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Does Breast Augmentation Address Sagging Breasts?

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Cosmetic procedures for the breasts are highly popular, and they can be a valuable way for women to feel more confident in their appearance and to achieve a better balance between their breasts and their other physical features. However, throughout over thirty years as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I have found that one of the best ways to help a patient to be happy with their surgical results is to ensure beforehand that their expectations are appropriate for their procedure. That’s why one of my most recent YouTube videos answers a common question from breast surgery patients: “Does breast augmentation address sagging breasts?”

Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on how the patient’s procedure is performed. Put simply, breast implants alone will not cause the breasts to sag less. However, a breast augmentation can often be combined with a breast lift—a cosmetic surgery that focuses on giving the breasts a more youthful shape and height. For many patients, this begs the question, “How do I know if I should incorporate a breast lift into my augmentation surgery?” In the video below, I explain more about each procedure and about how to determine which choice is the best fit for you.

At the end of the day, selecting a breast procedure (or combination of procedures) is a personal decision that should be made after careful consideration and with the guidance of a trusted plastic surgeon. To begin discussing what cosmetic surgery is best aligned with your aesthetic goals, medical needs, and personal priorities, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about cosmetic procedures and to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Why Liposuction Has Remained One of the Most Popular Plastic Surgeries

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Watching the trends change in plastic surgery can be fascinating—one year may see a surge in facial rejuvenation procedures like the facelift, while another year may have record numbers of post-weight loss procedures. But through the years, liposuction has held steady as one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures available. Given that every plastic surgery patient has very unique aesthetic concerns and goals, how has the same procedure continued to top the charts year after year?

07.13.15 InfographicLiposuction is versatile and can target specific problem areas.

One of the most important points that any liposuction patient must understand is that the procedure is not a substitute for weight loss. A healthy diet and exercise regimen are important for overall health, as is maintaining a healthy weight. However, natural weight loss measures cannot target specific areas of fat; you may be shedding pounds, but you have no control over whether those pounds come off your waist, legs, arms, etc. For patients who only have a small amount of excess fat in a particular area, liposuction can slim down the treatment area with precision. The versatility that this offers means that the procedure can be a great fit for many patients, whether they want a thinner waistline, firmer arms, a slimmer neck, or improved contours on other areas of the body.

Liposuction results can be long-lasting.

For some cosmetic procedures, results will naturally fade over time. Facelift patients, for instance, will see years taken off their face but will continue to age, so over the years, their skin will once again become lax. Liposuction results, on their other hand, do not inevitably fade. If a patient gains weight, the fat cells that were removed will not grow back, but the remaining cells can expand and make the patient look similar to the way they did before liposuction. However, patients who practice a healthy diet and exercise and maintain their post-procedure weight can see their results last for the rest of their lives.

Liposuction has existed long enough for some surgeons to become highly skilled in performing it.

Like most aesthetic procedures, the success of liposuction depends largely on the skill and experience of the surgeon. Board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott has been performing liposuction since it was introduced in the United States in the 1980s. His decades of experience have allowed him to develop a strong skill for removing fat effectively and contouring the patient’s body to best fit their cosmetic goals.

Liposuction allows weight loss patients to put the finishing touches on their success.

It’s always cause for celebration when a patient becomes healthier and loses extra pounds that they’ve been unhappy with for years, but for many patients, the results they see in the mirror are a bit disappointing. They’ve worked hard to reach or come close to their goal weight, but they still have one or two areas of stubborn fat that holds them back from enjoying the physique they’ve worked so hard for. For these patients, particularly those who are within 30% of their goal weight, liposuction can be the key to helping their success shine through.

Liposuction certainly has benefits that make it a perfect fit for many patients. However, choosing the right procedure to meet your needs is an important part of having a rewarding plastic surgery experience, and there’s no need to make your decision alone. To start discussing whether liposuction or another cosmetic procedure can help you feel more confident in your appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about other procedures and stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. Elliott: For Breast Reconstruction, Should I Choose Implants or Natural Tissue?

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When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she faces a road with many difficult choices – lumpectomy or mastectomy? Should I have breast reconstruction? If so, should I have the reconstruction immediately after the cancer removal surgery or delay it? Which breast reconstruction procedure is right for me? Today, we’re providing some guidance on the last in this string of questions—choosing a breast reconstruction procedure from the many excellent options.

breast-reconstruction-alpharetta-gaBefore they schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, few patients realize how many different breast reconstruction methods there are. Overall, there are two basic categories—reconstruction using breast implants (like the implants used for breast augmentation) and reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue (also called autologous breast reconstruction), in which fat and sometimes skin and muscle from the abdomen, back, or other area are transferred to the chest and shaped into a new breast. In some cases, these two types of procedures can also be combined (such as using a flap of tissue from the back to support a breast implant). While I discuss more details about the various breast reconstruction procedures in my other blogs, today we’ll compare the advantages of implants and natural tissue.

Generally, autologous reconstructions are best for women who…

  • Want their results to look and feel especially natural
  • Are concerned about whether they will still be happy with their results in the years to come
  • Have found a highly experience breast reconstruction surgeon, because the surgeon’s skill contributes largely to the success of this procedure
  • Don’t want the annual breast exam that is needed for breast implant patients
  • Could benefit from the tummy tuck-like results that a TRAM flap procedure creates
  • Want to minimize their risk of complications
  • Don’t want the potentially lengthy process of using a tissue expander to develop enough breast skin for an implant
  • Are having only one breast reconstructed and are concerned about breast symmetry
  • Do not have sufficient skin and chest tissue to support and cover a breast implant

Implant reconstructions, on the other hand, are typically best suited for women who…

  • Want to minimize the length of their procedure and the recovery time required
  • Don’t want to have an additional scar (most autologous reconstructions use skin from another area of the body, resulting in a scar on the abdomen, back, or other area)
  • Have a medical condition in which the longer procedure time of an autologous breast reconstruction carries a higher risk
  • Understand and accept that the implants will likely need to be replaced within 10-20 years
  • Want their breasts to retain a firmer, more elevated position over time rather than developing a natural sag
  • Are having both breasts reconstructed, because symmetry between a natural breast and a breast implant is sometimes difficult to achieve
  • Smoke or have a history of circulatory problems which would make them more vulnerable to certain complications of autologous breast reconstruction

These guidelines can get the research and decision-making process started, but ultimately, a woman’s choice about breast reconstruction surgery should be made in conjunction with a board-certified plastic surgeon. For many women, there isn’t one procedure that is “better” than the others, and it becomes a matter of personal preference. To start learning about your options for breast reconstruction or other cosmetic procedures, schedule a consultation with us. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Tips for Healing from a Facelift

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According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, facelifts were among the five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in 2014, and for good reason. A successful plastic surgery needs to balance the desired results with the amount of effort it takes to reach those results, and over the years, the facelift has increasingly improved this balance. The short scar technique, for instance, produces results that can take years off a patient’s appearance while requiring minimal scarring and downtime. However, the results aren’t just in the procedure itself—the healing process is an important part of achieving the best possible results. The tips below can help patients heal more smoothly and more quickly.

  • dr elliottRecline, don’t lay flat. When you’re resting, lay at an incline by using an extra pillow, using a wedge-shaped pillow, or sleeping in a recliner. This reduces the risk of facial swelling.
  • Get up and walk around every once in a while. While it also isn’t a good idea to overexert yourself, getting up and taking a little walk around the house every once in a while (rather than spending all day in bed or in a chair) will improve your circulation, which is essential for proper healing.
  • Eat healthy, balanced foods and drink plenty of fluids. Focusing on giving your body the nutrients it needs can maximize your facelift results.
  • Avoid doing anything that causes the face to become flushed. This includes saunas, hot showers, exercise, and anything else that causes blood to rush to your face.
  • When you have questions or concerns, call our office. Every patient and situation is unique, so rather than searching online and listening to the stories of other patients, get the advice of the board-certified plastic surgeon who knows you and the specifics of your case.
  • Stop smoking before, during, and after your procedure. Smoking hinders your circulation, slowing and causing difficulty in the healing process.
  • Attend all appointments so Dr. Elliott can monitor your recovery appropriately.

