Bershof Plastic Surgery: 303.399.7662 Body By Design: 303.399.9609 4500 E. Ninth Ave, Suite 100
Denver, Colorado 80220

Fax #: 303-399-1314

Recent Posts

Is Liposuction a Weight Loss Surgery?

Saturday, July 15, 2023

LiposuctionLiposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery that removes stubborn fat from areas of the body where it is difficult to lose fat. However, there is a common misconception that liposuction is a form of weight loss surgery. Let’s explore if liposuction is a weight loss surgery and who is a good candidate.

Liposuction Is Not a Weight Loss Surgery

Contrary to the popular misconception, liposuction is not a weight loss surgery in the traditional sense. However, you do technically lose weight from the liposuction process. Liposuction is designed to remove small and stubborn pockets of fat that are difficult to target from traditional exercise and diet. Liposuction uses a small device that resembles a hollow knitting needle to remove fat from underneath the skin. Multiple tiny incisions are made, and the device removes the fat. The maximum amount of fat removed is around five to 10 pounds. While this is technically weight loss, liposuction is not a viable option for weight loss, and results will be far from optimal.

Who Should Get Liposuction?

Liposuction is mainly designed for people who are relatively healthy and are close to their goal weight. Certain parts of the body can be resistant to weight loss, and it is impossible to target a specific part of the body to burn fat. It can be frustrating to be a healthy and fit individual but struggle with excess fat in a place like your neck. That’s where liposuction is incredibly useful at targeting small pockets of fat on the body. If you’re struggling with stubborn fat or are five to 10 pounds away from your weight goal, liposuction could be a good option for you.

Seeking Treatment

Even though liposuction isn’t a weight loss surgery, it can still help you remove stubborn fat that is in the way of your aesthetic goals. Thankfully, Dr. John Bershof provides many cosmetic treatments, including liposuction. Dr. Bershof is proud to be one of the few plastic surgeons in the United States double-boarded in plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Bershof has been in private practice for over three decades and brings expertise, care, and efficiency to every procedure. If you’re considering liposuction, then contact Dr. Bershof’s office at 303-399-7662 today.

3 Benefits of Body Contouring Procedures

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Woman body in perfect form, cosmetic cellulite treatment, plastic surgery and liposuctionThe popularity of body contouring procedures has grown in recent years, and it's easy to see why. These procedures offer numerous benefits, from improving your body shape to boosting self-confidence. Here we'll take a closer look at three benefits of body contouring procedures.

What is Body Contouring?

Body contouring is a surgical procedure that improves the shape of certain body areas. It removes unwanted fat and gives a more pleasing figure. Common treatments include treatment to the buttocks, arms, abdomen, or thighs. Body contouring could benefit those who have lost weight, had children or experienced age-related issues concerning skin laxity. Here are three of the benefits of this body contouring:

Improved Body Shape

One of the primary benefits of body contouring procedures is improved body shape. These procedures can remove excess fat and skin from specific body areas, improving overall shape and contour. For example, if you've lost significant weight and are left with loose skin and excess fat, body contouring procedures can help you achieve the body of your dreams. With this procedure, you can increase your body image significantly by removing excess tissue and creating a more toned and streamlined appearance.

Increased Self-Confidence

Improving body shape and contour can positively change self-confidence and overall well-being. Body contouring procedures allow individuals to feel more comfortable with their physical appearance and boost their self-esteem. These results can open up numerous new opportunities and activities, ranging from improved social interactions, increased enthusiasm for physical activity, or even expanding their horizons.

Long-Lasting Results

The results of body contouring procedures can also last for a long time. While a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is necessary to maintain your results, the contouring procedure can permanently remove excess fat and skin. This means you can enjoy your new body shape for years to come. Additionally, many patients find that their increased self-confidence motivates them to maintain their results with healthy lifestyle choices.

Schedule Your Consultation In Denver, CO

Is it time to take the next step in your fitness journey and sculpt your body? Dr. John Bershof at his Denver office is here to help. Call us now at (303) 399-7662 to schedule your consultation and learn how body contouring can help you reach your goals.

