The new year represents a fresh start, which is why New Year’s Resolutions are so popular. Many people use this time to contemplate changes they’d like to make to their bodies. Usually, that means diet and exercise. While both are crucial for a healthy lifestyle, they aren’t the only tool available. For instance, what can be done about those stubborn problem areas? The ones that never seem to get better, no matter how many healthy choices you make? At the offices of Jim Brantner, MD, we offer several body contouring techniques to sculpt and shape specific areas:
Tummy and Sides. We offerSculpSure procedures to help with these stubborn areas. SculpSure is quick, non-invasive, and minimizes discomfort because it doesn’t involve surgery. Tummy tucks and liposuction are other popular options for contouring the area around the abdomen.
Arms. The upper arms have a tendency to sprout “wings” of excess fat and skin as the body ages. An arm lift, also called a brachioplasty, is designed to help correct this, to restore confidence and minimize discomfort from unwanted, flapping skin.
Remember, the only way to decide which procedures are best for you is to schedule a private, personalized consultation with Dr. Brantner. We’ll discuss your goals, expectations, concerns, costs, and even talk about any worries or fears you may have. Not only that, but we will give you honest feedback about whether your expectations and hopes are feasible. Dr. Brantner is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in civilian practice since 1987.
If you have questions, don’t delay! Call us today and let’s get find the right body contouring procedure to help you reach your goals.
We want to make it easier for you to get the body of your dreams. That’s why we’re offering 15% off tummy tucks in September.
A tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, repairs damaged muscles, and smooths the stomach. We’ve written before about how to tell if a tummy tuck is right for you. Now we’re answering your most common questions about the procedure.
How Is a Mini Tummy Tuck Different Than a Full Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower belly between the pubic bone and belly button. A full tummy tuck smooths and shapes the abdomen from the pubic bone to the bottom of the chest. Because a mini tummy tuck is less extensive, patients heal faster than they would after a full tummy tuck. Talk to Dr. Brantner about which type of abdominoplasty is right for you.
Will My Belly Button Change?
Your belly button may look different for awhile during the healing process, but it’s the same belly button you’ve always had. The incision for a tummy tuck will heal, leaving a natural looking stomach and belly button.
How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Eating?
Depending on individual reactions to anesthesia and pain medications, most patients can resume eating the day after their procedure. Start off with gentle “sick day” foods like broth and toast. Diets that are high in protein and healthy fats will help in the healing process. It’s not unusual for patients to find that they eat less after a tummy tuck than they did before the procedure.
Can I Get a Tummy Tuck If I’m Planning to Get Pregnant?
A tummy tuck addresses many issues that may arise from pregnancy, including loose or sagging skin, torn or separated abdominal muscles, and stubborn fat deposits. It’s usually best to wait until after childbearing to have an abdominoplasty. If you’ve had a tummy tuck and become pregnant, the procedure won’t affect your pregnancy, but you may want a revisional abdominoplasty after childbirth.
Liposuction is a popular fat reduction procedure that leaves women and men feeling more confident in their bodies. But any procedure with so much press is bound to come with a few misconceptions, and there are plenty of myths about liposuction. Can you separate fact from fiction? Dr. Brantner is here to help.
Fact: Liposuction works for a variety of areas
Liposuction is best-known for removing fat from the abdomen, but it’s also a good choice for patients who want to remove stubborn fat deposits from the hips, thighs, chest, back, and neck.
Fiction: It’s great for weight loss
Many people see liposuction as an easy, one-step weight loss program. But like any fat reduction procedure, liposuction requires a healthy diet and regular exercise to maintain results. It’s best to use liposuction to remove stubborn fat areas after trying more traditional weight loss methods.
Fact: Liposuction is real surgery
Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction doesn’t remove extra skin or restore bulging abdominal muscles. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real surgery! When you get liposuction, your physician will make small incisions to remove the fat deposits. Just like other surgical procedures, liposuction requires a few days off work to recuperate and heal.
Fiction: Results are instantaneous
Liposuction removes fat from the body, but because it’s a surgical procedure, many patients experience swelling. It may take several weeks for your body to fully heal before you can see the full results. Wearing the compression garment recommended by your physician will smooth the skin, limit swelling, and help you see results faster.
When it comes to liposuction, experience matters. Dr. Brantner has decades of experience giving patients smooth, natural results. To schedule a liposuction consultation, call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery today.
