These are the results of one of Dr. Medalie’s recent patients. She came in complaining of excess tissue that rubbed during exercise and sexual activity and asked for vaginal rejuvenation (in this case labia minora reduction). She was also unhappy with the appearance of her labia. Dr. Medalie performed a wedge resection of the excess labia minora tissue under local anesthesia in his office. He uses an an anesthetic called exparel which can have a duration of up to three days, and the patient stated that all she had taken for discomfort was Motrin. She was very pleased with her outcome and is shown three months after the surgical procedure. *Plastic surgery results can vary
What is a labiaplasty?
The term labiaplasty refers to a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora. It is the most commonly performed vaginal rejuvenation procedure and it can relieve symptoms women experience from twisting and tugging of the labia.
Reasons patients want a labiaplasty
Women opt for surgery for a variety of reasons, including pain from twisting and tugging of the labia when riding a bike or during intercourse, itching, irritation and self-consciousness.
What does a labiaplasty do?
The goal of the procedure is to reduce the labia minora so that they don’t hang below the hair-bearing labia majora. A labiaplasty may be performed to reduce asymmetry when one is longer than the other, or, more commonly, to reduce the length of both labia so that the labia no longer twist, tug or fall out of a bathing suit.
Anesthesia for a labiapasty
Labiaplasty is a procedure that can be done under either local anesthesia with oral sedation or under general anesthesia.
Labiaplasty procedure
The most common type of labiaplasty performed by Dr. Medalie is the wedge procedure, which maintains a natural border after a pie-shaped piece of tissue has been removed. Extra folds of the clitoral hood can also be reduced at the same time. Closure is usually done with absorbable sutures.
What are the risks of a labiaplasty?
The risks associated with labiaplasty include those of most surgical procedures, including bleeding, hematoma and infection. Sometimes a stitch may break resulting in a small hole or notch that can be revised electively. Over-resection can be a complication of the trim procedure so that is why Dr. Medalie prefers the wedge method.
Recovering from a labiaplasty
Most patients take a week off from work, during which they can reduce swelling and pain by icing with a cold pack sandwiched between the patient’s underpants and an elastic garment, like Spanx. This can be done “twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off.” The patient can also lie with her bottom elevated to reduce swelling.
Patients can resume wearing tampons or having intercourse after four to six weeks.
While the most distorting swelling is gone by 6 weeks, residual swelling may take 4-6 months to disappear.
What are the results of a labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty typically results in shorter labia that no longer hang down below the level of the hair-bearing labia majora. Most patients who experienced symptoms from twisting and tugging of their labia generally find relief after surgery. According to multiple studies, labiaplasty surgery is associated with a high satisfaction rate of over 90 percent.
This 36 year old mother of three came to see Dr. Medalie in his Beachwood office. She was interested in a breast augmentation and breast lift to tighten her loose skin and increase the superior fullness of her breasts. After careful consultation she decided to proceed with 330 cc silicone breast implants at the same time as a full mastopexy (breast lift). The surgery was performed as an outpatient and took approximately 2.5 hours. She is shown 6 months after the procedure and is very happy with her higher and fuller breasts. *Plastic Surgery results may vary
Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.
The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:
Breast size and shape
The size and position of your areolas
The degree of breast sagging
Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The Incision
There are three common incision patterns:
Around The Areola
Around The Areola And Vertically Down From The Areola To The Breast Crease
Around The Areola, Vertically Down From The Breast Crease And Horizontally Along The Breast Crease
Step 3 – Reshaping Your Breasts
After your doctor makes the incisions:
The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Breast augmentation may also be performed to add more volume and provide superior fullness (this was done in the patient case presented above)
Step 4 – Closing The Incisions
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.
Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.
Listen to your surgeon and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.
Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.
This pleasant 36 year old patient came to see me at my Beachwood practice. She desired full tummy tuck with revision of a previous breast reduction and lift as well as liposuction of the flanks. This post only shows the results of the flank liposuction and a later post will show the rest. The suction was performed with the tumescent technique and power assisted cannulas. It is easy to see the excellent loss of volume with enhanced contour in the flank and hip regions. Instead of a square buttock and hip region , she now has a curvier and more slender appearance. The body contouring has dramatically improved her waist line. Please remember that plastic surgery can have variable results. Below is information from the American Society of Plastic Surgery:
What are the steps of a liposuction procedure?
The liposuction procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.
First, diluted local anesthesia is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.
Problem areas that can be addressed with liposuction
Step 3 – See the results
Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. Get more information about liposuction results.
Male Breast Reduction to treat Severe Gynecomastia-Before and 1 year After Photos
This patient came to see Dr. Medalie complaining of severe gynecomastia and lateral excess skin and fatty tissue. He had lost up to 150 lbs and was concerned about the displaced nipple/areolar complex, excess breast tissue and lateral excess skin and fatty tissue. His male breast reduction surgery was performed on an outpatient basis.He had a complete double mastectomy with nipple areolar reconstruction by grafting and side and chest liposuction. His incisions were extended quite far on his sides in order to remove the excess lateral skin as well. The patient is shown 1 year after his procedure. His chest contour is much improved and his nipples are smaller and in a better position. He is extremely pleased with his outcome. *Plastic Surgery results are not guaranteed
Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size in men, flattening and enhancing the chest contours.
In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.
Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition of overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age. The condition can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity or the use of certain drugs.
Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self-confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.
Gynecomastia is characterized by:
Excess localized fat
Excess glandular tissue development
Sometimes excess breast skin
Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)
What are the steps of a gynecomastia procedure?
A male breast reduction procedure includes the following steps:
Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.
Liposuction technique
In cases where the chest tissue is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions.
The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.
There are various liposuction techniques that may be used; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.
Excision technique
Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference. I find that almost always a patient will need a small incision to remove glandular tissue under the nipple. I try to make the incision at the areolar skin junction on the lateral border of the areola from 6-12 o’clock.
Combination of liposuction & excision techniques
Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision. This is the case in the example above when there is both excess fatty tissue and glandular tissue present.
This 28 year old woman from Columbus, Ohio came to see Dr. Daniel A. Medalie at his Beachwood, Ohio office to discuss breast enhancement with silicone versus saline filled breast implants. After a careful discussion where she examined many before and after photos of Dr. Medalie’s breast augmentation patients, she elected to have 350 cc silicone breast implants placed in the sub-muscular place. She is 5’5″ tall and 120 lbs. The surgery was performed in about an hour at an outpatient setting at University Suburban Health surgery center. She is shown 6 months after her breast implantation procedure and is very happy with her new contour and breast size. Plastic surgery results may vary
What are the steps of a breast augmentation procedure?
A breast augmentation procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Dr. Medalie typically uses light general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Incision options include: along the areolar edge (peri-areolar incision), the fold under the breast (inframammary fold) and in the armpit (axillary incision). A belly-button approach is associated with a higher complication rate. Dr. Medalie typically uses an inframammary fold approach.
Incisions vary based on the type of breast implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy and patient-surgeon preference.
Step 3 – Inserting and placing the breast implant
After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either:
A. Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement)
B. Directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement)
The method for inserting and positioning breast implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type and your surgeon’s recommendations. Dr. Medalie typically uses a plane partially underneath the pectoralis major muscle.
Step 4 – Closing the incisions
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.
Over time the incision lines will fade. The quality of scar depends on many things, including your genetics, exposure of your body to nicotine and infection.
Step 5 – See the results
The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible.
This 43 year old mother of two also lost one hundred pounds from diet and exercise. She came to Dr. Daniel A. Medalie of Cleveland Plastic Surgery complaining of loose skin and muscle of the abdomen as well as deflated breasts. Dr. Medalie recommended a full mommy makeover with tummy tuck and liposuction as well as a full breast lift with moderate sized breast implants. She chose Natrelle silicone 375 cc smooth round breast implants for her breast augmentation. On the day of surgery she went to University Suburban Health Surgery Center and underwent the tummy tuck and breast augmentation procedure as an outpatient. The surgery took around 4 hours and then the patient went home after recovery. She is shown 3 months after her procedure. She is very happy with her new breast and body contour. Her scars will begin to fade in another several months. *Plastic Surgery Results are not guaranteed
What Is A Mommy Makeover?
The goal of a mommy makeover is to restore the shape and appearance of a woman’s body after childbearing. Many women notice changes in their bodies post-pregnancy. There are many areas of the body that can be addressed, most commonly the breasts, abdomen, waist, genitalia, and buttocks. A mommy makeover is typically performed as a single stage procedure. There are many techniques used to perform a mommy makeover, and many factors should be taken into consideration when choosing which techniques are best:
This 36 year old patient from Cleveland, Ohio came to see Dr. Daniel A. Medalie of Cleveland Plastic Surgery at his Beachwood office to discuss tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. On exam she has a great deal of loose skin and muscle as well as some extra fatty tissue. Dr. Medalie proposed an abdominoplasty procedure with muscle plication (tightening) and side and flank liposuction as an outpatient. She agreed and is shown 6 months after her body contouring surgery. She has excellent reduction of loose skin and stretch marks as well as good tightening of the abdominal wall and is very happy with her results.
Plastic Surgery results can vary and are not guaranteed
Abdominoplasty with liposuction and muscle tightening Before and After (side view)
Abdominoplasty Surgery is well explained at the American Society of Plastic Surgery web site. (see text below). I encourage you to visit the site at this link to obtain more information
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals.
Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include:
Aging
Heredity
Pregnancy
Prior surgery
Significant fluctuations in weight
What tummy tuck surgery can’t do
A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.
Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies would be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised.
This Cleveland Plastic Surgery patient came to see Dr. Daniel A. Medalie at his Beachwood office to discuss abdominal contouring. She was quite heavy and understood that she would not be perfectly thin after the procedure. She also understood that her stretch marks below the belly button would be gone but that the ones above the belly button and off to the side would remain. She underwent a full tummy tuck with tightening of the rectus abdominus muscles and a pubic lift on an outpatient basis. At the same time as her abdominoplasty, she had large volume liposuction of the abdomen, flanks and sides. She is shown three months after her body surgery and has a much slimmer contour with excellent tightening of the muscles. Her body contouring surgery was a success and gave her the confidence to begin exercising and eating well. (Results from plastic surgery are not guaranteed and may vary)
This 26 year old patient came to see Dr. Medalie of Cleveland Plastic Surgery in regards to breast enhancement. She is 5’7″ and 120 lbs and wanted to be a D cup after surgery. She elected to have 405 cc MP + smooth, round, Allergan silicone breast implants placed in the sub-muscular plane and is shown 3 months after her breast augmentation surgery. She is very pleased with her post-operative results and new breast shape and size. (Results from plastic surgery are not guaranteed and may vary)
This pleasant 27 year old woman came to see Dr. Medalie in his Beachwood, Ohio office to discuss breast augmentation with silicone breast implants. She was tall and thin (5’9″) and did not want implants that made her look top heavy. Dr. Medalie performed an augmentation mammoplasty procedure on her at University Suburban Health Surgery Center and inserted 350 cc smooth round Natrelle Inspira breast implants under each breast. The surgery took one hour and was an outpatient procedure. The patient is shown three months after her breast augmentation surgery with excellent contour and breast symmetry. She is very pleased with her result. *Plastic surgery results can vary from patient to patient and are not guaranteed
