Category Archives: Cosmetic Surgery

Tummy Tuck with Liposuction | Huntsville Plastic Surgery | Scottsboro SurgeonAre diet and exercise not giving you the flat tummy that you would like to have? Then you may want to consider a tummy tuck.

Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, will flatten the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles.   It is not the same as liposuction, although you may add the liposuction procedure to the tummy tuck surgery.

A tummy tuck will remove excess skin while tightening loose or separated abdominal muscles to give you a more smooth and toned physique. However, if you also have areas of stubborn fat, such as love handles, a tummy tuck alone is not likely to be the most effective option.

Liposuction, a body contouring procedure, uses suction to remove pockets of fat that are not responding to diet and exercise. While liposuction can get rid of love handles, back rolls and baby fat, it won’t address excess skin or muscle laxity, which often accompany a pregnancy or big weight loss.

So, to achieve your best look, combining the two procedures may be your best option. Dr. McLain will discuss your best options during your consultation.

There are benefits to adding liposuction to the tummy tuck including you will only need to schedule one surgery, and you will have only one recovery period.

Combining a tummy tuck with liposuction can maximize your body contouring results in a way that isn’t possible with either procedure on its own. Excess fat and loose skin often go hand in hand, so treating both of these cosmetic concerns at the same time is often the most efficient and effective approach.

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Are you ready for a change to make you look and feel younger? Are there certain things about your face that you would like to change? Facial implants are designed to enhance or augment the physical structure of your face.

Facial implants, such as cheek and chin implants, are available in a variety of shapes and styles, and they are designed to restore contour and/or proportion to your face. As we age, we lose some of our fatty tissue, which causes the skin to sag, these implants can help restore fullness as well as contouring.

You may want to consider facial implants:

  • If you wish to enhance the definition and fullness of your cheeks or jawline
  • If you wish to correct facial asymmetry or deformities caused by an injury or congenital conditions.
  • If you have a weak or receding chin
  • If you wish to restore contouring to your facial structure after aging changes.

During your consultation, Dr. McLain will help you decide what is best for your facial structure and your ultimate goal with chin and/or cheek implants.  He and his staff will answer any questions you may have during your consultation and throughout the process.  If you think implants might be right for you, call McLain Surgical Arts to schedule your consultation.

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Rhinoplasty: Improving the Look of Your Nose | Huntsville Cosmetic SurgeryRhinoplasty is commonly known as a nose job. It is a plastic surgery procedure for altering and reconstructing the nose.

There are two types of plastic surgery used in a rhinoplasty depending upon what is the ultimate goal and outcome that you would like:

  • Reconstructive surgery restores the form and functions of the nose.
  • Cosmetic surgery changes the appearance of the nose.

Rhinoplasty may enhance facial harmony and the proportions of your nose. It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.

Here are some things that rhinoplasty can treat:

  • Nose size in relation to facial balance
  • Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
  • Nose width at the bridge
  • Nasal tip that is enlarged, drooping or hooked
  • Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
  • Nasal asymmetry

Dr. McLain will examine your nose and your entire facial structure to help you determine the best course of action when you want to make cosmetic changes. The goal will be to create facial balance and correct proportion.

Rhinoplasty may also be used to correct a deviated septum. Dr. McLain will examine your nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing. A deviated septum is one of the most common causes of breathing impairment.

Should he determine that rhinoplasty can help with your breathing, Dr. McLain will adjust the nasal structure to produce better alignment, which will make breathing a lot easier.

At your consultation, Dr. McLain will discuss with you your goals and your overall health. He will also answer all of your questions as you consider whether rhinoplasty is right for you.

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. As we age, the skin around our eyes may become saggy and droopy giving a tired appearance to the face causing one to look older than their years.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyes and surrounding area. The surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both.

Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, blepharoplasty can improve the appearance for a more youthful, rested look.

As skin ages, it usually loses its elasticity. A lack of elasticity plus gravity causes skin to collect on the upper and lower eyelids. On the lower eyelid, excess skin causes wrinkles and bulges. On the upper eyelids, extra skin can actually cause vision problems.

The best candidates for an eye lift are people who are in good health and who have a realistic idea of what they want. Most are 35 years or older, but if baggy or droopy eyelids run in your family, you may choose to have the procedure done earlier.

