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plastic surgery in Georgia

Am I Ready for a Facelift?

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Aging happens to all of us. It may progress more slowly in some than in others thanks to genetic and environmental factors, but it catches up with all of us eventually. If you’re someone who wants to maintain a more youthful and energetic look, you may have already decided that you want to get a facelift when the time comes—but how do you know when it’s time? As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation (especially the face lift and the minimally invasive Band Aid Mini Facelift I developed), I’ve compiled a few tips to help you decide if you’re ready for a facelift.

  • Am I Ready for a FaceliftWhat signs of aging do you have? Aging typically starts with fine lines and wrinkles, but it progresses into lax facial skin, a loss of volume in the face, and other “symptoms.” The occasional wrinkle or crease is usually best addressed with non-surgical “spot treatments” like cosmetic facial injections (think Botox®, Dysport®, or Restylane®) or laser procedures such as my Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing. But it’s probably time for a facelift if you’re noticing sagging skin (like jowls) or a more gaunt-looking facial structure, because both of these issues are reduced with a face lift or a Band Aid Facelift.
  • What area of your face are you most concerned about? A facelift really focuses on the lower area of the face—the cheeks through the jawline and underside of the chin. If it’s primarily your forehead, eyes, or neck that makes you uncomfortable, you may be a better candidate for a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or neck lift (or their minimally invasive Band Aid counterparts). Keep in mind that each of these surgeries can often be combined with a facelift or Band Aid Mini Facelift too, for those who want to address several areas of the face at once.
  • How long do you want your results to last? Technically, there are no “permanent” solutions to aging, because there is no way to stop the aging process entirely. But the more extensive of an improvement you reach for, the longer it generally lasts before your new signs of aging have progressed far enough to make you look the way you did pre-surgically. Non-surgical skin treatments typically last several months (for injectables) to a few years (for skin tightening or laser procedures), but a face lift often lasts as long as ten to twelve years, depending on the patient’s unique aging process.
  • How stable is your weight? Although natural aging is the primary cause of facial skin laxity, losing significant amounts of weight can play a role in this as well. In order to achieve results that will last as long as possible, it’s best to reach your ideal, stable weight before surgery.
  • Are you considering a facelift because of your physical aging or because you’ve reached an age when many people get face lifts? Every person ages at their own pace, due to heredity, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and more. That’s why there’s no specific age when it’s time for a facelift or a Band Aid Mini Face Lift—one patient may be ready for the surgery at 45 while another doesn’t find it necessary until 60.
  • Are you prepared for a recovery period? Though it may be cosmetic, a face lift is still a surgery, so make sure you can accept some downtime in order to give your body the chance to heal. The recovery time varies based on the extensiveness of your surgery as well as your body’s unique healing process, but if you want to minimize your downtime, ask me whether you may be a candidate for my minimally invasive Band Aid Face Lift instead.
  • Do you have realistic expectations for your results? Facelifts can make a powerful difference in your appearance, but it’s important to recognize their limitations, too. They won’t erase every fine line and wrinkle you have (in fact, if they did, the results would look unnatural and less attractive), and they won’t take you from looking 60 to looking 20. Review some facelift before and after pictures to get an idea of what the results typically look like.

At the end of the day, the decision to have a face lift or mini face lift is about you feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. So ask yourself if this is the case for you, but be sure to also seek the expert advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation. If you’re ready to take the next step, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and the latest cosmetic surgery news, follow John L. LeRoy, MD, FACS on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Getting a Younger Look from Head to Toe

Getting a Younger Look from Head to Toe

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While there are certainly some things in life which get better with age, most people feel that their appearance isn’t one of them. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I’ve worked with enough patients to know how much physical aging can put a damper on your self-confidence, especially because there is little you can do on your own to counteract it. And while facial wrinkles are often the first and most noticeable sign of aging, gravity and skin laxity affect every part of the body. If you spend every summer feeling more and more self-conscious about stepping out in a swimsuit, you’re not alone, and this is clear by the millions of Americans each year who undergo rejuvenating plastic surgery. Thanks to medical science, we now have cosmetic procedures to lift and tighten nearly any part of your physique.

Getting a Younger Look from Head to ToeFacelift & Band Aid Mini Facelift

The face lift is a classic in the plastic surgery industry. As a highly popular procedure, this comprehensive approach removes excess skin and repositions underlying facial tissue to give the skin a lifted, firmer, more youthful look. But for patients who are looking for a more subtle improvement, my specialized Band Aid Mini Facelift is a less invasive surgery which is performed in-office with gentle numbing (rather than general anesthesia), producing natural-looking results with less recovery time, scarring, swelling, bruising, and expense than a traditional face lift.

