To learn more about what cosmetic surgery options are available for your body at The Plastic Surgery Center of Dallas, please click one of the following links.
- Liposuction
- Tummy Tuck
- Total Body Contouring
- Mommy Makeover
- Let’s Talk Mommy Makeovers
- Thigh Lift
- Arm Lift
What Is the most common body procedure?
Overall, the most popular of our cosmetic procedures is breast augmentation. Breast augmentation has been the most popular cosmetic surgery since 2006 nationwide. Of those procedures, 85 percent have been with silicone implants, with 15 percent placing saline implants.
As for purely body procedures, liposuction is our most popular procedure. That’s because everyone, no matter what kind of shape they’re in, has pockets of stubborn fat that are highly resistant to changes in diet and exercise. Liposuction removes those pockets and helps to slim and contour the treatment area. Nationwide, liposuction has also been the second-most popular cosmetic surgery after augmentation.
Who is an ideal candidate for body procedures?
Patients sometimes assume some of these procedures, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, can be used as weight-loss procedures. But that’s not the case. Dr. Walker requires her patients to be within 10% of their ideal weight, and to have maintained that weight for a
period of time. This is important because if you are still losing weight, you will create more sagging skin after your body contouring procedures. Obviously, this makes no sense. Conversely, if you put weight back on after your body contouring, you can develop large stretch marks and scars on the sensitive skin that is still recovering
from surgery. Bottom line — Dr. Walker wants her body contouring patients to be committed to their new healthier weight and lifestyle. That way, body contouring can provide very gratifying results for the rest of your life.
Patients also need to have realistic goals before heading into these surgeries. While any cosmetic surgery can change the way you see your body and can increase your self-confidence, it’s not a panacea. During your consultation with Dr. Walker, she’ll discuss what you can expect from your surgery and the changes she thinks you can expect.
Is there an age restriction for those seeking a body procedure?
Patients need to be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit. The only requirement is that the patient is healthy enough to handle the stresses of surgery and recovery.
Who is an ideal candidate for a body procedure at Plastic Surgery Center of Dallas?
Patients sometimes assume some of these procedures, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, can be used as weight-loss procedures. But that’s not the case. Dr. Walker requires her patients to be within 10% of their ideal weight, and to have maintained that weight for a period of time. This is important because if you are still losing weight, you will create more sagging skin after your body contouring procedures. Obviously, this makes no sense. Conversely, if you put weight back on after your body contouring, you can develop large stretch marks and scars on the sensitive skin that is still recovering from surgery. Bottom line — Dr. Walker wants her body contouring patients to be committed to their new healthier weight and lifestyle. That way, body contouring can provide very gratifying results for the rest of your life.
Patients also need to have realistic goals before heading into these surgeries. While any cosmetic surgery can change the way you see your body and can increase your self-confidence, it’s not a panacea. During your consultation with Dr. Walker, she’ll discuss what you can expect from your surgery and the changes she thinks you can expect.
Can I combine body procedures into a single appointment?
Different body procedures can be combined into a single surgical session with Dr. Walker. Of course, mommy makeovers already combine three procedures — a breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction — into a single surgical session. This is true of most of the surgical procedures Dr. Walker performs. For instance, with her breast reductions, Dr. Walker usually combines nipple reduction. A breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation, as the same incisions used for the lift can be used to place the implants.
Tummy tucks can be expanded to include the flanks by extending the incision from the hipbone out around the flanks. This can add an outer thigh lift and even a buttocks lift to the tummy tuck.
Facial procedures are often combined. For instance, people sometimes misunderstand that facelifts don’t address the entire face, but only from below the eyes down through the jawline. So, they will combine a facelift with a brow lift for more extensive rejuvenation. Eyelid surgery is also a good combination.
So, yes, you can combine different surgeries into a single session with Dr. Walker. During your consultation, the two of you can discuss adding potential other procedures to the main procedure you’re interested in.
How long is recovery after body procedures at Dr. Walker’s practice?
