Dealing with aging and all that goes with it can be daunting.
Just one more thing to add to the list of things that seem different than they did when you were 30 – your upper arms – they may be suddenly saggy and sadly un-firm.
Significant fluctuations in your weight, heredity and aging all play a role, but unfortunately, this is a condition that cannot be corrected through exercise.
At Keystone Surgery Center, Dr. Kimmel specializes in a surgical procedure designed to reduce saggy underarms. It’s called “arm lift” surgery or brachioplasty. Arm lift surgery can tighten the underlying supportive tissues that define the shape of your upper arms, thereby reducing excess, drooping under arm skin.
If you are of stable weight and are not significantly overweight, have loose upper arm skin, are of good health, a non-smoker and have realistic expectations – you would be a good candidate for arm lift surgery. The procedure takes about two to three hours and is performed at our outpatient surgery center.
If you are considering this procedure, it’s important to understand that there will be a significant scar from your elbow to armpit. However, in most cases, the benefit of removing excess skin outweigh this issue.
During your consultation with Dr. Kimmel, be prepared to discuss your surgical goals, current medications, alcohol and tobacco use, and any pre-existing medical conditions or drug allergies.
Dr. Kimmel will evaluate your general health, discuss your options and discuss the likely outcome of the procedure, including any risks or potential complications.
It’s natural to feel some anxiety about any surgical procedure. We would be happy to address any concerns you may have. Call us for a consultation, today!
Ganglion Cysts…definitely scary sounding…but not to fear!
Ganglion cysts are very common and are easily treatable.
What are they?
• Ganglion cysts are lumps within the hand or wrist.
• They are usually located next to a joint or a tendon.
• The most common locations are the base of the finger, the top of the end joint of the finger, the palm side of the wrist and the top of the wrist.
• Inside the cyst is a clear, thick, jelly-like material.
• The cyst may feel firm or spongy, depending on its size.
• Ganglion cysts are more common in women.
• The majority occur in people between the ages of 20-40.
The cause of ganglion cysts is a mystery but it is theorized that:
• Trauma may cause the tissue of the joint to break down forming small cysts which then join to form a larger cyst, or
• A flaw in the joint capsule or tendon covering allows the joint tissue to bulge.
It is difficult to know how to prevent ganglion cysts, however early evaluation and treatment are recommended.
• Ganglion cysts may change size or disappear completely.
• They may or may not be painful.
• Many are without symptoms except for their appearance.
• If they are painful, however, the pain is usually a nonstop aching which is made worse by movement of the joint.
• They are not cancerous and will not spread to other areas of the body.
• If the cyst is connected to a tendon, there may be a feeling of weakness in the affected finger.
What to do?
• Treatment is often non-surgical.
• The cyst can simply be observed, especially if it is painless.
• If the cyst becomes painful or limits activity, there are treatment options available:
• Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed for pain.
• An aspiration may be performed to remove the fluid from the cyst.
• This requires placing a needle into the cyst.
• Aspiration is a simple procedure but recurrence of the cyst is common.
• Surgical alternatives are available which are generally successful.
Dr. Kimmel specializes in the treatment of ganglion cysts. Call for a consultation today!
Adolescence. Definitely a trying time – filled with insecurities, frustrations and worries about being accepted and fitting in.
Each teenager is unique…each affected differently with the challenges adolescence brings.
Fact: Along with total body changes and crazy hormonal invasions, adolescence brings facial changes.
Rhinoplasty surgery, or getting a “nose job,” is very personalized, and one of the most demanding and complex of all cosmetic surgery procedures, especially for teens. It can make a big difference in how a young person looks and subsequently, how they feel about themselves. It can be a self-esteem game changer.
A note of caution: Surgical procedures on the teenage nose before its growth has stabilized may result in un-wanted nasal changes and a disruption of facial growth. Therefore, timing is critical.
If you are a teen considering rhinoplasty surgery, it is important to discuss it with your parents. If everyone agrees that rhinoplasty is the best option, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Kimmel, who will discuss the procedure with you, answer your questions and determine if you would be a good candidate for rhinoplasty surgery.
