July 6, 2012

Summer 2012 Newsletter

Prepare for the Holidays Now

If you’re like many of us at Plastic Surgery Center of the South, you put off holiday decorating and gift shopping until absolutely the very last minute. While procrastinating may pay off if you’re trying to score department store bargains, it can backfire in the case of plastic surgery.
Summer is a great time to get started on your cosmetic surgery plan. By preparing now, you’ll be ready to slip into that New Year’s dress come January 1. Our Marietta plastic surgery office provides a number of procedures to help you look your best. Two that we recommend to make your big holiday event even bigger are breast augmentation and tummy tucks.

Breast Augmentation

Several of our patients have enhanced their self-image with breast implants in Atlanta, GA. Breast implants can help you fill out clothing and swimsuits so that you feel sexy, feminine and confident.
Deciding to have breast augmentation is just the first step. Throughout the process, you will make many important decisions about the details of the procedure. Some things to start thinking about now include:

  • Incision location: In the breast crease, around the nipple, under the arm or through the belly button?
  • Implant placement: Over or under the pectoralis muscle?
  • Breast implant material: Saline or silicone?
  • Breast implant style: Round or shaped; textured or smooth; high, low or moderate projection?

Our surgeons will explain the pros and cons of each of these options with you during your consultation. Call us today at (770) 421-1242 or request a consultation online to find out more about your breast implant choices.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA can be an extremely rewarding and transformative experience. Tummy tuck surgery can improve abdominal tone and create a fit, firm midsection by removing unwanted skin and fat from around the waistline. Even men and women who are in good overall shape can often benefit.
Our surgeons offer various tummy tuck techniques to achieve specific degrees of improvement. Three of the most common are:

  • Standard Tummy Tuck: This procedure is best for men and women who are at a healthy weight but who have stretched or weakened abdominal muscles and sagging skin around the midsection.
  • Mini Tummy Tuck: This approach works well for healthy, active men and women who are bothered by a small tummy “pooch” that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise.
  • Extended Tummy Tuck: This is designed for those who have a substantial amount of excess skin and want dramatic results.

Less-invasive Than Liposuction

Losing your “love handles” has never been easier than it is now, thanks to minimally invasive liposuction procedures in Atlanta such as CoolSculpting® and LipoDissolve. With only minor side effects and a speedy recovery, these procedures can help you lose stubborn bulges of fat and enjoy the healthy body you work so hard to maintain.
CoolSculpting : This completely non-invasive treatment uses special cooling technology to crystalize unwanted fat cells by taking them down to a very cold temperature. One treatment usually takes about an hour and can reduce fat in the targeted area by about 25%. Our patients are free to return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure.
LipoDissolve : LipoDissolve is an injectable method that uses naturally occurring compounds to break down excess fat. This treatment can be used on several areas of the body, including the back, stomach, thighs, knees and buttocks. It usually requires a series of treatments administered 4 to 6 weeks apart.

Less Pain, More Gain

Beauty shouldn’t have to be painful. That’s why Plastic Surgery Center of the South is proud to offer our patients a new medication called EXPAREL® to control pain following procedures such as breast augmentation and tummy tucks. EXPAREL is injected into the surgical site and provides sustained pain relief to the area for 72 hours. This reduces the need for post-operative oral medications, which can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea. This long-lasting numbing agent is an exciting breakthrough in pain management and greatly improves patient comfort after surgery.

