It’s a real pity there’s such a difference in Leia’s hairstyle during that deleted scene. In fact, I like that softer, ‘ponytailed’ look on her, and wish she’d had that throughout the majority of her scenes.
I think the real difference is her acting in this scene. This isn’t Leia we are seeing, it’s Carrie Fisher.
(speaking of discontinuity issues, anyone that ends up dispensing with the ‘Chewie/Nurse’ scene also gets rid of the fact that she is suddenly holding the gadget in her other hand)
This scene is integral to the edit. It explains why Han had to get a new jacket and shirt. That doctor stole them :p