Franklin Plastic Surgery

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Plastic Surgery Nashville & Franklin Tennessee:

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Plastic Surgery Nashville & Franklin Tennessee:

This is the first post on our new Plastic Surgery Nashville – Franklin Plastic Surgery website and blog. We look forward to sharing news about Dr. Amy Ortega, our events in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, and plastic surgery news and perspectives. Check back for updates!

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty 2 Week Post Op

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The Secrets of Weight Loss – Amy Ortega MD Nashville/Franklin TN Plastic Surgeon

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New Beauty

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Spring 2007

THE SECRETS OF WEIGHT LOSS

interview with Dr Amy Ortega MD, Plastic Surgeon Frankln/Nashville Tennessee

Statistics show that more than 60 percent of Americans are overweight, and approximately 33 percent of Americans are on a diet at any given time. These numbers present much more than a vanity issue, since being overweight increases a person’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and many other life-threatening conditions. Whether you’ve noticed your waist size increasing with age or you haven’t gotten around to shedding the baby weight, there’s more to weight loss than counting calories.

AFTER LOSING THE WEIGHT… thoughts for Nashville TN weight loss patients

The slimmer silhouette and boost in self-esteem that you enjoy after losing weight can often be accompanied by some unforeseen reminders of the extra pounds you carried in the past. From stretch marks and crepey skin to a significant amount of excess skin that can’t conform to the body’s new contours, these conditions are treatable with various noninvasive and surgical options. Just keep in mind that it is best to consider these post-slim-down solutions once weight loss has reached a plateau.

SURGICAL | TUMMY TUCK – Nashville TN massive weight loss surgery

Losing even 20 pounds can result in slack skin. And aside from weight loss, aging and heredity can produce irregular contours as well. Body-contouring procedures smooth and tighten the skin and underlying tissues that have lost their elasticity and help them conform to the body’s actual shape. “Anyone who has gained or lost weight, carried a pregnancy full-term, or has weak abdominal muscles is a candidate for a tummy tuck,” explains Atlanta plastic surgeon, Amy Ortega, MD, who notes that a mini abdominoplasty offers more limited correction, removes less tissue and may involve less internal stitching. A mini tummy tuck entails removing skin and tissue from the lower abdomen and repairing the weak muscles on the inside without repositioning the belly button (which is generally required in a full abdominoplasty). Dr. Ortega notes that the rectus muscles are the ones that give the coveted six-pack look to the abdomen. “As the midsection gets bigger, those muscles get stretched and separated in the center,” a condition called rectus diastasis. In cases after childbirth, the muscles often are too spread apart to shape up, and must be surgically repaired. Even thinner women can benefit from this repair. “If they exercise afterwards, they really will see the benefits,” she notes.

SURGICAL | GASTRIC BYPASS – Massive weight loss Nashville TN

“The most popular weight-loss surgery in the United States is gastric bypass,” says Dr. Nagle. This procedure limits the amount of food your stomach can hold and affects the body’s absorption of calories and nutrients. The Lap-Band is another option, but it affects the size of the stomach simply by the placement of an inflatable band around the stomach, without altering the digestive process. This band can be loosened or tightened as required to limit the size of the stomach pouch. Used worldwide for a number of years, it is the only FDA-approved weight-loss device available in the United States.

Since these procedures are minimally invasive thanks to advances in laparoscopic surgery, recovery generally is speedy. Gastric bypass still requires at least an overnight hospital stay, but the Lap-Band procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. While these are reversible in theory, they rarely are because doing so will result in weight gain. Dr. Nagle stresses that, “Weight loss operations should not be viewed as a ‘quick fix’ but rather as a ‘tool.’ We know that a successful long-term outcome requires a life-long commitment to exercise and diet modification as well as a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers to ensure careful follow-up.”

SURGICAL | EXCESS SKIN – Franklin TN plastic surgery procedures

After losing large amounts of weight, the excess hanging skin that remains can be problematic. Severe cases of excess skin can also lead to rashes, irritation and physical discomfort. In these instances, bodylift surgery is the only recourse, essentially trimming the excess skin so it conforms to the body’s new contours. The key to any of these surgeries, says Dr. Ortega, is “not to take a cookie-cutter approach because no two people are the same, and we have many methods at our disposal.” The skin-reducing reconstruction surgeries must be custom designed for each patient.

