Aesthetics and Reconstructive FAQs | Consult With Our Aesthetics and Reconstructive Specialist

Before meeting your surgeon for the first time, here’s a checklist of items you should be carrying:

Research the procedure and write down all the questions you want to ask the surgeon.
Any recent (<1 year) medical tests such as blood tests, urine tests, etc.
If you have any existing medical conditions, bring along your prescription and related medical information.

Each reconstructive surgery has its own risks which depend on the type of procedures & health status of the patient prior to the procedure. Risk of a post-op infection is common in all procedures. Reconstructive surgery is performed to better one’s looks so scarring is a troubling possibility. Hematoma, a collection of blood that looks like a large bruise, is common for most procedures especially breast augmentation & face lifts. Seroma, a condition where serum accumulates under the surface of the skin leading to blister formation, is commonly associated with tummy tucks. Excessive bleeding, anesthesia problems & surgery problems are risks for all surgeries.

Reconstructive surgeries like rhinoplasty, facelifts & breast augmentation do not require any other procedure unless there is a complication or a patient dissatisfaction. Botox lasts for 3-6 months, longer in younger patients. Temporary lip fillers last around 6 months. Most temporary procedures last for 6 to 12 months.

Popular reconstructive surgeries for women are breast augmentation, liposuction & tummy tucks whereas amongst men, tummy tucks, nose surgery (rhinoplasty) & eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

Insurance does not cover Aesthetic (Cosmetic) plastic procedures and but any reconstructive plastic surgery done for trauma or cancer is usually covered.

Safety for all surgeries is ensured by adequate evaluation before surgery by our highly trained surgical specialists and also our anesthesiologists. Global best practices are practiced by our esteemed surgical faculty of national and international repute.

Generally, those who are young (< 40 years of age), healthy (BMI < 25), psychologically stable, non-smokers and exercise regularly are considered as right candidates for surgery. When it comes to specific procedures, it changes with each type of procedure.

Lip-Augmentation:

What’s good: Younger age wanting fuller lips, Older age with naturally thinned lips
What’s not: Recent use of acne creams, lifestyle disease (diabetes), autoimmune disease (rheumatoid, SLE) or allergy to material used.

Cheek Implants:

What’s good: Flat cheeks, Early sagging of cheeks
What’s not: Excessive sagging of cheeks

Chin Implant:

What’s good: Weak chin
What’s not: Jawline that needs dental work

Brow Lift:

What’s good: Frown lines, heavy eyebrows
What’s not: Easily scarring forehead, balding

Eyelid surgery:

What’s good: Droopy eyelids, puffiness around eyes
What’s not: Crow’s feet, dark circles

Nasal surgery:

What’s good: Large nose +/ a bump, Crooked nose
What’s not: Playing contact sports, thick skin

Face/Neck lift:

What’s good: Double chin, sagging, folded skin
What’s not: Rigid skin

Exercises have minimal effect on the procedures, especially after getting the ‘go’ from the surgeons. Normally, it is said that one can start exercising after 4 -6 weeks of the procedure. There should be a gradual buildup of the regimen – follow the 10% rule-the amount of exercise to be added each week. Don’t exercise cardio based activities too soon as they may lead to swelling. Always confirm with the doctor before adding to your day.

In the hospital:

• One must research beforehand the complications of the procedures and read about the discomfort immediately post-surgery. It is best to be prepared for any situation
• Depending on the procedure, there will be varying amounts of pain. Your doctor will prescribe you painkillers to make you more comfortable
• There is always a chance of infection, therefore when checking the incision site, make sure you are washing your hands or using sanitizers.
• Ice the affected areas to reduce the swelling and redness
• After being discharged, follow the medication plan with your doctor, understanding your schedule and fix up the next follow up.

At home:
• Make sure to follow the medication plan exactly as discussed. Talk to your doctor if you feel confused about anything.
• Use ice packs at home to reduce the swellness
• Use creams that are prescribed to help the healing process
• If it is a facial procedure, try avoiding make up until completely healed.
• If it is breast augmentation, avoid sleeping on your stomach until your doctor gives you the go ahead.
• Be extra careful of sun exposure.

To reduce swelling and redness, use cold compress to help bring down the inflammation. Avoid dehydration by drinking copious amounts of water; it helps in the healing process. Your doctor would have given you creams to use at the incision site and around; use it well.

Botox is a safe procedure, especially with a trained and experienced surgeon. The possible side effects are temporary and settle down within a week of the procedure. The effects are seen up to 3-6 months. To maintain a continued effect, one needs to follow up with injections.

In case you stop Botox, your wrinkle lines will come back. However, they do not increase. As the patient has not seen the wrinkles in a while they may feel that it has increased and it becomes difficult for them to accept the facial features.

There are various steps one can take to correct facial paralysis – static and dynamic procedures. Dynamic procedures have shown better results over the years and are preferred. These include:
 Facial nerve repair with or without nerve grafting
 Nerve transfer
 Cross facial nerve transfer
 Muscle transfer
If there is involuntary twitching with facial paralysis, Botox is used to get rid of the twitching. Post-surgery physical therapy is a must.

Facelifts help in decreasing your aging process. On an average, it shaves off 5 to 10 years off your face. However, natural aging continues, that will require another touch up in 10 years from surgery. Therefore, it is common to see people in their 40’s or 50’ getting a facelift.

Depending on your need and satisfaction of expectations, there are different timelines for each type of procedure. Non-surgical procedures such as Botox can be repeated every 3-6 months whereas with procedures such as breast augmentation, surgery is revisited only if a complication arises or the patient is dissatisfied completely.

Reconstructive surgeries, on an average, take between 2 to 3 hours. It might take longer for multiple procedures or more extensive surgeries. Adding to this, there is prep time and recovery time, rounding it off to 4 to 6 hours from start to finish.

While performing the procedure, the patient is given anesthetic (general or local). The post-operative recovery period is painful for most. Pain is subjective and everyone feels varying degrees of pain and may report of severe discomfort to an extremely painful condition.

Optimally, one can resume work after 2 weeks of the procedure. However, it depends from patient to patient on several factors such as pain, inflammation, healing of incision site

Yes. Your doctor will schedule post-surgery follow ups to check your incision sites to see for any infection or inflammation. They will adjust your medication according to your symptoms and look for complications.

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