SvnKulture, 975 Weiland Road, Suite 100, Buffalo Grove, IL (2025)

10/24/2021

How Long Do CoolSculpting® Results Last?
The women and men considering CoolSculpting at our practice typically are in good overall shape and want to tone areas where fat tends to accumulate, even though they exercise and watch what they eat. Most of the patients want to know how long the results will last and if they’ll need follow-up treatments in the future.

I’ll address those questions in this blog post, explain how CoolSculpting works, and discuss why in some cases liposuction may be a better option for fat reduction.

What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a groundbreaking, non-invasive fat reduction treatment that is unique because it uses cold temperatures, rather than heat, to kill fat cells. The targeted cooling technology used by CoolSculpting doesn’t damage the skin’s surface or tissues surrounding the fat cells. Applicators specially designed for specific areas of the body deliver the cold energy to stubborn pockets of fat.

The Results
CoolSculpting destroys fat cells, which the body removes through its natural metabolic process. So, once the fat cells are gone, they’re gone for good. In that sense, the results of a CoolSculpting procedure are extremely long-lasting. Some patients enhance their results by getting 2 CoolSculpting treatments and combining the procedures with Z-Wave treatments. Z-Wave delivers electromagnetic pulses and is more effective than the manual massage that typically follows CoolSculpting.

Most CoolSculpting patients lead active lifestyles and exercise regularly before getting the procedure. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle because fat cells in other areas of the body will continue to grow. In other words, the results you enjoy after getting CoolSculpting can last as long as you continue watching what you eat and remain physically active.

CoolSculpting or Liposuction?
Patients interested in more extensive fat reduction may be better-suited for liposuction. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat through a thin tube called a cannula. It can create more dramatic results than CoolSculpting, but there is downtime for recovery that you won’t have with CoolSculpting.

10/24/2021

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10/24/2021

Double Chin Reduction: Which Treatment Is Best?
The appearance of a double chin is one of the most common aesthetic complaints among both women and men. Ten years ago, the only treatment was neck liposuction. With the introduction of nonsurgical treatments such as KYBELLA® and CoolSculpting®—both offered at my Pasadena plastic surgery practice—patients now have options.

Even though many of my patients express dissatisfaction with the appearance of their necks during consultations, not all of them need surgery. “Less is more” appears to be the current trend in neck and facial rejuvenation. Using nonsurgical devices to tighten skin, lessen the fatty layers or the injection of neurotoxins such as BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce platysmal muscle band activity is especially useful for younger men and women. Those approaches, however, have limited benefits for patients with more advanced signs of aging.

Before recommending a specific procedure, I make a careful and detailed analysis to create a logical and effective treatment strategy. An accurate analysis leads to safe and effective techniques that are realistically customized to satisfy patients’ needs.

Let’s look at the advantages and drawbacks of each procedure designed to reduce the appearance of a double chin.

CoolSculpting
By targeting fat with cold temperatures, CoolSculpting can produce a slimmer neck.

Pros

Nonsurgical (no incisions)
No injections
Short treatment time
Minimal and temporary side effects
Dead treated fat cells; no recurrence
Cons

More than one treatment
Gradual and less dramatic fat reduction than liposuction
Deflation of lax skin
Unveiling of separated neck bands (muscle relaxants have temporary effects)
Treatment limited to subcutaneous fat, not deeper central submuscular fat pad
KYBELLA
Injecting deoxycholic acid (a bile salt compound found naturally in the body) gradually kills fat cells.

Pros

Nonsurgical (no incisions)
Multiple points of injection
Short treatment time
Temporary side effects
Dead treated fat cells; no recurrence
Cons

More than one treatment
Gradual and less dramatic fat reduction than liposuction
Deflation of lax skin
Variable degree of swelling, redness, and pain
Unveiling of separated neck bands (muscle relaxants have temporary effects)
Neck Liposuction
Liposuction removes fat using a small tube called a cannula, which I insert through a short incision.

Pros

Surgical (one incision)
Short treatment time
Temporary side effects
Fat cells permanently removed
More dramatic and immediate result than after CoolSculpting/KYBELLA
Scheduled surgical procedures to remove excess skin, suction deeper submuscular fat pad, and bring together the separated platysmal muscle bands after liposuction
Cons

Operating Room
Tumescent local anesthesia
Variable degrees of swelling, pain, and skin staining
Risk associated with any surgical procedure (infection, bleeding)
Unveiling of separated platysmal neck bands (muscle relaxants have temporary effects)

10/24/2021

Striae: Etiology and Challenging Therapies
Striae distensae, or stretch marks, represent a common form of dermal scarring that appear on the skin as early erythematous, violaceous striations (striae rubra), or later hypopigmented atrophic linear lines (striae alba). Although typically asymptomatic, striae distensae may be disfiguring and psychologically distressing to patients, especially in visible areas of the body. Common locations are the abdomen, breast, medical upper arms, hips, lower back, buttocks, and thighs.

Epidemiologic data in the general population are limited but have been reported from as low as 11% in normal men to up to 88% in pregnant females. Predisposing factors include pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, rapid weight gain or loss, obesity, drug exposure (corticosteroid medication), underlying disease (Cushing’s Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome), and surgery (augmentation mammoplasty). The etiologies are unknown but may be caused by stretching of skin─ the severity may be affected by genetic tendencies, degree of stress on the skin, and cortisone levels (weaken dermal elastic fibers).

Striae distensae are basically scars where the epidermis is flat and the dermis is thinned. Changes in connective tissue within striae consist of linear tears and reduction of altered dermal collagen and thinning or absence of altered elastic fibers. There is usually a perivascular inflammatory reaction and swelling around the scar.

Multiple treatment modalities have been published with mixed results. The best results have been observed in the treatment of striae rubra. Both the increased vascularity and atrophic aspect of the scar need to be addressed. Treatment for stretch marks can be costly and is not always effective. Current treatments are particularly limited in their ability to deliver long-lasting improvements for all skin types.

Preferred Initial Therapies

Striae rubra (Pulsed dye lasers, topical retinoids)
Striae alba
▪ Topical treatments (steroids, tretinoin cream)

▪ Chemical Peels

▪ Superficial dermabrasion (combination treatments with tretinoin cream or PRP)

▪ Microneedling with or without radiorequency (mild-moderate improvement)

▪ Phototherapy (Intense Pulse Light)

▪ PhotoDynamic therapy (ALA/MAL)

▪ Non-ablative fractional lasers (mixed improvement)

▪ Ablative fractional lasers (mixed improvement)

▪ Combination therapies (for example, microneedling-RF and PRP)

10/24/2021

Cosmetic Surgery after Morbid Obesity Weight Loss
Morbid obesity continues to increase worldwide and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) when the ideal body mass index (BMI) is greater than 35 and associated with potentially life-threatening diseases. There is no consistent data on the most effective way to achieve long-term weight loss other than a healthy diet, regular exercise, and bariatric surgery. As more patients reach their ideal weight (BMI between 18.4-24.9) and manage their common co-morbid conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteroarthritis, sleep apnea, and severe psychological challenges), increasing numbers of patients become candidates for aesthetic and functional body contouring procedures. Deformities after massive weight loss can significantly affect a person’s body image and self-esteem and also cause functional impairments due to rashes, hygiene, and poor-fitting clothes. Although face and neck lifts, breast lifts, and abdominoplasties represent the most common contouring procedures, there has been a gaining interest in brachioplasties, thighplasties and lower body lift procedures.

A multi-specialty team approach is necessary to surgically treat the massive weight loss patient even before an aesthetic plastic surgeon performs any contemplated surgeries in a safe, effective manner with minimal complications. To ensure these goals, comprehensive evaluations, medical/surgical planning, and nutritional and psychological support are formulated together in a scheduled format. The patient’s reasons and expectations have to be aligned with what the surgeon can offer. Although operations involve primarily skin and subcutaneous structural adjustments, the surgeon must assess the patient’s suitability for long general anesthesia and have a postoperative pain management team in place when large and multiple areas of surgery are planned. Management of medical comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, nutritional supplementation, are to be optimized because of the complexities of surgery and long recovery times.

The surgeon and the patient usually delineate the many anatomic areas that require correction. Staging procedures may be required to minimize the operative time, surgical morbidity, and avoidance of opposite vectors of tension closures. The surgeon will review the most common complications such as deep vein thromboembolism (VTE), delayed wound healing, separation of closure sites, seroma collections, hematoma formations, skin loss, infections, lymphedema and scarring. Some combinations of procedures can be performed together, whereas other combinations are advised against. For example, procedures commonly combined include abdominoplasty with breast lifting, upper body surgery with lower extremity surgery, or lower body surgery with upper extremity surgery.