3 Myths About Getting a Flat Stomach After Having Children

Monday, August 15, 2022

woman in swimwear covering face with hat while sunbathing by the poolHaving children is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. But it's no secret that it can also take a toll on your body. After all, your body undergoes major changes during pregnancy and childbirth. So it's not surprising that many new moms struggle to get their pre-baby bodies back.

You're not alone if you want to flatten your stomach after having children. But, with all the misinformation, it can be hard to figure out how to achieve your goals. In this blog post, we'll dispel some of the most common myths about losing weight after pregnancy and give you some tips for getting a flatter stomach.

Myth #1: You'll Never Be Able to Get a Flat Stomach Again

Many women believe their stomachs will never be the same once they've had children. This simply isn't true! While it may take some time and effort, getting your pre-baby body back is possible. It may not happen overnight, but you can achieve your goals with dedication and hard work.

Myth #2: Breastfeeding Will Help You Lose Weight

Breastfeeding can indeed help you lose weight. But it's not a magic bullet. To lose weight while breastfeeding, you still need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Many women don't start losing weight until they wean their child from breastfeeding. So don't be discouraged if you don't see results right away.

Myth #3: C-Sections Prevent You From Getting a Flat Stomach After Pregnancy

Another common misconception is that C-sections prevent you from getting a flat stomach after pregnancy. This simply isn't true. While it may be more difficult to lose weight in the abdominal area after a C-section, achieving your goals with dedication and hard work is possible.

Schedule a Consultation 

Are you thinking about getting a tummy tuck, a mommy makeover, or another advanced body contouring procedure in the near future? Look no further than John Bershof, MD, and Bershof Plastic Surgery in Denver. You can reach us at 303-399-7662. It would be our pleasure to assist you with any further questions you may have.

Get to Know More about Liposuction

Saturday, January 15, 2022

With Surgical Lines on her Body Before Beauty Operation.At Body by Design in Denver, liposuction is one of our most popular procedures. At this time of year, when we tend to have an eye for how we want to look, inquiries about liposuction surgery soar. Here, we answer some of the questions we frequently field from patients who are setting out on their body contouring journey.

Does liposuction hurt?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgery, but it's still surgery, so patients sometimes worry that they'll be uncomfortable. Our objective is to ensure a comfortable process for every patient. We achieve this with the judicious use of local or general anesthesia and the latest technologies. Decades ago, when liposuction was a relatively new procedure, surgeons relied on more force than technique to remove fat through a thin hollow tube. Today, fat is prepped ahead of time using a tumescent fluid. This solution contains lidocaine, saline, and epinephrine, each of which serves a beneficial role. Saline creates space between fat cells to dislodge them. Lidocaine numbs the nerves in the area, and epinephrine targets blood vessels to reduce bleeding during and after surgery. These make surgery and recovery easily tolerable.

Do I have to be under general anesthesia during liposuction?

Some liposuction procedures are performed in a surgery center using general anesthesia. Some are performed in the office using a local anesthetic and light sedation. General anesthesia is typically necessary for combination procedures, whereas minor liposuction focused on one area is safely performed without it. In fact, the use of local anesthetic and sedation carries fewer risks than general anesthesia. Patients are awake but can rest comfortably during their procedure. They can also go home sooner after their surgery has concluded.

Will the fat come back in other areas of the body?

This is a common misconception about liposuction. We appreciate it when patients ask about it rather than assume it to be true. Liposuction removes fat cells from one or more areas. The body does not grow more to replace it. When patients report a "return of fat" after having liposuction, we hate to say that the real issue is that they have gained weight. To enjoy lasting results from liposuction, one must be mindful of living a healthy and active life. This is no different than would be necessary after losing weight through diet and exercise. By maintaining a stable weight, a patient can expect to keep their svelte new curves created by liposuction.

Does Liposuction tighten the skin?

Liposuction does not tighten the skin. Its sole objective is to remove unwanted fat. In many cases, this is sufficient to get the desired outcome. During the consultation, the surgeon carefully evaluates the skin. By doing so, they can predict how well the skin may retract after surgery. When tissue laxity is severe, patients may benefit from a combination of liposuction and a lift such as abdominoplasty or other techniques.

Want more facts about liposuction? Contact us at 303.399.7662 to schedule a visit to our Denver office.

Are You Ready for Liposuction?

Friday, October 15, 2021

Body contouring is rarely as easy as we are led to believe when we scroll through social media. We frequently meet people for whom the standard diet-and-exercise rut simply hasn’t worked. Why struggle for years or live with a body you don’t love when you can do something about it? In our Denver practice, liposuction is a common procedure for those who want to take their contouring to the next level. Once that procedure is on the books, there is very little that needs to be done. Here, we discuss what little you may want to do to make sure you are fully ready for your liposuction procedure and subsequent recovery. 

How to Physically Prepare for Liposuction

You may be well aware that you should be at your goal weight before you schedule liposuction. Still, there are other steps to take to make sure your body is ready not only for the procedure itself but also for prolonged results. We recommend:

  • Lock in a healthy diet. If you’ve been in weight loss mode, you may have focused primarily on calorie restriction to reach your goal. Now, before surgery, your goal may be a little different. What we suggest is eating for healing before surgery. Fortunately, eating leafy greens, fresh vegetables and fruit, healthy fats, and lean protein also sustains weight.
  • Think about your exercise likes and dislikes. Throwing weights around may have helped you reach your goal weight. It may have also felt like a chore. Exercise can and should be enjoyable, especially if you want your liposuction results to last. Before surgery, think about how you can burn calories, build muscle, and have fun at the same time. Does it happen on a dance floor? A yoga mat? The gym? The local mountains? When you start to think outside the box, you can come up with exercise ideas that see you through the rest of your days. 

How to Mentally Prepare for Liposuction

Liposuction recovery isn’t all that bad, but you have had a surgical procedure done, so will have some side effects. Surgical side effects like fatigue, soreness, tenderness, and bruising can have an emotional impact. There are ways to manage this. 

  • Set your goal out in front of you. Seeing your reason for having liposuction surgery can be very uplifting during the first days of recovery, when you don’t quite see your outstanding results just yet. Whether it is an image of yourself at your peak or an item of clothing you look forward to wearing, this “vision board” tip can do wonders for your state of mind.
  • Get help. We said liposuction recovery isn’t that bad and we stand by that. However, if you’re feeling more tired than usual, sore, swollen, and generally blah, you don’t want to have to cook dinner or feed the family or walk the dog. Get help. Don’t push yourself after your liposuction procedure. This never works out well. 

Your body contours don’t have to be a continual frustration. Contact our Denver office at (480) 397-0711 to schedule your liposuction consultation. 

Is Liposuction Worth It?

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Liposuction has been a popular procedure for many years. There are several reasons why it has consistently ranked within the top 5 plastic surgery procedures. It is often sought when diet and exercise are not providing the extent of body contouring a person would like. Let’s face it, body sculpting can be much more difficult than it seems. A little help can go a long way to achieve a well-defined body. While this procedure may be popular, many people still question if it’s worth it. We’ll discuss that here.

We’ll begin by saying that, whether you’re seeking body contouring, facial rejuvenation, or any other kind of cosmetic enhancement, it is essential to know what a given procedure can and cannot do. Expectations are everything. When it comes to liposuction, patients should know that this procedure is not going to help them lose weight. In fact, liposuction does not achieve the best results in patients whose BMI is much outside of the normal range (about 18 to 25). This is because liposuction removes no more than 5.000 mL of fat at once, and it is not healthy to undergo multiple liposuction procedures in a short time frame. When a person is within about 15 pounds of their normal and best weight, that’s when liposuction achieves noticeable, pleasing results.

Some of the situations in which liposuction performs very well include:

  • Removing localized deposits of fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, and chin. Many of these areas are difficult to sculpt with diet and exercise because they may hold stubborn fat.
  • A desire to look better in one’s clothes. Excess fat in certain areas often creates problems fitting into clothing as one would like. For example, some people do not like wearing short-sleeved shirts because of fat on the backs of their arms. Excess abdominal fat causes a telltale “muffin top” over pants and shorts.
  • Perfecting physical proportion. It’s no secret that we all hold weight differently. Excess fat in one area, such as the outer thighs, can throw off proportions across the middle region of the body. Eliminating those localized fatty deposits slims where needed to bring harmony to the shape.

When Might Liposuction be a Bad Idea?

