Making the Most of Your Lubbock Plastic Surgery Experience

By its very nature, the decision to get plastic surgery is a very personal one. Just as no two people look exactly alike, each of us has our own reasons for why we want to change certain things about ourselves. Whether it’s something we’re born with we’d like to improve upon, or simply the result of life and aging, we each have a vision of our ideal selves. Plastic surgery can be a great tool to help us achieve the results we want, however, a little planning and some lifestyle changes will go a long way to making sure you get what you want out of your Lubbock plastic surgery experience.

Pick the Right Plastic Surgeon

First things first: before you make any final decisions, make sure you have a plastic surgeon that you can trust. Unfortunately, as in any industry, some doctors are more concerned about making money than caring for patients. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a good guide on what to look out for when selecting a doctor. Some of the key points they make are:

• Make sure the doctor you consult with is the one who will perform your surgery. While that might seem like a strange thing to say, some practices are like conveyor belts: you consult with whomever is available, but then ultimately are operated on by whomever is on call that day. You are trusting your your plastic surgeon with your appearance and well-being, so make sure you know exactly who that person will be.
• Don’t be persuaded. It’s your body, you should decide what you want. Beware of anyone you think is trying to upsell you on other procedures or products that don’t really get you what you want, or who may get benefits for pushing certain products that may not be in your best interest.
• Look at the doctor’s before and after images. Do you like what you see? Is your doctor’s definition of beauty in line with yours? If not, find another plastic surgeon.

Remember that “Plastic surgery is real surgery, and the least-expensive operation is the one performed correctly the first time.” You don’t want to cut corners, because the results are permanent. Put simply, be sure that you can trust your plastic surgeon.

How to Reduce the Appearance of Scars

Once you’ve selected a plastic surgeon you trust and worked together on a plan, it’s time for the procedure itself. As stated above, plastic surgery is real surgery, and that means you’ll have some scarring. When the bandages first come off, that’s when the scars will look the worst. Don’t worry! You can be sure that as time goes on, the wounds heal and the scars fade, and plastic surgeons are specifically trained in suturing techniques and other methods of reducing scars.

But, there are definitely some things you can do to help this process go smoother, faster, and ensure you get better results from your Lubbock plastic surgery experience. Here are three tips:

1. Don’t smoke. If you are a smoker, this is certainly something that’s easier said than done, but it is very important for your recovery. Your doctor should recommend that you quit smoking several weeks before your surgery, and many won’t even perform certain procedures on active smokers at all due to the impact of nicotine on the vascular system. If you’ve followed that advice, then not smoking during your recovery will be much easier. Its recommended because smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, replacing it with carbon monoxide. Oxygen-rich blood is essential to proper healing after surgery. Smoking and insufficient levels of oxygen can result in unnecessary complications in your recovery. Plus, if you’re able to stop smoking for a few months before and after your procedure, perhaps you won’t need to start up again.
2. Drink water and each a diet rich with fruits and vegetables. Part of recovery is fighting off infections. Getting an infection can leave you with worse scarring. The healthier you are, the stronger your immune system will be, and the better equipped you will be to have a smooth recovery. The water in coffee, alcohol, or soda doesn’t count towards the water you need to be drinking, as those beverages have other chemicals that counteract the benefits of water and can actually be dehydrating.
3. Follow all of the wound care instructions. To heal properly, wounds need to be clean and hydrated, but otherwise left alone. Listen carefully when you are shown how to clean and care for your wound. Avoid bathing and follow all the instructions you are given carefully and diligently.

Other optional steps you can take include using certain skin creams, or flat silicone sheeting that restrict scarring from extending too far above your skin. Some things, however, we just can’t do anything about. Factors such as aging, fair skin, genetic tendencies, and the location, size, and depth of the incision may make healing more difficult. But remember, a little bit of love and a lot of patience can help you gently care for your wound as it heals.

How to Maintain the Best Results from Your Lubbock Plastic Surgery Experience

Basically, maintaining your results comes down to diet and exercise. While that might sound like what every doctor says, there is a reason for that. If you’ve gotten a tummy tuck, liposuction, or other body-contouring procedures, the results of those procedures are going to last longer if you aren’t counteracting them by your lifestyle. While you will have a brief recovery period, once your doctor has cleared you fully for physical activity, you should resume (or begin) an exercise regimen. Coupled with a more balanced diet, your plastic surgery results will be better and longer-lasting. You will also feel better, both physically and mentally. Think of it this way, you are pairing your new self with a new lifestyle.

If you are specifically looking to maintain the results of plastic surgery for your skin, avoiding sun-tanning and smoking will ensure long-term benefits for skin and facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Jane Rowley is a leading surgeon in Lubbock plastic surgery with over 20 years experience in getting her patients exceptional results. If you are ready for a “new you,” give her a call today for a no-obligation consultation.