San Jose Plastic Surgeon

The Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about plastic and cosmetic surgeons is that they mean the same thing. While both types of surgeons are able to perform cosmetic surgeries, only a plastic surgeon has extensive training to handle issues related to physical trauma, congenital abnormalities, and developmental abnormalities. Cosmetic surgeons can only address aesthetic issues, whereas plastic surgeons can address both aesthetic and functional issues.

When a patient comes to San Jose plastic surgeon Dr. Churukian, they can be assured they are working with a plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in both aesthetic and functional surgeries. Dr. Churukian has more than two decades of experience and is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the San Jose Surgical Society.

But Can I Afford It?

Many people shy away from even looking into any kind of plastic surgery because they fear it will be too expensive. Although that may have been true at one time, today there are a number of different non-surgical procedures that can achieve similar results as actual surgery. Not only are these options less expensive than surgery, since they are non-invasive, but there is also almost no recovery time to speak off, so patients can continue going to work, social events, etc., immediately following the procedures.  

Many clinics, including ours, also offer seasonal specials where patients are able to book procedures at sale prices.

Is Plastic Surgery Only for Women?

Another big change in the plastic surgery industry over the past few decades is that more and more men are taking advantage of the ability to enhance their appearance and just feel better about themselves. Both men and women come to our clinic for surgery, injectables, fillers, laser treatments, and more.

Plastic Surgery for Men

Plastic surgery isn’t just for women, and it’s becoming increasingly common for men to turn to Dr. Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon San Jose, California trusts. Plastic surgery’s growing popularity across gender lines is totally understandable: After all, we all want to look our best, and if it was unusual for men to be concerned with their appearance, there wouldn’t be any gyms, either.

Men request all sorts of plastic surgery procedures. Some of the most common include eyelid, nose, or ear surgeries, as well as liposuction and facelifts. One of the more popular procedures for men is male breast reduction. Read on to learn a little more about male breast reduction, and how a plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA can help.

About Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia affects countless Americans every year. It’s basically a buildup or enlargement of breast tissue, which leads to enlarged or uneven breasts. Although gynecomastia itself is benign, it could hint at a more serious underlying health issue, and it severely affects self-esteem. Those suffering from gynecomastia may feel self-conscious about removing their shirts, which leads to all sorts of awkwardness and complications when at the pool, beach, and anywhere else.

Gynecomastia has several root causes. Because it is oftentimes caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, it’s not uncommon for gynecomastia to make an appearance during puberty. However, in these cases gynecomastia typically resolves by itself, taking between six months and two years for breasts to return to their normal shape.

Some medications can also cause gynecomastia. Antidepressants, chemotherapy, steroids –  even cannabis and heroin have been known to cause that embarrassing buildup of breast tissue. And unfortunately for adults with gynecomastia, it doesn’t always resolve itself.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Fortunately, there’s a way out. If you’ve been struggling with gynecomastia, it might be time to seek medical treatment for your condition. It’s important to talk to your primary care physician to better understand whether your gynecomastia is caused by an underlying condition or health issue (such as obesity), and it’s important to get in touch with a plastic surgeon you can trust if you decide it’s time to undergo breast reduction surgery.

Sometimes, improving your gynecomastia is as simple as stopping the use of certain drugs or switching to an alternate prescription. In other cases, a change to lifestyle is all it takes. But if your gynecomastia is stubborn and seriously impacting your life, it’s time to make a change for the better with the help of a qualified plastic surgeon.

Breast reduction surgery for men is a delicate procedure, and while the operation itself is relatively quick, you’ll most likely face a few weeks of downtime while you recover. For many men, it’s worth the wait for renewed confidence and a worry-free experience whenever they have to go shirts-off.

Dr. Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS is standing by. Get in touch today, and see how a plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA can help you with your breast reduction surgery.

What Factors Will Affect Your Decision to Have Plastic Surgery?

Despite a common misconception, that plastic surgery is a “superficial” procedure, many potential patients wrestle with the decision of whether to undergo such delicate and often meaningful procedures. While every patient is different, a few central issues frequently arise in almost everyone’s decision-making process. Your consultation with a plastic surgeon in San Jose, Ca include open discussions about these factors.