Call us for a consultation, today!
Ask anyone who spends the majority of their work day typing at a computer. Whether they are writing the Great American Novel or drafting intricate legal briefs, their wrists take the brunt of the workload – sometimes resulting in the debilitating pain, tingling and numbness of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Typing is not the only culprit. Knitters, artists, long-haul drivers, wood workers, anyone who works with small instruments or vibrating equipment has an increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome – especially if there is a pre-existing pain or weakness in their wrists.
There are no proven strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but here are a few things to consider to help minimize the stress on your hands and wrists:
• Stay at a healthy weight and try to control other conditions such as arthritis and diabetes; avoid smoking.
• Think about your daily routine and evaluate it for activities that increase your risk.
• Try to arrange your activity and work space using ergonomic guidelines – set up an ergonomic, body-friendly workstation which includes the placement of your desk and computer monitor, the choice of a comfortable chair and the use of a specially designed wrist-rest near your keyboard.
• Efficient, proper body mechanics are one of the keys to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Check your posture. Sit up straight! If you don’t, your shoulders tend to roll forward causing your neck and shoulder muscles to shorten, compressing nerves in your neck. This can affect your wrists, fingers and hands.
• Relax your grip! Most of us use more force than needed to perform even everyday tasks.
• Take a break…frequently! Get up from your chair, do something else, rest, stretch, change positions, shake, bend or stretch your hands and fingers often.
• Keep your hands warm. Fingerless mitts that allow movement of the fingers while warming the hands and wrists are popular…try a pair…especially if you are unable to control the temperature of your work environment!
If you think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, call Dr. Kimmel for a consultation.
When patients aren’t happy with their abdomen, whether it’s a pooch from childbirth or pockets of fat that won’t go away, they wonder if liposuction or a tummy tuck is the thing to correct the problem. While both procedures shape and sculpt the abdominal area, they go about it in vastly different ways.
Liposuction
As America becomes bigger, so does liposuction. Last year, it was once again the most popular cosmetic surgery in the country. Liposuction targets excess pockets of fat such as love handles, spare tires, and muffin tops. Not a weight loss procedure, the ideal candidate for liposuction should be within their ideal body weight and have tried both diet and exercise to get rid of stubborn areas of fat.
Tummy tuck
Unlike liposuction, a tummy tuck doesn’t remove abdominal fat. A tummy tuck removes loose, handing abdominal skin and tightens the underlying muscles to re-contour the abdomen.
When trying to decide between the two procedures, the good news is you don’t have to! If you have issues with both excess fat and poor skin laxity in the abdominal area, Dr. Kimmel can perform both liposuction and a tummy tuck as part of your body-contouring plan.
So, if you’re unhappy with your tummy, let’s talk about what we can do to give you the contour you want. Call Dr. Kimmel at Keystone Surgery Center in Pottsville or Hazleton today.
As we age a couple natural developments can really affect the eyes. Our skin loses some of its elasticity and tautness. And fat deposits can form. The combination leads to droopy, aged eyes that can give another person the idea that you are either mad or very tired. And because the eyes are a focal point when looking at a person’s face, droopy eyes with dark circles are the last thing you want. Fortunately, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Keystone Surgery Center can takes decades off your eyes and make your face look much younger
Why eyelid surgery? The skin around our eyes is the thinnest on the entire body, so when it loses its elasticity fat deposits, saggy areas, and wrinkles all begin to really show themselves. Sometimes, the upper lid can droop far enough to even impact your vision.
In a blepharoplasty procedure, the goal is to return the eyelids to the way they looked before all that sagging took hold. Patients can opt for just upper or lower eyelid surgery, but most choose to have both eyelids improved at the same time.
In the surgery, Dr. Kimmel makes incisions in inconspicuous locations that will not be visible to others. On the upper eyelid, the incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid. On the bottom eyelid it is made either in the corner of the eye or on the inside of the lid. Any excess skin is trimmed and the underlying muscles are tightened. Also, fat is repositioned, especially on the bottom eyelid. Why is fat not removed? If there is excess fat, some will be removed, but removing too much fat can give the patient a drawn, gaunt look.
