· Will it
hurt?
· Will the anesthesia make me sick?
· What is the best age for surgery?
· How much work will I miss?
· How long will the results last?
· Will people know I had something done?
· Is there financing available?
· I am still unsure about plastic surgery. What
advice would
you give me?
Will it hurt?
Surgery itself will not hurt because you will be asleep. Discomfort
during recovery differs from procedure to procedure and person to
person. Some people feel much better than others. It all depends on the
individual and how you react to the particular surgery. If you have
several procedures done at once, you may feel more discomfort than other
wise. On the average, patients have a moderate amount of pain that can
be controlled using medication. At times, patients speak of tightness or
itching in their incision, skin dryness, bruising, and swelling.
TOP OF
PAGE
Will the anesthesia make
me sick?
People react differently to anesthesia. If you’ve had it before, your
experience can serve as a general guide. However, if it’s made you
sick in the past, if you share that information with us, we can do
several things to prevent that from happening this time. Most people do
very well with the anesthesia. If at all possible, we put you to sleep
very lightly, so you wake up feeling better than you may have last time.
We give you anti-nausea medication along with the anesthesia, and that
keeps most people from feeling ill.
TOP OF
PAGE
What is the best age
for surgery?
Because skin becomes less firm and elastic as we age, younger patients
can expect better results than older patients. However, people in their
late 70’s who have cosmetic surgery are usually delighted with the
results. On the flip side, you should be old enough to have your full
growth before undergoing surgery. Sometimes there are exceptions to
this.
TOP OF
PAGE
How much work
will I miss?
This depends on you and on the procedure. If you are healthy and you
have a minor procedure, you may only miss a few days of work. For
example, if you have a laser treatment around just your eyes or mouth,
you may be able to return to work, wearing makeup, within three days.
If you have extensive work done, it may take you a
little longer to back in the swing of things. It all depends on how your
body reacts to the surgery. Again, some people feel ready to back to
work in a few days, on occasion it may take several weeks. When you come
in for your consultation, I can usually give you a realistic estimate on
how much work you will have to miss.
TOP OF
PAGE
How long will the results
last?
This isn’t altogether predictable because variables affect it.
Genetics are a factor. Excessive exposure to the sun will age your skin
more quickly. If you smoke, you may also inhibit long-term results. So,
individuality is a strong factor. With a facelift, many patients look
ten years younger after surgery and continue to look ten years younger
the rest of their lives.
TOP OF
PAGE
Will people know
I had something done?
With some procedures it’s obvious. A breast reduction will make you
look different. With others, such as laser surgery or eye surgery,
people may comment that you look well rested or refreshed. With
liposuction, people may comment that you look like you’ve lost weight.
You don’t owe anybody and explanation, so all you need to say is
"thank you."
TOP OF
PAGE
Is there financing
available?
Yes, we do offer financing for our patients. We use a special loan
program exclusively for plastic surgery patients. It is called the AMS
patient financing program, and can be done right over the phone in 30
minutes or less. Please contact our office for more information.
TOP OF
PAGE
I am still unsure about
plastic surgery.
What advice would you give me?
Because this fascinating world of cosmetic and laser surgery is changing
so quickly, you may wonder if you’re reading the most updated
information, or you may desire additional information about something
you read on this web page. I advise you to learn as much as you can
about the procedure you are interested in. My primary goal is education.
If you’ll call, write, fax, or e-mail your question or concerns to me,
somebody on my staff, or I will get back to you with an answer. We
welcome your interest.
If you’re considering cosmetic or laser surgery
and still feel unsure, you might be interested in these comments from
two of my patients who recently had procedures done. The first said,
"If you have insecurities about any part of your body, just listen
to your heart and go with your gut feeling. That’s what I did, and I
don’t regret it at all."
The second said, " I advise anyone
considering cosmetic surgery to visit with a surgeon and get your
questions answered. Don’t be shy or hesitant. Don’t be embarrassed
because your thighs are bigger than someone else’s or your breasts are
smaller or your face has more wrinkles. We all tend to obsess about our
physical flaws. Step right up and ask about it. Find out what your
options are and make an informed decision. Go for it!"
If you decide that cosmetic or laser surgery is
part of your future, I wish you a satisfying experience. I think you
will be amazed at the good changes in store for you.
TOP OF
PAGE |
