Although plastic surgery is more popular and common than ever, there are still a number of concerns and worries that hold people back or that make them hesitate over having a procedure performed. From tabloids to reality TV, there are also plenty of sources of misinformation about plastic surgery or stories that hype up all that can go wrong. While it’s perfectly normal to have some concerns before undergoing a procedure, if you choose your surgeon carefully and take the time to plan out your surgery, you can minimize any risks and concerns.
One of the biggest concerns people often have when considering any type of facial plastic surgery, from a browlift to rhinoplasty is that there will be complications or that something will go wrong during the procedure or as they are recovering. While the risk for complications can’t always be ruled out and every patient should go into a procedure with an understanding of the potential risks, there are plenty of ways to minimize those complications.
Making sure you are in the best health possible before surgery is one of the biggest ways you can cut down on your risks. Some conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can increase your risk for bleeding and other issues. If you get any conditions under control and give up certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, before your procedure, you can help increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Going the extra mile when it comes to your health can also reduce the risk for complications. For example, getting to your goal weight or to a healthier weight is often recommended, as eating diet that contains plenty of nutritious, vitamin and mineral rich foods.
Another big concern people have about plastic surgery focuses on their results. You might be worried that you will hate your nose after rhinoplasty or that your facelift will give you that windswept, pulled back look. Reviewing a surgeon’s work in the past, by looking at a variety of before and after photos, will give you an idea of how your own surgery might turn out. You can also talk to past patients to get an idea of whether or not how they looked after their surgery was in line with what they discussed with the surgeon and with what they were expecting.
Along with worrying about how your results will turn out, you might also worry about how people will react to your changed look. The opinions of some people will obviously matter more to you than the opinions of others. While you might be able to shrug off a sarcastic comment from a gossipy co-worker, you might be considerably more concerned if your partner or spouse is disappointed with how you look after surgery.
Getting your partner involved in the process can help him or her feel more comfortable with the idea of surgery and can help him or her get a sense of what it will or won’t do to your appearance. While the decision to have a procedure is ultimately completely up to you, getting your partner involved can make things go a bit more smoothly, particularly at the home front.
Choosing the right surgeon for your procedure makes a big difference when it comes to how things will turn out. While you definitely want to look at the surgeon’s qualifications, to make sure that he is board certified and has ample experience performing the surgery you’re considering, you also want to weigh how comfortable you feel in the practice and during your consultation. You want to work with a surgeon who listens to you and who takes your concerns seriously. The atmosphere of the surgical practice matters, too. You want to feel welcomed there from the minute you step foot in the reception area.
You’ve got your concerns about the surgeon and about complications sorted out and you feel pretty confident about going forward with the surgery. There’s just one issue that’s still weighing on your mind: how to pay for the procedure. If you have the funds to cover the surgery in full upfront, that’s great. But, there are other options, too, that don’t necessarily involve taking on a lot of high interest debt. For example, you might be able to use a special medical financing program, which offers either no interest payment plans or low interest plans. If you have a low interest credit card, with a relatively high balance, that can be an option for payment, too.
If you are considering facial plastic surgery, but still have a number of concerns, Dr. Stephen Smith, a fourth generation facial plastic surgeon, can help put your mind at ease. Dr. Smith can answer any questions you have about a procedure, from whether it’s a good pick for you to how you can best prepare. Dr. Smith’s practice has two locations in . For a consultation at the practice in Columbus, call 614-678-7180. For an appointment at Dr. Smith’s practice in , , call .
Admittedly, there is no way to guarantee that you will be 100 percent happy with the results you get from rhinoplasty, or nasal surgery. While you can’t fully guarantee that you’ll be absolutely happy with your results, there are a number of things you can do to bring that number as close to 100 percent as possible. Who you work with, how healthy you are, and what you do after surgery all play a part in determining how your results turn out.
One of the biggest factors when determining how successful your surgery is or not is the surgeon you decide to work with. Many surgeons will tell you that rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging surgeries to perform. The surgeon is making very fine adjustments to a very delicate part of the body.
When performed by untrained hands or by a person with limited experience, there’s a lot that can go wrong with the procedure. That’s why it’s so important to vet your surgeon before you decide to work with him. First things first, you want a surgeon who is a board certified facial plastic surgeon, as that means he has training and experience operating on the face and understands facial anatomy. Next, you want a surgeon has focuses on rhinoplasty and who performs the surgery on a weekly basis, preferable several times throughout the week.
