For the month of July we are offering our brand new products with a very special deal… Buy any two products and get a complimentary medium depth chemical peel ($125 value) with Dr. Maria Lombardo.
After pregnancy and breast feeding, the breast and belly often have lingering or permanent effects. The skin can be stretched and lose its elasticity after the pregnancy is over and even after additional weight loss is accomplished. The “Mommy Makeover” is a phrase that is used to describe the combination of breast and abdominal (belly) procedures to improve or restore the body to its pre-pregnancy condition.
Many people assume that the “mommy makeover” means having a breast implant placed but for those patients who don’t want to increase the size of their breasts, a mastopexy or breast lift can be done. There are many ways to lift the breast: from a small crescent shaped incision above the nipple-areola region to adding a vertical and/or horizontal incision in the fold under the breast. Belly procedures range from liposuction to “tummy-tucks” or a combination of both.
One of the nicest reasons to combine procedures is that you also combine the healing phase: Two procedures with only one recovery period. Because every patient is different and is trying to reach different goals, the best way to determine if a “mommy makeover” is for you is to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation. Dr. Maria Lombardo will discuss what bothers you and to go over expectations for surgery. Call to schedule today! 760-610-8990
Everyone should be doing a few basics to take care of their skin (and men, this means you too!):
AM: wash, moisturize using a lotion with SPF for sun protection
PM: wash, mechanically exfoliate and moisturize with a richer/heavier lotion.
AND… every 6 months to a year…. Get a chemical peel! (for some people even more frequently)
A TCA (trichloracetic acid) Chemical Peel is a powerful and effective tool for resurfacing your damaged skin to yield the skin you are looking for and deserve. This medium depth peel will improve many of the skin conditions that we all see (and wish we didn’t!) when we look in the mirror. After peeling, your skin will be softer, smoother, with improved texture and tone and greatly reduced hyper-pigmentation (sun damage). Those are the differences on the surface of your skin. But the real magic is going on under your skin where collagen is being stimulated. This is what plumps up the lines and scars, yielding a smoother, more refined and beautiful complexion. This light to medium peel helps with the following skin conditions: IMPROVES: Fine Lines, Acne, Sun damage, Blackheads, Improves skin Tone, Improves skin Texture, Rosacea, Milia, Age Spots, Shallow Acne Scaring, Enhanced penetration of topical skin care products (moisturizers, serums etc.)
How it works: Chemical peels are versatile tools that are used to resurface the upper layers of your skin by loosening the bonds between the dead skin cells that dull your skin, while stimulating the collagen beneath the skin to form and align, which in turn plumps up the fine lines and scars from below the surface. They have been around since Cleopatra bathed in sour milk (containing lactic acid!) to make her skin smooth. Fortunately, science has made a lot of progress since then and the chemical peels available now are sophisticated and effective. Peels vary in strength and provide different benefits. Light peels (15% TCA) provide substantial results by removing sun damage and over time will help smooth very superficial lines. These peels have light peeling and flaking, not usually enough to avoid social situations. Medium peels (TCA 20% – 30%) are where the results really start to show. These peels can have heavy peeling, crusting and take 7–10 days to completely finish the peeling process. These are our most popular peels because they make the most difference, helping to smooth lines, plump up skin, strip off sun damage and reveal smooth, even skin. Skin must be taken care of very gently and carefully, but these peels are fantastic for damaged skin. This is one of the most commonly performed chemical peel in medical offices because it is one of the most effective and has the most impressive results. This is a very safe peel and is suitable for most skin types; however, some darker skin tones, particularly African American run a small risk of post peel hypo-pigmentation (areas of lighter discoloration).
After the peel your skin may be red, this is normal, and you may wear makeup to tone it down if you would like. Applying a moisturizer (e.g. Eucerin) will help with the tight sensation and keep the new skin lubricated. About 2 days after the peel your skin will start to dry out and look leathery, brownish and aged, but don’t panic, this is what we want! Your skin is preparing to shed off, and that will occur over the next 3-5 days. You can encourage peeling by using warm compresses and taking hot showers, but you cannot pick at the skin! It must come off when it is ready to, not when you are ready for it to! By peeling off the skin you risk scaring by exposing skin that is not ready for the world yet, so allow the skin to shed on its own. As with all exfoliating products, the use of sunscreen is essential to obtaining the results you are looking for. If you are not able to commit to using a sunscreen, this is not the treatment you should choose as you will just damage your skin all over again!
People who are not candidates for Chemical peels: Pregnant or Breast Feeding, Have Herpes, Using Accutane, Are immune impaired, have had problems with atypical scaring in the past (keloids, etc)
Call for an appointment today! 760-610-8990
Most women want to have a curvy figure but there are many women whose overly curvy figure causes problems. A disproportionately large chest can make it difficult to find clothes that fit. From undergarments that are supportive enough but still look feminine to shirts that won’t button across the front with out gapping, shopping can be a chore. If you can find something that fits across the chest it very often doesn’t fit through the waist and you can look wide or thick because of all the extra fabric.
But clothing fit is not the worst of the problems that women with large chests face. Carrying around extra weight can cause stress and pain to the neck, upper back and shoulders. Some women have grooves in the shoulders where the bra strap sits, holding up all the extra weight. Infections between and under the breasts are quite common as well. Often women with large breasts are not as physically active as they would like to be because the extra tissue “gets in the way” or makes running and jumping sports impossible because of uncomfortable or painful bouncing.
Breast reduction surgery is a wonderful option to improve back and neck pain, re-establish a more proportionate figure and restore self-confidence. The surgery is a same-day procedure, so the patient goes home after surgery and usually feels less neck and back pain and can stand up straighter almost immediately. Breast reduction patients are very happy with their new shape and regret not having done the surgery sooner.
For more information and for your complimentary consultation with Dr. Maria Lombardo call 760-610-8990 to schedule today. Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery Center in Rancho Mirage offers a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures, call to see what Dr. Maria Lombardo can do for you.
Breast augmentation or enlargement, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, can be performed on women with underdeveloped breasts or whose breasts have a ptotic or “drooping” appearance. This often results from pregnancy, breast-feeding, weight loss and as part of the normal aging process.
The surgery involves placing an implant either under the muscle or underneath the breast tissue itself to lift the overlying breast tissue, giving it a more “filled out” and natural appearance. Implant choices include saline (salt water) or silicone. The goal is to create a soft, natural-feeling and looking breast. Each patient is assessed to determine which implant type and which placement position is best for her anatomy and desired outcome.
The surgery is commonly performed in an outpatient setting at a hospital or surgical facility while the patient is asleep with general anesthesia. Breast augmentation involves making a small incision into the breast to be able to insert a breast implant. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique, though less frequently used, involves making an incision in the armpit. A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). A newer technique uses an incision in the belly button, thus reducing the chance of scarring in the breast area. The best technique will be decided between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.
During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman’s breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), an inflatable implant may be used to allow the surgeon to adjust the level of inflation to attain breast symmetry and balance. Surgery typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours.
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. A special, supportive bra is place after surgery to minimize movement of the breasts and will need to be worn for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. This pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by the physician after surgery.
Sometimes simply dieting and exercising are not enough to take care of waistline problems. In such cases, a patient may wish to consider a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty). A tummy tuck is the surgical removal of excess skin or fatty deposits from the abdomen, which may include the repositioning of abdomen muscles into a tighter formation. This bodily enhancement procedure is designed for those who wish to have a flatter and tighter stomach. It is also helpful in remedying the separation of abdomen muscles known as diastasis, which can occur following pregnancy or weight gain.
Reasons for considering an Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty surgery can last from one to five hours, depending on the desired look and the patient’s unique anatomy. To begin the procedure, an incision is made just above the pubic bone area. This incision goes horizontally across the lower abdomen and sometimes around to the back. The skin is then stretched away from the muscle tissue, and excess skin is removed. The abdomen muscles can be tightened to provide a firmly contoured stomach and well-defined waistline. Finally, the incision is closed; and the skin is stitched back into place. Sometimes the procedure requires an additional incision around the navel in order to provide the best results.
Recovery ProcessPost-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. As the body recuperates, the patient can expect some swelling, pain, and discomfort. . Medication can be prescribed to relieve any pain caused by the procedure. Drains are necessary for about a week to ensure excellent healing. A compression garment is usually required for about three weeks after surgery. Normal activities can generally be resumed within two weeks. It may take up to a year for the body to completely adapt to the new abdominal configuration. With proper diet and exercise the striking results of the surgery will be long lasting.
With aging, weight loss, or a combination of the two, the skin of the upper arm often becomes loose and flabby. Patients are often self-conscious about raising their arms or wearing short sleeves. An upper arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat so that the upper arm is more smooth and contoured. The procedure involves making an incision along the inner aspect of the upper arm from near the elbow to the armpit. The excess skin is trimmed and the incision closed so that the scars are hidden when the arms are down. The procedure is often combined with liposuction. Alternatively, liposuction may be used alone if no skin removal is required. If a patient has some excess but not enough to warrant a full brachioplasty, he or she may be a candidate for the minor brachioplasty procedure. The incision is placed in the axilla (armpit) and does not run the entire length down the arm to the elbow. It will not be as dramatic as the full procedure but is a nice alternative for someone with more modest skin laxity.
