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plastic surgery Atlanta GA

Why Specialize in Facelifts and Plastic Surgery?

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Why Specialize in Facelifts and Plastic SurgeryEach person has a bit of a story about how we landed in our profession. Some people have known what they wanted to do since they were children and have pursued the same dream until they made it a reality. Others found their careers more as a result of chance or necessity. As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in mini facelifts, my story involves a little bit of both. Because it’s so important to choose your plastic surgeon wisely, many of my patients want to know more about me – including why I’m a plastic surgeon who specializes in facelifts, and I’m happy to offer some insight.

To some degree, I knew what I wanted to do at a young age – I knew that I wanted to be a doctor for a long time, and by medical school I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon, but I wasn’t sure which area of surgery to specialize in. I discovered my love for cosmetic surgery when, as a medical student, I was able to complete a number of rotations in various surgical specialties, and plastic surgery was one of my last. It appealed to me in part because it lets me actually see the results of my work and see the effect it has on my patients. However, the positivity of the field was perhaps the largest factor that brought me in. Unlike most other types of surgery, cosmetic surgery patients come to us by choice and they’re here with an optimistic outlook and an excitement about their plastic surgery results. This creates an all-around warm and positive environment that’s a joy to experience every day.

The cheerful atmosphere of plastic surgery helped to create the philosophy I use in my practice every day: that the way you look truly can affect the way you feel, and that as a plastic surgeon, I need to be understanding of my patients’ goals and the importance of their results. Ultimately, I believe a successful cosmetic surgery requires two things from the surgeon: (1) the ability to understand the patient, communicate with them, and be sensitive to their needs and goals, and (2) excellent surgical skills, training, and experience. In other words, in order to make a patient happy, I need to both understand the result they want and have the skills necessary to produce it, and this is how I approach every individual cosmetic surgery patient.

In providing an all-around successful and pleasant experience, I believe there is much more required of me than my technical skills. It’s also important to have a comfortable relationship and smooth communication with my patient so that you can feel comfortable asking questions and being open about your goals and your concerns. To that end, I strive every day to build a trust with my patients while also putting my extensive experience and strong surgical skills to work for them. If you want to find out more about the surgeries I offer, how I can address you specific cosmetic concerns, and whether my practice is a good fit for you, schedule a plastic surgery consultation. To continue learning more about me, my practice, and the unique Band Aid Facelift and the rest of the Band Aid line of procedures I developed, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Get to Know Dr. John L. LeRoy

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When you’re trying to choose a plastic surgeon, it’s important to start with their qualifications and their experience. Be sure to look for a board-certified plastic surgeon, as a “cosmetic surgeon” does not need to be tested and qualified by a nationally-recognized board of leading surgeons (and if they’re double board-certified like Dr. LeRoy, that’s even better). But once you’ve narrowed your search to a few highly qualified surgeons, you should also be sure to take personality and other factors into consideration. The more you and your surgeon share a similar aesthetic vision and the more comfortable you are communicating with them, the more likely you are to work as a team to achieve a successful and beautiful result. To help you get to know Dr. LeRoy a little better before your consultation, we sat down with him for a fun Q & A session.

Atlanta plastic surgeonWhat is your favorite procedure to perform and why?

While I specialize in all aspects of the face and body, particularly in facial rejuvenation, my #1 favorite surgery to perform is the Band Aid Mini Facelift for a number of reasons. First, because it’s a procedure that I actually developed, it’s particularly rewarding to see how happy it makes my patients. And second, the procedure is actually performed using gentle numbing, so the patients are awake, and I love the opportunity to interact with them throughout the surgery. It makes it a much more personal experience.

When did you realize you wanted to be a plastic surgeon? What attracted you to it?

I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a doctor, but when I first entered medical school, all I knew was that I wanted to be a surgeon—I wasn’t sure which specialty I wanted to focus on. During medical school, we did a number of “rotations”: spending time in different specialty areas to experience them and have a well-rounded education. One of my last rotations was plastic surgery, and I just fell in love with the energy of it. Because patients were there by choice and were looking forward to their results, they had a very positive air about them, and I knew I wanted to spend my career in this type of atmosphere.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I do a lot of reading when I have free time, but I also love spending time outdoors, like boating when the weather is warm. One of my big projects, though, is working on the land my family owns in South Carolina. My siblings all live in different cities, and we each enjoy spending some time there throughout the year operating the pine farm and just enjoying the land and the nature with different projects and activities.

Early in your career, you had a very prestigious fellowship at the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH) in New York City. What would you say is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from that fellowship?

