Questions about Plastic Surgery Answered by Our La Jolla, San Diego Surgeons
If you are considering plastic surgery and live in San Diego, a visit to our La Jolla office is the best way to find out the information you need to know before deciding to undergo any procedure. However, we understand that many of our patients want to be somewhat educated about plastic surgery before they come in for a consultation. For this reason, we've compiled some of the questions about plastic surgery that our San Diego staff members hear on a regular basis.
Facial Plastic Surgery Questions
Q. I'm thinking of getting rhinoplasty, as I've never liked the shape of my nose. I've spoken with several people who have gotten nose surgery and a few of them say that they are either unhappy with their results or didn't get quite the look they desired. How can I be sure that my plastic surgeon understands what I want?
A. At our plastic surgery practice in La Jolla, we've been listening to San Diego residents for years. We will work with you to understand your needs, and then combine technology with artistic ability to give you the look you want.
Q. My nose has drooped over time. Can rhinoplasty fix this problem without dramatically altering the shape of my nose?
A. Absolutely. Our surgeons can perform a procedure called a tip rhinoplasty, which elevates the drooping tip of the nose by adding cartilage to the top of the bridge between the nostrils.
Q. I'm mostly happy with the way my face looks – except for my eyes. Even though I’m only in my 30s, my eyelids are somewhat droopy and I'm developing bags under my eyes. I don't think I need a face lift yet. What is the solution?
A. If excess skin around your eyelids is making you look tired, sad, or older, a plastic surgery procedure called blepharoplasty may be able to help. Our San Diego surgeons can gently lift the muscles in the eyelids and remove excess skin and fat in the upper and lower eyelids to give you a fresher, more youthful look without the need for a full face lift.
If your eyelids are sagging as a result of excess skin in the forehead, a brow lift might be the answer. This surgery lifts and tightens loose skin in the forehead, eliminating deep frown lines and other creases that have developed. It may be performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty. This combined procedure is sometimes called an upper face lift, which can be performed with minimal incisions and scarring by Dr. Wendell Smoot.
Q. What is the major difference between peels and laser resurfacing?
A. Peels and laser resurfacing are used to treat different depths of facial wrinkles. Some peels, such as the BioMedic MicroPeel® and the Bio Genesis® DermaPeel™ microdermabrasion system, provide light exfoliation, which can treat fine lines, smooth out skin tone, and make skin feel softer. Deeper peels simply treat deeper wrinkles and are good for people who do not yet need laser resurfacing. The deepest wrinkles generally require skin resurfacing with a CO2 laser. You should be aware that recovery time increases with the depth of the treatment.
Breast Surgery Questions
Q. How safe are breast implants?
A. They are safe now and they have always been safe despite the adverse publicity they have received. Actually, there are now six major medical studies demonstrating that there is no link between breast implants and systemic disease.
Q. Are breast implants placed above or below the muscle?
A. Usually implants are placed under the muscle to give a more natural look and feel. Occasionally, they are placed above the muscle to fill out breasts that have sagged over time. You can discuss with your doctor which choice is right for you when you have your initial plastic surgery consultation at our office in La Jolla.
Q. How is breast and nipple sensitivity affected by augmentation?
A. The sensitivity of the nipple complex can be affected by breast surgery; however, whether sensitivity is increased, decreased, or the same as before varies greatly from person to person. You may find that shortly after breast augmentation, your nipples are completely numb. When sensation returns, they will likely be extra sensitive before sensation returns to normal. This change in sensitivity is caused by postsurgical swelling, elongation of nerves, and the lower half of the breast stretching as the implant settles. It usually takes 6 to 12 months before final sensitivity is decided.
Body Surgery Questions
Q. Is ultrasonic liposuction better than tumescent liposuction?
A. Ultrasonic liposuction is not "better" than tumescent liposuction. It is, however, better suited to treating dense tissue areas, such as the male chest, upper abdomen, and "love handles." In fact, ultrasonic liposuction is complementary to regular tumescent liposuction. We always employ the tumescent technique during liposuction and, in certain cases, we use the ultrasonic probe as an additional surgical tool. Every plastic surgery case is unique. Contact our La Jolla, San Diego practice to talk to one of our doctors about the best choice for you.
Q. How do you know how much fat to take out during liposuction?
A. That's a judgment call. The number of areas to treat and how much fat to remove are decisions that are made on an individual basis. We are conservative with our approach to liposuction; safety comes first. Sometimes we even caution patients to consider another surgical approach because they lack the appropriate skin elasticity to guarantee proper skin contraction following surgery. Not only do our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have extensive training in all types of plastic surgery, but they are also experienced with making the appropriate decisions about liposuction.
Q. After having two children, I've managed to lose all the weight I gained during pregnancy, but I still have a flabby stomach with extra skin that hangs down. What can I do to get my pre-pregnancy figure back?
A. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures among San Diego women who need help getting trim after pregnancy. A tummy tuck not only removes excess skin in the abdomen, but also tightens up muscles that have been weakened by weight gain and pregnancy.
Pregnant women aren't the only candidates for abdominoplasty – nearly anyone who is unable to tone their stomach muscles despite weight loss is a good candidate for a tummy tuck.
Contact Us with Your Plastic Surgery Questions
You probably have a great deal many more questions for our staff and surgeons, and we'd love to answer them for you. To schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgery specialists, contact the La Jolla, San Diego practice of Dr. John Smoot, Dr. Wendell Smoot, and Dr. Richard Chaffoo. During your visit with a doctor, you can get all the information you need and find out which procedures can help you to look your very best.
Wendell Smoot, M.D.
John Smoot, M.D.
Richard A.K. Chaffoo, M.D.
9850 Genesee Ave. #300
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone No: (800) 715-5052
Fax: (858) 622-2066
If you live near La Jolla or elsewhere in San Diego and would like to learn more about abdominoplasty or liposuction, contact our practice today.
