Monthly Archives: June 2020

Do I Need Vaginal Tightening Surgery?

In the modern world, more and more women are recognizing plastic surgery as a powerful tool to help restore confidence and self-esteem in virtually any area. Procedures on the face such as rhinoplasties (or “nose jobs”) and face lifts can correct life-long insecurities or turn back the clock on aging to help patients feel confident in how they face the world each day. Surgeries performed on the body, such as breast augmentation and tummy tucks, have also become increasingly popular by helping sculpt a shapely physique, restoring patients’ self-esteem and helping them feel radiant in their little black dress, new bikini, or wearing nothing at all! Another area that women all over the world are becoming increasingly interested in targeting with plastic surgery is the genitalia. While you might not see as many billboards advertising surgery in this region of the body, many women are interested in learning more about their options for improving the appearance or function of this area through procedures such as labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, or vaginoplasty. This post will focus on vaginoplasty (also known as vaginal tightening surgery), a surgical procedure that tightens the vaginal opening and canal in women who have experienced unwanted widening of the vagina.

Many women are interested in this procedure due to unhappiness with vaginal widening caused by childbirth, menopause, or the normal aging process. Vaginal widening may cause women to experience less friction during intercourse, causing decreased sexual enjoyment, intimacy with partners, and self-esteem. Women may also notice that they have difficulty getting tampons to stay in, or that their vagina often makes embarrassing noises (called “queefing”) due to trapped air suddenly escaping during sex or physical activity. If you’ve noticed some of these signs of vaginal widening in your own body and are bothered by them, vaginoplasty may be a good option to explore. As a woman, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen understands the profound impact that unhappiness with this area of the body can have on the rest of a woman’s life, affecting physical comfort, confidence, and intimate relationships. Patients admire Dr. Temmen’s gentle disposition and commitment to safety, comfort, and privacy throughout all aspects of this sensitive procedure.

During a vaginoplasty, the surgeon first removes some of the stretched or scarred vaginal tissue from the wall of the vaginal canal and opening. Typically, tissue is excised from the posterior vaginal wall (the side closer to the back) rather than the anterior wall (the side closer to the belly), allowing the scar to be placed in a location with fewer nerve endings. Once the excess tissue is removed, closing the incision decreases the circumference of the vaginal canal and opening. One of the main benefits of this is increased friction during sex, allowing women to feel more pleasure and connection with intimate partners. Furthermore, the firmer vaginal tone created during this procedure can help women use tampons without freely without worry of them falling out, allowing women to live more comfortably and confidently.

A couple of the most common concerns women have who are considering this procedure are recovery and scar placement. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and is performed outpatient. Patients are able to return home the same day, and most are able to drive and return to work after just a few days. To allow the tissues to heal, patients should not exercise, insert anything into the vagina (including tampons), or partake in sexual activity for at least six weeks. While most patients can safely resume their normal lifestyle after the initial six-week recovery period, the healing process will continue for six months to a year as the scars soften. The scarring from this surgery is very minimal, the vast majority of which is located inside the vaginal canal and so is not visible from the outside. Externally, a scar will be visible extending from the posterior wall of the vagina towards the anus (similar to a scar from an episiotomy), but it is typically small and well-camouflaged by the normal anatomy of this region. Overall, patients are happy with the quick and effective result from this procedure that leaves minimal scars behind, and allows them to enjoy a greater quality of life.

Many women are dissatisfied with the toll that child-bearing and aging have taken on the most intimate part of the body, causing decreased sexual enjoyment, unwanted lifestyle changes, and a loss of self-esteem. As a woman herself, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is uniquely positioned to understand her patients’ wishes and concerns. Dr. Temmen meets extensively one-on-one with each patient to ensure that she fully understands their desires and can address all of the worries and questions they have. If you’re interested in learning more about if this procedure may be a good option for you, take this opportunity to schedule an in-person meeting with a female board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in this specialized and sensitive procedure. Call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today!

Am I a Candidate for Removal of Implants and Fat Transfer to the Breast?

Breast implants are a popular method of adding volume to the breasts, helping many women feel more beautiful and confident. However, sometimes women find that whether due to aging, weight gain, pregnancy, complications, or simply being unhappy with their implants, they wish to have them removed. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen understands that this decision can be difficult to make, and is committed to walking alongside her patients on every step of their journey, from initial consultation to post-operative follow-ups. This post will touch upon a few of the different options available to patients considering breast implant removal (also called explantation), and spend a little extra time focusing on one option patients may not know as much about, called fat transfer to the breast (also called fat grafting).

Women thinking about getting their breast implants removed have several different options to choose from. The simplest option is to remove the implants without performing any other procedures. This may be a good option for women who are younger, have smaller implants, and have not had them for very long. For patients with this combination of factors, the skin and tissues surrounding the implant will contract or “fluff up” considerably after implant removal. This minimizes sagging or drooping, giving these patients the best chance at a result that looks most similar to their pre-implant appearance. For many patients, however, a combination of aging, having large implants, and having implants for a long time means that the overlying tissues are not as good at “bouncing back” after implant removal. In these women, breast explantation alone may result in a saggy or “deflated” appearance, particularly in the upper portion of the breast. These women are often interested in additional procedures that can be performed at the same time as implant removal to eliminate sagginess and improve the overall appearance of the breasts.

A breast lift is one of the most common procedures performed with explantation. This procedure removes sagging excess skin and tissue from the breasts and surgically lifts the breast to a higher position on the chest wall, creating a perkier, more youthful bust. A breast reduction is a similar procedure to a breast lift, but removes additional breast tissue to further reduce the size of the breasts. Both of these options lift the breasts up to eliminate droopiness, one of the most common undesired effects of implant removal.

Both of the options discussed above are great for patients looking to remove their implants without being left with saggy breasts. However, a subset of patients is interested in having their implants removed while also adding natural volume and fullness to their bust line. Dr. Traci Temmen is one of the few board-certified female plastic surgeons in the Tampa Bay area who is highly skilled at performing fat transfer to the breast, a method that uses the power of liposuction to do just that. During this procedure, Dr. Temmen performs gentle, precise liposuction of the abdomen and other problem areas. This removes stubborn fat deposits while also providing a supply of high quality fat for later transfer to the breasts. Dr. Traci Temmen is highly trained at performing liposuction to gently sculpt the body into a more flattering shape, and is able to flatten the tummy, melt away muffin tops, and accentuate the waistline. With her exacting surgical technique, Dr. Temmen is also able to precisely target certain areas the patient is most self-conscious of, adapting to each patient’s unique desires. Once liposuction is complete, the collected fat is processed and prepared for transfer. It is then carefully injected into the breasts to create soft, beautiful volume. Since fat transfer replaces some of the volume that was previously taken up by the implants, this adds fullness while also reducing sagginess. For most patients, fat transfer provides up to 1 to 1.5 increase in bra cup size after implant removal (i.e. from a 36B to a 36C), although this varies between patients. Some patients may also be happy to stay the same cup size, but create a rounder shape by adding volume to the upper breast. Overall, explantation with fat transfer is a great option for patients who no longer wish to have breast implants, but still want full, beautiful breasts. Patients are typically impressed with their results, and think it’s simply amazing how great they look just from moving their own fat around! Many patients also enjoy the soft, natural look and feel of their breasts, and may feel more at ease that the increased volume came from their own body rather than outside material.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen frequently performs breast implant removal alone or in conjunction with breast lift, reduction, or fat transfer to best suit each unique patient’s anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. Dr. Temmen is an expert in her field, and stays up to date on the latest innovations in cosmetic plastic surgery to ensure the highest levels of safety and patient satisfaction. In addition to her surgical expertise and experience, as one of the few board-certified female plastic surgeons in the Tampa Bay area, Dr. Temmen understands how closely a woman’s appearance can be tied to self-esteem and quality of life. Patients love her gentle bedside manner, and often find that her humble and kind demeanor are a breath of fresh air in today’s fast-paced world. Just read a few of her many glowing patient reviews to hear for yourself why they’re so satisfied with their care!

With her commitment to safety, extensive training and surgical skill, and gentle approach to patient care, it’s no wonder why so many patients trust Dr. Temmen to perform their cosmetic surgical procedure. Visit the Gallery tab of this website to view Before and After photos of real patient transformations performed by Dr. Traci Temmen, and see the stunning results for yourself. Want to learn more about if you may be a candidate for breast implant removal with any of the procedures discussed above? Call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Traci Temmen today!

Will I need a lift if I remove my breast implants?

Many women get breast implants to enhance the size and shape of their bust line. However, sometimes a woman may desire to have her implants removed (called “explantation”) at a later date for a variety of reasons. Some women may find that with aging, weight gain, or pregnancy, their breasts enlarge over time to a point where they no longer desire the added volume of implants. In other cases, a patient may feel that she was rushed into her decision, or find that her implants are not the size or shape she desired. Whatever the reason, Dr. Temmen recognizes that much like the decision to have breast implants put in place, the choice to have them removed is a personal one. Dr. Temmen’s gentle bedside manner and listening ear ensure that her patients feel comfortable and cared for throughout their entire experience. A key concern many women have who are considering this procedure is that they will be left with saggy, shapeless breasts after the implants are removed. This raises the question of if a breast lift or other procedure is needed in conjunction with explantation to restore the breasts to a natural-looking shape. This post will discuss a few of the surgical options Dr. Traci Temmen frequently performs for her patients to ensure that they are pleased with their result following breast implant removal.

One key point patients thinking about breast explantation should consider is that there is significant variability in breast appearance after implant removal. There are several factors that contribute to this including implant size, how long the patient has had the implants, and how robust the patient’s overlying tissues are, including the thickness and elasticity of the skin. Generally, a young patient who recently had small implants placed will have a better result from breast explantation alone than an older patient who has had large breast implants for a long time. Women with a favorable combination of these factors have the best chance at a result that closely resembles their pre-implant appearance from simply removing the implants. This means that over the course of a four to six-week recovery period, the skin and overlying tissues will tighten and the breasts will “fluff up” in these patients, with minimal sagging or drooping. On the other hand, older women who have had large implants for a long period of time will likely find that breast explantation alone will leave their breasts with a “deflated” appearance that many women would be unhappy with. Fortunately, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen has several options at her disposal to prevent this, allowing patients to have their breast implants removed and still emerge with beautiful, natural-looking breasts.

One of the most common choices women make to restore their breasts to a perkier, more youthful appearance after explantation is a breast lift. In this procedure, saggy excess tissue is removed from the breast after the implants have been removed, and the breast is then lifted to a higher position on the chest wall. This does not increase the size of the breast like an implant, but decreases sagging to help create a more youthful, lifted bust line. Some women with the favorable conditions discussed above may have enough recoil in their tissues to allow the breasts to snap back to their original shape without a lift. However, for many women, a lift is necessary to achieve this result.

Another option some patients are interested in exploring with breast explantation is a breast reduction. This option is best suited for patients who wish to decrease the size of their breasts beyond removal of their implants. Oftentimes these women are experiencing major problems from the heavy weight of their breasts, such as back pain, trouble exercising comfortably, and difficulty finding suitable clothing options. This procedure is very similar to a breast lift, but a greater quantity of breast tissue is removed to reduce the size of the breasts, rather than just the saggy excess tissue and skin removed during a lift.

Finally, a third option available to patients considering breast implant removal who are interested in restoring a little bit of natural volume to the breasts without the use of implants is fat transfer to the breasts. In this procedure, liposuction is performed to remove excess fat from the abdomen that is then transferred to the breasts to add soft, natural-looking volume. This helps fill out the upper pole of the breast which is often what looks the most “deflated” after breast implant removal. An added bonus of this procedure that many patients enjoy is the slimming effects of the liposuction used to harvest fat from the midsection.

As you can see, there are many options for improving the breast appearance while performing breast implant removal. As a highly skilled female plastic surgeon, Dr. Traci Temmen has the technical skills to perform all of these variations of breast explanation as well as the patience and understanding to listen to her patient’s wishes and concerns. Dr. Temmen is an expert in the field, and prides herself on working individually with each patient to design a personalized plan that will give them the most attractive and natural-looking result, leaving them feeling confident and beautiful.

To view some real patient examples, navigate to the tabs under the “Breast” section of the “Before and After” tab of this website. If you are interested in learning more about breast implant removal or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, call 813-877-2277 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today!

How soon after pregnancy can I get a mommy makeover?