Here are some things that eyelid surgery can treat:

  • Fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
  • Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid
  • Excess skin that causes vision impairment
  • Bags under the eyes
  • Drooping lower eyelids that expose whiteness below the iris
  • Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid

Because eyelids are part of the face, the appearance of a drooping upper lid may also be due to relaxation of the forehead skin and eyebrow.

If you are thinking of having eyelid surgery, whether to improve your overall appearance, or because sagging eyelids are causing vision problems, Dr. McLain will talk you through the process. At your consultation, he will discuss your goals, and he will help you achieve them.

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Prosthodontics 

Prosthodontics involves the restoration of oral function, comfort, and aesthetics by placing artificial substitutes. A wide range of restorations such as fillings, crowns, veneers, dentures, bridges, and dental implants are a part of prosthodontic treatment.  

Your dentist will use these artificial materials to restore damaged teeth, anchor crowns/bridges/dentures with dental implants, replace missing teeth, improve oral aesthetics, and correct orofacial problems.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.  

Restoration of Damaged Teeth 

ProsthodonticsTeeth can be damaged during the developmental process, or the damage may occur at a later stage due to caries, teeth grinding, trauma, failing restorations, tooth exposure to acidic substances or reduction of salivary flow. Complexity of each dental condition will vary, and may involve minor or comprehensive prosthodontic intervention to address the patient’s unique concerns.  

Replacement of Missing Teeth  

Missing teeth can be replacement with the help of a variety of prosthodontic treatment options. Depending on the patient’s needs and personal goals, the dentist may recommend a fixed bridge, dental implants, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, or a combination of treatment options.  

The key to success in these procedures is to choose an experienced dentist who can provide high quality prosthodontic care. The dentist should have a thorough understanding of the dental lab work, and engage closely with the lab technicians to make sure that the customized prosthesis in each case is well-fitting, comfortable, and aesthetically appealing for the patient. 

Dental Implants  

Dental implant surgery is the most effective way to replace a missing tooth. The results with implants are long lasting or even permanent, and the success rate of the implant procedure is very high as long as a skilled oral surgeon performs it.  

Implant placement does not involve adjacent teeth for support, which allows the dentist to restore a missing tooth without compromising the health of surrounding teeth. Results are sustainable and natural looking, and you will not have to undertake any significant or special care for your implant in the long run.  

Cosmetic Dental Procedures

An experienced oral surgeon will be able to ensure that whether you need a single tooth restoration or more extensive oral rehabilitation, the artificial components used in your treatment harmoniously blend with the surrounding oral environment. In that sense, prosthodontic treatment and aesthetic skills go hand in hand.  

Your dental procedure must not only improve function and comfort levels, but also successfully reproduce shape, form, color, and aesthetics. Prothodontic expertise involves advanced bonding and whitening techniques, use of veneers and other solutions to enhance oral appearance and reshape teeth, natural looking color match, and the precise crafting and placement of fixed prosthesis like bridges and crowns.   

Correction of Complex Conditions  

Prosthodontic treatment can help improve the relationship between teeth and jaws for a correct bite. The oral surgeon will combine these treatments with other solutions to correct birth deformities such as cleft palate, treat traumatic injuries and disorders such as TMJ, as well as perform complex oral restorations for patients treated for head and neck cancer.  

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact McLain Surgical Arts in Huntsville, AL to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Having children is a rewarding but tiring job. Not only will it make you mentally and physically exhausted on some days – but it will take a toll on your looks, as well. A Mommy Makeover is the perfect rejuvenation to make you look and feel better again.

What is a Mommy Makeover? The goal is to restore the shape and appearance of a woman’s body after she has had children.

There are many areas of the body that can be addressed when looking to make physical improvements after childbirth. Some of these include:

  • Breasts
  • Abdomen
  • Waist
  • Buttocks

Many techniques may also be used to perform a Mommy Makeover. These will be up to you and your doctor, and will depend on: the desired amount of restoration, placement of the incisions, and the type of implant that may be used.

When you go for you appointment be prepared to discuss:

  • Your surgical goals
  • Any medical conditions you may have
  • Previous surgeries
  • Any medications you may be taking such as vitamins and herbal supplements

Your cosmetic surgeon will do a full examination and talk with you about your goals. The surgeon will also take photographs and discuss with you the likely outcomes of Mommy Makeover surgery including any risks or potential complications.

Be prepared to ask your surgeon questions that you may have. Make a list of questions before your initial visit. It is very important that you understand all aspects of your Mommy Makeover.

