Blog - Krummen Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

How Kybella Injections Can Dissolve Your Double Chin

nice long hairdo optimistic lady without clothes hand neck closed eyes When your profile shows off the dreaded double chin that just won’t go away despite your efforts at diet and exercise, do not distress. You can improve your profile from any angle and be free from those annoying fat deposits under your chin by treating yourself to Kybella. Using Kybella injections, submental fat can be contoured away from your under-chin area by the skills of Donna Krummen, MD FACS, practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kybella Injections Are Designed to Dissipate a Double Chin

Approved by the FDA in 2015, Kybella is the first non-surgical, treatment designed to dissolve the double chin fat pocket that is exasperating for many men and women. Kybella is an alternative to liposuction or other invasive surgery. A synthetic version of deoxycholic acid injected into the target area of concern to destroy fat cells. This cytolytic medication breaks down subcutaneous fat by destroying the cell membrane in one’s digestive tract. Over a span of several weeks, the dissolved fat becomes cellular debris and is cleared through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, ultimately to be excreted as waste.

Candidates for Kybella Injections

It is very challenging to address double chin fat through contemporary weight loss and exercise regimens. This is because submental fat is very resistant to even the most stringent diet and exercise regimen.

The following factors will determine if you’re an ideal Kybella candidate:

You want a non-invasive procedure to reduce your double chin
You are close to your BMI and weight goals
You have a double chin that is diet/exercise resistant
You lead a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and exercise regimen

Kybella is not a weight-loss tool. It is a very effective cosmetic procedure to lose your unwanted double chin fat and have a smoothly defined facial profile from every angle.

Melt Away Your Double Chin with Kybella Injections

Get rid of your bothersome double chin by scheduling a consultation with Donna Krummen, MD FACS, at her Cincinnati, Ohio practice, by calling 513-985-0850. Bolster your self-confidence by taking advantage of Kybella injections or other nonsurgical profile procedures Dr. Krummen offers, such as a facial peel.

SkinPen Microneedling Away Your Facial Imperfections

Microneedling

35 year old blonde woman with clean fresh face and hands with long hair SkinPen Microneedling continues to gain popularity as the latest, non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment for reducing facial imperfections. Microneedling is collagen induction therapy. Donna Krummen, MD FACS, endorses SkinPen as the latest microneedling technology for achieving a glowing, youthful facial profile. SkinPen is a device used to rejuvenate the skin for a younger facial profile that you can fall in love with.

SkinPen Microneedling Benefits

SkinPen is a tool designed to stimulate the skin’s natural ability to produce new collagen with no recovery time or major side effects. Collagen induction results in cell turnover and rejuvenation.

The production of new collagen creates healthier skin and is used to lessen the appearance of:

Acne scars
Stretch marks
Age spots
Sun damage spots
Hyperpigmentation
Fine lines
Wrinkles

The benefits of SkinPen are accelerated by helping your skincare products penetrate the deep layers of skin as a further means of reducing the signs of aging.

SkinPen and Acne Treatment

SkinPen is known for its treatment of severe acne and scars.

The SkinPen Microneedling device produces extra collagen to encourage cell turnover by:

Unclogging pores and helping acne medications be more effective
Shrinking enlarged pores to prevent the overproduction of oil by the skin
Replacing discolored skin cells scarred by acne by replacing dead, upper layer cells with new, healthy, young cells

SkinPen Procedure and Results

Before the procedure begins, you will be topically numbed with cream for comfort during treatment.

SkinPen Microneedling treatment lasts approximately 60 minutes and entails:

The use of tiny needles to create microscopic injuries in the epidermis and dermis over the target areas of skin condition concern
These microscopic injuries to the skin trigger the production of collagen and elastin to rejuvenate smoother, younger-looking skin
Healthy skin cells are rejuvenated from the inside layers to the outer layers

The resulting goal is to achieve evenly toned, firm, and glowing skin. The number of SkinPen sessions a client needs will depend on the skin condition being treated and their desired result.

