Getting Ready for Summer - Time to get educated on Cosmetic Surgery!
&srotate=0)
As summer approaches, I decided to compile the most common questions I receive at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates. As we perform full body and facial cosmetic surgery along with non-invasive procedures, the questions range based upon what the patient is desiring. Here is your study guide to the most common questions asked at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates!
1. Saline, Silicone, or Gummy Implants?
Breast implants come in different shapes and sizes. Additionally, they are available in different textures: saline, silicone gel and highly cohesive silicone gel. All are FDA approved and safe. Saline is the most affordable but also the least natural feeling. As the implant is inserted into the body, and then filled with saline, small adjustments can easily be made for minor asymmetries by filling a little more or less. Unfortunately, I warn my patients, that at some point in the future, it could pop and then you are left with a “flat tire”. Although it is safe and your body just absorbs the saline, you would need an additional surgery to replace it.
Silicone implants feel much more natural. They are pre-filled with a silicone gel that is a similar consistency to a jam or jelly. They are inserted whole into the body often using a special funnel that is similar to the funnel bakers use to ice a cake. The gummy implant is a highly cohesive silicone gel. We call it the gummy or gummy bear implant because if you were to cut it in half, it is like a gummy bear and does not flow out. It gives the patient the most upper chest volume and cleavage with the least amount of rippling. If everyone won the lottery, this is the implant they would get.
2. Above or Below the Muscle?
A very frequent question that is asked is where the implant will be placed. Placing the implant above the muscle can help camouflage a small amount of breast sag. They also appear rounder after initial placement since the pectoralis muscle is not compressing them. Placing the implant below the pectoralis muscle is always my preferences when possible. Doing so, allows the implant to look and feel more natural as there is more tissue covering the implant. Placing the implant under the muscle also makes it easier for mammograms in the future with a layer of tissue separating the gland from the implant.
Botox or Dysport?
Both Botox and Dysport are neurotoxins which inhibit the release chemicals that cause muscle contraction in order to get rid of wrinkles. I offer both to my patients at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates and often explain to my patients that they are competitors like Coke vs Pepsi. They are priced similarly, and is usually a personal preference. Dysport generally starts working a few days sooner, but both last approximately 3-4 months.
What is the recovery time for a facelift, tummy tuck and breast aug?
Recovery time is one of the most common questions and can be quite variable depending on the person and the surgery. On average, I tell my patients that when it’s comes to facelifts, and most facial surgeries for that matter, that you often feel better before you look better. Although most patients do not need pain medication for more than a few days, bruising can last up to 2-3 weeks, and it can be up to a month before you feel comfortable going out in public due to the swelling and time it takes for incisions to heal. On the contrary, tummy tucks or abdominoplasties are one of the longest recovery times, and I tell most of my patients to plan 7-10 days for recovery. Although you may feel comfortable in public the next day because you love your new size and shape, most patients need pain medication and muscle relaxers for a good week. Breast augmentation is the best of both worlds, as most patients love their new sized immediately (swelling and all) and only need minimal pain medication. Even though I tell my patients that it takes 3-6 months for a final result, a long weekend is plenty of time for recovery after a breast augmentation.
What type of Anesthesia is used?
The type of anesthesia varies depending on the patient and the surgery he or she is undergoing. For most breast and facial procedures, IV sedation is more than adequate. With adequate intravenous sedation, the patient is breathing on their own but does not remember anything. For longer surgical cases when a patient may combine more than one surgery or more invasive surgeries like tummy tucks or mommy makeovers, general anesthesia is used. With general anesthesia, a breathing tube is used as the patient cannot breathe for him or herself.
How much does is cost and do you offer financing options?
Once again the fee varies with the procedure and we list all of our fees on our website at csaok.com. Breast surgeries range from $4,000-$10,000 depending on the type of implant used and only an augmentation is needed or a lift as well. Face and neck surgeries vary depending how much a patient is desiring to change. For example an eyelift starts around $2,500, and a lower face and neck lift starts around $7,700. We offer complimentary consultations at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates and provide patients with financial quotes at that time that are all inclusive of surgical facility fees, anesthesia, and surgical costs. We work with companies that offer financing such as Care Credit and United Medical Credit.
I hope this cheat sheet helps educate you about the most frequently asked questions at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates. And whether you choose to come to CSA or any other facility in the Oklahoma City area, you are now more informed and better prepared for the cosmetic surgery of your choice.