Smart Planning for Your Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Most plastic surgery patients end up healthy and happy with their results—but those aren’t the stories that make news headlines. Hearing about the less than ideal experience of some unfortunate patient should not deter you from pursuing plastic surgery in Lubbock. If you are willing to do your homework and can commit to being an informed patient, you can minimize your risk of having a negative experience. The most important factor for a successful outcome is to find the best doctor available for the surgery you are considering. We all want to know we are in good hands, but do you know how to go about selecting the right surgeon?

The Importance of Board Certification

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is a must. The government doesn’t require doctors to be experienced or specifically trained in all of the procedures they may be offering. Beware of doctors who call themselves “cosmetic surgeons,” because any doctor who does cosmetic procedures can advertise themselves as such. A general surgeon won’t have the training or skills specifically needed for cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Finding yourself in the hands of an inexperienced surgeon can increase the chances of your dissatisfaction with the results of your plastic surgery in Lubbock. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that will give you a better idea of the experience and training the doctor has, such as:

  • Where did you go to school?
  • Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
  • What additional training have you received?
  • How long have you been performing the procedure?
  • What complications have you come across with this procedure?
  • Will the surgery take place in an accredited facility?

Shop Smart for Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Plastic surgery is not the time to go bargain shopping for your procedure. If you find a doctor offering deep discounts, it could be a sign of limited experience or cutbacks on quality staff members. You get what you pay for—and you don’t want to skimp when it comes to your health or your appearance. This is not to say you need to choose the most expensive plastic surgeon, but It will take work on your part to ensure you are getting the best care from the best plastic surgeon. Lubbock doctor reviews can be a great place to start. Get the opinion of nurses and healthcare workers, and schedule a consultation visit before you decide on the physician that’s right for you.

Know What to Expect During Recovery

Coming out of surgery without knowing what to expect can be a scary experience. Your body will need time to heal, time for swelling to go down, and time before plastic surgery results are fully seen. Your doctor will have recommended post-surgery recovery plan. Being prepared for the recovery period before your surgery will help you heal better. To be better informed about your recovery, consider asking these questions and any others you may have:

  • How long will my recovery take?
  • How long before I will see my full results?
  • What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
  • What if I have concerns after my procedure?
  • What will my scars look like long-term?
  • Is there anything I can do to aid or speed up recovery?

Follow Your Personal Feelings

It’s important to feel comfortable with your doctor and the staff. Visit their office and get to know who will be taking care of you. Trust your gut when it comes to finding the best plastic surgeon. Lubbock patients should also remember that beauty is often in the eye of the beholder and can mean different things to different people. Make sure that you and your doctor are on the same page so that your cosmetic goals are understood and surgical expectations are realistic.

Plastic surgery involves many important and very personal decisions. Putting forth the extra effort to be a well-informed patient can pay off big in the end by maximizing your chances for great results. When you are mapping out your cosmetic goals, be sure to consider these factors:

  • Board-certification: any doctor can claim to be a cosmetic surgeon. Be certain that yours is board-certified, well-trained, and experienced in your procedure.
  • Just say no to bargain shopping: it might work for some things, but your health and cosmetic results are not worth risking to save a few extra bucks.
  • Plan for recovery: there should not be any surprises during your recovery period. Educate yourself by asking questions prior to surgery day.
  • Listen to your gut: If something feels off during your consultation appointment, trust the feelings you have. Find a surgeon with whom you can communicate clearly.

At Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock, you have the opportunity to work with a board-certified surgeon with over twenty years experience in the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Jane Rowley strives to carefully consult with each patient for the best possible results. Contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.

From Tummy Tucks to Breast Implants: Lubbock Mommy Makeovers Boost Confidence

If you are past your childbearing years and find yourself avoiding mirrors or feeling dissatisfied with your body, a mommy makeover may be right for you. “Mommy makeover” is a popular phrase used to describe the surgical work to correct the common physical changes that can occur during and following a pregnancy. Most often this includes procedures for your breasts and abdomen to lift, tighten, and tuck where needed. The overall goal for patients seeking a mommy makeover is to rejuvenate areas that were hit hard by the tolls of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Millennial Mommies

You probably know someone who has had a mommy makeover. Combining plastic surgeries to correct physical problems caused by having children isn’t a new idea. The generation of mothers having the procedures done may just be more open to talking about it— making the whole concept of plastic surgery less taboo. They understand that the goals of cosmetic surgery are less about vanity and more about building self-confidence.  

