With over 6,000+ successful procedures performed, my signature Band Aid Mini Facelift has been positively transforming the lives of my patients since 1997.
I, Dr. John LeRoy, first came up with the idea for the procedure while I was completing my fellowship with the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City. While being mentored by the world’s leading plastic surgeons, I began to focus and hone in on cosmetic surgery. After watching and learning from the variety of talented surgeons, I came up with the idea to incorporate the best parts of their surgeries into one simple procedure.
While I continued to develop and think about the idea, I didn’t put it into practice until a patient asked me if I could do a procedure for them in-office with gentle numbing. That moment was when preparation met opportunity. Both the patient and I were incredibly happy with the outcome of the procedure. I wasn’t surprised by the results, but I was surprised that someone had asked me to do this particular procedure that I had been thinking about for so long.
Flash forward to today and my Band Aid Mini Facelift procedure is still immensely popular with my patients. Because the procedure can be done in-office with gentle numbing and carries a reasonably quick recovery time, its adoration comes as no surprise. To learn more about my wide variety of Band Aid procedures, schedule a consultation with me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Additionally, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more insights about my cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures.
Liposuction is effective in removing fat in a variety of areas on the body. Whether, you’re having trouble losing baby weight around your stomach and thighs or would like to finally smooth out that double chin, liposuction can help get rid of those areas reluctant to diet and exercise. This article contains tips for those preparing to have liposuction because proper preparation will often yield the best plastic surgery results.
Do your homework
Before you commit to a liposuction procedure, you should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your current physique along with your desired results. Your plastic surgeon should help you understand your options. For example, I offer band aid liposuction in addition to traditional liposuction for those who want a milder in office option with less recovery time.
Lose weight
If you decide to undergo a liposuction procedure, be sure to be close to your goal weight ahead of time. Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle—it is a procedure designed to help you get rid of diet and exercise resistant fat. It’s typically desirable to be within 30% of your goal weight before you have liposuction, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Medications
Depending on your medications, you may be asked to temporarily stop taking certain ones in preparation for your fat removal procedure. It is important that you disclose all your medications, vitamins, supplements, and allergies in addition to any health conditions in advance so that your surgeon can plan accordingly.
Stop smoking
If you are a smoker, you should refrain from smoking 2-4 weeks before and 2-4 weeks after your procedure. Nicotine interrupts the circulatory system and poses possible problems with the healing process. These problems could cause infections, slow healing, and more prominent scarring.
Get a driver
Depending on the quantity of fat that you will have removed, the type of liposuction, the body part involved, and whether you will be under local or regular anesthesia and pain medication, you may need a driver to ensure your safe journey home.
Fat removal can be an incredibly effective body sculpting tool. The best way to maximize your liposuction result is by preparing in advance and taking good care of yourself after the procedure. If you have any questions about liposuction or my band aid liposuction procedure, feel free to contact me, Dr. John LeRoy, at 404.843.0840 schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Having a few butterflies in your stomach before plastic surgery is incredibly common, and in many cases, patients are simply nervous because they don’t know exactly what to expect. While there’s no replacement for actually experiencing the process for yourself, as a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has specialized in face lifts for over twenty years, I can walk you through the day of your surgery so you have a better idea of what to expect.
Before Surgery
By the day of your procedure, you will have received plenty of specific instructions about what to avoid and how to prepare before face lift surgery. For example, when to stop smoking if you smoke, when to stop taking certain medications and supplements, when to stop eating the day of or night before surgery, etc. When you wake up on surgery day, be sure to continue following these instructions closely. You’ll put on comfortable clothing that doesn’t need to be taken off over your head, like a button-up shirt. Without applying any makeup or skin care products for the day (which is a welcome break, for some patients), you’ll also wash your face with antibacterial soap and take any pre-surgical medications you were instructed to take, like antibiotics. All of this information will be included in the pre-surgical instructions you will receive when you schedule your surgery.
When it’s Time for Surgery
When your appointment time is near, you’ll head to either my office (if you’re having a Band Aid Mini Facelift or a Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift) or to Perimeter Surgical Center, the facility where I perform traditional face lifts. Before the actual surgery begins, you’ll have some paperwork to fill out, and my nurse Dorothy will check your blood pressure and provide other preparations, including your “before” picture.
If you’re having a traditional facelift with general anesthesia (so that you will be unconscious throughout the surgery), your anesthesia will be administered before surgery by an anesthesiologist (or by a nurse anesthetist overseen by an anesthesiologist). If you’re having an in-office Band Aid Facelift, on the other hand, your surgical preparation will depend on whether you will receive only local anesthesia (gentle numbing for the treatment area) or local anesthesia with sedation as well. You and I will discuss and decide all of these details in advance at your pre-surgical consultation, so you’ll know exactly what to expect ahead of time.
Your surgical time will depend on the extent of your procedure, your unique anatomy, and a number of other factors. In general, though, a Band Aid Mini Facelift takes about an hour and a half, while a traditional face lift can take anywhere from two to four hours. Halfway through the procedure, Dorothy typically comes out to the waiting area to give an update to any friends or family members who are waiting for you. When your surgery is finished, you’ll have a dressing applied to the area to provide gentle pressure and protect your incisions. You may or may not also have a drain to release any excess fluids.
All in all, Band Aid Facelift patients typically spend a total of 2 ½ hours in our office. Face lift patients vary considerably more based on their procedure, and the process as a whole takes longer as well because these patients need more time in the recovery room to recuperate from the anesthesia before they head home. Both traditional face lifts and Band Aid Mini Face Lifts are performed on an outpatient basis, so you can look forward to spending that first night resting comfortably at home.
After Surgery
If you receive a traditional facelift or if you receive sedation for your Band Aid Mini Face Lift, you will need to have a friend or family member drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night. If you receive only a local anesthetic with no sedation, you can safely drive, although some patients still choose to have a friend or family member drive them home so they can be fully comfortable.
While there is always some discomfort associated with surgery, the pain after a facelift is generally quite bearable and can be managed with medication. Just remember to carefully follow all of the post-surgical instructions you were given ahead of time, because some over-the-counter pain relievers are not safe to take after surgery. For the most part, you should spend the rest of your surgery day relaxing comfortably, reclined at a 30- or 45-degree angle (not lying flat), and taking frequent, gentle walks to keep your circulation active.
Because I tailor the surgical process to each patient’s needs, everyone experiences their face lift in a slightly different way. But overall, my best advice for nervous patients is to find a way to relax, trust yourself that you’re well-prepared, and trust your surgeon to operate safely and successfully. For the vast majority of patients, a facelift is a rather uneventful process, ending with beautiful results that leave them feeling happier and more confident in their appearance. To get started on your facelift journey, schedule a consultation today with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has been specializing primarily in facial rejuvenation for over twenty years, I have developed both a comprehensive understanding of the aging process and a keen eye for how to address each patient’s unique concerns. Thanks to genetics, lifestyle habits, and other factors, everyone ages in their own way, which means that despite the common misconception, facelifts aren’t a one-size-fits-all way to turn back the clock. For many patients, getting the best results means combining either a face lift or my minimally invasive Band Aid Mini Facelift with other procedures, like eyelid surgery, facial liposuction, or a brow lift. In the case of my Band Aid Facelift, even a combination of surgeries may be able to be performed in-office using gentle numbing. My video below offers a more detailed explanation of these options.
The technique of performing multiple plastic surgeries in one operation is sometimes misunderstood as being less safe. But the truth is that as long as you’re under the care of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ve completed all of the necessary health screenings and other pre-surgical preparations, and you’re committed to your post-surgical care, these procedures can be an effective and manageable way to maximize your cosmetic surgery results. To discuss how I can help you be your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a pre-surgical consultation. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow me, Dr. John L. L.eRoy, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Just as with most other aspects of life, preparedness can make all the difference in your Band Aid Mini Facelift (or any plastic surgery, for that matter). For many of my patients, the time leading up to their surgery is filled with excited preparations, like stocking up on movies to watch and easy foods to eat while they recover. But what happens after your surgery? Because aging is a continuing process, patients who want to keep looking their best are never “done.” While a facelift or Band Aid Facelift can have a powerful effect on your appearance (in fact, many patients feel that it takes ten years or more off their age), there are some follow-up steps you can take to keep your results looking their best.
Step 1: Help your healing process go more smoothly.
Your final plastic surgery results will depend not only on the procedure itself but also on how well your body heals. The best ways to achieve strong results are to keep up with all your follow-up appointments (to allow me, as your plastic surgeon, to evaluate whether you’re healing properly) and to follow all your post-surgical instructions, like your activity limitations, details about caring for your incisions, and more.
Step 2: Protect your skin from age-accelerating factors.
While aging throughout your face and the rest of your body occurs naturally, there are outside factors which can accelerate it significantly, which means your facial rejuvenation results won’t last as long. Some of the most common and powerful culprits include:
Sun exposure (even for just a few minutes at a time, which can be reduced by wearing sunscreen every day and reapplying every several hours)
Smoking (which breaks down the proteins that keep your skin firm while also forming little lines above your lips from the repetitive motion of using a cigarette)
Skin dehydration (which can be minimized by both drinking plenty of water and using moisturizer)
Excess sugar, including too much alcohol
Skin irritation (such as from using overly harsh skincare products)
Step 3: Tackle new signs of aging as they arise with non-surgical skin treatments.
Wanting to look your best is far more than a superficial concern—confidence (or a lack of it) can impact nearly any area of your life, including your day-to-day outlook. But it’s important to realize that becoming and maintaining your most confident and beautiful self is an ongoing process that requires teamwork between you and your board-certified plastic surgeon. To get started, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery and facial rejuvenation tips.