Category: Plastic Surgery

Bariatric surgery is an excellent way to shed pounds and achieve a healthier lifestyle. However, following weight loss surgery, many women are left with saggy, droopy skin on their breasts.

At our Tijuana, MX practice, we can perform a breast lift after bariatric surgery for women who desire a firmer, more youthful appearance. Here, our doctors discuss what bariatric patients can expect during their breast lift procedure.

Quick Facts Regarding Breast Lift after Bariatric Surgery

A breast lift performed after bariatric surgery is a bit different from a breast lift performed strictly for cosmetic purposes. Therefore, there are a few things patients should know before pursuing this treatment option:

• Due to the excess skin, a breast lift after bariatric surgery requires longer incisions compared to the conventional method.
• Recovery time is approximately three to four weeks longer than a standard breast lift.
• While a breast lift can be performed as a standalone procedure, it will not achieve the fullness at the top of the breasts that many women desire. To create this look, breast implants can be placed during the same surgery.

During a consultation at our practice, we can help you determine which option is right for you.

Breast Lift Procedure

The primary objective of a breast lift procedure is to eliminate excess skin, lift the breasts, and reshape the breast contours. This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia.

Once you are comfortable, incisions will be created along the breast crease and around the areola. Excess skin is trimmed away, and unwanted fat deposits may be removed with liposuction. In some cases, the nipples may be moved to a higher point on the chest. If you have chosen breast implants, they will be placed at this point. Finally, the incisions are closed with stitches and the recovery process begins.

How Long Will Recovery Take?

Every patient is different. However, most patients require about six weeks of healing. During this time, strenuous activity should be avoided. In most cases, patients can return to work in about two weeks.

Are There Risks?

When performed correctly, breast lift surgery is a safe procedure. Anytime you undergo surgery, however, there is the risk for potential complications. It is important to fully understand these risks before pursuing treatment.

Risks may include:

• Allergy to anesthesia
• Infection
• Hematoma or seroma
• Poor healing
• Changes in nipple sensation (temporary or permanent)
• Breast asymmetry
• Shape irregularities
• Deep vein thrombosis or blood clots

Combining a Breast Lift with Other Procedures

Some of our patients choose to combine their breast lift with additional body contouring procedures, such as a thigh lift, arm lift, or tummy tuck. This can provide comprehensive results and help patients attain the results they desire.

Contact Tijuana Bariatrics

If you have lost a significant amount of weight, a breast lift can restore your shape and improve your confidence. To explore your treatment options, schedule a consultation at our practice. Call us at (800) 308-3607 or contact us online anytime.

A facelift is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate your facial appearance by reducing sagging skin, fine lines, and deep creases. Often performed on patients aged 40 and older, a facelift can deliver outstanding results when performed by a reputable surgeon.

At Tijuana Bariatrics, we perform the facelift procedure on qualified candidates at our Tijuana, MX practice. Find out if you are a good candidate for the facelift procedure by scheduling a consultation with our plastic surgeon.

1. You Have Some Signs of Facial Aging, but Good Skin Elasticity

A facelift is intended for patients with noticeable signs of aging on the mid and lower face and the neck, including:

• Sagging or drooping skin
• Jowls
• Wrinkles and creases
• Skin laxity on the neck
• Lost youthful facial volume

Facelift patients may experience some or all of the above signs of aging. However, to be a g food candidate for a facelift, your skin should also still have some elasticity.

This quality is needed since the skin will be stretched and repositioned over the underlying facial structure. The more flexibility and suppleness your skin has, the better your overall results will be.

2. You Are in Good Overall Health

A facelift is a surgical procedure. It involves the use of general anesthesia, the creation of incisions along the hairline, and manipulation of the skin and other tissues. As such, patients need to be in good enough overall health to undergo facelift surgery.

Patients with systemic health problems, like heart disease or certain autoimmune diseases, may not be eligible for this elective surgery since it puts them at greater risk of complications.

3. You Have Realistic Expectations about Your Results

A facelift can provide you with a refreshed look that minimizes the signs of aging. The procedure can rejuvenate and enhance your natural appearance, but it is not intended to dramatically alter your features.

Aside from being realistic about what the procedure can accomplish, patients should understand that cosmetic surgery has its limitations. It won’t change your life, but it can boost your self-image by better aligning positive feelings you have about yourself with how you look.

