Monthly Archives: June 2018

Options are great. Helping you find and execute the right option for your goals is what I do best. When it comes to weight loss, there are a variety of ways to contour the body. Ideally in all cases, you should be taking care of your body with a good diet and exercise. Sometimes the weight loss resulting from a healthy lifestyle leaves excess skin, and sometimes it leaves behind pockets of fat that just won’t budge. Here are some suggestions for handling these situations:

Lots of Loose Skin After Weight Loss

What a great feeling it is to finally shed that extra weight. It’s a physical and emotional relief. However sometimes the uncomfortable reminder of stretched, loose, saggy skin is left behind. This is not what anyone hopes for after the discipline and hard work to lose enough weight to have this issue. The amount of pounds lost, age, diet, hydration and skin elasticity all are factors in the degree of loose skin. Fortunately, in the case where there’s a good amount of loose skin, Abdominoplasty, also called the Tummy Tuck, is a comprehensive abdominal sculpting procedure to sculpt and smooth this area. Any excess skin and fat will be trimmed, the abdomen flattened, and the belly button positioned properly. Recovery can take 1 to 4 weeks depending on how much contouring is done, and the long scar, which is considered a more preferred trade off than the large degree of sagging skin, will be hidden within the bikini line.

Little to No Loose Skin, Consider Lipo

When there is good skin elasticity, but a notable amount of stubborn fat, Liposuction could be the solution. This surgery will make the abdomen thinner but not tighter, so good skin and muscle tone is key to a smooth outcome. There is minimal scarring with Liposuction and about half the recovery time of Abdominoplasty.

SculpSure for Small Stubborn Fat Pockets

SculpSure is not designed for dramatic weight loss results, but is for those subtle, yet bothersome spots that you want to smooth out. It’s wonderful that there is a clinically proven, FDA approved laser treatment that is effective and has absolutely no down time. Literally you can get a treatment over your lunch break and return to work or your work outs that day. In the targeted treated areas, SculpSure eliminates 24% of fat cells, which do not ever return. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle once you’ve gotten SculpSure will mean that you won’t have to worry about those love handles or stubborn belly pooch returning.

The smooth, flat abs you desire could be a reality. Let me help you consider the best option for your body contouring goals, no matter how dramatic or subtle they may be. Visit www.davinciplastic.com today.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Discussing satisfaction with your “lady parts” is no longer a question of impropriety. Whether it’s for looks or feels, women around the world are discovering the surgical and cosmetic techniques that enhance comfort, performance and aesthetics. A variety of feminine genitalia, or FemGen, practices and procedures are now available to help women to be pleased with their privates. One of the most requested of these FemGen procedures addresses the size and shape of labia. It is called Labiaplasty.

Good Candidates

Women in good health, preferably non smokers, who experience irritation, discomfort or dissatisfaction with the appearance of their labia are all good candidates for Labiaplasty. Large labia minora (inner lips) can be uncomfortable because they’re extended beyond the labia majora so they’re exposed to constant rubbing during sex or when wearing certain clothes. Form fitting jeans, workout pants, or leggings can be especially difficult. Large labia majora can also impose on sex and cause a vaginal bulge when wearing bathing suits that draw an embarrassing amount of attention.

Reforming the “Flower”

A woman’s flower is totally unique. There is no “normal” or standard to benchmark, so this procedure is highly tailored and there will be no “cookie cutter” results. I can help you address issues with asymmetry, coloration and size. Even as most women do prefer to minimize the amount of labia minor that extends past the labia majora, there are a variety of techniques to consider. Regardless of technique, the protection and preservation of the sensitive clitoris is paramount to the overall success.

Tender Techniques

While there are degrees of variance and combinations, the 2 main techniques of Labiaplasty are trimming down the labia minora, starting from the outer edge and moving inward. The other main technique is cutting a wedge from the middle of the labia minora skin to keep the outer edge in tact. One of the main factors determining which technique to use is the patient’s desire to keep the coloration and folding of the outer edge or not. If the edge is trimmed, pinker labial skin will be visible, but if the wedge technique is used, the often darker outer edges will remain, as well as more of the natural folding and rippling. Using a variation of these techniques, my delicate, detail oriented methods have sculpted the labia into beautiful, comfortable flowers for a multitude of happy patients.

Recovering Expectations
Most women want to know how long until they can resume sex, swimming or exercising after Labiaplasty. In most cases, I suggest waiting 6 weeks for these activities in order to minimize risk of infection and allow for good healing. However, an otherwise normal daily routine can be resumed after 2 to 4 days of taking it easy. Any bruising or swelling should resolve within about 2 weeks and pain can be managed with cold compress and ibuprofen. During recovery, any pressure on the labia should be avoided, including tight clothing. This is a good time to wear only loose clothes and cotton “granny panties.” Optimal aesthetics and comfort are typically experienced in 4 to 6 months.

