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If you are deciding between plastic surgeons in Springfield, NJ or any of the surrounding towns in New Jersey or New York, you may have questions about Dr. Richard Tepper, his practice, or cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. If you are considering Richard Tepper, M.D., board certified plastic surgery, we want you to feel informed and confident about your decision. With patient education in mind, we have compiled a list of some of the more common questions and their answers.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
If you are considering plastic surgery, why not select a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Richard Tepper has been board certified since 2001, and successfully re-certified in 2011. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed his plastic surgery training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and subsequently completed a fellowship at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University Medical Center.
Board certification is a designation attesting to a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice. While many “cosmetic surgeons” claim to be board certified in various “cosmetic surgery disciplines”, The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of only 24 approved “member boards” of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Dr. Richard Tepper has been board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 2001.
Your recovery will be influenced by the procedure or combination of procedures you select. Smaller procedures, such as those performed under local anesthesia, typically have short recovery period. Cosmetic treatments such as Laser resurfacing and Injectables often have minimal or no down time, allowing individuals to return to normal activities within days. Larger surgical procedures typically require recovery periods ranging from 3-6 weeks. Dr. Richard Tepper will happily provide you with more specific information during your consultation so you can choose the treatment option that is right for you.
Most plastic surgery procedures are outpatient procedures, thus allowing you to go home the same day. However, there are times where an overnight stay is optional or even recommended. Those procedures are performed in a hospital setting. When an overnight stay is desired, or per patient request, Dr. Tepper can accommodate most any hospital need as he is an attending physician at three highly respected hospitals: St Barnabas Medical Center, in Livingston, NJ, Overlook Medical Center, in Summit, NJ and RWJ University Hospital in Rahway. Each of these hospitals has received awards for excellence in health care, and they offer patients un-compromised care and convenience.
Dr. Richard Tepper performs surgery in a number of different surgical settings, depending on particular needs, location and patient preference. Dr. Tepper partners with two surgical facilities. Larger procedures and those requiring general anesthesia are performed at the Short Hills Surgery Center, in Millburn, NJ. (http://shorthillssc.com). Smaller procedures and those appropriate for local anesthesia may be performed at Westfield Plastic Surgery Center, a JCAHO fully-accredited single room operating facility located adjacent to his Springfield office.
Overlook Medical Center, St. Barnabas Medical Center, and RWJ University Hospital at Rahway are all highly regarded and have been recipients of various awards related to patient care. The Short Hills Surgery Center is one of the largest and most respected freestanding physician-owned surgical facilities in the state of New Jersey. More than 50,000 patients have received outstanding care in this facility that consists of 6 major operating rooms, 2 minor operating rooms and 24 recovery room beds. Westfield Plastic Surgery Center is a JCAHO-accredited single room operating.
Dr. Richard Tepper will prescribe the appropriate pain medications to help minimize any discomfort. Each patient tolerates post-operative discomfort in different ways. Most patients undergoing cosmetic procedures in the facial region have only mild post-operative pain. Procedures that involve muscle tightening, such as abdominoplasty procedures, are often associated with greater discomfort. Liposuction and fat grafting can also be associated with increased discomfort, as can breast surgery due to the sensitive nature of the area.
Your recovery period will be influenced by many factors, including the procedure or procedures performed. Some of the more involved procedures may require a week or several weeks recovery. Smaller procedures may only necessitate a few days off from work. Naturally, the nature of your work will also influence when it is appropriate to return. Dr. Richard Tepper will gladly discuss this during your consultation.
Cosmetic surgery is performed to improve the appearance of an otherwise normal body structure. It may help with self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective. Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, is surgery that is performed on an area that has has been injured or altered by developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. Reconstructive surgery is often performed to improve function, but may also improve the appearance of the affected area. Reconstructive surgery is more often covered by one’s insurance policy, although coverage varies from company to company.
Plastic surgery procedures are designed to help a person’s appearance, and the results are often long lasting. The results may last for many years. However, it is important to remember that the aging process is always on going. But surgery can still help people look younger, refreshed and rejuvenated.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2014 procedural statistics, more and more men have been electing to have cosmetic surgery. The top male-focused procedures were:
- Pectoral implants (1,054 procedures – increased 208 percent from 2013 to 2014)
- Male breast reductions (26,175 procedures in 2014 – increased 29 percent since 2000)
Botox® is a neurotoxin. More specifically, when tiny amounts are injected into certain areas of the face, the muscles stop moving. Since the skin is attached to those muscles, lines and wrinkles decrease and sometimes disappear completely after Botox® treatments. The two FDA approved sites for injection are the glabellar area (i.e. “frown lines”) and the lateral canthal areas (i.e. “smile lines or crow’s feet”). Botox is also used for off-label uses at times, when appropriate. Dr. Richard Tepper will gladly discuss the appropriate uses based on your aesthetic desires.
Restylane® and Juvederm® are examples of soft tissue fillers, and they do just that. These products add volume when injected. There are many products available for use and Dr. Richard Tepper will gladly discuss appropriate fillers based on your cosmetic needs.
Botox® lasts about three to four months, and the treatment can be repeated as needed. When it wears off, you will begin to see an increase in muscle movement and a return of the lines and wrinkles. Most patients repeat the injections two or three times per year. The amount of time filler lasts depends on the specific product. Restylane lasts for about 6 months. With repeated use, some of the effects may appear longer lasting. Other fillers, such as Voluma, are quoted to last up to 2 years.