Recovery times vary, as you would expect, with the procedure. The most involved recovery is with a tummy tuck. This is due to the long incision, which stretches from hip bone to hip bone descending down into the pubic area.
All of your incisions will be covered with bandages and dressings. Drainage tubes will be placed in certain locations to prevent the accumulation of fluid and blood. Although you will be instructed to move around early on in your recovery, any strenuous activity and any lifting will be off limits for up to two months. Because many of the areas addressed in body contouring surgery are weight bearing, such as your lower abdomen and your thighs, special attention must be made to not stress those areas during your recovery.
Everything you wanted to know about Tummy Tuck Surgery
Click to learn about Pain Management Options.
Click here to learn more about our innovative simulator tool, Vectra 3D, to further assist you and the doctor during your consultation.
What is Total Body Contouring?
Total body contouring is how we refer to combination procedures designed to address multiple areas in a single surgery. Mommy Makeovers are the most common total body contouring techniques that are performed, focusing on areas like the belly and breasts. That said, total body contouring is a process whereby Dr. Walker designs your makeover around your unique needs. Rather than having a breast and abdominal procedure, your total body contouring may include your flanks and thighs or the backs of your arms. Combining plastic surgery procedures can be advantageous for immediate and long term results without additional downtime. In this instance, your recovery lasts as long as the most involved procedure.
Are the Results of Body Procedures Permanent?
Because body contouring is such a customized process, it's difficult to predict the long-term outcomes for every patient. In general, there are aspects of nearly all cosmetic plastic surgeries that permanently change the body. For example, if your body contouring treatment plan involves liposuction, your body won't grow new fat cells to replace those that have been removed. If you undergo a thigh lift, arm lift, or abdominoplasty, the tissue that's been trimmed is gone forever. That said, the circumference and general shape of the area of focus can change over time due to weight changes and the aging process.
After undergoing body contouring, it's important to maintain habits that will support the long-term results you want. Weight management is necessary to prevent fat cells from expanding into localized bulges. Eating a nutrient-dense diet can help slow down your aging process so your skin does not weaken any faster than your genes dictate. You can also support sustained plastic surgery results by avoiding excessive sun exposure and alcohol or tobacco use.
Can Body Contouring like Liposuction Eliminate Cellulite?
Cellulite is a challenging problem that affects many women. It's not an age-related issue, nor does it have much to do with weight. If you have cellulite, it's because your skin is being pulled inward by fibrous bands under your skin. These bands can pull tightly enough to create a dimple as fat presses outward against the skin. The thing is, it doesn't take much fatty tissue for cellulite to occur. Even slim individuals get cellulite. Dimples may look more prominent due to factors such as slow metabolism, increased body fat, age, inactive lifestyle, poor diet, hormones, and also skin laxity.
Because cellulite is not a fat problem, and because there are other factors that contribute to this problem, we cannot guarantee that a body contouring procedure like liposuction will eliminate existing dimples. Body contouring also cannot prevent new cellulite dimples from developing. That said, when a procedure reduces circumference or tightens the skin, there is a chance that cellulite may become less noticeable. Dr. Walker can discuss this issue with you during your consultation.
Why Must I Wait to Exercise After Body Contouring Surgery?
It's vitally important that you follow your post-operative instructions as they pertain to activity restrictions. Your optimal recovery depends on your commitment to rest as much as your body requests for the first few weeks after surgery. During this time, it's imperative that you walk for about five minutes every few hours. Doing so promotes adequate circulation and offsets the risk of blood clots. Until you've received full clearance for exercise, all else must be avoided. Exercises or engaging in more strenuous activity sooner than is allowed can increase your chances of developing unnecessary pain, infection, bruising, scarring, hematoma, and poor wound healing.
Once you've fully recovered from your body contouring procedure, you'll be able to resume all levels of exercise. Everything from walking to aerobic activities and strength training can be implemented into your post-surgical exercise strategy for maintaining optimal results.
