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Common Questions
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Why the "plastic" in plastic surgery? The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word plastikos, meaning "to mold or shape." Many of the first plastic surgeries were developed to close a difficult wound or replace tissue lost due to injury or cancer. These procedures often involved the formation of a skin flap to reshape or mold the defect so as to approximate the original shape. What is plastic surgery? Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. The art and science of plastic surgery is also involved with the enhancement of the appearance of a person through such operations as facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction. What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery? Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective. Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congential defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly. There are a number of "gray areas" in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involved surgical operations which may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation. For example, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) — a procedure normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement — may be covered if the eyelids are drooping severely and obscuring a patient's vision. Will I be able to tolerate the pain post-operatively? Each patient will tolerate pain post-operatively in a different way, and we consider this. While some patients may describe the pain as an ache, others experience greater discomfort. Appropriate pain medications are prescribed for the post-operative patients, and these help minimize discomfort. Most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post-operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles — such as an abdominoplasty or breast augmentation have discomfort equal to that of a C-section. How long is the recuperative period and when can I return to work? The length of time it takes to recuperate after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure performed and the person operated on. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days. Then most patients are able to care for themselves, but may still need assistance if they have small children to care for. The specific lengths of disability are outlined below by procedure. These are approximations, and do not include return to exercise. Eyelid Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. With the use of sunglasses, may feel comfortable going to the store by day 3-4, and with make-up could return to work by 5-7 days. Facelift Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. Usually do not feel comfortable going out in public for 5-7 days. Requires 10-14 days before returning to work if in the public eye. Breast Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. May return to work at 5-7 days if not required to lift more than 15 pounds. Liposuction - Usually can get around independently by the second day, earlier if smaller number of areas treated. One can return to work and normal activities in 5-7 days. Abdominoplasty - Patients may take between 2-4 days before getting around independently. The recovery is almost identical to C-section. One can return to a desk job at 5-7 days, other jobs 10-14 days. When can I resume normal exercise? The time a patient resumes regular exercises after cosmetic surgery varies based on the operation performed. All patients are encouraged to start a slow walking routine on the second postoperative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activities are not allowed during the first 2 weeks in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are allowed at 1 month in most cases. What is a facelift? A facelift or "rhytidectomy" is a surgical procedure designed to improve the most visible signs of the aging process by eliminating excess fat, tightening the muscles beneath the skin of the neck, and removing sagging skin. It doesn't stop the aging process but merely "sets the clock back." What types of facelifts are available? The "full face-lift" includes the brow, the entire face and the neck, traditionally. Commonly when only the term "face-lift" is used, the face and neck are what is being referred to. There are also neck-only lifts, face-only lifts and regional facelifts, depending on the patients particular concern. What are the advantages and disadvantages of full/regional/etc. facelifts? The trade off is generally the length of the incision necessary to perform the facelift procedure. Generally, the more areas of the face that need improvement, the more of an incision is necessary to carry it out. However, there are some cases in which the difference in the size of the incision does not warrant isolating the surgery to one specific region. The incision is delicately placed within the hair (hair is not shaved) and hidden within natural crevises and folds so it is as inconspicuous as possible. Younger patients are usually better candidates for regional facelifts or short-scar facelifts. Am I a good candidate for facelift plastic surgery? People always ask, "At what age should I consider a facelift?" The proper answer to that question is as soon as the signs of aging begin to bother you. Patients are coming in for a facelift at younger and younger ages, as soon as they see loose skin under the neck, the start of a sagging jowl or deepening smile lines. Younger patients have more elasticity to their skin so their results look more natural, and they typically heal more quickly. How long does a facelift last? No one can say for sure how long a facelift lasts. The clock is turned back, but keeps on running. Ten years later, you will look better than if you never had facelift plastic surgery. Many patients never have a second facelift, while others may desire further plastic surgery seven to 15 years later. What will be discussed during my consultation for a facelift? Dr. Sherrill will ask you what concerns you most about your appearance and address that region first and foremost. He will talk about your options, the facelift surgery, the risks and potential complications, your recovery period, how much down time you should allow yourself, the operating room and the anesthesia. He will show you in a mirror how much improvement you can expect from facelift surgery by simulating the amount of tension with his hands. He believes that computer imaging gives false expectations as it does not take into account the texture, thickness and elasticity of your skin, or of your ability to heal. Dr. Sherrill spends as much time as is necessary with you to make sure you fully understand all the aspects of the procedure. Dr. Sherrill has had cosmetic surgery