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Atlanta tummy tuck options

Lipo and Tummy Tuck: What’s the Difference?

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While a tummy that looks like a bowl full of jelly is a jolly thought when it comes to Santa, areas of fat and loose skin contributing to the appearance of a soft middle is typically unpleasant to the rest of us.    Many cosmetic surgery patients turn to Dr. John LeRoy’s body contouring procedures like tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction to reshape their mid sections and restore a more youthful physique; however, most patient don’t understand that unwanted fat and loose skin and muscle of the abdomen cannot be alleviated the same way for everyone.tummy tuck liposuction atlanta

Though not a replacement for a healthy diet and regular exercise, liposuction can remove isolated areas of excess subcutaneous fat.  Using small incision(s) (typically less than .5″ wide) a hollow metal tube known as a cannula is inserted to retrieve and remove deposits of fat trapped underneath the skin of the abdomen and flanks.  To facilitate fat removal during tumescent liposuction, Dr. LeRoy injects tumescent fluid (a custom solution of local anesthetic and saline) to minimize pain and bleeding.

To address sagging skin from age, weight fluctuation, or pregnancy, Dr. LeRoy often recommends tummy tuck surgery to patients.  Similar to the technique of a facelift, Dr. LeRoy excises the loose skin and retightens the underlying muscles to restore a smoother, flatter abdominal appearance.  Where liposuction is designed to address fat, tummy tuck is used to target muscle and skin.  If the situation warrants, Dr. LeRoy may recommend that the procedures be performed in combination.  This is often the case in younger women seeking to alleviate both excess fat and unwanted skin during mommy makeover surgery.

With over 20 years performing plastic surgery in Atlanta, Dr. LeRoy always tells patients that body contouring is not the same for everyone, “Just as everyone has their own natural shape, the body contouring procedures used to restore that shape will be unique for each patient,” says LeRoy.

It’s therefore vital that you seek the guidance of an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon if you’re contemplating a body sculpting procedure to ensure your unique needs are met.  In some instances, mini versions of these body contouring procedures like Band Aid Liposuction or mini tummy tuck, may be used to remedy very small amounts of excess skin and fat.

To schedule a plastic surgery consultation with Dr. LeRoy, contact his office.  To learn more about the cosmetic body procedures he offers, you can also connect with Dr. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Trim the Fat without the Trauma: Options for Reducing Body Contouring Scars

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Body contouring procedures like liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can produce dramatic results for patients looking to restore a more youthful, streamlined silhouette after weight loss, pregnancy, or small amounts of fat retention because of aging.  While proportionate curves can make you feel and look better, the scars from plastic surgery are not as enticing.  While these procedures do necessitate incisions, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the severity of body contouring scars.

The sizes of scars are most closely determined by the length of incision required for your procedure.  Based on the location and extent of your cosmetic concerns, Atlanta cosmetic and plastic surgeon, Dr. John LeRoy, will suggest either the traditional or “mini” Band Aid version of a procedure.  Traditional abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is performed using an incision the width of the abdomen, which is easily hidden under  the panty line to remedy larger amounts of excess abdominal skin and fat.  Additionally, a full tummy tuck is often required when muscles must be retightened after pregnancy during mommy makeover surgery.  Band Aid tummy tuck uses a narrower incision to reduce small, isolated abdominal fat.

Both traditional and Band Aid Liposuction require only tiny incisions so that the thin metal tube, known as a cannula, can access and suction the unwanted fat from beneath the skin.  If the area of excess fat is small enough, Band Aid Liposuction may be performed in-office using gentle numbing (local anesthesia).

Patients can reduce the severity of plastic surgery scars by following their surgeons prescribed aftercare instructions.  Depending on your skin type and whether or not you have a tendency of scarring easily, Dr. LeRoy may recommend post-surgery treatments such as topical, silicone-based ointments like scarguard® to apply while your incisions heal to lessen the appearance of scars.  Treatments such as massage may be used post liposuction to help break up scar tissue.  If more noticeable scarring occurs, patients may then research laser skin treatments to reduce scar pigmentation and projection.

Being an informed patient is one of the best ways to prevent plastic surgery complications like excess scarring.  For more news and information concerning plastic surgery from Dr. LeRoy, be sure to connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.