Try SkinPen Microneedling to Boost Your Self-Confidence

Schedule a SkinPen Microneedling consultation with Donna Krummen, MD FACS, at her Cincinnati, Ohio practice, by calling 513-985-0850.

Here’s How to Enjoy Lasting Results from Cosmetic Treatments

Plastic Surgery

woman is swinging on a swing in summer pine forest. One of the most phenomenal feelings is to see yourself as you’ve always imagined. We witness this every day as we follow-up with patients after various plastic surgery procedures. As surgical side effects diminish, the beautiful outcome of surgery becomes more apparent. For patients who’ve refreshed using injectables, there is very little time in between their treatment and their Big Reveal. Once these improvements are out in the open to be thoroughly enjoyed, patients often want to know how long they can last. It’s important to know what you can do to prolong the beauty that has been achieved through your chosen cosmetic treatment. Here, we discuss all things maintenance.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Advice

Your post-operative care instructions may seem relatively general, but they are put together in a way that reflects familiarity with both the procedure and your unique medical history. The intent with post-op care instructions is to ease the recovery process, maximize healing, and decrease the risks of complications like infection and prolonged pain. If you have questions about your post-op care, contact the office right away. We’re here to support you!

Protect Your Skin

Sun exposure is incredibly detrimental to the skin, especially after plastic surgery or other cosmetic treatments. It is critical to understand that some UV light can permeate a thick cloud layer, and that UV light is damaging to the skin. After cosmetic treatments, make it a habit to apply about half a teaspoon of sunscreen to the face every single day. Apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen to the skin on the body that is exposed to sunlight, and strictly avoid direct UV exposure to operative areas. For example, it is not recommended to lay by the pool wearing a bikini and no sunscreen after having abdominoplasty or breast surgery.

Stay Healthy

Regardless of whether you’ve had a facelift for rejuvenation or you’ve had liposuction and a tummy tuck, there are significant benefits to maintaining a healthy diet. Clearly, eating whole, fresh foods supports weight management that can foster long-term results from body-shaping procedures. Additionally, though, this type of diet, one that is low in processed foods, salt, and sugar, nourishes the body with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work against premature aging.

Engage in Maintenance Treatments

There are ways to maintain just about every type of cosmetic improvement one gets from plastic surgery or other treatments. If you’ve had a facelift, for example, you could manage your long-term results by getting skin-tightening treatments every now and then, or by getting injectables like Botox and dermal fillers to ward off new signs of aging. If you’ve had a body-contouring procedure, consider how occasional massages or lymphatic drainage can help promote the longest-lasting physical improvement.

We love performing cosmetic treatments to help our patients feel their best, and assistance for the long-term management of their beautiful results. To schedule a consultation at our Cincinnati office, contact us at 513.985.0850.

Does My Weight Factor Into My Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)

Muscular man measuring his body with tape measure in studio Many people want better body contours. This can look different for every patient we see. Some want to build an hourglass figure by enlarging their breasts. Some want to slim their thighs or their midsection. When it comes to the abdominal area, tummy tuck surgery and liposuction are the two leading procedures known to achieve outstanding results. A tummy tuck is a procedure in which contours are refined by the tightening of the abdominal muscles, connective tissue, and the skin. Liposuction, on the other hand, is a fat-reduction procedure. It should come as no surprise to hear that the vast majority of people who seek abdominoplasty are slightly overweight. Still, there is a limit to how far away one can be from their ideal weight and still be a good candidate for this surgery. Even if liposuction were to be performed as an ancillary contouring technique, some patients are advised by their surgeon to lose weight before they can be considered for a tummy tuck. We understand that this can feel deflating, so we want to discuss the matter here.

