Plastic Surgery for Tampa
Including Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, Face Lift & Rhinoplasty
Welcome to Florida Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery! Plastic
Surgeon Dr. Christopher Newman, D.O., offers the full complement of
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery serving Tampa Bay Florida,
including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Tampa and surrounding
areas. As a residency trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Newman performs
cosmetic surgery including breast augmentation (Breast Implants),
abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), rhinoplasty, face lift and Liposuction,
including VASER which can be done under local anesthesia! As a complete
plastic surgeon, Dr. Newman also performs hand and reconstructive
surgery including carpal tunnel surgery, trigger finger surgery, and
scar revision. On top of all of this, Dr. Newman also provides
comprehensive skin cancer management including non-surgical treatments,
excision, and reconstruction.
Having plastic surgery is a personal, emotional decision for all
patients. While there are many factors that are taken into consideration
in choosing your plastic surgeon, be sure to choose one with which you
feel comfortable. Most plastic surgery practices try to sell services
to patients without listening to what the patient desires. We are
not salesmen at Florida Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Whether
you are looking for breast implants, unsure about liposuction versus
tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), or simply need treatment of sun damaged
skin and skin cancer, we listen to your concerns, provide you with
options, and assist you in the decision making process. No pressure!
It’s like having your own Personal Plastic Surgeon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plastic Surgery right for me?
A thorough examination and discussion with your plastic surgeon should provide you with the information necessary to make truly informed decisions about what may be right for you.
Where is surgery performed? Do I have to stay overnight?
Most cosmetic procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. This means that after your procedure you spend an hour or so in recovery. When you are comfortable, you may return home. We prefer that for the first night after any procedure you have someone stay with you. We perform all of our procedures in hospitals and approved surgery centers. This guarantees that our patients receive the best and most up to date care. We work with Board Certified anesthesiologists and have at our disposal the latest surgical instruments and equipment. Each of our operating centers welcomes patient visitors.
How much does surgery cost?
Each patient’s care is individualized. Costs vary with procedure, equipment, and need for overnight stay in the hospital. Total costs include the surgeon’s fee, operating room fees, anesthesia fees, and any special equipment (implants, etc.) needs. All costs are calculated at the time of the initial consultation.
Can I save money by having more than one procedure at a time?
It is more efficient to group procedures together. The cost is less for combined procedures and the recovery periods are overlapped.
Is it safe to combine procedures?
The type and complexity of the procedures being performed determines the safety of combining them. Most procedures can be easily and safely performed together. However, there are some things to be avoided. Extensive liposuction of the abdomen should not be performed during a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) because of the increased risk of wound complications. Surgery designed for more than 6 hours is generally associated with increased risks and prolonged recovery time.
How do I choose a Plastic Surgeon?
The first criteria should be Board Certification. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and is the certifying organization for Plastic Surgeons in America. Only those surgeons who have successfully completed accredited Plastic Surgery training programs and who have passed written and oral exams can claim this designation. Beware of pretenders! There is only one Board of Plastic Surgery. Ask for your surgeon’s credentials — those who are properly certified will be happy to discuss their training and qualifications. The American Board of Plastic Surgery maintains a roster of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, which can be accessed through the Internet at www.plasticsurgery.org. The ABPS referral telephone numbers are 1-800-4PLASTIC (475-2784) and 1-800-635-0635.
How can I determine a surgeon’s level of skill?
It is very important to know the surgeon’s level of expertise when considering a cosmetic procedure. You should think of the following questions when assessing a surgeon:
- How many procedures of the type you are considering does the surgeon perform in a year?
- Are there patients who can be used for references?
- Are there photos showing typical results?
In making your decision, also remember that the level of operating room safety is critical to the success of any surgical procedure. If surgery is to be performed in an office, you should review the answers to the following questions before you make any decisions:
- Is the OR certified by any national organization?
- Is there a disaster plan in place?*
- Will anesthesia be performed by a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist?*
- Does the surgeon have privileges to perform similar procedures in a hospital?*
- Is there an evacuation plan?*
- Is the anesthetist and/or surgeon certified in life support techniques?*
- Is adequate emergency equipment provided?*
*Now required by the Florida Board of Medicine
Beyond these issues, and perhaps most important of all, is whether you can develop an appropriate rapport with your surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is not like painting your car or remodeling your house. Humans heal with scar tissue and once a scar is placed it is there (in some form or another) forever. There are things in our bodies, which, if gone awry, cannot be repaired with time or money. Cosmetic surgery involves the art and science of medicine. You only have one body and it obeys laws of biology, not physics. Differences between people and within the same person over time mean that surgeons can never offer ironclad guarantees of results. I believe that the best surgeons consider themselves to be physicians first and foremost, concerned primarily with the health and education of their patients.
You must be confident that your doctor can take good care of you no matter what might happen. Ask yourself the following questions when you are choosing a surgeon:
- Did your surgeon explain things to your satisfaction?
- Did what he or she said make sense?
- Was there adequate discussion of risks and complications?
- Are you totally comfortable with what was said and how it was said?
If these questions can be answered “yes” then you likely have found your surgeon.