What You Should Consider Before Your Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Plastic surgery has become popular for both the young and old in the U.S., and the trend is likely to continue for the long term. According to the latest statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Americans spent $16.7 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2019 alone. Not only are more people having plastic surgery, they are also now more open than ever about their procedures. Changing times and social media have enabled men and women to feel more confident sharing the details of their cosmetic journeys. With plastic surgery being so accessible, you may have felt the desire to pursue a procedure such as a breast augmentation or tummy tuck. But, before you make the decision, you should take some time to think things through. Make sure you are in the right headspace, and do some real research on your doctor and your procedure. A little planning can go a long way, and when you’re getting ready for plastic surgery in Lubbock, it’s well worth the effort. Here are some of our tips for making sure you get the most out of your own cosmetic journey.

Select the Right Surgeon

The way we shop for things has changed a lot in the last several years. With online reviews and free shipping, you can easily buy just about anything without getting off your couch. “Shopping” for a doctor should require more effort. If you want the person responsible for your plastic surgery to be top of the line, you will have to do more than just browse reviews and click to add to your cart. Online ratings are a good starting point, but meeting with a few doctors, talking to friends and family, and doing research of your own will increase the likelihood of finding the right plastic surgeon.

Do Your Homework

Patients planning on having plastic surgery in Lubbock have several important decisions to make. Your results, safety, and care depend on the doctor you choose. You may have a handful of doctors in mind as you begin your research. Check out their websites, talk to anyone you know who recommends them (or doesn’t!), and then check up on them yourself.

You can review the doctor’s background by contacting the medical board of the state in which they practice. They should have a license in that state, and the medical board carries information on any disciplinary history as well as complaints against them. Keep in mind that if the surgeon has practiced in more than one state, you will need to look up their medical board history with each of those locations.  

The Importance of Board-Certification

Anyone with a medical license can claim to be a cosmetic surgeon. With the popularity of plastic surgery ever on the rise, more and more doctors are deeming themselves fit to perform cosmetic procedures. If you trust an unqualified physician with your health and appearance, you could end up with a botched surgery or serious complications. 

For this reason, it is essential that your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is the only organization recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians in plastic and reconstructive surgeries. You can make sure your doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery by visiting the American Board of Medical Specialties’ website.

But what exactly does this certification mean? It means your surgeon has the credentials and training necessary to be qualified to perform plastic surgery in Lubbock safely. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will have the technical skills, medical knowledge, and aesthetic eye to give you a safe and positive experience. In addition, board-certified surgeons have hospital privileges and can operate out of accredited surgery centers. ABPS board-certification requires plastic surgeons to complete the following requirements:

  • Three to five years of general surgery training
  • Two to three additional years of plastic surgery training
  • Oral and written exams
  • Continuing education each year in the medical field
  • Written test every ten years

It is important to educate yourself so you can tell the difference between a doctor who is legitimately board-certified in plastic surgery and one who only claims to be. It is legal in many states for physicians to advertise plastic surgery when they are not properly qualified to do so. If you are considering a surgeon who says they are board-certified, make sure they are currently board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley is board-certified by the ABPS and has the training, experience, and skills to give you the results you want. For more information on the importance of your doctor’s credentials, watch the video below.

Questions to Ask about Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Part of your preparation for plastic surgery is getting answers to any questions you may have. Although you might be able to find some helpful resources online, the most reliable source of trustworthy information is your plastic surgeon. Write down your questions and bring them with you to your consultation. This is your chance to get a real feel for the person you will be trusting with your appearance and your safety. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about anything that concerns you; there are no wrong or embarrassing questions! Consider the following for starters:

How much experience do you have with my procedure?

If you want to get a facelift, you will be able to have more confidence in a surgeon who performs them on a regular basis, rather than one who specializes in another area but is willing to do the surgery for you this time. A good follow-up to this question is finding out just how many times they have performed your procedure. Your doctor should confidently be able to provide you with their background concerning your procedure. 

Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

Do not be offended if your plastic surgeon’s answer is no. They are trying to protect you from something that would either not get you the results you want or would be unsafe. They may suggest an alternative or recommend waiting for a period of time. Dr. Rowley is honest and up-front with all of her patients. Out of respect and care for them, she always offers candid advice based on her extensive experience with plastic surgery in Lubbock. In general, a good candidate:

  • Does not smoke
  • Is in good overall health
  • Has realistic expectations for plastic surgery
  • Understands the risks associated with surgery

How do I prepare for my surgery?

Most plastic surgery procedures require patients to quit smoking before and after their operation; your doctor will advise you on the exact timetable. Be sure to reveal any and all medications, vitamins, and supplements you may be taking as some may interfere with the procedure. Learn about what to expect during your recovery period so you can plan ahead and be prepared to let your body heal properly. Other ways you can prepare for plastic surgery in Lubbock include: 

  • Maintain a healthy, stable weight (no aggressive diets)
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol before your surgery
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery, and to stay with you for at least the first night
  • Coordinate pet and child care, if necessary
  • Stock your kitchen with easy meals and healthy snacks
  • Take care of bills, errands, and chores before surgery so you can take the time you need to rest
  • Carefully follow all of your doctor’s pre- and post-operative instructions

What happens if complications arise?