Don’t Need Breast Implants? Lubbock Has Other Options

Mothers rarely make it past pregnancy and breastfeeding without significant changes to their breasts. Women who once were happy with their breasts are left with nothing but flaps of skin. Other women find their breasts to be a source of discomfort as they have increased in size. Whatever effect motherhood has had on your breasts, there are several options that can be combined in different ways to meet your specific needs.

  • Breast Lift: after nursing for months or even years, breasts can look deflated, saggy, and begin to point downward.. A mommy makeover with a breast lift can remove excess skin, shift the location of the nipple, and reduce the size of the areola. The breasts are “lifted” to better shape and position to allow the breasts to sit higher and to provide more outward projection.
  • Breast Implants: Lubbock women who experience a significant loss of breast volume after nursing may find augmentation to be the best option to increase breast size. Implants can be paired with a breast lift if the breasts droop or sag significantly.
  • Breast Reduction: Some women find that as a result of pregnancy hormones and nursing that their breasts have increased in size, often resulting in discomfort. Your mommy makeover may include a breast reduction to return to a more comfortable size and shape. A reduction can also be done in tandem with a breast lift.

Procedures for the Body

Many of the changes that occur to women’s bodies as they bear children heal over time, but some do not. Bellies that have stretched and muscles that have been separated to fit another human often will not shrink back to pre pregnancy size on their own. As part of your mommy makeover in Lubbock, you may want to consider whether the following procedures could make a difference for you on your personal road to recovery.

  • Liposuction: When you get the green light from your doctor after childbirth, getting back to your normal workout routine can feel so invigorating. Setting goals and working off the baby weight will do wonders for your health, but it can be frustrating when those efforts don’t do anything for fatty trouble spots on your body. Liposuction gives you a shapely body contour by targeting those areas by suctioning out the fat that exercise can’t touch.
  • Tummy Tuck: Women who’ve had children seek this procedure because it gets rid of loose, hanging belly skin and excess fat. Abdominal muscles that become separated and weak during pregnancy are tightened during a tummy tuck as well. The result is a flatter, firmer-looking tummy and a slimmer, more confident mommy.

Expected Recovery Time

The more procedures you include in your mommy makeover, the more dramatic the changes will be to your body. With each added procedure there will be added recovery time as well as added risks. If they are just getting breast implants, Lubbock women will have a shorter recovery period than those who opt for multiple surgeries. Every patient handles pain and healing differently. The average recovery time for a mommy makeover is three to four weeks. You will need to have help with family responsibilities and household jobs while you recover from your surgery. The longer you can give your body to recover, the better your healing will go.

The New You

When you are finished having children and want to give some attention to your personal appearance, a mommy makeover in Lubbock can help. You don’t have to live with saggy breasts, hanging belly skin, stretch marks, or stubborn fat on your hips. A mommy makeover can help you get back to feeling and looking your best. With any plastic surgery procedure, it is important to consult with your doctor and discuss your expectations, learn as much as you can about what will happen during and after the surgery, and have a post-surgery plan figured out. For everything from liposuction to breast implants, Lubbock trusts Dr. Jane Rowley because she has the experience and the skills to achieve each of her patients’ unique goals. Come in today to meet her caring staff and schedule your consultation appointment.

