Best Candidates for Tummy Tucks

Tummy tucks are one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States; in fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has reported that almost 116,000 surgeries were performed in 2011 in the United States alone. The medical term for tummy tucks is abdominoplasty, and it is a surgical method to flatten the abdomen, remove excess skin and tighten stretched abdominal muscles. While having tummy tuck procedure may sound like an easy way to a flat stomach, any reputable cosmetic surgeon will insist that you meet certain criteria before embarking down this path. Suitable Tummy Tuck CandidatesYou must be a generally healthy person to be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. If you consistently eat right and exercise but still have a troublesome abdominal area, this procedure may be a suitable solution. Other physical characteristics include:

• Women who have been pregnant and now have weak/stretched abdominal muscles/skin or stretch marks. 

• People who have successfully lost significant amounts of weight and are left with excess abdominal skin.

• Older adults whose abdominal areas have lost elasticity and now sag as a result of the natural aging process.

 Successful candidates must also be realistic expectations about the surgery outcome, including acceptance of the recovery process and possible scarring along the bikini line. Reasons to Avoid Tummy Tuck SurgeryThere are certain individuals who should delay or completely avoid tummy tuck surgeries, such as those who refuse to follow a healthy diet and exercise program and want to use the surgery as a weight loss solution. Tummy tuck surgery is not a guarantee that excess weight will not reform in the abdominal area. Other reasons why you may be refused for tummy tuck surgery include:

• You are a woman and plan to become pregnant in the future. The abdominal stretching during pregnancy may make it necessary to repeat the surgery.

• You are a smoker and cannot, or will not, stop smoking. Smoking can interfere with your healing and increase the risk of complications.

• You plan to lose significant amounts of weight in the future.

• You are an extreme fitness person who cannot limit strenuous activities during the post-surgery recovery process.

• You are worried about having a scar along the bikini line.

• You are having the surgery at the urging of another person.

 It is important to understand that having a flatter abdominal area will not drastically change your life. If you set unrealistic expectations for the outcome of your surgery, you will be disappointed. Dr. Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery can help you determine if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. For more detailed information about this procedure or to schedule a tummy tuck consultation, visit www.77plasticsurgery.com or call 866-751-9830. 

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The Dreaded Bingo Wings

Are you suffering from Bat Wings or do you have the dreaded Bingo Wings under your upper arm?Patients, both men and women, are often frustrated with their efforts to rid themselves of the excess fat and skin. What they don’t know is that no amount of exercise or diet can actually get rid of this particular problem. These “wings” are actually caused by residual skin sag.


The procedure to reduce this excess skin is known as an arm lift, or brachioplasty. This cosmetic treatment is performed on the arm, on the area between the underarm and the elbow. The actual technique used depends upon the cause of the residual skin sag.


After an arm lift, patients experience smaller arm circumference, and an increased sense of confidence when exposing their arms.

Dr. Larry Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery can help you determine if you are a good candidate for an arm lift surgery. For more information about this procedure, or others, please visit  www.77plasticsurgery.com.

How a Breast Lift Differs From a Breast Augmentation

Breast lifts and breast augmentation are two different types of cosmetic surgery procedures to help women enhance their appearance. The decision of which procedure to pursue depends on the physical issues you wish to correct. Sometimes it is necessary to use both procedures simultaneously to achieve the desired results.

Breast Lift

The medical term for breast lift is mastopexy. This procedure lifts breasts that have become saggy due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, excessive weight loss or loss of elasticity due to the normal aging process. Excess skin is removed so the breasts can be lifted to create a more youthful and perky appearance. A breast lift will not increase the overall size of the breasts.

Breast Augmentation

The medical term for breast augmentation is augmentation mammoplasty. This procedure is used to enlarge and reshape the breasts by introducing either saline or silicone implants into the chest area. The surgeon will help you determine the best size and shape of implants as well as where the implants should be placed in relation to the chest muscles and breast tissue.

In both procedures, there are several surgery incision options, depending on your lifestyle, body frame and the size and type of implant.

The only way to determine which breast enhancement procedure is right for you is through a cosmetic surgery consultation. A reputable surgeon will discuss in detail the various options, including the benefits and potential risks, and allow you to fully participate in the decision-making process.

Dr. Larry Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery has helped hundreds of women gain or regain their self-confidence through breast enhancement surgeries. For more detailed information about these procedures or to schedule a breast consultation, visit www.77plasticsurgery.com or call 866-751-9830.

Liposuction for the Whole Body

Liposuction for the Whole Body

Most people know what liposuction is; it’s the removal of fat deposits from the body. People often joke about getting “lipo” as an easy way out to lose weight.

Even Mr. Burns on an episode of “The Simpsons” resorted to saying “Bah, I’ll just pay for the blasted liposuction” when he couldn’t help Homer Simpson lose weight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABluNAn9Esk

The truth is that liposuction is not a weight loss solution, but a surgical method for reducing body fat in areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. While the abdominal area is a popular location for liposuction, this surgical method can also be used in areas throughout the whole body.

Liposuction Areas

Liposuction can remove excess fat from many different areas of the body, including the:

·         Abdomen

·         Thighs

·         Hips

·         Flanks

·         Waist

·         Knees

·         Back

·         Arms

·         Calves

·         Ankles

·         Chin

·         Neck

·         Jawline

·         Chest

·         Breasts

·         Bra Roll

Liposuction can greatly increase your self-confidence and give you the boost you need to go out and conquer new experiences. If you have areas on your body that give you distress, liposuction may be the answer. First you have to determine if your trouble areas are appropriate for liposuction and if you are a good candidate for the surgery.

Dr. Larry Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery has helped hundreds of men and women improve their appearance through liposuction. For more detailed information about this procedure or to schedule a free liposuction consultation, visit www.77plasticsurgery.com or call 866-751-9830.