Welcome to the
Pearl Plastic Surgery Blog!
Here at Pearl Plastic Surgery, we are excited to introduce our blog as a resource for you to learn more about our procedures and have your questions answered. Whether you are considering a surgical or non-surgical treatment, our blog will provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your aesthetic goals.
Continue reading for expert tips, patient testimonials, and the latest trends in plastic surgery.
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Benefits of Scheduling a Consultation Before the New Year
As the holiday season approaches, many of us start to reflect on the past year and think about our goals for the future. For those considering plastic surgery, now is the perfect time to take the first step toward your new journey. At Pearl Plastic Surgery our highly regarded surgeons, Dr. Chris Nichols and Dr. Megan Gray, are currently scheduling procedures into February 2025. With consultation openings available now, you can plan ahead for your late winter or spring surgery and kickstart the new year with confidence and clarity.
As the holiday season approaches, many of us start to reflect on the past year and think about our goals for the future. For those considering plastic surgery, now is the perfect time to take the first step toward your new journey. At Pearl Plastic Surgery our highly regarded surgeons, Dr. Chris Nichols and Dr. Megan Gray, are currently scheduling procedures into February 2025. With consultation openings available now, you can plan ahead for your late winter or spring surgery and kickstart the new year with confidence and clarity.
Why Book Your Consultation Before the New Year?
Prime Planning Period for Winter and Spring Procedures The end of the year is an ideal time to schedule a consultation and plan your surgery for late winter or early spring. This timing allows you to heal discreetly during the cooler months and be fully recovered by the time warmer weather arrives. Whether you're considering a facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction or another procedure, taking advantage of this planning period can set you up for a seamless and stress free experience.
Secure Your Spot with Our Sought After Surgeons Dr. Nichols and Dr. Gray are known for their personalized, patient focused approach and exceptional results. Their schedules fill up quickly and securing your consultation now means you’ll have the opportunity to choose the most convenient surgery dates and avoid the waitlist that often extends into the busier spring and summer seasons.
Quotes Valid for Six Months We understand that making the decision to undergo surgery takes time. That’s why we provide detailed, personalized quotes that are valid for six months following your consultation. This gives you ample time to consider your options, budget accordingly and feel confident in your decision all while locking in your surgical rate.
Head Start on Your New Year’s Resolutions If your resolutions include enhancing your confidence or focusing on self care, planning your procedure now can help you achieve these goals early in the new year. Taking this step ahead of the holiday rush ensures that you’re prioritizing yourself and starting 2025 with intention and purpose.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
Booking a consultation with Dr. Nichols or Dr. Gray is more than just a meeting; it’s the beginning of your personalized journey. Here’s what you can expect:
Thorough Evaluation: Your consultation will include a comprehensive evaluation of your goals, medical history and desired outcomes.
Customized Treatment Plan: Our surgeons will work with you to develop a tailored plan that aligns with your vision and timeline.
Transparent Information: You’ll receive all the information you need about procedure options, recovery times and realistic results.
How to Schedule Your Consultation
With our schedule filling up into February 2025, now is the perfect time to secure your spot and plan your surgery. Don’t let the holiday rush delay your path to achieving the look you desire. Reach out today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward enhancing your natural beauty and confidence.
Book your consultation today to plan for late winter or spring surgery. Start the new year knowing you’re on track to look and feel your best with the expert care and skill of Dr. Nichols and Dr. Gray at Pearl Plastic Surgery.
Call our office at 360-878-9300 to learn more
Essential Pre and Post operative Care Tips
Preparing for Surgery: What You Need to Know. The steps you take before surgery can significantly impact your recovery and results. Here’s what you need to do to ensure you’re fully prepared for your upcoming procedure
Preparing for Surgery: What You Need to Know
The steps you take before surgery can significantly impact your recovery and results. Here’s what you need to do to ensure you’re fully prepared for your upcoming procedure:
Avoid Smoking and Marijuana:
Cease smoking, including the inhalation of marijuana, at least six weeks before and after your surgery. Smoking can greatly increase your risk of complications and slow down the healing process.
Medication Adjustments:
Blood Thinners: Stop taking aspirin or any blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, and Asa for 10 days before and one week after surgery, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Avoid medications like ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, and Excedrin for one week before and after your surgery.
Herbal Supplements: Discontinue any herbal supplements two weeks prior to your procedure.
Monitoring Health Changes:
If you experience any health changes like a fever, body aches, or a severe cough on the day before your surgery, contact your caregiver immediately. These symptoms could impact your ability to safely undergo surgery.
The Day Before Surgery
Fasting:
Do not eat or drink after midnight the day before your surgery. This includes avoiding all foods, beverages, gum, mints, and candies.
Medication and Meal Guidelines:
Take any prescribed medications with just a sip of water on the morning of your surgery, unless directed otherwise.
You can eat your regular meals the day before, but opt for a light supper and increase your fluid intake. Avoid alcohol, and prepare to remove all jewelry, switch from contacts to glasses, and avoid any lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or makeup.
