The Ideal Weight for Mommy Makeover Surgery

Weight gain often accompanies the typical changes that occur following pregnancy. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for women who want a mommy makeover to be overweight at their initial presentation. There’s no question that being close to your ideal body weight improves the results from mommy makeover surgery. It also decreases the potential for complications with this type of surgical procedure. For these reasons, we prefer that patients be within 10% of their ideal body weight at the time of surgery.

Breast Augmentation Options

Several questions need to be answered before proceeding with breast augmentation surgery.  These pertain to the following issues: 1) Implant size, 2) Implant type, 3) Incision location, 4) Under or the over muscle, and 5) With or without a breast lift.

Depending upon the answers to these questions, a large variety of treatment options potentially exist. Each patient should be considered individually since no two patients are the same. Patients may have unique anatomic findings and specific aesthetic goals that impact their treatment plan.

In general terms, data shows that the majority of implants are placed under the muscle through an inframammary approach.  There is a greater tendency to use silicone gel implants than saline implants, but saline implants are still frequently used.

Insurance Coverage for Blepharoplasty?

When redundant upper eyelid skin results in obstruction of vision, it’s more than a cosmetic issue.  Patients often have excess skin, which obstructs vision superiorly and laterally.  Under these circumstances, excess upper eyelid skin can actually cause significant functional problems.  For instance, this can create problems when driving a motor vehicle and this can be potentially dangerous.  When this happens insurance carriers will occasionally view upper lid blepharoplasty as
medically necessary and cover its expense.

Before insurance carriers cover the expense of blepharoplasty they require that certain criteria be met.  These include documentation of symptoms and physical findings associated with visual field obstruction.  In addition, visual field studies that demonstrate visual field obstruction are critical to insurance approval.

Visual field studies are typically performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The study is performed by measuring the patient’s response to a series of flashing lights. The patient’s responses are recorded and a computer- generated report is made. This report will demonstrate any visual field defects that the patient may have. The initial study is followed by a secondary study in which the upper eyelids are taped in an upward direction.  Improvements in the results of visual field studies with the upper lids taped as opposed to untaped would indicate that blepharoplasty would benefit the patient.

Aesthetic Surgical Images Sees 100,000th Patient

When you’re considering cosmetic surgery, the experience of your surgeon is extremely important. In 1970, Aesthetic Surgical Images saw its first patient. We are proud to say that after 43 years, we have seen over 100,000 patients. This is not only a testimony to our longevity, but the support of the community as well.

One of the driving forces behind the achievement of our practice is the strength of our surgical team. Comprised of four, board-certified plastic surgeons, our team members were selected not only for their credentials, but also for how their skills would complement one another for the benefit of our patients. For these reasons, you can count on our surgeons to provide integrity, trust, and excellence from the consultation and surgery to each postoperative visit.

Drs. Heieck, Edney, Bruneteau, and Montag want to thank the community for your continued support and look forward to serving you well into the future. As always, our cosmetic consultations are complimentary. To schedule a day or evening appointment, please call 402.390.0100.

When is the Best Time to Get a Mommy Makeover?

Pregnancy causes significant changes in a woman’s body.  These changes vary from patient to patient and are permanent in most cases unless surgery is undertaken to reverse them. These changes can affect the breast, abdomen, and lead to fat accumulation in the hips and thighs. Many patients attempt diet and exercise, but this isn’t always helpful.  This problem can ultimately affect self-confidence, self-esteem, self-image, and the quality of day-to-day life. For these reasons, many patients request breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

The timing of surgery following pregnancy is important and several issues should be considered before proceeding with surgery. It takes time for a new post-pregnancy body to reach its new baseline following pregnancy. During this period, stretched skin may contract, a swollen uterus may shrink, and the weight gained during pregnancy may gradually disappear.

The breasts also undergo significant changes with pregnancy and breast-feeding. This results in breast enlargement, which continues with nursing. After nursing is stopped, it takes time for the breasts to return to their new baseline. At this point, the breasts may be smaller and have sag. This process takes three to six months to occur. All of these changes need to occur before a mommy makeover is considered.

What is an Endoscopic Browlift?

Brow descent occurs with normal aging and is typically treated with a browlift. The traditional open transcoronal approach and the endoscopic approach are the two most commonly used techniques. 
 
A transcoronal browlift is performed by making an incision across the top of the head from ear to ear. The forehead skin is lifted off the bone to the level of the orbital rims. The forehead muscles that are responsible for frown lines are then treated under direct vision. The brow is elevated by removing a strip of skin along the incision. 
 
