Thursday, November 28, 2013

Bikini Ready Tummy Tuck Procedure

What is a Bikini Ready Tummy Tuck?

A Bikini Ready Tummy Tuck is an abdominal and waist contouring procedure designed to slim, tighten, and rejuvenate the entire waist area.  It is designed to be performed in one procedure and to deliver the maximum results to allow the patient to be......you guessed it...Bikini Ready.

The procedure is individualized to each patient and often includes liposuction of the lower back, flanks, and abdomen as well as a full tummy tuck.  Occasionally the fat removed is used to replenish volume that has diminished over time in other areas such as the buttocks and lateral thighs.

The Bikini Ready Tummy Tuck procedure requires thorough discussion and planning between patient and plastic surgeon as well as expertise in body contouring plastic surgery and tummy tuck surgery in general.  The procedure has evolved in my practice over time through advanced learning, the desire to provide better results, and through careful attention to what my patients have communicated to me.

Below is one example of what a Bikini Ready Tummy Tuck procedure can accomplish.  The link below the photo will take you to the full set of before and after photos for this patient.

http://www.scottsdaletummytuck.com/photo-gallery/details.cfm?ID=344&StartRow=1

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Tummy tuck pain

Tummy tuck pain:  What to expect and how to make the best of it.

Many men and women are candidates for a tummy tuck procedure after either significant weight loss or after child birth.  One of the main issues that many patients state made them wait to get a tummy tuck procedure is the concern of the pain and recovery associated.  Since knowledge is power lets discuss what one can expect following a tummy tuck as well as what can be done to make that recovery experience a little better.

How much pain should on expect after a tummy tuck?

Lets face it, a well performed tummy tuck with abdominal muscle tightening, liposuction of the flanks, and removal of the excess abdominal loose skin will result in some discomfort.  Most of the pain or discomfort associated with a tummy tuck is no related to the incision, however.  Once an incision is sealed it tends not to cause too much discomfort.  Most of the discomfort that patients report is often from the abdominal wall tightening.  Abdominal wall tightening does not involve cutting muscles.  This is an important thing to know and remember because part of "pain" is mental.  If you feel like you have done the most intense abdominal workout and know that nothing bad is happening you will not have the fear component associated with your discomfort and will know that it is largely tightness and soreness that will get better each day.

On a scale from 1-to-10, most patient will rate a tummy tuck in the 6-8 range the first week, 3-5 range the second week, and less thereafter.  This of course variable from patient to patient and I do consistently get several patients each month that are smiling, seem comfortable, and largely report that its not as bad as they thought it would be even in the first week after their tummy tuck.  Most patient however, do find the first week a little challenging but its that first week that is the hardest.

How to make the best of the tummy tuck recovery?

Knowing what to expect, what is happening, and not being afraid of the unknown are key.  A trusting relationship with your plastic surgeon will be important.  I tell my patients that I will always be looking out for anything that can signal healing issues.  Until then, just know that everything is healing well and there is nothing to fear.

Most of what can be done to make this process better is in the surgeons hands.  In addition to education numbing medication and proper dressings can make a difference.  Placement of long acting numbing medication deep in the tissues can help a lot in the first few days after a tummy tuck.  Some surgeon also use a pain pump routinely.  I leave the pain pump as an option for my patients as some patients do not want either the extra cost or the extra tube and bulb that goes along with it.  A properly placed abdominal binder and drain can also help reduce the discomfort after surgery.  Finally, pain medications.  The right combination of pain medications can help make the recovery process seem less intense.  Both narcotic and non-narcotic medications as well as  muscle relaxer type medications can be helpful.

A few other details that may be of help are: having a recliner to sleep in and using a toilet seat booster to help when having to use the bathroom.  Of course, having a supportive friend or family member to help you through this journey is also recommended.

So,......tummy tuck surgery is intense but when performed properly the discomfort of the recovery process is well worth the final results.  There are a few things that both you and your plastic surgeon can do to make this process better as discussed above and education of what is and is not occurring (knowledge is power) is right up there with the most important of them.

Good luck on your tummy tuck journey.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta
Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Published chapter in new plastic surgery textbook

Hello everyone.

I wanted to share my recent chapter publication in the new Grabb & Smith's plastic surgery textbook.  The textbook is now in its seventh edition and has consistently served as a premiere reference for plastic surgeons in training as well as those already established.  The chapter is Lower Body Lift & Thighplasty and covers the indications, techniques, and photographic documentation of the key parts of a lower body lift and thighplasty.  As some of you may know, a lower body lift is designed to correct circumferential (all the way around) waist laxity often associated with significant weight loss.  It can be thought of as a buttock lift and back of thigh lift in the back, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) in the front, and a thigh lift on the side.

Thank you,

Remus Repta MD
Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Achieving a natural tummy tuck result

Getting a tummy tuck does not mean that your abdomen and waist should look like you've had something done.  An ideal tummy tuck result for me is one where the abdomen and waist look as good as they can without appearing that there has been surgery performed.  This means that the incision looks great and its well hidden, the belly button appears natural, and the tummy tuck results blend into the flanks and remainder of the waist.

For a quick overview of what I believe a natural appearing tummy tuck result can be please take a look at this brief video clip I have put together.


All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Monday, September 2, 2013

Mommy Makeover

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a term used to describe a procedure or group of procedures designed to improve or reverse the effects that having children has created on the body.  Most commonly, a mommy makeover is a tummy tuck and either a breast augmentation (breast implants) or a breast aumentation and breast lift.

Does a mommy makeover look natural?

It can.  When properly designed a mommy makeover procedure can produce a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.  See the video below.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Ethnic tummy tuck

Does ethnicity (race) factor in when designing a tummy tuck procedure?

The short answer is yes.  A tummy tuck is designed to fit the individual and all of the individuals characterirstics including skin type, amount of fat, shape and size of pelivis and hips, etc.  Accomplishing a balanced, natural, and aesthetically pleasing tummy tuck result requires taking into account all of these characteristics as well as the patients desired goal.

Below is a short video showing how ethnic differences can be incorporated into a great tummy tuck result. Enjoy!




Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Dr. Repta before and after photo book

Hello everyone,

I've completed and published a short 60 page book containing information about who I am and what I do including before and after photos of some of my patients.

Click on the link below to access a high resolution copy of my before and after book.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

http://www.drrepta.com/photo-book.pdf

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction options


The most prominent recent news related to breast cancer and breast reconstruction has been the mainstream story that Angelina Jolie has been diagnosed with the BRCA positive gene and that she underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (removal of both breast tissue mounds) as well as breast reconstruction.  Her generous sharing of information related to this event in her life and that of her family has generated a lot of discussion of breast cancer detection, breast cancer treatment, and breast reconstruction.

Along with my plastic surgery colleagues at Advanced Aesthetic Associates, I founded Breast Resource Arizona (breastresourcearizona.org) as a source of information for breast health and breast cancer particularly aimed at local women and their families.  Within the breastresourcearizona.org site there is information that addresses many of the common questions that have arisen from the recent Angelina Jolie story including the BRCA gene, prophylactic mastectomy, and breast reconstruction options.

Breast cancer detection, treatment, and reconstruction have made tremendous clinical progress over the last decade and it continues to make advancements each year with the help of courageous patients and hard working surgeons and researchers.

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta