The condition is photosensitive. This means that the areas that are affected will be more sensitive to sunlight than those that are not

It is hard to predict whether the patches will spread, and by how much. The spread might take weeks, or the patches might remain stable for months or year

The lighter patches tend to be more visible in people with dark or tanned skin.

Causes

The exact causes of vitiligo are unclear. A number of factors may contribute

• an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system becomes overactive and destroys the melanocytes
• genetic oxidative stress imbalance
• a stressful event
• harm to the skin due to a critical sunburn or cut
• exposure to some chemicals
• heredity, as it may run in families
• a virus

Symptoms

The only symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of flat white spots or patches on the skin. The first white spot that becomes noticeable is often in an area that tends to be exposed to the sun. It starts as a simple spot, a little paler than the rest of the skin, but as time passes, this spot becomes paler until it turns white. The patches are irregular in shape. At times, the edges can become a little inflamed with a slight red tone, sometimes resulting in itchiness.

The effects of vitiligo vary between people. Some people may have only a handful of white dots that develop no further, while others develop larger white patches that join together and affect larger areas of skin.

Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body where fat cells are present, but they tend to appear on the shoulders, chest,trunk, neck, thighs, and armpits. In less common cases, they may also form in internal organs, bones, or muscles.

Lipomas feel soft and may move slightly under the skin when people press down on them. They usually grow slowly over a period of months or years and typically reach a size of around 2–3 centimeters (cm). Occasionally, people have giant lipomas, which can grow to more than 10 cm.

Causes

Doctors do not fully understand what causes a lipoma.

Some people inherit a faulty gene from their parents that can cause one or more lipomas. This is rare and is known as familial multiple lipomatosis.

Lipomas can occur more frequently in people with specific medical conditions, such as:

• Gardner’s syndrome
• Cowden syndrome
• Madelung’s disease
• adiposis dolorosa

Symptoms

A person with a lipoma will typically feel a soft, oval-shaped lump just beneath the skin. Lipomas are usually painless unless they affect joints, organs, nerves, or blood vessels. In most cases, they do not cause other symptoms

A person with a lipoma that occurs deeper under the skin may not be able to see or feel it. However, a deep lipoma may place pressure on internal organs or nerves and cause associated symptoms.

When is removal necessary?

Lipomas are usually harmless, so most people do not need to have surgery to remove them. People may want to remove a lipoma that:

• is cancerous
• is large or growing quickly
• causes bothersome symptoms, such as pain and discomfort
• interferes with normal body functions
• causes distress for cosmetic reasons
• the doctor is unable to confirm is a lipoma rather than another type of tumor

Removal procedure

A doctor can often remove a lipoma surgically. One method is to make a small cut in the skin and then squeeze out the lipoma. The person is usually under local anesthesia during the procedure and should be able to return home on the same day.

A doctor may need to make a more significant incision to remove larger lipomas entirely. It is also possible to remove some lipomas using liposuction. To do this, the doctor will need to cut into the lump and insert a thin, hollow tube through the incision. They will then use the tube to suck the mass of fat cells out of the body.

Reshaping the Body

Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and other factors all contribute to changes that happen to a woman’s body after having children. When exercise and diet programs are not enough to achieve the results patients want, they might want to consider a “mommy makeover” – which is a combination of procedures – to reshape their body

About a Mommy Makeover

Below are a few of the most typical procedures that women have as part of a mommy makeove

• Body contouring: Can include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to remove excess skin or fat for a flatter tummy, liposuction, and nonsurgical options to shape the body and eliminate fatty areas
• Breast surgery: Breast-lift or breast reduction to change the shape and/or size of the breasts
• Facial rejuvenation: Fillers and injectables, Botox, and nonsurgical options such as Ultherapy to decrease fine lines or wrinkles on the face, or lasers or chemical peels to remove dark spots on the skin
• Additional skin care treatments and services: Treatments for varicose veins on the legs, laser hair removal, permanent makeup (or cosmetic tattooing), skin care consultation for the ongoing care of the face, and services such as facials provided by licensed professionals including our aestheticians

Mommy Makeover: What to Expect

During an initial consultation, we talk with patients about their overall health and expectations, and discuss what options and procedures might work best. Mommy makeovers can be done on patients as young as their 20s. Recovery time will vary, depending on the surgical procedures involved.

For long-term results, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. We can recommend a diet and exercise plan to help patients maintain the long-term impact of a mommy makeover.

