Plastic Surgery FAQs

If you have questions about cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, we have answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions prior to your scheduled appointment or would like to schedule a personal consultation, please call us at 603-516-4268.

 Below, however, you’ll find our plastic surgery FAQ, which has answers to some common questions.

Plastic surgery is generally safe. Our providers will discuss surgery risks with you to ensure you are comfortable and aware of possible risks and complications of surgery.

Cosmetic surgery involves adjusting the body’s normal anatomy to make it look more visually appealing. Reconstructive plastic surgery is completed to restore function and normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is usually considered medically necessary and covered by insurance.

During the consultation visit, the provider will review your health history and discuss the procedure(s) with you. The provider will likely need to view the area of the body where the procedure will be performed for clinical assessment. 

We recommend that you contact your insurance company directly. Cosmetic procedures are rarely covered by medical insurance.

Our surgeons have privileges to perform surgery at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Wentworth Surgery Center and Frisbee Memorial Hospital. Some procedures may also be completed in the office.

Make sure you have selected a board-certified plastic surgeon who is certified via the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Bean is board-certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Lisa Plante, PA-C, is board-certified via the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Your recovery time depends on the specific procedure/surgery you are having completed. For example, procedures such as microdermabrasion and Botox injections typically have a shorter recovery time than a breast augmentation or tummy tuck. It is important to note that everyone reacts to plastic surgery differently and recovery times will vary.

At this time, we do not offer a discount for multiple surgeries performed at the same time.

Our practices accept checks, debit cards, Master Card, Visa and Discover.

Effective February 1, 2019, Wentworth Health Partners and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital will only accept credit cards and checks for patient co-payments, prepayments and outstanding balance payments. Cash payments can be made at the Financial Services Office at 121 Broadway, Dover, NH.

At Plastic Surgery Specialists, silicone and saline breast implants are the most common type of breast implant we use. Dr. Heidi Harrington in Portsmouth also offers a no-implant breast augmentation procedure, which uses fat from the patient’s own body to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Your provider will discuss available implant types with you to determine the best option that will produce optimal results.

Breast implants typically last between 10 and 20 years.

After pregnancy, women should wait at least six months to have a breast lift procedure.

Please contact your insurance company directly. We have not heard of breast lift surgery being covered by insurance; however, if breast lift surgery is deemed medically necessary, your insurance company might cover it.

If your breast reduction surgery is medically necessary, it might be covered by your insurance company. Please contact your insurance company to determine your coverage.

Breast revision surgery involves replacing old breast implants with new breast implants.

Changing the implant type or size is possible during breast revision surgery. At your consultation, your provider will assess the current condition of the skin surrounding the implant to determine if changing breast implant types or, if you desire, increasing or decreasing the implant size, is possible. 

During a breast reconstruction consult, your provider will assess the condition of breast tissue and muscle surrounding the breast. The provider will ask you questions about your ideal breast shape and size.

It is possible to have a tummy tuck done during other abdominal surgeries; however, this is something that should be discussed directly with your provider. In terms of a tummy tuck during a C-section, this is not recommended. After pregnancy, the abdominal muscles and tissue are stretched and often irritated, so it is wise to wait until it has recovered before pursuing a tummy tuck surgery.

Our providers make every effort to minimize the appearance of scars. Generally, the tummy tuck scar will blend in with your belly button and over time it will not be noticeable. Your care team will recommend or prescribe topical gel or cream that will help reduce the appearance of your scar as well.

Most patients can exercise six to eight weeks after surgery. Exercises that strictly work the abdominal muscles, should be avoided for six months or more.

The recovery time after a tummy tuck is at least six weeks.

Every patient recovers from tummy tuck surgery differently and drains are not necessary in every case. If drains are used to help you with post-surgery healing, they will be removed by your care team at one of your post-surgery follow-up appointments. Drains can usually be removed a week or two after surgery.

Facelift surgery is ideal for healthy individuals who are nonsmokers. It is also important that candidates not have a medical condition that will delay or impact the healing process. 

The average age of patients who elect to undergo facelift surgery is between 45 and 50 years. There are some individuals who elect to have facelift surgery as young as 35 years of age; however, one should keep in mind that facelift surgery results will last roughly seven to 10 years.

Facelift incisions typically follow the hairline and continue along the outside of the ears.

It takes an average of 10 days to recover from eyelid surgery.

Most patients recover from brow lift surgery in 10 to 14 days. 

If your vision is obstructed because your upper eyelids sag, this is typically covered by insurance as it is seen as medically necessary.

Results vary by patient; however, Botox typically lasts three to six months.

Fillers typically last three to six months; however, results vary by patient. The injection location on the body factors into the lasting effects as well.

Bruising after receiving fillers is common. Your care team will review tips with you to help reduce any bruising or swelling you may experience after your procedure.

Xeomin and Botox yield similar results. The only difference between the two is their ingredients. Your provider will recommend the best option after reviewing your skin type and understanding your desired results.

Botox results are typically noticeable in 72 hours or less.

Kybella is an injectable treatment that can reduce the appearance of a double-chin also known as submental fullness.

Volbella is a non-invasive gel filler that is typically used to help lips appear more full and contoured. Volbella also helps reduce fine lines on the lips known as “lipstick lines.”

Juvederm Ultra XC is an injectable gel filler that helps add more fullness to thin lips. This product may also be used to help correct moderate to severe smile lines.

Radiesse is a wrinkle filler that is used to plump the skin. Radiesse is most often used to help smooth the fold that runs from the corners of the nose toward the corner of the mouth (smile lines/nasolabial folds), lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines), the areas on either side of the chin (pre-jowl fold), and the horizontal lines that can form on your chin (chin wrinkles). 

Belotero is a prescription injection that is approved to temporarily smooth out and fill in moderate to severe lines that run from the corners of the nose toward the corner of the mouth (nasolabial folds).

There are several FDA-approved products available today that work well to fill fine lines. Your provider will talk with you during your consultation to better understand your lifestyle and desired results. From there, your provider will recommend the best treatment plan to help you achieve your skincare goals.

A TCA peel uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to help improve your skin’s appearance. TCA peels help clear away dead skin cells to reveal younger and smoother skin layers.

After a TCA peel, it takes roughly seven to 14 days to heal and redness may last for a few months.

Laser facials can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other skin irregularities such as scars or age spots.

Healing after a laser treatment typically takes between two and ten days depending on the size of the treatment area and strength of the laser.

Depending on the age of your tattoo, you will likely see results in as little as three sessions. Complete tattoo removal normally requires six to 12 treatments.

During a MOHs surgery, small layers of the skin containing cancer cells are gradually removed and examined to make sure all cancerous tissue is removed. MOHs surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery to remove skin cancer.

Speak with a Provider

Want to learn more about your options at Wentworth Health Partners Plastic Surgery Specialists? Or maybe you’re ready to move forward with a procedure. Either way, we’d love to answer your questions and inform your decisions in person.

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