Category: Body Procedures

6 Minute Read: 

*Models

Childbirth is the most incredible experience a woman can go through. The result of it is the most precious gift and the source of joy unlike any other. Still, the immense happiness comes at a considerable price for a new mom’s body. Namely, pregnancy, giving birth, losing a substantial amount of weight, and breastfeeding come with some not so delightful physical changes. And the consequences of these changes may linger for quite a long time. Some of these are excess loose skin and stretched abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, there is little strict dieting, and strenuous exercise can do about this. Thankfully, body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth are a great option that gives fantastic results.

What Is Body Contouring?

Body contouring or body sculpting has become very popular with young moms trying to get their old figure back after childbirth. It involves several procedures that all give excellent results relatively quickly. The most popular surgical practices included under the umbrella term body contouring are tummy tuck, liposuction, breast enhancement, and vaginal rejuvenation. If we combine all of these procedures, we get what is knows as Mommy Makeover. 

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Body Sculpting?

To be considered a good candidate for one of the body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

• your weight is ideal or near that number
• your weight doesn’t oscillate much
• you are not a smoker or willing to quit
• you are in good general health
• your expectations and goals are realistic.

Given that there is a range of factors that can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for body sculpting procedures, it would be best to schedule a consultation with your doctor. They will be happy to answer all your questions and resolve any dilemmas. Furthermore, a medical professional is the only person who can advise you on the adequate procedure for your particular situation.

*Model
A woman has to take care of herself during pregnancy and after.

Also, it’s necessary that you are in an appropriate physical and mental state to undergo any of the surgical procedures. Just like you need proper preparation and care during pregnancy, you also need to take care of yourself after pregnancy. That way, you will ensure you are a good candidate for the surgical practice you wish or need. 

Different Body Contouring Procedures After Pregnancy and Childbirth to Consider

As mentioned, there are several surgical procedures that body sculpting involves. Let’s take a look at them.

Cosmetic Procedures Around the Abdomen

During pregnancy, the skin stretches. If a woman carries multiple babies or she has had multiple pregnancies, there can be excessive stretching. After childbirth, it is expected that the skin doesn’t go back to its original state. Consequently, there can be a lot of excess sagging skin. Moreover, abdominal wall muscles can separate; even despite the regular physical activity, a woman can still have a big pregnancy-like stomach. And, of course, there will likely be a few stretch marks.

While these are reminders of a beautiful period of a woman’s life and the greatest gift of all, they can severely impact her confidence. Luckily, two procedures can help tremendously around the tummy area.

Liposuction

Liposuction involves breaking up fat cells and removing excess fat from various areas of the body. Many women struggle to eliminate stubborn fat deposits from their abdomen, arms, legs, and bottom. Therefore, they decide to try liposuction. This plastic surgery procedure can do wonders in restoring a woman’s confidence and help her get her pre-pregnancy body back. Moreover, this procedure is relatively simple, and recovery doesn’t take long.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that many women undergo after childbirth. Like liposuction, abdominoplasty also involves the removal of fat deposits. However, it also removes excess skin. Women usually opt for this surgery if there is loose skin they can’t get rid of. Also, in case abdominal wall muscles separated during pregnancy, this procedure will tighten them. While this is as standard a procedure as liposuction, it is more invasive too, and thus, the recovery takes a bit longer.

*Model
After tummy tuck and liposuction, the stomach is flatter and firmer.

After the procedure, the stomach will be firmer and flatter, and the waistline will be better defined. If you have had a C-section, the scar can possibly be incorporated into the existing one. If not, the scar will be positioned on the lower abdomen. That way, it can be easily hidden with most undergarments or swimwear. Moreover, abdominoplasty can remove stretch marks in the lower part of the abdomen.

Vaginal Rejuvenation

Women who didn’t have a C-section may want to schedule vaginal rejuvenation, i.e., labiaplasty. The reason behind this decision is that they are worried about their vaginas not being as tight anymore. Therefore, they believe it may make sex less pleasant both for them and their partners. This procedure, hence, helps women regain their sexual confidence by eliminating those worries and fears. It involves reducing and reshaping the inner labia, and it doesn’t affect the clitoris.

