Leo R. McCafferty, M.D., F.A.C.S., aesthetic plastic surgery

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Archive for the ‘Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’ Category

Tummy Tucks: Flat Stomach, Smooth Process

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

You’ve exercised. You’re down to your ideal weight. And you still haven’t achieved that tight, flat stomach you imagined.

But there are a number of procedures available— from full and mini-tummy tucks to liposuction— that can help you tighten that tricky mid-section and get the slim, smooth look you want.

Abdominoplasty—better known as a “tummy tuck”— flattens the abdomen by tightening the lax skin and muscles of the abdominal wall. These may have become less taut as a result of childbirth, weight gain and loss, abdominal surgeries, and other factors.

A mini-tummy tuck, with or without liposuction, can be very useful for individuals with the small horizontal scars of C-sections or hysterectomies. These operations sometimes heal so that the skin overhangs the scar, creating a seamed, uneven appearance, which can be readily smoothed with this “mini” procedure.

Whether you would benefit from a full tummy tuck, a mini-tummy tuck– or other options, such as liposuction— depends on factors including the amount of fat currently within the abdominal region, the skin itself, your muscle tone, the length of any scarred incisions, and more. A mini-tummy tuck, for instance, doesn’t address the upper abdomen or the muscles below the navel, while both mini- and full tummy tucks remove only a small amount of fat from the body; for more than this, liposuction might be the preferred option. A personal consultation can help decide.

If our consultation determines abdominoplasty is the right choice for you, the procedure is done taking particular care to prevent scarring. This includes education on everything from scar massage to choosing the right sunscreen.

Recovery from abdominoplasty takes just two to three weeks. During this time, you can resume much of your day-to-day schedule, though it’s important to avoid heavy lifting and other strenuous activities, to give your procedure the opportunity to heal.

We’ll see you in our offices at least once in the first week to make sure your procedure is healing smoothly. At three weeks, you can begin a limited exercise routine. Then, by six weeks, you can typically resume your normal exercises, restriction-free.

At the offices of Dr. Leo McCafferty, we respect the differences in our patients, and recognize that no two cases are alike. Through a personal consultation, we get to know your history, understand your goals, perform a physical consultation and present the many alternatives available to you. Let us help you discover the procedure best designed for your body and for you. Contact us today.

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Freshen Your Look with Injectable Wrinkle Treatments

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

“Bad day?” “You look tired.” “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Have you heard concerns like these from family, friends and even coworkers—yet you haven’t felt tired or irritable?

They might simply be reacting to the effect skin deflation can have on the face. As we age, the skin doesn’t just relax and sag—it loses volume. This can cause changes in the fullness of the cheeks and lips, it can deepen the folds around the mouth, and it can cause fine lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead. All of this can cause you to look tired or even angry.

But fillers and other injectables such as Botox® are non-surgical solutions that can help add volume back into the face, creating a happier, more rested appearance— ideal if you’re not quite ready to try cosmetic surgery.

Fillers— like the popular Restylane®, Perlane® and Juvederm® products—are injected into areas of the face that have experienced skin deflation. They plump up those areas, for a more youthful look. The results can be seen instantly, with no down-time, and can be reversed if a patient doesn’t feel comfortable with the effects. In our offices, we’ve never had to reverse a filler treatment, but patients enjoy added confidence knowing the option is available. Expect these results to last from six months to a year.

Botox®, on the other hand— the most common non-surgical procedure of 2008, with 2.4 million procedures done— works by relaxing the lines in the face rather than filling them in. Typically, it is injected between the eyebrows, the forehead and the “marionette folds” around the mouth. Used for many medical conditions, extensive research shows no adverse effects when applied in cosmetic procedures. Unlike fillers, Botox starts to work in a few days, with its peak effectiveness in approximately a week. Results typically last three to five months.

In addition to fillers and Botox, the offices of Dr. Leo McCafferty also offer a complete range of non-surgical and cosmetic surgery options, including Dysport®—which works similarly to Botox— fat injections, facial rejuvenation procedures and more.

To determine the right options for you, we will meet with you to understand your goals, perform a thorough evaluation, and suggest the non-surgical or surgical solution that will help you attain the best results.

Adult men and women of all ages are turning to injectable treatments and other non-surgical options to rejuvenate their look for work, special events and just to regain a fresher appearance.

Contact us today for a consultation. Gift certificates are available.

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Finding a Lift through Breast Augmentation

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Perhaps you’ve always felt self-conscious in a bathing suit, or at the gym… Or maybe motherhood and time have changed your body so you feel less confident or youthful…. Whatever your concern, breast augmentation is a very personal decision with very personalized goals.

That’s why, here at the offices of Leo McCafferty, M.D., F.A.C.S., we work with you to understand your needs, help you know what to expect, and make sure your breast augmentation procedure is a safe, professional process with ideal results

Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?
If you’re looking for a breast lift but are concerned about scarring, breast augmentation might be the right choice for you. Implant procedures cause significantly less scarring than standard breast lifts—just an inch-and-a-half scar is typical—and breast augmentation also offers the lift many patients are looking for.

