Key Benefits of CoolSculpting

1. It involves no needles, surgery or downtime.
   •  Since CoolSculpting is non-invasive, patients can resume daily activities including work and exercise, immediately following treatment.
2. It’s safe.
   • Patients can generally sit or lie comfortably and read, work on their laptop or even nap during the procedure. The procedure is performed in a medical office, under the supervision of a plastic surgeon specialising in cosmetic procedures.
3. It’s convenient.
   • Procedures last about one to two hours, so treatment can easily be performed during a lunch hour or without major disruption to the day.
4. The results are dramatic.
   • On average, each CoolSculpting Procedure results in a 20% reduction of fat in the treated areas, and patients can start to see results as soon as three weeks following treatment, with the most dramatic results occurring over a period of two to four months in most patients. Clinical studies involving hundreds of patients show that, for properly selected patients, CoolSculpting is an effective way to reduce fat without the risk and recovery time of surgical procedures. The result is noticeable, natural-looking fat reduction in the treated areas.

How CoolSculpting Works

During the CoolSculpting procedure, a non-invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to the treatment area to specifically target underlying fat, leaving surface skin tissue unaffected. When fat cells are exposed to extreme cold, a process of natural removal is triggered, which gradually reduces the thickness of the fat layer. The result is a visible reduction in fat bulges. 

CoolSculpting is safe because the delivery of precise cooling affects only targeted fat cells, leaving adjacent tissue unharmed and intact.

CoolSculpting is not intended as a weight-reduction program for overweight individuals. The best candidates for the procedure are people near their ideal body weight who eat well and exercise regularly and have pockets of fat that have not responded to a healthy lifestyle. They are seeking spot reduction for specific areas of fat but are not considering a surgical procedure.

The Science Behind CoolSculpting

The CoolSculpting procedure developed by ZELTIQ is based on sound science called Cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis is the result of a groundbreaking discovery by Drs. Dieter Manstein and R. Rox Anderson at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. ZELTIQ is the exclusive licensee of this patented technology and therefore the only company to provide Cryolipolysis.

Their initial work, first published in the peer-reviewed professional journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, proved that subcutaneous fat cells are naturally more vulnerable to the effects of cold than other surrounding tissue. These Harvard studies and other research from centers of excellence confirmed that fat cells, when exposed to precisely controlled cooling for a sustained period of time, undergo a gradual reduction and cell death through a process called “induced apoptosis.”

Question: What areas on your body do you feel CoolSculpting may be beneficial in removing stubborn fat bulges? You can leave a comment below or Share this post with family and friends.

How is eyelid surgery performed?

Eyelid surgery can be performed on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. The plastic surgeon will carry out pre-operative evaluation on factors such as your facial muscles around the eyes, the symmetry or droopiness of your eyebrows and underlying bone structure. After the evaluation your plastic surgeon will be able to determine the amount of skin and/or fat to get rid of. Some points to consider:

• your plastic surgeon will make accurate markings to show where the excess tissues will be removed on your lower and upper eyelids.
• On your upper eyelid, they will make a surgical slit concealed in the natural fold of the upper eyelid.
• In the lower eyelid, the surgical slit will be concealed below your lower eyelashes. When unwanted fat only is being removed, the slit can be made inside the lower eyelid which is referred to as a transconjunctival incision. Laser resurfacing may at times be used together with this method so as to make the lower eyelid skin tighter.
• The plastic surgeon will also get rid of excess tissue through these slits.
• At times, fat may need to be redistributed in the lower lids to completely remove bulges or puffiness. Other changes may be made so as to correct special problems such as muscle laxity.
• The scars are generally inconspicuous after healing.
• For patients who have dry eyes, very little amounts of tissue are removed to avoid exposing more of the eye to the air which may worsen the symptoms.

When to consider eyelid surgery

1. If you have too much skin hanging or covering the upper eyelids natural folds.
2. If loose skin hangs down from the upper eyelids over the eyelashes.
3. If the under of your eyes has deep grooves and bulges.
4. If both your upper and lower eyelids look puffy, making your eyes appear aged and tired.

Many people who consider blepharoplasty also consider facelift, wrinkle smoothers, brow lift and dermal fillers for a complete facial rejuvenation look.

What will my eyelid scars look like?

1. Upper eyelid surgery: The plastic surgeon will mark the natural lines and creases of the lids and keep the incisions as concealed as possible along the natural folds. Thin sutures will be used in closing up the incisions hence making the scars visibility minimal.
2. Lower eyelid surgery: In the traditional blepharoplasty, the doctor will make the slit in a hidden side along the lash line and smile creases of the lower lid. In the transconjunctival approach, the doctor amends the eyelid puffiness that results due to excess fat by making a cut inside the lower eyelid. This technique doesn’t need an external slit but it cannot be used in the removal of extra skin.

Recovery

This is one of the fast healing surgeries that I undertake. However, it is important that you adhere to all the postoperative procedures that are given. This will include instructions about iced eye pads, bandages and taking of antibiotics if prescribed. I will also offer detailed instructions about the normal symptoms and any signs of complications. The amount of recovery also varies among people so it’s good to be patient and not rush things.

