Weight changes, especially substantial weight loss, may result in significant sagging skin of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs and loose upper arms.  For those with significant amount of excess skin throughout the midsection, lower body and extremities, a combination of techniques and procedures called full or total body lift surgery may be the best option.  Each body lift is unique and is individualized to each patient’s specific conditions and regions to be treated.  This will all be discussed at length during your consultation with Dr. Herrold.

Other conditions that may be improved by a body lift include dimpled or uneven soft tissue (cellulite), lax, loose skin, excess fat and tissue and sagging body contours.

Body lifts are surgical procedures that will reduce excess fat and skin, however, a lift requires incisions; in some cases, incisions may be extensive.  Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and surgical judgment.

Results of a body lift are visible almost immediately, however, it may take several months for your final results to fully develop.  Numbness and a firm feeling over the skin’s surface will resolve over time.  It may take a year or more for incision lines to refine and fade to some degree.  Although permanent, these lines can usually be hidden by most clothing and swimsuits.

The ideal candidate for a body lift has maintained a stable weight for a minimum of three months and  preferably six months to a year and should be participating in a healthy exercise. It is recommended that women considering future pregnancies postpone an abdominal body lift since pregnancy may diminish results.  Body lift procedures may be performed on adults of any age who have realistic goals in mind.

If you desire a firmer, more youthful-looking body contour, then a surgical body lift may help achieve your goals.

Posted: September 28th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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Thank you to all those who registered and attended our “Live Demonstration Event” Tuesday, September 15th and for braving through all the rain to attend!

From all the responses, everyone enjoyed viewing Dr. Herrold performing a ”liquid facelift” and seeing first hand the immediate benefits of Radiesse, a dermal filler.  Also, we introduced the new product Dysport, the alternative to Botox.  Dysport works faster, costs less and lasts up to 4 months.  The Dysport and Restylane Professional Sales Specialist, Laura Roberts was on hand to answer questions about Dysport, it’s uses and contraindications while our own, RN, Brande Daniels was injecting this new product.  Dysport works by relaxing facial muscles on the forehead, reducing and smoothing away frown lines and wrinkles between the brow.  Also, Dr. Herrold injected Restylane into the lips of one of our participants giving her lips more volume and accentuate the vermilion border (the area between lips and the skin)

We also were proud to give away door prizes.  Debbie Ault and Linda Hollingsworth were two of the lucky attendees to receive door prizes.

Attendees also had the opportunity to have a VISIA Skin Analysis during the event.  VISIA is a unique technology system that will take photo images of your face which will capture any sun damage, wrinkles and fine lines or any coloration imperfections or unevenness of the skin, and compare your results with other women in your age group.  Most of our attendees took advantage of VISIA and had an opportunity to discuss the skin care systems we have to offer.

We plan to host another “Live Demonstration Event” in the near future and hope you will be able to attend.  Please remember that seating is limited so make your reservations early!

Posted: September 24th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology determined that 24% of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed. This survey also concluded that around 36% of Americans between the ages of 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo.

I can tell you, my daughter, who is now in her 10th year of serving our country in the U.S. Navy, decided while in Japan, it was time for a tattoo.  She, of course, called before having it done and asked my opinion.  While secretly I have always wanted a small, discreetly placed tattoo not visible to the public, I told her it was her decision, but cautioned her that while tattoos maybe socially acceptable in the mainstream, they are still not yet accepted in many workplaces especially in a corporate environment where image and appearance is extremely important.  Also, if she felt she needed to have one, to place it discreetly somewhere on her body.  However, she and her girlfriends hit the tattoo parlor and all four of them had four small roses with a Japanese inscription under them saying “friends forever” on their upper left arm!!  She was really proud of it when we returned to the states.  Later, however, she wasn’t as enchanted with it while standing in front of the mirror in her strapless wedding gown!!

Now the dilemma arises…how do we remove tattoo’s?  Having worked with dermatologic surgeons and now Dr. Herrold, a plastic surgeon, thank goodness we have options.   First, there are several topical agents available but you have to have patience and wait for many, many months to have one fade away, sometimes not completely.  Many will try this method because it is fairly inexpensive, but it is not always effective.  Make sure to evaluate each product’s ingredients, manufacturer’s claims, cost effectiveness and finally overall customer satisfaction.

Surgically removing the tattooed skin and either excising it and sewing the remaining skin back together or grafting a new piece of skin over the area of skin where the tattoo once was is an option, but you will be left with a scar.  Remember, you can’t cut the skin and not have a resulting scar.

Also, using a laser to remove a tattoo is the most popular option to get rid of an unwanted tattoo.  This tattoo removal solution involves the laser to break up the ink pigments located in the deep layers of skin.  This may involve several treatments and can be costly, but the most effective removal option.

My daughter is opting for the laser surgery when she can schedule some leave time.  We’ll keep you posted on her surgery and recovery.

Posted: September 10th, 2009 under Ancillary Services, Laser, Tattoo Removal.
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