Patient Information

In general, people who are in good overall health and are currently at a healthy body weight are good candidates for cosmetic surgery. Those who suffer from serious health problems, who are obese or who use nicotine should ask their doctor before considering. It’s also very important for prospective patients to have realistic expectations for their surgery results. Honesty about your medical history, goals and any concerns you have is crucial so we can make an informed and realistic assessment about what procedures may be best for you.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape the face and body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is performed when no medical condition has contributed and is not covered by health insurance. Reconstructive surgery is performed when a medical condition has lead to a change in the face or body such as breast reconstruction after cancer, hand surgery, skin cancer reconstruction, trauma, congenital or developmental abnormalities, and gender reassignment. In general, reconstructive surgery is performed to improve function, but may also be completed to approximate a normal appearance. Many of these procedures are covered by health insurance, although the coverage varies.

It means everything! Any medical doctor can legally perform surgery, so you must do your homework when choosing your plastic surgeon. Upon the completion of high school, college, and four years of medical school, then comes residency training, which lasts between 6-8 years. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) requires very strict specifications in order to “sit” for the board examination, which is a 2-step process first necessitating a written examination followed by review of cases performed by the surgeon and finally a 2-day grueling oral examination by leaders in the field of plastic surgery. In addition, plastic surgeons certified by the ABPS must prove ongoing self-education in order to keep up with the ever-changing field and maintain their certification status. These steps ensure your board-certified plastic surgeon has the knowledge, the skill and meets the ethical standards necessary to be certified by the ABPS. There are other “cosmetic surgery boards” out there, but do not be fooled. The ABPS is the only board that verifies a plastic surgeon is qualified to perform plastic and reconstructive surgery on the entire body. Dr. Audrey Klenke is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Dr. Sarah Cazorla (link to bio) is board-eligible, meaning she is on-track to complete all the steps necessary to become board-certified.

Yes, the most important thing is to follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. It is always helpful to stop taking oral agents that can thin the blood 7 days or longer prior to a procedure, injectables or surgery including over-the-counter medications (NSAIDS, Advil, Excedrin, Aleve, Goody’s Powder, ibuprofen, Motrin), supplements (fish oil, krill oil, omega 3, garlic, ginseng, ginger, gingko biloba, St. John’s wort, tumeric, Vitamin C & E, cumin). If you are being prescribed a medication by a medical provider, do not stop these medications on your own. Arnica Montana and Bromelain are supplements that can help with bruising and swelling when used topically or taken orally and are available at our store. Elevating the treatment area after the procedure will also allow your body to use gravity to its advantage. Depending on the procedure, some activities may be restricted.

As a rule, cosmetic plastic surgery is considered “elective surgery” and is not covered by insurance plans. If the service is not covered by insurance, you may review options with a healthcare credit card like CareCredit or Alphaeon Credit Card. Please call us (843) 815-6699 for more more information on payment options.