can result in a nice reduction of arm girth and tighten the skin.  

In cases of increasing skin laxity (a pronounced amount of skin hanging off the arm), surgical removal of skin is required. This can be limited to the armpit area in mild cases, to an incision going from armpit to elbow in more severe situations (see illustration at right).  The incision is tapered so there is not a big step-off from the upper part of the arm (armpit to elbow) and the lower part of the arm.

About Arm Lift

The entire posterior portion (“batwing part”) is first liposuctioned, and then the skin is trimmed and recontured to the muscle.  Not all subcutaneous fat (the fat just under the skin that hangs down) can be removed or else a divot would be created, so some is left behind.  There is no liposuction performed in the actual armpit due to nerves in the area.

The immediate risks of brachioplasty are two fold: risk of surface nerves, and possibility of fluid collections. The nerve at risk is the medial antibrachial cutaneous nerve, which provides sensation to a portion of the forearm. Damage to the nerve is rare, but it can result in permanent numbness in that portion of the forearm if it is cut. The second, and more common risk is fluid collections. We avoid this placing thin drain tubes in the arm that remain in place for at least one week.

Scarring after the surgery is minimal in liposuction and limited (armpit) brachioplasties, but the scar is much more noticeable in the surgeries that extend down to the elbow. The scar on the back of the arm will initially be razor thin, and barely visible. In the months following the surgery, this scar can be expected to become pink, raised and noticeable from a distance. This can last up to 18 months. One must keep in mind that we can achieve a good arm shape, but the scar quality is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arm lift costs $9500.  This includes all facility fees and general anesthesia charges.

When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, arm lift can be safely combined with other procedures such as a tummy tuck and liposuction.

Thigh Lift

There are two basic approaches to the thigh lift procedure: medial thigh lifts, which target the inner thighs,  and lateral thigh lifts, which target saddle bags. The overall goal of a thigh lift is to reduce areas of fat on the inner thighs (medial thigh lift) or outer thighs (lateral thigh lift) by performing liposuction of subcutaneous fat and removal of excess skin.

About the Thigh Lift Procedure

For either a medial thigh or lateral thigh lift, subcutaneous fat is thinned via liposuction.  For a medial thigh lift, incisions are made just beyond the groin crease.  In a lateral thigh lift, the incision is placed on the lateral hip.  Drains are placed to reduce swelling or fluid collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thigh lift costs $9000.  This includes all facility fees and general anesthesia charges.

No, one risk of a thigh lift procedure is overly aggressive liposuction, which can cause divots in the skin and make the overall appearance worse.

Although a thigh lift removes some of the excess skin on the inner or outer thighs, it does not treat cellulite.

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