By: Scott Green, MD

The Australian government recently banned excessively-skinny fashion models (read all about it here). I find it interesting that the Land Down Under points the finger at photo-editing programs like Adobe Photoshop and how they have “retouched” our concepts of beauty.

It’s true that in Photoshop, anything can be added, removed or redone, resulting in bodies that skew our perceptions of “normal.” But are the images to blame, or are we creating these images based on a deeper and more ingrained sense of beauty? Should the images we see in advertising be taken literally?

Responsibilities of Image-Makers

In the U.S., since we don’t have a law like this, it’s still an “anything goes” world when it comes to retouching images in the media. And there’s no doubt that images of “perfect” bodies and “perfect” faces can easily cause anxiety and impact the self esteem of teens and adults alike. Does the media have an obligation to be more “real”? I’ll admit this isn’t my area of expertise, so I’d love to hear from you on this issue.

Responsibilities of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons

I have a little more to say when it comes to how cosmetic and plastic surgeons should be advising their patients in light of some of the unrealistic expectations out there today. Like pretty much all Sacramento plastic surgeons, I encourage patients to seek natural-looking results with cosmetic surgery rather than the type of “perfection” magazines offer.

With just a few clicks of the mouse in Photoshop, eyes become brighter, lips become fuller, and waistlines become slimmer. Such easy and painless revision isn’t possible in the real world. Some imperfection or slight variation is inevitable following a cosmetic surgery procedure, so trying to live up to media portrayals of beauty is a no-win situation. Having a healthy understanding of and respect for what cosmetic surgery can do is the way to go.

Women and men with legitimate cosmetic concerns can benefit greatly from plastic surgery procedures. I see it every day. If there’s something about the way you look that you don’t quite like, I encourage you to think about the reasons why, doing your homework and exploring some “before and after” photos of real patients to see if the results you can achieve are really the result you want.

By: Dr. Kevin Rose, MD

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can be a great way to transform your midsection. It can remove excess fat and skin while tightening muscles of the abdominal wall. Often as part of a tummy tuck, the belly button is relocated or recreated. This part of the procedure is called an umbilicoplasty, and in a few cases, it may be performed even without a tummy tuck.

Umbilicoplasty Fast Facts

• Some people are self-conscious about the appearance of their navel. Whether you have an outie (a belly button that protrudes out) or an innie (one that does not protrude), an umbilicoplasty can help you achieve a more appealing belly button.
• An umbilicoplasty is designed to reshape the navel to create a more desirable appearance. The shape of your belly button is determined from birth, but the shape can change over time due to factors such as pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or a hernia.
• Changing an “outie” to an “innie” is not the only reason for umbilicoplasty. Some patients would like to make a horizontal navel more vertical, or even into a T-shape, where the belly button has a slight overhang of skin.

Would you consider an umbilicoplasty to improve the look of your midsection, even if you didn’t want to have a tummy tuck? I think there are good reasons why this isn’t a popular procedure on its own, but tell me what you think – share your thoughts below.

By: Dr. Jason B. Lichten, MD, FACS

Abdominoplasty, often referred to as a tummy tuck, is popular among my Columbus, Ohio patients (as well as men and women throughout the United States). Many of my patients choose this procedure because they want a smoother and flatter stomach, one that will be proportional to the rest of their body. A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal fat and skin and tightens abdominal muscles.

Most people understand these basic facts about abdominoplasty; what they may not realize is that, especially when receiving a full tummy tuck, the position of the belly button may need to be changed.

During a full tummy tuck:

1. An incision is made from hip to hip, above the pubic area.
2. Another incision is made to free the navel of surrounding skin.
3. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall, and muscles are restructured.
4. Excess skin and fat are removed.
5. The old belly button stalk is brought out through a new hole.
6. Liposuction may be used to refine specific areas.

It should be noted that this does not need to happen in all cases. A skilled plastic surgeon will personalize the tummy tuck procedure for each patient, so each surgery is slightly different. If you’re considering a tummy tuck, meet with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about how the procedure would affect the position of your belly button.