Tran Plastic Surgery LLC

Products And Services

• Arm Lift

  ARM LIFT Dissatisfaction with the upper arm stems from the presence of excess skin and fat. Loose skin on the upper arms can occur with aging and significant weight loss. Arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is the surgery to remove excess skin of the arm. To achieve optimal contour, both excess fat and skin must be addressed. Excess fat is reduced by either weight loss with a healthy diet and exercise or liposuction (need link to liposuction). However, significant excess skin typically requires excision. WHAT IS ARM LIFT SURGERY? The surgery is performed under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center typically. If you have both excess skin and fat, then the arm lift is typically combined with liposuction (need link) to achieve the best contour. The scar for the arm lift is placed on the inside of the upper arm and typically extends from the armpit or axilla to just above the elbow. In some individuals, the scar might extend beyond this area to the lateral chest wall if there is significant excess skin stretching into the lateral chest wall. A drain will be placed in each arm to remove excess fluid to prevent fluid collection after surgery. This drain typically must be maintained in place for at least 1-2 weeks depending on the amount of drainage. WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR AN ARM LIFT? The transformation from the arm lift is life changing for the appropriate candidate. Ideal candidates are those with significant excess skin with or without excess fat, in good health, do not smoke or vape or use nicotine products, and accept the presence of a long scar on the inner arm. If you cannot accept the scar, then you should not have this surgery. CAN THE ARM LIFT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER PROCEDURES? Typically, an arm lift can be safely combined with other procedures. A consultation is necessary to determine if the procedures can be performed safely together. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY AFTER AN ARM LIFT? Patient goes home on the same day after the arm lift surgery. A drain is placed in each arm to remove the excess fluid to reduce risk of fluid collection. The drains usually stay in place for about 1-2 weeks before the drainage is low enough that it can safely be removed. You will see significant improvement in contour immediately. Bruising and swelling will occur after surgery. While bruising will typically resolve in about 2 weeks, swelling can take 3-6 months to resolve completely. Light compression of the arm is recommended for at least 4-6 weeks to help reduce swelling and risk of fluid collection or seroma. Most patients return to normal activities in 1-2 days. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks. Most patients return to work in 2 weeks with no heavy lifting restriction. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As previously mentioned, the scar in an arm lift surgery is significant and long. Due to the location of the scar and movement, some patients might not heal as well as others with poor scarring, stretched out scar, or hypertrophic scar. Numbness of the surrounding area is usually temporary but can be permanent in some patients. The drain helps remove fluid your body produces after surgery at the surgical site. Despite drain placement, some patients can still accumulate fluid after the drain is removed that would require drainage in the office using needle aspiration. It’s uncommon that a drain will need to be replaced.

