Southern Plastic Surgery - Blog
Posts for the ‘Educational’ Category
The Great Debate: To Breastfeed or Not to Breastfeed after Breast Augmentation?
Many women cite the studied health benefits and reported emotional bond they feel it creates between mother and child as the reason they chose to breastfeed. Others opt for formula because they feel breastfeeding will change the appearance of their breasts. Earlier this month the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that women with breast implants are increasingly concerned that their augmented breasts would change shape after breastfeeding.
A study surveyed 160 mothers who had breast implants. Eighty-six percent of the mothers chose not to breastfeed because they didn’t want their breasts to look bad, and 13% of the mothers in the study who did breastfeed their babies were concerned their breast shape would change because of breastfeeding. Although more research is necessary, doctors say breastfeeding should not be blamed for breast sagging in women with (or without) breast implants after pregnancy. Instead, they say breast sagging is more evident after each pregnancy whether or not the mother breastfeeds.
Therefore, whether you’ve had a breast augmentation, breast-fed or bottle-fed, you may notice increased sagging with each pregnancy. However, something can be done to correct the appearance of deflated, sagging breasts. If you’ve already had a breast enhancement and decide you’d like further refinement after the birth of a child, breast revision surgery is an option.
During breast revision surgery, Dr. David Whiteman removes the original breast implants, and depending on the patient’s desires, he can excise tissue and lift the breast to a more natural location or insert new breast implants for added volume. Mothers who do not have breast implants, but are bothered by sagging breasts after pregnancy can benefit from a breast lift procedure. Breast lift surgery can be performed with or without a breast implant to produce fuller breasts depending on the patient’s wishes.
Unfortunately less perky breasts are not the only complaint many women have about their bodies following pregnancy. It’s not always easy to get back to that pre-baby appearance, but mommy makeover surgery can help. Usually comprised of a breast procedure (breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction), along with tummy tuck surgery and liposuction, a mommy makeover procedure is custom-tailored to the mother’s specific needs. Aside from mommy makeover surgery, Dr. Whiteman maintains a focus on Health and Wellness at his Duluth plastic surgery practice and offers helpful exercise tips and healthy recipes to promote the long-term health of his patients (and their children)!
Posted on January 12, 2012 12:22PM
Smoking Hinders Breast Surgery Recovery
A recent article published by Dr. Anthony Youn on CNN.com highlights the dangers that smokers risk when lighting up after plastic surgery. In his piece entitled “Smoking can make your nipples fall off,” Youn discusses cases in which a woman undergoing a breast lift refused to quit smoking and suffered complications including a loss of blood flow to the nipples.
Atlanta breast lift surgeon Dr. David Whiteman understands the fear that articles like this can strike into women looking to take on procedures like breast lift and breast reduction. For women who suffer from an aching back or are limited physically by larger breasts or who want to lift sagging breasts, surgery is still an option. Board certified Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman wants patients to realize that complications like those mentioned in the article by Dr. Youn are rare in patients who adequately follow pre- and post-surgery directions from their surgeon.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels which was most likely the cause of the aforementioned patient’s complications. Before taking on any plastic surgery patient, Dr. Whiteman undergoes a thorough examination of each person’s medical and family history, as assessment of well as any risk factors that increase complications during a breast procedure.
Whether you’re looking to increase your breast size through breast enlargement surgery, reduce the size of your breasts through reduction, or lift sagging breasts as a part of mommy makeover surgery (which also typically includes liposuction and a tummy tuck), you can rest assured that Dr. Whiteman has both your best interest and safety in mind during all stages of the breast surgery process: consultation, pre-surgery, during the procedure, and plastic surgery recovery.
Stay up to date on the latest Atlanta plastic surgery news by following Dr. Whiteman’s blog and connecting with him on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted on December 29, 2011 11:45AM
Did You See Dr. Whiteman in This Month’s Best Self Magazine?
Dr. David Whiteman was featured in Best Self Atlanta magazine’s “Expert Connect” section this December answering your questions about body contouring with liposuction. Check out the article below for more details:
Posted on December 13, 2011 8:34AM
The Rise of Plastic Surgery in Older Adults
Because we perform many types of cosmetic surgery at Southern Plastic Surgery, we see a plethora of clients with varying ages, ethnicities, and plastic surgery desires. From men requesting nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) to new mothers looking to rejuvenate their bodies through mommy makeover surgery, we are pleased to report that our patients run the gamut.
We were especially intrigued by a recent New York Times article, “The Golden Years, Polished With Surgery,” which discusses the recent upward trend in plastic surgery for adults over 65. The article discusses the cases of baby boomers opting in to cosmetic procedures so their bodies mirror their positive attitudes. Also mentioned is the risk associated with elective surgery procedures performed on older adults.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that almost 350,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on adults aged 55 or over in 2010 with around a third getting eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). A study by the Cleveland Clinic Department of Plastic Surgery has shown that the risks associated with older adults getting plastic surgery are based less on their numerical age and more on their overall health and physiological age.