Before considering body contouring after massive weight loss, patients should be at a stable weight for about six months, which depends on the surgical weight-loss procedure used. The procedures – usually performed in stages – can be limited to particular areas of the body, including the breast, arms, stomach, thighs and buttocks, or address multiple regions as with the circumferential bodylift, which can remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the middle and lower abdomen, hips, outer thighs, back and buttocks, as well as tighten the muscles of the abdomen wall in one or two stages.

Dr. Amy Ortega, M.D. is a board-certified, double fellowship trained Franklin/Nashville female cosmetic plastic surgeon. She can be reached for consultation in the Nashville, Tennessee area at her Franklin office.

Breast Lift/Mastopexy SPAIR short scar breast surgery in Nashville/Franklin TN – Bringing Sexy Back

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New You

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Bringing Sexy Back – Breast Lift/Mastopexy SPAIR – Nashville/Franklin Tennessee

December 2006 / January 2007

Interview with Nashville/Franklin TN Plastic Surgeon Amy Ortega MD about SPAIR short scar breast lift/mastopexy surgery

Whether your cup-runneth-over or you fit neatly into a size A, firm, round breasts are a sure sign of youth. Unfortunately, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight gain / loss can dramatically alter our most feminine features. When this occurs, many women look toward surgery to help them put the lift back into their profile.

Mastopexy, or Breast Lift Surgery – Franklin/Nashville TN

Loss of collagen and elasticity through aging or from a series of weight gains and losses can cause the bust line to sag. A mastopexy, or breast lift, aims to correct these problems. According to Amy M. Ortega, MD, “In a traditional mastopexy, excess skin is removed in order to elevate the breast tissue, including the nipple.” Dr. Ortega, who is fellowship trained in the SPAIR (Short-scar Peri-Areolar inferior Pedicle Reduction) technique, explains that a traditional breast lift literally brings the breasts back to where they used to be, but it does not reshape them. For that reason, many doctors will suggest adding implants or performing a breast augmentation along with the mastopexy.

Mastopexy Consultation at Dr Ortega’s Franklin TN office

Once cleared for surgery, your physician will ask you a series of questions to determine your goals. “So many women come into my office asking for implants when all they really need is to restore their lift,” Dr. Ortega says. “That is when I start over and find out exactly what the woman hopes to achieve.”

During the consult, the surgeon marks the breasts, takes measurements, decides upon nipple placement and describes the mastopexy procedure in detail. Different doctors use different techniques, so you will want to ensure that your surgeon chooses the best option for you. Anesthesia options are also discussed, along with post-operative pain management and potential scarring. Lastly, you will be asked to discontinue any over-the-counter medications, herbs and supplements for two weeks prior to surgery.

The Procedure – Tennessee breast lift in Franklin/Nashville

Depending on cup size and amount of skin sag, a traditional mastopexy takes between 2 and 4 hours under general anesthesia. For smaller breasts, the surgeon may only need to make two incisions, often called a lollipop mastopexy. This procedure begins with a circular incision around the areola to separate the skin. Leaving the areola attached to the breast mound to preserve sensation, a vertical incision is then made from the bottom edge of the areola to the lower crease of the breast. For a patient with larger breasts or advanced sagging, an anchor mastopexy, which involves an additional incision along the lower curve of the breast, may be required.

After all necessary incisions have been made, the removal of excess skin can begin. This continues until proper alignment of the areola and nipple has been achieved. Finally, all incisions are stitched together and the surgery concludes.

The Recovery – after your Breast Lift in Franklin TN

Considered outpatient surgery, most women are able to return home once the anesthesia has worn off. Patients are asked to rest for 1 to 2 days, limiting arm movements before returning to light activity. “Many of

my patients schedule [mastopexy] surgery on a Friday and are able to return to their desk job by Monday,” Dr. Ortega says. “Women with more active jobs may require an additional 2 to 3 days before resuming work.” Heavy lifting and repetitive motions are restricted for approximately six weeks, and a soft-cup bra is required for anyone with stitches on the lower breast crease.Once the initial six-week recovery time has passed, the patient can resume normal activities. Although no surgery can halt the effects of time, a breast lift can provide a much needed boost to a woman’s bust, as well as to her psyche.

