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Tummy Tuck-Are you a good candidate?

Everyone seems to have something they would change about their bodies. It seems like achieving a flatter tummy is high on the list. Despite sticking to a diet plan and exercise routine, sometimes a little extra help is needed. Say hello to the Tummy Tuck.  It is one of the most popular elective surgeries that I do. In the past 25 years I  have performed many Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) surgeries in the Tri Cities. My patients include both men and woman. These patients include those who have lost weight and are left with loose skin on their abdomen, mothers who after childbirth have loose skin and stretched or separated abdominal muscles, or patients who are at their optimal weight, exercise regularly, but still have a belly.

 

Who is a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck? 

A Tummy Tuck is not a weight loss procedure but instead addresses stubborn areas that diet and exercise have not been able to get to. The ideal Tummy Tuck candidate will be in relatively good shape but want to refine their abdomen. This is not to say that someone who is not in optimal physical shape is excluded from being eligible for this surgery, but it is important for these patients to have realistic expectations and understand that they will not end up with optimal results. I tell my patients that if  they are planning on losing weight or becoming pregnant, I recommend that they wait until your body size and weight stabilize before undergoing the surgery.

Are you in good health?:

It is also important for patients to disclose their medical history during the consultation. It is imperative for potential patients to be honest when about their medical history for their safety. Be prepared to disclose what surgeries your have had in the past, what medications you are on and what medical conditions you have or have had. Additionally you will be asked if you are or have been a smoker or are taking any herbal remedies.

Common myth about Tummy Tucks:

One common myth I hear during consultations is that a Tummy Tuck and liposuction are the same thing and are interchangeable. This is untrue. The two procedures address different things. While liposuction of the abdomen removes excess fat deposits it does not address the skin or ‘pooch’ that is left behind. Liposuction also does not address the muscle separation that often results from pregnancy. A Tummy Tuck contours the physique. It tightens the skin and muscles of the abdomen. It is designed to remove excess sagging skin and correct abdominal muscle separation.

The Tummy Tuck surgery:

A Tummy Tuck is a major surgical procedure. It is therefore important that my patients have an understanding of the process and what to expect. The Tummy Tuck procedure involves making an incision just above the pubic hairline and then removing excess skin and fat. The incision is placed well below the panty line so that it can be easily concealed with underwear or a bathing suit. The skin of the abdomen is then pulled down tight, and sutured back together and if the patient has abdominal muscle separation, this is corrected.

If you would like more information about the Tummy Tuck procedure or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our office at: 509-942-3190.

https://frankflemingmd.com/procedures/

 

Botox

Botox – Answers to my patients most common questions.

Botox

Do you have questions about Botox?

 

Botox. Who would think that a substance that is responsible for food poisoning could also make us look more youthful!

Below I’ve listed some of the more common questions I’m frequently asked by my patients.

 

What is Botox?

Botox is a prescription drug and is made by the drug company Allergan. It works by temporarily blocking muscle activity by preventing the transmission between nerve endings and muscle fibers. In lay terms this means that when Botox is injected into your muscle the muscle will temporarily relax.

 

What areas do you treat? 

Common areas treated are:

  • Forehead wrinkles.
  • Frown lines.
  • Crow’s feet.
  • The muscle bands in the anterior neck.

 

What can I expect from my first Botox procedure? 

The procedure is quick and easy, it usually takes about 10 minutes. The first thing I will do is assess your facial wrinkling to make sure that Botox is indicated. I will then mark your face to pinpoint the injection sites. A small fine gauge needle is used to inject the Botox into the target areas. You will feel small pin pricks in the treatment areas. My patients tell me the pain is a 1-2 on the scale of 10.

 

What kind of results can I expect to see? 

Botox does not work instantly, so don’t expect to see immediate results! Results are generally seen anywhere from 1-7 days after the procedure.

Botox is not permanent, it will gradually wear off.  My patients generally return for repeat injections every 3-4 months.

 

Who administers the Botox at your office? 

I administer all of the Botox injections to our patients at Kadlec Clinic Plastic Surgery and Dermatology. The chance of complications can increase when administered incorrectly by an inexperienced injector. Complications might include problems swallowing, problems breathing, muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision, blindness and drooping eyelids.

 

At what age do people start getting injections? 

It depends. Some of my younger patients are in their early 30’s and use Botox to prevent wrinkles from forming.

 

Do you do Botox parties? 

No. While they sound like a lot of fun I do not think they are safe. For patient safety I believe in maintaining the highest medical standards. This means administering Botox in a safe clean clinical setting with no alcohol involved.

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin

 

For more on patient safety, click the following link:

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety

 

The ever popular Mommy Makeover

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The Mommy Makeover

 

A big section of my practice is devoted to Mommy Makeovers. What I hear from my patients is that despite returning to their pre-baby weight and sticking to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, they have become discouraged because their body is not returning to what it once was. Since they are not happy with the way they look, their self-esteem and confidence has been eroded. Pregnancy changes a woman’s body. Particularly the breast and tummy areas. During pregnancy it is normal to gain weight. The breasts become larger which stretches out the skin. The result is that once the pregnancy weight has been shed the breasts will have often lost their fullness and be left saggy. The abdomen also becomes larger during pregnancy, and the skin here becomes stretched out too. Additionally, the muscles of the abdomen may separate which is known as known as diastasis recti. Once the pregnancy weight has been shed there will often be a lot of loose saggy skin left over.

