Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen firmer. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss.

Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty can be a functional or cosmetic surgical procedure intended to reshape the upper eyelid or lower eyelid by the removal and/or repositioning of excess tissue as well as by reinforcement of surrounding muscles and tendons. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed to improve peripheral vision when an advanced amount of upper eyelid skin is present. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is almost always done for cosmetic reasons to improve puffy "bags" and reduce the wrinkling of skin. The surgery is performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids or from the inside surface of the lower eyelid. Depending upon the scope of the procedure, the operation takes one to three hours to complete. Initial swelling and bruising takes one to two weeks to resolve, but several months are needed until the final result becomes stable.

Augmentation
Breast augmentation changes the size and shape of the breast and is a highly personal decision. Breast augmentation can help:

• Enhance breast size
• Adjust for a reduction in size after pregnancy
• Reconstruct after having breast surgery for cancer or other conditions
• Correct a defect in the development of breasts, such as unequal size

Some women find that breast augmentation improves self-image and self-confidence. The best candidate for breast augmentation is a woman looking for an improvement in her appearance. It is important to discuss this procedure in detail with your surgeon to develop a realistic expectation of the surgery outcome.

Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction can help restore the look and feel of the breast after mastectomy. There are two types of reconstruction. One type uses artificial implants, such as saline, and another type of reconstruction uses skin and tissue from the woman's own body. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Artificial implants require less extensive surgery than procedures using a woman’s own tissues, but the results can look and feel less natural. There is no one best reconstructive method and women should discuss all options with their health care provider and plastic surgeon. Most procedures for breast reconstruction involve several steps. Whether performed at the same time as the mastectomy, or at a later date, the initial procedure for breast reconstruction will require a hospital stay. Follow-up steps in the procedure may be done on an outpatient basis.

Botox and Juvederm
Botox and Juvederm are cosmetic injections designed to reduce frown lines, wrinkles and facial folds. Results from Botox injections are visible within a few days and can last up to four months. Botox inhibits the contraction of facial muscles creating a smooth look near the injection site. Juvederm injections add volume and skin structure to treated areas. The results are immediate and can last up to six months or longer.

Lesion removal
Lesion removal is a procedure which simply removes cancerous or precancerous growths. Some lesions can develop into skin cancer and are generally placed in three categories. One category is the squamous cell carcinoma which is a scaly lesion found on the top portion of skin. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and is often round and pearly or dark in color. The most serious form is melanoma which is black or brown in color with ill-defined borders. It is found in the deepest portion of skin and can form quickly and spread throughout the body because of its deep location. There are other, rare types of skin cancers which are not included in this listing.

Liposuction
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty (fat modeling), liposculpture or suction lipectomy (suction-assisted fat removal), is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas that can be treated range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere. Liposuction is a form of body contouring with procedural risks and is not to be viewed as a weight loss method. The amount of fatty tissue removed varies by patient, and typically less than 10 pounds. Negative outcomes of the surgery can include unusual "lumpiness" and/or "dents" in the skin. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. The procedure may be performed under general or local anesthesia. The safety of the technique relates not only to the amount of tissue removed, but to the choice of anesthesia and the patient's overall health. It is ideal for the patient to be in good health and physically fit before the procedure. Patients should refrain from smoking several months prior to the procedure.

Wound care management
Dr. Jeffries is an active participant at the LMH Wound Clinic and assists patients in the community who require care and treatment of chronic and complicated wounds. Some of the wounds treated in the Wound Clinic are listed below:

• Diabetic venous stasis ulcer
• Burns
• Wounds from injury or surgery
• Open and infected wounds
• Bed sores
• Ostomy wounds and irritated skin surrounding a stoma