4. You Are 40 to 70 Years Old

Age is not necessarily a factor in determining your candidacy. Other factors, such as those listed above, will determine whether this procedure is suitable for you. That said, most facelift patients are between the ages of 40 and 70 years old.

The reason for this age range is that younger patients may not have experienced enough facial aging to need plastic surgery. People in their 20s and 30s can usually combat the signs of aging with less invasive modalities like dermal fillers.

Older patients, such as those in their 80s, may not be in good enough overall health or have skin that is not supple enough to provide quality results.

Of course, some patients will be younger than 40 years old. There are also patients over age 70 who have enjoyed a refreshed look thanks to a facelift.

Find Out if You Are a Facelift Candidate

Leave a message for the team at Tijuana Bariatrics to learn more about your facelift candidacy. You can also call us toll free at (877) 233-9292.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a procedure that removes excess skin from the upper or lower lids. This procedure is highly effective at combating the signs of aging. However, it does require a recovery period.

Understanding what to expect during eyelid surgery recovery is vital to proper healing. At Tijuana Bariatrics in Tijuana, Mexico, we discuss what patients can expect during the healing period.

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

Before surgery, patients will have a detailed examination and discussion with the surgeon. During this visit, he or she will inform you of all risks and benefits associated with eyelid surgery.

Preoperative instructions will be provided and should be followed carefully and thoroughly. We recommend that you pick up your pain medications in advance and stock up on aftercare items such as gel packs, artificial tears, and gauze. By being proactive, you will be able to go home and relax immediately after your procedure.

What to Expect during Eyelid Surgery Recovery

This surgery is typically an outpatient procedure; patients will be sent home after spending at least an hour in our recovery area.

Fortunately, most patients experience a short recovery period after eyelid surgery. Here are a few things to keep in mind during recovery:

• Bruising and swelling will occur, but should quickly diminish.
• The eyelid area will feel tight.
• You can return to normal activities after seven to 10 days.
• After two weeks, most of the bruising and swelling will be gone.
• Use cool compresses for the first 48 hours.
• Spend time walking each day.
• Redness around the incision area is common.
• Eyes may tear excessively.
• Dry eyes and incisions can be treated with ointment from the doctor.
• Eye drops will be necessary for the first few weeks.
• Keep your head elevated as much as possible during the day.
• Dark sunglasses are recommended when going outside.
• You will notice that your eyes tire easily.
• Avoid any activity that increases blood flow to the eyes, such as bending, lifting, sports, and crying.

Patients may experience a temporary blurring of vision and sensitivity to light. These side effects are normal, and should go away within a week or so.

A full recovery from eyelid surgery will take a few weeks. However, patients may be able to return to work and light activity about 10 days after surgery.

Contact Our Practice for More Information

If you are bothered by sagging eyelid skin, blepharoplasty could be the solution for you. To schedule a consultation at our practice, contact us online or call us at 800-308-3607.

Bariatric surgery can work wonders for your health and wellness. The surgery will put your body through a number of changes, though, and it’s important to keep these changes in mind. Loose skin and altered body contour are both common issues following major weight loss.

Given these issues, the team at our Tijuana, Mexico weight loss surgery center often discusses breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) for patients once they’ve hit a stable post-surgery weight. Let’s consider why breast reduction is a good idea and the different surgical techniques available for this procedure.

The Need for Breast Reduction After Weight Loss

After losing a lot of weight, many women will notice that their breasts droop and sag. This is common, and the amount of sagging can be especially pronounced. The only way to improve the appearance, firmness, and chase of the breasts is a breast reduction. There are different surgical techniques based on the amount of drooping and sagging a patient faces.

Traditional Breast Reduction Incisions

During a traditional breast reduction surgery, a plastic surgeon creates an anchor-shaped incision. This consists of the following:

• A circular incision around the areola
• A incision along the crease where the bottom of the breast meets the chest
• A vertical incision along the lower breast from the edge of the areola to the bottom of the breast

You can perhaps picture the anchor shape of these three combined incisions. Through these three incisions, excess breast tissue and skin can be removed, underlying structures adjusted, and the shape of the breast enhanced.

Lollipop Breast Reduction Surgery

When a woman need less substantial reduction in breast size, fewer incisions can be used. One surgical technique is referred to as the lollipop technique or keyhole technique. In this surgery, there are two incisions needed:

• A circular incision around the areola
• A vertical incision from the edge of the bottom of the areola down the lower portion of the breast

Through these incisions, the plastic surgeon can achieve all of the necessary revisions and tightening to enhance breast shape.

