Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery
What is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
Am I a good candidate for plastic surgery?
Can I finance my cosmetic surgery?
Where do you perform your surgery? Is it a certified facility?
How long will the procedure take?
Is there an overnight stay facility with monitoring if I need it?
Have you ever had to transfer a patient to the hospital?
Will Everyone Recognize I Had Surgery?
What about scars? Are they permanent?
When can I resume regular exercise?
How long does breast augmentation surgery take?
When can I return to work after breast augmentation surgery?
My eyes look tired all the time. Is there a procedure to correct this?
What is the recovery time for a facelift?
I am slightly overweight. Would I be a good candidate for liposuction?
What is the average volume of fat you remove with liposuction?
What is the worst complication of the procedure?
What happens if there is a complication?
What happens if I have a minor imperfection and a small touch-up procedure could improve it?
What if, five years from now, I need a second procedure due to progressive aging?
I want this to be my last plastic surgery procedure. Isn't that possible if you do an excellent job?
Am I a good candidate for plastic surgery?
Determining who is a good candidate for a particular procedure requires an in-office consultation and examination.
What is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
This can be a confusing topic because there are many different "Boards" that have been created for physicians who practice cosmetic surgery. Just remember that not all "Boards" are created equally. While there are many different organizations which a physician can go through to bill himself or herself as a plastic surgeon, only one - The American Board of Plastic Surgery - requires the rigorous training in the broad fields of general surgery, hand surgery, pediatric surgery, microsurgery, cosmetic surgery, and comprehensive reconstructive surgery for the entire body. There are 24 specialty boards that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA). The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the ONLY specialty board for plastic surgery recognized by the ABMS and the AMA. The American Board of Plastic Surgery not only tests the knowledge and skills of the candidates through a rigorous multi-step process culminating in written and oral exams, but also demands that the candidates live up to the highest ethical standards. You can check if a surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery by visiting their website: www.abplsurg.org.
Dr. Sukkar does all of your surgery. He does not work with trainees that might be encountered in an academic medical center.
Can I finance my cosmetic surgery?
Our office offers a variety of payment options for your convenience. We currently work with several financing companies.
Where do you perform your surgery? Is it a certified facility?
For your optimum comfort and safety, all operative procedures are performed in a fully accredited hospital or outpatient surgical center. Dr Sukkar has gone to great lengths to build and accredit his on-site surgical suite. This outpatient surgical facility gained full accreditation after inspection in February 2007 by The American Association For Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Patient's enjoy the private and convenient setting that this surgical facility provides.
The anesthesia is administered by Board-Certified M.D. Anesthesiologists.
Generally, patients return home the same day their procedure takes place. Should you require an overnight stay, facilities are available with private duty nursing care.
How long will the procedure take?
Most procedures last from 2 to 3 hours. For extremely involved or multiple procedures, 6 to 8 hours may be necessary.
Is there an overnight stay facility with monitoring if I need it?
Patients who undergo major procedures will typically need an overnight stay facility for help to-and-from the bathroom and monitoring by skilled nursing staff. The patients who are discharged to their home can be adequately cared for by family members, but in some circumstances, this creates unnecessary anxiety. Professional nurses who are specialists in postoperative care are best suited for this task. They are aware of potential complications and can act early to avoid or minimize any problems. This can be arranged if you desire.
Have you ever had to transfer a patient to the hospital?
This is an extremely rare circumstance, but a certified outpatient surgery center can facilitate any emergency admissions to the hospital if necessary. Dr. Sukkar has not had to transfer a patient to a hospital after a cosmetic procedure; however this could potentially happen after any type of surgery, due to unforeseen circumstances.
During your surgery, anesthesia ensures you are comfortable and without pain. For most procedures, you will be asleep for the entire time. After surgery you will be prescribed medication for any discomfort. These symptoms usually subside within a matter of days.
Will Everyone Recognize I Had Surgery?
Usually not. Good plastic surgery looks natural. People will often ask if you have been on vacation, lost weight, or been exercising. Typically, they will not know unless you share it with them.
What about scars? Are they permanent?