Risks

Fortunately, eyelid surgery has very minimal complications. Thousands of people undergo successful blepharoplasty and are happy with their transformation. However, all surgical procedures come with some degree of risk. Some of the complications may be watery eyes, infection and bleeding, allergic reactions, sensation changes, asymmetrical scarring and haematoma.

Question: What is the most troublesome thing you find with droopy eyelids? You can leave a comment below.

Dr. Tim Papadopoulos (aka DrTim) is a board-certified Sydney Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon in private practice since 2002. He is the Founder & Medical Director of CosmeticCulture, a Plastic Surgery SkinSpa & Laser Clinic, serving the needs of plastic surgery patients in the Pyrmont, Lane Cove and Penrith region. He has a special interest in breast and body contouring, rhinoplasty, the interactions between surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation and facial and body skin cancer excision and reconstruction.

DrTim is the past President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS AUS/NZ) and is also on the Education Sub-Committee of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). He is driven by a passionate interest in achieving excellence through learning and teaching.

DrTim is a member of many medical societies including The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS AUS), the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS AUS/NZ), The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS US), The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS US), The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). DrTim is also a supervisor for plastic surgery training in NSW and has authored many journal articles. He is a sought after speaker at international and national meetings and is involved in teaching applied anatomy to plastic surgical peers and across the range of practitioners involved in aesthetic medicine. He is on Faculty for the Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) run by Dr Bryan Mendelson for plastic surgeons which is also taught at The Aesthetic Meeting (ASAPS US). DrTim is also a dissector at the ASAPS AUS/NZ Anatomy and Live Injecting Workshop held annually just prior to the Non-Surgical Symposium. This workshop is open to plastic surgeons, cosmetic doctors, nurses and dermal therapists concentrating on anatomy relevant to non-surgical rejuvenation methods and ageing.

The sydneycosmeticplasticsurgeon.com.au, is a place to ponder themes and stuff regarding cosmetic plastic surgery that DrTim thinks we all should care about. Cosmetic plastic surgery generates a great deal of interest, but there is much misinformation floating around. The sydneycosmeticpalasticsurgeon.com.au is designed to provide real-time information about this rapidly evolving field of cosmetic surgery. The goal is to create insightful, relevant content that you can put to work in your personal and professional life. If you are in a position of contemplating having cosmetic surgery, cosmetic injectables or laser treatments—then sydneycosmeticplasticsurgeon.com.au is for you.

The goal of sydneycosmeticplasticsurgeon.com.au is to highlight what is too often silenced by the media noise. In an era of globalisation, the necessity to relate, to inform but most of all to tell is always more pressing. There are too many issues, stories, events that are at risk of being engulfed by the vortex of global chatter, of being crushed by the inflation of information. To think about some of these for a little longer can broaden our view of the world: making a little room for discussion and going a little further in-depth, and if possible knowing and understanding what is out there. Daily news is the starting point, together with specific features that deal with many different topics.

For people who want to talk, then sydneycometicplasticsurgeon.com.au is definitely a good opportunity. Please send any questions by email to info@drtim.com.au or find more information at www.drtim.com.au

1. Make Sure You Have Appropriate Motivation & Realistic Expectations

Make sure you are doing the body lift surgery for yourself and for the right reasons and that you have realistic expectations.  Be aware that an improvement in the problem area may not necessarily translate to an overall improvement in your life or home situation.  You are bound to be disappointed with results of body lift surgery if your motivation is not intrinsic.
 Timing of your body lift surgery is crucial. Generally, it is not a good idea to have body lift surgery done during or immediately after a stressful period in your life e.g. divorce or death of a loved one. The additional stress of body lift surgery will undoubtedly be  more challenging to deal with if your emotional reserves are already exhausted. Take note that an improvement in your physical appearance will not necessarily translate to an improvement in your life situation.
 Lastly, keep in mind the end results as you go through the sometimes tough, emotional times after your body lift surgery.

2. Speak To A Patient Who’s Had Body Lift Surgery

If possible speak to patients who have undergone body lift surgery and ask them about the toughest times of their recovery period. Any practical hints these patients can provide may be very helpful to you.
 Make sure you have a strong support system in place at home (with several people if possible) who have the time and patience to take care of you. Arrange for professional nursing if there is any doubt regarding the availability and/or stamina  of your caretakers. It’s a good thing to distract your mind with things of interest such as books, games and movies etc. 
 More importantly, expect less of yourself. Don’t go back to work, school or chores too early. Let others take care of you for a change as this is your time for rest and recreation.

3. Be Aware of the Risk s & Complications

Make sure you are aware of the potential risks and complications that may arise from body lift surgery and how to reach your plastic surgeon if necessary. Pick your plastic surgeon carefully (an experienced licensed plastic surgeon) and trust in their advice. Keep in close communication with your plastic surgeon and do not hesitate to communicate questions or concerns that you may have. It is essential to see your plastic surgeon’s before and after body lift surgery photos.  Make sure these patients are weight loss patients and try to find before and after photos of patients who look like you. Furthermore, be patient with the healing process and understand that it will take several weeks to months to return back to normal again (it may take many up to 3 t0 6 months to see the end results of your body lift surgery). 
 Resume all medications that you were using preoperatively when cleared by your plastic surgeon and stop the use of narcotics and sedatives.

Question: What are your 3 most important concerns regarding body lift surgery? You can leave a Comment below or Share this post with family and friends.