Compression garments, also known as post-surgical garments, assist in the healing process by:

• Improving circulation
• Reducing swelling
• Removing harmful fluids from the body

There are several different garment options to choose from, and the main difference between them is the body region they focus on.  For example, if you have recently gone through liposuction of the arms, a vest with compression sleeves will target that specific portion of your body.  Some of the other options are:

• Abdominal binders
• Compression girdles
• Body shapers
• Facial compression wraps

How long you wear a compression garment for depends on the body area where surgery was performed, and your physician’s regimen of care. For physicians who recommend wearing a compression garment for several weeks following your surgery, they usually recommend moving to a 2nd stage recovery garment.  This garment is lighter weight, however it still provides the ideal amount of support to help you through that particular stage of the recovery process.

The most common form of nipple enhancement surgery is the areola reduction procedure, in which the skin surrounding the nipple is altered to fit proportionately with the breast. The areola, which is the darkly pigmented skin surrounding the nipple, can grow due expand due to age and breast feeding.

The areola reduction procedure is fairly commonplace, with most patients returning to normal activity within 24-48 hours. The procedure usually requires an incision around the areola which generally heals well. The appearance of the scar will vary depending on the amount of tissue removed and the patient’s skin type. As with most scars, fair-skin patients heal best.

If you would like information on Areola Enhancement or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

• Breast Bone Width
• Angle of Ribs to Chest

If a woman does not have the ideal body type to automatically have cleavage with traditional breast augmentation surgery, other enhancements can usually be made. Some of these include pocket modifications (modifying the space created for the implant) or possibly even a breast lift to re-arrange the tissue from the pre-existing skin and breast.

While pocket modification can help be cautious about undergoing surgery that elevatethe skin over the breast bone, the sternum, to allow the pocket to extend closer to the midline. There is a risk that the pocket may extend to close to the midline making the results of breast augmentation look unnatural.

Another factor in regards to utilizing breast implant surgery to increase cleavage is the shape of implant a woman chooses. Since each individual’s body is unique, selecting the proper implant shape is critical to ensuring the ideal cleavage appearance is attained.
For women whose anatomy does not naturally allow for cleavage, the added breast volume from a breast augmentation will help. There are bras that can not only “push-up” but that can also can move the breasts toward the midline. With increased breast volume there is usually noticeably enhanced cleavage, even when there was no visible cleavage before breast augmentation.

If you would like information on Breast Augmentation Surgery or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

• Scar gels
• Scar creams
• Silicone sheeting
• All of the above

Silicon sheeting consists of a pre-cut shape meant for long term treatment, however it is not suggested for individuals who perform strenuous exercise on a regular basis.  If you do have a more active lifestyle, a high performance gel or cream may be the best option for you.

Whichever remedy you choose, the key to success is staying consistent with the treatment!

Abdominoplasty operations vary in magnitude ranging from a mini-tuck where a short incison is made above the pubic area (location of a c-section scar), the muscle is tightened from the belly button to the pubic area and fat of is removed by liposuction to a complete tummy tuck which involves a hip to hip incision (see below). (eliminate from and to sessions) and are frequently subdivided into different procedure sessions. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a complete abdominoplasty can take 1 to 5 hours. A partial abdominoplasty (Mini-Tuck Abdominoplasty) can be completed between 1 to 2 hours.

Typically a complete abdominoplasty follows these steps:

1. An incision is made from hip to hip just above the pubic area.
2. Another incision is within the navel to free the navel from the surrounding skin.
3. The skin and fat is lifted from the abdominal wall, exposing the underlying muscles and fascia that are tightened with sutures. (delete to end of sentenceskin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures.
4. The excess skin and fat is removed and the remaining skin and fat are tightened by connecting and closing the incision.
5. The old belly button stalk is brought out through a new hole and sutured into place.
6. Liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture.
7. A dressing and sometimes a compression garment are applied and any excess fluid from the site is drained.

During the immediate recovery period, it is vital that you prepare to take off 1-4 weeks from intense movement or stress to the body. You should also be prepared for bruising and discomfort during this time, however an abdominal binder can help minimize the swelling and bruising. The full recovery process typically takes 3-6 months, depending on how extensive the procedure was.

If you would like information on Tummy Tucks or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

Areola Enhancement Guide
Despite the fact that breast augmentation is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery, there are many cases in which the woman simply wants to alter the appearance of the nipple/areola. A number of women have nipples that either protrude too far or are inverted, and you will be pleased to know that with a simple procedure both of these issues can be corrected.

The most common form of nipple enhancement surgery is the areola reduction procedure, in which the areola, the skin surrounding the nipple, is reduced to fit proportionately with the breast. The areola, which is the darkly pigmented skin surrounding the nipple, can grow due to age and breast feeding.

This procedure is fairly commonplace, with most patients returning to normal activity within 24-48 hours. Due to the exposure of this region of the body, the surgery requires only a small incision, to reduce the outward appearance of scarring.

If you would like information on Areola Enhancement or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

Minorities Continue to Adopt Cosmetic Surgery
The longer that plastic surgery is around, the deeper it becomes embedded in our culture. And one of the fastest growing adopters of cosmetic surgery procedures are ethnic groups. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that in 2004, well over 1 million procedures were performed on minorities in the US, with Hispanics being the leading group, followed by African American’s and Asians.

