Causes of and Treatment for “Droopy Eyes” (Ptosis)

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Droopy Eyelid (Ptosis) Repair Surgery

It’s long been said that “the eyes are the windows of the soul”. But drooping eyelids can make a person look sleepy, tired, older than are, and even angry or ornery. One or both eyelids can droop and if the drooping becomes severe it can interfere with vison.

There are also a number of causes of “droopy eyelids” (medically called “ptosis” or “blepharoptosis”) – from heredity and aging to underlying medical conditions.  Ptosis is a condition in which the drooping lid is caused by a lax eyelid muscle and not just excess or saggy eyelid skin.

The good news is that if you’re sick-and-tired tired of looking tired because of droopy eyelids, top board-certified Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali can help. In this article he discusses the solution to droopy eyelids that help you look younger and see better.

What Causes Droopy Eyelids

The skin and muscles above the eye are very delicate – but are also subject to almost constant use: blinking, watching, reading, looking at screens and making facial expressions. And there are many factors that can cause this important but fragile area of the body to droop and sag over time.

Medical conditions including congenital defects, muscle disorders, nerve disorders, or diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis can cause the eyelids to droop. Drooping can also sometimes be associated with rubbing the eyelids or allergies.

In extremely rare cases, a droopy eyelid is the result of a more serious condition, such as a stroke, brain tumor, or cancer of the nerves or muscles.

Eyelid drooping can also be present at birth due to a condition called congenital ptosis. If this occurs during childhood, it is important to correct it as soon as possible to prevent problems with eyesight. But, in most case, eyelid ptosis develops later in life due to the stretching or weakening of the eyelid muscle.

Eyelid Ptosis vs Excess Skin

When the issue is simply excess, sagging eyelid skin that rests on their upper eyelashes, it can be remedies with an “eyelid lift” surgery – medically called blepharoplasty.

But ptosis is caused by weakness or stretching of the actual eyelid muscle, not sagging skin. Eyelid ptosis only refers to upper eyelid drooping and not that of the lower eyelids. Eyelid ptosis is usually more severe that sagging skin and can often cause the eyelid to cover the pupil of the eye, obstructing vision.

Treating Drooping Eyelids

The best treatment for a patient’s droopy eyelid will depends on the specific underlying cause and the severity of the ptosis. If the droopy eyelid is caused by an underlying medical condition, patients should be treated for that illness or disorder – which will often stop the eyelids from sagging.

And if the condition is the result of age or something you were born with, as long as it isn’t blocking vision, in many cases there is no medical necessity to do anything. However, many patients opt for plastic surgery to reduce the drooping caused by ptosis for cosmetic reasons.

And for children with ptosis, doctors sometimes recommend surgery to prevent the onset of a condition called amblyopia (lazy eye).

Eyelid ptosis repair surgery is typically performed with only local anesthesia and oral sedation. During surgery for ptosis, the plastic surgeon will make an extremely small incision and then tighten the levator muscle – lifting the eyelid up into the desired position.

It is essential to see a skilled and experience board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali for this procedure, to ensure that a natural expression is preserved and that the eyelid is not placed too high or too low.

After ptosis surgery, the upper eyelid will be swollen and bruised for a week or two. While you can resume normal activities within a day or two, it is crucial not to rub the eyelids at all during this time.

Droopy Eye (Ptosis) Plastic Surgeon | Birmingham, MI

Dr. Ali has performed several hundred eyelid repair surgeries, including ptosis repair for droopy eye muscles, eyelid lifts, upper or lower blepharoplasty, and brow lift surgery. He will thoroughly examine your eyelids to help identify the cause of the sagging or drooping and recommend the best procedure for your individual needs.

Droopy Eye Repair Surgery | Birmingham, MI: 248-335-7200

Ready for a Change? Breast Implant Exchange

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What is a Breast Implant Exchange?

The technology used in modern silicone gel and saline breast implants have improved significantly in the last decade. Not only are they much safer, but they are also now considerably longer lasting. However, nothing in life lasts forever – and breast implants are no exception.

There can be many reasons that a woman decides it is time to “exchange” her implants – from wear-and-tear, to medical reasons, or even a change-of-mind about size or shape.

While breast implant exchange is a fairly common surgical procedure, removing and replacing breast implants is always more complex than the initial breast augmentation surgery. This is because the skin and tissue has already been stretched, and scar tissue may have developed.

So, if you decide that a breast implant exchange is right for you, choosing a surgeon who is highly experienced in breast implant revision surgery is essential to ensuring excellent results. Top plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast exchange surgery for hundreds of patients across Oakland County and the greater Detroit area.

In this article, Dr. Ali explains the “ins-and-outs” of breast implant exchange surgery.

The “10 Year Myth” About Breast Implant Exchange

There’s a commonly held misconception that breast implants must be replacement every ten years. But breast implants do not automatically wear out at ten years. In fact, some women still have breast implants that they received back in the late 1960s or early 70s – and implant materials were much less durable back in those days.

And while breast implants – like any piece of medical equipment – do occasionally but rarely “wear out” or rupture, there are many other reasons for breast exchange revision surgery that have nothing to do with the condition of the implants themselves.

Aesthetic Reasons for Breast Implant Exchange

In the majority of breast implant exchange cases, women undergo the procedure due to a desire for an aesthetic change. And only a small number of patients develop a complication with their implants and/or the surrounding “capsule” that requires breast implant exchange surgery.

