The Covid-19 effect in Virtual Consults

With the global impact of Covid 19 and local curfew measures many medical specialists, including plastic and cosmetic surgeons have made increased use of virtual consultations. While practices were closed, plastic surgeons continued to stay in touch with patients via virtual visits.

The ASPS conducted a survey in 2020 among their members and found out that:

• • 64% had already seen an increase in virtual consultations even before the beginning of Covid-19
  • 68% started virtual consultations because of Covid-19

Using Deep Learning to detect Liposuction Areas

We trained a deep learning model to recognize potential liposuction areas in patient photos. The model has been incorporated in our new version of the Virtual Consultation to educate patients on which areas they could have liposuction done. Instead of having patients choosing problem areas from a simple list of checkboxes or by clicking on a stock image of a human model, we use AI to show them their actual body areas and mark those areas where they can might have lipo.

The motivation

Our motivation was to improve the current version of our online virtual consultation. The current BBL virtual consultation consists of a basic contact info form and an option to upload photos or use directly the smartphone camera to take fresh pictures. In one of the steps, we ask the patient to select from a list of body areas which ones are they interested in having treated.

We felt that we could go further and use the power of deep learning image recognition to give patients an added value that other virtual consultations had not done.

The Process

Our work is relies on the the libraries provided by Facebook’s object detection platform called “Detectron2”. We used the libraries and base object detection models provided in Detectron2 as the starting platform.

Image 1 : Detectron2 -a Facebook computer vision library used in Object / Segment detection

We trained our own Detectron2 Model using over 2500 before and after and virtual consultation pictures.

Gathering the Data

We used before and after pictures from our doctors, and pictures collected from virtual consultations. In total we had over 10k images to start.

To make our work easy we had to organize the images into 3 main views: Front, Side and Back. Since organizing manually over 10,000 images would take many days. We created a separate AI view detection model to organize images according to the position of the person in the picture . In this case we trained the view detection model with over 450 pictures. We took 150 fronts, 150 back and 150 side views. We then let view detection model organize the 10k images into 1 of the 3 view types.

Labeling the Data

After having all images organized into the 3 views – Front, Side & Back, we selected a few hundred to label the body areas.

In a sum the main training data for our body areas detection model was: A few hundred pictures + a json file for each picture containing the 2d-polygon coordinates for the drawn body areas.

Image 2: We used the annotation tool (Labelme) to draw polygons over each body area we want to later detect. The Back area is show in green, flanks in red, butt in yellow, outer thighs in cyan, inner thighs in blue and upper arms in magenta.

Labeling the data is an arduous manual process – it takes time, precision and patience to draw polygons using the mouse to mark the different body areas.

Training the Model

After having all the 2500 pictures + json pairs – we segmented them in 2 sets – a training set containing 2407 pairs and the remaining 93 pairs were used as a validation set during training.

Image 3: The training was done in Google Colab using a Tesla V100 GPU (16 GB Ram)

The total train time took about 1 hour – thanks to the GPU. The same training was done offline without a GPU – and it took over 10 hours. Using a powerful GPU is definitely a valuable asset to train models much faster.

Testing the Model

We tested the trained lipo areas detection model – with several before and after pictures and virtual consultation selfies.

Testing Before and Afters with a plain background

Testing Before and Afters with a plain background and a watermark (courtesy – Infiniskin.com)

Testing Virtual Consutation Selfies (smartphone pictures) with a complex backgrounds. The model proved to be effective also with regular selfie style pictures taken with a regular smartphone camera. Here are some of the results.

 

The midsection can be a stubborn area to lose weight. Sometimes we can’t achieve a flat, taut, and smooth abdomen with diet and exercise alone. Cosmetic surgeries like liposuction or a tummy tuck can help eliminate loose skin or flab around your stomach. 

While both procedures aim to give your midsection a makeover, there are significant differences to consider when deciding which surgical procedure is right for you. 

Use the information below to help determine which is right for your body, lifestyle, and goals.

Is Liposuction Similar to a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and lipo are two diverse surgical procedures. Like any other cosmetic surgery, the procedures should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon for your health and safety. 

Both surgeries can drastically improve the abdominal area by creating a toned, tight, and slimmer midsection. However, the two surgeries are vastly different regarding the actual procedure, recovery time, risks, and end results. 

What is Liposuction?

If your primary problem area is stubborn excess fat around your belly, liposuction can improve your midsection’s overall appearance and shape. 