The Mommy Makeover isn’t just one procedure. It’s a combination of procedures to bring the body back to the shape it was pre-pregnancy.The two procedures that generally make up a Mommy Makeover are the breast lift and the tummy tuck. The breast lift will return the breast to it’s pre -pregnancy contour. With a breast lift, sometimes patients will choose to have a breast lift with implants. The tummy tuck procedure will address the loose skin left on the abdomen. An incision will be made below the bikini line and the loose skin will be pulled tight. If my patients have had their abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy, then I can tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall during the surgery.

Roughly 325,000 Mommy Makeovers are performed each year. My patient’s who come to me for Mommy Makeovers are women who are devoted to their children and their families. They give of themselves on a daily basis and rarely put themselves first.  They’ve come to me because they’ve decided to do something nice for themselves.

   If you would like to schedule a consultation give our office a call at 509-942-3190.

https://frankflemingmd.com/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety

chemical peels

“Peel” Away Time With a Chemical Peel

chemical peels

PEEL AWAY TIME WITH A CHEMICAL PEEL

Over time your once youthful looking skin begins to show the effect of the environment, genetics, hormones and the aging process. A chemical peel is a popular and effective treatment for peeling away time by treating uneven skin pigmentation, facial blemishes, acne or chicken pox scars, sun-damaged skin and pre-cancerous growths.

The chemical peel is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world.
It was performed in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece for those desiring smoother, more beautiful skin. Today, chemical facial peels are popular because they offer nearly immediate results and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.

The result? More youthful, smoother, glowing skin.

How does a peel work?

A chemical peel is a controlled injury to the skin which causes skin cells to separate and exfoliation to begin. A peel uses an acid solution (alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or phenol) which is applied to the skin to remove the damaged, outer layers of the skin, enhancing and smoothing the skin’s texture.

I perform medium-depth peels using trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Because the penetration is deeper, TCA peels are usually only performed once. I will carefully evaluate your skin to determine how to provide you with the best possible results.

Patients with fair skin and light hair are good candidates for chemical peels. Those who have darker skin may still achieve good results, depending on the problem being treated.
Although chemical peels can improve the appearance of fine lines, they are not an effective treatment for deep wrinkles.

  • Your chemical peel will be performed in our office.
  • Seven to 10 days after the procedure, your new pink skin will emerge.
  • The pink color will fade but your skin will be sensitive…avoidance of exposure to sunlight until the pinkness fades is critical; the use of sun block a must!
  • The amount of time it takes for recovery varies with each patient.
  • A peel is not just for women!
  • Men who undergo a peel must delay shaving for a while.

Call for an appointment today, and give old Father Time the boot! 509-942-3190

https://frankflemingmd.com/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety

 

Botox

Facial rejuvenation-Fillers, Botox, Juvederm, Chemical Peels and Skin Care

FACIAL REJUVENATION

 

 

 

Facial rejuventaion

Facial rejuvenation

 

I frequently see patients in my office who tell me they just don’t recognize themselves in the mirror anymore. As they have aged these patients have developed wrinkles, saggy skin, less facial volume and uneven pigmentation. They often tell me everyone keeps telling them they look tired. Everyone ages differently. Contributing factors to aging are genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices. Alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and getting enough sleep all play a factor.

For patients seeking facial rejuvenation, there are several non-surgical way to address the visible signs of aging.

 

MEDICAL GRADE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS:

Good skincare starts with a good medical grade skin care product.  These products can make the skin look its best and help lighten those dreaded pigmentation spots. In my office I carry the SkinMedica skin care line but there are other skin care lines that are comparable. Make sure you are using a skin care line that is ‘medical grade’ meaning it can only be obtained through a physician. https://www.skinmedica.com/?item=%2fpeels.html%2f&user=extranet%5cAnonymous&site=SkinMedica

 

BOTOX 

After you’ve established a good skin care routine you might want to incorporate Botox into your wrinkle zapping regimen. Botox paralyzes the facial muscles that contribute to wrinkles.  Botox is most commonly used to stop crows feet, forehead wrinkles and the ’11’s’; those lines that often appear between the eyebrows as we age. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and lasts generally about 3-4 months. https://www.botoxcosmetic.com/?cid=sem_goo_43700008344047006

 

 

FILLERS:

Fillers are another line of defense against wrinkles. They are often used in conjunction with Botox. While Botox addresses the wrinkles in the upper part of the face and Juvederm addresses the wrinkles in the lower part of the face. Fillers can fill in where facial volume has been lost in the mid face, they can also fill in the other lines that form around the mouth region.

JuvedermXC and Juvederm Ultra XC are two very popular fillers made by Allergan.  A skilled injector can determine which of the 2 Juvederm products would be best suited to the patients needs. During the procedure the Juvederm, which is a jell, is injected into the face to smooth out wrinkles. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and last from 6 months to 2 years. https://www.juvederm.com/

 

CHEMICAL PEELS:

Chemical peels are another popular way to make your skin look it’s best by removing fine lines and fading age spots. A chemical peel is a quick 15 minute procedure. Your skin may be red and peel for up to a week after the peel but this can be disguised with a light foundation. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/chemical-peel

 

If the patient further desires to take 10-15 years off of their face they may consider the surgical route and undergo a face lift, eye lift or a brow lift.

You can find more information about these procedures on our webpage:   https://frankflemingmd.com/procedures/non-surgical-services/chemical-peels-richland/