Informative Facts - Plastic Surgery Clinic of Northwest Arkansas - Dr H Daniel Atwood MD - Cosmetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Facial Surgeon, Body Contouring, Breast Augmentation, Aesthetic Surgery

Informative Facts Concerning Our Services

Do you have questions about the surgical procedures, treatments or services that we offer?

Below is a list of some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to call our office if you need additional information. We are always pleased to assist you.

Is Dr. Atwood a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
What is Plastic Surgery?
Is Plastic Surgery painful?
What kind of Anesthesia is used?
Will I be able to breast-feed after breast enlargement surgery?
Are there risks involved in breast augmentation surgery?
What type of implants do you use for breast augmentation?
Do the implants have to be changed after several years?
What if the implant ruptures?
My breasts sag but are not large. What can be done?
What is Liposuction?
I have problems breathing, can this be corrected?
I don't like the tip of my nose. What can I do?
Am I ready for a face-lift?
What is Botox?
Will I look natural after my surgery?
When can I go back to work?
How long will it last?
When can I begin to exercise?


	Is Dr. Atwood a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
	Yes. Dr. Atwood is certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1987), as well as the American Board of Surgery (1994).


	What is Plastic Surgery?
	Plastic Surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of either facial or body abnormalities caused by accidents, disease or congenital defects. For those who wish to enhance their appearance, cosmetic surgical procedures offer patients the opportunity to reshape physical features and improve their self-esteem.


	Is Plastic Surgery painful?
	Patients tolerate post-operative pain in ways that are different from each other. Appropriate pain medications, which minimize discomfort, are prescribed for post-operative patients.


	How long will it last?
	There is no precise answer to this question. Surgery does not affect the ongoing aging process which is largely dependent upon genetics. What aesthetic plastic surgery does is turn back the clock. Patients ask if the results last five years or ten years. The answer is yes, it always lasts the length of time but you do not look the same in ten years as you do when you had the surgery. Aging is inevitable.


	What kind of Anesthesia is used?
	Dr. Atwood performs surgery under most types of anesthesia: local anesthesia, intravenous sedation ("twilight"), general anesthesia and regional anesthesia (nerve blocks). The method of anesthesia used is based on the patient and surgeon preference.


	Will I be able to breast-feed after breast enlargement surgery?
	Yes. Breast Augmentation will not affect your ability to nurse.


	Are there risks involved in breast augmentation surgery?
	Every surgical procedure entails some risk. Those, associated with this type of surgery, are infection, changes in the sensitivity of the breast and scar contracture. These and other complications rarely occur and can usually be avoided. Thousands of women undergo breast augmentation, successfully, each year, though you might find it difficult to tell just who they are.

What type of implants do you use for breast augmentation?

The saline implants (filled with sterile saltwater) used for breast augmentation surgery are available in both round and teardrop shapes.


	Do the implants have to be changed after several years?
	As long as there are not problems with the implants, they never need to be changed.


	What if the implant ruptures?
	Today's saline implants are more durable than ever. Although risk of rupture is extremely small, if this should happen, the implant deflates as your body absorbs the saline. There is absolutely no health hazard should this happen. The implant can be easily replaced with minimal discomfort. Under certain circumstances the manufacturer of the implant will pay for new implants and contribute towards the cost of replacement..

My breasts sag but are not large. What can be done?

If the sagging is not severe, a "nipple lift" can be performed. The excess skin is removed after making an incision around the outside of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple). The resulting scar is confined to the area where the pigmented skin meets the normal skin at the edge of the areola.

In cases of more severe sagging, a procedure similar to breast reduction may be performed by removing skin only - not breast tissue - to result in a more youthful shape. Breast lifting is an excellent alternative to breast implants for many patients.


	What is Liposuction?
	Liposuction is a procedure to remove unwanted fat from many different areas of the body. A small tube (cannula) is placed into the area through a tiny incision. Fluid with medication is injected into the area to minimize blood loss (tumescent technique) which also helps to lessen bruising after surgery.


	I have problems breathing, can this be corrected?
	Very often, the septum - the partition inside the nose - is deviated causing difficulty in breathing. If this is a problem, it can be corrected at the same time as cosmetic nasal surgery.


	I don't like the tip of my nose. What can I do?
	If you like your profile and the tip of your nose is too wide, prominent, projects too much or droops, it can be corrected. Rhinoplasty is an excellent procedure for the nasal tip when it droops with age.


	Am I ready for a face-lift?
	Skin and facial tissue that sag along with aging can give you an appearance of tiredness or anger even when you are feeling happy and energetic. Jowls and drooping skin around the neck cause you to appear heavy. With facial rejuvenation, you appear rested, healthy and more youthful. The idea is to look better, not different. Often a mini-lift can be performed instead of a full face-lift. The mini-lift is limited to the lower portion of the face, correcting jowl and neck problems, while the traditional face-lift includes the upper part of the face as well. Some patients opt to combine a face-lift with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery, or skin resurfacing to achieve a full effect.


	What is Botox?
	Botox is a purified byproduct of a medically grown bacteria. Botox temporarily weakens any muscle in which it has contact. It is used to eliminate unwanted furrows between the eyebrows or on the forehead. Botox also has been used on "crows feet" or on the vertical lines on your upper lip.


	Will I look natural after my surgery?
	The techniques used today create a natural, non-surgical appearance. This is accomplished by correcting the underlying areas of aging and avoiding the excision of skin only to achieve a more youthful appearance.

When can I go back to work?

The length of time for recuperation, after plastic surgery, varies depending on the procedure. Most patients will require assistance for the first two days then be able to care for themselves.


	How long will it last?
	There is no precise answer to this question. Surgery does not affect the ongoing aging process which is largely dependent upon genetics. What aesthetic plastic surgery does is turn back the clock. Patients ask if the results last five years or ten years. The answer is yes, it always lasts the length of time but you do not look the same in ten years as you do when you had the surgery. Aging is inevitable.

When can I begin to exercise?

Depending on the procedure performed determines when a patient may resume physical exercise. Dr. Atwood will advise you when exercise can be resumed.