Your first step is a consultation with a plastic surgeon or one of our skincare providers. Once you discuss your goals with them, you will work together to decide the best course of treatment to meet your needs.

Many people misunderstand the word plastic in plastic surgery to mean something artificial. The word plastic in plastic surgery means reshaping. It originates from the Greek word, plastikos, meaning to mold or shape or give form. Plastic surgery, in its earliest form, was designed to close a wound or replace tissue lost to injury or cancer. Plastic surgery is a highly specialized surgical specialty that involves both cosmetic and reconstructive aspects.

Patients choose cosmetic surgery as an elective procedure. Cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, or body is designed to enhance your appearance and increase your self-confidence. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance. Patients undergo reconstructive surgery to repair congenital birth defects, trauma, infection or diseases like breast cancer, impairment, and other functional problems such as drooping eyelids. You’ll find most insurance companies cover reconstructive surgery, but please check with your insurance provider beforehand.

You can pay with cash or credit card. In addition, we offer several financing options so you can spread your payments out over time.

We’ll schedule your surgery at a time that works for both your schedule and that of your plastic surgeon.

We treat patients of all ages from birth to the golden years.

It is our mission to provide the highest standard of safety and technical expertise to our patients. A majority of surgeries are performed by our physicians on an outpatient basis. For your convenience and privacy, the Plastic Surgery Center has two operating rooms as well as a pre-operative care area and recovery room. Procedures can be performed using either local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. The method of anesthesia used is based on the patient and surgeon’s preference. In addition to our on-site surgery center, we perform surgery at the following locations:

• Wesley Medical Center in Wichita
• Via Christi St. Francis & St. Joseph Hospital
• Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center in Wichita
• Cypress Surgery Center in Wichita

Yes! Our Ambulatory Surgery Suite is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and the State of Kansas. We use certified nurse anesthetists to  ensure the highest standard of safety for your procedure. It’s vital to us to provide you with a safe procedure in a safe environment. Do remember, though, that no surgical procedure is risk-free. In our efforts to maximize your safety, we meet strict safety standards and employee only licensed staff to administer and monitor your anesthesia.

If receiving local anesthesia, there are no restrictions on eating or drinking prior to surgery.  If you are receiving sedation or general anesthesia, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight of the night before your surgery.

If you normally take heart or blood pressure medicine in the morning, take them with 1 ounce of water the day of surgery. This does not include Aspirin, Plavix, or Coumadin. These cardiovascular medications must not be taken for two weeks before and after your surgery, unless otherwise directed by your physician. Do not take diuretics. Ask about any other medications you take.

Please avoid Aspirin, Aspirin products, Ibuprofen, Plavix, Coumadin, Vitamin E, Fish Oil and most natural herbs two weeks before surgery. You may use Tylenol products. Please call us at 316.688.7500 with questions before taking any over the counter medications.

Yes. If you are a diabetic, please let you provider know.

If you develop a cold, persistent cough, fever or any other health-related problems before your surgery, or if you need to cancel your surgery, please notify your physician.

For surgery, wear comfortable clothes that are easy for you to put on in a sleepy state. It will be easiest for you if you wear a button-down shirt. If you’re having a skincare treatment, wear something comfortable and please don’t put on makeup.

Yes, please shower, shampoo and brush your teeth. Please do not apply cosmetics, lotions, or eye makeup. Do not wear any jewelry or valuables, and remove body piercing items. Please do not wear fingernail polish.

Wear your glasses instead of contacts on the day of surgery. If you must wear your contacts, bring a container for your lenses.

You will have either a local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. Please pay particular attention to the following for 48 hours: Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Avoid smoking. Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery or power tools. If the patient is a child: no bicycle riding, skateboards, gym sets, etc. Do not make any important decisions or sign any legal papers. You may experience light headiness, dizziness and sleepiness following surgery. Please do not stay alone. A responsible adult should be with you. Rest at home with slow, moderate activity as tolerated. Progress slowly to your regular diet. Start with liquids, working up to solids. Eat slowly and chew your food well.

Yes. But please remember each surgery is different. We will give you pain medication specific to the type of surgery that you have. Please call anytime before your scheduled surgery to have your questions answered. Take prescription medication as directed. Do not drive, operate machinery or power tools, and avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medication. Please do not take aspirin or medication containing aspirin for two weeks after surgery. This includes Anacin, Alka-Seltzer, Florinal, Empirin, Bufferin, Ascriptin, Excedrin, and some cold remedies. Do not take ibuprofen products. You may take Tylenol, extra strength Tylenol or Co-Tylenol. If you have any questions about a particular medication, please call our office.

It depends on your surgery or treatment. Please discuss this with your provider before surgery. You will be sent home with your dressings on, and we will give you instructions on dressing changes. You may need to plan on having extra dressings available for your post op recovery time.

You can usually shower within 48 hours. We will give you specific instructions regarding this. Do not soak the incisions for a long period of time. We do not want you in a bathtub or swimming until you get the ok from your doctor.

Yes! You may find it soothing to apply cold packs to your surgery site.

It is helpful to have extra pillows available to create more comfortable positions. Certain surgeries require you to have your head or legs elevated.

We will provide you with a prescription for pain pills, and if needed, a prescription for an anti-nausea medication and an antibiotic. These will be an additional expense. Please note, no prescriptions are refilled on the weekends.

One of our physicians is always on call. Please call if you have any problems or you experience unusual pain, bleeding, swelling, or bruising in operative area. Signs of infection include pus, redness, fever, chills or excessive drainage. Pain that the prescribed medication does not affect. Difficulty in breathing, persistent nausea or vomiting.

No, you may not if you have any type of anesthesia besides local anesthesia. You must have a ride home; it is illegal for you to drive after sedation. Please have someone stay with you for 24 hours.

If it takes you an hour or so to get home, you may want to bring pillows or blankets for your ride home. If you live over an hour away, you want to make arrangements to stay in town overnight. If you are a patient traveling in from out of town, we can help make your journey to Wichita as comfortable as possible. Please feel free to contact us while planning your trip at 316.688.7500. For our out of town patients, we have made arrangements with several local hotels for reduced rates. Please contact us for more information.

Taking care of your scars after surgery is very important. We recommend you keep the scar(s) protected with a water resistant sunscreen using the minimum of SPF 30 for one year. This will reduce the potential of hyper-pigmentation (darkening) of the scarred area. It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to any exposed area and apply a second coat to your scar. Reapply after water exposure or prolonged exposure to the sun. We also recommend the use one of three types of scar management. Please talk to your doctor about which one is right for your scar(s).

• Mederma is a topical gel that can be purchased from any pharmacy retailer.
• Biocorneum, a 100% silicone scar gel that also contains sunscreen, may be purchased at the Plastic Surgery Center.
• Biodermis silicone sheets may be purchased online.

If you were instructed to use any scar cream, two to three times each day for six to eight weeks, starting 3 weeks after your surgery, is a minimum interval for use. These products can be helpful for up to one year after surgery. While applying you should aggressively massage the area(s) you are applying the cream to. This reduces the potential for hypertrophic scarring, commonly known as Keloid scarring. If you have additional questions, please contact our office at 316.688.7500.