Liposuction Archives - Doctor Beam, MD

April 8, 2021November 8, 2023

What to Expect After Liposuction – And Can I Speed Up the Recovery Process?

Whatever your motivation is for considering liposuction, there’s no doubt that it is one of the single most effective procedures for eliminating stubborn fat. In fact, most patients are incredibly eager to get started with their treatment and start showing off their new figure. However, there’s an important step that patients often overlook: recovery. Below, we’ll tell you what to expect after liposuction. Plus, we’ll even tell you how to speed up the recovery process!

After Your Liposuction Procedure

Immediately after your liposuction procedure, you can expect some bruising, swelling and discomfort. These symptoms will vary in severity depending on the extent of your treatment and the areas that were addressed. You can expect these symptoms to be at their worst within the first two or three days of treatment, but they’ll begin to resolve more rapidly after the first week, at which point you will begin to notice the final results of your treatment. We’ll provide you with pain medication, clear instructions, and occasionally a compression garment to help you manage your symptoms during this time.

Life During Your Recovery Period

In most cases, you’ll need some help around the house for the first few days while you regain your strength and take things easy. We recommend that patients take time away from work and other obligations so that they can rest as much as possible in the days following their treatment. You can begin easing back into work and other activities within about a week. However, you should still be avoiding exercise and other strenuous activities for several weeks longer. Instead, patients are encouraged to engage in light walking until they are fully healed.

How to Speed Up Liposuction Recovery

Following your post-operative instructions and using your medications as prescribed are a great foundation for a successful liposuction recovery. Additionally, we recommend paying special attention to your nutrition during your recovery period. By drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods, you’ll provide your body with everything it needs to repair itself and return to normal. As mentioned above, it can also be beneficial to perform light walking when you have recovered enough. Walking will help encourage circulation, reduce swelling and improve your overall health. If you combine all of these habits, you can expect a smooth and swift recovery.

Are You Considering Liposuction?

If you’re considering liposuction, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Beam. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the liposuction procedure, the recovery process and life after liposuction. Then, all that’s left to do is enjoy your results!

October 13, 2020November 8, 2023

The Top 10 Most Common Plastic Surgeries and What Glastonbury Residents Should Know

Plastic surgery is more common than you might think. Furthermore, there are some treatments within the realm of plastic surgery that have become incredibly popularized and highly requested. Below, we’ll take a look at 10 of the most common plastic surgeries and what you need to know about them.

1. Breast Augmentation

Breast enhancement via breast augmentation is the single most popular plastic surgery procedure. It involves the use of implants to enhance the size and shape of the breasts, as well as the proportions of the entire figure. Patients typically have the choice between saline and silicone implants, with silicone implants becoming a more popular option for their natural look and feel. Recovery is typically about two to four weeks before you can resume normal activities.

2. Liposuction

Liposuction is another highly popular treatment that uses vacuum technology to remove fat cells from the body. Lipo can be performed nearly anywhere on the body, giving patients great flexibility when enhancing their figure. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within days of treatment, with some minor side effects persisting for a few weeks.

3. Abdominoplasty

Another name for the tummy tuck procedure, abdominoplasty surgery removes excess skin and fat from the stomach to produce a flatter, toned appearance. The abdominal muscles are also tightened to enhance results. This procedure requires some notable downtime, typically about three to four weeks.

4. Facelift

Facelifts are one of the most touted plastic surgery procedures, offering patients a simple solution to restoring a youthful appearance to the face. It can be combined with many other facial surgery techniques for more comprehensive results. While full recovery can take a few weeks, patients are typically back to normal activities within four to six weeks.

5. Rhinoplasty

A nose job, or rhinoplasty, can be incredibly powerful in enhancing the overall balance and appearance of the face. If you experience conditions like a deviated septum or breathing difficulties, part of this procedure may even be covered by insurance. Rhinoplasty can take up to a year to heal completely, but most patients are back to normal within one to two weeks.

6. Breast Lift

A breast lift restores the breasts to a youthful, perky position, and is a great option for women who have just completed pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can also be combined with the breast augmentation procedure to add volume and shape to the breasts in the process. Patients can expect a few weeks off usual activities, with a full recovery in about a month.

7. Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a procedure that targets the eyelids to produce a more youthful, relaxed appearance. This procedure is ideal for addressing sagging eyelids that impair your vision, as well as the appearance of bags under the eyes. Patients can expect two weeks of initial recovery, with a near-full recovery in about a month.

