Dr. Stan Castor is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Tampa, FL who specializes in Breast Augmentation with Silicone and Saline implants

Medicis Aesthetics Inc. is pleased to offer patients up to $390 cash back on treatment with the Restylane family of products during this limited-time offer. Patients can receive $50 off each mL of Restylane® or Restylane-L® (minimum purchase of 2 mL in a single treatment required) or $65 off each mL of Perlane® or Perlane-L® (minimum purchase of 1 mL required) they receive in their treatment, up to a maximum of 6 mL per visit! To qualify, patients must receive treatment with a product in the Restylane family between February 1 and March 31, 2011, and mail in their redemption submission postmarked by April 30, 2011.

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits. Liposuction  improvs the body’s contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhances the patient’s self-image. This procedure involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through 3-4mm small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. Liposuction can be performed on both men and women of any age.  Patients ideal for this type of procedure are non-smokers, healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing. Most adults are within 30% of their ideal weight and have firm and elastic skin.  Dr. Castor performs mostly Vaser liposuction either awake with sedation or under general anesthesia.

Body contouring is a general term that refers to various plastic surgeries performed to different parts of the body with the aim of improving the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat. It is a common procedure performed for people who have underwent major weight loss. Body contouring procedures are performed by Dr. Stan Castor on both men and women.

Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, is the cosmetic surgery used in resizing the breast.  This procedure is performed on women with oversized breasts and men who suffer from gynecomastia. It is an overall safe procedure and most of the patients are pleased with the results.  This type of surgery is performed to treat a breast condition known as hypertrophy, which refers to oversized breasts.  Breast hypertrophy usually occurs in both breasts and commonly develops at puberty or immediately after.

Breast lift, also referred to as mastopexy, is the surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and tightens the surrounding tissue of the breast, resulting in raising and firming the breast. Mastopexies carry a certain degree of risks as any other type of surgery does.  Breast lifts can be performed in conjunction with insertion of a breast implant to further enhance the size of the sagging breasts. Dr. Stan Castor commonly performs these procedures together. Dr. Castor is available for consultation at his New Tampa or Riverview, FL offices by calling 813-971-2000

High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck

An advanced technique Tummy Tuck that takes a little more than four and half hours to perform. Conventional Abdominoplasty tightens muscles in a vertical line. This new method known as High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty, which in addition to vertical-line tightening, muscles are also tightened horizontally. Final result with this technique is a dramatically flat abdomen with significantly better-defined waistline.

Circumferential abdominoplasty

An circumferential abdominoplasty is an extended abdominoplasty plus a buttock lift. The resulting scar runs all the way around the body, and the operation is also called a Belt Lipectomy or Body Lift. This operation is most appropriate for patients who have undergone massive weight loss. Most patients have lost over 100 pounds and have significantly loose and hanging skin.

Combination procedures

An abdominoplasty is a component of a lower body lift and can be combined with liposuction contouring, breast reduction, breast lift, or breast augmentation. A popular name for breast enhancement procedures performed in conjunction with an abdominoplasty is a “Mommy Makeover”.  Dr. Castor performs a large number of combination Mommy Makeover procedures since there is only one recovery period for the procedures. Recovery depends on the problem to be treated, surgical technique(s), and other factors. Recovery can take one to two weeks and patients are advised to take at least a portion of this recovery time off from work. Heavy activity especially is best avoided during this time. Initially there may be bruising and discomfort. A supportive abdominal binder or compression garment can minimize swelling / bruising, and support the repaired tissues. Patients are advised to avoid all forms of nicotine for a month or longer prior to surgery and also during the recovery period. Full recovery takes 3 – 6 months, with further fading of scars thereafter.

Risks

Abdominoplasty carries certain risks that may or may not be serious or life-threatening. When taking the decision to undergo such a procedure it is recommended to compare the benefits with the potential risks and complications. Hence, all patients must be informed on all the risks they are exposing themselves to.

Although “tummy tucks” are considered safe procedures, as with any other type of surgery, different complications may arise. The majority of the risks can be avoided if the patients follow carefully the instructions they receive from Dr. Castor. Severe complications occur are very rare and can include blood clots, deep venous thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications or infection.

Infection and blood clots are a serious potential risk after abdominoplasty, but which occur rarely. Infection is usually treated with antibiotics and drainage. Patients are recommended to move around as soon as possible after surgery to minimize their risks of developing blood clots. Pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke are very rare complications that may result after any type of surgery due to immobility after surgery which results in blood clots that may travel to the heart, lung or brain. Thus, pulmonary embolism is a serious risk after “tummy tuck” procedure and if they occur, they commonly happen within 3 weeks of the surgery, but more commonly within the first 72 hours after the procedure has been performed.

If complications occur, they usually delay the healing process. In rare cases, another surgery is needed to fix a potential complication. Skin necrosis is one of the complications that may require another procedure as the dead skin must be excised and reclosed to improve the appearance of the scar. Although necrosis is extremely rare, smokers have an increased risk to develop skin necrosis. Stopping nicotine use and smoking several weeks before and several weeks after surgery cleans the body and improves the chance of an uneventful recovery. Diabetic patients, patients with vascular insuffiency and patients with pervious abdominal surgery are also at risk for skin necrosis and wound healing delays.

One of the more common problems after an abdominoplasty is collection of fluid under the skin after the drains have been removed. If necessary, Dr. Castor can aspirate the fluid with a needle. The drainage stops within a few days and does not affect the final results.

The scars resulting from abdominoplasty are long, permanent, but generally fade quite nicely. The size of the scar depends on the amount of skin that has been cut-off, the techniques used for the surgery, and the body’s ability to recover. Although this scar will never become invisible, it is usually placed under the swimsuit line so it is covered by clothes. It normally takes 9 months to a year before scars flatten out and lighten in color.

Cost

The cost of a “tummy tuck” varies from around $4,500 for a mini-tuck to around $7,000 for a full tummy tuck.  Circumferential abdominoplasty may be in the $10,000 range.

Dr. Stan Castor is available for a free consultation by calling 813-971-2000 to be seen in his New Tampa or Riverview, FL office.