FAQ
Plastic Surgery Questions, Answered
Clear, honest answers about procedures, candidacy, recovery and insurance — drawn from our procedure guides and patient education articles.
General Questions
Is Dr. Salim Saba board-certified?
Yes. Dr. Saba is dual board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, with more than 15 years of experience and training at UT Southwestern and UC San Diego.
What happens at a plastic surgery consultation?
Dr. Saba listens to your goals, reviews your medical history, examines the area of concern and explains which procedures fit your anatomy, along with recovery, risks and expected results. You leave with a personalized plan and time to decide.
Does insurance cover plastic surgery?
Reconstructive and medically necessary procedures are often covered. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare, Elevance Health (Anthem BCBS), Humana. Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered, and coverage depends on your plan and medical necessity.
Are virtual consultations available?
Yes. Patients travel from across the Tri-State area of Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, and virtual consultations are available for out-of-town patients.
Can some procedures be done while I am awake?
Many smaller procedures can be performed comfortably under local anesthesia, avoiding general anesthesia. Dr. Saba will tell you whether your procedure is a good fit for an awake approach.
Where is the office and what are the hours?
Cumberland Plastic Surgery of Kentucky is located at 1625 Nashville, Russellville, KY 42103. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 929.255.6856 to schedule.
Breast Procedures
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation increases breast size, improves symmetry and restores fullness lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight change. Dr. Saba offers saline and silicone implants as well as fat-transfer augmentation for a subtle, natural boost.
Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Good candidates include women who feel their breasts are small for their frame; mothers who lost volume after pregnancy or nursing; patients with noticeable breast asymmetry; healthy non-smokers with realistic goals.
What is recovery like after breast augmentation?
Most patients return to desk work in 5–7 days. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting resume after about 4–6 weeks, and final shape settles over 3 months.
What is breast lift (mastopexy)?
A breast lift removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue to raise the breasts and reposition the nipple and areola. It may be combined with implants when added volume is desired.
Who is a good candidate for breast lift (mastopexy)?
Good candidates include women with sagging after pregnancy or nursing; patients after weight loss; those whose nipples point downward; women seeking shape rather than size.
What is recovery like after breast lift (mastopexy)?
Most return to light work in about 1 week; avoid strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks. A supportive surgical bra is worn during healing.
What is breast reduction?
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to relieve the physical discomfort of overly large breasts while creating a lifted, proportionate shape. It is often covered by insurance when medically necessary.
Who is a good candidate for breast reduction?
Good candidates include women with chronic pain from heavy breasts; teens and adults limited in activity; patients with skin irritation under the breasts; men are evaluated separately for gynecomastia.
What is recovery like after breast reduction?
Most patients return to work in 1–2 weeks and resume exercise around 6 weeks. Many describe immediate relief of their pain.
Body Procedures
What is mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover combines procedures — most often a tummy tuck, breast lift or augmentation, and liposuction — to address the changes pregnancy leaves behind in a single, coordinated surgery and recovery.
Who is a good candidate for mommy makeover?
Good candidates include mothers finished having children; patients near a stable, healthy weight; women with loose skin, stretch marks or diastasis recti; anyone wanting comprehensive post-pregnancy restoration.
What is recovery like after mommy makeover?
Plan on 2 weeks away from work and help at home with young children. Light activity begins early; full exercise usually resumes at 6–8 weeks.
What is tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?
A tummy tuck removes loose, excess abdominal skin and tightens weakened or separated abdominal muscles, creating a flatter, firmer profile that diet and exercise alone cannot achieve.
Who is a good candidate for tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?
Good candidates include women after pregnancy; patients after significant weight loss; adults with loose skin resistant to exercise; those with an overhanging abdominal apron.
What is recovery like after tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?
Expect 2–3 weeks before returning to work, a compression garment for about 6 weeks, and no heavy lifting for 6–8 weeks.
What is liposuction?
Liposuction removes localized fat that resists diet and exercise from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back and chin, refining body proportions through small, discreet incisions.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
Good candidates include adults near their ideal weight; patients with good skin elasticity; those with genetic fat deposits; men and women alike.
What is recovery like after liposuction?
Return to desk work in 3–7 days. Compression garments are worn for several weeks, and swelling resolves gradually over 3–6 months.
What is brazilian butt lift (bbl)?
