FAQs

Q. What is Plastic Surgery?

A. Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement or scarring resulting from trauma, disease or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Derived from Greek, the word plastic ("plastikos") means "to mold or reshape" and does not refer to the use of plastic materials.

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Q. Who is a candidate for plastic surgery?

A. The best plastic surgery candidate is someone with realistic expectations and an understanding of the limitations set by medicine, technology and each patient's own body. Good candidates have a strong self-image, and well-developed reason for pursuing a plastic surgery procedure. They are looking for improvement of a physical trait, knowing that while this positive change may enhance their self-image, it will not change people's perception of them. Dangerous motivations for plastic surgery would be purely doing it to gain popularity, or attempting to reverse recent life crises.

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Q. Is there a "right" age to pursue plastic surgery?

A. There isn't any overarching rule as to the right age for plastic surgery. In fact, the appropriateness of a certain procedure should be determined more on a case by case basis, looking at the individual's unique body type and aging process. Of course, there are age tendencies for certain procedures. Facelifts generally are not performed on patients under 30, as mini-lifts or laser procedures might be suggested instead, but this is not a rule. Otoplasty (ear surgery), on the other hand, is often appropriate for adults or patients as young as 5 years old.

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Q. How does a physician become a plastic surgeon?

A. Training to become a plastic surgeon is a difficult task, and is one of the most rigorous and lengthy training programs in of any medical specialty. After earning a medical degree (4 years of college, followed by 4 years of medical school) a physician must complete a specialized post-graduate training course (residency) of five to seven years. As in Dr. Suber's case, this is typically defined by completion of a residency in general surgery (Dr. Suber is a fully-trained general surgeon as well as a plastic surgeon). The final two to three years of training must be in an approved plastic surgery training program.

While numerous physicians use the term "plastic" surgeon only those who have undergone this rigorous lengthy training are true plastic surgeons. There are no short cuts, and no other type of physician can ever be a true plastic surgeon without successfully completing the core training outlined here. Always trust only a true plastic surgeon for any form of plastic surgery. Any other physician offering plastic surgery services lacks the core training essential to minimizing risks inherent to surgery and optimizing outcomes.

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Q. What procedures do plastic surgeons (Dr. Suber) perform?

A. Aesthetic (also called cosmetic) problems with the face, neck and trunk, including forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chin, neck, breasts, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, arms, and skin.
Congenital deformities of the hands and face, including clefts of the lip and palate.
Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancerous) tumors of the head and neck, skin and soft tissues.
Traumatic injuries of the bony facial skeleton and hand as well as soft tissue injuries of any part of the body.
Surgery of the hand.
Surgery of the jaw and facial skeleton.
Any type of skin cover and replacement problems.
All types of reconstruction following removal of cancer resulting in disfigurement of any part of the body including the face, breasts, trunk.

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Q. What is aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery?

A. Aesthetic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, seeks to improve an individuals appearance. These type of operations most often involve the nose, ears, face, forehead, eyelids, breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. This includes Botox and injectables (to  manage facial wrinkles). These procedures are part of the specialty of plastic surgery and should always be performed by a true plastic surgeon (like Dr. Suber) only.

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Q. Is a plastic surgeon a skin specialist?

A. Dermatologists specialize in diseases of the skin, but the plastic surgeon has an equally important role of the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the skin. The skills of a plastic surgeon are especially needed when large areas of the skin must be removed and replaced especially where disfigurement may result or when these areas are in conspicuous areas such as the face. Plastic surgeons also perform skin resurfacing techniques, for cosmetic purposes, in order to achieve healthier looking skin by reducing facial wrinkling and pigmentary changes of the skin.

Many dermatologists refer to a plastic surgeon any patient who will require removal of benign or malignant skin tumors of the head or neck, or other areas of the body where minimization of scarring is desired.

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Q. Will I have a scar after plastic surgery?

A. Scarring is an inevitable part of healing after any surgery, and is in part dependent on a patient's own inherited healing characteristics (genetics).  However a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible. Dr. Suber has spent years mastering techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Dr. Suber's goal is to make incisions in areas that will not show, like under undergarments or along natural creases. Scars will normally fade over time, but certain areas of the body such can produce more severe scarring regardless of the technique used for reconstruction and closure. The severity of the scarring varies from person to person.

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Q. How much pain is involved in plastic surgery?

A. Each plastic surgery procedure carries a different level of discomfort, and requires different methods of anesthetizing. In most situations, the patient's preferences for safety and comfort, as well as personal pain threshold, can help determine what type of anesthesia will be used. Very minor, non-invasive surgeries might involve a topical anesthetic, while minor invasive surgeries may call for local anesthetic or local combined with sedation. In more involved surgery, general anesthesia is usually used.

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Q. Is plastic surgery covered by insurance?

