Myths in Plastic Surgery

MYTH: I can’t breastfeed after having breast augmentation

FACT: They do not prevent breastfeeding, and this is a common misconception among women of child-bearing age who are seeking breast augmentation. However, do communicate with your doctor if you are planning to have children, so the implant can be placed with minimal impact on the milk ducts.

MYTH: Breast implants increase my risk of breast cancer

FACT: Breast implants do not cause or increase risk of breast cancer. In fact, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bachilo says that breast implants are the most studied and extensively researched amongst implants and are found to be very safe. The only concern, according to the FDA are with textured implants, there is an increased risk of BIA-ALCL (a type of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). Therefore, Dr. Bachilo would never recommend a textured implant to make sure her patients are safe.

MYTH: Breast augmentation will fix saggy breasts

FACT: Breast implants can replace loss of volume or improve shape. However, they do not replace the need for a breast lift due to excess or saggy skin due to aging, weight fluctuations, and/ or breast-feeding. If a patient has significant breast tissue laxity and adds volume to saggy breasts, it will cause more health issues down the line, not to mention that aesthetically this would yield less than desirable results.

MYTH: Liposuction will help me lose weight

FACT: Liposuction does not replace diet and exercise for weight loss. The maximum that can be removed safely for the patient is 5 liters during the outpatient procedure, and 15 liters with a 2-day required stay in the hospital. Also, this includes medications and other fluid being injected into the fatty tissue during the liposuction, hence reducing the amount of fat that is actually being removed even greater.

MYTH: Results from surgery will be achieved immediately

FACT: Although some results can be seen immediately, swelling from surgery can fluctuate and take 6 months to a year to be completely gone. In addition, scars can take over a year to remodel and fade to be almost unnoticeable. Dr. Bachilo always includes 2 complimentary lymphatic drainage sessions with Venus Legacy for all of her surgical patients to speed up the healing process and help the swelling. As well as compression garments to help with bruising. In addition, she includes scar gels to make sure incisions heal faster and are less visible.

MYTH: Plastic surgery requires a long period of painful recovery. 

FACT:  For our post-op patient we strive to achieve the smoothest recovery with our multimodal medication regimen. Dr. Bachilo follows Enhanced Recovery After Surgery or ERAS, a non-narcotic protocol that works together to help block pain receptors in the brain, instead of making you drowsy, unable to move around, and stay in bed because of the narcotics. In addition, her drainless tummy tuck technique and the use of Exparel during every procedure, help control pain postoperatively for up to 72 hours.

MYTH: Only women get plastic surgery

FACT: It has been a growing trend in the past 10 years of men seeking out cosmetic services. They request for both surgical and non-surgical options. Majority of the surgeries involve liposuction to sculpt the body and have a flatter abdomen; jaw implants to have a more defined “Superman” chin and jaw; gynecomastia – reduction of the male chest that cannot be achieved with diet and exercise; body implants to calves, chest, shoulders, and arms to have a more defined, sculpted physique.

For non-surgical options men often opt-in for neurotoxins to get rid of dynamic and deep-set wrinkles; fillers to jaw and chin; and you would be surprised that many of our male patients do care about the condition and health of their skin, therefore they get regular HydraFacials, skin treatments, and use medical-grade skincare.

MYTH: Plastic surgery is expensive and only rich can afford it

FACT: Plastic surgery is not only for the rich and famous anymore, and it hasn’t been for some time already, you don’t have to have an income equivalent to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. There are many financing options available that do not require a perfect credit score, are more forgiving in terms of credit check, and even have 0% interest if paid in full within a year. We offer these great financing companies at our practice PatientFi, Alphaeon, and CareCredit. Follow this link to our website for more information.

MYTH: I am too young/ old to get a plastic surgery

FACT: It’s a common misconception that only young women get breast augmentations, and facelifts are for women in their 50s-60s. Nowadays, many women, and men too, seek plastic surgery not only as a way to feel better about themselves, but also to empower them to find better employment opportunities, take care of their physical and mental health, or explore the world. Not everything can be achieved with diet and exercise alone, and at times it may lead to discouragement, depression, and even health issues. For instance, if an 18-year-old girl has large or uneven breasts that cause back pain or inability to do simplest tasks, and even date, this may cause health issues down the road into adulthood, mentally and physically. Therefore, we encourage you to seek a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options, no matter the age, and become a better and happier version of yourself.