What Will My Scars Look Like Post-Procedure?

Plastic Surgery and Scarring: What Will My Scars Look Like Post-Procedure?

 

You may be so excited about your upcoming plastic surgery procedure and your new look. That’s great! Excitement and enthusiasm before surgery rather than anxiety and nervousness is a good thing. However, you should know that after your surgery is complete, you will see some scars for awhile. If you choose to get multiple procedures done at the same time, (sometimes called a “mommy makeover”) then you will have scars in varying locations on your body. Before surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you complete details on what kinds of incisions will be made, and how long your scars will take to heal and to what degree they will appear permanently.

 

Here are some common plastic surgeries and the scarring associated with each:

 

Tummy tuck:

You can expect a low horizontal abdominal incision. If you have more skin that needs to be removed, the incision typically will be longer. Most incisions are made at or below the bikini line, so the final scar is not obvious to others even in swimwear.

 

Breast augmentation:

This incision is about two inches long and can be made in a couple of different locations. Some patients choose to have the incision underneath the breast. However, you can also have the incision under the armpit, or around the areola. If you have a breast lift along with an augmentation, then your surgeon should outline the best place for the incisions to be located. Since this is a short incision, the result will be two short and small scars.

 

Liposuction:

Incisions for liposuction are much smaller than other procedures, which results in less noticeable scars. They usually fade significantly over time. Sometimes a mark is left on the skin after liposuction called a dyschromia, which is a dark or light spot on the skin. This is not a true scar, but it can happen.

 

In Lubbock, you don’t have to go far to find an expert, personable, educated plastic surgeon with over twenty years of experience. Dr. Jane Rowley devotes her time and energy to her patients, making them feel instantly comfortable and secure in every part of their decision. At your no-obligation consultation, she will go over each procedure you choose step-by-step and explain the incisions and scars associated with each one. Contact her office today to find out more.

Liposuction: What You Should Expect From Your Initial Consultation

Although liposuction should never be used as your weight loss tool, it is a great way to target areas of localized fat that never seem to go away with any amount of diet or exercise. Even if you are eating right and exercising daily, there are areas of your body that like to hang on to fatty tissue, and liposuction is a great option for getting rid of it. If you decide to have a liposuction procedure, then you should see a professional plastic surgeon for an initial consultation. So, what are some things you can expect from an initial consultation?

 

— Your surgeon may ask you to look in the mirror and point out to him/her what areas of your body you want to be improved.

— You may be photographed, including some 3D photos, so that your surgeon can get a closer look at those areas you want to be treated.

— It’s important that your skin has good elasticity and tone for liposuction to be effective. Your surgeon may evaluate your skin and measure it to determine if you are a good candidate. Patients are ideal for liposuction if they remain at the same weight, have persistent fat pockets but good skin elasticity.

— Weight will be discussed. Your surgeon will want to know what your current weight is, what your ideal weight is, and if your goals for weight loss are realistic. It’s possible that before your surgery your doctor will want you to begin a weight loss program.

 

Lubbock’s most trusted and knowledgeable plastic surgeon, Dr. Jane Rowley, gives all of her patients the option to have a no-obligation consultation, where they can discuss the problem areas of their bodies and whether or not they are a good candidate for liposuction. Often liposuction can be done in conjunction with other procedures, and this will also be discussed at your initial visit. Although liposuction removes fat cells, it is important to have healthy habits and keep your weight stable after surgery if you want the results to be permanent. Contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today to find out more

How to Prepare for A Breast Reduction

You are a good candidate for a breast reduction if you feel that your breasts are too large or if your breasts limit your physical activity. If you experience back, neck, and shoulder pain because your breasts are extremely heavy you may also want to consider this procedure. Often if you have shoulder indentations from bra straps, or your skin gets irritated easily underneath the crease of your breasts, then you would also make an excellent candidate for a breast reduction. So, what are the steps you can take to prepare for your breast reduction procedure?

 

  1. Stop taking any aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory drugs that lead to increased bleeding.
  2. If you are a smoker, quit smoking at least six weeks before surgery to give your body its best chance of  healing.
  3. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to less than 2 to 3 drinks per week.
  4. Prepare easy, low-sodium meals beforehand so you won’t have to worry about cooking post-surgery.
  5. Store any necessary items you’ll need afterward in an easily accessible location. Don’t place things too high or too low as they will be hard to get to.
  6. Make a pile of good books to read, movies to watch, or a stack of things that you enjoy doing in your leisure time that doesn’t require a lot of motion.
  7. If you have young children, assign someone to care for them for 1-2 weeks after surgery. You cannot do any laundry, cleaning, or cooking after a breast reduction surgery.

 

As with any major surgery or procedure, it’s a good idea to be over prepared than underprepared. At Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley talks to all of her patients thoroughly about each procedure and how to prepare for it. Contact her office today to find out more.

What Is an Otoplasty, and What Can It Do For You?

Plastic surgery isn’t just about improving your appearance. It’s about improving your self-confidence. If you were teased in school about some aspect of your body, like your large nose or noticeable ears, then you’re not alone. Luckily there are many plastic surgery procedures out there that can adjust or correct prominent body characteristics. An otoplasty is one of them. An otoplasty is a procedure to correct ear prominence or asymmetry.

 

At Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock, TX Dr. Jane Rowley has the experience and expertise to correct your ear shape with an otoplasty. Dr. Rowley recommends that kids who are being teased at school due to large ears should wait to have an otoplasty until they are old enough to discuss the procedure and what it entails with their parents.

 

In this procedure, an incision is made behind the ear, and internal sutures are placed to reshape the contour of the ear cartilage and to bring the ears closer to the head. There is not very much pain associated with the surgery. Besides a head dressing for a week, the recovery is fairly straightforward with little to no complications.

 

The nice thing about an otoplasty is that it can be performed at any age, whether you’re seven years old or fifty-seven. So if your parents told you to just, “suck it up” or “ignore” those kids who teased you at school, it’s not too late to improve your self-confidence with an otoplasty.

 

If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon, who will put you first, look no further than Lubbock. Plastic Surgery offices are available all over the world, but Dr. Jane Rowley of Rowley Plastic Surgery is the only surgeon with the expertise, knowledge, and honesty who can get you the results you’re looking for. Give her office a call today.

Surgery and Recovery Times for Multiple Procedures

It can be a little overwhelming to consider having multiple plastic surgery procedures at the same time. However, if you’ve chosen Rowley Plastic Surgery for your procedures, there’s no need to worry. Dr. Jane Rowley has over two decades of experience in plastic surgery. Lubbock patients trust her extensive and thorough medical education and experience. She wants her patients to know from the outset that when you combine procedures, it does prolong recovery time but can give you greater results with fewer times going into surgery. With proper rest and smart planning, your recovery from surgery can go smoothly.

 

Here is what you can expect for the surgery and the recovery times for the following procedures:

 

Breast Augmentation

-Outpatient surgery

-Takes about an hour

-Back to work in 2-3 days

-4-6 weeks before returning to full physical activity

 

Face Lift

-Takes 2-3 hours

-Patient awakens from anesthesia with a dressing and a small drain for 24 hours

-Sutures are removed in about a week

-Back to work in 10-14 days

-Swelling can last 6-8 weeks, often very minimal after the first 2-3 weeks

 

Liposuction

-The incisions are small

-Back to work in 3 days

-Minor to moderate pain

-Swelling for up to 4-6 weeks

-Compression garments typically have to be worn for between 2-4 weeks

 

Tummy Tuck

-Outpatient surgery

-Takes 2 hours

-Back to work in 2-3 weeks three weeks

Full activity is typically resumed at 6-8 weeks postoperatively

 

If you have a job that requires physical labor or you regularly participate in strenuous exercise, you may need to schedule more time off work so you can gradually resume your normal schedule. It is never a good idea to jump back into a demanding work environment before you are properly rested and fully recovered. At your no-obligation consultation with Rowley Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jane Rowley will explain each procedure and what you can expect. Find out more today.

Different Breast Implants Options in Lubbock

Different Breast Implants Options in Lubbock

 

If you have made the decision to have a breast augmentation, you’re probably considering the different types, shapes, and sizes of breast implants available. Every implant comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Your final decision should be based on personal choice and preference. At Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley has over twenty years of experience in breast augmentation, and she offers her patients the following options:

 

Saline Breast Implants

 

Saline implants are inserted empty during your surgery and then filled with sterile salt water once they’re in place. This allows a plastic surgeon to adjust the size of the implant during surgery to achieve better symmetry. If a saline breast implant ruptures, the implant will deflate, which makes it easy to detect a leak. You can physically see the difference between an implant that is still intact and an implant that is leaking. Though leaking saline solution does not harm your body, you may need to undergo surgery to have the implant replaced. Saline implants tend to ripple a little, which is something patients should ask their surgeon about.

 

Silicone Breast Implants

 

Silicone implants have been used for years and have improved over time. The implants on the market today are quite different than those available 50 years ago. Silicone implants are pre-filled with thick silicone gel, which feels a lot like breast tissue. Most women think that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. A silent rupture in your silicone breast implant means a rupture that is difficult to detect because any leaking silicone tends to remain trapped in the area that forms around the implant. Though sometimes patients worry it will harm them, leaking silicone gel isn’t thought to cause any damage to the body or any long-term health problems.

 

Ideal Implant®

 

The Ideal Implant®  is structured with a baffled design that minimizes rippling and feels more like your natural breast. It has an inner shell around the inner chamber, which holds the inner saline filler, and an outer shell around the outer chamber, which holds the outer saline filler. Between these shells are one to three baffle shells. It looks like a silicone implant, but if it leaks, it acts like a saline implant.

For more information about breast implant options, call Dr. Jane Rowley. You know you are always in good hands at Rowley Plastic Surgery.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-implants/art-20045957

http://www.idealimplant.com/compare/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/implants

Clear Expectations Are Important in Breast Augmentation

In day to day life, we compare ourselves to others constantly. Thoughts cross our minds such as, “I wish I had that hair,” or “I wish I had that car,” or “I wish I were as happy as that person seems to be.” When it comes to breast augmentation, Dr. Jane Rowley in Lubbock states that “a skilled surgeon can make your breasts larger, but we cannot make your breasts look like someone else’s breasts.”

That’s why if you’re considering a breast augmentation, you should do it for yourself with a clear expectation of what you want your body to look like. There are many reasons why women choose to have a breast augmentation, and these reasons are not always based on wanting to go up a cup size.

 

WHY BREAST AUGMENTATION?

 

Here are three reasons to consider:

  1. A desire to return to pre-pregnancy breast volume and appearance: After pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding, breasts can get droopy and have a deflated look. A breast augmentation can restore that lost volume. With so many implant options, you can regain a natural, pre-pregnancy look to your breasts.
  2. Concern over breast asymmetry: When you have one breast visibly smaller in appearance to the other breast,  implants can correct this imbalance, making both breasts equal in size and creating a balanced figure
  3. Lack of breast tissue: Some women simply don’t have as much breast tissue as others. A breast augmentation can give you the larger breasts that you weren’t born with. In some women, even just a little added volume can make a big difference in their physical appearance.

 

Dr. Jane Rowley in Lubbock is one of the most trusted and experienced plastic surgeons in breast augmentation. She offers both silicone and saline implants, as well as the structured Ideal Implant option. The surgery itself is done with a small incision only about 2 inches long, and recovery can vary from a few days to a week or so. Dr. Rowley dedicates time and attention to her patients to determine what size implant is best for their body structure. She will go through pictures, sample implants, and even let her patients try implants on to see what look they like best. Contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today to find out more.

Reasons Why a Tummy Tuck Might Be Right For You

Everyone knows that having a healthy diet and exercising daily can give you a longer lifespan and a more active lifestyle as you get older. But no matter how hard you work out, there are simply no exercises you can do that will get rid of saggy, excess belly skin. Sure, you can do ab workouts and cut out sweet treats, and you will see some differences in your belly. But all your effort won’t make that excess skin disappear.  If this sounds like your experience, there’s a good chance that you would benefit from an abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck.

 

Who Benefits From a Tummy Tuck?

 

  • Moms after pregnancy

After having kids, the abdominal muscles will shrink back into place, but stretched skin almost never goes back to where it was before pregnancy. A lot of moms also see stretch marks appear that won’t disappear even years after giving birth. A tummy tuck can tighten the skin around the abdomen and shape the muscles to give the tummy a flatter, more attractive look.

 

  • People who have undergone significant weight loss

You should be proud of your body and the changes you’ve made in your lifestyle. Excess skin leftover from pounds recently lost can dampen your self-image and make you feel like all that hard work still didn’t give you the body you desired. A tummy tuck lifts all the skin up to the rib cage and then it is cut and re-draped to accentuate the new, beautiful body you have.

 

  • Those Who Can’t Get Rid of that Middle Age Bulge

With middle age comes a slower metabolism, and your body is no longer able to get rid of excess fat like it used to. A tummy tuck combined with liposuction can get rid of that bulge for good and give you a healthy, more youthful appearance.

 

At Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley treats every patient with the utmost care. She can help you determine if a tummy tuck is the right procedure for you. She will explain all of the risks and benefits to an abdominoplasty, and go over the surgery step-by-step with you. Contact her office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.