Some plastic surgeries seem to get all of the attention. Breast augmentation and rhinoplasty, for example, are options everyone knows about. But the breasts and nose aren’t the only parts of the body that a person might want to change. Fortunately, some plastic surgeons are experienced in performing and offer a variety of other surgeries. These plastic surgeries focus on areas of the body that often make people feel self-conscious but that usually aren’t in the spotlight.
Get to know some under-the-radar procedures and what they can do for you.
Back Lift
The back might not be an area of the body that gets much attention (most people can’t see their own backs, after all). But if you’ve ever worn a bra and had those embarrassing bulges of skin and fat around the band, then you probably know that the back can be a source of self-consciousness. The problem is made worse when it’s bikini season and you want to wear a swimsuit but feel too embarrassed by the bulges to take off your cover-up.
A back lift is a surgical solution for people who want to eliminate areas of excess skin and fat on the back. There are actually two types of back lift surgery. An upper back lift focuses on the top portion of the back, where the bra folds occur. A lower back lift focuses on the area near the buttocks and the base of the spine.
The surgery can remove fat from the area as well as excess, loose skin. There are a few reasons why someone might want a back lift. Often, after significant weight loss, people are left with folds of sagging skin that interfere with the new contours of the back. Sagging back skin can also develop as a person gets older and the skin loses its elasticity. Regardless of the reasons for the sagging skin and fatty deposits, a back lift can help to slim down the backside, creating a smooth and shapely appearance.
Buccal Fat Removal
When people think of the cheek area, they often think of plumping it up by using a filler such as Voluma or by getting implants. But not everyone wants fuller cheeks. In fact, some people want the opposite. They’re hoping to get a slimmer, more mature face. Although many people outgrow their “baby fat” and lose the chubby-cheeked look associated with childhood, some don’t. Some people have a prominent amount of fat in the lower cheek area, which contributes to a look some would call “chipmunk cheeks.”
One way to eliminate chipmunk cheeks with a surgery called buccal fat removal. Buccal fat removal gets rid of the fat pads in the lower part of the face. It’s often a quick and simple procedure, taking less than an hour to perform. It also has a pretty short recovery time–many people go back to work the day after the surgery. Since the incisions are made on the inside of the mouth, patients don’t have to worry about visible scarring after buccal fat removal.
Arm Lift
Ask several women what feature they’d like to change or tone up and you’ll likely get at least a few who say they’d like to improve the look of their upper arms. Although some people are fortunate enough to be able to create toned, slim arms by lifting weights, many can’t. Loose skin in the upper arm area obscures those muscles and youthful contours.
Women who have flappy upper arms don’t have to live with their “bat wings” forever. An arm lift, also called a brachioplasty, helps to create a toned appearance in the upper arms. The surgery involves removing the loose excess skin and fatty deposits in the area.
Calf Implants
Plenty of people lament the size of their thighs, but few think about the size of their calves. Just as a nose that looks too big can be the result of a chin that’s too small, thighs that look over-sized can be influenced by calves that are disproportionately small. One way to create a more balanced look in the legs is by having calf implants surgically inserted.
Calf implants aren’t only for creating balance. People born with small calf muscles or who have atrophied calf muscles as a result of an injury can benefit from the surgery, too.
Vaginoplasty
Everyone knows that getting pregnant and giving birth changes the body. A lot of focus is placed on restoring the abdomen and breasts to their “pre-baby” shape and size through procedures such as a mommy makeover. People are less likely to talk about the changes that happen “down there” after childbirth, even though those changes can have a significant impact on a woman’s self-esteem and physical comfort.
A vaginoplasty, or vaginal tightening, procedure, can tighten the muscles inside the vagina. Those muscles often become stretched out and loose during vaginal delivery or as a result of the aging process. After the surgery, most women need a few days off from work to recover. Many are back to their usual lives, with the exception of working out and exercise, within a week.
Dr. Paul Vitenas, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston, performs the above plastic surgeries, as well as several more popular procedures, a regular basis. To learn more about your surgical options, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.
