Male Body Contouring

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdominal wall and tightens the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, an unsightly navel, and can provide waistline definition. The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit in the lower abdomen or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients that have minimal excess skin or only lower abdominal wall tone that is decreased may be candidates for a mini-tuck. Most patients are able to return to work with limited activities within two weeks after surgery.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body for contouring. The result is a sculpting of bulging areas into more attractive contours. Those who are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas are the best candidate for liposuction. You should be physically healthy and realistic in your expectations. Most important, having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final contour. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure.

Suction assisted lipectomy usually takes an hour to four hours, depending on the area and amount being suctioned. Tumescent fluid that contains lidocaine for pain relief and epinephrine to restrict blood loss and subsequent bruising is introduced through a small incision. A cannula is attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum and Dr. Doolabh manipulates the cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out.

Depending on the areas to be shaped, the innovative ultrasound technology of VASER LipoSelectionTM may be recommended to emulsify fat for easier, less traumatic removal. Because nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue remain relatively intact, patients have reported minimal pain and bruising.

A snug elastic dressing, girdle, or body stocking must be worn over the treated area to control swelling and bleeding, and to help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. You will need to wear this garment for at least six weeks.

You'll even be heavier for a while, because the extra fluids you've been given. The suctioned areas will be swollen and bruised and you may temporarily lose all feeling in the suctioned area. You should be back at work within 5 days, and swelling is minimized by six months.

Upper Arm Lift

Upper arm contouring has evolved with the marked progress in the surgical treatment of obesity and liposuction techniques. Excisional arm lift techniques, also known as Brachioplasty, emphasize the additional correction of the middle and lower third of the arm. Ideal candidates have poor elastic skin and significant upper arm sagging as measured with the shoulder extended to 90 degrees. This is frequently the case for individuals that have undergone large weight loss of 50 pounds or greater. But even minor sagging can make you self conscious and keep you from wearing short sleeves. Small degrees of sagging can be improved with a small incision hidden in the arm pit. As more advanced sagging occurs, the incision lengthens and can even extend into the arm pit and down the side of the chest for additional upper body contouring.

Dr. Doolabh will plan your incisions before the surgery to make them the shortest and most inconspicuous, usually on the inner aspect of the arm that is not visible when you hold your arms by your side. For patients with excess subcutaneous fat in the inner and posterior quadrants of the arm, liposuction can thin the skin flap, allowing it to be advanced further. Removal of only the excess skin that can be pinched comfortably with your arm held up and backwards will ensure that you do not develop a restriction in motion following your surgery. The tissue removed lies above all muscles, and major nerves and vessels. The procedure can range from two to three hours, depending on the amount to be suctioned and tissue to be excised. If you have satisfactory skin tone and excess subcutaneous fat, you may be a candidate for liposuction alone.

Your arms will be dressed and wrapped for a snug, gentle, comfortable compression either with ace wraps or surgical sleeves to help control swelling and help your skin shrink to fit your new contour for the first 4-6 weeks.

Arm movements against resistance or over 10 pounds are limited, such as lifting, pushing, pulling or climbing for 4-6 weeks. You should be able to return to work by 10-14 days, depending on the demands of your job.

Thigh Lift

We all desire toned, shapely thighs with little fatty tissue, but this will be an elusive goal for most of us regardless of our diet and exercise plans. Problems arise when we develop fat deposits or loose, sagging skin that causes chaffing or rubbing when we walk, or even push us into the next size up in clothing. Typically this occurs in patients that have undergone massive weight loss, either a result of bariatric surgery or diligent diet and exercise. This procedure is a combination of liposuction of the outer and inner thighs as indicated, and excision of excess sagging skin typically on the inner thigh. The exact components of your Thigh lift will be adjusted to your goals, and needs as determined by your thigh shape, and the amount of excess skin and fat in each area. Dr. Doolabh will plan your incisions before the surgery to make them the most inconspicuous, usually centered along the axis of your thigh, like a pant seam. All of the tissues removed lie above all muscles, and major nerves and vessels, with special attention to anchoring lifted tissue on the inner aspect. Additional protection of your lymphatic system limits the degree of lower leg swelling and incidence of seroma development. The procedure can range from three to four hours, depending on the skin-fat envelope redundancy and fat deposition patterns.The outcome includes slender thigh contours, and reducing excess or hanging of the thigh skin.

You will be dressed and wrapped with a snug, comfortable compression garment to help control swelling and help your skin shrink to fit your new contour for the first 4-6 weeks. Most patients with light job duties return to work within two weeks, although unrestricted activity is not expected at this time.

Lower Body Lift

This procedure is a complex combination of a tummy tuck, a limited lateral thigh lift, a Buttocks lift and liposuction of various areas as indicated. The exact components of your Lower Body Lift will be adjusted to your goals, and needs as determined by your body shape, and the amount of excess skin and fat in each area. The outcome includes flat abdominal contours, waist and hip definition, reduction of lower back rolls, raising the buttocks and reducing excess or hanging of the outer thighs. Ideal candidates are those that have abdominal wall laxity, excess skin and fat that extends around the trunk and back, and maybe even sagging of the buttocks and inner and outer thighs. Typically this occurs in patients that have undergone massive weight loss, either a result of bariatric surgery or diligent diet and exercise.

Dr. Doolabh will plan your incisions before the surgery to make them the most inconspicuous, usually low enough so as to hide below the waist band of your pants or underwear. Dr. Doolabh usually begins the operation with you on your side or stomach in order to remove the excess skin and fat from the mid back and correct buttocks sagging. Liposuction with or without undermining and lifting of the outer thighs is also completed on each side of the body. You will then be turned onto your back for the tummy tuck. The abdominal wall is tightened, the excess skin and fat removed, and your belly button inset into a new skin opening. All of the tissues removed lie above all muscles, and major nerves and vessels. The procedure can range from five to six hours, depending on the skin-fat envelope redundancy and fat deposition patterns. You will be dressed and wrapped for a snug, comfortable compression garment to help control swelling and help your skin shrink to fit your new contour for the first 4-6 weeks.

Most patients with light job duties return to work two weeks following surgery, although unrestricted activity is not expected at this time.