Plastic surgery consultations are beneficial to both patients and plastic surgeons. They provide an opportunity for patients to get to know their surgeon, learn about their prospective procedure, view plastic surgery before and after galleries, and get answers to any questions they may have. Consultations are also important to plastic surgeons because they provide a chance to listen to the patient’s medical history and predict obstacles they may face during surgery in order to reduce risks and complications. Gaining insight into a patient’s medical history includes discussing medications the patient is currently taking to avoid surgical complications or drug interactions.

As reported in a recent article by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, patients often disclose their prescription and over-the-counter medications, but exclude herbal, homeopathic, and natural supplements. While these supplements are often natural, they can still interact with drugs or cause other surgical complications like excessive bleeding or raised blood pressure. Therefore, plastic surgeons need to know everything a patient is taking to minimize risks.

In order to help physicians keep up with supplements that may increase risk of complications, researchers from Loma Linda University have developed a guide entitled Bleeding Risks of Herbal, Homeopathic and Dietary Supplements: A Hidden Nightmare for Plastic Surgeons. Their mission is to help plastic surgeons educate patients about these risks. According to the guide, the most commonly used herbs and supplements known to increase bleeding include Chinese peony, garlic, ginger, ginko, ginseng, oil of wintergreen, and saw palmetto.

An article published in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies explains patient information omission about supplements they are taking is a common problem among all physicians, not just plastic surgeons. The article noted the most commonly used supplements that increase blood pressure include blood root, green tea, hawthorn, and mate. Increased blood pressure can increase cosmetic surgery risks, especially if the patient already has high blood pressure. If you are taking medication or supplements, you may be asked to stop taking it a few weeks before plastic surgery and waiting to take it again until after the surgeon says it’s safe.

The highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery suggest patients write down all medication they are taking (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal supplements, and homeopathic or natural remedies) before they come to their consultation so they won’t forget anything. Read our previous blog for other consultation preparation tips so you will know what else to expect. Schedule a consultation today if you are interested in a certain procedure, or visit our website to learn more about the cosmetic and reconstructive procedures our plastic surgeons offer.

Though not always viewed as an anti-aging procedure, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), the most popular plastic surgery procedure among men in 2011, can also make people appear younger. As reported earlier this year in USA Today, rhinoplasty can make a patient look an average of a year and a half younger. However, many men undergo nose surgery to correct the function and/or appearance of their nose. Male blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) was the second most common procedure men received last year. During blepharoplasty, excess tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids is removed to reduce the appearance of hooded eyelids or bags beneath the eyes that contribute to age.

Women are typically more concerned with a shapely silhouette than most men, but liposuction was still the third most popular procedure among men last year. With age, men and women both begin to accumulate more diet and exercise resistant fat, and liposuction is a good solution for removal. Men with excess abdominal fat and tissue may also benefit from tummy tuck surgery to achieve a flat abdomen. Additionally, men who suffer from gynecomastia, overly developed male breasts, often undergo male breast reduction to produce a flat, masculine chest.

Facelift surgery also ranked in the top five cosmetic procedures men received in 2011. Traditional facelift surgery addresses aging across the entire face, but we also offer variations of this procedure to treat specific areas of concern and produce subtle results. Men who are mainly concerned with a furrowed or sagging brow often seek the male forehead lift, while men with a sagging neck and jowls may seek a lower facelift. A mid facelift targets lines and wrinkles appearing around the nose and mouth.

Although men and women often undergo similar procedures, plastic surgeons must use different techniques on male and female patients due to their distinctive structural differences. Therefore, it is important to find a surgeon who has experience working with both male and female patients when seeking plastic surgery. This can be determined by looking at plastic surgery before and after galleries or by asking during a consultation. The highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery have a very diverse patient base and experience performing surgery on both men and women. Visit our website or schedule a consultation to learn more about the plastic surgery procedures we offer in Atlanta and Newnan.

