What is the Best Time of Year to Get Plastic Surgery?

Unlike some emergency surgeries, plastic surgery is something that you can schedule in advance. Knowing the right time to have certain cosmetic procedures can help enhance your recovery phase and allow you to enjoy your favorite seasonal activities.

What Do I Need to Consider?

All cosmetic surgeries require some time to recover and return to your usual self. Your work schedule often plays a major role in determining the correct time to plan your procedure. Upcoming events, such as weddings and reunions, can also place restrictions on surgery dates. Scheduling your procedure prior to your usual sporting events or outdoor recreation activities may limit your ability to participate. Having a beach-ready body by summer means scheduling your surgery far enough ahead to allow adequate time for optimal healing.

Are There Differences in Prices?

Unlike some consumer goods, specific cosmetic procedures seldom vary in price throughout the year. One thing to consider when contemplating plastic surgery is combining procedures to lessen the down time. For instance, if you are scheduled for a breast augmentation and have been thinking about having liposuction on your hips, it may be worth your while to combine these two procedures.

What are the Healing Times for Popular Cosmetic Procedures?

You should feel able to move around without too much discomfort within a couple days of having liposuction; although it can take up to three or four weeks to reach about 70 percent of your total healing. Patients who have tummy tuck surgery generally experience a recovery time of at least two or three weeks. The healing process that follows an aesthetic eyelid surgery is gradual. Although any initial swelling and bruising generally recedes within days, it can take several weeks before you begin seeing the obvious results of eyelid surgeries and facelifts.

Should I Be Concerned About Sun Exposure?

Sunshine can have a negative influence on the appearance of your incisions as they heal. The sun’s rays tend to cause new scar tissue to darken and appear more visible. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have plastic surgery during the summer, but you will need to be diligent about using sunscreen whenever you spend time outdoors. Dr. Beran recommends applying sunscreen to your incisions as soon as the stitches are removed. Keeping the incisions protected from ultraviolet rays will help limit skin darkening and minimize scar visibility.

Dr. Beran can address your concerns regarding the most appropriate time for your surgery. Contact our office to schedule your initial consultation and begin moving toward your goals.

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Getting to Know Your Doctor: Dr. Samuel Beran

Plastic surgery is becoming more and more common among both men and women. The increasing age of baby boomers may account for some of this, although many plastic surgeons have also noticed an increase in the number of teens and young adult patients. Plastic surgery can play a major role in correcting body and facial feature flaws, as well as boosting self-confidence. Although plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are common, they are not without certain risks. Getting to know and trust your doctor is one of the most important elements in planning for your plastic surgery. Dr. Beran is a board certified plastic surgeon who has both taught and practiced plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.  He has offices in both Manhattan and Westchester County.  Dr. Beran is more than happy to share some experiences and inspirations regarding his specialty.

Question:        How long have you been a plastic surgeon?

Dr. Beran:       Fifteen years. I also taught for the first several years.

Question:        Why did you choose plastic surgery over other fields of medicine?

Dr. Beran:        I was always attracted to surgery. I chose plastic surgery because it is more a form of art than other types of surgery. It has an element of creativity. This field combines thinking and planning with doing.

Question:        What do you find most rewarding about your line of work?

Dr. Beran:      That’s easy – it’s the happy patients. Having them come back in and tell me how much their lives have changed for the better following their procedure is what really gives me my greatest reward.

Question:        What are your favorite procedures to perform?

Dr. Beran:        Nose surgeries, breast augmentations, and tummy tucks are among my favorite ones.

Question:         What is the most important consideration for a person who is thinking about having plastic surgery?

Dr. Beran:         Realistic expectations are very important. Discussing how initial expectations may vary from realistic expectations can help eliminate potential misunderstandings or disappointment. When patients come in for a consultation, I make certain that they understand just what type of results can be accomplished through surgical procedures.

If you have other questions for Dr. Beran, feel free to call our office to find out more about him and the services he performs. Feeling confident about the expertise of your plastic surgeon is just the first step in enhancing the appearance of your facial features or figure.

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Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

An excess of girth around the abdomen and midsection is a common reason for seeking plastic surgery. Aging, previous pregnancies, heredity, and a lack of activity can all cause weight gain around the waist. While liposuction and tummy tucks can both serve to trim the waistline and enhance your physique, these two procedures are performed for different reasons. An initial consultation with Dr. Beran can help you decide which method will best suit your individual needs.

Liposuction Purpose

Liposuction is among the most popular types of cosmetic surgery. This procedure is designed to remove unwanted fat deposits from various areas of the body, such as the face, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs.  Many people turn to liposuction when other methods of fat reduction, such as exercise and calorie restriction, fail to remove stubborn pockets of fat. This type of surgery involves suctioning the fatty tissue from beneath the skin with cannulas and a vacuum pump or large syringe. Liposuction is most commonly performed in the abdominal area to remove “love handles” or rolls of fat that bulge over the waistband, sometimes restricting range of movement or interfering with sexual function.

Liposuction Limits

While liposuction can remove excess fat, it is usually inappropriate for treating areas of cellulite or curing general obesity. Liposuction won’t help tighten bulges and bumps caused by loose or lax skin. Removing excessive amounts of fat may even result in the appearance of loose, saggy skin. This is where a tummy tuck may be necessary to provide optimal results.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that also helps create a smoother abdominal profile. This type of surgery involves removing excess skin. Although a tummy tuck can remove some fat, it is usually done to tighten loose, saggy skin that allows the abdomen to protrude or pooch outwards. The most common causes of inadequate abdominal tone include the following:

• Previous pregnancies
• Hereditary factors
• Major weight changes
• Normal aging
• Prior abdominal surgeries

A tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for regular exercise or weight loss. It is unsuitable for women planning to become pregnant and individuals who are planning to lose a substantial amount of weight in the future. Waiting until you are physically healthy and able to maintain a stable weight will provide the best chance for optimal, lasting results. You can prepare for a tummy tuck by having realistic expectations, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly to strengthen and tone your muscles, especially those in your abdominal area.

Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

The professional fees for liposuction average $3,000, while a tummy tuck averages about $5,000. The length of the surgery for both liposuction and tummy tucks can vary, depending on the amount of work necessary. Tummy tucks generally require about two to three weeks for recovery, while you may only be at about 70 percent of your total recovery by the third week following a liposuction procedure.

Choosing Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck

“There are three main things I look at when determining whether to perform a tummy tuck or liposuction,” explains Dr. Beran. “These important considerations include the quality and quantity of the skin, the amount of fat between the skin and the muscle, and the degree that the muscles have stretched.” Tummy tucks often include a little liposuction to remove some fat.

Scheduling a consultation visit will provide you with valuable answers regarding which technique best suits your individual situation.

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Reducing Scars Post-Surgery

Scarring is your body’s natural way of healing a wound or injury. Unfortunately, the new tissue that forms the scar can create an obvious and unsightly mark upon your skin. While scarring after cosmetic surgery used to be a worrisome factor, recent advances in scar reduction techniques now make it possible to surgically enhance your face and body without needless anxiety about unsightly scarring.

Encouraging Optimal Healing

The best time to begin thinking about scarring is prior to your surgical procedure. In addition to discussing all aspects of your upcoming cosmetic surgery during the initial consultation, there are some other things you can be doing beforehand to prepare for your procedure. Consuming a healthy diet helps ensure that your body receives the nutrients necessary for optimal healing. Stopping smoking may also help improve your ability to heal properly, since smokers tend to exhibit a higher rate of poor wound healing.

Dr. Beran explains that there are certain advancements in the field of plastic surgery, as well as specific techniques that can help reduce your risk of unsightly scarring. These include:

• Selecting favorable locations to make the incisions, such as behind the hairline or within natural skin folds. Placing the incisions in these “hidden” areas helps limit visibility.
• The evolution of suture material provides better healing results. The newer sutures dissolve slowly beneath the skin, resulting in even healing.
• Massage helps reduce scarring. Regular, gentle massage serves to promote circulation during healing. Dr. Beran recommends patients incorporate massage as a simple way of promoting proper healing from cosmetic surgeries.
• Topical products that contain silicone and vitamin A also keep scar tissue formation to a minimum. Using these over-the-counter or prescription formulas as the incisions heal can help reduce the thickness of the scar tissue

When it comes to optimal healing after cosmetic surgery, it is very important to follow your aftercare instructions. Although infection used to be a potential factor in unsightly scar formation, wound infection following plastic surgery is very rare these days, due to sterile tools and techniques. Schedule an appointment with our office today to discuss how current plastic surgery techniques can reduce your risk of scarring and help you reach your aesthetic goals.

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