Monthly Archives: December 2020

What is Awake/No Downtime Liposuction?

Many people aren’t bothered by one particular area of their body, but rather wish that they could trim a little here and there to create an overall slimmer and shapelier physique. Fortunately, one such cosmetic surgery can do just that! Liposuction is a surgical procedure that has become very popular across the United States for providing safe and effective results that can be tailored to each unique patient. There are many different types of liposuction that pop up in the media, including everything from tumescent to ultrasound to laser-assisted. This post will speak briefly about the general process of liposuction as well as dispel some myths about one form of liposuction called “awake” or “no downtime” liposuction that patients may come across in their research.

Liposuction typically consists of two steps. The first step is breaking up the fat to prepare it to be suctioned. This can be accomplished with a chemical solution or another form of energy such as laser or ultrasound. Dr. Traci Temmen utilizes a method called tumescent liposuction where a fluid consisting of a saline solution, a local anesthetic, and a drug that constricts blood vessels is injected into the patient’s tissues. This helps to break up the fat and separate it from the surrounding tissues for later suction as well as reduce pain and bleeding. Liposuction is then performed where a hollow tube called a cannula that is attached to suction is gently maneuvered to loosen and remove the targeted fat deposits. Once the fat has been removed, Dr. Temmen takes care to equally redistribute the thin layer of remaining fat in order to ensure a smooth, natural-looking result. Dr. Temmen’s patients are consistently impressed with their new slim and sculpted physiques after liposuction, and thrilled that it was all accomplished through incisions that are only a quarter to half of an inch long!

Patients exploring different modes of liposuction may come across options that sound very appealing such as “awake” or “no downtime” liposuction. These are often advertised as having less risk due to being done under local anesthesia instead of general, being “less invasive”, and promising a shorter, more comfortable recovery period. Unfortunately, this marketing can sometimes be too good to be true. The way that this type of liposuction is performed is by injecting very large amounts of local anesthetic (lidocaine). This is what allows the patient to stay awake during the procedure but feel minimal discomfort. Unfortunately, high levels of local anesthetic can be toxic to the body. Therefore, this method generally only makes sense when performed on a very small targeted area of the body where not much lidocaine would be needed. However, the vast majority of patients desire a large area of their body (such as the abdomen, back, and sides) to be targeted in order to achieve an all-over slimming effect and sculpt the body into an attractive hourglass shape. In order to achieve this kind of result using awake liposuction techniques, such a large volume of local anesthetic would have to injected that it would be toxic to the patient. Therefore, in these cases the surgery must be divided over multiple days. At this point, it really makes more sense to perform liposuction in one sitting under general anesthesia rather than dragging out the procedure over multiple days. Utilizing general anesthesia safely allows the surgeon to create the best aesthetic result without the increased hassle and possible complications of multiple surgeries. Furthermore, because the main difference between these techniques is the amount of local anesthetic used but the surgical methods are the same, the recovery process for awake liposuction is about the same as for other types of liposuction and does not offer any advantage.

Liposuction is a powerful tool for removing stubborn fat deposits and contouring the body into the shape you desire. In the hands of an experienced and highly skilled board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Traci Temmen, this technique is very safe and consistently produces beautiful and natural-looking results. To view real examples of past patient transformations, simply explore the Gallery tab of this website. If you are interested in learning more about if you may be a good candidate for liposuction or another cosmetic surgery procedure, please call 813-877-2277 to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD today!

What is Hybrid Breast Augmentation?

For women wishing to enhance their bust line, the options can seem overwhelming! Cosmetic breast surgery comes in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from breast implantation to fat transfer techniques to breast lifts and reductions. Luckily, with the aid of the internet it is now easier than ever for prospective patients to start learning about their options before they even set foot inside a surgeon’s office. Today’s blog post is geared towards providing education on one such option patients may not be very familiar with called “hybrid breast augmentation”, a form a breast enhancement that utilizes a combination of breast implant and fat transfer techniques. Hopefully by the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of this procedure and its benefits so you can continue to hone in on your options moving forward.

Before diving into the details of hybrid breast augmentation, I will give a quick overview of its two components – breast implantation and fat transfer to the breast. Breast implants are a popular choice for breast augmentation known for creating beautiful, highly effective results. There are many different implant types to choose from, including saline versus silicone, as well as what size and shape of implant is right for the desired appearance. Implants are a versatile choice that will work for virtually any patient, but are especially well suited to those looking for a larger increase in cup size that might be difficult to achieve with fat transfer alone. On the other hand, fat transfer is another technique for breast enhancement that uses liposuction to harvest the patient’s own body fat which is then purified and transferred to the breasts. The liposuction segment of this procedure is tailored to each unique patient but usually removes unwanted fat from the abdomen, back, and sides in order to sculpt a smoother, slimmer shape while highlighting the patient’s natural curves. Many patients like that because this technique uses their own natural fat, the final result has a very natural look and feel. However, fat transfer alone typically can only be used for modest increases in breast size (half to one full cup size) due to limitations on the volume of fat that can be successfully transferred.

