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tummy tuck Atlanta

When Can I Get Back to Exercising after Plastic Surgery?

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Disclaimer: Although we have limited hours during the COVID-19 quarantine, we remain committed to answering your questions about plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures. Rest assured that during this time, we will fulfill this commitment by continuing with our regularly scheduled web content.

Plastic surgery recovery can be tricky, especially when you have to account for life activities such as work, family, hobbies, and your exercise routine. That is why I am here to help you better understand how long plastic surgery recovery typically takes. My name is Dr. John LeRoy and I hope this information will give you an idea of what you can expect when recovering from minor and major plastic surgeries.

For starters, plastic surgery recovery depends on the extent and type of procedure performed. For example, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is one of the most time-consuming recoveries. This surgery takes about two to four weeks to get back to your everyday activities and exercises. It would take an additional six weeks for you to get back to heavy exercises such as weightlifting. Other, less invasive procedures such as the band aid mini facelift take only about a week to get back to work and about two weeks for your regular pre-operative workout routine—all of that pending your body’s natural response to bruising and swelling.

A good rule of thumb for when you can hit the gym after plastic surgery is one to two weeks after a minor procedure and two to four weeks after larger procedures with an additional six weeks for heavy lifting. It is important to note that recovery times vary upon the patient, procedure, and the patient’s activity level.

My biggest advice for those in recovery is to not perform exercises which require you to bend over. Especially when recovering from facial plastic surgery, you need to keep your head above your heart. Otherwise, you may induce swelling in the area. Swelling could cause pain, additional recovery time, and other complications. Therefore, it is vital that your capillaries and lymphatic drainage return to normal before placing your head below your heart in activities such as yoga, dancing, or other similar physical exercises.

This video will help explain when you will be able to get back to exercising after plastic surgery:

Plastic surgery downtimes often vary depending on the severity of your procedure, your age, and your typical level of activity. If you would like to schedule a personal plastic surgery consultation to learn more about what recovery time you should expect, feel free to reach out to me, Dr. John LeRoy at (404) 843-0840. Although our phones are still open, our office is currently closed until March 30th, 2020. At that time, we will reassess the possibility of reopening, pending the status of the virus. In the meantime, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more plastic surgery videos.

Tummy Tucks 101

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As we look forward to spring and summer, everyone in our plastic surgery office is already dreaming about beach vacations and longer evenings. But if you’re like a large percentage of the population, your summer plans may also stir up some self-consciousness about exposing your midsection or wearing a form-fitting bathing suit. While full-body weight loss is a journey all its own, people who don’t necessarily need to shed pounds but who want a slimmer, firmer, and more youthful waistline may be able to find their perfect solution in a tummy tuck.

What many patients don’t realize about a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is that it’s actually ideal for patients whose primary cosmetic issue is either excess skin, an isolated “pooch” on the abdomen, or a combination of both—not patients who solely have excess fat to remove and whose skin is elastic enough to remain firm after the fat is removed. To learn more about this popular plastic surgery, check out the guide below.

02.01.17 Tummy Tucks 101

Whether you’re considering a tummy tuck, a facelift, or any other type of plastic surgery, a successful cosmetic surgery requires planning, thought, and diligence, so gathering information like the guide above can be a perfect first step. And the next step is finding out whether a tummy tuck is the right procedure to meet your cosmetic needs by scheduling a plastic surgery consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Plus, for more plastic surgery tips, special offers, and helpful articles, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Slip into Spring with Confidence with Band Aid Tummy Tuck

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As we approach the spring, summer clothes and bathing suits begin creeping into our minds. This time of year is an ideal time to seek body contouring procedures to diminish that bit of fat that may not have been there last year or shape and tuck areas to create the desirable hourglass figure. Since you must leave time for a recovery period after cosmetic surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy recommends pursuing the procedure sooner rather than later in order to allow enough time to enjoy spring and summer with the confidence you desire.

liposuction in atlanta gaEven when you possess overall good health, regularly exercise, and practice healthy eating, that small amount of excess fat and lax skin in the midsection can be tricky to eliminate.  If this sounds familiar, you may be a great candidate for Band Aid Tummy Tuck, which is designed to address isolated areas of cosmetic concern.

The convenience of a Band Aid Tummy Tuck is an appealing option for many patients, as it is performed in-office with gentle numbing. However, certain physical attributes and realistic cosmetic expectations are required to be deemed good candidates for this minimally invasive plastic surgery procedure.

