- Abdominoplasty. This procedure is commonly referred to as a "tummy tuck". It is defined as "surgery of the abdomen in which excess fatty tissue and skin are removed, usually for cosmetic purposes." After removal of the excess fat and skin, the remaining skin is repositioned over the lower abdomen, stretched smooth, and tightened. The muscles are tightened to accentuate the waistline.
- Gynecomastia. This is the medical term for male breast reduction. It is quite common for men to have over-developed breasts. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, this surgical procedure "may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia." Link.
- Liposuction. Liposuction refers to medical procedures for the removal of localized fat tissue from the body. Below are the various liposuction techniques:
- Tumescent Liposuction: This is a common form of liposuction done under local anesthesia. It involves pumping a solution of saline, lidocaine (local anesthetic), and epinephrine (vessel-constrictor to help minimize bleeding) below the skin in the area to be suctioned. The injected fluid makes the area "tumescent", or swollen, to allow for easier separation of fat from other tissue. The suction is done through a cannula (a hollow instrument) inserted under the skin. This technique was developed in 1985 by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D., a dermatologist in California.
- Ultrasonic Liposuction: In this procedure, ultrasound (rather than pumping a solution into the body) is used to separate body fat and oil from other tissue so that it can be suctioned. There are two types of ultrasonic liposuction: (a) "internal" using a vibrating cannula and (b) "external" with ultrasound applied to the exterior of the body prior to suction with the cannula.
- Lipo Dissolve: This technique, also called "mesotherapy", involves a series of medicated injections which are claimed to dissolve unwanted localized areas of fat without the need for surgery. Although popular in Europe, no US studies are currently available upon this procedure. "Mesotherapists create a cocktail of up to seven ingredients tailored to each patient's goal (cellulite reduction, weight loss, or body sculpting). Components usually include lidocaine, an anesthetic, various vitamins that are said to help to tone, aminophylline, an asthma drug normally taken orally, and isproterenol a beta-blocker that supposedly inhibits the fat-building receptors of cells. All are FDA- approved for other uses, but none is approved for use as a fat-reducing injection. Lipostabil . . . contains soy lecithin (the same antioxidant found in much lower dosages in multi-vitamins), which is used in Germany and Italy to treat clogged arteries via injection. Unlike other mesotherapy's ingredients, injectable soy lechithin is not approved for any use in the US [by the FDA]." Link. Here is a link to the text of an FDA warning letter directed to a marketer of Lipostabil.
- Pulmonary Embolism. "A potentially lethal disease. Venous blood clots (venous thrombosis), usually located deep within the leg or thigh region, dislodge and then impact within lung vessels. Pulmonary embolism can be fatal if undiagnosed and untreated. It is the number one cause of sudden death in hospitalized patients. Heparin is usually administered immediately to treat this condition. For patients unable to receive blood thinning medicine, a venous filter device is often inserted into the inferior vena cava (the large vein in the abdomen that lower extremity veins drain into). Diagnosing pulmonary embolism can be difficult because symptoms are often vague. Shortness of breath and/or chest pain made worse by breathing are two common findings. Lung scanning and pulmonary angiography are tests used to diagnose this condition." Barnes Jewish.
- Scar Revision. Here is a link to a video by a surgeon explaining the various techniques used to perform this procedure.
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