  Link: Arm Lift

• Liposuction

  LIPOSUCTION Getting into your best shape starts with eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle. Unfortunately despite strict adherence to a healthy diet and exercising, many of us still have stubborn fat that will not shrink no matter what we do. For women, this is often located in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. For men, the waist and flank, which are also known as the “love handles”, are often the problematic areas. However, each individual is unique and stubborn fat can be located in other areas including abdomen, face, neck, back, and chin. Liposuction surgery can safely and effectively remove the excess fat cell from the problematic areas. It can also be performed alone or in combination with many other procedures safely. Adhering to safe technique in liposuction, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Baotram Tran will sculpt your body into the one that you’ve always desired! While liposuction does remove excess fat, it is not a weight reduction surgery. Liposuction is a very effective stool used to address specific problematic areas of fat deposition to improve your body contour. Your result will be maintained as long as your weight remains stable. If you gain weight after liposuction, the fat cells that you still have can grow larger, but typically not in the previous maldistribution manner. See before and after photos of liposuction surgery. LIPOSUCTION TECHNIQUE Dr. Baotram Tran uses safelipo technique to perform liposuction. Safelipo technique involves using a power assisted liposuction to disrupt the fatty layer first, followed by removing the fat through the suctioning cannula, and finally blending the treated area into the surrounding tissue to achieve the most natural result. The incisions are tiny and are placed in inconspicuous areas. Most cases of liposuctions are done under general anesthesia. In some cases where the area of concern is small, local anesthesia can be used for liposuction. During your consultation, Dr. Baotram Tran will discuss with you the safest way to perform the surgery after a complete evaluation. BENEFITS OF LIPOSUCTION? Liposuction is safe and can quickly address the area of stubborn fat. The significant improvement can be seen immediately after surgery, but the final result can take 3-6 months pending resolution of all the swelling. Liposuction surgery removes the excess fat cells from the problematic areas. Your result will be maintained as long as your weight remains stable. If you gain weight after liposuction, the fat cells that you still have can grow larger, but typically not in the previous maldistributed manner. LIPOSUCTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SKIN ELASTICITY? Skin elasticity is how well your skin recoils after being stretched out. The skin becomes stretched out with weight gain and pregnancy and hernias. The better your skin elasticity, the better your result will be as the skin must recoil and shrink back to contour the underlying tissue after the excess fat removal. However if your skin does not have good elasticity, the skin can droop, look irregular, and dimple after liposuction. If the skin sags before liposuction surgery, it can worsen after liposuction. In individuals with poor skin elasticity, liposuction is often performed in combination with other surgery to remove the excess skin such as a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. If excisional surgery is not desired with poor skin elasticity, then one must consider what is more important, having a flatter body contour overall with uneven skin or having a larger irregular body contour with smooth skin. CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION? Liposuction is ideal for someone who is overall healthy with good skin elasticity and specific areas of stubborn fat despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. Smokers and patients who vapes will be advised to quit for at least 2 months prior to surgery and must remain nicotine-free for at least 2 months after surgery to allow optimal healing and result. Your weight should also remain stable for at least 3 months prior to considering liposuction. RECOVERY AFTER LIPOSUCTION? Most liposuction surgery is an outpatient surgery. You will notice significant improvement immediately after surgery. You may go home on the same day. You do need someone to drive you home and be your company for at least 24 hours to assist you immediately after surgery. Bruising will occur after the surgery and will take approximately 2 week to resolve. Compression garments are typically worn for at least 4 to 6 weeks to help reduce swelling and achieve optimal contour desired. Some patients wear compression garments for even longer as it continues to reduce the swelling and improve the contour. Swelling can be present for 3 to 6 months, but again you will notice significant improvement immediately after surgery. The surgery is well tolerated. Most patients describe their postoperative course as uncomfortable rather than painful.

  Link: Liposuction

• Tummy Tuck

  Our body changes with aging, pregnancy, or weight gain or loss. The abdomen often becomes the focus of dissatisfaction due to these changes despite our attempt to maintain a healthy diet and stay active. Dissatisfaction is resulted from excess skin with or without excess fat and laxity of the abdominal wall (diastasis) causing contour deformity. Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen below the belly button and tightens the abdominal wall to achieve the aesthetic contour for the abdomen. (See before and after photos of tummy tuck surgery) WHAT IS TUMMY TUCK SURGERY? The surgery is done under general anesthesia. The incision is typically from one hip to the other low in the pubic area and around the belly button. The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty removes the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall after the skin flap is raised from the abdominal wall. The belly button will be transposed through the skin at about the same position on your abdominal wall. There will be two drains placed during the surgery to help remove the fluid after surgery. Tummy tuck surgery can be combined with liposuction to improve the contour of the flanks/love handles. CAN TUMMY TUCK BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERY? Tummy tuck can be combined with other surgeries including liposuction, breast surgeries, arm tuck and more. A surgical plan will be customized to your specific need after evaluation. Liposuction specifically should only be done in the flank and back areas and only minimally in the abdomen at midline to reduce the risk of tissue necrosis. WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR TUMMY TUCK? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle but are unable to get rid of the excess skin mainly and some fat of the lower abdomen. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. Hypertension must also be well controlled because of high risk for bleeding and hematoma after surgery if blood pressure remains high. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY? Patient typically goes home on the same day. Pain is controlled with pain medication and typically patients only take tylenol and ibuprofen after 2-3 days. Bruising usually resolves by 2 weeks, but swelling can take 6-8 weeks to resolve. The drains remain in place for 1-2 weeks. Most patients feel back to base baseline around 1 week. Abdominal binder or compression garment is worn for about 6 weeks to help reduce swelling and improve the contour. Walking is extremely important immediately after surgery to reduce risk of blood clot forming in the legs. Having assistance at home to help you move around and walking is essential to your recovery. Strenuous exercise is not recommended for at least 6 weeks. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF A TUMMY TUCK? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection despite drain placement and after drain removal, tissue necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, and need for further surgery. One of the most serious complications is blood clot forming in the legs and traveling to the lungs. Hence, it is extremely important to mobilize and walk immediately after surgery to reduce this risk. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.

