Q.) A tummy tuck seems like a pretty comprehensive procedure. How can it possibly be minimally invasive?
A.) Yes, a traditional tummy tuck is a significant procedure, which is why I refined the comparable “mini” version for those patients who could benefit from a tummy tuck, but don’t necessarily need the full procedure. I use a different technique with the Band Aid version, only targeting the areas that need the most attention. This technique requires a shorter incision, and can therefore be performed in-office with local anesthesia.
Q.) What are the main differences in the Band Aid Tummy Tuck and the traditional tummy tuck?
A.) The incision for the Band Aid Tummy Tuck is significantly smaller than the incision required with the traditional procedure. Instead of excising fat and skin across the entire tummy, I focus solely on those areas that need attention. The most significant difference, though, is the shorter recovery time associated with the Band Aid Tummy Tuck.
Liposuction is a procedure that eliminates areas of excess, stubborn fat—meaning even with diet and exercise, and the best intentions, these isolated fat pockets don’t seem to budge. Liposuction can remove up to ten pounds of fat, but keep in mind that it is no substitute for a proper diet and regular exercise. It’s designed for people who eat healthfully and exercise, but need that extra push to achieve their goals. What about patients who only need a little push?
I enjoy this clientele because they are exactly who I had in mind developing Band Aid Liposuction. After years and years of trying, slimming down as best they could, candidates for Band Aid Liposuction still see these small, yet noticeable fat pockets that they cannot seem to decrease. While someone else may look at them and think they look great, they’re troubled by the excess fat.
Like many of my other Band Aid procedures, I can perform Band Aid Liposuction under local anesthesia right in my office. While larger areas with excess nerve endings cannot be treated with only local anesthesia, areas with small amounts of excess fat like the abdomen, under the chin, behind elbows, hips, “saddle bags” (outer thighs), and knees can be treated fairly quick in-office, with very little recovery time. Seeing the thrilled look on my patients’ faces is what drives me to continually refine these traditional procedures into minimally invasive, Band Aid procedures.
Cosmetic surgery is an ever-growing industry. Despite the nation’s economic state over the last couple of years, plastic surgery procedures continue to remain a highly requested service. Many consumers, weary of over-spending their hard-earned dollars have become much more cognizant of the elective things they decide to purchase. In an effort to dispel some of the rumors surrounding the cost of plastic surgery, Dr. John LeRoy would like to explain the components included in the tabulation of surgery cost.
Generally, most plastic surgeons calculate the cost of each respective procedure based upon the following: doctor’s fees, surgical suite/ hospital fees, anesthesiologist fees, and material cost for post-operative aids (i.e.-compression garments, specialized dressings, etc.) For ease of illustration, we’ll use liposuction (body contouring) as a procedure example. A doctor’s fees’ would include the time he/she invests in performing the procedure (this value will fluctuate based on a surgeon’s experience), the complexity of areas receiving the treatment (i.e. – liposuction of the legs, abdomen, knees, or hips), and the type of tissue to be removed (excess fat is much harder to extract from fibrous tissue than more supple adipose tissues.)
Each medical facility sets their own “rent” if you will to cover the cost of their insurance and supplies. Most plastic surgeons are not able to perform cosmetic surgery procedures on-site, and must instead use more readily equipped hospital areas. Fortunately, Dr. John LeRoy’s practice has the advantage of being outfitted to perform an array of in-office procedures (Band Aid procedures).
Dr. LeRoy’s Band Aid Procedures also offer the advantage of requiring only gentle numbing; therefore reducing the costs typically associated with general anesthesia. It is important to remember however, that not all cosmetic procedures and not all surgeons hold the experience to safely perform this type of procedure with local anesthesia. Most plastic surgery procedures involving the breast and body (i.e.- breast augmentation, breast reduction, or tummy tuck (abdominioplasty)are recommended only with general anesthesia. Similar to doctor fees, anesthesiologist fees are contingent upon several varying factors including: time required for the procedure(s), amount of areas to be numbed, and the existence of outlying health concerns that could complicate administering/ maintaining drugs to keep the patient unconscious.
Material costs, again, vary depending upon the cosmetic procedure. Liposuction requires several different mechanical aids including specialized lasers or vibration instruments to loosen fat, cannulas (metal tubes) of varying diameter to suction fat, and injected fluids to reduce swelling and bleeding. Additionally, cosmetic body procedures like liposuction require patients to wear a compression garment to control post-operative swelling and/ or bruising for a time following their surgery.
As you can see, the cost of plastic surgery is highly dependent upon the requirements of the specific patient. It’s imperative for anyone considering plastic surgery to first have a cosmetic consultation with their prospective surgeon to limit the risk of surgical complication or fluctuation in estimated procedure cost. To learn more about the cost of Atlanta liposuction, breast augmentation cost, or facelift cost visit Dr. LeRoy’s website and blog.
Q.) A tummy tuck seems like a pretty comprehensive procedure. How can it possibly be minimally invasive?
