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Atlanta Band Aid tummy tuck

Dr. LeRoy’s Unique Band Aid Plastic Surgery Procedures Featured in Atlanta Magazine

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The field of plastic surgery is constantly changing, not only because new technology continues to arise, but also because surgeons and researchers are always looking for ways to better meet patients’ needs. As part of this effort, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy developed his exclusive line of Band Aid plastic surgery procedures. But, many patients ask, what makes Band Aid procedures different from typical plastic surgery?

Atlanta plastic surgeonA Different Approach

Many cosmetic surgeries (like the facelift, eyelid surgery, and brow lift) focus primarily on helping patients look younger. In this case, procedures like the Band Aid Facelift are based on a different philosophy than the traditional facelift. Many facelift patients have observed their appearance aging as the years have gone by, and have eventually reached a point when they feel that surgery is “worth it” to minimize their wrinkles and skin laxity. The ideal Band Aid Facelift patient, on the other hand, is typically seeing the earlier signs of aging and is seeking a strategy of addressing facial aging as it arises. Rather than feeling unhappy with their appearance until they’re ready for a more comprehensive procedure, these patients often pair incremental Band Aid Facelifts with non-surgical procedures (like Band Aid Skin Tightening) every few years to address aging as it occurs, so they look more youthful and natural for years to come.

Balancing the Results with the Means

Facial rejuvenation procedures are not the only plastic surgeries that can be performed with minimally invasive techniques. With these surgeries, the goal is to improve the balance between the results that will be achieved and the commitment from the patient required to achieve the results. For example, we’ll compare the tummy tuck and the Band Aid Tummy Tuck. Both procedures are designed to improve the appearance of lax skin and, in some cases, excess fat or stretched muscles in the abdomen. For a patient who only has a smaller amount of excess skin to be removed, the general anesthesia and comprehensive procedure required with a traditional tummy tuck aren’t necessary. By focusing only on the areas that need improvement, Dr. LeRoy can use gentle numbing and limited incisions to give a Band Aid Tummy Tuck patient the slimmer, more youthful midsection they’re looking for, all with minimal downtime and cost.

Choosing the right plastic surgery to fit your needs is an important part of getting the results you want. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy has performed over 5000 Band Aid procedures over the course of nearly twenty years and can guide you toward determining which procedure is best for you and your individual needs. To start discussing your cosmetic options and which choice may be the best fit for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. John LeRoy. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Your Biggest Band Aid Plastic Surgery Questions Answered

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In terms of medical treatments, surgery is often thought of as being the most extreme option, and most people only require surgery a handful of times throughout their lives. As a result, many people who hear about Dr. John LeRoy‘s originally developed line of Band Aid plastic surgeries have difficulty understanding how a surgery can be minimally invasive. Featured in the latest issue of Atlanta Magazine, Band Aid procedures involve unique strategies that allow them to be performed in-office with gentle numbing. To help our patients develop a better understanding of when and how these procedures can be beneficial, we’re answering some of the most common questions our patients ask about Band Aid plastic surgery.

band aid plastic surgery atlanta gaHow can cosmetic surgery be performed while the patient is awake?
To explain how cosmetic surgery can be performed using gentle numbing (local anesthesia at the treatment area) rather than using general anesthesia to make the patient fully unconscious, we’ll compare the Band Aid Tummy Tuck and the traditional tummy tuck. The traditional procedure uses an incision across most of the patient’s lower abdomen to remove excess skin and fat and to repair muscles that have been damaged and loosened by pregnancy. Because of the depth of this surgery, general anesthesia is necessary for patient comfort and safety. But a Band Aid Tummy Tuck focuses on removing excess skin, and because these patients have less skin to be removed and don’t require muscle repair, the incision is smaller and is placed strategically to address only the areas that need attention. With the minimal depth of the procedure and the smaller incision, the patient’s comfort and safety can still be maintained using local anesthesia.

Will the lack of general anesthesia make my recovery more painful?
Lowering the amount of anesthesia used does not leave the patient in more pain during their recovery; quite the opposite, in fact. Procedures like the Band Aid Facelift require smaller incisions and make less comprehensive changes, so the minimized extent of the surgery helps patients to recover more quickly and smoothly than if they had opted for a traditional procedure. To further minimize the discomfort of recovery, Dr. LeRoy injects Exparel® pain management into the incision site when the procedure is completed, providing up to 72 hours of post-surgical pain relief.

Are Band Aid plastic surgery procedures safe?
While minimally-invasive surgery seems like a new development, physicians have long been working toward the goal of making surgery easier to fit into patients’ everyday lives, and Dr. LeRoy has been at the forefront of this effort by performing Band Aid procedures for nearly twenty years. Because Band Aid surgeries are less invasive and less comprehensive, and because general anesthesia isn’t used, the risk of complications is actually lower than it is for traditional plastic surgery.

