Recent Blog Posts from Rowley Plastic Surgery

Tips for Recovery After Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Have you recently had a tummy tuck? Or are you thinking about getting one? With this particular procedure, you should be able to see drastic results right away. However, if you want to keep your new and improved shape for as long as possible, you should take the proper steps to help your body recover. We dedicate our attention and preparation toward the weeks and days leading up to our plastic surgery in Lubbock, but it’s just as important to think about and prepare for your recovery following the procedure.

In Lubbock, plastic surgery expert and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jane Rowley wants her patients to take care of their bodies so they can have a fast recovery and enjoy their new look. With more than 20 years of experience with tummy tuck procedures, she understands the kind of care her patients need to achieve excellent results. If you’re preparing for a tummy tuck, here’s a bit of advice from Rowley Plastic Surgery on how to have a successful recovery.

Follow Your Plastic Surgeon’s Advice

Strictly following your doctor’s orders is the most important thing you can do during your recovery after any Lubbock plastic surgery. The instructions you receive from your board-certified surgeon about caring for your post-surgery body may feel generic, but it is critical that you follow them carefully. You may even receive specific advice in addition to the general instructions that will help you care for your body’s unique needs. Listen to your doctor, and don’t ever be afraid to call with questions or concerns.

Eat Right!

After plastic surgery in Lubbock, it’s important to be even more aware of what you are putting into your body. This advice does not mean you should go on a strict diet as soon as your surgery is complete. It just means you should eat foods that make you feel good and that will give your body the energy and nutrients that it needs to heal. Make water your choice of drink and focus on eating more fruits and vegetables. You will be able to maintain your trim midsection a lot longer by simply eating right.

If you are committed to having a successful recovery after your tummy tuck, what exactly should your plate look like?

  • Dark leafy greens, pineapple, and other foods rich in vitamin C can aid in recovery.
  • Foods that might cause gas, such as cabbage and beans, should be avoided.
  • Steer clear of processed foods and trans fats to avoid weight gain.
  • Drinking plenty of water is important for proper healing.

Your body relies on quality nutrition both before and after your Lubbock plastic surgery, but you don’t need to go on a diet. A lifestyle of healthy eating can and should be maintained if you want to make your tummy tuck results last.

Stay Away from Nicotine

It is essential that patients quit smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before their surgery and avoid smoking during recovery. Patients should stay away from any source of nicotine during this time period if they want to heal properly. Nicotine inhibits blood flow which limits the amount of oxygen that travels to the surgical wound. Without enough oxygen, tissue is at risk of dying. Nicotine can increase your risk for other complications, such as infection, blood clots, and improper healing. If you have concerns about the need to quit smoking, you can call our Lubbock office to discuss this requirement.

Move Around Slowly at First

Your doctor will recommend that after tummy tuck plastic surgery in Lubbock you take a few days to rest and have someone help you get up and walk around. After a few days, it is important to move around as much as possible to stop blood clots from forming. Light exercise like walking will help your healing process by keeping your body from becoming stiff and can help speed up the recovery of your swelling.

But it’s important to find the right amount of movement that helps and does not hurt your recovery. Heavy lifting or other strenuous workouts can be very harmful to a recovering tummy tuck patient so you should avoid these types of activities for at least three months. If you exercise too strenuously too soon after your Lubbock plastic surgery, you can actually release the muscle tightening sutures, which can cause a bulge in the stomach area.

Be Aware of Possible Pain

The more you understand about what to expect after your plastic surgery in Lubbock, the better prepared you will be to handle it. After a tummy tuck, you will have moderate pain around your torso that can last a few weeks. Experiencing pain can mean that your abdominal area may continue to shrink even more after surgery. Most patients have some pain and swelling for a few weeks that completely goes away after a few months. It’s important to consult with your surgeon about how to manage your pain and speed along your recovery process.

Don’t Do It Alone

If possible, arrange for a helping hand for a day or two following your tummy tuck plastic surgery. Lubbock patients enjoy top quality care provided by our staff before and during their surgery to ensure the procedure is successful, and support at home can help after-surgery recovery succeed as well. Simple tasks like getting out of bed, showering, changing clothes, and managing your home and health will be much less stressful if you have someone to help you. Relying on someone else for help can allow you to remain comfortable and avoid straining yourself. Lots of rest and low-body strain is necessary during your recovery. Plan on taking off work for at least two weeks following your procedure.

Be Patient With Your Body

Have you ever noticed that tummy tuck patients’ “after” photos are often taken 6 months after their surgery? That’s because the results of your Lubbock plastic surgery take time to fully reveal themselves. Your tummy will not look exactly like you may have hoped right after your procedure. After finally going through their much anticipated surgery, it can be difficult for some patients to wait during the weeks and months it takes for swelling and bruising to fade. Avoid measuring yourself for 6 months because the swelling will throw off your numbers. Try to remember that your results will be amazing, and that the steps you took to get rid of your belly bulge will be worth it.

