Archive for the ‘Surgical Aftercare’ Category
Protect Yourself With Important Cosmetic Surgery Aftercare
If you have made the final decision to undergo plastic surgery, you must also ask yourself if you are prepared for cosmetic surgery aftercare. You need to know exactly what to do to protect your investment and your health.
First, listen carefully to your physician’s instructions and be sure you understand them. Your doctor will tell you how to care for the incisions and advise you on dressings and cleaning if required. Ask any questions you may have; be certain you understand all instructions.
Also, make an effort to learn about possible postoperative complications. Surgical incisions put you at risk for postoperative infection. If you know the signs and symptoms of postoperative infection, you can immediately report any changes to your doctor.
Other serious complications might arise, such as blood clots, bleeding, or scarring. Learn the warning signs of these complications. Report any suspicious symptoms to your surgeon immediately.
Aftercare also involves caring for incisions and for the area involved in the procedure. Follow your doctor’s advice to clean it with a special solution or to avoid lotions or creams that could irritate the skin. If your doctor recommends a topical solution to prevent scarring or infection, follow his instructions. Your aftercare and results will benefit from the experience of professionals who are well versed in cosmetic surgery aftercare.
Occasionally, your cosmetic surgery aftercare may include medication such as antibiotics or pain relievers. Learn about these medications and any possible side effects. Take your medicine as your physician has prescribed.
The final aspect of aftercare is the important follow-up physician’s appointment, which will allow your doctor to examine your incisions or surgery results in order to ascertain that there are no complications. Failure to schedule this important follow-up risks wasting the time and money invested in the cosmetic procedure. It is important to complete this final step of aftercare.
The type of cosmetic surgery aftercare you will need can depend upon the complexity of the procedure and the practices of your particular surgeon. Follow your instructions with great care. This is the best way you can protect your investment, your results and your health.
By: Adam Hefner
About the Author:
To learn much more about how critical cosmetic surgery aftercare, visit http://www.Cosmetic-Surgery-101.com where you’ll find this and much more, including more about financing cosmetic surgery.
Your Complete Tattoo Aftercare Guide
Did you just get a permanent tattoo done on your body? Well, now you will have to make sure that you carry out a complete tattoo aftercare routine, so that your lovely tattoo can stay bright and beautiful for a very long time. Tattoo aftercare is really important. However, unfortunately, a number of people tend to ignore this portion of caring for the tattoo, because they do not realize the importance of this routine.
Improper tattoo aftercare can result in severe skin infections and scarring. It can also have some more serious repercussions on your skin. In addition, improper tattoo aftercare can completely ruin your tattoo artwork, even if you got your tattoo done from one of the best artists in town. The ink may fade and come out in patches and since you surely do not want that to happen to your tattoo, take a serious note of the following tattoo aftercare instructions.
Everyone has unique skin types and as such, you should use your common sense to twirl these tattoo aftercare to suit your skin. Remember to ask your tattoo artist for a detailed instruction for the tattoo aftercare since he might be able to give you some unique instructions, based on the kind of ink he uses.
Removing the bandage
Once the tattoo is complete, your artist will wrap it with a bandage – some artists put on a surgical type dressing, while others just wrap it with a simple sandwich wrap. The idea is to keep your new tattoo free from germs and bacteria while you get back from the parlor.
Remember that your tattoo is like an open wound since the needle punctured your skin and as such, you need to take the same care of it as you would when you have a deep gash or cut – and some more. You should ensure that there is no infection on the tattoo.
Keep the bandage on for at least two hours after the tattoo is complete. Some artists will advice you to keep it longer, so make sure you listen carefully when your artist tells you about the tattoo aftercare methods. Sometime, keeping the bandage on for too long makes it stick to the tattoo and this can make it very difficult to remove the bandage. Also remember that once you remove the bandage, you should never put the dirty bandage on, nor should you out on any bandage.
If you have difficulty removing the bandage and if the bandage gets stuck to the design, do not pull at the bandage. Be gentle. Use some water to moisten the area and then very gentle try removing the bandage. Remember that this is very important as pulling may result in scabs and this in turn may result in the color coming out.
Washing the tattoo
Once the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo under softly running, and clear water, with an antibacterial and antimicrobial and unscented soap. Do not rub the tattoo vigorously, instead, just use your fingertips to wash away the petroleum jelly, the excess color on your skin, the blood and the plasma and keep the area clean. Pat dry the area with a really clean towel – do not risk getting infected with an unwashed towel.
Putting the ointment and the lotion
After washing the tattooed area, you will have to apply a tattoo aftercare ointment on the area or medicated antibacterial ointment. A&D ointment works quite well for this purpose. Some artists recommend petroleum jelly. Put a thin layer of the ointment and keep reapplying the ointment every time the area feels dry.
Remember that one of the most important factors of tattoo aftercare is that you should always keep the tattoo moist, to avoid scratching, scabs and so on. If you still get scabs, do not pick on it – let it heal naturally, or you might damage the tattoo.
After a couple of days, you can shift to a non-scented and non-alcoholic lotion and apply it on the tattoo every now and then.
Finally…
After a few days, you will see your tattoo peeling off and you may even find bits on color on the bed and on your dress. Do not be scared, your tattoo is not coming off! No matter how tempted you feel, do not pull on the dry skin. Let them fall of naturally.
Another thing that you should remember is never ever to scratch your tattoo, no matter how much it itches. The moment it itches, put more lotion on it.
Do not submerge you tattoo in water for the first three weeks – this means no swimming and long baths for you.
You should not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least a month and even after that you should cover it with sun block. Too much exposure of the tattoo to the sun can result in the fading of the tattoo.
Remember to follow all the tattoo aftercare measures and you are sure to retain the vibrancy of your beautiful tattoo for many years to come.
By: Danielle Sage
About the Author:
Writing is my life and I love it. I write a lot of Articles and Blogs to relay all of my experience about Tattoo. To know more about various Tattoo Supplies Click Here.
Body Piercing Jewellery Materials Explained
Body piercing has seen an explosion in popularity over the past few years. This in turn has lead to a huge increase in the range of body jewellery available, both in style and in materials.
It wasn’t long ago that surgical steel jewellery was the ‘norm’ for body piercings with a small amount of silver and gold jewellery available for healed piercings. However, this has changed and you can buy body jewellery in a huge range of materials that include steel, silver, gold, titanium, plastic/acrylic, glass, bone, horn and even wood.
The range may now be extensive but there is a problem… what type of jewellery is suitable for your piercing? Not all of the above materials may be suitable, especially if your piercing is still relatively new and/or unhealed.
For new body piercings there are only a few materials now recommended. It used to be the case that surgical steel jewellery was the automatic choice for new piercings. However, it has since been found that a very small minority of people can have a reaction to the small nickel content in most surgical steel, so a directive from Brussels has since stopped the use of steel for new body piercings. Although there is a form of surgical steel available that’s nickel free, high production costs and the emergence of newer, more readily available materials have prevented this from becoming popular.
So what is ‘safe’ for a new or unhealed piercing? Titanium is perhaps the No1 choice for new body piercings at the moment. Available simply polished or with a very wide range of inert, anodized or PVD coatings it is our jewellery of choice by far. From belly bars and ball closure rings to labret studs are all available in titanium and at a price almost on par with steel.
Another option, especially suited to those who want their piercings a little less visible, is bioplast or flexible acrylic. Being a form of plastic the material is very inert making it ideally suited for all piercings and with the ability to flex a little it is usually far more comfortable than conventional jewellery such as titanium. The only drawback for some is that it simply isn’t as attractive as titanium jewellery; especially the coloured or gem set titanium pieces.
Although not as pure or inert as titanium or bioplast, sterling silver is also an option for some people on newer piercings although not recommended for brand new piercings or those still ‘weeping’. However, as the vast majority of ‘silver’ jewellery features a surgical steel bar that passes through the actual piercing, with only the detailing being made of sterling silver, most silver body jewellery should be treated as surgical steel for use in piercings i.e. not recommended for brand new piercings or those still with discharge but ideal for anything else.