Implant Safety and Options
Did you know breast augmentation is actually a very safe procedure? Due to extensive research, in 2006 silicone gel implants were re-approved for use by the FDA. In fact, no implantable medical device has been studied more thoroughly over the last ten years than breast implants—including stents, pacemakers and other internal devices. And with this safety, comes options. Today’s patients have a choice of either saline or silicone implants. We’ll work with you to choose the type appropriate for you.

Things to Keep in Mind about Breast Augmentation

  • The most successful breast augmentation procedures take your natural form and enhance it. We’ll consult with you as part of an individualized, analytical process, to make sure we understand the look you want, discuss how it will (or won’t!) work with your unique physique, and guide the procedure accordingly
  • You’ll need to set aside about five to seven days for recovery. While recovery doesn’t involve significant pain, typically there is some soreness. That’s why most patients set aside about five days to a week for recovery, before returning to work and other tasks in an active life. Avoid heavy lifting and extreme arm motion for this first week.
  • After one week, most patients can resume a modified exercise routine. Breast augmentation procedures typically only require a week down-time. During the second week you may begin lower impact cardio and lower body exercises. By week three, you should be able to resume many of your normal physical activities, including your regular exercise routine. We will be following you closely during the weeks after surgery to make sure that your recovery is properly managed, and help you get back to your routine as quickly as possible.

At the offices of Leo McCafferty, M.D., F.A.C.S., we understand breast augmentation because we have extensive involvement in its research. From work in peer-reviewed aesthetic surgery journals to scientific studies with the FDA, Dr. McCafferty and his experienced staff are prepared to help you through all phases of the procedure. This means if won’t be long before you’ll feel more confident, look great, and get back to living life to its fullest.

For more information on Breast Augmentation procedures, click here.

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Sun, Skin and Safety

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Whether it’s summer vacation or a winter getaway, time in the sun promises relaxation… and exposure to harmful UV rays. So how do you protect yourself from sun damage, and help your skin retain that fresh glow all year round? How can you get the best, long-lasting results from your plastic surgery and still enjoy the great outdoors? How do you reverse the effects of the sun’s sizzle once it’s left its mark?

Here at the offices of Dr. Leo McCafferty, we know the secret to beautiful, healthy skin comes from protection, prevention, and treatments tailored to your active schedule and budget…

The Skinny on Skin Protection
Most people know it’s important to use a sunscreen against the sun’s UV rays. But did you know?…

  • The trick to effective sunscreen coverage is reapplication. Perspiration, swimming and other outdoor activities can erode sunscreen. This is why it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours for proper coverage. While wearing sunscreen may be difficult if you wear makeup, don’t go without– consider using a tinted moisturizer with at least an SPF 15.
  • Not all hats are made equal. A broad-brimmed, tightly-woven hat is a smart choice to shield yourself from the sun’s rays. Baseball caps may seem effective, but don’t offer enough protection for the sides of the face and ears.
  • Use a different sunscreen for your face than the rest of your body. While there are a number of good sunscreens available over-the-counter for the body, your face may require special protection, particularly for patients undergoing chemical peels and other skin treatments– or before and after plastic surgery. Quality protection is critical to ensure the best results. We have five different types of sunscreen available to help protect the face; these don’t contain the harmful perfumes of standard sunscreens, which can interact with some skin treatments and cause inflammation. Contact us for the sunscreen right for you!

From Sun Damage to Sensational
If your skin is currently sun damaged, you might worry your complexion will never shine again. But even patients who practically live outdoors have rediscovered a fresh healthy look through our customized skincare treatments. Here’s how…

  • Working Together to Treat the Whole Patient. As one of the first aesthetic surgery offices in the Pittsburgh region to offer skincare as a part of overall patient health, we know: treating the patient as a whole means better results, great value, and happier patients. So what does this mean to you? This means we take the time to evaluate your lifestyle, schedule, and needs. We evaluate the products you use, and see how they’re working for you—or are they working? Bring in your products and we’ll discuss it. Why continue to purchase products that aren’t helping you achieve the results you want? We’ll work with you to make sure your skincare regimen is effective, not burdensome, and provides real benefit to you.
  • Education To Help You Achieve the Skin You Love. Once we discuss your goals, lifestyle, and evaluate your products, we will then design a treatment plan for you to fit your needs and daily life. You’ll leave our office with helpful information to guide you on your skincare routine– both morning and night. This will save you time, and increase your confidence, as we work together toward healthier skin.
  • Medically-Supervised Options for Safe, Beautiful Results. While salons or spas offer skincare treatments, as certified plastic surgeons, we also provide a wide range of effective, medically-supervised skin care treatments. You’ll relax with treatments you can trust!

Solid protection, effective treatments, and customized skincare plans that help you not only achieve healthy skin, but gain the most value from your choices…

Looking your best has never been easier. Come on in and discuss your skincare goals.

Mention this blog post when you make your appointment and receive a complimentary sunscreen along with your one-on-one educational consultation.

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Member, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery