What is Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery?
Plastic Surgery is that area of medicine, which is devoted to reshaping the body involving face, breast and extremities. It deals with rejuvenation of the skin and combines surgical and laser technique. Reconstructive Surgery is that branch of medicine that involves utilizing healthy tissue from local and distant sites of the patient to help give natural contour to previously operated or deficient areas. Such areas include breast reconstruction after breast cancer and skin grafting after burn injury.
Who Should Have Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic Surgery is a personal choice. It can slow down the effects of aging and help an individual regain the youthful changes they desire. Cosmetic Surgery should be performed to create subtle changes to give a more natural appearance. Personal body improvements can be spiritual in nature, encouraging a sense of well being, or cosmetic, allowing you to see physical changes through body contouring enhancement.
Is Dr. Zahir The Right Plastic Surgeon For Me?
Any patient undergoing cosmetic surgery should feel confident that their plastic surgeon is the right for them. The best way to determine if Dr. Zahir is the surgeon for you is to call and make an appointment for your complimentary cosmetic consultation. This will allow you the opportunity to ask the questions that you have regarding cosmetic procedures and how they can benefit you. Dr. Zahir has dual certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Surgery who performs plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery. He combines artistic appeal with surgical expertise incorporating state-of-the-art technology with laser surgical techniques.
What Does Cosmetic Surgery cost?
Cosmetic consultations with Dr. Zahir are complimentary. Dr. Zahir feels the most important part of plastic surgery and body rejuvenation involves patient education first and foremost, allowing the patient to determine what is best for them, based on the current technology.
Where is the Cosmetic Surgery Performed?
Most of the cosmetic surgical procedures do not require hospitalizations and are performed either in the office or in an outpatient setting. Some cosmetic procedures require hospitalization, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast reduction surgery, body lifting surgery, and individuals who have multiple cosmetic procedures which are performed simultaneously.
How Do I Make An Appointment With Dr. Zahir?
To make an appointment with Dr. Zahir, call (703) 208-0783, for your complimentary consultation. Our staff will work diligently to accommodate you for your free office visit.
If I Have Cosmetic Surgery, How Do I Pay For It?
Dr. Zahir feels every person should be entitled to cosmetic care and he does not want financial challenges to stop you from looking your very best. Dr. Zahir accepts Visa and MasterCard. We also offer Care Credit and Capital One as financing options.
How Long Do I Have to Take Off From Work?
The type of surgical procedure performed will determine the time needed for recovery, and may vary from 3-5 days to 2-3 weeks. Resuming social activities and returning to work depend upon the level of physical activity and public contact you require, as well as the swelling and bruising you may develop after surgery. Laser surgical procedures often require minimal down time. Facial surgery, including eyelid surgery and chin surgery, require between 3-5 days of recuperation. Fat transfer patients require a minimum of 3-5 days and patients undergoing full facial rejuvenation require about 7-12 days.
Preparing for Surgery & Medications to not take prior to surgery
General Surgical Rules:
It is important that surgery is timed at a point when you are ready and are not under a time constraint, which in turn will cause stress and could impair healing.
Every individual must decide for themselves if surgery is what they want, bearing in mind that you have to have realistic expectations.
Stop smoking 3-4 weeks prior to most surgical procedures.
Aspirin and ibuprofen should be stopped 7-10 days prior to any surgical procedure. Please refer to the comprehensive list above.
Do not take Vitamin E, 3-4 weeks prior to surgery.
Stop all herbal supplements other than what we provide for you prior to surgery
Fill all prescription medications prior to surgery.
The Day of Surgery:
Confirm surgery time and date.
Do not eat or drink anything 8-12 hours prior to surgery. This includes water, smoking, eating candy or chewing gum.
If you normally take prescription medication in the morning, you may take it with a sip of water, but check with Dr. Zahir or the anesthesia team prior to doing so.
You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.
Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions or makeup.
Wear only comfortable, loose fitting clothing that does not go over your head.
Do not bring any valuables and remove your contact lens prior to surgery.
Post Surgery:
It is essential to have someone to help you, both physically and emotionally, during your recovery.
A certain degree of apprehension and anxiety is normal with any operative procedure.
After surgery, some patients experience mild feelings of unhappiness. Post surgical let downs usually set in about 3 days after surgery. At this point you may be regaining some of your physical stamina, but your post-operative appearance has not yet begun to improve. This emotional let down may be caused by stress, exhaustion, metabolic changes or the frustration of waiting for results to appear.
To properly heal and reduce the possibility of complications, patients should not: sunbathe, swim, exercise or engage in strenuous activities.
