Focusing on your upcoming surgical procedure can be a good thing, especially when it motivates you to plan and prepare for the weeks of recovery ahead. But thinking too obsessively about the day of surgery can lead to unnecessary worry. Here, Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda suggests ways to allay anxiety and fortify confidence.
Knowing What to Expect
The first step in managing your emotions is to set realistic expectations — and the key to that is knowledge. Keeping yourself informed is an important way to overcome common fears about plastic surgery. Learning as much as you can about your procedure, and asking your doctor questions, calms nerves and breeds reassurance. Dr. Gowda takes the time to answer every question a patient may have, providing a thorough understanding of how the procedure will be performed and the results that may be expected.
Common fears often center on the potential for a disappointing outcome. This is something a patient may view in the abstract: Celebrity magazines and Internet sites routinely feature photos of Hollywood stars whose plastic surgery is not only obvious, but also alarming. These failures are typically the result of a patient and doctor going too far, seeking an unrealistic transformation when a moderate approach is the best choice. Plastic surgery performed by a gifted surgeon should enhance your appearance, not wholly remake your identity.
Understanding Pain and Scarring
Pain and scarring are also top concerns of patients, contributing to anxiety about a scheduled procedure. Patients of Dr. Gowda can be confident that their surgeon is skilled at minimizing scarring, precisely placing each incision and consulting with you well in advance of a procedure to understand your preferences.
In breast augmentation procedures, for example, there are a variety of ways an implant can be inserted under the muscle and skin, and each requires its own unique type of incision. With tummy tuck, the incision can be made low on the abdomen, below the bikini line for women.
Pain management is a key element of all surgeries performed by Dr. Gowda. In the past decade there have been incredible advances in anesthetic options, and our practice offers all the latest choices. Minor procedures may require only localized numbing. For more complex procedures, you will typically be given a sedative when you arrive for your surgery, and later a stronger pain management medication through an IV.
In some cases Dr. Gowda may also implant Exparel, a time-release sedative that eases discomfort for as long as three days. You will also receive prescriptions for oral medications, including Valium, which is useful in managing muscle pain with major procedures such as breast surgery and tummy tuck.
If you would like to learn more about ways to prepare for a surgical procedure, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with experienced Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda by using our email form, or calling our Novi office at (248) 305-8400 or our Troy office at (248) 530-0000.