Cosmetic Surgery Highlight: Upper Body Liposuction & Tummy Tucks

Have you reached your goal weight - or are almost at it - but feel frustrated with excess skin and/or pudgy areas that won't budge? You are not alone. Many of our patients seek out liposuction to address stubborn areas such as the thighs, hips, abdomen, and arms. This blog post is about upper body liposuction for the arms and tummy tucks for the abdomen - you can read about lower body liposuction for the thighs and legs here.

Upper Arm Liposuction (Brachioplasty)

For some people, countless pushups, tricep exercises, and planks can't get rid of the localized fat and excess skin in the upper arms. This is often referred to as a "bat wing". If fat is the main issue, it usually can be treated with liposuction and the skin will contract after the removal. If the skin is too loose (which can happen with a large amount of weight loss or with loss of skin elasticity as we age), a skin removal excision can be done. Incisions will be inside the arm and above the elbow and will not be visible from the front or the back. If only a small amount of skin is removed, the removal can be confined to or near the armpit so there is minimal or no scar visibility.

Abdominal Liposuction and Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

After childbirth, many people find that their stomach and flank area is not the same. If you've got "bulges" in the abdomen area that won't budget (despite healthy eating and regular exercise) then you are a good candidate for abdominal liposuction. Small incisions are made under the navel, pubic hair, or  under the bikini line and are easily hidden.

If you have some excess abdominal skin, you and Dr. Perkins may elect to do a "Mini Tummy Tuck". The excision will lie at the upper edge of the pubic hair and will be hidden under bathing suit bottoms or underwear.

If you have a greater amount of excess abdominal skin, a regular "Tummy Tuck" may be desired. This involves the full abdomen and making an incision that is slightly longer than a C-section. The abdominal muscles are tightened and detachment and repositioning of the belly button allow the tissues to shift. The end result is usually more definition of the waist and a flatter, tighter abdomen.

It is important to remember that liposuction at Santa Barbara's Cosmetic Surgery Center is considered a body contouring procedure and not a weight loss solution.

For a consultation about liposuction or tummy tucks with Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins, please call 805-563-0000. 

Cosmetic Surgery For Men: New Trends

Today's emphasis on appearance is at an all time high for both men and women. Many interactions - friendship, matchmaking, or professional - are conducted online, where a "profile picture" is a must and snapshots can easily be uploaded by oneself or friends on a daily basis. This, coupled with a competitive job market in a tight economy, is thought to be the catalyst for the rise in men seeking cosmetic surgery.

Much to many people's relief, the male plastic surgery trend is not that of yesteryear where extreme face lifts left some patients with exaggerated expressions or a "wind-tunnel" look. Today's men are seeking cosmetic surgery that will give them more facial definition, either to enhance features or create a more balanced appearance between features, and an end result that looks natural.

For example, instead of having drastic rhinoplasty that would noticeably reduce a big nose, a man may opt for a slight refinement of the nose (by shaving down the bone and cartilage) along with adding a chin implant to create a better balance between the two features. Men in their 30s and 40s are seeking a more subtle approach to cosmetic surgery with procedures that target specific concerns as opposed to having the entire face done.  One popular procedure is the neck lift because it brings out a more defined jawline and can give the man a more youthful look. If the neck skin is extra loose, which can happen even if the man is in shape, removing the excess skin and tightening the neckline may make him look like he has lost weight in addition to giving his face a more defined look.

Men who have had cosmetic surgery say they enjoy looking refreshed and even a few years younger without looking like they've had work "done". A renewal of appearance often translates to higher self-confidence which can have an impact on many factors including work performance, friendships, relationships, and even "profile pictures".

Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins practices cosmetic surgery in Santa Barbara and specializes in facial rejuvenation that gives a natural result. If you are interested in face lifts, rhinoplasty, chin implants, neck lifts or other facial augmentation options, call his office at 805-563-0000 to schedule a consultation.

New Day Spa in Santa Barbara at Evolutions

Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Terry J. Perkins, is the founder and Medical Director at Evolutions Medical Spa. He is directly involved in the operations at the facility, treats clients there a few days per week, trains new nurses and clinicians extensively, and provides on-going education and training to the staff about treatments and skin care. So when the opportunity arose to open up a day spa side to complement the medical spa services at Evolutions, Dr. Perkins, who also has an active Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery practice, was enthusiastic, despite his busy schedule. He felt that the addition of day spa services - such as massage, waxing, rejuvenating facials, and body treatments - would allow Evolutions to serve even more of the community as well as visitors of our beautiful city.