Some patients who received implants in their 20s, may no longer desire the same look in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. While natural looking breasts are much more in fashion now, in the past many twenty- and thirty-year-old women went for the “bigger is better” look. So, downsizing is a common reason for breast implant exchange.

For other women, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, weight gain or aging may have changed the shape or size of their body. And while the implant itself does not change size, the skin and soft tissue around it the implant can thin and sag over time – leading to a desire for smaller implants.

Conversely, a small number of women do end up wishing that had “gone bigger” and decide to upsize their breasts implant.

Medical Reasons for Breast Implant Exchange

Rupture: Though rare with modern breast implants, both silicone and saline implants can rupture and leak out. A rupture in saline implants rapidly deflates but is less obvious in a silicone implant. This is why it is very important to see your plastic surgeon annually to check the health of your breast implants.

Capsular contracture can also warrant a breast implant exchange. This occurs is when the capsule of protective tissue that naturally develops around the breast implant hardens. This can be painful, as well as affect the shape of the breast.

Implant malposition occurs when the implant moves out of its original position – usually because the skin and tissue of the breasts have weakened – or because a women got implants that were too big for their anatomy to support. However, it can also be the result of improperly positioned implants by and inexperienced surgeon.

In malposition, the implant can drop below the “crease” under the breast (inframammary fold), or drift towards the armpit.

Breast Implant Exchange Consultation

If you want to change the look of your implants, or it is medically necessary to exchange them, it is critical to schedule an in-person consultation with a highly skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast implant exchange.

Excess skin or insufficient skin, scar tissue, nipple repositioning, etc. are just some of the issues that may need to be addressed during breast exchange surgery. The extent of these concerns will depend upon how large the removed implants were, and what underlying medical issues may be found.

A specialized breast revision surgeon can address these issues – as well as perform a breast lift, and/or other reconstructive procedures to ensure a beautiful, natural look with no drooping or sagging skin or muscles.

Remember breast implant exchange is more complex than the initial breast augmentation surgery. So, choosing a surgeon who is highly experienced in breast implant revision surgery is critical to ensuring great results.

Top Breast Implant Exchange Surgeon | Birmingham, MI

Top plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast implant exchange surgery for hundreds of patients across Oakland County and the greater Detroit area, including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield, and more.

Because of his expertise, high standard of care, and exceptional results in even the most difficult cases, he is the surgeon that other physicians refer their patients to for breast revision surgery. With his years of expertise, caring demeanor and modern techniques, Dr. Ali can fix almost any breast implant problem, including implant rupture, asymmetry, capsular contracture, implant size change, and more.

No matter what problems or issues you are having with your breast implants, board certified breast exchange specialist Dr. Ali will listen to your concerns and help you find the solution.

Birmingham, MI Breast Implant Exchange Surgeon: 248-335-7200

 

The Challenges of Breast Revision Surgery

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Why Breast Revision Surgery is More Challenging– 

With anything in life, it is almost always safer, better and easier to “do it right” the first time – rather than have to fix it “after the fact”. And breast augmentation surgery is no exception to this rule.

A second surgery to revise, correct, or “fix” a problematic breast implant surgery is almost always more difficult and complex than the first breast augmentation surgery, for several reasons. To begin with, there is often the presence of scar tissue that needs to be removed. Further, the breast surgeon is now working with skin, tissue and muscle that has already been “stretched” previously by the first breast implant surgery.

Top Birmingham board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast revision surgery for hundreds of women across Oakland County and the greater Detroit area, including: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield, and more. Because of his expertise, high standard of care, and exceptional results in even the most difficult cases, he is the surgeon that other physicians refer their patients to for breast revision surgery. With his unparalleled skill, years of expertise, and modern techniques, Dr. Ali can fix almost any breast implant problem, including: implant rupture, asymmetry, capsular contracture, implant size change, and more.

There are many reasons a woman may desire – or need – breast revision surgery. And the underlying reason or cause of the revision will determine the level of difficulty of the secondary revision surgery. In other words, certain other types of breast revision surgeries are easier than others.

Breast Revision Surgery for Capsular Contracture

The formation of a “capsule” of scar tissue around any kind of implant in the body – from a knee replacement to an artificial hip to breast implants – is a normal part of the healing process. However, when “capsular contracture” occurs, the body has produced scar tissue around a breast implant plant in a way that can distort the shape of the breast, result in “hardness” and cause pain.

Breast revision surgery for capsular contracture involves dealing with the formation of scar tissue that is impacting the implants – making it more complicated than the original surgery as well as more challenging than a simple breast implant replacement or repositioning.

Breast revision surgery for early stage capsular contracture, however, is less complicated and has a higher success rate than surgery for advanced capsular contracture where there is thickened scar tissue. So, if you have breast implants, it is important to see a breast revision specialist like Dr. Ali at the first sign of hardening, pain or distortion in shape in area of the breast implants.

Breast Revision Surgery for Implant Repositioning

Sometimes an unskilled surgeon my position breast implants too high, too far apart, or asymmetrically. In other cases breast implants may have “shifted” due to surgeon error, improper technique or trauma to the breast. Repositioning implants that have shifted or were poorly positioned originally may or may not involve scar tissue. However, even among repositioning surgeries, some are easier than others.

For example, breast revision surgery to lower breast implants is easier than surgery to raise implants. Similarly, moving implants outwards (toward the sides) is actually an easier surgery than moving the implants inward toward the center of the body.