But, don’t just take the surgeon’s word for it. Ask to see reviews from past rhinoplasty patients and to speak to former patients. You can also ask to look at before and after photos of other patients, to get an idea of how people looked when the surgery was over and their noses had healed.
The second biggest factor that determines how successful your rhinoplasty is is how healthy you are before the procedure. The risk for complications from surgery increases when you have certain health issues, such as uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver problems. Certain habits, like smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products, also increases your risk for complications or interferes with the healing process.
Before you consult with a facial plastic surgeon about rhinoplasty, it’s a good idea to meet with your primary care doctor and have him or her do a full medical exam. That way, if any issues do crop up, you’ll be able to come up with a plan for treating them before your surgery.
Once you’ve found a surgeon who seems like a good bet and have double checked your health, it’s time to make a consultation to discuss the surgery itself. Your consultation is a chance for you to get to know the surgeon and for the surgeon to get to know you and for you both to see if rhinoplasty is a good option.
During your consultation, let the surgeon know what you are hoping to get from the procedure. It could be that you’re not happy with the size of your nose or that you wish your nose weren’t so crooked. If you have problems with your nose’s function, let the surgeon know that too. For example, you might have a deviated septum that interferes with your breathing. Although the goal of rhinoplasty is usually to correct the form of your nose, it can also correct how your nose functions, if needed.
The consultation is also a time for you to get to know the surgeon and to find out more about his experience, past patients and training. He will most likely ask you a number of questions about your nose, the surgery and what you hope to get out of it.
It’s important not to leave the consultation with any questions unanswered. If you have any concerns about the surgery, now is the time to tell the surgeon or to find out the answer to your questions.
When the consultation is over, you both should have a fair idea of whether or not you want to proceed with the surgery and what the next steps to take are.
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with the surgery and have picked your surgeon, it’s important to follow any instructions or directions he gives you, no matter how trivial they might seem. For example, your surgeon will most likely tell you to avoid certain medications, among them aspirin, for a certain amount of time before the surgery and afterwards. Since aspirin thins the blood and increases your risk for bleeding, it’s important to take your surgeon’s advice seriously.
Not following directions after the rhinoplasty can impact how your results turn out. For example, if the surgeon says to avoid blowing your nose or to avoid any activities that can bump or injure it in the weeks after surgery, you’ll want to avoid those activities. It might seem like a waste of time, but following your surgeon’s advice to the letter will save you discomfort or problems with your nose in the end.
If you have additional questions about how to get the best result from rhinoplasty or how to best prepare for the surgery, Dr. StephenSmith, a fourth generation facial plastic surgeon in , can answer them. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith at one his practices in the state, call .
You know that injectables, such as Juvederm or Botox, can help fill in or reduce the look of wrinkles and lines. But, what if it’s not so much wrinkles that are getting you down, but the overall texture and tone of your skin? A number of skin rejuvenation treatments look beyond wrinkles and help improve the overall look and feel of your skin. Whether you’re concerned about spots or freckles, acne scars, or a rough skin surface, rejuvenation treatments, which range from superficial to deep, can help take care of your issues.
A chemical peel might be one of the first skin rejuvenation options a person considers. A peel helps exfoliate the skin, removing the top layer of dead cells, so that skin looks refreshed and improved.
Chemical peels are fairly common, and you’ve probably seen over-the-counter options on sale at a makeup or drugstore. You might have also seen chemical peels on the menu of services at a local salon or spa. While an at-home or in-spa peel can provide some benefit, the type of peel you’ll get a medical practice, performed under the supervision of a facial plastic surgeon will be much more in-depth.
There are a variety of options when it comes to the strength and intensity of a chemical peelperformed at a medical practice. Lighter peels usually contain an ingredient such as alpha hydroxy acid and are generally used on people who have just a few signs of aging, such as some fine lines or some areas of uneven skin tone. Deeper peels might contain trichloroacetic acid or phenol acid and are generally used when a person has more signs of aging, such as deeper wrinkles, rougher texture and darker age spots.
The results from a deeper peel are usually more dramatic and longer lasting. The trade off is that the recovery time is considerably longer. While you’ll most likely be ready to go back to work the day after a mild peel, you might need to take as much as two weeks off after a deeper peel. During your consultation, you can discuss what you want to get from the peel and how much time you can afford to take off from work so that the surgeon can help you determine which peel is best for you.
