Search Results for: surgery preparation

August 22, 2022

What to Know Before Considering Eyelid Surgery

admin Eyelid Surgery, Facelift band aid eyelid surgery, blog, cosmetic, facelift, Plastic Surgeon

Regardless of a person’s age or how they feel, premature signs of aging can occur. No one wants to look old before their time, especially when these aesthetic imperfections affect a feature as prominent as the eyes. This is part of the reason that eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty) has remained one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the US for decades now. To help patients gain a better understanding of this procedure and how it can help refresh the appearance of the face, I wanted to discuss a few things that people should know before pursuing eyelid surgery or band aid eyelid surgery.

Eyelid Surgery Can Be Performed in Different Ways

Eyelid surgery is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. During the surgery, I am able to remove excess skin and pockets of fat from the eyelids to help reduce a drooping or hooding effect that can make the eyes look tired. But depending on the patient’s needs, this can be performed on the upper lids, the lower ones, or both in some cases. I also offer my signature Band Aid eyelid surgery, a minimally invasive alternative performed in-office with gentle numbing that can provide outstanding, natural-looking results while cutting back on costs and post-surgery downtime.

Eyelid Surgery Can Help Men & Women

In fact, the procedure is equally popular among male and female patients. I have different techniques that I can utilize to ensure that male patients will not look feminine or drastically different after their eyelid surgery. Regardless of the patient’s gender, eyelid surgery is intended to provide a subtle tweak to the patient’s appearance, just a slightly younger version of themselves.

Eyelid Surgery Pairs Well with Other Procedures

It’s very common for patients to combine their eyelid lift with other cosmetic procedures of the face including facelift surgery, Band Aid mini facelift, a brow lift, and more. Doing so can help provide even more comprehensive anti-aging results and help the patient cut back on overall surgical costs accrued by having these procedures performed separately.

Eyelid Surgery Is Simple to Prepare For

Like any other cosmetic procedure, some preparation will be involved. Patients who smoke or use other nicotine products (including vaping and e-cigarettes) should cease to do so for at least 4 weeks before (and after) their surgery. Additionally, patients should avoid using anti-inflammatory medicines and herbal medicines (including Aspirin) for 2 weeks before and 1 week after eyelid surgery, to help reduce the risk of any complication during the procedure or recovery period. Patients should also make the necessary arrangements for transportation to and from their eyelid surgery procedure or Band Aid eyelid surgery as needed.

No matter which procedure alternative a patient eventually chooses, the results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting and truly incredible. If you are curious about eyelid surgery or my signature band aid eyelid surgery and would like to learn more, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy, to schedule a plastic surgery consultation appointment. For more information about my practice and the procedures I offer, you can follow along with me on Facebook.

March 31, 2017

Facelift Preparation Checklist

admin Latest News face lift Atlanta, facelift Atlanta, facelift surgery to-do list, how to prepare for facelift surgery, what to do before facelift surgery

A facelift, like any surgery, is an important event. Even a minimally invasive surgery like my Band Aid Facelift or Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift requires careful preparation in order to achieve the safest and most successful results possible. The planning actually begins from your first web search to find a board-certified plastic surgeon or to learn about the procedure you’re considering. But I’ve gone into detail about these steps in earlier blogs, so today, I’m going to focus on the time between your pre-surgical consultation and your actual surgery. In addition to the specific pre-surgical instructions you will receive at your consultation, I have put together a checklist to guide you through the weeks before your facelift.

To-Do List

Complete all your required medical testing. Your safety is the most important part of the process, so to ensure that you are healthy enough for the surgery or to be sure that I can make any necessary adjustments, I require each patient to have a set of medical tests, like specific blood tests, urinalysis, EKG, chest x-ray, or other evaluations, depending on your medical history and the details of your procedure.
Fill the prescriptions you will need after plastic surgery. You will be prescribed a pain medication and possibly an antibiotic to take after your procedure, so to make your surgery day easier, have these prescriptions filled and easily accessible beforehand.
Make arrangements for transportation and caregivers. You may or may not be able to drive home after your procedure depending on what type of facelift you have, but follow-up appointments are crucial too, so you should set up a ride to and from all of these appointments as well.
Set alarms or calendar reminders for when to stop eating, smoking, and taking certain medications before and after surgery. You will be given these timelines with your other pre-surgical instructions, but setting reminders can help to keep you on track.
Prepare your resting area. You should sleep at a 30-45 degree angle for the first days of your recovery, so either bring everything you need to a recliner, or have a wedge pillow or several extra pillows set up in your bed to create the angle you need.
Move everything you’ll need to torso-level. You should avoid bending over and straining after surgery, so make sure everything you need is accessible around the level of your waist or chest.
Find entertainment that allows you to keep your chin level or pointed upward. This may include movies, TV shows, or books if you can prop them on something at eye level. Just avoid activities that require you to tilt your chin down.
Put your plastic surgery aftercare instructions in an easy-to-access place where you and/or your caregiver can refer to them as needed. Make sure my office’s phone number is easy to find as well, in case you need to call with any questions.

