Frequently Asked Questions
Plastic Surgery
Dr. Mandraccia specializes in listening. That means all you have to do is tell him what aspects of your appearance you wish to change, and he’ll take care of explaining the medical details. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Mandraccia knows what procedures work best for what situations. So, you don’t need to know which procedures are right for you. When you meet with us for the first time, you only have to know what you’re unhappy with – Dr. Mandraccia will make recommendations from there!
These questions are highly dependant upon your current health and the type of procedure you’ll be undergoing. Typically, you will be in no pain during the procedure, because you’ll be under the effects of either local or general anesthetic. Recovery time, however, is harder to generalize. It depends upon what plastic surgery procedure your interested in. Rest assured, Dr. Mandraccia will give you an honest, realistic assessment of what your recovery will be like – he’ll do this before the plastic surgery procedure, when you meet with him for a consultation.
There are several ways to get some information on the various plastic surgery procedures available. One way is to visit this link. How do you know what you’ll look like afterwards? While nobody can give you a 100% guarantee that you’ll look a certain way, many surgeons — including Dr. Mandraccia — can give you a good idea of what you can expect. Your consultation session with Dr. Mandraccia is designed to help you make an informed decision about whether to go forward with the specific body contouring plastic surgery procedure.
Plastic Surgery Financing
With the exception of a small number of procedures, plastic surgery is considered “elective” and doesn’t allow for coverage by most insurance plans. However, in certain circumstances where someone’s ability to function in his or her day-to-day activities is limited by a certain condition — extremely large breasts, droopy or sagging eyelids, or even difficulty in breathing — that person may qualify for some insurance coverage.
We have a number of different options available for you to finance your plastic surgery procedure. Our plastic surgery coordinator will spend time with you during your consultation to see what the best option would be for you. Once you have made a decision to have your body contouring surgery, the appropriate methods of financing can usually be worked out.
Many of these plastic surgery procedures cost about $5,000. What if I am not sure I can afford that?
Many plastic surgery patients finance their procedures and we have access to many finance options. Plastic surgery is an expensive investment, but you have to compare it relative to some other major purchases you make in your life. A very common purchase most people don’t bat an eye at is the purchasing of a new car – which may cost at least $20,000. Consider the amount of time you are able to enjoy your car on a day-to-day basis and compare that to the amount of time you are able to enjoy the results of your operation. Perhaps you should consider postponing the purchase of a new car for another half year to a year so you can afford your plastic surgery. Remember, $5,000 financed over three years represents a monthly payment of $142 while $20,000 financed over the same amount of time represents a monthly payment of $500. If you’re able to handle both payments in the same month, you can afford a new car and your operation. But if that monthly obligation becomes too much, perhaps you should consider postponing the purchase of a new car so you can enjoy the results of your plastic surgery procedure. Carefully consider your overall financial picture and make a smart decision.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons maintains a web site that can give you this information. Only surgeons’ fees are quoted, so it is easy to compare. Remember there are always additional costs such as hospital fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, materials, medications and other costs. These fees are so variable they are not included in the ASPS data.
The costs depend on the types of plastic surgery procedures being performed, so a realistic assessment can only be made after you meet with Dr. Mandraccia for a consultation. Plastic surgery, while affordable, can sometimes seem expensive. We like to remind our patients, however, that an investment in plastic surgery procedures is really an investment in yourself. The benefits of a more beautiful, more confident you will permeate through virtually every aspect of your life – socially and professionally. Many patients choose to finance their procedure and Dr. Mandraccia offers a long list of financial affiliates.
Apples and oranges. The best way to compare plastic surgery prices is to simply ask for the surgeon’s fee only and compare that from surgeon to surgeon. You should also ask for the total cost and try to obtain a very specific quote, such as specific costs for hospital charges, operating room charges, recovery room charges, any medication charges, anesthesia charges, consultation fees and other fees that might apply. This will allow you to compare prices.
Plastic Surgery Recovery
The time frame in which a patient may resume her regular exercise will vary based on the plastic surgery procedure performed. Dr. Mandraccia encourages all patients to start a slow walking routine on the second day. He cautions against aerobic and more vigorous activities during the first two weeks following plastic surgery in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are normally allowed at one month in most cases.
The length of time it takes to recuperate after body contouring and plastic surgery will vary depending on the plastic surgery procedure performed and your specific pre-operative health. Most patients require assistance for the first two days following plastic surgery, and most care for themselves after that. A few patients may still require further assistance if they are caring for small children. The specific lengths of disability are outlined by procedure below.
