Cosmetic Plastic Surgery FAQs

"Where do you perform your surgery? Is it a certified facility?"
The safest places to perform surgery are in hospitals or certified outpatient surgical centers. This ensures they are inspected, have credentialed the physicians using the facility, and have ongoing peer reviews. Furthermore, they have specialists available should consultation be required.

"How long will the procedure take?"
Most procedures last from 2 to 3 hours. For extremely involved or multiple procedures, 6 to 8 hours may be necessary.

"Is there an overnight stay facility with monitoring if I need it?"
Patients who undergo major procedures will typically need an overnight stay facility for help to-and-from the bathroom and monitoring by skilled nursing staff. The patients who are discharged to their home can be adequately cared for by family members, but in some circumstances, this creates unnecessary anxiety. Professional nurses who are specialists in postoperative care are best suited for this task. They are aware of potential complications and can act early to avoid or minimize any problems.

"Have you ever had to transfer a patient to the hospital?"
This is an extremely rare circumstance, but a certified outpatient surgery center can facilitate any emergency admissions to the hospital without an excessive amount of red tape.

"What is the average volume of fat you remove with liposuction?"
Physicians inexperienced in liposuction may remove 500-1000 cc (approximately 1-2 pounds) of pure fat. A typical volume with an experienced liposuction physician is 3,000-15,000 cc (approximately 6-30 pounds) of fat. An average volume of fat for a 40-year-old female who weighs 140 pounds would be 10-14 pounds of fat. Most patients go down 1-2 sizes; some patients go down 4 sizes (from a size 16 to an 8).

"What is the worst complication of the procedure?"
Major complications are extremely rare. Complications such as fluid overload, skin death, major infection, and need for blood transfusion, etc., can largely be avoided by the experienced surgeon. In certain circumstances, the patient can do everything right and the plastic surgeon do everything right but there can be an unforeseen problem, such as blood clots or hypertrophic scarring. These are rare, but they can happen.

"How much are the surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees? Are all postoperative care and supplies, such as garments, massage, etc., covered?"
At THE CLINIC FOR PLASTIC SURGERY©, we are frank about surgical fees and will give you a fixed fee without wavering. The facility and anesthesia fees are estimated and will be paid to the certified plastic surgical facility. We have no financial interest in these facilities. We use them because they provide superior patient care.

"What happens if there is a complication?"
Unforeseen complications where both the surgeon and the patient are disappointed with the result and feel it could have been better are handled in a multitude of ways. The most frequent way is for the patient to pay for the anesthesia and the facility, with the plastic surgeon donating his time, services, and postoperative care.

"What happens if I have a minor imperfection and a small touch-up procedure could improve it?"
If the patient has shown a significant improvement but still seeks further improvement, a touch-up fee will be applied. Further refinements may be performed in the office under local anesthesia without the need for a certified outpatient facility or anesthesiologist. Therefore, for several hundred dollars, further improvement can be obtained. Procedures in the operating room with an anesthesiologist can cost 2,000 to 3,000 dollars.

"What if, five years from now, I need a second procedure due to progressive aging?"
No procedure lasts a lifetime. In this case, Dr. Layton charges a standard surgical fee. The aging process is like mowing a lawn. The plastic surgeon can stop the aging process at that finite point in time, however, as the ravages of time march on, such things as skin laxity and/or cellulite slowly progress.

"What about scars? Are they permanent?"
Plastic Surgery is a trade off. It is impossible to penetrate the skin, improve shape and contour, and not leave a scar. Although this scar will be permanent, it may be virtually non-detectable. Plastic Surgeons are experts at hiding scars. Detailed attention to closure, minimization of tension, and accurately placing the scar in creases or wrinkles minimizes scar detection.

"I want this to be my last plastic surgery procedure. Isn't that possible if you do an excellent job?"
The aging process is relentless and seemingly irreversible. No single plastic surgery procedure can stop it. A combination of plastic surgery, diet and exercise and avoiding environmental toxins gives you the best possible chance of looking as good as possible for as long as possible. Theoretically, a major plastic surgery procedure every 5-10 years is best maintained with smaller "refreshing" procedures every 2-3 years. Knowledge is your most powerful tool is combating the aging process.

Call to arrange a personal consultation. Dr. Layton will evaluate your needs and discuss any further questions or concerns you may have about a particular procedure. We can also provide information regarding financing, office hours, and any type of cosmetic medicine or surgical procedure.

Meet your doctor: 
Ernest G Layton, Jr., M.D.

The Plastic Surgery Center
Ernest G Layton, Jr., M.D.
1-866-714-4900 or 830-792-3702
Consult@DrErnestLayton.com
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Serving: San Antonio, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Texas