Be Informed! Plastic Surgery FAQs

How should I find the best surgeon for my procedure?

Your face and body are the most precious items you own.  Surgery is serious.  Not all plastic surgery is equal.  Requirement number 1:  Understand terminology:  Cosmetic surgery is a sub-division of the specialty of plastic surgery.  If you are considering cosmetic surgery, please do yourself a favor, and see a real PLASTIC SURGEON, that is, a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  These are surgeons with high professional and ethical standards.  The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only American Board of Medical Specialties board authorized to train and certify physicians in cosmetic surgery.  Those with the highest standards are not just "board certified," but are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Would you go to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist for your breast augmentation?  Would you see a plastic surgeon for coronary artery bypass?  Of course not!

You also want a doctor whose aesthetic sense agrees with yours.  This can be learned only by you, and only during consultation, by hearing the surgeon's diagnosis and plan for delivering to you the result you want. 

You should feel comfortable with your surgeon's commitment to the result you desire, the cost of the operation, his or her ability to manage possible problems or complications, and your surgeon's results from similar procedures he or she has previously performed.  See unaltered "before and after" photos of other patients who have had your procedure if possible.  Be sure you like the results your surgeon has achieved for other patients. Consider where your surgeon plans to perform your procedure;  Be certain the operating room (OR) is accredited.  Verify that your surgeon is qualified to do the procedure in a local hospital before allowing it to take place in an office based surgery center. Many non-plastic surgeons operate in office ORs in order to do procedures they have not been credentialed to do in the hospital.

Do you offer patient referrals/testimonials?

Yes. Please ask for a list of patients if desired.  We often need to contact former patients to be sure they are willing to recieve a call from prospective patients;  Some former patients prefer to call the prospective patient themselves rather than provide their name and phone number.

Is it possible to spend the night in your surgery center?

Yes.  For longer procedures or multiple procedures performed the same day (e.g. face and necklift, "mommy makeover"), we suggest overnight stay to be certain of adequate pain control and patient safety.  A nurse and nursing assistant monitor vital signs, help maintain your comfort, and immediately call Dr. Laverson if you have any questions or if a problem arises.

Do you offer financing?

Yes.  Apply for financing online or in our office.  It only takes minutes;  By the time your consultation is complete, you will know how much you are approved for.  We offer several sources of funding to accommodate a variety of credit profiles.

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is named from the Greek word "plastikos" which means "to shape", based on the surgeon re-shaping the form of the face and/ or body.   The name "plastic" has nothing to do with materials used in the surgery itself, although plastic surgical procedures often requires natural or artificial implants of one type or another.  Many techniques involve relocation of a patient's own tissues from one area on the body to another.  Other specialized methods involve reshaping existing tissues for a better appearance.

Is there any scarring?

To reshape or rejuvenate parts of the body, the surgeon often needs to enter space beneath the skin through an opening that he or she creates.  This opening is closed at the end of your procedure, but heals by a process of scar formation.  Plastic Surgeons are expert at minimizing visibility of scars and locating them in the least conspicuous areas.  Often, scars become undetectable to all but the most careful examination over the course of time. Scars may also be hidden in the hair, along a wrinkle, inside the mouth, etc., so they are undetectable. The approximate placement and length of the scar will be discussed before surgery. You may also review other patient's photos with similar incisions.

Plastic Surgery for Men

Men want to Feel Beautiful too! Details of each procedure differ from those on women to preserve or emphasize masculine features. Most popular procedures for men are rhinoplasty (nose), face or neck lift, eyelid rejuvenation (blepharoplasty), liposuction for love handles, hair transplants, male breast reduction, chin implant, and others.

Call 760-753-6464, e-mail your specific questions, or schedule a consultation here