Tips For the Speediest Recovery From Plastic Surgery
If you’re planning a plastic surgery procedure (or two), you might have started scouring the internet to see how long it’ll take to recover. This is pretty normal. After all, you want to have some sense of what to expect.
You’ve probably also noticed in your search that there is usually a span of possible time for recovery (i.e. 3-5 days, 2-3 weeks, etc.).
Obviously, recovery times will vary based on the person as well as the procedure(s) performed. Still, there are things you can do that will give you the speediest recovery from plastic surgery.
1. Swallow Your Pride
Whatever your plastic surgery procedure, you can expect to need some help in the day or days that follow. Particularly in cases where the surgery is more complicated or there are multiple procedures performed.
So if you have trouble asking for help and think you’re better off doing everything on your own, you can expect a longer recovery time. On the flip side, you can arrange to have someone help you get to and from your procedure, as well as handle any child care, pet care, and/or chores around the house.
By gracefully accepting help, you’ll eliminate the stress and worry about getting your daily tasks covered. Allowing yourself to rest instead is only going to facilitate your recovery.
2. Eat Well and Hydrate
In order to optimize your body’s healing abilities, you need to give it the proper fuel. Lean proteins, fresh produce, and plenty of water are going to speed up the recovery process much faster than potato chips, Oreos, and cola.
You may also need to avoid or cut way back caffeine and alcohol while recovering. Both of these can cause dehydration which is detrimental to healing.
3. Get Moving… But Mindfully
Obviously, if you’ve had a major procedure such as a Mommy Makeover, you won’t jump on the treadmill and run two miles the next day. Chances are, you won’t even feel like doing that.
Yet, as inclined as you may be to revel in the comfort of lounging on your couch for days on end, it IS a good idea to move around a bit in the days that follow your surgery. Movement keeps blood circulating and this forwards healing. Your movement might be something as simple as just walking around your house, condo, or apartment. Over time, you may build to a light walk outside.
The key is to take it slowly. Ease back into regular movement – even if you think you’re ready to tackle that two miles on the treadmill. You don’t want to undo what you had done. Otherwise, you’ll be looking at an even longer recovery time.
4. Steer Clear of Tobacco
If you never use tobacco, you can skip this one.
On the other hand, it’s important to understand that you’ll have to go through the difficult task of quitting smoking or vaping tobacco for at least a month prior to having your procedure. Recovery is not going to be a free pass to light up again.
The nicotine in tobacco inhibits the body’s ability to heal and can lead to all sorts of complications during recovery. Knowing this, you may want to consider your plastic surgery procedure as the ideal transition to quitting smoking altogether.
5. Simply Put – FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS!
Here’s the deal.
Any quality board-certified surgeon will give you specific instructions for post-op care which should be followed to a T. These will include guidelines on diet, which medications and supplements to take, when and how long to wear a compression garment, proper ways to clean incisions, and the safest time to return to exercise.
What’s more, be sure you go to any scheduled follow-up visits. It’s important for your doctor to see that you’re healing properly and that there are no complications. S/he can also advise you on when you can return to your daily activities as well as more strenuous exercise.
By sticking with the protocol, you’ll have the smoothest and shortest road to recovery.
The Speediest Recovery From Plastic Surgery Is Up To You
Try not to get too bogged down in what the internet says. At the end of the day, you’ll have the speediest recovery from plastic surgery when you follow your doctor’s orders and give your body what it needs to heal.
Simple as that.
So if you’re ready to get started on your plastic surgery journey, contact us today. We guarantee you’ll never walk the path alone.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Sir Archibald McIndoe
Plastic surgery may seem like a purely contemporary field of medicine. After all, nobody was getting Botox injections in the days of the Wild West.
The truth is, plastic surgery has been around in some form or another for over 4,000 years.
Sure, plastic surgery as we know it today certainly reached new heights in the 1960s and 70s. But pioneers of plastic surgery such as Sir Archibald McIndoe developed innovative techniques in the 1930s ad 40s that served as a strong foundation for all that would follow.
