Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

HOW CAN YOU GET THE TUMMY YOU WANT? LIPOSUCTION OR TUMMY TUCK

Many of us struggle with the flabby abdomen that resists our efforts to firm up with diet and exercise. We cut out our favorite foods and try every stomach crunch exercise out there, and still we wrestle with a flabby belly. Your belly problems can be the result of genetics, age, or previous pregnancies that make it almost impossible for you to achieve the look you are working so hard to get. Lubbock board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Rowley, says liposuction or a tummy tuck can take care of saggy and flabby stomachs. But which surgery is right for you? Each surgery targets different problems and can be combined for dramatic results.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck plastic surgery is a skin removal procedure that does not emphasize fat removal. It is not a weight loss surgery. After extreme weight loss or pregnancy, skin can get stretched to the point of no return. Excess skin can hang and sag even if you do not have large amounts of fat. A tummy tuck will remove this extra skin and give your abdomen a flatter, smoother look. Abdominal muscles are also tightened at the same time.

Liposuction

This is where the fat removal happens. Small incisions target areas where your board certified plastic surgeon will use a surgical instrument to suction out fat. This procedure isn’t limited to just your belly area. Your doctor can sculpt and shape your body to give your appearance more definition around your belly, hips, back and other areas of your body. While this is also not seen as a weight loss surgery, it is an effective method for giving your body contour and shape where fat bulges in the way.

Talk to your surgeon about the possibility of having these two procedures in tandem. Dramatic results happen when patients remove stubborn fat at the same time as tightening loose skin. Dr. Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon in Lubbock, TX with the professional expertise and artistic hand to give you the confidence you want in your physical appearance. Learn more about the two procedures with a no-obligation consultation. You can trust you are in good hands at Rowley Plastic Surgery.

Why Do I Have to Quit Smoking for Plastic Surgery?

Don’t worry. You’re human like the rest of us. It’s completely natural to picture the end result of plastic surgery more than the process. But without a healthy healing process, the end result may not be what you hoped for. That’s why quitting smoking, at least temporarily, is essential. The addictive ingredient in cigarettes–nicotine–can have detrimental effects on the body and can slow the healing process or even be life threatening post-surgery. Here’s what you need to know when considering a smoking-cessation plan for plastic surgery.

Nicotine Constricts the Blood Vessels

Certain surgery procedures can be even more affected by nicotine than others. For example, when getting a tummy tuck, surgeons must cut a portion of the blood supply from some tissue to move it from its original location to another for improving function, appearance, or sometimes both. Nicotine shrinks blood vessels, however, which limits the flow of blood to the area. This is counterproductive as it can cause destruction and death of the tissue as well as necrosis in some cases.

More Effects of Nicotine

The effects of nicotine don’t stop with blood flow restrictions. In addition to putting nicotine users at risk of oxygen shortage in the body, patients could also experience blood clots, and are at a much higher risk of developing an infection as well.

Smoking Cessation Timeline

Dr. Jane Rowley recommends her Lubbock plastic surgery patients stop all nicotine products (not just cigarettes) for six weeks before surgery and two to three weeks after to ensure they are getting the proper blood flow and oxygen needed to heal properly.

It may not be easy, but it’s worth it. If a nicotine-using patient is committed to stopping use for the required amount of time before and after surgery, then she will more likely see desirable results. Dr. Jane Rowley’s recommendations come from extensive medical training and board certification, as well as over two decades of medical practice, making her, the most experienced plastic surgeon in Lubbock. Call today for your no-obligation consultation to discuss your desired result and learn about the expert care you can expect from Rowley Plastic Surgery.

How Do I Know if I’m Doing Plastic Surgery for the Right Reasons?

Close your eyes and ask yourself two questions. “Why do I want plastic surgery?” and “What am I expecting from it?”

These two factors have just as much to do with how happy you’ll be with the results as your surgeon does. Perhaps even more. It’s important to examine the motivations for plastic surgery to make sure it’s the right choice for you. From larger procedures like a mommy makeover to smaller ones like submental liposuction, all can have profound effects on your life and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Motivation

First, look at your motivations for getting surgery. Is it something you’ve always wanted for yourself, or is it something someone close to you has been pestering you about, but not something you’re interested in? If it’s the latter, you should think twice before proceeding. Drastic life changes should always be done because it’s something you want for yourself, not something someone else wants for you.

Expectations

At Lubbock-based Rowley Plastic Surgery, we want you to pursue plastic surgery for the right reasons so you’ll be happy and satisfied with your results; but that’s only half of the equation. Having proper expectations is also very important to your final satisfaction. Surgery can’t make you into a different person. If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed–no one is perfect, so welcome to the club! We can all improve. So, focus on progress and improvement, not perfection. The latter doesn’t exist.

These are just a couple reasons why the initial consultation is so important. From ear-pinning to a mommy makeover, each procedure and each patient are different and have different needs to be discussed. At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we offer no-obligation consultations, so we can get a good feel for your needs, motivations, and expectations. We can address any questions you might have about the surgery you’re interested in, and we can talk to you about realistic options. We will help you determine if a certain procedure is a good fit for you and if it isn’t, Dr. Rowley will tell you honestly and help find other solutions. Schedule a consultation today with the most experienced surgeon in Lubbock.