In the realm of cosmetic surgery, liposuction is a common (but often scary) term to come across. So what exactly is it and why would you need? Here’s the 411 run-down on everything you need to know about this cosmetic procedure!
What is liposuction?
This procedure is popular, safe and can result in significant changes in your body contour and shape. It can be a single procedure, or combined with other procedures like a tummy tuck. It helps to remove any unwanted fat pockets that might be unresponsive to your diet and workouts. Particularly tricky areas you might have are the thighs, hips, butt, hips, knees or the chin and neck area. If you have firm, elastic skin and great muscle tone, a procedure like this will suit you well (as well as being within 30% of your ideal weight).
How does it work?
Medications will be given to you before the procedure based on best recommendations by your doctor. Liposuction is performed through small incisions, where a tube is then inserted through those incisions to loosen up the fat in a back and forth type motion. That fact is then suctioned using a vacuum or syringe, followed by sutures to close up those incisions.
Your surgeon may give you a few recommendations prior to your procedure, including getting a lab testing for medical evaluation and to stop smoking or taking any sort of supplements.
It’s also very important to let yourself heal after the procedure. You’ll be given garments and bandages after the procedure, and will be instructed not to make too many movements that would cause swelling or abrasions.
For more questions about our liposuction procedure at Dr. Brantner’s office in Johnson City, TN, please feel free to give us a call at 423-328-9000, we’re happy to help! You can also check out our payment options as well as other surgical and non-surgical procedures on our website.
Like a good wine or cheese, you only get better with age. Unlike wine and cheese, you don’t have to show your age if you don’t want to! Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is hosting our first Wine & Cheese Party on December 2nd. For the night of the party, we will offer discounted rates on non-surgical facial rejuvenation like Botox, Juvaderm, and liquid nitrogen.
Wine & Cheese Party
Want to freshen up for the holidays? Reserve your place at the Wine & Cheese Party. There you can mingle, learn about injectables and fillers, and get discounted rates on some of our most popular non-surgical procedures. Space is limited, so call to reserve your ticket today. The event will be at our Johnson City office on Friday, December 2nd at 7pm.
What You Need to Know about Botox Parties
This isn’t your typical Botox party. Botox parties are a risk to patients, putting needles in the hands of inexperienced and under-qualified people. Getting Botox by an uncertified physician or technician can lead to serious complications. All procedures, no matter how minor, should be preformed by an experienced physician in a sterile environment.
Our Wine & Cheese Party allows patients to socialize, talk to our team, and get the same great discounts that make Botox parties so popular—all without putting the patient’s health or results at risk. Enjoy good wine, great food, and face time with certified medical professionals who can answer any question you may have about both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
If you want smoother features and a youthful glow in your family pictures this Christmas, don’t miss this exclusive event. For more information about our Wine & Cheese Party, call Dr. Brantner’s office.
There could be a silent killer lurking in your home. It’s not a villain from a horror movie or a creepy creature that crops up every Halloween; it’s your own skin. Skin cancer can lurk unnoticed until it has a deadly hold on you. But as with any fright, a little preparation is the key to fighting it off.
Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, affecting 1 million patients annually. But not all skin cancers are created equal. There are three major types of skin cancers:
Basil Cell Carcinoma: The mostcommon type of skin cancer. This cancer grows on the exposed part of the skin in response to UV exposure. It typically will not spread to other parts of the body, and can be cured if caught early.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The second most common type of skin cancer. Found on parts of the body with sun exposure, it can also spread to bones, tissues, and nearby lymph nodes. Easy to treat if caught early, but harder to treat once it spreads.
Melanoma: The least common type of skin cancer, but the most dangerous. An aggressive skin cancer, melanoma often spreads to other parts of the body and can be fatal if not treated early.
Recognizing Melanoma
Moles, skin growths, and and colored spots are usually nothing to worry about, but atypical moles can be cause for concern. Regular self-checks are the key to catching skin cancer early. When deciding whether to follow up with a doctor about a mole, look for these signs:
Asymmetry: The two halves to not match.
Border: Benign moles have smooth edges, but malignant moles are likely to have uneven or scalloped edges.
Color: Malignant moles often have multiple colors (colors may include white, red, or blue in addition to brown, tan, or black)
Diameter: Moles larger than a pencil eraser should be examined by your doctor.
Evolving: If the size, shape, or color of a mole begins to change, make an appointment with your physician.
Moles don’t need to be something to fear. Check your moles regularly, and always contact a certified plastic surgeon to remove any skin cancer threats before they get worse.
sculpt and shape specific areas:
