My experience with cosmetic procedures

When I was about 13 years old, my grandfather suggested that I get a rhinoplasty (nose job). I have a “flat” nose and he thought a bridge would make my face appear more attractive. As a quick disclaimer, I know that he loves me and does not think I am ugly. It was just the norm in the world he lived in. In fact, he performed my grandmother’s rhinoplasty! Therefore, trust, access, and finances were not the issue. But I declined the surgery because my nose did not bother me, and it was not my priority.

A few years later, I decided to “fix” my teeth. There was nothing wrong with it’s functionality or health, but some areas were not aligned, and some were naturally small compared to my jaw size and other teeth.

You could argue that this process was much more involved than a rhinoplasty. Typically, a rhinoplasty is a 2-3 hour procedure with 4-6 weeks of healing time. My teeth took 9 months of braces with regular appointments and painful adjustments. The braces caused swelling of my gums, which required an even more painful gum resection procedure to improve the appearance of my smile. I then had to get scans to send to the lab who made my veneers that the dentist attached to my “little” teeth. Let’s not forget the cost! Orthodontic work and cosmetic dentistry are not cheap! But it was important to me and I had it done!

Fast forward almost 20 years…

I didn’t think twice about my teeth until about a month ago when one of my veneers broke off. After it happened, I was distraught and self-conscious. I didn’t like any of my pictures, I was hesitant to smile or open my mouth in public, and I was even reluctant to go on a fun trip with my little sister because I didn’t want our photos ruined by my tooth. And while my self-acclaimed “flaw” is something most people probably would not even notice, getting my tooth reconstructed again boosted my confidence and overall mood.

My tentative smiles are long gone, and I don’t cringe at my pictures. I feel ready to tackle any challenges that come my way and chores that I have been putting off. Once again, I am open to trying new things and being social. I feel motivated to exercise. I feel outgoing, cheerful, and optimistic.

Here’s my two cents!

So, if you’re reading this and considering cosmetic work, I say go for it! Whether it’s cosmetic dentistry, botox, fillers, plastic surgery, a trip to the salon – you’ll never feel more like your true, jovial self!

And if your loved one is considering cosmetic work and talks to you about it, support them! It’s not just superficial. They will feel happy and confident. I’ll even bet that all the things you already love about them will shine through for the rest of the world to see!

Click here for the original blog post written by Jan Ramiro for BuildMyHealth.

The post Why cosmetic procedures aren’t just for the shallow at heart! first appeared on Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery.

Travel after surgery: is it safe?

One of the more curious questions I get is whether it’s safe to fly after a breast augmentation. I think they’re asking because at higher elevations, the atmospheric pressure is lower so maybe the implants could expand and pop? I’m guessing here so I welcome comments below as to the reasoning behind this question. Regardless, it’s not true.

Modern airplanes have pressurized cabins so the atmospheric pressure isn’t changing. More importantly, even if the atmospheric pressure did change, I’m guessing it would have to change a lot (as in going into space without a pressurized cabin) for the implants to expand enough to pop. But if you’re in that situation, the state of your implants is probably not the most pressing issue!

The other concern about traveling after surgery which may not be obvious, is the risk of sitting for long periods of time. Whether you’re in a car or plane, sitting or being sedentary can lead to blood clots in the legs. This is known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These blood clots, in the worst of circumstances, can break loose and travel to the heart and lungs. That can lead to shortness of breath, damage to the lung or even block the heart leading to sudden death.

To avoid these blood clots forming during your surgery, your doctor will place sequential compression devices (SCD’s) on your legs. SCD’s squeeze the leg veins, release the chemical nitric oxide and keep the blood flowing rather than clotting. After surgery, at home, or when traveling, simply get up and walk around to exercise your legs. Walking is the most effective way to decrease your risk of forming blood clots. So on a long road trip, stop frequently at a rest stop and walk around. And if you’re flying, wait for the fasten seat belt sign to turn off and walk about the cabin!

Again, as long as you’re feeling well, your incisions are healing nicely, there’s no carte blanche prohibition against traveling after surgery. But of course, ask your surgeon just to be safe. And if you’re looking for a doctor near you, as well as their pricing, click here.

Click here for the original blog post written by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan for BuildMyBod.

The post How soon can I travel after surgery? first appeared on Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery.

Tax season officially culminates tomorrow, April 15th (or maybe technically April 18th this year) when you file your taxes. And let’s just assume you’re filing your taxes on time! Aside from getting past the anxiety of taxes, this is actually a great time of year. Why? Because this is the time to get that mommy makeover or aesthetic touchup that you’ve been considering.

What’s so great about tax season?

As you might imagine, tax season can also mean a tax refund. Sure you can put that money away for a rainy day or pay off some debt but who are we kidding?! As Americans we don’t feel alive unless we’re spending that money even before it lands in our pocket! So if you really don’t have more important bills or loans to tend to, cosmetic surgery is certainly a reasonable investment in yourself. My apologies if my glib perspective is not conducive to a responsible financial attitude.

In addition to having the funds to pay for a cosmetic procedure, April is a great month for cosmetic improvements. Pretty much any cosmetic surgery to the breasts, abdomen or booty are well healed within about 6 weeks. That doesn’t mean you can’t go back to work for 6 weeks. You can return to your normal routine within days or a couple weeks depending on your comfort level. I’m referring to 6 weeks since that’s about how long it takes for the incisions to heal well enough that they can be submerged in water.

Why water? Because 6 weeks after the month of April is summer time! In other words, getting a procedure in April will allow you to be healed in time for vacation. So now you have the motivation and the money in April, right after tax season. What are you going to do?

To check pricing on a procedure from Dr. Kaplan, click here.

Click here for the original blog post written by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan for BuildMyBod.

The post Why tax season is the time to schedule your cosmetic surgery first appeared on Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery.

Check smokers’ compliance

There are urine and blood tests that can screen for the by-products of nicotine to ensure compliance.

While patients think they’re supposed to quit smoking due to the risks of lung cancer, which is true, the main problem when it comes to surgery is not smoking, it’s the nicotine.

So I’m clear with the patient that not only do they need to quit smoking, they need to quit all forms of nicotine (patches, gum, dip, cigs, cigars) since the nicotine impedes the normal ability to heal incisions. Incisions that don’t heal well can trap bacteria and lead to infection.

If a patient states they can only stop temporarily, I require they quit 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.

Sure it’s possible for a patient to lie and “fool” me and get their surgery. But in the end, they’re only fooling themselves if they risk an infection for an operation they just paid out of pocket for.

After you quit smoking, check pricing for procedures from Dr. Kaplan by clicking here!

Click here for the original blog post written by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan for BuildMyBod.

The post Smokers and Surgery first appeared on Plastic Surgeon San Francisco | Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery.