Putting The Focus on Gender Affirmation Surgery
Gender affirmation surgery is growing in popularity across the country, with the benefits of FTM, Non-Binary, MTF, and facial remodeling surgery helping folks feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin.
At DeLuca Plastic Surgery, we offer a suite of gender affirmation procedures. We have the experience to help you achieve transformative, lasting results.
If you’re considering gender affirmation surgery, take a moment to learn about some of the most common procedures we offer. We also answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding gender affirmation surgery below.
If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable surgeons. We’ll help you get started on the road to living your best, most confident life!
FTM/Non-Binary Top Surgery
FTM/Non-Binary Top Surgery, is a procedure that masculinizes the chest by removing and reshaping the breast tissue. It is not a uniform procedure, meaning that results differ from patient to patient.
The specific procedure is influenced by the starting size of the breast as well as patient goals.
Patients with a smaller starting chest size may be able to have surgery while keeping the nipples and areolas fully intact. Patients with a larger chest size may need to have the nipples and areolas removed, resized, and put back into position.
Recovery from FTM/Non-Binary top surgery differs by patient, but most patients are able to return to work within two weeks post-procedure. Additionally, most patients will wear a compression wrap around the chest for two weeks post-procedure.
Best results are typically achieved in patients with a BMI below 30, and patients with smaller starting breast size–as well as patients who have been on hormone therapy or weight loss regimen.
FTM/Non-Binary top surgery is the perfect solution for transgender men and non-binary people who want to achieve a more masculine, confident look.
Read more about gender affirmation top surgery!
MTF Top Surgery
MTF top surgery, also known as chest feminization surgery, is a procedure that feminizes the chest by increasing breast size and augmenting the overall shape of the chest. Like FTM top surgery, results may differ by patient.
Again, the specific procedure depends on the patient’s starting chest size, as well as their individual goals.
The principles of MTF top surgery are similar to breast augmentation procedures for cisgender women. However, transgender women typically have broader chests with larger, thicker pectoral muscles as well as a shorter distance between the nipples and the crease under the breasts. Notably, this may result in a wider space between the breasts, even with larger implants.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make incisions near the areola or under the breast, through which they will place implants.
Patients wear a bra for eight weeks post-procedure, and most patients can return to work within a week.
MTF top surgery is the perfect solution for transgender women who want to achieve a more feminine look.
Read more about MTF top surgery!
Gender Affirmation Facial Remodeling
Gender affirmation facial remodeling may be a suitable solution for transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people.
From forehead reduction to jawline remodeling to cheek & chin augmentation, we offer a full suite of facial remodeling procedures for all patients.
Facial feminization surgery may differ by patient, but typically, it involves a brow lift, forehead bone reduction, hairline lowering, nose reshaping, jaw contouring/reduction, lip lift, chin implants, and a face/neck lift. The results help achieve a more traditionally feminine appearance.
Facial masculinization surgery also differs by patient, but typically involves forehead and cheek augmentation, rhinoplasty, and chin and jaw implants and recontouring. The results help achieve a more traditionally masculine appearance.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to gender affirmation facial remodeling. Depending on your unique goals, our surgeons can work with you to develop a treatment plan to help you gain the look you want.
Read more about facial remodeling!
Gender Affirmation Surgery FAQs
As with any procedure, prospective patients are sure to have questions. Below are some of the more frequently asked questions–with answers–regarding gender affirmation surgery procedures.
Q. How permanent is gender affirmation surgery?
A. Gender affirmation surgeries result in a permanent transformation. This is why patients must meet eligibility requirements (see below).
Q. Am I eligible for gender affirmation surgery?
A. To be eligible for gender affirmation surgery, patients must be at least 18 years of age, be able to make an informed, conscious decision, and have a physician’s diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Most patients have been transitioning for at least 12 months–including hormone therapy (although hormone treatment is not necessary) and have completed counseling with a licensed professional in gender affirmation healthcare.
Q. Do I need to stop hormone therapy before my procedure?
A. Typically only transgender female patients will need to stop hormone therapy prior to their procedure. Pausing therapy helps reduce the risk of blood clots associated with estrogen treatments. During your consultation, we will discuss the particulars–including what medications to continue taking or stop taking.
Q. How long is recovery from gender affirmation surgery?
A. Your recovery will depend on the procedure(s) performed. Full recovery can take up to 6 months or longer.
Q. Does insurance cover gender affirmation surgery?
A. Federal and state laws prohibit most public and private insurers from discriminating against patients on the basis of sex or gender, meaning they can’t exclude medically-necessary gender-affirming surgery. The amount of out-of-pocket costs vary, however, with your specific insurer and plan, including co-pays and deductibles.
Schedule Your Consultation!
If you think gender affirmation surgery is right for you, the next step is to schedule a consultation with the experienced professionals at DeLuca Plastic Surgery.
We are proud to offer the most advanced techniques in both FTM/NB surgery and MTF surgery. Our surgeons will develop a personalized treatment plan to meet your individual needs, and we’re always available to answer your questions.
Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or instant email consultation with DeLuca Plastic Surgery to get started on your transformation today!
Get Ready For Summer With DeLuca Plastic Surgery!
The warm weather is on the horizon, and it’s time to get your body ready for summer! That means bidding adieu to those baggy sweaters and sweatshirts and soaking up the sunlight in a swimsuit! If you’re worried or concerned about your appearance, enjoying the nice weather is probably the last thing on your mind.
Fortunately, you’re in luck.
At DeLuca Plastic Surgery, we offer a full suite of affordable, patient-friendly ways to get the body you want-all year round. Some of the best solutions are CoolSculpting, liposuction, and breast augmentation.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular confidence-boosting procedures to get you ready for summer!
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting doesn’t just have the perfect name for summer. It is the perfect procedure to shed those stubborn, unwanted pounds without dieting or spending grueling hours in the gym. It’s no wonder millions of Americans have successfully undergone CoolSculpting with dazzling, long-lasting results.
A permanent, nonsurgical alternative for fat reduction, CoolSculpting works by targeting subcutaneous fat cells with freezing temperatures. Importantly, nce the cells freeze, they crystallize and die, resulting in a trimmer, toned appearance.
Importantly, CoolSculpting isn’t a weight loss procedure. It’s not meant for patients who want to lose an excessive amount of weight. Notably, it’s designed to get rid of stubborn fat that hasn’t responded well to other treatments.
The most popular target areas for CoolSculpting include the belly and abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, chin, and face. Most patients can expect to lose up to 80% of fat in the area targeted by CoolSculpting. Results depend on a number of features, like the size of the target area. Not all patients should expect identical results.
Notably, CoolSculpting patients are cleared to resume day-to-day activities immediately after. Most procedures take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
If you’re looking to trim a few inches off your belly, arms, thighs, or elsewhere, CoolSculpting is an attractive, affordable solution!
Read More About CoolSculpting!
Liposuction
Getting rid of fat is one of the best ways to get ready for summer.
Whereas CoolSculpting is designed to eliminate a smaller volume of fat for mild to moderate results, liposuction removes a more substantial volume of fat for more noticeable contour change than through non-invasive procedures such as CoolSculpting. Liposuction isn’t a weight loss procedure, however, the procedure results in a more dramatically slimmed appearance–toned arms, slimmed thighs, tight abdomen, and more.
Liposuction is done under general anesthesia. It involves liquefying and removing fat deposits from the body. Like CoolSculpting, the results of liposuction are permanent–and the results can be life-changing.
Of note, in addition to slimming and reshaping the body by removing excess deposits of fat, liposuction helps tone the body and enhance the contours and curves.
Our surgeons can perform liposuction anywhere on the body with excess fat deposits. The most popular areas to target include the buttocks, belly and abdomen, upper arms and thighs, and face.
Most patients can return to work within 3-5 days after their procedure, with a full return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks. Most procedures take anywhere from 60-90 minutes.
If you’re looking to trim those stubborn areas of fat,, liposuction could be the right solution for you.
Breast Augmentation
Summer is the time for swimsuits and tanning. If your breasts have you preferring to cover up, we have a solution for you.
The most common procedure performed by plastic surgeons in America, breast augmentations represent around 18% of all cosmetic surgeries performed.
The goal of breast augmentation is to fill and shape the breasts to achieve your optimal bust. DeLuca Plastic Surgery offers a number of convenient breast augmentation options, from implants to implant removal to solutions for tuberous breasts.
Depending on the specific breast augmentation procedure performed, patients can expect to return to work within a week, with a return to normal activities within 8 weeks.
If the perfect bikini body is on your wish list this summer, DeLuca Plastic Surgery offers a full suite of breast augmentation procedures. Our surgeons would be happy to work with you to find the right fit for you to get you ready for summer!
Read More About Breast Augmentation!
Tummy Tuck
Consequently, the last thing you want this summer is a bulging belly. It can be the difference between partaking in any number of fun activities or staying indoors.
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen. First, your surgeon will make an incision along the lower abdomen and then separate the skin from the abdominal wall, removing any excess fat. After we tighten the muscles and abdominal wall, we reposition the belly button.
Like liposuction and CoolSculpting, a tummy tuck isn’t a weight loss procedure. Importantly, while patients can expect to lose a few pounds, the results are more focused on eliminating excess skin and fat and sculpting the overall aesthetic.
Most patients can return to work within 2-4 weeks of their surgery, with a return to normal activities within 8 weeks. The duration of the procedure can vary, with most surgeries taking anywhere from 2-3 hours.
A tummy tuck can give you that boost of confidence to feel more comfortable in a swimsuit or other summer clothing. If you want to show off your shirtless summer body, a tummy tuck could be the right fit for you.
Get Your Confidence Back!
Don’t let your body hold you back from embracing all that life has to offer. Trust the surgeons at DeLuca Plastic Surgery to get you ready for summer with the right procedure for your complex needs.
Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or instant email consultation with us today. We’ll get you well on your way to embracing the all-new, beautiful, confident you!
Body Contouring For “Down There”: What You Need to Know
When you think of major body contouring procedures, typically you think of the main surgeries: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast augmentation, and leg, arm, or thigh lifts. But what about the more discrete areas? You know, the area “down there.”
Also known as vaginal rejuvenation, there are a set of procedures designed to aid problems stemming from aesthetic concerns, childbirth, issues with physical activity or intimacy, discomfort from clothing, or even self-consciousness.
With many of these procedures becoming both more popular and widely known, let’s take a minute to talk about who might be a candidate, what body contouring procedures are available, prognosis and recovery, and more!
Procedures For “Down There”
There are a number of procedures that can help relieve problems with vaginal discomfort and self-consciousness, such as labiaplasty, monsplasty, clitoral hood reduction, and labia majora fat grafting.
While not often talked about, even A-list celebrities have boasted about the benefits of vaginal rejuvenation procedures.
Take a moment to learn a little bit about each procedure below.
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is quickly becoming one of the more popular, albeit lesser talked about cosmetic procedures, with a more than 200% increase in popularity between 2012 and 2017.
For many women, the size, shape, or overall aesthetic of the labia majora or labia minora becomes a problem. This can be due to childbirth, genetics, or myriad other reasons.
During the procedure, your surgeon will first design a skin removal pattern that fits your goals. Using carefully placed incisions, the excess labia is removed to reduce the height of labia minora to lie within the labia majora and/or to reduce excess labia majora and the tissues sutured together with absorbable sutures. Typically, the procedure takes about an hour, and patients can return to normal activity within three to four days and exercise in a a few weeks.
Learn more about labiaplasty here!
Monsplasty
While perhaps not as well-known as labiaplasty, monsplasty remains one of the more in-demand body contouring procedures.
Whereas labiaplasty aims to reduce the size or alter the shape of the labia, monsplasty helps deal with excess skin and fat in the mons–the hair-bearing, upper part of the vulva.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make a triangle-shaped incision, from which we remove unwanted fat and excess tissue. The area is then pulled up or “sculpted”, leaving you with a more comfortable appearance.
Patients can typically return to work about a week post-procedure, with a return to physical activity somewhere between 4-6 weeks.
Clitoral Hood Reduction
Clitoral hood reduction, whether done on its own or on conjunction with labiaplasty, is another lesser talked about, in-demand body contouring procedure for the area “down there”.
Also known as a hoodectomy, clitoral hood reduction–as the name suggests–reduces the size and shape of the clitoral hood by removing excess tissue to expose the clitoris and enhance the overall appearance of the vulva.
During the procedure, your surgeon will remove excess skin and then suture the area up for a symmetrical, aesthetic look.
Best of all, clitoral hood reduction typically takes no more than an hour and patients can return home the same day, with a return to work in about one week and a return to physical activity within roughly six weeks.
Labia Majora Fat Grafting
No part of the body is immune to the effects of aging. That includes the genital area.
Labia majora fat grafting is designed to help restore a youthful appearance to the vulva by taking fat from other areas of the body and using it to restore lost volume.
Whether performed on its own or in conjunction with labia majora reduction, labia majora fat grafting can rejuvenate the vulva and restore your freedom and self-confidence.
Patients have little downtime post-procedure, with most patients being able to return to work the same day and return to excercise within two to three days.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Typically, a good candidate is any woman who has pain or discomfort, or soreness with physical activity or intimacy, as well as women for whom childbirth has significantly altered the size and/or shape of the vagina.
Who is a good candidate for body contouring procedures “down there” or vaginal rejuvenation differs depending on the procedure(s) performed, age, and a variety of other factors.
However, there are a few constants to consider for every patient, regardless of the variables.
•Patients should be in good health and free of any complications that may increase the risk of complications.
•Talk to your doctor about recent changes in your health, recent illnesses, and medications.
•Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least four weeks pre-procedure and four weeks post-operative to further reduce your risk of complications and aid in recovery.
To best decide if you might be a good candidate, consider scheduling a consultation with your surgeon.
Prognosis & Recovery
Your prognosis and recovery after vaginal rejuvenation body contouring differs depending on procedure.
In most cases, the recovery time is somewhere around a week. However, more comprehensive vaginal rejuvenation may take up to three months or longer to see full results and recovery.
Like most cosmetic surgery procedures, patients should ice the area and plan to rest immediately post-op. The most common side effects include swelling, redness, pain and discomfort, itching, and a limited range of movement.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Rejuvenation of the pubic areas can help you regain your freedom to wear whatever you’d like, enjoy physical activity and intimacy, and restore your self-confidence.
If you’re interested in improving your area “down there”, schedule an in-person, phone-in, or “instant” email consultation with one of our experienced surgeons to learn more!
Plastic Surgery After Massive Weight Loss: What You Need To Know
If you’ve recently lost a significant bit of weight, you’re probably dealing with some mixed emotions. On one hand, you’re excited about your new, slimmer, healthier look. But for many patients, massive weight loss also comes with excess, sagging skin–and even residual pockets of fat that simply won’t go away.
After your massive weight loss, you probably have questions.
Fortunately, the experienced team at DeLuca Plastic Surgery is here for you. We’ve helped thousands of patients obtain dazzling results after dramatic weight loss–and we can help you too!
Learn all about your plastic surgery options after dramatic weight loss, including how long you should wait, what options are available, and tips to make your new look permanent.
Let’s dive in!
Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
Almost three-quarters of American adults are considered overweight or obese. Being overweight dramatically increases your risk of developing adverse cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.
Whether you lost a significant bit of weight through diet, exercise, bariatric surgery, or a combination, you should be proud. You have taken active steps to promote your long-term health!
However, after losing roughly 100 pounds or more, you’re going to notice excess skin left behind.
That’s because skin stretches with increased weight gain. The more weight you’ve gained, the more your skin will have stretched. More significant weight loss typically means more excess skin.
Plus, as many patients know, weight loss doesn’t always happen evenly.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “first on, last off.” Typically, the first place you add fat is the last place from which it comes off. Some stubborn pockets of fat just won’t come off–no matter what you do.
So what kind of body contouring procedures are right for patients who have undergone massive weight loss?
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
As we gain weight, the composition of tissues, skin, and fat in our bodies changes. That means even after you’ve lost all that weight (and fat), the skin remains stretched and sagging.
Whether you need to tighten up your abdomen or shed excess fat for a more even, symmetrical look, abdominoplasty might be the perfect solution for you.
Abdominoplasty–especially for patients who have recently undergone massive weight loss–focuses on removing the excess skin and fat of the abdomen, as well as repairing the weakened abdominal muscles.
Read more about abdominoplasty here!
Liposuction
Liposuction is the perfect solution to remove those difficult fat deposits, especially after losing weight.
The reason liposuction after massive weight loss is so impactful is because it can help restore the slim, toned body contours you’re looking for.
Liposuction can also tighten up muscle tone, remove the appearance of male breasts, and add definition.
Best of all, liposuction is not just for the abdomen; it can be used to tone up your arms, legs, thighs, and buttocks!
Read more about liposuction here!
Breast augmentation/lift
After losing a significant amount of weight, you’ll probably notice your breasts are flat, deflated, or drooping.
A breast augmentation or lift can help restore your breasts to a more youthful, healthy appearance.
By restoring lost volume and optimizing the size, shape, and fullness of your breasts, we can help you regain your confidence!
Read more: which breast procedure is right for you?
Arm lift & thigh lift
Arm lift, or brachioplasty, can remove floppy, loose arm skin and fat, especially for patients who have just undergone massive weight loss.