SPAIR – The Reshaping Breast Lift – Amy Ortega MD Franklin TN

The SPAIR [Short-scar Peri-Areolar Inferior Pedicle Reduction] technique is on the forefront of today’s breast lift surgery, and Atlanta-based plastic surgeon Amy M. Ortega, MD, is leading the way. The only surgeon in the Southeast to be fellowship trained in SPAIR breast surgery, Dr. Ortega expresses excitement about the technique. “This is more than just a short scar procedure-it is the only breast lift method that actually reshapes the breast’ she says.

Using the SPAIR method, Dr. Ortega reshapes the breast mound and suspends it internally, giving the patient a full, round breast without the addition of implants. This technique also allows for the use of interior stitches which, along with smaller incisions, creates far less exterior scarring.

Breast lift without implants – Female Plastic Surgeon Dr Ortega

Dr. Ortega emphasizes that a woman does not necessarily need implants in order to rediscover a shapely bust line. “Implants are great if you want to be a bigger cup size, but they do make the breast heavier and quicker to re-sag. I always remind my patients that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Dr. Amy Ortega, M.D. is a board-certified, double fellowship trained Franklin/Nashville female cosmetic plastic surgeon. She can be reached for consultation in the Nashville, Tennessee area at her Franklin office.

Atlanta Beauty

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Atlanta

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January 2007

Atlanta Beauty

Issues of weight, both gain and loss, are things any woman who has been pregnant can certainly appreciate. With these women in mind, Dr. Amy Ortega,offers the “Mommy makeover,” a procedure, or combination of procedures, to help them recapture their pre-pregnancy figure. Dr. Ortega explains, “The main issues are weight gain, followed by weight loss, and swelling and involution of the breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding. This can result in excess skin in these areas, as well as remaining fatty tissue.

” Since the effects are on the breasts, abdomen, and entire lower body, more than one procedure might be required, including a breast lift (with or without augmentation to restore lost volume), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to address weak abdominal muscles and hanging skin, and liposuction for contouring. Dr Ortega say the results are marked: “These ladies feel more confident and pretty, and their clothes fit better.”“With the return of silicone breast implants, plastic surgeons can individualize each patient’s surgery with an unprecedented aesthetic result.”

Nashville/Franklin TN Breast Augmentation Answers: Part 3 – Dr. Amy Ortega MD – Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee

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Les Nouvelles Esthétiques

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by Amy Ortega, M.D., female plastic surgeon in Nashville/Franklin TN

Medical / Plastic Surgery

Breast Augmentation Franklin/Nashville TN Answers: Part 3

Previously addressed in the last two columns, breast augmentation has become one of the most commonly requested procedures in the United States, and one that poses many questions and concerns. Here is a compilation of some frequently asked questions that your client should get answers for.

Gummy bear implants – Breast Implants Franklin Nashville TN

Q: Are “gummy bear implants” better or more natural looking?

A: The gummy-bear concept is a way to describe a type of silicone gel implant that became available in trial studies in recent years. These are silicone gel implants using gel that has been cross-linked and, therefore, is not as runny as previous implants.
This means that rather than being runny, if the implant ruptures, the silicone is firm and will not leak from the implant as a liquid.

The earlier cross-linked implants were called gummy bear implants because they were firm much like gummy bear candy. These implants also had an anatomic shape to them, meaning more fullness on one end than the other. The idea here was to better match the shape of the breast.

Many plastic surgeons participated in the implant-use trials and found that they produced good results. However, the implants were significantly firmer than previous silicone gel implants. In addition, because the implants were “anatomic” rather than a round shape,unfortunately there was the risk of the implant flipping over, causing an unnatural shape.

Although many physicians may prefer to use this implant, I think that its firmness is harder than that of a natural breast and therefore is somewhat unnatural in appearance and feel. Mainly, for this reason, I prefer to use smooth, round implants whether filled with gel or saline.

Implant consistency – Breast Augmentation Nashville/Franklin TN

Q: Do the silicone gel implants of today have the gel of a more runny or watery consistency, or more of the gummy-bear consistency?

A: Silicone gel implants of today are a good compromise between the firmness of gummy-bear consistency and the almost oily or watery consistency of implants produced many years ago. Silicone gel implants that are made at the present time are cross-linked, producing a gel that does not run but that is not so firm as to cause the breast to feel unnatural.

This can be demonstrated by cutting the implant in half with a knife. The implant sits there in two halves and the gel does not run out of the implant. It is much like the consistency of Jell-O, soft and resilient but not runny.

If a patient requests gel implants and qualifies to be entered into the studies required, I often recommend this type of smooth, round silicone gel implant.

Incision placement – Breast Augmentation Nashville/Franklin TN

Q: What are the various incision options available today?

A: Incisions can be made in the axilla (armpit), around the areola, or in the crease under the breast.

Once healed, the axillary incision is well hidden but, until then, shows a red scar that is visible when wearing sleeveless tops and raising one’s arms, and it can also interfere with shaving the underarms depending on how the scar heals.

Working further away from the breast also can make it more difficult for the surgeon to achieve accurate implant placement. Many surgeons perform this procedure with great success, some with an endoscope (small camera) and some without.

Incision placement around the bottom edge of the areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) hides very well. However, some surgeons have experienced a slightly increased rate of infection with this method, possibly because the dissection may proceed through the breast ducts. Also, in theory there may be an increased risk of decreased or changed sensation in the nipple, although that has not been the case in my experience.

A breast crease incision may be considered the “gold standard” for breast augmentation incisions. Your surgeon can help you decide which incision may be best for you.

Scarless breast augmentation Franklin TN (Nashville area)

Q: I have heard of “scarless” breast augmentation by putting the implant in through the belly button. Is this true?

A: While some surgeons routinely use this method with good results, it has not become a common procedure because of several considerations.

First, the surgeon is working far away from the breast and through a very small opening, making it more difficult to achieve accurate implant placement.

Second, some patients who are thin can develop a V-shaped “ridge” visible on their abdomen, with the belly button at the bottom of the “V,” due to scar tissue formed under the skin from the dissection from the belly button to the breast area.

Finally, the placement of the implant through this route actually causes enough trauma to the implant that it may damage the implant; for this reason, placement by this method may void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Downtime – Breast Augmentation Dr. Amy Ortega Franklin TN

Q: What kind of recovery period and downtime can I expect from this surgery?

A: Most patients feel somewhat tired and groggy from anesthesia for a day for two. Typically, patients will also feel pain and fatigue for a few days.

I have many patients who have surgery on Friday and go back to a “desk job” on Monday. Some people have to take their pain medicine for only a few days whereas some people have a lower pain tolerance and are on pain medicine for over a week.

If you are taking pain medicine, you cannot drive, therefore you cannot go to work. After your surgery, you will be restricted in terms of activity and should avoid heavy lifting or heavy, repetitive motions such as workouts with the upper body or arms for several weeks.

Nashville breast augmentation plastic surgeon Dr. Amy Ortega, M.D. is a board certified, double fellowship trained cosmetic plastic surgeon with special expertise in breast augmentation (enlargement), breast implants, and breast lift (mastopexy). She can be reached for consultation in the Nashville, Tennessee area at her Franklin office.

SPAIR Breast Surgery (Nashville) – Dr. Amy Ortega MD – Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Nashville

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New Beauty

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FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: My patients

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: Be yourself

WHAT FASCINATES YOU MOST ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY: The degree of change we can make

HOBBIES: Playing piano, gardening, spending time with my family and friends

PLACE YOU GO TO ESCAPE THE OFFICE: My garden

FRAMED PHOTOS ON YOUR DESK: My family and boyfriend

I’M NEVER WITHOUT: My sense of humor

SPAIR Breast Surgery

SPAIR, an acronym for short scar periareolar inferior pedicle reduction, is a unique approach to breast surgery, says Dr. Ortega, who is the only surgeon in Georgia who has completed the rigorous six-month Hammond Breast Surgery Fellowship in SPAIR breast surgery. Dr. Ortega studied directly with Dr. Hammond who developed the SPAIR technique. “The number one advantage of this technique is a significantly shorter scar,” she points out. “The second advantage is the natural, rounded shape of the breasts.” The incision runs around the areola and from the areola to the breast crease, which can make the scar less noticeable. SPAIR can be used for breast reductions, breast lifts, breast lifts with augmentation, and breast reconstruction surgeries.

Well Credentialed

Armed with a Hammond Breast Surgery Fellowship and a Paces Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship, Dr. Amy M. Ortega has the knowledge and experience that her patients desire. “I am very grateful for my specialty training, which, even today, helps me to take advantage of every opportunity to create beautiful results for my patients,” she says.

