Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, and Other Body Procedures - Santa Barbara

• Liposuction
• Tummy Tuck
• Lower Body Lift
• Upper Arm Lift
• Laser Hair Removal
• Scar Revision
• Laser Vein Therapy

Liposuction

Liposuction is a fantastic way to remove stubborn areas of fat that may be difficult to get rid of through diet and exercise. For younger patients it can give them that Santa Barbara beach-ready body, address the male "spare tire", or be part of a mommy makeover. Dr. Mackenzie offers advanced techniques including the latest water jet assisted liposuction with the Body Jet device for liposuction in Santa Barbara for patients who want to feel more comfortable with their bodies. Liposuction can shape and firm the hips, thighs, arms, neck, chin, abdomen, buttocks, or ankles by eliminating fat cells.

The liposuction procedure requires Dr. Mackenzie to make small incisions near the area to be contoured. Through these incisions, he instills a tumescent solution and then narrow metal canulas are used which suction the excess fat out of the problem areas. Once the area has reached the desired contour, each incision is closed with a single stitch.  Dressings and a compression garment are applied.  Side effects of liposuction include some soreness, swelling, bruising, and burning sensations. These begin to subside in a few days and you'll begin to see the new contour, although the ultimate result will take several weeks or more.

The most important ingredient in obtaining a nice liposuction result is the skill and artistry of the plastic surgeon.  There are also different technologies available, and we have the latest in liposuction technology, the Body Jet, which offers certain advantages over other techniques.  This is a water assisted liposuction device, which uses a gentle stream of water to help break up the fat and remove it.  This allows for a quicker procedure that can be done under local anesthesia, quicker recovery, less bruising, and minimal pain.  The fat which is removed by the Body Jet device is much better preserved than with other technologies, and can be effectively used for reinjection.  Fat injection in often done to counter the effects of aging in the face, or used for body contouring and buttock augmentation.  For more information on the Body Jet, visit www.mybodyjet.com.

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If you are interested in liposuction in the Santa Barbara area, contact Pacific Plastic Surgery today for a complimentary liposuction consultation and see what Dr. Mackenzie can do for you.

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dramatic weight gain or loss, pregnancy, age, or genetics can lead to a concentration of fat and skin around the abdomen, which can cause both physical discomfort and uneasiness about the appearance of the body. Diet and exercise often have little impact on this, for a couple reasons.  Although diet and exercise are extremely important, they don't tighten loose skin, and for women who have had children, there is often a diastasis (looseness of the central abdominal wall) that won't narrow even by toning the muscles.  With the tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, procedure offered at our Santa Barbara office, you can significantly improve the contour of your abdomen and torso.  Sometimes people can also benefit from improvement of chronic back pain owing to the tightening of the abominal wall, the removal of the excess weight of tissue, and an improved ability to exercise.  If you have an abdominal hernia, incisional hernia, or umbilical hernia, Dr. Mackenzie can also take care of it at the same time as the abdominoplasty.

The abdominoplasty procedure requires Dr. Mackenzie to make an incision extending from hip to hip. Working from this incision, the surgeon lifts the skin and fat layer to reveal the underlying abdominal muscles. He tightens the abdominal wall (muscle layer) together and stretches the skin back over the new, firmer muscle, removing excess skin and fat. The umbilicus (belly button) is sutured, and a compression garment is placed over the dressings.  Sometimes some liposuction is also done to complement the tummy tuck procedure. 

In cases where fat and loose skin is concentrated in the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be the best option which may allow a smaller incision. In this procedure at our Santa Barbara practice, we also use liposuction in most mini tummy tucks.

While the tummy tuck will result in some scarring, the surgeon will make sure that this scarring is as inconspicuous as possible. Directly following the procedure, patients can expect to experience some pain, soreness, swelling, or bruising around the abdomen. People who undergo the tummy tuck procedure at our Santa Barbara practice enjoy seeing their new contours develop as the swelling fades, and many experience a boost of self-confidence as they get used to their new, leaner shape.

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If you are interested in the tummy tuck procedure offered at our Santa Barbara office, and meeting our Santa Barbara plastic surgeon, contact us today for information on abdominoplasty and a complimentary consultation .

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Lower Body Lift (Following Bariatric Surgery)

People who have undergone massive weight loss following gastric bypass surgery often find they are left with sagging folds of skin that will not conform to their new body shape. Even someone who loses a large amount of weight through diet and exercise can be left with loose, redundant skin.  Unfortunately, this skin has lost its elasticity and remains excessive, leaving surgery as the only way to reduce it.