The Care You Need for the Results You Want

A tummy tuck can help you flatten and tone your abdomen when diet and exercise just don’t seem to be doing the trick. If you are planning your tummy tuck procedure, be sure to think about your recovery just as much, if not more than your preparation. Following the above tips can help your recovery from Lubbock plastic surgery be more manageable and get you the results you want faster. But while these ideas are a good starting point for recovery advice, Dr. Jane Rowley and her caring staff have more than just this handful of tips to ensure your successful recovery. Choosing a qualified, skilled doctor like Dr. Jane Rowley and following their instructions is the best thing you can do for your body. Give Rowley Plastic Surgery a call today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.

Why Women Get Breast Augmentation in Lubbock

Plastic surgery is never just about appearances; often it’s about how you feel about the way you look. That’s why it is so important to have healthy expectations about plastic surgery and what it can do for both how you look and how you feel about your body. Breast augmentation is the number one plastic surgery in America, and it has helped many women gain greater confidence in their appearance. Each woman has her own reasons for having breast augmentation in Lubbock, but some of the main motivations include:

  • Correcting breast issues brought on by pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Looking better in clothing and swimwear
  • Increasing confidence and self-image
  • Enhancing body contour and proportion

Are you interested in Lubbock breast augmentation? Or is there another person or reason causing you to think you need breast implants? The best way to determine how you’ll feel about your surgery results is to identify your motivation for wanting the surgery in the first place. Assess your motivation using the descriptions below and give our office a call to schedule your no-obligation appointment for Dr. Jane Rowley’s assessment and advice about your breast augmentation in Lubbock.

Finding Satisfaction in Your Body Image

Women who experience asymmetry or under-development in their breasts seek breast implants to enhance their body contour and achieve a higher level of feminine beauty. Lubbock breast augmentation is meant to satisfy a woman’s own desires and not the expectations of others. These women enter our office with a healthy sense of what plastic surgery can do for them, and they leave feeling satisfied with their results and finding confidence in their own bodies. If you feel your motivation comes from wanting to make changes to your physical appearance for your own satisfaction, you may have a healthy set of expectations.

When Plastic Surgery isn’t the Answer

A woman who considers breast implants to please her boyfriend, save her marriage, or to impress or compete with a friend often at some point finds herself disappointed in her surgical results. Using breast implants to make another person envy or enjoy your body creates a false expectation of success. When breast augmentation in Lubbock doesn’t fill the gap between your ideal self and your real self, you may ultimately resent the implants. If you think you might fall into this category, plastic surgery may not be right for you today. It could be helpful to counsel with a friend and find other ways to find peace in your situation. Once you feel like you are in the right place to make permanent decisions about your appearance, returning to your consideration of plastic surgery could then be a healthy step forward for you.

Breast Implant Options for Lubbock Breast Augmentation

If you have made the decision to have breast augmentation, the next step is to consider the different types, shapes, and sizes of breast implants available. Researching the benefits and compromises of different types of implants will help you make an informed decision that fits your needs. Your final decision should be based on your personal preferences and your surgeon’s recommendations. Dr. Jane Rowley has over 20 years of experience in breast augmentation, and she offers her patients a variety of breast implant options.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are inserted empty during your breast augmentation in Lubbock and then filled with a sterile salt water solution once they’re in place. This method allows your 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.

The main complaint about saline breast implants is about their less natural look and feel. Many women have compared the way saline implants feel to a water balloon, because it lacks structure and can feel as though it sloshes around. Saline implants also tend to show ripples and wrinkles, especially in women who are thin or have little breast tissue of their own. For breast augmentation, Lubbock women want implants that give them beautiful, natural-looking results. Some women can achieve these goals with saline implants, but many cannot.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone gel implants have been used in breast augmentation for years and have improved over time. The implants on the market today are quite different than those available 50 years ago. Silicone gel implants are pre-filled with thick silicone gel that feels a lot like real breast tissue. Most women think that silicone gel breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue than saline breast implants, which is why they have long been the most popular choice in Lubbock breast augmentation.

Because they are pre-filled before surgery, silicone gel breast implants require a larger incision than saline implants. Another downside to silicone gel implants comes with their risk for silent rupture. When this happens, it is difficult to detect because the implants do not visibly deflate when the silicone gel leaks. Studies about the health risks of leaked silicone gel in the body are ongoing and questions still remain about the effects it can have. To protect against silent rupture, the FDA recommends that women with silicone gel implants have MRIs to look for leakage routinely as long as the implants are inside their body.   

IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants

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. This innovative design makes the IDEAL IMPLANT the only one on the market that is filled with saline and has the natural look and feel of silicone gel.