Liposuction: the Versatile Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

The words “plastic surgery” seem to bring up a variety of emotions. Some people may feel pride or excitement, while others feel anxious or uncertain about the topic. If you fall into the latter group, you’re not alone. But cosmetic surgery does not have to be intimidating. While all surgery has recovery time and some risks, you have many different options at Rowley Plastic Surgery in Lubbock that give you dramatic cosmetic changes without the feeling of major surgery. Have you considered liposuction? On the right patient, liposuction can have an incredible effect on your body contour. Your new look will be so natural that your friends may assume you look slim because you’ve lost a few extra pounds. Have you ever heard that dynamite comes in small packages? With small cosmetic surgery procedures can result in dynamite improvements to your physical appearance.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Liposuction is for people who have areas of stubborn fat on their bodies that resist continued efforts in diet and exercise. The procedure targets these specific spots and gets rid of excess fat. For smaller areas of fat, liposuction is done during an outpatient appointment with the use of local anesthetics. Larger areas that cover more of the body may require general anesthesia. Small incisions are made, and a thin tube (called a cannula) is used to suction out the fat. The timeframe for recovery is fairly rapid as most people can return to work after 2-3 days; however, minor to moderate pain and swelling can last 4-6 weeks.

Your Options for Liposuction

We are our own worst critics – when we look in the mirror, we notice even the smallest areas of our body and focus on our imperfections. Liposuction is a great way to help improve the contour of your body. It is important for patients considering liposuction in Lubbock to remember that it is not a weight loss surgery, but the changes it makes can have a significant impact on your overall look.

  • Torso – Your body may be the type that holds onto pockets of fat around the back and upper torso. These fat pockets can be more visible when accentuated by bras or swimming suits.
  • Jawline – Your jaw and neck can show signs of aging, and pockets of fat around the chin can give you the dreaded double chin. Dr. Jane Rowley has precision skills and tools to sculpt and slim your jawline, chin, and upper neck. This reshaping can take years off your appearance and give you an overall slimmer look.
  • Breasts – A traditional breast reduction will remove breast tissue and fat to decrease your breast size. Liposuction can reduce breast weight and size by removing fatty tissue when only a small change is wanted with minimal scars.
  • Outer Thighs – The outer thighs are a common area for women to store extra fat. Even women with slim body frames can develop a thickness around their thighs and buttocks. With liposuction, the hips and thighs can be made more narrow.
  • Male Chest – Just as women find new freedom and confidence in a breast reduction, men are finding the same satisfaction through the reshaping of their chests. Gynecomastia, or the development of breasts in a man, can stem from hormonal changes throughout life. Liposuction can offer men a firmer, trimmer chest and torso.

Areas to Avoid

If your problem area is not included in the list above, don’t panic. Your surgeon should be able to communicate clearly with you about whether your needs can be met with liposuction, or perhaps through another type of plastic surgery in Lubbock. From experience, Dr. Rowley knows which areas will respond best to the procedure. She explains,

“Areas that do not do well are typically the inner thighs, the abdomen (especially after pregnancy), and the arms. It is important that patients do not view this as a weight loss tool. It is for localized areas of fat and it can give exceptional and dramatic results if used on the right patient in the right areas.”

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is an attractive cosmetic option for people who struggle with stubborn areas of fat on their bodies. When you’re unhappy with your figure and you feel like diet and exercise just aren’t cutting it, it might be time to consider plastic surgery in Lubbock. The procedure might be right for you if:

  • You are in good health
  • You do not smoke (or can stop smoking before and after the procedure)
  • You can maintain a stable, consistent weight
  • You are within 30% of your ideal weight
  • You have good skin elasticity
  • You have reasonable expectations for results

Consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon to learn how you could benefit from liposuction in Lubbock and how your skin would respond to the procedure.

The Trusted Name for Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Even if you are targeting one small area of your body with liposuction, it still will have an incredible impact on your confidence in your physical appearance. Dr. Rowley has extensive experience with plastic surgery procedures. She carefully listens to her patients and explains each procedure thoroughly. You can have confidence in your new look, your plastic surgeon, and your plastic surgery experience with Dr. Rowley. Call today for your no-obligation consultation.

The Benefits of Lubbock Plastic Surgery for Breast Reduction

Sometimes too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing. Many women suffer from chronic pain because the heavy weight of their breasts pulling on their neck and back muscles. Overly large breasts also tend to attract unwanted attention and can make it difficult for women to exercise. For women dealing with these issues in Lubbock, plastic surgery for breast reduction could provide welcome relief.

What Does Breast Reduction Surgery Involve?

Breast reduction, also called reduction mammaplasty, is done by removing excess glandular tissue, breast fat, and skin to create a breast size that is more comfortable and proportionate. General anesthesia is used during the course of surgery, which can last on average from two to five hours. The procedure can be done through one of several unique types of incisions, depending on factors including preoperative breast anatomy, how much tissue needs to be removed, and the patient’s desired results. A breast reduction always includes a breast lift because the nipple and areola will need to be moved to a higher location to match the position of the new breast shape.

Is Lubbock Plastic Surgery Right for Me?

Just because you feel your breasts are too big does not mean Lubbock plastic surgery is the right choice for you. Women who dislike the large size of their breasts could benefit from the procedure, but several other factors will determine if it is the right choice for each individual. If you are thinking about breast reduction in Lubbock and can answer yes to most of the following questions, it may be time to schedule a consultation.

  • Are you self conscious about the size of your breasts?
  • Do you notice uncomfortable grooves in your shoulders from your bra straps?
  • Do you have chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain?
  • Is the skin underneath the crease of your breasts prone to irritation?
  • Do you experience difficulty finding clothing that adequately fits around your chest?
  • Are you in good health with no serious preexisting health conditions?
  • Are you finished having children and breastfeeding?
  • Are you emotionally stable and mentally ready to patiently go through a surgical healing process?
  • Do you have realistic expectations for cosmetic surgery?

Exercise and Breast Size

Working out is another struggle for women with oversized breasts. For many women, enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise can also mean suffering from added discomfort. Carrying that extra weight on the chest causes discomfort and difficulty in movement.

When you have large breasts and participate in activities that make the breast repeatedly bounce or move back and forth, you can develop what is called jogger’s breast. This injury can be painful and lead to permanent stretching of the ligaments that will make your breasts droop. When you work up a sweat, skin irritation can also occur under the breast crease which can lead to rash or infection.

Benefits of a Breast Reduction

According to Dr. Jane Rowley, some of the happiest plastic surgery patients in Lubbock are women who have breast reductions.Removing excess fat, breast tissue, and skin can lighten the load on your chest and allow you to move, exercise, and even breathe more freely. The procedure can give you greater self-confidence by creating a more proportional and beautiful body contour.

Will Insurance Pay for Breast Reduction?

Although it is considered a cosmetic surgery, breast reduction is often covered by insurance companies. Whether or not they will pay for your procedure depends on the physical symptoms related to the size of your breasts. Do your large breasts cause you pain? Have they contributed to medical problems? It is important to keep track of the steps you have taken to remedy your symptoms, including doctor visits and prescriptions. Other factors insurance companies take into consideration include height, weight, and the extent of tissue that needs to be removed. It may seem like a hassle, but the extra effort could pay off in a big way.

Emotional Well-Being

Large breasts attract unwanted attention. Forget feeling good in a swimsuit, even just walking through the store can make women with heavy chests feel like they are on display. Stares, looks, and comments can eat away at your self-confidence and make you feel uncomfortable in any situation. Your breasts should help you feel feminine and beautiful, not awkward or self-conscious. When you feel confident in the way your look, you can forget about the insecurities and focus your attention on what matters most.

Experience Makes the Difference

Dr. Jane Rowley has spent well over two decades performing hundreds of breast reductions for women, giving them tremendous relief from the symptoms that so often come with large breasts. She takes whatever time is needed to explain procedures and expected results with her patients so they can have the best possible Lubbock plastic surgery experience. If your breasts are getting in the way of your life, call Rowley Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation for a breast reduction in Lubbock.

How a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock Could Benefit Your Health

Physical fitness and good health are lifelong pursuits. Nothing beats looking and feeling great, but no one is born with a perfect body. Some have to work harder for these goals than others. Eating right and exercising regularly are positive steps in the right direction; however, sometimes it can be frustrating when they don’t yield the desired results. In other words, what do you do when working out and managing your diet does nothing to get rid of your belly flab?