Precise markings are done preoperatively in the holding area so that the patient can appreciate the length and location of the eventual scars. In special extensive cases, the surgeon and anesthesiologist will formulate a proper program to address venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, body temperature management, antibiotic coverage, fluid resuscitation, possible blood transfusions, and body positioning on the operating table to minimize VTE. In general, patients are encouraged to ambulate postoperatively on the evening of surgery, treated with VTE prophylactic medications, instructed on antibiotic use and drain placements. If used, drains are maintained for about 1 to 2 weeks. Showering may begin 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Compression garments are recommended for at least 6 weeks.
Procedures

Brachioplasty (removes skin and fat from upper extremity; long scar from inner elbow to armpit onto lateral chest)
Thighplasty (removes skin and fat from lower extremity; long scar from inner knee to mons p***s along groin crease line)
Male and Female Mastopexy (removes skin and fat from breast and re-arranges breast tissue and ni**le reposition; variations of inverted T-shape scar)
Abdominoplasty (removes skin and fat from abdomen with repositioning of umbilicus; long scar from hip-to-hip slightly above abdominal crease line; periumbilical scar)
Torsectomy (removes skin and fat circumferentially around entire or portion of waist; long scar around torso)
Buttock lift (removes skin and fat from upper portion of buttocks; long scar across upper buttock crease lines)

10/24/2021

Freeze Away Stubborn Fat With CoolSculpting
Eating healthy and regular exercise may not be enough to get rid of stubborn fat. When diet and exercise are not enough, Plastic Surgery offers a range of treatments, including CoolSculpting, that can remove that stubborn, unwanted fat.

It may sound confusing, but reducing fat is different from losing weight. Losing weight makes fat cells smaller but does not cause fat cells to go away. Diet and exercise may lead to weight loss through smaller fat cells, but will not eliminate fat cells. Medical and cosmetic treatments for fat removal or body sculpting actually reduce the number of fat cells in your body.

While many fat-reducing procedures require surgery, CoolSculpting is the world’s first FDA-approved non-invasive treatment to reduce pockets of stubborn fat. This revolutionary procedure kills fat cells underneath the skin by freezing them to the point of elimination. CoolSculpting only affects the fat cells, leaving you with a healthy, natural appearance. Many patients find CoolSculpting appealing because there are no knives, no needles and no scars.

New to our office, Dr. James Chappell was the first trained specialist in the Annapolis area to offer CoolSculpting. Dr. Chappell has been using this state-of-the-art technology since 2021 and has performed over 10,000 treatments. Patients at the Plastic Surgery can feel comfortable knowing that they will be receiving the most advanced technology and highly experienced care from Dr. Chappell.

Dr. Chappell will deliver precise cooling to the unwanted fat cells. The cells will then become crystallized, or frozen, and eventually die. Your body will naturally process out the dead fat cells, leaving a more sculpted body. Results from CoolSculpting are long-term because frozen fat cells are eliminated through the body naturally.

10/24/2021

Restore Your Appearance After Massive Weight Loss
Significant weight loss can often lead to excess skin and a sagging appearance where inches have been lost. Not only does the sagging skin “hide” your new body shape, it can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to fit into your clothing.

Plastic Surgery is home to an experienced team of cosmetic surgeons who can help you achieve the slimmer, healthier look you have worked so hard to achieve through surgical body contouring procedures. Dr. Ambro and Dr. Chappell will work with you on an individual basis to determine if you are a good candidate for a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and restore your natural body shape.

WHY SURGERY AFTER MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS?
Losing a significant portion of your total body weight as as result of bariatric surgery or dieting, while greatly improving your health and longevity, can have dramatic impacts on the elasticity of the skin and result in sagging tissue that changes how you look. Patients often feel that they are “carrying around” this extra weight and do not look right in their clothing. Surgical removal of the affected skin is the best way to restore your appearance and enable you to feel more comfortable, especially when exercising or being active.

Depending on how many areas of your body have been affected by your weight loss, several surgical procedures may be necessary for a healthy recovery and to achieve the look you desire. Your plastic surgeon will recommend the most appropriate procedures and treatment schedule to meet your goals and ensure the best results. Treatment options can include:

Facelift
Tummy tuck
Arm lift
In some cases, liposuction is considered necessary prior to a surgical procedure to reduce large amounts of skin tissue.

