Droopy eyelid skin; Removal is most common facial cosmetic surgery

Blepharoplasty is the medical term for a procedure often called eyelid tuck or eyelift. According to 2008 national statistics from the ASPS, eyelid cosmetic surgery was the most common facial surgery (followed by facelift, browlift). http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Media/Press_Kits/Procedural_Statistics.html

Similarly, in our practice in upstate South Carolina, eyelid is most common. It is performed as a single procedure or in combination with facelift or browlift, or other procedures. For more information call 864-676-1707 or see the e-mail link on our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html

Removal of hanging, loose, excess upper lid skin is the most common feature that patients request to freshen their appearance, make them look less tired or old. If there are upper fat pockets these can be removed. If there are lower eyelid bags these can be removed, tightened or hidden by a variety of techniques. If the skin texture is crinkled, then erbium:YAG laser resurfacing (peel) can be done to improve surface texture.

Each one of our patients is treated to post-operative lymphatic massage, carefully done by our experienced Skin Care Specialists (estheticians) to reduce post-op swelling, bruising or discomfort. They can also assist you with professional skin care products to enhance your surgical results, improve skin tone, pigmentation and texture. Make-up advice is available if you wish. We have Latisse eyelash enhancement prescription medication. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/skin.html

Cosmetic eyelid surgery and non-surgical eyelid enhancements at Dr. Sutton Graham's specialized practice. Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, Asheville

Breast Augmentation. Natural results by Dr. Sutton Graham

We particularly welcome those of you who are researching breast augmentation (breast implant) surgery. We have a reputation among patients, medical professionals, and the public in our region for providing outstanding care, both personalized and technical. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/augmentation.html

New consultation patients seeking information about breast augmentation often comment that they heard that we are known for helping women achieve natural appearing, proportional breast enhancement. Women are reassured when they express reservation about looking overdone, fake or unnatural after breast augmentation. Our surgeon and our experienced staff help patients make good decisions about implants.

We also apply this experience and knowledge to patients who are not satisfied with results of implant surgery done elsewhere and often many years ago. Surgical techniques have improved. Saline implants are now safer. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-breast.html#implant-position-problems

We welcome patients from our region and beyond. Georgia: Hartwell, Elberton, Toccoa, Athens. North Carolina: Asheville, Hendersonvile, Flat Rock, Tryon, Brevard, Cashiers, Toxaway, Highlands, Franklin. South Carolina: Greenville, Spartanburg, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Greer, Simpsonville, Greenwood, Belton, Abbeville, Anderson, Piedmont, Powdersville, Easley, Clemson, Seneca, Westminster, Sunset, Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Cliffs Communities, Landrum, etc.

Our website has more information for you. You are encouraged to call with questions (simple or complex) 864-676-1707.
Your can e-mail us at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com but remember e-mail is not private or secure.
Our photo gallery is available at http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/breast-augmentation-4793/case-1-12615-16304/32021

Dysport & Botox; wrinkle treatment by Dr. Graham in Greenville, SC

Sutton Graham, MD encourages breast cancer awareness

October in National Breast Cancer Awareness month. http://www.nbcam.org/ is a website designed to educate and promote public awareness. Other relevant sites: http://ww5.komen.org/ and http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

At Dr. Graham's Aesthetic Center for Breast & Cosmetic Surgery we constantly interact with women regarding breast health. A smaller portion of our practice is post-mastectomy reconstruction, and we have cared for breast cancer patients for 19 years. We have offered a variety of reconstruction techniques (tissue expanders, implants, autologous tissue reconstruction, latissimus flaps, abdominal flaps, TRAM flaps, and symmetry procedures such as reduction and breast lift).

A larger portion of our practice involves women without a personal history of breast cancer. We encourage our patients to be involved in breast health. We encourage monthly breast self exam, annual physician breast exam, recommended mammography, ultrasound, and now breast MRI if indicated. If your physician has a question examining you following breast reduction, breast augmentation or breast lift procedures, we offer advice. We are happy to help our patients. You can download a self-exam card at http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastSelfExam.html

Breast cancer is a very common condition and treatments have improved dramatically. We look forward to future advances, and eventually cures and prevention.

Mommy Make-over is such a cute term: thoughts by Sutton Graham, MD

I don't know came up with the term, but it is certainly cleaver, "mommy-make-over." For over 15 years, we have been addressing women's concerns about their post-pregnancy changes (post-partum) with a variety of solutions for the breast and body, plus measures for the facial pigmentation, etc.

We have solutions for the breast sagging, loss of breast firmness, decrease or unwanted increase in breast size, stretch marks, loose tummy skin, loose tummy muscles, indented c-section scars, new fat accumulations about the hips, thighs, abdomen and buttocks.

