Treat Yourself to a Mommy Makeover Package at Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Minnesota

Posted on April 8, 2013 by shucosmetic

The Mommy Makeover has become one of the most popular rejuvenation treatments for young women in Minnesota today. We are proud to offer this at Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina.
While having a child brings so much happiness to you and those around you, you may not be as excited about the changes in your body. Now with the help of Shu Cosmetic Surgery you can reclaim your pre-baby figure with a combination of procedures known as the Mommy Makeover.

Many women of all ages in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas are self-conscious about their new body image after childbirth and would like to look and feel their best when returning to careers and hectic lives. It is important to realize that these procedures can be done on anyone wanting to feel better about themselves, even if your children are older.

There are several areas that we focus on with the Mommy Makeover at Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Minnesota. These are commonly the stomach, breasts, and thighs.
Which procedures are generally included in the Mommy Makeover?

Liposuction: This is excellent for removing pockets of pregnancy fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Cosmetically speaking successful liposuction is measured in inches rather than pounds. Dr. Shu prides himself on being able to offer the most diverse types of liposuction in the state of Minnesota.

Tummy Tuck or Mini Tuck: This is a surgical procedure designed to flatten the abdomen by tightening the muscles in the abdomen wall and/or removing excess skin and fatty tissue.

Breast Surgery: We offer many types of breast surgery at Shu Cosmetic Surgery. We will help you choose your best option, whether it is implants, breast lifts, or a breast reduction.

Cellulite Treatment: This is a non-surgical procedure that provides a marked reduction in skin dimpling from cellulite and an increased appearance of skin smoothness.

Scar and Stretch Mark Treatment: At Shu Cosmetic Surgery we are proud to offer the latest in laser technology to improve or eliminate red or raised scars or stimulate collagen production to improve and eliminate the appearance of stretch marks.

Call Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina, Minnesota today to book your Mommy Makeover consultation today!

‘Top Doc’ For Liposuction in Minneapolis

Posted on April 2, 2013 by admin

If you’re searching for a cosmetic doctor in Minneapolis or St. Paul who can provide expert care and services for liposuction, you owe it to yourself to consider Dr. Steven Shu of Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina, Minnesota.

Dr. Shu is a board certified laser surgeon and recognized as one of Minnesota’s pioneers in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. He was one of the first cosmetic doctors in Minneapolis to offer laser liposuction and is the only area doctor to offer all three of the latest body sculpting techniques: Laser Liposuction, Vaser Lipo and Body-Jet Lipo.

Helping you look and feel your best is what is most important to Dr. Shu. He doesn’t just focus on the cosmetic outcome of your procedure. He is equally focused on your overall health and well being. That is why he offers three different options for liposuction and will help you choose the treatment that is right for you.

Which Liposuction Technique Is Right For You?

• Laser Liposuction

Laser liposuction is the most popular form of advanced liposculture available. When it was first introduced, laser lipo revolutionized cosmetic surgery, appealing to a wide audience who wanted to improve their shape and tone without expensive surgery and lengthy recovery.

Today, newer techniques have emerged, offering better results for fat removal. Laser lipo is still highly effective and Dr. Shu uses this technique for patients who do not need significant fat reduction and/or would most benefit from skin tightening effects.

• Vaser Liposuction

Vaser lipo is the most used liposuction technique at Shu Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Shu recommends Vaser Lipo for men and women who want to get rid of unwanted fat and sculpt the body with greater definition compared to other techniques. Vaser Lipo can also be combined with laser lipo to harness the advantage of fat removal plus skin tightening.

• Body-Jet Lipo

Body-Jet lipo is a water assisted lipo technique that is most effective when used with fat transfer procedures such as Natural Breast Augmentation or fat transfer to the face, hands or buttocks. Body-Jet Lipo is very gentle and does not disrupt fat cells, keeping them healthy and intact for the highest rate of survival in fat transfer procedures.

• Liposonix

Liposonix isn’t liposuction. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical fat reduction treatment for those who are close to their ideal shape, but have areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Liposonix uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to “melt” fat tissue below the surface of the skin. The treated fat is passed through the body’s lymphatic system. Most patients drop a pant size within 8-12 weeks after a single treatment.

If you’re in the Minneapolis St. Paul area and considering liposuction, contact Shu Cosmetic Surgery for a free consultation. We will evaluate your condition and help you choose the liposuction procedure that is right for you.

