Elite Plastic Surgery

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, can lift and tighten up loose skin in the upper arms, resulting in a firmer, more youthful contour. Brachioplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with other body contouring procedures. The effects of aging on the skin are familiar to all of us. Over time, the skin changes in four ways: it loses thickness, loses elasticity, loses adherence to the underlying tissue, and is affected by gravity. At the same time, the deep layers of fat, muscle and bone thin as well. The amount of elastic tissue and collagen present in the dermis (the deep layer of the skin) also decreases. One area where these changes are especially apparent is the upper arm.

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. The areas include the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. During the past decade, liposuction, which is also known as “lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy,” has benefited from several new refinements. Today, a number of new techniques, including the tumescent technique and the super-wet technique, are helping many plastic surgeons provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Treated areas look slimmer and more contoured, and in better overall proportion to the rest of the body.

Many of life’s changes can cause unwanted excess skin and fat in the lower portion of your body. A surgical thigh lift can improve areas of sagging in the inner and outer thigh region and restore a more pleasing body contour. Fatty deposits on the inner and outer thighs are especially resistant to diet and exercise. Many patients become discouraged at having lost unwanted pounds without seeing a significant change in the lower body. The overall proportions of the body may be unbalanced. In these cases, a thigh lift can successfully trim the excess fat, skin and tissue in the thighs to achieve a more attractive balance and symmetry to the body.

Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) is the single best surgical procedure for removal of excess abdominal skin and tissue that diet and exercise alone can’t address. As an added benefit, an abdominoplasty may also include surgical tightening of the abdominal muscles that are commonly separated as result of pregnancy or fluctuations in weight—a condition known as rectus diastasis. Common reasons for the procedure: Pregnancy Sagging or excess skin Previous surgeries Excessive weight-loss Hereditary

With age, the skin on our forehead and above our eyebrows begins to sag. Beyond being unattractive, this phenomenon can make people you interact with think you’re perpetually tired, sad, even angry. And if the sagging becomes extreme enough, it can interfere with your vision. A brow lift with the Elite Plastic Surgery team addresses this sagging and gives your face a younger, more energetic look. A brow lift focuses on the forehead and the brows to restore a more youthful, refreshed look. The procedure removes or alters the muscles above the eyes to correct drooping brows and improve the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.

Procedures include the placement of silicone implants into the chin region or manipulation of existing bony structure of the chin to produce a more prominent chin in an attempt to balance the facial structure. Incisions are often placed inside the mouth to minimize the appearance of scarring. The overall effect is a more balanced facial architecture. Complete healing usually takes several months.

These procedures include manipulating the cartilage of the ear and removal of portions of the posterior ear skin in an attempt to produce a more balanced appearance to the ear. These procedures are best performed between the ages of 7 and 10, but can be performed on adult patients as well. This surgery has a long history of successful results and patients are usually extremely happy with the overall appearance of their new surgically altered ears.

The skin around the eyes is delicate and especially vulnerable to the effects of aging. Over time, not only do the eyelids stretch, but the muscles supporting them also weaken, both contributing to the saggy appearance. In addition, excess fat often gathers above and below the eye, causing puffiness, droopy upper lids and bags under the eyes. Blepharoplasty is surgery to improve the appearance of droopy, sagging eyelids and/or remove under-eye bags. It can involve removing excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. An upper blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate vision problems by removing saggy skin and at the same time, make the eyes appear younger and more alert. A lower blepharoplasty can remove excess skin and fat deposits, as well as tighten the areas around the eyes and improve overall appearance.

The face is usually the first place we start to notice the effects of gravity, sun exposure, life stresses and our genetics. These factors can cause deep creases on the cheeks, a jowly, ill-defined jawline, sagging skin and fat under the chin and around the neck — to name a few of the issues that send people to the plastic surgeon. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that can help erase signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles and literally re-draping face and neck skin. The procedure can simultaneously remove and tighten sagging skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and return the face to a more youthful, contoured appearance. A facelift can also be done in conjunction with other procedures related to the aging face, such as a forehead or eyelid lift.

Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. This well-known and effective surgery is designed to not only change the appearance of the nose, but also to create facial symmetry that can improve the appearance of the entire face. Rhinoplasty can also be used strictly to correct a deviated septum, a structural problem that interferes with breathing.

Breast Augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that increases the size of the breast through the use of a breast implant. Breast enhancement is often performed for several types of patients; those who have lost breast size due to having children, those who have lost a significant amount of weight, or those who simply want to have larger breasts.

Whether the result of congenital issues, uneven growth or injury, breast deformities can be successfully corrected. No two procedures are exactly alike. Usually, a combination of implant and lift surgeries produce excellent results. Patients should discuss their goals and expectations with their surgeon to determine the best course of action.

The breast lift procedure (mastopexy) is a cosmetic procedure that repositions the nipple and breast to a higher, more youthful position on the chest wall. Breast lift is often performed for patients who have developed drooping of the breasts after breastfeeding or pregnancy. Patients may also experience loss of breast volume and drooping of the breasts after significant weight loss.

Breast reconstruction is a procedure to return the breasts to their normal form. It is most often performed after mastectomy but in some cases is performed for congenital problems. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the time of the mastectomy or at a later time. Much of this depends on the specific type of breast cancer and the other treatments that might be needed (radiation, chemotherapy).

Breast reduction surgery involves removal of excess breast skin, fat and gland to improve the appearance of the breast and to help alleviate the symptoms associated with large breasts.

Men sometimes develop excess tissue in the breasts. Clinically, this is called gynecomastia, but most men don’t think of the condition as anything more than having some extra weight and it showing in their breasts. This can make a man consciously avoid situations where he has to remove his shirt such as at the beach or when out on a boat. It can be very embarrassing. Many men may feel like they need to live with this condition, but the plastic surgeons at Elite Plastic Surgery can perform male breast reduction, giving them back their self-esteem and confidence.

Complex wound surgery procedures include flap surgery or skin grafts to cover wounds from radiation therapy, vascular disease, trauma or cancer resection. This type of surgery is often the most challenging surgery we perform and often utilize the most up-to-date microsurgical techniques.

Hand surgery is a very specialized field of medicine that skillfully employs the principles of both orthopedic and plastic surgeries. The following list explains the most common conditions for which the attention of a Hand Surgery Centre specialist is suggested.

Elite Plastic Surgery Grand Rapids performs these cosmetic procedures to improve and often to eradicate scars resulting from trauma, burns or previous surgery. Scar revision may involve surgery, injections or even laser treatment of the scars.

Many types of skin cancer can be treated with surgical involvement including removal and reconstruction of skin cancer. As cosmetic surgeons, we will plan the removal or reconstruction of the skin cancer to achieve the best aesthetic result possible without compromising your cancer treatment.

Permanent make-up (also called cosmetic tattooing, micropigmentation or dermapigmentation) can be used to enhance facial features or to correct skin pigmentation problems. This form of tattooing is an increasingly popular alternative to conventional make-up. Currently we are doing permanent makeup treatments for eye liner and lip liner only.

Laser Hair Removal employs laser energy that can selectively target microstructures, such as hair follicles. With its targeted absorption by melanin, it gives the optimal balance between safely treating all skin types and effectively removing unwanted hair.

As we age, the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants take their toll on our skin, creating wrinkles and pigment irregularities, especially on our faces. A Laser Peel can be very successful at reducing or eliminating these conditions, and in fact it is the best way to address the problematic lines that occur around the mouth and eyes. Though there are several different types of lasers used to perform peels, the Contour TRL is widely regarded as the safest, most effective laser available.

BroadBand Light, also known as BBL, is an innovative technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active life-styles, and sun damage. BroadBand Light energy allows your physician to precisely treat age and sun spots, small facial veins, and many other skin conditions. Your treatment will be tailored to match your skin type and your desired results. Any area of your body can be treated. The most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sunlight. The most popular treatments are on the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders.

ProFractional Therapy is a quick and comfortable laser procedure with little downtime, used for improving the overall appearance of your skin. The procedure is performed in your physician’s office and can be custom tailored to your specific skin conditions and desired outcome.

The SkinTyte treatment is based on the principle of selective thermolysis and utilizes pulsed light technology to deeply heat your skin while cooling and protecting the entire treated surface. SkinTyte is a nonsurgical treatment that can be provided quickly and comfortably with no downtime. The end result is a more rejuvenated, youthful appearance.

ClearScan is a laser treatment that allows your physician to precisely treat visible vessels, broken capillaries, spider veins, vascular lesions and discoloration of your skin by using laser energy. Your treatment will be tailored to match your skin condition and desired result. All skin areas can be treated. Popular areas are the face, neck, chest and legs. Discuss your needs with your physician.

The face is the most exposed part of the body, vulnerable to the harsh rays of the sun, subject to acne, rashes, allergic reactions and injuries that may cause permanent scars. A number of non-surgical treatments are available for individuals who want to eliminate or soften imperfections in their facial skin. Review the laser and other non-surgical options to find the treatment that is best for you.