We asked our social media followers to send in some cosmetic surgery questions for myself and staff, and they came up with really great ones! Keep reading to get answers to FAQs from the Stallworth Facial Plastics community.

What is the most challenging cosmetic surgery to perform?

Rhinoplasty – without question.  This is not my opinion alone, but rather the consensus among thousands of surgeons that have spent entire careers trying to master this surgery.  Every nose is different.  There are a multitude of factors including age, gender, ethnicity, genetics, previous trauma or surgery that all impact the form and function of a nose.  Taking all of these into consideration, along with a patient’s goals, I strive to deliver a tailor made surgical outcome for every patient.  Along with the challenge of the surgery itself, though, is the challenge that it takes a long time for a nose to heal – realistically 1-2 years.  As a surgery is performed, I have to anticipate these changes in the future and work to prevent complications and account for the healing process to create the end result both the patient and I desire.  It is truly the most challenging . . . but also the most rewarding!

Why should I get BOTOX? 

You should only get Botox if you dislike something that Botox treats.  For fine lines and wrinkles – particularly of the forehead and around the eyes, Botox is a primary tool for treating these. It is safe and well tolerated, has a long, proven track record, is not permanent so will go away if you don’t like it (you will like it, though!), and doesn’t prevent you from having further or different treatments in the future.  In experienced hands, it should also look very natural.  Research (and patient testimonials) also demonstrate improvements to the skin tone and quality in these areas.  The aging process cannot be stopped – but with Botox, in some areas it can be slowed down!

Top things to know about lip fillers?

Lip fillers are very safe cosmetic surgery procedure when administered by a skilled injector and have evolved greatly in the last 15-20 years.  We currently have 5 different fillers that can be used in the lips – but all are made of hyaluronic acid (HA).  This is important because it is a naturally occurring material that already exists in all of our bodies and we are all the same!  There is no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection of HA.  HA is soft, feels natural, and is even reversible if someone didn’t like the result.  The reason we have different fillers is because they each do different things.  Some are thin and fill fine lines only.  Others are thicker and help to add volume but have to be injected deeper in the lip.  How we choose is based on patient preferences, of course, and much of that has to do with a patient’s age.  In most cases I find younger patients who desire more lip body and volume, while older patients have greater concerns for fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.  In any case, a lip injection should be tailored to the individual.  Finally, injections typically will last 9-12 months (with some shorter and some even longer).

How long does a hair transplant take, including post-procedure results?

The actual transplant can be a long process.  Depending on the number of grafts and where they are placed, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a full 8-hour day.  Once transplanted, the hairs have to actually grow!  This is not an instant gratification process, however, as it can easily take 6 months for your new hair to be growing in and very visible.  By 1 year, the area transplanted should be no different than the surrounding hair of the scalp.

Why is fat fill better than implants?

Neither is particularly “better” than the other – they just have different pros and cons and indications.  I prefer fat to implants for cheek augmentation because there is less risk of infection (no foreign material used), the tissue is your own so you don’t reject it, it is soft and feels natural, and the fat that lives will continue to live with you.  Fat, however, is a living material and can change over time just as your body changes with age, weight gain, weight loss, etc.  Fat can also be used to provide variable volumes of filling – around the eyes, temples, cheeks, lips, fine lines, deep hollows – all of these can be filled with fat.

What are the most common types of procedures you perform?

The overwhelming surgery I perform is rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty and nasal surgery can be for nasal function, nasal appearance, or both.  It can also be done to help with reconstruction following a trauma or a cancer surgery.  I typically perform 3-5 rhinoplasty surgeries per week.  I am also busy with facial rejuvenation procedure including face/neck lifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), brow lifts, and many more minor procedures in the clinic.

Are you still taking new patients into your practice?

I am always taking on new patients.  Unlike medical practices that tend to have a fixed number of patients, we are constantly working to treat new patients.  We are constantly striving to grow the Texas Plastic Surgery / Stallworth Facial Plastic Surgery family.  All you have to do is call or fill out a consultation request on-line.

How can I become a part of your team? Do you typically take new job applicants?

We are not currently taking applications, but have recently added another surgeon, Dr. Andrew Friedman, to our team.  Dr. Friedman is a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast and body surgery and is also a hand surgeon!  We will certainly make it known to the community when we are looking to add staff.

Do you have any other cosmetic surgery questions?

Please message us on social media, or give us a call! If you are interested in any of our procedures in San Antonio, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stallworth today!