FAQs Archive - Page 3 of 4 - West Empire Plastic Surgery

Q: How long is the surgery?

The duration of a breast augmentation will vary from patient to patient, but it generally takes between one and two hours for both breast implant surgery or fat transfer. Depending on circumstances, the surgery is either performed on an outpatient basis or it may involve an overnight hospital stay to ensure the patient is recovering properly

Q: What about the scarring?

Part of a plastic surgeon’s job is to ensure that incisions are done so as to minimize the visibility of scars after they heal. In all types of procedures, incisions are typically made where any resulting scars are the least likely to be seen. Finally, scars tend to fade as time passes.

Q: Who is a Brazilian butt lift for?

Any patient who wants a more voluptuous backside can benefit from a Brazilian butt lift. While pop culture once celebrated a very petite type of figure, a more ample physique has been increasingly celebrated in media over the last few decades and it has become the desired look for many. Moreover, as the saying goes, “real women have curves,” so many patients are leaning into the body-type they already have but want a tighter and more shapely version of their present appearance. Patients include all types of people from all walks of life – you don’t have to be a Kardashian, or have Kardashian-style financial resources, to get a butt lift. As with any plastic surgery, however, patients should be in good health before they can undergo buttocks augmentation.

Q: What happens during a Brazilian butt lift?

Liposuction is used to extract fat from other areas of the body. As mentioned above, this may be done in a manner that preserves or enhances the patient’s body shape, perhaps in conjunction with the buttock augmentation. Liposuction requires small incisions to be made through which the fat extraction process can be facilitated. Naturally, the procedure is always performed under anesthesia. Once the fat is obtained, it is put through a purifying process to make it safe for strategic placement back into the body. The surgeon then injects the fat carefully in varying levels and areas of the buttocks to mold the backside into the desired shape. An expert surgeon will be able to make detailed adjustments so that the augmentation is flattering and looks natural.

Q: How long does a Brazilian butt lift take?

The answer to this question is intertwined with the exact collection of procedures the patient undergoes. The lengthiest portion of a Brazilian butt lift, fat grafting, generally takes between two and five hours to complete. If the patient requires additional procedures, like surgical removal of excess skin or additional liposuction, then the overall procedure will take that much longer to complete. At West Empire Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, patients can be sure that their surgeon will thoroughly explain both the nature of their procedures as well as the anticipated timeframe well before the day of their surgery.

Q: How do most patients feel about their mommy makeovers?

Mommy makeover patients tend to be some of our happier patients because the results are instantaneous. The surgery makes a dramatic difference in how the shape of the breasts and body appears. Patients often tell us that they feel that they have regained some of the confidence they enjoyed in their earlier years

Q: What are the possible complications of mommy makeovers?

The growing popularity of mommy makeovers is largely due to the fact that they are both safe and effective. Complications are rare, but we always try to educate our patients on all the risks as well as the benefits of procedures. Major complications from surgery include bleeding, infection, pain, large scars, contour irregularities, fluid collections, asymmetry, blood clots, stroke and/or heart attack. Of course, we will be staying in touch with patients to ensure that, should any of these complications occur, we will be doing everything possible to alleviate the problem.

Q: Are all tummy tucks pretty much the same?

Absolutely not. Every patient is different and there is more than one type of abdominoplasty. Mini tummy tucks involve removing less skin and tightening only the lower abdominal wall or muscles. Full tummy tucks usually involve larger incisions that entail removing more skin and tightening the abdominal wall from the pubic bone all the way up to the lower chest. The best type of operation for an individual patient is largely based on the anatomy of the abdominal wall and the patient’s desires.

Q: How do doctors know if it's safe to perform tummy tucks?

A pre-operative clearance is required to make sure that the patient is healthy enough to undergo the operation. We do not operate on active smokers; patients may not smoke for four weeks before surgery. We emphasize safety above everything. If patients have active infections or have other problems, we do not recommend surgery.

Q: How much time does it take to perform a tummy tuck?

It is usually a four-hour operation though sometimes it can take longer, depending on the size of the patient and if it is being combined with other procedures.