  Link: Tummy Tuck

• Gynecomastia Surgery

  Gynecomastia is the breast enlargement condition occurring in men. Gynecomastia can involve one or both breasts. Patients often have discomfort with the enlargement with sensitivity of the breast, present of a lump under the nipple areolar complex, and sometimes asymmetry of the breasts. This can lead to decreased confidence in clothing and when the patient does not have a shirt on. While certain hormonal abnormalities, drugs, and medical conditions can cause gynecomastia, most patients do not have any direct cause. A work up will be complete prior to surgery to ensure safety and rule out other causes of gynecomastia. (see before and after photos of gynecomastia surgery) WHAT IS GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY? The surgery is done under general anesthesia. A combination of liposuction and direct excision are typically performed to remove the breast tissue. The tissues removed are sent to the pathologist for examination. The incisions are small and well concealed. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS? The surgery is done as an outpatient surgery. You will go home on the same day after your surgery. Bruising can occur and will take about 2 weeks to resolve, but swelling will take longer. A compression garment must be worn on the chest for 6 weeks to reduce swelling and optimize healing. Strenuous upper body exercise and heavy lifting are not recommended for 6 weeks. Most patients return to normal daily activities in a few days. WHAT IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals. Any possible medical and medication causes of gynecomastia must be addressed prior to surgery. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decreased or no sensation to nipple, changes in pigmentation of the areolar, and need for further surgery. Higher risk of wound complication and tissue necrosis are seen in patients who have wound healing problems including uncontrolled diabetes and smoker/vapers using nicotine products. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.

  Link: Gynecomastia Surgery

• Mommy Makeover

  Your body changes with pregnancy, giving birth, weight gain and then loss. The abdomen and breasts often becomes the focus of dissatisfaction due to the changes that our tissue and skin undergo despite our attempt to maintain a healthy diet and stay active. Dissatisfaction is resulted from loosing volume in the breasts, stretched out skin causing the breast to be droopy or ptotic, excess skin with or without excess fat and laxity of the abdominal wall (diastasis) causing contour deformity and asymmetry. Mommy makeover is a combination of typically 2 procedures to restore the body to a more youthful state if the patient is a candidate. What is a Mommy Makeover surgery? Mommy makeover focuses on restoring the breast, abdomen and waist. The surgery is done under general anesthesia. Typically 2 procedures can be combined in the same surgery if the patient is the right candidate. Typical procedures includes tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, breast lift, breast augmentation, and liposuction. A surgical plan will be customized to your specific need after evaluation. Liposuction specifically should only be done in the flank and back areas to reduce the risk of tissue necrosis. Who are candidates for Mommy Makeover? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle. The optimal result are for patient who are at least 1 year post giving birth and have not breastfed for at least 6 months. This time frame allow optimal tissue retraction after your body has gone through the changes. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. Hypertension must also be well controlled because of high risk for bleeding and hematoma after surgery if blood pressure remains high. What is the recovery process? Patient typically goes home on the same day. Pain is controlled with pain medication and typically patients only take tylenol and ibuprofen after 2-3 days. Bruising usually resolves by 2 weeks, but swelling can take 6-8 weeks to resolve. The drains remain in place for 1-2 weeks. Most patients feel back to base baseline around 1 week. Abdominal binder or compression garment is worn for about 6 weeks to help reduce swelling and improve the contour. Walking is extremely important immediately after surgery to reduce risk of blood clot forming in the legs. Having assistance at home to help you move around and walking is essential to your recovery. Strenuous exercise is not recommended for at least 6 weeks. What are the complications of a Mommy Makeover? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection despite drain placement and after drain removal, tissue necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, and need for further surgery. One of the most serious complications is blood clot forming in the legs and traveling to the lungs. Hence, it is extremely important to mobilize and walk immediately after surgery to reduce this risk. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.