There are relatively few instances in which liposuction would not be a good idea. The two primary situations would be if a person wants to lose weight or has loose, sagging skin. Otherwise, the liposuction procedure holds the keys to lasting rewards!

Want to know more about liposuction? Contact our Denver office at 303.399.7662 to schedule your consultation.

Where can liposuction be performed?

Friday, October 30, 2020

Men and women of Scottsdale, AZ often work hard to keep their bodies in shape and stay active and healthy. However, there are many areas of the body where excess fat tends to accumulate—and can be stubborn to address! Dr. Joseph C. Berardi is a board-certified plastic surgeon who works regularly with patients dealing with excess fat on the body and are seeking a solution to treating these targeted areas.

How liposuction works

A popular method of body contouring and fat removal is liposuction. Liposuction is an elective surgery that is performed to remove fat cells from targeted areas of the body. This is done with the use of a long wand like device attached to a suction machine. The wand, called a cannula, is inserted into very small incisions in the treatment area and is moved around to suction out unwanted fat—permanently. Liposuction is a more invasive procedure, and results surgery and downtime to heal and recover properly.

Where can liposuction be performed?

Dr. Joseph C. Berardi finds that any area of the body that is impacted by excess fat cells can be improved with the use of liposuction. Some of the more common targeted spots include:

  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen
  • Chest
  • Back
  • Buttocks
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Chin/neck

Who is a candidate?

To determine candidacy for liposuction, it is vital for patients to start with a consultation visit. Dr. Joseph C. Berardi takes this time to connect with these patients and find out what their goals are. A patient who is in good overall health and wellness, is within their ideal weight, and is interested in liposuction will want to speak to our provider about what they would like to achieve with this procedure. Patients should have realistic expectations regarding what can be done with liposuction, and may also consider combining other treatments into the same surgical appointment.

Call our board-certified plastic surgeon today!

Liposuction is a common procedure used to reduce and remove fat cells from specific areas of the body, and continues to be a popular choice for both men and women seeking improved body contours. If you live in the Scottsdale community and are considering liposuction, book an appointment with Dr. Joseph C. Berardi by calling (480) 397-0711. Our providers are here to help!

Could Liposuction Cause Loose Skin?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Liposuction is a popular plastic surgery procedure among men and women of all ages. This body contouring technique has been performed millions of times in the past several years and has continually evolved to achieve the best possible results with the lowest amount of risk. As far as we’ve come with various liposuction techniques, including the use of tumescent fluid and ultrasound waves to disrupt fat cells before removal, there is one problem that has yet to be resolved. That is the issue of loose skin after liposuction.

The Cause of Loose Skin after Liposuction

Does the liposuction procedure cause loose skin? It does not. Our skin is supported by various chemicals, including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. After age 20, the cells that make these chemicals enter a state of dormancy. Without continual production of these vital substances, the skin loses firmness, elasticity, and overall resiliency. This is why we get wrinkles. It’s also why tissue can sag more easily after liposuction.

The liposuction procedure creates tiny tunnels when fat cells are removed through a small hollow tube. The tunnels are then filled with the surrounding fat cells that have been left intact. By collapsing into tunnels, the layer of subcutaneous fat that has been treated becomes smooth. We want this so the body doesn’t look lumpy. However, the shift in subcutaneous fat will naturally affect the appearance of the skin. The outermost layer of tissue isn’t being plumped by fat cells anymore. If it does not have good elasticity, it may pucker and look loose after fat is removed.

Can Loose Skin be Treated?

The best way to treat loose skin after liposuction is to keep this from happening in the first place. A skilled plastic surgeon observes all facets of tissue to determine what can be achieved with the intended procedure. When conducting consultations for liposuction, Dr. Berschof observes the skin for signs of laxity. This helps him predict how the skin may respond to having less fat beneath it. When the skin is lax, it means that it may not retract or bounce back as well as it could. When laxity is noticed, the option for skin tightening can be discussed.

Surgical tissue tightening is usually referred to as a lift. Excess skin and loose tissue on the backs of the arms is addressed with an arm lift. The abdomen is treated with a tummy tuck. A thigh lift can be performed to restore nice contours to this area after liposuction. The benefit of any one of these techniques is that loose skin can be eliminated for good.

Dr. Berschof has been performing liposuction and body lift procedures for several years. During your consultation, he will provide you with a professional opinion about what liposuction can and cannot do for you.

