I encourage patients to research their doctors and have included on my website a checklist for questions to ask and credentials to verify before selecting a surgeon. Reviews and credentials are important but interviewing your surgeon also gives you an understanding of their personal philosophy and bedside manner. I believe it is important to feel comfortable talking with your doctor in order to ensure that you are both aligned in your cosmetic goals.
I have put together what I call “The Bridal Blueprint” in which I have listed the most commonly sought after procedures and some recommended timelines as to when those procedures should optimally be done.
BRIDAL BLUEPRINT
BRIDES
Skin Care: Skin care should be started a minimum of 3 months prior to the wedding day. This will allow enough time to correct sun damage, color differences and texture issues. You may experience redness, peeling or irritated skin as the products begin to address and correct specific problems. Try to avoid new products during the month prior to your wedding date. Skin care may also be done in conjunction with Botox or Dermal Fillers.
Botox: BOTOX is a neuromuscular toxin that is used to treat lines that develop above the forehead, between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and around the mouth. Botox typically weakens the muscles that cause those wrinkles. Plan to have your Botox done 1-2 months prior to your wedding date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or if there are any touch ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Dermal Fillers (Voluma-cheeks, Juvederm- lips, peri-oral lines, Belotero-peri-oral lines): Allow 1-2 months prior to the event for maximum effect of the injectable. This also provides enough time for any touch-ups that may be needed post injection. Again, as with Botox, this also allows for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Breast Augmentation: Breast augmentation is a safe and effective way of creating or restoring volume and shape to a woman’s breast. After surgery, patients will wear a sports bra 3-4 weeks before transitioning to a regular bra. Although women are post-operatively back to full activity and look great at approximately 6 weeks, I recommend an augmentation procedure at least 3-6 months prior to the wedding day. This ensures that your body has time to heal and look its best. It also provides you with enough time to allow for final dress alterations.
Liposuction: Liposuction is the most effective way of contouring those areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. A patient may be back to work several days post-operatively, but they will have to wear a compression garment for approximately 3 weeks. Patients will have residual bruising and swelling that may take 3-4 weeks to resolve. As healing can vary from patient to patient, I recommend planning the procedure 3-6 months prior to your wedding date. This ensures you will look and feel your best and also provides enough time to allow for final dress alterations.
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM
Skin Care: Skin care should be started a minimum of 3 months prior to the big event. This will allow enough time to correct sun damage, color differences and texture issues. You may experience redness, peeling or irritated skin as the products begin to address and correct specific problems. Try to avoid new products during the month prior to the wedding date. Skin care may also be done in conjunction with Botox or Dermal Fillers. It may also be used to enhance surgical results with a Face or Eyelid procedure.
Botox: BOTOX is a neuromuscular toxin that is used to treat lines that develop above the forehead, between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and around the mouth. Plan to have your Botox done 1-2 months prior to the wedding date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or if there are any touch ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Dermal Fillers: (Voluma-cheeks, Juvederm- lips, peri-oral lines, Belotero-peri-oral lines): Allow 1-2 months prior to the event for maximum effect of the injectable. This also provides enough time for any touch-ups that may be needed post injection. Bruising or swelling should be resolved within 1 -2 weeks of the injections.
Face lift surgery: A face lift procedure targets the aging of the lower half of the face and neck area. Facial rejuvenation procedures usually require a 1-2 week downtime before a person is out in public and a 3 week downtime before they are ready for exercise. Bruising is minimal and resolved within 2 weeks. Pain is mild and patients rarely use a pain medication more than 2-3 days. The incisions remain a light pink for approximately 6-8 weeks but can easily be covered and blended with make-up within 2 weeks post operatively. I recommend planning a facelift procedure for 2-3 months prior to the wedding date.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Rejuvenating a patients’ eyes has a significant positive effect on their look as well as their self-esteem. Patients look more rested, younger and their eyes appear much as they did in previous years. Eyelids may be done separately or combined with a face lift procedure. Patients are required to rest post operatively with their head elevated for the first few days. Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume exercising within 3 weeks. Makeup can be applied within the first two weeks. Mild swelling and bruising may be associated with the procedure but typically resolves within 1-2 weeks. I would recommend planning the eyelid procedure a minimum of 2-3 months prior to the wedding date.
Breast Surgery: This can include an Augmentation, Breast Lift or Breast Reduction. For many women the effects of the natural aging process, pregnancy and weight loss can be profound on the volume and skin of their breasts. All of these procedures require a sports bra to be worn post operatively for 3 weeks. There is minimal pain and typically swelling and bruising is resolved within 2-3 weeks. All three of these procedures are well healed by 6 weeks but getting the right fit of your wedding wear is paramount. Most alterations take place several months prior to the date, therefore I recommend planning your breast procedure 2-3 months prior to the wedding date.
Liposuction: Liposuction can provide excellent contouring with minimal downtime. Liposuction can address multiple problem areas such as the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, calves, ankles and the arms. All surgical areas require a compression garment to be worn post operatively. This is gradually transitioned out of after 3 weeks and worn only during the day or during exercise. There may be mild swelling and bruising that is usually resolved after 3-4 weeks. Most women are back to all activities within 2-3 weeks. I recommend surgery 2-3 months prior to the wedding date to allow adequate time for dress fittings and healing.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck): This procedure is designed to re-contour and rejuvenate the abdominal wall. It requires approximately 2-3 weeks of downtime. Drains are routinely used to remove normal, postoperative fluids in the first 1-2 weeks. Patients wear a supportive abdominal binder for approximately 3 weeks and then transition out of it for the next 2 weeks. Exercise and most activities are resumed by 3 weeks. I recommend planning a Tummy tuck 6 months prior to the date to allow sufficient healing prior to the wedding date and dress fitting.
GROOMS
Skin care: Most men may not be thinking of their skin when grooming, however texture and pigment can be addressed with great results to refresh and rejuvenate their appearance. Skin care is an important step and not only includes cleanser and moisturizer but also , more importantly, sunscreen. Skin care products should be started at least 3 months prior to the wedding date. I caution men to avoid new products or treatments during the month prior as they may have irritated, red or flaky skin at the beginning of treatment.
Botox: This is a simple, effective way of creating a refreshed look by softening harsh lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows. For the younger man, it corrects the stern, older appearance that the lines may create. Plan to have your Botox done 1-2 months prior to your wedding date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or if there are any touch ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Liposuction: For younger men, the most common areas sought after are the chest, abdomen and “love handles”. These are areas that may be resistant to the effects of exercise and healthy eating. All surgical areas require a compression garment to be worn post operatively. This is gradually transitioned out of after 3 weeks and worn only during the day or during exercise. There may be mild swelling and bruising that is usually resolved after 3-4 weeks. Most men are back to work within several days and all activities within 2-3 weeks. I recommend planning your surgery 3 months prior to allow for adequate healing time.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM
Botox: This is a simple, effective way of creating a refreshed look by softening harsh lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows. It corrects the stern, older appearance that the lines may create. Plan to have your Botox done 1-2 months prior to the wedding date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or if there are any touch ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Facelift (Forbes Facelift): Facelifts for men are becoming increasingly popular over the years. Realizing that being healthier and staying in shape does not slow down the external signs of aging in the face, many men have started turning to what plastic surgeons have termed the “Forbes Facelift” to address laxity in the skin under the chin and neck area, deepening of the lines at the corners of the mouth and thinning of the cheeks. Similar to women, the goal of a facelift is to produce a natural, rested look without any telltale signs of a surgical procedure. Incisions are around the ears but slightly different than those used for a woman due to the beard pattern. Facial procedures usually require a 1-2 week downtime before a person is out in public and a 3 week downtime before they are ready for exercise. Bruising is minimal and resolved within 2 weeks. Pain is mild and patients rarely use a pain medication more than 2-3 days. The incisions remain a light pink for approximately 6-8 weeks. I recommend scheduling a facelift procedure 3 months prior to the wedding date for optimal healing.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Rejuvenating a patients’ eyes has a significant positive effect on their look as well as their self-esteem. Patients look more rested, younger and their eyes appear much as they did in previous years. Eyelids may be done separately or combined with a face lift procedure. Patients are required to rest post operatively with their head elevated for the first few days. Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume exercising within 3 weeks. Makeup can be applied within the first two weeks. Mild swelling and bruising may be associated with the procedure but typically resolves within 1-2 weeks. I would recommend planning the eyelid procedure a minimum of 2-3 months prior to the wedding date.
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