  Link: Mommy Makeover

• Brow Lift

  When the forehead has significant wrinkles and the brows droops out of position, the facial features are not in harmony and appear aged beyond their age. The look of fatigue is often described by patients also. Other patients seek forehead and brow lift for symmetry after nerve injury, trauma, or cancer resection. The forehead and brow lift restore symmetry, harmony, and youth the face. (See before and after photos of brow lift) HOW IS THE FOREHEAD AND BROW LIFT PERFORMED? Either small incisions behind the hairline are used or a long incision from the top of one ear to another across the forehead either behind or right in front of the hairline. The surgical incision depends on your anatomy and will be discussed thoroughly with you during your consultation. The forehead skin and tissue are elevated and excess tissues are removed. The flap is then sutured in place. For lateral brow lift only, small incisions behind the hair line are used. The skin and tissue of the lateral brow are released and elevated. A small wedge of excess tissue is removed from each side. The rest of the tissues are sutured in place. CAN FOREHEAD AND BROW LIFT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERIES? Yes, it can! Often forehead and brow lift are performed along with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facelift/neck lift, and others. Individualized surgical plans will be customized to your need after throughout evaluation. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY? Sutures and staples will be removed between 1-2 weeks. Bruising will resolve in 2 weeks but swelling will take longer. Antibiotics will be given to you after surgery for a few days. Keeping your head elevated even while sleeping is essential. Normal activities can be resumed in 1-2 weeks but no strenuous exercise for 6 weeks is recommended.

  Link: Brow Lift

• Otoplasty

  OTOPLASTY Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning surgery, reshape and reposition the ears back closer to the scalp to give a more natural appearance. Ear deformities can have early emotional and social impact on young children as they are being bullied at school. Many adults, however, are also self-conscious about the appearance of their ears. Otoplasty can help restore self confidence and create a more natural look to the ears. WHAT IS OTOPLASTY SURGERY? The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in children and most adults. There are a few cases where this can be done under local anesthesia in adults. The incisions are behind the ears. The cartilage is reshaped. Deep permanent internal sutures are placed to keep the cartilage in shape. The incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures. Excess skin might need to be trimmed. HOW IS THE RECOVERY? The surgery is an outpatient surgery. You go home on the same day. The dressing from the operating room is kept in place for a few days. The dressing will be changed in the office. Once the dressings are removed, you need to avoid sleeping on your side and compressing the ears. A headband will need to be worned at night for about 8 weeks while sleeping. The sensation of your ear will be decreased after surgery and it will take time to come back. It’s very rare that you’ll have permanent loss of sensation to the ears. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, and need for further surgery. Higher risk of wound complications are seen in patients who have wound healing problems including uncontrolled diabetes and smoker/vapers using nicotine products. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. There is also a risk of asymmetry of the ears after they heal. The scar can be sensitive early on, but it’s rare that the scar remains sensitive after appropriately scar management and healing.

  Link: Otoplasty

• Rhinoplasty

  Rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery or “nose job”, involves surgical correction of the nose structures that cause dissatisfaction or breathing difficulty. Patients seek rhinoplasty because of airway obstruction through the nose, nasal deformity from congenital deformity or trauma or cancer related retreatment, or the sense that the nose is not in harmony with the rest of the facial features. (See before and after photos of rhinoplasty surgery) WHAT IS RHINOPLASTY SURGERY? The surgery is done under general anesthesia. The incisions are inside the nose only but may include one on the columellar depending on the extent of reshaping that is needed to be performed for the individualized case. The skin of the nose is then separated from the underlying structures. The bones and cartilages are then reshaped. Augmentation of cartilage might be necessary that can be harvested typically from the inside of the nose or ears, and rarely ribs. Once reshaping with or without augmentation is completed, the skin is redraped and fine sutures area used to close the incisions. Internal and external splints are placed to help stabilize the nose after surgery. They will be removed at the appropriate time in the office. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY AFTER RHINOPLASTY? Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery. The patients go home on the same day. Bruising around the nose and eyes can occur and usually resolved by 2 weeks. The internal splints remain in place for 1 week, after which they will be removed in the office. The external splints will be replaced and readjust in the office at 1 week but need to be worned for 2 weeks. Stuffiness is common, especially while the internal splints are in place. Patients are encouraged to keep their head elevated even while sleeping to reduce swelling. Swelling of the nose after rhinoplasty takes longer to resolve. Although most of the swelling is resolved by 3 months, the final result of the rhinoplasty won’t be established until at least 6 months to 1 year.