It is also perfectly normal to feel some anxiety and excitement at the prospect of your makeover. Don’t be shy about talking with your surgeon about any of these issues.

Out Of Town Patient Guide

Cosmetic surgery is a life altering procedure, and it makes sense to go the extra mile in choosing the best surgeon for your needs. Discerning patients recognize that the choice of the surgeon is the single most important factor that will impact their results. Therefore, they are often willing to travel out of town to seek the best possible treatment for their aesthetic concerns. 

McLain Surgical Arts, led by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain, provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.  

Long Distance Consultation  

shutterstock_1264838881Out of town patients usually have the choice between an in-person consultation and a long distance consultation with the surgeon. If you are busy or stay afar, it may not be feasible for you visit separately for a pre-surgery consultation. In this case, your surgeon and their team will make all efforts to ensure that you have an equally satisfying and productive consultation over the phone, Skype and email.  

Prior to your virtual consultation, you will have to submit your patient forms, medical history and images pertaining to your areas of concern (typically front-view and side-view images). The surgeon will review these details and prepare a customized surgical plan for you. Feel free to ask questions during the consultation and clear all your doubts.  

Scheduling Your Surgery 

Once you are ready to go ahead with the cosmetic surgery, your patient coordinator at the surgeon’s office will help you schedule a convenient date for surgery.  

You will also receive pre-surgery preparatory instructions, such as avoiding smoking and discontinuing NSAIDs and herbal medications, if any for at least two weeks prior to your procedure. Depending on your procedure, your surgeon may also require you to have some medical tests and blood work and submit the results to their office.  

Travel Plans 

Your patient coordinator will help you to make advance reservations for your transport and accommodation in the city for your surgery. The entire surgical team will do everything to make your out of town surgery experience as seamless as possible. 

You should ideally arrive in town a day or two head of your surgery, and plan to stay for a few days until you have recovered enough to safely travel back home. Your surgeon will give you an estimated recovery timeline according to your procedure. In general, you should expect to stay back for about one week after your surgery to allow the incisions to heal well.  

Post-Operative Care 

Your best option would be to bring along someone you can trust to assist you during your surgery and a day or two afterwards. Your caregiver can accompany you back to your hotel after the surgery, and preferably stay for at least 24 hours to provide you physical and emotional support.  

Hotels in Huntsville 

  • Embassy Suites  
  • The Westin Huntsville 

Airport 

Huntsville International Airport is located 15 miles west of town. Flights are available to and from cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Houston and New York City. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for safe and proven cosmetic procedures.   

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL.  Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Actual patient: Facelift Plastic Surgery Before

Actual patient: Facelift Plastic Surgery Before

Afer

Facelift Plastic Surgery After

…and cosmetic surgery is not plastic surgery!

It can be difficult in this modern day climate of heavy advertising, social media and internet searches for prospective cosmetic surgery patients to learn the truth about cosmetic procedures and the surgeons who perform them. Unfortunately, the online plethora of marketing, advertising and websites has muddied the waters about cosmetic surgery and unscrupulous groups and individuals have taken advantage of the flotsam and jetsam to advance their own agenda. It is disappointing to see, but the “turf battles” in healthcare and among physician specialties are often the nastiest and most intellectually dishonest encounters imaginable. The battles between surgical specialties that encompass esthetic/cosmetic surgery are no exception. This is especially evident in the attempt by some to equate plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery

The truth is that no one specialty owns cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is recognized by the AMA (American Medical Association) as a separate and distinct specialty from plastic surgery. In fact, the nation’s largest cosmetic surgery group, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) which is comprised of physicians from multiple specialties, including plastic surgery, has voting delegates in the AMA House of Delegates. Cosmetic surgery is the surgery of appearance. It is elective and focuses on the aesthetics of beauty.

Plastic surgery

Plastic surgery is primarily reconstructive in nature and was born out of the need to repair severe head and neck injuries during World War I. As there were no “plastic surgeons” at the time, the U.S. Surgeon General (William C. Gorgas) combined oral surgeons and general surgeons to form the Department of Oral and Plastic Surgery to treat these injured soldiers. Interestingly, Dr.’s Robert Ivy and Varaztad Kazanjian, who are considered the fathers of plastic surgery in the U.S. were originally oral surgeons. The prestigious American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), which limits its membership to only the most accomplished plastic surgeons in the country, was originally founded by oral surgeons and physicians and was called the American Society of Oral and Plastic Surgeons until 1931.

