Northwestern Associates
in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Victor L. Lewis, MD
150 E. Huron Suite 825
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 335-9155
Fax: (312) 506-1300
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Contact us to learn more about options such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, and body contouring at our Chicago practice.
Liposuction, Abdominoplasty, and Other Body Contouring Options in Chicago
Body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty and liposuction are plastic surgery options intended to dramatically improve the body’s overall appearance. Sometimes, body contouring surgery is the best solution for dealing with areas stubbornly unaffected by dieting and exercise. Dr. Victor L. Lewis is renowned for delivering amazing results through liposuction, abdominoplasty, and other body contouring procedures for our Chicago patients. Dr. Lewis is also able to help individuals who have recently lost considerable amounts of weight and wish to get rid of the excess skin left behind. The following procedures are offered at Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:
- Liposuction
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast Procedures
- Body Lift after Massive Weight Loss
- Thigh Lift
- Arm Lift
Liposuction
Sometimes referred to as general body contouring, liposuction is a popular option at our Chicago office, and is in fact one of the most requested procedures in the cosmetic surgery profession. The process - which removes pockets of fat from the body through suction, sometimes with the aid of injections or ultrasound - can help reshape the body by removing stubborn deposits from specific areas. Dr. Lewis can sculpt the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips, upper arms, "love handles," and even the knees through liposuction. We offer several new liposuction techniques that provide more precise results while reducing post-surgical pain and recovery time.
Standard Liposuction
During this procedure, a small vacuum tube (cannula) is inserted through the skin. The cannula is gently pushed and pulled through the targeted fat layer while the fat is suctioned out.
Fluid Injection Liposuction
A liquid mixture of saline solution, anesthetic, and epinephrine (to reduce blood loss) is injected directly into the fat layer during this type of liposuction. The liquid breaks down the fat, which is then removed through a cannula inserted into the skin.
Tumescent Liposuction
Large amounts of fluid are injected into the targeted fat during the tumescent liposuction procedure. Though this option requires more time than traditional liposuction, the fluid reduces pain and allows for more fat to be removed.
Super-wet Liposuction
This liposuction option is performed under general anesthesia, as the patient is injected with fluids in amounts equal to the fat being removed.
The professionals at Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery will help you determine which type is best for you, mainly based on the amount of fat you would like to remove and its location on your body. To schedule a liposuction consultation, contact our practice in Chicago today.
Abdominoplasty
Commonly referred to as a "tummy tuck," abdominoplasty is a major surgery that removes the excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The surgery is also capable of dramatically reducing the appearance of a protruding belly. For patients interested in undergoing abdominoplasty, a consultation at our Chicago office is essential. During the appointment we evaluate your overall health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your midsection, and take a close look at your skin tone. All of this will help us determine whether your situation would be better addressed through "complete" abdominoplasty or - if the fat is strictly below the navel - "partial" abdominoplasty.
During complete abdominoplasty, Dr. Lewis will make an incision above the pubic area, separate the skin from the abdominal wall, and tighten the vertical muscles in the abdomen by pulling them closer together and stitching them in place. After the skin flap is stretched back down and the excess skin is removed, the incision is stitched closed. (For a partial abdominoplasty, the skin is only separated from the pubic-area incision to the navel.) Both abdominoplasty versions will result in a firmer abdominal wall and more tapered waistline.
Breast Procedures
Breast enhancement surgery addresses the concerns of women who are unhappy with or self-conscious about their breasts. Cosmetic surgery allows us to reshape and resize a woman's breasts – whether we do that by reducing, augmenting, or slightly modifying the shape. Please visit our breast procedures page to learn more about options such as breast lift and breast augmentation.
Body Lift after Massive Weight Loss
At Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we see many patients who are adjusting to their new bodies after the life-changing experience of massive weight loss. After successfully dropping all of those pounds, these patients are faced with the unfortunate issue of excess skin leftover from their earlier obese days. When a massive amount of weight is lost in a short period of time, the skin is often unable to shrink accordingly and therefore sags off the body. The body lift is an excellent surgical procedure for these patients, allowing them to fully enjoy their new, slimmed-down bodies.
If you are considering a body lift, Dr. Lewis will carefully examine your needs and customize a procedure that will benefit you the most. Usually, we make two horizontal incisions along the waistline and below the breast line, lift the entire skin flap, and remove the redundant skin. However, we offer a range of contouring operations for our massive weight loss patients, including lower body lift, central body lift, upper body lift, and thigh lift. The experienced staff at Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Chicago will direct you toward the appropriate procedure that will give you a well-deserved sense of pride in your new, slimmed-down body.
Thigh Lift
Time, gravity, and massive weight loss can all take their toll on the thigh area. If the skin on your upper legs has lost its elasticity and taken on a saggy, dimpled "orange peel" appearance, then you are a good candidate for the procedure that improves the contour and texture of this problematic area. Thigh lift, also known as thighplasty, removes excess skin and fat from either the inner or outer thighs. It is performed under general anesthesia and is usually offered as an outpatient procedure. Of course, each thighplasty that we perform at Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has its own unique requirements, but the surgery usually calls for an incision that extends from the thigh crease in the front to the buttock crease in back. However, the incisions can be strategically placed so that the resulting scars will blend into the bikini line.
Arm Lift
Though arm tissue does relax over time, loose and flabby upper arm skin is most often the result of weight loss. Many of our arm lift (brachioplasty) patients at Northwestern Associates in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery were once overweight and had developed heavy upper arms. As the pounds came off, the skin (which had stretched to accommodate the size of their arms) did not shrink into proportion with their new body size. An arm lift surgically removes the loose skin and stubborn fat deposits. The surgeon makes an incision along a specified length of the arm between the armpit and elbow. Skin and fat is removed from the site, and the remaining skin is stretched and sutured back into place. The arm lift can be performed in conjunction with another body contouring procedure, including abdominoplasty and liposuction. Our Chicago cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Lewis, can advise you regarding the treatment options available to you.
If you are interested in learning more about liposuction, abdominoplasty, or body contouring, contact our practice in Chicago for a consultation.