Explore Plastic Surgery

It is now a week or so after your surgery and you are starting to look and feel better. The pain is getting less, you can move around better, and you are starting to look more human (provided no one looks too close) Now what comes next?
The most important thing that I tell all patients, regardless of the cosmetic surgery procedure, is that its takes longer for recovery than you ever thought. I am not talking about the major part of a recovery, such as significant pain or swelling, but the fine parts of recovery which no patient really anticipates. I am referring to……the small amount of residual swelling that only the patient mainly sees (and which may take a month or so to completely resolve), the numbness of the skin over the surgery site (which can take months to feel completely normal), or the stiffness or tightness that is felt as one gets more active and stretches further. Whether it be eyelid surgery or liposuction, the finer points of recovering from the surgery are usually not over when it comes time to return to work or go back out into the public.
When you are at this point in your recovery, you are in what I call phase two. Most patients are usually ‘over’ the concept of recovering at this point and would really like to get back to complete normalcy. I urge patience at this point (besides what else can you do?) and reassurance that everything is going normally is the best news that you can hear.
As a general rule, facial cosmetic surgery has little pain but takes two to three weeks to look non-surgical. Body cosmetic surgery has more discomfort (usually much more) but is not socially distracting due to coverage by clothing. Two to three weeks to feeling good is usually too short for most body cosmetic procedures (with the exception of breast augmentation) and four to six for a complete recovery is more common. That is why strenuous exercise should not be done before then.
Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/
http://www.ologyspa.com/
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

In addition to the responsibilities of your plastic surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the nursing staff, surgery involves certain obligations on the part of the patient to ensure a safe and uncomplicated experience. The following is a list of 3 preoperative guidelines that must be followed prior to your operation. While all may not apply to each patient, the pertinent ones will be confirmed by the nursing staff when you check in for surgery. If these are not followed, surgery will need to be rescheduled for your medical safety.

1. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK EIGHT (8) HOURS PRIOR TO SURGERY
This is an inviolate preoperative rule of surgery that, if misunderstood, may have life-threatening consequences. Food or liquids in the stomach may be vomited while being put to sleep, entering the lungs and causing a potential life-threatening pneumonia. For this reason, surgery is never performed without an empty stomach even if it is only a conscious
sedation.

2. YOU WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN HOME BY SOMEONE AFTER SURGERY
Unless you are having a procedure under local anesthetic injections, the use of IV medication for sedation or general anesthesia requires that someone be available to take you home after surgery. It is simply not safe for you to drive home after an anesthetic. Taking a taxi home is also not permitted.

3. IF YOU ARE FROM OUT OF TOWN AND STAYING IN A HOTEL, SOMEONE WILL NEED TO STAY WITH YOU THE NIGHT AFTER SURGERY
It is not medically advisable to have you alone in a hotel room after any surgical procedure that required a general anesthetic. If you do not have someone, ask your surgeon’s office to help make arrangements to stay overnite in the surgery center or arrange for a caretaker to stay with you in the hotel. These arrangements will need to be made in advance.

