Frequently Asked Questions
1) How long is the recovery period?
The recovery period depends on many factors, including the procedure being done and the patient themselves. During your consultation our surgical staff will go over each step of your procedure and recovery, making sure you understand what to expect and are properly prepared.
2) How long will I be bruised and or swollen?
Nasal Procedures: You will be bruised for about 6 weeks, but you will usually start to see improvement after 2. The swelling will begin to improve in 4-6 weeks, but can last for 3-6 months.
Breast Procedures: You will be bruised for 4-6 weeks, but will usually start to see an improvement in 2 weeks. You will be swollen for about 3-6 months, but will start to see improvement in 4-6 weeks.
Body Procedures: You will be bruised for 4-6 weeks, but will usually start to see improvement in 2 weeks. Depending on the type of procedure you will have some swelling for 3-6 months.
3) Will I have scars? How bad will they be?
Nasal Procedures: The incisions are usually placed inside the nasal cavity, so there is no scarring. In the small chance that an incision is outside the incisions are very small and scarring is minimal.
Breast Procedures:
- Augmentation – The incisions are usually made in the armpit and are small. Scarring is very minimal
- Reduction/Mastopexy – The incisions are made around the nipple and on the under side of the breast. Though there is some scarring it is minimal and fades over time.
Face Procedures: The incisions are behind the ears and hidden in the hairline. They are very minimal and difficult to see because of their placement.
Eye Procedures: Scarring to both the lower and upper eyelids is minimal.
4) How long will I be out of work?
Nasal Procedures: You can return to sedentary work or school after 7-10 days. If more activity is involved than you may need to be out longer.
Breast Procedures: You can return to work with light activity in 3-4 days.
Body Procedures:
- Abdominoplasty – You can return to work in 3-4 weeks, depending on the level of activity and how you feel.
- Liposuction – You can return to work in 2-3 days.
Face Procedures: You can return to sedentary/light activity work in 2-3 weeks depending on how you feel. If more strenuous activity s involved you may need to be out longer.
5) When can I go back to the gym/do physical activity?
Nasal Procedures: You can start light activity after 5 days. Do not bend over at the waist for 3 weeks. You can go back to the gym after 6 weeks.
Breast Procedures: You should not do any heavy lifting or upper body work for 6 weeks. You can walk (not run) on a treadmill or elliptical (w/o the arms) after 2-3 weeks.
Body Procedures: You should not do any heavy physical activity for 6 weeks.
Face Procedures: You need to avoid sudden head movements and bending with your head down for 3 weeks. You can begin talking light walks at 2 weeks. You should not do any heavy physical activity or go to the gym for 6 weeks.
6) When can I drive? Fly?
Nasal Procedures: You may drive after 1 week. You may fly after 2 weeks.
Breast Procedures: You can drive in 4-5 days, if it feels comfortable and you have power steering. Start with short trips to see how you feel. You can fly after 2 weeks.
Body Procedures:
- Abdominoplasty – You may drive after 2-3 weeks. You may fly after 4 weeks, depending on how you feel.
- Liposuction – You may drive in 2-3 days. You may fly in 2 weeks.
Face Procedures: You may drive after 2-3 weeks. You may fly after 2-3 weeks.
7) Will my insurance cover the surgery?
Nasal Procedures: If there are medical issues involved, such as a deviated septum, part of your procedure may be covered. Insurance will not cover purely cosmetic cases. At the time of your consultation our office will let you know if we can submit to your provider.
Breast Procedures: In certain cases, part of a procedure may be covered by insurance. This includes certain breast reductions and breast implant procedures due to capsule formations and/or rupture/deflation of the implant. At the time of you consultation and exam our office will let you know if we can submit to your insurance provider.
8) Will my vision be affected?
No. The surgery does not interfere with vision. You may experience some blurriness immediately post op, due to the expected swelling and ointment we prescribe, but this is temporary and goes away quickly.
9) What are the risks involved?
With any surgical procedure there can be some concerns and risks. During your consult our experienced, board certified doctors will go over the procedure as well as both your medical history and your expectations to make sure that surgery is the correct choice for you.
10) Will I have trouble breathing after surgery?
Nasal Procedures: You will feel very stuffy and congested after surgery. This is normal and you should just breathe through your mouth instead of trying to breathe through your nose. Do not blow your nose for 3 weeks. We will clean it for you at your post-op visits.
11) Do I have to have anesthesia?
For the majority of cosmetic cases anesthesia is required, the number one reason for which is patient comfort. There are many different types of anesthesia and generally light sedation is all that is necessary. During your consult the doctor will discuss with you all the options available and will help you decide which is the best choice for you.
12) Do I need someone to come with me/stay with me?
Nasal Procedures: You will need someone here after your surgery to take you home. You should have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery.
Breast Procedures: You will need someone to take you home after your surgery. You should have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Body Procedures:
- Abdominoplasty – We recommend a private duty nurse meet you here after your surgery to take you home and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours after your surgery. Our office can help you arrange this.
- Liposuction – You will need someone here after your surgery to take you home. You should have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery.
Face Procedures: We recommend a private duty nurse meet you at the office after your surgery to take you home and stay with you for the first 24-36 hours. Our office can help arrange this.
13) How long is the whole procedure start to finish?
Nasal Procedures: Most nasal surgeries take approximately 60 to 90 minutes. We ask you to expect to be in our office for 3 hours with recovery time.
Breast Procedures: Most breast procedures take between 1-2 hours. We ask you to plan to be in our office for 4 hours with recovery time.
Body Procedures:
- Liposuction: Most liposuction procedures take between 1 ½ to 3 hours, depending on the body area. We ask you to expect to be in our office for 3 to 4 hours with recovery time.
- Abdominoplasty: Most abdominoplasty procedures take approximately 3 to 4 hours. Your total time here in the office will vary with the extent of your procedure. As we usually recommend a private duty nurse to care for you after your procedure they are asked to meet you at our office.
Face Procedures: Most face lift procedures take approximately 3 to 4 hours. We ask you to plan to be in our office for 5 to 6 hours with recovery. If we have recommended a private duty nurse to take care of you after the procedure they will meet you here at our office.
Eye Procedures: Most eye procedures take approximately 1 hour. We ask you to expect to be in our office for 2 hours with recovery time.
14) How long after surgery will I start to see the results?
With essentially all of our cosmetic procedures patients will first see a difference immediately after surgery. Even with the expected bruising and swelling results can start to be seen right away, with continuing improvement over 6 weeks to 3 months.
