WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012 MOMMY MAKEOVER Our Mommy Makeover procedure is perfect for moms looking to restore & re-contour their pre-baby body without a major life disruption. The Mommy Makeover typically consists of the post-pregnancy tummy pouch and muffin top treatment but varies by individual. Many women develop a pouch below the belly button after pregnancy. This pouch can rang between just a hump to a roll that hangs down over bikini area. The muffin top comes in all sizes and shapes. The great news is that we specialize in treating these problem areas and achieving great results without the scaring and down time that comes with the tummy tuck. We treat the abdominal pouch and the flank areas separately but in most cases the pouch or muffin top will be completely gone in one outpatient procedure. Treating the areas on two separate days results in better outcomes because a larger area can be tackled on each occasion and the first area can be modified if needed at the second surgery. We believe that two somewhat shorter surgeries are safer than one longer one. Downtime varies greatly from patient to patient, and on how many areas are treated during surgery. Most patients require 3 days of at home downtime to fully recover per surgery . It is important to understand that a Mommy Makeover is not considered a weight loss procedure and is best suited for women that are in relatively good shape. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012 WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED? With laser and tumescent liposuction we are able to treat nearly any area of concern. The most common areas treated are: the abdomen, thighs, flanks (love handles), back, arms, neck and butt. At our clinic, the most popular area treated for both men and women is the abdomen region. In most cases with one treatment we can get rid of the fat overhang without removal of the skin and the long scars that go with it. A huge concern for most of our patients are the thighs. When extra fat gathers in this area, it can cause uncomfortable irritation when the two inner thighs touch while walking. We are able to gently remove this fat and contour the inner thighs without cutting or removing skin. Patients come to us to have their arms treated very frequently. A very important reason people come to us for arm treatment is because we can get the desired result and still avoid the long scar seen in the arm lift. We have a fantastic approach to this area of concern. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2012 The process of Liposuction What is liposuction? Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body's contour by removing excess fat deposits located between the skin and the muscle. To perform liposuction, a small stainless steel tube called a cannula is used. The cannula is attached to a powerful suction pump that safely removes fat deposits through small incisions on the skin. Before we begin liposuction, we want to make sure that you are a good candidate. So what makes a good candidate? Any patient who is likely to be happy with the results of liposuction, has realistic expectations, and who is in relatively good health is a good candidate. Liposuction is unlikely to achieve perfection, but can provide significant improvement to any area of concern. So you've been told you're a good candidate, now what? Our staff will guide you through the steps of selecting a surgery date, choosing financing options, information on recovery, and collecting your pharmacy information. Day of surgery: 1st step: Fill out remaining paperwork. Consultation with Dr. Long to address all questions and to discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Dr. Long will spend time talking with you to make sure you know all of the details of the surgery before surgery begins. 2nd step: We will bring you into our drawing room where you will be given a robe and appropriate garments to change into. Dr. Long will use a purple marking pen to outline the area(s) being treated. Pictures of the treatment area(s) are taken. Dr. Long will talk with you again showing you the area(s) outlined to confirm the treatment plan. 3rd step: You will be given oral medication (ativan) that will help relax you before surgery. You will relax in your private waiting room allowing the ativan to take effect. Your guest are allowed to wait with you in your private waiting room if you choose. 4th step: Our staff will guide you into the surgery room where we will make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. Ready for surgery! 5th step: Recovery. You will be taken into your private recovery room where you will be closely monitored by Dr. Long and his staff. Your guest are allowed to wait with you in your private waiting room if you choose. Before you leave our office, our staff will give you an appointment to visit us for your 1st follow up. Dr. Long and staff will make sure that you know how to use your compression garments and padding provided to you. Additional garments may be purchased. Follow up appointments are very important! Please make sure you are able to make all appointments. If you're unable to make an appointment, please let our staff know. If you do not live in the DFW area, please know that it is a requirement to make all post operative appointments. If you're are unable to make your post operative appointments, surgery may be postponed or canceled. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 The Old-Fashioned Tummy-Tuck Tumescent liposuction of the abdomen is so effective that few patients require the more dangerous tummy-tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty. Patients who are obese and have a pendulous lower abdomen, often find that tumescent liposuction will give a better cosmetic result than a tummy-tuck. The traditional tummy-tuck involves several surgical steps. First, the subcutaneous fat is removed by liposuction or excision with a scalpel; next, the surgeon excises a large piece of skin from the lower abdomen just above the pubic area; then, the abdominal muscles are tightened using sutures; and finally, the large wound where the skin was excised is closed with staples or sutures. The two most important reasons to have a tummy tuck are 1) extensive laxity or spreading of the abdominal rectus muscles as a result of pregnancy, 2) excessive loose skin and excessive stretch marks. Just because a surgeon recommends a tummy-tuck does not mean that a tummy tuck is necessary. Some surgeons are unaware of the excellent results that can be produced by liposuction without resorting to the more dangerous and the more expensive tummy-tuck. Compared to liposuction, tummy tucks are associated with a much higher risk of serious complications, including fatal pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung). If a patient decides that a tummy-tuck is needed, it is usually much safer to separate the traditional tummy-tuck into two separate surgical procedures. Abdominal liposuction should be the done initially. Then, one should wait a couple months and evaluate the cosmetic results of liposuction before deciding to proceed to the skin-excision part of the tummy-tuck. The surprising aspect of using this two-stage approach to abdominoplasty is the high degree of satisfaction that patients find from liposuction alone. In fact, the vast majority of patients are so pleased with the results of liposuction alone that they decide not to pursue the second stage skin resection. Source: Liposuction.com ____________________________________________________________________________________________________