Plastic surgery takes planning. After all, you’ll need time to heal, and that often means asking time off work or asking someone to help out with the kids. You also want to look your best during holidays and vacations, which means planning surgery in time to heal for major life events. So when is the best time to schedule plastic surgery?
4 Tips for Planning Plastic Surgery
Look at your weather app. Cooler weather lets you wear bigger, more concealing clothing, which is great if you want to keep your decision to have plastic surgery on the down-low. Wearing layers also means better protection from the sun, which can discolor scars, especially when they’re fresh.
Check your calendar. If you don’t have kids, you may want to take advantage of long weekends like President’s Day. Federal holidays will help you limit the amount of vacation time you’ll need for your recovery. If you’re a parent, you may want to plan your surgery when the kids are in school, unless your spouse is available to play single parent during spring break.
See what’s coming up. Are you attending a graduation ceremony in May? Book your consultation now. You should be healed enough to return to non strenuous activities in 4-7 days, but breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and other major surgeries require 3-6 weeks of healing before patients are able to lift heavy items, like that mini fridge your kid doesn’t want anymore.
Start small. If you’ve been considering a breast augmentation for a while, it’s time to treat yourself! But if you’re not sure whether a tummy tuck, facelift, or other surgical procedure is right for you, you may want to start with something small like injectible fillers or SculpSure.
Want to feel confident in your summer body? Spring is a great time to plan plastic surgery. Call Dr. Brantner’s office to learn more about the procedures we offer.
When it comes to plastic surgery, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear. Many Americans are misinformed about plastic surgery, even ones who have had it before. We’re debunking common plastic surgery myths to help patients make safer, more educated choices.
4 Common Plastic Surgery Myths
It’s all about vanity. Studies show that 88% of plastic surgery patients have realistic expectations about their results. Plastic surgery can improve self-esteem and help patients get healthier, but it won’t fix deeper problems relating to health, relationships, or self-worth.
Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are the same thing. Many people believe that “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” are interchangeable, but they’re actually two different specialties. Cosmetic surgery is elective surgery to improve the appearance. There’s currently no residency training for cosmetic surgery, so cosmetic surgeons get their experience “on the job” or in 2 year post-residency fellowships. Plastic surgeons must undergo 5 years of surgical training, which includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, before getting certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
It takes the work out of weight loss. While procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and our new SculpSure fat reduction laser will reduce or remove fatty deposits, surgery is not the solution for patients who aren’t willing to change their lifestyles. Without regular exercise and healthy eating habits, patients will regain the weight, if not always in the same places.
It’s not affordable for normal people. Cosmetic surgery has a reputation as a luxury item, but the truth is, plastic surgery is affordable for people with normal incomes. Non-surgical procedures like Botox and laser hair removal only cost a few hundred dollars. And if your surgical procedure is medically necessary (as is often the case with breast reductions and eye lifts), it may be covered by insurance.
Don’t make a decision before you have all the facts. If you have questions about a plastic surgery procedure, call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.
Nobody wants to look back on holiday pictures and think, “Wow, I should have deleted that one.” The good news is that with a little planning, you can smile without reservation when someone tags you in a holiday Facebook pics. How can you guarantee you look great for the holidays?
4 Ways to Look Good for the Holidays
Take care of your skin. You might feel haggard after staying up until early morning prepping holiday potatoes (and we don’t recommend that you add it to your beauty routine), but implementing a good skin care routine will help you look fresh even when you’re not. Start by washing your face, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen daily, then find a skin care routine that works for you.
Take care of yourself. We know you have three million items on your holiday to-do list. But don’t forget to eat regular, healthy meals, exercise a few times a week, and get some sleep. You’ll be amazed what an extra hour of sleep and 20 minutes of exercise can do for you, both physically and mentally.
Freshen up. Want a quick facial refresh before the holidays? Injectables, fillers, and chemical peels can smooth, tighten, and refresh the skin without the downtime of a major procedure. You’ll be back on your feet in five minutes. Recovery from side effects like redness, bruising, or swelling only takes a few days.
Plan that procedure. If you’re not making a big deal out of the holidays this season (or if your spouse is willing to pitch in with the cooking and cleaning), you can use the extra vacation time to schedule the surgery on your wish list. Speak frankly with your surgeon about how much time you have for recovery, and be realistic when choosing your date. Even if you’re back on your feet for Christmas, you may have residual scarring or swelling. If you want to snap next year’s Christmas card photo on Christmas Eve, you may want to wait until the New Year for your procedure.
A lot of patients want to know if insurance covers plastic surgery. Is there ever an elective procedure that medical insurance will pay for? Typically plastic surgery is elective (AKA not in your medical coverage), but there are some major exceptions to the rule.
