FAQs

FAQs on Plastic Surgery

Q. How do I find the right plastic surgeon for me?

A. When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is important to research their experience, credentials, and operating facility. You should schedule a consultation to get a feel for the surgeon and their staff to see if their aesthetic sense appeals to you. Plastic surgeons should be able to show prospective patients actual, real-life results, so ask to see before and after photos of their work. Dr. Rousso is a facial plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience serving the Birmingham area. Both he and Dr. Adams have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you will feel safe and confident under their care.

Q. How should I prepare for my plastic surgery consultation?

A. For your meeting with Dr. Rousso or Dr. Adams, we ask that you only wear light makeup (if any) and no turtlenecks. Please be prepared for a 90-minute visit, as most consultations include digital imaging to show patients the projected outcome of their procedure. From there, Dr. Rousso or Dr. Adams can acquire a better understanding of the results you desire. You should also write down any questions or concerns you wish to address during your consultation.

Q. How much does plastic surgery cost?

A. The cost of your plastic surgery experience will depend on the type of procedure you would like done. It will also vary based on factors such as facility fees, anesthesia fees, and the level of correction needed. Dr. Rousso will provide payment plan options during your consultation to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. You may also want to ask if your insurance will cover your procedure.

Q. How do I know I’ll get the surgical results I want?

A. Every patient’s physical concerns and desires are different. Dr. Rousso and Dr. Adams will work closely with you during your consultation to make sure your personal and aesthetic needs are met. Making sure you have realistic expectations regarding your results can also put your mind at ease.

Q. How old do I have to be to get plastic surgery?

A. There is no specific age to undergo plastic surgery. However, patients younger than 18 years old who desire plastic surgery will require parental consent.

Q. Do I have to be healthy to get plastic surgery?

A. Yes. Dr. Rousso asks that his patients be in good health and at or close to their ideal weight before having surgery done. You will also be asked to stop smoking a few weeks before and after your procedure to avoid any complications. Be sure you maintain a healthy diet, as well.

Q. What are the pros (benefits) and cons of getting plastic surgery?

A. Plastic surgery can provide youthful contours and long-lasting results that will leave you feeling beautiful and confident. However, as with most surgical procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved, including infection, scarring, bleeding, and more. Be sure to discuss these concerns with Dr. Rousso during your consultation.

Q. Can men also get plastic surgery?

A. Yes. Plastic surgery for men has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Most male patients who look into surgery desire either a balanced nose, a rejuvenated face and more rested eyes.

Q. How long does it take to heal from surgery?

A. The extent of your recovery will vary depending on the type of surgery done and the amount of correction needed. Most plastic surgery procedures require between two and four weeks of downtime. Be sure you get enough rest and stick to a healthy diet when recovering. Should any discomfort occur, Dr. Rousso can prescribe medication to help manage the pain.

Facelift

Q. How soon can I return to work after a facelift?

A. Most patents can return to their normal activities within two weeks after a facelift procedure. It is best for patients not to turn their head for that initial two-week period and therefore it is not recommended that they drive during the two weeks after the facelift procedure. If that is not an issue, and the patient’s work is not strenuous then there is no reason why they cannot return to work earlier than two weeks.

Q. Where are the incisions placed with a facelift?

A. The incisions for a facelift are hidden around the ear area. In women the incision is hidden so that the incision goes behind the notch of cartilage in front of the ear and in a man the incision runs in the natural fold just in front of the ear. There are also some incisions in the area just behind the ear and up in the temporal hair. This of course will depend on each individual patient and his or her particular needs.

Q. Is there bruising associated with facelift?

A. Some patients bruise easier than others. Some patients have absolutely no bruising with a facelift where others will have a degree of bruising in the cheek and neck region. This of course will depend on each individual’s tendency to bruise. Typically this bruising is gone within a period of two weeks.

Q. Will I have to be put to sleep for facelift surgery?

A. Most patients undergoing facelift surgery can be done with the use of a “twilight” anesthesia. This involves IV sedation to get the patient very comfortable, however, the use of a general anesthetic is not usually necessary. Most patients are very drowsy throughout the procedure and do not remember any of the actual surgery. The advantage of this is that it does not require general anesthesia with the associated risks.

Eyelid Surgery

Q. How long will it be before I can return to wearing my contact lenses after eyelid surgery?

A. Patients can return to wearing their contact lenses within approximately ten days after their surgery.

Q. Will there be any bruising after surgery?

A. There is usually very little bruising after the eyelid surgery. Some patients tend to bruise more easily than other patient’s do, and typically if there is a small amount of bruising, then this is easy to camouflage by approximately 9-10 days after the surgery. Bruising typically fades within a period of two weeks after the surgery.

Q. Where will the incisions be placed for eyelid surgery?

A. The incisions for the upper eyelid are placed into the natural fold above the eyelid in the crease. The incisions for the lower eyelid can be either on the inside of the eyelid or underneath the eyelashes. Often the lower eyelid incision can be hidden on the inside of the eyelid and therefore no external incisions are made, This is commonly performed in patients who have some extra puffiness of the lower eyelids where fatty material can be reached from the inside of the eyelid, and therefore no external incisions are used. These incisions typically heal within a period of 7-9 days and patients can put makeup on about 9 days after surgery.

Nasal Surgery

Q. Will I be able to breathe better if I have nasal surgery?

A. Some patients have a deviation of the nasal septum and enlargement of the mucous membrane of the nose that can cause problems with nasal airway obstruction. They may also have some problems with snoring as a consequence of their nasal airway problems. The nasal Septoplasty and cauterization of the mucous membranes within the nose can be performed at the same time that external cosmetic surgery is performed. These procedures can often improve the patient’s ability to breathe through their nose after nasal surgery.

Q. Does insurance help cover nasal surgery?

A. If the patient has some problems related to their ability to breathe through their nose that may be improved with the nasal Septoplasty or cauterization of the nasal turbinates then often the insurance company will help to defray some of the costs of the nasal surgery. If a patient has a traumatic injury to the nose that has caused a significant deformity then the insurance company will often help to cover the costs of the reconstruction of the nose.

Q. How long will I have swelling and bruising after nasal surgery?

A. The techniques that we use on the nose allow for minimal swelling and bruising after the surgery. We do not pack the nose after surgery and therefore patients have fewer tendencies to swell and bruise. This of course makes the postoperative course much more comfortable as the nasal packing is avoided. If the patients do have a small amount of bruising after surgery then they typically will see improvement in this within a period of one to two weeks after surgery.

Q. Is there any packing involved with nasal surgery?

A. The technique that we use when we perform nasal surgery involves the use of a dissolvable suture that allows us to avoid the use of any nasal packing. This allows for a much more comfortable postoperative course with decreased bruising and swelling and a much faster recovery.