As with any surgery, plastic surgery has risks involved. However, each year thousands of people undergo plastic surgery for a wide variety of reasons and procedures without complications, and the risks are generally low. Dr. White reviews each patient’s medical history and current health status, as well as the reasons for undergoing plastic surgery, to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure you are intreated in.

During your consultation, you will meet Dr. White and a patient care coordinator. Dr. White will discuss the procedure of interest, what your goals are, any risks associated, and answer questions and concerns. 

 Your patient care coordinator will then review your preoperative cost analysis with you and go over expected recovery time, policy on surgical revisions, pre-op care, post-op care, compression garment information, payment plans, and set your surgical procedure date.

This is a common question and not one that can be answered with a straight yes or no. Coverage depends on the policy you have as well as the type of surgical procedure. Cosmetic surgeries generally are not covered by insurance, while reconstructive usually is. We will work with you to determine your exact coverage and cost so that there are no surprises before committing to the procedure.

We are a cosmetic surgery center, separate from the hospital, so majority of the surgeries performed at our facility are self-pay. We currently only accept Medicare and Tricare for medically necessary procedures, and patients must have a referral sent to us before scheduling an appointment if wanting to file through insurance.

Recovery varies based on the procedure, but typically should not be more than 10 days. Breast augmentations consist of about 2-3 days of downtime, while a tummy tuck may take 7-10 days to feel like you are “back to normal.” More comprehensive surgeries will take somewhat longer. Each procedure is discussed in detail with the patient prior to surgery, including the expected recovery time.

Liposuction results are long-lasting, as long as the patient maintains exercise and a sensible diet. Because liposuction removes fat cells from an area, fat no longer stores in that area. Therefore, any fat gain may be distributed through other areas of the body, which is why liposuction is not a weight loss surgery; what it does do is remove fat cells. In your personalized consultation, we will discuss if liposuction is right for you, and if it will help you achieve the results you are looking for.

If you are considering plastic surgery, there are a few ways to determine if it is right for you. First, be sure to manage your expectations, and inform yourself of the expected results and the recovery process. Candidates for plastic surgery should also be in relatively good health in order to undergo surgery.

Scarring is an inevitable part of healing and is the result of our body’s natural response to repair an injury. However, a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible. A plastic surgeon spends years trying to master techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Dr. White will try to make incisions in areas that will not show, like under undergarments or along natural creases. Scars will normally fade over time, and we will show you the proper post-op care to make them be not as visible. The final cosmetic appearance of a surgical scar is based on multiple factors such as age, skin type, anatomic location, smoking and most importantly – our genetic makeup.

The specialty of plastic surgery places great emphasis on both surgical techniques and treatments that promote normal wound healing in order to produce a superior surgical outcome. Smoking dramatically influences the goal of uncomplicated wound healing and places you at a higher and unnecessary level of risk for many preventable surgical complications. Be sure to discuss your smoking habits with Dr. White, so he can recommend programs to assist you in ceasing to smoke before, during, and after your surgical experience.

At the end of your initial consultation, your patient care coordinator will provide you with a personalized quote of surgical costs for any recommended procedure(s).

Carolina Coastal Plastic Surgery has several payment options available and will work with you to find one that meets your needs. The following forms of payment are accepted:

• Cash
• Personal Check (Accepted 10 days prior to surgical date)
• Cashier’s Check
• Debit Card
• Credit Card

Financing – We also work with Care Credit. For patients who have decided to schedule their surgical procedure for a later date, monthly payments can be made prior to their surgery until the balance is paid in-full. Our staff can help you determine which payment option is best for you.

It is a relatively common practice for patients to undergo multiple procedures during one operation. Having procedures done simultaneously can decrease the expense of the operating room and anesthesia costs as well as the overall recovery time. The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being performed, the operating time, and your age/health. Dr. White will discuss your personal options with you and help you decide whether or not it is appropriate to have multiple surgeries performed at the same time.

Typically, you will need a supportive garment to secure the surgical site in the immediate postoperative period to help with swelling and recovery. The specific support bra, binder, or special-order garment will be reviewed with you during your preoperative visits.

Dr. White offers both saline and silicone gel implants. He will discuss the benefits of both and answer any questions you may have to help you determine what is best for your body, lifestyle, and preferences. Both saline and silicone gel implants are safe and FDA approved. 

While breast implants have been studied for more than two decades and very rarely produce side effects, an uncommon condition called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been documented thus far in textured implants and is treatable when caught early. 

Symptoms of the condition may include swelling, redness, changes in firmness or lumps around one or both implants. Mammograms will not detect these changes, only MRIs will. We urge you to follow up with us periodically if you notice any of the above-listed side effects or are experiencing any other symptoms or discomfort.  

You can learn more about the safety of breast implants at:

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/breast-implant-safety

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/health-policy/bia-alcl-physician-resources/summary-and-quick-facts

Each patient tolerates pain after surgery in different ways. Your surgeon will prescribe the appropriate medications to help minimize any discomfort. In general, most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post-operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles, such as abdominoplasty or breast augmentation, can cause moderate discomfort. 

A “mommy makeover” is the familiar term for a personalized set of multiple cosmetic procedures designed to help a woman address common effects of childbearing and aging on the face, breasts, and body and restore or improve her to her pre-pregnancy appearance.