While a chemical peel uses a chemical solution to exfoliate the face, dermabrasion uses a wire tool to manually exfoliate the skin. The treatment is usually much deeper than a chemical peel. The goal of dermabrasion is to remove dead or damaged skin cells, so that new, better looking skin cells are produced.
Dermabrasion is often performed to help reduce deeply etched lines and wrinkles, to remove areas of scar tissue, or to smooth rough areas of skin. The treatment does remove pigment, so it will erase freckles or dark spots. It might not be a good option for people with darker complexions, as it can cause an overall lightening of skin.
It’s important to understand that dermabrasion is a more intense treatment than a chemical peel. During treatment, your surgeon will most likely use at least a local anesthetic and will most likely give you a sedative, so that you’ll be awake but not really aware of what is going on. Recovery can take a few weeks, during which time you’ll want to avoid going to work. Redness is common and can take a few months to fully fade, too.
If you are looking for a treatment that’s more in-depth than a chemical peel but that doesn’t have as long of a recovery period as dermabrasion, fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing might be an option. A fractional laser treatment only affects certain areas of the skin, but provides all-over facial rejuvenation. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fade dark spots, and reduce areas of scarring.
There is some recovery time time needed after a laser treatment. You might need to take about a week off from work. Depending on your skin, you might want to schedule a series of laser treatments, spaced a few weeks apart, to get the best results.
Dr. Stephen Smith is a fourth-generation facial plastic surgeon in . Along with a number of facial plastic surgery procedures, he offers non-surgical skin rejuvenating treatments. Dr. Smith can examine your skin and help you determine which treatment is best for you at the moment. He practices at two locations in . Call to schedule a consultation with him at either location.
What part of your face ages first? For many people, it’s the eye area. Your eyes reflect a lot about you, such as what you’re feeling. They’re also rather sensitive, thanks to the thinner skin surrounding them. If you’ve started to notice that your eye area is adding years to your appearance, you have a few ways of dealing, from at-home options to surgery.
Several factors can work together to make your eyes look years older than the rest of you feels. The thinner skin in the area is more prone to drying out, which can make lines and dark circles more visible. Damage from the sun’s rays can also add a few years to your eye area.
There are two ways you can protect your eyes and take a few years off in terms of appearance at home. First, start using an eye cream on a regular basis. The type of eye cream you use depends on the major concern you have. If you’re dealing with dark circles, look for a product that helps plump up the skin or that contains an ingredient such as vitamin C, which can help lighten the area. An eye cream that contains caffeine can be helpful if you are dealing with puffiness under your eyes, while a product that contains retinol can be ideal if your major concern is wrinkles and fine lines.
Using an eye cream is just one way to help fight the signs of aging around your eyes. To reduce any future damage, you’ll want to become more diligent about protecting your eye area from the sun. Look for products that contain sunscreen and get in the habit of wearing sunglasses with UV protection on a regular basis.
Crow’s feet are the lines that appear when you squint your eyes or smile. Over time, they can become etched into the skin, much the same way that the frown lines between your eyebrows become etched into the skin as the years go by. While an eye cream with retinol can help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, Botox injections can provide you with a more long-lasting solution.
The injections work by blocking the signal sent by your nerves to the muscles responsible for making the movements that lead to crow’s feet. That doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to blink, squint or smile. It just means that the very subtle movements responsible for the crow’s feet will be blocked for some time. Usually, results from a Botox treatment last for about three months. You can repeat the injections as the results wear off, to keep your crow’s feet from returning.
Dark circles are another all too common issue in the eye area. They not only make you look older, they also make you look worn out and tired. Dark circles can be caused by a number of different things, so the first step to dealing with them is figuring out what’s causing them. In some cases, you might have dark circles because you are congested or are dealing with allergies, which makes the blood vessels beneath the skin of your eyes more visible. In that case, you can try taking an anti-histamine to shrink the blood vessels and make your circles vanish.
Some dark circles are actually caused by pigmentation beneath the eyes. There are a few ways to reduce areas of hyperpigmentation, from chemical peels to laser skin resurfacing. Since the eye area is so delicate, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with board certified facial plastic surgeon if you decide to try a peel or laser treatment.
If your dark circles are due to a loss of volume or fat in the under eye area, an injectable filler, such as Belotero, might be a good option. The filler will add volume to the area beneath your eyes, diminishing any shadows that can make your dark circles worse.
As you get older, the skin around your eyelids becomes looser, leading to a droopy upper eyelid. The skin under the eyes can also lose elasticity while the fat pads beneath your eyes shift down, creating the appearance of bags beneath your eyes. Eyelid surgery of either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, can help correct droopiness or bags.
Surgery is a more involved option than laser treatments, creams or injections, but it also tends to provide the longest lasting results. Along with improving your appearance, eyelid surgery can have an additional benefit: it can also help you see better, if your upper lids are becoming so droopy that they are blocking your vision.
Are your eyes starting to give away your age? -based facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Smithcan evaluate your eye area and let you know which option will give you the results you are hoping for. Dr. Smith practices at two locations in the state. For an appointment at the , office, call . Call 614-678-7180 to schedule an appointment at his practice in Columbus, .
Many people have opinions about plastic surgery. In a lot of cases, those opinions aren’t necessarily shaped by facts and reality, but instead by common misconceptions.
Whether you’re considering having facial plastic surgery or have recently had it and are facing criticism from family and friends, it can be helpful to clear up a few very common misconceptions about it.
Perhaps because so many beauty routines or appearance-focused services are targeted at women, there’s also a misconception that it’s only women who are thinking about plastic surgery or who ever decided to go through with a procedure. In fact, plastic surgery is becoming more and more common with male patients, as are minimally invasive treatments, such as Botox.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of male plastic surgery patients has continued to climb year after year, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. One of the more common reasons why male patients decide on plastic surgery is to get ahead at work, as clients and employers are getting younger and younger and some men feel pressure to look as youthful as they can.
Whether it’s rhinoplasty or a facelift, there is always some degree of risk involved in facial plastic surgery. But, the risks of surgery are largely determined by a patient’s overall health and by the surgeon he or she decides to work with. Some people just aren’t good candidates for surgery. For example, active smokers should quit and wait at least two weeks after quitting to schedule surgery, as using tobacco products increases their risk of wound healing issues. People who have certain long-term conditions or who need to continually take certain medications may also not be suitable candidate for surgery.
Working with a surgeon who is experienced and who has the appropriate training will also cut down on the riskiness of a particular procedure. The same is true of deciding to work in a facility that is fully accredited. While you can’t guarantee that a procedure will go as smoothly as you hoped, there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
People commonly think that those who have plastic surgery do so only to improve their looks. But, plastic surgery can also improve the way certain features function or can correct injuries connected to facial trauma, such as dog bite scars or damage created during a car accident. One example of a plastic surgery improving a person’s quality of life is when someone has rhinoplasty to fix breathing problems in his or her nose. Although a surgery such as otoplasty is often performed to fix cosmetic issues, such as ears that stick out, it can also greatly improve a child’s quality of life, by helping him or her feel more confident and by preventing any future bullying from happening.
Some people worry that they will end up looking like Frankenstein’s monster after their surgery, with a large, visible scar or incision line running across their face or neck. Usually, though, the reverse is the case. Many plastic surgery scars are barely visible, because they are concealed or because they are located in an out of the way area. The incisions made during an eyelid surgery, can be made on the inside of the eyelid or positioned so that the creases of the eyes naturally cover them up. Facelift or brow lift incisions can be made in the hairline, while rhinoplasty incisions can be inside the nose, hidden from view, or located at the base of the nose and barely detectable.
It’s true that there are more non-surgical options available today than in years past, from laser treatments to injectables. But, for the most part, these treatments aren’t designed to replace facial plastic surgery. Instead, they can be a temporary alternative or an option for people who have already had surgery and who are looking to maintain or enhance their results.
One of the more risky misconceptions about plastic surgery is that a surgeon is a surgeon is a surgeon. In fact, there are distinct differences when it comes to surgeons, which are reflected in how they identify themselves. For example, facial plastic surgeons who are board certified have completed extra years of surgical training in facial plastic surgery, while a general plastic surgeon has completed several years of training in all areas of plastic surgery, and a general surgeon has had surgical training that didn’t necessarily include plastic surgery.
