For years, the term “Mommy Makeover” has been tossed around in the public like it’s a concrete, definitive surgical process. Pull up to the drive-through plastic surgery window, order the Mommy Makeover special (sometimes supersized!), and PRESTO – drive away with your new self! And with the emergence of the multitude of plastic surgery-related reality TV shows who shower the viewers with this term, Mommy Makeovers have become a popular reason for consultation in my practice in the area of Atlanta. But my experience with the many consultations I do with my patients who are seeking the Mommy Makeover has made it clear how blurred the concept of a Mommy Makeover is. So let’s discuss what a Mommy Makeover is, and isn’t!

In short, there is not a clear set of procedures that defines the Mommy Makeover. In reality, each female patient has different wants and needs when they come to my office, and this combination of procedures is what constitutes the Mommy Makeover for each of these particular patients. A combination of breast augmentation, with or without a lift, and abdominal rejuvenation (such as an abdominoplasty or liposuction, or both) are the more common procedures performed. It is common to also add in some Botox injections and/or lip enhancement at the same time. Because each woman will have a unique set of procedures performed, there is not a set price for the Mommy Makeover, but a consultation with Dr. Howard at his office in Atlanta will help establish what that process will entail for each individual.

If a Mommy Makeover has been on your to-do list, make a consultation with Dr. Howard in Roswell and discuss what your journey to life-after-pregnancy will entail!

Few people realize that the “safe haven” of a comfortable, air-conditioned car actually poses significant exposure to the suns’ harmful UVA and UVB rays. Most people, when thinking about sun exposure, imaging themselves at the beach or at the pool. But, science has proven that a significant amount of the suns’ radiation does its damage sneakily through the glass of your vehicle, which luckily my profession as a plastic surgeon made me aware of the affects of the sun while in your car.

While most glass on cars effectively blocks the shortwave UVB spectrum of radiation, only the windshield is designed to also block the long-wavelength UVA rays. That means that UVA radiation pours through the glass of the side and rear windows unimpeded, just as if you were outside the car in Atlanta!

Consider that studies have shown that in the US, the left side of our faces typically shows more sun damage in the form of more wrinkles, pigment changes, loose skin, and skin cancer including melanoma. In fact, the left side of our upper bodies receives nearly six times the radiation dose as the right side while sitting in our cars since the left side of the car is the driver’s side. The opposite holds true in countries where the driver’s side is on the right. Again, this is due to the unimpeded UVA rays streaming through the glass of your side windows. So, it is safe to assume that your children, or other passengers in the back seat of your car, are being bombarded both through the side windows and the rear window simultaneously.

Options? Having special window film applied to your vehicle (I did, a board certified plastic surgeon!) can block up to 99.9% of all UV rays. While some states have regulations on window tinting, be sure to understand the laws in your state. Also note that “tinting” doesn’t have to mean making your glass darker. Clear window films are available which effectively block UV radiation and are unnoticeable on your car. Also, never leave home without applying sunscreen on you and your passengers in the vehicle. This is especially true if you drive a convertible (again, I’m guilty!). Adding a brimmed hat is being even kinder for your facial skin. Finally, don’t forget about the loved ones in the back seat of the car. Enjoy the drive throughout Atlanta, and block out the UV!

To minimize the signs of wrinkles, lines or sun spots caused by the sun, cosmetic treatments are available. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments like microdermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing can help revitalize the skin’s appearance. Additionally, depending on the extent of damage or other contributing factors like aging, plastic surgery procedures may be more appropriate. Eyelid surgery can restore the eyes to a more youthful appearance decreasing the appearance of lines and or wrinkles including crowsfeet.

If you are interested in a cosmetic treatment or plastic surgery procedure, contact my practice today to schedule at consultation in the area of Atlanta.

Treatment of Tired Eyes
Patients frequently contact my office of plastic surgery in Atlanta seeking treatment for “tired” or “baggy” eyes. They hear comments about how tired they look because of the appearance of their eyes and “just want to look more rested.”

Until recently, the only options for these patients required eyelid surgery and most often general anesthesia as well. Now, with the emergence of safe and effective filler materials, many of these patients can be swiftly and effectively treated in the office without anesthesia by adding volume to the lower eyelids and upper cheek area. By filling in the “hollow” of the lower eyelid (known as the “tear trough” using medical jargon), you can obtain immediate results with no down time with just an office visit.

At times, combining neuromodulator injections (such as Botox or Dysport) with the filler provides an optimum result. The results typically last a year or longer depending on the type of filler used. The most common side effect is usually limited to bruising, while pain and discomfort are typically minimal and well tolerated. We see a high rate of satisfaction in this group of patients and they are quick to refer family and friends as a result.

Not everyone is a candidate for this option, but Atlanta Plastic Surgeon Dr. Howard can evaluate your condition with an office consultation and provide the best options for you. Some patients are better suited to get their best results with eyelid surgery or facelift in the operating room, while others may be good candidates for Dr. Howard to inject his filler-of-choice in the office.

Contact Dr. Howard’s office of Plastic Surgery in Roswell, GA, to schedule a consultation and see if you are a candidate!

