Common Fears About Facial Plastic Surgery
It’s OK to be nervous whether you are considering something simple like trying Botox or Dysport for the first time or thinking about something more life-changing like a facelift or eyelid surgery.
We understand your fears and want to highlight some of the top concerns we see from patients. The first 3 (pain, anesthesia, and looking “done”) are by far the most common fears, but they are not the only concerns that patients have.
Pain
This is always a concern for patients who have not yet had a certain procedure. With surgery and even many non-surgical treatments there can be some degree of discomfort, but we take several steps to minimize this including:
- topical numbing cream
- cold compresses
- taking time with our patients
- having a calm and relaxed office
- gentle and precise technique
For more invasive surgical procedures, we find that most patients expect to look and feel much worse than they actually do. It is true that after a facelift, for example, you can look rough for a few days with the normal swelling and bruising, but it is not a painful process. Speak with a patient who has had the procedure and you will almost always find that their experience was far easier than they imagined it would be.
Anesthesia
The fear of the unknown is at the root of this concern, and it stems from problems with the safety of “going under” that people remember from many years ago. Over the past 2 decades there have been tremendous advances in the field of Anesthesiology, and it is one of the most regimented and precise of all medical specialties today.
General anesthesia and IV sedation are both incredibly safe, but there is still some risk associated with anesthesia for any surgical procedure. With careful patient selection and good safe techniques the risks are minimized, and you should feel comfortable that you are in good hands before, during, and after your procedure. For procedures requiring sedation, Dr. Rodwell only uses board-certified MD Anesthesiologists who are in the operating room with you every second of the procedure.
Looking Plastic
Nobody notices good facial plastic surgery!
“Just don’t make me look like ________________.”
Just fill in the blank with the name of any of the many celebrities with horrible results. That fear of looking done or plastic is because we only notice the bad examples that we see on TV or around town, and believe us there are plenty of bad examples out there. What were they thinking?!
Finding the right doctor who shares your aesthetic sense is a crucial step in avoiding looking plastic. The next part of that is finding someone who will take the time to listen to your concerns and actually understand your goals instead of offering a one-size-fits-all solution. Finally, your surgeon must have a firm understanding of the limitations of certain procedures. When a surgeon tries to tighten too much or make changes that alter someone’s appearance instead of enhancing it you start to get results that never should have happened in the first place.
You and your surgeon need to be on the same page with the expectations of what is and is not possible or appropriate.
Cost
When deciding on the best treatment for a patient we always try to first understand the problems then choose the best medically or surgically appropriate treatment options. This should never be guided by money, but the realities of cost do play an important role and need to be considered once the appropriate treatment options are identified.
This is not like bargain hunting at Wal-Mart.
Facial plastic surgery is not a product or a commodity. The cost involved sometimes includes expenses related to fillers, Botox, or cutting edge medical technology, and it always involves the skill and experience of individuals who have spent many years fine tuning their techniques and skill set to be able to safely and confidently offer you the right treatment. Working with a patient to enhance the appearance of her face ups the stakes even more and is one of many reasons why you should always trust your face to a specialist.
Finding the Right Doctor
This is one of the most important decisions you will make because it affects all of the issues we just discussed and so many more. A facial plastic surgeon must be competent with precise technique, but there is more to it than that. You need someone you can trust.
Facial plastic surgery relies heavily on developing a long-lasting relationship with your surgeon and the office staff. The patient experience is a critical part of that because you are much more than just a before and after result.
Dr. David Rodwell specializes in facial cosmetic surgery including facelifts and eyelid surgery as well as Botox and fillers. To learn more about your options and what to expect after these procedures call our office at (843) 628-1415 to schedule a private consultation.