Frequently Asked Questions | Safa Sharabi MD
Considering plastic surgery is a big decision, and it’s natural to have questions. This page brings together answers to the most common questions patients ask Dr. Safa Sharabi about breast reconstruction, breast aesthetics, body contouring, facial procedures, and reconstructive surgery. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or preparing for a consultation, these FAQs are designed to give you clear, honest information so you can move forward with confidence. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, Dr. Sharabi and her team in Santa Monica are always happy to help. Call (310) 692-8626 or request a consultation online.
Breast Reconstruction Revision FAQS
Why might I need breast reconstruction revision?
Patients often seek breast reconstruction revision to address asymmetry, capsular contracture, implant shifting, rippling, discomfort, scar concerns, or dissatisfaction with their earlier results.
Who is a good candidate for breast reconstruction revision near me or in Santa Monica?
Good candidates are typically healed from their initial reconstruction, medically stable, and ready to improve comfort, shape, or symmetry after breast reconstruction.
Can breast reconstruction revision improve asymmetry?
Yes. Breast reconstruction revision can improve asymmetry by adjusting implant position, revising scar tissue, adding fat grafting, or refining contour and shape.
What techniques are used during breast reconstruction revision?
Depending on the patient’s needs, revision may include implant exchange, implant removal, capsule work, fat grafting, scar revision, autologous tissue enhancement, or nipple reconstruction.
Is breast reconstruction revision covered by insurance?
In some cases, breast reconstruction revision may be covered by insurance, especially when it is related to post-mastectomy reconstruction or medically necessary correction. Coverage varies by plan.
What is recovery time after breast reconstruction revision?
Recovery time after breast reconstruction revision varies by the extent of surgery, but many patients experience swelling, soreness, and activity restrictions for several weeks while healing progresses.
Can implants be removed or replaced during revision surgery?
Yes. Breast reconstruction revision can involve implant removal, implant exchange, or changes in implant position depending on the patient’s concerns and goals.
Female Plastic Surgeon
Safa Sharabi, MD
Your journey toward transformation and renewed self-confidence begins with a simple step: reaching out. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Safa Sharabi can open the door to personalized guidance, expert recommendations, and the opportunity to explore procedures that align with your vision. Whether you’re ready to take the leap or simply gathering information, we invite you to connect with us today by calling our office at (310) 692- 8626 or competing our online form today. Together, we’ll create a path toward the best version of yourself that celebrates your individuality and inspires confidence inside and out. Contact Dr. Safa Sharabi now to schedule your consultation and start your transformation today!
Breast Augmentation FAQS
Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Good candidates are generally healthy adults who want to increase breast volume, improve breast symmetry, or restore fullness lost after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
What types of breast implants are available?
Common breast implant options include silicone and saline implants in different shapes, sizes, and profiles to match each patient’s anatomy and goals.
How do I choose the right implant size?
The right implant size depends on your body proportions, skin quality, chest width, current breast tissue, and the look you want to achieve. A consultation helps determine the best fit.
Will breast augmentation look natural?
Breast augmentation can look natural when implant size, profile, and placement are carefully chosen to complement the patient’s existing anatomy.
What is breast augmentation recovery time?
Tummy tuck cost depends on the extent of surgery, whether liposuction is added, anesthesia, and facility fees. Personalized pricing is usually given during consultation.
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are long-lasting, but they are not considered lifetime devices. Some patients may eventually need monitoring, revision, or replacement.
Can breast augmentation be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Breast augmentation is often combined with a breast lift or included as part of a mommy makeover for more comprehensive body enhancement.
Breast Lift FAQS
Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?
Good candidates are healthy patients with breast sagging due to pregnancy, weight changes, aging, or genetics who want improved shape and position.
Does a breast lift make breasts bigger?
A breast lift reshapes and elevates the breasts, but it does not significantly increase breast size. Patients seeking more fullness may combine a lift with implants.
How do I know if I need a breast lift or implants?
If your main concern is sagging, a breast lift may help. If you also want more upper-pole fullness or larger breasts, implants may be recommended with the lift.
Will a breast lift improve nipple position?
Yes. A breast lift repositions the nipples and reshapes the breasts to create a more youthful and balanced appearance.
What is the recovery time after a breast lift?
Breast lift recovery time varies, but patients generally experience swelling, soreness, and activity restrictions for several weeks while their tissues heal.
Will I have scars after a breast lift?
Yes. Breast lift surgery does involve scars, but they are strategically placed and usually fade over time with proper care.
How long do breast lift results last?
Breast lift results are long-lasting, although natural aging, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations can continue to affect breast shape over time.
Breast Implant Revision FAQS
Why would I need breast implant revision?
Patients seek breast implant revision for issues such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, rippling, implant malposition, asymmetry, or dissatisfaction with size or shape.
Can I change implant size during revision surgery?
Yes. Breast implant revision often allows patients to switch implant size, profile, type, or position to better match their current goals.
Can breast implant revision fix capsular contracture?
Yes. Revision surgery may include capsule work, implant exchange, or other corrective steps to address capsular contracture and improve comfort and shape.
Can implants be removed instead of replaced?
Yes. Some patients choose implant removal alone, while others combine removal with replacement, a breast lift, or fat grafting.
What is recovery time after breast implant revision?
Recovery time after breast implant revision depends on the extent of surgery, but many patients experience swelling, soreness, and temporary activity restrictions for several weeks.
Will breast implant revision leave new scars?
In many cases, existing incision sites can be used, although scar placement depends on the details of the revision plan.
Who is a good candidate for breast implant revision near me or in Santa Monica?
Good candidates are generally healthy patients who have concerns about their current implants, want a change in size or shape, or need correction of a complication.
Breast Implant Removal & Capsulectomy FAQS
What is a capsulectomy?
A capsulectomy is the surgical removal of scar tissue that forms around a breast implant.
Why do patients choose breast implant removal?
Patients may choose implant removal because of discomfort, capsular contracture, implant rupture, cosmetic changes, lifestyle preferences, or a desire to return to a more natural look.
Is capsulectomy always necessary during implant removal?
Not always. Whether capsulectomy is recommended depends on the condition of the capsule, patient symptoms, and the surgical goals.
Can I combine breast implant removal with a lift?
Yes. Many patients combine implant removal with a breast lift to improve breast shape and position after explant surgery.
What is recovery time after breast implant removal and capsulectomy?
Recovery time depends on the extent of surgery, but most patients should expect swelling, soreness, and restricted activity during the early healing period.
What will my breasts look like after implant removal?
Appearance after breast implant removal depends on skin quality, natural breast tissue, implant size, and whether additional reshaping such as a lift or fat grafting is performed.
Who is a good candidate for breast implant removal near me or in Santa Monica?
Good candidates are healthy patients who want implants removed because of symptoms, complications, cosmetic concerns, or personal preference.
Tummy Tuck FAQS
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Good candidates are healthy patients with loose abdominal skin, stretched muscles, or contour concerns after pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
Can a tummy tuck repair muscle separation?
Yes. A tummy tuck can repair diastasis recti, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles often caused by pregnancy or major weight changes.
Is a tummy tuck the same as liposuction?
No. Liposuction removes excess fat, while a tummy tuck removes extra skin and tightens abdominal muscles. Some patients combine both procedures.
Can a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
A tummy tuck may remove stretch marks located on the lower abdomen if that skin is excised during surgery.
What is tummy tuck recovery time?
Tummy tuck recovery time often involves swelling, soreness, walking slightly bent at first, and avoiding strenuous activity for several weeks while healing progresses.
Will I have a scar after a tummy tuck?
Yes. A tummy tuck scar is typically placed low on the abdomen so it can often be hidden beneath underwear or swimwear.
How long do tummy tuck results last?
Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting when patients maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
Female Plastic Surgeon
Why Choose Dr. Safa Sharabi for Your Breast Reconstruction Revision in Santa Monica, CA
Dr. Safa Sharabi brings nearly a decade of focused expertise in complex breast revision surgery, having performed nearly one thousand procedures since completing her fellowship in 2017. Her training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the world’s leading institution for microvascular and reconstructive surgery, laid the foundation for a career defined by precision, compassion, and high-volume mastery. At Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Sharabi worked in one of the busiest surgical environments in the country, treating a wide range of patients, including women with implants dating back to the 1980s and 90s. Her specialty lies in correcting “botched” procedures or results that haven’t aged well, addressing complications, and restoring natural, confident results. Whether it’s capsular contracture, asymmetry, implant failure, or aesthetic dissatisfaction, Dr. Sharabi is deeply familiar with the challenges and solutions that revision surgery requires.
