• Do you have stubborn bulges that won't go away, no matter how much weight you lose?
• Do you lose weight and then gain it back again and again?
• Do you look at people striding around the world in sleek, beautifully contoured bodies and wonder how they got so lucky?

You might be surprised to find out how many of those "lucky" people have had liposuction and/or a tummy tuck. Today we can contour bodies as though we were sculptors. The more experience we have, the more precise our outcomes.

Liposuction
Liposuction targets fat cells in difficult areas of the body. These areas bulge out from the rest of the body, and don't respond to exercise. more

Dear Dana,
I have been a sun worshipper all my life. I enjoy the outdoors and admit I was never real consistent when applying sunscreen. As a result, I can now see the visible damage the sun has caused on my skin. How can I change my skin to look healthier and more beautiful?
Shelly, age 35

Dear Shelly,
The development of revitalizing new light technology can give long-lasting new changes to your skin by removing the damage the sun inflicted on your skin.

The best and brightest procedure is called a Photo Facial. A Photo Facial delivers pulses of light to eradicate sun and age spots, freckles, discoloration, broken blood vessels, fine lines and redness.

The remarkable part of the Photo Facial is that it takes up no downtime. After this "lunchtime" treatment you can immediately go out or back to work. Very appealing!

Protecting your skin from the environment during this process is just as important as remembering to apply your sunscreen each day.

Whether your goal is the elimination of sun damage, wrinkle removal, or facial rejuvenation, all treatments should start with a VISIA™ Skinscan Analysis and consultation with a Acqua Blu Skin Specialist to determine which treatments may be right for you.

Remember, change is good!

What areas can be treated?

Is the fat removal permanent?
Yes. The fat cells in the treated areas are gone. The localized fatty deposits we remove will no longer balloon up out of proportion to the surrounding areas. Should you gain weight after liposuction, the fat will enter fat cells in other areas of your body.

Recovery
Recovery is gradual. You will:

• Wear a snug elastic dressing, girdle, or body stocking over the treated area for the next several weeks
• Rest for at least 24 hours post-op
• Resume non-strenuous activities after 2 or 3 days
• Resume normal activities as tolerated (and approved by your surgeon)

Serious exercise will have to be postponed for 30 days or more.

TummyTuck
Many people develop "pouches" in their stomach area after a few pregnancies, yo-yo dieting or just as a result of aging. There's a weakening of their muscular corset, and sometimes it's accompanied by skin laxity.

These are the people for whom a "tummy tuck" is a perfect solution. Tummy tucks work best on patients who:

    • Are not planning to become pregnant in the future
    • Are not planning to lose a lot of weight - their weight is stabilized
    • Have excess or loose, sagging abdominal skin
    • Have weakened abdominal muscles that don't respond to exercise
    • Are in good health
    • Are not candidates for abdominal liposuction

You Might Need Only a Mini-Tummy Tuck
If your skin laxity and muscle weaknesses are confined to the area below your navel, a mini-tummy tuck might be a good option for you. The scar will be shorter, and an incision around the navel is not required.

How Long Does It Take?
From 1-2 hours.

Recovery

    • Drainage tubes are removed within 2 weeks.
    • You will wear a support garment for two weeks after surgery.
    • Low-impact exercise can be resumed within 2-3 weeks.
    • High-impact exercise may be resumed within 6-8 weeks.
    • Exercise that works the abdominal muscles must be avoided for three months.

Are You Ready?
If you've had it with "Abs" classes that exhaust you without giving you results, clothing that develops midriff bumps, or a spare tire that ruins your profile, you may be ready for a tummy tuck. Once the healing is over, you've gotten rid of a chronic and annoying problem forever.