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Pregnancy can be such a beautiful experience and exciting time in a women’s life. But the effects it causes on your body afterwards can leave you feeling not so beautiful. Skin can be left splotchy and discolored, even loose and saggy. Richmond Aesthetic Surgery can help you with all of this! You can have that pre-baby body back – or an even more improved version, in no time!

Loose skin occurs mainly in the stomach area due to stretching of the skin because of damaged elastin and collagen fibers. The amount of loose skin and excess fat determines which treatment is best. Liposuction is ideal for pockets of fat that are difficult to eliminate and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is ideal for loose, excess skin with laxity in their abdominal wall.

This can also happen in the breasts due to dramatic size and shape changes following pregnancy and breast-feeding. The breasts can become deflated and low-positioned. A breast lift alone can benefit some women, while others may benefit from both a breast lift with breast implants to create additional volume that has been lost.

Richmond Aesthetic Surgery offers complimentary consultations, call today so we can help you get that pre-baby body back!

Dr. Neil Zemmel discusses how patients may benefit from a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combination of the two.

Richmond, VA – Dr. Neil Zemmel, a plastic surgeon in Richmond, says his patients often express frustration over the difficulty of losing fat deposits on their body that seem resistant to diet and exercise. For these areas, surgical intervention is sometimes necessary. He acknowledges that all bodies are different and says a solution for one person may not be appropriate for another. Depending on each patient’s situation, Dr. Zemmel says he might recommend liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a combination of the two procedures. “Our comprehensive treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s individual body shape, goals, and desires,” he says.

In a blog post entitled, “What You Need To Know About The Tummy Tuck,” Dr. Zemmel says many patients consider a full or mini tummy tuck in order to remove excess skin after a pregnancy or extreme weight loss, get rid of severe stretch marks, or simply to flatten their abdominal wall and tighten the muscles underneath. He notes that some patients might also seek a tummy tuck to improve the shape or contour of their belly button. Dr. Zemmel explains some patients may also elect to undergo liposuction in combination with their tummy tuck in order to remove fatty deposits found in areas such as the flanks, back, and inner or outer thighs.

When considering a tummy tuck or liposuction, Dr. Zemmel cautions patients to be aware that there can be risks associated with these surgeries. He stresses the importance of patient safety, noting that at his Richmond plastic surgery practice he strives to provide the highest level of patient care through methods that will minimize complications and maximize healing at the surgical sites. He says this can lead to not only an excellent cosmetic result, but also a safe surgical recovery:

“Most of our body contouring patients are admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. This allows us to carefully monitor their recovery during the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This period of time is critical in obtaining a safe and uncomplicated recovery and we believe is one of the main reasons our patients have an extremely low complication rate after surgery.”

The Richmond plastic surgeon urges those who feel these procedures may be right for them to seek consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. In consultations with his patients, Dr. Zemmel says he takes the time to get to know his patients on an individual level, discusses their surgical options, then conducts a physical exam in order to determine a comprehensive treatment plan that is personalized to them.

About Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS

Dr. Neil Zemmel is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After medical school, he was selected to train in a highly competitive six-year plastic and reconstructive surgery program at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received comprehensive surgical training and performed many complex reconstructive procedures. He is currently an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Zemmel is available for interview upon request.

Not all surgeries are performed in a hospital. Although some doctors operate in office-based facilities, Dr. Zemmel prefers performing his surgical procedures in the hospital. He chooses to do them in the hospital for several reasons, including pain management and as a safety precaution. In the event of an emergency, they will have the proper equipment and staff on hand to deal with the problem. Your safety is our first priority; therefore the hospital meets all accreditation standards. Dr. Zemmel had privileges at several hospitals in the Metro Richmond area. Feel free to discuss this during your consultation visit if you have a preference.

Breast reconstruction enables women to feel whole again, not only physically but also emotionally. Many women, unfortunately, are not made aware of their breast reconstruction options. Richmond Aesthetic Surgery encourages all women facing surgery for breast cancer to research their options and seek a referral or consultation with a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction.

One of the best things about breast reconstruction is that it can be performed at any time. There are several reconstructive options ranging from breast implants to using the patient’s own tissue. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy, also known as “immediate reconstruction” or any time after mastectomy, also known as “delayed reconstruction”. Those who are candidates, immediate reconstruction after mastectomy, can produce the most “natural” results while avoiding the experience of a flat chest altogether. In some cases, breast reconstruction cannot be performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Reasons such as advanced breast cancer (stage III or IV), inflammatory breast cancer, plans for radiation therapy after mastectomy, or lack of access to a reconstructive plastic surgeon. Richmond Aesthetic Surgery would like to help you with your breast reconstruction options. Feel free to contact our office anytime with questions or come in for a consultation visit.

The American male grooming market is worth $3.5 billion. Men seem to be changing their outlook towards a number of issues that seemed previously to be preserved for women. Feeling the need to look youthful and appear dynamic well into your 40s, 50s, and 60s has led many men to change their attitudes towards pills, diet, exercise, face-care products and cosmetic surgery. Statistics from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) show that cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular with men. It’s a way to deal with image maintenance and change, as well as the pressure to feel that you can still compete with the “young bucks” in the workplace. According to the ASAPS, the top 5 cosmetic surgery for men are:

• Nose Reshaping
• Hair Transplantation
• Eyelid Surgery
• Liposuction
• Breast Reductions (Gynecomastia)

Minimally invasive procedures like Botox and Juvederm injections, laser hair removal, and other related procedures, jumped 41% over 2002. You don’t need to feel ashamed or that you are alone. Men, you have just as much of a right to feel good about yourself as women do! Contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery to learn more about your options today

With age our skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag.  The skin on our neck and face are often the first to show these common signs of aging.  Dr. Neil J. Zemmel has helped many men and women achieve a smoother, tighter and youthful appearance through a Neck Lift.  A Neck Lift procedure can be done in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as Face Lift, Brow Lift, and Eyelid Lift surgeries.  Contact our office to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Zemmel and allow him to help guide you to a more youthful, vibrant looking you!

