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Atlanta Liposuction

Why You May Need an Arm Lift, Not Exercise, to Give You Those Dream Arms

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It’s no secret (nor is it new) that many people want a slender midsection and toned legs. But one area of the body that has been receiving increasing cosmetic attention is the arms. More and more people are self-conscious of the excess skin and fat on their upper arms, and dream of having slender, toned arms that can make them feel better about beating the Atlanta heat with sleeveless tops. Unfortunately, this area is notoriously difficult to improve, and for many people, years of arm-targeting exercises won’t give them the arms of their dreams.

Why You May Need an Arm Lift, Not Exercise, to Give You Those Dream ArmsWhy won’t exercise give me slender, firm arms?
When the underside of the upper arm has a sagging, loose appearance, this is often the result of either excess fat, sagging skin, or both. While fat in the upper arms can be difficult to lose, the more persistent issue is that of the skin. Through our body’s natural aging process, over time our skin loses elasticity (the ability to remain tight and firm). In the upper arm area, this natural loss of firmness is compounded by the effects of constant gravity and of weight fluctuations throughout life, so the skin has a strong tendency to sag as we age. Exercise can reduce fat and build muscle tone, but it cannot tighten skin or remove excess skin.

What can I do to give my arms a younger, contoured appearance?
An arm lift is a plastic surgery procedure that can repair the sagging, excess tissue that extends from the underside of the upper arm. As with many surgeries, the procedure varies depending on the patient’s needs and desired results. For some patients, a combination of liposuction to remove the unwanted fat and the removal of excess skin provides optimal results. For other patients who have minimal fat on the arms (often patients who have recently lost extreme amounts of weight), the procedure may focus solely on removing excess skin.

An arm lift procedure begins with an incision that varies in size and position depending on the amount and location of the tissue to be removed, as well as how much scarring the patient is comfortable with. The incision is often placed along the inside of the back of the arm, so that scarring is minimally visible from both the front and the back of the patient. For some patients who require less tissue to be removed, the incision can be made in the armpit to minimize visible scarring. The unnecessary fat and skin is removed, and the remaining skin is tightened to create a firm and toned shape.

While the upper arms are not always the most talked-about problem area, they can be a source of constant self-consciousness for many people. I have seen many patients become frustrated because their diet and exercise efforts have not produced results on their arms, but fortunately, there is another way. To learn whether liposuction, an arm lift, or a combination of both procedures can give you slimmer, more contoured arms, set up a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, and remember to join us on social media as well for health tips and updates on our procedures.

Rejuvenation from the Neck Down

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One of the common reasons patients seek cosmetic surgery is to combat the signs of aging. With all the information we have about staying healthier for longer, many patients find that even though they still feel young and energetic, their outward appearance does not match. Most people work to resolve this by trying to minimize the impact that aging has had on the face. This is an understandable approach—after all, our face is often the first thing that others notice about us, and it is frequently exposed regardless of what we wear. However, all it takes is a dissatisfied look in the mirror to remind us that aging happens to our entire body, and that having an appearance that matches how we feel involves paying attention to what’s below the neck as well.

happy couple (small)One area where gravity tends to take a toll is the underside of the upper arm. Between the loss of skin elasticity with age and weight fluctuations throughout life, many patients find that their arms have loose and sagging skin that hangs down from the upper arm. For these patients, an arm lift procedure can take years off their appearance and help them to once again feel more confident in their appearance—especially while wearing short sleeves during the summer months. There are 3 general ways to improve the upper arms, depending on the physical findings as well as patient’s desired results—liposuction only, skin excision only, or a combination of both. In some patients who have minimally sagging skin, only liposuction is needed to improve the contour of the arm. For those with more skin to be removed, an incision either in the armpit or down the back of the arm may be indicated, depending on the amount and location of the skin to be removed, the amount of scarring a patient allows, and the amount of enhancement the patient wants. In many patients, I use a combination of liposuction and skin excision to create a more contoured and toned shape. In all of these cases, the goal is to achieve a balance between the amount of scarring, the physical findings and the desired result.

For both men and women, the chest is another area of concern that can make patients feel that their body looks older than they feel. For women, a breast lift procedure can restore a more youthful appearance to the chest. While some patients choose to implement breast augmentation with their breast lift, this procedure most often does not involve a change to the size of the breast, but simply raises the breast to a more youthful and “perky” position. For men, excess fat and lax skin in the chest area can create the appearance of breasts. Male breast reduction surgery can remove the unwanted tissue to give the chest a more contoured and rejuvenated shape.

Finally, the abdomen is a third area where patients are affected by aging. The loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone can occur naturally with age, and for some women, the tummy area is further affected by pregnancy and weight fluctuations. For these patients, a tummy tuck can provide significant rejuvenation for the midsection. This procedure varies based on the individual patient’s needs, but can involve a combination of liposuction, muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and tightening the remaining skin, a tummy tuck can give the abdomen a firmer and younger appearance while only leaving a scar that can be easily concealed by normal undergarments.

As a board certified plastic surgeon, I am honored to have worked with many patients to help them achieve a younger appearance that matches their fresh and energetic feel. Each patient has unique needs and concerns, and for some, the best way to achieve their aesthetic goals is through a combination of the procedures above or other plastic surgery options. The first step is to consider scheduling a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to discuss how you would like to enhance and rejuvenate your appearance, and stay up-to-date on our procedures and technologies through Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

How Male Body Contouring Can Give You a More Masculine Shape

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We live in a world where images and information can be dispersed to millions of people within a matter of seconds, and where we’re constantly in contact with the media. This certainly provides us all with more beneficial information than we’ve ever had access to in the past, but along with this comes the constant exposure to images of “beautiful people” (sometimes unrealistic Photoshop beauty). Despite what we often hear from the media, the self-consciousness this has brought us is not limited to women. Men, too, find themselves comparing their physiques to those of prominent public figures. Fortunately, there are many plastic surgery procedures available to sculpt the male form, and liposuction in particular, as well as body contouring, are especially versatile.

Why is liposuction as effective for men as it is for women?
We all know that there are many biological differences between men and women, but fortunately for men, their biology makes liposuction especially effective. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the fat beneath the skin is firmer and more vascular than it is in women. Plus, men’s skin retains its elasticity longer, which makes it more likely that the skin with remain taut and youthful after the fat has been removed.

Which fat removal procedures create an especially masculine look?
We associate attractiveness with a fit and lean physique, so liposuction on any part of the body can make men appear leaner and can move the body-fat-to-muscle ratio in a more desirable direction. But a few body contouring procedures in men are especially effective in producing a more masculine appearance:

  • Male breast reduction – Whether it’s caused by a build-up of fat or by gynecomastia, men with larger than normal breasts are often embarrassed and feel that their chest gives them a less masculine appearance. A skilled plastic surgeon can remove the excess fat and contour the chest area to create a more masculine shape.
  • Chin and neck reduction – Another feature that we often associate with the male appearance is a strong, defined jawline. Excess fat in the chin and neck area can create undesirably soft lines, so liposuction in this area is an optimal way to create the powerful jawline many male candidates are looking for.

Body contouring procedures like those listed above are not an alternative to diet and exercise, but may be the answer to those stubborn problem areas that have held you back from having a more masculine form. For more information about some of the most popular procedures in the growing area of male plastic surgery, check out our most recent YouTube video. You can always set up an appointment with me, Franklyn L Elliott, MD, for a personalized consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest industry updates, too.

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