Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

What Should You Do Before Lubbock Plastic Surgery?

Preparation is the key to having success in almost everything we do. From studying for a big test to planning your dream wedding, the amount of prep work you do ahead of time can easily make or break the final outcome. When it comes to plastic surgery, Lubbock patients will also get the best long-term results if they plan ahead. Whether it’s a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a facelift you’re getting ready for, spending a little extra time to prepare now will be beneficial for your surgery, healing process, and results. 

Getting ready for plastic surgery takes more than just a few fun shopping trips for clothes or accessories to show off your new look; it means taking care of yourself and making sure things are in order before your surgery day comes. Doctors recommend taking the following steps to make your Lubbock plastic surgery experience as smooth as possible.

Do Your Homework

Learning all you can about your procedure will put your mind at ease and help reduce stress about the surgery. Doctors and nurses all agree that the best patient is an educated patient, meaning they have done their research and are well informed about the surgery they are having. It can be very calming to know what to expect along every step of the way. A thorough understanding of your procedure also helps to solidify your decision to have plastic surgery. 

There are plenty of sources of information about plastic surgery available, but not all of them are reliable. Many of the things you read on the internet should be taken with a grain of salt, or even ignored completely. Your board-certified surgeon is the first source you should turn to, but if you want to find facts online, make sure they are credible. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are both great resources to check out online for further information about your procedure.

Double Check Your Medications

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on which medications are acceptable before and after your plastic surgery in Lubbock. It is essential that you follow them strictly so you stay healthy and safe. Some common supplements and medicines that should not be taken close to surgery include:

  • Vitamin E supplements
  • Blood thinners
  • Ibuprofen
  • Any medication containing aspirin

Make Your Home Recovery Friendly

  • Food prep: Fill up your refrigerator with healthy snacks and stock your freezer with some ready-to-eat meals. Instead of giving in to the temptation and convenience of fast food, prepare a few frozen homemade meals so you’ll have something nutritious to restore your body’s energy as it heals. Fruits, veggies, lean meats, and healthy sources of protein will help you to heal quickly after Lubbock plastic surgery. 
  • Entertainment: Grab the latest bestselling book and pick out a new TV show to binge on so you can enjoy your downtime while you recover. 
  • Comfort: Gather or buy plenty of pillows and blankets to create a comfortable recovery space. Depending on the type of procedure you have, certain sleeping positions may be off limits so you may need those extra pillows to get a good night’s rest. 
  • Put things within arms reach: Some plastic surgery procedures will limit your ability to reach, carry, or lift things. If you know you’ll need items that are usually kept in high cabinets, move them temporarily to a spot that will be more manageable for you during your early recovery period. 

Take Care of Business

When you get home from your Lubbock plastic surgery, rest and recovery will be the only things on your mind. Be sure to fill prescriptions, get groceries, pay bills, and check off anything else on your to-do list that is pressing before your surgery day comes. That way, you won’t have to worry or stress over your everyday errands and you can focus on healing. 

Enlist Your Family and Friends

No matter the type of plastic surgery, Lubbock friends and family are always willing to help. Ask your dependable loved ones to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for at least the first night. If you live alone, consider staying with someone until you feel confident that you can care for yourself. If you have children, you will need extra help since your physical abilities will most likely be very limited for the first week or so.

Quit Smoking Before and After Plastic Surgery 

It’s only natural to focus on the end results of plastic surgery more than the process itself. But without a healthy healing period, the end result may not be what you had in mind. That’s why quitting smoking, at least temporarily, is essential. The addictive ingredient in cigarettes–nicotine–can have detrimental effects on the body and can slow the healing process or even be life-threatening after surgery. Here’s what you need to know when considering a smoking cessation plan for plastic surgery.

Nicotine Constricts the Blood Vessels

Certain surgery procedures can be even more affected by nicotine than others. For example, when getting a tummy tuck, surgeons must cut a portion of the blood supply from some tissue to move it from its original location to another for improving function, appearance, or sometimes both. Nicotine shrinks blood vessels, which limits the flow of blood to the area. This is counterproductive as it can cause destruction and necrosis, or death of the tissue, in some cases.

More Effects of Nicotine

The effects of nicotine don’t end with restricted blood flow. In addition to putting nicotine users at risk of oxygen shortage in the body, patients could also experience blood clots and are at a much higher risk of developing an infection. Patients who smoke also put themselves at risk for improper wound healing. The results from their plastic surgery in Lubbock may not be optimal and their scars are more likely to be red, raised, or prominent.  

Smoking Cessation Timeline

Dr. Jane Rowley recommends her Lubbock plastic surgery patients stop the use of all types of nicotine products (not just cigarettes) for six weeks before surgery and two-to-three weeks after to ensure they are getting the proper blood flow and oxygen necessary to heal correctly. Because nicotine can be so detrimental to the outcome of plastic surgery, Lubbock men and women who smoke should not even use a nicotine patch during this time.

It may not be easy, but it’s worth it. If patients who use nicotine can commit to stopping for the required amount of time before and after surgery, they will more likely see the results they desire. 

Consult With the Trusted Expert for Lubbock Plastic Surgery

Even with a routine procedure, it is wise to prepare your body, your home, and your support system ahead of time. Doing so will reduce your stress level and aid in your recovery. Not only will a little preparation make the plastic surgery process easier, it will help you achieve the cosmetic appearance you want. Dr. Jane Rowley’s recommendations come from extensive medical training and board certification. She also has over 20 years of medical practice, making her the most experienced plastic surgeon in Lubbock. Call today for your no-obligation consultation to discuss your options for plastic surgery in Lubbock and to learn about the expert care you can expect from Rowley Plastic Surgery.

The Truth About Lubbock Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery procedure in America, year after year, but it also may be the one that is most misunderstood. Depending on who you talk to, you may get a wide variety of reactions and ideas from people when you bring up breast implants. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion about breast augmentation in Lubbock. But if you are considering breast augmentation, your decision should be based on the truth rather than the misinformation that is so widely spread. Having the right information can make all the difference in helping you make the best choices for your breast enhancement. Here’s a rundown of the 5 biggest misconceptions to help you separate fact from fiction:

1. “Bigger is Better”

While some people might think the goal for Lubbock breast augmentation should be to make breasts look as big as possible, the current trend is moving toward a more natural look. Women still want to increase the size of their breasts, but they want to do it in a more subtle way. Choosing an implant size that keeps your breasts in proportion with the rest of your body helps your plastic surgery results look natural and feminine, instead of obvious and fake. Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Jane Rowley understand how to artistically create the shape that is right for your body.

2. “Implants Must Be Replaced Every Ten Years”

There is no rule that says how often breast implants will have to be replaced. The only reason they would need to be swapped out is if there is a problem, like leakage. If you have silicone gel breast implants and experience leakage, they will need to be replaced immediately. The latest FDA research shows that only 20 percent of women’s breast implants have had to be replaced after ten years. Some may need replacing sooner, but others will easily last much longer. 

3. “Silicone Gel Implants Are Unsafe”

Silicone gel breast implants are FDA approved for women 22-years-old and older, and many studies have proven them to be just as safe as saline implants. Gummy bear implants are made with a more cohesive silicone gel that is less likely to leak into the body in case of a rupture. Recent innovations like these have eased some women’s concerns about silicone gel implants. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of the different types of breast implants in depth with you before your breast augmentation in Lubbock.

4. “They Will Look Fake”

Lubbock breast augmentation expert Dr. Jane Rowley uses modern surgical techniques that allow her patients to enjoy beautifully enhanced breasts without ending up looking fake. The type of breast implant you choose as well as its placement, shape, and size all contribute to the look you want to achieve. A skilled and experienced surgeon like Dr. Rowley will carefully consider your measurements and individual shape to create the most flattering improvements to your bust.  

5. “They Will Feel Fake”

It used to be common for breast implants to feel artificial. For women today, a natural feel is just as important as having a realistic look for their breasts. Recent advances in implant designs have made the results of breast augmentation feel much more like the real thing. Most recently, IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants have combined the safety of saline with the more natural feel of silicone gel implants to give you the best of both worlds. During your Lubbock breast augmentation consultation, your surgeon will let you feel each type of implant available so you can choose the one that will give you the results you desire. 