  Link: Rhinoplasty

• Facelift

  FACELIFT AND NECKLIFT With aging, our skin and fat tissue on the face and neck descend downward. The facelift and necklift surgery restore the balance of the face and neck. The surgery removes excess skin and lifts the tissues to restore the youthful appearance, eliminating the jowls and saggy skin of the face and neck. A refreshing and natural appearance is delivered, not the “overdone” or “windtunnel” look. Facelift is performed with neck lift in most patients achieve the optimal contour. HOW IS THE FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT SURGERY DONE? The surgery is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. The incisions are well camouflaged. The incisions are typically behind the hairline above the ear running along the crease of the anterior ear and posterior ear, and then into the hairline in the back. The flaps on the face and neck are elevated. The deeper tissue of the face and neck, called SMAS and platysma respectively, are tightened to lift and rebuild the foundation of the face and neck. Excess fat under the chin and neck are also removed to improve the contour. The excess skin of the face and neck are then trimmed off and the skin is allowed to redrape without significant tension on the face and neck. This gives the optimal refreshing and natural look desired. The skin flap is then sutured closed. A drain will be placed under the skin flap in the neck on each side. HOW IS THE RECOVERY AFTER A FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT? Typically, my patients go home on the same day with assistance at home. The dressing will stay in place until I see you back in the office the next morning. The dressing will be changed in the office. The drain typically stays for 24-48 hours after surgery. Bruising will resolve by 2 weeks, swelling will take longer. It’s essential to keep your head elevated after surgery, even while sleeping to reduce swelling and optimize healing. The tightness in the face and neck are normal after surgery and will feel more natural in a few weeks as your body adjusts. There can be slight changes to the hair pattern around the incision into the hairline. While most patients resume normal daily activities in 1-2 weeks, strenuous activities are not recommended for at least 6 weeks. The healing process for a facelift and neck lift takes time. The final result is not seen until at least 6 months later as all the swelling resolve and your body settles into the new lift. WHO ARE THE IDEAL CANDIDATES? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection despite drain placement and after drain removal, tissue necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decrease or no sensation to ear, and need for further surgery. It’s essential to have your diabetes and high blood pressure under control and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.

  Link: Facelift

• Eyelid Surgery

  Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty focus on restoring the eye to its more youthful, rested appearance. Dissatisfactions of the eyes stem from the excess skin and puffiness of the eyes resulting in a tired or fatigue look. The excess skin can also block one’s visions laterally and/or causes straining and constant raising of the brows to see or read. Eyelid surgery also aims to relieve some of these issues. See before and after photos. WHAT ARE THE EYELID SURGERIES? Upper eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin of the upper eyelids. The incision is across the lid in your natural crease to the lateral aspect of the eye toward the temple area. The incision is well concealed once healed and the eyes are open. Excess bulging fat might need to be addressed if present. This surgery can be done under local anesthetic in the office. Lower eyelid surgery or lower blepharoplasty starts with an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid. The fat is repositioned and/or removed to address the puffiness or “bags” under the eyes. If there is extra skin that needs to be removed, the incision is right under the lash line. The lower eyelid surgery is done as an outpatient surgery. Individualized surgical plans will be customized to your need after a throughout evaluation. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY? The surgery is done as an outpatient surgery. If only the upper eyelid surgery is needed, the surgery can be done in the office under local anesthesia. Otherwise, it will be done at a surgery center. Bruising will resolve in 2 weeks but swelling will be present for a few weeks after surgery. Normal activities can be resumed in 1-2 weeks, but no strenuous activities for 6 weeks. Sutures will be removed in the office between 1-2 weeks. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, drooping of upper or lower eyelids, double vision, dry eyes, and need for further surgery. If you have dry eyes before surgery, it can get temporarily worsen after surgery but typically will return back to your baseline after a few weeks. One of the most serious complications is bleeding after surgery. It’s essential to have your high blood pressure under control prior to surgery and after surgery to reduce this risk. No blood thinner or herbal medication or tea is recommended at least 3 weeks before and after surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.