News

Dr. Ortega has never liked the idea of shuffling a lot of patients in and put of her office. When she started her own practice, Aesthetic Specialists, she committed herself to spending quality time with each and every one of her patients. Dr. Ortega says that her most requested procedures are breast surgeries and body contouring, which includes the lower body lift,

an operation that not only enables her to do a tummy tuck but also a lift of the sides of the thighs and the buttocks. This is especially helpful in correcting the effects of aging, gravity, dramatic weight changes, and changes in the body that can occur as a result of pregnancy. The doctor also performs facial plastic surgeries. No matter what the procedure, she says, “In the operating room, I take all the time that is necessary in order to get the most ideal results possible.” And she’s just as diligent about her patients’ care and happiness post-surgery. “I give all of my patients my personal cell phone number, which means they always get me and never an answering service.”
Although Dr. Ortega didn’t necessarily intend to attract an almost all female clientele, she admits that having an all female staff makes many of her patients feel more comfortable. “We have a very friendly and relaxed office environment,” she says, “and we make sure our patients are always taken care of.” Dr. Ortega is a nationally published author and frequent media resource for plastic surgery, and has been featured on Fox 5 News, several radio stations, and in numerous publications.

“It’s great to be able to open up possibilities for people. ” -Amy M. Ortega, MD

BOARD CERTIFICATION

American Board of Plastic Surgery

MEDICAL DEGREE

University of Texas Medical Branch

GENERAL SURGERY AND PLASTIC SURGERY RESIDENCY

Michigan State University

HAMMOND BREAST SURGERY FELLOWSHIP

Center for Breast and Body Contouring, Grand Rapids, Michigan

COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY AND OCULOPLASTIC SURGERY FELLOWSHIP

Paces Fellowship, Franklin and Nashville Tennessee, Georgia

AFFILIATIONS

• American Medical Association

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons

• Association of Women Surgeons

• Franklin and Nashville Tennessee Women’s Medical Alliance

• Medical Association of Georgia

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Breast Augmentation /Lift /Reduction

Body Contouring/Bodylift

Face lift/Mini – Facelift

Liposuction/ Abdominoplasty

SPAIR Short-Scar Breast Surgery

Nashville female plastic surgeon Dr. Amy Ortega, M.D. is a board certified, double fellowship trained cosmetic plastic surgeon with special expertise in breast augmentation (enlargement), breast implants, and SPAIR short-scar breast lift (mastopexy). She can be reached for consultation in the Nashville, Tennessee area at her Franklin office.

Nashville Tummy Tuck/Mommy Makeover plastic surgeries – Dr Amy Ortega MD in Nashville/Franklin, Tennessee

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Cherokee Ledger News

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Tummy Tucks part of trend in beauty-related surgeries

Women weighing options for enhancing beauty, especially after pregnancy (Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck in Nashville and Franklin TN)

by Amy Ortega, M.D., female plastic surgeon in Nashville/Franklin TN

With the recent surge in popularity of beauty-related procedures, cosmetic plastic surgeon Amy Ortega, M.D. is often asked, “When should I start having plastic surgery?”

With the vast range of procedures now available, offering everything from subtle improvements to major changes, it seems there is always something for everyone.

The consideration comes down to two major categories—age and life situation . Certain age ranges naturally dictate the need for age-related procedures, while certain life events will create a need for certain procedures at any age.All ages should get in the sunscreen habit—it’s the best way to protect your skin from premature aging due to sun exposure. Dr. Ortega recommends an SPF 15 or above with a physical sun block such as zinc oxide.By your 30s and older you may consider body contouring, especially after pregnancy. This may include breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and/or liposuction. It’s also time to consider slightly more aggressive skin maintenance procedures such as light peels or exfoliating products to help prevent fine lines.

The dreaded ‘pooch’ – Tummy Tuck – Nashville/Franklin TN

Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” is a frequently requested procedure designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen. While everyone’s goal of a flatter tummy is the same, the cause of the often cited “beer belly” or “pooch” may be different from person to person.

“When I was younger I had a perfectly flat tummy,” said metro area resident Mary Orr. “Then toward my late 30s or eady 40s, even though I exercised frequently, did endless crunches, and had never been pregnant, my tummy got all poofy. Even when I was underweight it wouldn’t go away!” she confessed.

