In your search for the right plastic surgeon, don’t settle for someone who merely “looks good on paper.” Upon meeting your surgeon, you should have a gut feeling that he or she is the best person for the job. The surgeon should demonstrate certain qualities that will impact your overall treatment experience.

Here, Dr. Joyesh Raj suggests some qualities to consider when making your decision:

Empathy

Undergoing any surgery, including elective cosmetic surgery, is an important experience in your life. You should approach it feeling confident that your surgeon understands and validates your motivations and goals.

It should become clear during discussions with your surgeon that he or she takes your care seriously and wants you to feel safe and comfortable. If your instincts tell you otherwise, look elsewhere.

Clear Communication and Patience

Excellent plastic surgeons take the time to discuss the ins and outs of surgery and answer your questions thoughtfully. You should get the sense from speaking to your surgeon that he or she wants you to be informed and confident in your treatment decisions. If you feel rushed or ignored during your discussions, you could end up unhappy with your results.

Integrity

Reputable plastic surgeons have enough professional integrity to say no in situations when operating on a candidate would be inappropriate or unsafe (e.g., if a candidate is not healthy enough to undergo surgery or a candidate’s expectations are impractical). They are also quite candid about what plastic surgery can and cannot achieve. Beware of any surgeon who promises you perfection or glosses over the safety risks of surgery.

Commitment to Training and Education

Think of your own profession: you are probably encouraged to advance your skills and knowledge with ongoing training and education. Your surgeon should demonstrate a similar commitment, whether through involvement in professional organizations or regular attendance at industry meetings. The best surgeons stay at the forefront of new advances in order to offer patients the safest, most effective treatments.

Dr. Raj is an experienced, respected plastic surgeon serving the entire Cleveland area. He has built his practice on a foundation of empathy, integrity and the pursuit of excellence. To consult with Dr. Raj about your plastic surgery needs, please call or email us today.

The post Qualities to Consider When Picking a Plastic Surgeon appeared first on Raj Plastic Surgery.

Take a moment to learn about the best sleep positions after plastic surgery, as outlined by Dr. Joyesh Raj.

Sleep Positions after Breast Surgery

If you undergo a breast procedure, you must avoid sleeping on your side or stomach for a few weeks after your surgery. Sleeping on your side or stomach puts too much pressure and strain on your incisions, and can possibly lead to bleeding or stretching the scar. If you had breast augmentation, sleeping on your side or stomach may force the implants into an abnormal shape or position and jeopardize your ultimate results.

The best position to sleep in after surgery is on your back. If you aren’t used to sleeping on your back, practice a few times prior to your surgery. If it feels uncomfortable or unnatural to you, try placing pillows underneath your slightly bent knees; a small pillow next to your head to lean against; or pillows underneath each of your arms.

Sleep Positions after Facial Surgery

After a facial surgery, such as facelift or eyelid surgery, you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart in order to minimize swelling. Your best bet may be to sleep in a recliner, or to add two to three pillows underneath your head to prop yourself up. Some patients use wedge pillows purchased from a medical supply store, or travel neck pillows. Sleep with the back of your head (not the sides) on the pillow or recliner cushion.

Sleep Positions after Body Surgery

After a body contouring procedure such as tummy tuck, you must avoid sleeping flat on your back, as it can put tension on your healing incision. Instead, sleep on a reclining chair or mimic the reclining position by putting pillows under your head and under your knees. When you get out of bed, roll to your side first to avoid straining your incision.

For more information about sleep positions after plastic surgery, please contact Raj Plastic Surgery today.

The post Best Sleep Positions after Plastic Surgery appeared first on Raj Plastic Surgery.

The Certification Process

Doctors must go through many years of school and rigorous training before they receive their medical licenses. After they obtain their medical degree, they can pursue certification in their field to prove their skill in their specialty. Here is a brief summary of the certification process:

• First, a doctor must complete 4 years of premedical study at an accredited university.
• After graduating from a university, doctors must complete another 4 years of medical school to obtain their M.D.
• A three- to seven-year residency training in their field of interest is required after medical school to be eligible for a medical license.
• Once a medical license is obtained, a doctor can pass an elective exam given by the member board in his or her specialty field to obtain the board certification credential.