And remember, any time breast implants are moved during breast revision surgery, the plastic surgeon is now working with skin that has already been stretched and sutured over the implant – and must be pulled and sewn up a second time.

Breast Revision Surgery for Leaks, “Pops” & Size Changes

Newer generations of implants are very unlikely to “pop” or “leak” thanks to advancements in breast implant materials. But some women may need to have older breast implants removed due to a leak or deflation (popping). In these cases, a skilled plastic surgeon is required to reopen the breast and “match” the new breast with the previously implanted breast on the other side. In these cases, precision, skill and accuracy are needed to maintain symmetry of size and positioning.

In a rare number of cases, a woman may simply no longer wish to have the larger breasts that she desired when she was younger for strictly personal aesthetic reasons. At AMAE Dr. Ali has also performed breast revision surgery on women who find that they “went too big” when they were younger and feel that the breast implants are now in the way or a little too ostentatious. In these cases Dr. Ali must remove the implant and replace it with a smaller one – or in some cases remove the implants entirely and return the breast to a natural pre-implant appearance.

Breast Revision Surgery Considerations

The location of the original breast implant incision can also affect the ease or difficulty of breast revision surgery. In many cases a breast revision surgeon will try to use the original incision, so that the patients does not end up with two scars.  If the original surgeon used a peri-areolar incision (around the outer edge of the lower areola) the new surgeon can reopen the scar and have a 360-degree view of tissues inside the breast. This technique enables more precision in releasing any scar tissue and modifying the original pocket.

But, in some case breast revision surgery requires placing the implant in a different plane than the first surgery in order to achieve the best results. For example, the old implants may have been placed over the muscle – while new ones need to be placed under the muscle (or vice-versa). This may enable the surgeon to place the replacement implants in an area where there is less scar tissue and less tissue damage or stretching from the first surgery.

As you can see from these many considerations, breast implant revision surgery is not a standard or routine procedure. Everyone’s breast revision surgery is different and must be tailored on an  individual case by case basis to safely and effectively meet the patient’s goals and desires. For this reason, breast revision surgery should ONLY be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Birmingham, Mi’s Dr. Ali, who is highly-trained and experienced in all types of breast surgery techniques and procedures.

Dr. Ali will listen to each patient’s breast revision goals and desires and will develop a unique, customized surgical plan to specifically to address all of the issues and challenges of a second surgery.

Birmingham, MI Top Breast Revision Surgeon

Top plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast revision surgery for hundreds of patients across Oakland County and the greater Detroit area, including: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield, and more.

Because of his expertise and exceptional results Dr. Ali is the surgeon to whom other surgeons refer their most difficult breast revision cases. If you are suffering from any breast implant problem, including implant rupture or leak, asymmetry, improper positioning, pain, hardness, scar tissue, capsular contracture, or the “wrong size” implants, Dr. Ali is here to help you.

No matter what problems or issues you are having with your breast implants, board certified breast revision surgeon Dr. Ali will listen to your concerns and help you find the solution.

Top Birmingham, MI Breast Revision Surgeon: 248-335-7200

The Steps of Breast Implant Removal Surgery

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What is Involved in Breast Implant Removal Surgery

While breast implant surgery removal is uncommon, there are certain circumstances when a woman wants or needs to remove previous breast implants. In some cases, this may be simply an aesthetic or a lifestyle choice. In other cases there may be medical reason necessitating implant removal.

Whatever, the reason, it is important to have the procedure performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in breast implant removal, to avoid complications and achieve the most beautiful and natural looking reconstruction of the breast.

Why Patients Have Breast Implants Removed

In a rare number of cases, a woman may no longer wish to have the larger breasts that she desired when she was younger for strictly personal aesthetic reasons. We have seen women who find that they “went too big” when they were younger and that the breast implants are now in the way or a little too ostentatious.

More common are women who desire breast implant removal because a less-than-skilled surgeon previously did not do a good job with their breast augmentation surgery. At AMAE Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, MI we have seen breast implants by other (unskilled) doctors that were uneven, placed too high, asymmetrical, oddly shaped, dropped or otherwise malformed.

New generations of implants are very unlikely to “pop” or “leak.” But some women may need to have older breast implants removed due to leaking or deflation. Other women may be experiencing pain, discomfort or breast hardening due to breast capsule (capsular contraction), which is the scar tissue that forms after the placement of a breast implant.

Breast implant removal surgery may involve replacement with more attractive implants – but can also involve natural reconstruction of the breasts without implants. In either case, the key to successful results is going to a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali in Birmingham, MI.

Breast Implant Removal Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia (putting the patient to sleep) are all administered for patient comfort during breast implant removal surgery. The selection of anesthetic will be discussed with you by Dr. Ali during your initial arm lift consultation.

Breast Implant Removal Step 2 – Incision

Typically a breast implant removal involves an incision to be placed along the lower fold of the breast (“inframammary fold”) or an incision around or below the areola.

Dr. Ali will select the best incision placement for optimal results with the least visible scar.

Breast Implant Removal Step 3 – Removal

The removal technique will depend on each patient’s unique needs. In cases of capsular contracture, scar tissue will need to be carefully removed and adhesions that hold tissue together released.

Breast Implant Removal Step 4 – Reconstruction

If the patient has chosen new implants, the breast augmentation procedure will begin. In other patients, Dr. Ali may be able to use their own tissue for breast reconstruction or reshaping of the area – to ensure a nature texture and appearance.

