I often get asked by new patients if I think they are ready to have plastic surgery. The premise of that question is what they eprceive physically and that is one important issue, But there are important psychological and financial considerations as well.

However, a simple yes to that question is based more than just on the physical issues at hand and patient also need to think about other considerations as well before having any plastic surgery procedure. While many have written about surgery preparedness, I would consider the following the ‘big’ three’ which, in my mind and experience, are the most significant.

First, do some background research on the desired procedures as well as on your doctor(s). The internet may be full of inaccurate and misleading information, but it is also chocked full of a lot of good information about everything in plastic surgery. Become a good student again, do your homework, and be prepared to ask your plastic surgeon good questions. You can’t expect the plastic surgeon to tell you everything in the limited face-to-face time you have.Your plastic surgeon has these conversations all day long, you will have far fewer of them. Take charge of your knowledge and education.

Secondly, can you really afford to have the plastic surgery procedures? I fully realize that in life people afford what they want, not what they need. It is not my job, nor am I capable, of assessing whether this is the best way for you to spend your money. My financial responsibility lies in educating you about which procedures have the best value based on what you are trying to achieve. One of the factors to consider in determining financial feasibility is…how much buffer do you have should complications occur? Yu may have extra expenses or need more time off from work should a complication develop. Leave some financial wiggle room if you are considering elective plastic surgery. This area is one of the most common reasons for ‘dissatisfaction’ from plastic surgery procedures.

Lastly, be prepared to accept the reality that complications from plastic surgery can and do occur. And I don’t mean rarely. While most plastic surgery complications are relatively minor and easily solved in most cases, a few are not. Just like a car accident, for example, you are not exempt from the risks of adverse outcomes. It does not always happen to the ‘other guy’. Most importantly, factor this in psychologically. Recovery from plastic surgery will always take longer than you think in many cases. Getting over the inconvenience of a surgical complication will likewise be more prolonged that all will like.

These three areas of mental and psychological preparedness will serve you well to undergo any plastic surgery procedure…and will go far in making you ready for it.



Thanks to Dr Barry Eppley for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Cosmetic Ear Surgery

“Saddle bags” and “riding breeches” are the terms used to describe the fatty accumulations in the hip, buttocks, outer thigh or lateral thigh areas.

The fat deposits in these areas are highly resistant to diet or exercise.The saddlebag liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove fat deposits from the hip area with minimal, non-permanent scarring.

To carry out the saddle bags liposuction procedure, the plastic surgeon inserts a small hollow tube called the cannula to suction out the fat by making few incisions in the skin.

It is very important to follow the pre operative care instructions given by the plastic surgeon to get the best results for saddlebag liposuction surgery.

The prospective saddle bag liposuction patients should inform the plastic surgeon about any possible allergies to medications or the presence of any diseases.

The potential plastic surgery patients should avoid the intake of any medicines containing aspirin or Vitamin E, motrin, advil, garlic and garlic pills at least one week before the saddlebag liposuction surgery to ensure proper healing.

It is very important to perform the plastic surgery from a board certified plastic surgeon to achieve the desired results and to minimize the complications.

The plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Institute of California are board certified and expert in the field of plastic surgery.

For an expert advice and consultations on saddle bag liposuction procedures, visit the plastic surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of California by clicking “Saddle bags” and “riding breeches” are the terms used to describe the fatty accumulations in the hip, buttocks, outer thigh or lateral thigh areas.

The fat deposits in these areas are highly resistant to diet or exercise.The saddlebag liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove fat deposits from the hip area with minimal, non-permanent scarring.

To carry out the saddle bags liposuction procedure, the plastic surgeon inserts a small hollow tube called the cannula to suction out the fat by making few incisions in the skin.

It is very important to follow the pre operative care instructions given by the plastic surgeon to get the best results for saddlebag liposuction surgery.

The prospective saddle bag liposuction patients should inform the plastic surgeon about any possible allergies to medications or the presence of any diseases.

The potential plastic surgery patients should avoid the intake of any medicines containing aspirin or Vitamin E, motrin, advil, garlic and garlic pills at least one week before the saddlebag liposuction surgery to ensure proper healing.

It is very important to perform the plastic surgery from a board certified plastic surgeon to achieve the desired results and to minimize the complications.

The plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Institute of California are board certified and expert in the field of plastic surgery.

For an expert advice and consultations on saddle bag liposuction procedures, visit the plastic surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of California by clicking here.



Thanks to Ihab Kharma for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Cosmetic Surgery Breast Augmentation

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, some men may be thinking of giving their significant other a plastic surgery procedure as a gift. While the idea of less frown lines, fuller lips, larger breasts, or a tighter waistline may be on a man’s wish list, make sure it is something the woman really wants, lest it be misinterpreted as self-serving….sort of like that DVD player or home theatre system. If the idea seems to fit, here are some important issues to consider.