Are the results of Band Aid procedures more temporary than the results of traditional plastic surgery?
No cosmetic surgery can truly be called “temporary,” nor “permanent.” Take the facelift as an example. During the procedure, excess sagging skin is removed and the remaining skin and tissue is given a lifted, more youthful firmness. The procedure can take years off a patient’s appearance, but it does not stop the aging process. So while the skin that was removed will never “grow back,” throughout the years, the rejuvenated facial skin will continue to lose collagen and develop new wrinkles and laxity. Because the Band Aid Facelift produces more natural, less comprehensive results than a traditional facelift, it generally takes fewer years off the patient’s appearance, but for patients who are best suited to a Band Aid Facelift, the results are just as satisfying and long-lasting as those of a traditional facelift.

How do I know whether a Band Aid plastic surgery procedure is right for me?
Every patient’s aesthetic goals and medical needs are unique, and cosmetic procedures are not “one-size-fits-all.” Learning about the procedures you’re considering is a great first step, and the next step is to talk to the expert. Schedule a consultation with Dr. LeRoy to discuss your cosmetic concerns and other factors that affect your decision, and he can recommend and help you determine which option is the best fit for your needs and priorities.

Band Aid plastic surgery procedures are among the most popular cosmetic choices for our patients, because in many cases, they provide an ideal balance of the aesthetic improvement patients are looking for and the recovery time and expense they’re able to commit. However, they’re only part of the extensive menu of options that allows us to provide cosmetic treatments that are tailored to each patient’s unique needs. To learn more about the procedures and treatments we offer, explore our website, contact us with questions, or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What You Can Do Before Plastic Surgery to Get Better Results

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While every plastic surgery patient is different, there is one consistent truth: each patient wants to get the best surgical results possible. While it’s certainly important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced and skillful in your procedure, not many patients realize how much they can do to improve their cosmetic results and healthy recovery, and even fewer realize that this process starts long before the procedure itself. Below are a few steps you can take to make the most of your cosmetic surgery.

  1. Reach or maintain a healthy, steady weight.

Generally, the better a patient’s health is before a cosmetic procedure, the more quickly and smoothly they’ll heal and the less risk they’ll have for complications. But for procedures of the body, such as a Band Aid Tummy Tuck or liposuction, reaching a maintainable and healthy weight before surgery is especially important. Gaining or losing weight in the future can affect the appearance of your results, so rather than using a cosmetic procedure to kick off your weight loss efforts, it’s better to reach your goal weight first and use plastic surgery to contour areas of stubborn fat or excess skin.

  1. Stop smoking.

Any doctor will tell patients that quitting smoking is imperative for their health, but this is especially true when it comes to plastic surgery. Smoking (or the use of any form of nicotine) strongly increases your risk of complications and of more pronounced scarring, which is why I require every patient to refrain from any use of nicotine for 2-4 weeks before their procedure, as well as 2-4 weeks after the procedure. But to help my patients be healthy enough to enjoy their results for years to come, I encourage all my patients who are smokers to permanently quit before their procedure.

  1. Develop realistic expectations.

For every patient, my goal is to achieve results that make them feel like their most confident and beautiful self. With that in mind, the only way to be happy with your surgical results is to have a realistic understanding of the potential outcome. For example, for someone who wants to lose weight, losing 10 pounds in a month is an accomplishment to be proud of, but if they had set an unrealistic goal of losing 30 pounds in a month, they will still be unsatisfied. To set realistic expectations for your plastic surgery results, start by checking out before-and-after photos for patients who have had similar procedures, and do some research about the procedure you’re considering. By scheduling a consultation appointment with me, we can also discuss what results you can expect based specifically on your physiology and goals.

  1. Make a list of all medications you’re taking, and follow instructions on when to take or not take them.

One question you’ll be asked in your consultation is what medications you’re taking, and this isn’t just limited to your prescriptions—you should also tell the surgeon about any over-the-counter medications, including herbs and vitamins. Many patients find it difficult to remember all this at once, so it may be helpful to give yourself several days to complete your list. Write down everything you can remember, then carry your list with you for a few days, keeping it accessible so you can jot down any additions you think of. It can also be helpful to actually go through your medicine cabinet to jog your memory. You’ll be given specific instructions regarding whether/when to discontinue using your medication before the procedure, and when you can resume taking them afterward. To minimize your risk of complications, be sure to follow these instructions precisely.

  1. Stock up on everything you’ll need during your recovery.

You’ll probably be prescribed pain medication and/or an antibiotic to use after your procedure, and it’s best to get these prescriptions filled before your surgery. It’s also helpful to stock up on everything else you’ll need for the first few days of your recovery, like soft foods, basic toiletries, and anything you’ll need to care for your dressings. This will allow you to get the rest you need during your recovery without straining yourself and risking injuries or complications by making a trip to the store when you should be resting.

 

At your pre-operative consultation, you’ll receive more specific instructions pertaining to your surgery and the days before and after your procedure, but the suggestions above can help you improve your chances for optimal results and a smooth recovery. The only way to meet your aesthetic goals is to view your procedure as a partnership between you and your plastic surgeon—each of you must do your part in order to achieve the best results possible. For more helpful tips about maximizing or maintaining your surgical results, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Three Procedures to Get You Swimsuit-Ready

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Summer is a favorite season for many people, and for good reason—it often comes with long-anticipated vacations to the beach, or other ways to enjoy the great outdoors. But a common and unwelcomed side effect of beach vacations is self-consciousness, as swimsuits have a tendency to expose the physique flaws that make us feel less than confident. Understandably, many of my patients ask how plastic surgery can help them to enjoy their relaxing summers rather than spend them feeling insecure. Every patient has their own “problem areas,” so below are three popular procedures that can actually leave you excited to put on a swimsuit.

john leroy mdBreast Lift
While the natural aging process causes most women to experience some degree of breast sagging, factors like genetic predisposition, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy cause some women to experience more sagging than their peers. And because swimsuits don’t exactly provide ample support, trips to the beach can be a stressful affair. That’s where a breast lift comes in. Using an incision around the areola and down the bottom of the breast, I am able to remove excess skin and fat and re-shape the remaining tissue to have a more elevated, youthful position. With a somewhat brief recovery period (most daily activities can typically be resumed a week after the procedure) and scarring that is hidden by even low-cut swimwear, the breast lift procedure can be an effective option for patients who want a younger bust, and in some cases it can be combined with a breast augmentation or a breast reduction for patients who also want a change in size.

Tummy Tuck
The midsection is one of the most common sources of insecurity for patients, and although our standards of beauty for both men and women call for a flat, athletic stomach, these results aren’t always achievable with diet and exercise alone. A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can be tailored to fit each patient’s needs, but involves a combination of removing excess skin and tightening the skin that remains, removing stubborn fat, and tightening the abdominal muscles. Besides my signature Band Aid Tummy Tuck (a minimally-invasive version of the procedure, performed in-office with gentle numbing), the procedure can range from addressing solely the abdominal area to affecting most of the lower body with a circumferential abdominoplasty. For most patients, though, the incision and scarring can be easily concealed by most bathing suits.

Liposuction
Liposuction is an incredibly versatile procedure; it can be used to remove stubborn fat from nearly any area of the body, and can be minimally-invasive like my Band Aid Liposuction or more comprehensive. Many patients turn to liposuction to slim down an area that is notoriously difficult to naturally improve: the thighs. Even the upper thighs, often known as “saddlebags,” which are a source of discontent for many patients but are often unconcealable in a swimsuit, can be improved through liposuction. Using a narrow tube and small incisions for minimal scarring, I am able to break down and remove unwanted fat cells to create more precise and desirable contours.

 

Throughout my years as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I have seen so many patients’ lives changed for the better. For some patients, feeling unhappy with how they look is a nagging presence that adds stress to any situation, especially events like beach vacations that are meant to be relaxing. I believe that every patient deserves to be their most confident and beautiful self, whatever shape that may take, and I’m honored to help my patients achieve this goal. For more information about procedures that can give you back your confidence, explore my website, schedule a consultation with me, or check out the John L. LeRoy, MD page on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Band Aid Procedures Featured in Atlanta Magazine

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Throughout my years as a plastic surgeon, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my patients and helping them achieve their aesthetic goals. My relationship with my patients also helped me to identify a need that wasn’t always being met: the need for minimally-invasive versions of traditional plastic surgery procedures. As a result, I developed my line of Band Aid procedures.

plastic surgeon atlantaBand Aid procedures, like the Band Aid Facelift and Band Aid Blepharoplasty, are essentially “mini” versions of their more comprehensive counterparts, because they use minimally-invasive techniques and can be performed in-office with gentle numbing. For instance, my Band Aid Tummy Tuck targets a smaller area of the abdomen that needs attention, so rather than removing fat and skin across the entire tummy, it requires a much smaller incision than a traditional tummy tuck. Each of these Band Aid procedures can be performed in-office using gentle numbing.

Of all the procedures that I offer, I am best known for my Band Aid procedures. For many of my patients, Band Aid plastic surgery not only gives them safer and more natural-looking results, but in fact allows them to access plastic surgery when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Depending on the surgery itself and the patient’s unique needs and goals, some plastic surgery procedures can be too much of a commitment for a patient. For example, a mother with three small children may be able to improve her self-confidence with liposuction to remove a small amount of fat on her hips, but cannot dedicate the downtime she needs in order to fully recover. In her case, Band Aid Liposuction can give her a more desirable contour while being able to fit more easily into her life.

Every day, my goal is to help my patients be their most beautiful and confident selves, and being experienced in a wide variety of procedures helps me to provide each patient with the best possible care. To learn more about the procedures I offer and to see which fits best with your needs and aesthetic goals, explore my website and schedule a consultation to discuss you surgical and non-surgical options.

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