A cosmetic surgeon hasn’t had formal training in plastic surgery at all, but may be a doctor in another specialty. When looking for a surgeon, you generally want the one with the most training and experience, meaning it’s a good idea to look for someone who calls him or herself a facial plastic surgeon.
In , Dr. Stephen Smith is a facial plastic surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. A fourth-generation plastic surgeon, he’s available to address any concerns you have about surgery or to answer your questions at two locations. For a consultation at the practice in , , call . To schedule an appointment in Columbus, , call 614-678-7180 today.
The decision to have plastic surgery is actually a series of choices you make over the course of a few months. Choosing which surgery to have is just one part of it. You also want to choose when to have the surgery and perhaps most importantly of all, who you want to perform it. Just as a fancy meal can be delicious when prepared by an experienced chef but terrible when prepared by a someone who’s never stepped foot in a kitchen, the results you get from a facial plastic surgery procedure can be exquisite if performed by an expert and disastrous if performed by anyone else.
Since there are a number of people out there who claim they can perform plastic surgery, without having the credentials needed, or in some cases, without actually being doctors, you want to be on your guard. There are several things to look for when picking your surgeon.
Board certification is one of the more important things to look for when you are looking for a facial plastic surgeon. Being board certified means that a surgeon has taken the extra steps needed to receive extra training, in the form of a multi-year residency after medical school, that the surgeon is licensed, has completed a certain number of procedures, and has passed an examination. To earn board certification, a surgeon also has to agree to a code of ethics.
There are several different boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Usually, a facial plastic surgeon should be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Choosing a surgeon who is board certified is really the only way to guarantee that you’re getting a doctor who is specifically trained to perform the procedure you are considering and who has the experience to back that up. There actually aren’t many legal restrictions when it comes to who can perform what type of surgery, which is why you might come across dermatologists who also claim to perform facial plastic surgeries or gynecologists who also offer injections.
Board certification is just the first thing to look for in a facial plastic surgeon. You also want to make sure the surgeon you are considering has experience with the surgery you are considering, whether it’s rhinoplasty, ear surgery, or a facelift. As with anything, surgeons have preferences and varying levels of skill. One surgeon might enjoy performing facelifts and be exceptionally good at them while another might prefer breast augmentation and liposuction. Look for a surgeon who not only has ample experience with your chosen surgery, but who also performs it on a regular basis, preferably at least once a week.
How will you know if a surgeon is as good as he or she claims? Read reviews from past patients and to ask the surgeon to give you references to patients who have had the same procedure. Most patients who have had a good experience with a surgeon will be happy to share their story, while those who didn’t have a good experience will also most likely be willing to let you know what went wrong.
You don’t have to rely on the the references a surgeon you’re considering gives you, since those will most likely be patients who’ve had a good experience and might not give you the full picture. Instead, you can look at reviews online to get a fuller sense of what people think about the doctor and his or her work. Another option is to talk to people you know who have had facial plastic surgery and ask them who they worked with and what their experience was like.
Most importantly, it’s worth it to trust your gut when picking a surgeon. If anything about the process seems off, or if you feel uncertain about the surgeon’s experience or ability, it’s best to go to a different doctor.
Along with trusting yourself, you want to weigh how the surgeon makes you feel. Building a bit of rapport with the surgeon is a good thing. If you feel rushed during the consultation or get the sense that the doctor isn’t listening to your concerns or is brushing off your questions, it might be best to keep shopping around.
In , Dr. Stephen Smith is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is experienced in a wide range of facial surgeries, from facelift to rhinoplasty. If you are thinking about surgery and want to learn more, call 614-678-7180 to schedule a consultation in Columbus. For an appointment at Dr. Smith’s practice in , , call .
Considering facial plastic surgery? There are plenty of things to think about, from what you want to get out of the procedure to how you’ll handle the recovery process. There’s also the cost to consider, and perhaps most importantly of all, how safe you will be during it. Whether you hope to take years off of your appearance with a facelift or are considering a rhinoplasty to change the shape of your nose, safety should always come first. While you can’t predict the future or what will happen after your procedure, you can be proactive about being safe.
Your health plays a big part when it comes to whether or not your surgery will be a safe one. Some habits, medications and medical conditions can increase your risks for complications or other issues during or after surgery.
