Tummy Tuck

Q: I have been considering a tummy tuck but am afraid of the pain with this procedure. Is there a less painful alternative?

A: An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is undoubtedly one of the more extensive body contouring procedures. The procedure involves the surgical removal of excess skin and fatty tissue of the abdomen as well as tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles. It is a form of excisional body contouring whereby the extra tissues are surgically removed. For women who have had children, the underlying muscles have often separated and stretched causing a so-called diastasis recti. This diastasis or separation is sutured together creating a tight abdominal wall which acts much like a muscle corset. The tighter the corset, the better the overall shape and contour that can be obtained.

Unfortunately, surgical muscle tightening is ultimately what causes pain. Historically, abdominoplasty procedures have always been associated with a painful recovery. For the past 4 years, I have been using a sophisticated pain control mechanism called the Stryker Pain Pump. This device was first developed for orthopedic surgeons who use it after shoulder, knee or hip surgery. The pump is a completely automated device that delivers a long-acting anesthetic agent via thin catheters to the site of pain. For the orthopedic patient, this usually involves a joint. For tummy tuck patients, the catheters are positioned directly on top of the muscles that have been stitched together. The pump lasts 3-5 days and has dramatically reduced the pain associated with surgery, with some patients actually having no pain at all. For most, the need for additional pain medications is significantly decreased thereby reducing narcotic related complications and speeding the recovery process. For my practice this device has proven extremely effective and I use it for all of my tummy tuck patients. For more information log onto my website at www.drhainer.com or www.stryker.com/instruments/painmanagement.

Endotine Forehead Lift

Q: What is an Endotine forehead lift?

A: A forehead lift or browlift is intended to reposition drooping eyebrows and soften creases of the forehead and between the eyebrows. The traditional “open” browlift involves a long ear-to-ear scalp incision (bicoronal) that is used to elevate the forehead and eyebrow tissues, remove excess skin and reposition the eyebrows. This long incision leaves an unsightly scar often with scalp numbness and a long recovery time. The “endoscopic” browlift uses small 1-inch incisions behind the hairline through which a small endoscope is inserted to detach the same tissues. The forehead and eyebrows are then repositioned and held in place by two small “endotine” devices. The endotine is a small triangular-shaped device that holds the tissues with small, sharp prongs. Once the tissues have healed, this device simply dissolves away. In essence, leaving no trace and no scars. For me this has revolutionized how I do browlifts. Recovery is fast, swelling is minimal and the results are dramatic.
Recently, this endotine device has been redesigned to be used as a method to lift the cheeks, also through inconspicuous incisions. This so-called endotine midface or malar lift is also changing the way I do cheek lifts. For more information about the endotine forehead lift or the midface lift, call for a complimentary consultation, log onto my website at http://www.drhainer.com/ or, log onto the official endotine website at http://www.coaptsystems.com/.