Does Weight Really Affect Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Your weight does affect your candidacy for a tummy tuck, but what your doctor really measures is your BMI. This is your body mass index. It indicates your weight in relation to your height. So, for a person who is 5 feet 10 inches, a weight of 150 is well within a healthy BMI range. A weight of 150 for a person standing 5 feet 2 inches would be within a BMI considered overweight. However, even in this scenario, the body mass index would be right around 28, which would still be within range to have a tummy tuck, provided that other criteria are met. Where we come up against concerns is when body mass index measures higher than 30. At that point, we not only face greater surgical risks but also more significant risks of post-operative complications. For these reasons and more, doctors usually recommend that patients lose enough weight to reach a BMI of 30 or lower and also maintain that BMI for at least six months before having surgery.

Why Weight Matters

There are a few reasons why it is beneficial to have abdominoplasty after reaching a goal weight, which should be within a healthy BMI range. Both are equally important but one tends to have a little more pull with the patient. If you have a tummy tuck and then you decide to lose more weight to feel even better about your appearance (this is not uncommon), your weight loss could result in a puckered appearance in the abdominal area. This can happen because the fatty tissue under the skin provides some amount of volume and, with fat loss can come deflation. Your surgeon is also very likely concerned about your final cosmetic outcome because they are in the business of helping patients look and feel more beautiful inside and out. Furthermore, the surgeon must consider the ways in which a higher BMI affects the body as a whole. The physical systems of the body all play a role in healing after surgery and BMI affects them all. The higher your BMI, the more taxed your immune system is and, as a result, the higher your risk of infection and post-surgical complications. In this regard, the recommendation to lose weight before a tummy tuck is made to enable the body to heal optimally and provide you with the longest-lasting results.

Abdominoplasty is a leading plastic surgery procedure that offers the reward of significantly better body contours. To learn more about the procedure and what it can do for you, contact our Cincinnati office for a consultation. 513.985.0850.

Does Breast Augmentation Hurt?

Breast Augmentation

sexy young woman model in sexy dress If you are considering having breast augmentation, you should feel filled with excitement and empowerment, not worry. Having breast augmentation can be an enjoyable journey that results in years of rewarding confidence and satisfaction. But thoughts about potential pain or complications can blunt the process right from the start. If you’re thinking of breast augmentation, it’s only natural that you may be thinking about pain. You may be wondering if the procedure will hurt and how much pain may occur. Most patients have this question, but not all of them ask about it. So, we will discuss it here.

What Should I Expect with Breast Augmentation?

Does breast augmentation surgery hurt? This is part one of a two-part question. Each part deserves a clear and thoughtful response. Breast augmentation surgery is performed using general anesthesia. Before your surgery begins, a board-certified anesthesiologist ensures that you are in the “sweet spot” of sedation. In this sweet spot, your brain will not register pain. Your brain will not form memory, so you will not feel anything nor will you be aware of time in the present moment. General anesthesia is the most commonly used form of sedation and pain management during all kinds of surgeries performed today. It has a long and strong track record of safety and efficacy, so you can feel confident knowing that you will not feel a thing during your breast augmentation procedure.

Does breast augmentation hurt? Clearly, the process of placing breast implants beneath the skin, fatty tissue, and muscle causes some disruption to nerve endings, blood vessels, and more. Even with the most careful techniques, the surgeon will alter the formation of these tissues. Pain is the natural byproduct of this disruption. That said, patients do not describe their breast augmentation recovery as painful. When patients wake up from general anesthesia, they usually say something along the lines of “my chest feels heavy.” This is due to the combination of pressure from the breast implants themselves and pressure from the compression garment that is applied to minimize swelling. The heaviness can feel like someone is sitting on the chest. It isn’t the most comfortable but also isn’t necessarily painful. What may feel painful is the tenderness and soreness that result from incisions and tissue expansion around the breast implants. To ensure that pain does not become worse, patients are advised to take their prescription painkillers exactly as directed, even when they feel like they may get by without it. It’s important to keep in mind that, for at least three to four days, it is the prescription pain medication that is creating comfort. Within about a week, it becomes possible to comfortably switch to over-the-counter medication.

Now is a great time to schedule breast augmentation surgery. To arrange a visit to our Cincinnati office, contact us at 513.985.0850.

Tips for Healing after Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Surgery/Forehead Lift

Eyelids that are hooded, heavy, bulging, or saggy make the face look older. This is true even when the signs of aging on other parts of the face are relatively mild. The effects of blepharoplasty, a surgical eyelid procedure, can be so profound that the entire face looks younger and more energetic afterward. Some people who were considering facelift surgery but decided to focus first on their eyes have been so impressed with their results that they lost all thought of the facelift they felt they needed. Now, is that true for everyone? Probably not. The point is that eyelid rejuvenation surgery is popular for a reason, it significantly improves appearance. Here, we discuss what patients can do to improve their recovery after this conservative procedure.

Your Blepharoplasty Recovery

Blepharoplasty patients are advised to anticipate a recovery period of 10 to 14 days. It is during this time when the vast majority of surgical side effects resolve and the rewards of surgery are most profound. It is also during this time when patients may not feel completely thrilled about their appearance. After blepharoplasty, the area around the eyes looks bruised and swollen. Incisions are red and the stitches may be visible on the upper eyelids. In light of this, patients can prepare for their blepharoplasty recovery by understanding that they will have to wait a short time for the results they expected. A healthy mindset and lots of entertainment can go a long way in this regard.

Self-Care After Blepharoplasty

There is something about blepharoplasty recovery that can be challenging if you’re not prepared. Yes, you understand that you will need to rest, but the way that you rest may be different in real life than it is in your mind before you have your procedure. As you prepare for your eyelid rejuvenation surgery, consider ways to keep boredom at bay that do not involve using your eyes. When we hear that we should rest, we might envision playing some computer games or binge-watching a season of that show we’ve heard so much about. With this in mind, the reality of resting after blepharoplasty may come as a shock. While you can watch a show here and there while you recover from this procedure, screen time should be limited. This is because your eyes tire more easily and we want to prevent unnecessary fatigue and dryness. These can cause more discomfort than is necessary. Instead of watching or reading activities, consider something new, like listening to podcasts or a few audiobooks. As long as you wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat, you might feel up to taking short walks outdoors or sitting outside in the shade. The rest in blepharoplasty doesn’t have to feel boring. It can be truly reinvigorating when you plan well for this short time-out from life.

Would you like a fresh outlook on your appearance? Contact us at 513.985.0850 to schedule your consultation at our Cincinnati office.

Is Brow Lift Recovery Painful?

Brow Lift

Beauty woman healthy skin fresh clean beautiful face The upper areas of the face have come into the limelight in the last year and a half. With many people wearing masks when they go out of the home, we’ve become much more aware of how our eyes affect our appearance. Problems like undereye bags make us look tired. Issues with the upper eyelids, such as hooding and heaviness, can make us appear sad or angry. The upper eye area is influenced not only by thinning eyelid tissue but also by the position of the eyebrows on the forehead. This is why a plastic surgeon may recommend a brow lift instead of an eyelid lift. Some of our patients choose a combination of the two.

A brow lift focuses on lifting and repositioning the tissue on the forehead. The procedure can release the muscles that form frown lines and place the brow line back along the upper orbital rim, where it belongs. This procedure smoothes horizontal forehead lines and can also improve the symmetry of the eyebrows. Here, we discuss what patients often want to know about this procedure, what it’s like to recover from a brow lift.

Brow Lift Recovery

Fortunately, the majority of patients who have a brow lift experience very little postoperative pain. The recovery timeframe is 10 to 14 days, but patients can expect comfort to improve significantly within the first week. Patients are advised to set aside the first two days after their brow lift to simply rest and sleep as much as needed. The procedure may be performed with general anesthesia or a local anesthetic and sedation. If general anesthesia is involved, nausea may occur during the early postop phase. The surgical team may be able to recommend an antinausea medication to ease this side effect. A light dressing is placed over the brow area after surgery. Sometimes, the surgeon will place a drain tube to prevent the buildup of excess fluid beneath the skin. These are usually removed in a day or two. Pain is usually minimal after the effects of anesthesia wear off. Patients can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen to manage their comfort.