These are the final checks to make sure your day of surgery goes smoothly.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Now that you have arrived home, either the day of surgery or the morning after if you have stayed overnite, it is time to relax and let the natural healing process take its course. However, there are a variety of things you can do and to be aware of to make your early recovery better.
Medications
Make sure that you take your antibiotics at the prescribed intervals and your pain medications as needed. When it comes to pain medications, remember that there is no reward for seeing how tough you are. If you have pain, take your medications! It is not infrequent that the strength of pain medications prescribed may be inadequate or your stomach may not tolerate them. In this case, contact your doctor immediately and get a prescription for a different type of pain
medication. Occasionally, patients will develop a reaction to either the antibiotic or pain medication. This will be manifest as itching and possibly hives. More times than not, it will be to the antibiotic and this will need to be immediately stopped and changed. Contacting your doctor in this event is paramount. While some patients may develop nausea, which is also a reaction to medications, this is not a true allergy but a sensitivity to one of the medications ingredients. (often the preservative) In this case, the medication (usually the pain pills) will have to be changed.
In facial surgery, usually the eyes, there may be open incisions. On these antibiotic ointments are to be placed. If it is around the eyes, the antibiotic ointment should be specifically ophthalmic, so that if it gets in the eyes it will not cause irritation. Other incisions, if exposed, should be liebrally covered with an antibiotic ointment.
Dressings
Whether it is facial or body surgery, you will likely have dressings (bandages) placed at the time of surgery. This could be circumferential facial wraps for face or neck surgery or bras or compression garments for body surgery. These are to be left in place until at least 24 hours after surgery and your doctor will give you specific instructions about these dressings. In my practice, I almost always remove all dressings, face or body, the next day so the patient can shower. I usually do this myself in the office but some dressings may be able to be removed at home by the patient.
Swelling
If you have had facial surgery, it is important to keep your head elevated. Whether it be in a reclining chair or in bed with several pillows, you can have some control over how much swelling will occur. Laying down flat will cause a tremendous amount of swelling by the next day. Ice (or frozen vegetables) applied to the face or eyes can also lessen how much swelling will occur. After 24 hours, the application of cold will not make a big difference but for the first iht after surgery it will. In body surgery, there is not much youo can do about swelling. That is why support or compression garments are put on after body surgery. These are to be left on after surgery for at least the first night…..unless they become too tight. If you are having trouble breathing from a bra, chest, or abdominal wrap or your hands (arm wraps) or feet (leg wraps) go numb or vert tight from swelling, the garments should be loosened or taken off. Contact your doctor immediately and more specific instructions will be given.
One important concept to grasp about swelling…..it does not peak for 48 hours after surgery. This is unfamiliar, and often disturbing, to patients. Patients understandably think that areas of surgery start to get better beginning the day after. But this is not so, the onset of swelling and bruising will continue for several days. By the third day swelling will stabilize and start to go down thereafter.
Nutrition
Eat or drink whatever you feel comfortable or want to do. Liquids, however, are by far the most important. Staying adequately hydrated will make you feel better, allow your medications to work more efficiently, and will help clear toxins faster from your system.
Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Your plastic surgeon wants to provide you with the best possible surgical results with as rapid and comfortable recovery as possible. Specific instructions will be provided for the procedure(s) that you will be having. However, the following tips before surgery will help a patient have the best surgical experience possible.

PreSurgical Education 

 Studies have shown that informed patients felt less anxiety before and after surgery. Take the time to research the procedure you are having via books or the internet. Make sure you understand the procedure you are having and don’t be afraid to ask questions prior to surgery such as: What type of anesthesia will be used ? How long with the procedure take? What medications will I take? When can I start doing normal activities? When can I shower and apply makeup?

Medications, Smoking and Supplements

Discontinue use of any nicotine products at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. This includes cigarettes, cigars, nicotine gum, and patches. Nicotine reduces the blood flow to the skin and may impair healing; and quitting smoking drastically improves the body’s response to surgery. Stop using medications containing aspirin and ibuprofen two weeks prior to surgery. Aspirin thins the blood and can produce excess bleeding and bruising. Be sure to read the labels of any over-the-counter remedies you regularly take as many common medications contain aspirin. For the same reason, also avoid: Vitamin E and herbal supplements, herbal teas, and red wine.

Begin using an Arnica supplement 7 days prior to surgery and continue for one week after surgery. Arnica is a naturopathic remedy that helps prevent as well as clear bruising. Arnica is available in either tablet form or in topical patches. It is my preference to use both for my patient but the oral form is the most important. You should also consider adding Vitamin K to your diet. This fat-soluble vitamin plays an important role in blood clotting and can be found in such foods as spinach, broccoli, and kiwi.

Plan for Success

During your recovery, you want to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. By planning in advance, you can set yourself up for a worry-free time when your body can completely concentrate on recuperation.

·        Plan your wardrobe for the day of surgery and the week following. Loose-fitting clothing that can be unbuttoned or unzipped down the front is best.

