Body Procedures

Despite exercise and diet, certain individuals are never able to achieve a flat, well-toned abdomen or proportionate contours and curves. The most common causes of this may include heredity, pregnancy, fluctuations in weight or prior surgery. Several options exist, which may help you achieve your goal of a slimmer contour and better-proportioned shape. Surgery is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise, but when performed safely, it can accurately reflect the healthy and active lifestyle that many patients lead.

Liposuction

Liposuction | Tummy Tuck | Abdominoplasty | Rochester Liposuction is a technique used to reduce localized fat deposits that appear in the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, back, knees, chin and neck. Liposuction is intended for healthy adult men and women. The safety of liposuction depends on you being completely honest with Dr. Cobbins in regards to your health history as well as your expectations and goals. Dr. Cobbins performs liposuction surgery under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center, or if combined with an additional procedure, in a hospital. Liposuction is not a weight loss tool. It is intended to contour and sculpt problem areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. Patients undergoing liposuction should be at or near their ideal body weight, have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone. The decision to have liposuction is very personal, and you should be aware of all the risks and benefits of this procedure. During your consultation with Dr. Cobbins, she and her staff will encourage you to ask questions. We want you to leave our office fully informed and excited about your anticipated new look.

Dr. Cobbins performs liposuction utilizing a tumescence solution, which decreases blood loss and helps to minimize postoperative pain. Techniques of liposuction include traditional removal also known as suction-assisted liposuction (SAL), power-assisted liposuction (PAL) and ultrasound assisted liposuction (VASER). Dr. Cobbins performs all of these techniques and will help you determine which option best suits you during your consultation.

After your surgery, you will be expected to wear a compression garment over the treated areas. This will help minimize postoperative swelling and bruising. Depending on the extent of your liposuction procedure, most patients are able to return to work in approximately three to five days. Light exercise, such as walking, is encouraged immediately following surgery. Aerobic activity may be resumed three to six weeks postop. Following liposuction, your initial result should be maintained as long as your weight is kept under control, and you continue a healthy lifestyle of watching your diet and regular exercise.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Liposuction | Tummy Tuck | Abdominoplasty | Rochester Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, helps to flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess fat and skin as well as tightening the abdominal musculature. The best candidates for abdominoplasty have pockets of fat or loose skin that have not responded well to diet and exercise. This procedure can also be useful for women with stretch marks of the skin and separated abdominal muscles following pregnancy. Many techniques exist for abdominal contouring. A full abdominoplasty requires a horizontal incision of the lower abdomen. The shape and length of the incision will depend on the degree of correction necessary. Using this tailored incision, repair of separated abdominal muscles will be performed, as well as removal of excess fat and skin. A mini tummy tuck is performed when the excess fat and skin is limited to the area below the navel. In this procedure, the incision is shorter and liposuction may also be performed to enhance your result. Occasionally, if excess fat is the only factor, liposuction alone may achieve your desired result. Whichever technique you and Dr. Cobbins choose, the result is almost immediate with a flatter, firmer, well-proportionate abdominal contour that best fits your body type.

Abdominoplasty takes approximately two to five hours and is performed with general anesthesia. Initial recovery takes approximately 7 to 10 days and will continue for several weeks. Light exercise, such as walking, is encouraged immediately after surgery. After a couple of weeks, you may return to work as long as heavy lifting is not a requirement. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, results are long-lasting.

Post Bariatric Body Contouring

Adult men and women who have lost a tremendous amount of weight, either through gastric bypass surgery, or changes in nutrition and fitness habits, may still suffer from sagging skin and fat deposits on their bodies. Areas typically affected include the neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Post bariatric body contouring addresses these areas of concern through removal of excess fat and tightening of the loose and sagging skin. These procedures are usually completed in several stages to maximize patient safety. If you are in good health, a non-smoker, and are maintaining a stable weight, you may be a candidate for post bariatric body contouring.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Aging and fluctuations in weight can lead to excess fat and sagging skin of the upper arms. An arm lift, or brachioplasty is a procedure performed to remove this excess tissue, and tighten the upper arm skin from the underarm to the elbow. The scar is concealed when the arm is by the side of one’s body. In some cases, liposuction alone may create the desired result, or it can be combined with a skin excision to create a more sculpted and contoured appearance of the upper arms. After the procedure, you will wear a compression garment for several weeks. Light activity is encouraged immediately following surgery, but aerobic activity may not be resumed for several weeks. Dr. Cobbins performs arm lift surgery under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift removes excess fat and skin from the inner thighs. Incisions are typically placed along the groin crease and may extend to the knee. Dr. Cobbins will tailor the incision to best suit your individual need. In some cases, liposuction may be used in combination with excision to remove excess fat and create a more sculpted and contoured appearance. Excess fat and skin of the outer thighs are addressed with a lower body lift. Following thigh lift surgery, all patients will wear a compression garment for several weeks. Light activity, such as walking, is encouraged immediately after surgery, but aerobic activity should not be resumed for several weeks. Dr. Cobbins performs thigh lift surgery under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center.

Lower Body Lift (Belt Lipectomy)

A lower body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, is performed to remove excess skin and fat on the body that results from age or extreme weight loss. A lower body lift includes an abdominoplasty, but also sculpts the hips, lower back, buttocks and outer thighs. The steps of a lower body lift differ depending on the needs of the patient. In most cases, however, Dr. Cobbins removes a circumferential or belt-like strip of fat and skin from the area of the waist. In cases that require the removal of excess fat deposits, liposuction is often involved. The entire body lift procedure takes approximately three to seven hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Light activity, such as walking, is encouraged immediately after surgery, but aerobic activity should not be resumed for several weeks.