Lancaster, Harrisburg - Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, and Other Body Procedures

Dr. Wendell L. Funk offers a variety of procedures to aesthetically enhance the shape and contour of your body. A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Funk has more than 15 years of experience enhancing the body through plastic surgery for patients from Lancaster, Harrisburg, and elsewhere in central Pennsylvania. These plastic surgery procedures include liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), body lift, thigh lift, and arm lift (brachioplasty). His attention to detail has earned him an outstanding reputation in the specialty of cosmetic plastic surgery. The following are body-enhancing procedures performed by Dr. Funk:

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. This recontouring surgery results in a flatter abdomen and a trimmer and sleeker waistline. Skin with stretch marks may be removed or dramatically reduced, but always tightened. The abdominal muscles, previously stretched and separated by pregnancy or previous weight gain, are now tightened, which further assists in flattening the abdomen and narrowing the waistline, restoring lost youthful contours.

The severity of the abdominal deformity determines which tummy tuck technique is performed. These include mini-abdominoplasty, which usually tightens the muscles from the umbilicus to the pubis, combined with varying degrees of liposuction of the abdomen in patients who require minimal skin removal. A modified abdominoplasty addresses slightly greater deformities and includes effects of the above, but requires a slightly longer incision and allows removal of additional excess skin. The traditional abdominoplasty tightens muscles from just below the breast and extends down to the pubis, repositions the umbilicus, and removes most of the excess skin from the umbilicus down to the pubis. The extended tummy tuck removes even more skin than the traditional abdominoplasty, but requires a longer incision, which may extend laterally onto the upper hips. This is typically required of patients who have lost significant amounts of weight, such as after bariatric surgery. At the completion of any of the above procedures, the skin is then closed. The final effect results in the creation of a dramatically and more aesthetically attractive and youthful abdomen.

The entire procedure takes between two and four hours, depending on the severity of the skin laxity, muscle weakness, and ultimate goals of the patient. Most of Dr. Funk's patients from Lancaster, Harrisburg, and elsewhere who undergo a tummy tuck return to work and their daily activities in two to six weeks, depending on which procedure was performed. Please speak with Dr. Funk, serving central Pennsylvania communities including Lancaster and Harrisburg, for more information about the tummy tuck procedure.

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Liposuction (Liposculpture) - Including Superwet Variation of the Tumescent Technique

Liposuction is one of the most remarkable advances in body contouring surgery. The ability to insert a small tube under the skin and remove fat literally became a reality just over 20 years ago. This dream-come-true technique has revolutionized body contouring surgery and today is often combined with many other cosmetic procedures, allowing refinements previously not possible. A modern approach to cosmetic enhancement, liposuction has applications in almost every area of the body. Now, the face, breast, arm, abdomen, thigh, and back can be safely sculpted in many patients, restoring the body’s natural and youthful contours.

In the properly selected patient, the benefits of liposuction are many. There are a wide variety of liposuction techniques available, including standard (SAL), ultrasonic (UAL), and power-assisted lipoplasty (PAL). Whether it’s a flatter abdomen or more defined legs and thighs, this body contouring technique can help you achieve the result you desire. Cellulite, if present, is not typically improved with liposuction. These procedures are not designed for weight loss, and proper patient selection is critical to a successful and safe outcome and a happy patient. This procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis, and recovery is generally quite short.

The safety of this procedure has been dramatically enhanced with the introduction of the superwet version of the tumescent technique. With this technique, a dilute solution of physiologic saltwater with epinephrine added (superwet tumescent-type solution) is instilled into the fat of the area to be treated. Even with this, however, Pennsylvaniatients requiring large volume liposuction procedures should be very carefully selected after an extensive consultation with a very qualified plastic surgeon. This should clearly be considered major surgery and never taken lightly. Patients who require liposuction to remove larger volumes of fat (over 5,000 cc's), however, are generally admitted to a hospital for at least one night for monitoring to ensure safety.

A light compression garment of some type is generally used for four to six weeks after surgery. Bruising and swelling are the most common side effects of liposuction and usually subside within two to three weeks in most patients. Most patients are able to resume light activity in three to five days. Patients can typically engage in a full range of normal activities within two to six weeks, depending upon the extent of the liposuction performed. Dr. Funk serves patients from Lancaster, Harrisburg, and throughout central Pennsylvania interested in liposuction.

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Body Lift

Aging frequently affects the tautness of the skin of the abdomen and the thighs. Skin laxity can also occur after varying degrees of weight loss. Substantial weight loss can improve your overall health and boost your self-esteem, as seen following bariatric surgery. Many people notice, however, that their skin is deflated, stretched, sagging, and loose. A body lift is performed to remove the extra skin and tissue of the lateral abdomen and thighs in patients with such skin laxity. A body lift does for the abdomen and thighs what the facelift does for the neck, cheeks, and jowls. With this in-depth procedure, major excess skin removal of the inner and outer thighs, lateral abdomen, and lower back is possible.

This is a major surgical procedure generally performed in a hospital setting and can take four to six hours or more to perform. Hospitalization for one to two nights is often required. While walking is resumed immediately after surgery, return to light activities requires seven to ten days, and full recovery often requires four to six weeks. The results with this procedure are usually quite dramatic, restoring a smoother, more youthful contour to the abdomen, lower back, and thighs. Cellulite, a concern of many patients, is also dramatically improved with this surgical procedure. While the incisions can be extensive, they can usually be concealed within the lines of most bathing suits. Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon is critical to achieving a safe, successful outcome. Dr. Funk has substantial experience in performing these procedures.

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Thigh Lift (Inner or Outer)

If a regular routine of exercise and healthy eating isn't having the desired effect on your thighs, a thigh lift may be a good option for you. While a body lift is designed to rejuvenate the lateral abdomen, lower back, and circumferential thigh, some patients only suffer from skin laxity of the inner or outer thigh, requiring only an inner or outer thigh tightening or rejuvenating procedure. These patients are not typical candidates for liposuction procedures as there is skin laxity with wrinkling, fine lines, and cellulite present. Only tightening of the skin as seen with these procedures can truly rejuvenate the thigh. The effects of this surgery can be quite dramatic. The result is slimmer, more toned, and naturally shaped thighs for both men and women. Conservative liposuction may also be combined with this procedure.

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Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure designed to remove loose and wrinkled hanging skin or bat-wing deformities from the upper arm. Patients requiring this procedure are often older or have experienced significant weight loss. This procedure incorporates an incision which usually extends from the axilla to the elbow. It is made as inconspicuously as possible on the medial and inferior portion of the upper arm, restoring a tighter, more youthful appearance to the arm. This is often combined with liposuction of the upper or lower arm.

Brachioplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. A light compressive dressing is required for the first seven to ten days, although one is often able to return to work and light activity during this time. Full recovery from swelling and bruising usually occurs within four to six weeks.

Contact Dr. Funk

Body contouring procedures offer some of the most dramatic results possible with any cosmetic procedure. For patients who want a beautiful new body shape and rejuvenated appearance, one of these procedures may be the best option available. Please contact Dr. Funk, with offices in central Pennsylvania conveniently located for residents of Lancaster and Harrisburg, to learn more about liposuction, tummy tuck, or any other cosmetic procedure.

Contact Dr. Funk, serving the Lancaster and Harrisburg areas, to schedule a consultation for liposuction, tummy tuck, or another body contouring procedure.






230 Harrisburg Avenue
Suite 7
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
717.299.9551

1750 Fifth Avenue
Suite 300
York, Pennsylvania 17403
717.299.9551

Grandview Corporate Place
205 Grandview Avenue
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
717.299.9551

FAX: 717.399.9266