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Choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery is always a highly personal decision and sometimes a difficult one. Whether you’re hoping to enhance your appearance with a breast augmentation, facelift, or another procedure, meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon ahead of time is a great way to ease your mind and address any concerns you might have.
The skilled doctors at Napa Solana Plastic surgery are experts in the cosmetic surgery field. Their compassion and care for each patient provide a caring environment that ensures feelings of privacy, support, and satisfaction. We want you to feel confident about the procedure and plastic surgeon you choose.
Tips for Choosing the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your Needs
Plastic surgery is meant to be a positive and stress-free experience. So choosing the right plastic surgeon is crucial to ensuring a successful procedure outcome.
Consider these factors as you narrow down your choices and make a decision.
Board certification
Medical credentials can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with what they mean. A plastic surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has undergone the rigorous board certification process by the only board the American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes. Board certification signals you can trust a cosmetic surgeon to be highly trained and qualified to perform your procedure.
Experience and expertise
Along with comprehensive training, your plastic surgeon should have extensive experience and a proven track record in performing the procedure you’re interested in. And they should be able to customize the treatment to your situation and needs.
Patient reviews
Ask to review similar patient cases and testimonials and request before and after photos to get a sampling of the surgeon’s previous work. You might also consider searching for patient reviews on forums or chat boards.
Schedule a personal consultation
A successful plastic surgery outcome begins with a personal consultation that goes over your goals and expectations while allowing you the opportunity to evaluate the surgeon’s “bedside manner” and communication skills. It’s also the perfect chance to see the facility or surgery center where your procedure will take place.
Accreditation
Any surgical facility you’re seriously considering should be accredited by industry-recognized organizations like the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the Joint Commission.
Cost and Insurance
Ask what the surgery will cost and whether it’s covered by your insurance. You should also ask if the facility provides financing options, which Napa Solano Plastic Surgery is pleased to offer its patients.
Safety
You want to ensure you’re treated well and safely. Ask about the facility and the surgeon’s safety protocols and how well they’re equipped to handle potential complications.
Book A Plastic Surgery Consultation Today!
There’s generally no need to rush a plastic surgery procedure. Take your time and consider these factors before choosing a plastic surgeon. It will help ensure a successful outcome and the results you dreamed of.
We invite you to schedule an appointment with one of the skilled surgeons at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery today to learn more about our services.
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Many plastic surgery procedures have become less invasive over the years. Yet, they’re still surgeries, and that means they can require days or weeks of recovery. Even relatively simple procedures with quicker recovery periods, such as liposuction and mini-facelifts, require time before you feel back to your usual self.
The cosmetic surgery doctors at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery want you to recover as smoothly as possible after your procedure. We’re here to answer any questions you might have about the post-surgery healing process and can help you understand the feel more at ease over:
- What to expect with wound healing.
- Emotional and psychological reactions you might experience after your procedure.
- Why it’s important to ask for support from family and friends as you heal.
Tips for a Successful Plastic Surgery Recovery
The plastic surgery recovery period is an essential part of the overall procedure. And we believe the more our patients know before cosmetic surgery, the better their recovery will be.
If you want to ensure a smooth and successful recovery, these tips will help you do just that.
Read the Pre-op Materials
Most plastic surgery procedures are now outpatient, so it’s critical for patients to actively participate in their recovery. You should receive printed or online information on what to expect pre, during, and post-op, and it’s a good idea to read about all the stages before your operation.
Follow Post-op Instructions to a “T.”
Any potential side effects are likely to occur immediately post-op. That makes it crucial to follow all your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, even if you’re not sure they’re necessary. To avoid slowing down or impeding recovery, you’ll receive specific instructions for things like:
- Caring for your incisions
- Managing pain
- Which activities to avoid
Get Plenty of Rest
It’s best to give your body the time it needs to fully heal. During the early stages of post-op, take it easy and avoid strenuous activities and exercise that might strain the treated area. Depending on your procedure, you might also need to take two or more days off from work.
Support Quicker Healing
It’s challenging, but the more patient you are during recovery, the smoother it will go.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Manage discomfort or pain with prescribed or over-the-counter medications. Don’t try to “tough it out.”
- Keep the surgical area clean and dry to prevent infection and promote faster healing.