After brow lift surgery, patients should sleep with the head elevated on two or more pillows. It may be helpful to sleep in a recliner with soft pillows on each side and a neck pillow for support. Elevation helps fluid drain more efficiently away from the surgical site, so can keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. It is possible to shower and wash hair beginning two to three days after surgery. Knowing this, patients should bathe and wash their hair the day before surgery. Strenuous activity must be avoided for a few weeks. The doctor can discuss when normal activities can resume during the post-op visit. This usually occurs about one week after surgery. For the most part, patients generally return to work after two weeks and gradually ease into exercise and other activities three to four weeks post-op.

Some degree of residual swelling and bruising may remain after two weeks. This is typically mild enough to cover with makeup. The final outcome of the brow lift continues to settle in for two to three months. However, patients enjoy beautiful results well before that time.

Learn more about brow lift surgery and what it can do for you. Contact our Cincinnati office at 513.985.0850 for a consultation with Dr. Donna Krummen.

NonSurgical Treatments That Promote Youthful Skin

Non-Surgical Treatments

Cosmetic treatments used to be much more hardlined when it came to choices. Someone wanting to look a little younger or to correct an aspect of their appearance could either have plastic surgery or not. Today, cosmetic treatment choices are virtually endless, and the vast majority of them don’t involve surgery. With the holidays nearing, now is a great time to explore some of our favorite nonsurgical beauty treatments.

Plasma Pen

We are so excited to offer Plasma Pen treatment in our Cincinnati office. This nonsurgical, noninvasive procedure works by instigating a healing process without harming the skin. Using a special device, our provider safely disrupts the uppermost layers of the skin, where damage is most prominent. Simultaneously, the device delivers deeper fibroblast therapy to the dermis, where collagen and elastin are made. The effects of precise plasma energy triggers prolonged collagen production and a remodeling process that smooths wrinkles, fine lines, and firms sagging skin.

Neuromodulators

Wrinkle reduction is not a cookie-cutter type of treatment. Injectable neuromodulators like BOTOX stand front and center as powerful age-correctors. This type of injectable works on the superficial muscles that pull on the skin when we make facial expressions. BOTOX blocks the nerve signals that are necessary for the muscle to contract, thereby allowing the skin to lie smoothly, as it used to do when the face was at rest.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers represent a category of injectables that are just as powerful as neuromodulators even with an entirely different mechanism of action. Unlike neuromodulators, dermal fillers are useful in the soft tissue just beneath the skin. Here, these products increase volume so that lines and wrinkles are plumped to the surface. Some dermal fillers add denser volume in areas that require structure, such as the cheeks and jawline. Some are softer and used to fill out thin or deflated lips with natural looking, natural feeling shape.

Infusion Peel

Even if you are one who prefers to avoid cosmetic enhancements and injectable wrinkle-reduction, your aging skin can use a boost to keep it healthy and radiant. Our Infusion Peel could be a gratifying gift to give yourself this holiday season. This treatment is a combination of microdermabrasion and infusion that first sloughs off dead and damaged skin cells and then delivers powerful nutrients tailed to your unique needs. Some of the concerns that can be addressed with the Infusion Peel include hyperpigmentation, oxidative stress and sun damage, rough texture, and more.

Beauty doesn’t have to be an involved process. To restore and rejuvenate your appearance, contact our Cincinnati office at 513.985.0850.

Is a Thigh Lift Right for Me?

Thigh Lift

Excess fat and skin is something we might not be surprised to see on the midsection of the body. The thighs, though? Not so much. This problem of loose and sagging tissue is more common than most people imagine. So, when it happens to them, they’re often unsure about what to do. Like abdominal laxity, excess thigh fat and skin can be resistant to exercise and healthy eating habits. In fact, the problem is often a result of significant weight loss. This is why, for some people, a thigh lift makes a lot of sense.