The IDEAL IMPLANT puts women’s minds at ease about silent rupture, because there is absolutely no risk of it happening. If one of these implants leaks, the outer shell will deflate and be visibly noticeable when you look in the mirror. The surgery to replace an IDEAL IMPLANT that has leaked is simple and straightforward because no silicone gel has to be removed from the breast. The old implant is switched out for a new one, and because the leaked saline is harmless and easily absorbed into the body, there are no health concerns involved.

Experienced Lubbock Breast Augmentation

Whatever your reasons are for considering breast augmentation, it is important to understand all of your options and to have the guidance of a surgeon you trust. With over 20 years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Jane Rowley is the leading plastic surgeon for breast augmentation in Lubbock. She is committed to spending the amount of time needed to ensure each patient achieves the results they are looking for. Schedule your no-obligation consultation today to learn more about your breast implant options and to find out what the procedure can do for you.

Everything You Need to Know Before Your Breast Reduction in Lubbock

If you’ve decided that it’s time for a breast reduction, you may be wondering what to expect from your plastic surgery journey. As you think about and plan for your upcoming surgery, you may spend a lot of time researching. Being an educated patient is important, so keep up that surgery prep! The better you understand what to expect throughout the plastic surgery process, the more comfortable you will feel. Read on for tips on how to prepare for your breast reduction in Lubbock and what life can look like afterwards.

Pick a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Before you go in for a consultation for a breast reduction, make sure you choose a plastic surgeon with whom you can comfortably communicate. It’s important that your plastic surgeon has plenty of experience with breast reduction surgery and is board-certified. You want to have the best experience possible and get the results you want, and choosing a doctor who meets these requirements will help improve your chances of achieving your goals.

Prepare Your Medical History

Your plastic surgeon will want to know about any past and present medical conditions you have, so have a list ready to go with the following information:

  • Drug allergies
  • Medications you are taking or have taken recently
  • Medical treatments you have had
  • Any past surgeries, including breast biopsies
  • Family history of breast cancer
  • Current mammogram results

The list may seem extensive, but the more thorough you are at your initial consultation, the more your plastic surgeon will be able to evaluate your health and whether you are a good candidate for a breast reduction. Lubbock patients should remember to be honest with their surgeon about their medical history as well as their motivations for desiring the surgery.

You Will Receive an Examination

Your plastic surgeon wants you to be happy with the results of your breast reduction in Lubbock, so a comprehensive examination of your breasts is key. Your surgeon will take measurements and photos of your breasts so as to determine:

  • Your breast size and shape
  • What kind of breast size and shape you’re aiming for
  • How much breast tissue you already have
  • The elasticity of your skin
  • The placement of your nipples and areolas

You should expect your initial plastic surgery consultation to be in-depth so that all aspects of your breast reduction can be discussed. Many patients find that they also want a breast lift or liposuction to go along with their breast reduction. Lubbock patients enjoy a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Jane Rowley in which they can discuss all plastic surgery procedures they are considering.

What to Expect From Your Breast Reduction

Once you’ve had your initial consultation and you feel comfortable moving forward with your procedure, you’ll want to think about preparing for what happens after the surgery. What will life be like a year after your breast reduction?

  • Sensation: Patients experience varying degrees of sensation in their nipples and breasts after breast reduction. Lubbock women can lose their sensation due to surgery and then recover it within a year or longer; however, some women don’t get sensation back, and others never lose it in the first place.
  • Scars: Incisions are part of surgery, and scars are a result of incisions. Talk to the experts in our Lubbock office to discuss great options for minimizing scars.
  • Change in Figure: Even though your breasts are the only part of your body undergoing surgery, you may see your entire figure differently. The way your clothes fit will change, so you may find that your waist size also looks differently in certain articles of clothing.
  • Back Pain: One of the greatest motivators for a breast reduction is the back pain caused by the weight of large breasts. You should feel significant relief from your back pain, although it might not go away entirely. For those who still experience pain, a chiropractor, yoga, or stretching may help.
  • Shape: Immediately following your recovery you may see your breasts as overly round and almost fake looking, but over time your breasts will settle to a more comfortable, natural look.
  • Bras: After your breast reduction in Lubbock you may want a surgical bra for use during recovery. Most women feel they can return to regular bras after a month post-surgery, but with tender breasts, it would be best to transition to wire-free sports bras first. Your breast size is likely to continue to change over the first year following your breast reduction. If you’re a frugal shopper, you may want to purchase modestly priced bras for the first year and then invest in some high-quality bras after your breasts have settled into their new size and shape.

Love the New You

Above all, plan on enjoying your new body! It may take some getting used to, but breast reduction patients are some of the happiest clients at Rowley Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jane Rowley has over two decades of experience with breast procedures. Call our office today for a no-obligation consultation for your breast reduction in Lubbock.