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Atlanta Tummy tuck

Ask Dr. Elliott: Do I Need a Tummy Tuck, or Just to “Lose the Baby Weight”?

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No matter how happy a new mother is with her “bundle of joy,” it’s natural to feel disappointed and self-conscious when your midsection isn’t as slender after pregnancy as it once was. However, figuring out how exactly to get back to your slimmer figure can be more difficult than you would expect. So how do you know if you simply need to improve your diet and exercise habits and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight, or whether a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is what you actually need?

Tummy_tuckStep 1: Decide whether you want slimmer contours for your entire body, or just your abdomen.

A tummy tuck is a surgery which specifically addresses the cosmetic appearance of your abdomen. It can be an impactful and confidence-inspiring surgery for many mothers, but it’s only ideal if your tummy is your primary area of concern. It tends to produce the best results for patients who are at or very near their ideal weight with an unwanted “pooch,” but if you also want to lose fat throughout the rest of your body, reduce your overall weight, and enjoy the medical benefits of a healthier weight, it may be best to start with conventional weight loss. If you reach your goal weight and are still unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen, then it may be the right time for a tummy tuck.

Step 2: Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

If you’re happy with your weight and are solely looking for aesthetic improvements for your abdomen, the next step is to find out what type of tummy tuck (or other procedure) is the right fit for you. For those with only stubborn fat on their abdomen and a high degree of skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be able to achieve the results they want. However, for most mothers, their concerns are a combination of excess fat, lax skin, and separated abdominal muscles which for a “pooch” and cause a less flattering appearance. A traditional tummy tuck with liposuction can address each of these issues individually, but some patients may also be candidates for a mini tummy tuck, which is a less invasive procedure which doesn’t address the full abdominal muscles, can be performed with a smaller incision.

At the end of the day, your appearance should make you feel confident and empowered, and together we can determine the best way to make this happen. Regardless of where you are in your decision-making process, working with a board-certified plastic surgeon like me can give you crucial information about your options. Contact my offices in Alpharetta or Atlanta to schedule a consultation. Or, for more helpful tips about plastic surgery, join me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. Elliott: Can I Combine Breast Reduction with a Tummy Tuck?

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We all live with the knowledge that aging will happen and will, most likely, leave us feeling less confident in our appearance. But for some women, the aesthetic affects aging has on the body are compounded by factors like pregnancy, motherhood, or weight fluctuations. Fortunately, as cosmetic surgery (and the medical field in general) makes one advancement after another, regaining your self-image has become more and more attainable, and a prime example of this is our ability to combine multiple cosmetic procedures into one surgery. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at why two particular plastic surgeries—breast reduction and tummy tuck—can make a perfect combination for some patients.

  • breast-reduction-atlanta-georgiaExcessive breast size and sagging skin often appear together.

In general, there are two primary causes of excess abdominal skin—pregnancy and significant weight loss. Aging can have an effect as well, but the problem often begins with one of these two events, and both of these factors can also make the breasts look large, droopy, and out of proportion with the rest of the body. Because many women who are concerned with their large breasts or less-than-firm stomachs are experiencing not just one but both of these issues, they may choose to have both areas improved at the same time.

  • The breasts and stomach can be reshaped to complement each other.

In terms of body contouring procedures like breast surgery, a tummy tuck, and liposuction, the key is sculpting the areas of the body so that they’re proportionate and complementary to the other areas—for instance, having the right balance of breast and midsection. Choosing to combine breast reduction and a tummy tuck can allow your board-certified plastic surgeon to contour both areas in a way that brings out the best in your upper body.

  • Breast reduction and a tummy tuck have a similar recovery time.

One factor to consider before a multi-faceted plastic surgery is that you’ll be recovering from multiple procedures at the same time. Many patients find this to be convenient, especially when their chosen surgeries require similar amounts of downtime (like the breast reduction and tummy tuck, both of which can take several weeks of healing time before resuming normal daily activities). In other words, it’s easier for most patients to, for instance, take two to four weeks out of their year to recover from a combined surgery than to take the same four weeks this year plus an additional four weeks of healing time next year.

For some patients, breast reduction and a tummy tuck can be a great combination that allows them to regain confidence in their appearance, but the key is, “for some patients.” Plastic surgery needs to be customized to address your unique concerns and your individual medical situation. Whether your cosmetic struggle is with overly large breasts and excess skin or with something else entirely, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to discuss your options. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news by following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

9 Facts You Didn’t Know About Tummy Tucks

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As we kick off the summer and begin spending more time in bathing suits, the abdominal area becomes front-and-center in our minds, especially for those who are self-conscious about their appearance. For many of these patients, the problem goes beyond stubborn belly fat, but few realize that a tummy tuck can address multiple abdominal concerns at once to produce especially significant and impressive results. In my experience, patients who are well-informed about their options tend to be happier with their results, so to help you learn more about the details of a tummy tuck, I’ve compiled a few facts that can get your research started.

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As with any plastic surgery, tummy tuck patients should research the procedure itself, the risks, and the anticipated results before developing their expectations. To discuss whether a tummy tuck is the right option for you, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about the tummy tuck and other cosmetic procedures, explore my website and join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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