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck in Lubbock can help you overcome the hurdles that sheer hard work and determination can’t erase. Pregnancy, the aging process, and drastic weight loss can weaken abdominal muscles and make the belly sag with loose skin. No amount of sit-ups or crunches can rid the abdomen of unsightly hanging skin. A tummy tuck  tightens muscles and trims stretched or loose skin and excess fat from the abdomen—giving the midsection of the body a flatter and more toned appearance.

This procedure can have dramatic results when paired with liposuction of the abdomen or other areas. It can also be combined with other procedures as part of a mommy makeover to restore a pre-pregnancy body contour. Beyond pregnancy situations, many patients requesting tummy tucks or liposuction wish to trim loose skin after experiencing extreme weight loss in a short period of time.

Medical Benefits of Abdominoplasty

Most patients seek out Lubbock plastic surgery to enhance their appearance and feel better about their bodies; but the advantages of a tummy tuck go far beyond what the eye can see.

Reduction of Stress Urinary Incontinence

After a vaginal delivery, women can develop a bladder control issue known as Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Women with SUI experience uncontrollable urinary leakage when they cough, sneeze, exercise, or even laugh. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can aid in the recovery of SUI by creating a slight soft tissue bladder obstruction near the pelvic area.

The findings of a study published in the March 2018 issue of the scientific journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, revealed that abdominoplasty can have a positive impact on post-pregnancy complications. Of the 214 participating mothers, 42.5 percent reported urinary incontinence to be a problem before having a tummy tuck. Six weeks after their tummy tucks were performed, that number dropped to less than 2 percent.

Relief From Back Pain

The same study also showed significant improvement for women who suffered from back pain. 51% of participants lived with back pain before their tummy tucks, whereas only 9% still complained of the discomfort afterward. Tightening weak abdominal muscles enables them to better support the spine. This improves posture and can relieve certain types of back pain.

Hernia Relief

A weak abdominal wall can lead to the formation of a ventral hernia. Tummy tuck surgery can help correct weakened abdominal muscles and pressure on the skin caused by a hernia. Core-tightening abdominoplasty can also help prevent future hernias as they are less likely to occur in those with stronger abdominal muscles. A doctor may choose to combine the tummy tuck procedure with that of the hernia correction which is not only a safe approach; it can save time and money in surgery and recovery.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock?

Just because you have some of the above-mentioned medical issues does not mean abdominoplasty is right for you. Potential tummy tuck patients should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out if plastic surgery will safely meet their needs and expectations. To get an idea about whether you might be a good candidate, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I in generally good health, physically and mentally?
  • Do I have realistic expectations for my surgical results?
  • Am I finished having children?
  • Can I keep my weight stable after the procedure?
  • Does the skin around my midsection look droopy?
  • Do I have weakened stomach muscles?

A simple test you can do at home will also help clarify whether a tummy tuck is right for you. Try laying on your back and seeing what happens to your stomach bulge. If it flattens out, then excess fat is likely on the outside of your stomach muscles. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can strengthen muscles and tighten loose skin giving you a flatter, healthier abdomen. If your midsection still looks rounded when you are laying flat, your stomach bulk could be further inside your abdomen and surgery may not be the right option for you. It’s important to consult with a board-certified surgeon who takes the time to explain the procedure thoroughly and knows how accurately to assess if you will benefit from a tummy tuck. Your surgeon should also carefully listen to your aesthetic goals to understand your expectations of any Lubbock plastic surgery. Call Rowley Plastic Surgery for a free, no-obligation consultation today!

Flatten Your Belly With a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

As women, we often give our lives to our families. As mothers, this also means we give our bodies. Do you remember the you before you had kids? Back before you ever referred to your stomach as your “belly?” Even before your bra came with extra clips and hooks to accommodate someone else’s feeding schedule? It may be a bit foggy (let’s not even get started on all those sleepless nights), but try for a moment to remember how you felt about your body before any of the changes that come with having a baby—the things you took for granted. While you may not be able to do anything about those lost nights of sleep, and life chooses a lot of things for you, you also have choices. You CAN reclaim your body.

One way is with a tummy tuck in Lubbock.  Sometimes, you need more than diet and exercise to reverse the effects of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. The tummy tuck easily gets rid of loose skin that won’t disappear even after you reach your pre-pregnancy weight, no matter how much you diet or exercise. Many women choose to combine procedures in a “mommy makeover” to cover several areas of concern at once. In addition to a trim waist, you can consider breast procedures to regain a youthful bustline (with either a breast lift, breast augmentation, or maybe a breast reduction, if that’s right for you), and liposuction to target those troublesome fat pocket areas that have developed over time. Maybe the makeover won’t turn back the clock entirely, but it sure can help bring back the look and confidence you once had. You can be you again, the you that you remember.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a “[t]ummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.” The procedure is done through a low horizontal abdominal incision. The skin is elevated off of the abdominal muscles, and it is redraped and excised. The abdominal muscles are tightened at the same time with permanent sutures in multiple layers. Often liposuction for contouring of the hips and thighs occur at the same time as the abdominoplasty. It’s typically an outpatient procedure, taking about two hours under general anesthetic. Most patients can return to work in about two to three weeks. Full activity is typically resumed after 6 to 8 weeks.

What to Consider Before a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

The first questions you have to ask yourself if you are considering a tummy tuck in Lubbock is ““Why do I want plastic surgery?” and “What am I expecting from it?”

These two factors will impact how happy you’ll be with the results as your surgeon does. It’s important to examine the motivations for plastic surgery to make sure it’s the right choice for you. From larger procedures like a mommy makeover to smaller ones like submental liposuction, all can have profound effects on your life and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Motivation

First, look at your motivations for getting surgery. Is it something you’ve always wanted for yourself, or is it something someone close to you has been pestering you about, but not something you’re as interested in? If it’s the latter, you should think twice before proceeding. Drastic life changes should always be done because it’s something you want for yourself, not something someone else wants for you.

Expectations

At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we want you to pursue plastic surgery for the right reasons so you’ll be happy and satisfied with your results; but that’s only half of the equation. Having proper expectations is also very important to your final satisfaction. Surgery can’t make you into a different person or look like someone else in a magazine. If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed–-no one is perfect, so welcome to the club! At the same time, we can all improve, and surgery gives us options that diet and exercise can’t.  So, focus on progress and improvement, not perfection. The latter simply doesn’t exist.

These are just a couple of reasons why the initial consultation is so important. From ear-pinning to a mommy makeover, each procedure and each patient is different and have different needs to be discussed.

Benefits

It’s easy to imagine the aesthetic benefits of a tummy tuck in Lubbock, after all, you can just look at those old photos and remember what it was like to fit into that dress. What you might not know is that for women who are mothers, a tummy tuck can have physical health benefits. A recent study of women who had postnatal abdominoplasty, showed a marked reduction in back pain and urinary incontinence, common results of pregnancy and childbirth:

“The study included 214 women undergoing abdominoplasty with repair of the abdominal muscles . . . . The women’s average age was about 42 years, with an average of 2.5 deliveries.

“Before and after surgery, the women completed questionnaires rating their disability from back pain and urinary incontinence . . . about 51 percent of women had moderate to severe disability from back pain, while urinary incontinence was a ‘significant concern’ for 42.5 percent.

“On follow-up questionnaires . . . only nine percent of patients still had moderate disability from back pain. Urinary incontinence remained a significant problem for less than two percent of women.”

At Rowley Plastic Surgery, we offer no-obligation consultations, so we can get a good feel for your needs, motivations, and expectations. We can address any questions you might have about the surgery you’re interested in, and we can talk to you about realistic options. We will help you determine if a certain procedure is a good fit for you and if it isn’t, Dr. Rowley will tell you honestly and help find other solutions. Women trust her because she doesn’t sugar coat and will tell you the truth about what you can expect, always with your best interests in mind. Call today for your no-obligation consultation today.