The result is toned, sculpted arms that look–and feel–natural, toned, and attractive.
Read more about arm lifts here!
A thigh lift, or thigh plasty, focuses on restoring a sculpted, toned look to the upper and inner thighs.
Thigh lifts are often combined with other procedures, like liposuction or arm lifts, for a more symmetrical, comprehensive body restoration.
Read more about thigh lifts here!
Facelift/neck lift
The face, and the neck, are two of the more noticeable areas where excess skin causes discomfort for patients.
After massive weight loss, the stretched skin around your face starts to sag, causing pronounced jowls or “turkey neck.”
A facelift or neck lift can tighten up the skin around your face and neck and restore a healthy, youthful appearance to match the rest of your body.
Read more about facelifts and neck lifts here!
How Long Should You Wait After Massive Weight Loss Before Surgery?
After massive weight loss, defined as 100 pounds or more or 40% or more of your total body mass, most patients are anxious to get rid of their excess skin and start living with their slimmer, lighter bodies.
However, patients should be at or near their target body weight–and have maintained that weight for 3-6 months before considering any additional procedures.
More importantly, plastic surgery isn’t designed for weight loss. It’s designed to help patients improve their overall body appearance or aesthetic.
Before considering any cosmetic procedure after weight loss, patients should:
•Be in good health
•Have realistic expectations and a positive outlook
•Have established and maintained weight loss
•Be a non-smoker or abstain from tobacco use
Tips to Keep Your Look Post-Op
Arguably the biggest concern with post-weight loss plastic surgery is keeping the weight off.
Gaining any or all of the weight back can cancel out all the transformative work–and operations–you’ve worked so hard for.
With that said, the best tips to keep your post-operative look after massive weight loss are:
•Follow your physicians’ recommendation: whether your bariatric surgeon prescribes a reduced-calorie diet or your plastic surgeon recommends rest and recovery, listen to what they say!
•Diet: especially if you’ve had bariatric surgery, you’ll notice you simply can’t eat as much as you could when you were at a heavier weight. However, failure to adhere to a healthy, lower-calorie diet can cause the stomach to swell. Be sure to drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins.
•Exercise: once you’ve recovered from your plastic surgery procedures, you should strive for at least 30 minutes of mild-to-moderate exercise every day. This is especially important if you’re consuming more calories than recommended. Exercise can help you burn off everything you take in!
•Follow up with your physicians: while the specific care you’ll need depends on the procedure(s) performed, it’s important to attend all your follow-up appointments. Your doctor will be able to ensure you’re charting the right course for long-term health and body maintenance.
Ready For Your New Look? Schedule A Consultation Today!
The results from plastic surgery after massive weight loss can be life-changing.
However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a magic fix: patients still need to adhere to dietary and lifestyle changes in order to make their body transformation stick.
If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight and are considering cosmetic procedure(s) to achieve the look you want, DeLuca Plastic Surgery can guide you through the process from start to finish.
Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or “instant” email consultation today, and be well on your way to the body of your dreams!
New Year, New You: Procedures to Start The Year Fresh
Now that you’ve cleaned up the holiday decorations, spent time with the whole family, and turned the calendar over to 2023, what’s next? Wouldn’t it be nice to start the new year with a new you?
Regardless of whether it’s one of your new year’s resolutions or not, just about everyone wants to look better. In fact, year after year, among the most common goals for the new year are to exercise more, lose weight, and eat healthier.
The common link?
A transformation to a healthier, more attractive face–or body–that both inspires and evokes confidence.
For many folks, working out, eating healthy, and losing weight isn’t as easy as they sound.
On the other hand, cosmetic procedures like a mini facelift or fillers, Botox, and even breast augmentations can provide that transformation to a new you!
Let’s examine how DeLuca Plastic Surgery can help you find the new you in 2023!
New Year, New Breasts: Could Breast Augmentation Be Right For You?
You want to make the new year the best year yet. What better way than a procedure that can give you the dream breasts you’ve always wanted?
As it turns out, a breast augmentation procedure can not only help you start the year with more confidence but give you the dream curves, cleavage, and bust size you’ve been looking for!
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits!
•Each breast enhancement procedure starts with the patient’s goals in mind, meaning we tailor each procedure down to the specifics of each individual case
•Using the Mentor breast implant sizing system, patients can “try on” different implants to gauge the right look and feel
•DeLuca Plastic Surgery offers 3D imaging for the most accurate preview of patients’ post-operative results
•In most cases, recovery time is between 6-8 weeks, meaning patients can take advantage of winter downtime and achieve an optimal look by spring
This year will undoubtedly be full of exciting events–parties, birthdays, holidays, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice to go into the bulk of the year with a body you can feel good about?
Schedule your free consultation and get started on your body transformation today!
Learn more about breast augmentation here!
Mini Facelift: Face The New Year With Confidence
Everyone wants to look as young as they feel. A mini facelift is a perfect procedure to help you peel back the years for that refreshing, radiant, youthful glow.
Compared to a traditional facelift, a mini facelift is less-invasive, quicker, and focuses more on combating the most visible signs of aging–sagging, creases, wrinkles, and even the start of jowls.
During your mini facelift procedure, we’ll primarily focus on the cheekbone, jowls, and upper neck. Your surgeon will make small incisions near the hairline or behind the ear, tightening the skin and offsetting the signs of early aging.
Best of all, the natural folds of the skin hide the scars–meaning a mini facelift is the perfect procedure for those looking for a way to look younger without showing obvious signs of plastic surgery.
As the years pass, diet and exercise sometimes are not enough to stop the signs of aging. Fortunately, a mini facelift is a quick, easy way to provide relief–and confidence.
Plus, the effects of a mini facelift procedure can last up to 10 years!
The start of the year is a perfect time to reverse the effects of gravity.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards a younger, more confident you!
Read more about what kind of facelift procedure is right for you!
