Abdominoplasty

WHAT IS ABDOMINOPLASTY?

• A cosmetic surgical procedure that will tighten up and help flatten your stomach areas.
• It tightens both the skin and the muscles.
• It is NOT a method to loose weight.
• There are two types:
• Regular is for the entire abdomen
• Mini is for the area under the belly button; some people accumulate fat there and cannot get rid of that fat with exercise and diet.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

• Healthy adults: men and women.
• If you are losing weight, it’s best to be within 10 lbs of goal weight before the procedure.
• For women, it’s best to have finished having babies before you have this procedure.

HOW IT’S DONE

• Performed in our accredited onsite surgical facility as an outpatient.
• General anesthesia which takes about two hours.
• You will be able to go home that same day.
• Incision is in the bikini line:
• There is a scar but it will fade with time and will be hidden by underwear or bikini bottom.

• Plan to take 3-5 days off work and social activities.

RECOVERY

• You will be sore afterwards and will not want to stand straight for a few days.
• You will need to wear a compressive garment afterwards.
• If drains were inserted, these will be taken out at your first or second post-op visit to the office.
• Stay in bed and rest, but walk around the house frequently.
• Tylenol for discomfort; doctors may prescribe pain medication.
• Stay away from work and social activities for about a week.
• No heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks or driving for 1-2 weeks.

WHAT IT COSTS

• In our area, the cost of a tummy tuck ranges from $5,500 to $10,000 depending on whether you are quoted for a mini, a full, and whether that fee quote includes just the doctors surgical fee or anesthesia and facility fee as well. It’s best to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, as some practices you call will quote just the surgeon’s fee and some will quote everything. The best thing is to come into the office so we can examine you and give you a price that you know is accurate. When would you like to come and visit us? (562) 595-9493

Breast Lift or Mastopexy Q&A

WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT?

·        A cosmetic surgical procedure that will result in perkier lifted breasts.

·        Some women also need a breast lift:

o       With a reduction due to sagging skin from the weight of the larger breasts.

o       With breast implants if their breasts are already saggy.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

·        Healthy women age 18 and over who are troubled about breasts drooping.

o       TEENS: Can be performed on teenaged girls if they have extremely large breasts that cause physical discomfort and/or social problems, or who have a reduction plus lift.

·        Nursing is possible after a breast lift.

HOW IS IT DONE?

·        Performed in our accredited onsite facility as an outpatient.

·        Under general anesthesia which takes about two hours.

·        You may go home that same day and will need to wear a compressive bra afterwards.

·        Plan to take 3-5 days off work and social activity

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

·        Per area, the cost of a breast lift ranges from $3,500 to $6,500 depending on:

o       Whether you also need a breast reduction or

o       Whether you are also getting breast implants, and

o       Whether the fee quote includes only the doctor’s surgical fee or anesthesia and facility fee as well.

o       It is best to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, as some practices you call will quote just the surgeon’s fee, while others will quote everything.

o       The best thing is to schedule a consultation so Dr. Hicks can examine you and give you a price that we know is accurate.

Dr. Hicks and his office staff would like you to offer you a free consultation appointment.

Call our office M-F to schedule.  (562) 595-9493

or visit our website: www.face-doctor.com

Breast Augmentation questions answered.

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

·       It is a cosmetic surgical procedure that will result in larger breasts.

·       Two types:

o      Saline filled

o      Silicone filled

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

·       Healthy women (for silicone, aged 18 and over.)

·       Teens: rarely performed on women under 18 because they are still maturing.

o      Can be done on teenaged women if they have uneven breast, tubular breasts, or other breast problems.

·       Nursing is possible after breast implants.

·       If you are 35 or older, we will want you have had a mammogram within the past 12 months.

HOWS IS IT DONE?

·       Performed in our accredited onsite surgical facility as an outpatient procedure.

·       General anesthesia: Will take about two hours.

·       You will be bale to go home that same day.

·       Various options for insertion point        

o      Through incision in areola (nipple area)

o      Under breast crease

·       Various options for placement

o      Over or under the muscle (most doctors prefer under)

RECOVERY

·       You will need to wear a compressive bra afterwards.

·       Plan to take 3-5 days off work and social activates.

·       Avoid lifting arms over your head; avoid strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks.

WHAT IT COSTS.