A. When the plastic surgery procedure is being performed for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not be involved. When the surgery is necessary for reconstructive purposes, however, it may be partially or fully covered by insurance. Plastic surgery procedures that may be covered by insurance often include breast reconstructive (after a masectomy), rhinoplasty (for breathing problems), tummy tuck surgery (for gastric bypass patients or others with symptoms) and eyelid surgery (to correct vision problems).

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Q. Can I finance my plastic surgery procedure?

A. Sure. Plastic surgery financing is a very viable option for patients in Dr. Suber's office. During your consultation with Dr. Suber, a member of the office team can explain your financing options with you and let you know how to get in touch with the providers to apply for a loan. Many banks provide financing for elective procedures as well.

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Q. What aesthetic surgical procedures are performed to improve the aging face?

A. There are various degrees and stages of facial aging that can be caused by the natural aging process, heredity, and lifestyle choices. Dr. Suber hasundergone training to address all areas of facial rejuvenation. A face lift tightens and lifts the redundant skin in the face and neck. Additional procedures are available to improve the aesthetics of the forehead, eyes, mouth, chin and neck. Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are also available. Fine wrinkles of the face may be best treated by skin resurfacing techniques, like laser resurfacing, chemical peels or other skin care treatments.

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Q. How is a face lift done?

A. During a face lift incisions are made in the hair line, temple region extending down in front of the ear and then around the back of the ear into the hairline. These incisions vary depending on the technique used by Dr. Suber. Dr. Suber is well trained in more than one face lift technique. The skin of the face and neck is dissected into the cheeks and neck allowing it to be mobilized upward producing a tightening and smoothing result. Dr. Suber will typically also tighten the muscular layers underneath the skin as well during a face lift procedure, which helps the results last longer. Years of specialized training are necessary to safely perform this procedure. The results can be subtle or drastic depending on the condition of the facial area prior to the surgery and the desired results. Only trust a true plastic surgeon (see above) like Dr. Suber to perform this procedure.

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Q. Does a face lift leave scars?

A. Yes, but as with other scars Dr. Suber has been trained to place them in areas that are very inconspicuous. Dr. Suber will be able to show you exactly where your scars will be following your surgery. Normally your hair will cover up most of the scars and makeup can touch up any leftover marks.

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Q. How is excessive wrinkling and bagginess of the eyelids corrected?

A. Eyelid surgery can correct this condition. Excessive skin and fat may be removed from both upper and lower eyelid. Tightening of the lower lid may also be done in concurrence with this procedure. One to two weeks of bruising and swelling is expected from this procedure. Eyelid surgery may be done in combination with or separate from face lifts or other types of aesthetic surgeries of the face such as brow lifts to better proportion your facial features.

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Q. What surgery can improve the appearance of breasts?

A. Three common procedures are performed: breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction. Sometimes augmentation and lift together may be the best option to address a patient's goals.

Augmentation mammaplasty is a procedure that can safely enlarge a small breast or increase an undesired size. Different techniques are available. Implants may be placed in different positions depending on the physical make-up of the patient and her breasts. The implant may be introduced through three different incisions: below the breast, around the nipple areolar complex, or in axilla (arm pit). Which approach is best for you will be determined during your consultation with Dr. Suber.

A breast lift is used when the patient is happy with the size of her breasts however due to aging and pregnancy the breast gland has begun to droop. Various techniques are employed to accomplish a breast lift and results are generally excellent.

Breast reduction is designed to make overly large breasts smaller. Patients seeking this type of surgery often have multiple severe physical symptoms secondary to their large breasts including neck, shoulder, back pain, paresthesia of the arms and bra strap grooving of the shoulders. The technique of breast reduction requires lengthy incisions; however, they may be placed in inconspicuous locations such as the fold underneath the breast. Typical symptoms of back pain, neck pain etc. are almost always improved after a breast reduction if not completely eliminated. This procedure is often covered by insurance.

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Q. Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

A. Liposuction is not used for weight loss, rather to correct problem areas or fat bulges. A candidate will be typically close to their ideal weight because a liposuction is typically performed in patients that have an area of fat they find hard to lose. The fat removed does not necessarily weight a lot, so patients should be focused more on a shape change, rather than solely on weight change.

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Q. Do the results of liposuction last?

A. As long as the patient maintains a healthy life-style, including exercise and a sensible diet, liposuction results are long lasting. Once the fat cells have been removed from an area there is no longer a preferential fat storage area and any fat gain will be distributed more evenly over the rest of the body.

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Q. What areas of the body can be treated with liposuction?

A. Most body areas can be treated with liposuction, though the most common areas in females are the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Men are often treated for liposuction in the breasts/chest, hips, and abdomen. Liposuction is not limited to these areas, though other places may include the upper arms, under the chin and the buttocks.

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Q. Does liposuction leave scars?

A. Incisions made during liposuction are generally very small and put in areas that are more inconspicuous. Most cases of liposuction will heal well and it will be difficult to see where they were originally made.

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