·        Designate an area in your home for yourself – such as a quiet bedroom or sofa away from busy family activities

·        Even if you are having a minor procedure, you will still need a minimum of 24 hours to recover from anesthesia, and will not be up to handling responsibilities by yourself. If you do not have a friend or family member to care for you the night of surgery, a private suite at Clarian or Meridian Surgery Center can be arranged for you at a modest charge,

·        Get all your prescriptions filled prior to your surgery

·        Plan your meals for the week after surgery and make the necessary trip to the grocery store

·        Arrange for child care

·        Rest and sleep, combined with small meals and plenty of fluids, are key to a quick and comfortable recovery.

·        Avoid excessive sun exposure for at least two weeks after most surgeries.

·        Be patient. Everything (swelling going done, bruising going away, etc.) takes longer than almost every patient expects or wants.

   The number one cause of postoperative pain and complications is ‘overdoing’ it after surgery. With proper planning and arrangements, as outlined above, this can be avoided and a smoother recovery will occur. 

Dr Barry Eppley

http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

http://www.ologyspa.com

Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana

Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana

Indianapolis

Teaching Patients What To Expect After Surgery

Part of pre-surgical teaching, and incorporated into all initial consultations, is some concepts about what to expect after your plastic surgery procedure(s). This is probably the weakest part of any surgeon-patient connection. While all patients will ask questions like…How much swelling will I have?….when can I go back to work?…..when will it look good and when can I see the final result?……no patient can have a true understanding of the postoperative healing process or prepare for seeing their body parts swollen, bruised, and temporarily distorted…..unless they have had prior surgery that was a similar procedure. And, unfortunately, most consultations with your plastic surgeon generally occur once, during the first meeting, and you do not see the doctor again until the day of surgery. While I encourage all patients to come back and see me again for the second time prior to their surgery to answer any questions or concerns, it is very rare that they actually do. I would say it occurs in less than 10% of all new surgery patients. Does that mean because they didn’t they have a perfect understanding about all aspects of their procedure….or my explanation of everything was so profound that everything was perfectly clear (I have come to realize that less than half of what I say to a patient in a consultation is actually remembered)…..no…….I think they try and get those questions which arise after the initial meeting clarified with the doctor’s staff by phone or e-mail, what is said on the mailed paperwork, and in talking to friends and other patients. Only the rare patient who is confused or concerned about a major point will make time to come back and actually speak to me.

When I talk to patients about what to expect after surgery, I divide their recovery into three phases: the day after, the first week after, and a month later. These time periods can also be called: the pain and agony (the day after), I’m starting to feel human again (the first week after), and It’s all worth it now (a month later) . While the type of plastic surgery procedure may be better or worse than these time periods (for example, breast augmentation is great in a week, full facial rejuvenation will take a full month), these are good average assessments at these time periods. I have long learned that it is far better to overestimate the amount of recovery, physical or social, than it is to fall short. Most patients don’t have realistic recovery expectations (why would they) and already think it will be faster than it will likely be. Doctors are famous for saying…you will have a little swelling and bruising, for example…..when from the patient’s perspective it is a horrible amount of swelling and bruising. It’s always different when you are the one actually having the experience than projecting what it will be like for someone else.

The most important, and occasionally problematic, expectation to manage is the long-term one or the final result. While I routinuely do some computer imaging (particularly on faces), what you do in surgery is not as precise. Plastic surgery is not as simple or predictable as morphing a digital image or manipulating images on Photoshop. Many variables affect the final result, particularly how tissues heal. No procedure is ever exactly the same on both sides, whether it be eyes, ears, a face, or two breasts. Some of that has to so with the fact that they weren’t the same before and some of it has to with how the body responds to surgical manipulation. That is why I caution patients…..perfection and perfect symmetry is not possible…..even though it may sometimes be obtained. Occasionally patients confuse paying a fee as a guarantee of optimal results. (even though they sign paperwork which states otherwise) What a patient pays for is the plastic surgeon’s best effort based on his skill and experience. And for the vast majority of patients that is fair enough regardless of the outcome.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Is My Cosmetic Problem Bad Enough That I Need Surgery?