Dr. David Whiteman is an expertly trained and board certified plastic surgeon with experience in many different types of cosmetic surgery on diverse groups of people. During a consultation, Dr. Whiteman will discuss the results you desire, and you’ll be informed of the potential side effects and risk factors in your particular case.
All patients, regardless of age, should be screened for certain health conditions and make their plastic surgeons aware of all medications they are currently taking to minimize the risk of contraindication. While older adults may heal slower than those who are younger, there are conditions that would make even a young person an unsuitable candidate for plastic surgery like high blood pressure, for example.
We realize that people of all ages have cosmetic desires to enhance their bodies or boost self-confidence, which is why we encourage each potential client to visit our office and speak with Dr. Whiteman to talk about how plastic surgery can benefit and rejuvenate his or her appearance.
To discuss your cosmetic surgery options and see if you’re a candidate for plastic surgery procedures, contact us for more information and to schedule a consultation. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news, updates, and information on specials.
Posted on November 9, 2011 11:25AM
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
When many patients come to our Southern Plastic Surgery office for their first consultation looking for body contouring, they often ask me the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction. Many people assume that the two amount to about the same thing since both can help improve contours abdominal area. While both tummy tuck and liposuction procedures can help clients eliminate the stubborn, exercise-resistant fat that often clings to the midsection, the two procedures are actually very different.
Liposuction can be used on more than just the stomach area, including areas around the face, legs, chest, flanks, back, arms and buttocks. In tumescent and super-wet liposuction, a small incision is made and a liquid mixture of anesthetic, adrenaline, and salt water is injected in order to make the fat easier to suction. The liquid and fat are then drawn out through cannulas, or metal tubes used to remove fluid from the body. Liposuction can often be performed along with a tummy tuck in certain procedures like Mommy Makeover surgery. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses sound waves in addition to liquid injections to liquefy fat, and is most often used in areas like the face where careful accuracy is required.
A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is reserved solely for the midsection and is a fairly major surgical procedure. During a tummy tuck, an incision is made in the lower abdominal region, weakened muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall are restored and tightened, loose skin and tissue is removed, and the stomach-area is flattened and tightened. Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction does not address sagging skin that may come along with stubborn fat, which is why tummy tuck and liposuction are often used in conjunction for post-bariatric weight loss patients. For patients who do not need as much fat or loose skin removed, a mini-tummy tuck may offer the results they desire with less down-time afterward.
While both treatments are used to contour the curves of the body and re-establish the patient’s desired silhouette, each procedure is often better suited to specific patients. For example, patients who have recently lost a large amount of weight in a short period of time are often left with loose, sagging abdominal skin which can easily be removed with a tummy tuck. For patients who require less skin and muscle tightening and would like to just smooth and improve contour in a few areas, liposuction may be a better option. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your desired look with Dr. David Whiteman and determine which procedure(s) will best suit your needs.
Check out our before and after galleries of both tummy tuck and liposuction procedures to get a better idea of how the results can be beneficial to you. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and recent news.
Posted on September 20, 2011 11:56AM
Breast Revision Surgery Helps Patients with Previous Augmentation Complications or Change of Heart
For most women considering breast augmentation surgery, the thought of having to redo the surgery is probably the last thing on their minds. The reasons for breast augmentation revision are numerous, but the most common include capsular contracture, switching from saline to silicone implants (implant exchange), weight- or age-related changes, and cosmetic concerns.
While the majority of plastic surgery patients are pleased with their breast augmentation results, there are always one or two individuals whose results did not turn out as they expected. Heidi Montag, former reality television star, has brought this issue to the forefront of American gossip magazines as she recently talked about regretting her multiple plastic surgery procedures including liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, chin reduction, brow lift, and buttock augmentation.
Dr. David Whiteman does his best to prevent these incidences through education and by discussing patient desires, needs, and expectations before surgery during a thorough consultation and determining which procedure would best benefit that person’s individual situation.
Posted on August 30, 2011 9:16AM
Keller Funnel™ Facilitates Breast Enhancement Surgery
While breast augmentation is a common cosmetic procedure, there are several things to consider before pursuing breast enhancement surgery. While patients must think about factors like breast implant size, shape, texture, and type, a plastic surgeon must consider breast implant placement (above or below the pectoral muscle) and the type of incision to use. Breast implants come in all different sizes (volume), shapes (anatomic or round), consistency (smooth or textured), and are filled with saline or silicone.
Silicone breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel, while saline breast implants are surrounded with a strong silicone elastomer shell filled with a predetermined amount of sterile saline solution. One type of breast implant is not better than the other; the decision is solely based on patient preference.
Posted on July 7, 2011 1:40PM
Reducing Scars after Plastic Surgery: What Really Works?
Traditional plastic surgery procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast reduction surgery, and facelift surgery all require incisions to produce the results most cosmetic surgery patients seek. Unfortunately for many patients, an array of factors such as incision type, skin type, age, heredity, and even ethnicity can increase the chance of developing scars post-plastic surgery.
Dr. David Whiteman and the staff at Southern Plastic Surgery do their best to educate their Duluth and Atlanta area cosmetic surgery patients on how to avoid additional scarring. To dispel some of the myths out there about what is and is not effective in minimizing the appearance of scars, we’ve devised a list of scar therapy components:
Paper Tape: The only topical treatment advisable for new incisions, paper tape is useful in alleviating tension on the skin surrounding the incision(s). With less tension, the affected skin can heal quicker. Additionally, the pressure provided by the tape when placed directly over the incision keeps the scar tissue from becoming raised and turning into a hypertrophic scar.
Posted on June 27, 2011 2:33PM
Diversity of Plastic Surgery Procedures among Differing Ethnic Groups
Last February, The New York Times released an article about ethnic diversity in plastic surgery in New York City. The article described the plastic surgery procedures that different ethnic groups, such as Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians, were more likely to undergo to help preserve their cultural identities. With that article in mind, I’d like to offer my perspective as a plastic surgeon about the role of cultural differences in plastic surgery. In Atlanta, I see a variety of ethnicities seeking plastic surgery, and while preserving cultural identity is important, it’s also important for a plastic surgeon to understand the complications that can arise with different skin types.
Going beyond color, skin type differs from ethnicity to ethnicity. According to the Cosmetic Dermatology for Skin of Color, the stratum corneum of black skin has more cell layers and elevated lipid content compared to white skin even though the overall thickness is similar, meaning darker skin is more compact. Patients with darker complexions, especially African American patients, have more melanin in their skin than patients with lighter complexions. Because there is more melanin present with darker skin tones, there is an increased risk of pigmentation changes with any incisions or trauma to the skin, including surgery.
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is more complex among diverse ethnicities due to differences in cartilage texture and should be performed by plastic surgeons with ethnic plastic surgery experience. Cartilage is flexible, connective tissue found in many parts of the body such as the nose, ears, rib cage, in many joints and between bones. A black patient’s cartilage is typically softer and less prominent than that of a white patient.
Posted on June 22, 2011 10:42AM
Liposuction Not a Substitute for Proper Diet and Exercise
Often viewed as a “quick-fix,” I like to take a different approach to plastic surgery with my patients. Instead of only accentuating their bodies, I also like to educate them on health and wellness because overall health is a major factor in healing. Plus, like I frequently explain to patients, you can eat your way out of any liposuction results. That’s why I found the recent study highlighted in the New York Times about fat returning after liposuction surgery so interesting.
Doctors Teri L. Hernandez and Robert H. Eckel of the University of Colorado conducted a study to determine whether or not fat returns after liposuction surgery, and if so, where it returns. With this type of cosmetic surgery, researchers randomly chose non-obese women with small amounts of excess fat in areas such as the thighs and lower abdomen. After the study was complete, the women were able to have more liposuction at a reduced rate if they desired it. In a year, they determined that the fat did return,; however, it returned to other areas like the upper abdomen, arms and triceps. The researchers in this particular study believe that the fat did not return to the areas sculpted with liposuction due to the changed structure of the targeted fat cells.
The fact that fat can increase after liposuction is not new information. Whether it’s liposuction, a tummy tuck, or another body contouring procedure, maintaining appropriate health and wellness should be your first priority in order to maintain results. The key point I take away from this article is that these women did not change daily activities or eating habits. In fact, they were encouraged not to change their habits as they were offered more liposuction if it was needed once the study was complete.
Liposuction should never be a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Instead, it should serve as that extra push for the stubborn fat pockets that just do not seem to go away even with the best dieting and exercise efforts. After liposuction recovery, patients should be dedicated to a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain their results. In my years as a plastic surgeon, I’ve discovered that many patients aren’t sure what a healthy lifestyle looks like, which is why I do my best to educate through my Health and Wellness blog’s healthy recipes and tips. I’ve also teamed up with Darryl Madison, ACE certified personal trainer and creator of Chair-A-Cise exercise program, to offer patients diet and exercise programs that can be tailored for any fitness level.
For more information on the plastic surgery procedures that I offer, visit my website. Also, be sure to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter for more Health and Wellness and plastic surgery updates.
Posted on May 16, 2011 5:31PM
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Southern Plastic Surgery
David M. Whiteman, M.D., F.R.C.S.(c)
3855 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 370
Duluth, Georgia 30096
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Phone: 770.622.9100