Now that you have a general understanding of the two parts of hybrid breast augmentation, let’s talk about what happens when you put them together! In this procedure, the surgeon uses breast implants while also performing liposuction with fat transfer to add additional volume and shape to the breasts. There are several advantages of this. First, combining breast implants with fat transfer allows a smaller size implant to be used since a portion of the desired volume will come from the patient’s own fat. This may not sound like a big deal, but using a smaller implant is preferable because it puts less stress on the surrounding tissues and is gentler on the body. Another advantage of hybrid breast augmentation is that it enables the surgeon to increase volume while also correcting asymmetry between the breasts. This is accomplished by precisely transferring different volumes of fat to various aspects of the breast to adjust for any discrepancies, helping to create a more natural-looking and symmetrical result. This is an especially good option for patients who would like to significantly increase their cup size (which could not be accomplished with fat transfer alone,) while also correcting for asymmetry. Along similar lines, hybrid breast augmentation also allows patients to further customize their result by making small adjustments with targeted fat transfers. For example, many patients wish to add a little extra volume to the upper part of the breast to accentuate cleavage. Finally, hybrid techniques offer a special advantage to women who are older and have thinner overlying skin and tissues. For these women, sometimes the small wrinkles or rippling of breast implants might show through their tissues because they are so thin. However, combining breast implants with fat transfer allows a layer of natural fat to be transferred on top of the implants to provide a cushion, helping to disguise the implant and create a more natural look.

In regards to the disadvantages of hybrid breast augmentation, there really aren’t many! The main downside for patients is that because this procedure combines multiple techniques, it costs more than other methods. However, the price is well worth it to many patients for the beautiful results. Many patients may find that breast implantation or fat transfer alone suits their needs just fine. But for those who wish to use a smaller implant, create a more natural look, or correct asymmetry, hybrid might just be the perfect option! Explore the Before and After section of this website to view real examples of past patient transformations and see the stunning results for yourself. If you would like to learn more about if this procedure may be right for you, simply call 813-771-6393 to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD, today!

Should I get Saline or Silicone Breast Implants?

Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way, and in the era of body positivity, more and more women are embracing their bodies just the way they are. This is a wonderful movement that has helped many women feel more comfortable in their own skin, and confident in their appearance. However, it is important to recognize that it is perfectly normal for there to be some things about your body that you wish you could change – almost no one is happy with every single thing! In many cases, diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way towards affecting positive change in your body. However, unfortunately some areas of the body such as the breasts can’t really be “worked out” to change their appearance. Many women are dissatisfied with breasts that they feel are too small, making it difficult for them to find flattering bras and clothing, feel confident during intimacy, or feel feminine and attractive. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen understands the far-reaching effects feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable in your body can have, and is happy to offer an array of breast enhancement options for women to consider. This post will discuss the popular method of breast augmentation of breast implants, as well as dive into the differences between the two main types of implants, saline and silicone.

Breast augmentation with implants is a safe and highly effective option for enhancing the size and shape of the breasts, making it one of the most common plastic surgeries in America. During one-on-one consultation with Dr. Temmen, patients can discuss what kind of result they are hoping for, as well as review real patient before and after photos to get an idea of what other patient transformations have looked like. Part of this discussion will also include going over the options for scar location (in the armpit, around the areola, or under the breast fold), and implant placement (above or below the muscle). Patients are then given the opportunity to “try on” different implant types and sizes under their clothes to help them imagine what different options would look like. Once an implant is selected, Dr. Temmen will make final custom adjustments to size in the operating room to best match the patient’s preferences.

