BREASTS
Q: Are silicone gel implants safe?
A: Yes. They are approved by the FDA for use in all patients. The silicone gel implant is the most extensively studied medical device over all and shown to be completely safe.
Q: How soon can I go back to work?
A: Plan on taking one week off. Most patients feel well and want to return after a few days. The same time frame applies for breast reduction and breast lift surgery.
Q: Are there different shapes of implants?
A: Yes. There are many different options of implants shapes and sizes (i.e. round, teardrop, textured, smooth, high profile, moderate profile, low profile). You will be able to see and try on everything available at your consultation.
Q: If I want to be a full C, what size do I need?
A: No one implant will look the same on two different people. For example, if your friend has a 375cc implant and is a full C, that will not necessarily be the case for you. You need to take into account how much breast tissue you are starting with, your height, chest wall shape, shoulder breadth, among other factors. Dr. Godat can give you a better idea of what size range will fit your body best at your consultation. You will be able to try on a wide range of implant sizes at your consultation.
Q: Is it safer to place the implants above or below the muscle?
A: Placement of the implant is based on each patient’s individual facotrs, such as breast tissue present, and implant desired. Dr. Godat will discuss which option is best for your body type at your consultation.
Q: When can I begin to exercise after surgery?
A: Dr. Godat recommends walking the day of surgery. You should avoid strenuous activity (any activity which increases your hear rate) for 2 weeks after the surgery. After 2 weeks you may gradually increase your activity so that you are back to your regular routine at 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, there are no restrictions.
Q: Will insurance cover a breast reduction?
A: Yes, some insurance companies will provide coverage for a breast reduction. We can discuss whether you are a good candidate for a medically necessary breast reduction after your exam on your consultation day.
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ABDOMINPLASTY:
Q: How long will I need to take off work?
A: Most patients return after 2 weeks. The first week you will be very sore and walking with a slight bend at the waist. By the second week, patients are walking upright with significantly less pain.
Q: Will I stay overnight?
A: No, an abdominoplasty is performed as a day surgery procedure.
Q: Will I have staples?
A: No. There will be 3 layers of internal sutures that will dissolve over time, and an external layer of Dermabond (liquid suture) that will peel off within 2 weeks.
Q: Is a mini-tuck an option?
A: Few patients are actually good candidates for the mini tuck since it only addresses a minimal amount of extra skin. Dr. Godat will be able to tell you after your exam if you are a good candidate for the procedure or if a traditional tummy tuck is the best option.
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RHINOPLASTY:
Q: What are the limitations after nose job surgery?
A: Patients usually return to school or to sedentary work one week after surgery. You should avoid strenuous activity (any activity which increases your hear rate) for 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks you may gradually increase your activity so that you are back to your regular routine at 3 weeks. Avoid sun exposure by using sun screen, bumping your nose, and do not let your glasses rest on your nose for 8 weeks.
Q: If I bring in a picture of a nose I like, can Dr. Godat make mine look just like the picture?
A: He may be able to achieve the look you want but there are limitations depending on the size and anatomy of your nose as well as your skin thickness. Your "new" nose should be in proportion to your face. The ideal result is one which gives a natural look.
LIPOSUCTION
Q: What is the recovery time?
A: Plan on taking 1 or 2 weeks off. If you have a desk job, you will be able to return after a few days to a week. No heavy lifting for 3 weeks. There will be mainly soreness rather than pain for the few weeks following surgery.
Q: Does Dr. Godat do laser liposuction, or any other kind of new techniques?
A: Dr. Godat does traditional liposuction since he feels it is the best technique; there are no long term studies available to show the long term effects of the newer techniques.
Q: Where are the incisions?
A: There are 4mm (1/6 of an inch) incisions that Dr. Godat will point put at the consultation that heal within a few weeks and do not require sutures. They are hardly visible after 1 year.
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FACE AND NECK LIFTS
Q. Will I look natural after cosmetic surgery?
A: The goal of a facelift is a completely natural look. When you look in the mirror after your surgery, you to see a change with which you are comfortable. Your friends should notice a change in your appearance without noticing that you have had cosmetic surgery.
Q: What is the recovery time?
A: In most patients, the majority of the swelling and bruising will be gone within the first week. Some bruising and swelling may linger for up to 6 weeks.
Final results will be visible after 6 weeks. Most patients return to work within the first two weeks.
Q: Where will the incisions be?
A: The incision sites will vary depending on which type of facelift you desire. Dr. Godat prides himself in making the least visible scars possible. All scars are disguised either under the chin, behind or around the ear, or in the scalp or the hairline.
Q: Does a facelift require an overnight stay.
A: Yes, a facelift will require a relatively long operation time. Dr. Godat advices that any patient who is under anesthesia for more that 6 hours stay overnight under a registered nurses care.