Fillers: A Quick Boost to Start The Year
Another great way to peel back the first signs of aging is through facial fillers, such as hyaluronic acid. The results are nearly instantaneous–and both the procedure itself and the recovery take minimal time, meaning it’s the perfect procedure for those with a busy schedule.
The best part?
Fillers can be used on their own–or in conjunction with Botox injections–to reduce lost volume, smooth wrinkle lines, and enhance facial contours without surgery, scarring, or months of rest and downtime.
Each facial filler product is formulated differently, meaning it can be targeted to different areas of the face and different depths within the skin.
Go into the rest of the year with a younger, healthier face, and look your best at all the big events coming up this year!
Learn more about fillers here!
Botox: A New Year’s Favorite
Winter is the most popular month nationwide for Botox.
That’s because most Botox procedures can be performed in as little as 10 minutes. Patients often see results in just a few days. Plus, the cooler weather and relative lack of sunlight provide the perfect environment to settle into a new look.
The results of Botox treatments help to reverse the obvious signs of aging, like wrinkles, crease lines, and sagging. They do this by blocking chemical signals that relax or “sag” the skin.
Those effects can last anywhere from 3-6 months. For best results, and to maintain your best look all year, seek treatment early and often.
At DeLuca Plastic Surgery, we’ve performed thousands of Botox and filler injections. We can help find the right treatment to suit your goals and get you feeling like a better, younger you.
Schedule a consultation today and learn more about why Botox is one of the most popular, non-surgical alternatives to facelifts.
Read more about how Botox & Fillers can help you feel like a new you!
Transform to The New You!
Unfortunately, most new year’s resolutions fail.
If you’ve been thinking of hitting the gym more often, cutting back on your favorite foods, or shedding unwanted pounds the old-fashioned way, consider a more feasible alternative: a cosmetic procedure at DeLuca Plastic Surgery!
Our experienced, compassionate surgeons will work with you to get you the results you want. Whether you’re looking for fuller breasts, fewer signs of aging, or simply a look you can feel good about, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.
Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or instant email consultation today, and be on your way to making 2023 your best year yet!
TCA Chemical Peels: What You Need to Know
Between Botox & filler injections and procedures like facelifts and mini facelifts, there are myriad ways to combat the signs of aging. Some are more invasive, while others are more cosmetic than surgical. One of the more popular non-invasive treatments involves using trichloroacetic acid. More commonly known as TCA chemical peels, they give the skin a more youthful, radiant glow.
Here’s the scoop on TCA chemical peels. Read more to learn what to expect, who’s a candidate, and why it might be the right option for you!
What is a TCA Chemical Peel?
The outer layer of the skin is made up of layers of epidermal skin cells. While these cells provide a layer of defense against environmental dangers, as we age and endure bruises, nicks, cuts, and sun damage, the cells take a beating.
Those cells are held together by microscopic fibers called tonofilaments, which are surrounded by an extracellular–which works as a glue holding all those cells and fibers together. Again, as we age, those cells shed through the body’s natural process of exfoliation.
TCA chemical peels work to dissolve that “glue”, speeding up the natural exfoliation process.
By removing dead skin cells from the affected area, like the face, neck, hands, or other part of the body, TCA peels reduce and minimize the visible signs of aging, like acne scars, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and even wrinkles.
Notably, of the most commonly used chemical peels, TCA penetrates the skin more deeply than glycolic or salicyclic peels. This makes it arguably the most powerful of the chemical peels. This makes it an ideal choice for those with the most visible signs of aging–like scarring or pigmentation issues.
TCA chemical peels can be applied in a variety of concentrations and strengths, from light to medium, depending on a number of factors, including age of the patient, the area of focus, and the number of layers applied during treatment.
Treatment & Recovery: What to Expect
Depending on the strength and concentration of TCA chemicals involved, the chemical peel procedure may vary from patient to patient.
First, your surgeon will apply the TCA solution to your skin–using gauze or an applicator–to the treatment area. As the acid penetrates the outer layers of your skin, it removes the dead skin cells and stimulates growth of new, healthy cells.
After about 5 minutes, we can add more layers–depending on the depth of the treatment.
Once we have applied the desired amount of layers, your surgeon will remove the TCA peel and apply a cold compress to the skin. We then apply a topical, moisturizing ointment to lock in the hydration.
Immediately after a TCA chemical peel treatment, it’s normal for the skin to feel red or swollen. After a few days, the redness and swelling will transition to darkening, crusting, or peeling. This usually subsides within 1-2 weeks.
During the recovery period, we recommend patients avoid picking or peeling at the skin. Use only mild skin cleansers, and if you’re going to be in the sun, choose a sunscreen with a high SPF. Until fully healed, avoid using products with vitamin C, as well as retinoids and other exfoliation products.
Most patients are able to treat discomfort effectively with over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Tylenol. Be sure to schedule and attend your follow-up appointment post-treatment for best results.
Who is A Candidate For TCA Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are not just for folks who want to reduce the signs of aging.
TCA peels are also a great way to treat a wide variety of skin flaws and conditions. For instance, discoloration, scars, and sun damage.
However, not everyone is a candidate for chemical peels.
Importantly, prospective patients should be free from infections and in good general health. We do not recommend TCA peels for patients with extremely sensitive skin.
Schedule Your Consultation!
TCA chemical peels are one of the best ways to treat imperfections of the skin and restore a healthy, vibrant, youthful look. They’re widely used in the dermatology community to treat a wide variety of skin conditions across a wide spectrum of skin tones and types.
Schedule a consultation today! One of our experienced, knowledgeable surgeons will work with you to find the right chemical peel treatment for you.
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your medical history, your goals, the procedure itself, and even ways to maximize the efficiency of your treatment. This can include moisturizers, creams, and other products you can use to make your treatment last longer and look better!
Schedule an in-person consultation, phone-in consultation, or instant email consultation today! Be on your way to feeling more confident in your healthy, radiant, glowing skin!