Most importantly, whomever pays the bill, nobody should undergo plastic surgery because someone else wants them to or because it is a gift. This is the type of gift you should give only if you are certain she really wants it. The desire to have the procedure should be entirely self-motivated and she should have talked about it in the past or in the recent present. The happiest plastic surgery patients are those who are doing it for themselves, to improve their self-image, and not just for you.

It is important to remember that plastic surgery is not a retail item, like buying a watch or perfume. It is a serious undertaking and all procedures, no matter even if done in the office, carry risks and the potential for complications. Make sure you acquire this gift from a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. Take the initiative in properly selecting qualified plastic surgeons, don’t just go to someone because someone else says so or that they bought the ‘gift’ there so you have to send it there, Research a doctor’s education and training, board-certification, and his/her documented experience in cosmetic surgery and procedures. Plastic surgery is a gift that she can’t give back if you don’t like it!Even purchasing something like a consultation for a few hundred dollars would be a good safe start or a gift card for Botox or injectable fillers. Any plastic surgeon’s office can help guide you in what to do.

Plastic Surgery, with the exception of office-based Botox and injectable fillers, takes planning. Make sure that you time your ‘gift’ appropriately. A self-motivated, well-informed patient who plans their procedure around work and family is the most likely to be happy and satisfied with their plastic surgery decision.

If any of these areas are a concern…consider a generous spa card instead…every woman alive likes pampering…and you’ll be a certain winner!



Thanks to Dr Barry Eppley for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Cosmetic Breast Surgery

More and more men are getting plastic surgery as a way of improving their appearance. The male grooming market, which has expanded to $3.5 billion, proves that men do care about their appearance. Before any man decides to get plastic surgery, they should research the procedure and make sure they chose a qualified plastic surgeon.

Many men are looking to plastic surgery to maintain a more youthful appearance. Unlike women, who seem to be interested in plastic surgery in their late 30s, many males have been getting treatments later, usually in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Many males believe that plastic surgery will help them advance at work. Others believe that it will help them find a significant other. Regardless of their reasoning, plastic surgery is growing for men.

Most of the males get nose reshaping, to fix a misshapen nose while others get hair transplantation to eliminate baldness. Others get eyelid treatment to fix fine lines and wrinkles while some males get liposuction to eliminate fat in unwanted places. Finally, many men get breast reduction treatment to have a more defined chest. This new procedure allows men to have pectoral implants. Botox injections are becoming more popular with men as they try to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines.

All candidates should get a consultation before the treatment. During the consultation, the patient should ask for information that specifically details the procedure they are considering. The doctor should inform the patient that the procedure for some surgeries can vary greatly based on the patient’s healing, and the outcome is never completely predictable. The size, nature and extent of an injury or unpleasant feature can determine what treatment option is chosen and how quickly the procedure will be performed.

The specifics of the treatment will also be determined by your physician based on your age, overall health and medical history. Also playing a part is the extent of the corrections desired and your tolerance to specific medications, procedures, or therapies. The patient should also ask the doctor to explain any part of the procedure that may seem unclear or risky. Finally, the patient may want to ask the doctor for any references from patients who have had the treatment. Remember that reconstructive procedures frequently demand complex planning and may require a number of procedures done in stages.

Recovery time for reconstructive procedures can be a bit longer than with cosmetic ones, and there may be a greater risk of complications. When reconstructive surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor with the recovery time typically being minimal. Everyone heals at a different rate and plastic surgeons usually cannot pinpoint an exact date of full recovery following surgery. They can, however, give you a general idea of when you can expect to notice the improvement.

Patients undergoing the surgery may be more at risk of complication. Some complications associated with reconstructive plastic surgery may include infection, bleeding, and bruising. Risk of complications may increase if a patient smokes, has skin damage from radiation therapy, decreased circulation, HIV, an impaired immune system, or poor nutritional habits. If the individual chooses a reputable doctor and follows all of the instructions, then the chances of complications severely decrease.



Thanks to Abigail Aaronson for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Breast Enhancement Without Surgery

Breast enlargement, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure which can enhance a woman’s body contour by augmenting the size and shape of the breast volume lost due to pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding.

The new moms looking forward to breast enlargement procedures should follow the pre surgery care instructions given by the plastic surgeon in order to achieve the desired result.

The prospective breast enlargement patients should avoid the intake of aspirin and the medicines containing aspirin at least two weeks prior to the plastic surgery.

The prospective plastic surgery patients should stop the consumption of alcoholic beverages prior to the breast enlargement surgery.

The plastic surgery patients should have a balanced diet and avoid any strenuous activity prior to the surgery.

The plastic surgeons of the Plastic Surgery Institute of California ensure highest standards of safety to the breast enlargement procedures and also provide all the information for the plastic surgery procedure.

Visit the Plastic Surgery Institute of California for more information on the breast enlargement.



Thanks to Ihab Kharma for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Cosmetic Breast Surgery