After you have selected your plastic surgeon(s) to consult, the next issue is describing or telling your problem or concerns to them. One of the most frequent statements that I hear patients say when I ask what brings them in is….’Now I don’t want you to think I am vain….’ or ‘You might think this sounds silly but….’ Trust me, on either count, I won’t! This is what I do for a living….people consider cosmetic surgery because things bother them….not their neighbor, friends, or spouse. Cosmetic surgery is all about, in the end, making you feel better about yourself. Cosmetic surgery is, in essence, self-image improvement surgery. The outward changes effected by plastic surgery may be big or small but the impact on one’s self-image can be enormous.

Therefore, the most important question is what physical problem bothers you. Why it does and how it does (although I always patiently listen) does not really matter. The very fact that it does is significant enough. While it is always written in plastic surgery textbooks and articles on patient selection for surgery that you should be certain that the patient’s motivation is their own and not someone else’s, I have yet to encounter any patient who has told me directly that they are doing this only for their husband, boyfriend, etc. I think it is virtually impossible to determine a patient’s motivation before surgery. Our time with patients is very short and we really never get to know them very well….or at all. And there is no test, short of an in-depth psychiatric assessment, that can pinpoint the ‘problem’ patients or patients that shouldn’t have cosmetic surgery. We may find out…after surgery….some motivating factors or personal characteristics/problems that had we known beforehand may have dissuaded us from undertaking the surgery. (and all plastic surgeons have had these unpleasant surprises)

I always tell patients that….if it bothers you….then it is a problem. My task as a plastic surgeon in assessing a patient’s motivation is to get a feel for the ratio of the problem to the concern. This is the only barometer that I know that gives some insight into the ‘appropriateness’ of any patient for cosmetic surgery. Big problems are easy….if you have a large hump on your nose or a flat chest for example…..there is little concern about a problem/concern imbalance. Conversely, if the size or shape of your nostrils, for example prevents you from going out in public or makes you a recluse at the office…..then we have a significant concern/problem imbalance…..and plastic surgery alone is not really to change a self-image whose problematic symptoms have been merely tranferred to a physical location. Such patients are rare and are relatively easy to spot…and avoid. (and are often referred to someone else!) The sublter version, but just as potentially problematic, is the patient whose physical flaws while present are slight. For example, …my one ear sticks slightly out more than the other…..can you see how this bulge on my hip sticks out more than the other? While these physicial flaws are real, the margin of error for an operation to achieve perfect symmetry is very small……otherwise known as a poor benefit/risk ratio.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

What is the Right Operation for Your Problem?

As you go in to see a plastic surgeon for an elective cosmetic consultation, what operation do you want…and what type of operation do you need? You may say…’well that is why I am seeing the doctor, he is to tell me what I need’ And while there is great truth to that position, you the patient must realize that you are an obvious participant in the process and you should try and understand the why and how of what you are subjecting yourself to. I have had many patients over the years who say when I start to explain an operation to them…’I don’t want to know anything about it…..just do it! I personally don’t like that approach from a patient because much of what they experience after surgery, of which I will get many questions and concerns then, could have been anticipated by them had they tried to have some understanding before surgery about the operation.

There are three things about a cosmetic surgery that a patient should try to get a handle on during a consultation with a plastic surgeon. First and foremost….options. What are the different methods that can be used to treat my aesthetic concern(s)? The beauty of plastic surgery is that there is rarely one way to do anything. Usually, there are several methods to treat any problem…each will have a slightly different outcome with their own levels of risk and recovery. Even something as relatively simple as a breast augmentation has many subtle variations…..saline vs. silicone implant, above or below the muscle, different placements of the incisions, etc. Your plastic surgeon should go over all the options that are available, from simple to complex, and make you aware of how effective they may be for your concerns. The education of a plastic surgeon is that he/she knows all the options, what their advantages vs disadvantages are, and can do the surgery. Only you, however, can select the operation that meets your needs the best and give permission to actually undergo it. The plastic surgeon provides you with an education……you decide what you want to do with it.

