What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is named from the Greek word "plastikos" which means "to mold or to shape",
based on the surgeon re-shaping the patient's form through surgery. Frequently, the
surgeon will make use of the patient's own tissues, including tissues from another location of
the body, or by reshaping the existing tissues to achieve both aesthetic form and function.


What does board certified mean?
By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
(ABPS), the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least
five years of additional residency including two years specializing in plastic surgery. To be
certified by the ABPS, a surgeon must also practice surgery for two years and pass
comprehensive written and oral exams.

Unfortunately, dermatologists, dentists, Ob/Gyn, and others may claim themselves to be
plastic or cosmetic surgeons.  Many of them have very limited or no surgical training at all.

Dr. Baroody is a board certified plastic surgeon and a highly trained, experienced, specialist.


What is important in choosing a plastic surgeon?
Primarily, you must feel comfortable with your surgeon.  He should be board certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Another important factor is that he has privileges at the
local hospital.  Some may perform procedures in the office setting without having the ability to
admit you to the hospital if needed.


What is the fee for cosmetic consultations?
Consultations are $100.  If you decide to proceed with surgery, purchase skin care products,
or undergo a procedure such as Botox or a dermal filler then this fee will be deducted from
the total cost.


Is it possible to spend the night in the surgery centers?
No, both Naugatuck Valley Surgery Center and Ridgefield Surgery Center do not allow
overnight stays, however, if that is a concern your procedure may be performed in the
hospital setting.


Do you offer financing?
Yes, once you have had your consultation, the patient coordinator will help you submit an
application, which takes a very short time to complete. You will receive an answer regarding
approval very quickly.


Is there any visible scarring?
Any time an incision is made in the skin, there is a scar left behind as part of the normal
healing process. Board certified plastic surgeons have received special training and have
extensive experience with minimizing the size of these scars and when possible placing the
scars in inconspicuous locations. Often the scars will become almost undetectable over time.
Other times scars are more visible. The approximate placement and length of the incisions
will be discussed before surgery. You may review preoperative pictures and you will be
shown approximately where the scars will be placed.


BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELIFT) QUESTIONS

What Eyelift techniques do you offer?
The upper eyelid is approached through an external incision.  Excess skin, muscle, and fat
are removed and sculpted.  Because of the relationship between the lower lid and cheek, the
lower eyelid blerpharoplasty may be approached in a number of different ways.  The incision
may be placed within the conjuctiva (behind the eyelid) or subcilliary (beneath the
eyelashes).  In the subcilliary approach, excess skin may be removed and the fat
repositioned.  Dr. Baroody will recommend the best approach for you during your
consultation.

When must the eyebrows be addressed when considering upper blepharoplasty?
The upper eyelid and the brow must always be evaluated together.  When the eyebrows
have descended because of time and gravity, skin settles on the upper eyelids. This weight
causes the person to spontaneously lift the brow until this weight is removed resulting in
horizontal wrinkles of the forehead. This excess skin comes from the eyebrows and not the
eyelids, therefore only performing a blepharoplasty will not correct the true problem.  In this
case a simultaneous brow lift should be performed.  When someone does not have brow
drooping, this situation does not occur.


FACELIFT QUESTIONS

How long will my facelift last?
The facelift procedure helps counteract the affect of gravity.  As soon as the surgery is over,
gravity starts again.  You will look better at 5, 10, and 15 years after your facelift than if you
had no surgery at all.


What can be done for a "double chin"?
The anterior neck is composed of skin, fat, and muscle.  Depending on the quality of these
components determines the best way to treats a double chin.  Younger patients may benefit
from liposuction alone or with tightening of the muscle through a small incision under the
chin.  In others, the skin is too loose and a more formal facelift is required with liposuction of
the neck.


What can be done for "frown lines" and "crow's feet"?
Wrinkles are caused by both gravity and facial animation.  Products call dermal fillers (ie
Juvaderm, Restylane, Cosmoplast) are injected within the skin to fill in the wrinkles.  Botox
relaxes underlying facial muscles to smooth certain skin wrinkles.  Botox works well for "crow's
feet".


How do I know when I am ready for a face-lift?
Skin and facial tissue that sag along with aging can give you an appearance of tiredness or
anger even when you are feeling happy and energetic. A facelift procedure primarily
addresses jowling and neck laxity. With facial rejuvenation, you appear rested, healthy and
more youthful. The idea is to look better and/or younger, not different.

If your concern is less about jowling and neck and more about the cheekbone area, then you
may be appropriate for a mid-facelift. This is a newer procedure that involves incisions in the
hairline and in the mouth which are not typically visible.


Will I look natural after my surgery?
My goal is to restore a youthful appearance and not a surgical look. Every effort is made to
improve your appearance in the most natural view.


BREAST AUGMENTATION QUESTIONS

Why did my breasts get smaller and droop after pregnancy?
The breast tissue enlarges with pregnancy which stretches the overlying skin.  After
pregnancy, the breast tissue regresses producing less volume and excess skin.  Loss of
volume with a small amount of sagging may be corrected with breast augmentation surgery
alone. For an excessive degree of sagging, a mastopexy or 'breast lift' may be the solution
with or without an implant.  I typically perform an incision around the areola with a small
vertical extension to correct drooping of the breast (or breast ptosis).  With this correction,
the size of the areola may be reduced if needed.


How much can my breasts be enlarged? Why is it limited? How big should I go?
The degree of enlargement is based on your anatomy. Saline-filled implants require
placement underneath the muscle layer of the chest to achieve a natural result.  The width of
your chest limit the maximum volume of an implant that may be used.  I can help you
determine the best size of implant for you at the time of your consultation.

The size of breast augmentation is also determined by evaluating your entire body frame.  
The goal is to achieve a proportionate enlargement.


Will I be able to breast feed after breast augmentation surgery?
Breast augmentation may affect your ability to breast feed.  Less than 20% of women
reported in a recent study were unable to make enough milk to effectively breast feed.  
Although the chances are in your favor, this should be taken into consideration.


What happens if an implant ruptures?
Implants are not permanent devices.  Mechanical failures do occur.  If your implant is filled
with saline you will notice an immediate deflation and the implant will need to be replaced.  
With silicon filled implants, the rupture is less obvious and an MRI will be required to verify a
rupture.  The companies which manufacture the implants have specific warranties that you
may discuss with Dr. Baroody.


Do I have to have my implants changed after a certain number of years?
No. You do not need to change your implants unless there is a problem.


What can you do to correct asymmetries or differences between the breasts?
Nearly every women has some asymmetry of her breasts; whether subtle or more
pronounced.  Procedure may be performed to achieve better symmetry, however perfection
cannot be obtained.  Lifting the nipple, altering the inframammary crease, or
enlarging/reducing one breast more than the other are all techniques used to produce a
more aesthetic result.


ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK) QUESTIONS

Can an Abdominoplasty eliminate "stretch marks" from my pregnancy?
During a standard Abdominoplasty procedure, the skin from the belly button to the pubic hair
line is removed.  If the stretch marks are located within the area of the lower abdomen, they
will be reomoved.  If the stretch marks extend above the belly button, they cannot be
removed but rather relocated further down your abdomen.


LIPOSUCTION QUESTIONS

What is "tumescent" liposuction?
The tumescent technique is a liposuction method that can reduce post operative bruising,
swelling and pain. Also, blood loss is minimized due to the effects of the local anesthetic
which is used. In the tumescent technique, areas of excess fat are injected with a large
amount of anesthetic liquid before liposuction is performed.  This enables precision, reduced
loss of blood for the patient, and extended pain relief after surgery, reducing the need for
pain medication immediately after surgery.


Why do patients wear a compression garment after surgery?
After liposuction, swelling is expected. A compression garment helps reduce swelling and
helps to reshape the tissue. Many patients see little difference or are even larger during the
first week after surgery. The following week, patients usually begin to see results. After 2
months, the patient will be at about 80% of the result. Improvement continues until about 6
months after surgery when all of the swelling should be gone.  Patients wear there
compression garment for 2 weeks 24/7 and then 2 weeks during the daytime.


Can I still gain weight after liposuction?
We are born with a certain number of fat cells. During liposuction, fat cells are removed with
the surgery. The remaining fat cells get bigger when you get bigger and get smaller when
you get smaller. If you maintain your weight, the fat should not come back to the
liposuctioned areas. If you put on weight, it will more likely to be distributed more evenly over
the body and less likely to go to your ‘trouble zones’.


Will I still have cellulite or rippling after liposuction?
The aim and goal of surgery is to improve your appearance as it relates to shape and
volume. Do not expect cellulite to be dramatically improved with liposuction.
10 South Street . Suite 204 . Ridgefield, CT
46 Federal Road . Danbury, CT
203.790.5700
Plastic surgeon Michael Baroody, MD offers a variety of plastic surgery
procedures. Dr. Baroody's practice is located in Danbury, and Ridgfefield, CT and
serves both Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. The doctor specializes in
forehead
lift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, facelift, neck liposculpture, liposuction, breast
augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and others as well as a variety of
reconstructive procedures. Examine the website and learn more about Dr. Baroody
and the various services provided.
Financing options available.

10 South Street . #204 . Ridgefield, CT 06877
46 Federal Road . Danbury, CT 06810 . Phone: (203) 790-5700