Eyelid Surgery: Patients typically can get around independently by the second day. With the use of sunglasses, they may feel comfortable going to outside by day three or four, and with makeup could return to work in about five or seven days.
Facelift Surgery: Facelift patients usually can get around independently by the second day. They usually don’t feel comfortable going out in public for five to seven days after the facelift. In many cases, facelift patients require 10-14 days before returning to work if employed in the public eye.
Breast Surgery: Patients usually can get around independently by the second day and many may return to work in about a week if they are not required to lift more than 15 pounds.
Liposuction: Patients usually can get around independently by the second day and perhaps earlier depending on the number of areas treated. Many patients return to work and normal activities in five to seven days.
Abdominoplasty: Body contouring plastic surgery patients may take between two to four days before getting around independently. The recovery is almost identical to C-section. Patients can return to a desk job at five to seven days, while other jobs may require 10-14 days.
Dr. Mandraccia understands each patient will tolerate postoperative pain differently. While some plastic surgery patients may describe the pain as an ache, others may experience greater discomfort. Dr. Mandraccia prescribes appropriate pain medications for postoperative patients, which will help minimize your discomfort. With the use of newer medicine, you have decreased pain, and many patients take minimal pain medications following their plastic surgery procedure.
Most facial surgery procedures, such as facelifts, have minimal postoperative discomfort. Liposuction is slightly more uncomfortable, and procedures requiring elevation or tightening of the muscles (such as abdominoplasty or breast augmentation) may have discomfort equal to that of a C-section or other such surgical procedure.
Breast Augmentation
Dr. Mandraccia offers IV sedation for most plastic surgery procedures in the privacy of his own facility. This office has recently been certified by the Florida Board of Health as meeting its stringent requirements. Patients can also opt for general anesthesia in the surgery center located in our building, which is jointly owned by Lee Memorial and Naples community Hospitals.
Some of the most common complications of breast augmentation include capsule contracture (when the tissue or pocket around your implant constricts), deflation and changes in sensation. Dr. Mandraccia will go through all the risks with you in more detail during your confidential breast augmentation consultation.
Many plastic surgeons feel that placing implants below the muscle is a more natural-looking option. But, your individual body type, amount of existing breast tissue and personal preference will all be taken into consideration before Dr. Mandraccia makes his recommendation.
Any woman who is unhappy with the shape or size of her breasts may be a good candidate for breast augmentation with Dr. Mandraccia.
What are most common reasons women choose to have breast augmentation?
The most common reasons for breast augmentation are that the woman feels her breasts are too small, asymmetrical, or have lost too much volume due to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breast Lift Surgery (Mastoplexy)
Dr. Mandraccia offers an on-site, certified surgery facility that was recently inspected by the Florida Board of Health and met the Board’s most stringent requirements. Dr. Mandraccia’s staff also includes a certified, experienced nurse anesthesia.
Yes. The reason Dr. Mandraccia recommends that you wait is because pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause your breasts to sag again and reverse some of the results of the breast lift procedure.
Over time, gravity may cause the breasts to sag more. But, if you do not become pregnant or gain a significant amount of weight, the results should last for many years to come.
Most of Dr. Mandraccia’s breast lift patients in the Fort Myers area are able to return to work in three to four days (as long as your job does not require you to lift anything above your head)
Any women who would like her sagging breasts to appear more firm and perky. The patients who typically see the best results of a Mastoplexy performed by breast surgeon Dr. Mandraccia are those with realistic expectations and who are in good mental and physical health.
The main reasons that breasts sag as women age are: pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain and gravity.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Dr. Mandraccia offers an on-site certified operating room to ensure your complete comfort and privacy. His facility has recently been ranked at 100% by the Florida Board of Health. His staff also includes an experienced, certified nurse anesthesia.
Most patients are able to return to work two weeks after this plastic surgery procedure, but because this is a major surgery, individual healing time can vary.
Although you may be able to walk immediately after this plastic surgery procedure with Dr. Mandraccia, you will likely be in a hunched over position (this may lead to back pain a few days after the procedure). Your abdomen will feel tight and you will need to wear a compression garment to help control swelling. During the first few weeks, you will need to limit your activities and Dr. Mandraccia will prescribe you medication to manage pain. Many patients return to sedentary jobs in one week.
In general, you should be done having children if you elect to have a tummy tuck with Dr. Mandraccia. This is because the tightened skin and abdominal muscles may have trouble accommodating another pregnancy. In addition, the results of the tummy tuck can be undone if you go through another pregnancy.
Many of Dr. Mandraccia’s patients in the Fort Myers, Florida area are women who are done having children and are discontent with their ability to lose weight or eliminate the sagging skin around their mid-section.
Since a tummy tuck is a major surgery, the best candidates are those in good overall physical and mental health. If you are in good health and have tried to get rid of your abdominal fat through diet and exercise unsuccessfully, then you are an ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty with Dr. Mandraccia.
It is a plastic surgery Dr. Mandraccia performs that is used to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen. If you are having a mini or full abdominoplasty, the abdominal muscles can also be tightened.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Dr. Mandraccia provides on-site, certified operating room that has recently been given a 100% rating by the Florida Board of Health. His staff also includes a certified nurse anesthesia.
It will take 12 to 14 months to see the final results. That is how long it takes for the tissue to completely soften after rhinoplasty with Dr. Mandraccia.
You can expect to return to sedentary work in one to two weeks, and to return to more strenuous activities in two to three weeks.
Yes. Aside from the changes in the face and nose that are a result of aging, the results of plastic nose surgery with Dr. Mandraccia are permanent.
As with all surgeries, nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, does have some risks. Although rare, complications can include infection, bleeding or an adverse reaction to anesthesia.
Aside from the aesthetic benefits, nose surgery can improve your breathing.
Nose surgery or ‘rhinoplasty’ is a common plastic procedure used to reshape the nose.
An ideal candidate for rhinoplasty with nose surgeon Dr. Mandraccia is someone who is in good mental and physical health and would like to improve the appearance of his or her nose. Like most nose surgeons, Dr. Mandraccia recommends that young candidates wait to consider a rhinoplasty until they have gone through all major growth spurts.
Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
A face lift is a type of plastic surgery used to smooth and tighten the skin, muscle and tissue on your face, and remove excess fat. Face lifts are one of the most common procedures Dr. Mandraccia performs for his patients in the Fort Myers, FL area.
Face lifts can help minimize the signs of aging, helping you look more vibrant and youthful. Most patients who have rhytidectomies with Dr. Mandraccia have increased self-confidence as a result.
You should expect the results to last anywhere from five to ten years, but a face lift cannot stop the aging process. You may choose to have another face lift with Dr. Mandraccia once the effects of the first one have diminished.
You should avoid strenuous activity for three weeks. Patients usually return to work and non-strenuous activities within two weeks.
Dr. Mandraccia performs most plastic surgery procedures under IV sedation with certified nurse anesthesia in the privacy of his own office, which has been certified by the Florida Board of Health as meeting its stringent requirements. Patients can opt for general anesthesia in the surgery center located in our building that is jointly owned by Lee Memorial and Naples Community Hospitals.
Dr. Mandraccia performs most face lifts under local anesthesia with sedation. But, general anesthesia can be also be used if you are nervous about the procedure. You can discuss your concerns with Dr. Mandraccia during your initial consultation.
Although rare, risks can include infection, bleeding, nerve damage or adverse reactions to the anesthesia. Your doctor can explain more during your personal consultation.
Liposuction
Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy, is a plastic procedure performed by Dr. Mandraccia to remove excess fat from targeted areas on the body.
An ideal candidate is someone who is of normal weight but has isolated pockets of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise.
Complications of the liposuction procedure can include infection, bleeding, changes in skin pigmentation, asymmetry and a negative reaction to anesthesia.
Most of Dr. Mandraccia’s patients in the Fort Myers, Florida area use liposuction to remove fatty tissue on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, chin, neck and upper arms.
Post-liposuction weight gain usually distributes to different areas of the body. So, as long as you maintain a sensible diet and exercise program, the results are usually permanent.
This depends on the extent of the liposuction Dr. Mandraccia performs.
Dr. Mandraccia performs most plastic surgery procedures under IV sedation with certified nurse anesthesia present, in the privacy of his own on-site operating room. This facility has been certified by the Florida Board of Health as meeting it’s rigorous requirements.
Hair Restoration
No. Any minor scarring will be covered by your natural hair surrounding that area.
