Educational Videos

Fun Fact Friday: Temporary hypopigmentation after surgery 🤍

After surgery, the skin goes through a healing phase. Sometimes the melanocytes—the cells responsible for skin pigment—can briefly lose their function due to inflammation or trauma. When this happens, you may notice lighter areas of skin (hypopigmentation).

The good news: in many cases this is temporary and pigment gradually returns as the skin heals and melanocyte activity recovers. ❤️‍🩹

Healing isn’t always linear, but patience pays off. 😘

Fun Fact Friday: Liposuction is physically demanding, and precision matters. To ensure a balanced, symmetric result, I have my nurse set a timer for each area so every region receives equal focus and attention. 🫶🏻

Fun Fact Friday: Graphic Intra-Operative Video! ⚠️ ✨ Why Some Patients Need a T-Incision (Vertical Extension) During Abdominoplasty ✨

Every abdomen is unique, and the amount of available skin—especially above the belly button—plays a major role in surgical planning. When the upper abdomen is short or has limited skin to pull downward, a traditional horizontal incision alone can’t create a smooth, tension-free result.In these cases, we may need a T-incision to “borrow” a small amount of skin around the belly button to close the incision without excessive tension.

Fun Fact Friday: ✨ Why I can’t “over-tighten” your abdominal muscles ✨

During a tummy tuck, I repair the separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti). But when a patient has a significant amount of visceral (internal) fat, there’s an important limitation many people don’t realize.

Visceral fat sits behind the muscles, surrounding the organs. If I tighten the muscles too aggressively in this situation, it can:

• Dramatically increase internal pressure leading to intra-abdominal hypertension or compartment syndrome

• Make it difficult to breathe comfortably

• Increase the risk of pain, complications, and poor healing

My priority is always safety, function, and a beautiful, natural result — not forcing the body into something it can’t safely tolerate. Strategic tightening gives you the best contour while protecting your health.

💡 Not every abdomen should be tightened the same way. Custom surgery = safer surgery + better results.

Fun Fact Friday: Why do some patients notice swelling in their face or hands after fat grafting to the buttocks?

It’s completely normal. During surgery, part of the procedure is performed with you on your stomach (prone positioning). This positioning can temporarily shift fluid and increase pressure in certain areas, leading to mild puffiness in the face or hands.

The good news: it’s short-lived and resolves on its own as your body rebalances fluids in the first few days after surgery.Your fat grafts aren’t affected, and it’s not a sign that anything is wrong — just one of the many small, expected changes your body goes through while healing. ❤️‍🩹

Fun Fact Friday: Hip dipsHip dips are completely normal anatomy — not a flaw. They occur where the pelvis meets the top of the thigh (the trochanteric depression).

Every single person has some degree of a hip dip, even if it’s subtle.When you see someone with a perfectly rounded contour from waist to thigh with zero indentation, that’s typically a giveaway that they’ve had fat grafting (BBL). A completely filled-in lateral hip is not a natural anatomy pattern — it’s the result of adding volume to that indentation.

There’s nothing wrong with either look — natural or enhanced — but it’s important to understand that:

✨ Hip dips = normal skeletal anatomy

✨ No hip dip at all = usually surgical or injected volume.

Fun Fact Friday: 🚫 Why Keeping Your Blood Pressure Down After Surgery Matters

💉The first few weeks after surgery — especially the 2–3 week mark — are critical for healing. During this time, we want to avoid any spikes in blood pressure because:

💥 Elevated blood pressure can increase your risk of a hematoma — a collection of blood under the skin that can cause swelling, pain, and even require another procedure to drain.

Even something as simple as straining, heavy lifting, bending, or emotional stress can cause pressure to rise.

That’s why we remind our patients to:

✨ Take it easy — no workouts or strenuous activity yet

✨ Stay calm and rest

✨ Take medications as prescribed

✨ Keep communication open with your surgical teamYour body is healing beneath the surface. Protect your results by giving it the calm, steady recovery it deserves. 💗

Fun Fact Friday: Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻

✨ Why We Don’t Remove All the Fat During Liposuction ✨

It’s a common misconception that liposuction means taking out every bit of fat — but doing that would actually cause problems, not perfection.