What truly sets Dr. Sharabi apart is her philosophy: she doesn’t push procedures, overpromise outcomes, or rush decisions. She listens. She asks thoughtful questions. She considers your overall health, your emotional readiness, and your long-term goals. If surgery isn’t the right step, she’ll tell you, because your safety and satisfaction matter more than anything else. Dr. Sharabi sees surgery not just as a technical skill, but as a way to help people feel whole, healthy, and at peace in their bodies. Her care is grounded in integrity, artistry, and a deep respect for the human experience.
Mommy Makeover FAQS
What procedures are included in a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover may include breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, and liposuction depending on the patient’s goals.
Who is a good candidate for a mommy makeover near me or in Santa Monica?
Good candidates are healthy women who have completed childbearing and want to address body changes such as breast deflation, sagging, excess skin, and stubborn fat.
Can a mommy makeover be customized?
Yes. A mommy makeover is highly customized based on each patient’s anatomy, priorities, recovery goals, and desired results.
Is it safe to combine procedures in a mommy makeover?
Combining procedures can be safe for the right patient when surgery is carefully planned by a qualified plastic surgeon and tailored to the patient’s overall health.
What is mommy makeover recovery time?
Recovery time depends on the procedures performed, but most mommy makeover patients need several weeks for swelling, soreness, and activity restrictions to improve.
Will a mommy makeover help loose skin after pregnancy?
Yes. Procedures such as tummy tuck and breast lifting are commonly used in a mommy makeover to address loose skin and changes in body contour after pregnancy.
How long do mommy makeover results last?
Mommy makeover results can be long-lasting when patients maintain stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits.
Neck Lift FAQS
Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?
Good candidates are healthy adults with loose neck skin, muscle banding, or excess fat under the chin who want a smoother, more defined neck and jawline.
What concerns does a neck lift treat?
A neck lift can treat sagging skin, neck banding, jowling along the jawline, and excess fullness in the neck area.
Can a neck lift improve a double chin?
Yes. Depending on the cause of fullness, a neck lift may improve a double chin by tightening tissues and removing excess fat.
Will a neck lift look natural?
A well-planned neck lift is designed to create a refreshed, natural-looking improvement in neck contour rather than an overly tight appearance.
What is neck lift recovery time?
Neck lift recovery time typically includes swelling, bruising, and temporary downtime for early healing, with ongoing improvement over the following weeks.
Can a neck lift be combined with a facelift?
Yes. A neck lift is often combined with a facelift for more complete lower face and neck rejuvenation.
Will I have visible scars after a neck lift?
Neck lift incisions are typically placed in discreet areas such as around the ears and sometimes under the chin, depending on the technique used.
Blepharoplasty FAQS
Can blepharoplasty improve vision?
In some cases, upper eyelid surgery can improve vision when excess skin is obstructing the visual field.
What does blepharoplasty treat?
Blepharoplasty treats loose eyelid skin, puffiness, under-eye bags, and signs of aging around the eyes.
Will blepharoplasty change my eye shape?
The goal of blepharoplasty is usually to preserve your natural eye shape while creating a more refreshed and rested appearance.
What is blepharoplasty recovery time?
Blepharoplasty recovery time often includes swelling and bruising during the early healing period, with many patients improving significantly over the first one to two weeks.
Are blepharoplasty scars visible?
Blepharoplasty incisions are usually placed in natural eyelid creases or discreet locations to minimize visible scarring.
Can upper and lower eyelid surgery be combined?
Yes. Many patients choose upper and lower blepharoplasty together for more complete eye rejuvenation.
Reconstructive FAQS
What reconstructive procedures are offered?
Reconstructive procedures may include scar revision, mole removal, laceration repair, and reconstruction after Mohs surgery or other skin cancer treatment.
What is scar revision surgery?
Scar revision surgery is performed to improve the appearance, texture, width, or position of a scar so it blends more naturally with the surrounding skin.
What is Mohs reconstruction?
Mohs reconstruction restores tissue and contour after skin cancer removal, with attention to both function and appearance.
What is reconstructive surgery recovery time?
Recovery time depends on the procedure performed and the area treated, but patients should expect a healing period focused on tissue recovery, scar care, and follow-up monitoring.
Can reconstructive surgery improve appearance and function?
Yes. Reconstructive surgery often aims to restore both functional integrity and a more natural appearance.
Can laceration repair reduce future scarring?
Careful laceration repair can improve wound healing and help minimize visible scarring compared with untreated or poorly aligned wounds.
How do I choose a reconstructive plastic surgeon near me or in Santa Monica?
Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with reconstructive expertise, attention to detail, and experience restoring both appearance and function.