In the past year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 1.6 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States.  Nearly a third of those procedures were either breast augmentations or liposuction treatments.  However, despite their incredible popularity, many are still unclear as to what, exactly, these two procedures entail.  Specifically, many come into my office wondering if they are a good candidate or what they can expect during downtime.

Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery involves using breast implants or fat to increase the size of the breasts or restore breast volume that has been lost after weight gain and loss, or pregnancy.  Breast augmentation is designed to increase fullness and projection of your breasts and can also improve the balance of the figure.

Am I a good candidate?  Breast augmentation is a very personal procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to please someone else.  Optimal candidates for breast augmentation surgery are physically healthy, have realistic expectations and breasts that are fully developed, and are dissatisfied with the size, shape, volume or symmetry of their breasts.

What can I expect from the recovery period?  After breast augmentation, the breasts will be wrapped in an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.  Once you are evaluated and cleared to leave the hospital, you will be given specific instructions that include how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with me.  You may be instructed to wear a support bra around the clock for the first week or two, and given other important post-operative care instructions.  Be sure to follow all instructions carefully in order to achieve the best possible breast augmentation results.  After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks and should reduce your level of activity accordingly.

Liposuction
Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body, such as the thighs, hips and buttocks, abdomen, waist, and back, by removing excess fat deposits that have proven resistant to diet and exercise and improving your body contours and proportion.  Liposuction can also be performed on small, precise areas like the upper arms, inner knee, calves and ankles, or even the cheeks, chin, and neck.

Am I a good candidate?  Ideal liposuction candidates are healthy adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin, good muscle tone, and no life-threatening medical conditions that can impair healing.  Because cigarette smoking can cause problems with blood flow and healing, non-smokers generally enjoy better results and a decreased risk of complications.

What can I expect from the recovery period?  Once your liposuction procedure has been completed, a compression garment may be used to cover the areas that have been treated.  These help to control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours.  You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site, what medications you may need to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, any specific concerns to look for at the surgical site, and when to follow up with me.  Your final liposuction results may not be evident until the swelling has fully dissipated, a process that may take several weeks.

If you’re interested in any of the cosmetic procedures that I perform in Atlanta and Alpharetta, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.  I also provide a variety of options for financing, including Care Credit®, in order to assist you.  Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Hunter Moyer, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast procedures, Dr. Hunter Moyer is constantly conducting research into the latest techniques and innovations in an effort to improve patient care and satisfaction.  Last October, we conducted a survey among our female patients to better understand their preferences on various aspects of breast augmentation surgery.

The response was overwhelming, and the information we gathered was invaluable.  But now, in an effort to get a truly complete picture, Dr. Moyer would like to hear the male perspective on breast augmentation.  To better understand the preferences of men specifically, he invites all males to participate in our newest survey on cosmetic breast surgery.  The survey focuses on men and their honest assessment of what they consider true aesthetic preferences.  The survey is brief and will help us finesse our techniques to produce the most natural and aesthetically pleasing results.

Please take our breast survey and share your thoughts on this popular cosmetic procedure. We greatly appreciate your time and input!

According to the latest statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast augmentation has consistently been the top cosmetic surgical procedure since 2006. Cosmetic breast surgery is a safe and transformative procedure, but it is highly important for patients to conduct their research and make informed decisions about their surgery. With the numerous online tools available and various sources claiming different information, plastic surgery research can often feel overwhelming. To help his patients learn more about breast enhancement and their implant options, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer shares a brief list of facts and reputable resources.

• The FDA has approved three types of breast implants: saline, silicone, and highly cohesive silicone gel (also known as “gummy bear implants”).
• Implants come in a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes to fit different bodies. During your consultation, there are tools such as sizers and imaging technology to help determine a proper size for your aesthetic goals.
• Instead of breast cup sizes (A,B,C..), implants are measured by cubic centimeters (cc’s) which are determined by the amount of saline or silicone used to fill each implant.
• The Keller Funnel™ is an FDA-approved device to directly transfer the implant from its packaging directly to the patient so the risk of contamination and complications are significantly reduced.
• Surgical incisions can be made on various areas of the body to insert the implant such as under the breast, in the armpit, or even the belly button. The most common location is under the breast as scarring is covered and it provides direct access to the breast cavity.
• Breast implants can be used for both cosmetic purposes as well as reconstructive. Depending on the patient’s body and preference, implants can be an option for breast reconstruction.

As a board certified plastic surgeon with vast experience in breast procedures, Dr. Moyer always reminds patients to check their surgeon’s background and credentials as well as implant information from the manufacturers.

