While many women embark on motherhood with unwavering joy, changes to their bodies during and after pregnancy have an unexpected side effect: body image issues. In fact, whether it is stretch marks and less than perky breasts, or flabby tummies and thicker thighs, unwanted post-baby bodies can add to a woman’s postpartum depression.

But according to Gregory Buford, MD, a board certified plastic surgeon with the Center for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, it doesn’t have to be that way. Dr. Buford, whose extensive training has propelled him to the forefront of his industry, pioneered Before Baby Body, a series of services that combats the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on a woman’s body so she can get back to that body she knows and loves.

A strong advocate of nutrition and exercise, Dr. Buford admits that sometimes diet and exercise alone can’t shed the unwanted fatty deposits formed after pregnancy – nor can a healthy lifestyle firm up flattened breasts. So when hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy produce stubborn fat build up in the tummy and thigh areas, and loss of volume in the chest, Dr. Buford says that the right balance of smart eating, exercise and customized nips and tucks can help all women reclaim their “before baby” body.

Dr. Buford believes that helping someone look and feel her personal best is an individualized approach. So he takes a compassionate interest in each patient, listening to her desire to reclaim the body she once had. Unlike many of his peers, Dr. Buford is especially adept at communicating with his patients to not only create original looks, but also make them feel comfortable during this often emotional time.

One patient extolled: “I did quite a bit of research prior to making my decision, and I felt confident in Dr. Buford’s abilities. He is not only an outstanding surgeon; he is a great person as well. The entire process (from initial consultation through post-op appointments) was perfect, and I was put at ease immediately with his professional manner. I couldn’t be more pleased with my results!”

In working closely with his clients, Dr. Buford determines their specific needs and develops a personalized plan that leaves each woman looking and feeling beautiful – inside and out. Dr. Buford’s Before Baby Body experience may include services such as:

• Breast augmentation & breast lift to restore shape and energy to the breasts
• Tummy tuck to regain elasticity in the abdomen
• VASER LipoSelection to correct problem areas resulting from pregnancy
• Chemical peels to lighten and eliminate stretch marks
• BOTOX or other injectables for a more rested appearance
• Customized Nutrition and Skin Care programs

For the many women who are interested in the rejuvenating aspects of plastic surgery, yet don’t know where to start or are discouraged by the myths surrounding plastic surgery, Dr. Buford is committed to providing clients with honest feedback so they can make informed treatment decisions. Additionally, as part of Dr. Buford’s tailor-made package, he minimizes another obstacle standing in women’s way: time.

With a new baby or a growing family, finding the time for plastic surgery can prove to be a challenge. But the Before Baby Body’s complete suite of services blend together to bring the best possible results with the least amount of downtime. Indeed, in six weeks or less after the procedure, patients will already be able to enjoy their beautiful, lasting results.

“Developing the Before Baby Body has added so much to my practice,” says Dr. Buford. “Seeing the transformation that women go through – from feeling inadequate emotionally and physically to feeling like the most beautiful person in the room – is the greatest reward of all.”

After all, why work so hard to perfect the face when hands can give your whole appearance away?

As the medical director of BEAUTY by BUFORD, Dr. Buford’s number one priority is delivering individual, realistic results that allow patients to achieve their personal best - and making sure their hands are just as youthful as the rest of their body is no exception. His hand rejuvenation procedures can successfully treat age spots and discoloration from sun damage, injury scarring, loss of fatty tissues and enlarged veins, all culprits in aging hands.

Providing a complimentary evaluation, he works closely with his clients to determine their specific needs and develops a personalized plan that will leave hands rejuvenated and restored to their youthful color and contour. He realizes that each patient is unique and looks to deliver a customized package depending on the individual.

Dr. Buford’s revolutionary hand rejuvenation treatments may include:

• Laser treatments to remove damaged skin or age spots and bring back smooth, fresher-looking hands
• Chemical peels to improve the quality and texture of the skin and encourage skin remodeling and collagen growth
• Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane injectable gels to instantly restore skin’s volume and replenish hydration
• Intense pulsed light to improve the appearance of age spots and other effects of skin damage
• Individually designed at-home maintenance program to encourage maintenance of revitalized skin and prevent further age-related changes

For those who are interested in hand rejuvenation, yet don’t know where to start or are discouraged by the myths surrounding cosmetic surgery, Dr. Buford is committed to providing clients with honest feedback so they can make informed treatment decisions. And interested parties shouldn’t be deterred by age: Of the 100 patients queried for a BEAUTY by BUFORD survey, 46% of respondents had their first procedure between the ages of 25 and 29.

“Given the beating that our hands take, they are prone to aging much faster than the rest of our bodies,” says Dr. Buford. “So I’ve been trying to educate my clients, emphasizing that maintaining a youthful appearance starts with the hands.”

To address the first concern, most patients are concerned about side-effects related to narcotic pain medications. They simply don’t have the time nor the patience to be senseless, nauseated, and lose their appetite simply to achieve effect pain control. Thankfully, times have changed. Today’s Plastic Surgeon is armed with more options including non-narcotic pain relievers, localized nerve blocks, and topical devices aimed at reducing their post-operative discomfort. In my practice, all patients begin on a loading dose of Celebrex, a non-narcotic pain reliever, the night before surgery. Following their surgery, they continue with a lower dose of this medication and supplement with a narcotic pain reliever as needed. In addition, to help reduce the need for any pain medication following surgery, I not only inject their breasts with numbing medication during the procedure, I also wash out the implant pocket with antibiotic solution and additional numbing medicine. Most importantly, I also perform an Intercostal Nerve Block immediately before the procedure which I feel is extremely effective in reducing immediate post-operative discomfort. As a result, a majority of my patients are able to greatly decrease their reliance on narcotics and transition to non-narcotic pain medications within 24-48 hours following surgery and continually remark to both myself and my staff that their recovery was much easier than anticipated.

As far as activity restrictions, I recommend that they not lift anything heavier than 6-8 pounds (including their children) for one week after surgery and that they hold off on any aggressive physical activities for the first few weeks during their recovery. They are encouraged to return to light exercise one week after surgery as long as it doesn’t involve the use of their shoulders or chest muscles. From here, they can usually return to aerobic activities, running, Yoga, and Pilates within 4-6 weeks.

A majority of my patients return to work as early as 3 days after their surgery as long as their profession does not require extension lifting or use of their chest muscles. As compared to years past, Breast Augmentation is now a more finely tuned procedure in both what we do during and after the actual procedure. The result is a more comfortable and more rapid recovery and an overall very happy patient population.