While all these tips can be helpful for patients, the most important way to help your facelift recovery go smoothly is to follow all of Dr. Franklyn Elliott’s aftercare instructions. These instructions are based on your medical needs and the details of your procedure, and are designed to help you heal quickly and comfortably while achieving a younger, more radiant appearance. Schedule a consultation with us to start discussing whether a facelift is the best option for your cosmetic goals. Or, to learn more about the many procedures we offer and to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

How is Male Breast Reduction Different from Female Breast Reduction?

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As cosmetic procedures continue to grow in popularity in the United States, they are also expanding their reach to more and more demographics, and gone is the stereotype that plastic surgery is only for the socialite wives of wealthy businessmen. Part of this trend is an increase in plastic surgery for men. One particular procedure that few think of in terms of men is breast reduction, even though male breast reductions have increased by nearly 30% since 2000. It’s important to recognize, however, that breast reduction for men is a very different procedure than breast reduction for women. The comparison below sheds some light on these two procedures and how they can benefit their unique patients.

breast-reduction-in-atlanta-and-alpharetta-gaFemale Breast Reduction

Who are the right candidates for breast reduction?
Breast reduction can make a significant difference for women with excessively large breasts, especially considering that their breasts often cause a litany of health problems and discomforts, like back pain, exercise struggles, difficulty finding clothing that fits, and permanent shoulder “dents” left by overly-taxed bra straps. While there is no ideal age for breast reduction, it’s typically best to wait until the breasts have finished developing. The procedure can also be successful for women who have asymmetrical breasts and who prefer the size and shape of their smaller breast.

Why do excessively large breasts develop?
There are a number of factors that can influence a woman’s breast size, most notably genetics. However, breasts can also become larger due to changes like weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

What is involved in female breast reduction?
To reduce a woman’s breast size, the surgeon will remove fat and glandular tissue from within the breast. In many cases, the breasts are lifted to a more youthful shape during the procedure as well, so the breast surgery typically begins with an incision around the areola, then down the center of the lower breast, meeting up with an incision along the crease of the breast to form an “anchor” shape. The necessary tissue and excess skin is removed, and the nipple is repositioned to give the breasts a firmer, perkier appearance.

What does breast reduction recovery involve?
While the healing process varies from person to person, most patients are back to performing most of their daily activities (and back to work) within one to two weeks after surgery. Exercise is typically limited for up to a month, and breast reduction patients are also instructed to wear specially-designed surgical bras for a month after their procedure.

Male Breast Reduction

Who are the right candidates for male breast reduction?
Male breast reduction addresses a condition called gynecomastia, which occurs when a man develops breasts that consist of fat as well as denser glandular tissue. Because future breast growth can diminish male breast reduction surgery results, patients should be confident that their breast size is stable before undergoing surgery.

What causes gynecomastia?
Male breast enlargement can be the result of several factors, like genetics, hormonal changes, and weight fluctuations. Certain prescription medications have been known to contribute to gynecomastia, as have some illegal drugs.

What is involved in male breast reduction?
In rare cases, male breast reduction can be achieved through liposuction alone to remove the fat in the breast area. However, most gynecomastia patients require a combination of fat removal and glandular tissue removal to achieve their desired results. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of the excess tissue may have stretched the size of the areola, and for these patients, the areola may be reduced in size as well as repositioned during the procedure.

What does male breast reduction recovery involve?
Male breast reduction patients are often able to return to work around one week or less after their surgery, although this depends on the types of activities that the patient’s job entails. A compression garment is typically worn during the recovery period, and most patients are instructed to avoid exercising for at least two to three weeks after their procedure.

Whether the purpose is to minimize discomfort and health concerns or to give patients the freedom of feeling more confident in their appearance, breast reduction can have a powerful impact on patients’ lives. However, like any plastic surgery, it needs to be tailored to fit the individual patient’s needs. To start discussing how breast reduction can make a difference for you, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more information about a variety of cosmetic procedures and the latest updates in the world of plastic surgery, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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