Also of note, in a survey a year later, in 2005, it was revealed that the majority of plastic surgery procedures was actually performed on the middle-class income bracket. The full breakdown is below:

30% with an income level of $30,000 or less
41% at $31,000 to $60,000
16% at $61,000 to $90,000
13% at $90,000 or more

It’s great to see, with all the changes happening on the social level across the country, that the plastic surgery industry is continually evolving and helping to meet the needs of Americans everywhere!

If you would like information on Tummy Tucks or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

The amount of time required for the removal of a tattoo and the success of the removal varies with each individual. It is often difficult to predict the number of treatments required. Factors influencing this include: skin type, location, color, amount of ink, scarring or tissue change, and layering.

Laser tattoo removal when performed with local anesthesia is painless. Prescription strength topical anesthetic creams or injections of anesthetic solutions are usually used to manage pain, although some patients forgo any type of anesthesia.

Depending on the patient’s pain threshold, and while some patients may forgo anesthesia altogether, most patients will require some form of local anesthesia. Laser tattoo removal for small or moderate size areas can be formed with local anesthesia and is painless. When treating large areas, pre-treatment might include the application of an anesthetic cream under occlusion for 45 to 90 minutes prior to the laser treatment session. If complete anesthesia is desired, it can be administered locally by injections of 1% to 2% lidocaine with epinephrine.

Multiple factors contribute to the success of laser tattoo removal one of which is a patient’s own immune system. A healthy patient will get the best results. Adequate hydration, eight hours of sleep a night, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well balanced diet.

If you would like information on Laser Tattoo Removal or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

The most common approaches for hand rejuvenation are below:

1. Injectable Fillers

2. Fat Transfer

3. Laser treatments

4.Chemical Peels

5. Microdermabrasion

A detailed summary of each procedure is below:

Injectable Fillers –The most commonly used injectables for hand rejuvenation are Radiesse, and Sculptra. Radiesse is a calcium based product that has an immediate effect as the material plumps up the tissues and a long term effect as it stimulates the skin to thicken by making new collagen. Sculptra requires 2 to 3 treatments and works by stimulating the skin to make new collagen. While it may take several weeks to see , the results can last up to 2 years. Both treatments correct the ‘bony’ appearance that aging can cause.

Fat Transfer – The patient’s own fat is taken from another body area, usually the abdomen, hip rolls, or thighs, and “injected” to plump-up the hands giving a youthful appearance. The results can last up to several years.

Laser Treatments– A laser that specifically targets melanin, the pigment causing brown spots can be used to eliminate or lightening them. Another type of laser, such as a C02 Affirm laser can be used to treat not only brown spots but lines and wrinkles as well. . (Eliminate this sentenceis procedure is a technique used during laser surgery wherein the molecular bonds are dissolved by laser.) Lasers can be used to treat sun damage–wrinkles, solar lentigenes(brown spots), scars, stretch marks, actinic keratoses and telangiectasias or “spider veins”.

Chemical Peel – A chemical peel is a treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture of skin using a chemical solution that causes the dead skin to slough off and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin and brown spots are reduced or eliminated.

Microdermabrasion – Microdermabrasion is the process in which the stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion, to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Dark spots are removed or lightened, skin texture is improved and scars minimized.

If you would like information on Arm Lifts or to set up a consultation with Dr. Bruck, please click here.

Eyelid surgery is also called Blepharoplasty. A Blepharoplasty is performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids, or from the inside surface of the lower eyelid. Initial swelling and bruising take one to two weeks to resolve but at least several months are needed until the final result becomes apparent. Most patients can return to work after one week. Depending upon the scope of the procedure, the operation takes one to three hours to complete.

The anatomy of the eyelids, skin quality, brow position, age, and the adjacent tissues all affect the cosmetic and functional outcomes. Recognition of factors which are known to cause complications such as dry eyes, looseness of the lower lid edge and prominence of the eye relation to the cheek prior to surgery can eliminate problems after surgery. Be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or an occuloplastic surgeon.

Today, the term rhinoplasty generally refers to cosmetic improvement of the nose. While originally a reduction operation, i.e. making the nose smaller, the art of rhinoplasty has evolved where some parts of the nose may be reduced while other parts may be enhanced using the patient’s own cartilage or bone as a graft to add support and change the shape of the nose. Synthetic implants should generally be avoided as the complications can be very difficult to correct.

A skilled rhinoplasty surgeon must have a keen aesthetic eye, an in-depth understanding of nasal anatomy and function, and the technical skills to create a pleasing natural appearing nose that functions properly.

Although rhinoplasty is usually considered to be safe and successful, several complications can arise. Post operative bleeding is uncommon and often resolves without needing treatment. Infection is rare and can occasionally progress to an abscess that requires surgical drainage under general anesthetic. Adhesions, which are scars that form to bridge across the nasal cavity from the septum to the turbinates, are also rare but cause nasal obstruction to breathing and usually need to be cut away. A hole can be inadvertently made at the time of surgery in the septum, called a septal perforation. This can cause chronic nose bleeding, crusting, difficult breathing and whistling with breathing.