Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Statesboro Plastic Surgery. Before any procedures are done, our patients often have questions prior to their office visit.
Here are some of the most common questions we are asked:

Question 1:
What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?

Answer 1:
Cosmetic Surgery is an elective procedure performed when the patient has a desire to improve his or her appearance, therefore enhancing self confidence. Since it is elective, it is seldom covered by insurance companies. Elective surgery would include: Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, and Abdominoplasty, known as a tummy tuck. Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is performed to re-shape or reconstitute bodily tissues in order to restore form and function. In many cases, the surgery is covered by insurance and is frequently done in a hospital setting. Types of reconstructive plastic surgery are: Breast Reconstruction for Cancer, Breast Reduction Surgery, and Removal and Repair of Skin Lesions and Skin Cancers.

Question 2:
Will my insurance carrier pay for a breast reduction?

Answer 2:
Each insurance company is different, but it’s possible to have breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty surgery, covered by individual insurance companies. In general, a person who meets criteria for reduction mammoplasty surgery has breasts that are disproportionally large for their body size. They experience symptoms such as upper back pain, neck pain, bra strap grooving, or rashes under the breast fold. These symptoms interfere with activities of daily living. Patients who qualify for this operation have exhausted conservative therapies such as dieting, wearing specialty support bras, or have sought relief through a chiropractor or physical therapist. This patient has a documented history of symptoms and has attempted therapeutic activities recommended by their primary care physician who then refers them to a plastic surgeon.

Question 3:
When should I get a skin lesion evaluated?

Answer 3:
Many people are unsure as to when they should seek attention regarding new or changing skin lesions, and whom they should see for treatment. Generally, patients believe they should see their primary care physician first. What they may not know is that excision of such skin lesions by plastic surgeons, who in general are experts at hiding and minimizing scars, are almost always covered by their insurance policies.

Here are The A-B-C-D guidelines in identifying possible skin cancer:
Asymmetry. Non uniform overall appearance of the lesions. Boarder. Irregular Borders such as blurred, notched or raised. Color. The color is Black, Red, White or has an irregular color pattern. Diameter. If the width is greater than six millimeters, about the size of an eraser head.

Question 4:
What down time can I expect from surgery?

Answer 4:
This is a common question but difficult to answer. Every procedure is individual and varies from person to person. A patients’ down time will vary with age, specific surgery type, length of surgery, and overall health. The best way to answer this question is to schedule a consultation and discuss your specific concerns with Dr. Bisseck.

Question 5:
What are the most common plastic surgery procedures performed?

Answer 5:
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common cosmetic surgery procedures are breast augmentation followed by nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery and facelift. Minimally invasive procedures include Botox treatment, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion. The top five reconstructive procedures are tumor removals, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, and hand surgery.

Question 6:
What is the right age to be concerned about the overall health of my skin?

Answer 6:
It’s never too early to be concerned about the health of your skin. By the time you move into your teen years you should have been taught the importance of a daily regime of keeping your skin in the best possible condition. As we age, our skin changes and loses its elasticity, smooth texture, uniform color, and that elusive youthful glow. However, there are good habits allowing us to maintain our appearance and slow down the aging process. A challenging physical exercise program; respecting a healthy diet; staying away from all forms of tobacco and avoiding exposure to ultraviolet light. To develop a daily skin care program that is personalized to your individual needs please contact Statesboro Plastic surgery to schedule a skin care consultation.

Question 7:
How does Botox reduce wrinkles?

Answer 7:
Botulinum toxin type A, called by some the miracle wrinkle remover, can be used as a treatment to smooth frown lines, crows feet, forehead furrow, and skin bands on the neck. Injections of this substance block muscular nerve signals, which then weakens the muscle so that it can’t contract, thereby diminishing your unwanted facial wrinkles. Botox can be combined with other cosmetic skin procedures such as chemical peels, dermal fillers, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing to further improve your results. Short of a surgical facelift, this treatment is the most popular way to reduce facial wrinkles.

Question 8:
What is liposuction and can it lead to weight loss?

Answer 8:
Liposuction isn’t a weight control method or the answer to obesity. For patients not responsive to diet or exercise, liposuction is an effective tool to contour the body in areas such as thighs, abdomen, or flanks. Liposuction is intended to remove focal areas of fatty deposits also called adiposity. The procedure starts with the administration of anesthesia accompanied with the infusion of a saline solution into the area of the body where liposuction will be performed. The solution contains medication to minimize pain and bleeding. A small, hollow tube is attached to a vacuum device and inserted through an incision into the fat layer beneath the skin. The surgeon begins to break up the fat which is then removed from the body.

Question 9:
What is the difference between silicone and saline implants?

Answer 9:
Silicone gel implants are filled with a gel which is semisolid. Saline-filled implants are filled with the same kind of salt water that is used in I-V fluids. Both have the same outer shell which is made of a solid silicone material. Today’s silicone gel-filled breast implants are different from the products that were available in the nineteen seventies. They have an outer shell that is more than fifty percent thicker than earlier implant devices and can withstand more than twenty-five times times the force of a normal mammogram without failure. No other medical device has been studied more for safety than silicone gel-filled breast implants, and research confirms they are safe.

Question 10:
Is laser hair removal permanent?

Answer 10:
Laser hair removal is a very safe, effective, and popular way to remove unwanted hair. The laser targets the color in the hair follicle and through a series of treatments will reduce and/ or eliminate hair growth in these areas. The laser destroys the follicle during its active growth phase, and since all hair follicles are not in the active growth phase at the same time, a series of three to five treatments are usually required. There are occasionally a few hairs that will need to be touched up at a later time. Typically the interval between treatments is about four weeks. The most common treatment areas for laser hair removal for women are underarms, face, bikini lines, and legs.