Dr. Neil Zemmel provides patients with a variety of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options

Richmond, VA – Dr. Neil Zemmel offers a variety of surgical and nonsurgical facial procedures at his Richmond plastic surgery practice. His goal is to provide each patient with safe, effective procedures that yield natural-looking results and boost self-confidence. Richmond Aesthetic Surgery’s Med Spa offers patients nonsurgical cosmetic treatments to replenish skin, reduce signs of aging, and improve common skin conditions to maintain a youthful, vibrant appearance.

Richmond Aesthetic Surgery’s Med Spa offers a wide variety of nonsurgical treatment options including:

• BOTOX® Cosmetic
• JUVEDERM®
• Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing
• Chemical peels
• Medical grade facials
• Laser hair removal

Dr. Zemmel says surgical facial procedures are more invasive treatments that require incisions, anesthesia, and are performed in the hospital with an anesthesiologist. While surgical procedures provide a more dramatic change in appearance, some patients opt for less invasive, subtler approaches to facial rejuvenation. Dr. Zemmel notes that these nonsurgical treatments do not involve incisions or long recovery times, and serve as alternatives for patients who may not need invasive treatment to achieve their desired results.

Nonsurgical facial procedures provide benefits such as:

• Reduction of minor wrinkles
• Reduction of sun damage and age spots
• Reduction of minor scarring
• Soft tissue augmentation of the face
• Lip augmentation
• Treatment of thickened labionasal folds
• Tightening of skin
• Smoothing out discoloration or hyperpigmentation

Dr. Zemmel, a Richmond plastic surgeon, says that during their initial consultation at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery’s Med Spa, patients will be given an overview of their options and a customized treatment plan to achieve their individual needs. The Med Spa also offers packages that include a series of treatments to help patients attain healthier-looking skin with a smoother, more youthful sheen.

About Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS

A graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Dr. Neil Zemmel earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. He has also lectured on a wide range of topics including the latest techniques in liposuction, artificial skin technology, breast reconstruction, and new facial rejuvenation techniques. Dr. Zemmel currently serves as a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the Director of Plastic Surgery Services at St. Francis Hospital. He is available for interview upon request.

Do you lift your arm up to wave and your underarm “jiggle” keeps it going even after you’ve said your hello? You are not alone! We all have areas of stubborn fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. It is not something that just happens to older people; younger people have stubborn fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise too. It is also very common after weight loss to have excess sagging skin under the arms.

A great option for your underarm jiggle is Brachioplasty, also known as an Arm Lift. Brachioplasty is a procedure which removes the excess skin and liposuctions out those stubborn fat cells which results in a tighter, more defined arm. Brachioplasty, generally performed for sagging skin from extensive weight loss, can also be done in conjunction with other body lift procedures like tummy tucks, thigh lifts, face and neck lifts. Come in for a consultation and find out what procedures would be best for you.

Dr. Neil Zemmel offers liposuction and tummy tuck procedures at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery to help patients feel better about their appearance

Richmond, VA – Board-certified Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Neil Zemmel seeks to provide his patients with safe, effective procedures that yield natural-looking results and boost self-confidence. At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Zemmel specializes in body contouring procedures including tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. He divides these procedures into two different categories with distinctly different goals in mind. However, patients also have the option of combining the two treatments if needed.

According to Dr. Zemmel, liposuction is the preferred treatment for patients experiencing isolated pockets of fatty tissue that are resistant to diet and exercise. As a sculpting operation that treats fatty tissue beneath the surface of the skin, liposuction can be used to treat several areas of the body including:

• Abdominal wall
• Flanks
• Hips
• Inner and outer thighs
• Arms
• Chin
• Neck

Tummy tuck procedures, on the other hand, are utilized to remove skin from the anterior abdominal wall while simultaneously tightening up the underlying musculature. Dr. Zemmel considers tummy tuck treatments ideal for patients who:

• Carry excess loose skin
• Have stretch marks across the front of the abdomen
• Possess significant muscle laxity

Dr. Zemmel says many patients opt to use liposuction in conjunction with a tummy tuck in order to refine an otherwise standard tummy tuck procedure.

Dr. Zemmel also highlights cases in which a patient might possess circumferential laxity – laxity on the front of the abdominal wall as well as on the back of the trunk. For these Richmond plastic surgery patients, a circumferential body lift can be offered. This procedure is intended for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight or have undergone gastric bypass surgery and require a body contouring procedure to accommodate the dramatic change.

About Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS
Dr. Neil Zemmel is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and continued his work toward his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. He participates annually in medical missions to Guatemala with the Operation Kids surgical mission group and performs cleft lip, cleft palate, and burn reconstructions to those in need. Dr. Zemmel is currently the Director of Plastic Surgery Services at St. Francis Hospital and serves as a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is available for interview upon request.