The surgeons I worked under at MEETH were well-known leaders in the field, and before I started, I had some apprehension—like many people do before they meet someone they idolize. But the surgeons definitely did not disappoint. They were outstanding in both their facial rejuvenation technical skills and in making me feel welcome and helping me to learn in a great environment, so it was a powerful experience in my training. Overall, I’d say there are two lessons I took away as a surgeon:

  1. Even though I was already very proficient before my fellowship, you can always learn more and you can always stay humble.
  2. If you’re a new doctor, accumulate as much training, experience, and education as you can before you start practicing. When you have great credentials already, you can go into your practice with confidence and without feeling like you need to prove yourself because you have already shown your expertise.

If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To be honest, I don’t think I would tell him anything other than perhaps to relax a little more. One of my professors taught me about The Law of Unintended Consequences, and because I’m really happy with the way my life is now, I wouldn’t want to change any part of the journey that led here. I’ve often heard the saying, “Success is a poor teacher,” because you can learn more from your mistakes, but I don’t think that necessarily has to be the case—you just need to continue to make a conscious effort to grow, regardless of how much success you’ve already achieved.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to connect with Dr. LeRoy and get to know him a little better. But remember, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of an in-person consultation, which is your time to not only meet your surgeon and get to know them but also to explain and thoroughly discuss your goals for the surgery, see more before and after photos, and discuss the unique recommendations Dr. LeRoy would offer for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call to schedule your consultation today. Or, for more fun facts, plastic surgery tips, and special offers, follow Dr. John L. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What’s New at Dr. John LeRoy’s Office?

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The medical field is always changing and improving, from life-saving new medicines to less invasive ways to perform existing procedures. At the office of double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy, there’s always something new happening as well. Here’s a quick snapshot to help you stay up-to-date:

  • New procedure: The Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift

What's New at Dr. John LeRoy's Office?Dr. LeRoy is already well-known for his Band Aid Facelift – a minimally invasive version of the much-loved but often extensive facelift which he developed and has performed more than 5,000 times in the past twenty years. This procedure focuses on natural-looking results with around half the recovery time and cost of a traditional facelift, and it’s performed in-office using gentle numbing. But Dr. LeRoy has now perfected an even lighter version of this surgery, called the Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift. As the latest in his innovative line of Band Aid procedures, this new option is ideal for patients who have already had a face lift or a Band Aid Facelift, and who want to freshen up their results by repairing the new aging that has taken place around three or four years after their surgery. For more details coming soon, keep an eye on our blog and follow Dr. John L. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

  • LeRoy Featured in Atlanta Magazine

What's New at Dr. John LeRoy's Office?The October issue of Atlanta Magazine offers insight into Dr. LeRoy’s Band Aid Mini Facelift—in particular, the natural results this surgery can achieve. The goal of a Band Aid Face Lift is subtle, incremental improvements to keep you looking your best without the need for the more extensive anesthesia and recovery time required from a traditional facelift. One advantage of these natural-looking results (and the minimized scarring that goes along with them) is that patients feel they have more discretion. They don’t experience the “windblown” or “overdone” look that makes their face lift obvious to everyone they see. In fact, many patients report being told, “something about you just looks brighter and refreshed, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

  • October Special Offers on Non-Surgical Facial Treatments

Our goal is to help every patient be their most confident and beautiful self, and the way we achieve this varies from patient to patient. For those who just need a smaller improvement, or those who have aesthetic concern which surgery doesn’t directly address (such as age spots and fine lines), our non-surgical options can be the perfect solution. This month, enjoy savings on two popular choices: Band Aid Skin Tightening (which uses controlled warmth to firm aging skin) and Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing (which sends tiny columns of light into your skin to activate the healing process and remove a number of surface imperfections).

Innovation can offer great benefits in any area, but it has a particularly powerful effect in a field like plastic surgery, where advancements have a direct impact on both a patient’s safety and their ability to feel confident about their appearance. To stay up-to-date on the latest news in plastic surgery (and from our office), follow us on social media. Or, if you’re ready to discuss what we can do for you, schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy.

Tips for Getting the Facelift Result You Love

Tips for Getting the Facelift Result You Love

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No one walks in for their facelift and says, “I just want my results to look mediocre.” Every patient has a picture in their mind of precisely how they want to look, and the entire reason they’ve chosen plastic surgery is to look their best. We’ve discussed quite a bit about helping your recovery process go smoothly, but there’s also plenty you can do before surgery to get the best possible results.

Tips for Getting the Facelift Result You LoveChoose the right surgeon.

It may seem obvious that the surgeon you choose will have a powerful bearing on the quality of your results (and your safety, for that matter), but it’s so crucial that it is worth a reminder. Look for the words “board-certified plastic surgeon,” and pay close attention to whether the surgeon you’re considering is a part of professional organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of both of these organizations myself, I can attest to the strict requirements they uphold for each surgeon’s knowledge, training, and experience.

