Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery Blog l Houston, TX

When Is It Time to Consider a Tummy Tuck?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:34:00 GMT

If you’re bothered by loose, flabby belly skin or a “pouch” instead of a flat abdomen, you’re in good company. Many American adults can’t achieve a smooth belly with dietary changes, crunches, and sit-ups alone.

In fact, abdominoplasty , a corrective cosmetic surgery that can reshape your belly, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US. Also called a tummy tuck, this procedure removes excess skin and tissue while repairing weak muscles to give you a firmer, smoother abdomen.

At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery , board-certified cosmetic and general surgeon Kristi Sumpter, DO , and the care team help men and women in Houston, Texas, achieve the trim tummy they’ve worked for with this surgical treatment.

Many of our patients wonder when it’s the right time to consider this treatment. Keep reading as we explore when it may be time for you to consider this popular cosmetic surgery treatment.

You’re sick of excess belly skin

If you’ve gone through pregnancy, have lost significant amounts of weight, or are getting older, you might have noticed changes in the skin on your tummy. Even with diet and exercise, your skin might not bounce back, leaving you with excess belly skin that sags or creates a “pouch.”

At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery, we understand how frustrating it is to work hard to reclaim your body and not see your desired results. With a tummy tuck, Dr. Sumpter removes this excess skin, leaving you with a tighter, sag-free abdomen.

You’re at a healthy weight and your family is complete

Tummy tucks aren’t a weight-loss procedure. This surgical treatment is best for patients already at a healthy weight — and committed to maintaining it. If you gain weight after a tummy tuck, your skin stretches. Then, if you lose that excess weight, you’ll be left with saggy skin once more.

Along the same line, if you have a tummy tuck and then experience pregnancy, the skin on your stomach will stretch to accommodate your growing infant. After giving birth, it’s likely this skin won’t snap back. For this reason, Dr. Sumpter recommends waiting until your family is complete before having this surgery.

Your abdominal muscles are weak or separated

After pregnancy or years of carrying excess weight, people can experience weakening or separation of their abdominal muscles. This condition is called diastasis recti , and it means the abdominal muscles no longer come back together the way they should.

Even with regular workouts, it can be difficult or impossible to restore these tissues. Even targeted abdominal exercises aren’t enough to repair these damaged muscles.

During your tummy tuck, Dr. Sumpter repairs any weakened or separated muscles and removes any pockets of loose connective tissue or fatty deposits. After your recovery, you’ll enjoy a shapely, smooth tummy with a toned appearance.

You have a significant abdominal scar

If you’ve had an open hysterectomy or have undergone one or more C-sections, you might have a noticeable and unsightly scar on your tummy. These scars are often bumpy, thick, and irregular, as the focus during your procedure was on your health, not the scar. For some women, skin can droop or sag over the scar with time.

An abdominoplasty can help by removing or minimizing the appearance of these obvious imperfections. The old scar is usually removed when the excess skin is excised, and as a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sumpter is an expert at scar placement. Your tummy scar is small and in an easy-to-conceal spot.

You’ve talked to a tummy tuck expert

Tummy tucks are an effective way to improve your body and give your self-confidence a boost. This popular surgery has helped hundreds of thousands of US adults look and feel their best. But it doesn’t mean an abdominoplasty is the best — or only — option for you.

It’s important to talk with a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures. At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Sumpter evaluates your overall health and medical history and assesses your goals and lifestyle.

This information helps Dr. Sumpter determine your best treatment options for meeting your cosmetic goals. Our team also answers any questions or concerns you have, so you feel confident in your decisions. We offer a comprehensive line of cosmetic surgery services to help you enjoy the body you’ve been working to achieve.

Wondering if now is the right time for you to consider a tummy tuck? Schedule your consultation online or on the phone with Dr. Sumpter at Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery in Houston, Texas.

The post When Is It Time to Consider a Tummy Tuck? appeared first on Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery .

Why Are Some Patients Choosing Breast Implant Removal?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:33:00 GMT

Breast augmentation has long been a popular cosmetic procedure, but in recent years, there’s been a noticeable trend in the opposite direction: breast implant removal. A percentage of patients are opting to have their breast implants removed for a variety of reasons.

At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery in Houston, Texas, highly skilled cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Sumpter is ready to address your concerns and help you explore the possibility of breast implant removal through a personalized one-on-one consultation.

Our expert team is dedicated to guiding you through every stage of the process, ensuring that your journey toward the results you’ve always desired is smooth and hassle-free.

In the meantime, we delve into the why behind the breast implant removal trend and the factors driving this choice.

Health and safety concerns

The first and perhaps most critical reason for breast implant removal is health and safety concerns. You may decide to remove your implants due to:

Implant-related complications

This includes issues like leakage, rupture, or implant displacement, which can lead to discomfort or health risks.

Breast implant illness

You might experience a range of symptoms that you attribute to your breast implants, including fatigue, joint pain, and memory problems. Although there’s an ongoing debate in the medical community, some patients believe that removing their implants can alleviate these symptoms.

Desire to avoid long-term risks

With breast implants, there’s a risk of complications over time, such as capsular contracture or implant rupture. You may choose removal to avoid potential future issues.

Options when deciding to proceed with breast implant removal

Breast implant removal, also called an explant procedure, includes an en bloc or total capsulectomy. In an en bloc capsulectomy, all of the scar tissue surrounding the breast implants is able to be removed while still wrapped around the implants. The alternative to an en-bloc capulectomy is a total capsulectomy. In a total capsultectomy the same result of removing all surrounding scar tissue is achieved, but, due to patient anatomy, cannot be done while still wrapped around the implants.

Over the past 5 years Dr.Sumpter has seen numerous breast implant removal patients. Some are happy with just the implant removal. Some patients choose to have a lift or mastopexy with breast implant removal. Others choose to have liposuction and fat transfer to the breasts to replace the volume. This decision is up to each individual patient and Dr. Sumpter will consult with each patient to determine what will provide the best result. The mastopexy or fat transfer may be performed during the same surgery as the breast implant removal or may be performed at a later date.

Changing aesthetics and preferences

Beauty ideals and personal preferences change over time, and some individuals decide to have their implants removed to better align with their evolving sense of beauty. Reasons for this choice can include:

Natural aesthetics

A desire for a more natural appearance and to return to your pre-implant look.

Body image

Aesthetic preferences may shift, leading you to decide that you no longer wish to have larger breasts.

Comfort and lifestyle

Some active individuals may find that breast implants hinder their physical activities, prompting the decision to remove them.

Lifestyle and life changes

Life is full of changes, and these can prompt you to rethink your breast implant choices:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Some women may choose to remove their implants before, or after pregnancy and breastfeeding to ensure the best outcome for their breast health.

Career and personal growth

Career opportunities or personal growth may influence your decision to remove your breast implants, especially if you feel your implants are no longer aligned with your image or goals.

Financial considerations

Financial situations can change, and the cost of maintaining or replacing implants may become a burden.

The choice to have breast implants removed is deeply personal and often motivated by a combination of factors, including health concerns, changing aesthetics, and evolving life circumstances. For many individuals, it’s about prioritizing their well-being and happiness above all else.

Whether you’re considering breast implant removal or breast augmentation, your decision should be based on your individual needs, goals, and well-being. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Sumpter today by calling our office or scheduling online at any time.

The post Why Are Some Patients Choosing Breast Implant Removal? appeared first on Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery .

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:32:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.

But what do you do if you still need health care? Fortunately, Telehealth can help.

How Telehealth works

Telehealth — or telemedicine — is a healthcare solution that allows you to meet with your doctor virtually instead of going to the office. Our 100% HIPAA-compliant system uses a two-way, high definition video, so we can talk face-to-face as if we’re in the same room together.

With Telehealth, you can also:

Submit your medication list, allergies, ID cards, and medical history in advance
Chat or share photos describing your symptoms
Have prescriptions electronically sent to your pharmacy
Securely pay online for your virtual visit

This streamlined approach originally evolved to help expand medical care to men, women, and children living in remote areas. Today, 76% of hospitals use Telehealth technology, and US employers could save as much as $6 billion a year by making telemedicine technology available to their employees. But the advantages of Telehealth go far beyond financial savings.

The benefits of telemedicine

Whether you live close to your doctor or in a rural area, you probably know firsthand that even a routine visit involves wait times of 18 minutes or longer — and that doesn’t even include the time you spend getting there. Telehealth technology eliminates that.

By connecting to your doctor in a virtual setting, you can expect to:

Miss less time at work
Have fewer disruptions with any child or elder care responsibilities
Eliminate the time or travel expenses associated with your office visit
Receive quality health care faster
Reduce subjecting yourself and others to a contagious illness

At the same time, you also reduce your risk of exposure to contagious illnesses, like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19.

Telemedicine is also available to patients of all ages, including children, older adults, and those in vulnerable health. That makes it an ideal healthcare solution for everyone, especially when someone can no longer leave their home safely but still requires medical attention.

What to expect during a Telehealth appointment

Telemedicine technology has never been easier to use, simply:

Download our app to your tablet, computer, or phone
Request an appointment through our Telehealth portal
Fill out the registration forms included in our calendar invite
Follow the link in your calendar invite to open your video-chat to start your appointment

You can also upload photos, if needed, to help us diagnose your symptoms.

For more information on telemedicine or to schedule your virtual visit, contact us by calling or requesting your Telehealth appointment online today.

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