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These
topics address some of most frequently
asked general questions. If you have
procedure-specific questions, please
see the link to the procedure that you
interested in. You will find frequently
asked questions by procedure on those
pages.
If you cannot find your answer, feel free to contact
us with your question.
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Fees
and Insurance
We
collect all fees for aesthetic plastic surgery
prior to surgery. Costs depend on the
complexity of the operation, where the surgery
takes place and which anesthetic is administered.
Please note that in addition to the cost of
surgery (including the surgeon, facility and
anesthesia fees), there will likely be additional
fees for labs and medications required for
surgery. All fees and payment arrangements
and options will be discussed during the consultation
appointment.
As a rule, aesthetic plastic surgery is considered
elective and is not covered by most insurance
plans. If you have any questions about insurance
coverage, please ask during your consultation
appointment.
Scheduling
Surgery
We
want you to provide you with a wealth of information,
so that you can make a well-informed decision
to have surgery. You can expect that your consultation
will last anywhere from one to two hours in our
office, which will typically include a consultation
video on the procedure and a meeting with Dr.
Mills and one of our patient coordinators. At
this time, Dr. Mills will be gathering information
on your needs and expectations and giving you
his treatment recommendations. When you are ready
to schedule surgery, we will review our surgery
schedule to determine possible dates that will
fit into your schedule. There are certain times
of the year when the surgery schedule is very
busy and will determine how quickly you can have
your surgery. Upon scheduling surgery, we require
a non-refundable 25% deposit to hold the date.
At that time, we will schedule a preoperative
appointment about 2 weeks prior to surgery to
prepare you for surgery.
Surgical
Facilities and Anesthesia
Surgery
can be performed in a number of locations. Generally,
aesthetic plastic surgery takes place in a hospital
or an ambulatory surgery center. We perform the
majority of our cases at Oceanview Ambulatory
Surgery Center, Inc., which is a Medicare-certified
ambulatory surgery center adjacent to our office
suite. This facility meets strict health care
guidelines and is equipped with the latest in
surgical technology. Additionally, our surgical
facility is located next to South Coast Medical
Center .
For some aesthetic surgical procedures,
you will be given general anesthesia so that
you sleep through the entire operation. During
surgery, you will be carefully monitored by a
certified registered nurse anesthetist. In other
cases, a local anesthetic will be administered
to numb the area to be treated, along with a
sedative to relax you. Postoperative discomfort
is normally controlled with medication.
Risks
and Complications
Although
some of the procedures described appear to be
relatively simple operations, it is essential
for you to understand that aesthetic plastic
surgery, like all surgery, has risks.
Plastic surgeons perform thousands of successful
aesthetic procedures each week, but as with any
type of surgery, a patient can have an adverse
reaction to the anesthetic or be affected by
postoperative complications such as blood clots,
infection or poor healing. These problems can
occur even when the surgeon has performed the
operation with the utmost skill. Since smoking
may interfere with proper healing and aspirin
may increase the risk of excessive bleeding,
you will be advised to avoid them before and
after surgery. Occasionally, surgical revisions
may be desirable to achieve optimal results.
It is important for you to remember that aesthetic
plastic surgery molds and reshapes living tissue,
and the results are not absolutely predictable.
No surgeon can offer risk-free surgery or guarantee
a perfect result.
Recovering
From Your Surgery
During
your consultation and preoperative appointments,
we will inform you of any restrictions to your
normal activities following surgery. In general,
you should avoid strenuous exercise and other
activities that raise your blood pressure (including
bending) for several days to weeks after surgery.
It also takes time for the visible signs of healing
(e.g. bruising, swelling) to subside. Do not
expect to see the final results of your surgery
right away. Plan your social activities to allow
sufficient time for recovery.
Follow-up
Visits
Since
you are making an investment in your body or
face, we encourage you to come see us for routine
follow-up care. Some procedures will require
routine follow-up visits to monitor your progress
and healing. Please note that any follow-up visits
related to an aesthetic procedure are included
in your surgery fees. We encourage you to come
see us on an annual basis. For our out-of-town
patients, we encourage you to send us pictures
of your progress via email or regular mail. We
love to keep in touch with our patients.
Other
Considerations
The
results achieved in some aesthetic surgical procedures,
such as surgery of the nose, ears and chin, are
permanent. In others, particularly those that
diminish the effects of aging, results may be
long-lasting, but are not permanent.
Choosing
the Right Surgeon
As
with any surgery, the single most important factor
in the success of aesthetic plastic surgery is
the surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility
lightly. In most states, it is legal for any
physician who holds a medical license, with or
without surgical training, to advertise as a
plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That is why it is
essential for you to understand what makes a
surgeon qualified and research the qualifications
of any surgeon that you are considering. We recommend
that you conduct your own research to verify
training and experience and weigh your decision
carefully. There are a number of places and ways
to examine a surgeon's credentials and we encourage
you to check these out before having surgery.
•
Check for certification with the American
Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) |
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Certification
with the ABPS means that the surgeon
has obtained an undergraduate degree
and completed medical school, a minimum
three year approved surgery residency
and an additional two to three year
approved plastic surgery residency.
After completing these educational
requirements, the candidate has to
practice two years in plastic surgery
and pass rigorous written and oral
examinations administered by experienced
plastic surgeons. It is important to
note that the ABPS is the only nationally
recognized board by the American Board
of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify
the plastic surgery specialty. Do not
be confused by any other official-sounding
boards and certifications. Additionally,
there is no separate, ABMS-recognized
certifying board for cosmetic surgery.
If there is confusion about a surgeon's
board certification, you may consult
the ABMS Directory of Certified Medical
Specialists, which is available in
most libraries. |
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•
Check for membership in The American Society
of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) |
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The
ASAPS has the strictest requirements
of any plastic surgery organization for
protecting the public. All members of
this professional society are fully trained
in plastic surgery and are certified
by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
After medical school, applicants must
also have completed at least three years
of basic surgery training (usually general
surgery), then two to three years of
specialized plastic and reconstructive
surgery training. Recommendation
by the training Program Director is mandatory,
as well as passing both the oral and
written board examination. After
board approval, there is a two-year waiting
period before applications are accepted. The
majority of procedures that are performed
in the physician's practice must be aesthetic
procedures. From any patient's perspective,
membership in this society gives the
assurance that the surgeon has the training,
experience and background that will yield
a superior aesthetic result. |
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• Check
for membership in the American Society
of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) |
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Like
the ASAPS, the ASPS requires its members
to be certified by the American Board
of Plastic Surgery. The ASPS represents
the full scope of plastic and reconstructive
surgery and provides ongoing training
and support to its members. Both the
ASAPS and ASPS host annual meetings to
discuss the latest innovations and techniques
in plastic surgery. |
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• Check
the surgeon's hospital affiliations |
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All
qualified hospitals have been accredited
by the Joint Commission of Accreditation
of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO). An
appointment to a surgical staff of an
accredited hospital indicates that the
surgeon's capabilities and performance
have been reviewed and judged acceptable
by medical colleagues. Be sure that your
surgeon has hospital privileges to perform
the specific surgical procedure that
you are interested in, even if you plan
to have your surgery performed in an
ambulatory surgical center. |
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• Talk
candidly with the surgeon |
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After
you have checked a surgeon's credentials,
use the consultation appointment to ask
questions about the surgery and discuss
your expectations. A qualified and reputable
plastic surgeon will be happy to spend
time with you, answer your questions
and inform you of all the possible risks
and side-effects associated with surgery. |
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