Face & Body Plastic Surgery Procedures

Woman during facial plastic surgery procedurePlastic surgery is the reconstruction of defects on the face or body, often resulting from trauma, congenital disabilities, burns, and disease. Often melded together with cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery’s initial intent was to be purely reconstructive. Specialists in plastic surgery in Raleigh, NC, have special skills and knowledge when it comes to complex wounds, hand surgery, liposuction, and tissue transfers.

Common reconstructive plastic surgery procedures include:

  • Breast reconstruction
  • Burn repair
  • Cleft palate repair
  • Scar revision

Cosmetic surgery, a component of plastic surgery, focuses on enhancing a patient’s appearance, rather than correcting an injury or deformity. Cosmetic surgery is meant to improve symmetry, proportion, and overall aesthetic appeal and can be performed on the head, neck, and body.

Popular cosmetic surgery procedures include:

  • Breast augmentation
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Tummy tuck
  • Botox or filler injections

Patients wishing to undergo reconstructive or cosmetic surgery will need to consult with their doctor and surgeon. Recovery times and complications can vary per procedure, so it is essential to be as informed as possible before, during, and after the surgery.

Our specialists at Cary Plastic Surgery are highly trained in a variety of procedures, from facial reconstruction to cosmetic body contouring. If you are interested in learning more about our facility, specialists, and procedures, contact our office today by calling (919) 233-1933.

4 Things to Know Before Having Plastic Surgery

Woman during cosmetic surgeryIf you are interested in plastic surgery, it is essential to be as informed as possible before your consultation. Below are four things you should know before meeting with plastic surgeons in Raleigh, North Carolina.

  1. Are You Healthy Enough for Surgery?

Before considering plastic surgery, you need to ensure you are healthy enough to go through the procedure. Most people are great candidates; however, it is critical to meet with both your doctor and your surgeon to ensure you are healthy enough to go under the knife.

  1. The Name of your Procedure and What is Involved

Knowing the name of the procedure you want to be done and what to expect going into it can help you confirm with your surgeon what you are looking to have done. Knowing exactly what you want can also help weed out less than favorable surgeons, who may try and sell you on something that they say would work “better.”

  1. Know the Risks

Before going through with your procedure, you should be fully aware of the risks involved. Infection, scars, and unsatisfactory results are all risks you will take with any cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.

  1. What are Your Goals?

You want to ensure you have clear goals as to what you want the surgery to do. Are you looking for an improvement in contour and a boost of self-esteem? Maybe you are looking to correct the damage done by an injury in your youth.

Can Bad Plastic Surgery Be Fixed?

Female before and after cosmetic nose surgeryPeople go through plastic surgery for a variety of medical and cosmetic reasons. Unfortunately, people may experience an operation that produces less than favorable results. Whether you were in need of a breast augmentation or facial plastic surgery in Raleigh, NC, bad plastic surgery can indeed be fixed.

When seeking corrective surgery, be sure to choose your surgeon carefully. Many surgeons shy away from revision work, and you may also be more hesitant to go under the knife once again. You want to consider the following challenges when searching for a corrective surgeon.

In addition to offering corrective and reconstructive surgeries at Cary Plastic Surgery, we recognize the holistic health needs of our patients, including managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, which can affect overall recovery and wellness post-surgery. To address this, we provide resources and support for accessing diabetes medications, such as Rybelsus, an innovative treatment for type 2 diabetes. By assisting patients in ordering Rybelsus online through trusted providers, we ensure they have convenient access to essential diabetes management tools. This integrated care approach helps our patients maintain optimal health, which can significantly enhance surgical outcomes and recovery processes.

  • Due to the scar tissue, altered anatomy, and lack of material to work with, the difficulty of a successful surgery is significantly increased.
  • Due to the emotional effects, a lousy surgery can have on the patient; surgeons will need to evaluate each patient to ensure they are of sound mind when seeking multiple surgeries.
  • There is still a chance that the surgery will not be as successful as the patient hopes, so it is essential to choose a certified surgeon with credible references and testimonials for the job.

Seeking a corrective surgeon is no different than when you sought out your first surgeon, though now you want to be extra careful. Be sure to search for a surgeon who is specialized in the area you wish to be fixed while also being trained for reconstructive surgery. At Cary Plastics Surgery, our experienced surgeon provides cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries for those searching to repair the damage done by someone else. Reach out to us today at (919) 233-1933 to schedule a consultation.

The Dangers of Foreign Travel for Surgery

Airplane flying at sunsetMedical tourism has become increasingly more popular; however, there are plenty of dangers associated with traveling abroad for surgery. If you are considering traveling to another country for a cheaper medical expense, please consider the below dangers before doing so.

Insurance coverage: Many insurance companies in the United States only cover procedures completed within the patient’s home network area. Though some insurance companies are changing their stance due to the popularity of traveling for medical reasons, the trip and the procedure will most likely be entirely out of your pocket.

Lack of malpractice laws: One of the main reasons medical procedures are inexpensive overseas is due to the lack of medical malpractice laws. The lack of coverage for these issues doesn’t always guarantee something will go wrong, but if you are unhappy or experience any complications, you have no resources to file a lawsuit in a foreign country.

Issues with recovery: Another concern with traveling overseas for surgery is that patients will be rushed through their recovery and get back on the plane quicker than they need. Even if the proper recovery time were allotted for, international flights would come with the risk of blood clots due to the high elevation. If you must get on a plane, it is recommended to get up and walk around every hour to maintain proper blood flow.

Follow-up care: When you undergo cosmetic surgery in Durham, NC, you will schedule several checkups with your doctor after the surgery, sometimes as far out as 12 months. When your surgeon is overseas, follow up care can be difficult to maintain.

What is a Drainless Tummy Tuck?

a Slim womanAfter you have lost a lot of weight, the sagging, loose skin and stretch marks around the abdomen will not go away. To remove it, you will need to undergo a tummy tuck surgery. During a traditional tummy tuck, three incisions are made along the lower abdominal region which forms an anchor shape. Through these incisions, your plastic surgeon will be able to remove the excess skin and fat and improve the appearance of your lower stomach area.

During recovery, drainage tubes will be placed in the patients to get rid of any excess fluids that accumulate. These tubes can often be uncomfortable and unpleasant for patients. Fortunately, a new method of surgery is on the rise that prevents the need for these tubes.

How a Drainless Tummy Tuck Differs

The procedure for a drainless tummy tuck in North Carolina is similar to a traditional tummy tuck. The difference occurs towards the end of the surgery. Rather than placing these drainage tubes into the body, a surgeon will use progressive tension sutures. The sutures are positioned within the muscle and fat layers and will dissolve on their own as the patient heals.

Due to the elimination of the drains, patients will experience less discomfort, pain, and other inconveniences. If you’re interested in learning more about drainless tummy tucks, contact Cary Plastic Surgery today at (919) 233-1933.

Is Botox Safe During Breastfeeding?

Woman holding a newborn baby in her armsBotox in Cary, NC, is a prescription medication created from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. The toxins produced by the bacteria are called neurotoxins and are the same toxins that lead to the severe illness known as botulism. Botox is utilized in many medical procedures, primarily by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Botox is used for many reasons, from smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles to treating cerebral palsy, chronic migraines, and excessive sweating.

Botox is injected directly into the muscle and then blocks nerve activity in that area, causing temporary paralysis of that muscle. When a woman who is breastfeeding is interested in Botox injections or wants to resume them from before the pregnancy, there are a few things to consider.

What We Know about Botox while Breastfeeding

  • Only a small amount of the botulinum toxin is within each injection.
  • Since the medication goes directly into the muscle, there is currently no evidence that the toxin will move through the body or pass into the breast milk.
  • The use of Botox injections during breastfeeding is unlikely to cause any harm to the baby.
  • It is recommended that the mother breastfeed before the injection, then wait a few hours before feeding again. This can further reduce any chance of passing the medication on to the baby.

Is Botox Safe While Breastfeeding?

Though there is not much research or information on the subject at this time, all current evidence points to mothers successfully receiving Botox injections with no adverse implications on the baby. When in doubt, always trust your instinct. If you are not comfortable receiving the injections based on the information available, speak with your doctor to determine the best possible alternative solution for you and baby.

All You Need to Know about Body Lift Surgery

Slim woman measuring her waistAs bariatric surgery and extreme weight loss become more and more common, body lift surgery is also more in demand. This surgery targets the loose, hanging skin that is the result of significant weight loss, pregnancy, aging, or sun damage. The procedure will raise, firm, and tighten the skin on areas of the lower body.

The best candidates for this procedure are those with large amounts of loose, hanging skin on multiple areas of the body. Before moving forward with the surgery, your weight must be stabilized at or near your goal, as this procedure does not remove large fat deposits. In cases where there are still some local fat deposits, plastic surgeons in Raleigh, North Carolina, may recommend liposuction and then a body lift surgery.

Before your Surgery

During your consultation, be ready to discuss whether this option is the best choice for you. Your surgeon will evaluate your overall health, as well as examine and measure your body and take photos. You may need to adjust, cease, or begin taking certain medications in the weeks leading up to your surgery to ensure the best results while under the knife.

Recovery Time

Once your surgery is complete, you will be taken to a recovery area to be monitored for at least 24 hours. Most people can return to non-strenuous work and activities after two or three weeks, and any strenuous exercise or more physically demanding jobs will need at least four to six weeks.

Use Botox to Temporarily Eliminate Frown Lines

Botox Cary NCA life well-lived presents itself on our face. All of that smiling, laughing, crying or frowning shows itself in the form of laugh and frown lines. In our teens and 20’s our skin can easily bounce back to its gloriously smooth state, but as we move into our 30’s, 40’s, and beyond, the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin takes the shape of fine lines and wrinkles.

While once upon a time we simply had to learn to live with the laugh lines around the mouth or glabellar lines that appear between the eyebrows, today, Botox in Cary, NC, can help you look years younger. Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment that temporarily relaxes your muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition to frown and laugh lines, Botox injected into the right locations can make the jaw look more shapely and youthful, lift the nose tip up, and reduce forehead wrinkles as well. Want fuller lips? Botox is even being used in place of dermal fillers, adding volume to the lips to make them look plumper.  On average, Botox treatments last for four months, which means you can try it with confidence, knowing that the effects aren’t permanent.

The capacity of Botox to restore youth and beauty is immense. For many people, correcting fine lines and wrinkles just gives them another thing to smile about. To learn more about Botox in Cary, NC, contact Cary Plastic Surgery at (919) 233-1933 to schedule a consultation.

The Risks of Taking Herbal Supplements Before Plastic Surgery

specialists in plastic surgery Raleigh NCNatural herbal supplements are a common dietary additive many people use in order to boost their immune system, improve their health, and give themselves more energy. But, did you know they can have serious side effects if used immediately prior to or after cosmetic surgery?

Prior to any cosmetic surgery, it’s important to discuss with specialists in plastic surgery in Raleigh, NC, all of the prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements you take on a regular basis. Because herbal supplements seem like a natural additive and don’t qualify as medicine, per se, many patients often forget to mention they take them. This can have serious health consequences.

Even though they might say “natural” or “herbal” on the bottle, commonly used herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic, or Echinacea can lead to increased bleeding risk, cardiovascular risk, prolonged effects of anesthesia, and possible interactions with other drugs.

  • Supplements that are known or suspected to increase bleeding risk include Gingko biloba, Garlic, Ginseng, Fish oil, Dong quai, Feverfew
  • Supplements associated with cardiovascular risk include Ephedra and Garlic
  • Supplements with sedating effects that may prolong the effects of anesthesia include Kava, St. John’s wort, Valerian root
  • Supplements that can also interact with other drugs include Licorice, St John’s wort, Kava, Valerian, Echinacea, Goldenseal

A patient should halt the use of supplements for at least two weeks before and two weeks after surgery to ensure there aren’t any adverse effects. To reduce the risk for these side effects and others, it’s imperative that you are open and honest with your physician and anesthesiologist about what vitamins and supplements you may be taking.

What to Expect for Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Woman’s midsectionIf you are looking to receive an abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, you may be wondering what to expect during your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons in NC. Below you will find all of the details about what you will discuss and what preliminary actions your surgeon will perform.

During your consultation, you will be asked about the goals you are hoping to obtain during surgery. You will also discuss any medical conditions, drug allergies, and other treatments and surgeries you have undergone. It is vital to accurately discuss your medical history as well as any medications or supplements you are using and your alcohol, tobacco, and drug usage.

Your surgeon will also evaluate your overall health status and take note of any pre-existing conditions or risk factors that may impact the abdominoplasty. They will even sit with you to discuss all of your options to ensure the surgery is the best fit for your needs and goals. Your surgeon will also clearly communicate any risks or potential complications involved with the operation.

The success of your surgery dramatically relies on how present you are during your consultation. Providing detailed responses and adequate information will allow your surgeon to properly outline all of the risks involved in the procedure and ensure your safety.