Thinking About Botox & Fillers? Here’s Why Now is The Time!
It’s the perfect time of the year to start thinking about Botox and filler treatments. In fact, winter is the most popular month nationwide for Botox! Every year, millions of Americans choose Botox as a quick, safe, pain-free way to reduce the visible signs of aging. If you’ve been thinking about Botox and fillers, here’s why now is the time to start looking younger, healthier, and more confident!
What Can Botox Do For You?
Botox injections are primarily used to treat the most visible signs of aging–wrinkles, lines, creases, and sagging. They can also be used as a treatment for neck spasms, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, lazy eye, chronic migraines, and a number of other conditions.
Unlike fillers–or facelifts and other surgical procedures, Botox doesn’t actually manipulate or “fix” the skin. Instead, the injections block chemical signals from the nerve–which in turn stops the muscles from contracting–or in other words, relaxes them. As the muscles relax, wrinkles fade away, leaving the face smoother and radiant.
Botox injections can be performed in as little as 10 minutes, meaning you can even have it done on your lunch break! Most patients see results within a few days as the treated muscles weaken and relax. Your best results will start to appear about 1-2 weeks after your treatment.
The effects typically last anywhere from 3-6 months, so to maintain best results, seek treatment as soon as you notice wrinkles or signs of aging reappearing.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used on their own or in conjunction with Botox injections to reduce lost volume, smooth wrinkle and crease lines, and enhance facial contours.
Fillers can last anywhere from 6-15 months – depending on the type and placement of the filler. Arguably the most popular dermal filler, Hyaluronic Acid is already found in your skin as a naturally occurring substance that keeps your skin hydrated. Some more common HA products include Juvederm, Restylane, and Revance. Although similar, each product is formulated differently – targeted to different areas of the face and different depths within the skin.
An alternative to fillers is autologous fat Injections. Unlike the above options, fat injections require surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon will graft fat from another area–typically involving liposuction–purified, and then used as filler in the cheeks, temples, or elsewhere. The results typically last for many years.
Learn More About Fillers Here!
Why Now?
Of the more than 7 million Botox procedures performed each year, winter is arguably the most popular time of year–with patients favoring the cooler weather, lack of sun, and increased downtime to settle into their new look.
Not to mention, Thanksgiving and the holidays are right around the corner. With a quick Botox and filler treatment, you can wipe away wrinkles and other signs of aging around your forehead, eyes, cheeks, and chin to feel–and look–your best around the in-laws, your nieces and nephews, and even dazzle folks you haven’t seen in years!
Botox & Fillers: What Treatment Is Right For Me?
With a number of options available, how do you know which treatment is best for you?
The best first step is to discuss your treatment goals with your doctor – don’t be afraid to ask questions. The surgeons at DeLuca Plastic Surgery have a range of products to offer – each with different price points and treatment characteristics.
Just recently, DeLuca Plastic Surgery introduced the high-end filler and toxin products from Revance to its patients. For more than 20 years, Revance has built an elite reputation as the pinnacle of medical aesthetics, developing and distributing advanced, expertly-crafted products to select practices who produce exceptional consumer experiences and outcomes.
The Revance RHA collection of fillers – featuring the latest innovation in hyaluronic acid fillers – sports a longer duration of action (15 months) and a more natural form of hyaluronic acid. Daxxify – a long acting toxin – was just FDA approved and will be available to our practice starting in March of 2023. This toxin is injected like Botox but can last upwards of 9 months – three times the duration of comparable toxin products.
Learn More About Revance Here!
Schedule Your Consultation Now!
Botox and fillers are among the most popular non-surgical alternatives to facelifts. Now is the time to get the look you want for the holidays!
At DeLuca Plastic Surgery, we’ve performed thousands of Botox and filler injections. Let us use our expert knowledge and experience to find the best option for your cosmetic goals!
Schedule your in-person, phone-in, or instant email consultation today!
Early Fall: The Best Time For “Pick-Me-Up” Procedures?
As the warm weather heads out, we’re all starting to bundle up, which means it’s time to put your summer body under a cozy sweater, baggy sweatshirt, or snuggly jacket. With your body covered, where will everyone be looking? At your face of course! Time for a “pick-me-up” procedure!
That’s why early fall is the best time for quick, “pick-me-up” procedures like a mini facelift, eyelid lift, forehead/eyebrow lift, chin augmentation, non-surgical rhinoplasty, or even Botox and fillers. Not only will you look your best for the holiday season, but many procedures’ results actually improve when patients avoid excessive sun exposure!
If you’ve been thinking about a “pick-me-up” procedure to tighten up for Thanksgiving, the holidays, or New Year’s, now is the time!
Eyelid & Eyebrow/Forehead Lift
Whether winter, spring, summer, or fall, if you’re interacting with people face-to-face, they will be looking at your eyes. If you have saggy eyelids, visible bags, crow’s feet, or any other visible signs of aging, you might be in a less festive mood–especially around the holidays.
Your forehead is the same. As we age, the skin on our forehead thins, making wrinkle lines–and eyebrow lowering–more noticeable. A face warmer (or a mask) might cover your nose, mouth, and chin, but it won’t cover your eyes and forehead.
Fortunately, a quick procedure like an eyelid lift or eyebrow/forehead lift will restore your youthful look–and your confidence. With both procedures, you can be in and out in as little as one hour.
Plus, they’re typically performed under local anesthesia, which means less postoperative discomfort/nausea and a lower overall cost. Best of all, most patients are able to return to work and normal activity – within 10-14 days.
The eyes are the window to the soul, and what better time to spruce them up than right before the holidays?
Mini Facelift
Fall marks the official start of facelift season. That’s because having a facelift procedure in early/mid-fall allows ample recovery time, which falls right in the sweet spot of downtime between back-to-school and Thanksgiving.