Recovery from eyelid surgery is relatively easy. Most patients can return to work after about a week, and resume all of their former activities within three to four weeks.
Maybe you should give your eyes some of the attention they deserve. Call us at 570-622-2900 and let’s discuss a blepharoplasty.
Volume loss within the skin is a very common and natural occurrence of aging. This is true for the delicate skin of the face, neck, chest and hands. The lips are also often victims of volume loss over time. As you grow older your upper lip tends to elongate and thin out. This can cause you to look angry, tired or simply less vibrant than you used to look or currently feel.
A lip lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that shortens the distance between the upper lip margin and base of the nose, allowing for more visibility of the upper teeth when the lips are in a relaxed, slightly separated position. This procedure will make the middle section of your upper lip more full and restore balance to your smile. It will also help make you look years younger.
A lip lift is a little known surgery that offers big results – without the need for fillers or implants. It is performed in our office in less than one hour and done so under local anesthesia. This means you will return home the same day and less down time will be needed for recovery.
A lip lift involves a tiny incision placed within the natural crease just beneath the base of the nose to precisely elevate and reposition the upper lip. Recovery time is rapid and the concealed incision generally heals very well. Contact us to learn more today!
Every year millions of Americans struggle with the elimination of unwanted body fat. Even those patients who stick to strict diets and work out regimes still struggle with stubborn pockets of fat. These areas can appear as your metabolism changes with age or following life altering events such as recovery from an injury or pregnancy.
If you find that you are one of those people that simple cannot lose pockets of fat around your midsection, on your chest, thighs or back – maybe it is time to consider permanent treatment. Liposonix offers a unique and safe alternative to liposuction.
Comfortably performed in our office, Liposonix is nonsurgical treatment. Rather than making incisions into your skin and jabbing your tissues with a cannula, Liposonix employs ultrasound technology to permanently destroy unwanted fat cells, leaving the overlying skin unharmed. Treatment lasts about one hour and leaves most patients an entire dress or pant size smaller.
Contact our office to learn more about Liposonix today!
Ganglion cysts are extremely common, but unfamiliar to many of our patients. They occur when fluid builds-up under the surface of the skin and are commonly found around joints such as the wrist, feet, knees and ankles.
Only your physician can accurately diagnose the presence of a ganglion cyst, however common identifying factors include a firm texture and round shape. You may also experience some mild joint pain around the cyst and even numbness. The cyst will be flesh toned and should not present as an open sore. If you are concerned about a cyst on your body you should schedule an appointment for a diagnosis today.
If it is determined that you have a ganglion cyst, it can be treated in a variety of ways. It can be drained, injected with steroids or surgically removed. Don’t live with discomfort or self-consciousness due to the presence of ganglion cysts.
Contact our office for more information and treatment options today.
An arm lift can works wonders for many patients, but the truth is that this procedure is not for everyone. If you are struggling with loose and sagging skin underneath your arms – something that is common with age or weight loss – then an arm lift is ideal. Sagging skin can also results from genetics or sun damage.
However, if your arms are large due to unwanted fat deposits then an arm lift will not correct his problem. Fat deposits can be removed with liposuction, and then paired with an arm lift to provide smooth contours and new shape to your arms. An arm lift alone will not eliminate unwanted pockets of fat, although it may reduce their circumference.
An arm lift is normally performed in our office, under local anesthesia and takes 2-3 hours to perform. Your arms will be very swollen after treatment, but with the use of compression garments for several days, your arms will quickly adapt to their new, beautiful contours.
Finally, an arm lift can leave a considerable scar. In most instances, your scar will be placed inside the arm and as discreetly as possible. However, if you are concerned about the severity, or scar easily, an arm lift may not be the ideal treatment for you.
If you’d like to learn more about arm lifts and learn if this is right for you – contact our office with your questions today.
The shape of your face can make one of the best first impressions you’ve ever imagined. Certain facial features can also make patients more confident in their appearance which always makes a great first impression.
If you are seeking to improve the shape or overall appearance of your face, contact our office to learn more today. Facial implants can be used to enhance your facial shape and to balance any asymmetries in your face. Symmetry is widely known to be one of the most attractive features of a face. Asymmetry can occur naturally or also as a result of injury or facial trauma. Dr. Kimmel is experience at correcting facial asymmetry and providing your most balanced appearance ever.
Following a careful pre-operative facial assessment including precise measurements and radiologic evaluation, appropriate implants will be selected for your facial enhancement. Implants can be precisely placed to augment a receding chin, add prominence to cheekbones or reshape a weak jawline.
In addition to cosmetic enhancement of facial features, implants can also be employed to correct certain birth defects or reconstruct facial features following traumatic injury or tumor removal. Recovery time is generally brief, with patients resuming their usual activities within 3 to 5 days.
Contact our office to learn more today!
One of the most important decisions you can make when planning for cosmetic surgery is the physician that will provide your care. It is important to choose someone that you can trust and that you are comfortable with – as well as someone with the education and training necessary to provide safe and beautiful results.
Dr. Robert Kimmel has decades of experience and offers beautiful cosmetic outcomes in a relaxing environment.
Dr. Kimmel’s educational background includes:
Dr. Kimmel is also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?and is a Fellow of American College of Surgeons. These are very important distinctions that you should look for in any plastic surgeon.
Professional development is also important to Dr. Kimmel. He is active in the following organizations outside of his busy practice:
Contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kimmel today!
Do you have pockets of body fat around your waist or belly that seem impossible to eliminate? Are you killing yourself at the gym only to remain disappointed with stubborn fat? Maybe it is time to consider a complement to your exercise regime with Liposonix treatment.
Comfortably performed in our office, Liposonix is nonsurgical and is not liposuction. Instead Liposonix uses ultrasound technology to permanently destroy unwanted fat cells. Your skin will remain smooth and unharmed following treatment, while the fat cells below the surface are expelled naturally from the body.
Liposonix is so effective that many patients experience a reduction in one whole pant or dress size after just one treatment. Many similar services on the market require multiple treatments to achieve these results. Again, Liposonix is not surgery and there is no downtime required following treatment.
Liposonix can be used to slim the waist, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, back, and legs. It is appropriate treatment for both men and women of all ages and skin types. If you’re ready to say goodbye to that muffin top for good – contact us for your Liposonix consultation today.
It is not uncommon for women to become frustrated with the appearance of their aging breasts. Age and gravity can take its toll on the delicate tissue of the breasts by causing them to sag and lose volume over time. Additionally, younger women may also become dissatisfied with the shape and condition of their breast tissue following activities such as pregnancy, breast feeding or a sudden weight loss.
For these patients we are proud to offer mastopexy surgery, more commonly known as a breast lift. This surgery does not increase the size of the breasts as a breast augmentation or implant surgery would – however it can be used to elevate and tighten the breast tissue. This surgery is perfect for those women who seek natural looking results and a more youthful silhouette – without implants.
A breast lift can also be used to adjust breast position, asymmetry, or to resize or align the areolae. For patients who are also concerned about the size of their breasts, the surgery can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation surgery.
It is advised that patients not undergo a breast lift surgery until their breasts have completely developed or after all expected pregnancies and breastfeeding plans have concluded.
If you’re ready for new confidence and lift to your silhouette, contact our office today for a breast lift consultation.
Have the effects of gravity caused the delicate skin on your face to sag or wrinkle prematurely? Do you desire cosmetic correction but need a procedure that offers shorter recovery times than traditional plastic surgery? Maybe it is time that you consider treatment with a thread lift.
While many cosmetic surgery patients are not familiar with a thread lift – this type of cosmetic correction lifts the skin with sutures. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed in office. Thread lifting can be performed on the forehead, face, and neck. Because the procedure is less intense than traditional lifting surgeries, the recovery time is significantly shorter.
Basically, the procedure involves using specialized sutures to re-suspend your face’s skin. The sutures are laced through the tissue below the skin offering dramatic improvement. By restoring youthful facial contours, thread lifting can improve your overall outlook by enhancing self-confidence.
Contact our office today to learn more about how thread lifting can make you look and feel better than ever.
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