Dr. Moyer loves to learn about plastic surgery. His dedication to research tied with the benefit of his recent training with world-renowned surgeons gives him an added knowledge of the latest advancements in plastic surgery technology and techniques. He even uses his findings to help educate others with studies published in plastic surgery journals and textbooks. Dr. Moyer believes research and patient safety go hand in hand and wants to continue to explore the field to improve surgery results and overall patient care. He is an active member of the Plastic Surgery Research Council and Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons and a resident member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The surgeons at Atlanta Plastic Surgery are dedicated to positive patient experiences. Since patient education is a large part of patient care, we use the blog as an informational tool in hopes that plastic surgery patients will seek qualified, experienced plastic surgeons and make informed decisions regarding surgery. We’re excited to now have Dr. Moyer’s expertise on innovative plastic surgery techniques and technology to share with patients. To learn more about the cosmetic surgery or reconstructive procedures we perform, review the rest of the Atlanta Plastic Surgery website. Contact us to schedule a plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Moyer or one of our other surgeons.

We offer minimally invasive procedures that often provide immediate results, but we also offer a variety of plastic surgery procedures. While 59% of the patients surveyed said they would prefer surgical procedures with long lasting results even if that meant waiting a year or more, 32% of patients choose less costly procedures. Our recent blog on the rising popularity of plastic surgery procedures despite cost discussed patients seeking less expensive options for facial plastic surgery such as cosmetic injectables, facial fillers, Matrix RF™, and Ultherapy® although results may not last as long as surgical results. For instance, Botox® and Dysport® results usually last up to four months, while facial filling products like Restylane® and Juvéderm® typically last up to six months. Results with Matrix RF™ and Ultherapy® gradually appear over time and usually last longer than injectables and fillers due to collagen stimulation.

Although facial plastic surgery results are not “permanent” since patients will continue to age over time after surgery, surgical results last longer than non-invasive results. Many patients who want long-lasting facial plastic surgery results seek procedures like facelift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to rejuvenate their appearance. However, some patients may be candidates for less invasive surgical procedures focused on the areas that need attention instead of the entire face like neck lift or brow lift.

The article from the Aesthetic Surgery Journal also reported a disconnect between patient desire and the plastic surgeons perception of those desires as 63% of the surgeons surveyed assumed patients were more concerned with the cost of plastic surgery than the longevity of results. Since every patient is unique, our surgeons strive to fix this disconnect by listening to each patients surgical desires during a thorough consultation.

Visit our website to learn more about other cosmetic procedures we offer for the face, breasts, and body such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), breast enhancement, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). If you’re interested in a particular procedure, schedule a consultation with one of our skilled plastic surgeons today.

Our last blog discussed how different age groups have unique cosmetic needs and how an increased number of younger patients are seeking cosmetic surgery. ASAPS statistics also revealed that a number of patients are reserving plastic surgery for later in life: over 68,500 patients over the age of 65 had surgical or non-surgical anti-aging procedures in 2010. In their article even quoted a 77-year-old plastic surgery patient who had undergone multiple procedures and explained that plastic surgery is a personal decision that is up to the patient.

Plastic surgery is considered safe for older patients who are healthy. It is very important for patients of any age to thoroughly discuss their complete medical history, family medical history, and list of medications (including vitamins and natural supplements as they may interact with pain medication) with their plastic surgeon during a consultation.

Some older patients receive maintenance anti-aging procedures, like Botox®, facial fillers, skin resurfacing, and Ulthera® to keep a refreshed appearance as they notice signs of aging. Others choose to wait and address comprehensive issues with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facelift, and neck lift. Don’t be fooled into believing that older patients only seek facial plastic surgery, though. The ASAPS article said liposuction is also a popular procedure among older patients.

Whether you choose to wait or not to wait to have plastic surgery Atlanta Plastic Surgery offers a variety of non-invasive procedures, as well as cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures. Visit our website to learn more about our highly skilled plastic surgeons and the procedures they perform. If you’re interested in a particular procedure, schedule a consultation today.

The licensed providers at AYA will be performing treatment consultations, and Ultherapy® representatives will be present to answer your questions. Additionally, event attendees can enjoy drinks and light hors d’oeuvres with a chance to win a customized Obagi Nu-Derm® kit worth $400 through a raffle. Those who decide to schedule a full face Ultherapy® treatment during the event can save $500 (must pay a deposit).

Whether you’re just starting to see signs of aging or if you’re looking to refine previous facial plastic surgery results, be sure to attend this free event. Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to heat the deep layers of the skin and stimulate collagen production, providing skin tightening for months after treatment.

If you’d like to attend, be sure to RSVP to 404-842-1772 or email news@ayakincare.com because space is limited. To learn more about the procedures we offer at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, visit our website or contact us to schedule a consultation.

A look into the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ statistics shows that each age group has different plastic surgery desires based on the changes they notice in their body. For instance, women in their 20s and 30s are more likely to have breast augmentation than eyelid surgery, and men ages 40-54 are more likely to have facelift surgery than male breast reduction. Also, people over the age of 30 tend to receive liposuction and tummy tuck surgery more commonly than those in their 20s.

You may remember our blog on teenage plastic surgery. Although teenage plastic surgery is a controversial subject, teens between the ages of 13 and 19 are most likely to receive cosmetic procedures like otoplasty (ear surgery), rhinoplasty (nose surgery), and male breast reduction. Unfortunately, a majority of these teens seek these types of procedures to combat bullying like our blog discussed. However, the reconstructive surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery also perform pediatric reconstructive procedures on children and teens with congenital defects or who have suffered trauma.

Because the statistics indicate that these 35-40 year old patients are opting for minimally invasive procedures like Botox®, facial fillers, or even Ultherapy® sooner than they once did, it will be interesting to see how these numbers affect the popularity of facelift and brow lift in a few years when these same patients enter the age range when these procedures are typically pursued.  Interestingly, the article also suggested that patients who receive Botox® and similar facial rejuvenation procedures at a younger age view plastic surgery as only a small step up from these less invasive treatments and may be more likely to embrace more plastic surgery in the future.

The highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery offer a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to meet the needs of patients of all ages. Dedicated to researching and further developing plastic surgery techniques and technology, our surgeons stay focused on patient satisfaction and optimal plastic surgery results. Browse our website to learn more about the procedures we perform or contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Besides sleeping position, other lifestyle habits affect the rate at which you age. Inadequate exercise, poor diet, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure are all factors you can control to help maintain a youthful appearance. The highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery suggest that patients exercise, eat right, abstain from smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and wear SPF 30 sunscreen year-round. However, they also know that signs of aging start to appear even with the best of intentions and a healthy lifestyle.

Some of the services from AYA Medical Spa could be a great option for those just starting to notice signs of aging. For instance, patients who are starting to notice sun damage, treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels work to even skin tone. Those who are starting to notice wrinkles may benefit from Botox® or facial fillers. Botox® is injected into the forehead and between the eyes to relax muscles that cause wrinkles, while facial fillers are used to plump up areas of the face that have lost volume and fill in deep wrinkles.

Patients with more comprehensive signs of aging who are not quite ready for surgery could benefit from our newest technology: Ulthera® Non-Surgical Skin Tightening. Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to increase collagen production and skin elasticity. The ultrasound energy heats the underlying tissue in the targeted area to ignite the body’s natural healing process and tighten loose skin. Ultherapy® works great on the brow, around the eyes, and on the lower face and neck.

Facial plastic surgery is another way to combat more advanced signs of aging. A traditional facelift targets signs of aging on a majority of the face and is perfect for patients whose face and neck have begun to sag. However, people age differently, and some patients do not need a traditional facelift. Some patients are only bothered by a sagging brow or wrinkled forehead, so instead of having a facelift, they really only need brow lift surgery. Likewise, patients who complain that their eyes make them appear older than they are usually receive eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). We even offer our Atlanta patients mini-facelift procedures like the mid facelift and lower facelift to target signs of aging in those areas alone.

The surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery understand that people age at different rates depending on their lifestyle habits and genetics, and for that reason, cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery to combat aging must meet a variety of patients’ needs. For more information on the procedures we offer at Atlanta Plastic Surgery visit our website. Schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons if you are interested in learning more.