The time period following the birth of a new baby is so exciting – filled with joy, love, and lots of new memories as a new life is welcomed into the world! Most mothers are thrilled about their new little bundle of joy – but many are not so happy about the toll pregnancy has taken on their body, leaving them with an enlarged abdomen, saggy skin, and stretch marks. While plenty of women embrace these “battle scars”, others feel less confident, unattractive, or just not like themselves due to these changes to their bodies. While some post-pregnancy changes improve with time and lifestyle changes, women are sometimes disappointed that they are not able to get their “pre-baby body” back despite all of their hard work. For these people, cosmetic surgical procedures such as the “mommy makeover” may be a good option to explore! In this post, I will explain this procedure in detail as well as answer a common question asked by moms who are eager to get their body back: How soon after pregnancy can I get a mommy makeover?

The mommy makeover is a highly effective combination of a tummy tuck with liposuction (or liposuction alone, if desired) and a breast augmentation procedure. Prior to the tummy tuck portion of this procedure and according to patient preferences, Dr. Traci Temmen performs targeted liposuction to remove fat from the stomach, back and sides in order to sculpt a slimmer, shapelier physique. This helps create an hourglass figure, in addition to eliminating stubborn lower back fat and muffin tops. Performing liposuction first also slightly reduces the size of the incision that must be made to achieve optimal results during the tummy tuck portion of the procedure, resulting in a smaller scar. Most patients are very pleased that the scar from their tummy tuck is only slightly longer than a C-section scar, and can usually be easily concealed behind a pair of underwear or bikini bottoms. After liposuction, the standard tummy tuck technique is used to remove excess fat and skin is from the abdomen, creating a flatter, tighter stomach. This helps remove saggy skin and stretch marks acquired during pregnancy, eliminating the post-partum “pooch”.

In addition to liposuction and a tummy tuck, the mommy makeover procedure also includes breast augmentation to enhance the appearance of the breasts. Many women are unhappy with the shape, size, or symmetry of their breasts after the toll of pregnancy, breast-feeding, and aging. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen works closely with each patient to form a surgical plan that perfectly suits their anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic desires. The breast augmentation portion of the mommy makeover is extensively personalized to each unique patient. Many women are unhappy that their breasts hang lower than they would like and are good candidates for a breast lift, where excess tissue is removed from the breast and it is lifted to a higher position on the chest wall. This helps the breasts appear more youthful and perky. Depending on patient preferences, Dr. Temmen can also place breast implants during a mommy makeover to increase breast fullness and add beautiful, natural-looking volume. There are many different types and sizes of implants to choose from, and Dr. Temmen spends one-on-one time with each patient going over the different options to help every patient find the perfect match.

As you can see, the mommy makeover is a combination of procedures designed to target many of the key areas women are unhappy with after child-bearing in order to create a more youthful, slim, and shapely physique that makes every woman feel radiant and confident. So now the question is, how long does a woman have to wait after pregnancy to have this life-changing procedure? It is typically recommended that women wait at least six months to have this procedure to allow time for the tissues to recover after pregnancy. This gives time for the uterus to contract, abdominal wall muscles to tighten, and overlying tissue and skin to contract to their full extent. (While it may take about six to twelve weeks for the uterus to contract back to its original size, it takes six to twelve months for the abdominal muscles to return to their original positions and for the overlying abdominal skin to contract.) To ensure patient safety and produce the best result, a mommy makeover should not be performed sooner than six months after pregnancy, and it is typically recommended that patients wait six to twelve months to give the body time to recover. It should be noted that having a mommy makeover (or surgery in general, particularly intra-abdominal surgery) immediately following vaginal birth or C-section is associated with an increased risk of dangerous complications such as blood clots and significantly increased overall mortality, and should therefore never be pursued. In addition, a woman should ideally be done have children before deciding to have this procedure as the body will change with subsequent pregnancies, undoing much of the work that was done. Finally, it is preferred that a woman is at her normal, healthy, ideal weight before having a mommy makeover in order to reduce the chance of significant weight changes after the procedure having a negative impact on the results. In summary, it is important that every woman wait six to twelve months following pregnancy, and ideally be finished having children and at her stable, ideal body weight before having a mommy makeover. It is well worth the wait to ensure patient safety as well as the best-looking result!

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen’s impeccable surgical skills and gentle bedside manner make her the perfect choice for helping women get their body confidence back through the highly effective combination of procedures known as the mommy makeover. To view some examples of real patient transformations by Dr. Temmen, go to the “Mommy Makeover” section of the Before and After tab on this website. To learn more about if you may be a good candidate for this procedure or any other cosmetic procedure you may be interested in, call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Traci Temmen, MD, today!