  Link: Eyelid Surgery

• Breast Reduction

  Having large breasts can cause significant health problems for many women. Improvement and resolution of the recurrent problems associated with large breasts including back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain due to grooving from bra straps, skin rashes under the breast, skeletal deformity, and breathing difficulty are well documented after breast reduction. Significant improvement in daily activity of living is also noted. Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, reduces the breast size and lifts the breast to a better position that better fits your body anatomy. (See pre-op and post-op photos of breast reduction surgery.) WHAT IS BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY? The surgery is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. Excess breast tissue is removed and sent to pathology. The breast and nipple areolar complex are lifted. The areolar is reduced because they are large. The scar is similar in shape to an anchor that goes around the areolar with a vertical line from the areolar to the breast crease and a line in the breast crease. The trade off is a long scar for a much more lifted and youthful smaller breasts that fit your frame and improve your symptoms. A drain is placed in each breast to remove fluid build up after surgery. CAN BREAST REDUCTION BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERY? Breast reduction can be combined with other surgeries. Some of the surgeries done concurrently include liposuction, arm lift, abdominoplasty and more. A surgical plan will be customized to your specific need after evaluation. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY? Patients go home on the same day after surgery. Walking is encouraged. Bruising will resolve in about 2 weeks but swelling will take about 6 weeks. Strenuous activity is not recommended for 6 weeks. A soft elastic bra should be worn at all times for the first six weeks. Underwired bras can be worn after 6 weeks. Patients are back to normal daily activities in about 1 week. The drains are usually removed in 1-2 weeks. WHO ARE THE IDEAL CANDIDATES? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle with stable weight. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, nipple necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decreased or no sensation to nipple, changes in pigmentation of the areolar, and need for further surgery. Breast reduction can reduce the ability of breastfeeding in the future but most patients are still able to do so. Most breasts are not perfectly symmetric, so slight asymmetry can occur after breast reduction. Higher risk of wound complication and tissue necrosis are seen in patients who have wound healing problems including uncontrolled diabetes and smoker/vapers using nicotine products. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. Breast reduction is safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Some of my happiest patients are breast reduction patients as the surgery is life changing for them!

  Link: Breast Reduction

• Nipple Reconstruction

  Nipple reconstruction is performed to recreate a new nipple for patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. There are two ways of creating a new nipple depending on your anatomy. If you have a large nipple available on the normal breast, a nipple graft can be obtained from the normal nipple to create a new one on the mastectomy side. The scar is well concealed and the newly created nipple looks natural with similar color as well. The second way of creating a nipple is by using the skin and tissue of the chest to rearrange and create a nipple. This procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia. After complete healing and wait time of about 3 months, tattooing of the nipple areolar completes the process.

  Link: Nipple Reconstruction

• Breast Augmentation

  Breast augmentation can be performed with either fat grafting (link) or with breast implant to achieve the desired size and contour. This is one of the most common aesthetic surgeries performed. FDA approved silicone or saline breast implants are used for augmentation with implants depending on your desire. Depending on your individual body and breast, the implant can be placed over or under the muscle. Breast augmentation can also be done at the same as the breast lift. (See before and after photos of breast augmentation) WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR CONSULTATION? During your consultation, Dr. Tran will explore with you about your ideal shape and size. You will have a chance to try different sizers in the office to find the one that best fits your goal. We will also discuss the location of the scar, silicone vs. saline breast implant, and the placement of the implant above or below the muscle. A customized plan will be created for you depending on your anatomy and aesthetic desires. WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY? The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes between 2-3 hours. Dr. Tran uses a small incision under the breast (inframammary) or along the edge of the areolar (periareolar) where the scar is less noticeable. WHAT IS THE RECOVERY AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION? Most patients have discomfort only for the first 2-3 days, after which their discomfort is controlled with tylenol or motrin. Tightness around the breast is normal as your body is adjusting to the implants. Wear a soft supportive bra all the time during the first 3 week except during showering. Strenuous exercise is not recommended until after 4 weeks. Swelling is common after surgery. It will take 4-6 weeks for the swelling to resolve completely. You might notice some asymmetry as normal breasts are commonly asymmetric. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any procedures, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection ro seroma, scarring, asymmetry, wound healing issue, and need for further surgery to correct any problem. Other complications include capsular contracture that causes a firm feeling around the implant and breast and implant rupture that will require surgery to remove the capsule and replace the implants. For silicone breast implants, the FDA recommends to obtain MRI 3 years after placement and then every 2 years to monitor the breast implants. Higher complications will occur in smokers and patients with poor wound healing potential including uncontrolled diabetes. It’s essential that you remain healthy and nicotine free before and after your surgery for optimal healing and result.