A Brazilian butt lift uses liposuction to harvest fat from areas like the abdomen and flanks, then purifies and transfers it to the buttocks to add projection and curves. Dr. Saba follows current safety guidelines, placing fat only in the tissue above the muscle.
Who is a good candidate for brazilian butt lift (bbl)?
Good candidates include patients with enough donor fat; those wanting curves and projection; healthy non-smokers; patients committed to post-operative positioning.
What is recovery like after brazilian butt lift (bbl)?
Avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for about 2–3 weeks. Most return to work in 1–2 weeks; final results appear at about 6 months.
What is body contouring?
Body contouring includes a family of procedures — liposuction, lifts, and skin excision — that reshape areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms and back for a smoother, more defined silhouette.
Who is a good candidate for body contouring?
Good candidates include patients after weight loss; those with skin laxity from aging; adults with stubborn fat and loose skin; anyone seeking total-body refinement.
What is recovery like after body contouring?
Varies by procedure — usually 1–3 weeks away from work and 6 weeks before full exercise.
What is arm lift (brachioplasty)?
An arm lift removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm to create a firmer, more toned contour, often after weight loss or with aging.
Who is a good candidate for arm lift (brachioplasty)?
Good candidates include patients after major weight loss; adults with age-related skin laxity; those unable to tone loose skin with exercise.
What is recovery like after arm lift (brachioplasty)?
Most return to light activity in 1–2 weeks and avoid lifting for about 4–6 weeks.
What is weight loss skin removal?
After major weight loss — whether from bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications or lifestyle change — loose skin can cause rashes, hygiene problems and discomfort. Skin removal procedures such as a panniculectomy, body lift, thigh lift and arm lift reveal the results of your hard work.
Who is a good candidate for weight loss skin removal?
Good candidates include patients stable at their goal weight for 6+ months; post-bariatric surgery patients; gLP-1 medication users with loose skin; those with recurrent skin infections in folds.
What is recovery like after weight loss skin removal?
Typically 2–4 weeks off work depending on the areas treated, with full activity at 6–8 weeks. Some procedures may qualify for insurance coverage.
What is gynecomastia (male chest contouring)?
Gynecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue and fat from the male chest using liposuction and/or excision to create a flatter, firmer contour.
Who is a good candidate for gynecomastia (male chest contouring)?
Good candidates include men with enlarged breast tissue; teens with persistent gynecomastia; men after weight loss.
What is recovery like after gynecomastia (male chest contouring)?
Back to work in about 1 week; compression vest for several weeks; exercise at 4–6 weeks.
Face Procedures
What is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
Eyelid surgery removes excess skin, fat and muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids to reduce hooding, puffiness and under-eye bags. When drooping lids block vision, it may be covered by insurance.
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
Good candidates include adults with hooded upper lids; patients with puffy lower lids; those whose lids impair vision.
What is recovery like after eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
Bruising and swelling improve in 7–14 days. Most return to work in about 1 week.
What is brow lift?
A brow lift raises sagging eyebrows and smooths forehead creases, opening the upper face and reducing the tired or angry look a low brow can create.
Who is a good candidate for brow lift?
Good candidates include adults with low or heavy brows; patients with deep forehead furrows; those who look tired despite rest.
What is recovery like after brow lift?
Most return to normal activity within 10–14 days.
What is face lift?
A facelift repositions deeper facial tissues and removes excess skin to restore a firmer jawline, smoother cheeks and a more youthful neck.
Who is a good candidate for face lift?
Good candidates include adults with moderate to advanced facial aging; non-smokers in good health.
What is recovery like after face lift?
Plan for 2 weeks of social downtime; final results develop over several months.
What is facial implants?
Facial implants enhance the structure of the chin, jaw or cheeks to improve facial balance and profile.
Who is a good candidate for facial implants?
Good candidates include adults with a weak chin or flat cheeks; patients seeking better facial proportion.
What is buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat removal reduces fullness in the lower cheeks through small incisions inside the mouth, creating more defined facial contours.
Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?
Good candidates include adults with persistent round, full cheeks.
What is recovery like after buccal fat removal?
Most return to routine in 3–5 days with a soft diet briefly.
What is botox & other neurotoxins?
Neurotoxin injections relax the muscles that cause frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet, softening wrinkles with no downtime.
Who is a good candidate for botox & other neurotoxins?
Good candidates include adults with dynamic wrinkles; patients wanting subtle refreshment.
What is recovery like after botox & other neurotoxins?
No downtime; results appear in 3–14 days and last about 3–4 months.
