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Three Things to Consider Before Undergoing a Tummy Tuck

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laying-out--surgery-on-bellyAs our bodies experience normal physical changes from causes such as childbirth, the aging process and weight fluctuations, we may notice that excess fat and skin start to accumulate in the midsection. However, even with vigorous exercise and a strict diet, eliminating excess fat in the abdominal area can be difficult. Since it can be difficult to lose this stubborn fat, an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a great way to repair separated muscles and eliminate excess fat while toning and contouring the surrounding skin in the stomach area.

Doing research before undergoing a plastic surgery procedure is something that I, Dr. John L. LeRoy, always recommend to my patients. Before you undergo a tummy tuck, you should consider and learn more about the intricacies of the procedure to find out if it’s right for you.

1. Plan to be at a stable weight before your tummy tuck
It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not a substitute for dieting and exercise. You should plan to follow a healthy lifestyle both before and after your procedure to help maintain your results. In the six to twelve months leading up to your surgery, you should be about 10-15 pounds away from your desired weight. After your procedure, you should keep in mind that any major weight loss or gain can undo and alter the toned look achieved from your surgery.

2. Learn about the different types of tummy tucks
There are many types of tummy tuck procedures that I perform and each one has different expected results. However, my most popular procedure is my signature Band Aid Tummy Tuck.

This treatment uses gentle numbing, is less invasive than a traditional tummy tuck and is designed for patients who are a healthy weight and want to lose excess skin and fat. Additionally, I use smaller incisions that only target the areas that need the most attention. By analyzing your unique situation and concerns, I can help you decide which tummy tuck procedure would work best for you.

3. A tummy tuck will leave a scar
Over the years, there have been plenty of innovations in the way that a tummy tuck is performed, however, scarring is still an inevitable part of the procedure. Patients should expect a scar to form along their horizontal incision line that runs from hip to hip, right above the pubic bone. The scar will fade over time, but is easily concealed below under garments. I work to make sure any visible scarring is as minimal as possible. I also strategically place any incisions I make in areas that can be easily hidden with clothing and swimwear.

If you’re interested in learning more about tummy tucks and how this procedure could work for you, book a consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Also, give me a follow on Facebook and YouTube to stay updated on my services and latest specials.

How to Prepare for Liposuction

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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.

fat removal, liposuction, weight loss, body contouring, plastic surgeryDo 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.

Common Misconceptions About Tummy Tucks

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Excess fat in the abdominal area is notoriously stubborn and difficult to eliminate, even with a strong commitment of diet and exercise. Men and women both tend to experience more difficulty losing fat from the midsection as they get older, so creating tone and contours can often feel like an impossible challenge. Dr. John LeRoy performs a tummy tuck procedure to give each patient control over their look. To provide clear and reliable information, we want to clear up a few common misconceptions that surround this procedure.

tummy-tuck-surgery1.) Exercise and dieting consistently are just as effective as a tummy tuck.
There’s an a completely false notion that people who receive tummy tucks are unwilling to work for the body that they want. Due to pregnancy, age and varying metabolisms, many people can’t quite achieve the body they want with just diet and exercise alone. A tummy tuck doesn’t discredit any hard work a person has done to enhance their body.

2.) A Tummy Tuck is a weight loss solution.
A cosmetic procedure isn’t a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, a tummy tuck shouldn’t be considered as an alternative to eating well and committing to a consistent exercise routine. Receiving a tummy tuck, dieting, and staying active at the same time gives you the best chance of looking and feeling great for many years to come.

3.) A Tummy Tuck can affect pregnancy.
Contrary to what some might believe, a tummy tuck won’t negatively affect the safety or success of a pregnancy. In actuality, a tummy tuck procedure is susceptible to the physical changes that occur during pregnancy. It’s often recommended that women wait until after they’re done having kids to receive this cosmetic procedure to ensure the positive results are preserved.

4.) Liposuction does the same thing as a Tummy Tuck.
Because a tummy tuck and liposuction both improve the midsection area, they can sometimes become confused with one another. Liposuction surgery is used to eliminate targeted fat deposits that will be suctioned from the body, creating improved tone and contours. Whereas, a Tummy Tuck is incredibly effective at removing loose skin and fat, repairing muscle separation, and developing a more firm and flat appearance. It’s the go-to cosmetic procedure for people after weight loss or pregnancy because of how well it reshapes the midsection.

The best way to determine if a Tummy Tuck is right for your own cosmetic needs is by scheduling an in-person consultation with double board-certified Dr. John LeRoy. If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 404.843.0840. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about plastic surgery procedures and our monthly cosmetic specials!

