Like many businesses and industries, plastic surgery tends to be seasonal. Many surgeons have reported seeing a spike in the number of patients looking to get a certain procedure done at a specific time of the year.

We’re going to look at all four seasons and see which invasive and non-invasive procedures grow and wane in popularity as the months go by. If you’re wondering if now is the right time to get some work done, let’s take a look at what other people are doing:

Fall Time

Fall represents a change for many people. A change in the weather, a change in the color of the leaves, and a change in how they view themselves. As the colder months of fall start to roll around, people tend to cover up with bulky jackets and warm scarves.

Non-invasive procedures such as Kybella for the neck, Botox, and fillers are all popular during the fall time. Some of these procedures, such as Botox, can take a few weeks for results to fully show.

The fall time is when people are preparing for family get-togethers and end of year parties, and they want to look their best, especially in this age of smartphone cameras and social media.

Winter Time

Winter brings even cooler temperatures than the fall, and this means many people will start to wear heavier—and bulkier— clothing to keep warm. Liposuction, tummy tucks, and even rhinoplasty are all popular procedures during the cold winter months. The bulkier clothing can help cover up scarring, swelling, bruising, and allow your body enough time to heal up before springtime rolls around.

Advantages of Fall and Winter

Since fall and winter time are the busy season for invasive surgical procedures, let’s recap a few of the advantages of getting the work done now instead of waiting until springtime of next year:

• Family and company parties.
• Longer holiday breaks (can get the job done during Christmas break).
• Winter clothing allows for the concealment of scarring, bruising, and swelling.
• New year, new you.
• Some procedures require you to be away from strong sunlight (e.g., chemical peels and other laser treatments) when you’re healing up after getting work done.

Spring Time

Plastic surgeons often report yet another uptick in non-invasive procedures such as Kybella, Botox, and fillers during this time of year. People view spring as rebirth and want to look young again as the sun starts to stay out a bit longer with each passing day.

Breast augmentation, labiaplasty, and tummy-tucks are all popular procedures during the spring months. Many women realize swimsuit season is just around the corner, and they want to look their best and be fully healed from any invasive procedures by that time.

Summer Time

Summer time tends to be a bit slow as people want to relax, go on vacation, and enjoy the next three or four warm months. However, this is still an excellent time to get a non-invasive treatment as there is no downtime or recovery required.

Many women will schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon during the summer months as they prepare for their upcoming surgical procedure. It allows them time to determine precisely what they want to be done and they don’t feel rushed into making a quick decision.

Advantages of Spring and Summer

Both spring and summer offer unique advantages to getting work done this time of year instead of during the fall and winter. Some of those can include:

• Springtime climate in many parts of the country is still cool enough to allow for bulky clothing to cover up scarring and swelling from surgery.
• Kids are still in school. You can rest up on your couch or in the bed for the 8-10 hours that they’re in class.
• Several long spring/summer holidays and 3-day weekends to get the procedure done or get a head start on your healing process.
• Spring is the last time you can get work done and still have enough time to heal up for bikini season during the summertime.

What Season Should I Get Work Done?

There are a few things you should keep in mind when planning your upcoming plastic surgery. Holidays, healing time, and the ability to conceal the fact that you got work done from co-workers, friends, and even family are all important factors.

If you’re not sure when to get your work done, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Adams. He’ll sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and make intelligent recommendations as to which procedures you should get based on your wants and desires.

Give one of the friendly receptionists at the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 or contact us via our website to schedule a consultation. 

Have you ever noticed that no matter how hard you work out, or how healthy of a diet you eat, there’s that little bit of belly fat that refuses to go away?

If so, you’re not alone. Millions of healthy, active people have a small percentage of body fat that simply won’t disappear. There are a wide variety of causes as to why this can happen:

• You’re doing the wrong exercises.
• You don’t exercise enough.
• Your diet isn’t healthy enough.
• Your genetics don’t support having a natural 6-pack or perfectly flat stomach.

The good news is that now anyone can get the sculpted abs of their dreams by undergoing a minor surgical procedure called abdominal etching. We’re going to look at what this new surgery is all about, what does the procedure entail, and whether or not it’s safe.

What is Abdominal Etching?

Abdominal etching gained national attention when the rapper Drake posted a shirtless photo of his 6-pack abs to Instagram. He received thousands of compliments; however, one of his good friends made a joke that claimed he got his 6-pack through surgery, not a healthy diet, and working out.

While Drake denies getting the surgery, all of the publicity has caused many people to take an interest in abdominal etching and learn more about it and whether or not it’s safe.  

Abdominal etching is the process of using one’s own body fat to create the look of a 6-pack on their abs. It’s performed via a liposuction procedure in which the surgeon will “sculpt” the abdomen wall such that males will get the coveted 6-pack and females will get the three lines that are indicative of someone with zero belly fat.

Who is it for?

The ideal candidate for abdominal etching is someone who is physically fit with already pronounced abdominal muscles. They only have a few minor areas of belly fat that refuse to go away no matter how hard they work out or eat healthy.

Abdominal etching is not for someone who eats a poor diet, doesn’t exercise, and has a lot of body or abdominal fat. This is because if liposuction is used to remove the fat, it will eventually return unless a healthy diet and regular exercise routine are maintained.

Is the Surgery Safe?

Like all plastic surgery procedures, there are a few risks involved. Abdominal etching requires an incision to be made in the body so that the surgeon can insert the liposuction device to perform the procedure.

Infections and other surgical complications can potentially occur in any surgery where incisions are made. However, that doesn’t mean the procedure isn’t safe.

A study was performed on both men and women who had gotten the abdominal etching procedure performed. It found that there were no significant complications, and the average patient satisfaction rate was around 98%.

There were some minor complications such as contour irregularities (12% of the study participants), hyperpigmentation (2%), and seromas (10%). Patients were followed-up with for an average of 27 months after the procedure was performed.

The biggest surprise of the study was that the vast majority of study participants retained their results for upwards of six years! Of course, they had to exercise and eat a healthy diet to maintain the results.

Is Abdominal Etching Worth It?

Whether or not it’s worth it is really up to the individual person.

How badly do you want that 6-pack?

Are you willing to undergo a rigorous maintenance routine to keep it?

For some people, fitness is life, and a little bit of belly fat is unacceptable and can cause them to want to undergo the procedure. After all, they are in top physical condition, they eat a proper diet, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t have the rock-hard body they worked so hard to achieve.

If you do decide to undergo the procedure, you’ll also need to maintain an extremely healthy diet and rigorous exercise routine. Otherwise, all of that unhealthy brown fat that was sucked out via the liposuction can and will return. 

It should also be noted that in the above study, patients worked very closely with nutritionists and personal training professionals to keep their new physiques. If you can’t get rid of the body fat on your own, it means that you’re genetically pre-disposed to it. The only way to keep it away after undergoing the abdominal etching procedure is to work out extremely hard and eat healthy.

Ultimately, there is a lot of maintenance involved in keeping away that little bit of belly fat that your genetics have caused to exist. If you have the money, you’re willing to undergo the surgical procedure, and are ready to work hard to maintain the results, then abdominal etching might be right for you.

Conclusion

If you’re fit and healthy and can’t seem to lose that extra bit of belly fat, you might be an ideal candidate for this amazing procedure. If you’d like a consultation to see if abdominal etching is right for you, give us a call at (214) 965-9885.

Dr. Adams is one of the premiere Board-Certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. and will sit down with you and listen to your concerns and go over possible solutions.

If you want that perfectly flat tummy or 6-pack, give us a call to learn more about this fantastic procedure which can transform your stomach and last for years to come if maintained properly.

Plastic surgery is just that, surgery. And sometimes complications can occur due to the nature of the work that’s performed. Infections, nerve damage, and anesthesia issues are all side effects that some patients could experience. It’s sometimes challenging for surgeons to predict the risk factors in what seems like an otherwise healthy patient.

Fortunately, these types of problems are extremely uncommon. Plastic surgeons would rather you focus your time and due diligence on vetting out the doctor performing your surgery rather than reading internet chat forums and getting misinformed, but well-meaning advice.

7 Things to Know Before Having Surgery

Board Certification

Did you know that most states allow licensed physicians to perform plastic surgery, even if they weren’t specially trained in plastic surgery? This is why you should always ask if your surgeon is board-certified. If they aren’t you should look for a surgeon who is.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the organization that awards surgeons board certification. This means they’ve gone through an extensive five-year training program and have passed a very tough written and oral exam. If you decide to go with a surgeon who isn’t board-certified, there’s a very good chance you won’t be happy with the results.

Dr. Google

While it’s common for many people to research their upcoming plastic surgery procedure on the internet, many surgeons will warn patients from taking advice from a random internet stranger who may or may not be a licensed medical professional.

When it comes to getting a second opinion, it’s best to seek out another board-certified plastic surgeon versus letting Dr. Google give you advice. You never know if the information you’re being given (even from a well-meaning internet friend) is medically correct or not. If you listen to the advice of someone on the internet over your surgeon, you could experience severe complications or potentially fatal consequences.

Infection

When you undergo the knife, the plastic surgeon is essentially creating an open wound that he or she will sew back up. Surgeons are highly trained in creating a sterile environment, and they use all best practices known to modern medicine. However, due to factors outside of their control, such as how healthy and strong the patient’s immune system is, there is always a risk of infection.

If you suffer from a pre-existing condition or think you might be at risk of an infection, it’s vital that you discuss this with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure. They may decide that the procedure is too risky, or they may prescribe you some antibiotics to lessen the chances of an infection forming.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is another risk that plastic surgery patients face when undergoing the knife. The face, breasts, and other parts of the body contain a lot of nerves right underneath the skin. Whenever it’s cut with a knife, nerves are immediately damaged. This is completely normal and an unpreventable side-effect of surgery. Most of the time the damage will reverse itself after a few months, or in some cases a few years.

Whenever a nerve is cut, cauterized, or stretched, there is a chance for damage to occur, even though the surgeon is providing a high standard of care. It’s hard to say who is at risk because humans are different and while one person may heal up just fine, another may suffer some form of nerve damage.

Anesthesia Complications

A certain number of people can get anesthesia complications. Although complications from anesthesia are infrequent, some patients can experience pneumonia, blood clots, or even die during the procedure.

This is why a licensed anesthesiologist needs to be present during the surgery. While it’s the job of the surgeon to perform the work, the anesthesiologist is tasked with administering the anesthesia, monitoring the vitals of the patient, and taking corrective action if complications arise.

Blood Clot

A blood clot is where the blood thickens and prevents bleeding. This is usually a good thing for an open wound which helps slow the bleeding, but not so much if the blood clot forms inside your blood vessels. On occasion, a blood clot could travel up to your lungs and cause a condition called pulmonary embolism. Although this is a life-threatening condition, it is fortunately very rare.

Reasonable Expectations

Patients also need to have reasonable expectations. While plastic surgeons are highly skilled professionals, there are certain things they cannot do, such as making someone who is 60 years old look like they’re 18 again.

You should sit down with your plastic surgeon before the surgery to discuss the results. By setting your expectations appropriately, you’ll know what to expect and will get a good idea if the procedure you’re considering is even right for you.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Dallas

If you have any questions that weren’t answered in this blog post or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adams, give us a call at (214) 965-9885. He is a board-certified surgeon who will sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and discuss options to achieve the results you desire.

Body fat has gotten a bad rap over the years, especially from those who are trying to lose weight.  What many people don’t realize is that there are several types of body fat – some that are good and others that aren’t so good.

We’re going to examine the various types of body fat, what creates it, where they are found in the body, as well as their purpose in regulating our health. By understanding how our bodies gain and lose fat, you’ll be better able to intelligently embark on a weight loss plan that is not only healthy but has the best chances of success.

What is Body Fat?

Adipose tissue, also known as body fat, is a normal part of the human body that helps perform a wide range of life-giving duties including storing energy for metabolic functions. It can be divided into three different categories:

Essential – Our bodies require some fat to help regulate body hormones and body temperatures, protect our internal organs, and help absorb vitamins from the foods we eat. Without essential body fat we’d be very sick or close to death.

Reserve – Our bodies keep a “reserve” which provides an on-demand supply of extra energy. This reserve fat is not damaging to our health and provides additional energy throughout the day.

Excess – Excess body fat is considered to be any body fat that’s not being used for essential and reserve purposes. It’s stored in several places on our bodies, including our bellies. Excess body fat can lead to many health issues such as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, poor health, and even some forms of cancer.

What Creates Body Fat?

Body fat is created by both stress and the consumption of foods. Stress causes the hormone cortisol to be released and that in turn increases the visceral fat ratio in our bodies. This type of fat is most often found around our bellies, arms, legs, and other body parts and is responsible for obesity.

The fat contained in the food we eat is broken down and stored in fat cells for future usage. Our bodies are very good at capturing and storing fat. This means that the fat cells that aren’t used for regulating various bodily functions will quickly become excess visceral fat. 

There are many different kinds of foods whose consumption can lead to excess body fat. Trans fats are one of the unhealthiest fats and are found in processed and fried foods. Meals and drinks (e.g., sodas) that contain high levels of sugars can also cause rapid weight gain.

A few years ago, an NBA basketball player gave an interview in which he said he quit drinking sodas cold turkey and lost 11lbs!

Different Types of Body Fat

There are several different types of body fat. Some of which are vital to regulating our bodily functions and keeping us healthy, and others which are detrimental to our health.

Essential fat – As mentioned above, essential fat is good fat. It helps maintain proper body temperature, cell structure and protects our internal organs from harm. Essential fat cannot be lost without a detrimental effect to our health. For example, healthy women need around 10 to 13 percent of their total body weight to be comprised of essential fats.

White fat – White fat is the main form of fat in our bodies. It helps regulate hunger by producing certain hormones and has receptors for insulin and cortisol. White fat also serves as the biggest energy backup in our bodies. It can be found all over the body, including arms, shoulders, stomach, and legs.

Brown fat – While white fat stores energy, brown fat burns it. The main purpose of brown fat is to keep our body temperatures regulated at a comfy 98.6 degrees. It’s located on the back, upper half of the spine, and around the shoulder area. Brown fat was only recently “discovered” by science and some studies suggest that white fat can be turned into brown fat – thereby helping with weight loss.

Beige fat – Beige fat is not entirely understood by medical science, but it’s thought to be a combination of white and brown fat. Beige fat is found in the same areas as brown fat.

Subcutaneous fat – This layer of fat is found right underneath our skin and makes up around 90% of the fat found in our bodies. Subcutaneous body fat is most often used to measure body fat levels utilizing a skin-fold test.

Visceral fat – This type of body fat makes up our belly fat. It’s white fat that’s stored around various internal organs. Too much visceral fat can lead to several health issues such as dementia, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, Type 2 diabetes, and even strokes.

Conclusion

When it comes to body fat, there are good types and not-so-good types. Far too many people think all fat is bad – and this can cause severe health problems when they try to lose weight. By understanding which body fats are essential to good health and which aren’t, we can remain healthy while we lose weight.