- Stay hydrated to help reduce swelling.
- Avoid sun exposure to decrease the risk of scarring.
Based on your doctor’s input, you can gradually return to normal activities. Just remember to gradually increase the intensity as you ease back into everyday life.
Attend Follow-up Appointments
Regular follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon are essential for monitoring your progress. They’re also a great time to address any concerns you might be having.
Book Your Plastic Surgery Consultation Today!
A great tip for ensuring you have a smooth and successful recovery is working with the best plastic surgeons in Northern California. For nearly 40 years, the skilled doctors at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery have performed countless life-enhancing cosmetic surgery procedures in a safe and welcoming environment.
We invite you to schedule an appointment to learn more about our services.
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Everyone has their unique beliefs about how they appear to other people. Our self-image reflects what we believe to be our intelligence, physical appearance, and personality traits. As most people know, how we see ourselves and how others see us are often vastly different.
Deciding to invest in plastic surgery is a highly personal decision that’s often driven by self-image. People hope it will help eliminate insecurities and expose their true, better selves—one that’s more confident inside and out.
But can cosmetic surgery truly lessen psychological issues or blocks associated with your appearance? The answer is more complicated than you might think, as plastic surgery can both:
- Boost confidence and improve self-image for people who are self-conscious about one or more physical characteristics.
- Result in body dysmorphia, where someone becomes overly critical of their appearance, leading to a negative body image.
The truth is cosmetic surgery and mental health are profoundly connected, and there are many things we tell our patients they should consider before choosing this often life-changing route.
The Psychological Complexity of Plastic Surgery
There’s been extensive research done on how plastic surgery affects people psychologically. While much of it concludes that cosmetic procedures improve a patient’s body image, experts disagree about their ultimate effect on self-esteem and state of mind. For instance, depression and anxiety are not uncommon complaints post-surgery.
Variables that come into play with plastic surgery success include:
- A general lack of understanding of mental health. Experts in the field have long struggled to define what it means to be “mentally healthy.” A person can appear remarkably stable yet still have one or more characteristics that negatively affect them, such as social phobias, anxiety, and body dysmorphia.
- Defining success. Some patients undergo plastic surgery and gain the self-confidence they hoped for. But what if they also end up experiencing negative emotions they didn’t have before the procedure?
- The surgery’s quality. Everyone’s seen examples of plastic surgery gone wrong. If a person is unhappy with the results of their procedure, it could significantly impact their self-esteem and happiness.
As to the relationship between attractiveness and happiness, our society tends to promote the idea that the prettier or more handsome someone is, the happier they are. And some research backs it up, primarily because people respond positively to those considered conventionally attractive. But most experts agree that being more attractive isn’t necessarily enough to boost mental health. That’s why it’s important to make the distinction between using plastic surgery to make someone attractive and making them feel more attractive.
Improving Your Self-Image With Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic surgery chosen for the right reasons can promote a strong and positive self-image. In fact, patients who have realistic expectations of the outcome are more often than not more self-confident, more productive in their work, and more comfortable in social situations.
Each patient’s circumstances are different, but understanding these basic psychological issues before opting for cosmetic surgery can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Is It the Right Time?
Everyone experiences physical and mental stress in life. It’s vital to schedule your surgery at a point when you aren’t under exceptional levels of it. To decide if the time is right, your surgeon might ask questions about your current relationships and whether there any problems at work or home causing you undue stress.
The more emotionally healthy you are before surgery, the more likely you are to recover more quickly and be satisfied with the results.
Change is Difficult
Adjusting to a “new” you, particularly after a more extensive or dramatic procedure, can take considerable time. Until you’ve learned to accept the change in your appearance, your reflection could seem unfamiliar. That can be jarring, so you’ll need to give yourself the time and space to adapt.
Support is Essential
The more support the better, but just one supportive person can make a huge difference during your recovery, particularly while you wait for swelling and bruising to fade. Your support buddy will also be helpful when otherwise well-meaning people say things like, “You looked fine before” or “Why did you get plastic surgery?” As you recuperate and adjust, you’ll want to stay focused on why you decided cosmetic surgery was right for you.