Neck Lift

The neck is an often overlooked area which can age quickly due to frequent movement. Similar to the facelift, a neck lift tightens the skin and the underlying muscles for an overall younger-looking facial contour, all while keeping scars to a minimum and keeping them as naturally concealable as possible.

Arm Lift & Band Aid Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty is a surgery to rejuvenate and slim down the appearance of the upper arms. Aging, weight fluctuations, and genetics can all play a role in causing the skin below the upper arm to sag – a feature which can make a patient look older and heavier all at once. While patients with only excess fat in the upper arms may be candidates for liposuction alone, those who also have skin laxity will see the best results with either traditional brachioplasty or my minimally invasive Band Aid Arm Lift.

Breast Lift for women

Gravity can have a profound effect on the breasts over time, especially for women who have experienced extreme weight fluctuations or pregnancy. Without changing the breast size, a breast lift removes excess skin and repositions the nipple to give the breast a firmer, higher, more youthful shape.

Gynecomastia Surgery for men

The development of excess tissue in the chest area can cause men to be highly self-conscious, whether it’s actual breast tissue (a condition referred to as gynecomastia) or excess fat. Male breast reduction can address either one or both of these issues to provide a more sculpted, younger-looking physique.

Tummy Tuck or Band Aid Tummy Tuck

Another area commonly affected by sagging skin is the abdomen. While it’s particularly common for women who have had children or patients who have experienced dramatic weight loss, anyone can see their belly become less taut over time. A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can be the ideal option for those who need a significant amount of skin removed or who can benefit from repairing and tightening the abdominal muscles, but patients who only need a small amount of tissue removed may be candidates for the Band Aid Tummy Tuck, which is performed in-office with gentle numbing and requires far less recovery time.

While combining multiple surgeries into one comprehensive plan can be the right choice for some, remember that cosmetic surgery isn’t about creating the “perfect body” or changing your entire look to fit a societal standard. It’s about lifting the burden of self-consciousness by targeting the aesthetic features that bother you, allowing you to be your most beautiful and confident self. To discuss which procedure(s) may be right for you, schedule a consultation with me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more helpful cosmetic surgery tips and our latest special offers, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and subscribe to my newsletter.

Tips for Moms Getting a Facelift or Mini Facelift

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Mother’s Day may have passed, but a mother’s job is never finished, and parenthood puts a whole new spin on every aspect of life – including plastic surgery. As a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation, I work with moms every day who want to restore a more youthful, rested appearance. To make it a little easier for them to become their most confident and beautiful selves, I’ve gathered a few tips specially designed for busy mothers.

  • Tips for Moms Getting a Facelift or Mini FaceliftPlan ahead for child care. When you’re recovering from surgery, your most important task is to rest, let your body do its job of healing, and follow your post-surgical instructions closely, and this is difficult to do when you’re caring for even the most well-behaved of children. Pain medication and activity limitations can also make you unable to drive, which could be a concern if an emergency were to occur with your child. For multiple reasons, you should arrange ahead of time for someone to care for your children for a few days or longer after your surgery, depending on the details of your procedure.
  • Look for ways to minimize your surgical process. For instance, the Band Aid Mini Facelift I developed is popular with my patients in general, but especially among mothers, because it’s a minimally invasive, in-office procedure using gentle numbing and specialized techniques to limit the recovery time, bruising, swelling, and scarring. If there are several plastic surgeries you’re considering, you may also be a candidate for combining them into one surgery, which will shorten your overall process and total recovery time.
  • Decide beforehand how you would like to explain the surgery to your kids. Keep in mind that you will have bruising, and swelling during your recovery, and this can be upsetting for some children to see depending on their age and maturity level. Plan ahead by deciding what you want to tell them about the facelift beforehand (such as what they can expect to see, how they can help you while you heal, etc.). As a parent, you know your child and can decide the best way to approach this conversation to make them feel more comfortable.
  • Plan your timing carefully. For example, it may be best to avoid having surgery during a time when your children have a lot of extracurricular activities on the schedule or when your spouse is out of town. You should also consider the timing in terms of your stage of life—elective surgery is typically not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and it’s often also ideal to wait until your children are old enough to require less energy and attention, to make life a little easier for your spouse or whoever will be caring for your children during your plastic surgery recovery.

Ultimately, plastic surgery is a decision that should only be made after careful consideration, but minimally invasive procedures like my Band Aid Facelift are often a solution which can allow mothers to balance parenthood and their many other responsibilities with their own confidence and self-image. To start discussing how I can help you return to a look you love, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips about face lifts and other facial rejuvenation treatments, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Tips for Having a Band Aid Mini Facelift During the Summer

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For many men and women in the Atlanta area, my minimally invasive Band Aid Mini Facelift offers the opportunity to restore a more youthful appearance they can feel confident in without the extensive downtime and costs of a more comprehensive facelift. Still, there are considerations to keep in mind when you’re planning the timing and other details of your plastic surgery. This time of the year, many of my patients are preparing for family vacations, special events, and other fun occasions over the summer, so below are some tips for coordinating your Band Aid Facelift with your summer plans.

  • Tips for Having a Band Aid Mini Facelift During the SummerLeave yourself plenty of time between surgery and any upcoming events. While my mini facelift involves a significantly shorter recovery period than a traditional facelift, remember that everyone’s body can respond differently, and it may take longer for your bruising and swelling to resolve than it does for others. Based on the details of your specific case (like your medical history, the extensiveness of your surgery, etc.), we can discuss an expected timeline and how far in advance you should schedule your procedure before any trips or occasions when you’ll want to look your best. Ideally, you should schedule a consultation as early as possible so we can plan ahead and select the ideal timing for your needs.
  • Be particularly cautious about sun protection. While sun exposure can always be unhealthy for your skin (especially if you want to preserve a more youthful look, because the sun accelerates the aging process), it’s especially concerning for your surgical scars. New scars are particularly vulnerable to sun damage, and it can cause them to permanently darken and look more prominent. In general, we recommend that patients are diligent with their sunblock for at least six weeks after plastic surgery.
  • Stay in the air conditioning during your recovery. Whether you’re a fan of the Hotlanta heat or not, it’s important to keep your body comfortable while you heal. Particularly after a facelift, anything which causes your face to flush and become red is causing an increase in blood flow to your head, and this can contribute to swelling. A good guideline is to avoid anything which makes your face flush, including heat, exercise, and alcohol.
  • Arrange for child care ahead of time. If you’re a parent with children who will be home for their school’s summer break and you won’t have a spouse at home during the day, it’s a good idea to have someone else take care of your children while you’re recovering. For plastic surgery patients, pushing yourself to be too active too soon after surgery (by running after children, for example) can make your body take longer to heal. Plus, if an emergency were to occur, you may not be able to drive due to pain medications, so it’s best to allow yourself to focus on your recovery by making other arrangements for the kids.

There are many factors which come together to make a cosmetic surgery successful, and planning ahead is one of the most valuable steps you can take toward getting safe and satisfying results. Allow yourself plenty of time to research your procedure, find the right board-certified plastic surgeon, and choose the ideal time in your personal calendar. To get started planning your cosmetic surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more helpful tips, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: What’s the Difference between a Band Aid Facelift and a Traditional Facelift?

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The facelift is one of the most well-known plastic surgery procedures, and for good reason. Aging affects us all, and while it progresses at different rates or in different ways from one person to the next, it’s almost always an unwelcome change. That’s why so many people choose to take control of their appearance with a combination of healthy choices, at-home skincare, and professional treatments. But when skin laxity has reached a point when only plastic surgery can produce the desired results, patients in past years often struggled with the decision because of the recovery time, risk, and expense associated with a traditional facelift. That’s where my Band Aid Mini Facelift comes in.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: What's the Difference between a Band Aid Facelift and a Traditional Facelift?As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I believe that everyone should have the option to become their most confident and beautiful self, so I developed the Band Aid Mini Facelift nearly 20 years ago to make surgical-quality facial rejuvenation accessible to patients who were in that uncomfortable “in-between” stage: their aging had progressed far enough that they were no longer happy with the results non-surgical treatments could provide, yet not far enough for them to justify a comprehensive facelift. As a minimally invasive procedure, the Band Aid Facelift is performed in-office using gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. I also use specialized techniques in order to target the specific areas of concern while leaving smaller incisions for more discreet scars. Ultimately, this unique plastic surgery offers natural-looking results with significantly less downtime, swelling, bruising, scarring, and cost compared to a traditional facelift.

So why do some of my patients still choose the conventional facelift? The simple fact is that different procedures are ideal for different types of patients, and the Band Aid Facelift is designed for a moderate level of aging. Those who are looking for a more extensive change to their appearance are often better suited for a traditional facelift. At the end of the day, the goal is to design a plan that makes you feel comfortable and to match you with the surgery that will give you the best balance between your results and your priorities.

While researching your cosmetic options is an important first step, remember that the only way to truly know what procedures you may be a candidate for is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the experience to translate your aesthetic goals and other needs into a surgical plan. To get started toward feeling confident in your appearance again, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more helpful tips, special offers, and plastic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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