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Liposuction - Abdominoplasty - Body Lift
 Since its introduction in the 1980s, liposuction has become one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. When performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara, such as Dr. Sheffield or Dr. Lowenstein, you can be assured of not only the best results but also the safest procedures.
Liposuction is performed by first applying a special solution to the area of concern, which allows for access to the fatty tissue as well as reduction of bleeding and improved anesthesia. Special instruments, called cannulas, are then used to remove the fatty tissue with suction. Popular names for this procedure are liposculpture and liposelection. These are really just refined techniques of liposuction, which may include re-application of fat in other regions to augment certain areas. Many fancy names for these types of procedures are often used for advertising purposes. Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield perform these and other special applications of liposuction, tailored to your wishes, to achieve the most optimal results.
Following liposuction in Santa Barbara, a compressive garment is worn to help ensure a well-contoured result. Recovery from this procedure is usually rapid and easy, with a very high rate of patient satisfaction. To see liposuction animated, click here.
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 An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is the procedure used to reduce the excess skin and fatty tissue of the abdomen, which frequently occurs after substantial weight loss or pregnancy. Liposuction is often considered along with abdominoplasty to reduce areas of fat accumulation.
The choice of abdominal procedure, Classical or Modified, depends largely on your skin looseness around the abdomen, localized fat, and the tone of the abdominal wall. Surgical scars from previous abdominal surgery are also taken into consideration. To see abdominoplasty animated, click here.
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Classical abdominoplastyinvolves fully lifting the skin and fatty tissue of your abdomen off of the underlying muscles, up to the lower level of the rib cage. This is followed by tightening of the abdominal wall muscles in most patients. The stalk of your belly button (umbilicus) is temporarily released from the skin of the abdomen and will be replaced in the same position once the skin of your abdomen is re-positioned, having removed the excess tissue. To see abdominoplasty animated, click here.
Modified abdominoplastyin Santa Barbara also involves removal of extra skin in your abdomen. This type of abdominoplasty is more appropriate if your skin excess is not as abundant as it may be in patients who undergo classical abdominoplasty. In the Modified abdominoplasty, an external incision around the belly button can be avoided provided there is little skin looseness above your belly button. If a small amount of excess skin above your belly button is an issue, a limited lowering of your belly button (umbilical float) of 1-2 cm may be performed. This is particularly helpful in those patients who have a relatively high original position of their belly button. To see abdominoplasty animated, click here.
Technical considerations for both procedures in Santa Barbara include contour corrections and the minimal visibility of scars placed as low as possible. The length of the horizontal scar depends on the amount of loose skin that you have. The quality of the scar depends largely on the tension of the closure and your natural ability for wound healing. Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Lowenstein pay special attention and apply meticulous techniques to promote particularly pleasing scars. In the majority of patients, healing of these scars results in fine white lines.
Complications from abdominoplasty are uncommon. Delayed healing is very rare but more concerning in smokers. Thickened scaring is seen in less than three percent of patients. Seromas or fluid collections beneath the skin flap is the most commonly reported complication, but very infrequent in Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield’s patients.
Pain is almost always easily controlled with medications and optional pain pumps, and recovery can be expected to be relatively uneventful as long as you are not prone to over exertion.
A body lift extends the abdominoplasty operation around the sides and back of your body to achieve reduction of excess tissue circumferentially. The body lift is a significant operation that is used in special cases of body contouring. It requires longer recovery times and must be approached with special consideration for patient safety. To see body lifts animated, click here.
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Click here to view examples of liposuction and body contouring patients who have undergone their plastic surgery by Dr. Adam Lowenstein and Dr. Robert Sheffield in Santa Barbara, conveniently located just a short distance away from Santa Maria, Bakersfield, Ventura, and Thousand Oaks.
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