Explore Plastic Surgery - Dr. Barry Eppley

On this week’s Doc Chat Radio show on WXNT 1430AM in Indianapolis from noon - 1:00PM on Saturday afternoon, hosted by Dr. Barry Eppley Indianapolis plastic surgeon,  the topic of Frequently Asked Questions about Plastic Surgery was aired. Using Dr. Eppley’s well known blog, Explore Plastic Surgery, various interesting questions that had been e-mailed to him from that website over the year were answered.

Some of the questions posed from readers were:

1. What are silicone breast implants?
   A silicone gel-filled breast implant is a sack (implant shell) of silicone rubber filled with silicone gel 
2. Where is the breast implant placed during breast augmentation surgery or breast lift with breast augmentation surgery?
   The breast implant is surgically implanted either under your breast tissue or under your chest muscle in either of the surgeries
3. Am I at greater risk for breast cancer if I have breast implants?
   Reports in the medical literature indicate that women who have breast implants are not at a greater risk than those who don’t have breast implants. 
4. Should I continue to have mammograms if I have breast implants?
   The current recommendations for getting screening/preoperative mammograms are no different for women with breast implants than for those without implants. However, it is essential that you tell your mammography technologist before the procedure that you have an implant. The technologist can use special techniques to reduce the possibility of rupture and to get the best possible views of the breast tissue. 
5. Do I need a mammogram before having breast implants placed?
   Yes. It is important to determine and document that the breast is free of any disease process prior to any breast surgery.
6. How soon can I return to work after breast augmentation surgery?
   Most women can return to work a few days after surgery.
7. What are my restrictions following breast augmentation surgery?
   Most women return to their normal routine 6 weeks following surgery to enlarge their breasts.
8. When can I swim or get in a hot tub after breast augmentation surgery?
   You should not submerge the breasts in any water until the incisions are completely healed. This means there are no scabbing areas left and the incision is completely closed and healed. This generally takes 3-4 weeks. 
9. Will I be able to breast feed after breast augmentation surgery?
   Usually breast augmentation does not interfere with the ability to breastfeed.
10. Does it matter how much I weigh when I have a tummy tuck?
    The best results are obtained from a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) when you are at or near you goal (ideal) weight. A large volume weight loss after tummy tuck surgery can result in abdominal skin laxity or hanging skin.
11. What does an Abdominoplasty actually do?
    This surgery removes excess fat deposits and tightens the abdominal muscles, creating a firm, flat abdominal area.
12. How long is the recovery after tummy tuck surgery?
    Most people can return to work within 2 weeks following surgery, depending on the type of work they do. Healing continues for several weeks following surgery. You should not lift anything over 10 pounds for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
13. What is the recovery time for Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery?
    After eyelid surgery, sutures are removed at the 1 week office visit. As the swelling goes down, the eyes will feel better. It is best to limit reading while recovering in the first week as the swelling can cause the vision to seem a little distorted.
14. Will liposuction help me with weight loss?
    Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. It is a procedure that re-contours the body.
15. How much fat can be removed with liposuction?
    Our average patients have about 3.5 or so liters removed which translates to 5-7 pounds. There is no overnight stay required for this. Liposuction can remove up to 5 liters, but be aware in this instance an overnight stay in an outpatient facility may be required.
16. How long will I have swelling in the areas that are liposuctioned?
    It does take several months after liposuction surgery for all of the swelling to completely go away.
17. How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic generally last?
    Results can last 3-5 months for most people.
18. How long will it take for me to know what my results will be after having BOTOX® Cosmetic?
    Generally it takes 7 days from the injections day to get your full results.
19. Do I need to stop smoking cigarettes before having plastic surgery?
    Nicotine use increases the risk of infection and poor wound healing. One cigarette remains in the body for 18 hours. It takes four weeks before surgery to allow the blood vessels to “heal” and four weeks after surgery
20. How long after delivering my baby do I need to wait to have breast augmentation surgery, breast lift surgery or a tummy tuck?
    As a general rule, you will need to wait 3-6 months before having breast surgery or a tummy tuck. You will need a release from your OB-GYN in order to have the surgery.
21. Will I have to stop taking my medications before surgery?
    It is essential that you inform your physician of medications that you are taking. Medications that have the potential to thin the blood (Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Vitamin E, Fish Oil) and anticoagulants (Coumadin) will need to be stopped two weeks prior to surgery. 
22. I take herbal supplements. Will they interfere with my plastic surgery?
    It is important to inform your physician of prescribed, as well as, over the counter medications/supplements that you are taking. Many supplements and medications have interactions with medications used at the time of your surgery. We will provide you with a list of popular herbal supplements that could cause complications during surgery. Patients should generally stop taking herbal supplements two weeks prior to surgery.