Early 20th Century World Wars Paved the Way
In a previous post, we talked about Dr. Harold Gillies and the advancements he made in giving World War I soldiers with disfigured faces a more appealing appearance.
Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients he witnessed. Working in tandem with other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures that would literally change the face of plastic surgery.
Injuries from World War II presented new challenges for doctors in the 1930s and 40s. Dr. Archibald McIndoe was one of those doctors.
Who Was Dr. Archibald McIndoe?
Born in New Zealand in 1900, McIndoe attended medical school there and was eventually invited to the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. to continue his studies.
While serving as first assistant in Pathological Anatomy, he was offered an assistant surgeon post. He went on to specialize in surgery of the liver. During his years of studying the liver, he discovered and mapped blood supply to the liver. One supply was normal and the other pathological. He theorized that one of those supplies could be shut off when excising part of the liver.
He was correct. And this gave him both tenure and fame in the U.S. Yet he longed to practice in the UK.
What Is the Plastic Surgery Connection?
Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, McIndoe had a tough time finding work and establishing his career. It was a chance meeting with Dr. Harold Gillies (who also happened to be a cousin of his) that his luck shifted.
Right from the beginning of World War II, McIndoe was dissatisfied with the burn treatment techniques that were standard medicine at that time. Tannic acid and jelly were used to dry and tighten tissue and reduce fluid loss. The problem was, severe burn contractures were the result. So McIndoe devised new techniques for treating burns – the most famous of which is the saline burn bath.
McIndoe and Gillies eventually went into practice together – giving soldiers a chance at a more normal life. Gillies had discovered that moving tube pedicles from one part to an adjacent area was more effective. This was referred to as walking. McIndoe took walking to a new level that ensured only unburnt tissue was used in reconstructing and replacing burnt tissue.
Eventually they developed a comprehensive and holistic burn unit that addressed the physical, social, psychological, and functional aspects of the airmen’s issues. By the end of the war, 649 airmen mostly from the United Kingdom (though some hailed from Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Australia and Eastern Europe) had undergone treatment in this innovative burn unit.
McIndoe passed away at the age of 59. But his humanitarian legacy lives on today.
Curious About Today’s Modern Plastic Surgery?
Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Archibald McIndoe played a critical role in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.
So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.
Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeons. Contact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Most of us have some aspect of our bodies that we wouldn’t mind changing. It could be a little extra belly fat, drooping eyelids, or sagging skin.
Plastic surgeons can address fixes like these to satisfy their patients and give them new confidence.
There is a small percentage of the population, however, who never feel better about their appearance because they struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, or BDD, are obsessively preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their appearance. The operative word is ‘perceived.’
In reality, what they’re seeing is not nearly as prominent as they think it is. In many cases, it’s not even noticeable to others. Yet from their view point, the perceived flaw is so hideous and ugly that it negatively impacts every aspect of their lives.
Once referred to as “dysmorphophobia”, BDD causes severe distress to those who experience it. They will repeatedly look in the mirror or reflective surfaces and obsess over how terrible they think they look. They may avoid social or public situations where they feel people are staring at them and judging their perceived ugliness – even though there’s nothing physically wrong.
Sufferers may seek out the help of cosmetic surgeons or dermatological aestheticians to alleviate the problem. But to no avail because the condition is not physical. It’s mental. No matter how many procedures or treatments they try, they still see themselves as disfigured. In the meantime, they spend a lot of money they may not even have.
This is why ethical plastic surgeons tend to steer away from doing procedures on patients struggling with BDD.
Who Is Impacted By BDD?
BBD might not sound like a serious condition. It may seem easy enough to just ‘get over’ these perceived faults. But it simply doesn’t work that way. The brain is a powerful organ. And for those in the throes of the disorder who refuse to leave their homes, it can become dangerously isolating.