Share this article

Recent Posts

April 15, 2026
In the high-stakes professional environments of Atlanta—from the boardrooms of Buckhead to the innovative hubs of Midtown—presence is often defined by confidence. For many women, physical proportion plays a significant role in how they carry themselves and how their professional attire fits. However, the modern approach to breast augmentation has shifted away from the pursuit of maximum volume. Today, the focus is on "proportional harmony"—a strategic alignment between your surgical goals and your unique physical frames. At Plastic Surgery Center of The South, we view breast augmentation not as a standalone procedure, but as a corrective and enhancing measure designed to bring the body into balance. Understanding that "size" is a subjective metric is the first step toward achieving a result that looks natural, feels comfortable, and enhances your professional silhouette. Beyond the CC: Understanding the Mechanics of Proportion Many patients begin their journey by researching a specific volume, often measured in cubic centimeters (CCs). However, focusing solely on a numeric value is a common pitfall. A "300cc" implant will look radically different on a tall, athletic frame than it will on a petite, narrow-shouldered individual. As your dedicated partner in aesthetic health, our approach prioritizes your specific anatomy. We evaluate several critical factors: Chest Wall Width: The diameter of your breast tissue and the width of your ribcage dictate the "footprint" of the implant. An implant that is too wide can lead to unnatural contours, while one that is too narrow may not provide the desired cleavage. Existing Breast Tissue: The amount of natural tissue available to cover the implant affects the final aesthetic. This is a critical consideration when discussing the nuances of silicone vs saline options. Torso Length: A longer torso can often accommodate more projection without appearing "top-heavy," whereas a shorter torso requires a more subtle profile to maintain a balanced midsection. Selecting the Right Catalyst: Silicone vs. Saline The choice of material is often a matter of tactile preference and long-term maintenance. Both silicone and saline implants have distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall proportion and feel of the breast. Silicone Gel Implants - Silicone is frequently the preferred choice for patients seeking the most natural mimicry of human fat and breast tissue. Modern "form-stable" or cohesive gel implants maintain their shape exceptionally well, which is vital for maintaining a consistent profile under professional garments. They are particularly beneficial for patients with less natural breast tissue, as they are less prone to "rippling." Saline Implants - Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater and offer the benefit of a smaller incision, as they are filled after insertion. While they can feel slightly firmer than silicone, they allow for precise, intraoperative adjustments to volume, ensuring that symmetry is achieved to the milliliter. During your consultation at Plastic Surgery Center of The South, we provide a comprehensive breast augmentation size guide through physical "sizers" and expert assessment, helping you feel the weight and see the projection of each option before your procedure. The Professional Silhouette: Symmetry and Clothing Fit For many of our patients in the business community, the primary motivation for surgery is the "proportional fit" of professional attire. When the bust is out of proportion with the hips and shoulders, blazers, sheath dresses, and tailored button-downs rarely fit off-the-rack. A successful augmentation achieves "The Balanced Profile": Shoulder Alignment: The bust should complement the width of the shoulders, creating a classic hourglass or athletic V-taper. The Lateral View: Proper projection ensures that the profile is feminine yet understated, avoiding an aggressive appearance that may feel out of place in a conservative corporate setting. Upper Pole Fullness: We focus on a natural slope rather than an artificial roundness, ensuring the results are indistinguishable from natural anatomy. Establishing Expertise: Why Local Specialization Matters At Plastic Surgery Center of The South, Dr. Corey Harkins, MD, who is a board-certified plastic surgeon in greater Atlanta is committed to his core values of ethics, integrity, honesty and education. His practice draws patients from Atlanta and across the U.S. The geographic context of his practice allows him to understand the lifestyle of his patients. Whether you are prepping for a keynote presentation or maintaining an active lifestyle your results must be durable, comfortable, and visually seamless. Long-Term Considerations for the Executive Lifestyle Breast augmentation is a long-term investment in your self-image. It is important to consider how your results will evolve over time. Longevity: While implants are not lifetime devices, choosing the right size and weight initially can prevent premature sagging or the need for a lift (mastopexy) later in life. Overly large implants can strain the skin envelope over time; choosing a proportional size ensures longevity. Recovery Management: For the busy professional, we utilize recovery protocols designed to minimize downtime, allowing you to return to your leadership role with minimal disruption. Health and Wellness: We prioritize your systemic health, ensuring that your implants do not interfere with mammographies or physical fitness routines. Actionable Takeaways for Your Transformation If you are considering breast augmentation, keep these strategic points in mind: Prioritize Dimensions Over CCs: Focus on how the breast will look in relation to your shoulder and hip width. Test Your Wardrobe: Bring a favorite professional blazer or dress to your consultation to see how different "sizer" volumes change the garment's fit. Consult the Experts: Avoid "template" surgeries. Ensure your surgeon provides a customized plan based on your unique chest wall measurements. Understand the Material: Weigh the benefits of silicone's natural feel against saline's adjustable volume and smaller incision. Your Path to Proportional Balance At Plastic Surgery Center of The South, we believe that aesthetic procedures should empower you to feel more like yourself. By moving beyond the simple metric of size and embracing the philosophy of proportion, you can achieve a result that enhances your confidence both in your personal life and your professional career. Our practice is dedicated to providing an executive-grade experience, from your initial private consultation to your final post-operative milestone. We invite you to explore how a tailored approach to breast augmentation can refine your silhouette and bolster your professional presence. To schedule an expert consultation and develop your personalized surgical plan, contact Plastic Surgery Center of The South today. Call us at (770) 421-1242 and let us help you find the perfect balance for your frame!
Woman smiling, holding hair, with
February 24, 2024
I perform a range of procedures at the Plastic Surgery Center of the South, and each kind of cosmetic surgery comes with different requirements and instructions. You should try to carefully follow each direction from your plastic surgeon, but I also give my patients a list of general tips to follow no matter what procedures […] The post Plastic Surgery Recovery: 3 Top Tips (Updated 2024) first appeared on Plastic Surgery Center of the South.
Woman touching her face, eyes closed, smiling, against a light gray background.
August 31, 2023
Have you considered cosmetic plastic surgery but aren’t sure if you’re a good candidate? Guess what? You’ve got company. Most people who come to our Atlanta plastic surgery practice admit they still have some doubts about going through with a procedure, whether it’s facial plastic surgery, body contouring, or breast enhancement procedure. Are You Ready […] The post QUIZ Plastic Surgery or Nonsurgical Treatments: Which Approach Is Right for You? first appeared on Plastic Surgery Center of the South.