When you look at your body in the mirror, what are you thinking? You’re thinking that God gave you the one perfect body on the planet, and you wouldn’t change a thing about it, right? Of course not! Like the rest of us, you probably have a long list of features you’d like to change about your body, if you could. This could be a little larger; this could be a bit smaller; and, if you’re over a certain age, all of it could be – shall we say – more “northern”…
“There’s a limit to what healthy diet and exercise can accomplish,” said Dr. Thomas McHugh, a board certified plastic surgeon and chief of plastic surgery at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “That’s where cosmetic surgery can help. There are parts of the body even the most rigorous exercise can’t change.” Now, for the good news: Through techniques like liposuction, breast augmentation and tummy tucks those not-so-perfect areas of your body can be lifted, tightened and firmed. Stubborn fat that traditional weight-loss doesn’t affect can be removed. And you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg (excuse the pun) to get it.
Gone are the days when plastic surgery was reserved for Hollywood starlettes and the very wealthy. As the Baby Boom generation strides into their 60s, more and more of us ordinary folks are seeing plastic surgery as a means for looking and staying as young as we feel. “Many of my patients are women who have had kids and seen what childbirth can do to their bodies,” Dr. McHugh said. “They want a chance to have their old bodies back. Others are individuals who’ve lost large amounts of weight or those who are battling the natural effects of aging. Others just want to improve upon what nature gave them.”
“Women and men in their 50s and 60s come to me to have their eyelids or face done, because they’re in sales or other jobs that place them in the public eye, and it’s to their advantage to look as good as they can for as long as they can,” Dr. McHugh says. “They feel great. Why not look great especially now that there are so many affordable ways to do it.”
Houston’s own Dr. McHugh will be featured in Allure, Glamour and Self Magazines as a “Premier Plastic Surgeon of Texas” this June. He employs the latest, state-of-the art techniques including endoscopic brow lifts and ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. He also offers non-surgical, medical grade skin care services for those looking to improve the quality and appearance of their skin without going under the knife. He uses the most up-to-date laser technology for everything from skin resurfacing, sun damage and age spots to facial spider veins, rosacea and even large pores. New laser techniques have amazing results and no down-time. Patients can put their makeup on immediately after treatment and go right back to their lives.
Dr. McHugh received his medical degree and served his internship and residency in general surgery at Wayne State University, Detroit in the early 1980s. He then completed his residency in plastic surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, where he became Chief Resident in plastic surgery. He’s been in private practice in the Houston area since 1991.
Dr. McHugh is on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center, Northeast Medical Center in Humble, Kingwood Medical Center and Tops Surgical Specialty in the I-45 FM 1960 area. He’s been an appointee to several medical staff committees including Chief of Surgery and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Houston Northwest Medical Center and Chief of Staff at Northeast Outpatient Surgery Center. He is a member of numerous prestigious professional societies including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and The Harris County Medical Association.