We always leave a thin, even layer of fat under the skin to keep the surface smooth and natural-looking. If we were to completely strip the fat away, it could lead to contour irregularities, dimpling, or rippling — things no one wants after surgery.

Liposuction is about sculpting, not scraping. The goal is balanced, beautiful contours that move and look natural — not paper-thin skin over muscle. 💫

Fun Fact Friday: ✨ The belly button: small detail, big impact! ✨

When creating or repositioning the umbilicus (belly button) during a tummy tuck, it’s not always perfectly in line with both the xiphoid (the lower end of the breastbone) and the apex of the labia majora. Every body is different — sometimes one is slightly to the left or right of midline and not “textbook anatomy.”

That’s why your surgeon must make a key decision: which landmark to align the new umbilicus with.

For the most natural, balanced contour, I typically align it with the xiphoid, since that creates a more harmonious upper abdominal shape and midline symmetry.

It’s these small, thoughtful decisions that separate a standard result from a refined, beautiful one. 💫

Fun Fact Friday: Drainless tummy tuck.

Refined. Elevated. Effortless.

Experience the art of the drainless tummy tuck — a modern evolution in body contouring.

By using advanced internal suturing techniques, we eliminate the need for external drains while enhancing comfort, healing, and aesthetic precision.

Benefits include:

✅ Easier, more comfortable recovery

✅ No drain care or removal

✅ Lower risk of infection

✅ Smoother, flatter contour

✅ Less tension on final closure leading to a better-looking and more thin scar.

Where innovation meets artistry — and recovery feels as refined as your results.

Fun Fact Friday: 👙 What Is an Internal Bra?

Think of it as internal support for your breasts, much like an invisible bra—placed inside the body during surgery.

🩺For patients undergoing breast augmentation, lifts, reductions, or implant revisions, we can use advanced materials like the TIGR® Matrix—a biodegradable scaffold that reinforces your breast tissue from the inside. It provides early support, helps shape the results, and gradually dissolves as your body heals and strengthens. 💪✨🔬

Made from a synthetic mesh that your body accepts and replaces with natural collagen over time, the internal bra concept adds durability, long-term shape, and less risk of sagging or implant displacement.📍

Ideal for:

• Revision breast surgeries

• Thin or weak tissue support

• Patients wanting longer-lasting lift results

💬 Have questions about whether you’re a candidate for an internal bra to Lovell Up your results?😜 Schedule a consult to discuss your unique treatment plan! 😘

Fun Fact Friday: Avéli®: A Targeted Solution for Cellulite

As plastic surgeons, we know that cellulite is not caused by excess fat alone — it’s the fibrous septa beneath the skin tethering tissue down that create dimpling. Avéli® is an FDA-cleared device that allows us to precisely release those septa in a single, minimally invasive treatment. It can be done awake or under general anesthesia.

One of the advantages of Avéli is that it can be safely combined with other procedures for comprehensive results:

• Liposuction: contour and slim while addressing cellulite dimples.

• Fat grafting/BBL: enhance shape and smooth skin simultaneously.

• Skin tightening technologies: improve elasticity for an even more refined finish.

By treating both the surface irregularities (cellulite) and deeper structural or volume concerns in the same setting, we can deliver smoother, more balanced, and natural-looking results.

📍 This combination approach is highly customizable and should be discussed during a consultation to determine if it aligns with your goals.

Fun Fact Friday: ✨ Did you know? ✨

📊 Women make up more than 85% of cosmetic surgery patients, yet only about 15–20% of board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. are women.

That gap matters.

As a female plastic surgeon, I understand the unique concerns, perspectives, and goals that women bring when they walk into a consultation.

