Dr. Borko Djordjevic on Preparing for Liposuction at the American Aesthetic Surgery Center

One of the many surgeries we offer to help men and women look and feel more attractive and beautiful, liposuction removes unwanted fat from the hips, buttocks, abdomen, thighs, upper arms, and other areas of the body. At the Igalo, Montenegro-based offices of the American Aesthetic Surgery Center, my staff and I first determine if a patient serves as a good candidate for liposuction before beginning serious talks about the surgery. Then, after determining which area of the body will receive the treatment, we establish a time and date and provide them with a presurgery preparation guide.

Because liposuction represents a mildly intensive procedure, candidates undergoing the treatment must prepare for the process. That includes arranging for someone to drive them home following surgery and, if needed, provide them some assistance for the next few days. We perform small-volume liposuction on an outpatient basis as it cuts down on medical costs and usually offers greater convenience to the patient. However, if they desire that we remove a large volume of fat or they want to combine the liposuction with other cosmetic surgeries, we may require them to stay for a night in a hospital or overnight medical facility.

Persons undergoing liposuction will need to physically prepare themselves for the surgery by following our guidelines on eating, drinking, and smoking. We may also request that they avoid certain vitamins, iron supplements, and medications. Patients who contract illnesses or infections prior to surgery should notify their surgeon immediately as they may need to reschedule the procedure for when they feel better.

About the Author: Dr. Borko Djordjevic commands an impressive background in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. A fellow with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Djordjevic developed his abilities at some of the United States’ top hospitals including The Ohio State University-affiliated Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Dr. Borko Djordjevic and Montenegro

Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Borko Djordjevic has practiced his art for 40 years and helped people all over the world improve their appearances and boost their self-esteem. He currently serves as Chairman and Director of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mediterranean Surgery Center in Igalo, Montenegro.

Located in Southeastern Europe, Montenegro is bordered by Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, and Serbia. Montenegro gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and existed as various incarnations of Yugoslavia throughout the 20th century. In 2006, Montenegro declared complete independence. Montenegro holds membership in the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the Central European Free Trade Agreement.

Known for having both a beautiful coastal region and a stunning mountain range, Montenegro gained popularity as a tourist spot in the 1980s, which came to a halt during the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. It regained popularity in the 2000s: National Geographic Traveler named Montenegro among its 50 Places of a Lifetime; The New York Times ranked Montenegro’s Ulcinj South Coast among its Top 31 Places to Go in 2010; and Yahoo Travel listed Montenegro in its 10 Top Hot Spots of 2009. Today the country is considered an elite tourist destination.

There are many cultural and historic sites to visit in Montenegro, including the basilica of St. Luke, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks, the Savina Monastery, and many medieval monasteries. Igalo, home to the Mediterranean Surgery Center, is famous for its spas, owing much of its popularity to the 200 days of sun it receives on average and wonderful climate, as well as the wealth of vegetation and mineral water. It located right on the coast, close to the Croatian border, and boasts extensive beaches, most of which are warm and shallow.

Dr. Borko Djordjevic on Tummy Tucks

By Dr. Borko Djordjevic

Technically known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck tightens the abdominal muscles while removing excess fat and skin found in the middle or lower abdomen, reducing the appearance of bulges and fat deposits. Tummy tucks provide the most benefit for relatively fit individuals who have been unable to reduce loose skin or fatty areas through diet and exercise, as well as women who have experienced multiple pregnancies and lost skin and muscle elasticity in the abdomen. Those who plan to lose weight or become pregnant in the future should wait before undergoing abdominoplasty. In fact, many of the best tummy tuck candidates are post-bariatric patients.

As with all major surgeries, tummy tucks present several risks to patients, including scarring, infection, and blood clots. Some patients opt for a second surgery to reduce the appearance of scars, which may stretch from thigh to thigh depending on the extent of the initial procedure. By following the surgeon’s aftercare advice, patients can minimize the risk of complications. Importantly, individuals must remain inactive while healing and should refrain from smoking to maximize the body’s mending abilities.

Before the surgery, patients will receive specific instructions about eating, drinking, and taking medications to avoid interactions with anesthesia. The procedure requires anywhere from two to five hours depending on the extent of the operation. Generally, surgeons make an incision between the hipbones below the waistline. A second incision frees the navel from surrounding tissue to prevent unnatural distortion and pulling. The surgeon next separates the patient’s skin from the abdominal wall and stitches the revealed muscles closer together, tightening them and narrowing the waistline. Afterward, the surgeon pulls the skin flap back down, removing any excess, and stitches the navel back into a natural position. Some individuals may return to work after only two weeks, while others may require a month or more for full recovery.

Mediterranean Surgery Center

In my practice at the Mediterranean Surgery Center in Igalo, Montenegro, I frequently perform facelifts. While a facelift cannot erase the effects of aging, it can be effective in rejuvenating the face; tightening the skin; and reducing lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Facelifts are complex procedures that can be undertaken either alone or along with complementary procedures such as nose reshaping and eyelid surgery. The best candidates for facelifts have begun to experience facial sagging, but still have excellent skin elasticity. Patients’ ages generally range from the 40s to the 60s, although facelift procedures have been performed successfully on individuals as old as 90. Unlike many cosmetic procedures, which have standard methodologies based on general body characteristics, facial procedures offer a chance to work intimately with patients in crafting a new look. After running comprehensive diagnostics to ensure that there are no underlying medical conditions, I thoroughly explain the techniques of facelifts to the patient. I also discuss costs and risks, making sure my client is aware of what the procedure will entail and the new look we will achieve.

The facelift procedure itself takes several hours, sometimes longer if the patient is undergoing multiple surgeries. I make incisions above the hairline at the temples, following the natural contours around the ear and down the lower scalp. When necessary, I also make a tiny incision under the chin. The facelift procedure involves a complex fine-tuning of the face through a combination of trimming fat, suctioning fat, and tightening the muscles. At the end of the procedure, I stitch the incisions closed and wrap the face loosely in bandages. These stitches are generally removed within a week, although the scalp often takes longer to heal. To learn more about the cosmetic surgery procedures offered at the Mediterranean Surgery Center, visit us on the Web at mediteranskihiruskicentar.com.

About Borko Djordjovic

A surgeon with a comprehensive education in cosmetic procedures, Dr. Borko Djordjevic possesses numerous certifications in his field. After acquiring his Doctor of Medical Sciences from the University of Belgrade, Dr. Borko Djordjevic completed his general surgical training in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at the Mountainside Hospital and the Graduate Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, respectively.

Expanding his surgical knowledge, Dr. Borko Djordjevic then transferred to the Riverside Methodist Hospital, an affiliate of Ohio State University, where he studied plastic and reconstructive surgery, surgery of the hand and genitalia, and cosmetic surgery. Board qualified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Borko Djordjevic was also certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. Completing a certification course with LifeSaver Systems, Dr. Borko Djordjevic learned to conduct basic cardiac life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Dr. Borko Djordjevic has experience in femtosecond lenticule extraction as well. In addition to his firm grasp on general plastic surgical procedures, Dr. Borko Djordjevic is an accomplished aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Borko Djordjevic has performed facelifts; rhinoplasty; blepharoplasty; chemical peels; breast augmentation and reduction; reshaping and reduction of limbs, hips and the abdomen; liposuction; and genitalia repair and reconstruction.

Continuously striving to improve his skills as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Borko Djordjevic participated extensively in post-doctoral educational events and conferences. Dr. Borko Djordjevic took several review courses in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He traveled to Italy in 1994 to attend the International Symposium on Plastic Surgery and participated in a laser workshop at the Skin Laser Center in New Jersey in 1997.

Most recently, Dr. Borko Djordjevic attended the 20th Annual Symposium on the Latest Advances in Facial Plastic Surgery at the Foundation for Facial Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, California. Conducting much of his own research in the field, Dr. Borko Djordjevic has been published many times in various academic journals.

Dr. Borko Djordjevic currently teaches plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Belgrade and directs the academic institution’s Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Training Program as well as the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mediterranean Surgery Center.