The word "plastic" in plastic surgery comes from the Greek word "plastikos" which means to mold or to shape. The specialty of plastic surgery dates back to 3000 BC when Indian surgeons reconstructed missing noses. The specialty has evolved to the field of reconstructive surgery replacing missing parts with natural or artificial materials, the closure of complex wounds, and aesthetic surgery.
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The First Step if you are considering plastic surgery is to select a surgeon you can trust. Choosing a surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) will ensure you have selected a physician who:
ASPS Member Surgeons are your partners in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
The Second Step is to know about the safety of outpatient surgery. When considering plastic surgery, it’s natural to focus more on the expected result than on the surgical process. However, to be fully informed, it’s important to learn about the safety of the procedure as well as the expected outcome. Although thousands of people have plastic surgery every year without complications, no surgical procedure is risk-free. To maximize safety, not only should you ensure that your physician is an ASPS member surgeon, you must be certain that the facility where your surgery will be performed conforms to strict safety standards and is an accredited facility. Look for the ASPS Member Surgeon Logo. Only ASPS members are entitled to display the logo found on the right side of this page.
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The Third Step is to let your surgeon know detailed information about your personal and family health history. There is always risk with any surgical procedure. However, as a patient, you can play an important role in reducing your risk by providing a full and complete health history to your surgeon. Although rare, one of the most serious complications associated with surgery is the development of blood clots in the large veins of the abdomen and legs. This complication can lead to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (blocked lung artery). Therefore, it is extremely important to tell your plastic surgeon if you or any of your family members have a history of blood clots or if you have had a family member who died suddenly, shortly after surgery or childbirth. You will be evaluated for other factors that may increase the risks of blood clots. These include:
Safety measures to prevent blood clots will be determined by your individual degree of risk.
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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.
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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.
The time a patient resumes regular exercises 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.
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Yes, absolutely. Below are some questions to ask your plastic surgeon:
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL
