Articles

The part that tends to unnerve most people about surgery is the anesthesia.

If you do some research beforehand and aren’t shy about asking your surgeon about any pressing concerns, you’ll have a pretty solid idea of what the surgery will entail, potential complications that may arise, and what the recovery’s going to be like. But the anesthesia can be a bit more difficult to understand because everyone responds a little differently to it.

Let’s dive into local vs. general anesthesia and the major differences between them. The upside to that is that the anesthesia can be tailored to the patient. So, just as plastic surgery is safer than it’s ever been, anesthesia is, too.

Local vs. general anesthesia

There are two basic kinds of anesthesia, local and general. Local, which is injected, numbs only the area that’s being treated. If you’ve had a dental procedure, chances are a local anesthesia, probably lidocaine, was used. By contrast, you’re completely unconscious under general anesthesia, which can be administered by inhalation or through an IV, though the latter is much more widespread today.

People like to equate being under general anesthesia to being in a deep sleep, but it’s more than that. It’s temporarily disabling the brain’s response to pain signals. When you awake from it, you won’t have any memory of the procedure. But, because you’ve been unconscious and unable to feel or react to anything for anywhere from an hour to several hours, you’re likely going to be dealing with delayed pain and discomfort as the drugs withdrawal from your system.

That can range from hangover-like symptoms—nausea, vomiting, and a headache—to breathing and blood pressure issues, all of which tend to resolve on their own between a few hours and a few days after the surgery. It can even lead to minor illnesses, like a cold or flu because your immune system was suppressed.

Which is to say that recovering from general anesthesia is fairly serious. You won’t be permitted to drive within at least 24 hours of your procedure. Combined with the residual discomfort from your surgery, you probably won’t be up for it anyway, or much of anything else, for the first couple of days.

With local anesthesia, there’s no recovery. In fact, you can drive yourself home after the procedure.

Ask your surgeon

Local anesthesia is frequently used with facial injectables, but it’s becoming much more common among surgical cosmetic procedures, too, even intensive procedures, like tummy tucks, breast augmentations, and rhinoplasty.

There are also instances when lighter variations of general anesthesia can be administered with the intent of minimizing, and even eliminating, the time the patient spends unconscious. It’s what’s referred to as twilight anesthesia. Essentially, you’ll become very relaxed and groggy, but you’ll never lose consciousness. Because it’s still considered general anesthesia, you’ll need someone to drive you home, though.

Here’s your takeaway about local vs. general anesthesia: Ask your plastic surgeon about your options. Just because a procedure’s traditionally been performed under general anesthesia doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have any choice in the matter. And even if they recommend general anesthesia, kick-start a new conversation about what exactly it’ll entail. The more open the dialogue, the more closely your anesthesia can be tailored to your needs.

Over 15.7 million minimally invasive – or nonsurgical, cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That’s up 186 percent from 2000. It’s also almost nine times more than the number of surgical cosmetic procedures that were done in 2017.

That data is telling in a number of ways. Perhaps most significantly, more and more people are gravitating to minimally invasive procedures, like a nonsurgical facelift, as they become more effective.

A nonsurgical facelift is actually a combination of treatments that are designed to shave years off your appearance, similar to a surgical facelift. But unlike the surgical facelift, you’re in and out of the surgeon’s office relatively quickly, you’ll experience little discomfort afterward, and the downtime, in turn, will be almost nonexistent.

Nonsurgical facelifts also come at a fraction of the cost of the surgical facelifts, but they may need touch ups every few months to maintain optimal results, which makes it a good way to test the waters, so to speak, if you’ve ever found yourself curious about a surgical facelift, but you’re anxious about its permanence.

Your goals tailor the treatment

A nonsurgical facelift is tailored to your goals, but it generally includes some combination of the following treatments:

• Dermal fillers – to restore volume along the cheeks, temples, lips, and under the eyes;
• Wrinkle relaxers – like Botox, to smooth forehead creases, frown lines, and crow’s feet;
• Fat injections – using cleaned and processed fatty tissue extracted through liposuction, to enhance facial volume;
• Chemical peels or laser resurfacing – to refresh dull or damaged skin; and
• Radiofrequency treatments – like Forma and Fractora, to increase your skin’s natural collagen production.

Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane and Volbella usually last up to a full year, while Voluma will last for closer to two years. Botox will last usually from four to six months, fat injections will last for years, and the benefits of chemical peels, laser resurfacing, such as Halo, TRL and CO2, and radiofrequency treatments will become more apparent over the months after your nonsurgical facelift.

While the treatments may need a touch up from time to time, it’s worth noting that the more diligent you are, the less you may need over time.

Who’s a good candidate?

The nonsurgical facelift can slow the aging process, but it yields the best results when your skin is still elastic and your wrinkles aren’t very pronounced. In other words, your face shows only mild to moderate signs of aging.

Still, the results aren’t going to be as permanent as a surgical facelift. So, setting realistic expectations is important. Think of the nonsurgical facelift more as a subtle, natural recontouring of the face. You will be able to appreciate the results much sooner, though, than you would with a surgical facelift. The dermal fillers take effect instantly, and Botox begin taking effect within a few days and won’t require any downtime.

Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and radiofrequency treatments may require a few days or weeks of recovery time, depending on the extent of your procedures—talk to your surgeon or medical aesthethician. Like I said, the nonsurgical facelift is tailored to your goals, and minimizing downtime certainly counts as one.

From our client regarding her latest Halo Fractional Laser treatment.

“I recently got a skin treatment called the Halo Fractional Laser treatment. Those of you that watch my IG stories already know because I’ve been sharing my experience as far back as my first consultation with Dr. Steven Davis form my favorite Cherry Hill Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brandi Harrell (@brandirell) on Feb 17, 2019 at 3:40pm PST

“So I won’t get into all of the medical details but the “Halo treatment” is laser treatment that addresses the tone and texture of the skin. Ends results should give you a glow you can’t buy on the shelves! Right now I’m in the “MENDS” phase. Mends are microscopic wounds that contain large amounts of melanin. This is part of the healing process where the treated skin is working it’s way out of the body as new fresh skin is regenerated.”

“The “mends” have completely taken over my face and I had one of two options. Cover it up with mineral based makeup only! Or, hide in my house and not show my face until the mends were completely gone. I am not hiding and I’m not buying a mineral base makeup because I honestly just want my skin to breathe during this process. So I’ve chosen to embrace the “mends” as the freckles that I’ve always wanted.

Life is all about perspective and you can find beauty in anything if you choose to. I just wanted to fill everyone in on what’s goin on with my face when you see me and my mends pop up on Instagram.”

“My skin is about to be on another level! Thank you Dr. Davis.”

Watch Brandi’s Progress

In at least one respect, plastic surgery’s like any other endeavor in life: The more you prepare for it, the better it’ll go. So, once your surgery’s scheduled, here’s a timeline to help you do just that.

Two weeks before surgery

Two weeks out, read up on your procedure. You probably did a lot of Googling ahead of your initial consultation, and that’s great, but don’t stop there. The premise is pretty simple here: The more you know about something, the less intimidating it becomes.

Don’t worry about trying to understand the medical jargon. Instead, look for descriptions of the surgery and the recovery so that you can start to form expectations for each. Read former patient reviews, and ask your surgeon if they can put you in touch with some former patients. Try to answer questions like these:

• Bruising and swelling are natural, but how long will they last?
• How intense will the discomfort be following the surgery?
• What’s involved in dressing your incisions?
• How long until you’re back to your normal lifestyle?

Those questions are bound to lead to others. Don’t be shy about asking your surgeon. It’s in their best interest to help you feel as comfortable as they can going into your surgery. In the same vein, don’t hesitate to share any concerns, either. You may feel like you’re overreacting, but, remember, your surgeon’s done this procedure hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Which means they’ve likely heard your concerns before.

You’ll also want to begin getting both your home and body in order. Coming back to a clean home is one less stressor. But it’s also a smart move because your mobility’s going to be very limited for at least the first couple of days. So, stock up on food and any necessary supplies, including any pain medications prescribed by your surgeon.