Find out who to contact should anything out of the ordinary happen after your plastic surgery in Lubbock. You will need to know what to do if certain side effects take place and if there will be additional costs for their treatment. The best way to minimize your level of risk is to choose a well-qualified plastic surgeon. However, even the best doctors have patients who develop complications, and these doctors follow strict protocols when such circumstances arise.

Interview Yourself

Finding the best surgeon and asking the right questions will go a long way toward helping you make the most of your plastic surgery in Lubbock. There are also some key questions you should ask yourself before you commit to it. Take some time to ponder your motives for seeking cosmetic changes. Are you trying to please someone else? Or are you interested in an enhancement that will give you more confidence? Patients who have procedures to help them feel better about themselves tend to be happier and more satisfied with their results. 

You should also try to nail down your expectations for the procedure. How do you expect to look and feel when your surgery is complete? Plastic surgery cannot solve all your problems or give you the perfect body. If you want to have a procedure such as liposuction or a breast lift to achieve perfection, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Rowley can give you beautiful, natural results, but no doctor can make you completely flawless. Communicate your expectations for surgery clearly with your surgeon so that you are both on the same page.

Paying for Your Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Since plastic surgery is considered elective and cosmetic, health insurance companies will not cover most procedures. Unless you are having a procedure such as a breast reduction or eyelid lift (which some policies will pay for), you will need to come up with the funding on your own. Plastic surgeons typically accept cash, credit cards, or offer different financing options. Be sure you can afford your procedure before you schedule it; you will not want to stress over finances while you are trying to recover after surgery. If you can’t quite fit plastic surgery into your budget just yet, there’s no harm in waiting until you have saved enough to go for it. 

Talk with your plastic surgeon’s patient care coordinator to make sure you understand all of the costs associated with your procedure. In addition to the surgeon’s fee, you may be responsible for the anesthesiologist’s fees, the cost of the surgical center, and any post surgical recovery garments. Childcare, pet care, and time off work should also be factored in when calculating the total expense of your procedure. 

Celebrate Your New Look

Research and preparation is important when you have plastic surgery in Lubbock, but so is planning a fun way to celebrate the new you! From body contouring to facial procedures, plastic surgery can provide a healthy self-esteem boost. So, buy a flattering swimsuit, try on some new bras, or you could even plan a trip to really enjoy your newfound confidence. Whether you do something extravagant or simple, a successful plastic surgery journey is something to celebrate. 

Take the Next Step With Dr. Jane Rowley  

There’s a lot to think about before you dive into the decision to have plastic surgery. If you care about the safety and final results of your cosmetic procedure, you need to put in the time to find the right doctor. Plastic surgery gone wrong is not an easy thing to fix. Doing your homework now will save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Remember the following when planning your plastic surgery in Lubbock:

  • Get referrals from family and friends
  • Review your plastic surgeon’s background history
  • Double check that your doctor is board-certified by the ABPS
  • Go over questions you want to address during your consultation
  • Evaluate your personal motives and expectations for the surgery
  • Create a plan for paying for your procedure

During your consultation, don’t ignore your gut feeling. Even if everything checks out on paper, but you do not feel right about the surgeon, don’t hesitate to move on. Plastic surgery is an investment in yourself. When you put forth the effort and do your due diligence, you can have a positive experience with excellent results. 

For more information, contact Rowley Plastic Surgery today and schedule your no-obligation consultation.

Flatten Your Belly With a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

As women, we often dedicate 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 eating 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 came 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 with a tummy tuck in Lubbock. 

Women who have had children sometimes struggle in their efforts to restore the body they enjoyed before motherhood. It often takes more than a new diet and exercise routine to reverse the effects of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Of course those habits are highly beneficial and should be part of your healthy lifestyle, but the reality is, they often cannot solve the problem of flabby skin leftover from childbearing. A 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. 

Options for a “Mommy Makeover”

Many women choose to combine procedures in a “mommy makeover” to cover several areas of concern at once. In addition to trimming your waist with a tummy tuck in Lubbock, you can consider breast and body contouring procedures to regain a youthful look. Rejuvenate your bustline with a breast lift, breast augmentation, or maybe a breast reduction, if that’s right for you. You can also opt to have liposuction to target those troublesome fat pocket areas that have developed over time. Being able to pick and choose your procedures enables you to have a personalized plastic surgery plan that meets your needs. 

Maybe the makeover won’t turn back the clock entirely, but it sure can help bring back the look and confidence you once had. Plastic surgery enables many women to build upon their self-esteem as they enhance the features that make them feel the most beautiful. Having children doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your body or live forever with the physical changes that took place. 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.” Simply put, a tummy tuck gets rid of flabby skin and tightens abdominal muscles to give you the flat tummy you want. If you have unsightly stretch marks on your lower abdomen, a tummy tuck in Lubbock can also make those disappear. Abdominoplasty is for patients who are unhappy with sagging skin and fat on their midsection, which is often caused by events such as massive weight loss or pregnancy. It is a procedure that can have dramatic results that benefit your appearance, body image, and even your health.

What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Abdominoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure, taking about two hours under general anesthetic. The surgery is performed through a low horizontal abdominal incision. The length of the incision depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. Patients who have had a C-section may be able to have their tummy tuck incision incorporated into their existing scar. Next, the skin is elevated off of the abdominal muscles, and it is redraped and excised. Abdominal muscles are tightened at the same time with permanent sutures in multiple layers. To achieve a symmetrical, natural look, a standard tummy tuck in Lubbock also involves the repositioning of the navel and the skin around it. 

If you have excess fat on the hips or thighs, your plastic surgeon can perform liposuction for additional contouring at the same time as your abdominoplasty. Every body is unique and every patient has different expectations, and a tummy tuck can be personalized to fit your individual needs. Talk to your doctor about your goals so your plastic surgery can be tailored specifically for you.

Why Choose to Have a Tummy Tuck in Lubbock

When you feel healthy, eat right, and get regular exercise, it can be frustrating to see loose skin and belly flab persist despite your efforts. Don’t give up on those important habits; instead, consider how a tummy tuck could complement your healthy lifestyle. 

Abdominoplasty has a very high rate of satisfaction among Dr. Jane Rowley’s patients. The procedure flattens and firms the tummy while repairing weakened abdominal muscles simultaneously. For more information on what to expect from your tummy tuck in Lubbock, check out the informative video below.

Diastasis Recti Correction

Before you had children, you probably understood that pregnancy would cause your feet to swell and your waist to expand. But, did you know about the potential for diastasis recti? Many mothers and people who have lost a significant amount of weight experience a separation of the abdominal muscles, called diastasis recti. A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 60 percent of women experienced diastasis recti during or after pregnancy. The condition often results in a belly pooch and can make a woman appear as though she is still pregnant even after the baby has arrived. Diastasis recti is mostly cosmetic in nature, but it can also cause discomfort such as bloating, constipation, lower back pain, and poor posture. 

It is important to seek your doctor’s advice if you think you may have separation between your abdominal muscles. Avoid doing traditional ab workouts like sit-ups and crunches, because they can actually worsen the condition. Some patients have found moderate success with yoga or other special exercises, but the only way to fully resolve diastasis recti is through surgery. Many of Dr. Rowley’s plastic surgery patients have found relief from the condition with a tummy tuck in Lubbock.   

What to Consider Before Your Tummy Tuck

The choice to have plastic surgery is a personal one that requires introspection, research, and planning. Just because you have a belly pooch does not mean you should dive right in to the decision to undergo a tummy tuck. If you feel strongly about enhancing your body through plastic surgery, consider taking some time to evaluate your motives, goals, and expectations. The first questions you should ask yourself if you are considering a tummy tuck in Lubbock are “Why do I want plastic surgery?” and “What am I expecting from this procedure?”

These two factors will impact how happy you’ll be with the results. It’s important to examine your 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 having plastic 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 you to do. Permanently changing your appearance to please someone else can lead to resentment or regret in the future. 

If you want to have a tummy tuck in Lubbock because you believe it will help you achieve your personal goals, you likely have healthy motivations for pursuing plastic surgery. Having the right mindset from the very beginning can make a big difference in the way you feel about your surgical outcome.  

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 overall satisfaction. Surgery can’t turn you into a different person or make you look like someone 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 a tummy tuck in Lubbock 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 unique with different needs to be discussed. Dr. Rowley takes her time with her patients to discuss their expectations and answer all their questions. The more clearly you can communicate your hopes for your procedure, the more she can help you achieve your specific goals.

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

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 your favorite skinny jeans. What you might not know is that for women who are mothers, a tummy tuck can have multiple 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.”

In addition to women who have had children, people who achieve weight loss make up a significant proportion of tummy tuck candidates. These patients also experience health benefits with abdominoplasty. A 2017 study added to the literature which suggests a positive correlation between abdominoplasty and improvement in urinary incontinence. Patients with preoperative urinary incontinence symptoms reported a significant decrease in their symptoms and a positive impact on their quality of life. If you have felt embarrassed about your ability to control your bladder, abdominoplasty may be the right solution for you. A tummy tuck in Lubbock can help you take back control of both your appearance and your health.    

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Every abdominoplasty procedure is different, and so is every patient’s recovery. Most patients will need to have a drain placed for the first week or so following surgery. Dr. Rowley will prescribe medication to help control your post-operative pain. Depending on your body type and the amount of skin that is removed, you could bounce back fairly quickly or your healing period might last a little longer. Most patients can return to work in about 2 to 3 weeks. After a tummy tuck in Lubbock, full activity is typically resumed after 6 to 8 weeks. 

Explore Your Tummy Tuck Options Today

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 to see if a tummy tuck in Lubbock is right for you.