Surgical Body Contouring
"I select only those surgeries that have a greater than 90% likelihood of a positive outcome. Period." — Dr. Bart Rademaker
Tummy Tucks (abdominoplasty) A thin incision, from one hipbone to the other and largely hidden in the bikini line, allows Dr. Rademaker to gently lift the skin and fat from the muscle while leaving the belly button in its place. If the abdominal muscle is weak, as it often is, it’s tightened with sutures. While you’re prone the flap is pulled down into place and the excess skin and fat are cut away. Then you’re placed in a semi-sitting position to allow as much skin as possible to be removed before muscle and skin are sewn. Many patients request liposuction along with a tummy tuck. Usually, when it’s necessary, liposuction is safe. Just bear in mind that abdominoplasty can be a relatively long procedure so make sure you discuss your circumstances with Dr. Rademaker. That way you’ll know what to expect.
Thigh Lifts are done in one of two ways. If the skin is relatively tight, an incision in the crease of the groin will allow liposuction access. Alternatively, if there is a lot of loose skin, Dr. Rademaker will make a vertical incision along the thigh to above the knee, avoiding the muscle. He cuts away the fat and excess skin and closes up.
Buttock Lifts are more popular than ever. Although there are a couple of techniques in play, Dr. Rademaker will only perform fat grafts and, increasingly, grafts with stem cell-infused fat for the best and longest lasting results. The butt is a large, dynamic area with a muscle that is very sensitive to pressure changes. Transferring your own soft adipose tissue works well, adding padding and lift in a relatively easy and safe way. While using fat alone will yield wonderful results, stem cell-enriched fat makes the graft last longer.
After careful study, Dr. Rademaker does not recommend implants or the surgical removal of tissue.
“Neither of those have good track records for good outcomes and happy people. With implants, you’re putting a relatively hard piece of material in an area that’s constantly moving, sitting standing, walking with all the associated stressors. There’s an increased risk of malposition, muscle atrophy, pain, infection and shifts in anatomical structures – bone and cartilage. With surgical excision, you actually cut and reposition the crease. It works for the rare patient but those aren’t the odds we’re going for. 90% is our threshold. It works for our patients and for us.”