What a Thigh Lift Can Do

The purpose of a thigh lift is to improve the proportions of the thighs in relation to the rest of the body. In so doing, this procedure can provide a massive boost in self-confidence. Too often, excess thigh tissue prevents a person from wearing shorts, skirts, and bathing suits. These items of clothing do not hide the appearance of the thighs, and wearing them may even create physical discomfort as the inner thighs rub against each other. A thigh lift reduces the circumference of the upper legs so that clothing can be worn with much more comfort.

Candidates for Thigh Lift Surgery

A thigh lift isn’t necessarily reserved for the person who has lost a great deal of weight and has been left with loose and sagging skin. As we age, the thighs, just like other parts of the body, can simply lose their shape. The thigh lift is appropriate for any person who is interested in reshaping the upper legs so their body looks more proportionate. The ideal candidate for this procedure is in good physical health, does not smoke, and has realistic expectations for their anticipated outcome.

Thigh lift surgery is a big commitment that offers significant rewards. Patients should be prepared for a full two weeks of minimal activity after this procedure. They may not be able to resume rigorous exercise for six weeks or longer due to the need to protect the surgical area. On the other side of recovery, though, is a lifetime of beautiful results. While the aging process cannot be stopped, with good weight management and exercise to maintain muscle tone, the results of thigh lift surgery can last indefinitely.

Are you ready to shape the lower portion of your body? Contact our Cincinnati office at 513.985.0850 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Donna Krummen to discuss a thigh lift or other body lift procedures.

Are You Considering Laser Hair Removal? Here’s What You Should Know!

Laser Hair Removal

Sweater weather is not too far off. With most of our summer heat behind us, why would we be talking about laser hair removal? This is the treatment people often start to think about right before summer, isn’t it? When they are looking forward to showing off their legs, arms, or other areas where unwanted hair may grow? Yes, laser hair removal is often considered as a pre-summer treatment. The thing is, now is the best time to start this process. Laser hair removal takes time, so why not get the whole series of treatments over and done before you want to don those shorts or tank tops again? Also, laser treatments can create light sensitivity, making the fall and winter months ideal for the most comfortable treatment recovery.

If you’re curious about laser hair removal, we have a few details you may want to know.

Treatments take only a little while. Depending on your selected treatment area, laser hair removal appointments may take up to an hour. For the most part, newer laser devices are completing the treatment sessions in thirty minutes or less, though. And, after your appointment, you can go right back to most of your normal activities (just don’t hop into a hot tub or steaming shower right away).
Results are long lasting. We can’t say that laser hair removal permanently disables every last hair follicle in the treatment area. There’s too much data that suggests otherwise. That said, laser hair removal does achieve outstanding results that can last a very long time. Some patients notice a few hairs growing here and there after some time. This could be a few months, it could be a few years. Everyone is different. When hair does grow back, it’s nothing that a touch-up laser treatment can’t fix.
Historically, laser hair removal was known for its painful sessions. Times have changed, and so has technology. Today, laser devices are swift in their action on hair follicles. As long as you shave the day before your treatment, it is unlikely that you’ll feel anything other than some warmth and maybe a few zapping sensations.
Sun protection is essential. Even in the midst of winter, it may be necessary to apply SPF 30 sunscreen after getting laser hair removal. The general rule is, if the sun’s out, sunscreen is on. This is necessary because the skin can become light-sensitive during the laser hair removal process, making it more prone to sunburn.
Start in winter, be done by summer! Most people need at least 3 laser hair removal sessions to achieve lasting results. Many schedule 6 or more. Each session is scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, so starting now is a great way to be done by summer. That’s not to say you’ll have to wait until summer to see smoother, sexier skin. Your very first treatment will obliterate hair follicles, making hair growth sparse and thin as it gradually lessens.

Schedule your laser hair removal treatment today. Contact our Cincinnati office at 513.985.0850.