The Day Spa business, which officially opened last month, came on the heels of the relocation of Evolutions Medical Spa to a larger location on Chapala and Gutierrez Streets in downtown Santa Barbara. Evolutions Day Spa is conveniently located next door to the medical spa and is accessible through the medical spa. The combined businesses offer 15 treatment rooms in a 6,000 square foot space and is known as Evolutions Medical and Day Spa.

Evolutions Day Spa Tea Lounge

If you haven't seen the new medical and day spa yet, it's worth a trip (and a treatment!). The medical spa side offers state-of-the art services in more spacious treatment rooms. Step into the adjacent day spa side and you will be enveloped in a serene atmosphere that relaxes your mind and soothes your soul. Guests who have scheduled appointments are invited to arrive early (or stay after their treatment) to enjoy a cup of tea in the tea lounge or use the dry eucalyptus saunas. Full shower and locker facilities are also available for men and women.

Vichy Shower Treatment Room

The Day Spa menu offers something for everyone including Body Treatments - wraps and scrubs - that are exfoliating, hydrating, and blissful. The Vichy Shower treatment - seven treatment shower heads located over the treatment bed that jet soothing warm water is a wonderful complement to any of the body wraps and scrubs.

Various types of Massage Treatments are also available in 60, 75, or 90 minute increments in private massage huts. There is an extra large room dedicated to Duet Massage where a couple, friends, or family members can receive massages next to each other.

The Facials menu has expanded to include an organic facial and an age-defying oxygen facial that delivers a pure oxygen infusion to minimize fine lines, restore resiliency and suppleness. Waxing is also available for women and men.

Evolutions is offering a Special Introductory Offer of 20% off all Day Spa services during the month of April 2013. Contact Evolutions Medical and Day Spa at 805-687-0212 to book your appointment today! 

Cosmetic Surgery Highlight: Lower Eyelid Surgery

Bags under the eyes (or sagging) affect many people. The use of eye creams can help restore the under eye area for some but for others no amount of eye cream will do. That is when it is time to seek out a cosmetic surgeon who can help restore the under eye area resulting in a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins is very familiar with lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). This surgery is ideal for patients who have fat bulges, dark circles, and skin laxity in the under eye area. Lower eyelid surgery can be more than just removing and tightening skin. For the right candidate, fat transposition may be done during the surgery. This is the process of repositioning fat from one area of under the eye - the "baggy" area - into the "hollow" area under the eye. A small amount of skin removal may also be done using a conservative approach to avoid giving the patient a round eye look.

Incisions for the surgery are usually made on the outside of the lid just below the lashes so when they heal there is little or no visible scar. The advantage is that some skin can be removed to "tighten" the lid with the external approach but not the internal one. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia combined with oral sedation alone or together with IV sedation. General anesthesia is not needed. Pain is usually minimal and easily controlled with over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Sutures are usually removed in 5 to 7 days so most people take one week off from work to rest from the surgery. Contacts and make-up can usually be worn 10 days post-op. It is recommended that new make-up be used so as to not introduce any bacteria from old products into the healing incisions.

Patients of Dr. Perkins who have had lower eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara are pleased with the result of a smoother contour from the lower lash line to the mid-cheek. Eliminating under eye bags or sagging skin can positively make a difference in a person's look.

Tired of looking tired? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Perkins at his Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara for an eyelid lift consultation by calling 805-563-0000. Dr. Perkins also sees patients in Oxnard. 

Santa Barbara Skin Care Home Regimen by Dr. Perkins

Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins believes that an effective at-home skin care regimen is an essential part of maintaining younger-looking, beautiful skin. We hope that this home care skin regimen by Dr. Perkins will inspire you to renew (or start) your dedication to healthy skin.

If you are a person who routinely has facials and does a chemical peel every few months, you are not exempt from participating in good skin care practices! Did you know that how you care for your skin at home can account for 50% of the end result? An effective at-home skin care strategy can both enhance the power of your facial / chemical peel / laser facial treatment and can prolong the results. Truly a "win-win" situation.

The home care regimen that I recommend is not something I learned in medical school or from a beauty magazine. The idea came to me one piece at a time as I reflected upon what products the skin benefits from on an ongoing basis. As the founder of Evolutions Medical Spa, and being an active Medical Director there, I have had the benefit of being introduced to and studying many different medical-grade skin care products that have higher active ingredient levels and, thus, have a greater effect on the skin than products purchased at a department store. This is why I recommend using physician grade products for a notable result.

An easy way to remember my universal skin care regimen is by the acronym CHEARS. CHEARS stands for:

• Cleanser: use a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type; I recommend using the Clarisonic brush to give your skin a deep clean below the surface. Cleanse in the morning and evening.
• Hydration: hydrate your skin daily using a moisturizer that works with your skin type (dry, oily, combination). Keeping your skin hydrated will keep your skin plump for a fresh complexion. Moisturize once per day.
• Exfoliant: the use of an exfoliant helps to break down the dead cells on the outermost layer of the skin and promote cell turnover. Exfoliate your skin 2 times per week.
• Antioxidant: a high quality antioxidant cream helps to combat the signs of aging. Use 3 times per week.
• Retinoids: use of a topical retinoid cream (commonly known as the brand name, Retin-A) has been proven to be a great wrinkle fighter. Use 2 times per week.
• Sun protection: use sun protection on your face, neck, decolletage, and hands to ward off fine lines, wrinkles, and excessive pigmentation (age and "liver" spots). Sun protection should be used daily, year round and I recommend products that provide a "physical block" such as those that contain zinc oxide. 

Embarking on my home care regimen will enable you to have more control of your skin's natural aging process. I hope that the above information persuades you to start, or re-dedicate, yourself to renewing your skin health in the years to come. CHEARS to healthy, glowing skin!

Cosmetic Surgery Highlight: Forehead Lifts in Santa Barbara

One of the first things that people notice about others is their eyes. Eyes can convey so many messages without anything actually being said. Unfortunately for some of us, as we age, the forehead and brow relax downward, making us look unhappy or less approachable when we actually do not feel that way. Fortunately this problem is easily solvable with a Forehead Lift by Dr. Perkins.

What happens during a forehead lift?
Forehead lift surgery is usually done through three incisions hidden in the hair (the hair does not have to be shaved) that are undetectable. These incisions allow access to the muscles in the forehead that cause frowning. Partial removal of the muscle causes permanent weakening of the muscle while retaining some function for normal expressions. The forehead tissue is shifted upward to the desired position. If there is "hooding" or crowding of the upper eyelids and crow's feet, then the outer (temporal) forehead areas can be treated as an independent procedure.

General anesthesia is not needed. Local sedation and oral sedation alone, or in combination with intravenous sedation, will provide relaxation and amnesia. Pain after the surgery is usually minimal and controlled with Ibuprofen or Tylenol.

What are the benefits of a forehead lift?
Benefits of a forehead lift surgery include raising the eyebrows to their normal position (which often removes some excess upper eyelid skin), tightening of the temporal area to improve crow's feet, softening of the frown lines between the eyebrows, and smoothing of the horizontal forehead lines.

Dr. Perkins always takes a conservative approach when performing facial cosmetic surgeries to avoid giving a patient a "surprised" look. Instead, patients of Dr. Perkins are happy with their results because they look natural and well-rested. View more before-and-after forehead lift surgery pictures, performed by Dr. Perkins, here.

Schedule a forehead lift cosmetic surgery consultation in Santa Barbara by calling Dr. Perkins' office - Cosmetic Surgery Center - at 805-563-0000.

New Laser Peel in Santa Barbara by Dr. Terry Perkins

Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins has added an Erbium YAG Laser Peel to his minimally-invasive cosmetic services. What makes this laser service unique is that it is similar to a chemical peel but with little to no downtime!

At Cosmetic Surgery Center we like to refer to it as the "Lunchtime Laser Peel" because you can have it done on your lunch hour and return to work without your colleagues knowing any better.

Who Can Benefit from a Lunchtime Laser Peel?
The treatment removes the top layers of the epidermis which improves surface imperfections. If you have superficial pigmentation, light acne scarring, and/or fine wrinkles then this Laser Peel may be a good choice for you.

What Do I Need to Know About the Laser Peel Procedure?
The procedure takes about 20 minutes for the face. It can usually be done with no topical or abbreviated numbing. The Laser Peel vaporizes the top layers of skin cells without transferring heat to the deeper tissue so little to no redness results. The face is a popular area of treatment for the Laser Peel as well as the décolletage and hands.

What Results Will I See from the Laser Peel?
The Erbium YAG Laser efficiently "freshens up" skin by "polishing" the skin's surface. Most people find that their skin is smoother and more even-toned with a nice glow after treatment. A series of treatments is usually recommended for optimum results.

How Can I Schedule a Lunchtime Laser Peel?
Call Dr. Perkins' office at 805-563-0000 to discuss the Lunchtime Laser Peel or to make an appointment. Dr. Perkins' Cosmetic Surgery Center is located in Santa Barbara, just a few blocks from Cottage Hospital.