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Ask Dr. Elliott: How Do I Know if I Need an Arm Lift or Liposuction?

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For many patients who come in for a consultation, unfortunately, it’s all too easy for them to identify what it is they’d like to change about their appearance. However, it’s considerably more difficult for them to decide what to do about it. This holds especially true for patients who are unhappy with the sagging of their upper arms, and they often ask me whether liposuction or an arm lift is the right choice for them. If you’re struggling with this same question, here are a few factors to consider:

  • Atlanta-Arm-Lift-SurgeryFat vs. Skin

What’s causing the sagging below your upper arm—is it excess fat or drooping skin? This is the most fundamental difference between liposuction and an arm lift (or brachioplasty)—liposuction strictly removes fat, while an arm lift removes excess skin and fat and tightens the skin that remains. During your plastic surgery consultation, I can examine your arms and determine the cause of their appearance. For some patients, the best choice is a combination of both, and in this case, liposuction and brachioplasty can typically be performed in the same procedure.

  • Skin Elasticity

When we’re young, our skin is very elastic—as we gain and lose weight, the skin adjusts with us so it stays firm. But as we get older, or when we undergo rapid changes like massive weight loss, the skin can lose this elasticity and can struggle to adjust to a smaller size. Therefore, patients with little skin elasticity are better suited for an arm lift, because if liposuction is used to remove fat but the skin fails to conform to the arm’s new, smaller shape, the patient will find themselves with sagging skin.

  • Scarring

Every plastic surgery causes scarring, but the scars are very different depending on the procedure. Liposuction is performed using a narrow tube, so it requires very small incisions around the area which, when possible, are placed in strategically discreet locations. An arm lift, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive surgery which requires a larger incision. Depending on the amount and location of the skin that will be removed, the scar may be limited to your armpit area or if may run across the bottom or inside of your upper arm.

  • Recovery Time

Because an arm lift is a more complicated surgery, it also requires more time to recover. Every patient is different, but in my 28 years of experience, liposuction patients typically return to work or their daily activities within a few days whereas it takes arm lift patients one to two weeks to reach this stage of the healing process.

The information above represents just a few of the factors that patients should consider when choosing a cosmetic procedure. Ultimately, plastic surgery should be a personal decision you make with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon. To start discussing your aesthetic goals and learning about your options, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news and helpful tips, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Your Rhinoplasty Questions Answered

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Cosmetic nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, has long been one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures because the nose can have such a strong impact on the overall look of the face. Even a small change to the nose can improve the balance and symmetry of all the facial features. But despite how common the surgery is, many patients are nervous and have a lot of unanswered questions as they begin to learn about rhinoplasty. Today, Atlanta board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott is answering some of the most frequently asked questions about nose surgery.

Rhinoplasty Atlanta GA (Large)What cosmetic issues can rhinoplasty address?
Dr. Elliott: Like all plastic surgeries, rhinoplasty differs from patient to patient because it’s tailored to your unique needs. The procedure can improve the appearance of crooked or asymmetrical noses, noses with bumps or depressions, overly large nasal tips or nostrils, and noses that are larger or smaller than the patient would like them to be. But this isn’t an exhaustive list, so you should talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon about your specific concerns.

Can rhinoplasty fix breathing problems?
Dr. Elliott: Generally speaking, yes, there are several breathing problems that can be improved with nose surgery, including a deviated septum and structural breathing obstructions. In many cases, these medical changes are accompanied by aesthetic changes as well. However, not all breathing issues can be corrected with rhinoplasty, so be sure to schedule a plastic surgery consultation to discuss your specific goals and expectations.

Is rhinoplasty safe?
Dr. Elliott: Nose surgery has existed for a long time and medical advancements have made it an increasingly safe procedure. However, every surgery has risks, and I discuss this thoroughly with my patients before their surgery so they can make an informed decision. The best way to minimize your risk of complications is to choose an experienced and reputable board-certified plastic surgeon and to follow all of their instructions both before and after your procedure.

What scarring can I expect after rhinoplasty?
Dr. Elliott: Your scars depend on the details of your surgery. For some rhinoplasty patients, incisions can be made solely inside the nose itself, so that no scarring will be visible. Other patients require an incision across the small area between their nostrils, but scarring is still minimal and is in a rather discrete area of the face. To change the size of the nostrils, you may require external incisions, but these scars can be disguised within the natural creases of the nose.

How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?
Dr. Elliott: In general, rhinoplasty patients can expect to return to most of their daily activities within two to three weeks after their surgery. However, it depends on how extensive your procedure was, as well as your individual medical needs. Before any plastic surgery, I discuss my patient’s expected recovery time based on their specific circumstances and help them understand how to prepare.

As with any cosmetic procedure, rhinoplasty can make a powerful difference in a patient’s life by giving them confidence and self-esteem they’ve never had. However, not everyone is a good candidate for rhinoplasty. To start discussing whether rhinoplasty (or a different plastic surgery) may be a good choice for you, scheduled a consultation with Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful tips and the latest plastic surgery news, follow Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What You Need to Know About Thigh Lift Surgery

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Plastic surgery overall is becoming more and more common—in fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), in 2014 Americans received more than six times as many cosmetic procedures as they did in 1997. But while terms like tummy tuck and breast augmentation have become household names, other procedures remain largely unknown to the patients who could benefit from them the most. One such surgery is the thigh lift. Whether it’s happened because of aging or because of dramatic weight loss, many patients find themselves with excess sagging skin on their thighs, and this procedure can restore a more attractive and youthful shape. To give you a quick overview of the procedure, here are a few facts you need to know about thigh lifts:

  • liposuction-atlanta-alpharetta-gaThigh lift surgery removes excess skin from the thigh. For patients who also have unwanted fat in the treatment area, liposuction can be used alongside the thigh lift to create a slimmer, sleeker contour.
  • Thigh lifts are becoming more and more popular. According to ASAPS, they’ve increased by nearly 500% since 1997.
  • There are several different possible incisions for a thigh lift. Patients who have a moderate amount of excess skin, primarily on the inner thigh, can typically keep their incision limited to the discrete crease of the groin. Depending on the amount and location of the tissue that is being removed, some patients will have an incision that extends along the top of the inner thigh.
  • A thigh lift can be a great complement to other plastic surgeries. Many thigh lift patients also have excess skin on other areas of the body, and in this case, combining a thigh lift with procedures like a tummy tuck, arm lift, or breast lift can create a more comprehensive improvement with less cost and downtime than if each surgery was performed separately.
  • Thigh lift surgery patients typically need two to three weeks of recovery time before returning to work or their other daily activities, like driving. Following pre- and post-surgical instructions closely can help a patient recover more smoothly, but it’s important to allow for plenty of time away from daily responsibilities rather than rushing the healing process.

A thigh lift (like any other cosmetic surgery) can be life-changing by giving the patient renewed confidence in their appearance—but this is only true for the right patient. To start discussing whether a thigh lift or another plastic surgery may help you address your aesthetic hurdles, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about the procedures we offer and to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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