Breast Enhancement

Besides that abdominal area, pregnancy and childbirth can severely affect a woman’s breasts. They expand relatively quickly during pregnancy and can potentially lose elasticity while breastfeeding. Therefore, after everything, they can look deflated, making the woman lose her confidence. However, breast lift or breast augmentation can make an incredible difference. Your breasts can look just as great or even better than before the baby.

*Model
Body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth can help a woman regain her confidence and feel good about her body.

Having a baby is a beautiful experience that women have the privilege to experience. However, what this blessing can do to their bodies is less appreciated. And becoming a mother will imply giving all you have to your little bundle of joy. You will need a lot of time for the baby, a lot of patience, piles of toys, parenting books, baby food recipes. Then, you will need lots of onesies, tiny shoes, bottles, pacifiers, and other adorable baby clothes. Still, don’t forget that you need to do something for yourself.

Being a good and dedicated parent doesn’t mean forgetting and disregarding your needs and feelings entirely—quite the opposite. So, once you have finished breastfeeding and have a bit more time for yourself, body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth can help you regain your confidence and start feeling good in your body again. If you are in good general health, these surgeries are perfectly safe, and it won’t take ages to recover from them.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at 10:52 pm and is filed under Body Contouring, Body Procedures, Mommy Makeover. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Minute Read: 

*Model

Body contouring combines several different plastic surgery procedures with the same aim – to remove excess skin and fat, tighten loose skin, and lift areas of the body that are drooping. It treats several different body parts and regions, including the neck, arms, thighs, hips, breasts, and buttocks. Combining different procedures into one surgery makes it possible for the patient to recover from only one surgery appointment, instead of having multiple procedures and extended recovery periods over the years. Body contouring can completely transform a person’s appearance and boost their confidence. 

And winter is the best time for body contouring, so schedule your liposuction for the summer, or book another procedure to get your desired body shape before the beach season.

It’s Easier to Take Time Off for Recovery

Many people have extra time off during the winter. That makes it easier to schedule a week or two of downtime without using up all the paid time off. It also allows people to take time off without anyone wondering why and without a necessity to explain their choices to colleagues.

If you have school-aged kids, book a mommy makeover procedure once the school is back in session. That will allow you to have more peace at home and rest after your surgery.

Winter Clothes Hide Fresh Scars

When the patient recovers from body contouring, they have signs of the surgical procedure all over their body, such as:

• Scars
• Bruising
• Redness
• Swelling

That’s all normal and unavoidable after such a surgery. However, fresh scars and other signs are much easier to hide beneath a chunky sweater and comfy pants than a summer dress. Full-coverage clothing is good for protecting healing incisions from sunlight. Bulky, loose, and baggy clothes are essential if you want healing incisions to fade optimally and to be more comfortable while you’re recovering. After plastic surgery, a patient is often advised to avoid direct sunlight. UV rays weaken the body’s ability to heal naturally. Post-op wounds are very sensitive, and scars exposed continuously to sunlight risk being burned. This can lead to post-operative scar tissues growing darker and thicker. The resulting discoloration may never fully go away, which is one of the main reasons why winter is the best time for body contouring.

*Model – Fresh scars and other post-op signs are much easier to hide beneath cozy, bulky clothes.

Recovery Is More Comfortable

After the right abdominal procedure for each patient or any other body contouring procedure, a person must wear a compression garment for a few weeks. That supports the results and controls swelling. However, those garments get hot and sweaty, especially during the summer, because of high temperatures, sunshine, and humidity. During the winter, compression wear serves as a sort of cozy thermal underwear for the post-operational stage and allows the patient to stay nice and warm as the temperature outside gets colder. Furthermore, cool weather helps to keep post-op swelling under control. It’s because a patient’s body isn’t working as hard to dissipate heat.

Be Ready for Swimsuit Season

Many people find it hard to wait a couple of months before showing off their results after liposuction or a tummy tuck. However, if they decide to have a procedure done in winter that makes it easier to be patient and pay attention to the plastic surgeon’s recovery instructions. When the hot weather is finally there, a patient will get rid of their compression garment and be ready for the summer in the City of Angels. People from California know that winter is the best time for body contouring, so they wait patiently to show off their bikini bodies proudly on the beach in the summer. By that time, they don’t have any restrictions on activities or their clothes.

*Model – Women who decide on a body contouring during winter can proudly show off their bikini body in summer.

You Don’t Have to Admit That You’ve Had a Plastic Surgery

The most common New Year’s resolutions everybody makes are to eat healthier, get more sleep, stick to exercises, etc. These are great habits to adopt, but if you’ve already tried it and the results didn’t show, body contouring is the right choice. Everybody wants to look better and slimmer, and body contouring procedures can secure predictable and reliable results. Patients who jump-start their fat loss goals with liposuction or other procedures often find it easier to stick with a healthy routine of a balanced diet and regular exercise.

That’s because their results motivate them to stay on the right track. If the patent decides to book a fat reduction procedure in the first months of the year, the final results will be visible by spring. That’s the perfect timing if you want to go along with the story that you’ve just spent more time at the gym and decided to follow your New Year’s resolutions. Not everyone is comfortable sharing with the world they have had any cosmetic surgeries done. That should be a choice each individual has to make.

*Model – Patients often find it easier to stick with a healthy routine after liposuction or other body contouring procedures.

Ready to Get in Shape?

To be considered a good candidate for body contouring procedure, you should be in good overall health and understand what results you can realistically expect. The best time for plastic surgery is the time that works best for each patient. However, winter is the best time for body contouring because recovery is more comfortable. If you’ve decided to get that long-awaited tummy tuck now, schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon and take advantage of the following winter weeks. A good plastic surgeon will explain the surgery procedure and recovery process from the beginning till the end, so you’ll know what to expect. Body contouring will address many imperfections and boost your confidence. It will give you a more youthful, attractive, and revitalized appearance that you dreamed of for so long.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 15th, 2021 at 5:10 pm and is filed under Body Contouring, Body Procedures, Liposuction. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

An abdomen that lacks definition and tone can prevent men and women from feeling comfortable and confident in their bodies. For many people, traditional diet and exercise cannot correct all of their abdominal problems. It is common to become discouraged when your hard effort stops yielding the results you desire. Dr. Wald offers a variety of procedures to treat common issues that are preventing you from having the abdominal contour you desire.

Reasons You Lack Abdominal Definition

A lack of abdominal definition is caused by excess fat, excess skin, or a combination of the two. The severity of your excess tissue will determine which procedure is best suited for you. Localized fat around the abdomen, especially in patients who work out, can be caused by a genetic predisposition to store fat in the abdomen. Recent weight loss can cause skin laxity and excess tissue to develop.

Creating Abdominal Definition

Dr. Wald undergoes a thorough consultation with all of his patients to determine which abdominal contouring procedure is best suited for them. While each patient is unique, these are general guidelines to help determine which procedure is best for you.

Minimal Fat and Minor Laxity

Patients with stubborn fat deposits and minor laxity issues can benefit from SculpSure®. As a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment, SculpSure® eliminates unwanted fat from the abdomen, love handles, thighs, and back. In addition to fat elimination, SculpSure® can also promote skin tightening in patients with minor laxity issues.

Excess Fat and Skin

Following pregnancy and weight loss, patients are likely to have excess skin on the abdomen that prevents from having the contour they desire. Tummy tuck surgery is ideal for patients who require more extensive contouring because of redundant folds of skin. Women post-pregnancy may benefit most from tummy tuck surgery because the abdominal muscles can be tightened during the procedure.

No matter the reason for your lack of abdominal definition, Dr. Wald has a treatment for you. Schedule your consultation today. Call us at (714) 312-3549 or contact us online.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2016 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Body Contouring, Body Procedures, SculpSure®, Tummy Tuck.

CoolSculpting Vs. Sculpture

Do you exercise and diet, yet still have stubborn fat? If you decided to get rid of your stubborn fat, you may be wondering what is the best option. There are non-surgical fat removal options such as CoolSculpting and SculpSure. These non-invasive procedures have become a popular plastic surgery trend. At the Aesthetic Institute, Dr. Wald is proud to offer SculpSure treatments and can explain why it is more effective than CoolSculpting.

