Plastic Surgery FAQ

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Additional Surgery -- May be required if you incur complications, which will cost more in most cases. Ask your PS what his/her policy is.

Age -- Older patients may have decreased elasticity in their skin, thus, may not obtain the same outcome as their younger counterpart whom will most likely have tighter skin.

Anesthesia -- The are two kinds, local with twilight sleep so you won't remember and general, which puts you completely under, in which case some doctors place a tube down your throat.

Antibiotics -- May be used to deter infection after surgery.

Anti-Nausea Medicine -- Is available, including Zofran and Scopolamine, a patch you wear the night before. Ask your doctor. Here is a tip on the meds if you are getting sick: take the pain pill
and cut it in half so if you are taking one pill every 4 to 6 hours take 1/2 pill every 2 to 3 hours.

Arnica Montana -- We find that most doctors advise against using this.

Aspirin -- Do not take two weeks before or two weeks after as it can cause bleeding.

Breathing Tube -- Used with general anesthesia. May make your throat sore for a few days.

Bruising -- Can be expected.!

Doctors -- Finding the right PS is the key to a good result. Make sure your surgeon is Board Certified by the Board of Plastic Surgery. Choose a doctor you feel comfortable with. Check Our Surgeon Directory and read How to Check up on Your Doctor.

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Garlic Pills -- Do not take two weeks before or two weeks after as it may cause bleeding.

General Anesthesia -- Puts you completely out. Some docs prefer this so you won't move during surgery. However, make sure your surgery is in a hospital or accredited surgery facility. Dr. Tebbetts explains this in his book, "The Best Breast." The JCAH usually accredits hospital facilities and hospital-based outpatient surgery facilities. The AAAASF specializes in accrediting outpatient or ambulatory surgery facilities. Ask to see the accreditation certificate. A nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist should administer the anesthesia, not the surgeon performing your lipo.

Hematoma -- Is a blood clot that must be addressed by your doctor. To avoid, don't push yourself into doing things you shouldn't be. That's why you are not supposed to play tennis, golf, lift, etc. for 3-6 weeks after. Using common sense, you will be able to determine what you can and can't do.

Ibuprofen --  Not recommended two weeks before or two weeks after as it can cause bleeding, however, some doctors says it's ok.

Incisions -- Are very tiny.

Keloids -- Are a very specific type of pathological scar that occurs mainly on individuals with genetic origins in Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southern Asia, but even then, they are not common.

Local Anesthesia -- numbs only the area to be suctioned. Rarely nausea post op. Generally used for short procedures and is very safe. May be used with intravenous sedation (aka, twilight sleep) which will help you relax further. Also, you come out of it very quickly. Less "looped" afterward. Also limits hospital stay if necessary, less bowel problems afterward. You need an IV in your arm to administer to drug, and you are sleeping within seconds of administration." 

Nausea -- Is a common side effect of the pain killers. Try taking on a full stomach. See "Anti-Nausea Medicine" above.

Other Surgeries -- May be planned for the same day. Recovery may be longer, but you will only have to go under anesthesia once.

Pain -- You should not feel any pain during surgery. It is the first 24-72 hours that will get you.

Pain Meds -- Pain meds page coming soon. 

Physical Activity -- You should be able to return to sports such as tennis and golf in 4 to 6 weeks.

Recovery Time -- You must have someone with you for the first 24 hours, if not longer. If possible, allow yourself a week or two off from work, more if your work requires physical activity. If you have young children, have someone help you for a week or more. Please consult your physician as to when you may resume lifting your children! Please see the tips page.

Risks

Scars --

Sex --

Sleeping --

Smoking -- Nicotine and carbon monoxide is known to inhibit recover time, increases the risk of pulmonary complications and can impede wound healing, which may decrease the quality of surgical results. 40% of surgeons require patients to quit for two weeks. Some plastic surgeons offer smoking cessation aids, such as oral medication or nicotine patches. Consult your PS.

Stairs --

Surgery Time -- varies, depending on the range of the area, the volume of fat being suctioned, local or general anesthesia and the method used to perform the lipo.

Swelling -- You will experience swelling after surgery.

Telling Others -- Don't bother, unless you want to.

Viagra -- Do not take 24 hrs before surgery!

Vitamin E -- Is rumored to help in healing scars. However, it may cause bleeding so don't take 2 weeks before & after.

 

Some explanations may be a matter of opinion

 

 

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