Body Procedures Minneapolis

If you are dissatisfied with your figure, and diet and exercise aren’t enough to fully address problem areas, you may want to consider one of our body plastic surgery procedures. At Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD., our American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified and experienced plastic surgeons, Douglas L. Gervais, M.D. and Richard H. Tholen, M.D. can safely perform one or more surgical options that can help you look your very best. To learn more about plastic surgery procedures for the body, contact our plastic surgery center today, or click on the links below for detailed information.

Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss

Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, either from bariatric surgery, diet and exercise, or post-pregnancy, may have an abundance of loose, sagging skin in various areas of the body. Site-specific plastic surgical procedures can tighten and contour underlying muscle and fascia as well as remove excess skin and fat. These operations, many of which can be performed together, also remove skin folds that can cause rashes, irritation, maceration, odor, and ill-fitting clothes. Areas of concern may include the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, chest, arms, flanks, or breasts. These procedures can yield smoother body contours and a more fit, slimmed-down appearance.  (click for more information about body contouring after massive weight loss)

Liposuction, Ultrasonic Liposuction, and Liposculpture

It may seem impossible to lose weight in certain areas of the body on your own. Liposuction is a safe procedure that involves the removal of localized excess or diet-resistant fat deposits through tiny incisions using specialized surgical equipment, including small-cannula liposculpture, ultrasonic (Vaser) liposuction or LipoSelect, and even non-surgical external ultrasound or RF (radio frequency) Exilis treatments. For surgical liposuction or liposculpture we generally utilize tumescent liposuction, which involves the use of tumescent fluid (electrolyte solution containing minute amounts of adrenaline for vasoconstriction) injected into the fatty tissues to enhance smoothness of fat removal, reduction of bleeding or bruising, and to provide an interface when ultrasonic liposuction (Vaser or LipoSelect) instrumentation is utilized. Tumescent fluid also contains very low concentrations of local anesthetic, and this may help to reduce post-operative discomfort. Depending on the severity of the localized fat excess and the techniques chosen for optimum results, patients can generally resume normal activities after just several days and more strenuous activities in several weeks. As healing progresses and swelling diminishes, the results can be exceptional. These procedures can be performed on the arms, tummy, buttocks, thighs, lower legs, face, and neck. (click for more information about liposuction options)

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The abdomen (stomach or tummy area) is one of the most difficult places to lose body fat. This can be due to intra-abdominal fat, as well as excess loose skin and external (subcutaneous) fat, that contribute to what many individuals constantly battle with—the belly bulge. Internal or intra-abdominal fat can only be addressed via diet and exercise (or gastric bypass surgery), but no amount of diet or exercise can tighten loose skin or retighten stretched abdominal wall muscles and fascia. For that patients require tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery. Many women choose to undergo a tummy tuck and muscle repair after pregnancy. Additionally, men and women who have lost significant weight but still have loose skin and stretched muscles receive major benefits from this procedure. (click for more information about abdominoplasty)

Lower Body Lift

Other terms for lower body lift can include circumferential lower body lift, beltlift, torsoplasty, dermolipectomy, or other names. Regardless of the terminology, lower body lift surgery is recommended for patients who have lost massive amounts of weight and have excess loose, sagging skin of the abdomen, hips, lateral thighs, and buttocks extending around the entire circumference of the lower body. No matter how toned and fit the underlying muscles may be, the skin, once stretched out, often does not go back to its original position and elasticity. Besides looking bad, loose skin can also be uncomfortable, and troubled by rash, maceration, and odor. Lower body lift surgery provides a major final improvement for patients who have lost the weight, and now want to tighten the skin on the lower part of the body. (click for more information about lower body lift)

Other Body Procedures

Drs. Gervais and Tholen perform many additional procedures to enhance the look of the body. Male breast reduction (Gynecomastia surgery), arm lift (Brachioplasty), medial thigh lift, pec implants, calf implants, labiaplasty, and more can help patients regain confidence in their appearance. (click each link above for more information about each topic)

Non-Genital Transgender Surgery

Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. had been a regional and national leader in performing non-genital transgender surgeries for the past nearly three decades, such as transgender breast augmentation, transgender mastectomies (“top surgery”), facial feminization procedures, tracheal shave, liposuction, and body lifting procedures. (click each link above for more information about transgender surgery)

All of these procedures are safe, and both surgeons have a wealth of experience (combined 50 years) providing outstanding results for our patients.