Southern Plastic Surgery - Blog
Posts for the ‘In the News’ Category
Treat Yourself with October Specials from Laser Lights
This October, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center is offering specials on massages, laser skin treatments, Latisse® eyelash treatment and more! See the flyer below for more details:
Posted on October 7, 2011 12:55PM
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
Save on Laser Hair Removal, Latisse, and CO2 Wrinkle Treatments This Month at Laser Lights
Now through the end of September, save on CO2 laser skin resurfacing, Atlanta laser hair removal, and massage therapy at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center in Duluth!
Posted on September 7, 2011 11:25AM
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
Brilliant Distinctions ® Program Can Create Savings on Botox ®, Juvederm ®, and Latisse ®
Are you a faithful BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM® XC, or LATISSE® user? If so, you’ll love the Brilliant Distinctions® rewards program!
Dr. David Whiteman and the providers at Southern Plastic Surgery have begun participating in a new points program called Brilliant Distinctions®. For every Botox®, Juvéderm®, or Latisse® facial rejuvenation treatment you receive, registered members can earn points toward savings on these cosmetic procedures in the future.
Right now, all Southern Plastic Surgery patients can receive $50 off Botox® Cosmetic, and BD® members earn 200 points that can be used for $25 off their next treatment. All BD® members will receive instant savings of $25 on Latisse® products. Non-members can mail in the rebate for a $25 savings. However, our “Duet Package” is one of our best savings opportunities yet. When you get Botox® and Juvéderm® at the same office visit, you can save $125 ($50 instantly and $75 by mail-in rebate). In addition, BD® members will earn 400 points, worth $50 towards their next Botox® Cosmetic, Juvéderm® treatment, or Latisse® prescription.
Posted on August 23, 2011 11:38AM
Want Free Liposuction? Take Advantage of Our August Featured Procedure
Don’t forget about Southern Plastic Surgery’s exciting summer special featured in Best Self Magazine. Now through the end of August you can receive one free site of liposuction when you schedule a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with Dr. David Whiteman. You’ve spent the entire summer with your kids, now is the perfect time to get yourself back to beautiful! Contact our office today to schedule a plastic surgery consultation.
Posted on August 3, 2011 11:22AM
“Think Outside the Bo**x:” Save on Dysport® at Southern Plastic Surgery
Facelifts and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are effective in tightening the skin around the eyes and face that are often one of the most telling signs of age. However, wrinkles around the eyes and between the brows can often be smoothed through the use of products like Dysport® and Botox® that relax muscles of the face for patients who are just starting to notice signs of aging.
In addition, a recent study published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery claims that more patients favored areas of their face treated by Dysport® better than Botox® when they contracted facial muscles, although the patients in the study did not report a difference when the muscles were relaxed. While Dysport® and Botox® are similar in composition, there is a slight difference. Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxin A) was developed as an alternative to Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA). Further research is necessary to determine which is really more effective in eliminating wrinkles.
Patients can now save up to $100 on a Dysport® treatment through a new program called “Think Outside the Bo**x.” July 15 through September 30, 2011, Southern Plastic Surgery will offer $50 off a Dysport® treatment and an additional $50 off for former Botox® patients trying Dysport®. By registering on the Dysport® website at www.dysportusa.com and mailing in a completed rebate form, patients will receive a rebate check for $50.
Those who have had a Botox® treatment within the last 3-12 months of their Dysport® treatment must also register online, but need to mail in the itemized receipt for their previous Botox® treatment to receive an additional $50 rebate. If you have had Botox within the past year, you could potentially receive $100 off your next Dysport® treatment.
Contact our office for a consultation and to schedule your appointment. For more information about specials, sign up for our monthly newsletter or connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about the plastic surgery procedures I offer, check out my website.
Posted on July 19, 2011 10:42AM
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
Entries (RSS)Contact Us
Southern Plastic Surgery
David M. Whiteman, M.D., F.R.C.S.(c)
3855 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 370
Duluth, Georgia 30096
Google Maps
Phone: 770.622.9100