Houston Plastic Surgery Blog

Each woman's body responds differently to childbirth. Some new mothers can diet and exercise and reclaim their pre-pregnancy figure. For other women, it is not so easy. You will often find loose or flabby skin in your abdomen, where your skin stretched to make room for your child. After giving birth, this loose skin may be even more obvious as you begin losing weight.

Stubborn Belly Fat

Some women find that the pouch of excess fat and skin below your belly button will not flatten out after giving birth to several children, despite diet and exercise. This is because your muscles, fascia, and skin have been stretched to accommodate your newborn. Mothers who have undergone a Cesarean Section (C-Section), will have an especially difficult time achieving their pre-pregnancy figures.

Tummy Tucks for Mothers

If you are a new mother with excess skin and fat that has not disappeared after six months, there is hope. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that removes this extra fat and skin from your stomach, and then smoothes and tightens your stomach muscles.

If you opt for a Mommy Makeover, liposuction can be performed on your stomach and thighs in the same procedure, for optimal results.

If you live in the Houston, Texas area and are interested in achieving your pre-pregnancy waistline, please contact highly trained Houston Tummy Tuck Surgeon Dr. Lapuerta to schedule your initial consultation.

Labiaplasty, sometimes referred to as vaginal rejuvenation, is becoming a more popular procedure than it used to be. As with other aspects of the female body, some want to change the appearance of their labia for any number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons for labiaplasty include:
Stretched labia
Overly large labia
Sagging labia
Uneven or asymmetrical labia
Discomfort in tight fitting clothes, during exercise or during sex
Causes for these things include childbirth, change in weight, age, or congenital conditions.

Labiaplasty is usually performed by reducing or reshaping the labia minora. Reshaping is often performed to correct unevenness in the inner or outer labia. When this is done, discomfort is lessened and aesthetics enhanced. When the fullness of the labia majora is lost due to weight loss or age, lipoinjection can add volume.

Recovery of labiaplasty depends on the individual, but it is advised that you rest for up to a week. It is important to wear loose fitting clothing during this recovery period since you will be swollen and sore, and clothing rubs against the genitals.

Labiaplasty is often combined with other procedures, such as abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, or perineoplasty.

If you would like to learn more about labiaplasty, please contact Houston, Texas triple board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lapuerta for an initial consultation.

After you have undergone a liposuction procedure, you may be anxious to see the results, as they are immediate. However, be sure to follow all the post-operative instructions so that you do not jeopardize the appearance of your newly contoured body.

Liposuction recovery can last from days to months depending on the size of the area you had treated. In most situations, you will recover to the point where you can resume your normal life within one or two weeks. Within several weeks, you should be able to remove your compression garment and return to work. After a month or two, you should be able to participate in all your normal activities.

The First Weeks after Surgery

After your surgery, someone must drive you home, but you will be able to walk on your own. You may experience swelling, bruising and possibly numbness, but this will fade. Be sure to get plenty of rest and wear your compression garment, which helps expedite your recovery.

Any pain or discomfort can be alleviated by walking around and taking pain medication as needed. In the first several days after tumescent liposuction, expect the anesthetic solution from your surgery to drain from your incisions. Be sure to take showers instead of baths for at least one week after your liposuction procedure.

The First Several Months

The skin around your treated area may seem initially loose. This is normal and will tighten over several months, depending on your skin's elasticity. Monitor your incisions for signs of infection and schedule a follow-up appointment to check the status of your healing.

If you can benefit from liposuction and you live in the Houston, Texas area please contact the office of Houston Liposuction Surgeon Dr. Lapuerta for more information.

The first "modern day" facelift was performed a century ago. The procedure involved removing a small piece of skin from the patient’s scalp and stretching and pulling it up. The result mimicked the patient's hair being pulled into a tight ponytail. It was later discovered that detaching and re-positioning the facial skin would restore aged skin to its original position and keep the skin in place more effectively.

The Wind Tunnel Look

From 1920 to 1950, facelift techniques evolved and incisions were created longer and more dramatic. Eventually, the incision became one that surgeons use today: around or behind the ear, across the scalp. As this technique was developing, a common result was the "wind tunnel look" where the skin was pulled so tightly, patients appeared as though they were standing in a wind tunnel.

This outcome led to a deeper examination of the facial structures, and surgeons ultimately discovered that the underlying facial muscles could be lifted. In doing this, smaller amounts of skin could be lifted to create a smoother, younger appearance that did not appear "windblown."

The SMAS Technique

By the 1970s, the SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) facelift procedure was introduced; a technique that remains one of the most commonly used today. With this innovative technique, a flap elevates the platysma muscle of a patient’s neck and lower face without detaching the skin. By the 1990s, facelift techniques became less invasive, with smaller incisions and shorter recovery times.

If you are considering facelift surgery and you live in the Houston, Texas area, please contact highly trained Houston Facelift Surgeon Dr. Lapuerta to arrange your appointment and discuss your cosmetic options.

A male "tummy tuck" or abdominoplasty is a common procedure to reduce the size of your stomach. This procedure decreases the appearance of a protruding belly by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying stomach muscles.

Dramatic or frequent fluctuations in weight can weaken your abdominal muscles. The result is skin that begins to sag and stretch. A flabby stomach can be frustrating and embarassing for many men.

Benefits of a Male Tummy Tuck

As men age, fat begins to redistribute itself into the abdomen. For a majority of men, diet and exercise alone can not produce optimal results. By removing excess skin and tightening your abonminal muscles, you can enjoy a slim, attractive midsection.

Male tummy tuck surgery can produce a midsection that is:

For best results, be sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Ideal Candidates

The best candidates are men who are close to or have reached their ideal weight, but whose stomach has not responded to diet and exercise. Those who have excess skin due to significant weight loss can also benefit from this procedure.

If you live in Houston, Texas area, and believe you can benefit from a male tummy tuck, please contact board-certified Houston Tummy Tuck Surgeon Dr. Lapuerta to learn more or to schedule your initial appointment.

The decision to undergo liposuction is an important one. By removing stubborn pockets of fat, liposuction will help improve the contour of your body and help enhance your self confidence.

In preparation for your liposuction procedure, here are some things you should do:

Facelift surgery has become a very popular cosmetic procedure. However, it is performed under general or local anesthesia, so it is imperative to find a board-certified and experienced facelift surgeon to reduce the risk of complications. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and performs surgeries at multiple locations in the Houston area.

The Importance of Board Certification

Board certification helps ensure that the facelift surgeon of your choice has the proper medical training and is someone who can perform quality work. Board certification also demonstrates that your cosmetic surgeon has:

Board Certifications Organizations

Cosmetic surgeons with the highest level of training are those certified by the following organizations:

Other Factors to Consider

Keep in mind, however, that board certification does not necessarily guarantee successful results. Other factors to consider are your cosmetic surgeon's:

If you are looking for a skilled, reputable and experienced cosmetic surgeon for your facelift procedure, please contact board-certified Houston facelift surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta to schedule your appointment today.