Male Breast Enlargement – Pseudogynecomastia in Minnesota

Posted on March 21, 2013 by shucosmetic

Pseudogynecomastia is probably among the most common types of male breast enlargement in Minnesota adults. However, in this condition, male breasts are mainly composed of fat deposits without the development of breast gland tissue. The breast shape in pseudogynecomastia patients look much like that in the real gynecomastia ones but have no medical reason for being there, as it is simply body fat.

A common male adipose distribution in the chest is a circular pattern around the breasts; this adipose tissue distribution pattern is exaggerated in cases of pseudogynecomastia, which may extend to the underarm areas.

Patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas with male breast enlargements due to pseudogynecomastia should seriously consider their diet and exercise as the first step of treatments. Male breast reduction surgery should preferably be done if weight loss through diet and exercise fails to achieve the goal.

Since the areas surrounding the breast in the pseudogynecomastia are mainly fatty tissue, liposuction should be the first choice to correct it; it usually gets immediate results. The liposuction for male breast reduction is performed in the local tumescent anesthesia in the outpatient setting, and it takes only an hour to finish. It might also be necessary to do liposuction along with surgical excision of the glandular tissue to achieve the best results and the flattest chest if the patients in Minnesota have true gynecomastia.

Age, skin elasticity, and the size of the breast are three main factors that will affect the results. If the patients have excess skin in the breasts, the liposuction combined with male mastectomy may not be sufficient to correct the breast deformity due to skin laxity. If the breast skin sagging is mild, Vaser or laser technologies should be used to tighten skin. If the skin sagging is severe, male breast lift (mastopexy) may be necessary.

Get Ready for Summer with Laser Liposuction at Shu Cosmetic Surgery Center in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area

Posted on March 12, 2013 by admin

It has been a long and chilly winter, but warm, sunny weather is just around the corner. Soon we will be peeling off the layers of clothes and donning our shorts and t-shirts, only to find that it has been too easy to hide those creeping winter pounds under our sweaters and winter coats.

Are you sick of dreading the impending summer months? Now is the time to act if you want to make it a summer to look forward to with an improved swimsuit body. For liposuction in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, we offer the premier service of laser liposuction. With very little downtime and very concrete fat removal/body contouring results, laser liposuction is the key to making you ready for a summer of fun and feeling good about yourself.

Laser liposuction is a procedure that removes fat and tightens skin by directing laser energy into the fat cells and liquefying it, and then drawing it out through a cannula. It works on many areas of the body including the thighs, buttocks, stomach, waist, back, chest, face, chin, neck, arms, and ankles. An added bonus is that the laser stimulates collagen contraction, resulting in firmer, smoother skin. You will be able to resume most normal activities the following day, and more strenuous activates within a few days.

Laser liposuction is the optimal way particularly to get rid of those unruly areas that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. Laser liposuction is much less harmful and aggressive than traditional liposuction, with minimal bruising and less tissue damage. Also recovery time is shorter because it is much less invasive.

Minneapolis area laser liposuction is a long term solution and only done one time as a rule, as once fat cells are gone, they can’t come back. You will see dramatic results within 1 to 2 weeks after your procedure, but final and conclusive results require 4 to 6 months to fully appear.

Vaser Lipo – Revolutionary Body Contouring in Minnesota

Posted on February 27, 2013 by shucosmetic

Everyone in Minnesota wants to look and feel their best. Are you bothered by specific areas of your body that seem out of proportion? You’re not alone.

Vaser is one of among the best liposuction in the world. This revolutionary fat removal procedure offers a safe alternative to traditional liposuction. Vaser lipo provides smooth, predictable results with fast recovery and minimal downtime.

From minor touch-ups to major transformations, Vaser lipo is proved to be efficient, effective and flexible. Whether you’d like to lose a few pounds in traditional areas — your waist, thighs and bottom — or finely sculpt your arms, neck or chest, Vaser lipo gives you the results you want.

Using a technique called LipoSelection®, VASER Lipo targets specific areas of the body. Ultrasonic waves break up and separate fat cells for removal, while leaving vital tissues unharmed.

With Vaser lipo, we can expect:
• Realistic curves and definition, even for hard-to-fix spots
• Easy removal of large quantities of fat
• Precise sculpting of delicate areas of the body
• Minimally invasive procedures that can be delivered in a comfortable, clinical setting
• Fast recovery times
• Smooth, tight results

Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina, MN started the Vaser lipo in the late of 2009 and has done more than 600 cases in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. It became Dr. Shu’s most favorite lipo technology for its effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility, and minimal invasion.

Gynecomastia in Minnesota

Posted on February 25, 2013 by shucosmetic

Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of breast tissue in males due to either increased glandular breast tissue and/or excess local fat deposition. The term comes from the Greek gyné meaning “female” and mastós meaning “breast.” Gynecomastia can happen at any age and can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity conditions, disease, or certain drug use.

Temporary gynecomastia may occur physiologically in newborns and adolescence due to an altered estrogen-androgen balance. More than a quarter of adolescent boys may live with enlarged breasts for the rest of their lives, but majority cases resolve within a few years of onset without intervention.

“Puffy nipples”, one of the most common forms of gynecomastia in Minnesota, is characterized by a glandular tissue accumulation forming a dome shaped appearance to the areola. Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) induced gynecomastia is glandular gynecomastia that is common in bodybuilders after using anabolic steroids. Older men develop gynecomastia as a result of the natural decrease of testosterone production. These patients tend to have a greater abundance of excess skin around the areola due to age-related skin sagging.

Gynecomastia can occur unilaterally and asymmetrically. Unilateral type occurs when only one breast is deformed, the other breast is typically normal in both size and shape. Asymmetrical gynecomastia occurs when both breasts have gynecomastia, but each to a different degree.

Pseudogynecomastia is characterized by local fat deposition in breasts without glandular proliferation. It requires different treatment. The weight reduction with exercise and diet may improve pseudogynecomastia, but the treatment of choice in pseudogynecomastia is liposuction to the area.

Most gynecomastia patients in Minneapolis and St. Paul areas need a male breast reduction surgery to correct the enlarged breasts. Shu Cosmetic Surgery uses minimal invasive surgical approach with local tumescent anesthesia and cutting-edge liposuction technology to achieve a great cosmetic result.

Non-surgical Fat Reduction in Minnesota

Posted on February 21, 2013 by shucosmetic

Non-surgical fat reduction treatment is getting popular in Minnesota this year. Specialized equipment is used to create a controlled injury to the fat in the treatment areas. The second generation of Liposonix is new addition of non-surgical fat removal in Minnesota, and it allow outpatient fat treatment with no downtime and minimal to no discomfort. Liposonix is probably one of the most effective non surgical fat reduction treatments.

Who is a good candidate for non-surgical fat reduction? You are a good candidate if you have limited regional fat deposits on your abdomen, flanks, back, outer thigh. Liposuction is probably a better option for larger fat accumulations. As with any cosmetic treatment, your doctor or other cosmetic practitioners will help you decide whether you are a candidate for non-surgical fat reduction. Your discussion should include a discussion of the risk, benefits, and alternatives for your treatment.

Liposonix treatment is pretty simple. First your treatment areas are marked. After the limited local anesthesia is applied, the ultrasound transducer head is then moved over the treatment area. Your session may last about an hour. Premedication is usually not needed.

Non-surgical fat reduction (Liposonix) Benefits:

Treats undesirable local fat deposits of the abdomen, flanks, back and thighs
No incision required, minimal risk of skin injury
Minimal discomfort, no downtime

Non-surgical fat reduction Considerations

Non-surgical fat removal is best for limited volumes of fat of the abdomen, flanks, back and thighs
Liposuction is still preferred for many patients
This is not a weight loss treatment
More than a treatment sessions may be needed sometimes for a larger fat accumulation

Risks/Complications/Patient Safety

Skin may be red in the treated area for a few hours
Temporary numbness has been noted in some patients
Bruise is common and resolves within 2 weeks
Small burns are extremely rare

Recovery

Liposonix usually requires little, if any recovery. For most patients, full activity may be resumed immediately.

Result

Over the next 8 to 12 weeks, your body naturally processes and removes the destroyed fat tissue. With less fat, your body is naturally slimmer, with a sleeker, more contoured waistline.

Breast Reduction for Men in Minnesota

Posted on February 20, 2013 by shucosmetic

True gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of the male breast resulting from a proliferation of the glandular breast tissue. The similar condition known as pseudogynecomastia, or lipomastia, is characterized by fat deposition without glandular proliferation. Many gynecomastia patients in Minnesota have both increased glandular breast tissue and excess local fat deposition.

Gynecomastia is common in men in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas, it happens at any age. It can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity conditions, disease or the use of certain drugs.

Gynecomastia results mainly from an altered estrogen-androgen balance. The imbalance is between the stimulatory effect of estrogen and the inhibitory effect of androgen. Thus, any cause of estrogen excess from overproduction to peripheral conversion of androgens can initiate the cascade to breast development.

Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self-confidence. Some men in Minnesota may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.

Male Breast reduction is the surgical correction of enlarged breasts in men. The surgical treatment is highly effective, giving excellent esthetic results. The treatment of choice in Male Breast reduction is liposuction to the area. It might also be necessary to do liposuction along with surgical excision of the glandular tissue to achieve the best results and the flattest chest. The gland is excised through a half-inch to one-inch long incision around the edge of areola.
This procedure is a good option for you if:
• You are physically healthy adult
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large

A Slimmer, Sleeker Body is Possible with Minneapolis Liposuction Procedures at Shu Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

Liposuction can help anyone who needs excess fat removed from their bodies and wants to look trim and sculpted. It is one of the best procedures for people who have recently lost weight to tone up the areas of loose skin and other loose areas that will not firm up with exercise. Some of the Minneapolis liposuction offerings at Shu Cosmetic Surgery include Laser Liposuction, Vaser Liposuction, AquaShape Liposuction, and Hi-Def Liposculpture.

Laser Liposuction utilizes a laser to tighten the client’s skin and help to dissolve the fat all over the body. This form of liposuction is not able to be used on larger masses of fat, but can be used on areas like the upper arms or chin.

Vaser Liposuction utilizes ultrasound to get rid of a person’s fat cells while bypassing the client’s nerves and connective tissues. The mechanism used in Vaser Liposuction is not as high in temperature as the mechanism used in Laser Liposuction. It also helps to soften a person’s excess fat in an efficient way and can be used in areas where there are larger amounts of fat, such as the abdomen.

AquaShape Liposuction, otherwise referred to as Body Jet Liposuction, is a technologically advanced form of liposuction. This form uses a water jet that uses a pulsating action to dissolve fat cells. With this form of liposuction, there is a reduced amount of swelling and bruising, and clients tend to recover more quickly. This methodology can also be used as a general skin-tightening procedure. This kind of liposuction can also be used along with fat transfer procedures. Shu Cosmetic Surgery is one of the best places to get Body Jet Lipo in Minneapolis.

Hi-Def Liposculpture is the newest form of liposuction in Minneapolis. This procedure can help to make muscles more defined, since it dissolves fat that accumulates around and near the muscles. This form of liposuction is very selective and is a highly targeted procedure. This procedure is the first of its kind available when it comes to St. Paul liposuction. For the very best in Liposuction MN, select Shu Cosmetic Surgery.

How is Liposonix Different? New non-surgical fat reduction treatment at Shu Cosmetic Surgery!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by shucosmetic

There are a few new emerging fat reduction technologies on the market in Minnesota. Liposonix is one of the newest and among the most effective in fat reduction. Now, the people in Minneapolis and St Paul areas have a better option for their body contouring.

There are several advantages of Liposonix comparing to other options on the fat reduction in Minnesota.

Non-Surgical – Non-Invasive

Invasive fat reduction procedures, such as Liposuction, typically carry certain surgical risks and are associated with significant post-treatment recovery downtime. Even newer, minimally-invasive techniques still entail surgical procedures. Unlike these types of surgical fat reduction procedures, the Liposonix treatment is non-invasive and patients typically resume normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Custom Contouring™

Patients come in all shapes and sizes, and so does their fat. Other non-invasive body contouring devices can be limited in their ability to treat certain areas of fat and may require several hours and/or multiple treatment sessions to adequately address problem areas. The Liposonix system is highly versatile, allowing control over precisely how and where energy is delivered, for a truly customized treatment in a single one-hour session.

HIFU Technology

With many other non-invasive fat reduction technologies, such as radiofrequency and lasers, energy is highly absorbed or scattered near the skin surface, thereby limiting penetration into subcutaneous fat tissue and delivering only temporary results. Ultrasound energy, on the other hand, can be used to penetrate through the skin layers and into the targeted fat tissue without harming skin or surrounding tissues. Other ultrasound body contouring technologies often use low-intensity, low-frequency, or unfocused energy which can require multiple treatments and lead to unpredictable results. The Liposonix system uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to non-invasively destroy targeted subcutaneous fat and deliver uniform, predictable results after a single one-hour treatment.

Highly Effective

Liposonix has shown to be a very effective technology in eliminating the body fat, with results of waistline reduction one inch after just one treatment. We have witnessed waistline reductions more than two inches with Liposonix in the past, which is atypical of most non-surgical fat reduction treatments. Other non-invasive body contouring devices may require several hours and/or multiple treatment sessions to adequately address problem areas and achieve the same results as Liposonix.