Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

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Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
316 Del Prado Blvd., South
Suite 201
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Phone: (239) 829-7102
Fax: (239) 829-7104

For an appointment at this location, please call:

866-400-DERM(3376)

Plastic Surgery

Services

Face & Neck Procedures
Facelift and Necklift Surgery | Brow Surgery | Eyelid Surgery | Rhinoplasty

Breast & Body Procedures
Breast Augmentation Surgery | Breast Lift Surgery | Gynecomastia | Tummy Tuck Surgery | Liposuction | Arm Lift


Face & Neck Procedures

Our face is our most visible feature and conveys information about our health, age, and mood. Wrinkles and lines normally become more pronounced with aging, but this process can be accelerated by heredity, sun damage, stress, and smoking. These visible signs of aging can affect the way we feel about ourselves and others’ perceptions of us. Facelift surgery may be for you if you are bothered by looking sad or tired even when you are not. A facelift seeks to restore youthful contours to the face and neck by correcting sagging skin and facial muscles, and removing excess fat. While a facelift cannot stop the aging process, it can restore a more youthful and rested appearance. A necklift alone is sometimes performed when the sagging skin is isolated to the neck and lower portion of the face. Facelift and Necklift surgery do not stop the aging process, but they certainly can “turn back the clock” on facial aging. Results can be expected to last 5 to 10 years depending on postoperative health and skincare regimens.

Who is a candidate for Facelift surgery?
Generally, healthy, mature, non-smoking adults who have noticed sagging in the skin of the jowls, neck and cheeks are potential candidates for surgery.

How is it performed?
Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in an accredited surgery center, usually under general anesthesia. Inconspicuous incisions around the ear and into the hairline are created to gain access to the sagging areas of skin and fat. The underlying fat and facial muscles are then redistributed and the excess skin and fat are removed, resulting in a firm, smoother appearing face and neck line. A necklift generally has more limited incisions around the ear in addition to a small incision in the crease beneath the chin.

What is the recovery time?
The first week following surgery there will be noticeable swelling and bruising. The majority of patients return to work within 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise can be resumed in about a month.
Brow Surgery

Deep lines in the forehead and high on the bridge of the nose can give the appearance of fatigue or even anger. A brow lift can smooth the lines, elevate, and reshape the brow region to restore a rested, more youthful appearance. A hooded appearance of the eyelids can make the eyes appear aged and tired. How is it performed? Browlift surgery can be performed from either multiple small incisions behind the hairline. In situations where the the drooping skin and brow are severe, a long incision across the top of the scalp may be recommended. Brow reshaping can also be performed through the same incision used in an upper eyelid lift. In fact, these two procedures are often performed together safely.

What is the recovery time?
Bruising and swelling typically last two weeks. Final results may take up to two months to occur. Scars may take a year to reach their final appearance.
Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery, called Blepharoplasty surgery, seeks to improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids by removing or redistributing excess skin and fat around the orbits. Drooping and puffy lids can make us appear chronically tired. Eyelid surgery can take years off the face and give a more alert and refreshed appearance.

Eyelid surgery is for healthy, non-smokers who have no history of serious eye conditions.

What is the recovery time?
Bruising and swelling around the eyes typically last for 5-10 days. Swelling may take 4 weeks to completely subside. Final results can be expected 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Light sensitivity and irritation are not uncommon immediately following surgery. Lubricating drops and cool compresses are recommended when these symptoms occur. The appearance of the scars will continue to improve for up to a year.
Rhinoplasty

Surgery of the nose seeks to restore balance to the nose in relation to the face. It can also correct obstructed nasal passages while restoring self-confidence in one’s appearance.

How is it performed?
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery setting. Small incisions inside the nose and/or at the base of the nose are used to correct prominent “humps” in the nose and shape the cartilage at the tip of the nose. Occasionally cartilage grafts are used in the process to obtain greater definition or support.

What is the recovery time?
Most patients return to work in 7-14 days. Strenuous activity can be resumed at 4 weeks. Results are usually best seen at 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, with addSurgery of the nose seeks to restore balance to the nose in relation to the face. It can also correct obstructed nasal passages while restoring self-confidence in one’s appearance.

How is it performed?
Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery setting. Small incisions inside the nose and/or at the base of the nose are used to correct prominent “humps” in the nose and shape the cartilage at the tip of the nose. Occasionally cartilage grafts are used in the process to obtain greater definition or support. What is the recovery time? Most patients return to work in 7-14 days. Strenuous activity can be resumed at 4 weeks. Results are usually best seen at 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, with additional refinements in the appearance for 6 to 12 months post operatively. Because cartilage is a flexible living tissue, the final results are not fully predicable.

Breast & Body Procedures
Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast Augmentation surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States. Many women are concerned with the appearance of their breasts and seek breast augmentation surgery as a way to improve self-confidence, restore balance to the breast and body proportions. Breast augmentation uses either saline or silicone gel implants to restore fullness to the breast and increase projection. The type of implant used depends on the patient’s preferences and individual needs.

How is it performed?
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure in which general anesthesia is commonly used, although a combination of local anesthetic and sedation is preferred by some surgeons. Incisions are made in inconspicuous locations such as the crease beneath the breast, the underarm, and the border of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). The implant is either placed beneath the breast tissue, above the chest wall muscle, or beneath both the breast tissue and chest wall muscles.

What is the recovery time?
Bruising, soreness, and swelling are common in the first few days after surgery. The length of time these symptoms last varies by the type of procedure performed. Women can expect to return to work within 5 to 7 days after surgery. Strenuous activities and sports can resume 6 weeks after surgery. The final result can be expected 8-10 weeks after surgery. It is important to remember that implants are “man-made” devices which are not meant to last for a lifetime. There is a very strong chance that the implants will need to be replaced sometime later in life.
Breast Lift Surgery

Also called Mastopexy surgery, a breast lift restores the shape and firmness of the youthful breast. The areola can also become enlarged over time and can be reduced in size during a mastopexy. Mastopexy does not change the size of the breast and if women seek to enlarge or reduce the breast, a mastopexy may be combined with an augmentation or reduction to achieve that effect.

How is it performed?
A breast lift elevates the nipple position on the chest and removes excess skin, restoring a more youthful shape and position to the breasts. The scar placement and length is determined by the amount of elevation desired and the amount of excess skin to be removed. This is discussed preoperatively by the surgeon.

What is the recovery time?
Most patients return to work in 5 to 7 days after surgery. Swelling may take four to six weeks to resolve, and final breast contour may not be seen until 3 months post lift.
Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a common condition affecting men of all ages. It can cause emotional distress and a lack of self-confidence. It can affect one or both breasts. Causes of gynecomastia include heredity, hormonal imbalance, obesity, and certain medications and drugs. Some men limit their physical activities because of the emotional distress this condition can cause. Surgical correction of enlarged breasts can restore confidence and improve self-image.

Who is a candidate for surgery?
Men who are in good general health and near normal body weight, whose breasts have stabilized in size for 6 months are candidates for surgery. Men should stop using tobacco and any recreational drugs well in advance of surgery.

How is it performed?
Excess fat and glandular tissue is excised and/or removed by liposuction. It is most often performed with general anesthesia. In some cases, the skin and areola have become so stretched, the skin around the areola may need excision as well. The need for this would be discussed at the initial consultation

What is the recovery time?
Surgical correction of gynecomastia is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Men should plan 5-7 days out of work and may return as long as they can avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for 4 weeks. A compression vest is worn for 2-4 weeks after surgery. Final results may not be visible for 4-6 months after surgery.
Tummy Tuck Surgery

Abdominoplasty, often referred to as a “tummy tuck”, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the US today. Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat while tightening the abdominal muscles leaving a more firm, flat, and youthful appearing stomach. The ideal patient for abdominoplasty surgery is a healthy, non-smoking adult who has experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy and has loose skin and muscle which cannot be affected by additional diet or exercise. Patients should be near their ideal body weight and be stable at their current weight for 6 months or longer. Abdominoplasty surgery is not a weight loss method and the results can be maintained for years with a healthy and active lifestyle.

How is it performed?
Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the patient, it can be performed as an outpatient surgery or with a brief overnight hospital stay. In a full tummy tuck, a horozontal incision is created low on the abdomen and excess skin and fat are removed below the belly button. The navel is repositioned and the abdominal muscles are tightened with sutures. In case of skin and fat excess, which is limited only to the lower portion of the abdomen, a mini abdominoplasty uses a smaller incision and the correction is limited to the area below the navel.

What is the recovery time?
Most patients return to work in 10 to 14 days. Strenuous activity can be resumed in 6 weeks. Initial results can be seen in 4 weeks, but final results may not be seen until 4 to 6 months after surgery.
Liposuction

Many individuals who live a healthy active lifestyle are troubled by persistent areas of fat deposition, which are often hereditary. Liposuction can smooth and refine these trouble spots improving body contours, restoring proportion and improving self-image.

How is it performed?
Small incisions are created in the areas to be treated allowing a hollow tube to be inserted into the fat. Fluid containing numbing medicine and adrenaline to control bleeding is added to the fat before suctioning. Some surgeons use a power assisted cannula or an ultrasound assisted cannula to facilitate the removal of fat.

What is the recovery time?
Recovery is usually rapid with most patients returning to work within 5 to 7 days. Bruising should subside within 2 weeks and final results may be seen in 4 to 6 weeks. Results are maintained and enhanced by continuing a healthy lifestyle. Substantial weight gain may seriously affect results.
Arm Lift

An Arm Lift, also called a Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure, which corrects sagging skin and fat of the upper arms. The upper arms often reveal the effects of significant weight loss, hereditary fat deposition, aging and gravity. Brachioplasty surgery can restore a more youthful contour to the upper arm and improve self-confidence.

How is it performed?
An incision is created on the inner upper arm in the groove formed by the bicep muscles and triceps muscles. The incision extends from the armpit to the elbow and excess skin and fat are excised. Occasionally this will be combined with liposuction of the upper arm to reduce localized fat deposits before skin removal.

What is the recovery time?
Most patients return to work in 10 to 14 days. It is important to elevate the arms for the first several days to reduce swelling. A compression garment will be prescribed and should be worn for 4 to 6 weeks post operatively. Numbness and swelling may take 4 to 6 months to resolve. Scars will fade and improve over a year.
Lauren Archer, M.D.

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