Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery designed to enhance the abdomen’s appearance. This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. It is often chosen by those who have undergone significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, which can result in sagging skin and weakened abdominal muscles. It is ideally performed on patients who are near their goal weight and would like to improve the contour of their abdomen.

• Types of Procedures:

  • Mini abdominoplasty: addresses fat and skin below the umbilicus. This procedure is appropriate for patients with isolated soft tissue issues below the belly button and minimal separation of the rectus muscles.

  • Full Abdominoplasty: involves removing excess skin and fat of the entire abdomen while tightening the separation of the rectus muscles.

  • Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty: addresses both the vertical and horizontal laxity of the abdomen. The procedure is often recommended to patients with extensive soft tissue laxity, such as after massive weight loss.

     

• Post-Surgery Recovery: Recovery periods differ, but patients may experience swelling and discomfort, with most resuming normal activities within 3-6 weeks.

   

• Potential Risks: Like all surgeries, there are possible risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, seromas, venous thrombotic events, and anesthesia-related complications.

   

During your consultation, Dr. Liu will assess your individual anatomy and recommend the best surgery to meet your goals.

Hand Surgeries

We offer treatment of many common hand conditions including:

• Compression neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome

• Dupuytren’s disease

• Tendonitis

• Complex reconstructions after hand injuries

   

Post-surgery, patients often undergo rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility, which may include physical therapy and gradual return to normal activities. The success of hand surgeries largely depends on the type of surgery, the patient’s overall health, and adherence to rehabilitation protocols.

Liposuction

Liposuction can target localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. The procedure improves the body proportions and silhouette. In general, considerations are made to the quality of the skin after the fat is removed to determine whether or not liposuction alone is sufficient. Common areas of liposuction include under the chin, abdomen, flanks, thighs and axillae.

Risks of Liposuction

• Infection at the surgical site

• Scarring and skin irregularities

• Fluid accumulation (seromas)

• Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

• Changes in skin sensation

   

Recovery from Liposuction

• Initial recovery period typically lasts 1-2 weeks

• Swelling and bruising may persist for several weeks

• Compression garments may be required to support healing

• Gradual return to normal activities, with full results visible in several months

• Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring progress

Skin Cancer Surgeries

Common causes of skin cancer include extensive sun exposure, fair skin, advanced age, immunosuppression, family history and previous personal history of skin cancers.

Common types of cancers:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): It typically appears as a pearly or waxy bump and is often found on sun-exposed areas.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): SCC may appear as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly crust. It is also commonly associated with sun exposure.

• Melanoma: This is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. It can appear as a new mole or a change in an existing mole, often characterized by irregular borders and multiple colors.

Surgery is the main treatment for the majority of skin cancers. Dr Liu’s office quickly processes referrals from dermatologists or family doctors and Dr. Liu typically conducts both the excision and reconstruction in a single procedure.