Before

Actual patient: Buttocks Liposuction Before

Afer

Actual patient: Buttocks Liposuction After

Unfortunately, some (not all) organized plastic surgeons attempt to mislead the public about who is competent to perform cosmetic surgery and the most deceptive lies are those that contain some grains of truth. Plastic surgeons (like many other surgical specialists, including but not limited to, Otolaryngologists/ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dermatologists and Ophthalmologists) do learn cosmetic procedures during their residency. However, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) only recommends that residents in plastic surgery perform 110 cosmetic procedures to be considered adequately trained. These include ten breast augmentations, seven face lifts, eight blepharoplasties, six rhinoplasties, five abdominoplasties, ten liposuctions, and nine “other” cosmetic procedures.

I do not believe that number of procedures is enough to become truly efficient in the full scope of cosmetic surgery and in fact, most plastic surgery educators agree with me. This is exemplified in a 2008 article published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal, where a survey of cosmetic surgery training in plastic surgery programs in the United States found that the majority of the plastic surgery program directors encouraged their residents to pursue some type of postgraduate cosmetic fellowship. There is no doubt that the residency experience pales in comparison to formal fellowship training in cosmetic/esthetic surgery.

Before

Actual Patient: Tummy Tuck & Breast Augmentation Before

Afer

Tummy Tuck & Breast Augmentation After

Fellowship training is widely recognized as the highest level of training available after residency and denotes extraordinary commitment to that field of medicine or surgery. Personally, I was fortunate enough to perform over 1400 cosmetic surgeries during my accredited fellowship.   Also, in contrast to many residency experiences, as the cosmetic surgical fellow, I was responsible for the patients’ from their initial consultation to their surgery and through their postoperative course. Unfortunately, many residents do not gain enough experience in the university setting to meet cosmetic surgery requirements and are sent out to private offices to “scrub in” on cosmetic cases to gain sufficient numbers.  This means that many of the nuances of patient selection, treatment planning, informed consent, and management of postoperative complications are likely missed.  That said, I have many plastic surgery colleagues who are very experienced in esthetic surgery and are excellent at it; but just having the designation “plastic surgeon” does not assure a patient of that surgeon’s proficiency in cosmetic surgery.

Dermatologists

Contemporary educators will freely admit that cosmetic surgery is a multi-specialty field that includes leaders and contributions from many surgical specialties. For instance, dermatologists pioneered laser surgery, chemical peels and invented tumescent liposuction.  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons also made significant advances in aesthetic facial skeletal surgery and facial implants.  Ophthalmologists have contributed many techniques for cosmetic eyelid surgery and cosmetic uses of botulinum toxin. Gynecologists have introduced or improved cosmetic vaginal surgery.  ENT physicians have advanced the field of rhinoplasty and facelifting techniques on a continual basis.   Plastic surgeons have made remarkable advancements in breast and body contouring procedures. The list goes on and anyone that disagrees with the fact that contemporary cosmetic surgery is a multi-specialty realm simply has their head in the sand or has intentions of secondary gain.

The real bottom line is that there is no residency for cosmetic surgery and in my opinion, the ideal surgeon is one who has completed a formal fellowship in cosmetic surgery, or has a vast amount of cosmetic surgical experience.  This could be a surgeon or surgeons from a multitiude of specialty backgrounds. Although board certification is an indicator of basic surgical competency, it is only one component that should be considered when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. Depending on the community in which you live, the best person to perform your rhinoplasty may be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ENT/Otolaryngologist and the best person to perform your liposuction procedure may be a board certified cosmetic surgeon or a general plastic surgeon.

Also, any honest and competent surgeon should be willing to discuss their actual training and experience in the procedure(s) considered and not just hide behind some board certification. Lastly, successful and accomplished surgeons seldom disparage their competition because they are: 1) confident in their own abilities, 2) are too busy with surgery to waste time belittling others, and 3) realize that their competition will not last long if they aren’t getting good results, and if they are, they should be respected as colleagues.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery in Huntsville, AL with Dr. Landon McLain, please visit our website at McLainsurgicalarts.com

Tooth Extraction 

Common Oral Surgical Procedure Tooth ExtractionTooth extraction is a dental procedure to remove a tooth from its socket in the bone. When you have a decayed, damaged or broken tooth, your dentist will first try to restore it with a filling, dental crown, or another treatment. However, if the damage cannot be repaired with these treatments, a tooth extraction may have to be performed.  

