Body Contouring Patients

This 57-year old patent from Winchester, California had lost a significant amount of weight, and had excessive skin around her abdominal area.  She wanted Body Contouring after Massive Weightloss and was looking into Tummy Tuck Surgery.

She was very unhappy with her body proportions and was interested in a tummy tuck surgery to remove all her unwanted abdominal skin.

Markings are performed the night prior to surgery and then checked again the morning of surgery.  Careful measurements are taken to achieve more symmetry for the patient.

When the markings are performed, Dr. Pousti discusses the procedure in detail with the patient again in detail and answers questions pertaining to the tummy tuck procedure.

In the operating room, you can see the extent of excess skin, which will be removed from the abdominal area.  Recovery can take up to one year (for swelling to subside and for the skin to re-drape).

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring

This 43 year old patient was unhappy with her breasts and tummy and was looking for a San Diego Plastic Surgeon to help her with her body make over.   She visited a few surgeons but felt comfortable with San Diego Plastic Surgery Specialist Dr. Pousti.

She discussed with Dr. Pousti that her large breasts gave her neck, back and shoulder pain and she didn’t like how they “sagged”.  She wanted her breasts smaller and perkier.  She and Dr. Pousti discussed a breast reduction / breast lifting surgery.

Her abdomen and back had loose, damaged, hanging skin.  She and Dr. Pousti discussed an extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty surgery as well as back lipectomy) to address the front, back and muffin top area as well.

After meeting several times, they  decide to proceed with surgery.  Markings are performed prior to surgery.  For the breast reduction/lift procedure, San Diego Breast Surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti takes careful measurements and indicates where the new nipple/areola complex will be after surgery.

The Lower Body Lifting surgery will include the tummy tuck, back lipectomy and liposuction in areas where it is indicated and safe.Again, careful measurements are taken.

Below, you see the “red” line which shows where the scar will be and the “purple” section is the section that will be completely removed.

When the back is completed, the patient is turned onto her back so that the tummy tuck and breast procedures can be performed.

Below shows the abdominal muscles that have separated and will be put back together.

In the operating room, the right breast has been reduced and lifted.  See the dramatic difference between the right and left breasts.

When a breast lift/reduction is performed, the areola are also reduced in size to give a more natural, symmetrical look for the patient.

Immediately after breast reduction and lower body lifting surgery.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Extended Tummy tuck, Liposuction

This 29 year old patient had lost a lot of weight but still had the excess skin around her abdominal area that she wanted to remove.  She had done all of the hard work to lose the weight and now wanted to feel good about herself.  She was looking for a San Diego Plastic Surgeon who was experienced with taking care of patients who have had weight loss and found Dr. Pousti online.

She wasn’t able to improve things with exercise.  She was not happy with the “droopiness” and unevenness of her breasts, she wanted them more “perky” with the areola placement improved. She and Dr. Pousti discussed how patients who have had massive weight loss have skin elasticity issues and caution must be taken during surgery to achieve their goals.

Although the patient wanted breast implants in addition to breast lifting surgery, San Diego Breast Surgeon Dr. Pousti recommended that things be performed in 2 stages for safety.  The first surgery would include the breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery as well as the extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty with back lipectomy) and after things have healed, they would perform the breast augmentation portion of the procedure.  The patient was happy with the Breast Surgery Experience of San Diego Surgeon, Dr. Pousti and proceeded with surgery.

Markings and measurements were performed the night before surgery.  The procedures of mastopexy and extended abdominoplasty were discussed again with the patient.  Very precise measurements were taken for both procedures to ensure as much symmetry as possible.

The morning of surgery, the measurements are re-checked prior to beginning the surgery.

In the operating room, after the back lipectomy is completed, the patient is turned onto her back so that the breast and tummy portion of the surgery can be performed.  Below you can see the right breast is being worked on and how nice the placement will be compared to the left breast.

The excess skin that will be removed during the tummy tuck procedure is shown below.

Immediately after surgery.

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Posted in 2 Stage Procedure, Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Procedures, Post-Weight Loss

This 43 year old patient from Fallbrook, California had been interested in a total makeover for quite sometime and finally decided that it was her time to do this for herself.  She wanted her breasts lifted and the asymmetry corrected as well as wanting the excess skin and adipose tissue around her abdominal area and back removed completely.  She had some weightloss but was left with sagging skin.

The excess skin under her armpits (axillary tissue) also bothered this patient and she wanted that removed as well.

She and her husband went online to do research to find a Southern California Plastic Surgeon for her procedure

Being unhappy with her body, she decided to fine the best plastic surgeon to take care of her. She wanted a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with lots of experience with mommy makeovers. Safety was a concern for this patient and she wanted to make sure whoever she chose, would be performing the procedure in a safe setting.

