Plastic Surgery News

What is a “Mini” Plastic Surgery Procedure?

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Plastic surgery is an important commitment. The results are long-lasting, and any type of surgery will require financial and time commitments from the patient. For people who want shorter recovery times and/or more minimalistic results, there is a wide variety of nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedures to choose from. For patients who are ready to commit to surgery but don’t need extensive changes, there are what we call “mini” plastic surgery procedures. Two of the most common mini procedures are the mini facelift and the mini tummy tuck, and understanding how they work will help you understand what plastic surgeons generally mean by “mini.”

The Benefits of “Mini” Plastic Surgery Procedures

A full, traditional facelift aims to provide comprehensive rejuvenation for the whole face. This popular procedure can address sagging jowls, forehead furrows, and an overall old or tired appearance of the face. However, not everyone wants or needs such dramatic and extensive rejuvenation. It’s not uncommon for different areas of a person’s face to appear to age at different rates from one another, and we can target those specific areas to cut down on recovery time and make the changes as inconspicuous as possible. This is where targeted procedures like the mini facelift come in.

Typically, a mini facelift addresses only the middle third of the face, from the jawline to the cheekbones. Through only a few small incisions around the ears or temples, one of our surgeons can lift and tighten structural tissues around the cheeks to achieve a rejuvenated look. This can help correct loose skin and, through seemingly tiny changes, give the face a vastly improved appearance overall. In this sense, a mini facelift can be greater than the sum of its parts.

Patients who have subtle-to-mild levels of sagging skin in their face are sometimes better candidates for mini-facelifts than they are for full facelifts. There are several degrees of and approaches to facial rejuvenation, and a patient’s age, health, personal preferences, and other factors will help determine how extensive their cosmetic procedure should be.

Another popular mini plastic surgery procedure is the mini tummy tuck. Whereas a full tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin from the whole abdomen and tightens underlying abdominal muscles, a mini tummy tuck addresses smaller amounts of skin and fat and does not repair underlying muscles. Thus, a mini tummy tuck is often the best choice for the patient whose “pooch” is relatively small and whose abdominal muscles are still in good shape. There are many ways that many surgical procedures may be adjusted, all depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.

In general, mini plastic surgery procedures tend to entail briefer, less involved recovery processes, less dramatic results, and easier-to-hide scarring. If you’re considering plastic surgery and would like to speak with an experienced surgeon about your options, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation today. In addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options for plastic surgery with you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

How to Prepare for Plastic Surgery

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plastic surgery preparation before undergoing a procedure, foods to avoid before plastic surgery, plastic surgery consultation questions, foods to eat before surgery to promote healing, list of foods to avoid before surgery, foods to eat after surgery to reduce swellingPlastic surgery is a big decision. In addition to a commitment to long-term, perhaps permanent changes to your body, plastic surgery requires time, effort, resources, & preparation. It can seem intimidating, but there are many things that you as a patient can do to prepare yourself for a plastic surgery procedure, both physically & mentally. Accordingly, for today’s edition of the Atlanta Plastic Surgery blog, we’re discussing some of the most important things you can do to prepare for plastic surgery:

1.) Get your recovery space ready.Talk to your plastic surgeon about what you’ll need for an ideal healing process—will you need bandages, prescription medications, compression garments, or other supplies? How about special sleeping accommodations, someone to pick you up from the plastic surgery center, or help from another person (for you, your children, your pets, or other responsibilities)?

2.) Make a list of your daily tasks and discuss it with your plastic surgeon. Together, you can determine what you will & won’t need assistance with during your plastic surgery recovery and plan accordingly. While you’re at it, compile any questions or concerns you have and discuss them with your surgeon.

3.) Follow instructions.We cannot emphasize the importance of following your surgeon’s pre- & post-surgical instructions enough. Doing so as closely as possible will ensure not only that you minimize any risks of complications, but also that your recovery is as brief & comfortable as possible.

4.) Kick the habit.  We strongly suggest that any tobacco users cut out nicotine for at least two to three weeks before & after your procedure. Nicotine can damage plastic surgery results. Tobacco use is known to cause a whole host of health issues, but it’s particularly ill-advised for people undergoing plastic surgery. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict and limits the flow of blood & oxygen to the skin, inhibiting healthy healing. Moreover, it can increase the risk of infection, fat necrosis, & blood clots, as well as make you more likely to experience pain. Remember, this all applies to any product that contains nicotine, including gum, vaping products, smokeless tobacco, etc.

5.) Attain or maintain a healthy weight by eating a nutritious diet & exercising regularly. A protein-rich diet will assist with the healing process, but some common sources of protein can be detrimental to healing in other ways. Stick to lean, healthful protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, quinoa, & leafy green vegetables. Excessive amounts of salt can exacerbate inflammation, which can in turn inhibit the healing process. Some experts think that excessive sugar intake may impair the immune system, potentially increasing the risk of infection. There’s also some evidence that a low-fat diet can potentially help reduce inflammation, which can in turn help with healing. Combine a healthful diet with the recommended amount of daily exercise—the better your health is going into your procedure, the more likely you are to remain stable during & after surgery.

 

If you’re considering plastic surgery and would like to speak with an experienced surgeon about your options, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation. In addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options for plastic surgery with you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

Where is Fat Transfer Most Commonly Used?

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fat-transfer-a-natural-option-for-breast-augmentationTo many plastic surgeons and patients alike, fat transfer is one of the most revolutionary developments to occur in a long time. People love fat transfer’s ability to reproduce the feel of natural tissue, capacity to make the skin appear younger and healthier, and exceptionally high degree of safety. However, many people remain unfamiliar with just how much this incredible process can do. Fat transfer is a versatile technique with many different applications, but some of the most common are:

  • Breast(s) – A patient who wants a modest breast-size increase may be able to use fat transfer to achieve a natural look & feel that some people prefer to breast implants. Fat transfer is also frequently used in combination with breast augmentation, for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, for the correction of breast asymmetry, to repair radiation tissue damage, and more.
  • Face – When used as part of a facelift or other facial procedure, fat transfer is an extremely effective technique for restoring volume to hollowed out, gaunt, and/or wrinkled regions of the face. Many people love the way that fat transfer can recreate the look & feel of a naturally young face. While fat may not be the first element of facial beauty that comes to mind, it’s a key factor in appearing young and healthy.
  • Butt – Otherwise known as the Brazilian butt lift, buttock augmentation with fat transfer has grown increasingly popular in recent years. Fat transfer can also be used to make the butt appear perkier.
  • Hips – Fat transfer is many people’s preferred method for achieving a better waist-hip ratio and making their overall figure appear more feminine.
  • Scars – People with depressed scars may be able to choose fat transfer to fill out the affected areas and make their skin texture appear more consistent.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about fat transfer, or any of the many other plastic surgery procedures we perform, contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta-area offices to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news, and to check back often for new blogs.

Can Plastic Surgery Fix My Double Chin?

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One of the most common reasons people walk through the doors of Atlanta Plastic Surgery is to alleviate signs of aging. When most people think of signs of aging, the first thing that comes to mind is likely wrinkles. However, aging has many other physical consequences, a very common one being the dreaded double chin or “turkey neck.” A lot of people develop extra fat and/or skin underneath their chin as they age, but it can also be caused by various other factors (such as weight fluctuations, genetics, or seemingly nothing at all). Fortunately, there are several solutions to this issue. Some patients may be good candidates for nonsurgical procedures, such as CoolSculpting® or KYBELLA®, but patients with large amounts of extra tissue underneath their chins may benefit more from one of the surgical options we offer:

A Closer Look at Neck LiftsLiposuction is often used on the chin area to effectively reduce the appearance of a double chin. If the main culprit in your dissatisfaction with your chin & neck’s appearance is fat, liposuction can likely take care of the issue. However, you may require a neck lift or other cosmetic treatments to correct any loose or sagging skin that’s left behind after your liposuction treatment. You will likely experience moderate swelling, bruising, & minor discomfort in the days following your liposuction procedure, but after one to two weeks of recovery, you’ll find yourself with a noticeably more appealing contour in your chin & neck area.

A neck lift alone may be sufficient to remedy a double chin, though in such a case it’s likely more accurate (albeit less flattering) to refer to it as a “turkey neck.” During a neck lift, the skin & underlying muscles on the front part of the neck are surgically tightened, helping the area regain youthful, healthy-looking definition & contour. Downtime usually amounts to about one week, and as with any surgical procedure, some temporary bruising, swelling, & discomfort can be expected.

A chin implant might be the appropriate solution for some people who are prone to having a double chin, particularly those who have a chin that doesn’t protrude enough to create the desired level of definition. In cases with multiple causes, such as a naturally non-prominent chin coupled with extra fat and/or skin, this procedure may be combined with liposuction or a neck lift to achieve the desired look. Results are immediate, and recovery time is usually about two weeks.

If you’re interested in one of the above surgeries, or any of the many other plastic-surgery procedures we offer, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery locations to schedule a consultation today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

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