Your Motivations for Having Surgery

The reasons that people seek plastic surgery are highly personal and individual. Are you hoping your surgery will restore some function lost to an injury? Is your goal to regain confidence in your appearance? Do you expect the procedure to potentially improve your career opportunities? A high-quality plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA should discuss your goals and expectations in depth, both to understand what outcome you want and to help ensure your expectations are realistic.

Your Health History

Any surgery will always carry a small amount of risk; plastic surgery, while very safe, is still a real medical procedure. Your overall health will be taken into account when having even a relatively small surgery. A surgeon like Kirk A. Churukian, MD will factor in any pre-existing conditions when planning for the surgery. Your baseline health condition may also impact your post-surgery care as well as your recovery time.

Your Financial Obligation

Some plastic surgery may be covered by insurance, while most purely cosmetic procedures will not. Although you may feel that the benefits of the surgery you want are worth more than the money, the fact is that most people do have to consider the cost. There is no need to be embarrassed about openly raising the question of money with your doctor. Obviously, a surgical procedure is not the time to cut corners on price; however, you are justified in wanting to know what kind of expenses you should expect.

Your Level of Comfort with the Process

At the office of Kirk A. Churukian, MD, we understand that many people have significant anxiety when considering surgery. First of all, you should rest assured that a plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA is required to always observe the highest standards of patient safety. Proper anesthesia and adequate pain control in surgery and during your recovery period are topics the surgical staff will be happy to discuss with you in detail. Frankly communicating any worries you have can help your surgeon tailor your treatment and hopefully calm your fears.

Don’t Worry About Pricing

Plastic surgery comes with a price, so you should mention any concerns you may have about the cost during your consultation with your plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA, and they can help with providing cost-effective options and deals.

Plastic surgery is a big step for you to take, and there are many things to think about before committing to the procedure. With the guidance and expertise of a professional such as Kirk A. Churukian MD, your mind can be eased in knowing that you are in good hands.

Come in for a Complimentary Assessment

If you would like to learn more about the services and treatments our clinic provides, contact San Jose, CA plastic surgeon Dr. Kirk A. Churukian, MD, FACS today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Things to Do Before Undergoing Plastic Surgery

First, increase your physical activity two or three weeks before your plastic surgery date. Many patients discover that walking and swimming are two of the best forms of physical exercise that can help get their bodies ready for plastic surgery.

Physical activity can improve your cardiovascular system and promote healthy blood flow. The beneficial effects associated with increased physical activity will reduce the likelihood that you will suffer complications after your surgical procedure.

Second, drink six to eight glasses of water a day before you undergo surgery. Adequate hydration will improve your skin and promote optimum healing after your surgery. If you are dehydrated before your surgery you will risk organ damage and other complications that may arise when your surgery concludes.

One effective way of achieving this goal is carrying a portable water bottle with you when you are working and running errands outside of your home. Getting into the habit of drinking six to eight glasses of water every day will improve your health over many years.

Third, you must complete a physical medical exam before your surgery date. The medical exam should be performed by your primary care physician. This physician should declare that you are healthy enough to undergo plastic surgery. If your primary care physician states that you are not healthy enough to undergo plastic surgery you will have to make lifestyle changes and improve your health until you can obtain medical clearance.

Fourth, you should stop smoking if you are a tobacco user. Before you undergo any form of plastic surgery you must quit smoking at least two weeks before your surgery date. Complications may arise if you undergo plastic surgery while actively smoking.

Smoking reduces blood flow and interferes with the proper functioning of your circulatory system. If you do not quit smoking before your scheduled surgery you put yourself at greater risk of suffering a stroke or cardiac arrest during your surgical procedure.

You should also abstain from any alcohol use for at least seventy-two hours before your scheduled procedure. Alcohol can affect your immune system and this may cause complications after your surgery.

Also, avoid consuming any aspirin or products containing aspirin at least two weeks before your surgery date. Aspirin thins your blood and increases the risk that you will suffer excessive bleeding during your surgical procedure. If you are prescribed aspirin you should consult your primary care physician for alternatives that you can use during the two weeks leading up to your plastic surgery.

Lastly, you need to arrange for someone to help transport you to and from the hospital. Also, you need someone to help you recuperate from plastic surgery. Prepare the books, movies, medications, and mobile devices you will need as you recuperate from your surgery. You can tell your friend or family member where these items are so they can locate them when they bring you home after your procedure.

Friends and relatives can help you heal from your surgery. Your activity will be limited for a short time and you will need to rely on friends and relatives. It is also a good idea to prepare meals in advance and place them in the freezer before you undergo plastic surgery.

3 Things To Do After You Get Plastic Surgery

You’ve waited for your appointment, and now you’ve made it through. There can be lots of nerves leading up to your plastic surgery appointment. You may feel like you are in the clear now it is all over.

However, post-operation vigilance is important. Your actions after your surgery can affect recovery. The professionals at Kirk A. Churukian MD want to set you up for healing success.

Take All Your Medications

Your plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA, likely prescribed many medications to take. Make sure that you get them as quickly as possible. Then, be sure you take the full course of your prescription.

It is important to stick to your prescription schedule even if you start to feel better. These medications can help ward off nasty infections. Stopping medications early can lessen their effects. 

Infections can certainly alter your plastic surgery. More seriously, they can endanger your health. Taking all your medications can help you heal faster and keep you healthy post-operation.

Check Your Dressings

You may leave the operation with dressings to help with the healing process. They provide compression and can help ward off infection. Your plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA, likely gave you instructions about when to change these dressings. Follow them thoroughly to facilitate healing.

Limit Your Activity

Rest is an important part of the post-operative process. It facilitates healing and allows your body to work efficiently. Do not plan on any vigorous activity while recovering. The most you likely should do is walk around your house.

Return to exercise depends on many different factors. A plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA, can assess your situation and give you an idea of when returning to activity would be appropriate. 

Common Plastic Surgery Myths 

Cosmetic surgery is increasing in popularity, but there are many myths out there that make it seem like it is all about beauty, vanity, and money. This simply isn’t the case. Here are the most common myths and why they aren’t true: 

Plastic Surgery is Only to Improve Your Appearance 

The fact is, while yes plastic surgery can help you feel more confident about your looks, it isn’t the only thing that it does. While feeling confident is a great benefit there are other ways that plastic surgery can help people. 

It is also there to help people with how the body functions overall. Here are some examples of what plastic surgery can do: 

• Fix a birth defect like a cleft palate which can cause problems with nursing, eating, or even talking
• Restore hand function after a severe injury 
• Repair a skin cancer tumor
• Ease back pain for those with larger breasts 

Not only can it do that, but many people who have been affected by burns turn to plastic surgery to help them repair their skin. 

Plastic Surgery is Only for Women 

Yes, pop culture is to blame for this tone. While women do make up the majority of plastic surgery patients, they aren’t the only ones. Many men also undergo plastic surgery as a way to help them. While you may not know it, hair transplantation is a form of plastic surgery. It is becoming a popular way to help those with balding or thinning hair. 

Results Are for Forever 

While every plastic surgeon wishes they were magic, they simply aren’t. Yes, plastic surgery can alter the effects of aging but it isn’t magic. It won’t keep your body from changing or aging as you go on with your life. However, there are ways to make the results last longer. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine is a great way to keep the results for a long time. 

Even with lifestyle changes, you may need another procedure down the road. What you need to be done is going to change what kind of procedure you had done. Things like fixing a cleft palate may not need to be done again, whereas breast implants can last up to 20 to 30 years.

Dr. Churukain is dedicated to serving your needs for a plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA, and the larger bay area. Contact his office with confidence. If you have any questions about what a plastic surgeon reach out to Dr. Kirk A Churukian, MD for more information about what we can do for you. 

Ask For Help

The first 48-72 hours post-op can be a difficult time. Depending on your surgery, walking from your bedroom to your bathroom could be a chore. Eating could be difficult as well.

Make sure you are not going through it alone. Enlist the help of your family or friends to help you. They can bring you food, change your dressings, or help you around the house. They can also help you take your medications.

The professionals at Kirk A. Churukian MD understand that recovery can be a long process. That is why it is also important to ask your surgeon any post-op questions you may have. Keeping on track to a good recovery can mean even better results. 

San Jose Plastic Surgery Statistics

According to the latest statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2020 were:

• Nose reshaping – 352,555
• Eyelid surgery – 325,112
• Facelift – 234,374
• Liposuction – 211,067
• Breast augmentation – 193,073

Plastic Surgeon San Jose, CA FAQs

It is pretty common for a plastic surgeon in San Jose, CA to see people who only know about plastic surgery from gossip magazines or TV shows. While that is one side of plastic surgery, there are so many other ways that a plastic surgeon can help you improve how your body looks and how it functions. 

Yes, plastic surgery goes beyond just altering your appearance. It can be beneficial for many reasons, and not everyone goes to a plastic surgeon for looks alone. The reason for plastic surgery can vary but the goal is to help the patient live the lives that they desire. 

What is the difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery?

It’s both simple and complex. In general, the cosmetic surgeon deals only with cosmetic issues; the plastic surgeon is trained to deal with everything from reconstruction following injury of both face and body to liposuction and a total, surgical facelift as well as surgeries involving other parts of the body.

How long has been practicing plastic surgery?

The doctor has been practicing for over two decades, first working for other doctors and hospitals and now with his own practice.

What kind of credentials does Dr. Churukain have?

His rather impressive credentials include board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the San Jose Surgical Society.

Is plastic surgery just for women?

Absolutely not. Plastic surgery is used by both women and men. It wasn’t so long ago that most people thought plastic surgery was for women only. That’s no longer true at all. The last few decades have seen more and more men reach for the physical as well as psychological benefits plastic surgery can bring them.

Procedures for men most often include things like the eyelid, nose, and ear surgeries. Breast reduction is also favored by many men.

Women, as a group, favor both breast augmentation as well as breast reduction. They also favor minimally invasive face procedures like Botox and laser resurfacing right on through reshaping of nose and jaw lines and improvement of the décolletage.

What Is The Price Range For A Plastic Surgery Procedure? 

Plastic surgery costs will vary based on the particular type of surgery performed. Our most popular procedures feature estimates that can help you understand how much a plastic surgery procedure may cost. Costs will also vary based on the type of medical insurance coverage you have and which procedures may be covered under your health insurance policy. 

If you receive a quote for a plastic surgery procedure this quote will include all evaluations, visitations, photographs, anesthesia, and surgical garments. 

How Many Office Visits Will I Have To Make Before Undergoing A Plastic Surgery Procedure? 

You will make an initial consultation and you will have to undergo one preoperative office visit. Preoperative photographs will be taken during this office visit. You do not have to make extensive office visits before undergoing your surgical procedure. 

How Many Follow-Up Visits Should I Plan To Make? 

Two follow-up appointments are required and these will occur once a week following your surgery and at three months after your surgery. If more appointments are needed then you can schedule these after the second of these office visits. 

How Long Will My Surgical Procedure Last? 

Each surgery is different and every patient is unique, but the majority of procedures will last from 1 to 7 hours. If you need additional time for recovery or preoperative procedures then these will be factored into your total operation time. 

How Often Will I Need To Change My Bandages? 

The bandages will be removed after forty-eight hours and you will be able to take a shower after removing these bandages. 

Schedule Your Consultation Today

At the office of Dr. Kirk A. Churukian, located in the heart of San Jose, CA, we are a team dedicated to providing top-notch plastic surgery services. Our collective experience and commitment to excellence enable us to offer a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, tailored to meet the unique needs and aspirations of our patients. We prioritize safety, comfort, and satisfaction, ensuring that each patient’s journey with us is both rewarding and transformative. Our practice, led by Dr. Churukian, stands as a testament to our passion for enhancing the well-being and confidence of our community through professional, compassionate, and personalized care.