So what is not recommended for newer piercings? It is important to stress that for brand new piercings, or those still weeping, you should only consider truly inert and ‘safe’ materials such as titanium or bioplast/acrylic and all jewellery should be properly sterilised prior to use. Surgical steel is no longer recommended for unhealed piercings for the reasons stated above. Gold is only ever suitable for completely healed piercings (i.e. usually 6 months+ after the piercing and no weeping or discharge) due to the very high level of impurities most gold carries. Organic materials such as wood, horn and bone should only be used for healed piercings simply because they can carry contaminants and are very difficult to sterilise fully.
As a final word of advice, as with all things body piercing related – if in doubt consult your piercer.
By: Elizabeth Brodie
About the Author:
Elizabeth Brodie is the owner of Hot-Jewellery [http://www.hot-jewellery.co.uk] a UK site specialising in quality body jewellery [http://www.hot-jewellery.co.uk] for most common piercings.
Plastic Surgery Statistics
The growth in cosmetic plastic surgery is not limited to the shores of the UK. People all over the world choose this type of surgery to amend facial or body features about themselves. Long gone are the days when one was forced to accept there birth features for better or for worse. Nowadays plastic surgery transplants are also being carried out on young people.
Plastic surgery of course is not an operation that should be taken light heartedly. The pleasure of seeing ones body change into something more desirable or to your own liking, does not come without its costs and body discomfort during the healing process. It is therefore paramount that any such surgery is only taken out after thorough consideration. Where possible it is also wise to accept advice from those close to you, as there maybe alternative methods that could work out just as effectively. For example in the instance surgery is sought to help reduce weight a proper diet that is followed could just as well do the trick without the financial costs involved in surgery. Also do not forget plastic surgery does require aftercare and depending on the type of plastic surgery you intent carrying out, this could be a number of months.
So how many people actually carry out plastic surgery each year and what type of surgery do they undertake?
Well in 2006 over 11.5 million cosmetic surgery procedures were carried out in the United States of America alone, a 447 per cent increase in the amount of plastic surgery operations carried out in 1997.The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s cosmetic surgery statistics are the most comprehensive collection of data available on the number of cosmetic surgical and no surgical procedures performed in the United States
Below is a breakdown of the 11.5 million plastic surgery operations carried out.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures
The top five most popular surgical procedures in 2006 include:
Lasik Recuperation
The best part about Lasik recuperation is that it is short! If you are thinking about undergoing a Lasik laser eye surgery you will discover the recuperation time is short and easy. Once you have completed your Lasik surgery you will discover that you will be going back to your job and resume your everyday life the next day!
Following your Lasik surgical treatment you will endure almost no side effects. In truth, in a day or so following your surgical treatment you can be back to your usual schedule and not need to refrain from any of your job duties or your free time activities.
Be certain you know, what type, if any, after surgery eye care your surgeon will require you to perform. Usually, there is small to no after surgical treatment to be concerned about. Every lasik surgeon has his or her individual aftercare procedures, so make certain you know what your particular surgeon requires.
As with any surgical procedure, you need to be aware that something could go wrong. You will need to be certain you fully understand the risks involved and get your surgeon to let know you about them fully. You will in addition need to prepare, just in case you should have to miss an added few days of work. It is a good idea to plan for this outcome, if for any reason all does not go easily with your surgery.
Following your lasik surgery, you should have no discomfort or side effects-and you’ll be able to see with no eyeglasses inside a day or so as your eyes mend from the surgical treatment. Results, however, are nearly instant and you’ll be surprised at the remarkable transformation. So don’t wait, make your appointment for lasik surgery as quickly as possible and say good-bye to your glasses!
By: Danny Brown
About the Author:
For more Lasik Surgery Facts and lasik eye [http://www.lasik-laser-surgery.com/] resources, please visit http://www.Lasik-Laser-Surgery.com [http://www.lasik-lasersurgery.com/Lasik/Lasik.php]
Body Piercing Aftercare & Healing Essentials
The most important thing to keep in mind after your body piercing has been performed is that you have essentially just sustained an open wound, and you should be caring for it exactly like you would a surgical wound or injury. That is, with the same kind of care, cleanliness and attention that you would to a serious injury to make sure that you don’t scar or get an infection. There are two different types of body piercings to consider: non-oral and oral.
Non-oral body piercing aftercare Keeping your piercing clean can’t be stressed too much! It just can’t. Twice a day, every day, without fail. No excuses. Use a mild antibacterial soap that doesn’t have fragrances in it, such as Provon
My Thermage Face Lift Journal
Saturday, September 9
I Had a Face Lift Today
If I had a face lift today, you may wonder how I am able to sit at the computer and type up this journal. I look pretty much as I did when I got up this morning and I feel fine. After the procedure, my husband and I went to a restaurant for a nice lunch.
Are you wondering why I look pretty much as I did this morning and why I’m not wrapped up like a mummy and in excruciating pain? It’s because I had a non-invasive face lift procedure called Thermage.
I think I look better already and my skin feels tighter, but it’s not enough that others should notice and it might just be a temporary irritation effect of the procedure. You’re still wondering why I did this, right?
Well, my plastic surgeon (and the Thermage website) explained that the treatment causes collagen to grow to re-plump and lift the face.
Given my age (60) and the condition of my skin (very good for my age), I can expect the improvement to continue for the next 18 months. He said the improvement will last for another six years after that.
Everyone is different. He said the results depend on how much collagen you still have; because the treatment works on that which you have – thickening and lengthening it. I’ve seen the before and after pictures on the Thermage website and in a brochure the doctor gave me.
I’m really excited about the prospect of looking younger and younger each day for the next year and a half (instead of the reverse!). I’m also pleased that the treatment should last almost as long as a surgical face lift and that it was so affordable.
Next time, I’ll tell you about the procedure itself and I promise to pull no punches.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thermage Non-Invasive Face Lift – Blow by Blow Account
Some doctors will want to see you for an evaluation before scheduling the Thermage procedure. I asked mine if everything could be done in one visit because his office is quite far from my home. He was very accommodating.
I arrived at 11:00 and was taken right into the doctor’s office. He looked closely at my face and the condition of my skin. Then he explained the procedure in detail and said he would do 600 pulses which would include treatment of the forehead, crow’s feet area, mid-face, around the mouth, along the jaw line and the upper neck (in front). He gave me an anti-inflammatory pill to place under my tongue.
I was asked to remove my makeup thoroughly and lie on a reclining chair (as in a dentist’s office). A large rubber pad coated with gel was placed on my waist area and a cord was plugged into it. I assumed this was to conduct electricity through my body. Uh-oh, I thought this was going to be radio waves. Nobody said anything about electricity!
Then came the “tattooing”. Don’t worry, it’s not permanent. The doctor placed a transparent flexible sheet with a grid-like pattern against my forehead and carefully rubbed over it with alcohol, transferring the grid pattern to my skin. Then he did the same to the rest of my face and to my neck. I must have looked a sight! Good thing I couldn’t see myself.
Come back next time for the rest of my story: Thermage Non-Invasive Face Lift – Ouch and Wow!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Thermage Non-Invasive Face Lift – Ouch and Wow!
So there I was, stretched out on the “dentist’s chair”, staring at the bright overhead lights with a rubber pad stuck to my belly and lines “tattooed” all over my face and neck. The doctor showed me the radio-frequency wand which would be used for my Thermage.
Each patient gets their own individual tip. I’m not sure why. Since the procedure is non-invasive, I doubt that it is for sanitary reasons. Perhaps the electronic chip which delivers the charges wears out?
Thermage works by heating collagen fibers beneath the skin’s surface. With age, collagen fibers thin, shorten and rigidify. As the face loses collagen mass, the epidermis wrinkles, collapses in and eventually begins to sag.
For some reason, heating the existing collagen fibers with radio waves causes them to relax and lengthen. Just as importantly, the heat stimulates the existing collagen to grow and thicken again. This is why the results of Thermage are not immediately evident, but rather develop over time.