Shopping List

If needed, over-the-counter medicines that don’t include aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, or certain herbal and nutritional supplements. Keep in mind that many cold medicines contain aspirin. You will receive a full list of medications and supplements to avoid.
An alternate method of birth control if you are a woman who is taking an oral contraceptive and will be taking an antibiotic after surgery. Antibiotics interfere with hormonal birth control, so it is wise to have a back-up.
Antibacterial soap, which you should begin using on your face three days before your facelift.
Soft foods, as well as foods that are easy to prepare and gentle on your stomach. You will be limited to soft foods for at least the first 24 hours, but even after that time, being prepared with easy foods will help you avoid straining yourself.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Your skin will be particularly sensitive while it heals, and you should be especially cautious to protect the area around your incisions from the sun if and when you go outside.
A nightlight or flashlight. In case you need to get up and move around in the middle of the night, you may have limited mobility of your head, and you don’t want to complicate your surgical recovery by injuring yourself, too.

A surgery may only take an hour to two to perform, but the full process actually spans from your first step of learning about your options through the full recovery period, and each stage will factor into how successful of an outcome you attain. To get started on your personal journey, schedule an initial consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more helpful plastic surgery tips, videos, medical news, and more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

February 18, 2022

How to Prepare for Liposuction

admin Liposuction blog, cosmetic procedure, liposuction, plastic surgery, surgeon

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the US alone choose liposuction or mini liposuction surgery to shape their physiques and give them the contours they want, whether they’re treating their “double chin” area, abdomen, arms, legs, or other area. If you have a vision in mind for your figure, liposuction could be the ideal way to make that vision a reality.

As with any surgery, though, liposuction has better potential if you prepare correctly before your surgery. As double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy, I guide patients through their surgery preparations before any procedure. Take these important pre-surgery steps to set yourself up for a more effective, safe, and predictable procedure.

Choose the Right Type of Liposuction for Your Needs

It’s vital to choose an experienced and knowledgeable board-certified plastic surgeon for your liposuction, but that isn’t the only decision that will impact your results. There are also different types of liposuction surgery for you to choose.

If you want to treat a small area, consider my Band Aid Liposuction instead. This is a minimally invasive version of liposuction surgery which I developed to use gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. I perform it safely in my plastic surgery office, and if you are the right fit for this surgery, you may be able to enjoy excellent results with less recovery time and a lower cost.

Master the Art of Weight Management

Because liposuction removes unwanted fat, there is a common misconception that it is a substitute for weight loss or an “easy way out” for people who want to lose weight. In reality, liposuction takes off very little weight. It’s designed not for shrinking your size but for shaping your curves and contours in the way you want and for removing small, localized pockets of stubborn fat.

To get the best results from your liposuction, it’s important to be at or very near to your ideal weight before your surgery. Remember that if your weight fluctuates after your surgery, it can also affect your long-term results, so it’s vital that you have mastered weight management before surgery so you can keep your weight stable and preserve your results for as long as possible.

Prioritize Your Health

For liposuction, as with any surgery, the better your health is before the procedure, the better your recovery is likely to be. Healing from surgery is a big job, so you want your body to be in top shape beforehand so healing can be its only focus.

To make that happen, take time to build and maintain healthy habits before your surgery. That includes eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and nicotine as well as excessive alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and managing stress. Before your surgery with me, I will also require lab testing to check your health and ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure.

Follow Your Pre-Surgical Instructions

For every patient that I treat, I begin with a pre-surgical consultation to discuss the surgery you may want, what the surgery involves, your expectations, and so on. As part of that consultation, I will give you detailed pre-surgical instructions for preparing for your procedure.

Be sure to follow all of these instructions carefully, because they are all designed to help you have a surgery that is as safe and effective as possible. These instructions will include information about what medications to avoid and when antibiotic soap to use for your treatment area, how to prepare for your postoperative care, and more.

Planning Ahead for the Best Possible Liposuction Results

Liposuction can be an excellent way to resolve frustrating areas of stubborn fat and finally achieve the contours you want for your physique in the upcoming swimsuit season and all year round. Preparing properly for your surgery will help you enjoy a smoother surgery with the best, longest-lasting results possible.

To start planning your liposuction surgery, call my plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation today. Follow me on Facebook for more cosmetic surgery tips.

May 30, 2023

Band Aid Eye Lift: Your Most Common Questions Answered

admin Band Aid Eyelid Surgery, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery

Our eyes are one of the first things people notice when they see us. Unfortunately, there comes a point where our eyelids begin drooping, and excess skin and puffiness occur. Both men and women alike experience eyelid aging and seek solutions to restore vitality to their appearance. For years, I have had great success with my Band Aid Eye Lift procedure, subtly and gently restoring youthfulness to my patients eyes. If you are considering an eye lift procedure, I want to answer a few of the most common questions I receive during patient consultations to assist you in better preparing for this procedure.

1. What is the difference between an eye lift and a brow lift?

Often, the terms eye lift and brow lift are used interchangeably. However, these procedures each address different signs of aging. Many people believe that undergoing a brow lift can improve sagging eyelids. Instead, brow lift surgery focuses on better brow placement which will also address signs of aging on the forehead. Brow placement, forehead creasing, and forehead wrinkles are all remedied through brow lift surgery. Eye lift surgery, on the other hand, focuses on addressing signs of aging around the eye area by removing excess, sagging skin, and repositioning extra tissue.

2. Will I have a scar with eyelid surgery?

This is a common concern among patients considering any facial cosmetic procedure. While scarring is unavoidable whenever an incision is made, an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will know how to conceal scarring properly. I always strive to reassure my patients that scarring after eye lift surgery will be virtually undetectable. I always conceal any scarring in the natural crease of the eyelid or along the lash line. In some cases, I can even make the incision on the inside of the lower eyelid to hide scarring. Furthermore, with correct post-surgical care, any scarring will fade with time.

3. What type of anesthesia will be used?

I conduct a minimally invasive eye lift procedure known as my signature Band Aid Eyelid Surgery. I perform this procedure in my office with gentle numbing, eliminating the need for general anesthesia. The results of my Band Aid Eyelid Surgery will leave you with a natural result and a refreshed appearance.

4. Can I combine eyelid surgery with other procedures?

Combining eyelid surgery with other cosmetic procedures is a great way to maximize your anti-aging goals. Eyelid surgery pairs well with my Band Aid Mini Facelift and brow lift procedures.

5. How should I prepare for eyelid surgery?

Preparation for surgical procedures is just as important as aftercare. There are several ways to prepare for cosmetic surgery I suggest that will minimize complications, encourage proper healing, and ensure that you experience maximum results and we will review them prior to your procedure.

Undergoing any cosmetic surgical procedure is an important decision that requires both an honest assessment from a board-certified plastic surgeon and careful consideration by the patient. I understand the importance of this decision, which is why I perform a thorough consultation and evaluation on all my patients, guiding them toward the correct procedure or procedures that will meet their needs. If you desire to address signs of aging around your eyes or are interested in any of my Band Aid procedures, schedule an appointment with me, Dr. John LeRoy, at my Atlanta office. Until then, you can find more resources and information by following me on Facebook and Twitter.

April 20, 2023

4 Essential Questions for Any Liposuction Consultation Appointment

admin Band Aid Liposuction, Liposuction Band Aid procedures, cosmetic procedures, educational, liposuction, plastic surgery

Even in the case of cosmetic procedures as common and popular as liposuction, the pre-surgery consultation is an essential learning experience for patients. I’m always happy to help my patients prepare for their procedures and get more comfortable with all of their options. And while every consultation is different, because every patient is different, there are some universal factors to consider. That’s why I wanted to present some questions that should be asked at liposuction consultation appointments:

Are you board-certified as a plastic surgeon?

This is where the discussion should begin. In order to feel assured and confident in your plastic surgery and the results, it is essential to find a medical professional who is board-certified in plastic surgery to safely perform your surgery. Anyone you consider should be board-certified as a plastic surgeon (not a “cosmetic surgeon”) by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is important because the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires additional criteria for board-certification, which provides assurance to the patient that they have chosen a surgeon with the requisite skills and experience to provide an outstanding, long-lasting result.

How much experience do you have performing liposuction procedures?

Board-certification is a great start, but it takes more than that to determine the right plastic surgeon to perform your liposuction surgery. It’s also critical that your plastic surgeon has extensive experience performing liposuction, specifically on patients with similar body types and aesthetic needs as you. I recommend asking to see before and after liposuction photos to make sure that your aesthetic sensibilities are a match and your desired results will be possible.

What different liposuction procedure methods are available?

Depending on the needs of each patient, there are different ways that liposuction surgery can be performed. Traditional liposuction involves using a very narrow tube called a cannula to break down fat deposits in the treatment area and then gently suction fat cells out of the body. I also perform a less invasive alternative known as Band Aid Liposuction. Performed using gentle numbing in my office, Band Aid Liposuction uses even smaller incisions to provide more modest, but still meaningful aesthetic results with less downtime at a lower cost than traditional liposuction.

Will I experience any visible scarring following my surgery?

Some amount of scarring is inevitable after any cosmetic surgery, including liposuction. However, it’s often very minimal following this procedure. The incisions made during this surgery are very small and often made in easy to conceal areas, meaning the scars will be tiny and hard to notice. In cases where the patient chooses to undergo Band Aid Liposuction, there will be even less post-surgical scarring.

Preparation is always very important before any cosmetic procedure, and my hope is that reading this will help patients curious about liposuction better prepare for their consultation appointments to come. To learn more about liposuction or to schedule a consultation appointment today, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. You should also follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more plastic surgery tips and updates from my practice.