FAQ

It is important to everyone at DiBello Plastic Surgery that you are completely at ease and thoroughly informed and educated when it comes to your experience with us. To that end, below we have provided frequently asked questions that you may have. As always, please feel free to call our office if you need additional information. We are always ready and able to assist you.

• What is plastic surgery?

  Plastic surgery is a specialty dedicated to the enhancement of the face, breasts, and body. For those who wish to improve their appearance, cosmetic surgical procedures offer patients the opportunity to refine certain physical features and complement their natural beauty—often resulting in improved self-esteem.

• Is plastic surgery painful?

  Each patient is different, so postoperative pain can vary. To help ensure recovery is as comfortable as possible, Dr. DiBello prescribes medications and provides patients with aftercare instructions that can help minimize any potential soreness after surgery.

• What kind of anesthesia do you use for plastic surgery?

  Dr. DiBello performs surgery under most types of anesthesia: local anesthesia, intravenous sedation (“twilight”), general anesthesia, and regional anesthesia (nerve blocks). The method of anesthesia can be determined in the initial consultation with Dr. DiBello, based on his professional recommendation and the patient’s preference.

• Will I look natural after plastic surgery?

  Dr. DiBello is highly skilled and experienced in creating natural-looking outcomes for his patients. He is dedicated to customizing each procedure, ultimately producing results that complement each patient’s unique features and/or body frame. His goal for each of his patients is always natural, but noticeable results.

• How soon can I go back to work after plastic surgery?

  The length of time for recuperation after plastic surgery varies depending on the procedure. Most patients will require assistance for a day or so, and then should be able to care for themselves. We will discuss with you in detail your postoperative care and recovery instructions. The techniques offered today allow patients to return to work fairly soon following surgery.

• How long do I have to wait to exercise after plastic surgery?

  The specific procedure(s) performed determines when a patient may resume physical exercise. Patients are typically encouraged to start a slow walking routine and hold off on anything more strenuous until after consulting with Dr. DiBello.

• What age is best for considering plastic surgery?

  There is no ideal age to have cosmetic surgery. The time to have an elective procedure is when the desired change will justify the time, effort, and cost involved. Although some plastic surgery procedures have minimum age requirements, it is extremely rare to have an upper age limit—the patient’s overall health is generally more important for eligibility than his or her age at the time of the procedure.

• Why aren’t there plastic surgery before-and-after photos on your website?

  To protect the privacy of our patients, Dr. DiBello has chosen to refrain from publicly posting any plastic surgery before-and-after photos on our site—however, prospective patients may view these images in the privacy of our office, as part of a consultation with Dr. DiBello.

• Should I get silicone breast implants?

  Although silicone breast implants are a fairly common option for breast augmentation patients, it is Dr. DiBello’s professional opinion that they are generally not the best option for breast enhancement, due to the risk of “silent rupture.” Cohesive silicone gel implants (also known as “gummy bear” implants) require patients to get MRI scans every two years to ensure safety, but these scans typically are not covered by insurance and therefore are paid for by the patient. To avoid the cost and inconvenience of this, Dr. DiBello recommends either conventional saline implants or the IDEAL IMPLANT®, which provides patients with many of the benefits of a silicone implant, but with the safety and practicality of saline implants. Dr. DiBello will address this in detail at the time of your consultation.

• Do you offer any non-surgical fat reduction treatments?

  Non-surgical and minimally invasive fat reduction treatments like CoolSculpting® and SmartLipo™ have gained much popularity in recent years, but they can provide inconsistent results and often come with a risk of harming healthy tissues within the treatment area. Through his extensive research and experience, Dr. DiBello has found that the safest, most effective body contouring treatment is traditional liposuction (either suction-assisted liposuction or power-assisted liposuction).

• Is there a fee for a cosmetic consultation with Dr. DiBello?

  Yes, Dr. DiBello does have a fee for a cosmetic consultation, but this fee will be applied toward the total cost of any procedure you elect to undergo at DiBello Plastic Surgery. Many plastic surgery practices advertise free consultations—however, in most of these cases, you will not be meeting with the actual plastic surgeon. During your consultation at our practice, you will meet personally with Dr. DiBello. As with all patients, he will spend as much time with you as is necessary, answering questions and discussing your unique situation. Your expectations and goals are discussed as well, to make certain the desired surgical outcome is realistic.