Breast Implant Removal Step 5 – Closing the Incisions

Sutures (stitches), skin adhesives, tapes and/or clips may be used to close the skin incisions. Gauze dressings or bandages will be applied – and thin drains may temporarily be inserted to remove excess blood and fluid in some cases. A support bra, surgical garment, or compression garment may be used to minimize swelling following breast implant removal surgery.

Dr. Ali will provide you with detailed instructions on caring for the incision, removal of the stitches (and drain if applicable), and medications to take for post-operative discomfort and to avoid infection.

It is extremely important that the incisions are not subjected to force, swelling, abrasion or excessive motion during the recovery – and Dr. Ali will explain what you can and can’t do and when you can return to your normal activities.

Most patients can resume work, school and less strenuous normal activities within two weeks. And by six weeks, the majority of patients are able to return to a completely normal activity level.

Remember: the fastest recovery, least pain and least visible scars all depend on following your plastic surgeon’s instructions after your arm lift surgery! Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling decreases – and it may take several months to see full results when all swelling has subsided. And, of course, continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Breast Implant Removal Surgery | Birmingham, MI

Top Birmingham board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast revision surgery for hundreds of women across Oakland County and the greater Detroit area, including: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield, and more.

Because of his expertise, high standard of care, and exceptional results in even the most difficult cases, he is the surgeon that other physicians refer their patients to for breast implant removal and breast revision surgery. With his years of expertise, caring demeanor and modern techniques, Dr. Ali can fix almost any breast implant problem, including: implant rupture, asymmetry, capsular contracture, implant size change, and more.

No matter what problems or issues you are having with your breast implants, board certified breast revision surgeon Dr. Ali will listen to your concerns and help you find the solution.

Breast Implant Removal Surgery | Birmingham, MI:  248-335-7200

The Steps of Arm Lift Surgery

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What Is Involved in Arm Lift Surgery

Unsightly loose skin that hangs down from the arms is one of the most common aesthetic concerns among both women and men. Sometimes loose arm skin is called bat wings, bingo wings, or simply flabby arms. But whatever you call it, it can be extremely frustrating, because it is not a condition that can be treated with exercise or dieting. In fact, weight loss often makes loose, hanging arm skin worse!

In addition to weight loss, flabby arms can be caused by age, heredity, gravity, and hormone loss. People who are physically inactive can lose as much as 3% to 5% of their muscle mass every decade after the age of 30. And, declining testosterone levels in men – and decreasing estrogen levels in women – also lead to muscle loss.

As a result, arm of any of these issues, arm tissue relaxes may become loose and saggy. Fortunately, arm lift surgery performed by renowned Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali can turn loose, flabby arms into tight, toned, sexy limbs.

There are different approaches to arm lift (brachioplasty surgery), depending on the severity of the sagging, the amount of extra skin, the quality of the skin, and whether or not fat also needs to be removed.

An arm lift procedure includes the following steps:

Arm Lift Surgery Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia (putting the patient to sleep) are all administered for patient comfort during arm lift surgery. The choice of anesthetic will be discussed with you by Dr. Ali during your initial arm lift consultation.

Arm Lift Surgery Step 2 – Incision

Incision length, location and pattern during arm lift surgery depends upon on the amount and the location of excess skin to be removed. Birmingham plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has performed hundreds of arm lift surgeries and is highly skilled in a variety of arm lift surgical techniques that can be customized to offer you the best results with the least visible scarring.

Arm lift incisions are typically placed on the inside of the arm (or sometimes on the back of the arm) where they are less visible. Depending on the patient’s unique needs the length of the incision may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow – but in many cases are smaller and more limited.

Arm Lift Surgery Step 3 – Fat Removal & Shaping

Excess skin and fat that needs to be removed Dr. Ali is then excised (removed) surgically. Dr. Ali may also determine that liposuction is the best fat removal procedure for the patient’s individual situation.

The underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures (stiches). Finally, the remaining skin is then placed back over the new contours and smoothed into position.

Arm Lift Surgery Step 4 – Closing the Incisions

The incisions will be closed either with stitches (sutures) that are absorbed by the body – or that will be removed within one to two weeks following arm lift surgery.

It is important to choose a skilled and highly experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali in Birmingham, MI to ensure that scars for these incisions are as well-concealed and as least visible as possible.

Dressings / bandages will be applied to the arm lift incisions, and upper the arms will typically be wrapped in an elastic bandage or compression garment to minimize swelling following surgery. In some, but not all, cases a small, thin tube may be temporarily inserted to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Arm Lift Surgery Step 5 – Recovery

You will need someone to drive you home due to the anesthetic and the incisions on your upper arms.

While the smoother, tighter contours from arm lift surgery are apparent almost immediately, the results will become more visible once the swelling and bruising subsides.

You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing, specific concerns to look for and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Dr. Ali will provide you with detailed instructions on caring for the incision, removal of the stitches (and drain if applicable), and medications you may take for post-operative discomfort. It is extremely important that the incisions are not subjected to force, swelling, abrasion or excessive motion during the recovery – and Dr. Ali will explain what you can and can’t do and when you can return to your normal activities.

Most patients can resume work, school and less strenuous normal activities within two weeks. And by six weeks, the majority of patients are able to return to a completely normal activity level.

