cosmetic procedures

Before we get into specifics, let's take a moment to discuss what is meant by a cosmetic procedure. Cosmetic surgery is any procedure done to enhance one's aesthetic appearance. Although cosmetic procedures may correct a condition, the intent of this surgery is to improve the appearance rather than correct an abnormality.

What Plastic Surgery Can – and Can't – Do

Within a relatively short span of time, cosmetic surgery has become socially acceptable. Today cosmetic procedures are commonly performed on a wide variety of men, women and children. While the numbers of people undergoing these procedures increases dramatically each year, cosmetic surgery is not a miracle answer for all of life's problems. Plastic surgery can improve your appearance; it cannot change your life.

Let's talk for a moment about expectations. Everyone in our office wants you to have a successful result. However, there are limits to what plastic surgery can do. Not all problems can be completely solved by surgery. Each operation is designed to improve a specific problem(s). During your consultation, Dr. Hait will ask you what you expect from your operation. He will then discuss at length with you what he believes you can reasonably expect from a procedure. Understanding what an operation can do for you is essential so that you will be pleased with your result. An unrealistic expectation before the surgery is the most common cause of dissatisfaction after the operation.

Some procedures may require surgical revisions at a later date. These revisions could involve additional expense. Dr. Hait will discuss this with you if he feels further surgery may be necessary.

Because smoking affects wound healing, please tell Dr. Hait if you do smoke. There will be certain precautions he may have to take to insure a successful result from your surgery.

Please understand at the outset that no surgery is without scarring. No surgeon — no matter how skilled — can promise a total absence of scars. In any cosmetic operation the surgeon places the incision so that the resulting scars are least noticeable. Inherent qualities of your skin, often genetically determined, may cause wider or more elevated scars. Infections and delayed healing may also contribute to increased scarring. Sometimes these scars can be made less obvious with a secondary surgical procedure. Dr. Hait will describe the location of all incisions during your consultation.

It's important for you to understand that while the popular press makes surgery seem routine, all cosmetic surgical procedures can be considered as "major surgery." (My definition of "minor surgery" is "surgery that is done to someone else.") All surgery has some inherent risk, no matter how small the procedure. Your consultation will include a discussion of possible complications so that you can make an informed decision regarding your surgery. I prefer to see and talk with my patients at least twice when possible before performing any surgery on them to make sure that we both agree on the expected results of the operation and that you understand the full course of treatment.