FAQs on Cosmetic Facial Surgery
Question:
If I come in for a consultation, will you try to “sell” me on undergoing facial surgery with you?
Answer:
No. Undergoing surgery is a personal decision, one that should never be rushed. Our philosophy is to educate, guide and support patients throughout their journey. Our staff does not work on commission, and we do not “sell” procedures. We give you all the information we can, lay out your options and the trade-offs in each, and let you choose what’s best for you.
Question:
Other cosmetic surgeons have turned me down for the procedure I want. Will you be able to do it?
Answer:
Perhaps. We will need to learn the specifics of your situation and your goals. It may also be useful to discuss why previous doctors declined to operate.
Of course, a successful outcome depends on the surgeon’s experience, skill, and communication. It helps if patients have realistic expectations, communicate clearly themselves, ask questions, follow pre-surgery and aftercare instructions, etc.
A facial surgeon may have had good reasons for declining. If he or she is not experienced enough in the particular surgery and knows it, then choosing not to operate is wise and responsible, though perhaps disappointing.
Open communication between the patient and the surgeon are vital to have a result that delivers a positive esthetic and psychological outcome. If you do not feel comfortable with a particular surgeon, you should shop around.
Question:
How are you (Dr. Siegel) different from other facial surgeons?
Answer:
Most plastic surgeons offer a wide scope of cosmetic procedures. Because medicine has become very sub-specialized, a surgeon cannot be an expert in all plastic surgery procedures. As a Facial Plastic Specialist, Dr. Siegel has spent his entire career honing and perfecting his skills in facial surgery. His high concentration and extensive experience allow him to deliver better results to his patients. Small anatomical details, or specific techniques that other surgeons may not have in their repertoires, allow Dr. Siegel to customize and perform your facial procedure to achieve a more natural and long-lasting result.
Question:
Should I consider a cheaper surgeon recommended by someone I know?
Answer:
Only if you have very strong evidence that the surgeon is good. Results in plastic surgery depend largely on the surgeon. First ensure your surgeon is board-certified in the procedure you are interested in. Second, understand his/her specialization: pick a surgeon who focuses on the specific procedure(s) you’re interested in. Third, find out his/her level of experience in all of the specific procedures you want done successfully.
Price should never be the main criterion in picking your facial surgeon. The temptation to save money is strong, but you’re the one who will need to live with the results.
Question:
How long will the results of facial surgery last?
Answer:
Depends. The longevity of facial surgery results depends on several factors, including the type of procedure performed, the patient’s age, skin type, lifestyle choices, and other individual factors.
Some procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose job), can provide lifetime results, while facial rejuvenating procedures like facelift, may require touch-up procedures over time to maintain the desired results. Aging, weight fluctuations, and other factors can affect the results over time. Therefore, it’s essential to have realistic expectations and to discuss the particulars your situation and of the procedures you want.
Question:
Can facial surgery make me look younger without making me look like I’ve had cosmetic surgery?
Answer:
Yes: With a skilled and experienced surgeon, and with realistic patient expectations, it is possible to achieve a younger version of your old self, without telltale signs of plastic surgery. Surgical outcomes, especially with cosmetic surgery, are mostly dependent on the surgeon you pick. Achieving natural results is mainly a combination of (1) thoroughly understanding facial anatomy and aesthetics, (2) the ability of your surgeon to visualize how surgery will interact with your unique features, and (3) understanding the limits of what surgery can accomplish.
Question:
I got facial surgery by another doctor, and the results look unnatural. Can you revise it?
Answer:
Probably. Facial surgery can sometimes be reversed or revised, but it depends on the specific procedure and the individual’s unique circumstances. Some procedures, like rhinoplasty or facelift, can often be revised if the patient is unhappy with the results.
Revision surgery can be a complex and costly process, and the healing time tends to be longer. It is important to look for an experienced surgeon who specializes in the particular procedure you wish to reverse, which will maximize your chances of a successful result.
Question:
What if I don’t have friends or family nearby to pick me up after surgery?
Answer:
Because of anesthesia, a consenting and capable adult must pick you up and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. If that is not possible, we can provide you with a referral for hiring a nurse (a nurse aid) for at least 24 hours. This will ease your transition after surgery.
Question:
I want you to do my procedure, but I’m concerned that I can’t travel to Houston. If that turns out to be the case, are there surgeons you could refer me to in my area?
Answer:
No. Having cosmetic surgery is not only about the result, but the relationship between the patient and the doctor. That chemistry should not be changed, and for that reason we cannot recommend other surgeons offhandedly.
Question:
How long until I can have my operation (from the time I pick up the phone)?
Answer:
Deciding to have facial surgery is a personal choice, and we never want to rush this process. Surgery availability varies depending on the time of the year. Most patients decide to have surgery when they have time or when it’s convenient with their family life. Holidays and vacations are popular times to have surgery, so our schedules fill quickly during those times. Depending on time of the year, the wait time can be anywhere from one month to six months.
Question:
Can you do multiple facial surgeries in a single operation?
Answer:
Yes, it is possible for multiple facial surgery procedures to be performed at once, like eyelid surgery and ear revision. Before undergoing multiple plastic surgery procedures, it is important to consult with a board-certified facial surgeon to discuss the potential risks, benefits, and outcomes of each procedure. The surgeon can also help determine the best order in which to perform the procedures, taking into account the patient’s individual needs and health status.
Question:
How does my age affect facial surgery?
Answer:
Though age is an important determining factor when undergoing any medical procedure, a patient’s years are not as important as the overall health of that patient.
Most facial rejuvenating surgeries-such as a facelift, are performed in patients in their 40’s to 60’s (and even in their 70’s), whereas most rhinoplasty patients are in their teens to early 20’s.
There is no “ideal” age to undergo facial surgery, because it is a personal decision. Even so, it is important to discuss your full medical history with your doctor to assess the risk-reward balance of any procedure and to determine if any special tests or prep need to be made prior to surgery. That ensures a smooth and successful procedure. In general, healthy patients experience a positive and successful result, regardless of their age.
Question:
Can you operate on patients under 18?
Answer:
Yes. Facial surgery – especially rhinoplasty and otoplasty – is commonly performed on patients 18 and younger. Because one must be of consenting age to undergo any procedure, anyone under the age of 18 will need consent from a parent or guardian so the procedure can be performed.
Question:
If I’m overweight and lose weight, how will the results of my facial surgery be affected?
Answer:
Though it is ideal maintain a lean weight, it is normal for one’s weight to fluctuate 5-10 lbs. over the course of a year. Those sorts of normal weight fluctuations will not affect the results of your surgery
Larger weight fluctuations will have a direct effect on our facial appearance. A gain of more than about 20-30 lbs. will give the appearance of a fuller face, by hiding the defining contours of the jawline and neckline. Conversely, severe weight loss after surgery may make one appear gaunt, with saggy skin and a droopy facial appearance.
If you are considering losing (or gaining) more than about 20-30 lbs. it is better to postpone any “lifting” procedure, such as a facelift or neck lift. However, the results of rhinoplasty will not change with major weight fluctuations, because there are not large fat deposits in the nose.
It is always best to schedule a consultation to discuss your individual goals to formulate a plan.
Question:
If I take a prescription medication for a condition, can I still have facial surgery done?
Answer:
Probably, but a full medical history should be disclosed to your surgeon during your initial visit. This will allow Dr. Siegel to make further recommendations regarding any medications that you may need to discontinue or adjust, or regarding whether you should see your primary care physician for testing before your potential surgery.
Question:
If I have preexisting conditions and comorbidities, can I still get facial surgery safely?
Answer:
Typically, yes, but those require extra caution. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity are some of the most common medical conditions that may affect your healing and the results of facial surgery. A comorbidity may not necessarily prevent you from having plastic surgery, but we should discuss the ins and outs of it at the time we discuss your medical history.
Question:
I smoke marijuana. Do I need to stop before surgery?
Answer:
Yes. You don’t necessarily need to quit for good, but you will need to take a break. Marijuana and other drugs may interfere with anesthesia and other medications used during the procedure, potentially increasing the risk of complications. Any smoking or vaping of marijuana can also increase the risk of respiratory problems during and after surgery.
Because marijuana impairs your perception of time and your surroundings, smoking after surgery may impair your ability to follow a self-care regimen. Marijuana also can impair circulation and slow the body’s ability to heal wounds, which may increase the risk of infection and delay the healing process.
Question:
Can you make me look more like a certain celebrity?
Answer:
To some extent, yes. Our facial structure is unique, and though plastic surgery can help modify your facial features to a degree, it cannot replicate anyone else’s face. If you want facial surgery partly to emulate certain features of a particular celebrity, it may be possible, depending on your anatomy. However, attempting to look exactly like anyone else is not a realistic goal.
Question:
Can you help my hairline?
Answer:
Perhaps. As men age and their hairline recedes, their foreheads become taller. Female patients with high hairlines have taller foreheads, a trait that makes them look more masculine. A surgical procedure designed to lower the hairline, in order to shorten the forehead can create a more classically feminine appearance.
Question:
Can you give me facial implants?
Answer:
Yes.
Facial implants are small, custom-designed medical devices made from a variety of synthetic materials, such as silicone or polyethylene. They are used to enhance or reshape certain features of the face, such as the chin, cheeks, or jawline, among others. Facial implants are typically placed through small incisions made inside the mouth or underneath the chin. The implants are then secured in place using sutures or small screws, depending on the surgeon’s judgment. Once healing takes place the incisions should not be visible. Some of the common motivations for getting facial implants are to achieve better balance, to improving facial definition, to improve facial symmetry in younger patients, and to reintroduce lost facial volume loss (typically in older patients).
Question:
Can you change the size or shape of my lips?
Answer:
Yes. Lip rejuvenation has become a very popular procedure. There are several options, depending on each person’s anatomy and goals. Some of the options include a surgical lip lift, fat injections, or filler injections (which tend to last the shortest). Lip reduction procedures are also available for patients who wish to reduce the size of their lips. This surgery is usually scarless, as the incisions are made inside the mouth.
Question:
Will hormone therapy affect my facial surgery, or vice versa?
Answer:
Generally not. Hormone therapy is usually not affected during by facial cosmetic surgery, nor are the results of the surgery likely to be affected. But it is always important to disclose your full medical history and to ensure that both your surgeon and your doctor managing your hormone therapy are aware of your surgical goals, in case modifications are needed.
Question:
I’m taking PrEP. Will that interfere with my surgery?
Answer:
PrEP and any other medications taken for HIV-positive patients are usually not modified by cosmetic surgery. However, it is always wise to disclose all of your medications fully, in case an adjustment is needed to prevent any interactions with anesthesia, and to ensure a safe surgery and a smooth recovery.
Question:
Can someone with HIV or hepatitis C still have cosmetic facial surgery?
Answer:
HIV-positive and hepatitis-C-positive patients can undergo cosmetic surgery. However, it is important for HIV-positive/Hepatitis-C patients to disclose their status to their plastic surgeon and medical team. This will ensure that appropriate precautions are taken during the surgical procedure to minimize the risk of transmission to others.
HIV or Hep-C patients should also disclose all medications, so appropriate measures can be taken if needed. This will ensure your surgery is completed safely and that you have an optimal recovery.