Not only are they fully convinced that they have a faulty nose, hair, skin, eyes, chin, lips, or overall body build, but they believe there is ABSOLUTELY no solution and they are doomed forever. It’s not surprising, therefore, that there’s an increased risk of suicide for those who struggle with BDD.
Late adolescence (ages 16-18) is typically the time that symptoms of BDD tend to emerge. But it can start showing up in a milder form around the age of 12. Because teenagers as a whole can be moody and generally dissatisfied with their appearance, BDD is often overlooked and may not be diagnosed until the sufferer is well into their 20s or even 30s.
BDD Is Not Isolated to Women
Females have been fed a steady diet of perfect body images by the media for years. Unrealistic expectations of how a female should look has driven women to despise their own bodies, suffer anxiety and depression, and even driven them to eating disorders. As such, BDD was once more prevalent in women.
That’s changing.
While some women are waking up to their own issues with BDD, males are now entering the BDD arena. That’s because media has started emphasizing the unrealistic male physique as well. In fact, in the past 25 years, men’s rate of dissatisfaction with their bodies has tripled.
As such, BDD is now becoming prevalent among men. Is it particularly problematic for teenage boys who are turning to steroids and also developing eating disorders to achieve this ‘perfect’ body that doesn’t exist. And as they continue to see no results because of their warped perception, they develop depression that can lead to drinking and drug problems.
Wanting to Look Your Best Is NOT a Disorder
Obviously, there’s a huge difference between feeling dissatisfied with a fixable problem and struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
If you are mentally healthy, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best! So if you’re ready to consult with a plastic surgeon about a procedure that will help you feel better about yourself, then contact us today!
In the meantime, if you think that you or someone you know may be struggling with undiagnosed BDD, you can connect with the BDD Foundation to get answers to your questions and find support.
What Is Scar Revision?
Having a scar is seen by some as a ‘battle wound’ of which to be proud. For others though, a scar can be an embarrassing aberration or even something which compromises their ability to function.
Fortunately for the latter group, there are multiple scar revision procedures available to improve cosmetic appearance and/or restore function.
And while no scar can be completely removed, many of these procedures truly go the distance.
Different Types of Scars
The type of treatment for your scar revision will be based on the severity, location, size, and even type of scar. Yep. That’s right. Not all scars are created equal.
We’ll take a look at three of the most common types of scars addressed in scar revision:
- Keloid
A keloid scar is a rounded, thick, and irregular cluster of tissue that occurs when the skin is wounded. In the case of keloid scars, they extend beyond the border of the wound and are often red or darker than the regular skin surrounding it.
- Hypertrophic
Like keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar is often red in color and is thick and elevated. (Atrophic scars, by contrast, are below the surface of the skin.)
Unlike keloid scars, a hypertrophic scar does not extend beyond the borders of the skin injury.
- Contractures
Contractures depart from keloid and hypertrophic scars in that they occur when an area of skin is damaged or even lost. Rather than a raised appearance, a contracture scar pulls the edges of skin together resulting in tightness of the area. This pulling can also affect the ability of tendons, muscles and joints in the area to move effectively.
Treatment Options for Scar Revision
In cases where scarring is not severe, there are multiple options for surface treatments to soften irregularities and reduce uneven pigmentation. These are typically done by changing the surface of the skin.
For example, hydrafacial and/or chemical peel solutions soften irregularities in texture and color by penetrating the skin’s surface. Laser or light therapy procedures alter the surface of the skin to enable healthy new skin to form at the scar site. And dermabrasion mechanically polishes the skin.
In some cases, steroid injections may be utilized to decrease itching and redness as well as shrink the size of the scar. Pressure therapy – where an appliance is worn over the scar for a prescribed amount of time – may also be recommended.
It’s important to understand that in many cases, the patient will have a combination of these procedures to achieve the desired result.
Surgical Procedures
When the scar is more severe and/or is affecting the patient’s ability to function, then surgery is the usual recommendation.