My practice is deeply female-focused—over 95% of my patients are women—which means every aspect of the care I provide is designed with women’s needs in mind.Why does this make a difference?

💎 Aesthetic vision shaped by lived experience

💎 A safe, supportive environment to share your goals

💎 Empathy, perspective, and expertise combined

Representation in medicine isn’t just about numbers—it’s about connection, comfort, and care. And when it comes to plastic surgery, having a female surgeon isn’t just rare—it’s a powerful advantage. 💖

Fun Fact Friday: Awake Liposuction: Sculpting Made Simple

✨Did you know liposuction doesn’t always require general anesthesia? With awake lipo, patients stay comfortably relaxed with local anesthesia—no need for a breathing tube or full sedation. We use Pronox and oral sedation.

💎 Benefits include:

✔️ Faster recovery

✔️ Less downtime

✔️ Safer alternative for the right candidates

For patients seeking natural contouring without the commitment of a full surgical anesthetic, awake lipo can be a safe and effective option when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Every body is unique, and so is every surgical plan.

✨ Let’s discuss if this option is right for you. 😘

Fun Fact Friday: ✅natural belly buttons

Fun Fact Friday: Signage is up. It’s official. Welcome to Lovell Plastic Surgery ☺️

As a double board-certified female plastic surgeon, my mission has always been to create natural, beautiful results while ensuring every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for. Every detail of this practice was curated with that vision in mind—from the warm, welcoming environment to the personalized patient journey.

With a woman’s touch, I’ve blended technical expertise with an eye for detail to deliver an experience that is both exquisite and empowering. This isn’t just about results—it’s about restoring confidence and celebrating individuality.

Here’s to impeccable outcomes and plastic surgery with heart. ❤️

Fun Fact Friday: Pre-op necessities!

Fun Fact Friday: What is a seroma? It’s a collection of clear fluid that can build up after surgery, especially in areas where tissue was lifted or removed (like after tummy tucks, liposuction, or breast surgery).

✨ All of my tummy tucks are drainless. While seromas (fluid collections) can occur whether or not drains are used, the risk is much lower when advanced techniques are applied. With my approach, the rate is only about 2–5%, compared to much higher rates reported with traditional methods.

✨ The good news?Seromas are usually not dangerous. Many go away on their own, while others may need a quick office procedure to drain the fluid with a small needle. On average, it takes 2–3 simple drainages, spaced a few days apart, for the seroma to fully resolve.

✅ What helps lower the risk:

• Surgeon’s technique: progressive tension and quilting stitches

• Wearing your compression garment as directed

• Limiting strenuous activity during early recovery

• Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions closely

⚠️ If you notice swelling, fluid buildup, or discomfort, always reach out to your surgeon so they can evaluate and keep your healing on track.

Remember: healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and little bumps along the way are normal. My job is to guide you safely through every step. ❤️

Fun Fact Friday: It’s completely normal to notice little “imperfections” on your face or body after surgery — simply because you’re looking more closely than ever (at both the amazing results and the tiny quirks). I experienced the same thing after my Zoom whitening — I suddenly spotted a chipped tooth that had been there all along, but I’d never noticed until my smile was brighter! 😁

Fun Fact Friday: SKIMS Face Mask: Plastic Surgeon’s TakeSKIMS’ new “face shapewear” is basically a stylish version of the compression wraps we use after facelifts, neck lifts, or chin lipo.

✅ What it can do:

• Reduce swelling after procedures

• Give short-term contouring from mild compression

• Support healing in recovery

❌ What it can’t do:

• Reshape bone or remove fat

• Give permanent jawline changes

• Replace surgical or non-surgical contouring

Bottom line: Perfect for a little post-procedure TLC, but no fabric—no matter how chic or “collagen-infused”—can permanently sculpt your face. For true, lasting contour, invest in a medical-grade skincare routine and partner with a board-certified plastic surgeon. 😘

Fun Fact Friday: How Scoliosis Affects Body Contouring Results

Scoliosis — an abnormal curvature of the spine — doesn’t just impact posture. It can also influence your body shape, fat distribution, and surgical outcomes in procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, or body lifts.