If you drink or smoke, abstain until you’re through your recovery. Both can significantly hinder the healing process. Your surgeon may also recommend that you stop taking certain supplements and medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen.

24 hours before surgery

If your procedure includes IV sedation or general anesthesia, the hospital will instruct you to not eat or drink anything after midnight.  If you have prescribed medications you take every day, you can take them with a small sip of water the morning of your surgery.

Also, someone will need to drive you to and from the hospital and, ideally, to look after you for the first day or two after the surgery. You’re mostly going to want to sleep, but you may need some help getting to and from the bathroom and making something to eat.

After your surgery

After the surgery is where your preparation’s going to play its most critical role. When you’re able to prepare yourself for pain and discomfort, you’ll usually find that they’re less than what you expected.

The same goes for your appearance immediately following the procedure. That preparation’s going to help you avoid being judgmental. Before your surgery, you’ll probably scroll through hundreds of before-and-after photos. But they only tell part of the story. You don’t see the bruising and swelling that took place in between.

That’s why, if you have the opportunity, you should talk to other patients who’ve gone through your procedure. They’ll be able to give you a more specific depiction of the recovery. Knowing what to expect will enable you to be easier on yourself. You’ll understand that it’s only temporary, and as long as you take the time to heal, you’ll be back to your normal self, or even better, before long.

More than 300,000 breast augmentations were done in the United States in 2017, making it the most widely-performed cosmetic surgical procedure. That popularity stems from its value on several fronts.

Breast augmentation—an implant is placed behind the breast and/or the chest muscle—can increase the volume of the breast in naturally small-breasted women, replace the volume that was lost after breastfeeding or major weight loss, change the shape of the breasts, and create better symmetry.

In turn, much of the consideration tends to center less on whether to undergo the procedure or not and more on what type of implant to use. So, today I’ll explore some of the key differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants.

But first, a quick overview

Both types of implants have a shell made out of silicone, the surface of which can be either smooth or textured. The smooth implants mimic the movement of a natural breast, rolling around subtly in the breast pocket, while the texture implants remain in one place, more or less.

That’s not the only nuance to be aware of. For a long time, if I was to say breast implant, the image that would likely come to mind for most is a slow-motion running scene from an episode of “Baywatch.” In other words, large, prominent, and, essentially, one-size-fits-all.

But the breast implant has evolved quite a bit since then. Today, they come in a variety of base widths, projection amounts, and fill volumes. The goal now, instead of a dramatic jump in breast size, is to match the implant with the space and create an improved, though natural-looking, appearance.

Silicone vs. saline

The main differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants involve a few key aspects. For one, saline implants can be filled and adjusted during surgery, which allows the surgeon some discretion to adjust for symmetry. Silicone implants are pre-filled and require larger incisions as a result. Saline implants, because they’re unfilled, can be inserted through tiny incisions underneath the breast, around the areola, or through the underarm.

Saline implants tend to look round, especially in thin women with modest breast tissue, while silicone implants have a more natural look and feel that’s closer to soft breast tissue. (Many women liken the feel of saline implants to a water balloon.)

Saline implants are significantly heavier than silicone, which makes them much more prone to downward displacement because of gravity. Silicone implants also have less of a chance of visible wrinkling or rippling, which makes them a more appropriate choice for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

And, not to be glossed over, saline implants are slightly less expensive than silicone.

But are they safe?

In spite of its obvious benefits, silicone gel implants remain stigmatized for many women. Negative media attention in the ‘80s and ‘90s fueled by claims of adverse associated health problems prompted the widespread removal and replacement of older silicone implants with saline ones that continues today.

Since then, extensive clinical research, driven by the FDA, has confirmed no association between silicone gel implants and any chronic immune disease. That said, when discussing the differences between silicone gel and saline breast implants, saline implants will likely continue to be viewed by many as the safer of the two choices.