Lipo is a minimally-invasive cosmetic surgery that permanently suctions stubborn fat away from the body. Liposuction is one of the most effective ways to remove stubborn belly fat deposits for good. With that being said, lipo is not intended to be a weight-loss alternative. However, it is an excellent treatment to eliminate localized fat deposits that are typically resistant to diet and exercise. 

 Liposuction can be used on other areas of the body than the midsection, including the love handles, arms, legs, chin, and butt. Lipo is ideal for people who generally have good skin and muscle tone, meaning there’s no excess skin in the midsection or loose abdominal muscles. Keep in mind liposuction can not eliminate extra skin, stretch marks, and problems arising from loose abdominal muscles. These issues are commonly associated with massive weight loss or pregnancy. 

 What is a Tummy Tuck?

 If your primary concern is loose skin or stretched muscle tissue, a tummy tuck could be your best option. 

 A tummy tuck is a longer, more invasive surgery to remove excess or saggy skin from the stomach to create a flatter and tighter abdominal area. Excess skin could be prompted by pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Tummy tuck surgery can also repair weakened or stretched abdominal muscles. If you have a significant amount of skin “flaps” around the belly, liposuction may not be the best route. 

How is Liposuction Performed?

Lipo is a safe, efficient option for eliminating pockets of fat. There are various techniques, including SmartLipo, Vaser Lipo, Tumescent Liposuction, and others. Always discuss the different methods and options with your doctor. What works best for another patient might not be what’s right for you and vice versa. 

Usually, lipo is performed under local anesthesia, meaning you will remain awake but pain-free and comfortable throughout the surgery. Once the area is numb, the surgeon will create 1 to 2 mm small incisions near the treatment site where a cannula will loosen fat cells underneath your skin. Then, a medical vacuum sucks out dislodged fat deposits.

Treatments usually last from one to two hours and are performed on an outpatient basis. Patients can walk and return home once the treatment is finished. After surgery, mild pain, swelling, and bruising are common. Pain medications and compression garments are recommended to keep you comfortable and speed up the healing process. 

It may require several sessions to achieve your desired results. 

How is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

A tummy tuck is the most effective way to remove excess skin and repair stretched muscles. However, a tummy tuck is a much more invasive procedure than liposuction. 

 A tummy tuck is typically performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be unconscious. After you’re sedated, the surgeon will make a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen. Surgeons make an effort to place the incision, so the scar is well-hidden by the bikini line. If needed, the surgeon will sew the muscles in your abdominal wall together before pulling the skin tight over your abdomen. Any excess skin is removed to create a flat and tight stomach. Some patients may require an additional incision to make an appropriate space for the belly button.

A tummy tuck can last anywhere from two to four hours, and some patients may remain in the hospital for the night. You will have sutures to close the incision sites. Fluid drains, compression garments and surgical dressings are applied to protect the treated area as it heals.

A tummy tuck is completed in one session and may be combined with other surgeries, including a breast lift, breast augmentation, liposuction, or a complete mommy makeover. 

Ideal Candidates for Liposuction

You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you meet the following criteria: 

• You’re generally in good health
• Are a non-smoker
• You don’t have loose or saggy skin around the abdomen
• You have great skin elasticity 
• You’re within a reasonable range of your goal weight
• Are under the age of 40

Ideal Candidates for Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck may be a better option for you if you:

• Are in generally good health and close to your goal body weight
• Have a notable amount of loose or saggy abdominal skin
• You don’t plan to become pregnant 
• You’re OK with a substantial recovery time
• Are over the age of 45

Results of Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck

Both cosmetic procedures help with body contouring and give you a flatter, smooth stomach. Future weight gain can impact the results of both surgeries. 

Lipo permanently removes bulges of fat and fatty tissue from the targeted areas. Most liposuction patients are pleased with a flatter, more proportioned midsection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle avoiding weight fluctuation will help preserve the results. 

The final results of a tummy tuck are permanent. However, future weight gain or a subsequent pregnancy could re-stretch the abdominal wall. In addition, tummy tuck procedures will leave a visible surgical scar along the lower stomach. Scars should fade over time with proper care but may never fully diminish. 

What’s the Recovery Process?

The downtime is also different for each procedure. Here’s what you can expect during the recovery period for each. 

Liposuction

Recovery is relatively easy. Depending on how much fat is removed, you may have a slightly longer or shorter recovery process. Swelling, draining, and bruising are common. In most cases, lipo patients are recommended to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling. 

Regular activity can be resumed fairly quickly. Most patients can return to work after 48 hours. You should avoid heavy exercise until you’ve gotten approval from your doctor.

Tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is deemed a more serious operation. The recovery process is longer and more in-depth compared to lipo. Your inclusion will need to be well taken care of, and you’ll be given a compression garment or “belly binder” to help with swelling. Some patients have surgical drains for up to two weeks post-op. Most patients can walk with assistance the day after surgery. Walking is important to prevent clotting. Prescription painkillers and antibiotics are often prescribed to ease any discomfort and reduce your risk of infection.

The initial recovery phase is six weeks. You can expect multiple follow-up appointments with your surgeon to check on how your incision is healing. You must be extremely cautious of your incision and avoid positions or movements that could tug or pull on your incision during this time. You can only resume exercise once you have your doctor’s approval. 

 

What’s the Cost Difference?

With any plastic surgery, factors including where you live, the surgery time, complexity of the procedure, and doctor’s experience can alter the cost. In addition, both procedures are considered elective surgeries in most cases, meaning they will not be covered by insurance. 

Lipo is a less invasive surgery and usually costs less than a tummy tuck. Liposuction usually costs between $2,000 and $8,000, whereas a tuck ranges between $6,000 and $10,000. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates. 

 

The numbers above are rough estimates. Each patient is unique. The only way to get a clear understanding of the cost of your cosmetic surgery is to visit a surgeon for an initial consultation. You’ll be given a quote for your treatment at the end of your consultation.

Liposuction’s popularity has peaked due to its widely growing demand for correcting fat accumulations and its ability to remodel the body. It has become such a standard tool in the anesthetic world that people are willing to pay massive amounts just to fit within the redefined “cultural beauty standards.”

Photo courtesy of – Orlando Liposuction by Bassin

The issue

Liposuction is not a crime because it has been used as a tool to treat prevalent body fats. Still, nowadays, as unrealistic beauty standards such as the “Kardashian effect” and “fuller lips” on the rise, it is being utilized as a procedure to change the natural body contour of a person.

While most of the advertisements we see are not real on social media, mainly because they are photoshopped, the youth is now choosing Liposuction. This is because they see it as the only preferable way of achieving a slimmer figure like Cinderella, or because they don’t want to gain post-pregnancy weight to resemble Gigi Hadid.

Irreversible damage caused by Liposuction

Scarring, Hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and blood vessels’ damage are significant consequences that people fail to realize in the pursuance of these so-called “beauty norms.” The average cost of a Liposuction is $3,200. This procedure has become popular amongst individuals showcases the insane amounts of cash that individuals are ready to burn to resemble their role models.

What can we do?

The idea of undergoing this procedure is not wrong, but rather how it is used to achieve fake beauty standards is. Awareness through campaigns and influencers can help people feel less insecure when it comes to their appearance.

A positive approach towards our body can be achieved only when our opinion of things change. No doubt, Liposuction has helped many, but when the cure becomes an addiction to pursue unrealistic goals, that is where the problem worsens.

In a nutshell, you cannot deny the advantages of this treatment. However, you must note that in this fierce race to look one’s best, peoples’ mental health has taken a huge toll as well. This is why awareness is the only option to bring hope amongst the youth and adults alike. Excessive use of anything, even anesthetic procedures, paves the way for them to become dependent on them.

As a human being, we naturally desire to develop ourselves. We consider or confuse this development by bringing change in our looks, personality, mentality, and profession. Nature demands variance and we adopt it by doing particular experiments. These experiments may be about various aspects of our lives. We may explore scenarios about or personality or professions. While it comes to our looks and beauty nowadays, we prefer going for surgeries.

Does Liposuction exist in our surroundings?

You must be wondering what are these surgeries about? Yes, the answer is also a counter-question indeed. Have you ever noticed someone with sexier lips than lips naturally are? Bigger Butts than nature made them. A pretty tight face, no matters what the age of a person is or look enhancing sexy-looking eyebrows than they were before.

How did all these miracles happen? Have you ever reflected? No Worries, as we have got the answer, as these miraculous changes are brought through a procedure known as Liposuction. It is basically a cosmetic surgery that most people undergo to enhance their physical appearance. It includes various subdomains like Eyebrow lifting, Lip Augmentation, Face Augmentation, Butt Augmentation, or BBL Surgery and similar categories.

What Influence does it Create?

All these surgeries bring a rapid and noticeable change in your looks. Meanwhile, the result may be positive or negative. You may look prettier, sexier, and attractive with lesser age. While consequences are also damaging your natural beauty and gaining an unwanted, unadoptable look. So How it actually works, without any further delay let’s get straight into it.

What Liposuction Actually Is?

Liposuction is basically a fat removal process. The excess amount of fat gathered in individual thighs, buttocks, hips, arms, abdomen, neck, or back are ridiculous sometimes. Actually destructing the aura of one’s personality. When regular exercise or diet is not working to reduce these unwanted fatty companions Liposuction is preferred.

What do People think About Liposuction?

While it’s also in people’s opinion that Liposuction is not a remedy to control or remove overweight. Because medical experts also suggest that better and healthier results can be obtained by adopting healthier routines, diet, and following a proper sleep time. Similarly, some have the opinion of reducing it with proper gym and exercise. So opinions various person to person.

How the procedure of Liposuction is carried on?

Before undertaking the procedure of liposuction one must have the background knowledge of ones;

• Immune system
• Complete medical history
• His /Her body nature to respond after surgery.

Depending upon the above-mentioned facts if someone is physically fit enough that he can easily go for surgery. One can go for it. If someone has no background disease attached, he may undergo liposuction, if someone has the patience to face the consequences of before and after surgery, one must go for it.

What are the expectations attached to Liposuction?

First of all, be dying sure after carrying out proper research that you want to go for it or not. Once you decided you may encounter several implications consequently.

Firstly you must have knowledge about the place where you are undergoing your Liposuction. Is it authentic? Is it well-reputed? Is it known for producing good results? Etc.

Secondly, you must have the proper information about the doctor, who is carrying out your liposuction. Is he a professional, renowned person? Etc.

Thirdly it’s a surgical process, so it is done with performing anesthesia. As a result, you won’t feel any pain at the time of surgery. But once the effect of anesthesia is gone it’s really painful.

Fourthly you must have an idea that it’s a surgical process so you may have to stay at the hospital or not. If yes, follow what the doctor instructs. If no, never forget to bring someone to drive and bring you home.

Fifthly, after surgery, you must expect that you may face severe pains, swelling, fluid leakage from wounds, bruising or similar kind of problems.

How to Minimize those pains?

To minimize those pains, you must have an idea that these pains are of a couple of categories.

• The Pains during the procedure of liposuction.
• The pains after the process of liposuction.

So to deal both you have to operate with two different mindsets. In the case of the earlier one, you must have some discussion with your surgeon before surgery. This discussion can be about your concerns about pain. The type of anesthesia you are comfortable with whether local or general. You may also talk about the medication that you must use before getting the procedure done.

While in case of a later one, you have to be careful about your regular medication including pain pills. You must have to wear the only garment that your doctor recommends. You have to take proper bed rest and being mentally strong. You must be careful about your diet that includes avoiding salt and drinking doctor’s recommended juices only.

Overall this procedure is quite painful and time taking, so you must be outstandingly sure about your decision.

View this post on Instagram

BBL PERFECTION! 🔥950cc’s placed into each side. 📲 For consultations email virtual consultation photos to [email protected] Please include your name, number, weight, height, and desired procedure. For office consults call 877-577-5476.

A post shared by Mark X. Lowney, MD (@realdrfeelgood) on Mar 24, 2020 at 3:32pm PDT

Fat is a major contributor when it comes to shaping the body especially for women who do not have a lot of muscles. Transferring fat from one part of the body to the other has turned out to be a popular procedure for achieving the desirable curves. This technique is commonly known as fat transfer or fat grafting. When such a procedure is carried out, it gives a boost to one’s physical appearance by contouring the body as desired. The following are reasons why fat transfer is becoming the most practiced body sculpting technique:

Benefits Twice
As opposed to other body-enhancing procedures, fat transfer brings a double benefit to the one who undergoes it. The reason for this conclusion is because it involves the transfer of fat from one body part to the other. This automatically means that to one part a slimming effect while to the other a filling effect. For instance, if fat is sucked from the waist, it slims. If the same fat is injected into the breasts or buttock, the customer achieves the desired fullness and figure. This means that the customer does not need to go through separate operations to get such results; fat transfer is all they need to get to shape.
Minimal Invasion
Every surgical and non-surgical procedures carried out in the body comes with its level of invasion. Fat transfer is believed to be a non-surgical procedure that achieves the desired results with minimal invasion. This is because the incisions used to harvest and inject the fat are relatively smaller in diameter. The fat is transferred by means of injections into the skin –sized cannulas. Recovery for most patients takes only a few days as opposed to some other procedures. This also means that other complications are less likely to occur since not much activity happens on the skin. It is usually advisable for one to indulge the services of a specialist.