23. What is the most common risk associated with cosmetic plastic surgery?
    The most risks/complications associated with surgery are 1) Bleeding 2) Infection 3) Poor wound healing 4) and Blood clots. 
24. Will my cosmetic surgery leave scars?
    Yes, any surgery, no matter how skilled the surgeon, will leave a scar. Scarring will also depend upon how your body actually makes scars. Dr. Eppley has years of experience and will hide scars and will use techniques that will limit the formation the scars to the best extent possible.
25. What will my insurance cover for my plastic surgery?
    Your insurance will only cover procedures that they feel are medically necessary. In some cases they will cover breast reductions; however you will need to show a medical need for the surgery. We suggest that you contact your insurance company prior to making an appointment to determine if they cover the procedure, if we participate with them, and if you need a referral.
26. Is laser hair removal really permanent?
    Laser hair removal is a permanent reduction. That means that most hairs that are touched by the laser will stay gone. Also if the laser does not remove it all the way, it may turn into a finer hair. Remember that change in hormones can trigger dormant hairs to grow. Most people can expect a 75 - 90% reduction in hair growth after completing a course of laser hair removal. That does not mean you will be “hair free” or never have to shave again. But laser hair removal can really help reduce ingrown hairs and help so that you not have to shave every day.
27. Is there anything I can do to get rid of brown spots on my face?
    Yes. We have found that broad bandlight, or BBL, works best for hyperpigmentation or sun damage on the face or other areas of the body. BBL light therapy helps lift the pigmentation to the surface of the skin so that it will slough off. Although BBL will never remove all the brown spots, it can substantially lighten them. Broad band Light treatments will also give your skin a more even tone. During the summer months you must be diligent about wearing a good sunscreen and hats, or the pigmentation will return. BBL is also known as Photofacial or foto facial.
28. I’ve heard that you should wear a sunscreen everyday. Why?
    We always recommend wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen every day, even during the winter. A broad spectrum sunscreen will protect you from both the UVB ray and the UVA ray. The UVB ray is the “burning” ray. This ray stops at the first layer of skin. When you look at your skin, you can see if it’s burning or tanning. The UVA ray is the “aging ray” which causes wrinkles. This is also the most harmful ray because is penetrates into the deeper layers of skin and actually changes the DNA in your cells. These cells can possibly become pre-cancerous or cancerous. This ray is also harmful because it is out 24/7 and penetrates the clouds and windows. Sunscreen is the #1 anti-aging product.
29. What are some really good anti-aging products that I can use at home?
    I tell my patients, “If you are going to do anything, use a topical Vitamin C and a good sunscreen.” Topical Vitamin C has many wonderful effects. It will help fade out brown spots, help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the redness of broken capillaries, helps firm and plump up the skin and can help heal the cells damaged by the radiation of the sun. Both Vitamin C and sunscreen can be incorporated into any regimen.
30. I am an adult but I still breakout!
    There can be many contributing factors when dealing with adult acne. One is hormone levels. Many women can start pre-menopause as soon as their mid thirties or early forties. These hormonal changes can continue for 10 to 15 years before you officially stop your cycle. (The average age of menopause is 52). Subtle hormone changes can play havoc with your skin. Stress is also a huge culprit for adult acne. Many women are juggling many balls in the air all day long, everyday. After a while, this everyday stress can take its’ toll. Stress can change your hormone levels and then comes the acne along the jaw line, neck or around the mouth. We recommend introducing stronger skincare products into your regimen, chemical peels, consulting with your doctor about checking your hormone levels, and reducing your stress
31. Do people ever finance plastic surgrey?
    All the time, About 50% of our patients finance their elective cosmetic surgery procedures.
32. Is there an age limit for plastic surgery such as breast augmentation, breast reduction or rhinoplasty?
    No, as long as the doctor believes you are an appropriate candidate for the surgery you want, age is not really a factor. You must be at least 18 or have parental consent.
33. How long is it between the consultation and the date you can have surgery?
    Generally, it is one to six weeks. However, we do try to accommodate our patient’s needs so if there is some urgency, we will make every attempt to get the surgery scheduled as quickly as possible.
34. Can I schedule my surgery at the same time I schedule my consultation?
    Yes, you can. However because the time needed for your surgery is not definitive until the doctor sees you, we cannot be sure how long your individual surgery might take or specifically what procedures she will perform. The surgery date/time could change after the consultation is done.
35. Does Dr. Eppley do the endoscopic technique for browlift surgery and different versions of facelifts that are not as extensive?
    Yes. 
36. What fillers do you use to make lips fuller?
    The common injectable filler that Dr. Eppley uses is Juvaderm which will last up to 9 to 12 months after being placed.

 

Free Plastic Surgery consultations with Dr. Eppley can be arranged by calling his Indianapolis suburban area facilities at Clarian North office at  317-814-4100 or his Clarian West office at 317-217-2200.

Tags: doc chat radio show, dr barry eppley, frequently asked question about plastic surgery, indianapolis, plastic surgery