What is dermal fillers & fat transfer?
Dermal fillers and fat transfer restore volume to areas such as the cheeks, lips, under-eye hollows and smile lines.
Who is a good candidate for dermal fillers & fat transfer?
Good candidates include adults with volume loss; patients wanting fuller lips or cheeks.
What is recovery like after dermal fillers & fat transfer?
Mild swelling for a few days; fat transfer may take 1–2 weeks to settle.
Reconstruction Procedures
What is breast reconstruction after breast cancer?
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Options include implant-based reconstruction and natural-tissue (autologous) flap reconstruction, such as the DIEP flap, which uses your own abdominal tissue. Federal law requires most insurance to cover reconstruction after mastectomy.
Who is a good candidate for breast reconstruction after breast cancer?
Good candidates include women facing or after mastectomy; patients after lumpectomy with deformity; bRCA carriers choosing preventive surgery; women unhappy with prior reconstruction.
What is recovery like after breast reconstruction after breast cancer?
Implant reconstruction: about 2–4 weeks. Flap reconstruction: a short hospital stay and 4–6 weeks of recovery.
What is mohs & skin cancer reconstruction?
After Mohs surgery or skin cancer excision, reconstruction uses local flaps, skin grafts or layered closure to restore appearance and function, especially on the face, nose, lips and ears.
Who is a good candidate for mohs & skin cancer reconstruction?
Good candidates include patients after Mohs surgery; those with skin cancers on the face or hands; patients with large or complex defects.
What is recovery like after mohs & skin cancer reconstruction?
Most return to normal activity in 1–2 weeks; scars continue to fade over 12 months.
What is trauma & laceration repair?
Plastic surgical repair of lacerations, dog bites and soft-tissue injuries restores function and minimizes scarring through careful, layered closure techniques.
Who is a good candidate for trauma & laceration repair?
Good candidates include children and adults with facial cuts; patients with complex or contaminated wounds; those with animal bites.
What is recovery like after trauma & laceration repair?
Sutures are usually removed in 5–14 days; scars mature over 6–12 months.
What is head & neck reconstruction?
Head and neck reconstruction rebuilds tissues of the face, jaw, mouth and neck after cancer resection or trauma, often using microsurgical tissue transfer.
Who is a good candidate for head & neck reconstruction?
Good candidates include patients after head and neck cancer surgery; trauma patients.
What is recovery like after head & neck reconstruction?
Varies widely; typically includes a hospital stay and several weeks of healing.
What is abdominal wall reconstruction?
Abdominal wall reconstruction restores strength and contour to the abdomen after complex hernias, prior surgery or trauma.
Who is a good candidate for abdominal wall reconstruction?
Good candidates include patients with large or recurrent hernias; those with abdominal defects after surgery.
What is recovery like after abdominal wall reconstruction?
Typically a short hospital stay and 6–8 weeks of activity restrictions.
What is reconstruction of the extremities?
Extremity reconstruction provides soft-tissue coverage and functional restoration for wounds of the arms and legs from trauma, infection or tumor removal.
Who is a good candidate for reconstruction of the extremities?
Good candidates include trauma patients; patients with chronic or complex wounds.
What is recovery like after reconstruction of the extremities?
Depends on the procedure; often several weeks with therapy.
What is facial fracture reconstruction?
Facial fracture repair realigns and stabilizes fractures of the nose, cheekbones, eye sockets and jaw to restore function and symmetry.
Who is a good candidate for facial fracture reconstruction?
Good candidates include patients with facial trauma from accidents or sports.
What is recovery like after facial fracture reconstruction?
Generally 2–6 weeks depending on the fracture.
What is scar revision & skin grafts?
Scar revision uses surgical and non-surgical techniques to make scars flatter, thinner and less visible; skin grafts restore coverage where tissue is lost.
Who is a good candidate for scar revision & skin grafts?
Good candidates include patients with wide, raised or tight scars; burn survivors.
What is recovery like after scar revision & skin grafts?
Usually 1–2 weeks for routine activity.
What is ear reconstruction?
Ear reconstruction corrects congenital ear differences, injuries and torn earlobes to restore a natural shape.
Who is a good candidate for ear reconstruction?
Good candidates include children with congenital ear differences; adults with ear injuries or torn earlobes.
These answers are educational and not a substitute for an in-person evaluation. Every patient is different — Dr. Saba will tailor recommendations at your consultation.
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