Dr. Trey Sands is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Metairie with extensive training and experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. His education has included training in general surgery at the Texas Medical Center of the University of Texas and training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Tulane University. He then partnered with his father-in-law, Dr. Gustavo A. Colón. If you are interested in plastic surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn more information about Dr. Sands and his services.
Dr. Sands’ specialties include the following:
• Aesthetic surgery
• Skin cancer reconstruction
• Body contouring after extreme weight loss
• Breast reconstruction
What is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to replace a woman’s breast. A woman who has undergone a mastectomy or had a breast surgically removed may have her breast reconstructed immediately after the mastectomy or sometime later. Similarly, she will be able to choose from several different procedures and techniques.
Dr. Sands uses cohesive gel or “gummy bear” implants. They are generally shaped like teardrops and hold their shape better than do other types of implants. Gummy bear implants have both a silicone shell and a thick silicone gel that stays in place even if the shell cracks. Gummy bear implants are also soft like natural breasts.
Tissue expansion is one technique used in breast reconstruction. The doctor will use a special breast implant called a tissue expander. It has a valve mechanism that enables the doctor to inject a saline solution into it. As the tissue expander fills up, it gradually stretches the patient’s skin so it will be able to completely cover the permanent implant. When the doctor is satisfied the patient has enough skin, he will place the permanent implant.
Tissue flap procedures are quite common, and there are several types. They are most commonly used in patients who have undergone radiation treatments. In a tissue flap procedure, the doctor will harvest tissue from another part of the patient’s body, like the buttocks or abdomen. He will then form the tissue into a natural-looking breast mound.
The latissimus dorsi flap, however, is somewhat different. The doctor will take tissue from the patient’s back and construct a pocket to hold a breast implant. He will attach the pocket to the patient’s chest.
What Other Types of Breast Procedures are Offered?
Dr. Sands also offers the following breast surgeries:
• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Breast reduction
• Gynecomastia surgery
• Transgender top surgery
Breast augmentation uses similar techniques as breast reconstruction. Most patients get implants.
A breast lift or mastopexy is a procedure done to make sagging breasts appear perkier and more youthful by removing excess skin. Many women’s breasts start to droop as they age or after they have lost a lot of weight. There are several different techniques, and the plastic surgeon will choose one depending on the size of the patient’s breasts and how badly they are drooping. A breast lift is an outpatient procedure.
In breast reduction, the surgeon may remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. In some cases, the procedure will be combined with liposuction.
Gynecomastia is a common condition in which a boy or man develops enlarged breasts that resemble a woman’s. Gynecomastia surgery is, thus, a type of breast reduction. In addition to removing the unwanted tissue, the plastic surgeon will reshape the remainder to give the patient a more masculine appearance.
Transgender top surgery can be either male-to-female or female-to-male. Male-to-female procedures will involve the use of implants, while female-to-male procedures will involve breast reduction and reshaping the chest to look more masculine.
What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring describes any procedure done to improve the shape and proportions of the patient’s body. It is particularly popular among patients in Metairie who have lost a lot of weight. Many such patients find themselves left with excess skin and fat deposits – and diet and exercise have minimal effect on those.
During body contouring, the plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and fat deposits and reshape the patient’s body to have a more toned and proportionate shape. Body contouring can include the following procedures:
• Liposuction
• Abdominoplasty
• Mommy makeover
• Arm lift or brachioplasty
• Thigh lift
• Buttock contouring
Dr. Sands also offers scar revision procedures, including the non-surgical Renuvion, to reduce any surgical scars. Similarly, he offers skin resurfacing to get rid of any stretch marks. Body contouring procedures can be done alone or in combination with each other.
What Does Scar Revision Involve?
Scar revision describes a group of procedures done to reduce scarring. While it is often thought of as strictly cosmetic, it can also be reconstructive. Some scars, especially burn scars, cause contractures or an abnormal tightening of the tissues, and contractures can impair a patient’s range of motion. By removing such scars, the doctor restores the patient’s ability to move normally.
There are several different techniques used in scar revision, and they include the following:
• Tissue expansion
• Skin grafts
• Skin flaps
Tissue expansion works just as it does in breast reconstruction: the plastic surgeon uses an inflatable implant to stretch and grow more skin that will then be used in surgery. A skin graft is a layer of skin taken from another part of the patient’s body. The surgeon will carefully choose it to make sure it matches the surrounding skin. A skin flap contains other tissues, including its own blood vessels.
Are There Any Non-Surgical Treatments Available?
Yes! Non-surgical treatments include the following:
• Injectables
• Renuvion
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
• Microneedling
• ALMI
Injectables include BOTOX® and Dysport® and a large selection of dermal fillers. Injectables like BOTOX® temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause contractions that can lead to crow’s feet or brow wrinkles. They are generally used on the top third of the face.
Dermal fillers fill in lines and wrinkles, and they can fill in areas that have lost facial volume. Different dermal fillers are used on different parts of the face, and some can also add volume to the cheeks or lips.
Kybella® is a novel injectable used to reduce double chins. It is the only treatment approved by the FDA that can eliminate the fat cells that form the double chin. Kybella® contains deoxycholic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the human body. Deoxycholic acid breaks down fat cells that are then expelled by the body.
What is a Liquid Rhinoplasty?
A liquid rhinoplasty is the use of dermal fillers to improve the appearance of the patient’s nose. It can only correct or reduce minor problems like bumps or mild asymmetry. Patients with more serious problems like a deviated septum will need the surgical procedure.
A liquid rhinoplasty can help patients who are either not good candidates for surgery or who want to see how they might look before committing to surgery. Candidates for a liquid rhinoplasty need to be in good overall health and have realistic expectations.
What is Renuvion?
Renuvion is a minimally-invasive treatment used to resurface the skin on the face and the neck. It can tighten skin and reduce scarring and discoloration like age spots or freckles. The technology uses a combination of radiofrequency energy and cold helium plasma to heat the tissues and stimulate collagen production. It takes months for the full effects of the treatment to become apparent, and many patients need only one treatment.
What Does PRP Involve?
PRP or “platelet-rich plasma” involves using the patient’s own blood to repair damaged skin and leave the patient looking younger. Platelets are tiny blood cells that help healing. Platelet-rich plasma was originally used to treat sports injuries.
For this procedure, we will draw about the same amount of blood used for a laboratory test and put it in a centrifuge to separate the components. We will then inject the platelet-rich plasma into the treatment area. Since PRP uses the patient’s own blood, there is no chance of rejection or an allergic reaction. The procedure takes place in the comfort of our office in Metairie.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive technique used to rejuvenate the skin. A special device is used to stimulate the healing process and the production of collagen. Microneedling can reduce scarring, discoloration, and wrinkles, among other issues.
There are different types of microneedling. For example, we may choose to use a device called SkinPen. It can be combined with a topical treatment that infuses the skin with various nutrients. Or we may suggest a device that emits radio frequency energy at the same time that the needles penetrate the skin. The radio frequency energy will heat the skin and stimulate healing. Another method combines microneedling with PRP.
What is ALMI?
ALMI stands for “Autologous Lipocyte Micronized Injection,” and it is a treatment used to rejuvenate the skin. It can improve the skin’s elasticity, tone, and texture as well as reduce sun spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
To learn more about our services and why Dr. Sands is the premier plastic surgeon in the New Orleans area, visit Metairie Plastic Surgeons in Metairie. Contact our office today to arrange your consultation!