BODY CONTOURING: WHAT TO EXPECT
When it comes to addressing loose and sagging skin and reshaping your physique, a natural looking and comfortable result is the ultimate goal. Dr. Ambro and Dr. Chappell are both board certified, highly trained and experienced cosmetic surgeons who will take the time in advance of your procedure to assess your health, discuss your goals and create a treatment plan to safely achieve results that will enhance your appearance. A good candidate is someone in good overall health who is maintaining a stable body weight.

If several surgeries are needed, the timing and recovery of each will be explained so that you can coordinate any changes to your daily routine that may be necessary as you recover. We will inform you of possible areas of scarring and what can be expected as you recover after each one. A successful result is often dependent on maintenance of your weight loss, a healthy lifestyle and adherence to post operative instructions.

Body contouring procedures can give you back the healthy, toned look you desire. Removing sagging, uncomfortable areas of excess skin also enables you to continue to improve your overall health and fitness by enabling you to be more active.

10/24/2021

Give Fat Cells The Cold Shoulder With CoolSculpting
Have you been eating right and exercising regularly and still can not beat that stubborn waistline bulge? Are your belly pouch and love handles refusing to budge?

These areas are common problem zones for many women. The stubborn fat that can be deposited here as we age can be difficult to lose, no matter how hard you work. If surgery is too time consuming, invasive or expensive for you, CoolSculpting may be the natural, non-invasive answer you are seeking.

With CoolSculpting, there are no hoses, needles, knives or scarring. Dr. Bryan Ambro and Dr. James Chappell of Plastic Surgery don’t want you to have to choose between suffering with love handles or invasive surgery. They offer the quick and effective CoolSculpting procedure at their convenient our cosmetic office.

NATURAL AND SAFE
Developed by Harvard scientists, CoolSculpting has been FDA cleared and proven safe and effective. By exclusively targeting fat cells, CoolSculpting leaves no scarring or damage, unlike lasers and surgery that can be destructive to your healthy skin cells. Once the CoolSculpting crystallizes the fat cells, they are naturally eliminated from your body. Leaving those once “squishy” areas feeling firmer and trimmer!

GIVING FAT THE COLD SHOULDER
In about one hour Dr. Chappell and Dr. Ambro can have you on your way to achieving your dream results. What may take you years to achieve at the gym, you can have in just a few short months. You may notice immediate results, however, peak results will be seen in a few months as your body naturally disposes of the frozen fat cells. Most patients are able to resume their daily activities immediately after treatment. There are no long recovery times with CoolSculpting, just long lasting results.

LOOK GREAT FOR THE LONG TERM
If you maintain your healthy diet and exercise plan, your CoolSculpting results should last long term. With no invasive surgery, no permanent scarring or uncomfortable side effects you can achieve a flat belly and slimmer sides.

Annapolis cosmetic physicians Dr. Ambro and Dr. Chappell can use CoolSculpting to target your specific trouble areas. After a comprehensive cosmetic consultation they will work with you to create the sleek results you are looking for.

10/23/2021

Natural Alternative To Fillers
If you are seeking a natural way to fill out sensitive areas of your face, but do not want to use chemicals or toxic fillers, a fat transfer may be the solution you are looking for. Fat Transfer is a natural way to add volume in the face, creating a more youthful and fuller appearance. Fat Transfer can be used to correct facial asymmetry, diminish the appearance of scars, or fill in unwanted frown lines and wrinkles.

WHY FAT TRANSFERS?
Fat Transfers are growing in popularity for being a natural and safe alternative to dermal fillers. More patients are looking for a non-chemical cosmetic enhancement that Fat Transfers can offer. Some patients suffer from a reaction to the chemicals found in other dermal fillers. Fat Transfers can offer an alternative solution and patients tend to have a significantly lower rejection rate to the injected fat material. Fat Transfers have also proven to have longer lasting results than traditional dermal fillers, using the body’s own tissue and natural healing response.

Dr. Bryan Ambro and Dr. James Chappell also offer multiple types of dermal fillers and encourage every patient to make the best choice for themselves. In a personal consultation, Dr. Ambro and Dr. Chappell will help educate each patient on which cosmetic treatment will best suit their needs.

1,2,3 STEP FAT TRANSFER
Liposuction: The fat is generally removed from the lower body. The volume of fat needed to fill in the face is not usually significant. It will be difficult to nearly impossible to notice the missing fat. Drs. Ambro and Chappell offer several different methods of liposuction and will discuss your options with you before the procedure.
Purification: The removed fat will be prepared in a sterile environment. The fat is purified and cleansed of impurities.
Injections: Like other fillers, the purified fat will be inserted into the deflated areas of the face with small injections.