The doctor warned me that I would feel a sensation of heat and at times a bit of “discomfort”. If I could not tolerate the “discomfort”, he could lower the frequency. To protect the epidermis from burning, a little jet of Freon (I think) is sprayed at the same time the radio waves are transmitted.
Darn, I’m out of time again and I didn’t get to the “Ouch and Wow!” part. Next time – I promise.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thermage Non-Invasive Face Lift – Ouch and Wow 2!
The doctor began zapping my forehead according to the tattoo pattern. That wasn’t too bad. A little heat and sometimes a bit of a tingling sensation. However on more sensitive areas of the face and neck, there was definite pain. It reminded me of facial electrolysis.
As the nurse noticed me tensing with the pain, she offered me a small foam ball to squeeze. The doctor told me to breathe deeply. I learned that there is a definite rhythm to maximize the pain relief using these techniques. Inhale deeply. Squeeze the ball tightly and exhale with the pain. It really helped. Kind of like mini-Lamaze, I guess.
Several times, the doctor asked me if I wanted him to lower the intensity. Each time I said, “No”. I wanted the maximum benefit from the treatment. The doctor made a first pass over each area. This was the only painful one.
Then he did a second pass at the interstices (between the first points). Finally, he went over the “really bad areas” (his words, not mine – but I think we all know what he meant!). I hardly felt that. An hour after the procedure started, I was done. Big sigh of relief.
I was unplugged. The doctor and nurse wiped the tattoo from my skin.
Next time, I’ll tell you about aftercare and answer the burning question, “Would I ever do this again?”
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thermage Non-Invasive Face Lift – You Bethcha!
When I last wrote (I feel like I’m doing an old radio show – “When we last left Little Orphan Annie, she was cowering in the coal bin with her faithful dog, Sandy …), my Thermage procedure had just been completed. I stood up from the “dentist’s chair” and felt a bit woozy. The nurse said that was from the tension and it quickly dissipated.
I went to the washroom to freshen up and get the first glimpse of the new me. No redness, no swelling. I looked pretty much as I did right before the Thermage. I say “pretty much” because I thought I detected a slightly tightened look but realize that may have been wishful thinking on my part.
My face felt fine. There were a couple spots of very minor tenderness, but nothing I would even take an aspirin for. Then I sat down with the doctor to learn about aftercare.
For two months I am to drink a tablespoon of chlorophyll dissolved in water morning and night, as well as a glass of 1000mg of vitamin C dissolved in water.
In the morning I am to put on a high SPF face cream and at night, an active C, a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid or C esther face cream. My doctor explained that vitamin C is the best thing for collagen.
Who knew? I’m not sure why the chlorophyll and want to research that.
It’s now eight days post-treatment. My husband says in profile he sees a remarkable improvement in my neck. I see a remarkable improvement over all. I just look better every day. Friends are starting to look at me funny but no one has asked “the” question yet.
Am I glad I did it? As they say in the movie “Fargo”, “You betcha!”
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Thermage Options and Alternatives
If you’re interested in Thermage after reading my blow-by-blow account, go to the Thermage website. There you will find lots more information, before and after videos of real people, and even a worldwide Thermage-certified physician finder.
If you live in a high cost country, like the U.S. or Canada, you may want to consider combining a vacation with your Thermage. The money you save on the Thermage will probably pay for your vacation. And since there is no recovery period or post-treatment pain you can enjoy all of your stay.
[Note to publishers: this article can be broken into sections if it fits your format better, but please include the rescource box on each section.]
By: Jean Bowler
About the Author:
By: Jean Bowler, manager of the Ageless Beauty website, devoted to help all baby boomers hold on to the glow of youth for as long as possible. For more on plastic surgery and cosmetic proicedures, please visit our AntiAging Cosmetic Procedures Guide.
Body Piercing Aftercare
Before we start let’s get this out of the way – I am not a doctor and the advice here is my opinion only and not in any way professional medical advice, although I have been involved in body piercing for many years. Should you decide to follow any of the advice below then you must take full responsibility for the outcome and use a little common sense. Most importantly IF IN DOUBT CONSULT A DOCTOR. Doctors are paid to do stuff like this!
Healing of a piercing requires a lot of care and attention. Neglect them or abuse them and new piercings can easily become infected and/or take a lot longer to heal.
Some piercings may bleed heavily when first made in which case a simple dressing is recommended. Once the bleeding has stopped the piercing should be exposed to air as much as possible or covered only by loose fitting clothes. Use clean gauze dressings held in place by surgical tape for the first few days if bleeding is a problem.
For the first few days a piercing is best left untouched to heal a little on its own. After this time it should be cleaned and inspected 2-3 times daily for at least the first month even if it seems healed. At this stage I recommend using a warm saline solution made with boiled water and around 5ml (1 teaspoon) of salt per 50ml of water. Antiseptics can be used but are generally not recommended as they can irritate the wound and/or cause it to dry out and obviously neither is desirable. Irritating a wound can prolong the healing time hugely. Mouth piercings can be treated with a mild antiseptic mouthwash or a little warm saline solution which should be done after each meal and preferably after eating and smoking too.
Any irritation to the piercing can prolong the healing process hugely. Try not to tug on the piercing or to wear clothing that catches the piercing as you move about. With oral piercings try to keep away from kissing deeply for the first 6 weeks. Genital piercings can be protected by a condom but it is generally recommended to keep sexual relations to a minimum until healed.
Avoid getting the piercing wet for at least the first 3-4 weeks. This means avoid swimming and where possible take a shower rather than a bath.
After a short while the you will notice a little clear coloured fluid leaking from the piercing and drying around it. As above this should be carefully cleaned with a saline solution on a daily basis. Whilst cleaning try to avoid moving the jewellery more that is necessary to clean the piercing properly.
If the piercing becomes overly sore, continues to bleed, becomes very swollen or discolours badly consult your piercer or a doctor. DO NOT remove the jewellery. Not only will this mean you may lose the piercing but it will also mean that you in effect leave an open wound which may become even more infected. If your piercing looks mildly infected then it may be worth actually trying a little antiseptic ointment. Again get advice from your piercer or doctor on which is the best to use. Some people will suggest tea tree oil. Having tried it we do not recommend it. If the infection persists your doctor may give you a course of antibiotics which should clear it up. Again we stress DO NOT remove the piercing if you get an infection unless advised by your piercer or doctor to do so.
It is worth noting that ‘surgical steel’ body jewellery can also cause a reaction in some people due to the nickel content present in most jewellery of this type. This can also be true of gold jewellery due to impurities found in all gold no matter the carat. Because of this we strongly recommend the use of titanium jewellery for the initial piercing. Once the piercing has healed this can be replaced with steel, gold, silver or any other inert material).
By: Elizabeth Brodie
About the Author:
Elizabeth Brodie is the owner of Hot-Jewellery [http://www.hot-jewellery.co.uk] a UK site specialising in quality body jewellery [http://www.hot-jewellery.co.uk] for most common piercings.
Lap Band Surgery Aftercare – 3 Tips For Those Relocating or Traveling to Be Banded
Are you considering traveling for lap band surgery? Are you relocating and already have a lap band?
I am a long-term, successful lap band patient. I was banded in 2006 and am maintaining a normal, healthy weight. In August of 2008, two years after my lap-band surgery, I moved across country, 3500 miles away from the comfort of my surgeon and my lap band support network. For me this was really scary and could have been the ultimate excuse to fall off the wagon…hard.
I hate moving; it’s never fun. As I was dealing the logistics of moving to a new city, selling a house, finding a house, changing work locations, researching schools, my children’s fears of making new friends…what worried me was: who was going to take care of me and my lap band?
There were times when I felt as if my success, two years into my journey, hung in a delicate balance; it was as if I was tethered to my surgeon and his staff on one side, and my lap band mentor on the other. I was terrified of severing that “umbilical cord.” I told my surgeon about my plans to move. Since I was moving to a major city, he assured me that he would be able to recommend a practice that would take good care of me. He also made sure that I understood that each practice is different; that thought sent shivers down my spine.
