Do You Need A Tummy Tuck or Body Lift?

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can pay great dividends. However, crafting your dream body takes more than just hard work and dedication. It is impossible to tighten excess loose skin and nearly impossible to eliminate certain troublesome pockets of fat through lifestyle habits alone.

If diet and exercise don’t quite cut it, you may want to consider a tummy tuck or body lift. A tummy tuck is perfect for getting rid of extra fat and skin in the abdominal area. A body lift improves the appearance of the abdominal area, buttocks and thighs by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying tissues.

Below, Dr. Ereso of the Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center discusses how these procedures can help your dream body come to life. Continue reading “Do You Need A Tummy Tuck or Body Lift?” →

Is Tummy Tuck a Weight Loss Option?

The average person exploring their weight reduction options may have trouble discerning between body contouring and weight loss surgery. Admittedly, the medical terminology can be difficult for the layperson to parse, leading to misconceptions that body contouring procedures like tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty) result in weight loss.

Dr. Alexander Ereso wants to set the record straight: Tummy tuck is not a viable method for weight reduction. Read on as they provide a more thorough explanation. Continue reading “Is Tummy Tuck a Weight Loss Option?” →

What Should I Wear After My Tummy Tuck?

After getting tummy tuck, you will need to wear a special garment to support the healing skin and tissues and minimize swelling. At the Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Alexander Ereso can advise you about the right garment to wear immediately after the procedure. They also encourage you to wear garments that flatter your improved figure as soon as you have completely healed from your tummy tuck procedure.

What to Wear the First Week After the Procedure

A compression garment made from a combination of elastic and fabric should generally be worn all day and night for the first week after surgery (please consult with your doctor for your specific post-surgical program). Putting gentle tension on the abdomen speeds up the healing process and prevents fluid buildup in the space behind the abdominal muscles. Your compression garment should fit snugly, but not so tightly that it cuts off circulation.

What to Wear After the First Week of Recovery

Since full recovery generally occurs gradually over a period of several months (remember that every patient is different and heals at a different rate) some transitional garments that are somewhat loose fitting around the mid-section might provide the best compromise between style and comfort.

One key thing to remember is that the clothes you wore prior to having surgery will not be nearly as flattering after the procedure. Once full recovery has been achieved, the new contours brought about by tummy tuck will provide an opportunity to buy new clothes that are more form fitting than what was worn prior to the procedure.

Many women find that they go down a size or two after tummy tuck. Another thing to consider is that since fat is removed during tummy tuck, women may find that they can wear their pants higher or lower, depending on the style. Shopping for new clothes will most likely involve trying on smaller sizes and opting for garments like skinny jeans and form fitting dresses that accentuate your figure.

To discuss the nuances of what to wear in the weeks and months after tummy tuck, Dr. Ereso looks forward to seeing you for an office consultation. Please call us at (650) 964-6600 to schedule one.

Doâ€™s and Donâ€™ts After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Your post-op recovery care plays an important role in the success and beauty of your tummy tuck results. At Pearl – Ereso Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Alexander Ereso has helped countless men and women achieve a flatter, more toned abdomen through tummy tuck surgery. Here, they share some do’s and don’ts to follow after tummy tuck surgery.

Don’t Skip Follow-Up Appointments

After your surgery, your plastic surgeon will schedule several follow-up appointments with you. This is to check up on your recovery process and ensure your body is healing properly. It is important to meet with your plastic surgeon as directed. Based on your healing progress, your surgeon may recommend more recovery time or prescribe medications to help with swelling and soreness.

Do Ask Questions

If you feel any pain or discomfort during your recovery, don’t hesitate to bring it up during your follow-up appointment. If you have questions after office hours, a member of our medical team is always available to speak to you.

Don’t Rush the Recovery Process

It is normal to want to show off your new and improved slim physique as soon as possible. But the truth is, it may take four to six weeks for your body to heal and the final results of your tummy tuck procedure to show. Getting plenty of rest allows your body to heal faster. Remember, it is not safe to return to work or your normal routine until you get clearance from your plastic surgeon.

Do Your Recovery Shopping Ahead of Time

Shopping for necessary items before your surgery can make the recovery process much easier and more comfortable. Avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store by planning your meals ahead of time. Have cold compresses and heating pads available to help with soreness and swelling.

Don’t Smoke and Avoid Tobacco Containing Products

Not only does smoking increase the risk of complications during surgery, it can also compromise your results and recovery. The nicotine contained in cigarettes as well as cigarette cessation products prevents the tummy tuck incision scars from healing properly. It is important to discuss this with Dr. Ereso before your surgery so that your optimal result can be achieved.

Do Follow Prescription Medicine Instructions

To help with pain and soreness during your recovery, your plastic surgeon may prescribe medication. It’s important to take your prescription medication as directed. It is also important to avoid taking any over-the-counter medicine without consulting your plastic surgeon first, as some anti-inflammatory medications can increase the risk of bleeding. Moreover, it is wise to fill your prescriptions before your procedure so they are available to you right after surgery.

For more information on tummy tuck surgery, contact Pearl – Ereso Plastic Surgery Center. Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Ereso by calling (650) 964-6600 today.

How to Get Your Body Back after Baby

Recently, celebrity moms like Mila Kunis and Blake Lively have been lavished with praise for losing their baby weight seemingly overnight and hitting the red carpet looking as svelte as ever. This is just the latest example of the rabid coverage of Hollywood moms snapping back after baby, which sets an impossible standard for the average woman.

If you are a new mother concerned with losing baby weight, Dr. Alexander Ereso encourage you to relax and spend the first few months to a year concentrating on your child’s needs. Follow your obstetrician’s guidelines for gradually returning to exercise. Breastfeeding, eating and sleeping well will also help you shed baby weight.

But what about post-baby body issues that aren’t weight-related? For example, you may reach your pre-pregnancy weight but still have lax looking abdominal skin and sagging breasts. Dr. Ereso cautions that some pregnancy-related issues will not resolve naturally. Sadly, no amount of diet or exercise will repair lax skin and saggy tissue after giving birth. Surgical correction is the best solution.

Tummy Tuck for a Flatter, Firmer Abdomen

Tummy tuck is designed to address several common post-pregnancy issues in the abdomen. The goal is a firmer, flatter abdomen.

During tummy tuck, excess abdominal skin under the navel is removed, and the remaining skin is tightened. This often minimizes or removes stretch marks on the skin below the navel. Abdominal muscles that have weakened or separated during pregnancy (causing abdominal protrusion) are repaired. And, if needed, excess abdominal fat is removed by incorporating liposuction techniques into the operation.

Breast Lift for Perky, Youthful-Looking Breasts

Breast lift corrects breast sagging after pregnancy and nursing and improves the overall shape and position of the breasts (and nipples).

During breast lift, the breast tissue is sculpted to create the breast mound higher on the chest wall. Excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened. Downward-pointing nipples are corrected, and enlarged areolas are reduced. Very frequently, breast implants are added to the breast lift. This improves upper pole fullness as well as enhances the size of the breasts.

Breast Augmentation for Bigger, Fuller Breasts

If nursing has left the breasts looking small and “deflated,” saline or silicone breast implants can be used to add volume and boost cleavage. Breast augmentation may be combined with breast lift to improve the size, shape and position of the breasts.

Want a natural alternative to breast implants? Dr. Ereso can perform breast augmentation with fat transfer, which uses donor fat from another area of the body to add breast volume and cleavage. Fat transfer can be combined with breast implant placement to soften and narrow the cleavage area, or it can be performed as a separate procedure at a later time.

Learn More about Post-Pregnancy Plastic Surgery

If your post-baby body isn’t what it used to be, Dr. Ereso can help. Schedule a private consultation with the surgeon to discuss your treatment needs and goals. Call (650) 964-6600 today to make an appointment.

Improving Tummy Tuck Results with Lipoabdominoplasty

When performed as a standalone procedure, abdominoplasty (a.k.a., tummy tuck) can be incredibly transformative. The procedure is designed to treat excess belly fat, loose skin and weakened/separated muscles along the abdominal wall.

Dr. Alexander Ereso, plastic surgeon in Mountain View, can improve upon the results of traditional tummy tuck by incorporating advanced liposuction techniques. This combination approach is known as lipoabdominoplasty, and produces an even sleeker and sexier looking body.

What Tummy Tuck Will Accomplish

Before we address the benefits of the combination approach, let’s remember what tummy tuck will accomplish on its own:

Remove surplus fat to reduce abdominal protrusion
Repair separated or weakened abdominal muscles
Remove loose skin
Tighten the remaining skin
Relocate the navel to a higher position on the abdomen

Tummy tuck is often requested by two types of patients: individuals that have lost a lot of weight but are left with a saggy or protruding belly, and women that have stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy.

More about Lipoabdominoplasty

Lipoabdominoplasty will produce results that are vastly superior to those achieved by traditional tummy tuck. It is designed for those that are deemed to be good candidates and desire dramatic improvement in the stomach, hip and flank area.

In the first stage of the operation, Dr. Ereso will perform tummy tuck as normal. This involves making a horizontal incision from hipbone to hipbone right above the pubic area. Through the incision, the surgeon will remove fatty tissue and skin. He will repair the abdominal muscles, stitching them together into an internal corset.

During lipoabdominoplasty, the surgeon will continue with the operation with additional steps. He will use advanced liposuction techniques to remove excess fat from the flanks, hips and lower back. This gives the entire area a more sculpted, attractive shape. The mid- to lower body will look firmer, flatter and sexier.

Patients that seek a comprehensive body transformation may opt to include another procedure, depending on their personal cosmetic goals. Some women choose to have breast lift or breast augmentation. Men with excessive breast tissue may be interested in male breast reduction. Our surgeons will work with every patient on an individual basis to develop a customized surgical plan.

Contact Our Practice

For more information about lipoabdominoplasty, tummy tuck, liposuction or another plastic surgery procedure of your choice, please contact the practice of Dr. Alexander Ereso. Call (650) 964-6600 or send us an email at [email protected] to make an appointment.

Improving Your Body Contour after Major Weight Loss

Losing a significant amount of weight has an undesirable side effect: excess loose skin. This skin can obscure the body’s new shape and make it difficult to feel attractive and confident. Sometimes, the skin can chafe or develop rashes or infections. Unlike fat, it cannot be eliminated through diet or exercise. It requires surgical removal.

Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso, plastic surgeons based in Mountain View, can help. They offer post-bariatric body contouring to remove the excess saggy skin and refine the body’s new contours.

After learning more about a patient’s specific needs and the areas of the body that need help, the plastic surgeon will draft a customized treatment plan, which could include any of the following procedures:

Lower Body Lift

Lower body lift improves the appearance of the outer thighs and buttocks. The plastic surgeon will first make an incision in the inner thigh and extend it around the hip/flanks. Then, he will remove excess unwanted fat, tissue and skin. Finally, he will smooth and tighten the remaining tissue and skin for a more attractive body contour.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty improves the appearance of a protruding or saggy midsection. Through a horizontal incision along the lower abdomen, the plastic surgeon will remove stubborn fat deposits, tighten the abdominal muscles and suture them into place. He will excise loose, saggy skin and re-drape the remaining skin more tightly over the abdomen for a flat, firm result.

Breast Lift

Breast lift restores saggy or drooping breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. The plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and tissue and sculpt the remaining tissue into a breast mound higher on the chest wall. He will move the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast, and reduce the areola if needed.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

Brachioplasty treats loose, flabby upper arms. The plastic surgeon will remove localized fat deposits using liposuction techniques, and excise loose skin and tissue. He will wrap the remaining skin more tightly around the upper arms to improve their shape and firmness.

Thigh Lift

Thigh lift is designed to improve the upper thighs (specifically the inner thighs). The plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and tissue, using liposuction if needed to target excess fat. Then, he will tighten the remaining skin to eliminate any sagging or laxity.

Learn More about Post-Bariatric Body Contouring

If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight and would like to explore your body contouring options, please contact Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso today and schedule a consultation. Call (650) 964-6600 or send us an email at [email protected].

Category: tummy tuck