The fear is that under the traditional cosmetic surgery procedure there was a lot of trauma to the body. The old lipo method involved some major incisions out of which solid fat was vacuumed, so to speak. To minimize discomfort the patient underwent general anesthesia, would typically end up with some scars and stitches, and would lose a good amount of time after the procedure to the recovery process. This was not exactly something to look forward to – and the decision to go ahead with it was difficult.

Recently, a new method – often referred to as SmartLipo was approved by the FDA. You could say that this method literally melts the fat off the body. Cosmetic surgeons make small cuts or incisions in the targeted area and then use lasers to liquefy the fat. This liquid form then drains out from the openings. Only local anesthesia is needed, there is usually no scarring, and the recovery time is very short. An added benefit to laser lipo is that surrounding skin firms up a bit from the lasers. This is in sharp contrast to the old way where the skin would become a bit baggy and saggy and possibly require another procedure to fix.

So, when it comes to advantages and disadvantages of laser liposuction what is the downside? As with any plastic surgery there are risks involved. Infection and bruising are possible, along with some minor discomfort such as swelling. Generally, SmartLipo is used to dissolve smaller amounts of fat to define the body and not used to remove large amounts of fatty deposits.
The best advice is to consult with a trained and certified cosmetic surgeon as to whether this is right for you.

Before choosing this procedure, it is wise to try diet and exercise. Establish a good exercise routine and stick to it. Not only will your belly look better but your whole mind and body will benefit from this healthier lifestyle. In actuality, you should be physically fit to undergo this surgery, because the results after the surgery will be affected negatively if your weight continues to go up and down.

However, if the exercise route does nothing for your midsection then you may be a candidate for plastic surgery. As we have advised before, finding the right person is key, and there are many qualified cosmetic surgeons in PA.

The tummy tuck does involve general anesthesia. The doctor will most likely make an incision under your belly button down to the pubic hair line. Then he or she will stitch up the abdominal muscles and take out extra fat. Recovery time is a few weeks and there will be some swelling which, of course, is uncomfortable.

As with any surgical procedure it is important that you consult with your doctor to determine if the procedure is right for you

Most people choose cosmetic surgery for one of two reasons.

The first reason is because they are unhappy with the way they look.

The second reason is because the procedure is medically necessary.

Both reasons are extremely valid. After all, if you dislike the way you look it can lead to low self esteem.

But I am not one to jump on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon. In fact, I advocate many less intrusive routes before a surgical procedure. Diet and exercise are the two most common methods that will bring maximum results not only in beauty but also in health. Make up and topical lotions and treatments are also a non-invasive route.

But sometimes these just aren’t enough and something like excessive weight loss can compound the problem. That is when plastic surgery should come into consideration.

Medical necessity is also a reason to undergo a PA cosmetic surgery procedure. This became painfully obvious to me (no pun intended) when I recently experienced a terrible case of poison ivy. No, I didn’t require surgery, but my legs and arms were transformed into a bumpy, red, splotchy mess – not to mention itchy.

Despite the heat and discomfort, I immediately took to wearing long sleeves and full pants in August. Just to hide the rash. And I am not vain in the least. Rather, I covered up the rash to put others at ease. I could see immediately that people I met were uncomfortable about the rash – they worried, of course, that it might be contagious but were often too polite to voice their concerns.

Now imagine, if a skin condition like that was permanent. It could lead to a lower self confidence over time. Thankfully, there are medical skin treatments available to remedy certain situations.

Whether you are considering a Pennsylvania cosmetic surgeon or one from a different state, always do your homework and make sure that you are entrusting yourself to the best care.

Here is a partial list of Pennsylvania Cosmetic Surgery Centers that perform Juvederm:

If you are in Eastern Pennsylvania, the Columbus & Perfections Lasers service Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and the Philadelphia areas.

In the Shanti Medical Spa is a cosmetic surgery facility near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Also in the Pittsburgh area is the Skin Center with offices in Mt. Lebanon, Wexford and Shadyside.

Make sure you fully research the cosmetic surgery procedure and your choices of Pennsylvania cosmetic surgeons before choosing to undergo any procedure including Juvederm.

Some names that have come across my desk are as follows:

• DiBello Plastic Surgery
• Sal Calabro M.D.
• Valley Square Plastic Surgery and Spa
• The Pennsylvania Center for Plastic Surgery Philadelphia