Southwest Plastic Surgery

Body Contouring in El Paso, TX

It’s the best feeling in the world when you step on the scale and it tells you that you’ve finally done it, reached your weight-loss goal. You’ve worked hard to get here, and you want to enjoy this. It’s hard though when the scale says you’ve shed that unwanted poundage but you don’t feel like you have. Your clothes still don’t fit right, and there’s no way you’d be caught in your swim suit. Sometimes it can feel like you’re dragging around a coat of extra skin that prevents you from feeling truly attractive in your new body.

It’s unfortunate that this is often the case with major weight-loss stories. You’ve done all the work to lose the weight, and it’s not fair that you have to deal with excess skin too. Luckily, you’re not stuck with it. At Southwest Plastic Surgery you can undergo various degrees of body contouring to get the look and feel of a body you deserve. Dr. Agullo a board-certified plastic surgeons, and his years of experience help them sculpt a variety of areas to give you the body you’ve been dreaming of.

Body Contouring  

Body contouring is an effective way of shaping and tightening the body after extreme weight loss. It involves procedures performed on different areas of the body to remove excess skin and tissue. It can enhance the arms, thighs, buttock, abdomen, and chest. Body contouring may utilize liposuction and/or a number of lifting techniques.

Liposuction

Liposuction is used to remove any leftover fat deposits and create more pleasing body proportions. It is ideal for eliminating stubborn fat that clings to the thighs, tummy, arms, and neck. Fat removed through liposuction can also be used for breast augmentation using fat transfer.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery is probably the most common procedure performed to correct sagging skin. It removes fatty tissue and skin from the abdomen. It also tightens the abdominal muscles and the remaining skin to provide a flatter, slimmer look.

Arm Lift

An arm lift will rid the body of loose skin hanging from the arms. This procedure will tighten the skin from the armpit to the lower arm. This helps people feel more confident in tank tops and dresses.

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift will help tighten the major problem areas of the lower body: the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. Excess tissue is removed, and the skin is pulled tight to create a firm appearance. Incisions are placed in inconspicuous locations so they can be hidden by clothing.

Breast Contouring

For women, weight loss also means volume loss in the breasts. Some women only experience sagging of the breasts, which can be corrected with a breast lift procedure. Women who wish to only slightly increase their size and maintain natural results should consider breast augmentation using fat transfer. Women that are suffering from major size and shape loss would benefit from breast augmentation using implants. Correcting the breast appearance can restore a balanced look to a woman’s whole body.

Don’t keep lugging around all that excess skin. You’ve done the work and you deserve to reap the rewards. To discuss which body contouring techniques would best suit you, schedule your consultation at Southwest Plastic Surgery today. For the El Paso office call (915) 590- 7902. For the Las Cruces office call (575) 520-5041. You can also contact us online by filling out our online contact form here.

 

This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2015 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Contouring, Liposuction, Surgical Procedures, Tummy Tuck. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

People often wonder what time of year they should undergo a plastic surgery procedure. While everyone is different and some people may have conflicting circumstances, winter is generally the ideal time to undergo plastic surgery. Whether you’re considering a procedure to rejuvenate and enhance your face, breasts, or body, here are the reasons why Jack Frost and plastic surgeons get along so well.

Time Off for Recovery

After surgery, you will need downtime to recover. This can involve anywhere from a few days to two weeks off work, and you should refrain from strenuous physical activities for at least a couple of weeks. Most people can take time off in the winter for vacation, and many offices are closed during the holidays, leaving plenty of time to recover from surgery. Additionally, you are more likely to have a loved one who will have some time off during the holiday season to care for you for the first day or two after surgery.

Less Direct Sunlight

While it is important to protect your skin from sun exposure at all times, it is especially important to refrain from being in direct sunlight right after your surgery. Exposure to sunlight will impair healing and can turn incisions into more noticeable scars once they are healed. The gloomy and foggy winter months make it easier to stay out of the direct sunlight. Remember that even when it’s overcast, it’s still important to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or greater and to cover your skin as much as possible.

Bundle Up Until You’re Healed

You may have some swelling and bruising for a week or two after surgery that you’ll want to cover up when you go out in public. With the cold weather, everyone is bundling up with long sleeves, jackets, scarves, and beanies to stay warm. You’ll blend right in as you bundle up to camouflage bandages, swelling, and bruising until you’re all healed.

Heal Just in Time to Show Off Results

After winter comes more sunshine and warmer weather, and all those layers of clothing are no longer needed to keep you warm. If you undergo your plastic surgery procedure in the winter, you should have plenty of time to completely heal and allow any incisions to fade just in time to show off your fantastic results in the coming spring and summer months.