Some people simply gain weight in the abdominal area more than in other areas, and find this area to be problematic even with diligent weight loss efforts. With age, the muscles of the abdomen weaken, and the abdomen therefore may appear more prominent than before, especially in the lower abdomen. Weight changes can also weaken the abdominal muscles.

Although men and women both endure aging and weight changes, women have the added physical changes secondary to pregnancy. Many women don’t realize that during pregnancy, the supporting muscles of the abdomen, called rectus muscles, are stretched and even separated.

After the baby is born, the size of the abdomen decreases, but the separation of the rectus muscles remains. This is called rectus diastasis. This is the reason that so many women are frustrated with exercise when trying to reclaim their pre-pregnancy figures. No matter how many stomach crunches one does, those rectus muscles will remain separated, and the lower abdomen will therefore remain weak, manifesting as the very unpopular “pooch.”

In addition to that, the stretched abdominal skin resulting from pregnancy almost never returns to its previous appearance, often hanging empty. Another aspect is the weight gain during pregnancy that plagues so many and is so difficult to completely overcome, especially in the abdomen.

The result of all of these things is poor abdominal contour, which affects one’s overall figure, how clothing fits, etc.

Countering gravity’s effects – Abdominoplasty in Franklin TN

The single procedure best suited to address all of these issues is an abdominoplasty. This procedure combines the removal of lower abdominal skin and fatty tissue with the added advantage of an internal tightening of the rectus muscles for better support.

Through a lower abdominal incision, the surgeon can raise all tissues on the abdomen, all the way up to the rib cage. She can then visualize and repair the rectus muscles. The skin and soft tissue is then re-draped and excess is removed.

Marketing executive Mary Orr decided to go for the full spectrum of treatments after meeting Dr. Ortega at a networking event. On a Friday in October 2004, she had the full “lower body lift” which includes gluteal lift (“butt lift”), tummy tuck and liposuction.

The following Tuesday she had her face done with upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelids), rhinoplasty (nose job) and eyebrow lift. She is delighted with the results. Some people combine the abdominoplasty with a gluteal lift for total lower body contouring, which adds another week of recovery time. There is no heavy lifting or heavy exercise routine permitted for six weeks to allow for healing.

After surgery, the abdomen feels very tight. During recovery, Mary wore the required support garment around her abdomen. Like most patients, Mary took about a week to recover well enough to return to her desk job, working from her home.

“Absolutely I’d endure the recuperation again,” said Mary; age 50. “The pain wasn’t as bad as when I had sinus surgery.” However, she did advise that patients allot themselves two full weeks for recuperation rather than trying to rush back into their daily activities. “I was constantly exhausted, and took a lot of naps,” she explained. “Dr. Ortega told me to expect that. Even people who have had only liposuction are constantly exhausted.”

Advice from former patient – Dr Amy Ortega Nashville TN

“Although my husband had told me that I didn’t need lipo, when I showed him the before and after photos, he said, ‘Wow!’ There’s no way I could wear some of the clothes I can wear now–not with my poofy tummy before. Dr. Ortega and her staff were fantastic.”

They didn’t need any professional home care post-surgery, but her husband moved them into the first floor bedroom so she wouldn’t have to deal with stairs.

Mary advises those who are considering any plastic surgery procedures to make sure you’re comfortable with the surgeon; that you know their credentials and that you’ve seen a lot of before and after photos of their own patients.

“Also, be realistic about what it’s going to do for you,” she said. “A lot of women treat a tummy tuck as a diet–it’s not a weight loss thing. Your body needs to be at a stable weight, especially if you’re having body sculpting as I did. Wait until you are at your desired weight,” she advised.

One thing is certain–people are no longer waiting until they are in dire need; there is more of a trend toward “maintenance.” Having one’s procedures over several years can maintain a more youthful look and helps avoid a dramatic change in appearance.

Subtle improvements are often not recognized as plastic surgery, but rather as “looking more rested and refreshed,” “looking like you’ve lost weight,” etc. On the other hand, when there is room for dramatic improvement, there is usually a procedure or combination of procedures that can produce a significant change.

Nashville tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) female plastic surgeon Dr. Amy Ortega, M.D. is a board certified, double fellowship trained cosmetic plastic surgeon with special expertise in body contouring, liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), body lifts, and mommy makeovers. She can be reached for consultation in the Nashville, Tennessee area at her Franklin office.