FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS
Blepharoplasty
1. What is the ideal age for eyelid surgery ?
No matter what age you are, when there is excess skin on the eyelids or excess periorbital fat, this can be successfully corrected through blepharoplasty. Any age is an ideal age in this sense.
2. Is there pain during the post-operative period ?
Patients typically do not feel much pain. More sensitive people may feel some pain, but this can be suppressed with analgesics. At times, discomfort due to the stitches is more common.
3. Is there too much swelling around the eyes ?
This may vary from case to case, but the patient may experience minor swelling and bruising that generally lasts approximately five days. The results, however, will only be observed after 8 days to 1 month after the surgery, by which time the body will have absorbed a large portion of this swelling.
Abdominal Dermolipectomy
1. How many kilograms does a person lose in this surgery ?
Weight loss will vary according to the volume of skin and fat that will be removed and this will depend on each patient. However, the most important change is in the enhancement of the body contour.
2. How much time is needed to reach a definitive result ?
It is not possible to evaluate the results for 3 months following the surgery because of the swelling that will disappear gradually. Most patients report a significant improvement after 20 to 30 days following surgery. The same can be said for the scar that goes through several stages (where it is “red”) and as time passes, it will eventually become light and linear. The scar can improve over a 2 year period.
3. Does abdominal dermolipectomy correct the so-called “high stomach” ?
This correction will depend on each case. If liposuction is performed in conjunction with this procedure, the cosmetic quality of the results will generally be improved.
4.What if I get pregnant after the surgery ?
During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explore the family issue in order to ascertain if the patient already has children or wants to have more. At that time, the surgeon will make surgery timing recommendations. Generally, this surgery should be performed after pregnancy, but even if pregnancy occurs after surgery the procedure’s results are likely to be kept or there may be small changes only.
5. Is there pain during the post-operative period ?
In general, this plastic surgery does not cause pain. The patient may feel a little discomfort due to the position that must be held during the first 7 days of the post-operative period in order not to put tension on the scar.
Liposuction
1. How many kilograms it is possible to lose through liposuction ?
Liposuction is not performed for the purpose of losing weight but to reshape the body’s contours, suctioning areas where there are fat deposits. Although weight loss may occur, it is not significant and will not be observed immediately in the post-operative period anyway due to swelling. The volume to be suctioned should not exceed 5% of the patient’s weight.
2. How much time will I need to resume my social activities ?
It is possible to resume activities (work, school) within 5 to 7 days, although you may feel a little discomfort. This is not limiting, however. You should wait 20 to 30 days and the permission of your surgeon to resume any exercise program.
3. When will the definitive result be visible ?
It is possible to observe significant improvement from the 10th day following the post-operative period. However, the definitive result can be observed in 3 months when the swelling has almost disappeared and the skin has retracted – although this latter condition may take up to 6 months to return to normal.
4. For how long must I wear a girdle (an elastic compression garment) ?
Approximately 20 to 30 post-operative days.
5. Is there pain during the post-operative period ?
There is a possibility of pain but this will be controlled by analgesics. The patient will also feel a little discomfort if the surgery area is pressed.
Mammoplasty
1. If I become pregnant, will it affect the results of the surgery ?
When you first visit the doctor’s office, you will be asked about your intentions for pregnancy, and at that time the doctor will suggest options for your individual case. The results will generally be maintained since your weight is controlled during the pregnancy. Breast-feeding may be affected in the case of large breasts that have undergone substantial reduction. Breast-feeding will generally not be affected in cases of small or medium reductions.
2. How will my new breasts look like in terms of size and consistency ?
The breasts can be reduced in size. As well, their consistency and shape will also be enhanced. To avoid future problems, when they are reduced and lifted, several volumes can be chosen within the possibilities allowed by the original breast. In order to maintain cosmetic harmony, there should be a balance between the new breast and the size of the thorax.
3. Does the nipple lose sensitivity ?
In general, most patients do not notice any loss of sensitivity in the nipples. Sensitivity reduction may be experienced immediately following the surgery, but this generally returns to normal within a short period.
Otoplasty
1. Are there any risks of having ” prominent ears” again after the surgery ?
Provided the surgery is effectively performed, the result is definitive.
2. What is the dressing following the surgery ?
We cover the scars with small dressings. For the first few days, we protect the ear (mainly in children) with a type of bandage so as to avoid local trauma.
Breast Implant
1. Do breast implants interfere in breast-feeding ?
No. Regardless of the technique – subglandular or submuscular – you are able to breast-feed. If the patient does not have children but intends to have, the implant should not be placed through the areola to ensure the breast gland is not damaged.
2. Is the post-operative period painful ?
The patient may occasionally feel pain during the first few post-operative days, especially when she moves the upper limbs, but this can be controlled by analgesics. This is typical with subglandular implants. With submusculars implants the pain is more significant due to the muscle detachment, but pain can be reduced by analgesics.
3. When will I be able to resume my normal activities ?
In 1 week you can resume work and school. If possible, 15 days rest is highly recommended. You may resume exercises after 1 month and following the surgeon’s agreement, but you should not exercise the upper limbs.
4. What does implant rejection mean ?
In some patients, the body forms a thin biological skin (capsule) around the implant. If this capsule becomes thick when it retracts, the breast becomes hard. In this case, an evaluation will determine if implant removal is appropriate. If it is, it will be removed through the original insertion scar. Then, a new implant will be reintroduced or another action discussed. The capsular retraction occurs due to the rejection that the body may have towards the silicone implant.
Breast Reconstruction
1. Is the result satisfying ?
Yes, the result is highly satisfying. Regardless of the technique performed, whether it’s an expander insertion and the later replacement with a silicone implant or reconstruction with a muscle-cutaneous flap, the purpose is to provide a natural and harmonious breast.
Rhinoplasty
1. May I choose the shape of nose I want ?
No. There is a cosmetic balance between the nose and the face and this balance should be maintained by the surgeon so as to keep the natural and genuine features of the patient’s face. Each case is extensively studied so as to provide the best shape in each individual situation. There should be a consensus between the patient and the surgeon.
2. Is the definitive result immediate ?
No. The post-operative period consists of several stages. Although many cosmetic defects on the nose will have been corrected, in the first stage (around the 7th day), the patient will encounter swelling that will be gradually reduced and will totally disappear after about 6 months. However, after 2 to 3 months you will observe result very close to the final result. Some patients see the definitive results even before this period.
3. When will I be allowed to sunbathe ?
For a long period of exposure, it is recommended you wait for 60 days.
Facelift (Face surgery)
1. How many years will I rejuvenate ?
Through surgery, it is not possible to transform a 50-year-old face into a 30-year-old face. However, it is possible to smooth the effects of time, providing a fresher, youthful look, and making the wrinkle and expression lines less apparent.
2. How long does the result last ?
Face, neck and eyelids surgery visually delays the aging process in these areas but it does not block the body’s evolutive process. In some cases, a touch-up is necessary after a certain period of time.
Hair Replacement Surgery
1. Will I look natural after my surgery ?
Yes. Because we use hair grafts from the donor (the patient), the hair features are the same and the look is natural due to the technique and the large follicular concentration.
2. For how long does the result last ?
The result is definitive. This means that the new inserted follicular units will not fall out.