Monthly Archives: December 2020

Drainless or “Modern Tummy Tuck”

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Abdominoplasty, do I need a drain?

A Drainless tummy tuck, sometimes referred to as a Modern Tummy Tuck is the ONLY way to go according to some plastic surgeons. Other plastic surgeons are equally dogmatic about always using drains with a tummy tuck. And patients – who wouldn’t want the “modern” technique?

Here is the truth. Sometimes a tummy tuck require drains, and sometimes they don’t. It makes sense for a patient to select a plastic surgeon with experience with drainless tummy tucks, and with tummy tucks using drains. Each patient should get the procedure that is best for them, based not just on their preference, but their unique anatomy. I perform tummy tucks with and without drains.

Potential Problems with Drainless Tummy Tucks:

In very thin patients, the quilting sutures used in a drainless tummy tuck may be visible. These irregularities and indentations may never disappear. The goal of a tummy tuck is to provide smooth contours. No one wants indentations, but these indentations have been observed following tummy tucks in thinner patients.

When high volume liposuction is performed with a tummy tuck, there is an increased possibility of a seroma in patients without drains.

An Individualized Treatment Plan for Tummy Tucks

With anything in aesthetic medicine, the latest may or may not be the greatest. I feel like it is important to learn about all advancements, but to incorporate new techniques only when they have been proven to be safe and effective. The Drainless or Modern Tummy Tuck is a great option for some, but it is not the best solution for everyone. At Blue Water Plastic Surgery our focus is on providing you with a beautiful, natural result, and to get you back to your daily routine as comfortably and as quickly as possible. When looking for a tummy tuck surgeon, I would strongly urge you to not let the issue of whether or not you will have a drain for a week be your deciding factor. Look at many Tummy tuck before and after photos. Look at the contour of the abdomen, the belly button – that can really be a telltale sign- and look for placement and thickness of scars. Ideally, incisions will fade to fine lines that are barely perceptible.

Where will your surgery be performed?

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Choosing a well trained, talented, board-certified plastic surgeon who shares your aesthetic vision isn’t the only decision you need to make. It is important that you ask questions about the Facility where your procedure will be performed. At Blue Water Plastic Surgery, we do not cut any corners when it comes to patient safety. Our OR is accredited by The Joint Commission and AAAASF.

PREOP- This is where you are prepared for surgery

  1. Fully equipped room for a single patient at a time for complete privacy.
  2. 1 RN or NP dedicated to provide care the entire time patient is in the preop area
  3. Room leads directly to the OR
  4. Area is cleaned and sanitized to the highest standards in between patients

OR-

  1. Equipment exceeds highest industry standards for safety and efficiency (Joint Commission and AAAASF accredited)
  2. 2 MD’s present throughout procedure- MD and anesthesiologist
  3. Dedicated, trained staff including RN’s, certified first assist and certified scrub tech handpicked by Dr. Law
  4. Area is cleaned and sanitized to the highest standards in between patients

PACU- Or Post-operative area

  1. Fully equipped, private room for a single patient at a time for complete privacy
  2. 1 nurse dedicated to provide care the entire time the patient is in the recovery room
  3. A private bathroom solely for recovering patients
  4. First floor private exit with a private parking spot just a few feet away
  5. Area is cleaned and sanitized to the highest standards in between patients

Sterile processing

  1. Fully equipped- we have 2 autoclaves and 1 ultrasonic cleaner
  2. A dedicated certified sterile processing tech to process/clean instruments

Outside the OR

If you are a post-operative patient and you have a question or concern, we have a team of surgical Nurse Practitioners available to answer questions, prescribe medication and provide care. of course, your plastic surgeon will be involved in every step of your care and recovery process. But, there are times when your surgery is in the OR with another patient. We want to be sure our patients have immediate and round the clock care available should you have any questions or concerns.

Important Plastic Surgery Questions to Ask Before It’s Too Late

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We all know many ways to research your plastic surgeon, but I want to address a few questions people don’t often ask until it’s too late

1) I’ve just had surgery, how to I get out of the OR to my vehicle?
In some cases, post-op patients – exposed and vulnerable- are required to go through a public lobby or even an elevator to get out of the OR. Returning for post-op visits will also likely mean being exposed to others this way, and possibly might mean waiting for an appointment in a public waiting room. At Blue Water Plastic Surgery, parking for caretakers is just a few feet from the door of our post-operative recovery suite. We have private entrances and exits for patients coming to to and from their post-operative appointments where a nursing professional will meet you at your vehicle and escort you in and out.

2) What if I have a question, if I need medical attention, or maybe a prescription post-operatively and my surgeon is in the OR with another patient?
At Blue Water Plastic Surgery, a team of nurse practitioners is immediately available to answer questions, prescribe medications, and provide medical care at the instruction of myself or Dr. Law. Medical care is immediately available to all patients round the clock.

3) What I I have a concern or an issue comes up a few months after surgery?
At Blue Water Plastic Surgery, we schedule regular post-op and follow up visits with your surgeon for a full year after surgery. If you feel great and prefer not to come in, the appointments can be by phone or video. But, we are here. Any time there is a concern, we have physician extenders available to answer calls or to see you same day if you desire.

At Blue Water Plastic Surgery Partners, we think of every detail. In addition to creating beautiful, natural results, and taking every measure available for a comfortable and rapid recovery, our medical team will treat you with dignity and respect. Our surgeons want each patient to have the experience they would want for themselves, their family and close friends. We think of things you wouldn’t think of. Caring for you is our job and our passion.

Scarless Breast Lift

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Women are sometimes afraid of breast lifts due to the scar. To avoid scars, women consider lasers or skin tightening devices that simply don’t work for this indication. Another ill-conceived idea is getting extra large implants to “fill the pocket” This is a bad idea. It doesn’t work and it creates a new set of problems for women.

My breast lift patients are thrilled with the results of a breast lift. At Blue Water Plastic Surgery, we offer complimentary V-beam laser treatments to accelerate scar healing for all patients. This, and updated techniques can significantly reduce healing time. I encourage women considering a breast lift to look at many photos, and even to speak with patients who have had this procedure performed. I can show you the stages of healing, and also connect you with previous patients who can privately share their experiences with you. A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a life-changing procedure. Nothing lifts the breasts other than breast lift surgery.

The attached photo was taken two months after surgery, and the scars will continue to fade over the next few weeks and months.

Breast Implants – Selecting the Right Size

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One of the most common myths about breast implants is that after surgery, women regret not going larger. I have not found that to be accurate. In fact, when I see women in consultation who are interested in a revision procedure to change the size of their implants, it is almost always because they feel their implants are too large, not because they are too small.

One goal of plastic surgery is to make a persons life easier, for instance to give women more fashion options. My patients want to feel confident in swimwear, workout wear and they’d like to ditch their padded bras. And they can, when moderately sized implants are used. When extra large implants are placed, it makes finding clothing that much more of a challenge.

Some women like the “look” of breast implants. They want an unnatural appearance. Those are not my patients, and this is the minority of women interested in breast augmentation surgery. Instead, my patients want breasts that look and feel natural, and breasts that move like natural breasts. My patients include other physicians, fitness professionals, and public figures who want to look their best and feel confident, but do want to look fake, not do they want implants not in proportion with their body.

In my opinion great plastic surgery is the plastic surgery you don’t see. It just makes a person look and feel their best. That is true for breast implants.