Depression and Anxiety
While many people feel extremely happy and confident after plastic surgery, post-op depression and anxiety are common side effects of the procedure. Common feelings include regretting the decision, anxiety over what you’ll look like after the swelling goes down, and a heightened sensitivity to people’s comments. Your surgeon can help minimize the risk of this occurring by explaining what your recovery process entails and reminding you of your motivations for having the surgery performed.
If you suspect you’re experiencing an anxiety disorder or body dysmorphia, it can be extremely beneficial to talk to a mental health professional before undergoing plastic surgery. They can help you identify and manage these and other conditions and guide you in a healthier way of thinking and living.
How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon
Plastic surgery changes your appearance, but it also changes how you see yourself. It’s essential for patients to understand that plastic surgery is not a cure for deep-seated emotional or psychological issues, so it shouldn’t be relied on to fix self-esteem problems.
Ultimately, the most successful cosmetic surgery procedures are the ones where patients have realistic expectations and find a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. A good plastic surgeon will:
- Fulfill your wishes without compromising your health or future happiness.
- Put your well-being first.
- Evaluate your current psychological state to ensure your procedure is a rewarding success.
- Ensure you aren’t having surgery due to outside pressures.
At Napa Solano Plastic Surgery, we know that cosmetic surgery is a personal journey. Our surgeons consider their patients to be equal partners in the process and share their goal of feeling more comfortable and confident in their bodies. They also take the time to talk about options, benefits, and risks, so patients feel confident in their choice of procedure. We believe this approach ensures our patients achieve the best possible care, faster recovery, and desired outcome.
To learn more about the cosmetic surgery procedures offered at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced and skilled surgeons, get in touch with us today.
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Due to its many benefits, liposuction is the most requested plastic surgery procedure patients seek after breast augmentations. Sometimes referred to as lipoplasty or body contouring, liposuction is a minimally invasive treatment that slims and shapes body areas that haven’t responded to weight loss or exercise.
The highly skilled surgeons at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery use leading-edge liposuction tools and techniques to reduce stubborn localized fat on the abdomen, thighs, arms, buttocks, and more.
The Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction offers many advantages, including being an outpatient procedure with a relatively quick recovery. Other benefits include:
- It’s safe. Liposuction only requires small incisions to the targeted areas.
- It permanently removes fat cells. Once the fat cells are removed, they do not grow back, though you can gain fat in another area.
- Improved health. Because liposuction removes unwanted fat deposits, it helps you move closer to your ideal weight and BMI (body mass index).
- Enhanced appearance. A more aesthetically appealing shape can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
If you’ve tried eating well and working out but still have body fat in places you wish you didn’t, liposuction can be the right treatment for you.
The Liposuction Procedure
After the minor incisions are made, the surgeon injects a fluid to anesthetize the area and break up the fat cells. A tiny tube or cannula is then inserted into the incision, suction is applied, and a pure, free-of-blood form of fat is removed.
Once your procedure is over, you might experience some soreness for the first 24 to 72 hours, and you might have some swelling of the treated areas. Bruising can occur but is usually mild. In fact, most of our patients return to most normal activities within a day or two. However, we do recommend you refrain from strenuous activities for approximately two to three weeks following your liposuction procedure.
Book Your Plastic Surgery Consultation Today!
Napa Solano Plastic Surgery provides our patients with a welcoming and professional environment for their liposuction treatments. Our expert medical team has been providing plastic and reconstructive surgery care to patients in Northern California since 1984. We use the latest technologies and techniques to perform our liposuction treatments, focusing on natural and pleasing results.
Whether you choose to consult our nationally certified Napa or Vacaville facility, you can rest assured that your care and safety are our priority. Our entire staff is here to support you before, during, and after your liposuction procedure.
If you’d like to learn more about our liposuction procedures or the other life-enhancing cosmetic surgery procedures we offer through our medical spa, we invite you to schedule a consultation appointment today.
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Even if you eat right and exercise regularly, it can be challenging to shed abdominal fat, particularly as you age. Whether your “belly pooch” is the result of weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or the natural aging process, abdominoplasty can be an effective way to achieve a smoother, more contoured abdomen.
Napa Solano Plastic Surgery uses leading-edge plastic surgery techniques to perform abdominoplasty surgery that slims and tightens the midsection to reestablish your waistline. Our professional staff is known for its compassionate patient care and can help you achieve your desired aesthetic results.
