Alexandrina Saulis, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Hinsdale, IL 120 E. Ogden Avenue Suite #204
Hinsdale, IL 60521
630-920-9404

You may never have considered plastic surgery before, but if you've adopted an appropriate diet and exercise plan to help you improve liposuctionyour look and still have areas that won't respond to your lifestyle changes, liposuction, abdominoplasty or breast augmentation can help you achieve the body you've been working for. At Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Oak Brook and Naperville, IL, Dr. Alexandrina Saulis is board-certified in performing procedures like liposuctions, abdominoplasty and breast augmentation to help her patients improve their appearance and confidence about their bodies. Here is a brief overview of the process for each procedure.

What is an abdominoplasty? 
An abdominoplasty, often referred to as a "tummy tuck", is a surgical operation involving the removal of excess fat and skin from the abdomen and the tightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is popular for patients who have experienced excessive weight loss, or for women after pregnancy. 

What is the procedure like? 
A typical abdominoplasty takes about two to five hours. The patient is given a sedative during the procedure. A full abdominoplasty includes a horizontally-oriented incision between the pubic hairline and the naval. Once the skin is lifted, the abdominal muscles will be repaired. A second incision is sometimes necessary around the belly button to remove excess skin. Once this is finished, the upper abdomen skin is pulled down and the extra skin is trimmed. A new opening for the belly button is created. 

What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a popular surgical procedure where breast implants are used to increase the size of your breasts or restore volume. It is also a popular procedure for individuals after excessive weight loss or pregnancy. This procedure can increase fullness, improve balance to your figure, and the projection of your breasts. 

What is the procedure like?
After a sedative is given, Inconspicuous incisions are made to minimize visual scarring. Popular incisions include:

  • Peri-areolar incision: This is a half circle around the lower edge of the areola.
  • Infra-mammary incision: This is made in the fold where the lower part of the breast meets the chest wall.
  • Trans-axillary Incision: This is made in the armpit. Once the incision is made a channel to the breast is created, as well as a pocket for the implant.

Your doctor will discuss the best option for you based on desired breast size and the type of implant. After the incision is made, an implant made of a silicone outer shell will be placed into a pocket. This is either, under the pectoral muscle, or directly behind the breast tissue over the pectoral muscle. The implant will be filled with a saline solution until the desired size is reached. Once the incision is closed, drainage tubes may be inserted to remove excess liquid.

What is liposuction?

Often shortened to "lipo" by both doctors and patients, liposuction is a cosmetic procedure offered by your Oak Brook and Naperville plastic surgeon, Dr. Alexandrina Saulis, that eliminates excess fat deposits that have built up around the thighs, hips, abdomen, back, upper arms and even the chin and neck.

What is the procedure like?
A liposuction procedure  starts with an infusion of local anesthetic to help to numb the targeted areas. Tiny incisions in the skin will allow a thin tube, called a cannula, to loosen the structure of the fat deposits, which will then be suctioned out of the body through a vacuum attached to the tube. Your Oak Brook and Naperville plastic surgeon will discuss your goals with you and evaluate your condition to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction. Generally, healthy adult patients whose weight falls within 30% of where they want to be - for example, a person who weighs about 220 pounds and whose target weight is 150 would fit into this category - and who are dealing with stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to good diet and exercise habits make excellent candidates.

If you're wondering about any of these procedures, we encourage you to contact Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Oak Brook and Naperville, IL to set up a consultation with Dr. Alexandrina Saulis. We look forward to helping you!