Plastic Surgery Facts

If you think plastic surgery is only for celebrities and debutantes, here are some facts that may surprise you:

• Women last year accounted for 92% (8.6 million) of the total cosmetic surgeries done. Men had over 750,000 cosmetic procedures, or around 8%.
• The top five plastic surgeries done were:
• Breast Reduction
• Abdominoplasty
• Liposuction
• Breast Implants
• Eyelifts
• Americans spent nearly $10.7 billion on procedures.

We are a Minneapolis plastic surgery office with years of experience. Richard S Werner Plastic Surgery can be found online at www.RichardSWerner.com. 

Plastic Surgery FAQ

People ask us a lot of questions about plastic surgery before they decide to undergo any procedure. And the Richard S Werner staff is glad they do: cosmetic surgery is a big decision and questions should be raised. Here are some of the more common ones we get:

What questions should I ask before choosing a plastic surgeon?

Anything you want! We encourage you to bring a checklist along of any questions you wish to ask. We suggest asking potential plastic surgeons:

• Where will the surgery be performed?
• How many times have you performed similar procedures?
• What risks are involved?
• What kind of recovery time is needed?
• How much will this cost?

Will I have a scar from the procedure?

Scars are unavoidable of any healing time. But, a professional surgeon should be able to place it in a place where it’s virtually unnoticeable, like along natural creases or under undergartments. Scars will fade normally over time, and the severity is different from person to person.

What procedures are the most popular?

Our most popular plastic surgeries are:

• Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)
• Liposuction
• Vein Stripping
• Tummy Tuck
• Eyelifts

Richard S. Werner is a Minneapolis plastic surgery office that can be found online at www.RichardSWernerMD.com. 

More FAQ about Varicose & Spider Vein Treatment

What are the risks of not getting varicose vein treatment?

Varicose veins commonly produce leg discomfort symptoms, aching, swelling and give you a higher risk for painful blood clots. Another risk is skin breakdown, which occurs with more advanced disease.

Is sclerotherapy or spider vein treatment right for me?

Vein treatments are highly individualized procedures and should be done for only yourself. They may be a viable option if you are bothered by spider veins or varicose veins anywhere on your body; you have a positive outlook and goals for treatment; and you are committed to following your plastic surgeon’s course of treatment.

Do spider or varicose veins serve any use?

Not usually. Most of these veins are dysfunction and removal may improve circulation. There are rare cases when deep leg veins are blocked, leaving varicose veins to carry the circulation, and should remain intact.

Will my treatment require me to wear medical stockings?

Graduated compression stockings are integral part of cosmetic and medical treatments. They are available in several styles and colors, and how long you will need to wear them will be determined by your doctor.

Does medical insurance cover these treatments?

In some cases, yes. Your surgeon’s office should be able to help you with all the paperwork.

Dr. Richard S. Werner MD and his Minneapolis plastic surgery office have over 30 years of experience. Learn more about vein treatments at www.RichardSWernerMD.com. 

Varicose & Spider Veins Treatment FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions we answer about treatments for varicose and spider veins:

What can I do to treat my varicose veins or spider veins?

There are a number of ways you can treat them, including lifestyle changes, medical treatments and sclerotherapy.

What’s sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is known most commonly as vein injections. It’s the non-surgical destruction of spider and varicose veins, and is the most common treatment. The plastic surgeon uses a needle to inject a liquid chemical in the vein that cause the vein walls to swell and seal together and shut. This stops the flow of blood, the vein turns into scar tissue and fades in a few weeks.

How many vein injections will I have to get?

Depending on the condition of the vein, it may have to be treated more than once. Treatments are done normally every 4 to 6 weeks.

Are there any side effects?

The possible side effects include:

Stinging, red and raised patches of skin. Bruises are also a possibility, and these go away shortly after treatment.

Spots, brown lines or blood vessel groups around the treated vein. These will also go away not long after the treatment.

Blood lumps that get trapped and cause inflammation. These aren’t dangerous, and can be relieved with heat application and taking aspirin.

What about vein stripping?

Varicose vein stripping is done commonly while you’re anesthetized. An incision is made in the groin, and the problem vein is tied off at the ligation. A wire stripper is then inserted down the vein, and the vein is removed. This is the common treatment option for large varicose veins.

For more about sclerotherapy or vein stripping, contact Minneapolis plastic surgeon Richard S. Werner by visiting www.RichardSWernerMD.com.

Varicose & Spider Vein Surgery FAQ

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions we get about varicose and spider veins:

What are varicose veins and spider veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins, and are normally blue, red or flesh colored. These veins appear twisted and protrude above the skin’s surface. You can find them on the thighs, backs of calves or the inside of the leg.

Spider veins have many of the same features as varicose veins, but are smaller and are closer to the skin’s surface. These veins, which look like tree branches or spider webs, are found usually on the legs and face, covering very small or very large areas of the skin.

What causes them?

Damaged or weakened valves in the veins cause them to become varicose, while spider veins are normally caused by the backup of blood, although hormone changes, sun exposure and injuries can also play a factor.

What factors can increase can increase the risk of varicose or spider veins?

There are many factors that can increase your chances, including:

Aging: As we age, the vein valves tend to weaken and not work as well.

Hormonal changes: Puberty, pregnancy and menopause can increase your risk, as well as medicines containing estrogen and progesterone, like birth control pills.

Obesity: Extra weight can put pressure on your veins, which can lead to them becoming varicose.

Sun exposure: Sitting in the sun for long periods of time can cause your cheeks or nose to become infested with spider veins.

What are the signs of varicose veins?

Varicose veins can be seen on the skin, and some common symptoms include:

Aching pain

Swelling

Itchy or irritated rash

Darkening of the skin

Throbs or cramps

Heaviness

How are they treated?

You can treat them with lifestyle changes and medical treatments that will relieve the symptoms, prevent complications and improve your appearance. The most common treatment is sclerotherapy, most commonly known as vein injections, a non-surgical procedure use to destroy spider veins and small varicose veins.

Have more questions about spider and varicose veins? Minneapolis plastic surgeon Dr Richard S. Werner can help. Visit www.RichardSWernerMD.com for more information.

Popular Summertime Plastic Surgeries: Tummy Tucks

Are you afraid to break out the two piece because of that protruding tummy? Then a tummy tuck might be a plastic surgery to consider. So, before you put your bikini back in the drawer or decide against going to the St Louis River, consider the advantages of a tummy tuck from Dr. Richard S Werner Plastic Surgery.

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) tucks in the protruding stomach to make your abdomen firmer and flatter, by removing fat and skin, and tightening the muscles around the abdomen. It can be tailored to your specific needs. With the right diet and exercise, and pending no major life changes, your stomach should remain this way for years to come.

What kind of people get tummy tucks?

If you’ve just had a baby and want to tighten those stomach muscles, then you might be a good candidate. The best candidates usually wait until they’ve lost all their unwanted weight, as losing a lot of weight after the surgery may complicate results.

What can a tummy tuck do for me?

A tummy tuck will help boost your confidence, and if you fear looking into the mirror, you won’t be able to get enough of your reflection after the surgery.

If you’re thinking about tummy tucks in Minneapolis, contact Dr. Richard S. Werner by visiting www.RichardSWernerMD.com.  

Popular Summertime Plastic Surgeries: Breast Augmentation

There is nothing wrong with being ashamed of the size of your breasts. It’s common among many women, and can be rectified with breast augmentation, known commonly as breast implants. Many of our clients prefer to get this cosmetic surgery done before heading off to the Lake Superior Beaches, in order to get that dream body of which they’ve been dreaming.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation enlarges the breasts, and takes about one hour to complete. Either a saline or silicone implant is inserted behind the breast. The staff at Dr. Richard S Werner Plastic Surgery will help you determine the implants’ size, shape and other choices.

What kinds of people get breast augmentation?

Women who are:

• Dissatisfied with the size of their breasts
• Experiencing breasts shrinking because of pregnancy and/or weight loss
• Having mild to moderate sagging
• Needing a correction of breast asymmetry, as one breast is larger than the other

What can breast augmentation do for me?

Increasing the size of your breasts can improve your self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as significantly alter your appearance.

If you’re thinking about breast implants in Minneapolis, contact Dr. Richard S. Werner by visiting www.RichardSWernerMD.com.  

Popular Summertime Plastic Surgeries: Liposuction

With summer nearing closer, many want to get that beach body ready for a trip to one of Minnesota’s beaches. One of the most popular plastic surgeries seen by the staff at Richard S. Werner Plastic Surgery is liposuction. If you’re not happy with your physique, this cosmetic surgery may be an option to consider.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction (or body contouring) is basically a suctioning of fat. It’s used primarily to treat lipodystrophy, which is characterized as protruding fatty deposits. This can be used on various areas of the body, including the flanks, abdomen, saddlebag areas and more.

We’ll insert a small, hollow tube into an incision, which are placed inconspicuously on your body. The tube is connected to a vacuum unit, and as your plastic surgeon guides the tubing, unwanted fat will be sucked out.

What kinds of people get liposuction?

Liposuction patients range from teenagers to the elderly. We’ve performed the surgery on both men and women. The procedure works best with persons who have a good skin tone, and small excess fat pockets in certain areas.

What can liposuction do for me?

It will help sculpt your body by removing fatty deposits from areas of your choosing. You will see permanent results soon after the surgery.

If you’re thinking about liposuction in Minneapolis, contact Dr. Richard S. Werner by visiting www.RichardSWernerMD.com.