ccdmacolvin, Author at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery

Who is a Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?

Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction, is administered to reduce enlarged breasts in men. It can also remove excess skin and improve the appearance of the nipple. Men can develop enlarged breasts at any age. Common causes for the condition include obesity, certain medications, hormonal fluctuations, and heredity.

During the procedure, a small cannula will be inserted into the opening sites to remove excess tissue and fat. This procedure removes more glandular tissue and skin than liposuction. The openings are typically made along the natural crease of the chest or the areola. It is usually administered as an outpatient procedure, and individuals will be given local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

After the procedure, you will probably be asked to wear a compression garment to help minimize swelling. Many men are ready to return to work a few days after the procedure.

Who is a Candidate?

The recovery process is usually minimal, which makes it an ideal procedure for many men. There are certain factors that can determine if an individual is a good candidate for a male breast reduction.

Are you in good overall health? It is important to discuss all health conditions with your doctor before the procedure. If an individual has certain medical conditions, the surgery may not be the best option.

Are you at an ideal, healthy weight? The best candidates for the procedure will be at a stable and healthy weight. This is because weight fluctuations can cause a recurrence of the condition.

What are your goals and expectations? Ideal candidates for a male breast reduction will have realistic expectations and a positive outlook about the procedure. It is important to discuss all of your goals and concerns with your doctor before the surgery is performed.

Are you taking any medications? There are certain medications that can cause gynecomastia to develop. Be sure to tell your doctor about any heart, anti-anxiety, or prostate medications you are taking. It is also important not to take anti-inflammatory medication a few weeks before the procedure.

Get In Touch with Us for Further Information

If you want to learn more about a male breast reduction, feel free to reach out and make an appointment with Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery! At our convenient locations in Portage and Battle Creek, MI, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be pleased to explain this procedure in greater detail and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!

Are You in Need of a Breast Lift?

Although a breast lift is technically a cosmetic procedure at its core, a lot of people would suggest that it helps them mentally as well. Agree with it or not, our society has put a lot of emphasis on women’s breasts and how they look. It is not fair to women to be judged on such a standard, but it happens anyway. Some women simply choose to undergo the procedure to feel better about their body, regardless of what anyone else thinks about them.

A Judgement Based On Distance

Sometimes it is not easy for the average woman to know whether or not she could benefit from a breast lift. A lot of people may make light of the idea of needing a breast lift, but many others feel that they really do need one due to a variety of possible factors.

A lot of the rules of thumb as they were about breast lifts have to do with exactly how far down the body the nipple hangs. Regardless of distance, if you believe you could benefit from a breast lift, even if it is simply to make your breasts perkier, then you may be a great candidate.

Coupling This Surgery With Breast Augmentation

It may seem obvious that a breast lift can be paired with a breast augmentation surgery at the same time. If you suffer from sagging breasts as well as a loss in volume then you may benefit from a combination of these procedures.

Aging as well as genetics can result in sagging breasts, while pregnancy and a change in hormones can cause sagging as well as a loss in volume. At your consultation we can address whether or not you may be able to benefit from a lift as well as an augmentation.

Mommy Makeover

A breast lift is one of the procedures we offer in a mommy makeover. After you’ve given birth, either once or multiple times, you will see visible changes in your body. The breasts suffer especially during childbirth and breastfeeding, which some women choose to address through surgery.

If you are interested in a breast lift but think you may be able to benefit from the whole mommy makeover package, please speak with the professionals at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery to learn more. We can help you find the perfect procedure for your needs. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek, MI. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

How Chin Implants Can Improve Your Profile

If there is one feature a lot of men and women would like to change, it would probably be their chin. When your chin is out of proportion with the rest of your features, it can ruin your profile and the balance of your facial contours. Chin implants are the solution and a popular choice these days. It’s a fairly quick and easy procedure, although it does require general anesthesia.

Redefining Your Beauty at Every Angle

A chin implant is not a one-size-fits-all type of enhancement. Every client has unique facial features, which is why our expert plastic surgeon — Dr. Raghu Elluru — tailors the implant for your individual needs. Chin implants come in various sizes to improve one’s facial proportions, contours and shape.

A chin implant might sound like a small thing, but its benefits are pretty amazing in how it offers better harmony to a face. For example, an implant can increase the strength of a chin, add width to a chin, reduce the appearance of jowls, increase projection, and increase the chin’s vertical height. Best of all, an implant can redefine your jawline and allow you to look more youthful.

Simple Procedure, Significant Transformation

A chin implant procedure is safe and usually performed under general anesthesia. Post-surgery, the client can expect bruising and swelling that can last at least two days. According to the experts, your chin implant will most likely last for a lifetime. The great thing about a chin implant is its easy removal if the client is not happy with it. It can be taken out, and the chin will return to its original status.