Don’t wait; now is the time to undergo plastic surgery! If you are interested in rejuvenating your appearance or enhancing any of your features, please call (915) 590-7900 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to helping you achieve an appearance you can’t wait to show off!

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 at 5:35 pm and is filed under Surgical Procedures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Many people would love to experience all the benefits of a surgical facelift – tight, youthful skin free of fine lines and wrinkles – but they don’t want the burden of surgery or the hassle of a long recovery time. Ultherapy® is the latest and safest option for those with such desires. Without any surgery, lasers, or downtime, this ultrasound treatment can painlessly deliver results similar to a facelift in as little as one 45 to 60 minute treatment session.

Benefits of Ultherapy®

• Non-surgical skin tightening
• Wrinkle reduction
• Improved skin texture
• No pain
• No downtime
• FDA approved

How does Ultherapy® work?

The Ultherapy® device tightens the skin by using ultrasound technology to penetrate the deep, foundational layers. The ultrasound waves stimulate the body’s natural process of producing collagen (a protein vital for skin elasticity and strength), and the result is tighter, more youthful skin that will continue to improve over the next several months. Fine lines and wrinkles disappear as the texture of the skin becomes noticeably improved.

Where does Ultherapy® work?

Ultherapy® is very effective on the face and neck, including the eyebrows, décolletage, beneath the chin, and jowls along the jawline.

What results can I expect?

Many patients can see improvement immediately after treatment with Ultherapy®, but results will continue to improve for several months. Final results are usually apparent by six months and are long lasting. Potential patients should note that while Ultherapy® can significantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it will not address significantly lax skin as effectively as a surgical facelift. Sometimes Ultherapy® is used along with a facelift or in subsequent sessions to help maintain the initial results.

If you have sagging brows or jowls, wrinkles, droopy areas of skin, or dull skin, Ultherapy® may be the perfect solution for you. Please schedule a consultation with us by calling (915) 590-7900 or by filling out our online contact form today. We look forward to hearing from you!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 29th, 2014 at 5:59 pm and is filed under Non-surgical Procedures, Ultherapy®. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

In the past, plastic surgery was reserved for improving the signs of aging once they became obvious. Today, with a new approach to prevention, people are trying to address these issues before they become apparent. The population seeking cosmetic procedures is starting younger and maintaining a younger appearance through less invasive procedures.

There are many ways, invasive and non-invasive, to delay and treat sings of aging.  Most of the surgical procedures enhance the aesthetic appearance of certain features, which is quite common among the young population and not necessary related to aging. The latest numbers show that the top plastic surgery procedures in patients under 30 in the United States according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons are:

On the other hand, many more patients under 30 opt for less invasive procedures to maintain an attractive and youthful appearance. These procedures are more common as they are usually less expensive, require less downtime, and fit well into busy lifestyles. The most common procedures are:

Our prediction for 2014 is further increase in younger patients taking control in preventing signs of aging with the above-mentioned modalities and the latest technological advances:
•    Forever Young BBL
•    Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments
•    Stem cell treatments with fat injections

This paradigm shift from treatment to prevention has vast implications in the cosmetic field. These treatments not only make aging slower and steadier, but also minimize the need for more aggressive and expensive procedures in the future.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2014 at 8:00 am and is filed under Liposuction, Non-surgical Procedures, Surgical Procedures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Despite the most strenuous efforts with diet and exercise, many of us simply cannot reduce fat in our midsection. Aging, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations all affect the way fat is distributed in the abdomen, often leaving us with stubborn “love handles,” “spare tires,” and “muffin tops” we wish would simply disappear. Fortunately, Southwest Plastic Surgery now offers the ultimate nonsurgical solution to defeat these common waistline woes: Vanquish.

How It Works

Aptly named, the Vanquish applicator eliminates fat from the body without ever touching it. The device is suspended above you as you lie comfortably throughout the 30-minute treatment. You will feel no pain as radio frequency waves target stubborn fat cells with heat, which will lead to cell destruction. Since fat cells are denser and hold less water than other cells, no damage will be done to the skin or surrounding tissue. Patients are advised to drink plenty of water before and after treatment to encourage the dead fat cells to filter through the lymphatic system and leave the body permanently. No downtime is required; patients can resume normal activity immediately after each treatment.

Best Candidates for Vanquish

Vanquish is not a treatment for weight loss, excess skin, or cellulite. (For excess skin removal, patients will experience best results with abdominoplasty.) Those who experience the best results are within ten percent of their ideal body weight and have abdominal fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. After just a few treatments with Vanquish, most patients lose several inches from their waistline without even changing their diet.

