1. What kind of anesthesia will be used?

Most procedures are done under a general anesthetic, or with very heavy sedation and local anesthesia. Both methods are very safe. This portion of the procedure is administered by a board certified anesthesiologist. The goal is to provide you with the most comfortable setting and eliminate any sensation of pain. This will not only make your operative experience more pleasurable, it will also enhance your results.

2. How long will the anesthesia take to wear off?

Either sedation or a general anesthetic tend to wear off quickly. You will be awake and walking before you leave the office. You may tend to feel drowsy for the rest of the day and should rest quietly. By the first postoperative day, there should be no appreciable residual effect from the anesthesia of any type.

3. Where will the surgery be performed?

Most procedures are performed in the office surgical suite. The suite is a fully equipped, state accredited facility, structurally and functionally no different from a hospital operating room. The state laws governing these types of facilities, are functionally no different from the stringent requirements placed on any hospital. I take great pride in providing the safest possible environment for your procedure.

4. Do I need someone to bring me home and stay with me the first night?

You will need a ride home from the surgical facility. It will not be safe to drive yourself home no matter how awake you feel. It is generally a good idea to have someone with you the first night. Not so much that you will be incapacitated, but having help to the bathroom, or someone to bring you something to drink, is a good idea, and a comforting one to you as well.

5. When can I go back to work?

Each procedure has a different effect on the recovery period. Feel free to ask about your expected return to work date as it relates to the procedure you are going to have. Do not skimp in your planned time off, however. Allowing a realistic time period to recover without the pressures of work will make your overall experience more pleasurable.

6. When can I start exercising?

Staying in shape is a very healthy and wise practice. However, working up a sweat with vigorous exercise, can prolong the recovery period. It is generally advised to delay strenuous exercise for about three weeks. It may be less or more depending on the specific procedure that you choose. Do not hesitate to ask how long you should wait before resuming your exercise regimen as it relates to your surgery.

7. Will I have bruising?

There may be bruising associated with some procedures, but it tends to be minimal to moderate. The swelling and bruising however, rapidly dissipates within one to two weeks. Rarely does any bruising persist beyond that regardless of the procedure performed. Be sure to ask how much swelling and bruising to expect so that it may help guide the overall recovery process for you.

8. How long will the surgery take?

As you may imagine, the more work to be done, the longer it will take. Procedures take anywhere from one hour to 4 or 5 hours. You should have a realistic estimate of the time it takes by reviewing the specific procedures on the Website, or at the conclusion of your consultation.

9. When can I start wearing makeup?

Most facial procedures have sufficiently healed by 7 to 10 days to allow you to wear makeup again. There may be special circumstances, especially with laser treatments, that may require a little longer period of time to heal.

10. How long will it take for complete healing to take place?

Structural changes will be noticed immediately, and swelling and settling tens to resolve over a months time. You often will find yourself presentable within a week of most procedures, but the fine tuning make take several weeks to sort itself out. One useful way to think about it, is if you have ever cut yourself, think of how long that took to heal, and you will have reasonable estimate.

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