Choosing a Procedure Based on Your Goals

Plastic surgery is personal. The procedure that helps one person feel more comfortable in their body may be completely different from what makes sense for someone else.

Maybe you’re bothered by stubborn areas of fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. Maybe pregnancy or weight changes have changed the shape of your abdomen. Perhaps you’ve noticed a loss of breast volume, sagging, or changes around your eyes that make you look more tired than you feel.

The right procedure starts with understanding what you want to change.

At The Centre, P.C., patients from Mishawaka or the greater Michiana area have access to a variety of cosmetic surgery options designed to address different areas of the body and face.

While every patient and surgical plan is unique, here are five commonly performed plastic surgery procedures to know about.

1. Liposuction: Refine Areas of Stubborn Fat

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure designed to remove localized deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction can be used to improve the contour and proportion of areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, and other areas of the body.

What can liposuction do?

Liposuction may help address localized pockets of fat that remain despite a healthy lifestyle. Rather than serving as a weight-loss procedure, its purpose is to reshape and contour targeted areas.

Depending on your anatomy and goals, liposuction may be performed on areas including:

• Abdomen
• Hips and flanks
• Thighs
• Arms
• Back
• Chin and neck
• Other areas with localized fat deposits

One important distinction: liposuction removes fat, but it does not necessarily address significant excess or loose skin. Patients with both excess fat and loose skin may require a different or combined approach.

2. Breast Augmentation: Add Volume and Shape

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure used to increase breast size and enhance breast shape.

ASPS notes that breast augmentation may be performed using saline or silicone implants, while some patients may be candidates for augmentation using their own fat through fat transfer.

Patients may consider breast augmentation for several reasons, including wanting to:

• Increase breast volume
• Restore volume lost after pregnancy or weight changes
• Improve breast symmetry
• Enhance breast shape or proportion
• Increase fullness that has changed over time

Breast augmentation isn’t one-size-fits-all

The goal isn’t simply to choose a particular implant size.

During a consultation, your surgeon considers factors such as your existing breast tissue, chest dimensions, body proportions, skin characteristics, and aesthetic goals when developing a surgical plan.

For some patients, breast augmentation alone may provide the desired change. For others, a breast lift with augmentation may be recommended when there is also significant breast sagging or changes in breast position.

3. Tummy Tuck: Address Excess Abdominal Skin and Muscle Changes

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to improve the contour of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and, when appropriate, addressing weakened or separated abdominal muscles.

It is often considered by patients following pregnancy, significant weight loss, or changes to the abdominal area over time.

What does a tummy tuck address?

A tummy tuck may help address:

• Excess abdominal skin
• Certain amounts of excess abdominal fat
• Weakened or separated abdominal muscles
• Changes in abdominal contour

One of the most important things to understand about abdominoplasty is that it is not a weight-loss procedure.

Instead, it is a body-contouring surgery intended for patients who are generally at or near a stable weight but have concerns that may not be adequately addressed through diet and exercise alone.

What about the scar?

A tummy tuck does involve a surgical incision and therefore results in a scar.

The location and length of the incision depend on the surgical technique and the amount of tissue being addressed. Your surgeon can explain where the incision is expected to fall and what you can anticipate during your consultation.

For many patients, understanding the scar is an important part of deciding whether abdominoplasty is right for them.

4. Breast Lift: Restore a More Elevated Breast Contour

A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue.

Over time, factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, and changes in skin elasticity can affect breast position and shape.

A breast lift may be considered when the primary concern is sagging or a change in breast position, rather than simply a desire for increased volume.

Breast lift vs. breast augmentation

These procedures address different concerns.

Breast augmentation primarily adds volume.

Breast lift primarily addresses breast position and sagging.

Some patients may benefit from combining the two procedures. An augmentation can restore or add volume while a lift reshapes and elevates the breast.

Which approach is appropriate depends on your anatomy, existing breast volume, degree of skin laxity, and desired result.

5. Eyelid Surgery: Refresh the Appearance of the Eye Area

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, addresses excess skin and, depending on the patient’s anatomy and surgical plan, fat around the upper and/or lower eyelids.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes blepharoplasty as a procedure that can improve the appearance of the eyelids by addressing excess skin, muscle, and fat.

Patients may consider eyelid surgery when they notice:

• Excess skin on the upper eyelids
• Bags or puffiness beneath the eyes
• Changes in the contour of the lower eyelids
• A tired or aged appearance around the eyes

In some cases, excess upper-eyelid skin can also interfere with peripheral vision. Your surgeon can determine whether your concerns are primarily cosmetic, functional, or both.

The goal isn’t to change who you are

Eyelid surgery is about addressing specific changes around the eyes while maintaining your natural appearance.

Your surgeon will evaluate your eyelid anatomy, facial proportions, skin quality, and goals when determining whether blepharoplasty is appropriate.

So, Which Plastic Surgery Procedure Is Right for You?

There isn’t one procedure that is right for everyone—and you don’t have to know the answer before your consultation.

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is an opportunity to discuss what bothers you, what you would like to change, and what options may realistically address those concerns.

For example:

This isn’t a substitute for an individual surgical evaluation. Two people with similar concerns may have very different anatomy and may benefit from different procedures—or a combination of procedures.

Can Plastic Surgery Be Combined?

In some cases, procedures can be performed together as part of a comprehensive surgical plan.

For example, a patient who has experienced changes following pregnancy may discuss a combination of procedures addressing the breasts and abdomen. This is sometimes referred to as a mommy makeover, although the procedures included vary from patient to patient.

Similarly, some patients may benefit from combining liposuction with another body-contouring procedure.

Whether procedures can safely be combined depends on factors including your health, anatomy, surgical goals, and the extent of the procedures being considered.

Your surgeon should discuss the potential benefits, risks, recovery considerations, and alternatives before developing a surgical plan.

What Happens During a Plastic Surgery Consultation?

Choosing plastic surgery shouldn’t start with choosing a procedure from a menu.

It starts with your goals.

During a consultation, your plastic surgeon can evaluate your anatomy, discuss your concerns, review your medical history, and explain which surgical and nonsurgical options may be appropriate.

You may also discuss:

• Your desired outcome
• Surgical techniques
• Incision placement and potential scarring
• Recovery and activity restrictions
• Potential risks and complications
• Whether combining procedures may be appropriate
• What results can realistically be expected

The consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions and make sure you understand the procedure before deciding whether to move forward.

Considering Plastic Surgery in Michiana?

If you’re exploring cosmetic surgery in Mishawaka or the greater Michiana area, The Centre, P.C. offers a range of plastic surgery procedures designed around each patient’s individual anatomy and goals.

Whether you’re researching liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck surgery, breast lift, or eyelid surgery, learning about your options is a great place to start.

Your body—and your goals—are unique. Your surgical plan should be, too.

Ready to explore your options? Contact The Centre, P.C. at (574) 968-9100 or visit TheCentrePC.com to schedule a consultation.