Dr. Lin is dedicated to patient safety and education. Below are some frequently asked questions patients have had about plastic surgery. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is a surgeon who has fulfilled all the training requirements and passed the qualification examinations administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (a member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties and the only Plastic Surgery organization that is a member of this organization). Board certification is a rigorous process that serves as a primary indicator of a physician’s competency to practice in a medical specialty. Maintenance of board certification also signifies that continuing education requirements are met.
There is a certain degree of risk associated with any surgical procedure whether it be for medical or cosmetic reasons. Our team is dedicated to making your operation go smoothly. Your medical history will be carefully reviewed and your current health condition assessed prior to making the determination to move forward with.. It is for this reason that we stress you fully disclose all pertinent information so that we are able to make an accurate assessment of the risks involved.
There are a multitude of factors that come into play. Being in good health greatly minimizes your risk of complications and reduces recovery time. Next, it is important to evaluate your motivations for having surgery. Finally it is important to have realistic expectations.
It is not uncommon to have multiple plastic surgery procedures performed simultaneously, however, having too much done at one time may lead to complications. The decision to more than one procedure done will be discussed during your consultation.
There is no rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation. It is important to realize that plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process. What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another.
During your consultation your desired changes and expectations we be discussed. Your medical history and current health will be reviewed and an assessment will be dependent on whether the procedure(s) in question are right for you. With the aid of photos and/or computer imaging we will review the results that can be achieved. After your decision has been made you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully away and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications.
Recovery time is dependent on the extent of the procedure. In order to speed up the healing process, rest and limited movement are advised. Patients may report pain following surgery which can be treated with oral medication. Although the occurrence of complications is rare, patients can reduce the risk of developing potential problems by carefully following the post-operative instructions. Bruises will disappear within a few days and swelling within a few weeks. Scars will fade over time. The image enhancing effects of your procedure will become more evident over time with some taking up to a year. Walking after surgery is important.
Insurance providers will cover the costs of non-cosmetic or reconstructive procedures but not for cosmetic surgery.
This has been a hot topic for many years now. Very stringent standards exist to protect patients. Breast implant procedures use 2 types of implants: silicone shell implants filled with a saline solution, and other implants contain silicone-gel filler; this is highly regulated by the FDA. It is rare when an implant ruptures or leaks. If this occurs, saline implants are safely absorbed into the body. The effect of silicone-gel leaking into the body is still being researched. If detected early, this can easily be replaced.