Buttock implants are silicone-filled devices that are surgically placed deep within the tissues of the buttock. Buttock augmentation through the use of fat grafting involves the transfer of fat from one area of the body into the tissues of the buttocks. This technique is sometimes referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift.

What buttock augmentation surgery can do

• Increase fullness, roundness and projection of your butt or buttocks
• Improve the balance of your figure
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

A buttock lift, or gluteal lift, improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports skin and fat in the buttock area.

What a buttock lift can’t do

Buttock lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat nor are they intended to add volume to the buttocks. Fat grafting, buttock implants or auto-augmentation (when some of your own tissue is left underneath the skin) can be used to add volume. Liposuction is sometimes added for better contouring.

Is a Buttock/Thigh Lift Right for You?

A thigh/buttock lift could be ideal if you are self-conscious about your lower body appearance and:

• You have lost some skin elasticity in your thigh, hip or buttock areas
• Your skin area sags or has an “orange peel” or dimpled appearance
• The appearance of your thigh improves dramatically when you lift the lax skin.

About the Procedure

Your surgeon will work with you during your initial consultation to determine which procedures will be most effective in achieving your desired result. There are many possible variations in the procedure to meet clothing or personal desires. To lift the inner thighs, the surgeon makes short incisions that extend from the back of the thigh/groin crease around to the buttock crease. If desired, side or back thigh lifts may be performed as separate procedures

Lifting the entire thigh and buttock (also known as a circumferential lower body lift) requires much longer incisions. The surgeon makes these incisions starting in the buttock crease, then extends around the groin, up and over the side of the abdomen, over the flank and across the back.

The arm lift procedure

On the day of your surgery, your doctor starts by marking your arm where they plan to make incisions. There are several ways of performing an arm lift, but the most common ones involve incisions on the inside or back your arms. Other options include an armpit incision or one that extends from the top of your elbow to your armpit.

Recovering from an arm lift

While you recover from surgery, you might need to wear a compression garment to control swelling. Your doctor might also insert a temporary drainage tube in your arm to drain any fluid or blood that builds up after surgery.

It’s important to also avoid smoking while you recover from an arm lift. Smoking slows down the healing process, which raises your risk of developing permanent scarring or infections. You should be able to return to work or school and resume some activities within two weeks. Within six weeks, you should be able to return to your normal activity level. Tell your doctor about any pain or problems moving after the initial recovery period.

A flabby abdomen is caused not only by the accumulation of fat, but also by the poor elasticity of the skin, excess skin, and the stretching of the inner girdle of connective tissue (abdominal fascia) and abdominal muscles that extends from the ribs to the pubic bone. This inner girdle, which holds the internal organs in place, is responsible for the tone and appearance of the abdomen

You might consider a tummy tuck if:

• You have a weak lower abdominal wall
• If you’ve previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.
• A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as a buttock lift (belt lipectomy).

What you can expect

After a tummy tuck, your abdominal incision and your bellybutton will likely be covered with surgical dressing. Small tubes might be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your bed will be positioned to keep your upper body slightly raised and your knees at an angle for the first few days after surgery. Members of your health care team will also help you walk as early as the first day after a tummy tuck to help prevent the formation of blood clots.

For the first three months after a tummy tuck, you’ll need to take care when moving and avoid positions that strain your incision line — such as quickly bending at the waist — to prevent the re-opening of the wound. In addition, you’ll need to schedule follow-up visits with your doctor for the next year.

VASER is short for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy of Resonance. This procedure uses a device that liquefies the fat cells before removing them from the body. The surgeon also applies tumescent fluid to the area, which helps break down the fat even more and also sedates the location

Candidates for High Definition Liposuction

The ideal candidate for HD lipo is in good shape, has a solid underlying musculature, and don’t have much fat that needs removing. If you want a “shredded” look, this procedure can help you get it.

You may not have much extra fat, but getting the look you want can be difficult without resorting to extreme measures. This procedure helps to change your body while keeping you healthy

What can you expect

The VASER ultrasound-assisted device sends out ultrasound waves that melt and loosen the fat. Next, the surgeon makes tiny, hidden incisions to insert the device that will remove the fat

When you get an HD lipo procedure done, you’ll be put under general anesthesia in a surgical facility. The procedure will be longer or shorter depending on what areas you’re getting treated and how many areas you want to be done.

After it’s over, you’ll be placed in a compression garment, which helps your blood circulate and lets you heal faster. You can expect to need 7 to 10 days away from work while you recover after the surgery