Plastic & Hand Website FAQs
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Do your doctors have particular specialties?
- What is the fee for a consultation?
- How much does a cosmetic procedure cost?
- Who does the anesthesia for surgeries done in your facility?
- How far are you booking ahead?
- Are blepharoplasty and abdominoplasty covered by insurance?
- Are procedures that make you happier with your appearance, such as mole and skin tag removal and scar revision, covered by insurance?
- What kind of scar will I have?
- After my procedure, how much downtime will there be?
- Is my surgeon board-certified?
- How long have the surgeons been in practice?
- How many procedures have the surgeons performed?
- Is the initial visit to Plastic & Hand a consultation only, or does it include a procedure?
- How do I decide which surgeon to see?
- Is there anyone I can talk to who has had a specific procedure?
- Skincare
- How does my tan affect IPL treatments?
- Do you offer facial peels for people with sensitive skin?
- Can men receive treatments at Skin Solutions?
- Can I call to ask about prices for different treatments and products?
- Why do your materials and website say “hair reduction” instead of “hair removal”?
- Why is laser more effective than IPL for hair reduction?
- How long does semipermanent makeup last?
- Do your aestheticians have particular specialties?
- What is the fee for a consultation?
- How far are you booking ahead?
- Are any of your services covered by insurance?
- What types of services do you offer?
Cosmetic Surgery FAQs
Q: Do your doctors have particular specialties?
A: As a practice, we feel it’s important for our surgeons to be proficient in every area of specialty. All of our board-certified surgeons maintain expertise in the full range of cosmetic procedures and perform these procedures with high frequency.
Q: What is the fee for a consultation?
A: We charge a consultation fee of $105, which is deducted from the cost of your surgery.
Q: How much does a cosmetic procedure cost?
A: Costs vary by procedure, but all include pre- and post-op visits, anesthesia and use of the surgery facility. When making a cost-comparison, it’s important to take these factors into account.
Q: Who does the anesthesia for surgeries done in your facility?
A: Our board-certified anesthesiologists are from Spectrum Medical Group, the same physician group that provides anesthesia care at Maine Medical Center.
Q: How far are you booking ahead?
A: Because our surgeons are in high demand, it can take from three to six weeks to schedule your surgery. Having access to board-certified plastic surgeons working in a private, state-of-the-art facility is well worth the wait.
Q: Are blepharoplasty and abdominoplasty covered by insurance?
A: Your condition has to meet certain criteria in order for these procedures to be covered. The patient coordinator at Plastic & Hand can provide more information.
Q: Are procedures that make you happier with your appearance, such as mole and skin tag removal and scar revision, covered by insurance?
A: No, these are generally not covered.
Q: What kind of scar will I have?
A: While surgery of any kind will leave a scar, plastic surgeons are trained to minimize scarring. During your consultation, talk to your surgeon about what to expect.
Q: After my procedure, how much downtime will there be?
A: This depends on the procedure as well as the nature of your work. The more physical exertion your job involves, the more downtime you can expect.
Here are approximate downtimes for the following procedures:
Abdominoplasty – 3 to 4 weeks
Breast Augmentation – 1 to 2 weeks
Blepharoplasty – 1 to 2 weeks, returning to work with camouflage makeup or sunglasses
Facelift – 3 to 4 weeks
Breast Reduction – 3 to 4 weeks
Rhinoplasty – 1 to 2 weeks
Otoplasty – 1 week
Suction Lipectomy – 3 to 4 weeks
Q: Is my surgeon board-certified?
A: Yes. All of our plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Q: How long have the surgeons been in practice?
A: Please refer to the physician bios in the Professionals & Staff section of our website.
Q: How many procedures have the surgeons performed?
A: Together, our surgeons have performed many thousands of cosmetic procedures. For information about a specific surgeon, please ask a practice coordinator.
Q: Is the initial visit to Plastic & Hand a consultation only, or does it include a procedure?
A: Usually, your first visit will be strictly a consultation. However, BOTOX and Juvéderm injections as well as earlobe repair can be performed during that time.
Q: How do I decide which surgeon to see?
A: All of our surgeons are extremely well qualified. Our practice coordinators can help match you to the surgeon with whom you may have the best rapport.
Q: Is there anyone I can talk to who has had a specific procedure?
Many of our practice coordinators have had procedures performed here. They’ll be happy to discuss their experiences with you by phone or in person.
Skincare FAQs
Q: How does my tan affect IPL treatments?
A: Patients who actively tan, whether in tanning beds or natural sun, should not have IPL treatments in the summer or while they are tanned or tanning. In addition, tanning beds are prohibited when undergoing treatments.
Q: Do you offer facial peels for people with sensitive skin?
A: Yes we do! We offer a wide variety of treatments for sensitive skin.
Q: Can men receive treatments at Skin Solutions?
A: Yes. And our age management skincare lines are perfect for both men and women.
Q: Can I call to ask about prices for different treatments and products?
A: Definitely, if you have questions about treatment pricing options feel free to call and we will gladly give you a estimated cost. It is important to remember that a consultation is necessary to evaluate your skin so we can recommend products and services that are appropriate for you.
Q: Why do your materials and website say “hair reduction” instead of “hair removal”?
A: Lasers used in the skincare field that are similar to ours have been FDA-approved for laser hair REDUCTION. (In addition, our laser is approved to control pseudofolliculitis barbae and ingrown hairs.) To date, there is no technique that provides complete hair “removal.” We prefer to use conservative language, like the FDA’s, to describe our treatments.
Our patients generally attain an 80% hair reduction, + or -, after four treatments.
Q: Why is laser more effective than IPL for hair reduction?
A: At Skin Solutions we have worked with both modalities, and the laser is the gold standard in the market for hair reduction. Our experience has been that using IPL for hair reduction requires more treatments. Experts explain that the wavelength used in IPL hair reduction isn’t long enough to reach the follicle to effectively reduce the hair.
Q: How long does semipermanent makeup last?
A touch-up is generally needed in 1 – 3 years. Factors like sun exposure, anti-wrinkle skin preparations and exfoliants can make touch-ups desirable sooner.
Q: Do your aestheticians have particular specialties?
A: As a practice, we feel it’s important for our aestheticians to be proficient in every area of specialty. All of our licensed aestheticians maintain expertise in the full range of anti-aging skincare and treatments.
Q: What is the fee for a consultation?
A: There is a $50 fee for a skin evaluation, and if you move forward with treatments the $50 is deducted from the total treatment costs. We do have a complimentary consult for our True cosmetic line. You may also come in and purchase sunscreens without a consultation.
Q: How far are you booking ahead?
A: Booking times vary depending on many factors. It may take any where from 1 to 4 weeks to get an appointment. Sometimes, cancellations make appointments available sooner—please call for information on current appointment availability.
Q: Are any of your services covered by insurance?
A: No, our services are considered cosmetic and they are not covered by insurance.
Q: What types of services do you offer?
A: We offer a wide variety of services. We offer skin evaluation and product consults, facials, glycolic peels, salicylic acid peels, lipohydroxy acid peels, microdermabrasion, laser hair reduction, intense pulsed light, photodynamic therapy and Fraxel treatments. Our board-certified plastic surgeons provide BOTOX Cosmetic and Juvéderm injections. In addition, we provide semipermanent cosmetics and eyelash enhancement treatments.