Remember: the fastest recovery, least pain and least visible scars all depend on following your plastic surgeon’s instructions after your arm lift surgery!

Arm Lift Surgery | Birmingham, MI

Schedule an arm lift surgery consultation with Dr. Ali – and take the first step to looking and feeling fabulous and confident in sleeveless shirts, strapless dresses, swim suits, or even nothing at all!

Arm Lift Surgery Consultation | Birmingham, MI:  248-335-7200

The Different Types of Urinary Incontinence

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The Different Types of Urinary Incontinence

While sudden, unwanted bladder leaks affect up to 50% of females over the age of 50, urinary incontinence can affect women of all ages. Sadly, many of these women suffer in silence and don’t seek medical help because they are too embarrassed or because they assume it’s just an inevitable part of getting older.

At any age, bladder leaks can interfere with daily routines and seriously impact a woman’s quality of life. And the good news is that there are a variety of treatments that can reduce or eliminate bladder leaks.

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress incontinence is a conditions that occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are weakened due to pregnancy and delivery, hormonal changes, weigh gain or aging. When pressure or stress is put on the bladder and urethra during certain activities – like laughing, coughing, running, exercising, etc. – urine leaks can range from a few drops to much more.

Stress urinary incontinence is the most common cause of bladder leaks in women, especially women over the age of 50.

Urge Urinary Incontinence

Urge incontinence is also commonly known as “overactive bladder”.  With this condition, bladder leaks occur when the brain sends the wrong messages to your bladder at the wrong time. These nerve signals cause the bladder muscles to suddenly contract, creating a strong urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full.

Because the sensation to urinate is so strong, the woman is often unable to hold the urine long enough to get to a bathroom. Urge incontinence can be its own separate condition, or it may be a side effect of an underlying medical issues such as an infection (UTI), diabetes, or neurological damage.

Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Mixed incontinence can be even more frustrating because it is a combination of both stress and urge urinary incontinence. As such it can result in involuntary bladder leaks due to sneezing, coughing, or exertion, as well as sudden urges to urinate unrelated to any activity.

Overflow Urinary Incontinence

Overflow incontinence occurs due to weak bladder muscles and/or a blockage in the urinary system. If the bladder muscles to weak to completely empty the bladder, it can retain urine and become too full – resulting in Involuntary urine leakage.

Causes of overflow urinary incontinence include: medications, tumors, bladder and kidney stones, loss of sensation, and other medical conditions.

Functional Urinary Incontinence

Functional incontinence is not a disease in and of itself. It refers to being unable to reach the bathroom in time due to cognitive or mobility issues that aren’t related to the urinary system.

For example, immobility, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), can cause of functional incontinence from preventing a person to reach a toilet when they have an urge to urinate.

Viveve Treatment for Urinary Incontinence

Women CAN get relief from urinary incontinence and improve their quality of life with appropriate treatment.

The Viveve System – available at AMAE in Birmingham, MI – is a treatment designed to restore the health the pelvic area WITHOUT surgery. Viveve uses gentle, non-invasive radiofrequency energy to tightening the lax muscles which may help regain bladder control.

In clinical studies, Viveve has proven successful in treating stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence by strengthening weak pelvic floor muscles, improving blood flow, and supporting healthy nerve and tissue function in the pelvic floor.

Viveve is a simple one-time, in-office procedure that requires no incisions, no anesthetic, and no downtime.

In addition to treating urinary incontinence, Viveve tightens loose vaginal muscles, restores thickness and elasticity to vaginal walls, and can improve sexual desire and enjoyment!

Viveve Urinary Incontinence Treatment | Birmingham, MI:  248-335-7200

Buttock Augmentation Surgery vs. Butt Lift Surgery

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The Differences Between Buttock Augmentation & Butt Lift Surgery

It’s no secret that a full, shapely bottom is very in style right now! Kicked off by the Kardashian sisters in the early 2000s, the trend of a larger shapely behind is now en vogue with actresses, celebrities, and influencers, as well as everyday people.

For women born without a shapely behind, a variety of surgical treatments can give them the “butt” that nature and heredity did not. Buttock Augmentation (gluteal augmentation) and Butt Lift surgery can both be used to improve the contour, size, position and/or shape of the buttocks.

In this article board certified Birmingham, Mi plastic surgeon Dr. Ali discusses the differences between Buttock Augmentation and Butt Lift surgery to help you decide which is right for you.

Buttock Augmentation Surgery

Buttock Augmentation is a surgical procedure that enhances the “butt” through the use of buttock implants, fat grafting (transferring the patient’s own fat), or sometimes a combination of the two.

Butt implants are silicone-filled devices that are surgically placed deep within the tissues of the buttock. While butt implants can give a fuller and more rounded look, they are limited because they only deliver volume to one specific area of the behind –and cannot be sculpted and contoured. Buttocks implants also tend to feel less natural than when the body’s own fat is used.

Buttock augmentation with fat grafting involves the transfer of fat from one area of the patient’s body into the the buttocks. This is sometimes referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift. Buttock fat transfer can increase fullness, roundness and the projection of the butt. Typically fat is obtained by the plastic surgeon via liposuction from unwanted areas (such as the belly or thighs).

It is essential that any buttock augmentation – whether implants or a Brazilian Butt Lift fat transfer – be performed by a very skilled and experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Improperly performed butt augmentation surgery has potential for complications such as infection, capsular contracture (scar tissue formation), and wound healing problems. Butt implants can also become displaced or cause worse sagging over time.

