Lipedema refers to a long-term or chronic condition where there is an abnormal accumulation of fat cells in the buttocks, thighs, and legs, and at times, in the arms. While the condition typically only affects women, it can also affect men in rare instances.

Lipedema usually causes painful fat pockets that are unresponsive to exercise and changes in diet. The condition differs between women. The affected site can be tender and prone to bruise easily. Lipedema can lead to fluid retention in the affected areas over time, causing a medical condition known as lymphedema.

It has not been confirmed, but lipedema is thought to have a genetic basis, as in certain cases there is a family history of the condition. 

At times, lipedema is mistaken for weight gain, obesity, cellulite or excessive lymphedema or is assumed to develop due to lack of exercise. Lipedema can significantly impact the quality of life for a patient. 

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides safe and proven treatments for lipedema to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Staging of Lipedema

Lipedema develops in stages, and the degree of tenderness, pain, inflammation, and fat accumulation may increase over time. Various areas of the body can be affected in different ways at every stage, depending on the individual. 

Stage 1

The skin is smooth with an increase of enlarged subcutaneous fat tissue.

Stage 2

The skin appears uneven with indentations in the fat tissue and substantial mounds of fat tissue (lipomas) able to be felt and seen.

Stage 3

In this stage, the patient has large extrusion of fat tissue leading to deformations, particularly around the knees and on the thighs. 

Stage 4

This stage is characterized by the development of lipolymphedema. This is a condition in which both lipedema and lymphedema are present in the body along with substantial tissue overhangs on the legs and/or arms.

Differences between Lipedema and Lymphedema

Lipedema refers to a chronic and progressive condition. Over time, it can develop into lymphedema. This occurs as the accumulation of fat impacts the ability of the lymphatic system to drain fluids, inflammatory molecules, and cell waste products from the tissues. 

In comparison to people with lipedema, individuals with lymphedema will find that:

• their feet or hands are impacted
• the level of inflammation is not the same if both legs or both arms are impacted-one limb is more inflamed than the other
• the inflammation develops due to the build-up of fluid in the lymphatic system
• in case the lymphedema is of short duration, the inflamed skin will indent or pit, when pressed with fingers-pressure creates a temporary mark on the skin 
• there is a higher risk of infection development

Other Reasons for Inflammation

Apart from lipedema and lymphedema, there are other causes of tissue inflammation. Therefore, a differential diagnosis is crucial.  

The other causes of tissue inflammation are as follows:

• Obesity: In this case, the fat tends to be unevenly spread over the entire body.

• Phleboedema and Chronic Venous Insufficiency: In this condition, there is the presence of fluid and absence of fat.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for lipedema treatment.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts after a breast augmentation cosmetic surgery or suffer from complications should consult a plastic surgeon for a breast implant revision surgery. A skilled and experienced breast revision surgeon can develop a personalized surgical plan to address the patient’s unique needs. 

At the time of the pre-op consultation process, the surgeon will try to evaluate the patient’s goals and assess the condition of the existing implants to determine the most suitable technique for the breast implant revision procedure. The patient should take this opportunity to get detailed information about the surgeon and identify an approach that is most appropriate for her. 

The consultation process represents a vital opportunity for the patient to understand more about the surgical procedure. Patients should make a list of their questions and concerns ahead of the procedure to get the most value from their consultation with the cosmetic surgeon.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Implant Replacement or Removal 

The patient’s choice for implant removal or replacement is a key decision taken during the consultation. Women, who have experienced capsular contracture, which leads to the implants losing their shape, position, or becoming taut, damaged or rippled, will necessarily need to undergo implant replacement or removal.

If the patient chooses to undergo only implant removal and not a replacement, she may require a breast lift as a component of the breast revision surgery. The surgeon will evaluate the breast skin laxity and consider the patient’s cosmetic needs to determine whether a breast lift should be a part of the breast implant revision surgery. 

Implant Choice, Incision Preferences, and Anesthesia

The surgeon will often use the incision lines from the previous surgery to remove the older implants and insert new ones. Using these incision lines will avoid the chances of additional scarring in new areas. 

But if the patient chooses implants that are different in size, shape, or type from the original implants, the surgeon may need to make changes to the implant pockets by making new incisions. 

An implant replacement cosmetic surgery procedure will be preceded by a detailed discussion between the surgeon and the patient during the consultation process, enabling them to arrive at the right decision regarding the new implants.

Surgeons typically advise patients to undergo a breast implant replacement procedure rather than an implant removal as this makes the surgery less complex and mitigates the possibility of bleeding and infection. 

For an implant revision procedure, patients are typically placed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. They can usually return home on the day of the surgery itself. The decision on anesthesia will depend on the patient’s general medical condition, the extent of the procedure, and clearance from the anesthesiologist. 

Developing Reasonable Expectations

A responsible surgeon will carefully evaluate the inherent cosmetic needs and goals of the patient regarding her breasts. They may show her before and after images of past breast revision surgeries to allow her to develop reasonable expectation about her surgery outcomes. 