8. Breast Reduction

A breast reduction, in addition to enhancing a woman’s figure, can also be performed to alleviate the pain or discomfort of having large breasts. As this goes beyond cosmetic benefits, breast reductions are frequently covered by health insurance providers. The recovery is similar to that of a breast lift.

9. Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery removes tissue in the chest to help men achieve a more sculpted, masculine appearance. Gynecomastia is a condition that cannot be improved with diet and exercise, leaving surgery to be the most effective treatment option. Patients can expect about a week of downtime with full recovery in less than a month.

10. Forehead Lift

The forehead lift targets wrinkles and lines on the forehead, tightening the skin to rejuvenate the appearance. It can be combined with a facelift or eyelid surgery for greater results. Performed alone, however, you can expect about ten days to two weeks of recovery, with full recovery a few weeks later.

Want to Learn More About These Surgeries?

To learn more about the plastic surgery procedures mentioned above, or to determine if these treatments are right for you, contact us today at Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery.

August 20, 2020November 8, 2023

Enhancing the Contours of Your Body with Liposuction

Liposuction is a versatile body contouring technique that plays a role in several popular cosmetic surgery procedures. If you are unfamiliar with liposuction, the treatment is quite simple: a small metal tube is inserted through an incision in the skin. Then, fat is removed from the treatment area using a vacuum system. Now that you understand the basics of the liposuction technique, lets take a look at how liposuction can be used to contour different areas of the body. With contouring of your body you have to remember this is a life style change. You have to continue to maintain a healthy diet and exercise.

The Abdomen

When it comes to body contouring, the majority of people share one concern: the desire for a flat stomach. Whether you want to achieve a chiseled 6-pack or simply drop a few pounds, the stomach can be one of the most difficult areas to target. This is what makes liposuction so powerful. With liposuction, we can target the stubborn pockets of fat that are holding you back from a flat stomach or toned abs. With strategic lipo techniques, we can target certain areas of fat to enhance the shape of the abs and other attractive contours around the stomach. Liposuction is also a vital component of the tummy tuck procedure.

The Arms & Legs

The arms and legs are another priority for many patients. Even with the proper weightlifting regimen, you might be restricted by a small amount of fat that simply refuses to respond to your efforts. Liposuction is great for areas like this, as it can remove fat from even the smallest areas in order to enhance the overall appearance of the body. Liposuction is often incorporated into arm lift and thigh lift procedures because it can produce the sculpted look that many patients desire.

How Can I Get Started with Liposuction?

If you are considering a liposuction treatment, or if you’d like to discuss how liposuction could be beneficial to you, contact us today at Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery. We are proud to offer liposuction and other body contouring treatments to men and women throughout Connecticut.

July 9, 2020November 8, 2023

Liposuction vs. Fat Freezing (CoolSculpting®)

Liposuction is one of the oldest and simplest procedures for removing stubborn, unwanted fat. And for many years, it was the best way to enhance the contours of the body when diet and exercise just couldn’t do the trick. Today, however, there are many other fat reduction techniques available. Treatments like CoolSculpting® are changing the cosmetic industry by offering fat reduction treatments that don’t require surgery. If you are considering a fat reduction procedure, lets take a closer look at these options so you can determine the treatment that is right for you.

The Treatment

The first difference between liposuction and CoolSculpting® is the treatment approach. Liposuction is a surgical technique done as an outpatient procedure under anesthesia which involves making small incisions in the skin. Through these incisions, a metal tube, called a cannula, is inserted. Targeted body fat will then be vacuumed out through this tube, creating the desired results. CoolSculpting®, on the other hand, is a fat freezing treatment done in the office. The CoolSculpting® device freezes fat cells from the skin’s surface, killing them instantly. After treatment, the body will gradually flush these destroyed fat cells from the system, producing a slimming effect in the treatment area. While liposuction is surgical and CoolSculpting® is non-surgical, both treatments are equally safe when performed by a medical professional.

The Results

With liposuction, the results are visible almost immediately. This is because the fat is removed from the body during the treatment process. You will have some bruising and swelling which will greatly improve over 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. With CoolSculpting®, the results may not be visible right away. It can take several weeks for the body to fully eliminate the treated fat cells from the system. Furthermore, with CoolSculpting®, it may take multiple treatment sessions to deliver optimal results. With liposuction, you can effectively target and remove all desired fat in a single procedure.

The Recovery

As a surgical procedure, liposuction does require significantly more downtime than CoolSculpting®. Liposuction can cause swelling, bruising, discomfort and related side effects in the treatment area. These symptoms typically only last a few weeks, but they will require you to take time away from work and other activities. With CoolSculpting®, patients are able to return to their usual activities immediately following treatment. While there are some minor side effects such as redness or numbness in the skin, you won’t need to take time off of work or even exercise.

The Cost

Since CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical technique, it typically has a lower treatment cost than liposuction procedures. However, you need to keep in mind that the cost will vary depending on how many treatments it takes to deliver your desired results. To discuss the cost of your treatment or further discuss either of these effective treatment options, contact us today at Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery. We’ll help you narrow down your treatment options and achieve the figure you’ve been dreaming of.

February 20, 2020November 8, 2023

Your Ultimate Guide to the Mommy Makeover

Excess skin and sagging breasts will never be a look that makes us feel confident. Whether having children has taken a toll on your body or you’ve just finished your dramatic weight loss journey, your body doesn’t look the way you thought it would at this point. Let the mommy makeover help you get the body you want and deserve.

What is Included in a Mommy Makeover?

The mommy makeover is a combination of body rejuvenation procedures to help patients get the overall body they desire. This includes procedures to tighten the tummy, perk up the chest and rejuvenate more intimate areas. Popular procedures included in a mommy makeover include:

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Mommy Makeover?

Because a mommy makeover involves a combination of procedures being done at one time, it can take up to two to three months to fully recover from your surgeries. While only the first two weeks or so requires you to be on bed rest, you will not be able to lift more than 25 pounds for the first several weeks following your surgery. During your recovery, we recommend that you recruit a buddy to help you with your everyday activities. This buddy should be a close friend, family member or significant other, as they will most likely have to help you with the bathroom and preparing food.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

The cost of your mommy makeover is going to vary widely depending on the type and number of procedures you choose to get to achieve your desired results. The best way to find out the cost of your procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Beam. He’ll sit down with you, listen to your concerns and develop a fully customized treatment plan to help you get the body you’ve been dreaming of. Dr. Beam also has financing options and monthly specials to make your treatments as affordable as possible.

What to Consider Before Your Mommy Makeover

While the mommy makeover may seem like the ultimate solution to your body’s needs, there are still a few things you need to keep in mind before having your surgery.

You still need to be at a healthy weight. The mommy makeover can help you look more slim and trim, but it can’t do all the weight loss for you. We recommend being within 25 pounds of your weight goal going in.
You’ll need to budget accordingly. While specials and financing options are available, the mommy makeover is still multiple procedures being done at once. Make sure to talk to Dr. Beam about your budget before committing.
You should ideally be done having children. Yes, it is safe to get pregnant after your mommy makeover, but another pregnancy can reverse the results of your procedure. We recommend you get a mommy makeover when you stop having kids to maintain your results.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can benefit from a mommy makeover? Contact our office today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Beam.

January 23, 2020November 8, 2023

CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Which is Better for Me?

Losing fat is never an easy feat. You can spend every day at the gym and still not see the results you’re looking for. That’s where body contouring steps in. These days, there are so many body contouring procedures on the market it’s hard to choose what is best for you. Today we’re going to compare two popular forms of body contouring, CoolSculpting®, and liposuction, to see which option is best for you and your lifestyle.

What is CoolSculpting®?

CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical body contouring procedure that uses fat-freezing technology to help you get rid of stubborn pockets of fat. The CoolSculpting® device works by freezing your fat in a process called cryolipolysis, in which the targeted fat cells are frozen and naturally eliminated through the body. Because CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure, you won’t have to worry about anesthesia, cutting or scars during your treatment. Simply come in, cool down and relax for a quick treatment that gives you the results you want over time. While it may take multiple treatments to get the results you desire, the results of CoolSculpting® have the potential to be long-lasting with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

What are the Benefits of CoolSculpting®?

There are many benefits to getting CoolSculpting® treatments done at Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery, including:

Non-invasive
FDA-approved
Quick treatments done in less than an hour
Up to 25% reduction in fat
No downtime or recovery period
No anesthesia, cutting or scars

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is arguably the most popular body contouring procedure out there. Having become a household name, liposuction has gotten its notoriety for good reason. Liposuction works by doctors using a long, hollow, vacuum-powered needle called a cannula to gently remove any unwanted fat from the body. This treatment is considered surgery and often requires anesthesia to aid in any pain or discomfort you may feel during your treatment. After liposuction, you will have to wear compression garments for the following weeks to ensure your new form takes shape and stays tight. You will experience some swelling and bruising for the next few weeks as well. Unlike CoolSculpting®, you’ll be able to see the results of liposuction almost immediately and usually don’t need more than one treatment.

What are the Benefits of Liposuction?

The benefits of getting liposuction done at Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery include:

FDA-approved
Minimal scarring
Quick recovery period
Immediate results
No need for more than one treatment

So, Is CoolSculpting® or Liposuction Better for Me?

The answer to this question really relies on what you expect from your body contouring procedure. If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to lose your fat and don’t mind it taking some time, then CoolSculpting® may be your best choice. If you are interested in a more one-and-done procedure that eliminates all of your excess fat in one go and don’t mind the idea of anesthesia and cutting, then liposuction may be right for you. The best way to make your decision is by talking to Dr. Beam during your consultation. He’ll sit down with you, listen to your concerns and come up with a customized treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.

If you’re interested in learning more about body contouring procedures like CoolSculpting® and liposuction, call our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Beam. He’ll make sure you leave with all of your questions answered.

August 22, 2019November 8, 2023

Loose Skin Solutions in Glastonbury, CT

Loose skin can be incredibly frustrating for those who experience it. Whether you find yourself with loose skin as a result of aging, pregnancy, or a successful weight loss regimen, you can easily become discouraged. Sagging skin and fatty deposits often do not respond to diet and exercise, and it can be a real problem for your self-image. Luckily, there are options available for those with troublesome loose skin in the Hartford area.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure that is designed to sculpt your midsection for a flatter, slimmer waistline. During the procedure, Dr. Beam will make a gently curved incision horizontally along the lower abdomen. The length of the scar depends on how much excess skin needs to be removed. Through this incision, excessive fat is removed and the underlying muscles are tightened. The excess skin is then removed. The result is a trimmer, more sculpted waistline.

Liposuction

Liposuction has long been one of the most utilized procedures for people who desire a trimmer silhouette in certain areas. During liposuction, the area is injected with a solution that will loosen the fat cells and numb the area. A hollow needle is then inserted and suction is utilized to remove the fat. At times, patients will often combine liposuction with a tummy tuck for a more comprehensive result.

CoolSculpting®

For a non-surgical option, CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved treatment that freezes away stubborn fat deposits. Targeting only fat cells, CoolSculpting® involves no incisions, no injections, and no anesthetics. The procedure involves clamping a section of fat and freezing it from outside the body. Once the cells have been treated, your body will naturally eliminate the frozen, dead cells. This procedure is performed in the office, typically it requires more than one treatment.

To find out which procedure is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Dr. Beam serves the Glastonbury, Hartford, New London, and Tolland, Connecticut areas.

June 27, 2019November 8, 2023

Liposuction After 10 Years: What to Expect in Glastonbury, CT

In the immortal words of Kanye West, you are either considering or already went to the doctor and got “lipo” with your money. You may be wondering if the money you spent on liposuction was worth it; how long do these results last anyway? Below we describe what you can expect 10 years after your liposuction procedure and some of the best practices to maintain your results long-term.

What Will My Liposuction Results Look Like In 10 Years?

The human body has a set number of fat cells that expand or shrink as our weight fluctuates, which explains why we sometimes experience stubborn pockets of fat that won’t disappear regardless of healthy diet and exercise. However, with liposuction, these fat deposits are removed as a cannula suctions them out of the body. Once removed, these fat cells are gone forever and cannot return. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to regain fat in the treated areas. Fat cells that remain are still able to expand during weight gain, producing a fuller figure, albeit in better proportion to the rest of the untreated body. In essence, your results in 10 years depend entirely on whether or not you make the correct choices to maintain them.

How Can I Maintain Long-Term Results?

The most important ways to maintain the results of liposuction are to follow a regular exercise regimen, drink water, make healthy diet choices, and reduce stress. It is important to note that even the healthiest of lifestyles cannot fully pause the aging process. While creating healthy habits can increase the longevity of your liposuction results, your body will still age naturally throughout the course of a decade.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation

Dr. Harold E. Beam and his experienced staff provide quality liposuction procedures and long-lasting results to the people of Connecticut. To inquire for more information or to schedule a consult, contact our office today. Harold E. Beam Plastic Surgery is conveniently located near Glastonbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and the surrounding areas of Connecticut.

January 3, 2019November 8, 2023

Liposuction vs. Fat Freezing (CoolSculpting®) in Glastonbury

Many people find that no matter what they do they just can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fat in certain body areas. If you have stubborn areas of body fat that persist even with diet and exercise, body sculpting may be the answer.

Let’s take a look at the two most popular body sculpting treatments – liposuction and CoolSculpting® – and find out which procedure is right for you. One option is surgical and one is non-surgical, but both options are effective for patients who are good candidates.

Neither procedure is a substitute for weight loss. Also, these procedures are not a solution for loose, sagging skin – if you have this problem you should ask your plastic surgeon about a surgical lifting procedure.

About Liposuction

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. This surgical procedure removes body fat through a hollow tube with the assistance of a high-pressure vacuum. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of liposuction.

Advantages of Liposuction

The ability to remove large pockets of fat
Immediate results
Fat is removed in a single treatment session
Produces more dramatic results
Can be performed simultaneously with other surgical procedures

Disadvantages of Liposuction

A longer recovery time (typically a week)
Although rare, there are possible surgical risks

About CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting® is a safe and non-invasive procedure that works by freezing fat cells underneath the skin, which allows your body to naturally get rid of these fat cells without having to move a muscle. Treated cells are crystallized, and then they die. Over time your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving your body more sculpted. (Results are visible in as little as three weeks.) The results are long-term because the procedure removes the fat cells for good without doing any damage to other healthy body cells. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of CoolSculpting®.

Advantages of CoolSculpting®

The procedure is non-surgical (non-invasive)
It leaves no scars
Little to no downtime after treatment
Fewer risks

Disadvantages of CoolSculpting®

Requires multiple treatments
Takes longer to achieve your desired result
Results can be less dramatic than liposuction

To find out if liposuction or CoolSculpting® is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

December 20, 2018November 8, 2023

Glastonbury Moms Ask: What Is a Mommy Makeover?

Having a baby will change your life – and for most women, it will also change your body. Many mothers experience frustration and depression over the unwanted changes pregnancy has made to their bodies. And in many cases, these changes are permanent unless surgery is done to reverse them.

If you’re feeling down about losing your figure after pregnancy, and diet and exercise have not been able to resolve these issues, a mommy makeover may be the solution for you. A mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures that are designed to help you get your pre-baby body back. These surgical procedures focus on the areas of the body that are most commonly affected by pregnancy.

A mommy makeover can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. It can involve any combination of procedures that are right for you. Here are some of the plastic surgery procedures that may be included in a mommy makeover:

A tummy tuck and breast surgery are the most common procedures in a mommy makeover, but any combination of procedures can be performed to reach your post-baby body goals. It is easier to address all of your concerns in a single surgery so that you would only have to go under anesthesia once and you would have a single recovery and downtime.

How Pregnancy Changes the Body

Our bodies change during pregnancy. The changes you experience may include:

Breast deflation
Abdominal stretch marks
Drooping and sagging
Extra deposits of body fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
Separation of the abdominal muscles resulting in a bulging of the abdominal wall

Many of these body changes are permanent, even if you try to combat them with diet and exercise.

When Should I Have a Mommy Makeover?

Your body needs time to recover after giving birth. So if you’re thinking about having a mommy makeover, make sure to give your body time to recover and make sure that you are done breastfeeding. You should wait at least six months to have a mommy makeover. If you are considering having more children, you should wait until you are done having children to have your mommy makeover. That’s because your body will undergo significant changes every time you get pregnant. If you have another child after having your mommy makeover, you will be undoing all the work that you have done.

How Involved Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover requires general anesthesia. The procedure can take anywhere from three to eight hours, depending on the various procedures that you are having done.

This is considered a very involved form of plastic surgery since it has the potential to reshape so many different areas of the body at once. Your recovery will depend in great part on the type of surgical work you are having done, but because a mommy makeover involves the reshaping of so many body areas at once, a fairly lengthy recovery time is the norm. Most women who undergo a mommy makeover will plan to take off at least three or four weeks from work.

To find out if a mommy makeover is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.

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