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What Is Diastasis Recti?

Almost two-thirds of women suffer from diastasis recti (abdominal separation) during and following pregnancy. Women with diastasis recti can undergo tummy tuck surgery to correct it. A tummy tuck tightens the stomach muscles and removes excess abdominal fat and skin to improve the contour and tone of the abdomen.

An Explanation of Diastasis Recti

Diastasis recti means “separation of the rectus abdominis.” Essentially, the space between the left and right abdominal muscles widens to form a gap, causing a stomach pooch. This occurs because pregnancy places intense pressure on the abdominal muscles. For many women, the abdominal muscles cannot retain their shape due to the pressure, and they begin to separate. Diastasis recti is more likely to occur in women who are pregnant over age 35, are pregnant with multiples, or have more than one pregnancy, especially if the children are close in age.

How Diastasis Recti Can Affect You and Your Appearance

Diastasis recti during pregnancy leads to decreased muscle support, which may make a vaginal delivery more difficult. This condition may also cause constipation, a leaky bladder, lower back pain, and difficulty moving and breathing normally. While the muscle opening may shrink after giving birth, it never returns to normal for many women. Exercise may help to tone the abdominal muscles, but it can offer little in the way of correction of diastasis recti. In fact, some exercises that may seem beneficial, such as crunches, planks, or push-ups, can worsen the condition. Due to the separation between the stomach muscles, the stomach pooch may never fully go away. Some women with diastasis recti may look pregnant when they are not. Others may look pregnant after eating a big meal. Without correction, diastasis recti can leave your abdomen with a permanent pooch.

A Tummy Tuck Can Correct Diastasis Recti

Tummy Tuck Before and After PhotosThe best way to fully and completely correct diastasis recti is to undergo abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery). During a tummy tuck, the surgeon will tighten the abdominal muscles and pull them back to together as they should be. By doing so, the surgeon will erase the gap that formed and improve the tone of your abdomen. Additional benefits of a tummy tuck are the removal of excess abdominal skin, stretch marks, and fat after pregnancy. Tummy tuck surgery restores a more fit and toned abdomen and can completely resolve diastasis recti.

Our experienced plastic surgeons at Southwest Plastic Surgery have performed many successful tummy tuck procedures to correct diastasis recti. To schedule your consultation and find out more about how you could benefit from a tummy tuck, call our El Paso, TX office at (915) 590-7900 or fill out our online contact form.

Non Surgical Abdomen Fat Reduction with Vanquish

Vanquish is an FDA approved fat reduction procedure that can help to eliminate the circumference of your abdominal area. The non-surgical treatment developed by BTL Industries uses selective radio frequency (RF) energy that works specifically to destroy the fat cells surrounding your abdominal areas.

Clinical studies show that Vanquish can eliminate 2 or more inches from your belly’s circumference and destroy up to 59% of the fat cells being treated – yet it’s completely safe for your skin! It’s great for tummy fat and bothersome love handles that bulge out at your waist or wrap around to your back.

The larger treatment surface allows you to complete your entire abdominal zone in just one appointment. This makes the process faster than other types of fat removal treatments – and it’s more affordable than you might think.Vanquish Before and AfterYour Vanquish Treatment at Southwest Plastic Surgery

Although you will feel a comfortable amount of warmth, the Vanquish treatment process is typically pain-free. No injections are necessary, there’s no downtime for recovery, and your appointment only takes about a half hour. It’s easy to squeeze in any day of the week. It’s one of the easiest and most comfortable ways for our patients to reduce the circumference of their waist.

For best results, most of our patients usually require about 4 separate Vanquish sessions before they reach their desired waistline. Sit back, relax, and we’ll do the rest! It’s a great alternative for people who are hesitant to have surgical or more invasive procedures done for fat removal or body contouring.

The device feels like a warm heating pad that is applied to the area we want to treat. Adjustable flaps on each side ensure your comfort while you lay back to take a nap or watch television.

Great for the Movie Stars and Great for You!

We typically recommend Vanquish for our patients who have a few areas here and there of unwanted fat or cellulite. As a safe, FDA approved fat treatment, it’s easier than ever to get the contour and smoothness that you’ve been working so hard toward with diet and exercise.

There are no risks involved, either to your skin or your underlying internal organs. RF technology targets only the fat cells in the area being treated. Some people may notice a bit of redness or sensitivity the day or two following their procedure, but that’s it. That’s why we break your recommended four visits up about one week apart for the overall fat-reduction treatment. In just one month, you can have an average of two inches taken off of your waistline!

Gain Confidence to Wear Your Favorite Clothes Again

In just a month you can be wearing your favorite jeans without having to worry about love handles any longer. Vanquish’s affordable fat-reducing technology means contoured waistlines for every budget. Our procedures cost between $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the number of sites being treated in our El Paso offices.

Boost your confidence, erase love handles, and get that flatter tummy for your swimsuit in just four relaxing Vanquish therapy visits. Find out more about the process by calling Southwest Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation! You can get ahold one of our specialists by calling (915) 590-7900 or by filling out our online contact form.

Which Facial Features Truly Reveal Our Age?

shutterstock_239296303When it comes to looking younger, are we targeting the right physical characteristics? Surprisingly, some of the facial features that really make us look older aren’t things we can hide behind age creams or the right makeup. Here’s what you should really be paying attention to when you want to seek out a younger, more youthful glow:

Your Skin

Enlarged pores, dark spots, and sun damage can easily make your skin look like its years older than it really is. If you’ve put it through a lot in the past, you may want to consider options like microdermabrasion to buff away uneven, dull skin. Chemical peels can erase the appearance of blemishes or dark spots. Sometimes intensive pulsed light (IPL) is used instead for areas of sun damage.

Your Eyes

Nope – it’s not necessarily your crow’s feet at the corners of your eye that are giving away your age. Rather, it’s droopy folds of skin along the eyelids. The excessive skin ages your face and can gradually impact your vision without you even realizing it.

If dark circles are prevalent, it can make you look worn and tired – not the age you feel inside. Fortunately, we are able to manage these delicate, sensitive tissues with a variety of different eye treatment options.

Your Cheeks

Are you starting to see your cheek tissues pull downward, creating lines around your mouth? A mid facelift may be an excellent way to tighten the loosened skin and a younger contour to your facial profile. We can also add dermal fillers in areas along the side of the face to fill in fine lines or wrinkles caused by the pull of your drooping tissues.

Your Neck

We don’t spend as much time taking care of our necks as we do the rest of our face, but it’s one of the first places that really make us look older. As gravity works wonders on pulling our tissues downward, it’s not uncommon to experience looseness of the tissues just below the jaw. Fatty deposits in the region add to bulkiness of sagging areas, adding insult to injury.

Fortunately, we can treat some types of neck droopiness with non-surgical techniques to erase fatty tissue and tighten the skin with options like Kybella.

Your Lips and Nose

Did you know that the idea of your nose continuing to grow as you age, is true? It continues to grow both outward and down, the older we get. Thankfully, it is fairly easy to reshape your nose, so that it looks more youthful and brings harmony to your facial features.

To add insult to injury, our lips also begin to thin and lack volume the older that we get. Adding volume to lip tissues or even lifting the border of the lip up can create an illusion of fullness.

Don’t Hide From the Camera!

As an experienced cosmetic surgeon, I’ve seen just about every concern when it comes to premature facial aging. Fortunately, it’s simple to address these concerns through our comprehensive menu of aesthetic services.

If you’re hiding from the camera or feeling worn down by how life is impacting your facial characteristics, call Southwest Plastic Surgery today to schedule a private consultation!

You can contact one of our specialists at Southwest Plastic Surgery by calling (915) 590-7900 or by filling out our online contact form.

Microneedling: What’s All the Excitement About?

shutterstock_299650727If you’re looking for an alternative method for treating fine lines, acne scars, or aging skin – microneedling ( is a revolutionary new way to add plumpness and a youthful appearance to your skin.

How Does it Work?

Using several tiny needles, a handheld device is rolled across the area being treated. Each of the tiny pinpricks triggers collagen production at the site of the puncture. When several sites of collagen are developed, it creates a smoother surface with increased elasticity.

In some cases, we may also utilize platelet-rick plasma (PRP) as part of the procedure. The plasma, from your own blood, triggers an even more significant collagen response. (You may recall seeing Kim Kardashian have one done – it’s sometimes referred to as a “vampire facial!”)

After Your Procedure

After your needling procedure, we give you strict instructions as to what products can be applied to your skin for the next two days. Due to the microscopic punctures, your skin can pick up ingredients from certain types of products, and using the wrong ones could cause scarring. But don’t worry – in just a few days you’ll be completely back to normal with plumper, more vibrant skin that you can safely apply your favorite creams or makeup to.

Microneedling isn’t a one time procedure. Instead, we’ll recommend several sessions over the course of a month, and then maintenance appointments to help you keep up the results. Each session takes about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

Standards for the surgical alternative are still being established, but the aesthetic providers at Southwest Plastic Surgery have strict protocols in regard to who the ideal candidate is for the procedure. It’s safe and effective for most people – and a great alternative to conventional surgeries or lasers.

A Natural Way to Smooth Your Skin

The collagen production response of microneedling is a great way for you to see straightforward, natural results from a cosmetic procedure. As the minor irritation triggers an inflammatory response, your body uses that stimulation to fill in the minor skin imperfections such as fine lines, wrinkles,or looseness that have been troubling you.

In 2014 the FDA approved combining microneedling with radio frequencies as part of the treatment process. This method enables us to also combat areas of stretch marks and cellulite!

Although microneedling devices are sold online, we recommend following the advice of your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Improper use can cause unwanted scarring across your face. It’s not worth the risk to do it on your own.

Microneedling at Southwest Plastic Surgery

Our cosmetic specialists use the Eclipse Micropen during each of these procedures. The light micro channels of the device also make it easier for your porous skin to absorb specific types of rejuvenating serums or creams to further fight the aging process.

This method is a comfortable way to treat areas on the face, feet, legs, buttocks, back, abdomen, chest, neck, arms and hands!

As we apply the pen, 12 small, sterile micro needles gently puncture the area being addressed. It’s much more comfortable than you might expect! Our doctors will use a bit of numbing gel before the procedure to keep you as comfortable as possible.

To find out more about the process and see if it’s right for you – schedule a consultation at The Med Spa of Southwest Plastic Surgery today. You can contact one of our specialists by calling (915) 590-7900 or filling out our online contact form. 

Are People Getting Nip-Tuck Procedures Because of Selfies?

shutterstock_200139188It’s no secret that the selfie trend has made up-close head shots one of the most common images that we see day-in and day-out on social media. Unfortunately these images aren’t always that flattering, and may even amplify some of our less-than-favorite physical characteristics.

Who Does it Impact?

So what does that mean? Believe it or not – more adults than ever are considering having a cosmetic procedure performed somewhere on their face or neck – and it’s not just women! The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 31% of men (as opposed to just 19% of women,) were concerned about how they looked in these types of photos.

The poll surveyed over 100 Dallas adults and approximately 3 out of 4 said they were considering having something done to improve their appearance. Of the people left, cosmetic surgery wasn’t ruled out, but more of something they still felt uncertain about.

Not surprisingly, teens are also impacted by their self-image as it is portrayed on social media. When they see photographs of themselves on their own page or tagged in one from their friend, it may trigger negative reactions either personally or from their peers.

What Triggers Someone to Take Action?

The selfie craze doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon – which is motivating adults of all ages to do something to improve their appearance and boost their self-esteem.

And it isn’t just the selfies we’re talking about – both men and women surveyed felt that by improving the physical characteristics of their head and neck, it could improve their careers. Although you think women may be more motivated to improve their appearance in the workforce, men were more than twice as likely to consider some form of facial aesthetic procedure to make them more competitive in their careers.

Major life events such as weddings or motherhood can also place an emphasis on what we look like. As many as 13% of women consider having some type of procedure done before their wedding. But if you’re wedding is over – it still isn’t too late!

Feeling confident about the way you look around other people (or in photos) can help you to be more relaxed, outgoing, and take on new challenges. It’s no wonder why the Texans in the survey all felt so drawn to facial aesthetic treatments.

What Types of Procedures Are People Looking For?

Of theKYBELLA® Before and Afterse procedures, we’ve seen a tremendous incline in the use of KYBELLA® use to improve the contour of our patients’ necks. The prescription medication is FDA approved for dissolving fatty tissues. Laser rejuvenation and radio frequency are also popular.

In most cases, the treatment under consideration involved having something done to improve the tissues and contours of the neck. The eyes and lips came in at a close 2nd and 3rd, but the forehead and nose were common areas of concern as well.

Most people are surprised to learn that having a cosmetic procedure done doesn’t have to involve surgery. The Med Spa at Southwest Plastic Surgery in El Paso provides multiple non-invasive aesthetic solutions for our patients to choose from. Our team of cosmetic specialists can help you choose the one that’s best for restoring a youthful glow to your appearance. Call us today to get started!

If you are interested in learning about your cosmetic options, contact one of our specialists at Southwest Plastic Surgery. You can make an appointment by calling (915) 590-7900 or filling out our online contact form.

 

Choosing the Right Anti-Aging Products

How can you be sure that you’re choosing the anti-aging products that are right for you and your skin? A lot of it will depend on your age, your specific skin needs, and the skin care process that you’re using at home.

shutterstock_277003406Starting With the Right Foundation

For starters, you need to keep your skin hydrated. Keeping your skin moist isn’t just for people who are older. A good moisturizer should be used each day to keep your skin smooth and even.

Exfoliate regularly. Over time, dead skin cells build up and leave your face looking dull or dry. A gentle daily or weekly exfoliate cream can buff away the dry areas so that fresher, more polished skin is visible.

Don’t forget to protect your skin each day from the sun and other environmental factors. Talk with your physician or dermatologist about appropriate protection to avoid sun spots or damage that can accumulate from daily exposure.

Consider Your Age

As you age, your skin changes. It can happen gradually, but it does for just about everyone. The anti-aging products that you use should evolve as well, because your skin will change over time. What you used in your 30s may not be right for when you’re 45.

If you’re still in your 20s or 30s, focus on retinol, vitamin E and antioxidants. These keep your skin tone smoother for as long as possible, promoting healthy cells and reducing breakouts. Vitamin C is good as well!

40-somethings should continue using retinol, but may be starting to see their skin drying more than it used to. It’s a good idea to implement the use of products containing peptides, derides, and humectants. Avoid drying products as they can irritate your skin.

Once you’ve reached your 50s or 60s, antioxidants are your best friend. Continue using peptides, and shift to retinol paired with a quality SPF product for daily use.

More Isn’t Always Better

One of the most common mistakes people make with anti-aging products is to use an excess of product. More does not always mean better. It’s not uncommon to see women with irritation or swelling due to excessive collagen or elastin breakdown due to overuse of product. Less is more.

We feel the same way when it comes to the in-office procedures offered at Southwest Plastic Surgery. If you’re seeing us for a chemical peel or microdermabrasion visit, you can see great results – but don’t book them too frequently. Otherwise you’ll see side effects of irritation or overactive blood vessel growth due to excessive treatments.

Your skin is a gentle and delicate tissue that deserves to be treated that way. Choosing the right products and treatments can create a harmonious balance and youthful glow that extends well into our more mature years.

If you’re considering having facial aesthetic surgery such as lip augmentation, or an eyelift – healthy skin can help the outcome of your procedure be even more successful. Be good to your skin, and it will be good to you.

To find out more about the anti-aging treatments available at Southwest Plastic Surgery – call us today! You can contact one of our specialists by calling (915) 590-7900 or by filling out our online contact form.

Erase Your Tattoos With PicoSure®

Tattoo Removal Before & After PhotosAt one point in your life, getting a tattoo may have seemed like the best idea in the world. Now, you may be second guessing that idea. The tattooed name of an ex, a symbol of a previous affiliation, or a faded, warped tattoo could be causing you painful regret every time you see it. Tattoos can even pose difficulties for your relationships or chosen career. Regardless of your reason for getting a tattoo in the first place, there is an effective, new treatment for tattoo removal called PicoSure®. PicoSure® tattoo removal can successfully remove your tattoos to eliminate the “permanent” markings from your skin.

How PicoSure® Works

PicoSure® is a new technology that delivers laser energy pulses directly into the skin at lightning speeds to remove the tattoo ink. The rapid pulses of laser energy force the tattoo ink to break into minuscule pieces. With the ink dispersed, your body can quickly absorb the ink particles and flush them out naturally, leaving you with smooth, unmarked skin.

Advantages Over Other Tattoo Removal Treatments

Tattoo Removal Before and After PhotosBecause of the nature of tattoo ink, tattoo removal usually requires multiple treatment sessions to eliminate even a fraction of the tattoo pigment. In comparison to other tattoo removal methods such as Q-Switched lasers, PicoSure® treatment is the superior choice because it has more success and requires fewer treatment sessions. While several treatment sessions may still be necessary, each PicoSure® treatment causes less pain and has a shorter recovery than previous forms of tattoo removal. Indeed, tattoo removal treatment with PicoSure® is far less painful than getting a tattoo in the first place. Results from PicoSure® treatment leave you with smooth, unmarred skin and no more regrets.

Our tattoo removal specialists at The Med Spa of Southwest Plastic Surgery are certified to perform PicoSure® for effective and revolutionary tattoo removal. To schedule your appointment for PicoSure® tattoo removal, please call our El Paso, TX office at (915) 590-7900. You may also fill out our online contact form for more information.

What’s It Like to Recover From Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty Before and After PhotosAs with any surgery, recovery from rhinoplasty is different for every person. It can be comforting and indeed helpful to ask others about their experience with healing from the procedure, but your particular experience will be unique. This is especially true because you may not require the same improvements as another person, and your surgeon may not have the same approach to the surgery.

In general, however, there are a few things that are common during recovery for all rhinoplasty patients: downtime, a splint or packing, and swelling and bruising.

Downtime

The length of downtime following a rhinoplasty varies, but patients are encouraged to take at least one week off from work or school. Recovery may be a little longer with an open rhinoplasty. Patients who have to have their nose surgically broken may have more swelling, so they typically do not feel comfortable going in public for a couple of weeks. After two weeks, it is usually safe to return to strenuous activities and regular exercise.

A Splint or Packing

Most patients have an external splint or cast that covers the nose after surgery. This will protect the nose, help it take on its intended shape, and reduce swelling. It is typically left on for one week. Packing inside the nose will prevent excessive bleeding. This can be uncomfortable the first week after surgery, but not all patients will need it.

Swelling or Bruising

Swelling and bruising typically occur beneath the eyes and around the nose but can also extend to the cheeks and upper lip. One of the most important things to note is that swelling will dissipate over time, but it may not completely disappear for several months. That said, your nose will take a significant amount of time to conform to its intended shape.

After one week, when the cast or splint is removed from your nose, you will first notice swelling. By the end of the second week, the swelling and bruising may have dissipated enough that others may not be able to notice you have had surgery. Because you can closely inspect your nose and you have become accustomed to what it naturally looks like, the swelling will be obvious to you for several months. It can take up to a full year for the final results of your rhinoplasty surgery to become apparent.

To schedule your rhinoplasty consultation at Southwest Plastic Surgery, please call our El Paso, TX office at (915) 590-7900. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

Should I Consider a Breast Reduction?

A woman’s breasts are a fundamental sign of her femininity, which is one reason so many women desire breast surgery. But while many want breast augmentation to enhance their curves, a surprisingly large number of women consider breast reduction surgery. Here are some of the reasons why a woman might want to have surgery to reduce the size of her breasts.