The effects of time and gravity can cause the skin of the inner and outer thigh to lose tone. This loss of tone can cause the skin to sag or lose the smooth appearance of an earlier age. This condition can be exaggerated by weight loss and by liposuction performed as a sole procedure in the past. In general, the inner thighs are affected earlier than the outer thighs. Along with sagging skin, the thighs can be an area of fat collection. Excessive fat can produce an unpleasant contour. For many individuals, in particular women, the fatty deposits do not respond to weight loss or exercise. Liposuction alone may improve the contour of the thighs when skin tone is good and excessive fat is the primary problem. However, when liposuction is performed alone on an individual with loose skin or existing cellulite, these conditions are usually worsened.
The thigh lift procedure usually involves both liposuction and the removal of excessive skin from either the inner or outer thigh or both.
Liposuction, sometimes called liposculpture or lipoplasty, is body contour surgery. The goal of liposuction is to re-shape the body by removing stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to dieting and exercise. Liposuction is not a replacement for diet and exercise — it is a partner. It will give you a body that fits into clothes better and looks better without bulky clothes. Liposuction can be done in patients of all ages. This procedure can be done in nearly any area of the body and is commonly used on multiple areas during an operation. Liposuction results in a slimmer and better proportioned figure. Liposuction is used effectively to reduce love handles, saddlebags, a double-chin, a bulge around the waistline, or other unsightly fatty deposits in order to develop a better shape and create a more beautiful body.
Liposuction is a cooperative effort. The surgeon does her part and you (the patient) must do yours. We encourage you to lose weight after the surgery: usually about 10% of your pre-operative weight. If we eliminate your problem areas with liposuction then you will lose the weight in other areas and the end result exponentially improves. Traditionally, it’s much easier to lose weight after the surgery as we have reduced your fat to lean body mass ratio. This makes you into a more effective “fat burner.”
We utilize the “gold standard” method of liposuction called “Tumescent Technique.” This is performed by putting “tumescent” solution into the fat before the liposuction begins. This technique allows for smoother, more comfortable results after the procedure.
Finally, we utilize a 636 nm red light laser. Studies have shown that exposure to laser light of this wavelength will cause a cell membrane reaction that will make liposuction more efficient and provide for significant subjective improvements in post-operative pain management.
Liposuction is not a replacement for proper exercise and diet. Instead, liposuction is a reduction procedure for stubborn areas where fat accumulates. Used in combination with several areas of the body, liposuction can provide a well proportioned body appearance. Ideal surgical candidates are those already in good physical condition but having stubborn areas that do not respond to diet and exercise.
Liposuction can be done under general anesthesia with the patient asleep or under local anesthesia where the area is numbed and the patient remains awake. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or “cannula” is inserted and used to vacuum out the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The surgeon determines the amount of fat to be removed by massaging the skin and squeezing the tissue. After eliminating the excess fat, the incisions are closed by applying a compression dressing or bandage to the area in order to prevent bleeding, reduce swelling, and support the affected area.
Liposuction can last from thirty minutes to several hours depending upon the amount of fat to be removed. Liposuction surgery is an excellent procedure that can benefit those who want to remove unattractive fatty deposits.
New techniques allow for faster recovery from liposuction procedures. The length of the recovery will depend on how extensive of an operation the patient undergoes. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. A support garment may need to be worn for several weeks after the surgery, depending upon which area(s) are selected to be treated. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk for potential problems by carefully following the directions given after surgery.
Most women want to have a curvy figure but there are many women whose overly curvy figure causes problems. A disproportionately large chest can make it difficult to find clothes that fit. From undergarments that are supportive enough but still look feminine to shirts that won’t button across the front with out gapping, shopping can be a chore. If you can find something that fits across the chest it very often doesn’t fit through the waist and you can look wide or thick because of all the extra fabric.
But clothing fit is not the worst of the problems that women with large chests face. Carrying around extra weight can cause stress and pain to the neck, upper back and shoulders. Some women have grooves in the shoulders where the bra strap sits, holding up all the extra weight. Infections between and under the breasts are quite common as well.
Often women with large breasts are not as physically active as they would like to be because the extra tissue “gets in the way” or makes running or jumping sports impossible because of uncomfortable or painful bouncing.
Breast reduction surgery is a wonderful option to improve back and neck pain, re-establish a more proportionate figure and restore self-confidence. The surgery is a same-day procedure, so the patient goes home after surgery and usually feels less neck and back pain and can stand up straighter almost immediately. Breast reduction patients are very happy with their new shape and regret not having done the surgery sooner.
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