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Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about plastic surgery procedures.  This includes a facelift, tummy tuck, liposuction, rhinoplasty, ear surgery, eyelid surgery, breast lift, breast augmentation, or a breast reduction.  If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.

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All surgical procedures are accompanied by a certain degree of risk, whether the procedures are for medical or cosmetic reasons.  Our expert team is dedicated to making your operation go smoothly.  We careful review your medical history and current health condition before deciding if it is safe for you to proceed with surgery.  It is important that you fully disclose all pertinent information so that we are able to make an accurate assessment of the risks involved.  We will take every precaution necessary to reduce the possibility of any complications.
A:

There several important factors that come into play when deciding whether plastic surgery is the right option for you.  One of the most important factors is your health.  Being in good health greatly reduces the risk of complications occurring during surgery and leads to a speedy recovery.  Next, you need to ask yourself what your motivations are.  People who have plastic surgery generally find that the surgery enhances their overall appearance and self-esteem.  Thirdly, you should have realistic expectations.  Plastic surgery is both a science and an art, neither of which are perfect.  Set reasonable goals as to the result you wish to achieve and be prepared to thoroughly discuss these goals during your initial consultation.
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It is a relatively common practice for a plastic surgeon to perform multiple procedures during one operation.  This allows the surgeon to better “sculpt” your final appearance.  In addition, having several procedures done simultaneously saves you the expense of paying the operating room and anesthesia costs more than once.  However, having too much done at one time can lead to complications.  The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being done, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health.  Ultimately, the surgeon decides whether or not it is appropriate to include more than one procedure in your operation.
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Due to the variety of procedures available in plastic surgery, there can be no blanket rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation.  People of all ages have taken advantage of the image-enhancement offered by plastic surgery.  There are even procedures appropriate for young children!  It is important to realize the limitations of plastic surgery.  Plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process.  What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another.  We are committed to making your plastic surgery experience a successful one.
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During your consultation we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) in question are right for you.  This is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery.  We will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging.  When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.
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Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time.  The length of recovery varies with each procedure and is different for each individual.  Bruises usually disappear within a few days, and most swelling is gone in a matter of weeks.  If you follow our post-operative instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy your normal activities within no time.  Your scars will fade over time but are permanent.  We take care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible, if at all.  The image-enhancing effects of plastic surgery become more evident over time with certain procedures taking up to a year for your body to fully adjust and settle into its new look.  When you come in for your consultation we can discuss your expected recovery period and any post-operative instructions in detail.
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Insurance providers generally cover costs for reconstructive surgery but not for cosmetic surgery.  For example, insurance providers will often pay for breast augmentation to reconstruct a breast following a mastectomy; breast reduction to remedy back pain caused by heavy breasts; eyelid surgery to remove sagging skin that blocks vision; nose surgery to allow for a patient to breathe better; or tummy tucks to remedy the vertical separation of abdomen muscles known as diastasis.  Insurance providers are required by law to cover breast reconstruction surgery and any cosmetic operations necessary to create symmetry in either breast. If your surgery is covered by insurance, pre-certification is required.  We will be happy to assist you with the process.
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The issue of breast implant safety has been a hot topic throughout the last few decades.  As a result, more stringent standards have emerged in order to protect patients.  Current breast implant procedures primarily use silicone shell implants filled with a saline solution.  Occasionally, silicone-gel filler is used; but this is highly regulated by the FDA, and generally only acceptable in reconstructive surgery procedures.  Rarely, an implant will rupture or leak.  With saline implants, the saline is safely absorbed into the body.  The effect of silicone-gel leaking into the body is still being researched.  If rupture or leaking is detected early, the implant can be easily replaced.  Other possible complications from breast implant surgery may include blood clotting or pooling, overly sensitive breasts or loss of sensation in the breasts, and capsular contracture (a hardening of the tissues surrounding the implant).  Our expert team is dedicated to making your operation a smooth one.  We take every precaution necessary to reduce the possibility of any complications.
A: A full tummy tuck can remove most, if not all, of the stretch marks below your belly button.  However, for you it's difficult to determine the extent of skin removal possible without actually examining you.  The stretch marks above the belly button are harder to remove, and may require a reverse tummy tuck where the skin is pulled up and removed.  Check with a local plastic surgeon to see which procedure is best for you.
A: Brachioplasty is a great procedure to remove the excess skin and fat from the arms as well as make them look more trim and thinner.  The procedure can be done alone as an outpatient or combined with other procedures as a brief overnight stay in the hospital.  The scar is the only downside as it extends from the elbow to the armpit, but with good scar therapy you can minimize the scarring.  For recovery, I would recommend a week for work and exercise.  Then, return gradually and the pain is also well controlled with oral pain medication. 
A: This tissue can be removed by under either local or general anesthesia.  Another option would be sedation anesthesia where you would get a little "twilight" anesthesia without the breathing tube and then your surgeon could inject the local anesthesia.  This way, you wouldn't be aware of the injections, and when you wake up a little you're axillae will be numb.
A: Surgery for underarm skin, or brachioplasty, can leave you with scars from your elbow to your armpit.  However, there really is no other good way to remove this skin.  If it's only fat that's a problem, liposuction may do the trick.  A tuck only under the armpit may not fully adress all of the exces skin that you're concerned with.  Talk with other patients and look at their scars to see how the scars can turn out.
A: In order to soften the appearance of the scars, I would recommend filling in the scars with Restylane along with resurfacing with a CO2 laser.  Before paying for anything, know that it is very difficult to completely eliminate the scars and that most treatments will only soften them and make them less noticeable.
A: Tubular breasts can be corrected with implants over the muscle.  However, if extensive work will be done around the areola you may want to get the implants under the muscle to prevent any blood flow problems to the nipple-areola area. 
A: Uneven breasts don't necessarily need implants to make them more symmetric.  You can get breast lifts to help increase the symmetry, and this can be done with incisions around the areolae, vertically from the areolae, and vertically and horizontally from the areolae.  In order to determine the best options for you I would need to see you in person or at least a photo.  However, in order to correct any severe volume discrepencies, you may need a small implant.  If you got pregnant in the future, your scars may stretch as well as the skin and the procedure may have to be repeated or at least redone minimally. 
A: If you have your goal weight of 120, I would recommend getting as close to it as possible before surgery.  This way, all of the excess skin will be removed and if you continue to lose weight you may have more hanging skin.  If you can't get to 120, I would recommend waiting until your weight is stable for 3 months.  Liposuction will work at most weights, but try not to use it as a weight loss treatment.  Instead, follow a good diet and exercise as this will also help you maintain your great results from your mommy makeover. 
A: A circumvertical breast lift is great for moderate droopiness, or ptosis.  This type places the incisions around the areola with a small incision below it.  It provides a lift to the nipple/areola as well as improving the shape of the breast.  Potential problems scarring, altered nipple sensation, and recurrence of the sagginess.  A breast lift can be done entirely as an outpatient with minimal pain and downtime.
A: I would recommend obtaining your chart from the plastic surgeon who placed your breast implants.  This record will have what kind of implants you have and what size.  It will also have the operative notes which are very helpful for the surgeon doing your revision.  If you can't get your chart, contact the hospital where your breast augmentation surgery was performed for your records.  Finally, if you have the plastic identification card that came with your implants this will also have some helpful information.
A: Many patients have several medical problems who undergo plastic surgery.  As long as you're cleared by your internist/cardiologist, you should be okay for your tummy tuck.  The procedure may need to be delayed until your pressure is well controlled, but it is worth the wait.  Proceeding with a tummy tuck with uncontrolled high blood pressure may lead to excessive bleeding and/or hematomas.