FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Together, you, your consultant and your surgeon will decide a treatment plan that addresses your concerns and that is surgically feasible.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MY INITIAL CONSULTATION?

Your consultant and plastic surgeon will ask about your general medical history and examine your areas of concern. This is the opportunity for you to discuss what bothers you. Together, you will decide a treatment plan that addresses your needs.

DO YOU TREAT PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HEALTH PROBLEMS?

According to the Physical Status Classification System of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), patients who are healthy, non-smokers, non-or-minimal-alcohol-users, and patients with mild diseases only without substantive functional limitations (Examples: Current smoker, social alcohol drinker, pregnancy, OBESITY 30 < BMI < 40. Well controlled DM/HTN, mild lung disease) are potential candidates to Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Procedures in an ambulatory Facility. All other patients must be referred to a Hospital or Weight Loss Program.

DO YOU HELP TREAT TERMINAL OR CHRONIC ILLNESS?

No, we do not. We are specialized in Plastic & Cosmetic Procedures. We are, however, capable of help with treatments to ease pains and aches.

AM I IN GOOD GENERAL HEALTH?

Chronic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes could compromise your ability to recover well, or safely go under the necessary anesthesia or sedation.

WHAT WILL PREPARE ME FOR SURGERY?

The best way to prepare for an operation is to understand why you are having it, what exactly will be performed, and what your results are likely to be. If there are medical issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes, these should be well controlled prior to surgery.

WHEN CAN ONE RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES? EXERCISING?

Most patients are able to resume their daily routines within two weeks. It takes about four to six weeks to return to your exercise regimen.

CAN DIFFERENT PROCEDURES BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME?

Yes, several short procedures can be combined. In order to maintain the highest level of patient safety, we limit the number of body contouring procedures that can done at once, in order to limit time under anesthesia.

WHAT IF I SMOKE?

Smokers must stop smoking in order to decrease the risk of wound healing issues. All patients should be nicotine-free for at least six weeks prior to and after surgery, as this can disrupt the healing process and increase your risk for complications.

If you do smoke cigarettes, tobacco or any recreational drugs, you may become a candidate for any Plastic Surgery if you agree to stop smoking for a prescribed period of time before and after your surgery.

WHAT IF I AM A DRINKER?

Since this can also impair your recovery and raise your risk of complications, stopping drinking several weeks before and after the procedure is required.

AM I MENTALLY PREPARED?

Since plastic surgery can be both physically and emotionally exhausting, having realistic expectations is important. Your surgeon will give you more information about your potential results.

You should commit to maintain a healthy lifestyle after your Plastic Procedure to preserve your results. This can be accomplished easier if you start preparing for it before the procedure is done.

ARE RESULTS GUARANTEED?

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there are no guarantees.

In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure; additional surgery may be necessary.

WHAT IF I DO NOT CHANGE MY EATING AND LIFESTYLE HABITS?

To achieve the best results possible, we do suggest you make a change once you decide you want to get a Plastic & Cosmetic procedure.

Your body is a garden: treat it right and it will bloom; treat it wrong, and it will wilt. Eating healthy and finding an appealing workout routine that suits you will help you on creating healthier habits!

Results will further improve and you will feel better for years to come!

DOES INSURANCE COVER THESE PROCEDURES?

Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgery because they are considered "optional" procedures (you choose to get them, but are not necessary).

However, if you do have a medical reason and you are cleared by your primary doctor, then your insurance might pay for a specific procedure (i.e. Breast Reduction due to back pain).

HOW MUCH DOES PLASTIC & COSMETIC SURGERY COST?

Cost varies by location and consists of three components:

Professional fee for the surgeon
Professional fee for anesthesia
The cost of the operating room

Most plastic surgeons have financing plans available.

HOW LONG DOES A SESSION FOR BOTOX® LAST?

The process or receiving BOTOX® Injections takes approximately 20 minutes.

The effects of the BOTOX® gradually occur over seven to ten days. After two weeks, the muscle will completely ‘sleep’.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST BOTOX® SESSION?

The physician will clean your skin and numb it with local anesthesia ointment.
Small amounts of Botox will be injected into the area by a thin needle (almost the size of a thread) to be treated.
The physician will ask you to frown so that he can see the exact pattern of the forehead and frown movements in the individual patient.
Afterwards you may have some tiny red marks where the needle was inserted, that may be present for up to 24 hours.

WHAT IF I DON'T SEE ANY CHANGES AFTER MY BOTOX® SESSION?

Occasionally, you may require more than the usual injection amount; if the targeted muscle does not go to sleep you may have to have a touch up injection. Also, patients who have well-exercised and developed frown muscles (more common in men) may require a larger amount of BOTOX®. It is better to inject a conservative amount of the substance and add more if required.

It must be emphasized that the injection is intended to make it difficult to frown. We all frown subconsciously, BOTOX® treatment prevents inadvertent frowning.

CAN BOTOX® PERMANENTLY CAUSE DAMAGES?

The BOTOX® substance cannot cause any permanent damage or travel inside the body because it attaches itself to the muscle and cannot migrate from there. The injection technique that is used ensures that the substance cannot pass into the bloodstream.