Nashville Plastic Surgery FAQs

A: During your consultation, we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) in question is right for you. This is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery.

We will discuss the results that can be achieved with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging. When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.

A: It is a relatively common practice for a plastic surgeon to perform multiple procedures during one operation. This allows the surgeon to better “sculpt” your final appearance. In addition, having several procedures done simultaneously saves you the expense of paying the operating room and anesthesia costs more than once.

However, for certain patients, having too much done at one time can lead to complications. The decision to have multiple procedures depends on which procedures are being performed, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age and health. Ultimately, your Nashville plastic surgeon decides whether it is appropriate to include more than one procedure in your operation.

A: Due to the variety of procedures available in plastic surgery, there can be no blanket rule on age, although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation. People of all ages have taken advantage of the image enhancement offered by plastic surgery. There are even procedures, such as otoplasty, that can be appropriate for young children!

However, it is important to realize the limitations of plastic surgery. 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. We are committed to making your Nashville plastic surgery experience a successful one.

A: Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to speed the healing process and recovery time. The length of recovery varies with each procedure and is different for each individual. Bruises usually disappear within a few days, and most swelling is gone in a matter of weeks. If you follow our post-operative instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy your normal activities with little downtime.

Your scars will fade over time but they are permanent. We take care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible, if at all. The image-enhancing effects of plastic surgery become more evident over time with certain procedures taking up to a year for your body to adjust fully and settle into its new look. When you come in for your consultation we can discuss your expected recovery period and any post-operative instructions in detail.

A: Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance; however, reconstructive plastic surgery is generally covered by insurance providers. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy as well as subsequent operations to correct breast asymmetry in either breast is required by law to be covered by insurance providers. If you desire to have reconstructive breast surgery and you meet the criteria for insurance coverage, a pre-certification from your insurance company is required. We will be happy to assist you with this process.

A: The issue of breast implant safety has been a hot topic throughout the last few decades. As a result, more stringent standards have emerged in order to protect patients. Both saline and silicone-gel-filled implants are available, and the appropriate choice of breast implants for your Nashville, TN breast augmentation procedure will depend on a number of factors which Dr. Unger will discuss with you personally.

If rupture or leaking is detected early, the implant can be easily replaced. Other possible complications from breast implant surgery may include blood clotting or pooling, overly sensitive breasts or loss of sensation in the breasts, or capsular contracture (a hardening of the tissues surrounding the implant). The risk of these problems is low, and Dr. Unger takes extra precautions to implement techniques that help prevent these types of complications. Our extensively trained team is dedicated to making your operation a smooth one, and with each of our Nashville plastic surgery procedures, we take every precaution necessary to reduce the possibility of complications.