  Link: Breast Augmentation

• Breast Lift

  The breasts change over time due to genetic disposition, weight loss, aging, and changes with childbearing leading to dissatisfaction. Breast lift or mastopexy help restore the youthful shape to the breasts. (See pre-op and post-op photos of breast lift surgery.) WHAT IS BREAST LIFT SURGERY? The surgery is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. The breast and nipple areolar complex are lifted. The areolar is reduced if it’s large. The typical scar is similar in shape to an anchor that goes around the areolar with a vertical line from the areolar to the breast crease and a line in the breast crease. The periareolar lift with the scar around the areolar only is a very limited lift that only a few patients are good candidates for. The scar also widens with time usually with this technique. The trade off is a long scar for a much more lifted and youthful breast. CAN BREAST LIFT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERY? Breast lift can be combined with other surgeries. Some of the surgeries done concurrently include breast implant placement, liposuction, arm lift, abdominoplasty and more. A surgical plan will be customized to your specific need after evaluation. Breast lift can be done with augmentation. (See before and after photos of breast augmentation with breast lift.) WHAT IS THE RECOVERY? Patients go home on the same day after surgery. Walking is encouraged. Bruising will resolve in about 2 weeks but swelling will take about 6 weeks. Strenuous activity is not recommended for 6 weeks. A soft elastic bra should be worn at all times for the first six weeks. Underwired bras can be worn after 6 weeks. Patients are back to normal daily activities in about 1 week WHO ARE THE IDEAL CANDIDATES? Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued. WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, nipple necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decreased or no sensation to nipple, changes in pigmentation of the areolar, and need for further surgery. Most breasts are not perfectly symmetric, so slight asymmetry can occur after breast lift. Higher risk of wound complication and tissue necrosis are seen in patients who have wound healing problems including uncontrolled diabetes and smoker/vapers using nicotine products. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.

  Link: Breast Lift

• Breast implant removal

  Changes occur daily in our lives. Breast implants are not permanent prostheses. Some people choose to have their breast implants removed and replaced due to implants ruptured or other unforeseen medical complications such as asymmetry and capsular contracture or excessive scarring around the implants. Others simply do not want their implants any longer. How Breast Implant Removal Works Breast implant removal is an outpatient patient surgery that’s performed to remove the implants. The scar is well concealed in the fold of the breast. If you choose to have replacement and do not have capsular contracture, the implant is simply removed and replaced. If you have capsular contracture, the capsule will need to be removed before replacement to allow the implant to move freely and return the soft sensation back to the breast. No drain will be needed in these cases typically. If you choose to have your implant removed without replacement, the capsules will need to be removed and a drain is placed in each breast to remove the fluid your body produced into the empty space. The drain will be removed in the office in 1-2 weeks depending on the amount of drainage. Frequently, a breast lift is performed with breast implant removal without replacement to lift the deflated breasts and restore the breast to a more natural shape. (see before and after photos of breast implant removal surgery) Breast Implant Removal in Ft. Lauderdale Recovery from Breast Implant Removal This is an outpatient surgery that is done under general anesthesia, but you can go home after the surgery on the same day. If the breast implants are replaced, then a surgical bra must be worn at all times for 4 weeks. If the implants are removed without replacement, a compression garment is worn on the chest at all time for 6 weeks to help reduce the swelling and reduce the risk of fluid collection. The limitation is no strenuous exercise and no heavy lifting for 6 weeks. Most people return to normal activities in 1-2 weeks. If you have drains, they will be removed in 1-2 weeks depending on the amount of drainage. What are the risks of surgery? As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, nipple necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, and need for further surgery. Frequently, a breast lift is performed with breast implant removal without replacement to lift the deflated breasts and restore the breast to a more natural shape. Otherwise the breast can look distorted and deflated after breast implants removal without replacement.

  Link: Breast implant removal

• Microneedling

  MICRONEEDLING Microneedling is an office procedure performed to stimulate your body production of collagen to tighten the skin, reduce appearance of wrinkles, and improve the appearance of scars. WHAT IS MICRO-NEEDLING PROCEDURE? The micro-needling device has multiple tiny medical grade needles that penetrate the skin and the deeper layer called dermis, causing micro injury to the dermis. During your body’s natural healing process, collagen production is stimulated helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve appearance of scars. Numbing cream is used on the skin prior to the procedure. Addition treatment of plasma or PRP can be used during the same procedure. WHAT’S THE RECOVERY? Micro-needling is safe and effective. A cooling gel mask is applied to the face after the procedure. The skin is pink in color after the procedure and can remain pink in some patients for 24-48 hours. After that the skin color returns to normal. The skin will feel rough for a few days then it will return to normal in about 1 week. It takes a full week to see the results. Moisturizer and sunscreen use are essential before and after the procedure for optimal result.