Choosing the Right Breast Implants

The type of breast implant you choose may be the most important decision you make when it comes to your Lubbock breast augmentation. Until recently, patients had to choose between saline and silicone gel breast implants. There is no right or wrong choice; each has its benefits and disadvantages that appeal differently to each breast augmentation patient. Now women have a new option for breast implants without compromise – the IDEAL IMPLANT. Here’s a closer look at all three implant options for patients interested in breast augmentation.

Saline Implants

Typically cited benefits of saline implants for breast augmentation in Lubbock are safety and lower age restrictions. Saline implants are approved by the FDA for patients 18-years-old and older. If a rupture does occur, the sterile saltwater solution inside the implant simply absorbs into the body safely. The downside is that a saline implant is much like a water balloon. It has no structure, and therefore can lack a natural look and feel. Saline implants are also known to show visible rippling or wrinkling, especially in women who are thin or have little of their own breast tissue. 

Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone gel breast implants look and feel much more like natural breasts than saline implants. They are FDA approved for patients 22-years-old and older, however, and silicone gel is a sticky substance that the body can’t absorb. Instead, leaked silicone gel can become trapped near the rupture site and eventually cause breast pain or a change in breast shape. This is called a silent rupture because it’s only detectable on an MRI. Because of this, the FDA recommends patients who choose silicone gel implants for their breast augmentation in Lubbock get an MRI every two years, which can add to the overall cost and aftercare of the surgery.

The IDEAL IMPLANT

The IDEAL IMPLANT is the latest in breast implant technology that combines the natural feel of silicone gel with the peace of mind of saline. It has a structured yet flexible series of inner shells with a saline solution filler, giving Lubbock breast augmentation patients the look and feel of natural breasts without the stress over silicone gel. Additionally, women with the IDEAL IMPLANT can easily tell if their implants have ruptured just by looking in the mirror. This saves on the cost, inconvenience, and radiation exposure of MRIs.

The peace of mind offered by the IDEAL IMPLANT doesn’t stop with having zero risk for silent rupture. The IDEAL IMPLANT has a lower rate of rupture and a higher rupture strength than silicone gel breast implants. Women who choose IDEAL IMPLANTS are also at a significantly lower risk for capsular contracture than the leading brands of silicone gel implants. Talk to your doctor about the IDEAL IMPLANT to see how it could benefit your Lubbock breast augmentation results. 

Get Your Facts from a Trusted Professional

If there is one plastic surgery procedure that most people seem to have a strong opinion about, it’s breast augmentation. Whether or not you decide to pursue breast enhancement should be because you have made the choice for yourself, not to please someone else. It’s also important that you base your decisions on the facts and recommendations given by your board-certified plastic surgeon. Since each patient is different, it’s important to discuss your options with a trusted professional like the most experienced surgeon in Lubbock, Dr. Jane Rowley. Dr. Rowley will take the time to discuss your goals and evaluate your needs so that together, you can create a personalized surgery plan for your breast augmentation in Lubbock. Call our office to schedule a no-obligation consultation today. 

How a Lubbock Tummy Tuck Gives You the Abs Crunches Can’t

Many of us struggle with the flabby abdomen that resists our efforts to firm up with diet and exercise. We cut out our favorite foods and try every stomach crunch exercise out there, and still we wrestle with a flabby belly. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Many people have turned to plastic surgery to finally conquer that stubborn fat and loose skin on their abdomens. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rowley recommends a tummy tuck in Lubbock for her patients who struggle with saggy and flabby stomachs. 

When Working Out Doesn’t Work Out

You count calories and eat right all the time. You never miss a date with the gym. You’ve even tried the latest fad diet to help you lose the extra flab around your belly, but nothing is working. Your belly problems can be the result of genetics, age, or previous pregnancies that make it almost impossible for you to achieve the look you are working so hard to get. So don’t beat yourself up if you just aren’t seeing the results in the mirror that you had in mind when you signed up for that gym membership. 

Just because your time at the gym isn’t paying off in visible ways doesn’t mean you should give up on it. Dr. Rowley encourages her patients to continue their efforts to stay healthy and take care of themselves, especially when they are considering a procedure like a Lubbock tummy tuck. Most plastic surgeons require their patients to be in good health and within close range of their ideal weight before they undergo a tummy tuck. Candidates for this procedure need to be able to maintain a steady, healthy weight to keep their surgical results looking optimal. If you gain a lot of weight after your tummy tuck, it can ruin the outcome. 