himself and speaks from experience as a patient as well as a doctor. Can facelift plastic surgery be done without scars? The scars from facelift plastic surgery usually fade and are barely perceptible. In some patients, especially younger ones, endoscopic surgery can be used to lift the eyebrows, remove frown lines, elevate the cheek and jowls, and tighten the neck. This endoscopic surgery can be done with tiny scars. However, if there is excessive skin, it must be removed for the best results through standard facelift incisions. Can I have other plastic surgery procedures of the face done at the same time as a facelift? Yes, very often patients have their eyes or their brow done at the same time. If the surgery is warranted, the final result is uniform and balanced and there is only one recovery period. Some patients ask that their nose be touched up, because as we age, the tip of the nose can start to sag as well. Other patients find that they have lost volume in their lips as they've gotten older and request a fat transfer to bulk up their lips for a more youthful, pouty appearance. What is the Submuscular Aponeurotic System? The SMAS is a layer beneath the skin which invests the facial muscles. By tightening the SMAS, the jowls are lifted, the neck is tightened, the cheeks are elevated. This "deep" or "2-layer" facelift is an improvement over earlier skin-only techniques. How long will I be out of work after facelift plastic surgery? Most patients are able to return to work in two to three weeks after facelift plastic surgery. You should allow four to eight weeks before major social engagements. How can I hide things during the time until I return to normal? After facelift surgery, your plastic surgeon will discuss post-operative camouflage techniques with you prior to your surgery, but be assured that while almost everyone has some sort of temporary side effect such as bruising and swelling, there are makeup techniques that both men and women can use almost immediately to disguise them. Generally speaking, makeup techniques can be used soon after facelift plastic surgery to cover discolorations, and to hide incision lines after the stitches have been removed and the incision is completely closed. Camouflage cosmetics include three basic types of products: concealers to hide incision lines and discolorations; contour shadows to disguise swelling; and color correctors to neutralize color in reddened skin. Color correctors disguise yellowish discolorations or the pinkness that follows chemical peel and dermabrasion. Lavender neutralizes or removes yellow, and green has a similar effect on red. It will take a little patience and practice to master camouflage techniques, but most post-op patients feel its well worth the effort. What is liposuction? Liposuction is the surgical vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. It is used to reduce fullness in any area of the body. It is an excellent method of spot reduction but is not an effective method of weight loss. What is the tumescent liposuction technique? The tumescent liposuction technique involves injection beneath the skin of large volumes of salt water containing lidocaine, a local anesthetic and small amounts of adrenaline, a naturally occurring hormone which shrinks blood vessels. By injecting this solution to the fat prior to performing liposuction, the plastic surgeon numbs the tissues and shrinks the blood vessels thereby eliminating pain and reducing and minimizing bleeding, bruising, and swelling. The tumescent technique permits some patients who were previously treated under general anesthesia to be treated under local anesthesia with sedation. Who is a candidate for liposuction? Generally people who have localized areas of protruding fat achieve the most dramatic results. Patients who are slightly overweight can benefit from liposuction. It is best to be at or near your normal weight. Good skin elasticity permits the skin to shrink easily to the reduced contour. There are no absolute age limits for liposuction. What areas are most frequently treated with liposuction? In women, the single most frequently treated areas are the outer thighs, followed by the stomach. In men, the flank area or "love handles" are treated most frequently. Can liposuction tighten up a loose neck? If there is excess fat in the area under the chin and the skin is taught, liposuction alone can produce a more sculpted, angular, and youthful jaw line. If, however, the skin of the neck is loose, hanging, or crepey, even if there is excess fat, liposuction alone will not produce the desired result. Patients with loose skin usually require a face and neck lift in addition to or instead of liposuction. In general, most patients who benefit from liposuction of the neck are under 40. Most patients over 40 will require some surgical skin tightening. Will I have scars from liposuction? An incision needs to made in order to access the fat with the liposuction instrument, but the incision is about the size of a staple in a piece of paper and fades over time. Dr. Sherrill will discuss where the incisions are made at the time of your consultation. Can I have more than one area done at the same time? Generally speaking, yes. Often we see women for abdomen and outer thighs or men who want their abdomen and chin done. Dr. Sherrill needs to see how much fat he will be removing from you because there are safety limitations as far as how much fat can be removed at one time. How long will I wear the compression garment following liposuction plastic surgery? In most cases, Dr. Sherrill recommends wearing a compression garment for 2 weeks. Each case is special and he will let you know if you need to wear it longer or if it is okay to remove it sooner. We provide the garment for you. What will be discussed at my consultation for liposuction plastic surgery? The plastic surgeon will tell you about liposuction surgery, the techniques he uses, the incisions that he would need to make and where he would place them. He would tell you how much improvement you can expect from the procedure and discuss recovery, anesthesia, down time requirements, potential risks and complications. He will answer any questions you may have and spend as much time as necessary to ensure that you fully understand all aspects of the procedure. Liposuction seems very simple and safe. Are there any dangers associated with liposuction plastic surgery? Although liposuction is very safe and effective, it is a surgical procedure and can cause complications such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. In addition, aesthetic complications such as skin irregularity or waviness can occur if too much fat has been removed. Fortunately, complications are uncommon and most patients are satisfied with their results. |
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