CASE OF THE MONTH
BREAST AUGMENTATION/BREAST LIFTING/LIPOSUCTION/ABDOMINOPLASTY
This 34 year old school teacher came to see Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti for a “make-over”. After having 4 children, this patient was unable to lose the excess skin and adipose tissue of the abdominal area, and the inner and outer thighs. Her breasts had lost their fullness after breast feeding her children. She had many visits with Dr. Pousti and was comforted by the fact that Dr. Pousti is a double board certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
She decided to proceed with bilateral breast augmentation, breast lifting, abdomioplasty, and liposuction of the lateral and medial thighs. She understood that these procedures could be performed at the same time ONLY if Dr. Pousti thought it safe to do so.
The evening prior to surgery, this patient came into our Plastic Surgery office for her pre-operative markings. The pre-operative markings allow Dr. Pousti to discuss the procedures in detail with the patient as well as showing the patient where the incisions will be made. Our office staff asks the patient to bring in underwear or a bikini bottom that she would like the tummy tuck incision to be hidden under and so when Dr. Pousti is performing the “markings”, he can make sure that the incision will be hidden.
During the surgery, Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti works with his highly trained team in the operating room to achieve the goals for this patient.
First, the breast augmentation and breast lifting procedures are performed. Extreme care is taken to preserve the blood supply and nerves in the area. This procedure will give her breasts the look she had prior to childbirth and breastfeeding. She has 420cc saline implants placed under the muscle.
The abdominoplasty procedure is next. All of the excess skin and adipose tissue is removed, as well as the damaged skin around the abdominal area, leaving the patient with a very “tight” tummy. The patient must take care to protect the incision for 2-4 weeks after the procedure.
Lastly, the liposuction of the outer and inner thighs is performed. Care is taken to remove equal amount from both sides to achieve symmetry after the procedure.
The patient followed up in our office for her post-op care. Care is taken to make sure that all incision lines are healing and that there is no infection present. The drains that are placed during the surgery to help with fluid accumulation have been removed (on average, they are placed for 1-2 weeks)
During the recovery period, the patient must take care to protect her incisions and not to overdo the activity. Around 4-6 weeks after the procedure, the internal sutures begin to dissolve and therefore it is critical to limit the activity to prevent wound healing problems.
Here she is only weeks after her breast augmentation/breast lifting, liposuction and abdominoplasty surgery.
Here are her before and after photos:
TESTIMONIAL
I want to start out by saying, “If you are pondering between what doctor you want to perform your surgery, look no further”. You have found him. Dr. Pousti is unbelievable. I can say this because I did my homework and ‘shopped’ around