This minor cosmetic procedure can enhance your features in the most incredible way by adding ideal symmetry and balance. You no longer have to suffer with genetic imperfections; you can now have a strong chin that compliments the rest of your features.

If you’re not satisfied with your chin and how it affects your profile and appearance, you can do something about it. Here at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery, we take pride in performing aesthetic surgeries to help improve your quality of life. Our professionals can determine if you would be a good candidate for a chin implant. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek, MI. Contact us today and schedule your consultation! It’s the first step in getting that dream chin you’ve always wanted.

Give Your Back a Break with Breast Reduction

Having large breasts is something that takes away from the quality of life for many women. They can result in both physical and emotional pain. Having a breast reduction surgery can help.

What a Breast Reduction Can Do for You

There are many personal reasons why women seek out a breast reduction. Some of the most common reasons include:

To Make Breathing Easier

The fact is, large breasts are quite heavy. This extra weight on the chest can make breathing much harder than it needs to be, especially when lying down. When a woman with large breasts sleeps on her back, the weight of her chest presses down on the spine and lungs. Sleeping on the stomach, however, is not an option. Having a breast reduction can help you breathe easier, especially when sleeping.

To Make It Easier to Find Clothes That Fit

Finding clothing that fits well and is flattering can be very difficult for women with large breasts. This is because most clothes manufacturers make their clothes for the “average” woman. A woman with a larger chest can really struggle to find a strapless dress or swimsuit that fits them. Having a breast reduction can make clothes shopping much more enjoyable.

To Reduce Pain in the Shoulders, Back, and Neck

The extra weight that comes along with large breasts puts unnecessary strain on the shoulders, back, and neck. Over time, it can affect a woman’s posture, which can cause further damage to the spine. Even if your spine had no trouble supporting your breasts in the past, the shoulders naturally begin to roll forward with age. This can cause a great deal of pain. Shoulders that have rolled forward in combination with heavy breasts can actually compress nerves, causing significant discomfort.

To Boost Self-Esteem

Having large breasts can often generate unwanted attention. This can cause women to hide their bodies or even avoid going out. For some women, having large breasts means they are not taken as seriously as they should be. A breast reduction can help a woman feel better about her body, which will, in turn, boost confidence and self-esteem. If you feel your breasts are disproportionate to your body, this procedure may be able to increase your self-esteem.

If you would like to learn more about breast reductions and how they can improve your quality of life, visit Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery to learn more. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek, MI, and our educated staff are ready to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the medical term for when men have enlarged breast tissue. Although it can sometimes only affect one side, it more commonly affects both breasts. It can be caused by several different things and often is a source of embarrassment. Luckily, there are treatment options available for men with this condition. Our experienced surgeon typically opts for liposuction to remove excess fat and tissue, but breast reduction is also an option available to you.

How Do You Know if You Have Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is not considered a serious medical problem, but it can cause emotional discomfort. The condition is characterized by having excess glandular tissue development and localized fat. Sometimes, there is also excessive skin in the area. When it only affects one side, it is said to present unilaterally. When it affects both breasts, it is presenting bilaterally.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

This is a condition that can affect any man. Certain things, however, increase an individual’s odds. They are:

Age: Gynecomastia is relatively common when a male is going through puberty. In these cases, it usually goes away by itself. This condition is actually most common when a man is between the ages of 50 and 69 and often does not go away.

Medications: Certain prescription medications affect hormone levels, potentially causing gynecomastia. Examples of commonly prescribed drugs include:

Anabolic steroids
Antibiotics
Heart medications
Tricyclic antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications

Lifestyle Factors: Both drinking too much and taking illegal street drugs can contribute to gynecomastia as well. Marijuana, heroin, methadone, and amphetamines are all examples of drugs that affect the hormones that in turn can affect breast tissue development.

Other Medical Problems: Many medical conditions result in a hormonal imbalance. Examples of common culprits include:

Malnutrition
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Hyperthyroidism
Tumors (especially if found on the testes or adrenal glands)
Hypogonadism

How Gynecomastia Is Treated

There are certain medications that are sometimes prescribed to treat this condition. These medications are safe, but not cleared by the FDA for this particular use. Alternately, men can choose to have surgery. Either liposuction or a mastectomy can be an effective way to remove excess breast tissue.

If you are interested in learning more about what gynecomastia is and how it can be treated, visit Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery to learn about your options. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek, MI. Our educated staff would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Enhance Your Nose with Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is one of the more popular surgical procedures. People get one for a variety of reasons that can include the following:

Changing the size of the nose
Correcting a drooping or upturned tip
Make the width of the nose more proportionate
Smoothing humps or bumps
Making the nostrils more proportionate

While people think of rhinoplasties as strictly cosmetic, many patients also get them done to correct problems like a broken nose or deviated septum. A rhinoplasty can be done by itself or along with another procedure like a facelift or eyelid surgery.

