FAQ

When to look for a plastic surgeon?
Is the plastic surgery superfluous?
What are the complications that may arise and risks?
What results to expect?
Exams and pre-surgical evaluations
Anesthesia
Recovering from the surgery
When will I see the final results?
Scars
Health Insurance Plans and Fees

When to look for a plastic surgeon?

A few patients may think that a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon should be done only after all other alternatives are not successful or do not produce the desired effect. Others may feel miserable for long periods with a physical problem, and don’t know that this problem may be quite easy to fix as they are reluctant to ask for help because of fear or inhibitions. Consult a Plastic Surgeon. He has the medical and scientific education to assist you. He has the professional experience and criteria to suggest the best treatment for your problem. It doesn’t mean that he’ll prioritize surgery as the primary and single option for your treatment.  A consultation with an Aesthetic plastic surgery specialized professional is a great investment. It will make you gain time, save money and most importantly give you the chance to overcome the frustration of living with a problem than may have a simpler solution that you could ever imagine.

Is plastic surgery superfluous?

It’s very common having people complain about a small detail in their body that causes discomfort. It may be just a tiny issue, caused by genetics, natural aging, weight alteration, pregnancy, or other factors that can end up affecting a patient’s psychological or social well being. It may happen to you and not always be well accepted or understood by the people surrounding you. Friends and family tend to think everything is perfect the way it is. You, and only you, know how much that tiny detail may be disturbing.  What you may not know is that the UN, the United Nations, through the World Health Organization, agrees with this premise. This is how they define perfect health:

“Perfect health is defined by human’s physical and psychological well being”

And that’s exactly where Plastic Surgery may help, integrating mind and body, giving your self esteem a well desired boost. Searching for solutions to fix an aesthetic physical discomfort is an absolutely normal well being pursuit as well as an accomplishment for the best possible integration with your social environment.

What are the complications that may arise and risks?

Like in any other medical area, every surgery has risks. Although Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is considered low risk for two main reasons:

·         It’s a surgery of choice, that is, with no urgency. It allows patients to be meticulously evaluated and selected prior to the procedure. Any responsible surgeon may refuse to operate high risk patients that are not be in their best health conditions.

·         Safety is always a primary element taken into consideration and in many cases the surgeon will refuse to have several procedures done at the same time despite the patient’s requests. Many patients think that several procedures at the same time are simple and practical, but the surgeon will not perform a surgery that puts the patient in risk.

What to expect?

No doctor has the power to foresee results. Medicine is not an exact science and is subject to many variable factors.

A plastic surgeon cannot guarantee that the scar will be perfect or that your body will have a predictable reaction. It is possible though for a well trained, honest, ethic and experienced surgeon to give you a reasonable margin of result for each case, although occasional unpredictable factors that may affect the results positively or negatively may arise.

Always keep this in mind as you make your decision. Your expectations must be real and not illusionary.

 

Be wary of those who promise fast or perfect results as well as the promise he’s the only physician able to provide you with that result. Get other opinions, and suggestions. It’s the best way to guarantee you’ll have scientifically proved information.

Exams and evaluation before the surgery

In most of the cases, basic lab exams and your own report are satisfactory tools for your evaluation before the surgery.  But different procedures request particular examinations. If you are being treated by a physician, in many situations, Dr. Froes will request an authorization from him to perform your surgery. In other cases, Dr Froes himself will refer you to your primary care physician or a specialist to analyze any possible risk associated with your procedure. Even if this represents a time delay for the surgery, rest assured that it’s a decision regarding your own safety.

If you are examined and do not present a satisfactory physical or mental conditions for a surgical procedure at the moment, you may re-schedule it for the future, once the safety issues and risks have been completely addressed by the doctor.

Anesthesia

There are several anesthesia options for each procedure. Anesthesia may be straight local, local with sedation, epidural with sedation or general anesthesia. The anesthesia will be chosen according to the technique applied for your procedure. Whenever possible, you may choose your preference but the main criteria of choice will always be your safety, followed by your personal comfort, as the doctor will try to make it the most pleasant experience.

Your anesthesiologist is someone Dr. Froes trusts completely and his credentials have been closely scrutinized. The anesthesiologist will be informed of your case prior to the surgery and in many cases he may even request a consultation with you before the procedure.  The anesthesiologist has always the freedom of choice to choose best type of anesthesia and he has the power of authority to postpone the procedure if he feels there’s any risk at that moment.

How is the recovery period?

The recovery period varies according to each procedure and to each body’s reaction. Swollenness, pain, and bruises may happen. The initial visual aspect may not be very pleasant to you either. Scar tissue needs to be taken into consideration as an important element since it varies according to each person and each surgery.

Every patient has his own personal needs and expectations. Many don’t mind going back to work even with a few bruises. Many others require perfect appearance in order to make a public appearance. Instead of a ready made answer that fits all, the best way to decide on your surgery is to talk to your doctor about your needs and decide together best time for your procedure.

When will I see the final results?

Expectations to see immediate and final results are completely normal after a plastic procedure. You look at yourself in the mirror repeatedly and your friends and family keep reminding you about the results. But Plastic Surgery is not magic but a medical procedure. There’s a recovery period that varies according to each surgery and your body’s ability to recover, and that may take days, weeks or months. The final result is not immediate. The time length may be long, despite your will and eagerness. It is very important that you prepare yourself to face this recovery period and be patient.

Scars

The single price to correct an aesthetical problem that causes you discomfort is a new scar. But plastic surgeries have a clear objective to leave scar tissue in the least visible place, in smallest possible sizes and using techniques that make them the least visible as they can be.

Despite using the best and most modern surgical techniques, the body’s reaction is not constant and it’s occasionally unpredictable. Post-surgery care and supervision are also extremely important.

Health Insurance and Fees

Dr. Bernardo Froes is not part of any health insurance carrier or assistance plan. Although in many cases, depending on the health insurance provider, the client may qualify for a complete or partial reimbursement for the consultation. Same applies to non-esthetical surgery expenses, such as skin cancer treatment, moles, cysts, nodules, burnt skin injuries, accident injuries or reconstructions.

You may use your personal health insurance provider to pay for exams, mammograms, electrocardiograms, cardiologic evaluations, etc.

Fees vary depending upon the surgery and marketplace.  Do not think however, that just because a doctor charges more for a procedure, that he is necessarily the best. Same applies to physicians and clinics that charge very low fees, which you should be wary of, since they may lack training or certification and are using lower fees to attract patients. Talk to Dr. Froes about your needs and concerns and he’ll manage your case personally.