After moving, I continued traveling back to my home office and the comfort of my aftercare and support network frequently. I had a year before I would need to find another doctor.
When I finally did see a local surgeon, the new practice took great care of me and consulted with my original surgeon. I realized that this practice was going to be very different but I was in good hands. I also decided to attend my new local support group to see what it was like – again very different, with different philosophies. I was pleasantly surprised to learn some new tips to help me on my banded living journey – like how a crock-pot can be a great tool to cook hot, hearty, healthy meals that are low in fat and calories. I especially appreciated this tip now that I was living in New England and re-adjusting to long, cold winters.
I also realized that my lap band mentor and friend, would always be there. We live in a virtual world! Below are three things to consider, based on my experience, if you are relocating or traveling for surgery and need to plan for aftercare:
Work with your surgeon to plan for follow-on after-care if you are moving or travelling for surgery. Your surgeon will probably be more than willing to help you. There are “open” and “closed” support groups. Open support groups are open to patients who are not cared for by that particular practice. Do your homework ahead of time. Research all your options including surgical practices, fill centers, and support networks. Understand that not all practices will take care of patients if they did not perform the initial surgery.
Even if you are several years post-op find a practice to care for you close to home. If you are traveling to be banded, make sure you have a complete plan for aftercare including: 1) where you will go for fills and monitoring, 2) where you will go in case of an emergency or if you suspect something may be wrong, and 3) where you will go for support. Make sure to factor in these costs, if they are not covered by your insurance, when budgeting for surgery.
So the moral of the story, for me seems to be all about having a plan. I’m reminded over and over again that the most successful lap band patients always have a plan, or at least a plan B. That applies to aftercare just as it applies to planning meals.
By: Gloria Samuels
About the Author:
If you or someone you care about has a lap band or is struggling with significant weight issues learn more about Banded Living
Heading Overseas for Plastic Surgery
Statistics show plastic surgery is becoming more commonplace these days. For some, combining it with a trip makes absolute sense.
One of the fastest growing trends in medical treatment today is plastic surgery. Face lifts, liposuction, nose jobs and breast augmentation are all very popular surgical options for people looking to feel better about the way that they look. While plastic surgery is a generally safe and permanent solution to many individuals’ cosmetic concerns, unfortunately, it can be expensive. Health insurance usually does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures, and so many patients are forced to pay for the entire cost of their surgery. In order to cut down on the price of their procedures, many potential patients are now choosing to have plastic surgery overseas.
When choosing to have plastic surgery overseas, there are many issues to consider. Before even starting to look for a different country in which to have your procedure, make sure that you have a consultation with your own doctor here in the United States. That way, you can be sure that you’re in good enough health to be able to have any surgical procedure, regardless of the location of the surgeon. You’ll also want to make sure to research the location or country where you want to have your surgery performed. Not all countries have the same standards for their doctors and hospitals, so you’ll want to find out just what sort of credentials are needed in your chosen country.
Another item to consider when having plastic surgery overseas is what you would do if any complications arise from your surgery. Often, when a patient chooses to have surgery in a different country, aftercare for their cosmetic procedure is not included. You may end up leaving the hospital or facility where your surgery was performed without being fully recovered, because medical standards vary. Be sure to have a doctor lined up for aftercare in the US before leaving for your plastic surgery abroad.
A final item to consider is whether you will actually be saving a large amount of money by having your procedure abroad. Sometimes, when you factor in the cost of flying to a different country, as well as the cost of staying in that country before and after your surgery, it may be cheaper to stay in the US and have your plastic surgery done at home.
Choosing plastic surgery overseas can be a viable choice for people looking to cut down on the cost of cosmetic procedures, but it’s important to do a lot of research on the subject before planning your trip and deciding to have surgery in a different country.
By: Ricardo Silva
About the Author:
Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com – a directory of plastic surgeons.