Butt Lift Surgery

For the above reasons, many board certified plastic surgeons prefer butt lift surgery to buttock augmentation or Brazilian Butt Lift surgery.

Butt lift surgery (gluteal lift) improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports skin and fat in the buttock area. In many cases sufficient enhancement of the buttocks can be achieved with butt lift surgery – without the need for implants of fat grafting.

Aging, pregnancy, weight gain or loss, and hereditary factors can contribute to poor tissue elasticity that can result in sagging of the “butt cheeks”. Similarly, estrogen decline in women and testosterone decline in men can result in a loss of muscle mass that can also cause the buttocks to lose volume and tone that results in sagging and dropping.

During butt lift surgery, excess sagging skin is removed – and a higher, smoother and more pleasing contour is created. If fat removal is required, liposuction is sometimes added for better contouring. While a traditional gluteal lift will not make the butt larger, it can make it higher and rounder as well as improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface.

A Third Option: Sculptra Butt Filler

Sculptra is a relatively new filler that can be injected into the buttocks. The Sculptra provides a framework that induces the body to grow its own collagen around the product. Since the body is producing its own, new, living tissue the results last several years (rather than a few months like traditional fillers).

However, the results of are more subtle than butt lift or augmentation surgery – and cannot remove excess skin or fat from unwanted areas. Sculptra also generally requires a few sessions to get the full effect in larger areas like the buttocks to achieve sufficient results.

Butt Lift Surgery | Birmingham, MI

With this wide variety of butt augmentation and butt lifting procedures, 2022 can finally be the year that you get the firm, toned, shapely behind you want once and for all.

Bloomfield Hills area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women achieve beautiful, attractive curves with Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), Butt Lift Surgery and Sculptra injections. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali, and he will take the time to discuss your appearance goals and help you decide which butt augmentation procedure is right for you!

Butt Lift Surgery Consultation | Birmingham, MI:  248-335-7200

New Years Resolution: Lose Fat with Lipo or CoolSculpting

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Choose Lipo or CoolSculpting to Lose Fat in 2022!

Well, we ALL deserve a pat on the back for making it through 2021 – a year that will go down in the history books as one that nobody want to revisit. And now that 2022 is here it’s that time of year again for New Years Resolutions. Losing weight and getting in better shape is always the top New Years Resolution in the United States, year after year. And this year that more people than ever are concerned about their physiques after the weight gain caused by the sedentary lifestyle of the pandemic.

If you gained unwanted fat during the past two years, you are not alone! A survey by the American Psychological Association has reported that 42 percent of U.S. adults said they gained too much weight during quarantine. And popular website Statistica reports that 50% of Americans want to get in better shape in 2022 as their New Years Resolution! But, as we all know, that is much easier said than done.

The good news is that there are two highly effective ways to get rid of unwanted fat – without diet or exercise – now available at AMAE in Birmingham, MI. In fact, Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women and men in the Birmingham area – and across Wayne, Oakland & Macomb County – get the body they want with either Lipo or CoolSculpting!

But with two great fat-loss treatments, how do you know which procedure is right for you? In this article the fat loss experts at AMAE in Birmingham, MI discuss the general differences between Lipo and CoolSculpting. Remember every patient is unique, and what is the best procedure for one person may not be right for someone else. Take a look at the the details below and then schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali to see which fat loss method is best for you. He provides each patient with an evaluation and detailed answers to their questions, so that you can choose the best fat loss procedure to help you achieve your personal New Years Resolution!

Lipo Facts

Liposuction – commonly called  “Lipo” – is a minimally invasive surgical technique that removes excess fat deposits located between the skin and muscle. Lipo improves the body’s shape by surgically getting rid of stubborn “bulges” of fat that are resistant to exercise and dieting.

While lipo is a “fat loss” treatment, and not a weight loss method per se, up to 11 pounds of unwanted fat can safely be removed in a single lip procedure. In most cases Lipo can be performed under local anesthesia, and the patient can go home within a half hour after the procedure. The incision(s) made during Lipo are very small (less than 3mm) so there are no stitches and little to no visible scars.

The recovery time after Lipo is from 2 to 7 days before normal activity can be resumed – and there is both swelling and discomfort that gradually subsides over a period of 2 to 8 weeks.

Liposuction is very appealing to many people as a fat loss solution, because results are “immediate” – because the fat has been surgically and permanently “sucked out”. Once the swelling goes down, the fat loss is completely visible and while it is possible to gain weight after lipo, the fat cells in the treated are will never come back.

In addition to being performed on the “tummy” (abdomen, waist) Lipo can also  be used on many other parts of the body including the flanks (love handles), arms, thighs and butt, male breast area, and even the chin!

Lipo also generally works best for people who have good skin elasticity and muscle tone – and who do not have excess skin or loose abdominal muscles. Patients with mild to moderate loose skin may want to combine lipo with one of our state-of-the-art, non-surgical, laser or radiofrequency skin tightening treatments. And patients with excessive loose skin or stretched abdominal muscles may wish to consider surgical skin tightening (like a tummy tuck or arm lift).

CoolSculpting Facts

One of the easiest ways to lose fat in the New Year – without diet, exercise or downtime – is revolutionary CoolSculpting.

Like Lipo, CoolSculpting is primarily used to remove stubborn areas of fat that resist diet and exercise.  And, like Lipo, CoolSculpting is not a weight loss tool for obesity. However, CoolSculpting can reduce fat by up to 25% in the treated area – with no surgery and no downtime.

CoolSculpting is non-surgical and non-invasive – so there is no incision and no local anesthetic. This also means that there is virtually no recovery period! While lipo is generally done in one treatment, CoolSculpting typically involves multiple treatments – depending on the area(s) being treated and the amount of fat being removed.  CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells, which are then eliminated naturally by the body – so it takes a little more time to see results than with lipo. Most patients begin to see results within 4 weeks, and it may take 3 to 5 months to observe final results.

As an added benefit, CoolSculpting does have some skin tightening properties. It can also be combined with one of our advanced, non-surgical, laser or radiofrequency skin tightening treatments. Like lipo, however, CoolSculpting does not remedy loose abdominal muscles – which are better treated with a surgical tummy tuck.

Beware of Lipo or CoolSculpting Clinics With Only One Choice

The best way to determine whether Lipo or CoolSculpting treatment is best for you is to discuss your goals with a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali who offers BOTH Lipo AND CoolSculpting. AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Birmingham, MI offers both fat loss procedures. We will examine your skin, muscles, body, lifestyle and goals to help you choose the best procedure for your unique needs.

Always be very wary of doctors, clinic that only offer one type of fat loss or skin tightening procedure. They will likely steer or pressure you into the procedure they offer – even if another procedure would be better for your body, your goals or your lifestyle. Only a surgeon who offers BOTH procedures can give you the choices you need, so that you can choose the fat loss treatment that is best for you.

Best Lipo in Birmingham, MI

In sum, CoolSculpting is less invasive, and less uncomfortable than Lipo, with less downtime. But the CoolSculpting results take more treatments than Lipo – and the results of CoolSculpting take longer to be visible than Lipo. For patients with moderate skin laxity in the treated area AMAE also offers advanced, non-surgical skin tightening technologies. And, for patients with excess loose skin and/or stretched or torn abdominal muscles, Dr. Ali also offers surgical treatments that can tighten skin and muscles – such as tummy tucks and arm lifts.

Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women and men in the Birmingham, MI area and across Wayne, Oakland & Macomb County get the body they want with Lipo and CoolSculpting. He will be happy to offer you a consultation to help you understand your options and decide if Lipo or CoolSculpting is right for you.

And remember, financing options are also available!

Lipo & CoolSculpting | Birmingham, MI: 248-335-7200

New Year, New You – with a Mommy Makeover!

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Mommy Makeover: New Year, New You!

For most moms, the kids and everyone else comes first during the holidays. And while you love all of that family time, you’re probably a little exhausted! Now that the holiday hustle and bustle is over, the gifts are put away, and the kids are going back to school it’s time to do something FOR YOU – so why not consider a Mommy Makeover?

We know you wouldn’t trade being a mom for anything! But, many mom’s would like to trade-in their ‘mom-bod’ for a tight, toned , sexy new beach-bod. Well, now you CAN with a customized Mommy Makeover at AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

Having children drastically changes most women’s bodies. Lax stomach muscles, sagging abdominal skin, drooping breasts, and even a looser vagina are just a few of the unwanted “side effects” of childbirth. Not to mention the unwanted deposits of “baby weight” fat that won’t go away no – matter how much you diet or exercise.

But a Mommy Makeover is a custom combination of procedures that remedies any or all of these problems, and enables any Mommy to get her pre-baby body back – and love the way she looks!

A mommy makeover typically consists of three procedures: a tummy tuck; a breast lift and/or breast implants; and liposuction.  However, every Mom’s post pregnancy body changes are different – so we can customize a Mommy Makeover plan just for you with the exact procedures you need to get a body that looks as great (or even better!) than it did before pregnancy.

Mommy Makeover: Tummy Tuck

After pregnancy, excess skin in the belly area is often left. The stretching from carrying a child may cause the abdominal skin to lose its elasticity and not “bounce back” after delivery. Additionally, the abdominal muscles may also have become loose, stretched or even separated.

During the Mommy Makeover, a tummy tuck can pull the loose skin taut – and surgically tighten and repair abdominal muscles if necessary – to achieve a taught, flat stomach. In fact, many of our Detroit area patients report having the best “abs” of their life after a tummy tuck!

Mommy Makeover: Breast Lift and/or Implants

Many mothers, especially those who have breastfed, notice that their breasts lose volume and/or sag after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women who have had multiple children typically notice an even more pronounced effect on breast size, shape and tone.

During a Mommy Makeover, a breast lift can decrease sagginess, giving women higher, firmer, ‘perkier’, more youthful breasts. If desired, breast implants can be used to add volume and firmness to replace breast tissue lost after childbirth – or simply to give you the larger, rounder breasts that you never had.

Mommy Makeover: Liposuction

Liposuction can permanently get rid of those stubborn areas of fat that you just can’t get rid of – no matter how much you diet or exercise. During a Mommy Makeover, liposuction is used to suck out fat and smooth, flatten, and contour the body – especially the midsection.

For women who have less fat to lose or who prefer to lose fat without surgery, we also offer CoolSculpting fat loss.

Mommy Makeover: Vaginal Rejuvenation

Due to pregnancy, hormone loss or the aging process, 40% of women will experience looseness in the vagina (laxity) that can result in a loss of sexual sensation. And, after menopause, up to 50% of women experience vaginal pain, dryness and irritation.

