Top 5 Remedies for Unsatisfying Plastic Surgery
Tuck ‘n’ Stitch
YourNewBodyBlog.com welcomes two eminent Beverly Hills plastic surgeons, Dr. Stuart Linder and Dr. Robert Kotler.
On this site, we know Dr. Kotler as the “FaceDocBlogger” because his work as a surgeon is devoted to plastic surgery of the face and neck. Meanwhile, we call Dr. Linder our “BodyDocBlogger” because he has a plastic surgery practice limited to only plastic surgery of the lower body.
Exclusive to YourNewBodyBlog.com, Doctors Linder and Kotler appear here most weeks as the ultimate plastic surgery insiders with unique takes on the news, trends and practices in cosmetic plastic surgery.
(iynmeyer photo)
This Week: Plastic Surgery Unsatisfying? Top 5 Remedies
Tip 1: Don’t get Angry
BodyDocBlogger: The first thing not to do is sulk, write contentious e-mail, or be angry. Even in the most expert of hands, plastic surgery does not always go perfectly. As we surgeons say, the only surgeon who has no complications is the surgeon who never operates!
FaceDocBlogger: That’s right, doctor. And don’t confuse an unexpected complication with an imperfect surgical result. Although the occurrence is unlikely, any surgery is open to possible infections, scarring, or poor healing. There’s no reason to be angry with the surgeon because unexpected complications are not the fault of your surgeon.
Tip 2: Ask for Some Time with your Surgeon
BodyDocBlogger: Nationwide, about 15 percent of plastic surgeries require some form of touch-up, additional work, or even a revision. If you have selected a boardcertified plastic surgeon, he or she has probably seen your case before and knows exactly what to do.
FaceDocBlogger: Moreover, the competent surgeon will stick with the problem until it’s rectified. Not only did he or she take an oath to do so, your surgery represents a walking advertisement, so it’s in the doctor’s best interests for you to be satisfied.
Tip 3: Look at Your Before Pictures Again
BodyDocBlogger: Due to typical swelling and bruising and a healing process that can take weeks, patients sometimes forget what they looked like before surgery. So take another look at your before photos and compare them with your present state. In the case of the average liposuction, you should be willing to wait three or four months to let the procedure settle before you consider a revision.
FaceDocBlogger: A rhinoplasty can take up to a year to fully heal. After all, the third party in your surgery is Mother Nature. And she just might take her time letting your body heal for your surgical enhancement to shine through. So sometimes, a little more time for healing will solve the complaint, disappointment, or any real or perceived unsatisfactory results.
Tip 4: Consider Minor Touch-Ups
BodyDocBlogger: Being dissatisfied with your surgery is not the end of the world. Quite often, a minor touch-up or a series of small procedures may correct the problem quite well. In a breast augmentation, for instance, it is not a major undertaking to inject a little more volume into one breast implant if the patient’s bust line does not look quite symmetrical.
FaceDocBlogger: Certainly. The most important thing is that patient and doctor meet, be totally honest with each other about what can — and can’t — be done and be mutually respectful. In the case of a rhinoplasty, for instance, some minor divots in the nose can be filled in the surgeon’s office with Juvederm or Restylane. The business details of the touch-up — that is, who pays for what — should be found in your pre-surgical agreement.
Tip 5: Consider a Second, or even a Third, Opinion
BodyDocBlogger: Caring physicians always have the patient’s best interests at heart. So if you and your doctor can’t agree on exactly what should be done next, ask for a second opinion from a highly-qualified physician who specializes in the same procedure.
FaceDocBlogger: For instance, suppose a rhinoplasty patient is not happy and wants a smaller nose. However, the surgeon says he can’t really make the nose any smaller — and still be safe. Nonetheless, the patient insists.
BodyDocBlogger: That would be the perfect time for some fresh thinking in the form of a second opinion. Some plastic surgeons will even suggest that at the beginning of the discussion.
FaceDocBlogger: That’s right doctor. Sometimes, a new idea crops up and just as often, the physician giving the second opinion tells the patient, “You know what? Your doctor is correct. It would not be safe to make your nose smaller.”
Have a question for FaceDocBlogger or BodyDocBlogger? Let us know and we’ll do our best to have it answered. Feel free to leave your comments below.
*The opinions shared by FaceDocBlogger and/or BodyDocBlogger are their own personal professional viewpoints and in no way should be taken in place of an actual consultation with a licensed medical physician. The opinions of Tuck ‘n’ Stitch are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions/feelings of YourNewBodyBlog.com.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:39 am
[...] But some complications occur more often than others. Tuck ‘N’ Stitch tell which ones to watch for and what can be done for the top five breast and top five nose complaints. (Read our related blog on the Top 5 Remedies for Unsatisfying Plastic Surgery.) [...]