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Atlanta mini facelift

Ask Dr. LeRoy: What Should I Expect on the Day of My Facelift?

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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.

Ask Dr. LeRoy What Should I Expect on the Day of My FaceliftBefore 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+.

All About the “Band Aid” Brand of Cosmetic Procedures

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Like any major city, Atlanta has no shortage of plastic surgeons. So, as a patient, how do you choose one? After you’ve narrowed your list to solely board-certified plastic surgeons (rather than cosmetic surgeons, who don’t require certification from a nationally recognized medical board), it’s time to look at what makes each surgeon unique. For most of my own plastic surgery patients, their choice was based not only on recommendations from other physicians, family, and friends, or on my before and after photos, but also on the specialized “Band Aid” line of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures I offer.

All About the The Band Aid line began with the procedure that is, to this day, the most common treatment I perform: the Band Aid Mini Facelift. Early in my career, I had the invaluable opportunity to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. During this fellowship, I learned from some of the most skilled and advanced surgeons in their field, and by accumulating lessons from each surgeon, I theorized a way to produce exceptional facelift results with an in-office procedure that used gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia, reducing the recovery time by half. After returning to Atlanta, I was able to put this into practice, and after twenty years, I have now performed over 5,000 Band Aid Mini Facelifts.

In seeing how thrilled my patients were with the results they could achieve without an extensive facelift, I began applying the same “Band Aid” principles to other popular surgeries as well. Since 1997, I have expanded my Band Aid line to include:

  • Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift
  • Band Aid Liposuction
  • Band Aid Eyelid Surgery
  • Band Aid Brow Lift
  • Band Aid Tummy Tuck
  • Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing
  • Band Aid Nonsurgical Skin Tightening

All of these procedures share the qualities of my Band Aid plastic surgeries: they’re performed in-office with gentle numbing in a way that offers natural-looking plastic surgery results with half the recovery time and even half the cost of their traditional counterparts. Keep in mind, however, that Band Aid procedures cater to a specific type of patient: one who is only looking for a rather mild, discreet, natural-looking improvement. If, for example, you have more advanced signs of aging and would need six or seven inches of excess skin to be removed in order to be satisfied with your results, you will be better suited for the traditional facelift instead—another type of surgery I perform which we can discuss during your consultation.

For the right patients, Band Aid procedures can provide a more manageable yet still highly successful way for them to achieve the results they want. But the first step is a plastic surgery consultation to find out if this is truly the right procedure for you. As a plastic surgeon, my focus is helping you reach your aesthetic goals, and I am cautious to be honest with each patient about what procedure will and will not be successful for them. To get started, schedule your consultation today. Or, for more plastic surgery tips, monthly special offers, and more, follow me, Dr. John L. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Should I Choose a Neck Lift or Band Aid Liposuction

Should I Choose a Neck Lift or Band Aid Liposuction?

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Every patient is understandably nervous before plastic surgery. It is, after all, a medical surgery, and they’re anxious to see if they’ll be happy with their results. But in fact, most of what’s necessary to achieve the best and safest possible results is done before you step foot into an operating room (or an in-office procedure room, in the case of minimally invasive procedures like my Band Aid Facelift). One such precaution is ensuring that you’re truly receiving the ideal procedure for your needs, and sometimes the answer is not as obvious as you might expect—this is why honest communication is so important during your consultation. Take the neck for example – many patients who want a more shapely neck and chin area aren’t sure whether they should be looking for liposuction or a neck lift, so let’s take a closer look.

Should I Choose a Neck Lift or Band Aid LiposuctionThere are a number of different reasons the underside of your chin or your neck may look larger or less toned than you would like it to: excess fat, skin laxity, and loose muscles. This is what determines what procedure will give you the results you want.

If you have excess fat under the chin but have significant skin elasticity (which is most often the case for younger patients as well as those whose skin has simply aged slowly), your best bet will more than likely be Band Aid Liposuction. I developed this procedure to be a minimally invasive version of liposuction, so it can be performed in-office with gentle numbing, leading to a milder and much shorter recovery period. In fact, many patients are back to work or their other daily activities in 1-3 days.

For patients whose neck muscles have become lax, a neck lift can produce the most successful result. In addition to using sutures to tighten and revitalize the neck muscles, this surgery also involves re-firming the skin throughout the neck and jowl area to minimize the wrinkles and sagging which happen with age.

However, it’s important to determine whether it’s actually your neck that you want to rejuvenate or if your true focus is on the jowls. In this case, the procedure best suited to your needs is likely my Band Aid Mini Facelift. Much like Band Aid Liposuction, this surgery is performed in-office with gentle numbing for minimized healing time, and it can target the specific facial area where you want to see improvement by reducing excess skin and lifting the underlying facial tissue for a more youthful contour.

But what if you find that you’re bothered by more than one of these aesthetic issues? This is the case for many of my plastic surgery patients, and fortunately, each of your concerns can often be addressed in one procedure by combining Band Aid Liposuction with your neck lift or Band Aid Mini Face Lift.

To the average eye, it can be difficult to determine the specific culprit behind your cosmetic frustrations. While educating yourself about the options is a great first step, don’t underestimate the importance of a consultation and honest communication with a board-certified plastic surgeon. After specializing in cosmetic surgery for the facial area for over twenty years, I’ve developed the expertise to design the ideal solution for each patient’s needs. To get started, contact our office to schedule your appointment. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow Dr. John L. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

About John L. LeRoy, M.D., F.A.C.S.:  Dr. John LeRoy is an Atlanta-based plastic surgeon devoted to providing exceptional aesthetic care for over 20 years. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. LeRoy is best known for his Band Aid procedures: the innovative line of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures he has developed and perfected since 1997, including his Band Aid Facelift, which he has performed for over 5,000 patients. He studied cosmetic surgery at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York and is board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Why Do Some Patients Have Multiple Band Aid Facelifts?

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The Band Aid Mini Facelift I developed is undoubtedly my most popular procedure, and for good reason. After all, it offers patients the degree of facial rejuvenation that only cosmetic surgery can produce, and yet it’s performed in-office using minimally invasive techniques and gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. But, as a brief look at our plastic surgery testimonials will show, it’s not uncommon for patients to return for a second or even third mini facelift. Why is this the case?

Why Do Some Patients Have Multiple Mini FaceliftsThe simplified answer is that aging is an ongoing process.  For instance, the results of a rhinoplasty (or nose surgery) will typically look the same throughout the rest of the patient’s life, because after the nose reaches its genetically-determined adult structure, it changes very little if at all. Aging, on the other hand, is inevitable and progressive throughout adulthood. So while a face lift will remove excess skin and restore a more youthful shape to the face, the existing skin will continue to lose firmness and facial tissue will continue to drop, eventually creating new wrinkles and sagging skin. You will always look younger than you would have if you had never had a facelift, but for instance, if you look to be 40 years old after your surgery, you will not continue to look 40 forever.

With that being said, patients return for a second Band Aid Mini Facelift for many reasons. Everyone ages at their own pace due to heredity as well as environmental factors, but it typically takes around ten years after a mini facelift for patients’ signs of aging to return to the extent that they appeared before surgery, so some patients choose to have a second mini facelift after ten, fifteen, or twenty years in order to address the new aging that has appeared since their last surgery. Another common reason patients return is to have a different area treated. The mini face lift is designed to target specifically the area of the face which needs the most attention, be it the cheekbone area, the jawline, or the neck, so some patients may initially receive surgery to rejuvenate their jawline and return several years later to also address skin laxity on their neck.

Another popular choice is for Band Aid Facelift patients to later undergo not a second mini facelift but one of my other facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as Band Aid Eyelid Surgery to improve “hooded” eyelids or bags under the eyes, or a Band Aid Brow Lift to address aging across the forehead. I also offer a variety of non-surgical skin treatments, which are particularly popular for patients who want to maintain the results of their facelift, including Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing, Band Aid Skin Tightening, and injectables (such as Botox®, Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and more).

Plastic surgery is more than simply a cosmetic change. To paraphrase one of my previous patients, it’s an added pick-me-up each day that contributes to an overall more positive outlook. While aging is inevitable, choosing manageable and incremental procedures like the Band Aid Mini Facelift can help you feel more confident and uplifted by your appearance for years to come. To start discussing the ideal treatment plan for you, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more information about our plastic surgery services as well as the latest special offers and announcements from our office, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Band Aid Mini Facelift Gives Patients More Freedom

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Atlanta Magazine Highlights Band Aid Facelift Patients’ Freedom to Be Discreet

Ad for June 2016Thanks to its growing popularity and a larger number of public figures speaking out in its defense, plastic surgery is losing the stigma it once held, and patients are feeling more and more comfortable making the choice to feel confident in their appearance. But regardless of whether they think others would disapprove, most of my facelift patients strongly want natural, discreet-looking results simply because it’s more aesthetically pleasing and it still allows them to look like themselves. That’s where the Band Aid Mini Facelift comes in.

As my most popular procedure, the Band Aid Facelift is a unique surgery I developed nearly twenty years ago. It’s essentially a minimally invasive version of the traditional facelift, using precise techniques to lift and firm the skin and underlying tissue of the face for a more youthful appearance, all with significantly less recovery time, scarring, bruising, and swelling than a typical face lift. In this procedure, the emphasis is on achieving a noticeable improvement that takes as much as ten years off most patients’ appearance, but which looks very natural and does not make the patient look “windblown” or “overdone.”

Part of the beauty of a Band Aid Mini Facelift is that the results don’t scream, “I’ve had work done.” In fact, as many of my patients describe, family and friends who don’t know about the surgery often remark that the patient looks great but that they can’t put their finger on what the change was. This means, as a patient, you have the freedom to keep your mini facelift discreet if you so choose, and you can sit back and soak up the compliments without getting questions about your surgery in every conversation.

Cosmetic surgery is all about choice – patients choose to take control of their appearance and to make a change in order to be happy with what they see in the mirror. And while many patients are more than happy to tell others about their experience, others prefer to maintain their privacy, and striving for natural-looking results makes this all the easier. If you want to discuss whether a Band Aid Facelift (or one of my many other minimally invasive surgeries) can help you be your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more helpful information and plastic surgery tips, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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