Breast Surgery as High School Graduation Gift Grows in Popularity

May 18th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Latest News | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Featured on CNN’s Headline News last week, board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott discussed the popularity of American teenagers receiving breast augmentation surgery as a high school graduation present.  Just as he explained during the interview, the decision to undergo cosmetic breast surgery is not one to be taken lightly.

There are major medical implications with any surgical procedure, and plastic surgery isn’t any different.  If a patient, especially one under the age of 18, decides to pursue plastic surgery, it is imperative that they only entrust a board certified plastic surgeon with experience performing the type of surgery in which they’re interested.  Given the delicate nature of aesthetic surgery and the self image of adolescents, it’s even more important that parents actively participate in the selection of their child’s plastic surgeon.   Parents and patients should feel comfortable during a consultation with their prospective surgeon and should be able to openly communicate their cosmetic goals to the surgeon to ensure satisfaction with their breast augmentation results.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery does not stipulate a minimum age for breast surgery; however, Dr. Elliott explains to patients (and their parents) that a majority of physical maturation should be complete before breast surgery as further growth and hormonal fluctuations associated with puberty can alter the appearance of breast surgery results.   It’s also important for teenage plastic surgery patients to remember there are different breast implant choices for younger patients than older ones.  The FDA has only approved saline implants for patients over the age of 18; those desiring silicone breast implants must be at least 22 years of age to legally receive the devices.

Connect with Dr. Elliott’s Facebook, Twitter, and Google+  profiles to learn more about your breast surgery options and stay up to date on the latest plastic surgery news.

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Dr. Elliott Attends the 3rd Central Asian Plastic Surgery Meeting in Uzbekistan

May 11th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Dr. Elliott Attends the 3rd Central Asian Plastic Surgery Meeting in Uzbekistan

If you keep up with Dr. Franklyn Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, you may be wondering what he’s recently been up to in Asia. With his passion for teaching and interest in developing plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques and technology, Dr. Elliott recently attended and lectured at the 3rd Central Asian Plastic Surgery Meeting May 1-6. Held in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, Dr. Elliott was able to tour Central Asia while presenting and attending lectures about plastic surgery.

Unlike the Annual Breast Surgery Symposium in Atlanta, the Central Asian Plastic Surgery Conference was not limited to breast surgery and included topics involving cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as minimally invasive procedures. During the conference, Dr. Elliott discussed how to achieve natural facelift surgery results and breast reconstruction techniques. Conferences like these are very important because they provide opportunities for plastic surgeons to share ideas to improve their field.

While in Uzbekistan, Dr. Elliott had the opportunity to visit various cities throughout the region. Beginning in Tashkent, Dr. Elliott spent his first day exploring the Old City and visited the Barak Khan Madrasah and Tillya Sheikh Mosque. After his facelift lecture the following day, Dr. Elliott visited Samarkand, among the oldest Central Asian cities, for a night of relaxation in one of the most famous towns on the Silk Road.

 

The next day, Dr. Elliott discussed breast reconstruction using devices like tissue expanders, breast implants and acellular dermal matrices. A contributor to the TRAM technique for breast reconstruction, he continues to refine breast reconstruction techniques to make the process as easy as possible for patients while producing optimal breast reconstruction results. Following the lecture, Dr. Elliott flew to Urgench and then visited Khiva.

The city of Khiva dates back to the 6th century with an outer town that was once protected by a wall and an inner town that is still protected by brick walls. Dr. Elliott’s favorite sight during his stop in Khiva was the Djuma Mosque. Known for its unique architecture which includes 218 wooden columns supporting its roof, the Djuma Mosque was built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. A history enthusiast, Dr. Elliott enjoyed seeing other landmarks like the Tosh Khovli Palace and Muhammad Rakhim Madrasah II and learning more about their history.

Be sure to visit Dr. Elliott’s social media profiles to see more pictures from his excursion. If you’re interested in learning more about the plastic surgery procedures he performs and surgical techniques he is perfecting visit his website or schedule a consultation today.

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Behind the Scenes: TV Weight Loss Contestants and Post-Weight Loss Surgery

April 30th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

We’ve all seen those primetime TV shows where celebrity athletic trainers help everyday Americans lose weight the hard way—through diet and exercise. We follow them throughout the season to watch their weight loss transformations, but often don’t see what takes place between the regular season and the final results show. When individuals lose large amounts of weight quickly the skin often doesn’t have the time to keep up with the shrinkage leaving behind excess, sagging skin. Not only do weight loss patients find this extra skin to be bothersome and embarrassing, it can cause trouble during every day activities too.

Many post-bariatric and rapid weight loss patients seek plastic surgery to help eliminate the extra skin that can cause chafing, discomfort, and pain. Post-bariatric body contouring helps shape and tighten areas of sagging fat and skin while toning the underlying tissues for a more shapely and proportional silhouette. Body contouring can be performed almost anywhere to help patients achieve their desired look: arms, breasts, abdomen, back, flanks, and more.

Brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, helps patients eliminate the sagging tissue and skin that occurs under the arm between the arm pit and the elbow. Colloquially known as a “bat wing,” this area of the arm is often hard to tone using just exercise alone. The arm lift procedure helps tighten up this sagging skin for a more toned appearance. Incisions under the arms mean scars are often hidden on the inner arm, along the back of the arm, or within the arm pit.

Breast lift surgery helps patients whose breasts may have begun to sag as a result of major weight loss. As with other areas of skin, the breasts can begin to sag and look deflated after post-bariatric surgery or even pregnancy. Breast lift surgery eliminates excess skin while moving the breasts into a more aesthetically pleasing position on the chest. For those looking to return their breasts to their former fullness, breast lift surgery can be combined with breast augmentation.

Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as tummy tuck surgery, involves the removal of excess skin and fat from around the waist. Oftentimes with weight loss, the lax skin left around the stomach and lower abdomen creates an “apron” appearance as it sags over the waistline. Tummy tuck surgery can remove this excess skin, and can also work to tighten underlying stomach muscles that have been stretched or torn during pregnancy.

Though you don’t see it, many contestants on weight loss shows opt for body contouring procedures after their weight loss journeys. Removing excess skin and tissue can help patients achieve their desired appearance. Dr. Franklyn Elliott offers body contouring at his Atlanta and Alpharetta locations. Contact our office for a consultation. Stay up to date on the latest plastic surgery news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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Frequently Asked Breast Reconstruction Questions

April 23rd, 2012 | Posted by admin in Breast Reconstruction | Educational | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Breast reconstruction surgery is an emotionally charged process filled with a number of “what-ifs.” From basic questions regarding what to bring to the hospital to more complicated inquiries like what happens in surgery, we know that educating our patients is the first step to helping them feel comfortable with their decision to undergo breast reconstruction. Below are just a few of the common question we answer for our breast reconstruction patients.

What kind of clothes should I wear after surgery?

Many patients find that button-up and zip-up shirts are more comfortable the first week or more after surgery. Lifting your arms overhead may be difficult due to the nature of the surgery, so shirts with openings in the front will allow you to move more comfortably. Patients recommend soft, warm fabrics as many find hospitals on the chilly side. Some women say large camisoles that allow them to step into the shirt and pull it up or “bird-wing” their arms into the sleeves without raising them are also nice after surgery. Some companies make custom post-surgical shirts that are loose and even have pockets for drains.

What kind of scarring can I expect after breast reconstruction surgery?

Depending on the breast reconstruction technique used during your surgery, there are different incision placements. Some patients’ cases are less complicated and surgeons can try to hide scars. The flap procedures in which spare tissue is taken from the tummy can result in a tummy tuck like scar across the lower abdomen. Scars can be vertical, horizontal, straight, or curved. Each patient’s scars will be different because each woman’s medical needs are different. See Dr. Elliott’s breast reconstruction photo gallery to see the types of scars associated with specific surgical techniques.

Is breast reconstruction hard on the body? What is recovery like?

Each woman’s breast reconstruction situation is different. Some women undergo bilateral mastectomies of both breasts while others only have one removed. As such, each person’s recovery is different. Some breast reconstruction surgery techniques are less invasive than others. The TRAM procedures, for example, use tissue from another area of the body to replace the breast tissue lost during breast cancer removal surgery. Recovery from these surgeries generally takes longer. Dr. Franklyn Elliott provides all his breast reconstruction patients with specific aftercare instructions to ensure each patient’s recovery is as quick as possible.

Breast reconstruction surgery is never an easy choice. Some patients decide to have their surgery immediately after breast cancer removal, while some decide to wait or have to wait because of the need for radiation or other factors. We recommend you seek a consultation from a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Franklyn Elliott along with your oncologist and general surgeon. There, you and your doctors can formulate a plan that best suits your needs, and you can ask any questions you may have.

To stay up to date on the latest breast cancer and reconstruction news, make sure to follow Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. You can also sign up for his monthly newsletter.

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Can I Have Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer after Breast Implant Reconstruction?

April 16th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Breast Reconstruction | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

dr elliottRadiation is meant to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body in order to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer. While it destroys cancer cells, radiation also affects blood supply to skin and deep tissues and even causes scar tissue. A breast implant would be subject to these changes since it would be directly within the radiation treatment area. Implants placed under the pectoral (chest) muscle would be subject to scarring that occurs in the muscle.

As the skin and muscle scars after radiation therapy, so does the scar capsule surrounding the implant. This puts patients at a greater risk for capsular contracture which occurs when a patient’s body reacts to a foreign object, forming a capsule around the implant. The extra scarring causes the capsule to tighten around the implant, creating a painful condition in which the breast looks hard and abnormal. While the implant itself remains normal, the tissue around it is affected.

Patients can have radiation therapy after TRAM flap reconstruction procedures with tissue expanders. However, it’s important to remember that the tissue will still be affected (i.e., scarring, changes in blood flow). This means the skin used in reconstruction will not be as soft as it would be if it were not part of radiation therapy.  Most surgeons will delay breast reconstruction if their patients need radiation so that they may use healthy tissue that hasn’t been affected by the treatment. Although each patient’s situation is unique, in general I prefer the TRAM flap procedure in any situation where radiation therapy is involved.

Stay up to date on the latest breast cancer and breast reconstruction news by following Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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