Category: Preparing for Plastic Surgery

5 Minute Read: 

Pregnancy is definitely a whole different experience. It’s a life-altering one that can bring joy and happiness to a woman’s life. However, it also impacts a woman’s body, sometimes leading to dissatisfaction with her appearance. Therefore, some women turn to professional surgeons and plastic surgery to address their concerns. But the question is: how pregnancy affects plastic surgery?

In this article, we will explore the effects of pregnancy on plastic surgery and what you need to know before undergoing any procedure. Stay tuned.

Pregnancy and Plastic Surgery: Understanding the Risks

As we’re all aware, pregnancy can bring many changes to a woman’s body, such as:

• skin stretching,
• breast enlargement,
• weight gain.

Therefore, it’s vital to know from the start that all of these changes can affect the outcome of the surgery. Additionally, it’s of critical importance to be aware of the risks such procedures can cause after pregnancy.

For instance, breast augmentation after pregnancy could increase the risk of bleeding or infections. Or, if you undergo the tummy tuck procedure right after being pregnant, there’s a risk of developing something called ‘seroma.’ That is a pocket of fluid that can form under the skin. Therefore, like everything in life, it’s vital to research, find professionals to put your confidence in, and have the right team by your side.

Timing is crucial when talking about how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. But first, giving your body time to heal is vital.

In addition to possible risks, it’s important to think of the recovery process too. Patients should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity during recovery to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. So, if you’re in the middle of a moving process, heavy lifting might be one of the things you’d be thinking of tackling. However, this activity will undoubtedly strain your body and slow healing. Thus, it’s wise to listen to professional advice from the team behind Best Movers NYC and seek help from friends and family or hire movers who can help you make your move easier and allow you to focus on your recovery.

The Timing of Plastic Surgery After Giving Birth

Regarding how pregnancy affects plastic surgery, it’s essential to remember that timing is everything. First and foremost, it’s crucial to wait until your body has completely healed and returned to its pre-pregnancy state before undergoing any procedures. Typically, this period takes six months to a year after giving birth.

In the time between, your body will continue to change. That is why undergoing plastic surgery too soon can lead to unsatisfactory results. Do not forget to consult your gynecologist about having thoughts about plastic surgery. They will be the ones to ensure your body is ready for the procedure and give you the green light.

How Pregnancy Affects Plastic Surgery: The Ultimate List

With all of the previously stated, it’s time to dig deeper into how pregnancy affects plastic surgery.

Change in Skin Elasticity

The woman’s skin stretches during pregnancy to accommodate the fetus. However, this also is likely to result in changes in skin elasticity, especially in the abdominal area. Then, as a result, procedures like tummy tucks can lead to unsatisfactory results. For example, breast lift procedures rely on the skin’s elasticity to reshape and lift the breasts. But, if the skin has lost its elasticity during pregnancy, the procedure might not be as effective.

Change in Breast Size and Shape

The breasts are prone to significant changes in size and shape during pregnancy. Subsequently, this is yet another example of how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. For instance, if a patient undergoes breast augmentation before pregnancy and then experiences significant breast growth during pregnancy, the enlargement results may be less noticeable.

Abdominal Muscle Separation

A widespread condition that pregnant women experience is the so-called ‘diastasis recti’ or the separation of abdominal muscles. This condition usually results in bulging in the abdominal area, which is difficult to correct without surgery. However, patients that withstand the tummy tuck surgery may require additional muscle repair to correct the separation. Again, this can impact the results of the procedure as well as the recovery time.

If you give your body time to heal, the tummy tuck procedure results or liposuction will be more effective.

Fluid Accumulation

After pregnancy, there’s an increased risk of seroma or fluid accumulation after procedures like liposuction or tummy tuck. This is mainly because the body’s natural healing process and ability might be compromised in the period after pregnancy. However, while seromas aren’t usually dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and require other approaches and treatment.

Healing Time

Finally, we shouldn’t forget that the body needs time to heal fully after pregnancy and childbirth. Patients who wish to undergo plastic surgery too soon after giving birth may experience complications, such as infection or delayed healing. Additionally, a woman’s body might continue to change months after giving birth, which can also have an effect on the procedure done too early. On the other hand, patients who allow their bodies to completely heal and stabilize before undergoing plastic surgeries are more likely to achieve desired results.

Common Procedures After Pregnancy

So, now that you’re aware of all the risks and wish to proceed with plastic surgery, it would be good to know your options. This is a list of several most common plastic surgeries women consider after childbearing to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies.

• Tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) – The procedure that removes excess fat or skin from the abdomen and tightens abdominal muscles;
• Breast augmentation – Insertion of implants to increase the size of breasts and improve their shape;
• Breast lift (or mastopexy) – The procedure of lifting sagging breasts;
• Liposuction – A method that removes excess fat from various areas of the body;
• Mommy makeover – A combination of techniques designed to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body.

Your plastic surgery results can be fascinating if done correctly and at the right time.

Final Thoughts on How Pregnancy Affects Plastic Surgery

Pregnancy, indeed, does have a significant impact on a woman’s body. And, it’s only natural for her to wish to restore her pre-pregnancy body and feel like herself again. However, it’s important to know the risks involved and how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. So, if you’re considering plastic procedures after birth, discussing your options with a professional surgeon would be wise to ensure you get the best possible outcome.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 3rd, 2023 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Pregnancy and Plastic Surgery, Preparing for Plastic Surgery. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Minute Read: 

There is no winning situation in lying to your doctor. After all, how do you expect them to provide you with the finest care if they don’t have all the information? Moreover, there’s really no reason to keep anything. You can fully trust your doctor to keep your secrets thanks to a legal precedent known as doctor-patient confidentiality. Even though a lot of people feel that the same doesn’t apply when it comes to cosmetic procedures, the reality is different. The list of things you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about is pretty much the same as it is for any other doctor. So whether you’re getting ready for a tummy tuck or you’re considering getting a facelift, here’s what you should never keep from your plastic surgeon.

Four things you must never lie to your plastic surgeon about

When you schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon, you must be completely honest about your medical history. The reason for this is that dishonesty can lead to severe consequences. For your cosmetic surgeon to do their best job and give you features you’ve always wanted, they must be aware of your body’s limitations.

Even though your plastic surgeon might ask some uncomfortable questions, it’s important you give honest answers.

Even though most of these things are common knowledge, many people still keep certain things from their doctors. So before you go to your scheduled consult, here are things you absolutely have to reveal in order to ensure your doctor can do what they do the best.

#1 Your medical history

The finest advice the surgeon can provide you in the lead-up to the big day will come from a comprehensive evaluation of your entire medical history. That’s why your plastic surgeon must know about all you’ve gone through, including operations you’ve had.

Your plastic surgeon wants to know if you’ve ever been hospitalized for infections, diabetes, depression, asthma, cancer, or other illnesses. They will also check your family history for risk factors for various health conditions, notably those that affect how well your blood clots.

Allergies and usage of any prescription drugs are other information that should be shared. This is especially important if you have had issues with prescription medication abuse and have previously gone through prescription drug rehab. If that’s the case, make sure to first reach out to experts or talk to your sponsor to make sure you’re feeling ready for cosmetic surgery.

#2 Your drinking and smoking habits

While the occasional glass of wine with dinner is not a cause for alarm, consuming an entire bottle of wine nightly is cause for concern. You should be honest about your alcohol consumption with your plastic surgeon.

Your drinking habits are another thing you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about.

On the other hand, you might be the person that tells people you just smoke occasionally, but in reality, you’re going through a pack every day. However, during your breast lift consult, make sure you’re honest about your smoking habits. Your cosmetic surgeon should be aware of your smoking status, even if you really just smoke on occasion. It’s crucial you abstain from nicotine for at least two weeks before surgery and during the healing process. You don’t want to slow down the scarring and healing process by smoking. 

#3 Your age

our age is another thing you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about. If someone were to inquire about your age and you wanted to impress them, it would be one thing, but your cosmetic surgeon must know the truth. Besides, you will need to provide them with a copy of your government-issued health card, which should clearly show your age.

They need to know your exact age for two reasons: first, to determine what your body can safely manage, and second, to give you the best care possible. The recovery period for a breast reduction would be shorter for a woman of 25 than for a woman of 60. It is not unheard of for people in their sixties to opt for cosmetic surgery. Still, your doctor will need to know your exact date of birth to make appropriate preparations and ensure a speedy recovery.

#4 Substance use

The US is facing a massive increase in drug use, and, unfortunately, patients are still keeping their doctors in the dark. Most people are hesitant to discuss their drug use because they’re worried it would damage their ability to get insurance or keep their jobs. However, this can’t be further from the truth because this information won’t stay in your medical record after your plastic surgery.

Hiding information like this from your plastic surgeon can do more damage than good. Even if you are a recreational user, don’t hesitate to tell your surgeon. This is even more important if you have previously had substance abuse issues. The experts from brightfuturestreatment.com, who helped hundreds of people battle substance addiction, emphasize the importance of disclosing this information to your physician, regardless of your type of intervention. You never know if that piece of information will become helpful.

#5 Supplements you use

Keeping you healthy and content is a top priority for your doctor. Some patients are reluctant to discuss their usage of natural medicines with their physicians, mostly out of fear of being ridiculed for their faith in vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. In any case, your plastic surgeon will need to know what medications you’re taking to rule out any potentially dangerous combinations.

Because different substances can interact with anesthesia, it’s essential you inform your plastic surgeon about any supplements or medications you take.

Many medical professionals think vitamins are helpful for their patients who are deficient in specific nutrients. However, there can be interactions between specific vitamins or herbs and anesthesia or prescription drugs. We can’t stress enough how important it is not to keep this from your doctor.

Final Thoughts

Always remember that being honest about your past will help alleviate complications in your future. This is especially true regarding your health, so make sure never to lie to your plastic surgeon. That’s the only way to come out of their office healthy and happy with the result. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 at 8:00 am and is filed under Preparing for Plastic Surgery. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Minute Read: 

No matter what type of surgery you’re scheduled to have, it will take some time for you to recover and mend. And what better place to recover than the comfort of your own home. After all, home is one of the finest locations to recover from all life’s obstacles. Even though these scenarios are not how we would like to spend our time at home, having a safe and comfortable place for healing is reassuring. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery. To help you do this, we’ve prepared simple tips in this article. They will help you make your home a clean and comfortable environment to aid in your full recovery.

Pro Tips to Prepare Your Home for Your Post-Surgery Recovery

When it comes to post-surgery recovery, it’s highly recommended to adjust your living environment to make it more pleasant and accessible. Operations such as breast augmentation or even facelift surgery will make you sore and prevent you from doing many everyday things for a while.

No matter how minor or routine your surgery will be, you will need to recover from it for a while.

To help you have a quicker and easier recovery, we’ve put together some recommendations on preparing your home. So once you’re back from your surgery, you’ll be able to relax and solely focus on your recovery.

Make Sure Your Home Is Spotlessly Clean

To aid with your rehabilitation, your home should be clean and cozy. Resting in a clean environment also aids in the prevention of undesirable bacteria near the healing wound. Try to deep clean the house right before the procedure to create a refreshing environment.

Even after non-invasive procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, it’s crucial to return to a clean and disinfected home. Make sure to clean your bathrooms thoroughly, wash your bedding, dust, vacuum, mop, and empty the sink of dirty dishes.

You might want to consider hiring a cleaning service to freshen up your living area after surgery. This way, you’ll allow your body to relax while still maintaining a healthy environment for your smooth recovery. However, if you are physically willing and able to manage minor cleaning on your own during the post-surgery stage (although we don’t recommend it), make sure you have enough cleaning products on hand.

Declutter Your Space

The next step in preparing your home for your post-surgery recovery is decluttering. So take a good look around your home and see if there are things you don’t regularly use that you could get rid of to make extra room.

Decluttering is a great way to prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery.

The main goal of decluttering your home is to try to clear the space and make everything more accessible during your recovery. Make sure to go through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and throw out products about to expire. Tossing them before surgery will help you avoid any unintentional food-related diseases.

Restock!

After you’ve gotten rid of any old or undesired products in the pantry, go ahead and replenish them with new and fresh items. This is especially important if you’re going to recover alone and have no one to shop or cook for you.

The best idea is to stock up on frozen foods that can be quickly reheated in the microwave. You might wish to make some meals ahead of time and freeze them for later usage while you’re recuperating.

In fact, buy everything you need ahead of time—for example, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee, etc. The last thing you want after your breast lift is to run to the grocery store for basic supplies.

Spruce Up Your Living Space

The simplest way to prepare your home for post-surgery recovery is to spruce it up. Simply purchasing a few indoor plants such as Aloe or a Jade Plant before your procedure will help. According to research, indoor plants may contribute to a speedier recovery period and better air quality. 

They also add a welcome environment and a nice touch of green to your living space. Just make sure you do your homework on caring for your plants before the surgery and provide instructions for anyone who may be assisting you during your recovery.

Rearrange Your Furniture

Another essential thing to take care of and make your post-surgery recovery easier is to rearrange your furnishings to create open passageways between the rooms you’ll need to visit. 

Depending on the type of surgery you had, you might need to use a wheelchair or other walking aids for a while. If that’s the case, consider the size of the device and design a walkway around it.

Also, after some surgeries, such as a tummy tuck, you won’t be able to reach upward or downward to any amount. This means you’ll have to position objects around your home at the appropriate height. A good idea is to go over your daily plan and place everything you’ll need for eating, grooming, and entertainment on a countertop or other easily accessible location.

Consider hiring professionals to assist you with moving bulky items and furniture pieces in your home.

However, moving furniture around your home on your own can be pretty challenging, no matter how fit you might be. Also, it’s essential to save your strength before the surgery and not risk injuring yourself. To avoid this, the team from bestmoversinflorida.com suggests hiring professional movers to help you move bulky items and transport them.

Your Post-Surgery Recovery Will Be Easier if You Prepare Your Home!

We hope our advice helps you prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery. If you make small efforts and adjustments, you’ll make the entire process that much easier and quicker.

And if you’re still having doubts about plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with Orange County’s finest plastic surgeon. They’ll be able to answer any questions you might have and help you decide what options are best for you.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 6:06 pm and is filed under Preparing for Plastic Surgery, Recovery. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

9 Minute Read: 

Feeling nervous before surgery is perfectly normal. Even if the procedure is not essential, most people still experience stress and worry. And it’s no surprise. Increased heart rate, nausea, nervous stomach, and other anxiety symptoms are our bodies’ natural responses to certain situations. This is especially true for situations that seem dangerous to us. In such cases, anxiety can be a good thing – it helps us fight the danger or escape from it. Of course, most people experience anxiety from time to time on occasions that are not truly dangerous. However, most of us discover ways to deal with it in our everyday lives. On the other hand, surgery is a new experience for most. For that reason, it becomes harder to overcome feelings of fear. With that in mind, we’ve prepared some valuable tips on how to calm anxiety before surgery.

What Causes the Fear of Surgery

People can experience anxiety before surgery for many reasons. While sometimes these reasons are realistic, they are often simply the fear of the unknown. There are so many myths about plastic surgery floating around. Not only are they false, but they can also add to the stress. Either way, feeling stressed or uneasy is a normal and understandable reaction.

However, identifying the exact cause of your fear is the first step in dealing with the emotions. Once you find the reason, you’ll be better able to find a way to calm yourself and relax. Here are some of the most common reasons for anxiety before surgery:

• Fear of the unknown
• Losing control
• Worrying about the surgery not working
• Fear of the anesthetic
• Losing personal identity
• Pain
• Inability to fully recover
• Being in an unfamiliar environment

Learn as Much as You Can About Your Upcoming Surgery

If you feel anxious because you’re not sure what to expect during and after the procedure, it’s a good idea to educate yourself more on the matter. The more you know, the better you’ll feel.

Learning more about your upcoming surgery will help you feel more secure and optimistic.

Of course, there are several routes to explore. Firstly, you can look up information on the procedure online. However, ensure you only use reliable sources. You want to avoid all misinformation and confusion. But, be careful. If you tend to see the worst in every situation, staying away from online research may be a good idea. Researching what could go wrong may increase your anxiety instead of reducing it, even if such a situation is not likely to occur.

If checking your procedure on the Internet seems overwhelming and confusing, there are better solutions. Consulting your surgeon and other medical professionals is best. Talk with them openly and discuss your fears and expectations. Not only will this alleviate your concerns, but you’ll also receive information that relates directly to you and your upcoming procedure.

What Are the Ways to Calm Anxiety Before Surgery on Your Own?

Once you learn more about the causes of your anxiety and the surgery, you can find the right way to relax and decrease stress. Luckily, options are endless, so choose the ones that will work best for you.

Listen to All the Preoperative Instructions Provided by Your Surgeon

Not only will this keep you occupied but it will also help you to better prepare for your procedure. Depending on the surgery, you probably got a set of tips and instructions from your physician. Apart from keeping you busy, following all of them will also help you feel more in control and help you prepare both physically and mentally.

Distract Yourself

If you focus only on what lies ahead and worry about the surgery, you’ll probably add to the stress and anxiety you already feel. Instead, do your best to distract yourself! Enjoy the hobbies you love and spend some quality time. Whether it’s reading, binging Netflix, or walking, it will help you relax and enjoy your everyday life more.

Engaging in a creative activity is an excellent way to calm anxiety before surgery.

Avoid Other Stressful Situations

If possible, try to avoid other situations that will cause you stress. Of course, that’s not always an option in life. However, if you can find a way to delay or rearrange matters, do it!

For example, if you’re moving to a new home, depending on the circumstances, you might not be able to reschedule it. What you can do is hire moving professionals to help you. Experts at simplemoving.us recommend that you contact your moving coordinator and leave all the difficulties of planning the relocation to them. That way, you’ll ensure a seamless, stress-free relocation and have time to spend on self-care and preparation for your surgery.

Listen to Music

Studies show that listening to music makes us happy and reduces anxiety! So, listen to your favorite songs – from classical to rock or metal! If you can play some instrument, even better!

Try Out Different Relaxation Techniques

Even if you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! You can find excellent beginner videos on YouTube or even take group classes if you want to. Here are some relaxation techniques that you might want to try out:

• Breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Working out

Spend Time and Engage in Activities With Your Loved Ones

Spending quality time with people we love is an excellent way to calm anxiety before surgery and recharge your batteries. They’ll show you the love and support you need the most at this time. Enjoying your regular activities and conversations will help you feel more optimistic.

Having a trustworthy surgeon will reduce your stress and anxiety.

How Can Professionals Help You Reduce Anxiety Before the Procedure?

As we’ve mentioned before, being anxious and nervous before any medical procedure is quite normal, and most people feel that way. With that in mind, many facilities offer different possibilities to their patients to help them reduce anxiety and other negative feelings. If you think you can’t deal with anxiety on your own, here are some options to consider:

• Talking with a professional counselor or therapist will provide you with the necessary support
• Taking sedatives
• Joining a support group

Find a Reliable Surgeon

Lastly, find a reliable surgeon for the procedure. Building trust and two-way communication with your surgeon will enable you to feel safe. Plus, they’ll be able to address all your fears, issues, and expectations.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to calm anxiety before surgery. Choose the option that suits you best, and you’ll be able to handle this situation with tranquility. Once it’s all over, you’ll enjoy your life to the fullest!

This entry was posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 7:53 pm and is filed under Plastic Surgery, Preparing for Plastic Surgery. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Minute Read: 

Plastic surgery has become a mainstream path that more and more people seem to take. Although there’s still quite a bit of stigma around the subject, getting different procedures for all the right reasons can be highly beneficial. Nevertheless, as with anything else in life, some things could go awry if you don’t take the necessary precautions to ensure success. One of the most critical steps when it comes to plastic surgery is having sufficient information from reliable sources. Luckily, we’ve come up with a list of websites to research your upcoming procedure to help you get all the data that you need.

Consult Robert Wald, MD

Of course, our very own website can’t go unnoticed, for a good reason. By going through robertwaldmd.com, you can find information on various topics concerning your upcoming procedure and everything else you may want to research before the big day arrives. Dr. Robert Wald is a well-known board-certified plastic surgeon in Orange County. He relies on his surgical talent, sufficient experience, and cutting-edge technology to provide his patients with natural beauty and aesthetic harmony. You can even schedule a consultation through the website if you haven’t found the precise information you were looking for.  

*MODEL
Contacting Dr. Robert Wald is a great way to start your research on the upcoming procedure.

Medscape

Luckily for anyone who’s ever thought about getting a tummy tuck, there are great websites you can use to research your upcoming procedure. Medscape has many clinical articles that talk about cosmetic surgery, dermatology, and reconstructive surgery. What’s great about emedicine.medscape.com is that, while other sites of this caliber demand payment, Medscape is entirely free. Although they use terminology that sometimes seems complicated, you’ll get very detailed and thorough information.

RealSelf

By checking the content on realself.com, you’ll get unique pieces of information. They are one of the most popular, if not the most popular, cosmetic surgery forums. There, you can research the upcoming procedure that awaits you by browsing through a vast number of answers to various questions. There are also reviews and photos you can take a look at. Something that sets them apart is their doctor’s transparency. They advise people without hidden motives or anything of the sort.

New You Magazine

Until this point, we’ve mentioned some established and iconic websites that have been around for quite a while. However, newyou.com is more of a newcomer of the bunch. Although this can sound a bit unreliable at first glance, that isn’t the case with them. The fact that they’re new separates them from the rest but in a positive manner. They post much more content in an effort to prove themselves while maintaining a consistent level of quality. Aside from researching your upcoming procedure, they also offer great patient stories from which you can gain experience.

Make Me Heal

What makes makemeheal.com stand out from the rest is its format. It contains very informative active forums where their patients have a chance to dive into discussions. This way, you won’t only get the opinion of one person or establishment, but you’ll gain knowledge from various sources.

Patients use the forums to state all the pros and cons of their experience in the world of plastic surgery. There’s no better way to research your upcoming procedure than to look at many different experiences. You’ll gather intel on what to expect when it comes to the preparation process, healing, as well as the all-important financial aspect. What’s more, you’ll also get a chance to help others once you go through the procedure. Of course, something that you must be cautious about is that anyone can access forums. Some people don’t share authentic stories, which means that you should always double-check. The truth lies in the numbers. 

*MODELS
Visit different forums where you can go into in-depth discussions about your upcoming procedure. It is a great way to do some research.

Just Breast Implants Forum

If you’re looking to get breast implants, there’s quite a bit of data you should be aware of. Getting ready for this type of plastic surgery can be a bit more challenging than simply going to a dermatology surgeon for a quick lift. You can find great personal stories on justbreastimplants.com that’ll do a great job of preparing you for what’s to come. Women from all backgrounds share some finer details about their experiences with breast augmentation. They do so to help guide those about to go through the same thing.

Medline Plus

Medlineplus.gov is a very established website that offers advice from reliable and trustworthy experts. Their main subjects address cosmetic plastic surgery. Seeing how it’s one of the more mellow fields in this universe, people tend not to talk about it enough. Nevertheless, many mishaps could happen if you chose the wrong person for the job. Its layout may not be fancy or flashy, but that’s because they offer well-curated and education-focused information that only comes from the most reliable sources.

Final words

Something that you mustn’t fail to remember is that the internet is an ever-changing place. Although you can use these websites to research your upcoming procedure, you should never rely on one source solely. As previously stated, always double-check. Also, doing your own research is a great way to get information. However, internet scrolling can never be a substitute for a surgeon’s opinion. 

This entry was posted on Friday, September 3rd, 2021 at 6:22 pm and is filed under Choosing a Plastic Surgeon, Preparing for Plastic Surgery. Both comments and pings are currently closed.