If a hair taken from the lower back of your head is transplanted successfully to the top of your head, it can be permanent. This is because the genetic make-up of the hairs lower on your head are different than the ones you’ve lost – they are genetically programmed to not fall out. Since these hairs retain their genetic instructions after they’ve been transplanted to another location on your head, the results of hair transplantation with Dr. Mandraccia are permanent.
FineHairLineSM is a hair restoration technique in which Dr. Mandraccia uses single hair follicles to fill in sporadically thinning hairlines.
The hair restoration process for each patient is different. Depending on the condition of your hair now and what your goals are, Dr. Mandraccia can employ a number of techniques, including oral medication, topical solutions and hair grafts/transplants.
Hair loss is often heredity, or caused by hormones, age, stress and trauma to the head region. Your hair follicles could also be sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can cause the follicles to shrink. When this happens, your hair can gradually thin out over time.
Injectables
Most fillers do not offer permanent results. The procedure will have to be repeated to maintain results. The length of time your results will last depends upon the type of filler received. Generally speaking, the results achieved from collagen, Botox and fat injections may last as long as six months, Restylane lasts as long as one year. Radiesse offers about a year and a half of results and Sculptra generally lasts two or more years.
Recovery after most injectable filler procedures is minimal. Normal activities can generally be resumed immediately, although side effects may include minor bruising, swelling or redness that typically subsides within a few days. Less common risks include allergic reaction, anesthesia reaction, numbness or skin discoloration.
The injectable filler procedure is quick and simple. Administered in Dr. Mandraccia’s office, the area to be treated will be numbed, then a fine needle is used to inject the filler directly beneath the skin. Most patients experience little discomfort. The entire procedure takes about forty-five minutes. In some cases, a series of treatments may be necessary.
Your consultation is an excellent opportunity to talk frankly with Dr. Mandraccia about your goals and expectations for the procedure. A comprehensive medical history will be taken and your skin will be examined thoroughly. Dr. Mandraccia will patiently answer all your questions about the specific injectable he has determined is right for you to help you make an informed decision about choosing the procedure.
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon Dr. Mandraccia can help you determine candidacy for this procedure after a thorough examination, and can determine which injectable filler is right for you. Generally speaking, individuals who are physically healthy, have realistic expectations and are unhappy with the appearance of facial skin or lips may be good candidates for a procedure using an injectable filler.
Botox, collagen, Restylane, Sculptra and Radiesse belong to a group of substances known as injectable fillers. The substances work to smooth the skin and restore a more youthful appearance when injected into facial areas. Wrinkles, creases, sunken facial areas and the lips can all be treated with injectable fillers.
Chemical Peel
Side effects are generally rare. However, a chemical peel does present some risk, particularly with a deep peel. Some side effects include:
- Redness lasting several months
- Skin discoloration causing darker or lighter patches around treated areas
- Swelling
- Crusty or scaly skin
- Scarring
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- Increased sunlight sensitivity
- Heart, liver, or kidney failure (rare)
The recovery time depends on the type of chemical peel you have received. Following Dr. Mandraccia’s post-procedure instructions carefully will help you heal faster and more comfortably. Generally speaking, your skin will likely feel tight or sunburned. Using sunscreen and carefully cleansing and moisturizing as directed will speed up the healing time and help you achieve optimal results. You will be instructed to avoid sun exposure for several days, as well as avoiding excessive facial expressions that can cause the skin to tear and bleed. Loose skin will appear as it does with sunburn. Do not attempt to remove this skin, as this can cause scarring.
The chemical peel procedure typically begins by prepping the skin with a specific skin care treatment or with microdermabrasion. Your skin will be scrubbed and a mild toner will be used to remove oils before gently applying the acidic solution designed to peel away dead, dull skin layers. The solution is left on your face for a set amount of time, then your skin is wiped clean and an antibacterial cream is applied to assist you with healing and feeling more comfortable.
Three types of peels are available.
- A superficial peel is the mildest chemical peel and safe for all skin types. Glycolic acid or dry ice is the exfoliating solution used to perform a superficial peel.
- A medium peel goes a bit deeper than a superficial peel and may cause a second-degree skin burn. The peeling agent used in a medium peel is trichloroacetic.
- A deep peel penetrates several layers of skin using the peeling agent known as Phenol. Because a deep peel may cause skin bleaching, this procedure is not recommended for dark-skinned patients.
A chemical peel removes damaged or aged skin layers, revealing softer, more youthful skin. The procedure may use one of several exfoliating solutions, including Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), Phenol or Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).