In the most basic procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon removes the scar formation with an incision. He or she then places stitches to help close the wound.
More complicated scarring may call for the following:
- Skin Graft or Flap
In situations where skin is damaged or lost, skin grafts may be chosen. With this procedure, the surgeon removes the scar tissue, takes a piece of healthy skin from another area of the body, and attaches it to the wounded area.
Skin flaps are the next level and address situations where there is damage to the blood vessels as well as the skin. Similar to skin grafts, with a skin flap, the section of skin that’s harvested includes its underlying blood vessels, fat, and muscles.
- Tissue expansion
Some patients who wish to avoid a skin graft may opt for tissue expansion instead. In this procedure, an inflatable balloon is placed under the skin near the wound site.
Slowly and over time, the balloon is filled with a sterile solution so as to stretch the area of healthy skin around the wound. Once the skin is sufficiently expanded, the scar is removed and the newly stretched skin replaces the tissue.
Obviously, this procedure involves multiple visits and procedures which can take some time.
Are You In Need of Scar Revision?
Even though a scar cannot be completely eliminated, scar revision procedures can greatly reduce its appearance or address your inability to function normally because of it.
So if you have a troublesome scar, then contact us today to discuss the options available to you.
The long-lasting results will leave you feeling more confident in your appearance and comfortable in your body.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Are you frustrated with excess fat or skin around your lower abdomen beneath your belly button? Have you tried diet and exercise as a solution and they’re not working?
Perhaps you’re already familiar with the tummy tuck procedure and feel like that’s more than you need.
If so, then you’re one of the countless folks who could benefit from a mini tummy tuck.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
In a previous post we discussed the difference between a full abdominoplasty (the fancy way of saying tummy tuck) and a mini tummy tuck.
This post will strictly address the mini tummy tuck – a procedure that’s less invasive than a full tummy tuck and aims to lessen or eliminate that troublesome pooch dwelling on the lower belly.
How does it work?
With the ultimate goal of flattening the lower abdomen, a board-certified plastic surgeon makes an incision about 4-8 inches long in the lower abdomen. From there, he or she may tighten loose muscle, remove flabby skin, and/or possibly use liposuction to remove excess fat. The procedure varies from patient to patient depending on their specific situation.
In there is excess skin, it will be trimmed and laid flat. Depending on where and how much excess skin is in the area, this can potentially remove stretch marks. In addition, the lower abdomen muscles may be sutured together in a way that isn’t visible on the outside.
Once the procedure is complete and the patient recovers, he or she will have an enhanced lower abdomen contour.
Who Should Get a Mini Tummy Tuck?
It’s important to understand that the purpose of ANY tummy tuck is not as a weight loss measure. This procedure is used to alleviate imperfections that are confined to the lower belly area.
The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck struggles with the above-mentioned pooch, has tried diet and exercise as a solution (but to no avail), is in good overall health, and is at a weight that’s in a healthy range.
Patients most often seek out a mini tummy tuck to do the following:
- Address Age-Related Issues
Many female patients seek the counsel of plastic surgeons during menopause or their later years when weight gain becomes more common in the midsection. Some of this is hormone related.
Often times though, it’s the result of the natural decline of muscles as the body ages. As the body becomes more prone to weight loss, stubborn abdominal fat settles onto the belly.
- Smooth Out Post-Pregnancy Changes
After giving birth, many women feel like they’re living in somebody else’s body. For these women, getting their bellies back to pre-pregnancy shape is impossible. No matter how hard they try.
A mini tummy tuck can go the distance in tightening and flattening that post-pregnancy trouble spot. This is one of the main reasons that it or a full tummy tuck is often part of the whole Mommy Makeover package.
- Correct a Ventral Hernia
Sometimes massive weight loss, an appendectomy, or a C-section can cause a ventral hernia. This is when the intestinal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall and creates a pooch. A plastic surgeon may recommend a mini tummy tuck in this situation to flatten and reshape the belly.
Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
Compared to other procedures, the mini tummy tuck recovery process is fairly simple. Most patients require an abdominal binder for at least a few weeks to support the abs as they heal.
Fortunately, since the mini tummy tuck is less invasive than the full version, there is minimal swelling and healing happens faster. Most patients see some immediate results. Within six weeks, the full results appear.
And as long as there is no weight gain or pregnancy, the results are permanent.
Are You Considering a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Now that you’ve been schooled on the mini tummy tuck, you may be ready to take advantage of all it has to offer. Of course, you’ll want to explore all your options with a plastic surgeon.
So contact us for a free consultation.
We’ll guide you on the most effective route to a firmer, flatter belly that will help restore your youthful confidence.
What Makes Anesthesia Riskier?
For some people, the idea of surgery is less daunting than the notion of being anesthetized. But the truth is, anesthesia is safer now than it’s ever been.
The vast majority of people react very well to anesthesia. And for many procedures – plastic surgery included – you wouldn’t want to be without it.
That said, there is always going to be some level of risk. And what makes anesthesia riskier comes down to the patient’s age, current medical conditions, lifestyle, and the type of surgery and kind of anesthesia used.
What Are the General Risks?
If you’ve ever had a cavity drilled at the dentist, then you’ve had anesthesia. Of course, unless you requested otherwise, the doctor used a local anesthetic that only numbed a small area of the body. As such, it is the safest anesthetic and plastic surgeons will always opt for it if they can. Side effects are rare and extremely mild.
Regional anesthesia is a little riskier than local in that it numbs a larger area of the body. Side effects are a little more common than they are with a local anesthesia, but they mostly consist of a temporary headache.
General anesthesia is the sort that most patients fear because it renders you unconscious. Even so, it’s very safe. The possible side effects – such as chills, confusion, nausea, or a sore throat (mostly from the breathing tube) are more widespread. But they are also temporary.
What Makes Anesthesia Riskier For Some People?
Although anesthesia is generally safe and technology around it has come a long way, some patients are looking at a higher risk if they have any of the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney problems
- Lung conditions
- Seizures or other neurological disorders
- Sleep apnea
- Allergies to or history of adverse reactions to anesthesia
In addition, if you regularly smoke and/or drink two or more alcoholic beverages per day, your risk also increases. If any of these apply to you, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have surgery though.
Find Peace of Mind By Talking to Your Anesthesiologist
You’re allowed to talk with the anesthesiologist who’s scheduled for your surgery. In fact, he or she will need to conduct a health assessment to learn all about your health history, medications you take, reactions to previous anesthesia, and lifestyle choices. This is to ensure you’ll get the safest and most optimal pain management and critical care.
The anesthesiologist may strongly advise you quit smoking, cut back (or eliminate) drinking, or lose weight (if the surgery isn’t urgent) before your procedure to lessen your risk. He/she can also inform you of what medications could exacerbate the anesthesia and advise other medications that will be safe.
Then he or she will create a plan around your specific condition and monitor you closely during the procedure. You can go into the surgery knowing that you won’t be ignored for even a second.
Don’t Let Fear of Anesthesia Keep You From Plastic Surgery!
Now that you know the nitty gritty on what makes anesthesia riskier and how truly safe it is, you can feel confident in opting for that plastic surgery procedure you’ve always wanted.
So don’t hesitate any longer.
Contact us today to set up your free consultation. And get ready for a more confident and self-assured YOU this summer!
Is It Time to Replace Your Breast Implants?
If you had breast augmentation in the past ten years, you may be wondering if it’s time to replace your breast implants.
The truth is, the vast majority of breast implants will never need replacing because of medical reasons. Especially after a decade. Today’s advanced techniques and improved manufacturing practices have allowed for this.
Even so, you may have other reasons for not wanting your breast implants any longer.
How Long Breast Implants Last
Breast implants come with no guarantees. But what in life does, really? Most of the current available implants are very safe and last a bare minimum of ten years – as long as there are no complications.