What Does Rhinoplasty Involve?

This procedure can be open or closed. The type of procedure you receive will depend upon your needs and what our surgeon determines would work the best in your case. A rhinoplasty of either type generally takes around two hours. The patient will be given general anesthesia or intravenous sedation beforehand.

How Should You Prepare?

The doctor may advise rhinoplasty patients to start eating more protein several weeks before the procedure to strengthen their immune system and promote healing. Similarly, if you smoke, you need to quit at least two weeks ahead of time. Smoking can increase the risk of blood clots after surgery and thus cause other complications. You should also avoid taking any medications that contain blood-thinners for they will increase bleeding.

You should avoid excessive sunlight or other sources of UV rays like tanning beds. You will need time to recover from the surgery and should thus plan to take time off from work. You should also arrange to have somebody drive them to and from the clinic.

You should inform their doctor if they develop symptoms of an upper respiratory infection like a cold. You should not eat anything after midnight before the day of the surgery. You also should not put any lotions or creams on the face or nose on the day of the surgery.

What Is the Recovery Like?

Full recovery from a rhinoplasty can take months as the nose heals and its swelling goes down. Our surgeon will apply tape and bandages to make the nose conform to its desired new shape and to reduce fluid buildup. During the follow-up visits, our surgeon will remove the splints and tape as they check the patient’s progress.

To learn more about this procedure offered at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery, visit one of our offices in either Portage or Battle Creek. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

You have done some deep soul searching lately as you think about what you want for your body. You think breast augmentation will help you to feel good about yourself. You have always liked the idea of being curvy. You have tried to get the desired results by choosing clothes that make you look like you have great cleavage. You have bought many different bras that are meant to give you a boost. You like how they make you look, but they are only temporary. You want to have full breasts all the time, whether you are wearing your favorite bra or not. This procedure can give you that.

Is Breast Augmentation the Right Solution for You?

Before you seriously pursue surgery, you need to make sure you in good health. If you have no underlying conditions that could put you at risk, you can think about getting breast implants. As for why you should get implants, that really is a personal choice. You may want implants to simply give yourself more volume. Your breasts may not look like they are a matching set. You may have noticed that your breasts have become smaller after you lost weight. Aging can also make your breasts look like they are getting smaller. Breast augmentation can help you to make your vision for your bust a reality.

What Are Your Options for Breast Augmentation?

Breast implants are the most common approach when it comes to breast augmentation. You can go with saline implants, choose gel-filled implants, or try gummy bear implants. Our plastic surgeon will sit down with you to talk about the right alternative for you. If you choose implants, you need to decide where you want your implants to be inserted. Our surgeon will also decide if you should have your implants placed on top of your pectoral muscles or beneath them. It’s all about getting the most appealing results. Once your breast augmentation procedure is over, you will need to allow your bust to heal.

Ask Our Plastic Surgeon if You Can Move Forward with Breast Augmentation

Our plastic surgeon at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery is your best guide when you are thinking about breast augmentation. Our plastic surgeon will make sure your concerns are addressed as you learn more about breast augmentation at one of our offices in Portage or Battle Creek. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Contour Your Body with Liposuction

You have been diligent in your efforts to get the best figure you can possibly have. You have watched your calories. You have made yourself a regular at the gym. You have been successful in reaching the weight you want to be. You wear the size clothes that you like to see in your closet. There is one issue that you haven’t been able to solve; you have deposits of fat that are really stubborn. They are clinging around your midsection, your buttocks, your thighs, and your upper arms. You have tried to target each area with exercises that are supposed to firm up your body. That fat has been too stubborn. It defies all of your efforts. Fat-burning foods and gym equipment aren’t enough. When you need extra help to contour your body, liposuction can work wonders.

Why Choose Liposuction to Contour Your Body?

Your struggle with resistant fat is common. When you want that bulge or roll to go away, liposuction works. This procedure has been effectively helping patients to contour their bodies for over forty years. You can focus on one area or you can eliminate fat in several areas, it depends on what you need. Our plastic surgeon will help you to figure out where this procedure can benefit you the most.

How Does Liposuction Work?

A cannula will be inserted into the area our surgeon is targeting for fat removal. This is a hollow tube that will suction out the fat. Once the fat has been removed, the procedure is complete in that area. Our surgeon will move on to other areas if necessary. Once the fat has been suctioned out, it won’t come back. However, liposuction won’t stop you from putting on weight in the future. It will be up to you to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Ask Our Plastic Surgeon about Body Contouring with Liposuction

If your body needs extra help when you want to improve your figure, liposuction at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery could work for you. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek. When you come in for a consultation our plastic surgeon will evaluate your body and your health. If liposuction is the right move for you, you will need to decide where you want the procedure. Our professionals will work with you to make sure you receive the results you are looking for. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!