When I evaluate patients with scoliosis, I pay close attention to how the spinal curve affects:

🔹 Waistline asymmetry

🔹 Rib cage prominence

🔹 Muscle imbalance

🔹 Pelvic tilt or rotation

These structural differences mean that achieving perfect symmetry may not be realistic — and that’s okay. My goal is to enhance your natural shape while being honest about what’s anatomically possible.

✨ The key is a personalized approach: thoughtful marking, contouring with intention, and realistic expectations.

You don’t need a “perfect” spine to feel confident in your body — just the right plan and the right hands. 🙌

Fun Fact Friday: 🩺 Let’s talk about the Caprini Score.

The Caprini Risk Assessment Model is a scoring system we use to evaluate your individual risk of developing blood clots (DVT/PE) after surgery. Things like age, BMI, hormone use, and personal or family history of clotting are all factored in.

🔍 Why it matters:

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is rare but potentially life-threatening. Your Caprini Score guides decisions like whether you’ll need blood thinners around the time of surgery. I always place compression devices on my patients during the surgery and encourage early ambulation post-op. In addition I give my patients compression socks in their post-op recovery package to wear the 1st week after surgery.

Every detail you share in your medical history helps me calculate this score and tailor your aftercare plan to reduce complications and protect your health.

💉 Safety isn’t optional — it’s built into every step of your surgical journey.

Fun Fact Friday: 📣 Hernia vs. Diastasis Recti — What’s the Difference?

This is a common question I get during tummy tuck consults.

👩🏻‍⚕️Let’s break it down:

🔹 Ventral Hernia

A hernia is an actual defect or hole in the fascia (the connective tissue layer).

👉 Fat, bowel, or other tissue can poke through this opening.

👉 Can be congenital or develop over time from pressure, surgery, or injury.

⚠️ I’m also board-certified in general surgery and feel comfortable repairing hernias at the time of your tummy tuck.

🔹 Rectus Diastasis

This is a widening or separation of the rectus abdominis muscles (the “six-pack” muscles) along the midline.

👉 It’s NOT a true hole.

👉 Common after pregnancy or major weight changes.

👉 No organs poke through — just stretching and bulging of the abdominal wall.

Fun Fact Friday: Face & Neck Lift vs. Skin Resurfacing: What’s the Difference? 🤔

✨Both treatments can rejuvenate your appearance, but they work in very different ways—and often complement each other beautifully.

🔹 Facelift & Neck Lift

Think of this as lifting and tightening the deeper layers. These surgical procedures reposition sagging tissues, define the jawline, and improve jowls and neck laxity. It’s about structural support and long-term contour.

🔹 Laser Resurfacing or Chemical Peel

These treatments focus on the surface. They improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and pigmentation by stimulating collagen and removing damaged outer layers.

👩‍🔬 In short: Surgery repositions, resurfacing refines.

Combining both can yield the most natural and refreshed result.📍Want to know what’s right for you? Let’s chat in consultation.

Fun Fact Friday: 🛌✨ Healing Smarter, Not Just Harder ✨🛌Your recovery matters just as much as your surgery.

That’s why I often recommend Full-Body Red Light Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) after surgery. These cutting-edge treatments aren’t just trendy—they’re backed by science and used by elite athletes, burn centers, and now… our post-op patients.

🔴 Red Light Therapy Benefits

• Reduces inflammation + swelling
• Stimulates collagen production
• Accelerates tissue repair
• Minimizes bruising
• Improves lymphatic drainage

💨 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Benefits

• Supercharges oxygen delivery to healing tissues
• Speeds up recovery time
• Decreases risk of infection
• Reduces post-op fatigue
• Supports immune function

Both are non-invasive, painless, and incredibly effective in optimizing your body’s natural healing process. I think these are especially helpful after facelifts and tummy tuck operations. These therapies can elevate your recovery and help you get back to feeling you—faster.💡 Ask us how to integrate these into your recovery plan!