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision. 

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

A patient may need breast implant revision surgery if they are unhappy with the results of their primary breast augmentation cosmetic surgery procedure, or if the implant develops a complication. 

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain various facets of breast implant revision surgery to the patient, including its estimated costs.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

Variations in Cost

Breast implant revision surgery costs can vary between patients depending on the complexity and length of the procedure. In general, revision surgery is more complicated than the original breast enhancement procedure. 

For this reason, the cost of revision surgery may be higher than that of the original procedure. If there was an error on their part, the surgeon might perform the revision surgery for free. This will depend on the policies of the practice on revision procedures.

The patient’s decision to replace or remove the implants will also affect the costs of revision surgery. Implant removal usually involves a breast lift, which will increase the costs of the procedure. In case the patient requires implant replacement, the procedure will be relatively simpler. However, the new implants will have an additional cost. 

Implant costs in breast implant revision surgery may be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. However, if the procedure involves the replacement of undamaged implants with new ones as a matter of personal preference, the warranty offered by the manufacturer may not apply. 

Other Cost Elements

Breast augmentation revision surgery costs may differ between practices depending on the geographical location of the practice. 

The real estate and overhead costs in main urban centers, popular tourist destinations, and coastal cities will typically be higher. Therefore, in these locations, the median costs of most types of products and services will be higher, including cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation revision surgery.

The costs of breast implant revision surgery will involve the charges of an anesthesiologist or anesthetic nurse if the surgery is performed using general anesthesia. 

The credentials and experience of medical professionals will determine their fee. The patient may receive the procedure at a hospital, an accredited surgical center, or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits will differ in each option. 

In addition, patients should take pre and post-surgical costs, such as medical tests, specialized mammograms, prescription meds, post-op consultations, and surgical garments, into consideration. While these expenses can seem small, they can add up to a substantial amount and should be taken into consideration in the original cost estimate. 

Insurance and Financing 

Breast augmentation revision surgery is an elective procedure, and it is unlikely that the patient will receive insurance coverage of this cosmetic surgery. However, when implants are used to restore the appearance of the breast of a patient who has undergone mastectomy, the patient may receive insurance coverage. 

All other patients can consider financing options such as medical care financing companies, private loans, bank loans, or credit cards. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision surgery.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

At some stage after breast augmentation plastic surgery, a woman may require a breast implant revision procedure. 

This procedure may be required due to medical, cosmetic, and emotional reasons. The candidate should be in good general health and not pregnant or nursing when considering a breast implant revision surgery.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will establish the patient as a candidate for breast implant revision. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities. 

Factors to Establish Candidacy

The plastic surgeon will assess various factors to determine a woman as a candidate for a breast implant revision procedure, including:

Ineffective Breast Implants

Breast enhancement is a popular and effective cosmetic surgery. But it may not always produce desirable cosmetic results. Unwanted surgical outcomes may develop due to various reasons, such as incorrect size, shape, and type of implants. 

Sometimes a woman may feel that she was happier with her natural body shape prior to the implant procedure or that the larger breast size is causing problems in undertaking routine tasks. 

In other cases, women may feel that the implants are larger or smaller than what they anticipated, or they may feel dissatisfied with the new breast profile and shape. A breast implant revision cosmetic surgery may be a suitable procedure for such women. 

Patients may also seek a breast implant revision surgery if they want to switch to silicone implants, which did not have FDA-approval previously. These women are also suitable candidates for revision implant surgery.

Surgical Complications

Some women may experience complications with breast implants after their breast augmentation cosmetic surgery procedure. These issues can occur at any stage after the surgery. The risks of complication are mitigated when a highly-skilled and experienced plastic surgeon undertakes the procedure. But complications may still develop in rare cases.

Another problem that may occur with breast implants is capsular contracture, where the scar tissue around the implant begins to squeeze and tighten the implant. In such instances, the patient will need to undergo scar tissue or implant removal. Certain patients may experience implant rupture or leakage due to normal wear and tear or faulty implants.

Implant rippling may occur due to the thinning of skin across the breasts because of hormonal changes or other reasons. Sometimes the breast implant may move from its original position, causing a lopsided appearance. These conditions may not be treatable externally, and the patient may need to undergo a breast implant revision surgery.

Other Considerations for Breast Implant Revision 

Other considerations may establish a woman as a candidate for breast implant revision surgery as well. A woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer following a breast enhancement surgery may require implant removal.

This may be a component of her cancer treatment plan. A woman may also seek breast implant revision surgery due to modifications in her lifestyle preferences. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision surgery.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Breast implant revision cosmetic surgery may be necessary in cases where the patient needs to have her breast implants removed or replaced due to damage to the implants or a change in her personal cosmetic choices. 

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will explain various facets of breast revision and assist the patient in determining her choice between breast implant replacement and removal surgeries.