Experience the satisfaction, comfort and confidence you deserve. Schedule a confidential FemGen consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

For most people, summer starts shortly after Memorial Day and the beach trips, boating and vacations are highlights of this season. For a number of people, the lull in their industry allows for some time off, and with it, they choose to use their vacation time to get surgery. With some exceptions, such as with my practice, summer can be a dangerous time to get surgery.

Why? There is a very normal turnover in the health care providers of hospitals that have a large component of teaching and training medical students. In May and June, the experienced doctors in training, who’ve typically spent 3 to 6 years in residency, will graduate and move on to other hospitals. During the summer months, they’re replaced with new, inexperienced doctors fresh out of medical school.

This “July Effect” as its known in the medical community, accounts for an increased hospital death and complication rate of up to 34 percent in just the month of July. While its so important for the doctors of the future to gain skills and experience, be aware that you might be a part of their learning journey if you’re choosing a summer surgery at one of these teaching facilities.

You can rest easy if you’re getting your elective surgery at a hospital or surgery center that doesn’t use residents. You will be in my care, with my full attention when you choose any surgical procedure at Davinci Plastic. This means you’ll be in the hands of a Triple Board Certified surgeon with the highest level of training, experience and results.

Have you been wanting to get a body or facial improving procedure that requires a downtime not normally allowed for in the midst of a busy season of life or work? This is a great time to take care of the procedure you’ve wanted, then rest, recover and relax. You won’t have to worry about the “July Effect” in the sense of your healthcare, but your personal care in how you take care of yourself after surgery during the hot summer months like July, will be crucial to a healthy recovery with the best results possible.

Here are some ideas for staying safe during your rest time after summer surgery:

1. Keep out of the sun. The surgery site will be very delicate. While it’s pink and healing, it will be more susceptible to sunburn even the first several months. The scars can also darken when exposed to the sun too soon. So cover up if you have to go outside and keep any exposure brief.
2. Stay Cool. This is another reason to stay out of the sun. Any bandages or compression garments will make you feel even warmer than normal. Any sweating will not only be uncomfortable, but increase risk for infection. After surgery, in the sweltering summer months, air conditioning is your friend.
3. Hydrate, but not in the pool. While drinking water is important all the time, it’s especially helpful after surgery. It helps the body heal and flush toxins. Being dehydrated contributes to many discomforts after surgery, including nausea. But don’t resort to hydrating and cooling off in the pool, ocean or lake. Standing bodies of water can harbor bacteria, so going swimming can increase your risk for infection.

Summer time can provide a great break in between busy seasons of life. Taking the most precautions and putting yourself in the best hands possible will give you the best results. To talk about the results you’re looking for, schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

One of the least desirable features for a man would be male breasts, medically called Gynecomastia. Men may not have as much social pressure related to their appearance. However, in the case of Gynecomastia, it often contributes to self esteem issues and a lower self perception of masculinity because of the femininity associated with breasts.

Causes

The cause of Gynecomastia can be a result of genetics, developing more readily in some men that others, as well as earlier on in life. It is a hormone related issue. As a matter of fact, more than half of male babies are born with enlarged breast tissue because of exposure to their mother’s estrogen in utero, even though they subside within 2 to 3 weeks. It often appears due to the hormone changes of puberty, but in most cases subsides by the age of 20.

Medications and medical conditions can also be a culprit of Gynecomastia. Particularly any medications with human growth hormones, as well as some medications used to treat ulcers, and depression. Gynecomastia can be induced by medical conditions related to poor testicular hormone production, impaired liver, Klinefelter’s Syndrom and Gilbert’s Syndrome. Medical and recreational marijuana can also be a reason.

Some herbal products can also increase estrogen and decrease androgen. Bisphenol A, which is in some kinds of plastics increases estrogen, and many sources of non organic animal products contain a cocktail of hormones that transfer to humans through consumption and throw off the balance of hormones.

Another cause of a kind of Gynecomastia, officially called pseudogynecomastia, is carrying extra body fat that is deposited in the breast tissue. Exercising to build muscle in the chest can define the chest shape and get rid of the fat accumulation, but if there is extra breast tissue present or stretched skin, that will remain and continue to have a breast like appearance.

It’s Common

With all the potential causes of Gynecomastia, you can imagine that more men deal with it than you realize. Actually, about 50 percent of men have it to some degree, so if you’re struggling with this, you are not alone. It is a struggle for many men, and there’s no reason to be ashamed because it doesn’t make you any less of a man. If you have Gynecomastia, and you want to have masculine confidence about your chest area, there is a surgical option to sculpt the upper body.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Contour the chest area with Male Breast Reduction Surgery, which removes excess skin, fat and glandular tissue. As with any face or body shaping procedure, it takes great technical and artistic skill to create the desired outcome within the balance of the body as a whole. After an inconspicuous incision is made in the armpit or areola, the tissue will be removed, as well as liposuction of any fat, and then the resculpted tissue and muscle will be draped in a way to form a masculine pectoral.

Finally feel comfortable with your shirt off. Schedule a consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon