Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular as more people turn to surgical methods to help fight the signs of aging or change the features on a person’s face. Even if you are considering cosmetic surgery for yourself, you may not be aware of what treatments exist or what to expect before and after surgery. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a well-respected cosmetic surgeon in the Houston, Texas, area with more than two decades of experience.
Cosmetic surgery is a broad term that refers to both surgical and non-surgical treatments to improve the way you look as well as the way you feel about your appearance. This type of surgery can improve your self-esteem and give you more confidence, especially if it alters or hides a perceived flaw. Cosmetic surgery procedures can be performed on the face or body. They are designed for men or women and can be done at various ages.
Types of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic surgery is a wide field with many different procedures. They can be broken down into two separate major categories: surgery for the face and surgery for the body. Within these categories, you’ll find a broad spectrum.
Cosmetic surgery for the face can include non-surgical treatments, such as Botox, a chemical peel, dermabrasion, and facial fillers. These treatments are often used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or to make the skin look younger.
Surgical treatments for the face include cheek lift, chin augmentation, brow lift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty or a nose job, face lift, or neck lift. These cosmetic surgeries focus on tightening loose skin or filling out sunken areas that occur because of the aging process.
Cosmetic surgery for the body includes everything from the neck down. These surgical procedures can address sagging skin or features that aren’t in the desired shape. Breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lift are two procedures that change the shape of your body. Breast lift, arm lift, and thigh lift help remove sagging skin in those areas that can happen from losing a significant amount of weight or as part of the aging process.
Liposuction helps get rid of excess fat that may stay in certain areas of the body in spite of diet and exercise. The tummy tuck also removes excess skin that may hang over after weight loss.
Sometimes the doctor will recommend multiple surgeries at the same time if you want to make changes to more than one body part. For instance, a breast augmentation with a breast lift can take care of sagging and small breasts at the same time. A tummy tuck and liposuction removes excess fat and tightens the loose skin left behind.
How to Prepare for Cosmetic Surgery in 2022
If you are planning a cosmetic surgical procedure, you will want to prepare by deciding what results you want to achieve. You also need to know what parts of your face or body you want to change and how you hope they will look after the surgery. You want to have reasonable expectations when preparing for cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Lapuerta will meet with you in a consultation before the surgery. He will talk with you about your goals and help you decide on the right procedure. He will also discuss what the procedure can and cannot do to help you know what to expect.
You should look at before and after photos of the procedure you are considering. Looking at success stories from other patients will help you have a better understanding of what you can expect if you choose this procedure.
To help you prepare for any cosmetic surgery, you should work towards getting as healthy as possible. Start to eat healthier foods, get more exercise, and stop smoking—all of which can help you achieve your desired results.
What to Do Before Cosmetic Surgery
One of the first steps to take before cosmetic surgery is scheduling a consultation with the surgeon. You should plan ahead about any questions you want to ask. Make sure you feel comfortable with the surgeon you choose and understand what will happen with the surgery and during recovery. The doctor may take photos so you can see the difference after the procedure. They will also provide you with an estimate of the cost of treatment.
Your doctor may provide some guidelines for you to follow, depending on the type of surgery you are having. They may have you stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin or prescription blood thinners. You likely will need to stop eating and drinking the night before the procedure. The doctor will discuss any restrictions you will have after the surgery and how long before you can go back to work. You’ll want to let your employer know and make a plan to take time off for the procedure and recovery.
What to Do After Cosmetic Surgery
Depending on the type of surgery you are having, you may spend the night in the hospital. Most of the time, it will be an outpatient procedure, but you will need a driver to take you home for many of the surgeries. Non-surgical treatments likely won’t require a driver, but you will want to follow the doctor’s orders on caring for the area being treated.
The doctor may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain medicines to control any discomfort. You may wear compression garments for a few days or longer after the surgery to help reduce swelling. With many procedures, you will have a follow-up appointment for the doctor to check your healing.
Cosmetic Surgery Recovery
Recovery from cosmetic surgery differs dramatically based on the procedure you have. For instance, Botox or injectable fillers have very little recovery time. You may experience some redness and tenderness at the injection site, but that will go away in a few days.
With a surgery like breast augmentation, you can expect swelling and bruising for several weeks. You may not have much energy and find it difficult to manage your daily routines. Some surgeries will restrict you from taking baths, bending, lifting, or performing strenuous exercise for a period of time.
Even after the swelling and bruising have subsided, you may not see results for some time. With certain procedures, it can take up to six months or longer for the final results to be evident.
Houston, TX – Best Cosmetic Surgery Near Me
If you want to find the best cosmetic surgery doctor in Houston, you will want to learn more about Dr. Leo Lapuerta and his team. As a plastic surgeon, he has been performing many cosmetic treatments for patients alongside his surgical procedures. Dr. Lapuerta will sit down with you and discuss your goals and which procedures will best help you achieve the results you want.
Why Choose Dr. Leo Lapuerta for Cosmetic Surgery in Texas?
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He has performed over 20,000 procedures for patients in Houston and throughout the state. Because he is a certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lapuerta maintains his certification through continuing education, which keeps him up to date on the newest procedures and safety practices.
Contact Us Today for More Information
To find out more about our cosmetic surgery procedures and how they can help you meet specific goals for the way you want to look, you can schedule a consultation. Contact us today for an appointment, and take the next step to toward looking and feeling your best.