Of course, how much longer your implant will last after that initial ten years is based on a number of factors. These include your health, the size and shape of your chosen implant, and your surgeon’s expertise.
One of the biggest determining factors, though, is the type of implant you chose.
Silicone
Of the two different types, silicone implants are the more resilient. They have only a .5% rupture rate per year so it’s not unusual for these to last for decades. In some cases, they may even last for a woman’s lifetime.
One of the major drawbacks of silicone, however, is that it’s more difficult to detect ruptures or other damage if they do occur. So while the implants can last a long time, patients need to stay up-to-date on checkups and stay in touch with their board-certified plastic surgeon.
Saline
By contrast, saline implants have a 1% rupture rate per year. Still quite minimal, but they are also more prone to shifting and rippling than silicone implants are. So while it’s possible for them to last for decades, it’s likely they will need some sort of maintenance every ten to fifteen years.
The benefit of a saline implant rupturing is that the body can absorb saline so the rupture is less serious.
So Is It Ever Really Time to Replace Your Breast Implants?
Outside of car accidents, trauma, or needle biopsies, it’s rare for a rupture to occur many years out from the initial surgery. So you likely won’t feel a medical need for replacing them. That said, there are still other reasons you may choose replacement surgery.
Perhaps you’re feeling like the size of the implant you chose is no longer a good fit. You may want to go bigger or smaller.
It’s also possible that as you’ve aged, your skin has become looser, your hormones have changed, and your body weight fluctuated. This can result in your breasts changing as well and the implants may no longer look natural.
Finally, tissue stretching and good ole’ gravity can cause breasts and implants to malposition in a variety of ways. They may be shifting sideways, bottoming out, or moving closer together.
All of these may warrant breast implant replacement surgery.
What Happens During Breast Implant Replacement Surgery?
Unless a longstanding rupture is involved, the replacement surgery is relatively simple and straightforward. And the recovery time will be minimal; usually only a couple of days.
A rupture that’s gone undetected, however, can result in capsular contracture.
Part of the healing process for the body is to form a capsule of fibrous scar tissue around any implanted device. The capsule not only creates a protective barrier, but it also assists in keeping the implant in place so as to avoid slippage.
But when the body goes into overdrive to protect itself from the “foreign” body – in this case, the ruptured implant – the scar tissue tightens around the implant and then constricts it. This is known as capsular contracture.
To treat the capsular contracture, the surgeon would need to perform a capsulectomy. And if there’s already too much inflammation to replace the implant, you may have to wait up to six months before you can get a new one. Recovery will also take longer.
The Choice Is Yours!
If you’ve had implants for more than a few years without complications, the chances are minuscule that you’ll need to replace them for medical reasons.
By the same token, if your current implants are no longer serving you or even making you feel self-conscious, then THAT’S the time to replace breast implants.
Contact us today to talk to our board-certified plastic surgeons. We’ll help you We can answer any questions, address concerns, and put an action plan into place for you.
What Are the Weirdest Cosmetic Surgery Procedures?
If you know anything about cosmetic surgery, you’re probably familiar with the more common procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, facelift, and liposuction.
All of these surgeries help patients feel better about their appearance and more confident in their bodies. In turn, they experience improved mental health.
That said, you may not have heard of some of the weirdest cosmetic surgery procedures that are much more on the fringe of what’s considered normal or even healthy.
The Weirdest Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Most (if not all) of the lesser-known plastic surgery procedures below aren’t on the menu at reputable medical centers. Not just because they are more than highly elective. Many of them are downright… strange.
And some are even considered unethical by many standards. We’ll explore six procedures that potentially fall under that umbrella and what they promise.
- Go From An Outie to An Innie
Each of us has a belly button. In same cases, there is protruding skin that makes one an outie. While there is nothing unhealthy about this, fashion represents men and women with innies. As such, there are patients who are willing to undergo an umbilicoplasty and the subsequent healing time in order to remove that skin.
