FACIAL AND COSMETIC SURGERY

      What is "plastic surgery"?

      Plastic surgery is a form of surgery that deals with the reconstruction of the face and body which may have problems due to birth
      disorders or defects, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgery can also involve the enhancement of the appearance of a person
      through such operations as facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction.

      What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?

      Cosmetic surgery is the reshaping of the normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic
      surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.

      Reconstructive surgery is the reshaping performed on abnormal structures of the body. These abnormalities can be caused by
      congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. Surgery is generally performed to improve
      function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health
      insurance policies although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

      Will undergoing plastic surgery hurt?

      All procedures preformed by Dr Schmidt, except for quick/lunch break procedures such as injections of BOTOX, will involve the
      use of at least local anesthetic, which will prevent any feeling of discomfort or pain during the actual surgery. If full sedation is used
      then the patient will sleep through the entire operation without any sensation of pain. After surgery, any pain or discomfort you may
      experience can usually be controlled through medication and will usually subside within a matter of days.

      How likely is scarring?

      Every cut in the skin will heal thru a process or scarring; however, in the vast majority of cases, the scars that do develop are
      small, light, and will be purposely located by Dr Schmidt in natural lines and creases of the skin or if possible within the hairline.
      Scars also fade through time and become increasingly unnoticeable.

      How long will it take to recover?

      The exact duration of recovery time after surgery depends on the procedure; however Dr Schmidt designs most of his procedures
      so as to minimize the down time for the patient (Please see the procedure pages for more detailed information on exact recovery
      times)

      Can I afford plastic surgery?

      The average price for a plastic surgery procedure has actually gone down through recent years as more and more people seek out
      this type of surgery and more surgeons are trained to meet this growing demand. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient
      basis so there is usually no hospital charges in addition to the actual surgery. Insurance, nevertheless, usually will not cover any
      costs involved, especially for purely cosmetic procedures, although there are exceptions. Financing is almost always an option,
      though actual prices vary according to the procedure, but Dr Schmidt will be able to give an estimate of the cost of the surgeries.

      What is the next step?

      Carefully research the procedures that most interest you and meet your needs. Dr Schmidt's website has plenty of information on
      the procedures he offers his patients, and would be glad to provide a consultation regarding your interest and concerns over
      potentially choosing to undergo plastic surgery. It is always up to you to decide whether plastic surgery is right for you, in the end.