Diet and exercise sometimes do little to eliminate unwanted fat and loose skin in the abdominal area. If you are bothered by these appearance problems, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be a good choice for you. Abdominoplasty is performed to rid a person of excess skin and to tighten the weak abdominal wall muscles. This is frequently present in women following childbirth.

The procedure can be done as an outpatient or inpatient and sometimes can be done as a mini-abdominoplasty, which works mainly on the lower portion of the abdomen. Recovery period is anywhere from 7-14 days, depending on the extent of the procedure and the tightening of the abdominal wall musculature. Liposuction can also be performed at the time of this surgery.

Now among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, liposuction (also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy") sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas around the thighs, knees, buttocks, waist, hips, abdomen, chin, cheeks, neck and upper arms.  

Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, but the procedure can eliminate areas of fat that are unresponsive to typical weight-loss methods, and improve body contour.

Dramatic weight loss, whether achieved by proper nutrition and exercise, or as the result of a gastric procedure has many benefits.  However, once you have reached your goal weight loss, you are then faced with another battle.  You may find that you still don't have the body image you desire.  Body Lift or Reconstruction following dramatic weight loss can greatly improve your body contour.  There are many procedures available to reduce the amount of excess skin resulting from your weight loss.  These procedures may include tummy tuck, breast lift, brachioplasty ( reduction of the loose skin of the arms), thigh lift and many facial corrective procedures.

For more information about reconstruction following dramatic weight loss click here. 

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Many people regret the decision made years ago to get a tattoo. Others want to change or remove only a portion of their tattoo. Lasers are now available for tattoo removal. Dr. Lavine uses the Q-Switch Ruby Laser. Principally, darker colors respond the best, while reds and yellows only fade. A series of treatments is necessary and need to be scheduled approximately 4-6 weeks apart to decrease the chance for scarring or damage to the skin. Scarring and pigmentary changes can occur but are rare. The procedure is performed in our office and requires no downtime.

Unsightly spider veins are very common on the lower extremities of women. They are due to the weakness of the vasculature in the lower extremity area. The treatment of choice is sclerotherapy (injection) sometimes combined with laser treatments. More than one treatment is usually required. It is necessary to wear a compression garment for several days following the procedure, but the patient is ambulatory immediately following the procedure.