FAQs

How do I know if plastic surgery is right for me?

If you are considering plastic surgery, there are a few ways to determine if it is right for you. First, be sure to manage your expectations, and inform yourself of the expected results and the recovery process. Candidates for plastic surgery should also be in relatively good health in order to undergo surgery.

Will I have a scar after surgery?

Scarring is an inevitable part of healing and is the result of our body’s natural response to repair an injury. However, a very fine lined scar placed in the correct orientation may be virtually invisible. A plastic surgeon spends years trying to master techniques to place scars in the most desirable location. Dr. White will try to make incisions in areas that will not show, like under undergarments or along natural creases. Scars will normally fade over time, and we will show you the proper post-op care to make them be not as visible. The final cosmetic appearance of a surgical scar is based on multiple factors such as age, skin type, anatomic location, smoking and most importantly – our genetic makeup.

How will Smoking affect my surgery?

The specialty of plastic surgery places great emphasis on both surgical techniques and treatments that promote normal wound healing in order to produce a superior surgical outcome. Smoking dramatically influences the goal of uncomplicated wound healing and places you at a higher and unnecessary level of risk for many preventable surgical complications. Be sure to discuss your smoking habits with Dr. White, so he can recommend programs to assist you in ceasing to smoke before, during, and after your surgical experience.

How will I learn about my cost and what financing options are available?

At the end of your initial consultation, your patient care coordinator will provide you with a personalized quote of surgical costs for any recommended procedure(s). Carolina Coastal Plastic Surgery has several payment options available and will work with you to find one that meets your needs. The following forms of payment are accepted:
Cash
Personal Check (Accepted 10 days prior to surgical date)
Cashier’s Check
Debit Card
Credit Card
Financing – We also work with Care Credit and Cherry. For patients who have to pay off their surgical procedure over time, monthly payments can be made until the balance is paid in-full. Our staff can help you determine which payment option is best for you.

Can multiple procedures be performed at the same time?

It is a relatively common practice for patients to undergo multiple procedures during one operation. Having procedures done simultaneously can decrease the expense of the operating room and anesthesia costs as well as the overall recovery time. The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being performed, the operating time, and your age/health. Dr. White will discuss your personal options with you and help you decide whether or not it is appropriate to have multiple surgeries performed at the same time.

What is a compression garment and will I need to wear one?

Typically, you will need a supportive garment to secure the surgical site in the immediate postoperative period to help with swelling and recovery. The specific support bra, binder, or special-order garment will be reviewed with you during your preoperative visits. The compression garments are sold at our office.

What type of breast implant will be used? Are they safe?

We offer both saline and silicone gel implants. He will discuss the benefits of both and answer any questions you may have to help you determine what is best for your body, lifestyle, and preferences. Both saline and silicone gel implants are safe and FDA approved. While breast implants have been studied for more than two decades and very rarely have produce side effects, an uncommon condition called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been documented thus far in textured implants and is treatable when caught early. Symptoms of the condition may include swelling, redness, changes in firmness or lumps around one or both implants. Mammograms will not detect these changes, only MRIs will. We urge you to follow up with us periodically if you notice any of the above-listed side effects or are experiencing any other symptoms or discomfort.

You can learn more about the safety of breast implants at:

What is the recovery from cosmetic surgery like?

Each patient tolerates pain after surgery in different ways. Your surgeon will prescribe the appropriate medications to help minimize any discomfort. In general, most facial cosmetic operations have minimal discomfort post-operatively. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and operations that require elevation or tightening of the muscles, such as abdominoplasty or breast augmentation, can cause moderate discomfort.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A “mommy makeover” is the familiar term for a personalized set of multiple cosmetic procedures designed to help a woman address common effects of childbearing and aging on the face, breasts, and body and restore or improve her to her pre-pregnancy appearance.