Smoking is a big roadblock to patient safety, for example. Nicotine restricts blood flow, which can negatively impact your results. If the area being operated on doesn’t get enough blood during the procedure, tissue can die. Or, if blood flow is restricted during healing, scarring is more likely to develop. For the sake of your safety and to improve your chances of a good result, most surgeons advise giving up smoking at least two weeks before your procedure. They also advise avoiding smoking for another two weeks after the surgery.
Just as nicotine constricts your blood vessels and reduces blood flow, some medications thin the blood and make it more likely for you to have excess bleeding during your surgery. Readily available pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, are just two examples of medication that you should avoid before surgery.
During your consultation with the surgeon, let him or her know about any medicines you take, no matter how common or how infrequently. He or she will let you know which ones you need to avoid in the weeks leading up to surgery and what might be an appropriate alternative.
Finally, your overall health comes into play. Even if you don’t have a chronic condition, if your diet isn’t very healthy or if you have certain lifestyle habits that can interfere with the healing process or increase your risk for complications, your surgeon might advise waiting until you’ve given up those habits or improved your diet. Getting your health in the best condition possible will help you enjoy a safer surgery and an improved outcome.
After you’ve taken a close look at your health, it’s a good idea to take a close look at the surgeon with whom you’re considering working. The skill your surgeon has and his or her training and experience level play a big role in determining the outcome and safety of your procedure. One of the most important things to look for when evaluating your surgeon is whether or not he or she is board certified in facial plastic surgery.
Legally, any doctor can perform plastic surgery, and you might have seen doctors who specialize in other areas offering surgical procedures. But, only a doctor who is board certified in facial plastic surgery has undergone years of additional training specifically in surgery after graduating from medical school. Board certified plastic surgeons also must have passed difficult examinations to prove their skill level.
You can get a sense of the surgeon’s skill level and bedside manner, too, by taking a look at reviews and testimonials from past patients. Patients who are happy with their results will most likely have a lot of good things to say about their doctor while those who have had an unpleasant experience will likely give you the full story about what went wrong.
The location of your surgery is also important when it comes to safety. If the procedure won’t be taking place in a hospital setting, the facility at which it will take place needs to be accredited by an outside agency. Accreditation means that the center has met certain requirements for safety and that the surgeon and staff have met specific requirements when it comes to experience and training.
It doesn’t matter what type of surgery you are thinking about, safety should be one of your major concerns. Asking questions and doing research will help you get a sense of how safe and dependable your surgeon is.
In , board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Smith can answer any questions you have about surgery and about the safety of specific procedures. The more you know about a surgery and about the surgeon, the better able you’ll be to determine whether it’s the right call for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith at one of his two practices, call today.
If you’re thinking about any type of plastic surgery procedure, odds are that you have a number of questions. In the case of most procedures, the more you know about what happens during surgery and what to expect afterwards, the better off you will be.
One surgery that people tend to have a number of questions about is rhinoplasty. No matter where you are in the process of considering plastic surgery, or in this case facial plastic surgery, the sooner you have your questions answered, the better.
You not only want to learn about the surgery itself, you also want to get a grasp of the surgeon’s experience performing the procedure and his or her experience as a surgeon in general. One important thing to ask about is the surgeon’s experience and training. Board certification, which means the doctor has completed a certain level of education and hands-on training, is a must.
You also want to find a surgeon who performs rhinoplasty on a regular basis and who has ample experience with the surgery. Ask to see pictures of past patients and to speak to past rhinoplasty patients to get an idea of whether or not they were happy not only with the way their surgery turned out, but also with the way they were treated in the surgeon’s office.
Since even the best surgeon’s skills can get rusty with lack of practice, you might also want to ask when the doctor last performed rhinoplasty. Ideally, you want a surgeon who performs the procedure on a weekly basis, if not more often.
Typically, there are two ways to perform rhinoplasty. An open procedure involves making an incision on the small piece of skin between the nostrils, so that the inside of the nose is opened up while the surgeon works. During a closed procedure, the surgeon works within the confines of the nostrils. The main advantage of a closed rhinoplasty is that there is no visible scar on the outside of the nose.
While an open surgery does create a scar, it is usually small and not very noticeable. An open surgery typically also offers the surgeon greater access to the interior of the nose. Whether an open or closed rhinoplasty is performed depends on several factors, such as how much the patient wants to change his or her nose and which procedure the surgeon is most comfortable with.