CoolSculpting

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is a fat-freezing procedure that uses cooling to eliminate stubborn fat in areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and chin. CoolSculpting kills fat cells beneath the skin, which eventually are eliminated from your body. The average cost for CoolSculpting is about $2,250 for a specific area of the body.

How does CoolSculpting Work?

Actual CoolSculpting patient before and after photo courtesy of Grant Stevens, MD.

You and your doctor or medical professional will chose an area of concern on your body to apply a gel pad and CoolSculpting applicator. The vacuum applicator is used to suck the tissue (skin) into the applicator cup. Once the tissue is positioned fully in the applicator cup, the freezing begins. The procedure may be chilly, but as the area becomes numb the pulling, tugging, or pinching may subside. The patient may experience bruising and swelling after the procedure.

SculpSure

What is SculpSure?
SculpSure by Cynosure is a light-based body contouring laser that targets and destroys stubborn fat cells in just 25 minutes. SculpSure targets the flanks, abdomen, and back. The damaged cells are naturally eliminated from the body as early as 6 weeks, but can take up to 12 weeks. The average cost for Sculpture is about $1,800 for a specific area of the body.

How does Sculpture work?

Actual Sculpture patient before and after photo courtesy of S. Doherty, MD.

You and your doctor or medical professional will determine a target area or areas of concern on your body. The Sculpture applicators will be applied to your skin and properly secured. As the session begins the applicators will heat up and you may experience a tingling sensation. The SculpSure laser destroys fat cells in a band 2-3 centimeters under the skin. In addition to losing a small amount of weight, you lose size. The treatment takes approximately 25 minutes with no anesthesia, minimal to no discomfort and no down time. Sculpture is the perfect solution for destroying fat and non-surgical body contouring.

Which non-invasive procedure is right for me, CoolSculpting or Sculpture?

Both CoolSculpting and SculpSure are non-invasive fat reducers. SculpSure not only reduces fat, but treatments encourage collagen and elastin production. Both treatments have no downtime. Most patients return to work after their procedure and can immediately resume their daily activities. SculpSure takes only 25 minutes; so many patients complete a treatment on their lunch break, compared to CoolSculpting which takes at least an hour to complete 1 treatment. CoolSculpting takes 2-4 treatments for optimal results, whereas SculpSure can take just one treatment. CoolSculpting treats only one area at a time. SculpSure can treat four areas at once. SculpSure is effective and can maximize your results more quickly, for a lower cost.

If you would like to learn more about SculpSure and other options to reduce stubborn fat, schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert Wald today. Contact us by calling (714) 312-3549 or by filling out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 27th, 2016 at 9:38 pm and is filed under Body Procedures, Liposuction, Male Cosmetic Procedures, Non-Surgical Procedures, SculpSure®.

Would You Like to Lose Excess Weight Before Summer?

With summer quickly approaching, you may feel pressured to attain an attractive physique. While you’ve attempted eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis, perhaps you still haven’t achieved desirable results. While body contouring procedures like liposuction and abdominoplasty can provide effective results, we’ve also provided a few helpful tips for getting lean below.

Don’t Skip Carbs

Carbohydrates seem to get a bad rap in the world of dieting, but the truth is that they are needed in order to optimize weight loss. Just make sure you’re consuming “good carbs” from healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, brown rice, and whole grain bread.

Work Out at Home

Whether it be the stressful work schedule or the busy life at home, most people don’t have time to make daily trips to the gym. With the endless amount of workout videos and varieties of in-home workout equipment available, exercising in the comfort of your own home provides simplicity and privacy.

Make Changes and Be Realistic

When many people attempt to get in shape, they often have no problem sticking to a diet and exercise regimen. However, finding motivation can get harder over time and even discourage you from maintaining your existing results. By making subtle tweaks to your diet and slowly easing into to a workout regimen, you increase your chances of achieving longer-lasting results.

If you’ve been unable to achieve satisfactory results through diet and exercise, we encourage you to contact our Orange County practice today. Call (888) 401-2806 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Robert Wald.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 at 10:03 pm and is filed under Body Procedures, Liposuction, Tummy Tuck.