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BLEPHAROPLASTY
Q: Will insurance cover a blepharoplasty?
A: Insurance will cover the cost of an upper blepharoplasty if it is deemed medically necessary. You optometrist can do a visual field study to see you if your vision is obstructed. Insurance will not cover the cost of a lower lid blepharoplasty.
Q: Does a blepharoplasty require an overnight stay?
A: No, when done alone, a blepharoplasty can be done in an office setting under local anesthesia, or under local anesthesia with sedation.
Q: What is the recovery time?
A: Dr. Godat recommends taking 1 week off from work. You will have some bruising and swelling, most of which should be gone after the first week. You should refrain from heavy lifting or intense physical activity for 3 weeks after surgery.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS PATIENTS ASK:
Q: Is Dr. Godat board certified?
A: Yes. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Only trained plastic surgeons can be board certified by the ABPS, not dermatologists, general surgeons, breast surgeons, or other medical professionals.
Q: How long has Dr. Godat performed plastic surgery?
A: Dr. Godat has been providing services in plastic surgery for 9 years.
Q: What can I expect on my first consultation?
A: At the time of your first visit, you will meet with Dr. Godat to assess your medical history and discuss if you are a good candidate for the procedure(s) in question. Dr. Godat will go over your specific goals of the surgery. He will answer your questions and explain in detail what the procedure entails, pre and post operative care, recovery time, and fees for the procedure.
Q: Does Dr. Godat accept insurance?
A: Yes, Dr. Godat does accept a wide variety of insurance plans. Insurance will cover the cost of reconstructive surgery, and will occasionally cover the cost of cosmetic surgery if it is medically necessary. Examples of this would be breast reduction surgery if associated with back, neck and/or shoulder pain; eyelid surgery, if vision is obscured; rhinoplasty if nasal deformity was caused be previous truama, or removal of excess skin in the abominal area, thighs, amrs, or breasts, after severe weight loss.
Q: Does Dr. Godat operate in a hospital setting or a surgery center?
A: Yes. Dr. Godat does all of his procedures in in either a hospital or surgery center.
Q. Should I quit smoking before I have plastic surgery?
A. Yes. Breast reduction, breast lift, abdominoplasty, and facelift are contraindicated in smokers. Dr. Godat recommends that smokers quit smoking at least three weeks before any elective procedure and at least until healing is complete. Smoking increases the risk of wound healing complications 12-fold. Dr. Godat advises that honesty is the best policy in discussing your smoking status with your surgeon. These guidelines are for the patient's protection. Dr. Godat wants to ensure that all smokers understand that the consequences of smoking on surgical outcomes can be dire.
Q: Can I have multiple procedures done at the same time?
A: Yes, it is quite common for more than one procedure to be performed at once. However, combining too many procedures in one setting can lead to complications. It is ultimately up to Dr. Godat which procedures he feels are safe for you to have in one setting. Doing multiple procedures together is also cost efficient and exposes the patient to less time under anesthesia.
Q: Do you use Nurse CRNA or MD Anesthesia?
A: For your maximized safety and comfort, Dr. Godat uses Board Certified Physician Anesthesiologists (MD Anesthesia). Our MD Anesthesiologists provide excellent care and personalized attention with the highest standard of anesthesia techniques to ensure better safety for our patients, better outcomes, minimized complications, and to give each patient the best opportunity for an uneventful and healthy recovery.
Q: Does Dr. Godat practice a blood conservation program.
A: Yes, Dr. Godat participates in the blood conservation program at Medical City Hospital.
Q: Does Dr. Godat perform any non-surgical procedures.
A: Yes, Botox, Sculptra, Juvederm, laser hair removal, medical microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Dr. Godat personally administers all injectable treatments.
Q: Am I a good candidate for cosmetic surgery?
A: This is a question that can be answered only after a consultation. There are many things to consider including psychiatric conditions, life stress, medical illness, obesity, and motivation. You should be a healthy nonsmoker, within twenty pounds of your ideal weight, not going through major life stress (i.e. grieving a death, changing jobs, divorcing), and motivated by internal desires to look better.
Q. What do I do the morning of cosmetic surgery?
A: Take an antibacterial shower the morning of your surgery. Do not put anything on your skin after your shower including body moisturizer, deodorants, antiperspirants, or makeup. These can interfere with surgical markings, skin cleansing, and anesthesia monitoring. Do not eat or drink anything the morning of surgery including coffee, tea or water. You may brush your teeth provided that you do not swallow anything. Do not chew gum. If you are a diabetic or take prescription medications ask Dr. Godat about taking your medications the morning of your surgery. Do not wear contact lenses. You may wear glasses.
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