In contrast, endoscopic browlift is performed through several small incisions placed behind the hairline. The operation is performed with a scope, ultimately accomplishing the same basic maneuvers as the open approach. 

Cool Deal! CoolSculpting Special!

Worried about how you look in your swimsuit? You can reduce inches and bust stubborn bulges with CoolSculpting, the amazing nonsurgical technology that literally freezes your fat cells.

At Aesthetic Surgical Images, we are now offering special pricing for all CoolSculpting treatments. Let this be our gift to you and our way of saying thanks for another year of continued support.

Click here to see how CoolSculpting works.

Call 402.390.0100 for more information
or to schedule your FREE consultation today!

Tummy Tuck Scars

It’s safe to say that it’s impossible to perform a tummy tuck without scarring. This operation trades stretch marks, loose skin, and weakened muscles for a scar that is hopefully well positioned.  The patient’s particular anatomy will have a profound impact on scar placement. Factors such as the transverse width of the abdomen, the distance from the pubis to the rib cage, the position of the umbilicus, and the patient’s stretch marks are all extremely important variables.

Each patient is unique and it’s important to have good communication between the patient and surgeon. We find that it’s very helpful to perform pre-operative markings with the patient wearing her swimsuit. By utilizing this maneuver, confusion regarding incision placement is minimized.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

This is a commonly asked question and a frequent source of confusion amongst patients. There is a common misperception that breast implants should be replaced every ten years. The origin of this belief is unclear, but is probably secondary to misinterpretation of implant warranty terminology.

The manufacturers of breast implants clearly state that these devices are not intended to last a lifetime, despite this many patients can expect to have implants last their entire lifetime. Current studies suggest that implants deflate at a rate of 1% at one year and 3% at three years. Over time this number can be expected to grow.

Implants may deflate with no apparent cause or may deflate secondary to some type of trauma. Under these, the decision to replace implants is easy.

Father’s Day Botox Special!

Not sure what to get that special Dad for Father’s Day? How about some Bro-tox? Bro-tox is Botox for men! Bro-tox makes a great gift for all those hard working Dads! 

Does Dad always look stressed or angry? Does he have lines between his eyes? Are the lines on his forehead getting deeper? 

At Aesthetic Surgical Images, we can help get rid of those angry frown lines by performing a simple Botox injection. For the months of June & July, men will receive a 10% discount on Botox injections. Let this be our gift to you and our way of saying thank you for another year of continued support!

Call today and say you were referred by the Father’s Day Botox Special!

402.316.5739

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is often covered by insurance carriers, but not all of them cover this procedure and significant restrictions may exist. Some insurance companies actually exclude breast reduction as a contract exclusion. When insurance carriers cover breast reduction, they may have specific criteria that must be met.

For instance, most insurance carriers require documentation of symptoms. Examples would include back pain, shoulder pain, breast pain, and headaches to name a few. They may also require documentation of attempted non-surgical management of symptoms. Examples might include physical therapy, support devices, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Some insurance carriers require a minimal amount of breast tissue removal from each breast. This is often based on calculations, which utilize the patient’s weight and height.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery Recommended if Overweight?

For many patients, breast reduction surgery is a life-changing experience.  Symptoms such as back, neck, and shoulder pain seem to improve almost overnight.  Patients note that clothes fit better and over time, their self-esteem and self-image improve as well.

Patients who are overweight do not differ from other patients in this regard.  They note similar improvement in quality of life and significant improvement in symptoms.

When patients who are overweight undergo breast reduction surgery they often experience additional benefits.  They note increased exercise tolerance and subsequently become more physically active as they adopt a healthier lifestyle.  In many cases, this results in significant amounts of weight loss.

Liposuction for Men

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in men.  The flanks, abdomen, chest and neck appear to be the most commonly treated areas.  This procedure is associated with high satisfaction rates when patients are near their ideal body weight.

Liposuction in men has limitations because the fat tends to be more fibrous.  In addition, a large amount of the abdominal fat is located within the abdominal cavity where it can’t be reached by a liposuction canula.  These characteristics can limit the amount of fat that can be removed with this procedure.  Men generally have thicker skin than women and as a result, skin sag is less likely to occur in this group.

Plastic Surgery and Insurance Coverage – Do They Go Hand in Hand?

Patients who visit Surgical Images often wonder if their cosmetic surgery in Omaha will be covered by their insurance policy.

It depends!

If your insurance company deems your procedure as “medically necessary,” your surgery will probably be covered. In some cases, a portion of your surgery will be covered, since there will be a functional improvement, while the cosmetic enhancement will not be covered. Sometimes, a “medically necessary” procedure will not be covered, due to your insurance contract exclusion.