Facial Plastic Surgery FAQs

Proudly serving Springfield, Missouri, communities in Southwest Missouri, and Rogers, Bentonville, and Fayetteville in Northwest Arkansas.

We will be available to answer all of your questions over the phone or during consultations at our facial plastic surgery center in Springfield, Missouri. To help you prepare for your consultation, we have also provided the following list of common questions asked by patients during their initial meeting with Drs. Keith LaFerriere or Matthew Kienstra and their team.

Will I still look like "me" after plastic surgery?

A skilled facial plastic surgeon will be able to enhance your appearance while maintaining your unique look. Our patients often report receiving comments like: "You look great, did you do something to your hair?"...."Have you lost weight?".... or "Have you been on vacation?"

Is my surgeon qualified?

Qualified facial plastic surgeons should be board certified in their specialty. Learn more about Choosing a Qualified Surgeon to be sure that you are selecting a surgeon who is right for you. Please take a moment to review both the qualifications and accomplishments of Dr. Keith LaFerriere and Dr. Matthew Kienstra. Their Board Certifications, education, and plastic surgery training, research experience, extensive medical publications, and ongoing continuing medical education all contribute to our surgeon’s success.

Is facial plastic surgery safe?

This is one of the first questions our patients usually ask during consultations. Like all surgery, there are certain risks involved; however, facial plastic surgery risks and problems are fairly uncommon. Please do not hesitate to inquire about risks during your consultation. We will be happy to provide information about possible risks associated with the facial plastic surgery procedures you may be considering.

What do I do to prepare for surgery?

Here are a few requirements that you will be advised of once you schedule your facial plastic surgery:

Stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications two weeks prior to facial plastic surgery.
Stop talking Vitamin E and other herbal supplements two weeks prior to facial plastic surgery.
Stop smoking to increase the blood supply to the healing tissues.
Complete any planned weight loss to within approximately 10 pounds.
Take a daily multi-vitamin (not containing more than 30 IU of Vitamin E).
Protect yourself from sun exposure.

Do I go home after facial plastic surgery?

Most facial plastic surgery procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. If a procedure requires sedation, you will need to make arrangements for a family member or friend to drive you home after surgery, to stay with you and help you overnight, and to get you to our office the next morning for your follow-up appointment. Facial plastic surgery patients must stay overnight in the Springfield area (within 30 minutes of our Springfield, Missouri facility).

How long will bruising and swelling last?

By the end of the first week, post-op bruising and swelling will begin to fade and subside. It may take two to three weeks for swelling and bruising to completely resolve. However, you may camouflage bruises fairly easily and our Aesthetic Team will assist you with this when your surgeon has given the OK for the application of makeup.

How much pain will I have after facial plastic surgery?

Discomfort is common after any surgical procedure and should be expected. Your doctor will provide you with pain medication you may need after your facial plastic surgery. Some patients may be able to switch from prescription pain medication to Tylenol® after only a few days. More often than not, patients report little pain after their procedure.

During your pre-op facial plastic surgery consultation at our office in Springfield, Missouri, we will discuss what to expect when you recuperate at home.

When can I return to work?

Restrictions from work are generally one to two weeks for minor surgery and two to three weeks for multiple procedures or more extensive facial plastic surgery. It is important to avoid aerobic activity, bending, lifting, and straining during the postoperative period. For more specific answers, ask us for information on the specific facial plastic surgery procedure you're contemplating.

When can I exercise?

Aerobic activity can slow your recovery after facial plastic surgery by increasing the time it takes for swelling to subside. For this reason, we advise patients to avoid strenuous activity for approximately four weeks after surgery. Patients who have undergone a rhinoplasty procedure should avoid contact sports for six weeks after surgery.

What if I'm not ready for facial plastic surgery...what are my options?

There are a variety of non-surgical options available to enhance your appearance. If you feel you are not ready for an invasive facial plastic surgery procedure or if you have a preexisting medical condition that prohibits surgery, our Aesthetic Team can help you explore non-surgical options.

One of the many benefits of our Aesthetic skin care treatments is that most of the procedures, including dermal fillers, are temporary. You can "test the waters" until you are ready for a more permanent change. Many of our patients even receive skin treatments on their lunch hour and return to work immediately.

How much will my facial plastic surgery cost?

Facial plastic surgery used to be considered a luxury reserved only for the wealthy, but these days surgical and non-surgical procedures are most often sought by middle-income patients.

If you have questions about the cost of facial plastic surgery, the best time to evaluate fees is during your initial consultation. One of the reasons it is difficult to give financial quotes ahead of time is that a prospective patient may be misled. Quoting a fee to you implies that the procedure in question is the correct procedure for you.

The reality is that many of our patients go into their consultation with questions about the cost of one procedure only to discover that they may be a better candidate for a completely different procedure. To avoid misunderstandings about the costs of facial plastic surgery, it is always best to discuss costs at the same time you discuss your treatment with your doctor.

Most importantly, we want to answer your questions and we want to know about any special needs you have. If you have a question or concern, probably others have the same concern. So your questions about facial plastic surgery will help other patients as well. We look forward to hearing from you.

How will I know which treatment is best for me?

Our facial cosmetic surgeons are uniquely qualified to advise you on how best to address the effects of aging. During consultations, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan after a thorough evaluation of your health and discussion of your aesthetic goals. No single procedure is right for every patient; we will find the best fit for your needs.

Ready to schedule a consultation?

If you would like to meet with a facial cosmetic surgeon, contact our Springfield, Missouri or Rogers, Arkansas facial plastic surgery center today. We would be happy to help you schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.

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