(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Dr. Swift insists on keeping your treatment experience, whether surgical or non-surgical, as stress-free as possible. To this end, he will spend considerable time explaining the nature of the procedure, the location and extent of any possible incisions, the expected post-treatment/surgical course, and the reasonably foreseeable complications which may occur. Our entire staff is always prepared to receive your questions and answer them in language you can easily understand. Included to the right are several of the more commonly posed questions that may help you in deciding to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

Do not expect to see the final results of your surgery right away. It takes time as well for the visible signs of healing to subside. Bruising and swelling, while always temporary, can occasionally be significant and alarming to even the best-prepared patient. Cosmetics are invaluable as a temporary camouflage, and they can usually be applied shortly following most procedures.

It is not unusual to experience a brief interval of low spirits following surgery. Similarly, it is natural to prematurely interpret the results of a procedure before waiting the necessary time for swelling and bruising to subside. Dr. Swift and his staff recognize and anticipate these special needs following aesthetic surgery and are dedicated to kind and compassionate understanding. You will be given detailed post-surgical instructions and a telephone number to contact Dr. Swift should you develop any concerns.

Whatever your reasons for choosing aesthetic surgery, it is important to have realistic expectations. Plastic surgery deals in improvement - not in perfection. Improving a feature of the face or body may give you greater self-confidence and add to your sense of well-being, but it is not a guarantee of happiness or better relationships with others. Surgery can enhance your appearance; the rest is up to you.

The results achieved in some aesthetic procedures, such as surgery of the nose, ears and chin, are permanent. In others, particularly those that diminish the effects of aging, results may be long lasting but not permanent. Dr. Swift's surgery may be able to turn back the clock but cannot stop it from running.

With the ever increasing demands on personal time, patients are opting more and more for yearly “maintenance/no downtime” procedures. Dr. Swift’s pioneering work and innovative use of “injectables” can help you maintain a fresh youthful appearance.

Cosmetic procedures are safer, more effective and longer lasting than ever before. Recovery is quicker and easier. Dr. Swift will inform you of any restrictions to your normal activities following surgery. In general, you should curtail strenuous exercise and other activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, for several days to weeks (depending on what type of surgery was performed).

Although some of the procedures described on this website appear to be relatively simple operations, it is essential for you to understand that aesthetic surgery, like all surgery, has attendant risks. Plastic surgeons perform thousands of successful aesthetic procedures each week, but in some cases a patient can have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic or be affected by postoperative complications such as blood clots, infection or poor healing. These problems can occur even when the surgeon has performed the operation with the utmost skill. Since smoking may interfere with proper healing and aspirin may increase the risk of excessive bleeding, you may be advised to avoid them before and after surgery. Occasionally, surgical revisions may be desirable to achieve optimal results. It is important to remember that aesthetic surgery molds and reshapes living tissue, and the results are not absolutely predictable. Even the best surgeon cannot offer risk-free surgery nor guarantee a perfect result. Choosing an experienced reputable plastic surgeon like Dr. Swift, however, will greatly decrease the possibility of any side effects and optimize your results.

Fees for aesthetic surgery traditionally are paid prior to surgery. Costs vary widely and depend upon the complexity of the operation, where the surgery takes place and which anesthetic is administered. In some circumstances, Dr. Swift offers package pricing for aesthetic procedures. For example, multiple procedures performed at the same time in the same setting are less costly than if they were arranged separately. The feasibility of combined procedures should be discussed with Dr. Swift.

As a rule, aesthetic plastic surgery is considered "elective surgery" and is not covered by socialized medicare ( ex. RAMQ, OHIP) nor most private insurance plans. However sometimes there are exceptions. In those particular cases, the surgeries must be performed in a hospital, not in a private clinic.

Examine the benefits and limitations that aesthetic procedures offer and carefully weigh the options before making a decision to proceed. Once you have decided to undergo an aesthetic procedure, you must consider the best time for your procedure. Because of the unavoidable recovery time following surgery, it is best to have an aesthetic procedure when social and professional obligations are at a minimum.

Whether you're planning a surgical or non-surgical skin treatment, it’s important that you find a doctor who has training with a variety of skin-management techniques. Dr. Swift has established himself as a specialist in aesthetic plastic surgery and has from the beginning of his practice incorporated a home skin-care program. He has drawn on his experience and researched the market extensively to formulate products and develop a system specifically designed for your individual skin type.

• You will not only be closely monitored by a plastic surgeon but also by an aesthetician experienced in skin care procedures.
• The program is cost-effective, especially when compared to the prices of weaker and less effective over the counter skin care products.
• Very few side effects are encountered with the program.
• The peels are non-painful in-office procedures with minimal “down-time”.

Examine your plastic surgeon before he examines you. As with any surgery, the single most important factor in the success of cosmetic surgery is the surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility lightly. In Canada, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to perform cosmetic surgery. That's why understanding plastic surgery certification is so important. THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF CANADA and THE CORPORATION PROFESSIONNELE DES MEDECINS DU QUEBEC are the only boards recognized to certify in the plastic surgery specialty. That means at least 5 years of surgery and plastic surgery training, followed by rigorous examinations administered by trained and experienced plastic surgeons.

Only after you have established mutual objectives with a surgeon with appropriate credentials should you decide to proceed with aesthetic
surgery.

What should I expect from Dr. Swift's skin care program?

The goals of the program are as follows:
1. To diminish fine wrinkles
2. To lighten brown spots and hyperpigmented areas, thereby evening out skin tone.
3. To smooth roughened skin, improving skin texture with added moisture.
4. To shrink large pores.
5. To bring a glow to flat, dull skin.
6. To bring problem acne skin under control.

"Surface repair" treatments can enhance your appearance and give your skin a smoother, fresher look, but they won't remove deep scars and flaws or prevent aging. The peels should not be thought of as mini-facelifts, and they offer less dramatic results than surgical approaches like dermabrasion, laserbrasion or deeper chemical peels.

Before you decide to have a skin-rejuvenating treatment of any kind, think carefully about your staff. By using a specially designed home skin-care program together with the office peels, a clear difference in appearance may be seen in a matter of weeks.