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With popular TV shows such as “Botched,” “Dr. 90210,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “The Swan,” plastic surgeons are seen as the perfect specimen, combining looks, wealth, power, and a fabulously curated lifestyle. Is there ever more to the story?  Dr. Stanley Poulos, a San Francisco Bay-area board certified plastic surgeon, gets real on secrets many plastic surgeons prefer to keep under wraps.

Sometimes you will have more than just “a little discomfort” managed with some light dosage of pain medication.

Everyone has a different pain threshold and post-op bruising and swelling vary so certain procedures will take longer to recover from. Abdominoplasty, body lifts, and combination surgeries like “mommy makeover” are just a few examples of procedures where recovery may be extended.

 Many people who have had procedures can think of a time a few days post op where they wanted to curse their surgeon or ask “why in the world did I do this?”  Just because it’s an elective aesthetic surgery doesn’t make it any less of an operation. Dr. Poulos explains that there are two very important things you want clarity on: the actual level of pain and duration of recovery time. Recovery time to return to ranching or running marathons may be a lot different than being able to drive or get out.  He advises speaking to a few friends or references who had the same procedure. Just remember, like childbirth, as time goes by the experience may seem easier than it was. 

“You need to know so you can make necessary arrangements with work and childcare or elder care if need be. Some procedures can take at least a week or two before resuming normal activity so the more realistic the expectations the better,” adds Poulos.

There may be more than just “minimal scarring.”

“Scarring has nothing to do with the surgeon’s skill and everything to do with the patient’s genetics,” clarifies Dr. Poulos. He goes on to explain that a highly skilled plastic surgeon can do the same exact procedure with closure on two different people. One will have minimal scarring while the other will not.” People with darker complexions should consider this before deciding to do a procedure and certainly consult with your doctor’s team who can recommend remedies that help with scarring.  Read more of this story »