Question 1

Who is the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are non-smokers, relatively healthy, and at or within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight. They should be women who no longer plan to have children, are bothered by excess skin, muscle laxity, and excess fat, and have realistic expectations about the surgery's outcomes.

Question 2

When is liposuction appropriate versus a tummy tuck, and what is Dr. Lugo's preferred approach?

Accepted Answer

Liposuction is appropriate if your sole objective is to remove fat from specific abdominal areas. However, if your goals include removing excess fat, eliminating excess skin, and toning abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck is required. Dr. Lugo's personal preference is to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to achieve a sculpted abdomen.

Question 3

What should I expect regarding swelling after a tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Patients should be prepared for significant swelling after a tummy tuck. Swelling typically increases three to seven days post-surgery and can be expected to last for at least three months. This swelling and inflammation are natural bodily processes essential for healing.

Question 4

What are Dr. Lugo's policies regarding patient safety, smoking, and pre-surgical workups?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Lugo prioritizes patient safety and dislikes canceling surgery. Smoking is a strict reason for cancellation; patients must be nicotine-free for six weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine tests are performed on the morning of surgery, and a positive result leads to cancellation. While rescheduling is possible, a second positive test will result in permanent cancellation. Abnormal pre-surgical workup results also lead to cancellation, with patients referred to their PCP to investigate and resolve any abnormalities before proceeding. The necessity for these studies is determined by the patient's age, medical problems, and medications.

Question 5

What are Dr. Lugo's surgical techniques and preferences for breast augmentation?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Lugo performs breast augmentation using high-profile silicone implants, placed under the muscle, via an inframammary fold (IMF) incision. To minimize complications and achieve optimal results, she employs several techniques: using nipple shields to prevent bacterial contact, meticulous breast pocket dissection to minimize bleeding, irrigating implants with antibiotic solution and the breast pocket with betadine, frequently changing gloves (especially before implant insertion), and utilizing a Keller Funnel to minimize implant contact with surrounding skin during insertion.

Question 6

Does Dr. Lugo perform procedures with patients awake, and what are the benefits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Dr. Lugo performs procedures like browlifts and upper eyelid lifts with patients awake, using local anesthetic for numbing. This approach allows patients to breathe on their own without a breathing tube or anesthesia machine, maintaining physiological stability and normal blood pressure. This significantly decreases the risk of hematoma formation during and immediately after the procedure, making it one of the safest alternatives to general anesthetic.

Question 7

Do breast implants provide a lift for saggy breasts?

Accepted Answer

No, breast implants add volume but do not provide a lift for breast tissue. If nipples are saggy before implants, they will remain saggy afterwards without a lift. In fact, placing implants in already saggy breasts can contribute to more sagging due to the additional weight. This is a common misconception, and Dr. Lugo emphasizes that a breast lift is necessary to address saggy breasts.

Question 8

What is a Direct Neck Lift, and who is it suitable for?

Accepted Answer

A Direct Neck Lift removes excess skin and fat in the central neck under the chin through an incision in that area. It also allows for direct treatment of deep neck structures and tightening of underlying muscle. This procedure is particularly suitable for men with excess skin under their chin, as the incision hides well within the creases of the hair-bearing skin, making the scar less noticeable and more socially acceptable. It offers a fast recovery time, is less painful than other neck procedures, and has shorter surgery and healing times compared to a traditional facelift.

Question 9

When should someone consider facial rejuvenation, and what are the benefits of acting sooner?

Accepted Answer

It's time to consider facial rejuvenation if you find yourself pulling your jawline up and backwards in the mirror, constantly thinking about your appearance, or feeling younger than you look. Dr. Lugo advises that addressing signs of aging sooner is generally better, as delaying action will likely lead to increased bother later on. Neck lift results, for example, can be long-term, with good outcomes observed over two years post-surgery.

Question 10

Why might a full neck lift be necessary over less invasive techniques like liposuction?

Accepted Answer

A full neck lift may be necessary over less invasive techniques like liposuction when the concerns involve the deep part of the neck, not just superficial fat. For significant improvements in fullness under the chin and profile view, a neck lift allows for comprehensive work on deep neck structures that liposuction or other minimally invasive methods cannot achieve.

Question 11

What does Dr. Lugo say about their techniques?

Accepted Answer

The doctor changes gloves very frequently during surgery. The doctor changes gloves prior to implant insertion. The doctor performs the direct neck lift procedure under local anesthesia.

Question 12

What does Dr. Lugo say about recovery?

Accepted Answer

A direct neck lift doesn't hurt as much as other procedures the doctor performs to get rid of excess tissue under the chin.

Question 13

What does Dr. Lugo say about what they specialize in?

Accepted Answer

The practice offers tummy tucks. The practice offers breast augmentation. The practice offers mommy makeovers. The practice offers mastopexy (breast lift).

Question 14

What does Dr. Lugo say about their training and credentials?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Liana M. Lugo is a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Question 15

What does Dr. Lugo say about results?

Accepted Answer

By combining a tummy tuck with liposuction, the doctor can provide patients with a sculpted abdomen.

Dr. Liana M. Lugo, MD

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