What Is an Abdominoplasty?
Also known as “tummy tucks,” abdominoplasties are surgical procedures that tighten stomach muscles and help eliminate excess skin and abdominal creases. It’s a popular choice for people who want a more toned stomach and flattering body appearance.
There are various cosmetic and medical reasons people get tummy tucks, including to:
- Tighten abdominal muscles
- Remove excess skin
- Remove fat
- Repair a ventral hernia
- Remove scars
- Improve stress-related urinary incontinence
- Decrease back pain and improve posture
Patients who get a tummy tuck for purely cosmetic reasons report that it helps improve their self-confidence. And women who struggle to get back to their former selves post-pregnancy find that an abdominoplasty as part of a “mommy makeover” helps them look and feel their best.
Risks and Rewards of Abdominoplasty
Tummy tucks are popular, but they’re also major surgical procedures that require general anesthesia, take up to five hours or more to complete, and call for several weeks in recovery. Complications are rare, but diabetic patients in particular are more susceptible to problems like infections, as they are with most cosmetic surgery procedures.
Are Tummy Tucks Good for Weight Loss?
Only a certain amount of body fat is safe to remove during abdominoplasty, so the procedure shouldn’t be viewed as a weight-loss method. Plus, a tummy tuck doesn’t typically improve a person’s blood pressure, cholesterol level, or other obesity-related issues. Most doctors recommend changes to diet and lifestyle as safer, more practical ways to lose weight.
Is Abdominoplasty Right For You?
If you think a tummy tuck is the right decision for you, it’s time to consult with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about what’s involved with the procedure, how you should prepare for it, the risks involved, and what you should expect during recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about how a tummy tuck can deliver physical and psychological dividends that can last a lifetime.
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Autologous fat grafting (also referred to as autologous fat transfer or fat injection) transfers your body’s fat from one area to another to:
- Create volume
- Enhance contours
- Smooth depressions
It produces long-lasting results and is most commonly used for lip, buttock (Brazilian butt lift), and breast augmentation, as well as facial rejuvenation. It can also be used to fill out depressed scars on any part of your body.
Autologous Fat Grafting v. Liposuction
We’re often asked if fat grafting is the same as liposuction. The two procedures do focus on fat, but they offer different results.
- Liposuction removes fat from unwanted areas like the waist, hips, and thighs.
- Autologous fat grafting takes fat from one area of your body and places it where you want more fullness and shape, such as the breasts, buttocks, or face.
Some people choose to combine the two procedures, such as a facelift with fat grafting or liposuction with fat transfer to the buttocks or breasts.
Is Autologous Fat Grafting Safe?
Fat grafting is seen as a major breakthrough in reconstructive plastic surgery, with research involving over 50 studies showing it to be safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon.
During the procedure, fat is harvested from anywhere in your body, including the abdomen and flanks. The fat cells are then processed and transferred back into the body area you want to enhance. Approximately 60 to 70% of the transplanted fat cells typically survive and become permanent live cells in their new location.
Typical areas of fat augmentation include:
Breast Augmentation
Natural breast augmentation with fat transfer can enhance your breasts’ size, shape, and contour while eliminating the need for artificial breast implants. Women who choose augmentation say they love how the results are softer, subtler, and more natural-looking. The procedure is also a popular choice for breast reconstruction after surgery.
Buttocks
People who want to increase the size of their buttocks to achieve a more pleasing shape can choose fat grafting over implants. During the procedure, liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the thighs, hips, and lower back which is then strategically injected in small volume into the buttocks.
Face
Fat grafting is an effective way to transfer fat to facial areas that could benefit from volume and structural support. The procedure uses your own fat cells to restore fullness and support, improving the signs of aging. The most commonly treated areas are the undereye and cheeks, but some people use the procedure to treat other areas, such as the chin and eye creases.
Are You a Good Candidate for Autologous Fat Grafting?
Breast, buttock, and face augmentation are some of the most popular and frequently requested body-enhancing procedures. To learn more about whether autologous fat grafting is right for you, schedule an appointment to speak with one of the doctors at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery. We’ll answer any questions you might have and help determine if you’re a good candidate.
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