Fun Fact Friday:✨ Motiva Round vs. Ergonomix® Implants ✨Not all implants are created equal—and that’s a good thing! At Lovell Plastic Surgery, we offer both Motiva Round and Motiva Ergonomix® implants to give patients beautiful, natural-looking results tailored to their goals and anatomy.💎 Motiva RoundDesigned for more upper pole fullness and a perkier, “augmented” look—perfect if you’re after that lifted cleavage and a little extra pop in your silhouette.🌸 Motiva Ergonomix®These implants are soft, adaptive, and mimic the natural movement of breast tissue. They sit naturally when you’re upright and shift subtly when lying down—ideal if you want a very natural look and feel.No one-size-fits-all here. We guide you through every detail so you can feel confident and informed in your choice. 💬✨📍Book your consult and let’s talk about what’s best for your body and vision. ❤️

Fun Fact Friday:✨ Why Does Massive Weight Loss Often Mean Multiple Surgeries? ✨

For patients who have achieved massive weight loss—whether through lifestyle changes, GLP1s or bariatric surgery—your transformation is nothing short of inspiring. But what many don’t realize is that the next chapter often involves more than one procedure.

➡️ Why multiple surgeries?

After significant weight loss, excess skin can affect multiple areas of the body—arms, abdomen, thighs, breasts, back, and more. Safely addressing all of these concerns usually takes a staged approach to prioritize healing and reduce surgical risk.

➡️ Why is the skin so difficult to work with?

Skin that’s been stretched for years often loses elasticity and becomes thin and fragile. It doesn’t behave like normal skin during surgery and healing, which makes closure, contouring, and scar optimization more challenging.

Fun Fact Friday: 📌 Post-Surgery Recovery Tip: Don’t Skip the Protein! 🍗🥚🫘

Recovering from surgery? One of the most important nutrients your body desperately needs right now is PROTEIN.✨

Why protein matters after surgery:

✔️ Speeds up wound healing

✔️ Supports immune function

✔️ Preserves muscle mass

✔️ Fights fatigue and promotes strength🥩 🥜

After surgery aim for 1.5-2 gm/kg/day of protein (normal adult: 0.8-1 g/km/day)

Easy ways to get your protein in:

➡️ Greek yogurt

➡️ Protein shakes and smoothies

➡️ Scrambled eggs

➡️ Nuts

➡️ Seafood or chicken

➡️ Lentils and tofu

Fun Fact Friday: Eyebrow position is extremely important! My goal is to never create a “surprised look.” 👀 I want to restore the eyebrows to the position that they were in your youth! When we get older the eyebrows start to descend. This can contribute to a feeling of heaviness and increased hooding and laxity of the upper eyelids. Combining an eyebrow lift with an upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) is often the recipe for success in rejuvenating the upper 1/3 of your face. 🙂

Fun Fact Friday: How do plastic surgeons make symmetric areolas during surgery? We use an areola cookie cutter (areola marker). This is a precise surgical tool used by plastic surgeons during breast procedures like:

🔹 Breast reduction

🔹 Breast lift (mastopexy)Its main purpose?

➡️ To create a symmetrical, round areola

➡️ To ensure consistent size and placement between both breasts

➡️ To guide incisions for natural-looking resultsMade of stainless steel, these round, flat instruments come in various diameters, depending on patient anatomy and aesthetic goals.

💬 “Cookie cutter” might sound playful, but in the OR, it’s all about precision, balance, and confidence in outcomes.

Fun Fact Friday: Plastic surgery (especially body work) is very physically demanding so plastic surgeons try to stay in shape!

Liposuction alone typically requires the surgeon to stand for long periods, maintain static postures, and use controlled physical effort, which burns approximately 200-300 calories per hour.

My average “mommy makeover” is 6-6.5 hours. Lots of sewing and lipo. I love what I do but it is definitely a workout! 😁