No group of people spends more time outside than dedicated outdoors athlete enthusiasts in Atlanta, GA. Whether running, cycling, outdoors swimming, paddle boarding, or a host of other popular outside activities, outdoors athletes are constantly being battered by the ill effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Even worse, those athletes who do use sunscreen lose the protective benefits of the sunscreen more quickly due to sweating, which shortens the effect of the protection.

So, what are the options? Certainly, do not give up on sunscreen application just because you think it will simply sweat away quickly. Many sunscreen and sunblock options exist, which will be more resistant to sweating and running into your eyes (Yes, it does sting!). Sun Damaged skin is hard to bring back to its previous state, even with our skin rejuvenation treatments. Make sure to protect your skin at all times.

North Fulton Plastic Surgery suggests that a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection is an absolute necessity during your exercise. Plenty of water-resistant and extremely water-resistant sunscreens are widely available wherever you typically buy your sunscreen. Use an SPF between 30-50, and make sure it has UVA protection as well. These are also available in many delivery forms such as wipes, lotions and gels, so you can carry a small sunscreen with you and reapply every two hours!

There is now also available a wide variety of sun-protective clothing with listed SPF protection. I use these regularly when exercising, but in addition I also make a point to use sunscreen as added protection against UVA rays. Buy tightly woven clothing, as they are far superior that loosely woven fabrics in blocking UV rays. I also wear a running hat when feasible to shade my face. Taking care of your skin now will prevent you from having to get multiple facial procedures done later in life to get your skin back to looking young and beautiful.

Stay safe and be proactive in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful radiation. Little effort is required to take care of your skin. If you would like more ideas on the best performance sunscreen please feel free to contact Dr. Brian Howard. Happy exercising!

The FDA recently released an updated review on the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants, in an attempt to further educate the public and to foster the ongoing synergistic relationship with the plastic surgery community.

While no new recommendations have been made within this paper, it does solidify many important points, which our domestic societies have embraced for some time. The following bulleted points highlight the more salient information contained within the FDA’s paper. Many of these points are direct quotes from the FDA, and are not necessarily paraphrased for the purposes of this blog.

1. Silicone gel-filled breast implants have a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness when used as labeled.
2. 90 percent of patients are satisfied with their outcomes from breast implantation and report an improved quality of life.
3. Women who received silicone gel-filled breast implants for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes will need to monitor the devices over their lifetime.
4. Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices
5. Additional surgeries related to the breast implants are likely over the course of time

The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) will continue their collaboration with the FDA with the common goal to fully elucidate scientific data on breast augmentation, both for silicone and saline implants. It is imperative that science alone, and not mythical hype, forms the basis for all decision-making on breast augmentation and implant reconstruction in women. Furthermore, this holds true for all medical devices and not just for breast implants.

The ASPS supports the ongoing breast implant surveillance efforts and ongoing breast implant data collection to further define the safety of breast augmentation. If you are interested in learning more about this procedure contact the office of Dr. Brian Howard.

The ASAPS Annual Statistics compiled by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that plastic surgery procedures increased nearly 9% in 2010. This resulted in nearly 9.5 million cosmetic procedures being performed in the United States.

Americans spent almost 10.7 billion dollars on cosmetic procedures in 2010. Men made up 8% of the total, with over 750,000 cosmetic procedures being performed. This is an increase of over 88% from 1997, when the ASAPS began tracking aesthetic procedures in our country. The most common procedures performed were, in order from most common to less common, liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, breast reduction surgery for enlarged male breasts, and ear surgery.

Women totaled nearly 8.6 million aesthetic surgeries, which made up 92% of all surgeries performed. This represents an increase of 164% since the figures have been followed since 1997. For women, the five most frequent procedures were breast augmentation, liposuction, breast reduction, abdominoplasty, and eyelid surgery.

Minimally invasive procedures decreased by nearly 9% in 2010. The most common procedures performed included Botox injections (or competitive products), facial filler injections, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels.

Surgical procedures accounted for 17% of all cosmetic procedures performed, while non-surgical procedures accounted for the majority.

While the American economy continues to ebb-and-tide, many plastic surgeons, including myself, are seeing a slow but steady recovery in our practices. Patients continue to place their trust in my abilities and in the faith of my practice, and for this I am forever grateful.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these procedures please contact the office of Dr. Brian Howard. Let’s hope that everyone enjoys a return toward a normal economy soon!

Antiretroviral therapy has decreased the number of deaths from AIDS by nearly 40% while providing AIDS patients with longer life expectancy and much improved overall health. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is now the accepted standard for treating HIV. One of the possible side effects from the combinations drug therapy is abnormal fat distribution known as lipodystrophy syndrome.

Lipodystrophy syndrome is manifested by abnormal fat collections in the upper back (the “buffalo hump”), the lower abdomen, the neck and the chest (“gynecomastia”). Because of the ever-increasing number of HIV patients who are on highly active antiretroviral therapy, more patients are seeking the services of board-certified plastic surgeons to help treat these fat deposits.

Liposuction can effectively treat many of these conditions. Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedure. Most of the liposuction procedures can be done under local anesthetic in Dr. Howard’s office of cosmetic surgery in Atlanta. Tremendous improvements are possible with liposuction. Dr. Howard and his staff can help determine if you are a candidate for this treatment during a consultation.

If you are interested in learning more about liposuction or tremendous improvements, contact Dr. Howard’s office of cosmetic plastic surgery in Atlanta.