DOES IT HURT?
Typically, this aspect of cosmetic surgery is greatly overestimated. Because most patients are facing the unknown, it's easy to have exaggerated fears about pain and complications. In most cases, patients tell us after surgery that the pain was much less than what they had expected. In many cases, there's no pain at all. You do, however, have to deal with the bother and minor discomfort of bandages and dressings and ointments and such.

HOW MUCH WORK WILL I MISS?
Whether it's work or play that you're eager to return to, you'll want to know how long you're going to be out of pocket. In the case of surgeries like eyelid lifts, nose surgery, breast augmentation, ear pinbacks, and facial implants, it takes only a week or less to be presentable. Face-lifts, liposuction, tummy tucks, and deep facial peels require a longer recovery period. As he monitors your progress, Dr. Aguilar will keep you informed as to what kind of activity is safe for you to do.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Cosmetic surgery is highly affordable for many Americans. For that reason, it has become popular with mainstream society--not just the rich-and-famous. Everyone likes to look great. Total costs, including surgeon, operating room and anesthesia fees, range from the low side ($2,000 - $6,500) for peels, one-spot liposuction and eyelid lifts; to medium-priced ($5,500 - $10,000) for breast augmentation, breast reduction and liposuction (several areas); to high-end ($10,000 - $20,000) for face-lifts with eyelid and forehead lift and peel, or full-body liposuction.

CAN I BE SURE MY SURGERY WILL BE SAFE
You can feel comfortable with Dr. Aguilar. He is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon. Furthermore, he is experienced in the latest techniques, and he has operating privileges at numerous Texas Medical Center hospitals. Patients usually choose, however, to have surgery within the operating suite of Dr. Aguilar's own office.

WHAT ARE PAYMENT OPTIONS?
Fees for cosmetic plastic surgery are collected prior to surgery. Most types of aesthetic procedures are considered elective and thus, not covered by most insurance plans. Sometimes, however, a surgery to improve function will be covered; examples are ear surgery for the birth defects of ears; nose surgery for difficulty breathing attendant to a broken nose or defective interior structures; eyelid lift when drooping lids impair vision.

WHERE ARE SURGERY FACILITIES AND WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
Surgery can be performed in a number of locations where Dr. Aguilar has privileges, but many patients like the convenience and cost of using the surgical facility in Dr. Aguilar's office. In many cases, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area to be treated, along with a sedative to relax you. Some procedures, however, require a general anesthetic so that you're asleep through the entire procedure.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS?
Cosmetic surgery is like all surgery in that there are risks attached. You will be informed of these prior to your operation. Although plastic surgeons routinely perform thousands of procedures every year, an occasional patient may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia or experience a post-op complication--infection, blood clots, or poor healing. Both smoking and taking aspirin are unadvisable before and after surgery. Remember that while you do, indeed, have a competent, skilled surgeon in Dr. Aguilar, there is no one who can offer risk-free surgery or guarantee perfect results. Cosmetic surgery reshapes tissue, which makes no result totally predictable. One of the best things you can do is follow your doctor's instructions for post-op care, which will help to ensure the very best outcome possible.

SHOULD I EXPECT TO SEE THE FINAL RESULTS IMMEDIATELY?
Be patient, and you are very likely to be pleased in months to come.