Many patients want to know how long the recovery process is after surgery and when they can expect to see the final results. It’s important to understand that the results from a rhinoplasty won’t be immediately evident. In some cases, a patient might look worse before he or she looks better.
For example, a patient might have bruising under the eyes for several days after the surgery, as well as swelling. While the most dramatic swelling will go down after a few days, it is possible for a person to have some slight, residual swelling for up to a year after the rhinoplasty.
You can think of recovery from rhinoplasty as a multi-pronged process. Most people are able to go back to daily activities, such as working in an office or running simple errands, after a week or two. In many cases, people are able to start working out again after about four weeks. But, some activities, particularly those that can injure the still healing nose, should be avoided for even longer. In general, it can take up to a year for a patient to see the final results from a rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty isn’t the right option for everyone, even for people who are very unhappy with their nose. Part of discussing the surgery with a surgeon is finding out if it is the right pick for you. Your overall health or habits might mean that rhinoplasty isn’t a good option at the moment. Your expectations for the surgery can also play a part in deciding whether it’s a good pick for you.
For example, if you want the surgery to make you look like a celebrity, a surgeon might be hesitant to go forward, since there’s a high chance the procedure won’t completely change your appearance or make you look like a famous person. But, if you want the procedure because you want a slightly slimmer nose or if you want to remove a bump from the bridge of your nose, a surgeon will most likely determine that your expectations are reasonable.
You might have more questions about rhinoplasty that are worth bringing up with a surgeon. When you’re considering plastic surgery, it’s worth asking your surgeon any questions you think of, so that you go into the procedure as well informed as possible.
No matter what questions you have, plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Smith is happy to answer them. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith at two practices in the state. For an appointment at the , office, call . Call 614-678-7180 to schedule an appointment at his practice in Columbus, .
Getting older can mean that your eyebrows start to droop, lines start to form across your forehead and your eyes start to develop a more hooded look. The changes that occur in the area around your brows and forehead can make you not only look older, but also tired and angry.
For years, the best way to rejuvenate the upper area of the face was with a brow lift, or forehead lift. Not every patient is ready for surgery or able to physically handle surgery, but might still want to do something about the sagging and wrinkles in the brow area.
A non-surgical option, Botox injections, might be suitable for patients who want to do something about the signs of aging on the upper part of their face, but don’t want to, or can’t, deal with surgery at the moment.
Botox was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for use in treating frown lines, or glabellar lines, that develop between the eyebrows. The two vertical lines, which resemble a pair of 1s, form after years of repeated muscle movements, caused by frowning or furrowing the brow. In 2013, the FDA also approved Botox for use in treating crow’s feet, the crinkly lines that form at the corners of the eyes after years of squinting or laughing.
The injection works by helping the muscles relax and by keeping the nerves from sending signals to the muscles. For that reason, it is commonly used to treat lines and wrinkles that form as a result of movements in other areas of the face, such as forehead lines, lines that form on the neck from repeated movements and a droopy brow that develops after years of raising and lifting the eyebrows.
While Botox works by blocking nerve signals, a brow lift is effective because it involves removing excess from the forehead and eyebrow area. During the procedure, the surgeon trims away extra skin, extra muscle and extra fat, if needed. One of the more commonly performed type of brow lifts these days is the endoscopic lift, which requires the surgeon to make a few small incisions, which are often hidden by the hair. During an endoscopic lift, the surgeon is guided by a small camera.
The traditional form of brow lift, known as a coronal or open procedure, involves a much larger incision. It’s generally reserved for patients who have extra skin in the area that needs to be removed. While Botox injections can help if you have just a small degree of drooping, a brow lift might be your best option if you need more pronounced or dramatic results.
One of the big differences between Botox and a brow lift is the amount of preparation you need beforehand and the length of recovery afterwards. Usually, minimal preparation is needed if you’re going to receive Botox. To reduce the risk of bruising, your surgeon might recommend that you avoid taking aspirin or another blood thinner for a few days before the injection. But, you won’t have to change many of your habits or avoid eating for hours before your injection.
Typically, preparing for a brow lift requires a much longer period. You’ll want to discuss your medical history with your doctor, talk about any medications or supplements you’re taking, and learn about any habits you need to change or give up, such as smoking.
Recovery is also much longer after a brow lift than after Botox injections. Most people are able to go back to work or their other activities right after an injection. After a brow lift, you may need to take as much as two weeks off from work to allow for a full recovery. After that point, you might need to limit certain activities for an additional few weeks.