Plastic Surgery is a trade off. It is impossible to penetrate the skin, improve shape and contour, and not leave a scar. Although this scar will be permanent, it may be virtually undetectable. Plastic Surgeons are experts at hiding scars. Detailed attention to closure, minimization of tension, and accurately placing the scar in creases or wrinkles minimizes scar detectability. Despite these efforts, occasionally a patient may not scar well.
Yes, if they are located in the lower abdominal area. The procedure used is an abdominoplasty, which removes stretch marks, excess skin and fat.
When can I resume regular exercise?
The time a patient resumes regular exercise 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 2-3 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.
Since cosmetic surgery is elective, most insurance plans do not cover it. There are exceptions, and if your procedure is medically necessary, our office will be happy to contact your insurance company.
How long does breast augmentation surgery take?
The surgery normally takes about two hours, and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
When can I return to work after breast augmentation surgery?
You usually can get around independently by the second day. If you are not required to lift more than 10 pounds, you may return to work at 3-5 days.
My eyes look tired all the time. Is there a procedure to correct this?
Yes. Blepharoplasty removes the loose skin on the upper eyelid, and fatty deposits below the eyes to give a more youthful, rested appearance.
What is the recovery time for a facelift?
The major swelling and bruising are usually gone around 10-14 days. Our aesthetician can help with make up and skin care to help minimize the appearance of bruising during the healing period.
I am slightly overweight. Would I be a good candidate for liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It can help to sculpt areas on the body. An ideal candidate is someone who is within 20 to 40 pounds of his/her ideal weight. There are always exceptions, which can be determined by Dr. Sukkar during a consultation.
What is the average volume of fat you remove with liposuction?
A typical volume with an experienced liposuction physician is 3000-5000 cc (approximately 6-10 pounds) of fat. Removal of greater than 5000cc of fat in the outpatient setting is not recommended and is associated with higher complication rates.
What is the worst complication of the procedure?
Major complications are extremely rare. Complications such as fluid overload, skin death, major infection, and need for blood transfusion, etc., can largely be avoided by the experienced surgeon. In certain circumstances, the patient can do everything right and the plastic surgeon do everything right but there can be an unforeseen problem, such as blood clots or hypertrophic scarring. These are rare, but they can happen. The risks from surgery can vary among different procedures. These will be discussed and reviewed in great detail at your preoperative appointment to ensure that you are INFORMED prior to undergoing surgery.
Fees vary depending on the specific procedure requested. Surgeon fees are based on the average amount of time it takes to complete the surgery. The facility and anesthesia fees will be paid to the certified plastic surgical facility. You will get a detailed price quote itemizing all fees at your initial consultation.
What happens if there is a complication?
Unforeseen complications where both the surgeon and the patient are disappointed with the result and feel it could have been better are handled in a multitude of ways. These options will be reviewed at your preoperative consultation.
What happens if I have a minor imperfection and a small touch-up procedure could improve it?
If the patient has shown a significant improvement but still seeks further improvement, a touch-up fee will be applied. Further refinements may be performed in the office under local anesthesia without the need for a certified outpatient facility or anesthesiologist.
What if, five years from now, I need a second procedure due to progressive aging?
No procedure lasts a lifetime. In this case, Dr. Sukkar charges a standard surgical fee. The aging process is like a watch. The plastic surgeon can stop the aging process at that finite point in time, however, as the ravages of time march on, such things as skin laxity and/or cellulite slowly progress.
I want this to be my last plastic surgery procedure. Isn't that possible if you do an excellent job?
The aging process is relentless and seemingly irreversible. No single plastic surgery procedure can stop it. A combination of plastic surgery, diet and exercise and avoiding environmental toxins gives you the best possible chance of looking as good as possible for as long as possible. Theoretically, a major plastic surgery procedure every 5-10 years is best maintained with smaller "refreshing" procedures every 2-3 years. Knowledge is your most powerful tool in combating the aging process.
Call to arrange a personal consultation. Dr. Sukkar will evaluate your needs and discuss any further questions or concerns you may have about a particular procedure. We can also provide information regarding financing, office hours, and any type of cosmetic medicine or surgical procedure. 281.990-8487.