10/23/2021

Sculptra Aesthetics For Facial Rejuvenation
As we age, we begin to lose bone structure and fat in the face which may leave the face looking tired and aged. Many patients turn to Botox and facial fillers to regain volume and rejuvenate their appearance. Although these options are effective treatments for many patients, the main complaint with these trusted procedures is their temporary effectiveness. For patients looking for more long-term benefits, Sculptra Aesthetic ® may be the treatment for you. Annapolis, MD facial plastic surgeon Dr. Bryan Ambro provides Sculptra for natural and beautiful results.

SCULPTRA AESTHETIC ® PLASTIC SURGERY
Sculptra is a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid or PLLA. This is the same material used in dissolvable stitches. The PLLA works deep beneath the skin to revitalize natural collagen production firming the skin and filling out the face.

Sculptra works gradually offering natural and subtle changes in your face. Many patients enjoy the gradual results. Others may not notice that you had work done, they will just know you look refreshed and rejuvenated. Sculptra can take years off of your appearance and could last up to a year.

After a comprehensive consultation, your Plastic Surgery doctor will determine if Sculptra is the appropriate cosmetic treatment to create your desired results. Sculptra is administered over a series of about three sessions spanning several months. This method of application allows for gradual results that could extend up to two years. Your Sculptra treatment cost will be dependent on the amount needed to achieve your cosmetic goals. It is important to remember that Sculptra offers long-term results and is an investment in yourself.

10/23/2021

CoolSculpting- Freeze Away Unwanted Fat
CoolSculpting is a revolutionary FDA-approved treatment that can freeze away fat during your lunch break. CoolSculpting eliminates stubborn fat cells that exercise alone can not tone. Dr. James Chappell performs CoolSculpting from the comfort of our Plastic Surgery Center. CoolSculpting is an alternative to traditional surgery to address stubborn fat. CoolSculpting targets fat cells that are resistant to diet and exercise specifically:

Muffin tops
Love handles
Belly pooch
Neck fat
Thighs
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure that eliminates many elements patients worry about when considering surgery.

CoolSculpting Benefits:

NO Downtimes
NO Knives
NO Needles
NO Suction hoses
NO Scars
NO Anesthetia
COOLSCULPTING PROCEDURE
CoolSculpting can be completed in just 36-60 minutes. Patients are able to return to their daily routines immediately after treatment. Most patients experience an intense cold senstiaon at the start of their treatment that will quickly fade. Some patients are actually able to take a nap during their treatment, that is how comfortable it is!

COOLSCULPTING RESULTS
While most patients will notice a reduction in fat after about 3 weeks, it takes about 4 months to enjoy the full benefits. CoolSculpting crystallizes and “kills” fat cells. The body then takes about 4 months to fully naturally dispose of the cells.

10/23/2021

Get A Flat, Firm Tummy for Summer
Spring is quickly approaching and that means it is time to show off that midriff. Bikinis and crop tops are about to replace your oversized sweaters and even if you have spent the winter eating well and exercising you may still have loose or wrinkled abdominal skin you can not loose on your own. Dr. James Chappell provides over 20 years of experience and knowledge of body contouring treatments at our Facial Plastic Surgery.

Many women who have enjoyed extreme weight loss or pregnancy experience a build up of excess skin that is resistant to diet and exercise. This skin needs to be removed in order to tighten the abdominal region. One way to tighten this area is with a skin-only tummy tuck. Ideal for women in their 30s and 40s at a healthy and stable weight, a skin-only tummy tuck can remove the embarrassing fat and extra skin.

A skin-only tummy tuck will leave you with a firm and tight midriff you will feel confident showing off. Dr. Chappell also offers abdominal sculpting and body contouring trough advanced liposuction technology. Our experienced and qualified team can have you slipping into your favorite pair of low rise jeans in just a few months.

BENEFITS OF SKIN-ONLY TUMMY TUCK
Though more invasive than laser skin tightening treatments, skin-only tummy tucks actually remove the excess skin for beautiful, firm and lasting natural looking results. Skin-Only tummy tucks offer patients many benefits over traditional tummy tucks.

Less invasive than a full tummy tuck.
Small, discreet incision
Ab muscles are not disrupted and are left intact
Removes fat and excess skin for lasting results
Many patients are able to preserve their belly button

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