The Day of Surgery
Dress Appropriately:
Wear loose clothing that zips or buttons up the front. Avoid leggings and bring a bag for your personal items along with a pair of socks.
Final Preparations:
Ensure you have nothing to eat or drink.
Take your regular medications with a small sip of water unless instructed otherwise.
Remove all jewelry and contacts, wear glasses, and skip any lotions, perfumes, or metal hair accessories.
Confirm that your designated driver is available and close by during your surgery.
Immediately After the Procedure
Initial Recovery:
Post-surgery, you'll be monitored in a recovery area until you are awake, stable, and able to take fluids. Expect tenderness, swelling, and some bruising around the surgical area. Nausea from anesthesia or pain medications is also common.
Specific Recovery Tips by Procedure Type
Breast Surgery:
Avoid raising your arms above your head or lifting heavy objects for six weeks.
Sleep with your head elevated for the first few days.
Wear only soft bras without underwires immediately after surgery.
Abdominal Surgery:
Remain slightly bent forward and use a walker to assist with walking and alleviate back pain.
Sleep with your knees bent and head elevated at about 30 degrees.
Fat Grafting:
Wear a compressive garment for the first two weeks.
Avoid sitting or lying directly on the grafted area for a month.
Thigh and Arm Lift:
Avoid lifting heavy objects and limit major movements.
Use compression garments continuously for two weeks, then only at night for another two weeks.
Post-Surgery Care
Showering and Driving:
Avoid showering for the first 72 hours.
Don’t drive while taking narcotic pain medication and ideally wait 2-3 weeks before driving.
Medications:
Follow specific instructions for pain management and antibiotic use.
Resume your regular medications as directed by your surgeon.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Be vigilant for any signs of complications such as high fever, persistent vomiting, or unexpected bleeding. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if any of these occur.
Conclusion
Successful recovery from surgery requires careful preparation and adherence to specific post-care instructions. At Pearl Plastic Surgery, we’re committed to guiding you through each step of your surgical journey, ensuring you feel supported and informed from start to finish.
Ready to discuss your upcoming procedure?
Contact us today to ensure your surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible.
360-878-9300
Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting
Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries worldwide, but not all augmentation procedures involve implants. At Pearl Plastic Surgery, we specialize in natural breast augmentation using fat grafting — an innovative technique that uses your own body fat to enhance breast size and shape. This guide delves into what natural breast augmentation entails, its benefits, and why it might be the right choice for you.
What is Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting?
Natural breast augmentation, also known as autologous fat transfer, is a procedure that enhances the size and shape of your breasts using fat harvested from your own body. This method not only increases breast volume but also improves breast contour and feel, offering a more natural alternative to implants.
The Procedure Explained
The process of natural breast augmentation with fat grafting involves three key steps:
Fat Harvesting: Fat is gently liposuctioned from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
Fat Processing: The harvested fat is then purified and prepared for injection.
Fat Injection: The processed fat is meticulously injected into the breasts to achieve the desired volume and shape.
This technique is performed under general anesthesia or sedation, ensuring comfort throughout the procedure. It's a two-fold benefit procedure—reducing unwanted fat in certain areas while enhancing the breast region.
Benefits of Choosing Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation
Natural Look and Feel: Since the augmentation uses your own fat, the breasts maintain a natural look and feel post-procedure.
Minimally Invasive: Unlike traditional breast implants, fat grafting requires only small incisions for fat injection, reducing scarring.
Dual Benefits: This procedure not only enhances the breasts but also contours the areas where fat was harvested.
Lower Risk of Allergic Reactions: Since the material injected is your own fat, there is no risk of allergic reaction, which can be a concern with synthetic implants.
Gradual Results: The changes appear more gradually, making the augmentation less obvious than traditional implants.
Ideal Candidates for Natural Breast Augmentation
Ideal candidates for this procedure are individuals looking for a modest increase in breast size and have adequate fat reserves for harvesting. It’s also important for candidates to have realistic expectations about the results, as the degree of augmentation is limited compared to traditional implants.
Why Choose Pearl Plastic Surgery?
At Pearl Plastic Surgery, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs and aesthetic goals. Our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nichols is an expert in fat grafting techniques, ensuring high-quality results with a focus on safety and patient satisfaction. We use state-of-the-art technology and the latest techniques to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.
Making Your Decision
Choosing to undergo natural breast augmentation with fat grafting is a personal decision that should be made based on thorough research and consultation with experienced professionals. At Pearl Plastic Surgery, we ensure that all your questions are answered, and you feel confident in your decision to pursue this natural approach to breast enhancement.
Conclusion
Natural breast augmentation with fat grafting offers a less invasive, natural-looking alternative to traditional breast implants. With the dual benefits of fat reduction and breast enhancement, this procedure can significantly enhance both your figure and your self-confidence. If you’re considering natural breast augmentation, Pearl Plastic Surgery is here to guide you through every step of your transformational journey.