Peri-Areolar Breast Reduction Incision

For very minor cases of sagging, sometimes all that is required is a single incision around the areola. Just removing skin around the areola and tightening the breasts afterward can work wonders for the overall shape and firmness of the breasts.

Combined Breast Reduction and Lift

Sometimes a plastic surgeon will combine the concerns of a breast reduction with the techniques of a breast lift, allowing the surgery to improve the perkiness and shape of the breasts in the process. This can have dramatic benefits for overall breast shape and appearance.

Breast Reduction with Implants

Believe it or not, it’s possible to use breast implants in a breast reduction. Similar to a combine breast lift and augmentation, these kinds of surgeries use the implant to improve overall breast shape. Incisions are made to remove excess skin and improve overall bustling contour. The implants may be able to limit the extent of the incisions made during surgery, and help achieve better overall body contouring results.

Speak with Our Team of Weight Loss Experts

For more information about breast reduction after weight loss surgery and improving your overall body contour, be sure to contact an experienced surgeon. The team here at Tijuana Bariatrics looks forward to your visit and discussing these matters in greater detail.

When diet and exercise fail to achieve the desired results, liposuction can remove excess fat from different areas of the body. As one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery, our doctors have years of experience treating popular areas of the body with liposuction at Tijuana Bariatrics in Tijuana, MX. This common surgical procedure removes stubborn fat deposits, transforming the patient’s appearance and confidence.

Here, we discuss common areas of the body that can be treated with liposuction.

An Overview of Liposuction Surgery

Our doctors will administer either local or general anesthesia before the procedure. Then, we will create small incisions within the treatment area. We will insert a suctioning device called a cannula into the incisions to pull excess fat out of the body.

Candidates for Liposuction

This cosmetic procedure could be right for you if you are within about 20 to 30 pounds of your goal weight. It is also important that you be in good overall health and not pregnant or nursing. Check with our doctors to see if any medications you are taking could disqualify you from undergoing liposuction.

Common Treatment Areas

While liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body, certain areas of the body can be treated with greater success, including:

• Stomach: As the most popular area for liposuction, treatment in this area can create more contoured abs. After patients lose weight, the abdomen can be a stubborn stronghold for fat. Also, after pregnancy, many women are unable to lose the excess stomach fat, even though they have returned to their pre-pregnancy weight.
• Thighs: This area is especially problematic for women. Despite diet and exercise, fat settles in this area. Although this procedure can be performed on the inner thighs, our doctors often focus on treating the outer thighs, since thicker skin usually means better results.
• Below the chin: The dreaded double chin affects men and women as patients age and fat builds up in this area. Treating this area with liposuction can help patients appear years younger.
• Upper arms: Diet and lifting weights is not enough to eliminate fat deposits in this area of the body, especially for female patients. Liposuction can help women achieve the sculpted arms they have always wanted.
• Sides: Also known as the love handles, the flank is the area between the ribs and the hip that commonly harbors unattractive deposits of fat. Often this area does not respond to efforts of diet and exercise.
• Breasts in male patients: Sometimes a hormonal imbalance in men called gynecomastia causes fat development in the breast tissue. Although this condition does not have serious medical consequences, gynecomastia can shatter a patient’s confidence. Liposuction is the only way to eliminate fat in the breast tissue of male patients.

Transform Your Appearance with Liposuction

If you have lost weight with diet and exercise but still are unhappy with your appearance, our doctors can help you love the way you look. To find out more about liposuction, call our office at 877-759-0739 or contact us online anytime.

Patients who have excess, loose skin on the abdomen can benefit from a tummy tuck at our Tijuana, MX practice. The tummy tuck procedure tightens loose skin to produce smoother abdominal contours.

There are different tummy tuck techniques that can be performed, including a traditional or mini tummy tuck. Here, our team at Tijuana Bariatrics discusses the similarities and differences between a mini vs. traditional tummy tuck.

What Is a Traditional Tummy Tuck?

A traditional tummy tuck targets the upper and lower abdominal areas. During this treatment, extra skin is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and the skin is tightened.

This procedure is an excellent option for excess skin that results from pregnancy or significant weight loss.

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck is less complex and invasive than its traditional counterpart. For this reason, many patients would prefer to undergo this procedure. However, it is important to understand that a mini tummy tuck targets only the lower abdomen.

