Northern Virginia Plastic and Oral Surgery

Like any other type of surgery, plastic surgery is not without its risks and potential complications. Some amount of risk is unavoidable, but understanding what could go wrong, how and why, can help you minimize your risks. Choosing the right cosmetic surgeon is the first step to avoiding complications and achieving the look you desire.

Knowing What to Expect

The happiest patients are those who have realistic expectations for the results of their plastic surgery and who know what to expect during the procedure and recovery. Open and honest communication with your cosmetic surgeon is a two-way street.

During you initial consultation, you and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Daria Hamrah will discuss your cosmetic surgery goals and will help you decide which procedures can help you accomplish them.

Inherent Risks of Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery carries some risks that are inherent to all surgery including:

• Reaction anesthesia
• Infection
• Scarring
• Excessive bleeding
• Nerve damage

Full disclosure of your medical history can help Dr. Hamrah identify your personal risk factors for a safer procedure. He will need to know all of the medications that you are taking to avoid any dangerous interactions with the anesthesia. If you or your family members have a history of excessive scarring, discuss this with Dr. Hamrah prior to your surgery so that he can advise you of your options and plan your procedure for the best possible outcome.

If you are considering plastic surgery in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland area, please contact NOVA SurgiCare, PC, Center for Oral & Facial Rejuvenation today. We will be happy to schedule your initial consultation.

What are the most common canines to become impacted?

Canine teeth or "eye tooth" are the second most commonly impacted teeth in our jaws. When impacted they can cause misalignment of your bite and also cause esthetically unpleasing tooth alignment.

Unlike wisdom teeth, this canine's functionality is essential to your well-being, which is why Dr. Hamrah and your orthodontist will work diligently to ensure its healthy eruption.

How does Dr. Hamrah detect an impacted canine?

Dr. Hamrah recommends all dental patients have a panorex screening x-ray around age 7. Failure to follow this recommendation, which is supported by The American Association of Orthodontists, may result in future oral health complications for your child. This may force you to shoulder extensive financial costs and your child to endure unnecessary physical suffering.

What happens if an impacted canine goes untreated?

Early detection and treatment of an impacted canine is vital. By treating it early in life, you stand a good chance that the canine will erupt into its natural position through the appropriate treatment methods.

If an impacted canine is not addressed early in life, it will fuse in its unerupted position. At this point, the only available treatment option is extracting the impacted canine and replacing it with a dental implant.

If you have an impacted canine and live in the Washington, D.C. or northern Virginia area, please contact NOVA SurgiCare today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Daria Hamrah.

Why does my child have to wait until age four to have otoplasty performed?

In order for ear surgery to be successful, it is necessary for a child's ears to be fully developed. This generally occurs around age five or six, which is why Dr. Hamrah does not accept patients younger than this age.

I am an adult and embarrassed by my ear prominence. Am I a candidate for otoplasty?

While the majority of otoplasty patients are children, adults with irregular ear prominence can still have their ears surgically modified. However, a child's ear cartilage is far more pliable, which allows Dr. Hamrah additional maneuverability in order to achieve a patient’s desired ear aesthetics. Consequently, adults who decide to have ear surgery may not have their expectations met.

Will otoplasty leave my child with a visible scar?

Dr. Hamrah adjusts ear cartilage and removes excess ear skin through a discreet incision behind the ear. Although a minor scar will exist, it will be unnoticeable to others.

Is otoplasty right for my child?

A slight variation from normal appearance can cause children immense hardships in school. If you fear that your child's irregular ear prominence and shape will subject him or her to peer abuse, ear surgery may be an appropriate solution.

You can learn more by reading our Questions about Otoplasty page.

If you are interested in otoplasty for yourself or your child, please contact our facial cosmetic surgery office today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Hamrah. NOVA SurgiCare serves the Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia area.

What types of facial fillers does Dr. Hamrah offer his patients?

Dr. Hamrah provides his patients with the latest facial filler options. The appropriate facial filler for you will be selected during your consultation with Dr. Hamrah, when you discuss your cosmetic goals. Dr. Hamrah is an expert in this field an has authored chapters in peer reviewed journals.

