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Is Liposuction or Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Better to Address My Double Chin?

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Every patient’s body is different. Excess fat can accumulate in certain areas for some people far more than others. The area under the chin is one such spot that can lead to considerable dissatisfaction. Excess fat in the neck area can create the appearance of a “double chin”, a very common aesthetic issue that can be caused by genetics, weight gain, personal anatomy, and other factors. Today, I wanted to discuss plastic surgery for the double chin and why liposuction surgery is my preferred procedure method for this concern.

According to statistics collected by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, nearly 68% of adults in the US will experience this issue at some point in their lives. And while there are multiple treatment options available, I almost often recommend liposuction for the neck in these cases over non-surgical fat removal treatments. While I understand the appeal of a non-invasive treatment, the fat removal results achieved are simply not comparable to what liposuction can accomplish. I perform liposuction procedures (including my signature Band Aid Liposuction surgery) in my office using gentle numbing. Patients can typically drive themselves home after the procedure, as long as they opt for no medication, and recovery is less intensive than many patients realize.

In the video below, I go into detail on how I perform liposuction for the chin and neck area and why I prefer this procedure method to non-surgical fat reduction treatments:

I’ve seen firsthand how impressive and meaningful the results of “double chin” surgery can be over the years and would recommend it to anyone concerned about this specific aesthetic issue. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional tips, practice news, and much more.

4 Essential Questions for Any Liposuction Consultation Appointment

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female-pinches-hip-skinEven in the case of cosmetic procedures as common and popular as liposuction, the pre-surgery consultation is an essential learning experience for patients. I’m always happy to help my patients prepare for their procedures and get more comfortable with all of their options. And while every consultation is different, because every patient is different, there are some universal factors to consider. That’s why I wanted to present some questions that should be asked at liposuction consultation appointments:

Are you board-certified as a plastic surgeon?

This is where the discussion should begin. In order to feel assured and confident in your plastic surgery and the results, it is essential to find a medical professional who is board-certified in plastic surgery to safely perform your surgery. Anyone you consider should be board-certified as a plastic surgeon (not a “cosmetic surgeon”) by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is important because the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires additional criteria for board-certification, which provides assurance to the patient that they have chosen a surgeon with the requisite skills and experience to provide an outstanding, long-lasting result.

How much experience do you have performing liposuction procedures?

Board-certification is a great start, but it takes more than that to determine the right plastic surgeon to perform your liposuction surgery. It’s also critical that your plastic surgeon has extensive experience performing liposuction, specifically on patients with similar body types and aesthetic needs as you. I recommend asking to see before and after liposuction photos to make sure that your aesthetic sensibilities are a match and your desired results will be possible.

What different liposuction procedure methods are available?

Depending on the needs of each patient, there are different ways that liposuction surgery can be performed. Traditional liposuction involves using a very narrow tube called a cannula to break down fat deposits in the treatment area and then gently suction fat cells out of the body. I also perform a less invasive alternative known as Band Aid Liposuction. Performed using gentle numbing in my office, Band Aid Liposuction uses even smaller incisions to provide more modest, but still meaningful aesthetic results with less downtime at a lower cost than traditional liposuction.

Will I experience any visible scarring following my surgery?

Some amount of scarring is inevitable after any cosmetic surgery, including liposuction. However, it’s often very minimal following this procedure. The incisions made during this surgery are very small and often made in easy to conceal areas, meaning the scars will be tiny and hard to notice. In cases where the patient chooses to undergo Band Aid Liposuction, there will be even less post-surgical scarring.

Preparation is always very important before any cosmetic procedure, and my hope is that reading this will help patients curious about liposuction better prepare for their consultation appointments to come. To learn more about liposuction or to schedule a consultation appointment today, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. You should also follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more plastic surgery tips and updates from my practice.

What To Expect From Recovery After Liposuction

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female-hands-on-bellyHaving excess body fat is an uncomfortable feeling for many people. However, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Still, I completely understand the impulse to want to shed unwanted fat that a healthy diet and exercise alone cannot sufficiently address. This is why I perform liposuction surgery and my signature Band Aid Liposuction procedure to help patients achieve the trimmer, healthier body contour they desire. Today, I wanted to specifically discuss the recovery period after liposuction and what my patients can expect after their fat removal procedures.

Liposuction is among the most in-demand cosmetic procedures for both male and female patients, due to its fantastic dependability and versatility for treating areas all over the body. During the procedure, I use a narrow tube known as a microcannula to break down fat deposits in the area targeted for treatment. Once they have been successfully loosened, fat cells are then gently suctioned out of the body, leading to a more attractive contour.

Recovery following liposuction is typically more simple and straightforward than many patients realize. Although some liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning no overnight hospital stay will be required. Post-surgical bruising and swelling in the treated area is normal following the procedure. Wearing a compression garment during this time will be helpful. As these effects decrease in a week or two after surgery. Daily activities like work and light exercise will likely be able to resume within one to two weeks as well. However, it may be one to two months before the body can handle more strenuous, high impact physical activity such as jogging.

Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, the recovery period following a Band Aid Liposuction surgery is even shorter and easier than that of a traditional liposuction procedure. This procedure is performed in-office under gentle numbing (not anesthesia) to help patients with only minor amounts of fat in the treatment areas. Most patients are able to drive themselves home after Band Aid Liposuction and resume their normal daily activities after 2-4 days. However, this varies from patient to patient.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I’m always happy to be able to reassure my patients regarding things like their recovery. If you are curious about liposuction and would like to learn more, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, news, practice updates, and much more.

Your Top Liposuction Questions Answered

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woman-slim-bellyLiposuction is a plastic surgery that speaks to an extremely common frustration: unwanted fat. Many people look in the mirror and see select areas that they wish were slimmer, whether it’s their abdomen, “double chin,” thighs, upper arms, or other areas. To help you gain a better understanding of liposuction and whether it may be able to give you the body contours you prefer, I’m answering some of the most common questions I receive about liposuction as a double board-certified plastic surgeon.