So, how does one choose a breast implant? Well, the first big decision is choosing between saline and silicone, which the remainder of this blog will discuss. From a safety standpoint, both implant types are FDA approved and safe options for patients when inserted by an experienced and skilled board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Traci Temmen. The only exception is that currently, the only implant type that is FDA approved for patients ages 18-21 is saline. The difference between these two implant types is what they are composed of. Saline implants are made of a thin silicone shell that is then filled up with sterile saline to the desired size. Silicone implants, on the other hand, are solid and made of soft silicone throughout, and come in many different sizes and shapes. Generally, saline implants are a little less expensive than silicone. Silicone implants often look a little more natural than saline, especially in women with thin overlying tissues where any mild rippling or wrinkling of the saline implant surface may show through the skin. Some patients also prefer the more natural feel of silicone implants (jelly-like) compared to saline (water balloon). In terms of complications, saline implant rupture is normally quickly visually apparent to the patient (think of a popped water balloon), whereas silicone implant ruptures may not be noticeable to the naked eye and require imaging to pick up. In the event of rupture, a saline implant is also a little easier to resolve than silicone because saline can be naturally absorbed by the body leaving just the shell to be removed during surgery, whereas if a silicone implant ruptures, all of the silicone will have to be removed during surgery.

For women who wish to enhance the size or shape of their breasts, implants are a safe and highly effective option to consider. Overall, choosing the right implant involves considering the patient’s anatomy, current appearance and aesthetic goals, and always involves detailed one-on-one discussion with their plastic surgeon. Dr. Traci Temmen has performed numerous breast augmentations with both saline and silicone implants with stunning results, and is committed to working with each patient to find the perfect option for them! Please explore the Gallery tab on this website to view real examples of beautiful patient results. If you are interested in learning more about if you may be a candidate for breast enhancement with implants, please call 813-771-6393 to book your personal consultation with Traci Temmen, MD today!

Treat Yourself for the Holidays!

With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think not just about gifts for loved ones, but also for yourself! After all of the craziness this past year has brought, you deserve it. While it’s always fun to open the presents underneath the tree, the best gifts are not tangible things, but life-changing experiences. This year, why not treat yourself to the gift of a lifetime and finally get that cosmetic surgical procedure you’ve been dreaming about. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is expertly trained and experienced in a variety of plastic surgeries for the face and body, and is ready to use her surgical expertise to help you look and feel amazing. This post will touch upon a few of the most popular plastic surgeries offered by Dr. Temmen at the Temmen Plastic Surgery, and give you a few more reasons to put one at the top of your list this year!

Your face is the first thing people look at when you walk into a room, and is truly how you present yourself to the world. While it’s important to celebrate everyone’s individual beauty, it is also okay to feel dissatisfied or unhappy with an aspect of your appearance. Some people may have a specific area that bothers them, such as a nose that is disproportionate to the rest of the face, or eyelids that droop and make the face look much older. Procedures that target these areas like rhinoplasty (or “nose job”) and blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) can correct these troublesome areas and restore confidence. For many others, there may not be one feature that bothers them but rather generalized aging of the face may negatively impact self-confidence and make the patient feel older than they are. For these patients, in office non-surgical procedures like Botox or filler injections can work wonders by gently softening wrinkles and helping fine lines disappear. Surgical procedures such as face lifts may also be a good option to consider. No matter the procedure, Dr. Temmen takes great care to ensure a natural, beautiful, and symmetric result for each and every patient. To view real patient examples, navigate to the Gallery section of this website.

Other patients may be most impacted by an area of the body that causes them significant embarrassment, discomfort, or lack of confidence. Common areas women wish to change are the breasts, abdomen, and butt. For the breasts, Dr. Temmen offers a variety of procedures depending on the patient’s desires. Options such as breast implants and fat transfer to the breast can add volume to the breasts and create a fuller and rounder shape, while a breast lift elevates sagging breasts for a more youthful appearance. Dr. Temmen also specializes in breast reduction to decrease the size of very large breasts, help alleviate chronic neck and back pain, and improve overall quality of life. For women looking to improve the shape of their midsection, the tummy tuck procedure with liposuction is a great option to bring in the waistline, trim excess fat from the abdomen, and accentuate natural curves to create a natural looking and attractive hourglass figure. This procedure can even be combined with breast enhancement in a “Mommy Makeover” for those looking for a full body transformation! Patients hoping to improve the appearance of their derriere may be interested in the Brazilian Butt Lift, a highly effective two-part surgery that utilizes liposuction to remove unwanted fat from the midsection, back and sides, before transferring it to the buttocks to add volume and create a round, attractive shape.

If you’d like to make a positive change in your appearance and healthy lifestyle changes just aren’t making the cut, now is the time to take charge! In fact, the holidays are the perfect time to have plastic surgery for a couple of reasons. For one, most patients have time off from work during the holiday season, providing plenty of time for healing and recovery. Secondly, with the new year fast approaching, this is a great time to prepare yourself to live your best life in the new year! And one part of that is taking action to make sure you look your best so you can feel your best, ringing in the new year with radiance and confidence. If you’d like to find out more about a surgical procedure you are interested in, call 813-771-6393 to book your individual consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Traci Temmen, M.D. today!