By Pat Lawrence
Dr. Lawrence Tarrant |
Beauty may only be skin deep, but that is where Dr. Lawrence Tarrant
does some of his best work. The Parkersburg plastic surgeon has spent
30 years skillfully repairing the work of Mother Nature and Father
Time. Sometimes he does a little; sometimes he does a lot.
About half his practice is cosmetic, he says. “And, probably
sixty percent of that involves breast surgery – augmentation,
reduction or reconstruction.” Reduction is more common than
augmentation in his practice. “A women with too-large breasts
often suffers back pain, posture problems and fatigue.
Reduction surgery causes minimal discomfort and the woman feels and
looks better right away. In West Virginia, insurance carriers generally
cover the procedure if at least 16 ounces of tissue are removed from
each breast.”
He also performs mastopexy, breast lift surgery. “Gravity and
child-bearing take their toll. A woman may have very elongated breasts,
but very little breast tissue. We remove the excess skin and lift
the breasts to a more natural, comfortable position.”
A saline implant is used for augmentations and/or reconstruction
after mastectomy. “The techniques for mastectomies have improved
a lot. They are not nearly as destructive as they were twenty years
ago.” Still, Dr. Tarrant prefers to be in the room when the
surgery is done “to protect my turf!” and then do his
work immediately afterward. “I can talk with the surgical team
about where extra skin and tissue needs to be available. Plus, it
is much less distressing for the woman to have everything done in
a single operation.”
Dr. Tarrant spends a lot of his time listening. “Women have
different reasons for coming. They can be medical, professional or
personal. A forty five year old working in a field populated by twenty
year olds. A wife who just wants to look good for her husband. Women
who look much older than they are because of tissue folds over the
eye, or deep creases in their cheeks. Women with chronic back pain
related to their large breast size.”
“There are a lot of options and each one has benefits and disadvantages.
My job is to present the whole menu of options, offer alternatives
and help a woman choose what course is best for her.” He says,
“A woman may come in thinking she needs a face lift. A better
choice might be surgery on just her eyelids. Sometimes the decision
is based on financial considerations. A face-lift costs $6-7000. Blepheroplasty,
to remove extra skin fold over the eyes, is about $1600. Under the
eyes is about $1900.”
Dr. Tarrant says many women can get the changes they want for their
face from laser treatment. “The laser creates a controlled second
degree burn. As the burn heals, layers of wrinkled or undesirable
skin are lifted off. The result is smooth, younger looking skin that
lasts for as long as ten years. It costs about $4800. However, over
time, lasered skin may become lighter or darker than untreated skin.
There isn’t one procedure that’s right for everyone. It
may be a combination of treatments.”
The microdermabrasion Dr. Tarrant performs, “like delicate
sand blasting on skin”, can reduce fine lines and give a more
youthful appearance to skin. He may also apply chemical peels of glycolic
acid, in prescription dosages, for problem skin. In addition, he offers
patients an array of skin care products that may be used alone or
in conjunction with medical procedures.
Early in his practice, Dr. Tarrant says, “I thought surgery
should be reserved for more severe cases –huge breasts or profound
wrinkling, or heavy folds of skin. But once I saw the wonderfully
positive affects for women, after moderate or even mild alterations,
I had to change my mind. The results for the woman can be dramatic.”
Dr. Tarrant sees women of all ages. “Women in their early twenties
may need a tummy tuck. Even women over 65 get facelifts with good
results. Each woman is different, with a different desire. We listen
and give our best recommendations based on what she tells us. After
30 years, it’s still gratifying to see the outcome.”
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