The Web site www.realself.com provides patient reviews of many cosmetic surgery procedures. Among the highest ranking are abdominoplasty and breast reduction surgery. My Louisville and Lexington tummy tuck and breast reduction patients, like all of my cosmetic surgery patients, can achieve excellent results, but it often helps to get a broader perspective.

Why do I think these procedures are ranked so highly?

1. Breast reduction surgery does more than improve the way that women look. Overly large breasts are a burden both physically and emotionally, so breast reduction can actually improve health and overall quality of life.
2. A tummy tuck is often performed as part of a “mommy makeover,” paired procedures that can significantly improve a woman’s appearance after childbirth. After the joys, trials, and tribulations of motherhood, a procedure that restores a woman’s “pre-baby” body can also give her a fresh new outlook.

Also among the current most satisfying procedures (according to RealSelf) are LATISSE®, breast reduction, breast implants, facelift, and laser hair removal. Why do you think these procedures and treatments rank so highly compared to others?

Over 90% of cosmetic surgery patients polled in a recent study out of the UK had done some research about their procedure. Unfortunately, what most of them failed to do was conduct research about their surgeon. This lack of research has its repercussions – most notably, the study indicates that lack of research was closely linked to poor patient satisfaction.

This comes as no surprise to me. Most of my plastic surgery patients from Louisville and Lexington, KY do the necessary research, hear plenty about what to expect from me and my staff, and are happy with the results. But I can definitely see the consequences for people who make a rushed decision and don’t carefully evaluate their surgeon. Even if you choose the right procedure, one that can accomplish your cosmetic goals, the results depend entirely on the skill of the surgeon performing it.

What can you do? How about:

• Carefully examine credentials.
• Review the surgeon’s education and training.
• Establish that a surgeon is board-certified.
• Review before & after photographs of the surgeon’s work.
• Ask to read patient testimonials.
• Talk with friends or family members about their experiences with cosmetic surgeons.

What else did you do to educate yourself about your surgeon? Share your thoughts with fellow readers. As I tell my patients, do your research and odds are you’ll love your new look.

The case of the Argentinean beauty queen who passed away after cosmetic surgery has garnered international attention. A vibrant life cut short is always a tragedy. If you haven’t read about it, here are the details: Solange Magnano went in for a gluteoplasty (buttock enhancement) and died from a pulmonary embolism.

Besides the sympathy and sadness many people feel, there are also probably a lot of people considering cosmetic surgery who wonder, “Could that be me?” In particular, if you are considering liposuction, you may have heard that pulmonary embolism is one risk following surgery. I’d like to explain a little more about this news tragedy especially for my liposuction patients in Lexington and Louisville.

Although the risk of death after liposuction is low, pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of death following this procedure. The way it works is this: alteration in blood flow causes deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the deep veins of the legs). In the case of the pulmonary embolism, a clot travels to the main artery of the lung, where it blocks flow of blood to the lung, which can stop respiration and lead to death. Studies have suggested that liposuction may be among the cosmetic procedures most likely to lead to pulmonary embolism.

While it’s important to know and understand the risks of liposuction, keep in mind that U.S. surgeons are trained to take steps to minimize the formation of blood clots following surgery, including:

• Administration of anticoagulants such as heparin
• Compression
• Physical activity soon after surgery

An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will take every precaution to minimize complications associated with liposuction and will thoroughly discuss the risks with you. When performed correctly and with proper follow-up care, your liposuction procedure can be very safe and produce beautiful results.

By: Bradley Calobrace, MD

Recovery is a different process for each Louisville breast enhancement or augmentation patient, but after they have settled on an implant type and surgical approach, most women want to know how soon they can return to everyday activities. No patient should expect to follow a “typical” recovery exactly, but here is a very general time frame for breast augmentation recovery to help you develop specific questions to ask your surgeon as you plan your procedure.

A few days: If your Louisville plastic surgeon is using the latest techniques, you should be able to shower within three to five days of your procedure. Within the first few days some breast augmentation patients also are comfortable doing a few very light household tasks, though most doctors recommend that they wait a little longer in order to allow their muscles to heal more fully.

Week 1: About a week after surgery most women are ready to return to the workplace, though they may be away from the job longer if it is physically demanding. If your surgeon recommends a massage regimen, this will typically begin within the one or two weeks of surgery. Many of my patients also switch from prescription pain relief to over-the-counter medication during the first week. Most women are ready to start driving again by this point.

Weeks 2-3: Some patients are able to stop wearing their surgical bra during the day as early as the second or third week, though depending on the size of your breasts and your healing progress you may need to continue with the support bra for as many as 8 weeks. Most plastic surgeons in the Louisville area typically will recommend that patients continue to wear the support bra at night for an extended period to help keep the breasts from sagging.

Weeks 4-5: By the fifth week, any lingering “tingliness” should be almost or completely gone. Because each patient’s nervous system operates a little differently, some patients will continue to experience this sensation from time to time even after healing, while some patients will not experience it at all. Continued massage will help the breast implants settle into a natural-looking position.

Weeks 6-7: Most Louisville breast augmentation patients are able to get back into their full pre-procedure workout routine at this point. Gentle exercise can begin as early as the first week (moderate activities such as walking actually help the recovery process), but more strenuous workouts should be delayed until the muscles are thoroughly healed. Women who have not yet returned to wearing a “normal” bra during the day should feel comfortable doing so by this point.

By: Nana Mizuguchi, MD

Studies suggest that certain kinds of massage can help my Louisville area surgical patients increase immune function, promote tissue health, prevent unsightly scarring, and ultimately help ensure a faster recovery and smoother, healthier-looking surgical results. But how do you know whether these treatments are right for you?

The Rationale behind Post-Surgery Massage

As your surgical site heals after a Louisville breast augmentation, liposuction, or other cosmetic surgery procedure, it is very important that you maintain good blood circulation and lymph flow within your tissues so that they can heal quickly and avoid forming scars.

Certain types of Louisville massage treatments help stimulate tissue and skin health and encourage lymphatic function, and some studies suggest that post-procedure massages also help your immune system and promote healthier tissue during recovery.

Treatments may begin within weeks or days of your surgery and generally fall into either of two categories:

• Massages you perform for yourself, as instructed by your surgeon
• Massages you receive from a medical professional, as recommended by your surgeon

Is Post-Surgical Massage Right for You?

Unfortunately, I can offer no “universal” recommendation for post-surgical massage because no surgeon’s technique and no patient’s body is exactly the same as another. However, I can give you a general idea of the kinds of massage that may be right for my patients:

Breasts: During the first week after breast augmentation, my Louisville patients typically will need to massage their breasts gently to minimize swelling and help the implants settle naturally.

Face: Many facial surgery patients should actually avoid facial massage or other Louisville, Kentucky medical spa treatments for a certain period after surgery because of the delicate nature of their procedure.

Body: While some body contouring patients may find post-surgical massage helpful, I generally recommend it only for specific patients, depending on the type and extent of their procedure.

As with any recovery recommendation, this treatment will not substitute for a skilled surgeon and appropriate postsurgical care, and is only effective when taken together with other recovery “musts” such as good nutrition, plenty of sleep, and healthy hygiene.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery near Louisville and think massage is right for you, the best thing you can do is to ask your Kentucky plastic surgeon about it directly. Remember that for some surgeons and procedures, the benefits of postsurgical massage are limited, and your surgeon may be able to recommend other treatments or helpful practices that stimulate faster recovery in different ways.