Breast Reduction Before & After Photo

Physical Pain and Problems

A major reason women undergo breast reduction surgery is to relieve physical pain or physical problems. The massive weight of overly large breasts can weigh you down, causing back pain, spinal problems, neck problems, shoulder pain, and more. Celebrity Ariel Winter, who recently underwent breast reduction surgery for her excessively large breasts, stated how she was forced to hunch over all the time because standing for hours caused her intense pain. Large breasts can cause skin conditions near the breast crease or on the shoulders where the bra strap lies. Heavy breasts can cause the underwire from bras to break and stab you. They can also cause premature breast sagging at a very young age.

Emotional Pain and Self-Image Issues

Women with excessively large breasts are also likely to experience great emotional stress or self-image issues. Ariel Winter reported that, at the young and vulnerable age of 14, she received comments, unwanted attention, and ridicule about her naturally large breasts. Her bust size even impeded her acting opportunities because she looked older than she was, and this caused her further emotional distress. Sometimes, self-image issues arise when one breast grows to be significantly larger than the other. Even when the breasts are symmetrical, excessive breast size can make your body look disproportionate.

Clothing Difficulties

Finding clothing as a large-busted woman can be quite a feat. Young women with large breasts may have difficulty finding age-appropriate clothing that will fit without looking excessively revealing. Some women need to have every dress or shirt tailored or custom made because while the clothing fits at the bust, it is too big everywhere else. Swimsuits and bras are a particular nightmare for these women, who are often forced to forget about looking cute, beautiful, or sexy and are just lucky enough to find something that fits and provides the needed support.

Inability to Participate in Physical Activities

Having large breasts can be cumbersome on a daily basis. Even routine tasks can be hindered by limited mobility, pain, or the weight of large breasts. Many women with large breasts are prevented from engaging in physical activities because of the extreme pain and difficulty caused by their breasts.

If any of these experiences seem familiar to you, your large breasts could be significantly lowering your quality of life. To make a positive change today, contact Southwest Plastic Surgery about breast reduction surgery. Schedule your personal consultation by calling our El Paso, TX office at (915) 590-7900. You may also fill out our online contact form for more information. We look forward to helping you live a healthier and happier life.

Manscaping Using Laser Hair Removal

Manscaping with Laser Hair RemovalManscaping describes the current trend where men pluck, tweeze, wax, and shave their bodies. The goal of manscaping is to achieve a clean-cut, well-groomed appearance. It is common among men in the business community who pride themselves on their appearance. When the trend first came about, many guys did it in private. Back then, if you were a man, you didn’t admit you manscaped.

However, the growing popularity of manscaping has many men comfortable admitting that they do pluck their brows, shave their arms, and wax their chests and backs. There’s nothing wrong with being a put-together guy who cares about the way others perceive him. However, men are now facing the troubles that women have been dealing with for years.

Problems With Traditional Hair Removal

Traditional hair removal is generally considered tweezing, shaving, and waxing. Men are beginning to realize what women have known all along: these methods can be exasperating. Common drawbacks of traditional hair removal methods include:

The Answer Is Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has increased in popularity for women because it painlessly and effectively removes leg and bikini-area hair. It is ideal for medium to large areas of the body that you want to have stay hair free 24/7. For men, laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for hair on the:

Laser hair removal treatments gently heat the hair follicle to damage it. Over a series of three to six treatments, the follicle is destroyed, so it no longer produces hair. Treatments last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. Other benefits of laser hair removal include:

To see if laser hair removal is right for you, schedule your consultation at Southwest Plastic Surgery today. Call our El Paso, TX office at (915) 590-7900. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form for more information.

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Southwest Plastic Surgery
1387 George Dieter
Dr. Bldg C301
El Paso, TX 79936
Tel: (915) 590 7900
Fax: (915) 590 7902
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The MedSpa Southwest Plastic Surgery West
5925 Silver Springs Dr.
Suite C
El Paso, TX 79912
Tel: (915)590-7907
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