Secondly….does the operation make sense to you? Amd what I specifically mean by that is….does the operation seem to match your concerns/problems. There is a basic rule that I apply to operative selection and I used to teach my residents when I was at the University. Match the solution to the problem! You don’t need a big operation to treat a small problem. This exposes the patient to a lot of risk, which if they occur, will likely be worse than the original concern. For example, if your concern is only a small bump on your nose and you are happy with the rest of it….then a three hour rhinoplasty procedure doesn’t match that problem. Conversely, a small operation for a big problem……will usually not solve the problem at all. For example, a waddle of skin in the neck with droopy jowls is not going to be significantly improved by a threadlift and some laser resurfacing. You may like the allure of the simplicity of that procedure…but you won’t be happy with the results. Small problems need small fixes……big problems need real operations. While no patient is a plastic surgeon, most patients have enough common sense to understand this concept. This operative mismatch happens to today for two reasons……the plastic surgeon may be motivated to do more surgery than necessary due to ego or economic ncentives……and the patient may be tempted to something less invasive because of the appeal of less recovery and less cost.

Lastly, does the operation fit your lifestyle? Specifically, I am referring to recovery and costs here. Don’t shortchange the amount of recovery that may be needed. Facial plastic surgery usually is an issue of social recovery (how do I look), body plastic surgery is about physical recovery. (e.g., how soon can I lift or get in and out of a car alot for my work) Don’t get caught trying to ’squeeze’ an operation in your schedule when you really don’t have adequate time. That may adversely affect the outcome and cause complications and you may valuabl work time. Make sure you have a clear understanding of recovery…before surgery! And make you sure you can afford the operation. While I could argue that your finances are not my concern, they may be after the fact. I always advise my patients with this statement….if you can’t afford the costs associated with the potential for revisional surgery, you shouldn’t undergo the original surgery. For example, if you have breast augmentation and one implant has healed differently in shape to the other one and you want it reworked, there are additional costs…these are your responsibility. What you pay for up front…is my best effort based on my experience and skill….not a guarantee of a perfect outcome.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Who is an expert in Plastic Surgery? How to choose a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon

With the public’s burgeoning desire for aesthetic and anti-aging treatments, comes an equal number of providers wanting to fill those needs. In days gone by, patients choose their cosmetic doctors primarily by word-of-mouth. Doctor reputations were earned by results and longevity in practice. While this still has significant importance today, the use of paper and visual media and in particular the internet, has enabled a doctor to shape his credibility and reputation way ahead of what years of experience could do. Such digital and electronic exposure can be extremely helpful as well as potentially deceiving to prospective patients.

Beyond the glitzy advertisements, well-crafted websites, and free seminars with wine and food, what are some helpful criteria that can guide patients on whom to trust to undergo the cosmetic knife, needle, or laser? Many of the most basic criteria are well known and have been published many times elsewhere. Evaluating training, education, and board-certification are absolute basics and are relatively easy to determine. Once past these basics, however, the next confidence level can only be gained in an actual consultation. I would look for these things:

- Did the consultation feel like an educational experience or a sales presentation?

- Where treatment options presented and reviewed…or was only one treatment approach
offered?

- Was time given to answer all your questions….and a way to answer questions that may
arise after?

- Were actual before and after procedure photos done by the doctor you are seeing shown?

- Was talking to actual patients whom have had the procedures offered as an option? Were
these patients whom have had surgery in the past three months?

- Finally, once home, did the doctor and his office feel right? Did the consultation make you
feel more comfortable and secure in your decision?

In the end, an emotional connection and a sense of security is the final layer in the selection process that is built on a foundation of the doctor’s education and training.

Dr Barry Eppley
http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
http://www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis

Common Things People Want To Know About Plastic Surgery

The tremendous popularity of plastic surgery has made it one of the most visible areas of medicine. Because of the diversity of the subspecialty of Plastic Surgery, there are many questions that patients have as well as numerous misconceptions about what plastic surgery is and the procedures that are available. Clarian West Medical Center has the distinction of being the only hospital between Indianapolis and St. Louis that has a full-time plastic surgeon with offices in the Women’s Center. Dr. Barry Eppley answers some of the most commonly asked patient questions.

Why is it called “plastic” surgery?

