Cosmetic Surgery Vacations: Worth the Trip?
Leaving the state, or even the country, for cosmetic surgery may sound like the perfect plan. It can offer you privacy, save you money on the procedure, and take you away from your busy life while you recover. While more and more New Yorkers travel to Florida, California, or even international spots like Brazil and Mexico for a good deal on cosmetic surgery and some pampering to go with it, keep in mind that surgery and vacation aren't always a healthy combination.
Sun, Sand and Surgery?
When envisioning a cosmetic surgery vacation, most people have two things in mind: improving their appearance and taking a break away from home. Cosmetic surgery, while often elective, should not be taken lightly; you will require skilled and qualified care before, during, and after your procedure. This can be difficult to control when you're in another state or even another country. Also, many of the activities enjoyed on vacation such as drinking cocktails, sun bathing, taking a dip in the ocean or swimming pool, and even sightseeing all can inhibit healing and lead to infection. Not an enjoyable trip.
Air travel, with extended periods of sitting upright, significantly increases the risk of complications after surgery that can range from swelling to infection to more serious problems like pulmonary embolism and blood clots. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends waiting 5 to 7 days after body procedures like liposuction and breast enlargement before flying, and 7 to 10 after facial sculpting like eyelid surgery, face lifts, and rhinoplasty.
Do the Math on Cost Savings
Increased affordability can be a major draw for cosmetic getaways. However, it often makes more sense to choose a proven, qualified surgeon at home and secure financing assistance. At Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, we offer affordable financing options that can enable you to have Dr. Romanelli, an experienced, trusted, and board-certified plastic surgeon, perform your procedure locally. He is there for his patients from consultation through recovery, as well as periodic follow-up appointments for months afterwards if necessary.
Never Compromise on Surgeon Qualifications
You're pursuing cosmetic surgery to enhance your appearance, so you want to do everything you can to attain attractive and natural looking results. A top priority should always be the surgeon's qualifications. If you leave the country it's difficult to evaluate the credentials of your physician because medical standards are often not comparable to those in the US. Choosing a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), like Long Island plastic surgeon Dr. Romanelli, ensures that the surgeon has specialized training and extensive experience specifically in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
The lesson is simple: think twice before leaving the state for surgery. As always, you can request a free consultation at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery or call our office at (631) 424-3600 to learn more about all your options.
Caring for Your Breast Implants
At Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, your continued health and wellbeing are as important to us as helping you look great. When you visit us for breast enlargement on Long Island your care doesn't stop after recovery.
Dr. Romanelli would like to highlight some special considerations for women with breast implants to keep them feeling as great as they look.
Self-exams
Continue to perform monthly breast self-exams just as you did before your procedure. It's best to perform these exams at the end of your menstrual cycle when any hormonal breast changes have subsided.
After menopause it's helpful to designate a regular time that is easy for you to remember. Many women perform their regular self-exams on the first day or the last day of the month.
Screenings
Mammograms are an important tool for monitoring breast health, whether or not you have breast implants. While some women are concerned about implants rupturing during the procedure, this is an extremely rare occurrence. Dr. Romanelli advises his patients to have a baseline mammogram before their breast enlargement, and then regular mammograms at recommended intervals afterwards. If you have silicone implants, the FDA recommends an initial MRI after 3 years and then subsequent scans every 2 years afterwards to monitor implant integrity. Because silicone implant rupture is usually not noticeable, an MRI is often the only way to definitively confirm that it has occurred. Regardless of your implant type, make sure that your radiologist knows you have breast implants. Additional views of the breast tissue alone can be taken by first pushing the implant towards the chest wall.
Regular Check-ups
It's important for your Ob/Gyn or primary care provider to know you have breast implants and to perform a regular exam to monitor their integrity. Your doctor can address any concerns you might have and perform a clinical breast exam as well.
If you would like learn more about breast augmentation and breast implant care, request a free consultation at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery or call our office at (631) 424-3600.
