Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to the initial consultation, you’ll make one more preoperative appointment. At this appointment, you will discuss any questions that may have arisen and talk about specific details of the surgery with Dr. Ortiz. You will also have pre-operative photos taken for your medical chart.

The length of the surgery depends on the surgery and the patient, but most procedures take between 1 and 6 hours.

You will need someone with you for the full 24 hours following the procedure. You will be recovering from anesthesia during this time, and it is important that someone drive you home and stay with you. You will need additional assistance for the first 6 weeks following your surgery, as you will not be able to carry out regular activities or lift anything over 20lbs.

For at least 6 weeks following your surgery, you should avoid heavy lifting (anything over 20lbs), pushing or pulling heavy objects, and working out. You will also need to wear a compression garment for those 6 weeks. You can resume everyday activities as soon as you feel comfortable doing so.

This depends on the type of surgery you have and the type of work you do, but you should plan to take between 3 and 14 days off of work. Breast augmentation patients are typically back to work in 3 days, while more intrusive surgeries like Brazilian butt lifts and mommy makeovers require you to take at least 14 days.

This is another aspect of recovery that depends on the surgery you selected. The peak of inflammation is usually 3 days after surgery, at which point swelling and pain will begin to subside.

Most of the initial swelling starts to subside about 2 weeks after surgery, but wound healing can take anywhere between 6-12 months. For example, the swelling from a breast augmentation lasts around two weeks, but the implants remain “high riding” for up to 3 months until they drop into the resting position over the breast fold.

You should be able to see the final results of your surgery after 3 months, with minimal changes until the 6-month mark.

Your bandages will be removed after 48 hours, at which point you will be able to shower.

You will have at least two follow-up appointments: one at 1-week post-op and one at 2-3 months after your surgery. More appointments will be scheduled as needed.

The price range for plastic surgery depends greatly on the type of surgery. Pricing estimates are available for all of our most popular procedures, but these quotes are dependent on your case. Quotes for plastic surgery include all preoperative evaluations, photos, visitation with staff & doctor, surgical garments, and anesthesia.

There are several reasons women choose to have their implants removed (also called explant surgery). As we mentioned, many women experience body changes over time that may change the appearance of their breasts or they feel their implants don’t “fit” those changes.

Other reasons may include:

• Experiencing pain or discomfort caused by scar tissue
• An autoimmune reaction
• Pain in the shoulders, neck, and back due to too much weight
• Implant rupture, which requires immediate removal

On the other hand, many women may simply prefer to remove them when the original implants are due to be replaced. Regardless of your reason for choosing to remove your implants, Dr. Ortiz will work with you to help you achieve your goals for your body so you can feel comfortable and confident.

The duration of breast implant removal surgery varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the procedure, the presence of any complications, and whether additional procedures are performed concurrently (such as capsulectomy or breast lift). On average, breast implant removal surgery typically takes between one to three hours to complete.

Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation for explant surgery in Raleigh.

The type and extent of scars following explant surgery can vary depending on factors such as the surgical technique used, the size and type of implants removed, and individual healing factors. In most cases, scars will be located in the same areas as the initial incisions made for breast augmentation surgery, such as along the breast crease around the areola or in the armpit regions.

It’s important to discuss scar placement and potential outcomes with your Raleigh plastic surgeon during the consultation process to ensure realistic expectations and optimal scar healing.

While breast implant reduction surgery is generally safe, there are potential risks and complications, including infection, bleeding, changes in nipple sensation, seroma or hematoma formation, capsular contracture, changes in breast appearance, scarring, and emotional impact.

These risks vary depending on factors such as surgical technique, implant type, and individual healing factors. It’s important to discuss these risks with your surgeon and ensure you understand the potential outcomes before proceeding with the surgery.

Typically, patients can expect to have several follow-up appointments in the weeks and months following surgery. These appointments allow the surgeon to monitor your recovery, assess healing, address any concerns or complications, and ensure optimal outcomes. It’s essential to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments and communicate openly with your surgeon about your recovery progress and any questions or issues you may have.

At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, the cost of breast implant removal surgery includes a comprehensive package of services, from pre-operative consultations to post-operative appointments. Our transparent pricing structure ensures that patients receive thorough care without unexpected expenses, providing reassurance throughout the process of implant removal.