Sometimes a very loose tooth may also have to be extracted, if even bone grafting surgery cannot save the tooth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides oral surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. 

Types of Tooth Extraction Procedure 

Simple Extraction 

If the tooth is visible in the mouth, it is usually removed with a simple extraction. In this procedure, your dentist will loosen the affected tooth using an instrument called elevator. Thereafter, they use dental forceps to take out the tooth.  

Surgical Extraction 

If the tooth has broken off at the gum line or has not yet erupted into the mouth, it will have to be removed with a more complex procedure called surgical extraction. Your oral surgeon will make a minor incision into the targeted gum tissue area. It may also be necessary in some cases to remove a part of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in two pieces in order to extract it.  

Anesthesia for Tooth Extraction 

While a simple extraction can be performed using a local anesthetic, a surgical extraction will usually require local anesthesia as well as IV sedation. General anesthesia may be needed in some cases, such as with young children or with patients suffering from specific medical conditions. 

The surgeon may administer steroids and other medications through IV if you are undergoing conscious sedation. The steroids will help to keep you pain-free after the surgery and mitigate post-surgical swelling. While you may experience some pressure during the tooth extraction process, you will not feel any pain.  

Post-Treatment Pain Management 

You will receive post-op care instructions from your dentist following your tooth extraction. Before you leave their office, make sure you clarify any questions or concerns that you may have. After the treatment, some discomfort is expected even in case of a simple extraction. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can be highly effective to reduce pain after your tooth extraction. 

Take the medications in the dosage prescribed your dentist. Once the local anesthesia effect wears off, you should take your first pills. You may have to continue taking the pain meds as prescribed for at least three days. However, the actual degree of discomfort and how long the pain lasts will depend on the type of extraction and how complicated it was to extract your tooth.  

In many cases, the dentist may first prescribe pain medications for a few days, followed by an NSAID. The intensity of discomfort will significantly reduce after the first two days. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for oral surgery. 

Contact Us

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Breast Implant Exchange And Replacement | Huntsville | ScottsboroComplications may sometimes result from your primary breast augmentation cosmetic surgery, making it necessary to have the breast implants replaced. Breast implant exchange or replacement surgery should only be performed by a trained and experienced surgeon in order to achieve safe and sustainable outcomes. 

You should familiarize yourself with the procedure, and clarify any doubts and concerns with your surgeon during the pre-operative consultations. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides breast implant exchange and replacement to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

Breast implant replacement is a surgical option for women who may have suffered from capsular contracture or another type of implant damage, causing the implants to lose their shape, position or become leaky, hardened, or rippled. The life of a breast implant on average is 10 to 15 years. With time, even the best quality and well-placed implants could ruptured or develop capsular contracture. 

The surgeon will perform breast implant exchange surgery in a similar way to the original breast augmentation procedure. Their first choice will be to use the old incision lines, through which the old implants can be removed and replaced with new ones. This will create only minimal additional scarring in nearby areas. But if the patient seeks differently sized or shaped implants, the surgeon will have to adjust the breast pocket and create new incisions. 

If only breast implant removal is performed, it may be accompanied by breast lift. Over time, the aging effects will cause loss of skin elasticity, resulting in sagging breasts. Therefore, for women who want to remove the old implants without replacing them with new ones, the procedure may be to be combined with a breast lift. 

The surgery can be performed using general anesthesia and IV sedation. Most patients can go back home the same day after the surgery.

Choosing Between Implant Removal and Replacement

Breast implant replacement is often preferred over removal because the firm and natural looking breast appearance can be easily achieved. Also, implant replacement surgery is relatively less complicated and the risk of infection and bleeding is reduced. In case of implant removal, the breasts may deflate or become saggy. Therefore, to restore firmer and tighter breast appearance, the surgeon may perform a breast lift in conjunction with implant removal surgery.

Recovery 

Breast implant exchange and replacement recovery will vary from one patient to another depending on several factors. The kind of surgical technique used, the size of the implants, your age and health condition, and how diligently you follow the surgeon’s post-op care instructions will make a difference to the recovery.

In general, you can expect to go back to your workplace or resume your regular routine in about one to two weeks. Mild bruising, swelling and discomfort may occur initially. The surgeon will prescribe pain meds in the first week. Swelling will take longer to resolve fully, and the patient may have to wear a special surgical bra for several weeks until the new shape of the breasts is firmed up.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast implant exchange and replacement surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.