  Link: Microneedling

• Fillers vs. Botulinum Toxin

  Fillers are volume enhancers for the areas of concern. They are used to plump the soft tissue to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and volume loss. The fillers can help improve collagen in the soft tissue over time. The composition of the fillers available today are hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, or Calcium Hydroxylapatite. These are produced under different trade names. Different fillers are used for different purposes. The hyaluronic acid, produced under many trade names including Juvederm and Restylane, is reabsorbed by your body over time. Sculptra or poly-L-lactic acid is a different volume enhancer that takes up to 2 months to show the final result. Typically 3 treatments are needed spaced about 2-3 months apart for optimal results. The result can last up to 2 years. Radiesse or calcium hydroxylapatite is a subdermal filler that can help stimulate collagen production over time. Botulinum toxin is used to decrease muscle contraction of facial muscles that causes facial wrinkles including forehead wrinkles, glabella wrinkles or “11” sign, crows feet or wrinkles around the eyes, bunny lines or wrinkles on the nose, wrinkles around the lips, and wrinkles around the neck. Some of these locations are off label used. It takes at least 5 days before the effect is seen. There are different types of botulinum toxin and they are made under the trade name of Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. Both botulinum toxin and fillers have been used extensively and most often in combination to rejuvenate the face and restore its natural beauty. Individual plans will be customized to your needs after a throughout evaluation. (See before and after photos of fillers) What is the procedure? Your face will be numb with a cream first in the office to reduce discomfort during injection. The injection is done with a small gauge needed. There is no read downtime. Although, bruising can occur but can be camouflage with make up and will resolve within 2 weeks. What to expect after fillers? Swelling after fillers is expected and will take about 2 weeks to resolve. The most feared What are possible complications? Complication is accidental injection of the filler into a blood vessel causing blockage of the vessels that can lead to blindness or tissue necrosis/death. Hence, injections must be done by experienced, well trained specialists that have a good understanding of the anatomy to reduce this risk. If this occurs and is identified early on, hylenex or hyaluronidase can be injected into the area that might help reduce the amount of damage. Hylenex only works for hyaluronic acid fillers. What if I don’t like how hyaluronic acid filler looks after injection? Hyaluronic acid fillers can be reversed with hylenex or hyaluronidase.

  Link: Fillers vs. Botulinum Toxin

• Facial Thread lift

  With aging, our skin and fat tissue on the face and neck descend downward. We would want to restore the balance of the face and neck to the youthful look. However, not everyone wants more invasive surgical intervention of a facelift, neck lift, or brow lift. A refreshing and natural appearance is delivered with the office procedure facial thread lift. Thread lift of the face is often performed with thread lift of the neck in most patients to achieve the optimal contour. Thread lift of the brows is also done to lift the brows in patients with droopy brows or brow ptosis. Thread Lift Procedure Details A thread lift is an office procedure to improve the droopy facial and neck skin. Multiple threads are placed under the skin to correct sagging skin along the face and neck. The threads provide immediate results of lifting the sagging skin and stimulate collagen production over time as well to improve the appearance. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in the office. The result lasts for 1-3 years depending on your body, skin care, and health status. The thread lift is often combined with dermal fillers including hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles and facial hollowing to augment the face for optimal results. Thread Lift Recovery Bruising can occur after the procedures and will take about 2 weeks to resolve, while swelling can take longer around 4-6 weeks. Some discomfort is normal and can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. The skin at the end of the threads, typically hidden close to the hair bearing area, are often bunched up and will smooth out over the next 4-6 weeks. You do not want to put pressure on your face for the next week after treatment. You are recommended to sleep on your back with your head elevated to reduce swelling for 2 weeks. Although the result of the lift can be seen immediately after the procedure, the final result of the procedure is not seen until 4-6 weeks after the procedure.

  Link: Facial Thread lift

• Kybella

  How Kybella Works Kybella is made of deoxycholic acid. This is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps break down fat. This medication is FDA approved to dissolve the fat cells under the chin. The injections are done in the office after numbing cream is applied to the skin. Multiple injections in the area under the chin are performed about one cm apart to cover the entire area. Most patients will need more than one treatment to obtain the desired result. Because it takes time for the fat to dissolve, the result is not immediate and it will take a few weeks to see the final result. Thus, the treatments are done at least 1 month apart. Immediately after the injections, you can experience burning sensations in the injected area. Common Kybella Side Effects Swelling, pain, firmness, numbness, and redness in the area of injections can occur. Swelling can be significant but will resolve in 1-2 weeks. Numbness can take longer to resolve and rarely is permanent. What are the serious side effects of Kybella? The most concerning side effects include nerve injury causing uneven smile or muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, tissue necrosis and open wound. These are very rare complications. It’s important to have the injection done by a trained specialist to minimize the risk of these complications.

  Link: Kybella