At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, our payment terms for explant surgery ensure flexibility and accessibility for our patients. To secure a surgery date, a down payment of 25% of the total cost is required upfront, with the remaining balance due in full no later than two weeks before the scheduled procedure.

While cosmetic surgeries like explant surgery are usually not covered by insurance, we offer various payment options, including a cash discount and acceptance of CareCredit and major credit cards, to accommodate our patients’ financial needs and make the procedure feasible for them.

The size and shape of the buttock is determined largely by genetics. While diet and exercise can certainly help you obtain a more shapely behind, sometimes it’s not possible to get the shape you want with diet and exercise alone. This is why so many women and men are choosing to have a Brazilian buttock lift. This procedure involves a process of fat grafting to the buttock. Fat from one or more areas of your body, such as the stomach, thighs, or lower back, will be extracted, processed, and injected into your buttocks. This is an outpatient procedure with a recovery time of several weeks.

Optimal candidates for a Brazilian butt lift have buttocks that are disproportionately small, saggy, flat, and/or lack volume. Patients must also have good skin tone throughout the hips and buttocks, as well as adequate fat stores to pull from for the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Ortiz will discuss the best areas for fat to be taken from your body as well as the outcome and recovery from a Brazilian buttock lift.

On the day of your surgery, you can expect to be at the surgery center for approximately 5 hours. The procedure takes 3-4 hours and the remaining time will be spent administering anesthesia and preparing you to go home.

Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation for Brazilian butt lifts.

You will have four very small scars, approximately ½ inch long: two on your lower back in the Venus dimples and two under the creases of your butt cheeks. The scars are barely visible and easily hidden.

Like all surgical procedures, a Brazilian Butt Lift has risks. The most common complication with a BBL is fat necrosis, the damage or death of tissue. This creates a small lump under the skin, roughly the size and feeling of a pea. It is completely harmless and can occur any time fatty tissue is damaged.

The results of your Brazilian Butt Lift are, by and large, permanent. Your butt will not “deflate” because the added volume is your own fat. On the other hand, since the added volume is from your own body, your buttocks will still grow if you gain weight and shrink if you lose weight.

You will have a minimum of 3 appointments with Dr. Ortiz after your BBL: one appointment a week after the surgery, one appointment at 2 months post-surgery, and the final appointment at 6 months after surgery. If you need to see Dr. Ortiz at any time between these appointments, please call us.

We require a payment of 25% of the total cost up front to secure your surgery date. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than two weeks before the surgery takes place. While most cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, we offer a cash discount and accept Care Credit and all major credit cards.

Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery, is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing the size of enlarged or overdeveloped breast tissue in men. Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by the growth of glandular tissue in the male breast, leading to a feminine-like appearance.

This surgery involves the removal of excess glandular tissue and, in some cases, excess skin and fat, to achieve a flatter and more masculine chest contour. Gynecomastia surgery can help improve self-confidence, alleviate physical discomfort, and restore a more masculine chest appearance.

Gynecomastia, the development of enlarged breast tissue in males, can result from various underlying causes. Understanding these factors is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment approach.

Here are some common causes of gynecomastia:

• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances, particularly an increase in estrogen relative to testosterone levels, can trigger the growth of breast tissue in men.
• Puberty: During puberty, hormonal fluctuations commonly occur, often resulting in temporary gynecomastia.
• Medications: Certain medications can disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to the development of gynecomastia. These may include anabolic steroids, anti-androgens used in prostate cancer treatment, some antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and certain drugs used to treat heart conditions.
• Health Conditions: Various health conditions can predispose individuals to gynecomastia. These may include thyroid disorders, liver disease, kidney failure, and tumors of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.
• Aging: As men age, testosterone levels tend to decrease while estrogen levels may remain relatively stable or increase.
• Genetics: There may be a genetic predisposition to developing gynecomastia, as certain families may have a higher incidence of the condition.
• Weight Gain: Excess body fat can lead to an increase in estrogen production, contributing to the development of gynecomastia.

Male breast reduction takes approximately 1 ½ – 2 hours. Plan on being at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery for around 3 hours on the day of your surgery. Since you will be coming out of anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home from the center and stay with you for 24 hours after the surgery.

Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation for gynecomastia surgeries.

Gynecomastia results in minimal scarring, with most scars being hidden under the armpit. If your male breast reduction is combined with a lift, you will have scars around your areola that are hidden in the pigment changes of your skin.