A lower body lift can reduce excess skin around the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks, improving patient mobility and giving the lower body a more contoured, attractive shape. Depending on the patient's needs, Dr. Mackenzie may perform abdominoplasty, belt lipectomy, liposuction, medial thigh lift, lateral thigh lift, or a combination of these procedures.  There may be other procedures that are indicated as well, such as mastopexy (breast lift) or brachioplasty (arm lift), and your body makeover may need to be completed in more than one stage.  Safety is always a priority when Dr. Mackenzie plans your plastic surgery.

If you have had massive weight loss but are unhappy with the remaining excess skin, you should consider plastic surgery in Santa Barbara with Dr. Mackenzie to complete the body makeover you envisioned when you began your weight loss process. Contact Pacific Plastic Surgery today to learn more.

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Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

As with the lower body, bariatric surgery patients or others who have lost significant amounts of weight may be faced with excess, draping skin on their upper arms. This skin is not only unattractive, but can also interfere with dressing and exercise. An upper arm lift, also called brachioplasty, can successfully remove this excess skin and tissue, giving a slimmer, more natural looking appearance to the arms. If you believe you might be a candidate for upper arm lift, Dr. Mackenzie would be happy to discuss the procedure in more depth with you.

Brachioplasty can often be combined with other surgeries which are commonly indicated after significant weight loss, such as breast lift (mastopexy).

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Please contact our Santa Barbara plastic surgery practice today for more information about brachioplasty and other plastic surgical procedures after weight loss.

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Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal can permanently reduce unwanted body hair. Especially in Santa Barbara, where a swimsuit is common summer attire, people can feel self-conscious about unsightly body hair. Shaving, waxing, and depilatories do not provide lasting results, and the stubble or ingrown hairs that they leave behind can be more distracting than the hair itself. Laser hair removal treatments can reduce most of the patient's hair on the face, neck, arms, underarms, back, chest, bikini area, and legs - anywhere that hair is a problem.

During laser hair removal at our Santa Barbara office, our licensed Physician Assistant Jessica Barker will use the Lumenis One LightShear laser over the area to be treated. The laser is set at a specific wavelength for darker colors, which distinguishes dark-colored hairs from lighter colored skin, and eliminates the hair. Unlike electrolysis, the laser hair removal treatment can target large areas of skin in a short time period. There is some discomfort during this treatment, but it can be completed during a lunch hour or in 30 minutes after work, depending on the area to be treated. Multiple treatment sessions will be necessary.

For more information on laser hair removal, contact our Santa Barbara plastic surgery office.

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Scar Revision

Ugly scars from accidents, surgeries, or other incidences can be a source of discomfort for many people, causing them to cover their bodies to avoid awkward questions or explanations. Advances in plastic surgery, however, can give people freedom from self-consciousness related to unsightly scars. While no scar can be completely removed, Dr. Mackenzie can make scars significantly more discreet.

Dr. Mackenzie commonly performs plastic surgical scar revision in Santa Barbara on C-section scars, facial scars, surgery scars, and others.

There are other techniques of improving scars which may also be indicated, including treatment with lasers, and steroid injection.  Dr. Mackenzie will also institute a post-surgical scar management regimen to minimize the appearance of the scar.

Contact Pacific Plastic Surgery for more information about scar revision and how it can reduce the appearance of your scars.

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Laser Vein Therapy and Sclerotherapy

The presence of "broken blood vessels", spider or varicose veins can cause people to feel uncomfortable in their bodies. Fortunately, through plastic surgery, people can get rid of their unsightly veins permanently. Through injection or laser therapy, a plastic surgeon can eliminate the appearance of spider veins on your arms, legs, or even face.

If you have facial veins or spider veins on your legs, there is a laser treatment that can help you that provides excellent results. The Lumenis One laser is used to diminish vascular lesions including broken blood vessels on the body, significantly improving the appearance of these veins with each treatment. Normal activities can be resumed soon after the treatment and side effects are rare. A series of three treatments is usually required. Raised varicose veins cannot be treated with this laser, and you may be referred to a vascular surgeon or radiologist with specialized training to deal with these.

Another more traditional, though still very effective way of treating spider veins is with sclerotherapy.  Here a small amount of a dilute solution of a compound called Sclerovein is injected with a very small needle using magnification directly into the veins.  The legs will need compression for a few days after this treatment.  Dr. Mackenzie will determine which procedure would be best to treat your veins.

To find out more about eliminating your unsightly veins, contact our Santa Barbara office today.  The sclerotherapy and laser vein procedures are perfomed in our Santa Barbara office by Dr. Douglas J. Mackenzie or Physician Assistant Jessica Barker.

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