Whereas a full facelift can take as long as five hours, a mini facelift can typically be completed in under two hours. That’s because a mini facelift – in addition to being less invasive – targets only the jowls and upper neck. During the procedure, your surgeon will tighten the lower face by pulling the skin and tissue back and outwards towards the ear.
See Also: What’s the difference between a facelift and a mini-facelift?
Most mini facelift patients report minimal-to-no discomfort post-procedure, which we can perform in-office under local anesthesia. Patients can usually return to work and normal activity within two weeks–with optimal results visible in about two-three months.
Show your family and friends your best face for Thanksgiving with a mini-facelift!
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Chances are, your nose is going to get red, stuffy, or both this fall and winter. If you’re already self-conscious about it, you might be inclined to stay home until the weather warms up again. If that doesn’t sound like fun, non-surgical rhinoplasty is the perfect “pick-me-up” in early fall.
Also called liquid rhinoplasty, the procedure differs from a traditional “nose-job” in that it involves injecting a filler to temporarily alter the shape and structure of the nose.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty can be performed in as little as 15 minutes, with no anesthesia necessary, and patients can return to work and normal activity on the same day as the procedure. Depending on the filler used, results can last anywhere from six months to three years.
Chin Augmentation
Chin augmentations have been called “the new nose job” as they surge in popularity. Especially during COVID – while we stared at each other’s faces over Zoom, patients flocked in droves to sharpen, tone, and perfect their chins. After all, the chin (and cheekbones) frame the face!
What’s more, a chin augmentation can restore confidence to patients with a soft or undeveloped jawline, which enhances the profile and drastically improves the overall aesthetic of the head and face – and patients’ self esteem. Best of all, unlike temporary solutions like Juvederm, chin augmentation is designed to be a one-time, lasting solution.
Chin augmentations are an outpatient surgery done under general anesthesia. Associated with minimal bruising and swelling, patients return to work and normal activities within five to seven days post-procedure.
Be cheery, bright, and confident for the holidays with a chin augmentation!
Botox
Fall is also one of the most popular times of the year for Botox treatments. Too much sun exposure during the summer can lead to wrinkles, lines, and premature signs of aging on the face. Botox restores, revitalizes, and rejuvenates the skin to repair the UV damage.
Botox treatments can take as little as ten minutes, requiring no anesthesia, and patients can return to work and normal activities right away. Patients should avoid exercise/vigorous activity for ~24 hours post-procedure.
There’s no surprise that so many patients choose late summer and early fall for a quick “pick-me-up” Botox treatment. They’re quick, painless, and affordable, and patients love them!
Fillers
Like Botox, injectable dermal fillers can provide immediate, temporary relief for thinning lips, facial creases or wrinkle lines, and even visible scarring.
Again, like Botox, filler procedures typically take less than a half hour, require no anesthesia, and allow patients to return to work and normal activities right away.
A quick filler can help you attain a more youthful look–as results show up almost right away–and like Botox, are temporary. Depending on the type of filler and where it is placed, results last anywhere from a few months to nearly 2 years.
Open Availability With Dr. Yan!
Need another incentive for a quick “pick-me-up” procedure? We have open availability–and in some cases, same-day availability, with Dr. Yan for most procedures.
Call or go online to schedule an in-person or phone-in consultation with our office today!
Can’t make it in person? Dr. Yan offers “instant” virtual email consultations! Simply upload your photos and the procedure you’re looking for and within 24-48 hours, we will email you with an assessment, quote, and available surgery dates. You can even submit multiple requests for multiple procedures!
Look your best for Thanksgiving and the holidays and take advantage of the fall downtime with a quick “pick-me-up” procedure. Get in touch with us today!
Considering Transgender Top Surgery? What You Need to Know!
Each year, more than 9,000 patients across the United States undergo transgender top surgery. Also called sex reassignment surgery, both FTM (female-to-male) and MTF (male-to-female) variations are widely performed, with patients most appreciating the marked improvement in confidence, body image, and overall quality of life.
If you’ve been considering transgender top surgery, you probably have questions. Are you a good candidate? What is the preparation and recovery process like? Will this procedure affect any other part of my transition?
At DeLuca Plastic Surgery, we’re here to help. We want to make every procedure as transparent and beneficial as possible. Before you decide on FTM or MTF transgender top surgery, here’s what you need to know.
Transgender Top Surgery: MTF
MTF transgender top surgery, also known as transfeminine top surgery or transgender breast augmentation, aims to feminize the patient’s chest by enhancing the size and shape of the breasts. As the latter name suggests, the procedure most commonly involves breast augmentation–or implants–to recontour, reshape, and revitalize the chest for a fuller, feminine look.
More importantly, for many patients, the procedure means no more wearing artificial breasts or padded bras–or dealing with body or gender dysmorphia.
Transgender Top Surgery: FTM
FTM transgender top surgery, or masculinizing chest surgery, aims to masculinize the patient’s chest by removing breast tissue. However, the goal is more than just a flat chest–it’s a sculpted, masculine aesthetic. Whereas MTF procedures enhance and fill the breast via implants, FTM procedures reduce and flatten the chest through subcutaneous mastectomy.
Like its MTF counterpart, masculinizing chest surgery can help alleviate body and gender dysmorphia and avoid the risks and complications of chest binding.
Preparing For Your Procedure
During your initial consultation, we’ll go over your goals, medical history, and overall physical and mental health to ensure you’re a good candidate.
Before top surgery, most surgeons recommend patients obtain a letter of support from a mental health provider. This letter asserts that patients meet the World Professional Association of Transgender Health standards of care criteria.
Additionally, like any other procedure, patients must be in good physical health.
Once approved for surgery, patients should discontinue smoking or nicotine use as well as caffeine and alcohol intake. Patients taking testosterone, estrogen, or other hormone treatments may continue taking them depending on your schedule.