·       In our area, the cost of a breast augmentation ranges from $4,500 to $7,500 depending on:

o      Whether you prefer saline or silicone-filled,

§       Saline starts at $4,500

§       Silicone starts at $6,500

o      Whether you also need a breast lift

o      Whether the fee quoted includes only the doctor’s surgical fee or anesthesia and facility fee as well. It’s

best to make sure you are comparing apples to apples,                  as some practices you call will quote just the surgeon’s  fee and some will quote everything.

o      The best thing is to come into the office so Dr. Hicks can examine you and give you the accurate price.

Dr. Hicks and his office staff would like you to offer you a free consultation appointment.

Call our office M-F to schedule.  (562) 595-9493

or visit our website: www.face-doctor.com

Hyperhidrosis (Excessive arm pit sweating)

Do I have this condition?

Excessive arm pit sweating is actually very common. Many people have it but are afraid to admit it to their friends and loved ones. People affected by this disorder often go through great lengths to conceal their condition. They wear two or three shirts or blouses at a time. They often carry several changes of clothing in their cars, or have clothes stashed at work. Some people shower three of four times per day. They often carry several different types of deodorant and antiperspirants. Often there is a strong odor associated with underarm sweating, though in some cases there is not. More than eight million people suffer from this disorder which is characterized by uncontrollable under arm sweating. There is also a group of people who have sweaty palms as well, however our discussion will only deal with under arm sweating.

What causes this condition?

There are several theories, but no one knows for sure. Some believe that there is an excessive amount of sweat glands in the arm pit. Others believe that there is an increase of nerve stimulation which causes excessive sweating.

How is this condition treated?

There are several methods used to treat this disorder. They range from deodorants to Botox to surgical procedures which include cutting nerves in the neck which supply stimulation to sweat cells in the arm pit. Each procedure gives some relief, but now there is a new and improved method of reducing arm pit sweating. It involves a relatively simple and safe procedure called Vaser obliteration of underarm sweat glands, or VOUSG. VOUSG is a relatively new procedure which can be performed under local anesthesia and is very effective in reducing the amount of underarm sweating.

What exactly is VOUSG?

VOUSG is an advanced state of heart ultra sound technique that was originally developed as a form of liposuction. This technology was found to not only kill fat cells, but sweat gland cells as well. The Vaser is applied directly underneath the arm pit skin to reduce the amount of viable sweat gland cells.

How effective is this treatment?

VOUSG is very effective. Just as in the Vaser ultrasonic liposculpture, a dilute saline (salt water solution) and epinephrine is applied in the axilla. A small ultrasonic probe is then placed underneath the arm pit skin and sound waves are transmitted through the wetting solution. The energy transmitted is used to obliterate the sweat gland cells. Afterwards, the excess wetting solution along with the destroyed sweat gland cells are removed with liposuction.

What results should I expect?

Most people have a significant reduction in sweating. Afterwards, there is usually a very mild discomfort. Patients are able to return to work within a few days. There is minimal down time since the procedure can be done under local anesthesia. However, if you prefer, general anesthesia can also be safely used for those who do not like shots. After the procedure, most patients are placed on mild antibiotics and pain medicine. Some however, do not require any pain medication.

Have you always been plagued by excessive under are sweating? Does your shirts or blouses always have an unpleasant odor about them? Are you spending large amounts of money on deodorants ? Is your daily life being affected by your excess sweating? Then you must be suffering from Hyperhydrosis! Hyperhydrosis is a realitively comom disorder that affects both men and women. It also can run in families with father son, mother and daughter having the problem. Many people have to wear multiple shirts. Often they have to bring a second change of clothes to work. Sometimes they have to take several showers per day. Suffers of this disorder often lead very secretive lives. They avoid certain social situations just because of excessive sweating. This sweating can occur at any time and during any activity. In the past there were limited solutions to this problem. Most people simply altered their life styles to accomodate the disorder. Some resorted to complex surgical procedures which entailed cut nerves in their neck to stop the swaeting. More recently Botox was injected into the arm pits to solve the problem, however Botox is very expensive and lasts only a few months. There are patients who come in for Botox injections before big social events like wedding and parties to prevent sweating. Now there is a new procedure that offers a permanent cure for under arm sweating. Vaser ultrasonic technique is a new technology that is now used to successfully treat this condition. Simlpy put, sound waves are sent via a small probe under the arm pit skin which kills the sweat glands. There is minmal pain and down time from surgery. healing is less than week. Sweating ceases in a couple of days. Hyperhidrosis affects hundreds of thousands of people who are not aware of this new solution for an old problem.