Breast Surgery
While cosmetic implants aren’t typically covered by insurance, they may be covered for women reconstructing breast tissue after a mastectomy. Many breast cancer survivors aren’t aware of the breast reconstruction options covered by insurance. Breast reductions may also be covered by medical insurance. If the breasts are heavy enough to cause back pain, neck pain, numbness, rashes, or other health problems, there’s a good chance the procedure will be covered.
Eyelid Surgery
Typically eyelid surgery is an elective, out-of-pocket procedure to smooth the skin, reduce bags, and remove fatty deposits around the eyes. But if you prove that the drooping skin above your eyes causes vision problems, your insurance provider may cover the cost of the procedure.
Nose Surgery
Nose jobs, more commonly known as rhinoplasties, can be medically necessary to repair breathing problems or other health conditions. If that’s the case, they’re often covered by insurance.
Medical Complications
Patients who choose a board certified plastic surgeon drastically reduce the likelihood of surgical complications. But in the event of infection or excessive bleeding, many insurance companies will cover the medical care necessary to get you back on your feet.
While many plastic surgery procedures can be covered by insurance, no two insurance companies have the same coverage. Always get a written statement from your insurance company prior to the procedure to make sure you don’t get stuck with the bill.
For more information on plastic surgery and medical insurance, call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Johnson City, TN.
When people hear “plastic surgery,” the typically imagine female patients. But cosmetic procedures aren’t just for women. As men age, they want to look as good as they feel, and many men turn to plastic surgery to lift saggy skin, remove excess fat, or reshape parts of the body they’re not happy with. 13% of all cosmetic surgeries performed in 2015 were for male patients; according to the data, that number is on the rise.
Facial Cosmetic Surgery for Men
Facial contouring smooths wrinkles and fine lines, removes excess skin around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls, and restores facial definition lost with age. Facial procedures are growing in popularity with male patients. Eyelid surgery, which improves the appearance of the eyelid by removing excess skin and fatty deposits, is the second most popular cosmetic procedure for men, with almost 30,000 procedures performed on male patients in 2015. Rhinoplasties remain the most popular male cosmetic procedure, with 53,248 men getting nose reshaping procedures in 2015. Facelifts and nonsurgical procedures such as Botox, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and cosmetic fillers are also popular with male patients.
Body Contouring for Men
Body contouring helps men feel more confident about their appearance. 12% of all liposuction procedures are done on male patients. More men are also choosing to have tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and body lifts to remove fat and excess skin and to smooth the overall appearance of the body. But the most popular body sculpting procedure for men is the male breast reduction. Many men have insecurities caused by large breasts, or “man boobs,” as they’re derogatorily called in today’s slang. People often think that male breasts are a sign of weight gain or obesity, but gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) can also result from a genetic excess of breast tissue, hormonal fluctuations, or a variety of other causes. A male breast reduction removes fat and breast tissue to reduce breast size in men, allowing them to feel more confident in their daily lives. 27,456 men had breast reduction surgery in the United States last year alone.
Do you want to restore your confidence, reshape your body, or reclaim a youthful appearance? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.
Plastic surgery helps men and women boost their confidence by making small physical changes to their face or body. But because of the high expectations most patients have for their new look, some may feel uncomfortable in their new skin. While it is possible for a patient to need follow-up surgery, most negative emotions are a temporary result of unrealistic expectations. So how can you guarantee that you love the new you?
4 Ways to Ensure that You Love Your Results
Have realistic expectations. Plastic surgery is an amazing medical advancement, and in the hands of a skilled, certified surgeon, you can achieve the look of your dreams. But if you expect perfection, you’ll be disappointed at best. At worst? You’ll get more plastic surgery, but never feel satisfied. Understand the limitations of your procedure if you want to fall in ‘love at first sight’ with the new you.
Understand the point of plastic surgery. Will a facelift give you smoother skin and a more youthful appearance? Yes. Will it make you happier? Maybe not. Plastic surgery changes your appearance, not your mental or emotional health. If you need a boost of confidence by minimizing wrinkles or reshaping your nose, go for it. But realize that plastic surgery won’t fix low self-esteem, marital problems, or other issues in your life.
Give yourself time to heal. Yes, your doctor may have taken out your stitches, but that doesn’t mean your body is finished healing. It can take several months for the procedure to “settle” and the body to fully heal.
Prepare for an adjustment period. Humans are creatures of habit. You may have been dreaming about a breast augmentation for a decade, but your mental self-image has small breasts. Many patients are surprised to find themselves feeling strange when they look in a mirror after surgery. Don’t panic. Just like your body needs time to heal, your brain just needs time to adjust to the new you.
Not sure whether plastic surgery is right for you? Discuss your questions and concerns with Dr. Brantner. Call today to schedule a consultation.
Look at your weather app. Cooler weather lets you wear bigger, more concealing clothing, which is great if you want to keep your decision to have plastic surgery on the down-low. Wearing layers also means better protection from the sun, which can discolor scars, especially when they’re fresh.