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

It is important to first understand what a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is not meant to do. Tummy tuck plastic surgery is a skin removal procedure that does not emphasize fat removal. It is not a weight loss surgery. After extreme weight loss or pregnancy, skin can get stretched to the point of no return. Excess skin can hang and sag even if you do not have a lot of fat. With a tummy tuck, Lubbock plastic surgeon Dr. Rowley will remove this extra skin and give your abdomen a flatter, smoother look. 

The abdominal wall is also tightened during a tummy tuck in Lubbock. Women who have gone through multiple pregnancies can experience a condition called diastasis recti, which is a separation of the abdominal muscles caused by the growth of the uterus. Diastasis recti creates a gap between your muscles that allows your belly to pooch out. It can lead people to ask when your baby is due long after your it has already arrived. If you have this condition, traditional ab workouts like crunches can make it look even worse. A tummy tuck will repair and tighten the stretched abdominal muscles to give your core the stability and strength that was lost during pregnancy.  

How Does a Lubbock Tummy Tuck Work? 

Depending on how much excess skin you have and where it is located, your doctor will help you decide whether a traditional, mini, or extended tummy tuck will be most effective. The mini procedure is for people whose excess skin and fat fall mostly below the belly button, whereas the traditional one tightens and flattens the entire abdominal area. 

An extended tummy tuck works the same as the other two, but it removes skin and fat from a larger area of the abdomen, including the flanks and backside. Even though you will have a longer incision with an extended tummy tuck, Lubbock patients find it to be worth the scar because the procedure can completely change your body contour. A skilled surgeon like Dr. Rowley can place your tummy tuck incisions in a way that will easily hide the scars under clothing and swimwear. 

What Happens During Surgery

Your Lubbock tummy tuck surgery will take about two hours. While you’re under anesthesia dreaming of showing off your new slimmer frame, the surgeon will make a horizontal incision from one hip to the other. Your abdominal muscles and tissue will be tightened and excess skin will be removed to give your body improved shape and contour. Unless you are undergoing a partial tuck, the belly button will need to be adjusted to look natural on your new, flat stomach. Patients typically get to go home later the same day.

Immediate Results

You will be able to see the improvements in your belly from your tummy tuck as soon as your surgery is finished. The full results and recovery will take time, though, so be patient with your body as it heals. You will have a drain in place for a week and the sutures used during surgery will be absorbed by your body. You will need to be able to take 2 to 3 weeks off work after your tummy tuck. Lubbock patients should also plan to take about 6 to 8 weeks off when it comes to any kind of strenuous activity. When it’s all said and done, your stomach will be smoother and firmer, and you will feel more comfortable in your own skin.

When You Should Consider Liposuction

While you can enhance your appearance with a Lubbock tummy tuck, sometimes a little extra help is necessary to get rid of excess fat. Dramatic results happen when patients remove stubborn fat at the same time as tightening loose skin. Do not be surprised or offended if your plastic surgeon recommends liposuction in addition to a tummy tuck during your consultation. If they do, it means that combining the two procedures is the best way to achieve the look you want. 

Like a tummy tuck, liposuction is also not considered a weight loss surgery. It is an effective method for enhancing your body contour and shape where fat bulges in the way. Liposuction targets areas of fat that persist despite healthy diet and exercise habits. For this procedure, your board-certified plastic surgeon uses a small surgical instrument to suction out fat. Your doctor can sculpt and shape your body to give your appearance more definition around your belly, hips, back and other areas of your body. When combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, Lubbock patients can improve the look of their entire figure, giving them the slimmer and more toned look that diet and exercise alone often can’t provide. Talk to your doctor about whether adding liposuction to your plastic surgery plan is necessary to get the outcome you want. 

Reach Your Aesthetic Dreams

Don’t give up on yourself if diet and exercise aren’t shrinking your tummy like you hoped they would. Whether you’ve had multiple pregnancies, drastic weight loss, or just a plain stubborn stomach pooch, a Lubbock tummy tuck can help you get the figure you want. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading, most trusted plastic surgeon in Lubbock. She has the professional expertise and artistic hand to help you reach your cosmetic goals. Schedule your no-obligation consultation today to see how you can get your figure and your confidence back.