Your surgeon will give more precise instructions on what you can and cannot take as the date of your procedure approaches.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
FTM top surgery is done outpatient under general anesthesia. Depending on your breast size, we’ll work with you to develop the best surgical method for optimal results.
During the procedure, we’ll make incisions in the skin to remove breast tissue, contour and reduce the breast wall, reposition the nipples and areola, and reshape the chest.
MTF top surgery is also done outpatient under general anesthesia. Again, depending on your intended breast size, we’ll work with you to develop the best surgical method for optimal results.
During the procedure, we’ll use silicone or saline implants to augment breast shape and increase breast size to reshape the breasts into a feminine look.
Both procedures take anywhere from 2-4 hours and patients are free to return home post-procedure.
Recovery & Outlook
Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most patients can return to work within a week or two post-procedure.
For most patients, the first-week post-procedure is the most uncomfortable, but most side effects, including swelling, discomfort, and soreness, typically subside within a few weeks.
During that first week, we recommend patients sleep on their back and avoid both showering and strenuous activity. To control swelling and discomfort, we recommend the use of an ice pack.
About a week after your procedure, you’ll meet with your surgeon for a postoperative appointment. At this point, we’ll remove the dressing and you’ll get to see your new chest for the first time.
Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?
Research–including scientific studies–has found an overwhelming majority of patients approve of their decision. Less than 1% of study participants expressed regret. The consensus is clear: FTM and MTF transgender top surgery helps patients achieve a new lease on life.
DeLuca Plastic Surgery is proud to offer the most advanced, cutting-edge techniques in FTM and MTF transgender top surgery. From your initial consultation to your stunning results, we’re in your corner to answer all your questions, alleviate your concerns, and improve your confidence, body image, and quality of life.
If you’ve been thinking about transgender top surgery, don’t wait. Schedule an in-person, phone-in, or instant email consultation with us today!
Feel Your Best in Your Summer Skin!
The summer months are a time for sun-kissed skin, showing off your glistening, bronzed summer body, and feeling your best and most confident. At the same time, too much exposure to the sun can have a major detrimental impact on your summer skin.
Let’s take a look at how to keep your skin safe and healthy during the most UV-intensive summer months!
Taking Care of Your Skin
Your skin makes up about 15% of your total body weight. Though it may grow, stretch, blemish, scar, or otherwise change, you only get one set in a lifetime. But did you know the outermost layer of skin–the epidermis–is actually made up of a bunch of dead cells?
It actually gets its strength and suppleness from the dense makeup of keratin–a complex protein–found in those cells. You can also find keratin in the organs, glands, hair, and nails.
The biggest danger to healthy skin is overexposure to the sun. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Exposure to UV rays, combined with a lack of preventative, hydrating measures (which can be found below), can lead to irreversible skin damage–including premature aging, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, increased risk of skin cancer, and even increased risk of cataracts.
That’s because the sun’s UV rays–especially in summer–easily break down collagen and other vital skin components. When sunlight hits unprotected skin, it damages healthy cells. Over time, the signs of damage become more noticeable. Some people even develop more freckles, age spots, skin growths, and even skin cancer.
How can you keep your skin safe, strong, and healthy? Combined with a healthy skin care regimen, the answer is sunscreen!
The Importance of Sunscreen
Your skin gets bombarded by harmful UV rays on a daily basis, and even more so in the summer. The very first line of defense is a sunscreen with a good sun protection factor or SPF. While most people mistakenly believe SPF refers to the amount of time one can spend in the sun, it actually refers to the amount of UV exposure. As SPF value increases, so does protection against sunburn and additional skin damage.
Selecting the proper sunscreen depends on myriad factors, including time in the sun, time of day, amount of sunscreen applied, and even your skin type. The American Cancer Society recommends a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, SPF of 30 or higher, and reapplication of water-resistant sunscreen (water-resistant ≠ waterproof).
In addition to the regular application of sunscreen, you should also cover up as much as possible if you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. That can include wearing covering clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses–especially those that block at least 99% of UV light.
Look to limit your time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm–when UV rays are at their strongest. Finally, avoid artificial tanning beds and sunlamps–as both can cause serious, long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.
Summer Skin Care Tips
Summer skincare doesn’t begin and end with sunscreen and UV protection protocols. In addition to sunscreen, the cornerstones of healthy skin are cleansing, detoxification, antioxidants, Vitamin A, and hydration. In other words, sunscreen is just one part of keeping your skin radiant, beautiful, and healthy during the summer.
Cleansing, detoxifying, hydrating, and antioxidizing your skin starts at night. Essentially, you work off the stress, wear, and grime of the day with a blend of premium skincare products, like Ageless Millenial Aesthetics by Estéticoceuticals. Removing toxins, exfoliating, and hydrating your skin is the key to starting each new day with a blank canvas.
Daytime skincare products, like the Days skincare line, help protect against the damaging rays of the sun, prevent cellular damage, and rehydrate and restore suppleness to the delicate tissues of the eyelids and lips.
A combination daytime/nighttime skincare regimen works in concert to help to improve skin turnover, repair the damaging effects of pollution and sun exposure, smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and hydrate the skin. That means healthy, glowing skin not only in the UV-intensive summer months but in the cold, dry winter months as well!
Read More About Skin Care Tips!
Keep Your Skin Healthy All Year Long!
Your skin lasts forever. While it’s tempting to have a toned, tanned body all year long, there are good and bad ways of going about it. In other words, there’s no reason you can’t feel your best all year long–as long as you do it safely.
Choose and maintain a skin care regimen, take care to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses/sun protection when out in the sun, and avoid artificial tanning salons.
Together, that’s a healthy starting point for soaking up rays and getting the most out of what should be a beautiful summer!
Want to be the first to hear important news, read informative blog posts, and get insightful, helpful tips?
Join our mailing list to receive these delivered to your inbox weekly!
Gift Certificates Available
Call Us At 518-724-2444
