ARE PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES REVERSIBLE?
Permanent is a scary word. That word has scared away many grooms, has kept men and women from portraying the love they have for one another via a tattoo and often discourages us from getting that plastic surgery procedure that we have been dreaming of for years. The thoughts of not being able to reverse our decision, should it not turn out perfectly, makes us nauseous. The what-ifs of the results overshadow the excitement, and sometimes necessity, of making a change for the better. Some can overcome their fears easier than others. Some miss out on one of the best things that they could ever do for themselves because they can’t get over that one word: Permanent.
Is this you? Did you see that word and cringe? It’s ok. We know it can be a little scary and we want to help. We have some information that is going to help you on your journey to plastic surgery. It may take baby steps, but you can do it!
Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic procedures such as Botox, injectable fillers like Juvederm and Radisse, and laser treatments are considered temporary, which means the effects will eventually wear off. After several months, you can easily go back to the look you had before or continue with additional treatments that will help you to maintain your new look. It is completely up to you. If you are looking for body contouring procedures, there are also non-invasive options such as Coolsculpting that you can use to get rid of those stubborn fat deposits.
This is the perfect place to start if you are not sure about a permanent solution or surgery. After a few Botox injections, you may be ready for a facelift. You may decide you want something with more pronounced results, like Liposuction or a tummy tuck, after seeing how amazing you look after your Coolsculpting procedure. Think of it as test driving a car. You take it out for a couple of hours and see if it is a great fit for you. Then, you decide if you want to buy it!
Revision
When you do something surgical to your body, it will be changed. Period. The good thing is, if you are not happy with your look, it can be revised. We will use a breast augmentation as an example. You thought you wanted to be a Double D cup, but now that you have them, you realize a full C would work better for you. While you may not be able to go back to exactly how you looked before the surgery, you can have a breast revision. The implant can be removed and replaced with a smaller one, or you may choose to not have the implant replaced.
Procedures that are easy to reverse in general
Any procedure that doesn’t reach too deep inside the structure of your skin, and procedures that require only small incisions are among the easiest ones to bring back. Lip augmentations, simple eye surgeries, earring hole surgeries and minor skin lifts are generally reversible to a great extent. This is because they do not make big changes on your body to begin with, which means that only a small portion of your skin was used to make the changes. You have no doubt already noticed that the skin is mentioned a lot when it comes to surgery, and this is because your skin has the ability to heal, meaning that is closes holes and incisions, but it does not have the ability to ‘grow’ back in terms of its length. So as long as you haven’t changed the general structure of your skin in that particular area, you generally don’t have much to think about when it comes to the reversal process.
How to Remove Cosmetic Enhancements
Here are the methods to reverse certain cosmetic procedures:
Lip/Cheek Fillers – Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane last anywhere from three months to two years. However, patients who want to remove the fillers can receive injections of hyaluronidase which is an enzyme that breaks down the filler volume in the treated area. The removal of the filler does not always produce an even look and patients might see some asymmetry in the results. In addition, there might be some excess wrinkles and skin if a lot of filler is removed at one time. There are other fillers, such as Radiesse and Sculptra, that cannot be removed but they will eventually fade on their own
Cheek Implants – Cheek implants can be removed more easily than fillers because the doctor is able to make an incision that allows him, or her, to remove the implant. Patients should be aware that cysts can form in the spots where the implants are removed and there is always a chance of infection after the removal is performed.
Breast Implants – Since implants only last around 10-15 years, they will need to be replaced at some point in the future. There are some women who decide to have them removed altogether due to health or aesthetic reasons. It should be noted that the process of removing an implant is often harder than placing the implant in the correct position. Due to the removal of the implant, the breasts can often look uneven following the surgery. This uneven appearance can lead to a new set of implants being placed or a breast lift being performed on the patient.
Butt Implants – Since the patient needs to be face down during buttock implant surgery, the procedure is actually considered to be more challenging than the removal of breast implants. The surgeon does go through the same incision that the implant was inserted into on the body of the patient. Depending on the size of the implant that was first placed by the surgeon, there might be a saggy appearance or some drooping in the buttocks following the removal process. Some doctors recommend a more involved procedure called a capsulectomy where the surgeon removes the hard area that may have formed around the implant. This procedure is often advised thanks to its ability to prevent problems such as cysts. Patients should consult with a board-certified surgeon to determine the best procedure to achieve the desired results.
Tips to mentally prepare yourself for plastic surgery
So you’ve decided to pursue the plastic surgery procedure you’ve always wanted. It’s an exciting time and there’s lots to do to get ready.
But have you prepared yourself mentally for what’s to come? At Northeastern Plastic Surgery, we have seen that patients who are both physically and mentally prepared for surgery experience the best outcomes. Here are 8 tips to help you get in the right frame of mind before surgery.
Know All the Facts.
Learn the facts about the surgery including what it takes to prepare, what’s actually involved with the procedure, and what your recovery will be like. The more knowledge you have, the more relaxed and confident you can be throughout the process.
Have Realistic Expectations.
How much are you expecting your appearance to change as a result of the procedure? Setting your expectations too high will only lead to disappointment. Your surgeon should be upfront about the results you can expect to achieve. If your surgeon is making big promises that seem too good to be true, then it may be time to find another surgeon.
Check Your Motives.
Check in with yourself to make sure that you are having the surgery because it’s what you want and not what other people want. Plastic surgery creates permanent changes to your appearance, so be sure you know the reasons why you’re doing it before you commit.
Develop Patience for Final Results.
Realize that you won’t look like a brand-new person the day you come out of surgery. You may be bruised, swollen, and bandaged. As your body heals over weeks and months, the results of the surgery will come into view. Be patient if you aren’t completely satisfied with the results. With some procedures, like nose reshaping, it can take several months or even a year for your nose to settle into its final shape.
Start Healthy Habits.
Physical health can help improve mental health. The weeks leading up to your surgery, start developing simple healthy habits. Go for walks, drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce alcohol consumption, stop smoking, and get plenty of sleep. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re in good physical condition before having surgery.
Always Speak Up.
You don’t want to go into surgery with any unanswered questions lingering in the back of your mind. So be sure to speak up if you are unsure about anything during any step of the process. A professional and caring board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Fodero, will be happy to address your concerns and make sure all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction.
Expect the Post-Surgery “Blues”
You may feel depressed, regretful, unmotivated, or “blue” for about a week after surgery. This is completely normal. Your body has just experienced a trauma. These feelings are the body’s way of keeping you still and quiet as you recover. Know that these feelings are temporary. If the depression doesn’t lift, or gets worse, then see your primary care physician.
Find a Surgeon You Trust.
Probably the most important thing you can do to be mentally prepared is to choose a skilled surgeon you trust who is board-certified in plastic surgery. When you meet with your potential surgeon, make sure they’re really listening to your needs and concerns. Nothing can beat the peace of mind that comes with trusting your surgeon to do what’s best for you.