FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Dr. Centeno board-certified?
Yes, Dr. Centeno has passed the challenging written and oral examination requirements to earn certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
How does smoking affect my surgical result?
Smoking slows the healing process and increases the risks of developing complications after surgery. Surgeries that involve skin flaps (which includes all lifting procedures) are especially vulnerable to poor healing for smokers. For some people, smoking can contribute to the “death” of skin and tissue, called necrosis. In addition, the quicker the healing process, the less likely you are to develop unattractive scars. Due to higher rates of wound healing complications among smokers, we ask all our patients to stop smoking three to four weeks before surgery and remain tobacco-free for two weeks afterward. All patients are tested for nicotine use before surgery. If they test positive, the procedure will be postponed.
Do I need special skin care before and after surgery?
Perhaps. The use of some skin care products, such as Retin-A, should be temporarily discontinued before and after most facial procedures, including skin resurfacing. After surgery, only very gentle cleansers and moisturizers should be used for a time specified by your surgeon or skin care specialist. Avoidance of direct sun exposure after surgery is strongly recommended. Sun tanning after surgery can permanently darken scars and make them more visible. Wearing sunscreen and covering the treated area can minimize this negative effect. The skin care regimen and products appropriate for your procedure will be explained during your consultation and follow-up appointments.
When can I bathe, exercise, have sex, and return to work after surgery?
Every procedure is different, so the return to everyday activities varies. The procedure descriptions on this website briefly outline some postoperative restrictions and give a general sense of what can be expected after surgery, including when different types of activities can be resumed. Dr. Centeno will provide more detailed information about restrictions during your consultation. The schedule for resuming your “normal” activities will partly depend on how you heal and how strong you feel. Follow-up appointments after surgery are important in allowing your surgeon to evaluate your progress and advise you about specific activities.
How does sun exposure affect the results of my procedure?
Direct exposure to the sun after surgery is not recommended. While it is extremely difficult to avoid sun exposure in a tropical climate, it should be minimized as much as possible to avoid its detrimental effects. Hats and sunscreens should be used for facial procedures and protective clothing for body procedures. Incisions or surgical areas should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and sun tanning is strongly discouraged. Sun exposure during the healing period can make incisions more visible permanently and can worsen a condition called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” This condition, which is a natural healing response, can be worsened by sun exposure and causes darkening of the skin in the treated area.