Cosmetic surgery: When is the right time?

Cosmetic surgery: When is the right time?

When considering a cosmetic procedure, whether it is Botox injections or a breast augmentation, you may ask yourself, “Is this the best time to have it done?”  Deciding to have plastic surgery is a personal decision, of course, and timing depends at lot upon your goals and desired outcome.  Below are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

 

Plan Ahead

If you want to be ready for a special occasion, definitely plan ahead.  Many non-surgical procedures such as Botox®, Dysport®, and dermal fillers (Juvederm®, Restylane®, Perlane®, Sculptra®) have immediate results and require little to no downtime.  You may want to look your best for a wedding, family party, or class reunion, but you should give yourself about 2 weeks for any minimal bruising to resolve.

Most surgical procedures, such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast augmentation, do require several weeks to fully recover.  So if you want to look your best in your bathing suit or for that special event, you should plan to give yourself time for the swelling to resolve and for your incisions to heal.

 

General Guidelines for Popular Procedures

 Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty):  Maybe your abdomen protrudes after having children, or you have excess skin or bulging at your waistline you can pinch.  You exercise and watch your diet, but your shape is just not what you want it to be.   A tummy tuck may be helpful by removing excessive skin and fat, repairing the abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy, and even improving a C-section scar.  In most circumstances it is best to wait until after you lose excess weight and have finished having children.  Give yourself about 12 weeks to heal before your bathing suit debut or your special event.

Breast Augmentation:  Generally speaking, there are two time periods when a woman seeks breast enhancement surgery.  A young woman in her twenties may recognize that she has finished developing breast tissue and she desires larger breasts.  A breast augmentation with saline or silicone gel implants would provide the best option to help her achieve fuller breasts.  An older woman, later in her thirties, forties, or fifties, may have lost volume after having children, or may notice sagging of her breasts.  A breast lift, or mastopexy, can remove excess sagging skin and can reposition the nipple on the breast.  Depending on your needs, Dr. Doyle will recommend one procedure or a combination of a breast augmentation and breast lift to help you achieve your goals for breast enhancement.  Recovery from breast augmentation is usually quick, but do give yourself a few months before a major event to look your best.

Liposuction:  Liposuction can be used to treat stubborn fat pockets in many parts of the body including the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, neck, back, and chest.  Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and is not an effective treatment for cellulite, the dimpled skin that sometimes appears on the thighs, hips, and buttocks.  Removing excess fat deposits improves your body contour and proportion, and ultimately can enhance your self-image.  Winter is a great time to do liposuction since post-operative support garments can be easily hidden under clothing.

-Facial Rejuvenation:  Improve your appearance anytime with a Hydrafacial, revitalizing peel, or anti-aging facial offered by our aesthetician.  All skin care procedures offer the most advanced medical grade products and are supervised by Dr. Doyle.  Get your skin glowing right before your special event.  More advanced facial rejuvenation, such as an eyelid lift, facelift, and neck lift can take between two to six months for the swelling to be completely gone.

 

Do you have questions about cosmetic surgery or skin rejuvenation?  Contact Dr. Doyle at 401-336-3770 or via email at info@centrefars.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Dr. Andrea Doyle is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  As a plastic surgeon serving the greater Providence, Rhode Island region, eastern Connecticut, and southern Massachusetts, she is committed to excellence, using the latest technologies and procedures to help you look your best.

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