Non-surgical Procedures Archives - Florence Mussat M.D, S.C.

What Are 3 Pre-Surgery Tips for Self-Care?

Are you patiently counting down the days until your scheduled cosmetic surgery? Your thoughts are probably on what you can do to prepare for your procedure and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat will provide detailed pre-surgery and post-surgery instructions. In addition to these, let’s look at three super-helpful tips you can follow to help you be as healthy and strong as possible before your surgery.

1. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The better your health before going into surgery, the smoother your recovery process will be. To this end, address these three lifestyle factors to ensure you’re in the best possible shape.

Balanced Nutrition

In the days leading up to your surgery, eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Focus primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables – which will help prevent inflammation – and foods rich in protein and nutrients such as vitamin C and D, zinc, and calcium, all of which can aid in your healing. You should also stop consuming alcohol and avoid foods that can cause constipation, like dairy and red meat.

Routine Exercise

Among exercise’s other countless benefits, being more active before your surgery will increase your chances of bouncing back sooner after the procedure. Walking at least 5,000 steps a day will go a long way toward increasing your stamina and improving your cardiovascular health and muscle recovery.

Kick Bad Habits

Use the time before your surgery to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, along with any mood-altering substances that could affect your sleep or anxiety levels leading up to your surgery. Alcohol and nicotine can significantly affect your circulation and can increase your anesthesia risk.

2. Organize Your Personal Affairs

To avoid any anxiety and improve your peace of mind, here are a few things you should take care of before your procedure.

Check With Your Employer

Ensure you understand your options regarding vacation or sick time. Arrange for a colleague to fill in for you during your absence, so any professional responsibilities can keep moving smoothly.

Take All Required Medical Tests

Dr. Mussat will inform you what tests you will need before, during, and after your surgery. Check if any of these may require pre-authorization from your insurer.

Contact Your Health Insurance Company

You must understand what your policy will and won’t cover, including any deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs.

3. Arrange for Help

Have a family member or friend agree to drive you to Dr. Mussat’s practice for your procedure and back home again afterward, where they can stay to help you for a day or two. Recruit family members and friends to take over meal preparation, diaper changes, laundry, and most parenting duties at home.

Those helping you both pre- and post-surgery can assist you in packing a bag with all of your basic essentials like toiletries, medications, and loose, comfortable clothing to wear home. They can also ensure you have plenty of water, vitamins, supplements, and healthy food at home.

Finally, make sure you take your personal ID, insurance card, and a list of any medications you may be taking, including the dosage.

Contact Us With Your Questions

If you have any questions about preparing for your surgery, please contact board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat in Chicago, IL. Schedule a personal consultation online or call (312) 751-9000 today.

Turn Back the Clock with this Non-Surgical Alternative to a Facelift (Instalift)

The process of aging is gradual and highly individual. In between the development of fine lines and the progression of skin laxity, there’s a stage where injectables aren’t enough and facelift surgery may be too much. If you’re in your 40s or early 50s and just starting to see hints of loose skin around your jawline and hollows around your cheeks, the Silhouette Instalift can provide the perfect alternative to facelift surgery. This convenient in-office procedure is also a great choice for anyone concerned about the time commitment, cost, or discomfort associated with facelift surgery, regardless of their age.

What is the Silhouette Instalift?

The Silhouette Instalift works similarly to a mid-face lift; it subtly raises the muscles, fat pads, and connective tissues that support facial contours. As a result of this elevating action, the patient’s cheeks become fuller, skin becomes firmer and smoother, and jowls disappear. What makes this procedure unique is its innovative, minimally invasive approach to treatment; no incisions are made during a Silhouette Instalift, and no tissue is removed. Instead, tiny biodegradable sutures are gently threaded below the skin, where they’re used to lift sagging muscle and connective tissue.

Unlike conventional sutures, Instalift threads are fitted with several tiny cones. These cones hold the threads in place and provide support for surrounding tissues, ensuring they maintain their new shape. The cones also stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that helps skin, muscle, and connective tissue stay strong and supple. By the time your Instalift sutures dissolve, the tissue around them will have been reinforced by this new collagen, making your face more resistant to future sagging.

4 Advantages of the Silhouette Instalift

The Silhouette Instalift offers multiple advantages that make it an appealing alternative to facelift surgery:

Zero risks of scarring. Instalift sutures are inserted with a very thin needle so that they won’t leave any marks on your skin.
Little or no downtime. Most people who have an Instalift can return to work the day after their procedure. Though some patients experience mild swelling and bruising after having an Instalift, these symptoms are usually minor and don’t interfere with day-to-day life.
Instant results that last a long time. As soon as you walk out of the office after having an Instalift, you’ll notice that you look refreshed and rejuvenated. Over the next 18 months, your results will continue to improve as collagen production increases in treated areas. Your skin will become fuller and firmer and unwanted features, like jowls and facial hollows, will gradually become less noticeable. The results of one Instalift can be seen for up to two years.
Subtle, natural revitalization. By working with the body’s existing healing mechanisms, the Silhouette Instalift produces results that are indistinguishable from graceful natural aging. This procedure won’t make your face look tight or stretched in any way.

Discover how the Silhouette Instalift can Help You

Though fine lines and sagging skin can be frustrating, treating them doesn’t have to be. If you would like to learn more about minimally invasive anti-aging treatments, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat to arrange a consultation in Chicago.

Category: Non-surgical Procedures