Results

The results with Vanquish are permanent; the fat cells that are eliminated will never return. If any weight is gained after treatment, it will be dispersed differently that it would be if the area were never treated with Vanquish. For those who have difficulty with stubborn abdominal fat and are not ready for downtime associated with liposuction, Vanquish is the perfect nonsurgical alternative.

If you would like to vanquish your stubborn abdominal fat for good, please schedule a consultation with one of Southwest Plastic Surgery’s board-certified plastic surgeons. Please call (915) 590-7900 or fill out our online contact form today. We look forward to hearing from you!

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2014 at 10:12 pm and is filed under Non-Surgical Fat Reduction, Uncategorized, Vanquish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

You’ve probably seen advertisements for gym equipment or exercise programs that will tone and slenderize a particular area of the body. While it’s true that certain exercises increase muscle tone in a given area, exercise cannot “spot reduce” deposits of fat. Unfortunately, there is no way exercise can completely get rid of fat in the most common trouble areas like “love handles,” “saddlebags,” or “muffin tops,” unless overall body fat is reduced. But for the vast majority of us, every effort to reduce body fat percentage overall – even with a strict diet – is still not effective for getting rid of those stubborn, fatty deposits.

The only way to target fat in a particular area is with liposuction. Unlike diet and exercise, which can slenderize your appearance by shrinking the size of fat cells, liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the body so they never return. The fat suctioning device used in liposuction can remove fat from the most common trouble zones, as well as smaller or more complex contours of the body like the face, neck, knees, and calves. As such, liposuction is the best and most effective “spot reduction” treatment. In fact, most patients get the best results with liposuction when spot reduction is their main goal. While liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, it can help those who want to see tone and definition in an area that is covered with an unwanted layer of fat.

Liposuction takes between one to three hours to perform, depending on the size and number of areas treated, and there is a recovery time of about a week. Since liposuction requires minimal incisions, there will be minimal scarring. Any small scars are typically hidden within the folds of the skin and fade with time.

If you are interested in liposuction, we encourage you to contact Southwest Plastic Surgery. Please call our El Paso office at (915) 590-7900 or our Las Cruces office at (575) 520-5041 to schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 24th, 2014 at 4:59 pm and is filed under Liposuction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about breast reconstruction after cancer treatment with mastectomy. In a previous post, we mentioned that the cost of breast reconstruction is covered by most health plans, which is a fact that many cancer patients are unaware of. Today we will discuss the important decision-making process along with a few of the techniques offered at Southwest Plastic Surgery to provide the most natural breast appearance.

According to the most recent statistics, one in eight American women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Although the disease is common, it is no less emotionally taxing for victims and their families. Breast cancer claims the lives of tens of thousands of women each year and is the second leading cause of death in women. After treatment with mastectomy, some women choose to live without breasts or with only one breast because it serves as a reminder of their victory over cancer, while other women feel that an important part of their femininity is now missing. Here at Southwest Plastic Surgery, we understand that the decision to undergo breast reconstruction is a very personal one. At your initial consultation for reconstruction surgery, we will provide you with all the options and help you decide if breast reconstruction is right for you.

What are my options?

While there are several options available, it is important to know that not all patients are candidates for all types of reconstruction. If you have had or will have radiation therapy, it may influence the type of reconstruction as well as the timing of your procedure. While timing depends on several factors, it is never too early to talk to your physician about breast reconstruction. In fact, those who have just received their cancer diagnosis can begin talking to their doctor about their options for reconstruction right away.

There are three methods of breast reconstruction:

• Reconstruction with implants
• Autologous reconstruction (using the patient’s own tissue)
• Autologous reconstruction with implants

Autologous Reconstruction

The patient’s own tissues are used for autologous breast reconstruction, which often results in a more natural breast look and feel. Tissue is taken from either the abdominal muscle (TRAM Flap technique) or from the upper back (Latissimus Dorsi Flap) to create the new breast mound. Many patients prefer the TRAM Flap technique because of the added benefit of the improvement in the abdominal contour with the procedure.

Implant Reconstruction

When implants are used for reconstruction, they can be placed at the same time as mastectomy surgery (known as one stage immediate breast reconstruction) or with a tissue expander that involves two separate procedures (two stage breast reconstruction). In all implant reconstruction procedures, we use a biologic mesh to allow for better breast contour and shape by supporting the implant.

Since Southwest Plastic Surgery has one of the highest volumes of breast reconstructive surgeries in the southwest, our staff has the experience necessary to provide you with a wealth of knowledge on this procedure. Whether you have had a mastectomy or you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a mastectomy, please schedule a consultation with our practice. Our surgeons can inform you of all your options and answer any questions you may have. Please call (915) 590-7900 or fill out our online contact form to book your appointment.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2014 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Breast Reconstruction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.