Dr. Tachmes simplifies the liposuction world of confusion:
TUMESCENT liposuction refers to the process of injecting a combination of saline water and a local anesthetic into the body area that is going to be treated prior to liposuction. This allows the surgeon to remove more fat with less blood loss, bruising and swelling. The method was introduced approximately twenty years ago and it revolutionized liposuction procedures. Today, it is the standard to include the tumescent method prior to performing all forms of liposuction.
VASER liposuction refers to a method of using ultrasound heat energy to emulsify or melt the fat before suctioning the fat out of the body area. This technique was introduced almost ten years ago, and over the last three years the technology has become advanced enough to be able to produce excellent and consistent results. The advantages of this technique over traditional liposuction methods, is that the ultrasound energy targets fat without injuring surrounding tissues like nerves and blood vessels. This produces better, smoother results with less skin injury, bruising and post-operative pain. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia for small areas of the body as well. A more advanced type of VASER liposuction just recently introduced is High-Def liposuction. This technique is useful for producing muscle definition over the abdomen, chest wall and waist in patients that exercise frequently, are close to their ideal body weight and have low body fat content. This is a new process that is now starting to gain popularity in the United States, and should only be performed by surgeons with significant experience using the VASER ultrasound liposuction technology.
SMARTLipo is a method that utilizes laser energy to also melt fat prior to suctioning. It was introduced about three years ago in the United States and has gained in popularity. The advantages of this method, is that the laser probe used to melt the fat is very small in diameter and can thus be introduced into the skin through a very small opening and performed under local anesthesia, as well. The disadvantage is that because the laser probe is so small, it requires longer operative times to do large sections of the body.
The Brazilian Butt Lift procedure has become one of my most popular surgical procedures that i perform. I receive over 100 visits to my website each day from patients in the USA and abroad. The technique has evolved through the years as plastic surgeons have become more skilled in this procedure and the technology and equipment more sophisticated. Results vary from patient to patient and are based on the patient’s skin tone and elasticity, buttock shape and amount of fat available for transfer.
Each patient presents with a unique body shape and fatty distribution that requires individualization of the procedure. This is where the “Art of Plastic Surgery” comes into play and patients are wise to search out a very qualified board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in this surgery. Artistic sensibility and judgement are crucial aspects necessary in order to achieve consistent, aesthetically pleasing results.
How much fat to remove? From what areas of the body should the fat be taken? How deep or superficial should the cannula be inserted into? When is enough suctioning enough? How much and at what level should the fat be injected into the buttocks? Is the surgeon able to effectively sculpt the buttock to produce maximum results? How does a female buttock differ from a male buttock? These questions must be addressed by the surgeon instinctively during each procedure.
I focus on several key aspects of this procedure in order to insure optimum results and patient safety:
- i employ M.D. anesthesiologists to monitor patient vital signs and maintain proper hydration during the procedure.
- i begin with the patient in the supine position for the tumescent liposuction portion of the procedure. After completion of the fat harvesting, I then rotate the patient into the complete prone position for the fat transfer.
- i am careful to maintain the suction pressure near 18mmHg and never handle the fatty tissue prior to injection. I use wide bore toomey syringes and cannulas to inject the fat to minimize trauma and damage to the fat cells. I also use the “Red Head” fat cannister that has a wide Toomey syringe adapter instead of the traditional luer lock syringe system which has a much narrower diameter and produces much more pressure and injury to the fat cells during transfer.
- i rarely perform combination procedures with the Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, as this adds to the chance of complications due to prolonged operative time, more blood loss and changes in fluid volumes that can become a problem during the immediate post operative period.
- i see all patients on the following day after the procedure and emphasize immediate ambulation to minimize the chances of a blood clot complication.
- patients wear a body compression garment for at least one month to help with swelling and shaping.
Finally, I am beginning to experiment with adult stem cell “supercharging” of the fat transfered tissue as an additional adjunct to this procedure. During the fat harvesting portion of the case, approximately 50cc of fat is sent to a cryopreservation lab to separate adult stem cells from the fat. Two weeks after the surgery, the stem cells are shipped back to me and i inject them into the patient’s buttock area to increase survival of the transfered fat cells.
Expecting a child is one of the most amazing and joyful parts of life. Suddenly you’re are pregnant and realizing everything you CAN NOT consume nor use topically; this can be very confusing yet challenging if it is your first pregnancy. Not only are you feeling and seeing drastic changes in your body but you will also notice changes in your fragile skin. Reason being, your body is now pumping a major oxygen supply to the baby while it is draining your body of nutrients and fluids. It’s now time to develop a pregnancy skin care regime to maintain a healthy and gorgeous appearance!
Although the increase in progesterone and blood flow gives you your effortless “pregnancy glow’” you will also encounter the stubborn effects of your body depleting your skin of fluids; this causes dryness, itching and other issues. Your normal anti-aging products are most likely now off limits and you must resort to healthy and safe options that are recommended to be allergy tested and free of artificial dyes and parabens. Washing your face with a gentle non-foaming or milky cleanser is ideal for most skin types to be sure you aren’t stripping off necessary oils. Maintain proper hydration by using a rich moisturizer to slow down the rate of water loss. Feeling dull?? Of course you are! Exfoliating is still necessary during your pregnancy since the increased oil production slows down skin cell turnover, but be sure to replace any of your chemical exfoliants with a manual exfoliant to ensure the safety of your baby. Sun protection on a daily basis is still imperative especially since the increase in hormone levels can cause skin darkening (Chloasma).
Toss out any harsh body soaps which can be very drying to dehydrated skin; opt for a moisturizing body wash with antibacterial properties. (TIP: limit your showers to about 10 minutes and do not use really hot water as it tends to rob your skin of moisture) Immediately apply a body lotion containing Shea butter after your shower in a circular motion to increase circulation, cellular repair and to seal in moisture. Trying to prevent stretch marks like every other mom-to-be? Personally speaking, use an almond and jojoba oil followed by an elastin cream to provide nourishment to the ever expanding areas; this will help by restoring natural elasticity and moisture levels. (TIP: maintaining a steady, healthy weight gain is ideal for minimizing and preventing stretch marks)
