Cosmetic Surgery Questions

BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON SERVING ORLANDO, WINTER PARK, UNION PARK, OVIEDO, AND NEARBY CENTRAL FLORIDA

Is cosmetic surgery the same thing as reconstructive surgery?

Not really. Cosmetic surgery is performing surgery on a normal part of the body to improve a person’s appearance and quality of life. Reconstructive surgery involves surgery on an abnormal body part to correct deformities, whether they’re congenital or caused by injury, cancer, or infection.

Insurance companies don’t pay for cosmetic surgery but may occasionally pay for reconstructive surgery.

Can anybody get cosmetic surgery?

The most important issue is whether a patient’s general health is good enough to withstand the rigors of cosmetic surgery. Any surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, carries a certain risk with a certain stress to the body. Complications are rare but possible.

The second issue involves a financial question since health insurance generally does not pay for it. Fees cover the surgical services, use of the surgical facility, and anesthesia. There may be other expenses for specific laboratory tests if any are required, and post-operative medications.

Our cosmetic surgery office offers several financing options. Feel free to call the office at 407-644-3137 and ask about them.

What sort of complications might arise?

In most cases, there are no post-op cosmetic surgery complications. A large study in 1997 showed a rate of less than 1% chance of serious complications. However, cosmetic surgery is risky to some degree, and the following are possible with any surgical procedure:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Loss of sensation

Other complications may also occur which are specific to the procedure being performed.

Is there much pain?

We’re all different when it comes to tolerating pain. One person’s pain is another person’s discomfort. Pain is also procedure dependent. Dr. Greenberg will prescribe a pain medication which should help make the pain manageable.

Will I have to miss some work time?

This depends on (1) what exact procedure you had done, and (2) what sort of work you do. Any work that involves heavy lifting or a great deal of physical activity will require you a longer recovery period than a desk job.

Here are some general examples to give you a sense of how much time must be taken off:

How are facelifts done?

In the past, there used to be one procedure: a facelift. Now there are different types of facelifts and many procedures that can address concerns of the upper face (forehead and upper eyelids), the mid-face (cheeks, nose, and lower eyelids), and lower face (jawline, chin, and neck). They can be combined in different ways, some done all at once, some done in sequence.

Much progress has been made in cosmetic surgical techniques resulting in the ability to do procedures with shorter, less conspicuous scars. In addition, there are many less invasive procedures such as dermal filler and Botox injectionslaser treatments and other techniques if surgery is not an option for you.

Can I get a tummy tuck to lose weight?

A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure, not a method of weight loss. We recommend that you try to lose weight first, and tone your abdominal muscles through proper exercise. You’ll be a better candidate for a tummy tuck and get a better result.

How are lasers used for cosmetic surgery?

There are a variety of conditions for which lasers are used in cosmetic surgery. These include skin resurfacing, removing sun damage, uneven pigmentation or blood vessels.

Take the Next Step

If you’d like to learn more, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Scott A. Greenberg at Winter Park Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in Winter Park, FL (serving the Central Florida area). (407) 644-3137

*Individual results may vary

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