Mommy make-over isn't a particular operation, but rather a combination of procedures to address each woman's concerns. They are done as an out-patient and you recover at home with you family and friends. Special anesthesia techniques are used to minimize discomfort and speed recovery.

Dr. Graham address the tummy by non-surgical skin tightening, stretch mark removal, liposuction, short-scar abdominoplasty, standard tummy tuck, and often adds liposuction of the love handles. These can reshape the torso, define the waist, flatten the stomach, firm abdominal tone, and smooth the skin. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/tummy-tuck.html

He addresses the breast by implant augmentation, breast lift alone, breast lift with implants (augmentation mastopexy). If pregnancies have left you with uncomfortably larger breasts, then we offer breast reduction (standard of shot-scar techniques). http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/augmentation.html

Patients love our independent, private office and nationally accredited office surgical facility located on Halton Road in Greenville, SC. They come to us from throughout Upstate South Carolina, Western North Carolina and Georgia. Take a photo tour of our office by this link: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/about.html#office-tour

We welcome you and look forward to hearing from you.

Breast enlargement without implants: fat grafts / liposelection

Dr. Sutton Graham continues the best demonstrated techniques for breast enlargement (breast implant augmentation), and regularly updates his knowledge of proposed new techniques. Several recent media reports reference using fat grafts (fat transfer or liposelection) to enhance one's body contour (buttocks, breasts, cheeks, etc.). It is even showing up on Facebook. CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/22/health/webmd/main4539000.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody Detroit News:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091008/LIFESTYLE/910080309/1040/lifestyle03/Latest-liposuction-is-safer--less-painful-procedure-to-reshape-body#
Web MD: http://women.webmd.com/news/20081021/are-fat-injections-safe-for-breasts

Fat grafting is not a new idea, and plastic surgeons have used it for decades. The techniques have improved; harvesting and preparing patient's own fat for injection elsewhere in their body. The fat cell material attaches to blood vessels in the recipient area, and becomes a living part of your body, similar to a skin graft healing in place of a skin burn wound. Current techniques mean that a higher proportion of the transferred fat continues living in the new location. Most surgeons plan some degree of over treatment, because they expect more than one-third of the fat will be re-absorbed. Staged treatments are sometimes planned.

In our practice, fat transfer is most common for loss of attractive facial fullness (lips and cheeks), restoring a soft natural fullness. We also use it for buttock enhancement, usually in conjunction with liposuction of excess fat from the surrounding areas. It can be used to correct irregularities from prior injury or trauma (indentation in your normal fat). Dr. Graham is interested in the results of current studies that confirm the safety and effectiveness of fat graft augmentation of the breast. The controversial nature of breast fat transfer is highlighted in some of the article links above.

Saline implant breast augmentation remains a safe, proved method for breast enhancement. For more information call us (864-676-1707) or look at the augmentation of our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/augmentation.html

Tummy Tuck B&A photos by Sutton Graham, MD

Tummy tuck is called abdominoplasty by plastic surgeons; reshaping the abdomen.

These are some of our happiest patients! Women are excited when they see how much we can improve the effects of time, gravity, pregnancies, weight changes. If you want to see several examples follow this link: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty-4814/case-1-10867-16331/32069

If the problems are loose skin, stretch marks across the lower abdomen, a roll-like collection of fat, and / or poor tone of the abdominal wall then tummy tuck can improve your appearance. If you lost quite a bit of weight then you often experience some of these. On the other hand if the problem is only localized fat that doesn't respond to diet and exercise, then liposuction may be a better procedure. During your consultation, we will check and explain how each procedure can help. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/tummy-tuck.html

The procedure is done as an out-patient in our nationally accredited office surgery facility. You need assistance for a few days and will normally resume driving in 1 1/2 or 2 weeks. You wear a support girdle for 3 weeks post-op. We recommend starting vigorous exercise 6 weeks post-op. The recovery is more significant than for most other cosmetic surgery procedures, however we use special new techniques such as a continuous-infusion local anesthetic pump for 3-4 days after the procedure. This reduces you discomfort and decreases the need for narcotic pain medicine.

Tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction of the flanks and hip areas to improve the contour of the entire torso. Some patients choose to have breast enhancement (breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction) during tummy tuck. Occasionally we do unrelated procedures such as lip augmentation by fat graft or liposuction of the neck and under-chin area.

If you want to know more, call 864-676-1707 or e-mail at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com

Patients coming to us from a distance should plan a local hotel stay. However most patients come from a 50-100 mile radius and don't have such an issue. Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Anderson, Columbia, Hartwell, Highlands, Sapphire, Cashiers, Brevard, Henderson, Tryon, Landrum, Greer, Simpsonville, Newberry, Greenwood, Clemson, Lakes Hartwell & Keowee, Seneca, Pickens, Easley, and the Reserve and Cliffs Communities.