• The FDA publishes data sheets and approval information on their website.
• Accredited professional associations like ASPS and The American Society of Aesthetic Surgery (ASAPS) provide lists of procedures and current events relating to plastic surgery. ASPS also has a list of questions to ask your surgeon regarding breast surgery.
• Implant manufacturers such as Allergan®, Mentor®, and Sientra® offer breast implant information and safety guidelines.

If you are interested in breast augmentation or any other cosmetic procedure Dr. Moyer offers, please contact our office today. Be sure to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates and plastic surgery news.

With plastic surgery research and patient safety as two of his main priorities, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer continues to research and implement the latest techniques and technology for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Recently, Dr. Moyer participated in a study on the Keller Funnel™, an FDA Class I device that facilitates the placement of breast implants into the patient’s body. This device improves patient care by decreasing the risk of infection and post-operative complications.

Breast augmentation surgery is designed to increase the size and volume of the breasts through the surgical insertion of saline, silicone, or highly cohesive silicone gel implants. The Keller Funnel™ assists breast enhancement by allowing direct transfer from the implants’ packaging to the patient’s breast cavity. The funnel minimizes the amount of skin contact and potential contamination during surgery, leading to reduced risk of infection and complications such as capsular contracture.

One of the main differences between saline and silicone breast implants, aside from the implant’s fill material, is the placement of them in the patient’s body. Saline implants are initially empty so they are inserted and then filled with sterile saline solution to the desired volume while silicone implants are already pre-filled and formed. The Keller Funnel™ allows Dr. Moyer to safely place silicone and highly cohesive silicone gel implants using smaller incisions like the ones used for saline implants, reducing the size and appearance of scars.

If you are interested in breast enhancement surgery or any other cosmetic procedure, please contact us today. For more plastic surgery updates and research studies, follow Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

As a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast procedures, Dr. Hunter Moyer conducts research and investigates the latest breast implants and techniques to improve patient care. To better understand patient preferences, he invites his patients to participate in a voluntary survey on cosmetic breast surgery. The survey focuses on breast augmentation, a cosmetic procedure that enhances breast size and volume with an implant.

Please take our breast survey and share your thoughts on this popular cosmetic procedure. We greatly appreciate your time and input!

For more information on breast procedures or to schedule a consultation for your procedure, contact us today. Be sure to also connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates.

October is breast cancer awareness month with the color pink appearing almost everywhere. As an Atlanta plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Hunter Moyer understands firsthand the effects of breast cancer and is dedicated to educating patients about their available breast reconstruction options.

Dr. Moyer wants to stress to all patients that they have options.  Many women choose breast reconstruction as a healing step in their journey to restore their physical appearance. Reconstruction can either be immediate and performed at the same time as a mastectomy or delayed until after a mastectomy or other cancer treatments are completed. During the procedure, Dr. Moyer will rebuild the breast mound, recreate the nipple and/or areola, and reposition breasts to improve symmetry.

Breast reconstruction can be performed using implants, tissue expanders, and tissue flaps. Tissue expanders are usually required for reconstruction to gradually expand tissue on the chest wall to cover and support an implant or flap. Like breast augmentation, there are saline, silicone, and highly cohesive “gummy bear” implants available to enhance the appearance of breasts.

Another option, tissue flaps, harvests healthy fat, skin, and muscle from other areas of the body to reconstruct the breast. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, Dr. Moyer has refined reconstructive flap techniques including the latissimus flap, DIEP technique, and TRAM flap technique. Dr. Moyer and his medical team will discuss each of these options and counsel patients to which option is best suited based on body structure, amount of healthy tissue available, and overall aesthetic goals.

Throughout October, many organizations and reconstructive surgeons participate in breast cancer awareness events to help further educate and raise proceeds towards breast cancer research. To learn more about your reconstructive options or other plastic surgery procedures, please contact our office today. Be sure to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates.

In the October 2012 issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer conducted a study titled, “The Effect of Silicone Gel Bleed on Capsular Contracture” with Drs. Ghazi and Losken, also from Atlanta. In the study, the latest generation silicone gel breast implants, also known as highly cohesive gel implants, were tested for its effect on a common breast implant complication. Capsular contracture is an implant complication that occurs when the body forms excess scar tissue around an implant, creating a hardened breast texture and appearance. Dr. Moyer’s study explored how silicone gel bleed, or when the silicone fill of an implant leaks out of the shell, affected the breast.

The use of silicone breast implants in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction is increasing each year, according to statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The highly cohesive silicone implants used in the study are Mentor’s Contour Profile Gel® (CPG) and Allergan’s Natrelle 410® implants. Since these implants are fairly new, Dr. Moyer has extensively researched the safety of these breast implants in his lab both at Emory and Georgia Tech.

Results conclude that the silicone gel fill does not harm the patient’s body, as the new implants are stronger and safer, and that even in the event of an implant rupture, the body will react locally but not systemically. Dr. Moyer continues investigating techniques and new developments in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

For more information on a procedure or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today. Also, connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery news.

Breast augmentation and breast lift procedures are commonly performed in combination. Breast augmentation uses breast implants to enhance the shape and size of breasts, while breast lift surgery restores breasts to a more youthful position. Breast lifts address problems caused by factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, and gravity that can cause skin to lose its elasticity and the breasts to shift downward as we age. While patients can choose breast lift as an individual procedure or with traditional breast augmentation using implants, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer uses an auto augmentation technique to lift and reposition breasts while also using excess breast tissue to augment the breast’s size and shape.

Traditional breast lift surgery is performed by making an incision around the areola and under the breast’s crease to trim excess skin and reshape the breast for a firmer, natural position. The areola and nipple can also be repositioned or reduced for a more proportional result. Breast lift surgery alone will not significantly alter breast size or increase volume in the upper part of the breast. Breast lift with auto augmentation, which is short for autogenous tissue transfer augmentation, uses existing excess breast tissue as a substitute for an implant to augment the breast. Since auto augmentation is performed using the patient’s own tissue rather than foreign material, post-operative risks are minimized.

To perform a breast lift with auto augmentation, Dr. Moyer performs a traditional breast lift to tighten skin and reposition the breasts. After completing the lift, Dr. Moyer uses inferior breast tissue from the sagging lower area of the breast to restore fullness to the upper portion. Auto augmentation preserves excess breast tissue by transferring tissue to serve as an “implant” instead of simply discarding excess skin and tissue. This technique provides a natural and safe way to enhance breasts without implants or additional surgery. However, it is important to discuss treatment options with Dr. Moyer to discuss your aesthetic goals and which procedure will achieve the most natural results.

If you’re interested in breast surgery or any other cosmetic and reconstructive procedure that Dr. Moyer offers at his Atlanta and Cumming practices, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

Being a mother is one of the most rewarding and selfless jobs a woman can have, but the physical changes that occur to you can leave some women desiring the body they once had.  There has been an increasing trend in women electing a “mommy makeover” procedure: a combination of cosmetic procedures aimed at rejuvenating the breasts and abdominal area to help women achieve their pre-baby bodies.

The beauty of a mommy makeover is the ability to customize a combination of procedures from tummy tucks and liposuction to breast lifts and breast augmentation based on your individual needs.  This gives Dr. Hunter Moyer the ability to target and effectively treat problem areas in one surgery.  Pregnancy can cause dramatic changes to the body despite healthy diet and exercise routines.  Some women experience loose skin, stretch marks, sagging breasts and exercise-resistant fat deposits that can only be corrected with body contouring procedures.  The best candidates for mommy makeover are those who have reached a desirable weight and are no longer breast feeding their infants.

Popular mommy makeover components like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is desirable as it tightens the abdominal muscles to smooth the midsection, remove unwanted fat and excess skin.  Stretch marks are reduced while also narrowing the waistline to reveal a more contoured look.  In addition to the abdominal areas, pregnancy can affect the breasts.  Whether due to breastfeeding or volume fluctuation, the breasts often lose their elasticity and shift downward, creating a pendulous shape.  Fortunately, cosmetic breast procedures like breast lift can correct breast position by removing excess skin, reshaping the breasts and lifting them higher.  Dr. Moyer eliminates sagging and creates a more proportionate and youthful aesthetic.  Breast lifts are often combined with breast augmentation to increase volume, and Dr. Moyer also offers the auto-augmentation lift where some of your excess inferior breast tissue is used as an “implant” during the lift.

Atlanta plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer believes that every woman should feel their best: he spends quality time with each of his patients to answer any questions and tailor the right procedures for optimal results.  To find out more about the cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures that Dr. Moyer offers, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.  Don’t forget to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the latest news and updates.

Featured in The Atlantan’s May 2013 issue, Atlanta plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer answers frequently asked questions about breast implants. With the FDA’s recent approval of Allergan’s Natrelle 410 highly cohesive silicone gel implants, many patients have asked about their implant options for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. In the article, Dr. Moyer addresses the differences between silicone implants and the new “gummy bear” form stable implants.

Saline and silicone implants are silicone elastomer shells filled with either sterile saline solution or a silicone gel. Both are also FDA approved for use in breast enhancement and breast reconstruction surgery. Allergan’s 410 cohesive gel implants contain a stronger outer shell and are filled with a thicker, form-stable silicone gel, reducing the likelihood of leakage or shape loss.

If you are interested in breast surgery or any other cosmetic procedure Dr. Moyer performs, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Be sure to also connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery updates and news.