- Change Your Fate
Have you ever had your palm read and weren’t happy with the results? For folks who believe that the lines of the palm have some bearing on how much fortune, fame, success, or happiness they will experience in life, there is now palm line surgery.
Using an electric scalpel, the surgeon creates artificial palm lines that would make a palm reader gush and wax poetic about one’s future. Even if it’s completely fabricated.
- Cushion Those High Heels
Anyone who spends time in high heels (and it’s not just women anymore) knows they do a wicked job on the feet and body. So rather than swap out those heels for more sensible shoes, fashion slaves can now opt for dermal filler injected into the balls of their feet to provide cushioning.
- Get Your Own Indentations
For patients who’ve always envied those with dimples and felt their lives were somehow emptier because they didn’t have them, there are some surgeons who will perform a dimpleplasty. This procedure involves making a small incision on the inside of the mouth and placing a suture between the skin and muscle of the cheek.
- Want to Look Like An Elf? Or a Snake?
For folks who are really serious about cosplay, they may be able to find a plastic surgeon who will perform procedures like ear cropping or tongue bifurcation. The first works by removing tissue from the top of the ear to give one the appearance of an elf. The second involves splitting the tongue down the middle so it looks like a snake’s.
It should be noted that tongue-splitting is particularly risky.
- Get Rid of Your “Tell”
While Botox is a fairly common procedure, there’s a new subcategory known as Pokertox. This is when gamblers use a combo of Botox and facial filler injections to alter their facial appearance. It gives them the ultimate poker face and eliminates those telling expressions of what they’re holding in their hand.
It’s Time to Feel Good About Yourself
Unlike more traditional surgeries that can help boost your emotional wellness, many of the weirdest cosmetic surgery procedures above are more superfluous in nature.
If you’re interested instead in a well-established procedure with board certified surgeons, contact us today for a free consultation. You’ll be amazed at the boost in confidence and self-esteem you experience.
How Long Does Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery Take?
If you’re considering a breast reduction to remove extra fat, tissue, and skin from your breast, you may wonder about breast reduction surgery recovery time.
Also known as mammoplasty, breast reduction surgery will not only decrease the size of your breasts, but it will lift and contour them too.
Breast reduction surgery can be performed on just one breast or on both at the same time if you don’t wish to have mismatched breasts for any amount of time.
How Does Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery Play Out?
Recovery from surgery always has two phases – short-term and long-term. Breast reduction surgery is no different.
The first phase of recovery (short-term) typically lasts about two weeks and is when the most restrictions are in place. The second phase (long-term) typically lasts two to three months following that.
We’ll break down the two phases:
First Week
After your surgery, you will be introduced to a compression bra which you’ll need to wear through the first phase and into the second phase of recovery.
You’ll wear this bra 24/7 except for when you shower. This will ensure you get the desired outcome from the surgery. During this first week, you’ll want to focus on resting and ensuring you eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to facilitate healing.
Some light movement (like walking around the house) will be encouraged, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity and continue to take any prescribed medications.
Second Week
It’s during the second week when you might start to notice the incisions feeling a little tight and itchy as they continue to heal under your compression bra. You can remedy this with Vaseline or other gentle moisturizer. Benedryl can help with the itching.
Your board-certified plastic surgeon may clear you for returning to work at this point, but you’ll still need to avoid strenuous activity and stick with your healthy and hydrating diet.
Three Weeks to Two Months Out
For most, three weeks marks the point when you’ll really start to notice and feel the results of your surgery. You’ll be able to engage in more strenuous activities and return to most of your regular routines. Even so, you’ll need to keep that compression bra on for at least another one to three weeks.
By the end of the second month, the compression bra can be swapped out for your new smaller bra – provided your breasts are not swollen.
Three to Four Months After
Finally, three to four months out from the surgery, your breasts should be fully healed and settled into their new shape. At this point, you can safely start shopping for those smaller tops you’ve always longed to wear!