The Upward Trend of Body Enhancement Procedures

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The results of last year’s plastic surgery trends were just released from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and it showed a major surge in the popularity of body enhancement procedures. Now more than ever, people are turning toward reliable methods of contouring, lifting or shaping their bodies. Dr. John LeRoy has been performing cosmetic procedures for the body for over two decades to help patients achieve their desired look.

The Upward Trend of Body Enhancement ProceduresLiposuction

The past year has been a very popular time for liposuction. This is likely due to its versatility and unparalleled ability to quickly contour areas of the body. For patients who have pockets of excess fat that are seemingly resistant to diet and exercise, liposuction is truly an ideal body enhancement procedure. It works by thoroughly breaking down fat deposits into fat cells that are gently suctioned from the treatment site. The final result is a slimmer and more contoured physique.

For more refined changes to the body, Dr. John LeRoy can perform his own signature Band Aid Liposuction procedure that is performed in-office with gentle numbing. This allows patients to still attain their desired look, but with a shorter recovery time than a traditional liposuction.

Arm Lift

Excess fat and skin around the upper arm area can be a major source of discomfort and anxiety because it’s an area of the body that’s difficult to conceal. As a cosmetic solution for this issue, an Arm Lift can include:

  • Liposuction to remove unwanted fat
  • Removal of excess skin
  • Tightening and toning of the underlying muscle

Depending on a patient’s needs, a combination of these techniques will be applied to eliminate fat reserves and sagging skin. Just as with liposuction, we offer a Band Aid version of an Arm Lift procedure, which is designed for those with a smaller amount of fat and skin on their arms. The Band Aid Arm Lift still creates exceptional results with contouring the upper arm, but with a less intensive recovery process.

Tummy Tuck

Over the years, fat can accumulate on the midsection that is notoriously difficult to burn off. A Tummy Tuck helps smooth the contour of the abdominals and remove any excess skin. During this process, regions of skin and fat are safely removed with an emphasis on natural results. For subtle results, Dr. John LeRoy also offers the Band Aid Tummy Tuck for the lower portion of the abdominals.

If you have any questions about cosmetic body procedures, call our office at 404.843.0840. For updates on plastic surgery treatments and information about our monthly cosmetic specials follow us on Facebook & Twitter!

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Are the Results of Liposuction Permanent?

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Excess fat is a problem that nearly all of us have to some extent. In fact, as of 2014, the CDC reported that more than 70% of US adults were overweight. Even people with a healthy weight are often unhappy with the way their body fat is distributed, appearing as “bulges” in specific areas. That’s why liposuction has long been among the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the country. But is it truly the permanent solution many people think it is? Or will the fat return?

Your Guide to Plastic Surgery after Dramatic Weight LossTo understand how to get liposuction results that last, you first need to understand how your body’s fat cells work. There are exceptions to every rule, but here’s a generalized explanation: you have a certain number of fat cells distributed throughout your body. When you gain or lose weight, your body stores fat by making these same fat cells larger or smaller—not by changing the number of fat cells. What liposuction does, on the other hand, is actually remove some fat cells from a specific “problem area” in order to modify your body’s contours.

Here’s where the question of “is it permanent?” comes in: the fat cells which were removed with liposuction will not grow back. So liposuction is “permanent” in the sense that these cells are gone. However, you will still have some remaining fat cells in the treatment area as well as throughout the rest of your body, and these cells can just as easily enlarge with weight gain as they did before your surgery. So while your post-liposuction shape is expected to be permanent, gaining weight can diminish your results.

The best way to maintain the best possible results from your liposuction is to keep a healthy diet and exercise routine. You should also keep in mind that liposuction isn’t for everyone. It’s ideal for people who don’t necessarily want to lose weight, but who just have one or a few areas of stubborn fat which haven’t responded to diet and exercise. For some patients with a particularly small area of fat to be removed, my Band Aid Liposuction is a minimally invasive option as well. If you want to lose weight, I would advise you to reach your weight loss goal first and then use liposuction to “fine tune” your new contours. It’s also important to note that liposuction solely focuses on fat removal and does not address lax or sagging skin, so if you want firmer skin along with a reduction in fat, a combination of liposuction and my Band Aid Tummy Tuck, Band Aid Arm Lift, or other skin-firming procedure may be the best way to achieve results you’ll be happy with in the long term.

Plastic surgery is a team effort between me—your board-certified plastic surgeon—and you, the patient. For the safest and most successful results, it’s important that we communicate candidly throughout the process; that I do my part to perform your procedure well; and that you do your part to help your body heal and to keep your results looking their best. If you’re ready to get started, schedule a consultation at my office. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and special offers, follow me, Dr. John L. LeRoy, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.