Cosmetic Surgery
Tumescent Liposuction
The Tumescent Liposuction Technique by local anesthesia (instead of general anesthesia) is a safe and effective method of removing unwanted fat. This liposuction technique uses large volumes of a diluted solution of Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in combination with the drug epinephrine, which temporarily shrinks capillaries and therefore, minimizes bleeding during the procedure. Mild sedation may be added to reduce a patient's anxiety. As a result, there is much less bruising and swelling with Tumescent Liposculpture as compared to Liposuction by general anesthesia.
After surgery, an elastic compression garment is worn for one week. Most patients can return to work and begin exercising again within a day or two after surgery. Discomfort after surgery is minimized since the local anesthesia remains in the treated areas for approximately 18 hours after the procedure. Patients often require nothing more than plain Tylenol for discomfort.
About 90% of patients will see at least some improvement in their silhouette by one week after surgery. However, because of the slow resolution of post-surgical swelling, the ultimate results following liposculpture usually are not apparent for 6 months. The change in silhouette produced by liposculpture is equivalent to being able to focus the effects of dieting to specific areas of the body.
Since the fat is removed by creating small "tunnels" through the fat, the skin remains intimately connected to the underlying muscles by multiple fibrous attachments. As healing occurs after surgery, these fibrous strands contract and pull the skin into close proximity with the muscles. It is this process that assures the skin will not hang in loose folds after liposculpture surgery. Because the surgeon is careful to leave a thin blanket of fat attached to the skin, the skin will look and feel soft and normal after the procedure.
The fat cells that are removed by liposculpture do not grow back. Your new, more pleasing silhouette is permanent. If you gain or lose weight in the future, the change tends to be distributed proportionately over the entire body. Although the results of liposculpture are often quite spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection. Liposculpture does not eliminate dimpling of the skin (often called "cellulite"). The degree of cellulite may be reduced, but is unlikely that it will be eliminated.
As with any surgical procedure, liposculpture is associated with certain expected side-effects such as bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposuction, this side-effect is minimized by the Tumescent Technique. As judged by current world-wide experience, liposculpture is amazingly safe. Serious complications such as blood clots, infection and allergic reactions are extremely rare. Most of the dangers associated with surgery are related to the type of anesthesia that is used. Surgery of the skin and subcutaneous fat is safest using local anesthesia with the patient awake.
Liposuction before and after photos:
Click here for commonly asked questions regarding the liposculpture procedure.
Call 909-981-8929 to schedule your free Tumescent Liposuction consultation.
Tickle Lipo™
Here at SkinPhysicians & Surgeons we are excited to introduce the newest advance in liposuction: Tickle Lipo™.
Tickle Lipo™, also known as Nutational Infrasonic Liposculpture or Custom Acoustic Liposuction, is an FDA-cleared liposuction technique for fat removal and body sculpting. It was developed In Europe with the objective of improving patient safety and comfort as well as results. Many people are now choosing Tickle Lipo™ for safe and effective fat removal of the neck and body.
Why Choose Tickle Lipo™?
Tickle Lipo™ is a revolutionary technique using three dimensional vibration (nutation) to greatly improve the effectiveness, ease, and safety of true tumescent liposuction. In the same way that scratching an itch relieves pain, the vibration acts as a pain blocker by tricking your brain into not feeling discomfort or pain. The vibration of the cannula supersedes the transmission of nerve impulses to your brain, making the procedure much more comfortable. Many patients even claim that it tickles.
Local Anesthesia
This procedure is almost always performed with local anesthesia alone. In other words, you are completely awake and alert, and comfortable. We rarely will administer light sedation to the more nervous patient, and this procedure never requires general anesthesia and therefore avoids the risks and increased recovery times associated with this type of anesthesia. There is often no need for narcotic pain medications after surgery.
Easy Recovery
We encourage patients to walk and assume normal daily activities almost immediately after the procedure, but abstain from exercise for two weeks and avoid hot tubs for several days.
The speed and ease of recovery is a great advantage of the Tickle Lipo™ procedure. There is less bruising and swelling and most patients can return to work in a few days and some can even return to work the next day, rather than the standard 2 week period after other methods of liposuction surgery. Wearing compression garments for about one week after surgery will ensure good circulation and proper healing.