How Could Breast Reduction Surgery Change Your Life?
Having large, heavy, or pendulous breasts can make it hard to find clothes that fit well. What’s worse, they may be causing you neck and back pain.
Fortunately, smaller and more shapely breasts are just a surgery away. And the good news is, breast reduction surgery recovery isn’t terribly grueling. As we said, you could be back to work after one week, and doing light cardio after just two weeks!
So if you’re ready to remove that extra weight that’s causing you pain and strife, contact us today! And get ready to spice up your wardrobe!
Is Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures Safe?
Does the idea of combining plastic surgery procedures sound appealing to you? Well, you’re not alone.
One of the great things about plastic surgery is that combining procedures is not unusual. And if a patient has no contraindications and is healthy enough to remain under prolonged anesthesia, it’s quite safe.
This isn’t to say, however, that just any combination of procedures should be performed. And you want to ensure that you have a highly-skilled surgeon with experience in multiple surgeries.
Popular Plastic Surgery Combos
If you’re thinking you’d like to get a couple (or even three) areas taken care of at once, your plastic surgeon will offer recommendations and counsel you on the best next steps.
There are numerous pairings that can be performed. We’ll take a look at a few of the more popular ones.
- Mommy Makeover
The Mommy Makeover is the quintessential example of a combination of procedures. And it’s also one of the most popular choices among patients.
Pregnancy takes a toll on a woman’s body. Multiple pregnancies even more so. That’s why plastic surgeons developed this smorgasbord of procedures. There are several components and the combination depends on the patient’s unique goals.
For example, most women want to rid themselves of the abdominal flab that comes post pregnancy. In this case, they would choose a tummy tuck. Add to that, women who have lost breast volume may also opt for an augmentation and/or breast lift. In some cases, there may even be requests for vaginal rejuvenation.
Whatever the combination, women come out feeling more confident and better about their post-pregnancy bodies.
- Facelift with Blepharoplasty or Fat Transfer
The facelift procedure is also very popular. In the simplest terms, it’s a surgical reconstruction of the face to render a younger appearance. In cases where excess skin has developed around the eyelids, the facelift may be combined with a blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift. In this procedure, excess skin, fat, and muscles are removed to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes.
In cases where a patient wants more volume in his or her face, there may also be a fat transfer surgery performed during the facelift procedure. This means that fat is harvested from areas of the body where there is excess fat and it is moved to the face.
(As an aside, fat transfer may also be performed during breast and butt lift procedures.)
- Tummy Tuck with Liposuction or Breast Enlargement
The tummy tuck is a popular procedure that’s often paired with other procedures. When patients are struggling with diet- and exercise-resistant fat, surgeons may recommend both a tummy tuck and liposuction. The tummy tuck creates a smooth contour while the liposuction vacuums out extra fat cells that could potentially become problematic.
Meanwhile, for patients who desire both a flatter belly and more voluminous breasts, a tummy tuck can be combined with breast enlargement. It’s the perfect combination.
Are There Particular Benefits to Combining Plastic Surgery Procedures?
If you stop to think about it, there are many logistics involved in a surgery. These include surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, operating room costs, and other expenses. Combining procedures saves you money.
Plus, going under anesthesia once is always preferred to multiple times as it reduces the risk of anesthesia-related complications. And your recovery period will be markedly shorter too because you’ll be healing from multiple procedures at once. So that means less down time.
Finally, there’s a lot to be said for achieving multiple goals at once. When you come out of the operating room having had multiple procedures, you’re going to notice much more dramatic (and ultimately satisfying) results. And it’s impossible to put a price on that.
Curious About Multiple Procedures?
Combining plastic surgery procedures is safe and highly effective when performed by a skilled and board-certified surgeon.
So if you have a certain combination in mind, contact us today to find out if it’s going to make sense for you.
Even though all procedures can’t be paired with others, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out yours can!