Some surgeons may choose to present breast implant revision before and after pictures during the initial appointment to help the patient understand the potential effectiveness of this procedure. 

Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.

What are Breast Implant Revision Before and After Images?

In the case of breast implant revision cosmetic surgery, before and after images refers to a set of photos belonging to a previous patient who has undergone the same procedure with successful outcomes. 

The set includes images taken before the procedure and after the surgery at a time when the full results of the procedure are noticeable. It can take a few months for the complete results to establish when the post-operative inflammation has fully resolved. 

The surgeon will acquire these images with the express consent of the patient and show them to new patients in a judicious manner. The identity of the patient must be kept private, as per standard norms. 

The only reason that the surgeon displays these photos is to inform new patients about various facets of breast implant revision and explain to them the potential advantages of the procedure. Upon viewing these images, the patient can get clarity on what this procedure can and cannot do for them.

Benefits

A new patient seeking a breast implant revision plastic surgery may only have a limited comprehension of how the procedure could address her implant issues, and whether it will be able to address her personal cosmetic goals. 

Certain patients may need only an implant replacement while others may require implant replacement along with a breast lifts surgery. 

New patients may find it challenging to determine what is appropriate for them and what should be the optimal surgical plan. The treatment provider can show her breast implant revision before and after photos at this point to enable her to make a well-considered decision. This would be done during the consultation but many images of surgeries that closely pertain to this one can be seen on the website. 

Developing Reasonable Expectations

In a significant cosmetic procedure, such as breast implant revision (implant replacement), the patient can achieve the highest levels of satisfaction when they have a positive frame of mind, concise goals, and reasonable expectations. 

Breast implant revision surgery before and after images allow the surgeon to make sure that the patient understands precisely what to expect and what not to expect from the procedure. This reduces the risk of any disappointments from the procedure outcomes in the future. 

Dr. McCluskey believes in transparency which is why he has a long list of satisfied clients. His clients come from all walks of life and his website speaks volumes of his practice. 

Online Images

The surgeon may choose to share breast implant revision cosmetic surgery before and after images using social media and through their website to offer free access to all. Though right now, as already indicated, these exact pictures for this particular treatment are not on the website but this can change any time. 

With that said, many other images are on the website that pertain to surgery to the breast. This should offer you a salient idea on how serious we take every patient and how adept we are when it comes to surgery to the breasts.

New patients can easily see these images online and then decide whether to set-up a breast implant revision consultation with the surgeon. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant revision surgery.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Success rate in plastic surgery procedures has dramatically improved over the decades due to advancements in technology. However, the skill of the operating surgeon continues to be the single most important contributor to the final outcome in a procedure.

Clearly, the patients should invest time to choose the right surgeon for their needs. Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides advanced and innovative procedures for the body, breast, and face to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.  

Education and Training

Dr. Paul McCluskey is the founder and head of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta. Dr. McCluskey received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi and completed an internship in anesthesiology. During his internship, Dr. McCluskey was inspired to pursue plastic surgery following his mother’s breast reconstruction procedure. 

The hard working Dr. McCluskey completed a five year residency in General Surgery. As Chief Resident, he published his breast reconstruction research, and presented it at local and national conferences. 

He followed this with a residency in plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he trained with eminent leaders in the field of cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr McCluskey was a multi-year recipient of Resident of the Year awards. He has authored many peer-reviewed journal articles on a range of topics related to plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Expertise in Sexual Aesthetic Procedures

A growing number of women now want to choose plastic surgery as well as non-surgical cosmetic procedures to enhance their sexual aesthetics. Dr. McCluskey has the skill and experience to perform a wide range of sexual aesthetic procedures with outstanding results for his patients.

Professional and Personal Attributes

The committed Dr. McCluskey has been an innovator in the development of more effective techniques to perform plastic surgery as well as sexual aesthetic procedures. He combines his artistic surgical skills with cutting-edge techniques and technology. For this reason, patients from all walks of life choose Dr. McCluskey for their plastic surgery procedures. 

Dr. McCluskey and his team keep the patient’s safety, care, and confidentiality as their top priority at all times. He stays abreast with the latest practices offering a variety of surgical as well as nonsurgical cosmetic procedures to his patients. Patients are assured that Dr. McCluskey and his team will be available to guide them at every step of the process.

Excellent Bedside Manner

The focused Dr. McCluskey is known for his warm and comforting bedside manner. He has assisted countless patients in reshaping their body and making positive changes to their life through plastic surgery.

Personalized Care and Attention

Any cosmetic surgery procedure is a personal journey for the patient. They should ideally select a surgeon with whom they can develop a comfortable rapport, and who is willing to give enough time to listen to their concerns and remove their doubts. 

Dr. Paul McCluskey excels on all these counts. He is committed to providing personalized care and attention to every patient, irrespective of the type of procedure a patient is undergoing. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas. 

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:

• psiatlanta.com
• sexualaesthetics.com

Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead,  Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.