Communicate your desired results clearly and from the beginning.

The phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is certainly true, and after more than twenty years in cosmetic surgery specializing in facial procedures, I’ve seen firsthand that each patient has their own idea of how they want to look. Pictures can even be helpful—for instance, a face lift or Band Aid Mini Facelift patient may bring in a picture of themselves from ten years earlier and say, “my goal is to look the way I did in this picture.” Just keep in mind that surgery does have limitations, so in your pre-surgical consultation, I’ll be able to explain what you can realistically expect.

Look through before and after pictures.

While plastic surgeons may have fewer pictures of the results they’ve achieved with a facelift than with, for instance, a tummy tuck (simply because fewer patients are willing to consent to their pictures being used if it’s their face that must be shown, rather than a more “anonymous” area like the abdomen), they should still have some for you to review. Plastic surgery before and after photos are a great way to determine whether you and the surgeon have the same aesthetic vision, and you can also point out to him which results more resemble the way you want to look. While I have several pictures on my website, during your consultation you’ll also have the opportunity to see photos from many more patients who prefer that their pictures are shown in-office only.

Don’t assume, “after this surgery, I won’t have to worry about aging again.”

Face lifts aren’t a cure-all or a “permanent fix.” For most patients, the best way to get natural-looking results is not to try to remove every fine line and wrinkle in surgery, but to address these remaining concerns with injections like Botox® or facial fillers later as aging continues. The alternative of being overly aggressive in surgery can result in the “windblown” look. It’s also important to recognize that plastic surgery cannot stop the aging process (nor can anything in medical science, for that matter), so new wrinkles and skin laxity will appear as you age in the future. Many patients eventually address these concerns with a follow-up surgery or with non-surgical procedures like my Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing and Band Aid Skin Tightening.

Make sure your decision is logical, not emotional.

Some people who become depressed believe that plastic surgery will give them the emotional pick-me-up they need. While looking your best can undoubtedly make you feel more positive, optimistic, and confident, keep in mind that a facelift (or any other cosmetic surgery) has a healing period, and some patients get “the blues” during this time due to simply having less energy, being primarily confined to their home for a few days, and not yet being able to see their results immediately. If you’re already depressed going into surgery, this can put a damper on your healing ability. Don’t enter into plastic surgery assuming it will fix all your problems and “make you happy again.” Instead, look at it as a way to address this one specific concern you have: self-consciousness. For many patients, lifting this self-consciousness can give them a more positive outlook on life, but this should be seen as an added perk, rather than your reason for pursuing surgery in the first place.

Achieving optimal results from a facelift or a Band Aid Mini Face Lift is a team effort, requiring you as the patient and me as the board-certified plastic surgeon to develop a shared vision and communicate openly to make this vision a reality. If you’re ready to start discussing your options, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips, helpful information, and the latest news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Atlanta Humane Society Wins $1,000 Donation!

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At the office of double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy, we feel privileged to be able to spend every day working with our wonderful patients and helping them to be their most beautiful and confident selves. The support of the metro Atlanta community has been valuable to us, and to further our efforts to give back, every year we hold several social media charity contests and ask our patients and supporters to choose a local charity to receive our $1,000 donation. Our most recent charity contest has now come to a close, and we are excited to announce the winner: Atlanta Humane Society!

Atlanta Humane Society Wins $1,000 Donation!Atlanta Humane Society (AHS) has been serving the Atlanta area since 1873 as the city’s oldest private charity. They were originally created to serve animals as well as women and children, but throughout the years, they have specialized their efforts to focus on animals and on the mission of ending pet homelessness and overpopulation in our community.

Today, AHS strives toward creating a better world for our residents of all species with a number of different approaches. Perhaps their most well-known program is pet adoption. AHS takes in animals who need a home and, without euthanizing any animals who don’t have serious health or behavioral problems, adopts out around 8,000 animals to loving homes every year. However, the organization also offers support to the community in several other ways. For instance, their veterinary clinic gives animals the care they need, and their wide variety of obedience classes and other training helps pet owners create a happy and healthy environment. AHS is also continuing to develop the educational sector of their mission. Their website and donation centers offer a wealth of information for both new and veteran pet owners, and they are currently developing new outreach programs to bring pet education into the classroom.

All of us at the office of John L. LeRoy, M.D., are honored to lend a helping hand to an organization that serves both the citizens of our community and their furry friends, and we thank everyone who voted and helped us choose a deserving local charity to receive our donation. To stay up-to-date on future social media charity contests, or to learn more about the aesthetic services we offer, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.