Click topic for more information:Email Dr. Diana
FAQ
Click for more information regarding:
Email Dr. Diana
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
How it is done
The procedure consists of removing excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen and repairing the hernias or muscle separation (the "bulge") if present. A significant amount of tissue is removed in this process. The "mini tummy tuck" is a more limited procedure which addresses only the lower abdomen. In addition to the mini tummy tuck, or sometimes combined with the full tummy tuck, some additional fat tissue may be removed from flanks and upper abdomen by liposuction during the same operating session.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is usually required, although limited procedures may be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Hospital stay is usually not necessary.
Recovery time
Patients typically return to work within a few days to a week, but must avoid strenuous activity for a month. Complete recovery time ranges from one to two months, depending on the level of activity required for work. The effect of this operation is dramatic, with a significant change immediately apparent and gradual improvement over the 6-8 weeks after surgery.
Staying power Permanent, with sensible eating habits and moderate exercise.
Cost
Our fees are inclusive of Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, operating rooom and laboratory fees, as well as follow up visits.
We also offer a special vitamin and supplement combination to optimize healing and shorten recovery.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
What is a board certified plastic surgeon?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
The American Board of Medical Specialties was created to support the commitment set forth to protect patients, by regulating the quality of medical education.
While the intent of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is not to designate eligibility of who may perform plastic surgery procedures, it does resolve to initiate the qualifying requirements for applicants requesting certification, regulate comprehensive examinations and present certification to those who meet the establish requirements. Recognition of the Board's accreditation is held in the highest regard and once a surgeon completes the requirements, he/she is referred to as a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
As stated by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, these diplomats are recognized to possess extensive skill in the following areas:
Congenital defects of the head and neck, including clefts of the lip and palate, and craniofacial surgery.
Neoplasms of the head and neck, including the oropharynx and training in appropriate edoscopy.
Cranio-maxillofacial trauma, including fractures of the mandible and maxilla.
Aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery of the head and neck, trunk and extremities.
Plastic surgery of the breast.
Surgery of the hand/upper extremities.
Plastic surgery of the lower extremities.
Plastic surgery of congenital and acquired defects of the truck and genitalia.
Burn managements, acute and reconstructive.
Microsurgical techniques applicable to plastic surgery.
Reconstruction by tissue transfer including flaps and grafts.
Surgery of benign and malignant lesions of the skin and soft tissue
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
What is plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement or scarring resulting from trauma, disease or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Derived from Greek, the word plastic means molding or giving form and does not refer to the use of plastic materials
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
How does a physician become a plastic surgeon?
Training to become a plastic surgeon is a difficult task. To become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery several steps are involved:
- Medical School
- Surgical Residency: most currently practicing plastic surgeons have completed a full five years residency training course in General Surgery, a background in ENT or orthopedics may be acceptable. ]
- Plastic Surgery Residency training (sometimes called Fellowship) of two to three years. These years are spent in an accredited plastic surgery training center.
- Prior to official certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery the physician must pass a rigorous set of both written and oral examinations that review at least the previous two years of active plastic surgery practice. This exam evaluates the actual performance of surgery and preoperative and postoperative care by the prospective candidate.
While numerous physicians use the term "plastic" surgeons, only those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can belong to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
Does board certification by the ABPS ensure a perfect result?
No.
Healing of operated tissue is affected by several factors, and some of these are beyond the control of the surgeon. As in any other type of medicine, no guarantee of perfection or even a good result can be given. By making sure to do your homework before choosing a plastic surgeon, you can check out a surgeon's training, skill, and experience to better ensure your safety and desired results.
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery means that the surgeon has completed the rigorous requirements for full time practice as a specialist in plastic surgery.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
What questions should I ask before choosing a plastic surgeon?
Bringing a checklist of questions can help ensure the safety and quality of your procedure. Questions to ask are:
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
When the doctor claims to be board-certified, ask by which board. Only the ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify doctors in the area of plastic surgery.
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery?
Some surgical procedures can be performed in the doctor's office or other outpatient facility but it is important to find out if the doctor has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure you are having. Before granting operating privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon's training and competency for specific procedures.
Where will you perform my surgery?
If it's in an office-based facility, ask if it's accredited. Most states don't require ambulatory or office-based facilities to be accredited, but voluntary application can be made to an accrediting body such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Such accreditation means the facility has met strict requirements and denotes a high standard of care.
How many procedures of this type have you performed?
Also ask what training has been completed, especially in new techniques. Ask to see certificates of training.
What are the risks involved with the procedure?
There are risks with any surgical procedure. Find out what they are, how often they occur, and how they will be handled if they do occur.
What is the expected recovery time?
Be sure to discuss postoperative restrictions on activity and typical time periods for resuming work.
What is your policy on surgical revisions?
Some cases may require revisions to achieve the desired results. Find out about any costs for which you may be responsible.
How much will the surgery cost?
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance, and payment usually is required in advance. Costs include the surgeon's fee and fees for the surgical facility and anesthesia. Other possible costs are the preoperative physical and blood work, medications, surgical garments and private-duty nursing.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
What procedures do plastic surgeons perform?
Commonly performed procedures are:
Aesthetic (also called cosmetic) problems with the face, neck and trunk, including forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms, and skin.
Congenital deformities of the hands and face, including clefts of the lip and palate.
Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancerous) tumors of the head and neck, skin and soft tissues.
Traumatic injuries of the bony facial skeleton and hand as well as soft tissue injuries of any part of the body.
Surgery of the hand.
Surgery of the jaw and facial skeleton.
Any type of skin cover and replacement problems.
All types of reconstruction following removal of cancer resulting in disfigurement of any part of the body including the face, breasts, trunk.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist?
Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist? Dermatologists specialize in skin, but the plastic surgeon has an equally important role of the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the skin, as well as skin aging.
The skills of a plastic surgeon are especially needed in reconstructive skin surgery when large areas of the skin must be removed and replaced especially where disfigurement may result, or when these areas are in conspicuous areas such as the face.
Plastic surgeons also perform skin resurfacing techniques, for cosmetic purposes, in order to achieve healthier looking skin by reducing facial wrinkling and pigmentary changes of the skin
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
Will I have a scar after plastic surgery?
Scarring is inevitable of healing, however a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible.
A plastic surgeon spends years trying to master techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Plastic surgeons will try to make incisions in areas that will not show, like under undergarments or along natural creases.
Scars will normally fade over time, but certain areas of the body such as the back and chest, produce more severe scarring regardless of the technique used for reconstruction and closure.
The severity of the scarring varies from person to person.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
I've heard I will have to replace my implants in 10 years...
This is a common myth. If you are happy with your shape and size, and you have had no complications, there is no "expiration date" to follow with respect to replacement of saline filled breast implants. Some women have had saline filled breast implants for many, many years with no need for replacement. However, you should realize that at some point in the future, you may wish to replace or remove your implants.
If you have silicone filled breast implants, there is no way to determine the integrity of the implant by physical examination. Therefore, ultrasound or MRI imaging may be used to visualize silicone extravasation from the implant. In general, silicone breast implants used in the 80's should be evaluated to ensure integrity.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
Does smoking really affect my recovery?
Smoking slows your healing time by constricting the capillaries and reducing blood flow carrying nutrients and oxygen. When the capillaries are constricted, the exchange of nutrients is compromised.
Smoking interferes with healing because:
It reduces blood flow to the cell
It reduces the ability of hemoglobin to move oxygen
It reduces the amount of oxygen released to the cells
Second hand smoke also can delay healing or cause problems!
Don't risk complications; follow your doctor's orders regarding smoking before and after your surgery.
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
Email Dr. Diana
Back to top