After Liposuction, Will the Fat Return?

This is an important question, and the answer is that it depends on your lifestyle choices. You are generally born with a set number of fat cells and when you gain weight, you don’t develop new fat cells; your fat cells just get larger. Liposuction works by removing fat cells from a precise area. While those fat cells won’t return, you will still have some fat cells in the area, and those can get larger if you’re taking in excess calories. This means you can gain weight in the treated area, although you will typically gain weight more slowly in this area because there are fewer fat cells here than in other areas.

Will I Have Scars After Liposuction?

Every surgery leaves scarring, but fortunately, liposuction scars are very minimal. The incisions I use for liposuction are very small, so your scars will be small and usually difficult to see. Additionally, I do everything I can to place these very small incisions in the natural creases of your body which makes them even more difficult to spot. This is especially true for my minimally invasive Band Aid Liposuction, a procedure I perform in-office with gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia.

Can Liposuction Be Part of a Weight Loss Journey?

Liposuction can play a part in weight loss, but in a different way than most people think. Liposuction is not an “easier” way to lose weight. In fact, your weight will barely drop after liposuction. This surgery is designed not for removing a considerable amount of fat but for refining your curves and contours by addressing small, specific bulges of fat.

For this reason, liposuction is a popular choice for people who have lost weight through other means and reached their goal weight, but who have some stubborn areas remaining and want to enhance their results. It’s important to be at or near your goal weight before considering liposuction.

How Much Time Should I Take Off Work for Liposuction?

The good news is that liposuction tends to have a shorter recovery period than many other plastic surgeries. The bad news is that it’s not possible to know exactly how long your recovery will be. There are many factors that affect your healing period, such as the details of your procedure, your pre-surgery and post-surgery care, your health, and more. It will also depend on the work you do because you’ll be ready for desk work before you will be ready to do work that is more physically demanding. Most people will be able to return to desk work within one week of their liposuction surgery, but we will discuss your recovery in more detail during your pre-surgical consultation.

What Areas Can I Treat with Liposuction?

Liposuction is an incredibly versatile surgery that can be used for nearly any area of your body where you have unwanted fat. Some of the most common areas include the abdomen, upper arms, hips, back, “double chin,” and thighs, as well as the chest and flanks for men. For particularly small areas of excess fat, my minimally invasive Band Aid Liposuction may be an option.

If you’re considering liposuction, the first step is to schedule a liposuction consultation at my Atlanta office to discuss your specific needs and what you can expect. Call me, plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy, to schedule your consultation today. Follow me on Facebook for more cosmetic surgery tips and insights.

How to Prepare for Liposuction

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Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the US alone choose liposuction or mini liposuction surgery to shape their physiques and give them the contours they want, whether they’re treating their “double chin” area, abdomen, arms, legs, or other area. If you have a vision in mind for your figure, liposuction could be the ideal way to make that vision a reality.

As with any surgery, though, liposuction has better potential if you prepare correctly before your surgery. As double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy, I guide patients through their surgery preparations before any procedure. Take these important pre-surgery steps to set yourself up for a more effective, safe, and predictable procedure.

Choose the Right Type of Liposuction for Your Needs

It’s vital to choose an experienced and knowledgeable board-certified plastic surgeon for your liposuction, but that isn’t the only decision that will impact your results. There are also different types of liposuction surgery for you to choose.

If you want to treat a small area, consider my Band Aid Liposuction instead. This is a minimally invasive version of liposuction surgery which I developed to use gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. I perform it safely in my plastic surgery office, and if you are the right fit for this surgery, you may be able to enjoy excellent results with less recovery time and a lower cost.

Master the Art of Weight Management

Because liposuction removes unwanted fat, there is a common misconception that it is a substitute for weight loss or an “easy way out” for people who want to lose weight. In reality, liposuction takes off very little weight. It’s designed not for shrinking your size but for shaping your curves and contours in the way you want and for removing small, localized pockets of stubborn fat.

To get the best results from your liposuction, it’s important to be at or very near to your ideal weight before your surgery. Remember that if your weight fluctuates after your surgery, it can also affect your long-term results, so it’s vital that you have mastered weight management before surgery so you can keep your weight stable and preserve your results for as long as possible.

Prioritize Your Health

For liposuction, as with any surgery, the better your health is before the procedure, the better your recovery is likely to be. Healing from surgery is a big job, so you want your body to be in top shape beforehand so healing can be its only focus.

To make that happen, take time to build and maintain healthy habits before your surgery. That includes eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and nicotine as well as excessive alcohol, drinking plenty of water, and managing stress. Before your surgery with me, I will also require lab testing to check your health and ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure.

Follow Your Pre-Surgical Instructions

For every patient that I treat, I begin with a pre-surgical consultation to discuss the surgery you may want, what the surgery involves, your expectations, and so on. As part of that consultation, I will give you detailed pre-surgical instructions for preparing for your procedure.

Be sure to follow all of these instructions carefully, because they are all designed to help you have a surgery that is as safe and effective as possible. These instructions will include information about what medications to avoid and when antibiotic soap to use for your treatment area, how to prepare for your postoperative care, and more.

Planning Ahead for the Best Possible Liposuction Results

Liposuction can be an excellent way to resolve frustrating areas of stubborn fat and finally achieve the contours you want for your physique in the upcoming swimsuit season and all year round. Preparing properly for your surgery will help you enjoy a smoother surgery with the best, longest-lasting results possible.

To start planning your liposuction surgery, call my plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation today. Follow me on Facebook for more cosmetic surgery tips.

 

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