The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning to mold or to shape. That is also the origin for the name of the manmade material that is found almost everywhere today –plastic. Whether it is a toy or computer monitor, plastic is the material of choice as it7 can be molded or shaped into any desired form.

The term “plastic surgery” then refers to surgery that molds or shapes the human body. Unfortunately, despite the latest advances in plastic surgery, we still cannot mold the human body into any desired form. We can, however, make a big difference in either sculpting one’s face or body for cosmetic purposes or reconstructing a missing or lost body part by using today’s state-of-the-art surgical techniques.

What is the difference between plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, aesthetic surgery, and reconstructive surgery?

Cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, and aesthetic surgery all refer to the same thing; surgery done to improve one’s appearance or reshape normal body parts to improve appearance. This is why cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance.

Reconstructive surgery is performed to reshape abnormal structures of the body, from either accidents, injuries, infections, cancers, or other diseases, as well as congenital deformities. These types of problems are usually covered by your medical insurance.

What are the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures?

In 2005, 10.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S of which 1.8 million were actual intraoperative surgeries. Total U.S. spending on these procedures was 9.4 billion dollars.. The five most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States are nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and facelift. With the latest innovations in cosmetic plastic surgery, patients may now benefit from more natural results, faster recovery, and safer procedures. Consequently,
more and more people have decided to take advantage of these advanced procedures to help them their appearance or restore a more youthful look. In fact, the number of people choosing cosmetic plastic surgery has tripled in the last decade!

The most popular plastic surgery procedures for women include nose reshaping, liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, facelift, brow lift, tummy tuck, and breast lift. Men also have nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, facelift, as well as surgery to treat gynecomastia, or male breast reduction.

Why is plastic surgery of the nose so popular?

The first plastic surgery performed, thousands of years ago, was nasal surgery in India and Egypt. People have had concerns about their noses for a long time! The popularity of rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is due to its effectiveness at changing the shape of the nose (as the whole appearance of the face) as well as improving breathing through the nose. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing and sinus problems.

What are the most common reconstructive plastic surgery procedures?

In 2005, 5.1 million reconstructive procedures were performed by plastic surgeons in the U.S. The top five procedures performed include skin cancer removal, laceration repair, scar revision, hand surgery, and breast reduction

What is possible after a woman has had a breast removed due to cancer?

Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other disease is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available today. New plastic surgical techniques and devices has made it possible to create a breast that can come close in size and appearance to that of a natural breast. Frequently, reconstruction is done at the same time as the breast removal (mastectomy), so the patient wakes up with a breast mound already in place, having been spared the experience of seeing herself with no breast at all.

Bear in mind, however, post-mastectomy breast reconstruction is not a simple procedure. There are many options to consider (tissue expansion, muscle and skin flaps, implants) and choosing the right one for the patient requires thorough consideration. At Clarian West, the Breast Cancer Center offers a comprehensive approach to the treatment of breast cancer, including reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy.

Why do people often need plastic surgery after gastric bypass surgery or significant weight loss?

The goal of bariatric surgery is to help morbidly obese patients lose the weight necessary to improve their overall health. By reducing the overall capacity of the stomach, the reduced food intake helps the patient lose weight. The success of bariatric surgery (over 80,000 procedures performed last year in the U.S.), with often up to 100 lbs of weight loss, results in a residual amount of loose skin throughout the body. Plastic surgery is often needed to address these unsightly skin pockets that remain. Commonly affected areas are the arms, breasts, abdomen, back, buttocks , and thighs, of which numerous plastic surgery procedures have been specifically developed just for these extreme problems.

How can I improve that tired look around my eyes?

While the eyes may be the window to the soul, they are also the first area on the face that begins to show aging. Wrinkles, excess skin, and bags are all features of the aging eye, even though we may feel quite well rested and refreshed. Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, as well as skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and bags on the lower lids – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won’t remove crow’s feet, eliminate dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with with other facial plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.

Dr. Eppley believes there is no substitute for knowledge and experience. He is one of the few plastic surgeons in the United States who is both a physician and dentist and is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This rare dual certification reflects Dr. Eppley’s commitment to excellence.

Dr Barry Eppley
www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis