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Are You Ready?

Whether you are considering having surgery with Dr. Reath or another board-certified plastic surgeon, you'll have a lot to think about. Even though the majority of aesthetic surgery patients are pleased with their results, the decision to have a procedure is a big one.

It is normal to have questions, and it's important to answer them honestly. In the end, you want to be completely comfortable with your decision. So, are you clear about your motivations for surgery? Are your expectations realistic? Test yourself by answering these important questions.

(Remember. The more honest you are, the more insight you'll have.)

Am I choosing to enhance my appearance for me?
I know that others may support me, but no-one is pressuring me. 

Am I realistic about the results of the surgery?
I understand that cosmetic surgery can improve my appearance, but it cannot change my life.

Do I fully understand and accept the potential risks associated with my procedure?
I know that there are no guarantees and the results of my treatment may be permanent. I have been (or will soon be) given informed consent documents and pre- and post-procedure instructions.

Am I in good shape physically and emotionally?
There are no underlying health disorders or mental health conditions I have not disclosed to my surgeon.

Can I afford this?
I can afford all the costs of surgery, including non-monetary costs such as the time to recover.

Why is now the right time for my surgery, rather than a month or a year ago, or, conversely, a month or a year from now?
The timing fits my schedule. I have not been offered special incentives to schedule surgery and I am not feeling pressured to commit to a plan before I am ready.

Am I completely comfortable with my surgeon and the staff in his office?
My surgeon spent time with me, answered my questions and recommended a surgical plan that is designed to achieve my stated goals. The staff is friendly, helpful and supportive. I don't feel like just a number.

Once you've worked through the questions, you may want to talk about them with a trusted friend or family member and certainly with your plastic surgeon. After all, you and your physician will make the final decision about your surgical plan. Realistic expectations will better prepare you for surgery, and a prepared patient makes the best recovery.

Have a question about preparing for surgery? Ask Dr. Reath.

Another Way We Care For Our Patients: CosmetAssure

Complications after cosmetic surgery are rare, thankfully, but they can occur as with any type of surgery. Many people are surprised to learn that the majority of major medical health insurance policies now exclude treatment of medical complications if those complications are a result of an elective aesthetic surgical procedure. All of our cosmetic surgery patients who are eligible are enrolled in the ASPS-endorsed CosmetAssure program which covers the cost of caring for complications after cosmetic surgery. It is included in the cost of each surgery.

We are the only plastic surgeon's office in the Knoxville area to provide this important insurance to cosmetic surgery patients. Dr. Reath explains why he feels it is important to provide this extra safety net to our patients in this recent Truth-O-Meter Tuesday video.

Preparing for Recovery

Helping you manage a speedy recovery is one of our primary missions. We feel that your surgical experience is a partnership and there are things you can do prior to your surgery to ensure the best outcome possible.

Vitamins

More people take some sort of multi-vitamin or herbal supplement but very few think to disclose their vitamins to their doctor and anesthesiologist prior to surgery. After all, they're just vitamins, they don't count as a medication right? Wrong!

You may not have given much thought to this but herbs, and products that contain them, are packaged as nutritional supplements and will not provide warnings, dosage information or suggested usage instructions. As a result, many people incorrectly assume that a "natural" medicines are inherently safer than a pharmaceutical drug. This is not only untrue; it's an assumption that can be dangerous if a person is facing surgery. Many people facing surgery fail to disclose their herbal supplement use out of fear of being ridiculed by their doctor. (Who would think that licorice could be dangerous?)The fact is, your doctors want and need to know what you are taking to ensure your safe recovery.

Below is a list of some commonly taken supplements that can interfere with your surgery. How? Some cause post-surgical bleeding, worsen Inflammation, raise blood pressure or alter your sugar levels. The best advice is to quit all herbal supplements three weeks prior to your surgery. If in doubt, don't take it. 

Herbs and Vitamins That Can Interfere with Surgery: 

• Any Diet Pills or herb blends designed to control appetite
• Aspirin, Motrin, Advil or other blood thinners
• Vitamin E
• Chromium
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Goldenseal
• Flaxseed
• Fish oil
• Echinacea
• Licorice
• Saw Palmetto
• Ephedra
• Ginseng
• Feverfew
• Kava-Kava
• St. John's Wort
• Valerian Root

There are some vitamins and herbal supplements can aid post-surgical healing and reduce bruising. This is what we recommend.

Start three weeks before your surgery:

• Multi-vitamins- We have some in our store specifically designed for patients pre- and post-surgery that contain everything you need and none of what you don't. $44
  
  
• Arnica or Bromelain, depending on the procedure, to help minimize bruising, swelling, muscle aches and soreness. (One is included in your surgical recovery kit which you get at your pre-op appointment. Don't take if you are lactose intolerant.)
   

• Body lift patients start ProCare powder supplement to address nutritional deficiencies after gastric bypass surgery. (This is included in your surgical recovery kit.)

Our Surgical Recovery Kits: A Great Personal Touch

Our Surgical Recovery Kits are a great personal touch. Patients tell us that the recovery kits we include with their surgeries are an area that really sets us apart. Each recovery kit contains items hand-picked to make your recovery faster and more pleasant. They are packaged in an attractive quilted spa bag. We put together everything you’ll need after surgery so you don’t have to. People who have had surgery with other doctors are amazed that we include these kits at no charge for all of our surgery patients.

New! We now include customized medical-grade silicone shapes in all of our recovery kits. They are medically proven to aid in healing and reduce the appearance of scars. Silicone shapes put direct pressure on the incision site, which is the best method to achieve a less noticeable scar. In contrast to scar gels and creams, silicone sheets are more convenient to use because they are not greasy, do not stain, and do not stick to clothes. Pictured left is the breast lift silicone shape. (an $80 value)

Dr. Reath and Mandi discuss the benefits of silicone sheeting in a recent Truth-O-Meter Tuesday video.

Now many patients are asking if they can purchase our recovery kits for friends and family having surgery out of state (or even with another doctor here in Knoxville!) So, by popular demand, our recovery kits are now available for purchase and we will even ship them for you. Just call us and let us know which procedure kit you need and where it needs to go.

New! Pearl Fractional