Nowadays, breast augmentation surgery offers wide options to those who are eager to get “new breasts”. Women can choose to have firm or soft, teardrop-shaped or melon-like breasts.  Breast surgeries can both enhance and also lift breasts. The choice depends on your preference, though sometimes women prefer to have both procedures.

Post-surgical care is important regardless of the type of breast augmentation surgery. Here are some tips on what type of bra you should buy after your breast augmentation surgery.

Buy a soft bra with no underwire to wear during the post-surgical recovery period. A sports bra is ideal after surgery. Your breasts will swell after the procedure, so you will need a larger bra than your real size requires. Since most breast augmentation surgeons do not measure breasts in terms of cup sizes, they will generally be unable to determine in advance what size bra you will need.

In some cases, your doctor might recommend a compression bra that will be pressed on the surface of the skin, thereby reducing the physical volume of the breast and the surrounding area.

Underwire bras should be avoided until your breasts have completely healed.

After the swelling has gone and your breasts are completely healed, you will need a professional bra fitting to determine your new bra size. Most lingerie stores offer free bra measurements. Bra shopping after breast surgery is really an exciting time. Try on different styles of bras and don’t be afraid to experiment!

If you have come to a decision to change your breast size or shape and obtain the breasts you have always dreamed of, contact board certified Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vartany.

To avoid possible post-rhinoplasty depressions, one should have realistic expectations and a clear idea of the procedure. Schedule a consultation with your Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon to learn what post-surgical affects you may expect. Expect swelling for at least two weeks and always remember that rhinoplasty is not considered complete until about a year later. There are certain surgical alternatives, such as non-invasive injections which help to alleviate some concerns.

Deciding on whether to undergo a rhinoplasty operation or not can become much easier in case you have discussed all your concerns during the consultation. A thorough skin exam is necessary before the surgical procedure.

Once surgery is completed and the healing period is over, the result will most likely be the much desired nose. With modern techniques as well as tried historical methods, chances of success are very high. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons before making your final decision.

Training

The knowledge and skills level of a plastic surgeon mostly depends on where he/she has received training. As a rule, good training institutes are run by renowned hospitals and provide complete training in the sculpting and handling of skin tissues.

Experience

Experience is what makes a surgeon “good” or “bad’”. Rhinoplasty surgery is an extremely versatile industry where new changes are introduced everyday and therefore it is of utmost importance for the surgeon to stay updated not only academically, but also practically.

Hospitality and communication with patients

Most rhinoplasty surgeons may have showy clinics at first sight, but when it comes to hospitality and proper communication with patients, things are quite different.

Before and after photos

Go through the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of previous clients. This will give you a general overview of the surgeon’s esthetic style, as well as an idea of actual surgical outcomes by that particular nose job surgeon. Many rhinoplasty surgeons have a ’signature nose’ that they perform. This means that many of their patients come out looking very similar in terms of the appearance of the nose. Make sure your surgeon’s photo gallery does not include “signature” noses only.

Rhinoplasty testimonials

Take a look at the testimonials from other patients that had rhinoplasty by that surgeon. Speaking to some of the surgeon’s past rhinoplasty patients is also helpful to gain insight into their experience.

1.    Start saving money before the procedure and pay upfront

This is the best and most profitable way which saves you money in the long term since you won’t have to pay interest. In this case, rhinoplasty would cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on how much work you need to be done. If you just need a tip job, you can pay as little as $2,000. Some rhinoplasty surgeons may also require consultation fees which fluctuate between $50 to $100.

2.     Borrow money from a relative

The next option is borrowing money from a friend or a relative. Though this method may work only for some people, it has a huge advantage: there is no interest! Besides, you can expect your friends and relatives to be more lenient than a financing company.

3.     Turn to a financing company

There are financing companies that specialize in funding rhinoplasty surgery and other plastic surgery operations. The main disadvantage of turning to financial companies is that interest rates may be high. To lesson your financing burden you may overpay the minimum each month, which in the long run will cut down the interest rate.

Talk to your Beverly Hills rhinoplasty surgeon about  cosmetic surgery financing. He/she will recommend you the best option.

4.     Find out whether your case may be covered by insurance or not

Sometimes your health insurance might cover the procedure in case you need to fix your nose for health considerations i.e., if you have breathing problems or other health problems related to your nose.

Schedule a free consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Vartany to discuss your financial options in details.

This technology allows the plastic surgeon and the patient to reach a mutual understanding of goals and expectations. However, it is important to realize that imaging, no matter how realistic and reasonable it is, is for simulation only and the final results may vary from the simulation.  No reputable Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon will ever guarantee a specific result. Computer imaging simply ensures that you and your surgeon share a common surgical goal and helps to establish the ideal aesthetic outcome. For example, a patient who has a moderately enlarged nose but a small chin, with the help of imaging, may find that what he/she actually desires is a conservative rhinoplasty and chin augmentation for facial balance rather than an intensive reduction rhinoplasty.

To visualize the post-rhinoplasty results the surgeon will take photos of your nose from different angles, download those images into the imaging software and with the help of a morphing program, manipulate the images to show the potential plastic surgery results. With this technology patients and surgeons can review different surgical options. After the imaging is complete, the surgeon will print a copy of the imaging for the patient and keep another copy to review on the operating day.

Computer imaging is also helpful for those patients who are considering nose surgery but are not totally sure whether rhinoplasty is for them or not, since it allows them to see the potential surgical results before making their final decision.

Rhinoplasty surgery has certain age requirements. Of course, these requirements are flexible and may vary from person to person. The general minimum age rule is that the rhinoplasty surgery should not be done on a nose that is still growing. In the majority of cases, the minimum age for teenage girls to receive rhinoplasty surgery is 14 or 15 years.

The minimum age for teenage boys to receive nose surgery is usually 16 or 17 because they continue growing into their later teenage years. Again, every individual is unique and each case should be considered separately by the  Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon.

Though the tendency to undergo rhinoplasty during the teenage years is sometimes criticized, it can actually be a better choice than receiving the procedure in later years of life because the skin is still very flexible and accepts the restructuring and reshaping of the nose more effectively.

Later in life, rhinoplasty surgery can be a little more difficult to endure. Therefore, if a teenager experiences any kind of discomfort from the shape of his/her nose, there is no need to wait any longer since undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure at a young age alleviates not only the rhinoplasty recovery, but also the feeling of dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance.

• the surgeon’s skill level/experience

• the extent and complication of the rhinoplasty procedure

• the geographic location of where the surgery is performed

Only after examining your nose and discussing with you your needs and expectations, can your surgeon tell you the exact cost of rhinoplasty.

Primary nose job costs range from $3,000 to $8,000. The cost comprises of 3 fees: anesthesia fee (ranging from $600 to $1,000), facility fee (ranging from $700 to $1,100) and surgical fee (this fee is difficult to determine since it depends on such factors as the surgeon’s experience, training, skills).

Revision rhinoplasty costs are much higher than primary rhinoplasty costs since revision rhinoplasty requires much more knowledge and experience and is more complex than primary nose jobs. The costs range from $10,000 to $15,000.

Choosing a board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon from the American Board of Plastic Surgery is an essential factor for a successful nose surgery and achieving satisfying results.  Since board certification requires specific and thorough surgical education and training, certified surgeons may require higher fees. However, opting for such a surgeon will increase your odds of success and reduce the risk of complications as you will receive the most appropriate treatment.

The type of certification is also important. There are more than 150 self-designated boards, but few of them (e.g. the American Board of Plastic Surgery) are designated by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

As mentioned above, the extent of the nose surgery also influences the cost of rhinoplasty, e.g. a slight modification or reduction to the point of the nose requires less surgical time and fee than narrowing the bridge or a complete change of the nose shape.

The cost of rhinoplasty may be partially covered by insurance if the procedure is a medical necessity. However, if rhinoplasty is done for purely cosmetic reasons, then it is not covered by insurance.

Nowadays everyone seeks to have perfect facial features and a small, attractive nose. The only way to achieve this, is through facial surgery and rhinoplasty.

A nose that does not correspond to the today’s beauty standards may turn one’s life towards the negative. Poor self-estimate and constant thoughts of being ugly and unattractive may restrain someone from his/her normal social activities. Usually such people spend hours in front of the mirror looking at their nose, thus exaggerating the problem and becoming more and more withdrawn. They tend to hate their nose and perceive it as the root of their failures.

If all the above described is familiar to you, then it is time to seriously consider nose surgery and to discuss it with your family.

The next step will be a consultation with a board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon. He/she will examine you, discuss your expectations and explain what changes can be made during the procedure. The cost of the nose surgery, as well as the recovery period, will also be explained.

Generally a nose job takes between one to two hours to complete. You can return to work in 10-14 days after surgery, though full rhinoplasty recovery takes longer.

Rhinoplasty may be a life-changing event, especially if you’ve been unhappy with your nose for a long time. You will feel yourself to be much more attractive and confident. Your new nose won’t change who you are, but it will change the way you feel about yourself.

Many patients may have a strong feeling of sadness, fatigue and a general loss of interest. These psychological post-effects begin approximately three days after surgery, when the appearance is not yet satisfying, and which can last more than two weeks.

The other main factors that cause depression after rhinoplasty are medications, post-surgical traumatic stress syndrome, constipation from the medications, as well as the inability to return to normal activities for some time. The adjustment to the new look, the reactions of family and friends and financial stress may lead to self-accusing thoughts and make the depression after rhinoplasty more severe.

Here are a few ways that may help to cope with post-rhinoplasty depression.

Find Support

Reach out to people who are in a similar situation. Read about other people’s experiences. Remember that you are not alone; there are many other people who are in the same situation as you.

Talk To Your Surgeon

Talk to your plastic surgeon about your worries, e.g. he/she may refer you to a counselor or to his/her previous patients to whom you may talk.

Family

Talk to your family about your feelings, post-surgical emotions and the way you feel about your new appearance. Clear up any misunderstanding with your children and your partner.

Exercise

Try to exercise for at least twenty minutes a day. It is very good for you because it helps to stimulate productions of endorphins and increase your blood circulation which makes you feel much better.

Generally, the rhinoplasty surgeon creates a nasal pocket into which the specially designed implant is inserted. Normally, sutures or a tight fitted pocket are used for holding these implants in the appropriate place. After the  plastic surgery, the patient has to wear a nasal splint for a week to keep the implant in the correct place.

Oftentimes, nasal augmentation is accompanied by the reduction of the nostrils or the flare of the nasal ala. To accomplish this, an incision is made in the nasal alar crease, the excess ala is removed, and the size of the nostril opening is reduced.

Sometimes nasal “strut grafts” are used to increase the height and projection of the nasal tip. Grafts are also used in the pre-maxilla, or the area between the nose and the upper lip, in order to reduce the appearance of a sunken mid-face.
Nasal augmentation is an outpatient surgery. It is performed under sedation or with general anesthesia and takes about one hour. Usually the patients are able to return to their everyday activities within one to two days.

In general nasal augmentation is a rather safe procedure. The nasal implant surgeries that carry a high risk for complications are revision surgeries. Because of prior multiple surgeries the circulation to the nasal skin is sub-optimal, thus there is a higher chance for implant extrusion or displacement, skin breakdown, infection, and scarring.

The best way of minimizing complications associated with nasal implant surgery is to use autologous grafts when possible and to look for a board-certified Los Angeles plastic surgeon with adequate experience in nasal implant surgery.