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Breast Reconstruction after Lumpectomy and Radiation

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As a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a large number of breast reconstruction procedures, I’ve found that when people hear about this procedure, they think only of women who have had mastectomies. However, the surgery also provides options for women who have had lumpectomies and/or radiation which have left permanent changes in the shape or size of their breasts. In the video below, I offer an overview of a few ways breast reconstruction can help post-lumpectomy patients.

For many breast cancer patients and survivors, reconstructive surgery is far more than a cosmetic enhancement – it’s an opportunity to begin rebuilding themselves and their lives, and I’m honored to be a part of this journey for so many women. To learn more about breast reconstruction or to schedule a consultation to discuss your options, contact my offices in Atlanta and Alpharetta. Or, for more plastic surgery news and information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Tips for Making the Most of Arm Lift Surgery

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Just like anything else (fashion, entertainment, interior design), plastic surgery has trends. Certain procedures which used to be rare will suddenly become popular, and vice versa. One cosmetic surgery which has increased throughout the US over the past few years is brachioplasty, or the arm lift. It can be a great choice for patients who have sagging skin along the underside of their upper arms, and if it’s a procedure you’re considering, below are a few tips from my experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon to help you get the best possible results.

  • Why You May Need an Arm Lift, Not Exercise, to Give You Those Dream ArmsBe sure you’re getting the right procedure.

Patients often have a difficult time knowing whether the best way to make their arms more shapely is with an arm lift or with liposuction. An arm lift is a more comprehensive procedure, which can remove the excess skin which has begun to sag due to aging and/or weight fluctuations. Liposuction, on the other hand, strictly removes fat. If the shape of your upper arms is due only to excess fat and your skin has not lost a significant amount of its flexibility, liposuction may be your best option, but if you need firmer skin in order to achieve the results you want, an arm lift is probably the right choice.

  • Maintain a healthy weight before AND after your procedure.

After your surgery, any future weight fluctuations can contribute once again to skin laxity, reducing your results. If you’re in the process of weight loss, it’s best to have your arm lift after you’ve reached your goal weight and after you know that you can maintain your weight long-term.

  • Select a board-certified plastic surgeon you trust.

Plastic surgery is an investment of your time and money, so to get the safest and most successful results, you should exercise your right to be picky in selecting your surgeon. To find a doctor with the highest level of expertise, look for the words, “board-certified plastic surgeon” in their qualifications, and feel free to consult with several to see who makes you feel the most comfortable and whose before-and-after photos show an aesthetic that’s similar to the results you envision.

  • Discuss your incision options.

During an arm lift, there are several different locations where your incision may be placed, including the armpit, lengthwise along the front side of the arm, and lengthwise along the back side of the arm. The ideal method for you will depend on how much excess skin you have and where it’s located, and during your pre-surgical consultation, you should be able to discuss your incision with your surgeon.

  • If there are other body contouring procedures you want, ask about combining them with your arm lift.

Especially for patients who have lost an extensive amount of weight, excess skin can appear on many areas of the body, like the abdomen, thighs, and chest or breasts. If this is the case, you may be a good candidate for combining these body contouring procedures into one surgery. However, be sure to ask about this at the beginning of the process, because it will affect how you plan for your surgery.

  • Follow all pre- and post-surgical instructions closely and keep all follow-up appointments.

Your recovery is a crucial time in the surgical process, and there are specific instructions you’ll need to follow in order to help your body heal. Be sure to pay close attention to your guidelines, ask any questions you may have, and keep up with all of your follow-up appointments so that I can monitor your condition and make sure you’re healing well.

Every plastic surgery is as unique as the patient receiving it, so the most important part of maximizing your results and your safety is to be active and informed throughout the process. Choose a surgeon you trust, do your research, and always know about any red flags you should look for during your recovery. To start discussing how I can help you achieve the slender, sculpted arms you’re looking for, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful tips and the latest plastic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. Elliott: When Can I Get Back to My Workout After Plastic Surgery?

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One of the most important elements of having a successful plastic surgery is planning. The more you know about what to expect at the various stages of your surgical process, the more steps you can take to prepare and the more likely you are to see everything go smoothly. One aspect to consider during your planning stage is when you’ll be able to exercise again. While physical activity is, of course, one of the best things you can do for your health, heading back to the gym too soon can have dangerous consequences. While every patient’s experience is unique and based on a number of factors, here’s an overview of what you can expect after some of my most common procedures.

Ask Dr. Elliott When Can I Get Back to My Workout After Plastic SurgeryBlepharoplasty – After eyelid surgery, designed to reduce signs of aging around the eyes like under-eye bags and sagging “hooded” upper eyelids, most patients can return to regular exercise in 2-3 weeks.

Facelift – While too much exertion (and anything else that makes your face flush) too soon can intensify your swelling, six weeks after your surgery you should be able to get back into your normal workout.

Rhinoplasty – Some nose reshaping surgeries are more extensive than others, but most patients can resume their normal exercise routine within three weeks.

Chin Augmentation – After patients have undergone chin surgery to enhance their facial structure, they are typically back to full-strength exercises four to six weeks post-surgery.

Breast Lift – Lower-impact workouts can often be resumed around two weeks after a breast lift, but it could take a month or more before you’re ready for higher-impact activities like running.

Breast Augmentation – As with a breast lift, the impact of the exercise on the breasts is crucial, but most breast augmentation patients can walk for exercise after one to two weeks and resume most other activities after four to six weeks.

Breast Reduction – While mild activity like walking can help your healing process, I typically advise most patients to limit their more strenuous exercise for around a month.

Male Breast Reduction – Addressing gynecomastia with surgery typically requires patients to wait two to three weeks before resuming most of their workout routine.

Arm Lift – Most arm lift (or brachioplasty) patients can begin with walking for exercise within one week, gradually working up to cardiovascular exercise after a month and heavier lifting after six weeks.

Liposuction – Depending on the extensiveness of your surgery, you should be able to resume most activities within ten days after liposuction, but vigorous and high-impact exercise (e.g., running) should be limited for four to eight weeks.

Tummy Tuck – While small amounts of walking may be recommended in the days after a tummy tuck, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities (including lifting children) for four to eight weeks post-surgery.

Thigh Lift – Thigh lift patients typically return to work and other daily activities after two to three weeks, but it usually takes six to eight weeks before they can return to their full workout.

While you’re planning your cosmetic surgery, the most important thing to remember is that the timeframes listed above are simply general estimates. When you schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, I’ll be able to give you a more specific idea of what to expect during your personal recovery process, but we’ll be able to better gauge your healing throughout your follow-up appointments – one of the many reasons why it’s so important to keep all of your post-surgical appointments. For more helpful tips and information for your plastic surgery journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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