To schedule your liposuction consultation in our Denver office, call 303.399.7662.

Liposuction and Weight: How They Fit

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Liposuction Denver, COLiposuction is a popular body-shaping procedure through which we have helped many people feel a renewed sense of confidence. The surgery is performed hundreds of thousands of times a year all around the world, and it has been for many years. Still, we continue to meet potential patients who have a few wrong ideas about what liposuction is all about. Here, we want to set the record straight about liposuction and weight.

Can liposuction help you lose weight?

Liposuction is a fat-reducing procedure. A large number of enlarged fat cells make us, well, fat. It would make sense, then, to assume that removing a number of enlarged fat cells from one or more parts of the body would decrease weight. Interestingly, it doesn't happen this way. Although several liters of fatty matter can be removed during a liposuction procedure, the main result is seen in the mirror, not on the scale. If you're interested in reaching a goal weight, liposuction won't help you. If you're interested in getting rid of fatty deposits on your thighs, buttocks, tummy, arms, chin, or other area, liposuction may be an excellent treatment option for outstanding results.

Won't the fat just come back?

One of the concerns that patients have when considering liposuction is that the fat they have removed will simply come back after surgery. This is a tricky concept. The body will not grow new fat cells to replace those that have been removed by liposuction. Fat also will not migrate from one area of the body to the area treated with liposuction. However, that doesn't mean body shape can't change in the future. Body contouring is determined by the size of the fat cells in any given area. If, after liposuction, diet and exercise habits fall to the wayside, it is very possible that fat cells will enlarge. This can happen anywhere on the body, including an area previously treated with liposuction.

What many people discover is that, once they've corrected stubborn areas of fat with liposuction, their motivation to eat well and exercise regularly increases. When you feel good about your body, you want to show it more love in as many ways as you can.

Is liposuction right for you? We can help you find out. Contact our office to schedule a body-shaping consultation.

Want a Slimmer Shape? Why Surgery May be What You Need!

Monday, October 15, 2018

Body Procedures Denver, CO

Many people express a desire for a slimmer, shapelier body. This is no secret because body contouring treatments are some of the leading procedures in aesthetic medicine. Body-shaping has been around for years in the form of liposuction surgery. More recently, a number of non-surgical protocols have been developed. You may have heard of at least a few of them. Currently, CoolSculpting is one of the most recognizable non-surgical body contouring treatments. But is it right for you? Here, we look at the primary differences between this non-surgical method and surgical liposuction.

Non-surgical Body Sculpting

Non-invasive fat reducing devices all work about the same, even if their general technology is different. For example, CoolSculpting freezes the liquid inside of fat cells while other devices use heat to “damage” fat cells. Whether through freezing temperatures or heat, the body observes targeted fat cells as unnecessary, and it eliminates them through the lymphatic system. This elimination process takes about three months for results to be at their peak.

Where CoolSculpting is concerned, the manufacturer states that fat reduction in the treatment area can reach up to 23%. However, what we must look at is the size of that treatment area. Also per manufacturer documentation, the amount of tissue that can be held by the CoolSculpting panels resembles a stick of butter. This is why CoolSculpting usually focuses on the lower abdomen. Envisioning the average stick of butter and observing that 23% reduction in fatty tissue, we now see that the reduction is not very substantial; it equates to a few ounces of fat.

Sculpting with Liposuction

Dr. Berschof performs tumescent liposuction on many different parts of the body. The tumescent technique can be conducted under general anesthesia or using a local anesthetic and IV sedation. The tumescent liquid that is introduced into the treatment area expands the surgical site, causing fat to spread out. It also numbs tissue and causes blood vessels to constrict so bleeding is kept to a minimum during surgery.

In addition to being versatile in the areas it can treat, liposuction is also more efficient than non-surgical fat reduction treatments. On average, a liposuction procedure can eliminate up to 2.5 liters of fat. This is a few dozen times the amount that can be reduced without surgery.

If you are interested in a slimmer, shapelier body, it is essential to assess your motivation for choosing a surgical or non-surgical procedure. We are happy to provide you with details about liposuction and what it can do for you. To schedule your visit, call our Denver office at 303-399-7662.