Frequently Asked Plastic Surgery Questions

What is the difference between a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery has been recognized by the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association as a major specialty board since 1941. The Board of Cosmetic Surgery was founded as a corporation in 1982. It is an independent organization recognized as a non profit entity.

Many Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeons are qualified and skilled plastic surgeons, however, the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures that their board certified surgeons have undergone extensive specialized training and passed several difficult examinations set fort h by the Board of Plastic Surgery. The minimum requirement for board eligibility is six years of general surgery training and three years of specialized training in cosmetic plastic & reconstructive surgery. It is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify physicians for the full range of plastic & reconstructive procedures. It is monitored by the American Medical Association to ensure excellence. To become a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, a physician of any specialty can complete one-on-one observational training program, workshop, seminars or even lectures. A two day written and oral exam is then taken to become recognized as board certified by the Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

What is the best way to minimize bruising?

Bruising is a common side effect of surgery, typically lasting about two weeks after your plastic surgery procedure. There are several things you can do to help minimize bruising.

* Take Arnica Supplements prior to and directly after your procedure

* Be sure to consume plenty of Vitamin C

* Take Bromezyne tablets (extracted from pineapple)

* Pineapple juice has been known to help reduce bruising in some cases

* Do not smoke for at least two weeks prior to your procedure

* Avoid Caffeine- including coffee, teas & diet pills

You should avoid the following for at least two weeks prior and two weeks after your procedure: Alka Seltzer, Anacin Analgesic, Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin Tablets, Bayer, Cama Arthritis Tablets, Ecotrin Tablets, Empirin Aspirin, Excedrin, Measurib Tablets, Momentum, 4-Way Cold Tablets, Norwish Aspirin, St Joseph’s Wart, Ursinus Inlay-tabs, Vanquish Synalgos, Alieve, Advil, Easprin, Axotal, Dia-Gesis, Fiogrsic, Supac, Synalgos DC, Mephytn, Calciparine, Coumadin, Heparin Sodium, Protamine Sulfate, Clinoril, Feldene, Indocin, Indomethacin, Medrol, Nalfon, Butazolidin, Phertermine, Tenuate, Emperin or Ascripton with Codeine, Darvon, Compond, Eguagesis, Fiorinal, Mictrainin, Synalgos DC, Talwin or any other product containing apirin.

Are Silicone Implants Safe for Breast Augmentation?

In the early 1990's it was reported that silicone breast implants were responsible for connective tissue diseases in some women. After a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence for the Association of Silicon Breast Implants with human health conditions, the Institute of Medicine concluded in June that there is "no definitive evidence linking breast implants to cancer, neurological diseases, neurological problems or other systemic diseases."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states:

"For some years controversy has existed over silicone implants used for breast augmentation or replacement after mastectomy. Adverse effects from their use have been widely reported in the popular press, with conflicting information often appearing in the medical literature. This controversy and the attendant publicity led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first to ban any use of these implants and then to permit limited use, mainly as replacement after mastectomy.

"Silicone is used not only in breast implants but also in implants located literally throughout every part of the body. It has been used: to construct heart valves and other cardiovascular prostheses; to fashion catheters which are used for purposes ranging from drug delivery to cardiac monitoring; in dentistry; in the gastrointestinal tract; as a facilitator for nerve regeneration; in ophthalmology; in the ear, nose, throat, and respiratory tract; as a prosthesis or ingredient in prostheses for many parts of the skeletal system; as a tissue expander; as a cosmetic agent for treatment of scars and wrinkles; in the urogenital tract, including penile prostheses; and in many other applications."

Source:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/cbm/silicone.html