This treatment is usually reserved for patients without a tremendous amount of excess skin or an excessively protruding abdominal wall. Often, patients who notice age-related sagging can benefit from a mini tummy tuck.

Primary Differences between a Mini and Traditional Tummy Tuck

Now that we have briefly reviewed the basics of the traditional and mini tummy tuck, we will examine the major differences between these procedures. There are four factors that differentiate between these methods: incision length, possible areas of correction, the belly button, and healing time.

Incision Length

One of the most significant differences between a mini and traditional tummy tuck is the length of the incision. While a full tummy tuck incision will run from hip to hip, a mini tummy tuck incision will be much shorter, although it is typically placed in the same area, just above the pubic bone.

Possible Areas of Correction

A full tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower portions of the abdomen. Therefore, muscle repair is performed from the ribs all the way down to the pubic area.

Conversely, a mini tummy tuck only corrects the skin and muscles below the belly button. If you desire more comprehensive results, a full tummy tuck might be more suitable.

Belly Button

A full tummy tuck is so extensive that the belly button must be relocated during the procedure. During a mini tummy tuck, however, the navel is left fully intact. This eliminates the possibility of any scarring around the belly button.

Healing and Recovery Time

Because a mini tummy tuck is less invasive, it requires a shorter recovery time. While patients recovering from a full tummy tuck may need 10 or more days to return to work, those who completed a mini tummy tuck typically only require about a week of downtime.

Contact Us to Learn More

If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, schedule a visit at our practice to determine which type of procedure will most appropriately address your needs. As always, our skilled and knowledgeable team is standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding treatment. To speak to a team member, or to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at (800) 308-3607.

When you gain a lot of weight, your skin will stretch and expand to accommodate the added mass. When you lose weight, your skin will be able to shrink back just a little bit, but there is bound to be loose skin. These issues with drooping, sagging, and stretch marks after weight loss are all art of the nature of skin elasticity.

Thankfully, bariatric surgery patients can count on our Tijuana, Mexico team to perform breast augmentation, which will increase breast size and improve breast appearance. Let’s consider the ways that breast augmentation can help complete a weight loss surgery patient’s weight loss and wellness journey.

The Effects of Weight Loss on Your Breasts

With the breasts, the drooping and sagging can be quite pronounced following weight loss. This is especially true for women who have large breasts and/or were obese or super obese.

The only way to help reverse the drooping and sagging of the breasts is to perform cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation is a good option as the implants help improve the shape and firmness of the breasts, and give the bustling a perkier appearance overall.

The Benefits of Breast Implants After Bariatric Surgery

The key benefits of breast augmentation after bariatric surgery are as follows:

• Improved breast size
• Reduced drooping and sagging
• Better overall body contour
• Enhanced self-confidence

Combined Breast Augmentation and Lift Surgery

Keep in mind that it is also possible to perform a combined breast augmentation and lift surgery. This procedure focuses on improving the perkiness of the breasts and reversing the drooping and sagging. Rather than just placing breast implants, this procedure also removed some of the loose skin to achieve the final cosmetic results.

Good Candidates for Breast Augmentation

Good candidates for breast augmentation or combined lift and augmentation are women who would like to increase the size of their breasts. The amount of drooping and sagging will determine if implants alone are sufficient or if a lift/augmentation is more ideal.

Candidates for breast enhancement surgery should be in good overall health and know all of the risks and benefits involved. We can discuss implant size, composition, and placement during the consultation process.

Timing for Breast Augmentation After Bariatric Surgery

It’s important to properly time the breast augmentation surgery following major weight loss. This will help ensure the results are optimal, and that you have lost all or most of the weight from the bariatric procedure. Typically, this means planning a breast augmentation for around two years after the bariatric procedure.

As part of the bariatric surgery consultation, we can go over the need for cosmetic surgery in full detail. The will give you a good idea of what’s ahead.

Total Body Lift Options Are Available

Keep in mind that breast augmentation is not the only cosmetic surgery procedure to consider after major weight loss. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), thigh lift, arm lift, and other body sculpting procedures are helpful. These will tighten the skin and get rid of unwanted drooping. We can go over all of these surgical matters in more detail during your visit to the practice.

Contact Tijuana Bariatrics

To learn more about treating drooping breasts, sagging skin, and stretch marks after major weight loss, contact the team at Tijuana Bariatrics. We can go over all questions you have, proving detailed and honest answers about the treatment process.