FAQs

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. The art and science of plastic surgery is also involved with cosmetic procedures specifically directed to the "enhancement of the appearance" of a person through such operations as facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty and liposuction. Often, this is an attempt to return to a form and appearance prior to the natural body changes due to aging, gravity and child birth.

What is the Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective and not deemed to be medically necessary.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congential defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

There are a number of "gray areas" in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involve surgical operations which may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient's situation. For example, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) - a procedure normally performed to achieve cosmetic improvement may be covered if the eyelids are drooping severely and obscuring a patient's vision.

How To Choose Your Cosmetic Surgeon

The single most important factor to the success of your aesthetic plastic surgery is the surgeon you select. Verify the surgeon's training, credentials and experience prior to making your decision, and consider the following important factors.

First, check for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This distinction means that the surgeon has completed undergraduate college, medical school, and a minimum of five years of surgical training including a plastic surgery residency program. Still, board certification is obtained only after passing a rigorous written and oral examination administered by experienced plastic surgeons. Other official-sounding boards and certification confuse the general public. It may surprise you that it is legal in most states for any physician holding a medical license (with or without surgical training) to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. Not all cosmetic "surgeons" are created equal. If you are uncertain about a surgeon's board certification, consult the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). This is the umbrella organization to all medical specialty boards. Remember that there is NO board of cosmetic surgery.

Second, check for membership in The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). An active member of ASPS has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Membership in The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is composed of the group of board-certified plastic surgeons who have demonstrated a higher level of proficiency and experience in performing cosmetic surgery. 

Third, check the surgeon's hospital affiliation. An appointment to the surgical staff of an accredited hospital indicates that the surgeon's credentials have been reviewed and medical colleagues have deemed the surgeon's performance standards to be acceptable. A key question is to ask whether your surgeon has hospital privileges to perform the surgery that interests you. This is an important consideration, even if you are planning to have surgery in an outpatient facility or office-based surgery center. Again, any physician can perform any procedure in his or her office, even if they are not trained to do so.

Finally, after evaluating the credentials of the plastic surgeon, arrange a consultation. Your prospective surgeon should be candid about answering all of your questions. The various options and the surgeon's recommendations should be discussed. Also, expect to hear the potential benefits to you as well as the potential risks and complications. Surgery is a serious matter, under any circumstance, and should not be taken lightly by you or the surgeon. After considering the credentials, training, experience and philosophy of the surgeon, your decision to proceed ultimately rests on your comfort with that person.

Fees

We offer a complimentary cosmetic surgery consultation to allow patients to learn more about PARVA PLASTIC SURGERY and the services that we provide.

Follow up visits for two years are included with the surgical fee, after which normal charges for office visits will apply.

Patients having surgery at PARVA PLASTIC SURGERY will be provided with a fee quote prior to surgery. The quote will cover the total cost of surgery. There are three elements to the surgery fee: 1. the surgeon's fee; 2. the surgical facility charges, and 3. the anesthesiologist's fee. The anesthesiologist's fee will be paid directly to the anesthesia provider who serves as an independent contractor. Please understand that fee quotes do not include any pre or post-operative laboratory or consultation fees that may be required as part of your evaluation for surgery or related to problems that may develop after surgery. Additionally, the costs of major supplies, such as breast implants, will be included as a separate charge.

Since cosmetic surgery is elective, it is important for patients to be able to make financial arrangements prior to scheduling surgery. Except in cases where insurance is covering the cost of surgery, payment is required in advance. Our normal policy is to require a $400 deposit when surgery is scheduled. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the date of surgery.

We accept MasterCard and Visa and also have a financing program available for our patients. Please ask the staff if you would like to have more information about financing.

What is Computer Imaging?

 "But Doctor, what will it look like afterwards?" In no other area of cosmetic surgery is it more difficult to explain to patients what the results of surgery are likely to be. For over 10 years now, computers have been used to help patients understand the potential benefits of rhinoplasty. But computer imaging can be a double edged sword.

Computer imaging is an enhancement to cosmetic surgery consultation. In a field so involved with appearance, it is not surprising that computer graphics should be playing an increasing role. The cosmetic surgeon uses many tools to assist him and the patient in establishing the goals of surgery, but the computer has added a whole new dimension to this challenge. Traditionally, during the initial consultation, the surgeon would analyze the patient and formulate a plan to improve appearance. Then a discussion between the patient and surgeon would serve to attempt to communicate those goals. Varying techniques were used to communicate those objectives, including sketches or photographs.

Computer imaging allows a rapid visual analysis to be carried out which gives the patient a clear opportunity to see the effects of certain changes that the surgeon is planning. Let's examine how this works.

First, the image must be entered into the computer. This is done either through a digital camera or through a photograph that is scanned with a high-resolution scanner. Once the image is brought into the computer it is brought onto the screen where it can be manipulated with various tools that can change the size or shape of selected objects. Possible changes that can be created include moving the chin, reshaping the nose or altering the body contour. Although body imaging can be carried out, the technique is most widely used to show changes in facial profile.

Although the changes appear very realistic, it is important to note that the computer cannot accurately predict the changes that an operation will bring about. Rather it is a way of showing desired changes, or goals of surgery. When properly used, it is a valuable educational tool. At its worst, it can simply be a marketing device. How do you know the difference? At PARVA PLASTIC SURGERY, all imaging is done by the surgeon. We feel that only the operating surgeon is in a position to understand the likely changes of surgery. While technicians can be taught to do beautiful computer imaging, the question arises as to whether this merely represents an idealized result, or true estimate of what can be anticipated at surgery.

In some cases, by honestly projecting what the surgeon feels he can accomplish, the patient may come to realize that the operation will not do what was anticipated. In these cases, it is best to avoid surgery. While the patient may be disappointed, it is better than the more serious disappointment of an unsatisfactory surgical result.

Another benefit of imaging is the opportunity to point out other aspects of facial anatomy that may be responsible for the patient's concerns. A frequent example is the common occurrence of a receding chin in patients with a relatively large nose. In these cases, a chin implant is often an important adjunct to rhinoplasty. This can very nicely be demonstrated on the computer, offering the patient an opportunity to consider this as a part of the overall treatment plan. Today, full color realistic imaging allows a much better opportunity to consider the benefits of surgery.

What is the Typical Recovery from Plastic Surgery?

Will I be able to tolerate the pain post-operatively?
Each patient will tolerate post-operative pain in a different way, and we consider this. While some patients may describe the pain as an ache, others experience greater discomfort. Appropriate pain medications are prescribed for the post-operative period, and these help minimize discomfort. Most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post- operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles-such as an abdominoplasty or breast augmentation have discomfort equal to that of a C-section.

How long is the recuperative period and when can I return to work?
The length of time it takes to recuperate after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure performed and the individual characteristics of each person. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days. Then most patients are able to care for themselves, but may still need assistance if they have small children to care for. The specific lengths of recovery are outlined below by procedure. These are approximations, and do not include return to exercise.

Eyelid Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. With the use of sunglasses, may feel comfortable going to the store by day 3-4, and with make-up could return to work by 5-7 days.

Facelift Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. Usually do not feel comfortable going out in public for 5-7 days. Requires 10-14 days before returning to work if in the public eye.

Breast Surgery - Usually can get around independently by the second day. May return to work at 5-7 days if not required to lift more than 15 pounds.

Liposuction - Usually can get around independently by the second day, earlier if smaller number of areas treated. One can return to work and normal activities in 5-7 days or less.
Abdominoplasty - Patients may take between 2-4 days before getting around independently. The recovery is almost identical to C-section. One can return to a desk job at 5-7 days, other jobs 10-14 days.

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