During Band Aid Tummy Tuck surgery, Dr. LeRoy removes small amounts of excess skin and refines the contour of the abdomen with liposuction.  Ideal Band Aid Tummy Tuck patients are within 5-10 pounds of their ideal body weight with excess fat deposits and/or mild to moderately sagging skin confined to the area of the lower abdomen.  To determine if you are a more appropriate candidate for traditional or Band Aid Tummy Tuck, schedule your consultation by contacting our office.

To learn more about the body contouring procedures Dr. LeRoy performs, visit his website.  Connect with Dr. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for access to the latest plastic surgery news and special updates.

Svelte for Spring: 5 Tips to Get Toned & Contoured

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As the ice and snow melt away, the signs of spring’s forthcoming are all around. Along with the return of leaves on trees and an abundance of Vitamin D, the season of spring brings back the presence of short skirts and sleeveless tops. For those who want to get on the path to slimming down, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy offers tips to a better body before the flowers start to bloom.

atlanta tummy tuckTry liposuction for tough-to-tone areas.  Dr. LeRoy offers both Band Aid Liposuction and traditional liposuction for patients seeking body contouring assistance. Although not meant to act as a replacement for diet and exercise, the procedure can be useful for getting rid of fat that you are having trouble eliminating. An added benefit of liposuction is that it can performed on many areas of the body, including the arms, legs, abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Avoid crash dieting. While it may be stressful to try to slim down quickly before warm weather hits, risking ruining your diet and exercise metabolism by crash dieting typically decreases future weight loss success.  Implement a plan that you can maintain long-term and make small goals, such as exercising moderately 3-4 times per week.

Stress less. Studies show that stress is linked to weight gain and can inhibit your ability to lose weight. Dr. LeRoy believes in accepting and loving who you are in order to make you feel like your most beautiful and confident self. A little “me time” can help:  de-stress by reading a book, playing your favorite video game, calling a loved one, taking a walk, or soaking in the bath.

Opt for a tummy tuck for a more athletic and toned appearance. Weight loss, pregnancy, and other factors can cause excess, overhanging skin to develop in the abdominal region. Weakened abdominal muscles can make the area appear even more prominent. Depending on your needs, Dr. LeRoy performs a variety of tummy tuck procedures on eligible candidates to tighten and tone your midsection, including circumferential, extended, endoscopic, and mini-tummy tucks (also known as Band Aid Tummy Tucks).

Change with the season. After months of winter and the same routine, our lives can feel stagnant and lacking progress. Spring is a great time to try something new—like a new hobby! Testing out new activities is an excellent way to set your life into motion and move forward.

To learn more about cosmetic procedures from Dr. LeRoy or to schedule your consultation to determine which procedure will best meet your cosmetic needs, call our office today.  Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest plastic surgery updates.

Trim the Fat without the Trauma: Options for Reducing Body Contouring Scars

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Body contouring procedures like liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can produce dramatic results for patients looking to restore a more youthful, streamlined silhouette after weight loss, pregnancy, or small amounts of fat retention because of aging.  While proportionate curves can make you feel and look better, the scars from plastic surgery are not as enticing.  While these procedures do necessitate incisions, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the severity of body contouring scars.

The sizes of scars are most closely determined by the length of incision required for your procedure.  Based on the location and extent of your cosmetic concerns, Atlanta cosmetic and plastic surgeon, Dr. John LeRoy, will suggest either the traditional or “mini” Band Aid version of a procedure.  Traditional abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is performed using an incision the width of the abdomen, which is easily hidden under  the panty line to remedy larger amounts of excess abdominal skin and fat.  Additionally, a full tummy tuck is often required when muscles must be retightened after pregnancy during mommy makeover surgery.  Band Aid tummy tuck uses a narrower incision to reduce small, isolated abdominal fat.

Both traditional and Band Aid Liposuction require only tiny incisions so that the thin metal tube, known as a cannula, can access and suction the unwanted fat from beneath the skin.  If the area of excess fat is small enough, Band Aid Liposuction may be performed in-office using gentle numbing (local anesthesia).

Patients can reduce the severity of plastic surgery scars by following their surgeons prescribed aftercare instructions.  Depending on your skin type and whether or not you have a tendency of scarring easily, Dr. LeRoy may recommend post-surgery treatments such as topical, silicone-based ointments like scarguard® to apply while your incisions heal to lessen the appearance of scars.  Treatments such as massage may be used post liposuction to help break up scar tissue.  If more noticeable scarring occurs, patients may then research laser skin treatments to reduce scar pigmentation and projection.

Being an informed patient is one of the best ways to prevent plastic surgery complications like excess scarring.  For more news and information concerning plastic surgery from Dr. LeRoy, be sure to connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

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