The four types of facial fillers offered at NOVA SurgiCare are:

• Restylane – A common lip implant solution, Restylane can also eliminate acne scars and fine facial wrinkles
• Juvéderm – An FDA approved facial filler with results that can last up to a year, Juvéderm addresses undesirable mild to moderate facial contours, such as premature wrinkling and residual acne scars
• Radiesse – A two year solution that will rejuvenate skin volume and stimulate new tissue growth. Because it stays longer than other facial fillers in the skin it has gained more and more popularity among physicians as well as patients.
• Elevesse - Is the first FDA-approved HA-based (Hydroxyapatite) dermal filler to include the anesthetic lidocaine, greatly reducing injection pain and increasing patient comfort. Like Radiesse, it typically last for up to two years.

What are the advantages of facial fillers over surgery?

While facial fillers are not a permanent solution, the simple fact that they address unwanted facial cosmetics without surgery raises the appeal to those hesitant about undergoing facial cosmetic surgery. Many consider it as the new "Liquid Facelift" or "Non-surgical Facelift".

Additionally, facial fillers involve less than a half hour at the office, allowing you to return to daily activities immediately, and the majority of patients suffer minimal discomfort.

If you are fearful of being dissatisfied with a permanent result, the advantages of facial fillers may appeal to you.

If you are interested in facial fillers, please contact our facial rejuvenation office today and schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Hamrah. NOVA SurgiCare serves the Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia area.

Neck lifts are surgical procedures that require little downtime. The majority of patients can return to work within a few days. The only discomfort will be bruising and swelling, which will subside within two weeks. During this time, Dr. Hamrah recommends applying ice to reduce swelling.

All patients should refrain from physical activity for approximately one month, or you will risk compromising the final result.

How does Dr. Hamrah perform neck lifts?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Hamrah will discuss your cosmetic goals and evaluate your overall health. Prior to leaving, Dr. Hamrah will suggest one or more of the following surgeries he uses for neck lift patients:

• Liposuction – If you require the removal of excess neck fat of the neck and chin
• Cervicoplasty – If your neck region has excess, sagging skin. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with liposuction
• Platysmaplasty – If you desire a makeover in the middle area of your neck. This is performed by realigning the neck muscles into their optimal position

Why should I choose Dr. Hamrah for a neck lift?

As with any facial cosmetic surgery, it is essential to adequately research your cosmetic surgeon. Risks and complications may arise which can adversely affect your overall health and facial aesthetics, leaving you displeased with the result or hospitalized due to a surgeon's error. Dr. Hamrah has been conducting active clinical research during his time at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, trying to perfect a novel technique in "cervicofacial platysmaplasty" (neck lift). Currently, none of the techniques provide satisfying long term results for the surgeon as well as the patient. Being a self-critical surgeon, Dr. Hamrah has been working on developing and perfecting his novel technique for the past two years and the results are extremely promising.

The above patient had a neck lift (Dr. Hamrah's technique), face lift as well as lower eye-lid blepharoplasty

If you are interested in a neck lift, please contact our facial cosmetic surgery office today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Hamrah. NOVA SurgiCare serves the Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia area.

How long will it take me to recover from a facelift?

Each patient’s recovery process is unique. Personal healing ability and what procedures your facelift involved will determine the length of time it takes to heal. However, the vast majority of patients can return to work within three to four days.

During the recovery period, you must keep your face bandaged. Typically, this bandage can be removed after 48 hours. However, some individuals must remain bandaged for close to a week.

Your face will remain sensitive to touch following surgery. To prevent compromising your future facial cosmetics, it is essential that you sleep without a pillow and refrain from engaging in strenuous exercise.

How will a facelift make me look younger?

No amount of cosmetic surgery can halt the aging process. However, facelifts can provide you with a younger, more refreshed looking face by:

• Masking wrinkles in the nose or around the corners of the mouth
• Removing displaced fat in the face and/or neck
• Tightening facial skin
• Removing creases below the eyelids
• Removing the appearance of drooping in the midface region
• Alleviating jowl formation caused by reduced muscle tone

If you have additional facelift questions, please contact NOVA SurgiCare today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Daria Hamrah. NOVA SurgiCare serves the Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia area.