The most common complication is accumulation of blood in the wound. This is not a serious complication and many times, the blood can be drained with a needle. Occasionally, we have to open the wound to drain. Areolar loss (loss of sensation in the areola) may also occur.

You will have a minimum of 3 appointments with Dr. Ortiz after your breast augmentation: one appointment a week after the surgery, one appointment at 2 months post-surgery, and the final appointment at 6 months after surgery. If you need to see Dr. Ortiz at any time between these appointments, please call us.

The cost of your gynecomastia surgery includes all pre-op and post-op appointments, the surgery and surgical materials, as well as any post-op compression garments. Prescription pain medication is not included in the cost of surgery and is not dispensed by North Raleigh Plastic Surgery.

We require a payment of 25% of the total cost upfront to secure your surgery date. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than two weeks before the surgery takes place. While most cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, we offer a cash discount and accept Care Credit and all major credit cards.

Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure that reduces the size or length of the labia minora, the inner portion of the labia, so that it does not hang below the labia majora, the outer portion. While it’s considered a cosmetic procedure, many women experience physical pain and discomfort from enlarged inner labia as it may twist or tug, or the sensitive tissues may be irritated during physical activity, including sex.

Labiaplasty may be performed two ways: either by trimming the excess skin and using dissolvable sutures to close the edges, or by trimming a wedge-shaped area from each side of the labia and joining the sides together to make the area smaller and within the outer labia. Following the procedure, it’s normal to experience swelling and discomfort, but within a week, most patients are able to return to work and engage in light activity. However, it’s generally recommended to wait up to six weeks to have sexual intercourse. Labiaplasty may be performed alone or as part of a mommy makeover or menopause makeover. You can learn more about the procedure by reading our frequently asked questions about labiaplasty, benefits of labiaplasty surgery., and labiaplasty recovery process.

If you feel that the size of your labia is effecting your physical or emotional well being, this can be the solution that’s right for you. Many women who undergo this procedure report that issues of inflammation, chafing, and dryness are minimized while experiencing more pleasure and confidence during sexual activity.

The right candidates for this procedure are women who are in general good health, without conditions that may increase the risks of surgery. It’s also important to not smoke or use products containing nicotine as this can cause complications with healing.

It is important to know that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Lipo is meant to sculpt the body and will not result in drastic weight loss.

Liposuction is considered a permanent procedure in the sense that the fat cells removed during the surgery do not grow back. Once fat cells are suctioned out of the body, they are gone for good. However, it’s important to understand that liposuction does not prevent new fat cells from forming in untreated areas if an individual gains weight.

Liposuction is not typically an effective treatment for cellulite. Cellulite is a common cosmetic concern characterized by dimpled or uneven skin texture, often found on the buttocks, thighs, and sometimes other areas of the body. It is caused by the way fat is distributed beneath the skin, with fibrous connective tissue pulling the skin downward, creating a dimpled appearance.

Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation and the solution that is injected under the skin to remove fat has an anesthetic agent that numbs the area for approximately six hours.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that, like any surgery, carries certain risks and potential complications. Some risks include infection, bleeding, bruising, swelling, fluid accumulation, and loss of sensation. It’s essential for individuals considering liposuction to be aware of these risks and to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who can provide personalized information and guidance.

The length of your procedure depends on the amount of fat being removed. Your plastic surgeons will discuss the approximate length of your procedure during your consultation and pre-op appointment.

Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Jones also perform Lipo 360, which is liposuction around the entire torso instead of just on the abdomen or back. Ideal areas for treatment are the upper and lower abdominals, the flanks (love handles) on both sides, and the lower and mid-back.

The number of post-operative appointments you will have after liposuction can vary depending on several factors, including the surgeon’s preferences, the extent of the liposuction procedure, your individual healing progress, and any specific concerns or complications that may arise. However, typically you will have 3 follow up appointments and subsequent future appointments as needed.

To secure your liposuction surgery date, we kindly request an upfront payment of 25% of the total procedure cost. The remaining balance should be settled in full no later than two weeks before your scheduled surgery. It’s important to note that cosmetic surgeries are typically not covered by insurance; however, we provide a cash discount and accept various payment methods, including Care Credit and all major credit cards, to accommodate your payment preferences.