Up-to-date Credentials

Doctors who are board certified must not only prove themselves in their area of expertise after graduating, but also continue to stay up to date with board activities and conferences to maintain their credentials. This means that a board certified plastic surgeon will be familiar with the latest medical advances, and be able to provide the safest and most structured approach to plastic surgery. Continuing education is essential in a field where technologies are frequently updated.

Why Experience Matters

Once you’ve seen your doctor’s credentials and have confirmed that he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, find out more about his/her specific area of expertise. Look for a doctor who specializes in the type of plastic surgery you wish to undergo. Ask your doctor how many years of training he or she had specifically in plastic surgery, and for how many years he or she has practiced plastic surgery since obtaining a medical degree. Before you trust your doctor with your body, make sure you are comfortable with their level of experience and certification.

Only a board certified plastic surgeon can help you decide whether plastic surgery is the right choice for your needs. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joyesh Raj, call (440) 808-8030.

The post Why Board Certification Matters appeared first on Raj Plastic Surgery.

Breast Augmentation Is the Most Popular Surgical Cosmetic Procedure

For the tenth year in a row, breast augmentation is the top surgical cosmetic procedure. Breast augmentation with silicone gel implants accounted for 84 percent of augmentation procedures in 2016 while saline implants were used for 16 percent of all procedures. The popular procedure is often combined with breast lift to achieve a perkier, younger-looking breast appearance.

Botox Injections Continue to Surge

Botulinum toxin type A injections, including Botox, were the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure of 2016 – with over 7 million injections performed! Botox can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles on various areas of the face. 

Labial Reduction Requests Increase

Labial reduction, which resizes the labia majora (folds of skin on the outside of the vagina) and/or labia minora (inner folds of skin on the vagina), saw a significant increase in 2016. The number of procedures performed increased by 39 percent.

Top Plastic Surgery Procedures

There were approximately 1.7 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2016. The top five were:

• Breast augmentation (up 4 percent from 2015)
• Liposuction (up 6 percent from 2015)
• Rhinoplasty (up 2 percent from 2015)
• Eyelid surgery (up 2 percent from 2015)
• Facelift surgery (up 4 percent from 2015)

Approximately 15.4 cosmetic non-surgical procedures were performed in 2016. The top five were:

• Botulinum toxin type A (up 4 percent from 2015)
• Soft tissue fillers (up 2 percent from 2015)
• Chemical peel (up 4 percent from 2015)
• Laser hair removal (down 1 percent 2015)
• Microdermabrasion (down 3 percent from 2015)

To discuss your aesthetic concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon, please contact Dr. Raj. The trusted plastic surgeon can design a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs and desired outcome. Please contact his Westlake practice by calling (440) 808-8030 today.

The post Latest Plastic Surgery Trends and Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons appeared first on Raj Plastic Surgery.

For a Self-Confidence Boost

One of the commonly cited reasons for having plastic surgery is to build self-confidence. Millennials are very aware of their appearance due to celebrity culture and social media influence, and as a result, are motivated to address a part of their appearance with plastic surgery. Patients who are unhappy with naturally thin lips can augment their lips with dermal fillers and show off the results on social media. Millennial women who are self-conscious about small breasts can opt for breast augmentation while men who have spent years being embarrassed by excess breast tissue (a medical condition known as gynecomastia) can restore a masculine appearance with male breast reduction.

For Medical Reasons

Although many millennial patients choose to undergo plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons, others do so to address a medical condition. Breast reduction resizes overly large breasts that can cause physical discomfort in the form of back and neck pain, skin irritation and infection. Body contouring procedures like tummy tuck surgery and body lift excise loose, heavy skin that can make moving and exercise difficult and even painful. In addition, rhinoplasty, which reshapes and resizes the nose, can correct structural deformities and restore normal breathing.

For Quick Results

Millennials are conditioned to seek instant gratification. With so many minimally invasive cosmetic procedures available today, patients can get almost-instantaneous results. Patients can rejuvenate their facial appearance in a matter of minutes with Botox and dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. These injectable treatments also require very little downtime, which is appealing to millennials who are constantly on the go.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Dr. Raj is the plastic surgeon that patients of all ages trust for beautiful and natural-looking results. To discuss your aesthetic concerns with Dr. Raj, please schedule a consultation. Call his Cleveland practice at (440) 808-8030 today.

The post Millennials Explain Why They Had Plastic Surgery appeared first on Raj Plastic Surgery.