General

The first step for anyone interested in a cosmetic procedure is learning how to choose the right plastic surgeon. If you are considering elective surgery, you want to make sure you take the time and do the research needed to find the best possible surgeon. This individual will have influence over your health, well-being, and appearance, so you should settle for nothing short of the best. In addition to their technical skills, you also want to make sure you have a surgeon you can trust. You want this individual to make you feel safe, secure and confident going into the procedure. 

It can be difficult to figure out who is the best surgeon for you. If you are interested in learning more about how to choose the right plastic surgeon, take a look at the 9 signs we’ve determined that mark finding the right plastic surgeon for you.

1. Someone Close to You Recommends Them

The best way to find a great plastic surgeon is through a recommendation. If you have a friend, family member, coworker or even an acquaintance that had a great experience with a local plastic surgeon, that is a great place to start. You can meet directly with this person and ask them a series of questions about their experience with their surgeon.

If nobody in your immediate network has had a positive plastic surgery experience, ask a healthcare professional, especially if you’re already seeing a specialist for something like a breathing issue or cosmetic service. 

2. The Surgeon Has Excellent Reviews

The Internet is such a useful tool. With just a swipe of your finger or a click of the mouse, you can instantly explore hundreds of reviews and testimonials for any local plastic surgeon. Read through as many of these reviews as possible, taking note of the patient’s experience with the surgeon and their results following the surgery. Each patient will go about the review process differently, so make sure to read a variety of different reviews instead of just relying on one or two bad ones. Any surgeon you agree to see should have a large number of verified reviews from trusted sources, have reviews that include reviews of patients who had the procedure you are interested in having, have a score of 4.5 or greater and include comments regarding the technical outcome, the interaction with the surgeon, the surgical facility and the staff. 

3. They Do Not Pressure You Into Surgery

It should be an immediate red flag if you find that the plastic surgeon and their staff are very pushy with you, using sales tactics to try to “close the deal.” While it’s normal for any office to have sales and marketing tactics to draw in potential patients, they cross the line when they try to rush you into making a decision. This is not buying a TV—it is opting for surgery. Any good surgeon should give you the time you need to make an informed decision. You are more than a potential sale, and your surgeon should be making decisions in your best interests, not in the best interest of their bank account. Choose a surgeon and staff who is focused on meeting your needs and is that clearly is concerned with your safety.

4. They Are Communicative and Polite During a Consultation

The surgical consultation is the most important part of the entire vetting process and a key component of learning how to choose the right surgeon for you. You want to go into the consultation with the mindset that you are putting the surgeon through a job interview and you should walk away from the office impressed. Come to the consultation with a list of questions you want to ask the surgeon, including questions about their experience and background, as well as specific questions regarding your procedure. Make sure the surgeon is not only answering your questions, but is also communicating with you in a relatable and down-to-earth manner. You do not want a surgeon who only speaks to you using medical jargon. Instead, you want a surgeon who will partner with you to make sure you are informed during every step of the process.  You want to feel comfortable and confident.

5. The Surgeon Is Qualified to Perform Your Desired Procedure

During your consultation, you want to make sure your surgeon is qualified. They should be an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified plastic surgeon, preferably with an American Society of Plastic Surgeons membership. Some “cosmetic” practitioners are not actually doctors who are certified for surgery, as their practice mainly consists of injectables and laser procedures. You are able to check if your surgeon is certified on the ABPS website (www.plasticsurgery.org),  searching through an online database to find their certification.

You also want to make sure your surgeon is a specialist in your desired procedure. Many plastic surgeons specialize in one field, meaning they do not have experience or expertise in other types of surgeries. For example, a doctor who solely specializes in breast implants may not be qualified to perform eyelid surgery. It is especially important to find a qualified specialist if you are looking to undergo an uncommon surgery.

6. The Plan Is Right For Your Goals

Plastic surgery should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.  Each individual is unique and has unique concerns, health issues, motivations and goals.  Every plastic surgeon will have different preferences and styles in regard to their surgical approach and should be able to offer a custom solution for each patient.  The plastic surgeon should be able to explain various options and explain clearly the benefits and drawbacks associated with different options. They should be able to work with you to find the solution that will serve your needs best.

7. The Staff Is Experienced and Friendly

The surgeon is not going to complete your procedure on their own. They rely on their team of dedicated employees, and you want to make sure these individuals are skilled professionals. Each and every interaction with the staff should be a positive one, and if you feel you were not treated kindly by a staff member or that they did not know what they are doing, that is a red flag to look for a plastic surgeon elsewhere.

8. The Surgical Site Is Accredited and Incredible

You need to make sure your surgery will be performed at an accredited hospital or an AAAASF-accredited surgical facility and operating room. Some surgeons will even have an on-site surgical facility, allowing patients convenient access to the operating facility. Ask if the center is dedicated to plastic surgery and if a medical doctor trained in Anesthesiology will be providing your anesthesia or if the surgeon or his nurse will have to perform this function as well.

9. It Just Feels Right

Go with your gut. The key to learning how to choose the right plastic surgeon is trusting your instincts. If you have a bond with the surgeon and immediately trust them, that can sometimes be enough to make a decision. Of course, you only want to opt for an experienced and board-certified surgeon with an outstanding reputation, but you will be developing a relationship with them as well. The most important aspect is that you are comfortable with this person and that they make you feel safe and secure.

Choose a Trusted Plastic Surgeon in Houston, Texas

If you are struggling with how to choose the right plastic surgeon for you, then we can help. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a surgeon with an impeccable reputation, helping patients from all over the United States as well as Houston, Katy and Pearland, Texas, look their best. He is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon, with over 20 years of experience and countless positive patient reviews and testimonials. Best of all, Dr. Lapuerta is a skilled communicator, partnering with the patient to help them reach their goals. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Lapuerta or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today. 

While plastic surgery has become more popular with men over the years, plastic surgery procedures for women still tend to dominate the market: Women accounted for 87% of all cosmetic plastic surgeries in the United States in 2018. Below are six of the most popular plastic surgery procedures for women.

1. Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation has been the reigning queen of procedures, so to speak. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were close to 314,000 breast augmentation procedures in 2018, which accounts for nearly 17.5% of all cosmetic surgeries performed in 2018. That data is for both men and women, so the percentage would be even higher when accounting only for women. Breast augmentation involves the use of saline or silicone implants to allow women to change the shape or size of their breasts, helping them restore lost volume or improve the symmetry of the breasts.

2. Liposuction

Women looking for a safe and simple way to get rid of excess fat are turning to liposuction. This surgical procedure targets problem areas in which an accumulation of fat persists despite proper diet and exercise. Liposuction is incredibly versatile, with the procedure able to target a variety of areas throughout the body. Women with unwanted bulges on or around their chin, arms, belly, hips, thighs, buttocks, or back can use liposuction to reshape their body, unveiling a thinner and more shapely figure.

3. Nose Jobs

A nose job, also known as rhinoplasty, can help women get their ideal nose. The cosmetic surgery changes the size and shape of the nose in order to make it better proportioned to the rest of the patient’s face. One of the factors that makes a nose job one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures for women is that the surgery is completely customized for every patient. During a consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will outline your ideal nose, looking through samples to point out the features that appeal to you. Possible changes include altering the tip of the nose, reshaping the bridge of the nose, adjusting the size of the nose or nostrils, and modifying the space between the upper lip and the nose.

4. Eyelid Surgery

As women age, their eyelids can begin to start drooping or they can develop puffy bags under their eyes. If this is the case, eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a popular procedure to improve the appearance of the eyes. Eyelid surgery is usually performed for cosmetic reasons, but sometimes the procedure is necessary to help patients with sagging eyelids that impair their vision. Eyelid surgery can consist of treatment to the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. Most patients prefer getting both the upper and lower eyelids treated at the same time, as it allows them to get both areas addressed without the need for added recovery time.

5. Tummy Tucks

There are many plastic surgery procedures for women to help their bodies recover following pregnancy. A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is arguably the most popular, as it helps women get a firm, taunt, and flat belly.

Pregnancy can drastically stretch out a woman’s stomach to accommodate the child she is carrying. After giving birth, there tends to be excess fat and skin around the stomach, giving the patient the appearance of being overweight even if they are in excellent physical condition. A tummy tuck removes all of that hanging fat and skin while simultaneously stretching the muscles in the tummy. As a result, patients leave the procedure with a drastically flatter stomach. A tummy tuck is not just for post-pregnancy recovery anymore—it’s also useful for women who have recently lost a large amount of weight or have found that the skin around their tummy simply isn’t as tight as it used to be.

6. Breast Reduction

For many women, overly large breasts can be a burden. Oversized breasts can lead to a litany of health concerns, including neck pain, skeletal deformities, severe headaches, excessive sweating and severe back pain. Large breasts can also cause poor posture, giving women the appearance that they are constantly slouching. A breast reduction surgery offers these women some reprieve from constant discomfort, removing excess skin and tissue to reshape their breasts to a more manageable size. Breast reduction has one of the highest patient approval ratings of all of the plastic surgery procedures for women.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for Women with Dr. Lapuerta

There are a variety of different plastic surgery procedures for women, including but not limited to the ones mentioned above. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is an expert in all of these procedures, helping women in Houston, Katy, and Pearland, Texas, get the results they desire. While his surgical expertise is widely renowned, what truly sets Dr. Lapuerta apart is his ability to partner with patients to help make their dreams a reality. During a plastic surgery consultation, Dr. Lapuerta will get a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s goals and then devise a treatment plan that will help the patient achieve these goals. To learn more, request a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta today.

Plastic surgery is a very personal procedure, and with each patient comes a different set of underlying motivations that pushes them toward a specific surgery. As more people elect to get surgery every year, there have been certain trends that develop as far as their rationale

Below are some of the most common reasons for plastic surgery cited by patients. While this list is far from exhaustive, it provides a good introduction to why people get plastic surgery.

1. A Boost in Confidence and Self-Esteem

Many patients who come in for plastic surgery are looking to fix a specific problem area. Often others may not notice any particular appearance issue, but the patient is bothered by a particular feature.  Usually, the patient has been bothered for a very long time about the feature and it affects their self-confidence. Concerns include a large nose or a nose with a bump, protruding ears, an issue with their breast or body size or shape that affects their appearance in clothing or seeing an image of themselves that is older than they feel. Patients find an increased sense of self-confidence that can be seen in the way they carry themselves and interact with others.  Oftentimes, these patients express that this improved confidence will help them find more success romantically, in their career, and in maintaining social relationships.

2. Getting Their Body Back Post-Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes a series of drastic changes to any woman’s body, such as extreme stretching of the skin in a variety of different areas, including the belly and the breasts. After the mother is done with pregnancy and breastfeeding, one of the main reasons for plastic surgery is recapturing her pre-pregnancy body. The mommy makeover consists of several different surgical procedures to address all of the changes to the body caused by pregnancy. A mommy makeover can lift sagging breasts and restore breast volume with a breast lift, remove excess fat and skin around the belly with a tummy tuck, and address other areas of the body with liposuction or body contouring. 

3. Plastic Surgery Is More Affordable Than Ever Before

In the past, plastic surgery was primarily available to the rich and famous. The average, working-class individual simply did not have the funds to pay for expensive cosmetic surgery procedures. Over the past twenty years, the price of plastic surgery has decreased  and plastic surgery has become financially possible for most Americans today. Even for patients on a more limited budget, most plastic surgery practices are now able to offer many different financing options.  These offer an affordable way for patients to achieve their goals with low monthly payment plans. These financing options allow for a monthly payment over a predetermined amount of time, instead of requiring the whole lump sum at the time of the procedure. Some financing options include zero percent interest when repaid over the course of a year.

4. Fighting the Effects of Aging

As individuals age, their appearance changes. Skin naturally loses volume, and factors like sun exposure and gravity take a toll on the body over time, which can lead to the development of wrinkles and fine lines. Patients seek to turn back the clock, improving their appearance without necessarily changing any of their features. Instead, they simply want to diminish the signs of aging and project to the world the energy and vitality they feel inside.Some of the most common plastic surgeries to fight the effects of aging include a facelift, neck lift, or blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. There are also a variety of non-surgical cosmetic treatments to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while restoring youthful volume, including Botox® injections, dermal fillers, facial skin resurfacing, and much more.

5. Improvements in Technology

As with any other industry, there are constant technological innovations that make plastic surgery safer, more effective, and more reliable. In the past, patients may have been hesitant to undergo plastic surgery because they were worried about possible complications or the procedure not getting them the results they desire. Advances in surgical techniques and anesthesia have allowed most plastic surgery procedures to be safely performed in an outpatient setting.  Patients are able to go home the same day of surgery and recover in the comfort of familiar surroundings. 

6. Drastic Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss is one of the most popular reasons for plastic surgery. Similar to pregnancy, a big weight gain can stretch and distort the skin all over an individual’s body. When someone loses all of that weight, there can still be pockets of excess fat and loose, hanging skin that will not go away despite how well someone exercises. That is why there are a variety of options for plastic surgery after weight loss, helping patients complete their weight loss journey. After all of that hard work to lose weight, patients deserve to flaunt their new and improved body!

7. Health Benefits

One of the final reasons for plastic surgery is the number of health benefits that different surgeries can offer. In certain scenarios, plastic surgery can actually improve your overall health and wellness, beyond the increase in self-esteem and confidence. For example, Botox® can be used to treat excessive sweating, chronic migraines, and problems with TMJ. A nose job can treat a deviated septum, which can cause breathing difficulties and snoring. Breast reduction can help relieve back pain and treat disc problems.  Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery can improve a patient’s vision by removing the hood of upper eyelid skin that may be blocking their field of vision.  Patients undergoing tummy tuck and liposuction often find positive changes in their appearance inspires them to make diet and exercise changes to maintain their new body.  Last but not least because smoking and nicotine products impair wound healing, most plastic surgery procedures require that patients quit smoking or using a nicotine product. Once patients have ceased use of these products for 6 to 8 weeks before surgery and during their post-operative recovery, many never return to smoking or using nicotine.

Plastic Surgery in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas

No matter what your reasons for plastic surgery are, Dr. Leo Lapuerta can help. Dr. Lapuerta has built a reputation as one of the best plastic surgeons in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, providing patients with unparalleled treatment and support. Dr. Lapuerta will sit down with patients during a surgical consultation and listen to their reasons for plastic surgery. Once he understands the patient’s goals, Dr. Lapuerta will partner with the patient to make sure he delivers exactly what they are looking for, creating a custom treatment plan. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Lapuerta today.

Plastic surgery after losing weight is oftentimes an important part of a full-body transformation. If you have recently lost a large amount of weight, you may find that your body is unable to adjust to your new leaner self. Substantial weight loss is often accompanied by bundles of excess skin and fatty tissue that unfortunately hides your amazing weight loss and new figure from the world. Plastic surgery after losing weight allows you to reshape your body, using a few key procedures to optimize your appearance. If you have recently lost a significant amount of weight, check out this guide to plastic surgery after weight loss to decide which treatments are best for you.

Body Contouring

Body contouring, also referred to as a body lift or body sculpting, is the most common choice for patients opting for plastic surgery after losing weight. If you have recently lost a lot of weight or are a new mom, body contouring consists of a number of different tightening procedures, all performed simultaneously, that can result in a dramatically improved appearance. The goal of the surgery is to remove excess skin and fat from a number of different areas of the body, including arms, breasts, abdomen, neck, hips, knees, thighs, or buttocks.

Body contouring can address any area of the body that does not look normal after losing weight. During a consultation, your plastic surgeon will assess which areas need attention, and develop a body contouring plan accordingly. The surgery consists of making several incisions on problem areas throughout the body and then removing any excess skin and fat. Body contouring also tightens muscles in select regions of the body. While there will be some scarring following the procedure, a skilled plastic surgeon will do everything possible to minimize the appearance of the scars.

Recovery can be a bit intense because of the different areas of the body that are operated on, but the results make it worth it. If you are not interested in a procedure as comprehensive as a body lift, then below are some components of a body lift you can opt for individually instead of getting all of it done at once.

Tummy Tuck

The tummy is an area of the body that carries the most fat in overweight individuals, tending to stretch the skin in that area in order to contain a protruding gut. If you lose a lot of weight, a good amount of it will come from the abdomen, and all of that stretched-out skin has nowhere to go. A tummy tuck is an amazing procedure to address that accumulation of excess skin, allowing you to remove hanging and drooping skin around the midsection. A skilled plastic surgeon makes an incision from hip bone to hip bone, removes any excess skin and fat, and then pulls the abdominal muscles so that they are tightly secured. The result is a trim, tight, and toned tummy. The incision in this surgery is strategically made so that it will be hidden by most clothing and undergarments, allowing you to flaunt your new tummy in a swimsuit.  

Brazilian Butt Lift

While the positives of weight loss undeniably outweigh the negatives, that does not mean that there are not some small sacrifices. Some areas of your body may lose their youthful volume, and this is especially true for the buttocks following weight loss. The butt can become deflated and look flat after weight loss, making the Brazilian butt lift a great option for plastic surgery after losing weight. During the procedure, fat is removed from another area of the body using liposuction, refined, and then injected back into the buttocks. If patients do not have the necessary fat elsewhere on the body, implants can be used instead. This results in a plumper, firmer, and rounder buttocks.

Breast Lift

The same issues beguiling the buttocks after weight loss can also affect the breasts. The skin around the breasts has been stretched and expanded as you gained weight, which causes it to lose some of its elasticity. When you lose weight, you lose fat in your breasts, which may cause your breasts to sag and look flat. A breast lift aims to fix any drooping or sagging, removing excess skin and tissue as well as repositioning the areola for a natural placement. If needed (or desired), your plastic surgeon can also place breast implants during a breast lift to help shape your breasts or increase their size. As a result, you can recapture the more youthful and perkier breasts of your youth after weight loss.

Arm Lift

Unlike a lot of other areas on this list, it can be tough to hide sagging arm skin after drastic weight loss. Depending on where you live, wearing long-sleeves during the summer is simply not plausible. An arm lift surgery can give you shapelier and thinner arms, allowing you to proudly sport tank tops all summer long. The arm lift is a great plastic surgery after weight loss option, as the discreet surgery consists of an incision on the inner arm. From this incision, excess fat is removed and loose skin is trimmed away, leaving you with thinner and smaller arms.

Thigh Lift

Weight loss hits the thighs hard. The thighs are an area that seems to be especially susceptible to loose skin and excessive wrinkling following weight loss, making a thigh lift a preferred option for many individuals. Not only does a thigh lift surgery remove all excess skin and fat, but it also works to reshape the outward appearance of your thighs. The goal is to get the thighs to look smoother, tighter, and more shapely, helping you to regain the beautiful curves of your body. In some cases, liposuction will be used to help sculpt this area to your preferred appearance. 

Plastic Surgery After Losing Weight with Dr. Lapuerta

If you have recently lost a drastic amount of weight, it is time to put the finishing touches on your transformation. Plastic surgery after losing weight can reshape your appearance, helping you look younger and thinner and feel more confident than ever. Dr. Lapuerta is an expert when it comes to plastic surgery for patients who have just lost a significant amount of weight, helping them get rid of any excess fat or loose skin. In general, body contouring is the best option, but if you have one particular problem area that needs to be addressed, any of the above procedures are an excellent option. Dr. Lapuerta will meet with you during a consultation to assess your weight loss and partner with you to determine the best treatment plan moving forward. To learn more or to request a consultation, contact Dr. Lapuerta today.