Efficiency
The vibrating cannula is also beneficial to the surgeon enabling Dr. Lee to more easily glide through the fat, delivering the local anesthesia much more evenly and easily. The vibration of the Tickle Lipo's cannula permits it to be more easily maneuvered through the more fibrous areas of the body (ie. the more "stubborn" areas of fat) which results in an increased amount of fat removed, a faster procedure, improved body definition, and less bruising. Additionally, it has a built in safety feature that automatically shuts off when it comes in contact with the non fatty tissue.
Fantastic Results
Get immediate results, and enjoy continued improvements in your appearance over the following six to twelve months. Also, remember that you have permanently removed fat cells, successfully changing the contours and overall silhouette of your body to a more pleasing shape. Treatments are affordable and financing is available. The procedure is extremely safe, results are very rewarding, and there is minimal to no downtime.
Call 909-981-8929 to schedule your free Tickle Lipo™ consultation.
Eyelifts/Blepharoplasty
As we age, our upper eyelids can begin to sag, eventually obliterating the natural fold in the upper lid. Lower eyelids can develop wrinkles and may bulge as fat pushes its way up from beneath the orbit. Aging eyelids can be rejuvenated by blepharoplasty, which involves removing excess skin and fat in the upper and lower eyelids. This simple outpatient surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Most patients feel good the day after surgery and are able to drive and do minor chores with their healing eyelids hidden by sunglasses.
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty involves removal of the sagging skin and suturing it to form a new upper lid crease. Because the incision is placed in the natural crease it is barely perceptible. Often excess fat, particularly on the nasal edge of the eyelid, is also removed to improve the eyelid contours.
Lower eyelid blepharopalsty is performed through an incision on the inside of the eyelid. Excess fat is removed so the eyes appear less tired looking. Laser resurfacing of the lower lid can be done at the same time, tightening the skin of the lower lid and greatly reducing the fine lines and wrinkles.
Blepharoplasty before and after photos:
Call 909-981-8929 to schedule your free Eyelift/Blepharoplasty consultation.
Back to TopDemi – Lift / Lower Face Lift
At Skin Physicians and Surgeons we perform a minimally invasive, lower face and neck lift, also known as a mini face lift or Demi-lift. A mini face lift improves and tightens the skin of the lower face (also known as the jowls) and the neck. This is most often performed under local anesthesia with or without IV sedation (also known as twilight sedation). In other words, general anesthesia is avoided as is all the risks and the recovery time that is associated with general anesthesia.
To begin the procedure, the area is numbed with local anesthesia and excess fat is removed (if there is excess fat present) using tumescent liposculpture. Superficial muscles of the neck and lower face are tightened and any excess skin is removed. Sutures are placed in front of the ear, but often times, well hidden inside the ear and also behind the ear. Sutures are removed in 7-10 days. Patients will likely not want to appear in public for about a week, but are certainly able to work from home and do minor chores and housework. Oftentimes some patients will go out during that first week after surgery to run minor errands and just choose to wrap a scarf around their head to hide the sutures.
Demi-Lift before and after photos:
Call 909-981-8929 to schedule your free Demi – Lift / Lower Face Lift consultation.
MiXto Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
The most recent, high tech advancement in skin resurfacing is the "Mixto SX" Microfractional CO2 Laser. Patients are seeing immediate skin tightening with amazing results in minimizing wrinkles, acne scars, sunspots and pores. One Mixto treatment shows dramatic results with very little discomfort and downtime. Treatment takes just 30-60 minutes.
Laser resurfacing with the CO2 laser is a remarkable procedure which has the potential for taking many years off the age of your skin. It is used to smooth out and even eliminate facial wrinkles, reduce acne scarring, and actually tighten the skin. It is particularly effective for lines around the mouth and the eyelids.
Long-lasting results can be obtained. Recovery time is 7 to 10 days. During this time, most patients are comfortable to work from home and can exercise and do housework, but would not wish to appear in public. If only the eyelid area is treated, patients can go out in public to complete minor chores and hide the healing areas with sunglasses. After 10 days, women can wear makeup to cover up your skin which will still be pink to slightly red.
Call 909-981-8929 to schedule your free MiXto Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing consultation.
Laser Resurfacing before and after photos:
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Voted Top Doctor in Dermatology by the Inland Empire Magazine 2009, 2010