When a saline implant ruptures, it happens quickly, so you’ll notice it immediately. Your breast will literally shrink before your eyes. Because it’s only saline, it absorbs harmlessly by your body.

A silicone implant-rupture, on the other hand, will probably go unnoticed. The gel, however, is designed to hold together inside the breast capsule and not migrate to other areas of the body. That’s one of the reasons that regular MRIs are recommended for women with silicone implants.

Thank you for reading “What’s the Difference Between Silicone Gel and Saline Breast Implants?” by Davis CPS. If you’d like more content, please click here.

No doubt you’ve heard of liposuction, or, at least, lipo, and probably even a tummy tuck. As plastic surgery gained mainstream acceptance, many of the most common procedures became household terms.

The trouble is, they’re so widely used, and often incorrectly, that cousin procedures, like lipo and the tummy tuck, are confused for one another. So, let’s clear up some of that confusion here and discuss the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck.

Lipo: A brief primer

Liposuction removes excess fat deposits, slimming and reshaping specific areas of the body, such as the hips and buttocks, abdomen and waist, upper arms, inner knee, and cheeks, chin, and neck.

There are a few different kinds of liposuction; tumescent liposuction is the most common. After the surgeon injects a sterile solution, which aids fat removal; an anesthetic, and a drug that causes blood vessels to constrict into the area that’s being treated, they’ll make small cuts in the skin through which they’ll insert a tube called a cannula. The cannula’s connected to a vacuum that suctions fat and fluids from the body.

There is commonly some mild discomfort and bruising, though you should be well enough to return to work within a few days. The swelling usually subsides within a few weeks but can last longer.

Your surgeon will have you wear a tight compression garment for a few weeks to help reduce the swelling. During that time, some irregularities in the contours of the treated area may develop as the remaining fat settles. But, within a few months, it’ll take on a leaner appearance, and the skin will mold to the new contours.

You’re a good candidate for lipo if you have too much body fat in specific spots. It’s not a treatment for obesity, cellulite, or saggy skin.

Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet and the results are usually long-lasting.

Tummy tuck basics

The tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin and, in many cases, restores abdominal muscles for a smoother, firmer appearance.

During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess, sagging skin is removed. Like lipo, there are a few different techniques. A “full” tummy tuck addresses the full length of the abdominal wall through a horizontal or U-shaped incision above the pubic mound. Sometimes, a second incision is made around the navel to address excess skin above the belly button.

Because a tummy tuck entails surgery on the abdominal muscles, the recovery is more extensive than it is for lipo. Expect to spend the first week mostly resting. Drains are placed in the incisions to help remove fluid after the surgery, in which case you’ll also need to devote time and attention to maintaining them until they’re removed a few days later.

You’ll be sore and may have some bruising for the first few weeks, but you should be well enough to return to work within ten days to two weeks. After you navigate that stretch of the recovery, you’ll find a much flatter, smoother midsection. Those pesky stretch marks will be a lot less prominent or may be completely gone.  You’ll not only look much better in your clothes—especially a bathing suit—you’ll feel better in them.

Tummy tucks are a popular procedure among women following their pregnancies and also men and women who’ve lost a significant amount of weight. It is not, however, intended as a substitute for weight loss.

Thank you for reading “What’s the Difference Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?” by Davis CPS. If you’d like more content, please click here.

Thanks to reality TV, we’ve come to live almost exclusively in either the before or the after. Everything in between has been edited down to a few seconds. But life demands more patience than that.

A question I’m often asked is, “After my surgery, when can I get back to exercising again?” Their reaction sometimes is disbelief when they hear weeks and they were expecting days. Preparing for plastic surgery, both physically and mentally, is critical, and a big part of that is setting realistic expectations for your recovery.

I love the drive of someone who’s determined to go for a run or get back in the gym a few days after a major surgical procedure, but rushing your recovery opens you up to all sorts of complications and even another surgery. Apply that focus and willpower to your recovery instead.

Everyone heals at a different pace, so two people may undergo the same procedure, but one could start exercising after plastic surgery a week or two before the other. The answer I offer in my consultations, and what you’ll find online, is merely an estimate. Above all, listen to your body. If something’s causing swelling or discomfort, pull back.

Framing expectations

Before we dismiss them altogether, there is value in the estimates. They give us a framework to build our expectations around when you can begin exercising after plastic surgery. So, here’s a general timeline:

• Two weeks after surgery: The bruising and swelling should have significantly subsided. You should continue to avoid strenuous activities, but begin lengthening your walks as your energy and stamina returns.
• Four weeks after surgery: With your surgeon’s approval, you should be ready to start some light cardio, but nothing more intense just yet.
• Six weeks after surgery: You should be completely healed. Again, with your surgeon’s approval, you can start easing back into your regular exercise regimen. Don’t expect to pick up where you left off, though.

Heeding particular precautions

Just as everyone heals at their own rate, each procedure comes with its own precautions. After breast augmentation, for example, especially with implants under the muscle, try to avoid strenuous chest exercises, like pushups. The contraction places downward and outward pressure on them, which, over time, can result, in the implants dropping or becoming displaced.

If you’ve had a nose job and your nose starts to hurt, or it bleeds or swells during or immediately after exercising, contact your surgeon. And even if you’re exercising without any trouble, you need to be mindful of being hit in the nose by someone else or a piece of equipment before it’s fully healed, which, for some, could be up to a year.

When it comes to injectables and to create great botox results we tell patients not to lay down or workout for at least four hours. Many times terrific Botox results and amazing lips rely on following post-injectable procedures.

In time, these thoughts will gravitate toward the back of your mind, and exercise will become second nature again. The more conscientious you are during your recovery, the sooner that time will come when you can return to exercising after plastic surgery.

At Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we wanted to give you an insight from our very own Certified CoolSculpting Expert. Donna has helped our practice earn the Certificate of Excellence in CoolSculpting. Here she answers our most asked questions from patients:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:

I’ve been in healthcare for 30 years, most of them in cardiology and spine. I’ve traveled nationally and internationally to train cardiologists with cutting edge technology and treatments for patients. I gained a lot of experience with setting expectations, training in healthcare, and the body in general. I am a Certified CoolSculpting Expert, Certified Integrative Holistic Nutrition Coach, and Reiki Master.

My years of experience have helped me with addressing not just the unwanted fat that the patient is concerned with but in the knowledge of the body as a whole. CoolSculpting is an art, and a skill.

What is a typical consultation?

A typical consultation at Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is very thorough. It will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The patient will discuss their areas of unwanted fat that they’re concerned with, and we assess and plan a treatment regimen specifically tailored for their needs.

What do most patients coming in ask about?

A lot of patients come in asking for gender neutral areas. The midsection is the most popular. Women want anything from their chin to their knees CoolSculpted. Men mostly want their abdomen or their chest – we have treated the most male chests in the country, along with Flyers legend Bernie Parent.

How does it work?

The technical term of fat freezing is called cryolipolysis, a non-invasive way to break down fat cells in the body, which then shows a reduction of body fat to the treated area. To patients – anything that’s squeezeable is freezeable! Wherever an applicator is attached on the body, it will freeze at least 20% of fat. Your body absorbs it naturally and eliminates it naturally. It takes one to three months to see results.

Who is a good candidate?

Almost everyone is a good candidate. The best ones are patients who have realistic expectations and I can help them reach their goals with CoolSculpting. The great thing about Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is there are many different options for patients. If they are not a candidate for CoolSculpting, they may be a better candidate for a surgical procedure, such as liposuction or BodyTite, or another non-invasive procedure like radiofrequency for skin tightening. Our job is to educate the patient and help them reach their goal through the best option.

Why should I get CoolSculpting done here by a Certified CoolSculpting Expert?

It comes down to experience. We are a Certified CoolSculpting Practice with many success stories, but more than that we care about our patients. It’s about the experience – we offer a full work center so that you don’t have to disconnect if you don’t want to. You can get other procedures done that the same time, such as Botox and fillers! Or, if you want to relax, we also offer and ways to do that all while freezing away your fat.