But an exciting new, non-invasive radiofrequency vaginal rejuvenation treatment called Viveve can remedy all of these problems with just one 30 minute treatment! Viveve™ is a state-of-the-art vaginal tightening procedure recently approved by the FDA for use in the United States. It is a one-time treatment that uses radiofrequency (CMRF) to rejuvenate vaginal tissue and muscles.

Because Viveve™ is a nonsurgical treatment, it is painless and there is no downtime. You can even return to your normal activities – including exercise and sexual intimacy – immediately following your appointment. Additionally, Viveve can help remodel a distended or wrinkled labia, for a more attractive vaginal area.

And, for women with more extreme vaginal laxity and/or labia distention, surgical options such as vaginoplasty and/or labiaplasty can be incorporated into your Mommy Make Over at AMAE in the Detroit area.

Detroit Area’s Best Mommy Makeover

Busy mothers love a Mommy Makeover, because it’s “one and done” – and the recovery time for multiple procedures is condensed into one single timeframe. With a Mommy Makeover at AMAE Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, Detroit area women CAN “have it all” with just a single appointment!

If you are a Mommy – or any woman – who would like to experience a “new you” in the New Year call today to schedule a Mommy Makeover Consultation.

Detroit Area Mommy Makeover Consultation: 248-335-7200

6 Reasons We Love CoolSculpting for Fat Loss

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CoolSculpting: Lose That Fat in The New Year!

Congratulations are in order – we made it through 2021, and another Christmas in the time of COVID. We understand if you’re a little bit exhausted. And, if you are like most people you probably put on a few pound (or more) during quarantine as well as during the holidays. 2022 is time for a fresh start – and what better way to start the New Year than with affordable, effective fat loss treatments – that require NO dieting and NO exercise!

2022 is the perfect time to do something just for you. And CoolSculpting – for the body you’ve always wanted – is the perfect gift you can give yourself.

In this article the fat loss experts at AMAE Plastic Surgery and Med Spa explain why CoolSculpting is the perfect fat loss treatment for the New Year!

#1. CoolSculpting is Affordable

The average American family spent almost $1000 on gifts this holiday season. And people in the Rochester Hills, Troy, Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield area typically spent much more than this! How much did you spend on others this Christmas? Most people don’t think twice about pulling out their credit card to buy that “perfect gift” for their loved ones at Christmas. But few of us spend that kind of money on ourselves.

With CoolSculpting treatments starting under $1000 you can give yourself a better body, for less than you spent on Christmas gifts. And, through January 31, 2022, AMAE is offering new patients $250 OFF 6 or more CoolSculpting cycles – so you can start your fat loss journey right away.

#2. CoolSculpting Financing Is Available

With several easy financing options, you can give yourself the gift of fat loss today. We offer two easy and convenient financing options that enable patients to get CoolSculpting now and pay for it  over time?

Many of our patients have used the following lenders, and are very happy with the level of service they received and the way they were treated.

CoolSculpting Financing Companies:

#3. CoolSculpting is Permanent

CoolSculpting is the gift that keeps on giving year after year – because the fat loss results are permanent. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that literally freezes and kills unwanted fat cells. Once the fat cells are destroyed they are eliminated from the body, and they do not come back … ever!

This is because the number of fat cells a person has is set by the time they are adults. So, while you gain gain or lose weight, once fat cells are destroyed the body can never make new ones!

#4. CoolSculpting has No Downtime

Got a free hour? That’s typically all it takes for a CoolSculpting treatment! You can even have CoolSculpting done on your lunch break – and return to work the same day. Many Mom’s have it done while the kids are in school, and still pick up their children at the end of the school day.

Depending upon the number of areas to be treated, and the amount of fat to be removed, patients may need more than one treatment. But there is never any downtime afterward!

#5. CoolSculpting Fat Loss with No Diet & No Exercise

Heredity primarily determines where fat is stored on our bodies. That is why fat often does not respond to diet or exercise. And, most busy parents and business people just don’t have time to spend endless hours in the gym. Additionally, certain areas of the body – such as rolls of back fat or double chins – can’t effectively be reached with exercise.

But CoolSculpting eliminates fat – without diet or exercise! Patients simply lie back and relax while our certified CoolSculpting technician applies the applicator to the treated area. In less than an hour the fat cells are destroyed – and patients can return to their day.

#6. CoolSculpting Delivers Results Before Summer

January is the perfect time to consider CoolSculpting – because your results will be complete by the time swimsuit season rolls around.

Once the fat is frozen, your body’s lymphatic system will gradually remove the dead fat cells over time. Because it takes time for the body to eliminate the dead fat cells, CoolSculpting results start to be visible after 2 to 4 weeks. And it may take 2 months for more dramatic results, and up to 3 to 5 months to deliver complete and final results.

So January is the perfect time to get started! By June your body will be 100% bathing suit ready. Your partner, family and friends will be amazed at the “new you” that emerges from your winter sweater and into that bold bikini or bathing suit trunks!

CoolSculpting | Birmingham & Rochester Hills Area

Isn’t 2022 time you finally kept that fat loss resolution – and gave yourself the gift of a slimmer, trimmer body?

Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women and men across Oakland County, including Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Troy and the surrounding area lose fat, and get the body they want with CoolSculpting. He will be happy to offer you a consultation to help you understand how CoolSculpting can help you get the body you’ll love in 2022!

CoolSculpting Consultation: 248-335-7200