Donaldson Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Solutions

Covid-19 is important to consider when scheduling a surgery right now. The chances of contracting the illness in the surgical center are very low. Those who work in surgery centers are trained on the significance of maintaining sterile environments and keeping patients safe. These protocols have been amplified during these times- some surgery centers will require negative Covid-19 tests before moving forward with the surgery, and they will also do a health screening upon arrival to the center.

The main concerns are if the patient is asymptomatic with Covid-19 prior to their surgery or if they contract it during their healing process. After surgery, the patient is essentially immunocompromised, so the virus may affect recovery time. However, since every individual responds very differently to the virus, the effect on recovery time will also vary between patients. It is important for patients to understand that there is this slightly increased risk, and they should talk with their surgical team about the precautions that are being taken to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for your question! This is an instance where a consultation would be necessary to determine the details of your treatment plan. Here is some information about what a surgeon may look for during your consultation:

Since you are looking to address a pocket of fat, liposuction alone may do the trick. However, this would be dependent on your skin laxity. If the skin is not elastic enough, it may not conform to the contour of the area. This is an instance where a thigh lift would be beneficial in removing that excess skin after liposuction. Your surgeon will be able to map out an individualized treatment plan based on your skin laxity, individual anatomy, and overall goals.

This is an excellent question!

There are four kinds of breast lifts with varying scarring. As lift potential increases, more scarring will come along with it. Crescentic mini-mastopexy is the least invasive- the scar is just a half circle at the top of the areola, and it will result in 1 to 2 centimeters of lift. The circumareolar lift includes an incision that will go all the way around the areola, and this lift will result in 2 to 3 centimeters of lift. Next, the circumareolar with vertical extension. This lift is known as the lollipop lift, because of the circular incision around the areola and vertical, straight incision beneath it. The lollipop lift has the potential for 5 to 6 centimeters of lift. Finally, the circumareolar with vertical and horizontal extension is similar to the lollipop lift but includes a horizontal scar. This option has unlimited lift potential.

I'm happy to give you a bit more information about pain management after liposuction.

The technique of your plastic surgeon can have a big impact on your post-op pain levels. In order to reduce pain, some surgeons will apply a numbing medicine to the tissue during liposuction to help decrease the pain after the surgery. Prescription-strength narcotics are often prescribed for patients- these are typically taken for only a few days, and then ibuprofen and Tylenol are sufficient after that.

Homeopathic creams such as Arnicare and bromelain can help with swelling and bruising as well. Lumpiness should not be a concern after liposuction if the correct surgical garments are being worn and the surgeon has a good surgical technique.

This is a crucial consideration that can sometimes be overlooked when searching for the right surgeon!

An unnatural looking belly button can be an instant giveaway that a patient has had a tummy tuck. Generally, the idea of a pretty and natural belly button is one that is more of an innie than an outie and somewhat vertically oriented into an oval shape. The anatomy of the patient (the location of the top of the hip bones, etc.) definitely plays a factor during surgery. The look of the belly button is also dependent on the comfortability and technique of the surgeon. The most helpful thing to do when researching a surgeon is to view the before and after pictures to make sure their work is something that appeals to you!