Sagging skin can be a frustrating side effect of aging and of major weight loss. Fortunately, a body lift—a cosmetic surgery procedure in which excess skin is removed and the remaining skin tightened—can be effective in addressing sagging permanently. Body lift surgery eliminates the need for individual procedures, like a tummy tuck, that address skin sagging in a piecemeal fashion for patients who have full-body concerns that they want to address in a single procedure. If you’re planning a body lift surgery in New York City , proper preparation will help you have a smooth recovery.

During your cosmetic surgery consultation, your doctor will review the entire procedure with you and give you preparation instructions. Be sure to have any lab work requested by your surgeon done well in advanced of your body lift to avoid delays. You will need help at home for the first few days of your recovery, so prepare to have someone there. Most patients also need four to six week off from work, so arrange your schedule accordingly.

Gynecomastia, or the enlargement of breast tissue is men, is more common than many people believe, but that doesn’t make it any less distressing when it occurs. It frequently happens during puberty, but it also common in men over the age of 50. Fortunately, gynecomastia treatment in Manhattan is available, including surgery to remove enlarged tissue. If you’re over 50 and suffering from gynecomastia, here is a look at some of the potential causes.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes are at the root of many cases of gynecomastia. For men over 50, decreases in testosterone levels create an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen that encourages breast tissue to grow. Obesity can also contribute to this imbalance. Men with excess body weight have a higher level of an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen, prompting the growth of breast tissue. Note that weight alone doesn’t cause gynecomastia. Breast enlargement in men that is strictly the result of weight gain is called pseudogynecomastia and can be resolved through weight loss and liposuction. Other conditions that can cause hormone-related gynecomastia are hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and certain types of tumors.

Medications

Certain medications that men often take after age 50 increase the risk of gynecomastia. These include some common anti-anxiety, heart, and ulcer medications. Tricyclic antidepressants can also be to blame. Men who undergo hormonal therapy for prostate cancer have a higher risk of developing gynecomastia, as well as men who receive certain types of chemotherapy. Illicit drugs are also associated with gynecomastia, including methadone, heroin, amphetamines, marijuana, and anabolic steroids.

Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse can caused damage to the testes, which in turn compromises the body’s ability to produce testosterone. Likewise, the phytoestrogens in alcohol also increase the level of estrogen in the body. These factors together imbalance the testosterone to estrogen ratio in the body and encourage the growth of breast tissue.

If you want have unwanted fat in some areas of your body by wish your buttocks were shapelier, then a Brazilian butt lift could be right for you. This fat-transfer procedure helps patients achieve a curvier appearance while trimming less desirable areas of weight. To determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure, schedule a consultation with a specialist in cosmetic surgery in New York City. Here are some of the factors he or she will consider.

Availability of Fat

A Brazilian butt lift cannot be performed on patients who do not have an adequate amount of fat elsewhere on their bodies to be transferred. One of the reasons Brazilian butt lifts are considered so safe for patients is that surgeons reduce the risk of infection by using patients’ own fat. Ideally, fat should be available on the stomach, thighs, and back. Generally, patients should be at least a size six in clothing to be considered for the procedure, but cosmetic surgeons evaluate each patient individually.

Tightness of Skin

For a Brazilian butt lift to be successful, the skin around the buttocks needs to be relatively tight. Sagging skin won’t respond to the augmentation, as the fat transfer won’t stop the skin from sagging. If you have sagging skin, a traditional butt lift, in which excess skin is removed, may be a more appropriate procedure. Your cosmetic surgeon will help you choose the right option for you.

Commitment to Recovery

Patients are typically extremely pleased with the results of their Brazilian butt lifts, but to get the best results, patients have to commit to the aftercare plan. Doctors recommend avoiding putting any weight on the buttocks for the first two weeks after surgery and only sitting on soft cushions for the first six weeks. If you must sit during the first two weeks, it should be on a very soft cushion for a limited amount of time. Patients can return to work within seven to 10 days and must wear a compression body garment to control swelling for six to eight weeks.

Are you frustrated by a persistent stomach pooch that won’t respond to your diet and exercise efforts? This common complaint can be addressed with a tummy tuck, but some patients don’t require this full cosmetic surgery procedure. For these patients, a mini tummy tuck may be more appropriate. If you’re considering a mini tummy tuck in Manhattan , here is what you need to know.

Unlike tummy tucks, which involved the entire abdomen, mini tummy tucks only involve the part of the stomach between the belly button and the pubic bone. This cosmetic surgery procedure is often recommended for patients whose excess skin and fatty tissue are isolated to this region. The recovery time for mini tummy tucks is usually faster than the complete procedure, with some patients recovering in just one week.

To be an ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck, you should be at a stable weight and not be planning any pregnancies. As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, you should be a non-smoker and not have any medical conditions that could interfere with recovery.