After examination of the patient, Dr. Pousti discussed breast lifting as well as breast reduction surgery, removal of the axillary tissue at the same time, and extended tummy tuck.  The extended tummy tuck and flank lipectomy will help improve the patient’s contour of the back and take care of the “muffin top”.  Liposuction would also be performed but only to the extent that was safe.  The patient was happy with her meeting and the procedures that were going to be performed so she proceeded with scheduling surgery.

Markings were performed the night prior to surgery.

The breasts were measured and marked accordingly.  The “x” marks the new position of the nipple/areola complex after the breast lift / breast reduction is performed.

The abdomen and back were also marked and all of the procedures were discussed one more time with the patient and her husband.  The excess skin and tissue from her belly button down to her pubic area will be removed completely. The area in purple on her back indicates the tissue that will also be removed (the “red” line is where the final incision will be).

In the operating room, the patient starts off laying prone (on her stomach) so that the back can be worked on first.  After the back is completed, the patient is then turned over to work on her breasts and abdomen.

Dr. Pousti removes the excess skin and adipose tissue of the back/flank area (back lipectomy) and then performs liposuction to improve the contour of the back area prior to suturing things together.

Dr. Pousti will now start working on the patient’s breasts.  She wanted them reduced in size and “more perky” so a breast lift / breast reduction was performed.  Here you can see  1 side is completed and what a dramatic difference there is between the two breasts. No breast implants were placed for this patient.

The areola size is also reduced during the breast lifting surgery to improve the aesthetic results.

The abdomen is opened and the abdominal muscles that have separated are located (the clamps above).  The abdominal muscles are then brought together and sutured together to give the patient the “tight tummy” she wanted.  Above you see the dark lines running up and down that are separated and below those muscles have been sutured together (one line running up and down the abdomen).

The excess skin will now be removed (the triangular tissue below).

The excess skin is removed and then multiple layers of closure are performed to close the incision line.

The patient is still very fresh out of surgery but is extremely happy with her new body.  She will take it easy for a few months until all incision lines have healed.  Swelling will remain for months.

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Posted in Body Contouring, Breast Asymmetry, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Extended Tummy tuck, Mommy Makeover, Post-Weight Loss

This 35 year old female patient from Brooklyn, New York found Dr. Pousti online while searching for a board certified plastic surgeon that was experienced in liposuction surgery. After reviewing hundreds of his before and after pictures she was very impressed and decided that the travel to San Diego was worth it.

After years of diet and exercise the patient could not get rid of stubborn fat in several areas of her body.

In order to give the patient her desired look Dr. Pousti performed liposuction of the abdomen, thighs, flanks, back and arms.

Dr. Pousti performed the patient liposuction procedure at the Alvarado Physician Surgery Center with a board certified anesthesiologist and his trusted team of nurses. The liposuction procedure takes between 1-3 hours and the incisions are generally one quarter inch in length.

This patient is extremely pleased with the results of her surgery.

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Posted in Body Contouring, Liposuction

This 35 year old mom of 3 from San Diego, California was interested in getting her pre-pregnancy body back — a mommy makeover. She was interested in abdominoplasty, liposuction and breast surgery. Upon examination Dr. Pousti explained to the patient that she was an excellent candidate for a ‘mommy makeover‘. As far as the breast procedure Dr. Pousti suggested a ‘2-stage’ procedure. During a 2-stage breast surgery the mastopexy is performed during the first surgery, then once the patient has healed from the breast lift the breast augmentation is performed.

Measurements and markings are performed prior to surgery and the breast lifting procedure is discussed with the patient in detail.

The mastopexy involves rearranging the breast tissue, shifting the nipple position and increasing the breast firmness by tightening the skin. The red ‘x’ indicate the new location or the nipple/areola.

After the first portion of the ‘mommy makeover‘ procedure was performed Dr. Pousti moved on to the liposuction of the patient’s back and flanks. Dr. Pousti uses the traditional tumescent liposuction and incisions are generally only about  a quarter of an inch in length and are easily hidden.

950mL of fat was removed during the liposuction portion of the procedure.

During the measurements and markings of the abdominoplasty surgery Dr. Pousti explained to the patient that during the tummy tuck not only is the excess skin removed but he does muscle repair as well.

In the picture below you can see the bottom portion of the muscle repair has already been performed and above the belly button the muscles are still damaged. Muscle damage can be caused by pregnancy or weight gain/loss.

Following muscle repair, the patient’s excess skin is removed.

Immediately After breast lift, abdominoplasty and liposuction of the back and flanks

3 months after the patient’s initial surgery she met with Dr. Pousti in the operating room again for the 2nd stage of her procedure, the breast augmentation.

In order to give this patient her desired look Dr. Pousti used saline implants. The implants were placed under the muscle and through the same incision made during the breast lift.

Immediately after Breast Augmentaiton

The patient is extremely happy with her new body.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Breast Lift with Implants, Breast Procedures, Extended Tummy tuck, Mommy Makeover

This 40 year old mom of 3 from Yuma, Arizona was interested in a mommy makeover and found Dr. Pousti online while searching for a board certified plastic surgeon. After seeing Dr. Pousti’s experience with mommy makeovers she decided to travel to San Diego to have him perform her procedure.

The mommy makeover usually consists of a breast procedure and tummy tuck. In this patient’s case she was interested in breast reduction, abdominoplasty and liposuction.

In order to achieve the best results measurements and markings are done prior to surgery. Dr. Pousti also explains the abdominoplasty surgery as well as the breast surgery in detail so that the patient has ample time to get all her questions answered.

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles can be damaged, during the tummy tuck Dr. Pousti removes the excess skin and performs muscle repair.

This patient was a good candidate for an extended tummy tuck. During the extended tummy tuck the incision is brought back around the back to raise the buttocks and remove excess skin. She also had liposuction of her back and flank areas.

During the tummy tuck Dr. Pousti uses internal sutures to perform the muscle repair.

During the breast reduction procedure Dr. Pousti will be moving the nipple areola complex up to a more symmetric location on the chest wall. The ‘x’ indicates where the complex will be moved to.

After one breast is completed Dr. Pousti places the patient in a sitting position to make sure no adjustments are needed.

Immediately After

The patient is extremely happy with her new results.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Extended Tummy tuck

This 36-year old patient from San Diego, California was interested in a mommy makeover with a Extended Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction and breast lift (mastopexy) for several years. The patient was very unsatisfied with her post-baby body. With diet and exercise, she still couldn’t achieve the body she wanted. Her skin couldn’t bounce back after her pregnancies.

During her consultation, the patient was able to meet and speak with Dr. Pousti’s previous tummy tuck patients. They shared their experiences with her, and was impressed by his work.  After seeing many excellent results, she knew immediately that Dr. Pousti would be her surgeon.

For multiple procedures, Dr. Pousti meets with the patient the night before surgery to discuss the surgery in detail again. At this Dr. Pousti perform markings. Markings are performed to use a guide for surgery to achieve as much symmetry as possible with measurements.

Dr, Pousti performs liposuction first to contour the body and remove unwanted isolated fatty tissue from the upper back, lower back, hips, flanks and abdominal area.

Incision from the back lipectomy surgery.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Procedures, Extended Tummy tuck, Mommy Makeover

This 43-year old patient is post-op gastric bypass surgery in 2000. After her massive weight loss, the patient was at her goal weight however, as a result of the weight loss, she had excessive skin under her arms and significant volume loss in her breasts.

The patient was interested in several procedures, but decided to proceed with arm lift surgery with breast augmentation and breast lift surgery (mastopexy) to complete her first stage of surgery. The patient had read many excellent reviews of Dr. Pousti and was very impressed with his experience. The patient knew she wanted Dr. Pousti to perform her body makeover.

With several surgeries being performed, Dr. Pousti met with the patient the night before surgery to again go over the different surgeries in detail and answer all questions and concerns the patient may have to make the patient as comfortable as possible before surgery. At this time, markings were also performed.

With markings performed, you can see were the “new” nipple and areola complex would be moved to create the “perky” appearance.

Arm markings show the extent of excess skin, which would be removed.

The patient is now 5-weeks post-op surgery and is still healing, she is extremely please with her results and is excited to proceed with her second surgery. The patient has saline filled breast implants filled to 600cc in both breast placed submuscularly.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Lift with Implants, Post-Weight Loss

This 39-year patient was interested in a mommy makeover for several years. The mommy of 3, researched for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is experienced in tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast augmentation with breast lift surgery (mastopexy) and found Dr. Pousti on the Internet after reading excellent reviews on yelp.com.

The patient explained to Dr. Pousti that she was unhappy with the appearance of her abdomen and breasts after pregnancy and breast-feeding. During her consultation with Dr. Pousti, the patient was able to meet and speak with with his previous mommy makeover patients who were willing to share their experience. The patient was impressed and decided to proceed with surgery immediately.

The night before her surgery, the patient met with Dr. Pousti to map out her surgery in detail. He takes his time to explain to the patient the planned procedure while making the measurements and drawings on the patient. Dr. Pousti would performed an extended tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks, back and outer thighs as well as breast lifting and augmentation..

The morning of surgery, markings were re-enforced. The patient has slight breast asymmetry, in order to achieve as much symmetry as possible, Dr. Pousti performed a limited breast lift on the left and a full breast lift with vertical incision on the right breast. Saline breast implants were used and filled to 390cc in the right breast and 420cc in the left breast with submuscular placement.

The patient is now 6-weeks post-op surgery and is very happy with her new mommy look.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Body Contouring, Breast Asymmetry, Breast Lift, Breast Lift with Implants, Extended Tummy tuck, Limited Lift (Benelli Lift), Liposuction, Mommy Makeover