The other big difference between Botox and a brow lift is the type of results you get and how long those results last. While Botox can help completely fade frown lines, it might not provide as much of an actual lift as you were hoping for. Additionally, Botox results typically only last for three months, at which point you’ll need to repeat the injection to get your brow back.
The results from a brow lift tend to be much more noticeable, giving you a more rejuvenated look without making it look as though you’ve had surgery. Results from a brow lift also last much longer, usually several years at the very least to up to about a decade.
If you are not happy with the way your brow and forehead area looks, speaking with a facial plastic surgeon who offers brow lift surgery and Botox can help you better understand your options. Dr. Stephen Smith is a fourth-generation plastic surgeon in who offers both treatments at his two practices. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith in , , call . If you’d prefer to see him in Columbus, , call 614-678-7180 to schedule an appointment today.
Some things might be as plain as the nose on your face, like the fact that your sinuses cause you a considerable amount of discomfort or the fact that a crooked septum has long made breathing difficult. Many patients would do anything to correct their nasal issues, but the cost of nasal surgery might be prohibitive.
While it’s true that insurance won’t cover most types of plastic surgery, many plans do cover some types of nasal surgery. Before you rule out insurance as a possible payment option, check with yours to see what it will and won’t cover.
Typically, insurance companies only cover procedures that they determine to be “medically necessary.” That means that it really comes down to whether you’re having a surgery to improve the function of your nose or a surgery to improve its form. If you’ve long been unhappy with the size of your nose, or been dissatisfied with a bump in the middle of it and decide to have rhinoplasty, it’s more likely than not that your insurance policy won’t offer any coverage for the procedure.
While the majority of rhinoplasty cases won’t be covered by insurance, there might be a few instances when a policy does extend coverage. In these cases, you’ll need to have the surgery to correct a medical problem. For example, Aetna will cover rhinoplasty if it is performed to correct a deformity related to a cleft palate. It will also cover the surgery if it’s being done to correct an obstructed airway, but only if other, less invasive forms of treatment were not effective. If your nose was severely injured in an accident, such as a car crash or while playing a sport, your insurance company may cover the cost of surgery to repair the injury, as well.
Even if your surgery is medically necessary, insurance might still not cover it or the coverage it provides might be less than you think. If you have a deductible on your plan, for example, you might need to contribute a significant amount towards the cost of surgery before your policy kicks in.
In many cases, insurance companies require pre-certification or pre-authorization before the procedure is performed. Precertification means that the insurance company reviews the procedure before it takes place, determines whether or not it is necessary for your overall well-being, then determines whether or not it will be covered.
Once you’ve confirmed that your insurance policy will cover all or part of your surgery, you also want to confirm that the surgeon you are seeing accepts your insurance policy or is part of the insurance company’s network, so that you get the best deal. You may want to call the surgeon’s office to see if he or she takes your insurance plan before you start the process of consulting with surgeons and learning what your policy does or doesn’t cover.
In a perfect world, if your insurance covers your nasal surgery or functional rhinoplasty, it covers the entire cost of the procedure, leaving you to pay only the co-pay. In reality, you might be responsible for a bit more of the costs, even if your policy offers coverage.
Typically, any amount you have to pay out of pocket is due to the surgeon at the time of your visit or at the time of surgery. You have a few options when it comes to paying for your surgery, whether you only need to pay a portion of it or the entire bill. Using your credit card is one option, as most surgeons accept at least one type of card.
The big drawback of most credit cards is the high interest rate, so you might want to consider another option, such as applying for a personal loan in advance of your procedure, provided the interest rate on the loan is a bit lower. You can also open a new credit card that offers an introductory, low rate of interest.
Since it can be confusing figuring out which insurance policies cover what, and how much of a certain procedure your policy will or won’t cover, your surgeon’s office will most likely be able to assist you in making sense of the ins and outs of insurance. Getting your insurance and payment details in a row before your surgery will help you enjoy a less stressful and more comfortable recovery afterwards.
Dr. Stephen Smith, a facial plastic surgeon in , performs rhinoplasty to improve both the form and function of his patients’ noses. He performs the procedure at two locations in the state. To learn more about rhinoplasty and your insurance and payment options, call for a consultation today.