Lasting Results
Fat transfer gives long lasting results since it involves the removal of fat cells from one part of the body. This means that the region from where the fat is extracted remains slim for a long while before the cells can reform for more fat to be stored. The additional fat cells transferred to the other body part then result in more fat storage in that part. This, therefore, eliminates the need for periodic injections which are usually done in other techniques. Consequently, the customer gets enough time to heal completely and have their skin rejuvenate.

Less Visible Scars
Unlike most body-contouring procedures, fat transfer does not result in conspicuously visible scarring. The small incisions used in the process to remove fat do not tamper much with the skin. After the healing process, a third party may not easily tell if the procedure was done unless they are informed of the same. This means once it is done, one does not need to go through any corrective procedures. Whatever piercings that are done on the skin heal and are covered up with time.

Source: https://harcourthealth.com/5-reasons-fat-transfer-is-becoming-the-go-to-body-sculpting-technique/

The idea of sculpting bodies has been around for some time. Conventionally, people used body exercises and workouts to attain their desired body shapes. However, with continued advancement in technology, other options have come up. One of the commonly used ways of sculpting bodies today is through fat transfer. Sculpting is about body shaping and acquiring the desired curves for your body.

A very common technique is the Brazilian butt lift which involves removal of fat from one part of the body and injecting it into the butt. The result is obvious; a fuller butt and desirable slimming in the part where the fat was extracted from. Body contouring is not a new practice but one that has been there for the longest time. What constantly changes are the modes of carrying out the various procedures.

In a fat transfer process, a little invasion is done on the skin and after the transfer, the place gets sealed in a way that leaves no visible scars. It also takes the patient only a few days to recover and get back to their normal daily routines. Most medical procedures that result in a particular correction in the body are quite complicated. This is not necessarily the case with fat transfer which is also referred to as fat grafting. The fact that you utilize your own body fat also makes it one of the procedures with the most natural effects. Here is how fat transfers can be used to sculpt your body:

Breast Enlargement
In this case, fat is extracted from one part of the body and injected into the breasts to make them fuller. The opposite of this procedure can also be carried out if you desire to have smaller breasts. The fat is instead harvested from the breasts and injected into another body part of your choice.

However, reducing the size of the breasts is not a very common procedure since most women fancy fuller breasts. Sizeable breasts do not on give your body desirable curves but also fit better into most fashionable clothes.

Butt Lifting
If you desire a bigger and a more rounded butt, then this procedure is the way to go. The harvested fat is injected in equal proportions. This requires a pro in the field of liposuction so that you can avoid uneven lifting which is quite unsightly. However, this should not cause you to shy off from the process.

The fact that the body uses its own fat from one part to build another reduces the chances of any complications. The injected fat is slowly assimilated into the cells of the recipient body part.

Source: https://healthable.org/how-are-fat-transfers-sculpting-your-body/

Buttock region has always been the prime focus for discussion, attention, commentary as well as fashion. Both men, as well as women, desire properly shaped buttocks that look good either with or without clothes. These surgical options help the desiring patients obtain a shape that is more attractive in general.

Infini Cosmetic Associates, the liposuction, and BBL specialist has recently introduced a major price slash to its cost for the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. Additionally, the offer also includes an option for financing. The offer can be redeemed during payment of the procedure which is limited to 1 for each patient and valid only for the first time customers.

The clinic also offers a free consultation for the patients. The team of specialists working at the clinic flaunts an excellent repute for minimal downtime with use of latest and futuristic technology for completion of the process. The process crafted by the specialists always delivers incredible results that boost the overall look of an individual.

The specialists use less invasive treatment for Buttock enhancement that comprises injecting fat into the desired location. This is one of the most preferred options by the patients that tend to be less painful with subtle enhancements to the body while helping the individual retains the natural look. The fat is generally removed from a different part of the patient’s body via liposuction while injecting the same into the required parts for shaping the butt.

The surgeons make incisions that are virtually invisible on each of the butt cheeks while placing the fat cells in different levels of the buttocks. This layering method successfully creates a smooth and rounded buttock that doesn’t reflect any irregular patches that might show through the skin.

The clinic has been recognized by various reputed names for its efficient procedure and exceptional results that include names such as American Society of Liposuction Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Medical Association, and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Inc. The consultation session by the doctor help determines the health status of the candidate to ascertain the qualification as a healthy candidate. Further, the surgeons outline specific parts of the body with extra fat that can be used for replacement.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/brandfeatures/venture-capital/article?id=49644