Dr. Stanwix performs his cosmetic procedures "awake", under full general anesthesia, or numbing anesthesia with a “twilight” sleep.  You will unaware, pain-free, and asleep for the entire procedure.  All of your vital signs will be monitored continuously throughout the procedure. 

Dr. Stanwix is the only cosmetic surgeon in Virginia to offers a wide array of "awake" procedures without the need for general anesthesia. Not only does that save you money because no anesthesiologist is used, but it also avoids the risks of anesthesia. Dr. Stanwix is an expert in local numbing medicine to make sure you do not feel the procedure. He will also give you some medicine the morning of surgery by mouth that will help you relax and enjoy your time. Cosmetic surgery patients come from all over the United States to have Dr. Stanwix perform their "awake" and minimally invasive, cutting edge cosmetic surgery. The incisions are smaller, the risks lower, costs lower, and the results spectacular! The team at Richmond Plastic Surgeons will help set up your accomadations and travel to make for a smooth and enjoyable experieince.

Some Procedures that can be done "awake"

1. Fat Transfer
2. Facial Cosmetic Surgery (fat transfer, mini-facelifts, eyelid surgery)
3. Liposuction
4. Male Chest surgery-"Gynecomastia surgery"
5. Breast lifts
6. Scar revisions
7. Ear surgery
8. Many more!

Cosmetic surgeries are meticulous procedures and Dr. Stanwix require you to remain completely still throughout the procedure.  Anesthesia is provided by Board Certified Anesthesiologists.  You will also be given medicines before, during and after the procedure to prevent any post-operative nausea and vomiting.  Dr. Stanwix will prescribe Zofran (ondansetron) to prevent this from occurring.  Dr. Stanwix will discuss with you which form of anethesia will be best for you and your procedure.

All surgical procedures are accompanied by a certain degree of risk, whether the procedures are for medical or cosmetic reasons.  Please know that Dr. Stanwix is an extenisvely trained and experienced Plastic Surgeon who is dedicated to making your operation go smoothly. Dr. Stanwix careful reviews your medical history and current health condition before deciding if it is safe for you to proceed with surgery.  It is important that you fully disclose all pertinent information to Dr. Stanwix so that he is able to make an accurate assessment of the risks involved.  Dr. Stanwix will take every precaution necessary to reduce the possibility of any complications.  Most importantly, Dr. Stanwix trained for over seven years in Plastic Surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and is fluent with all the advanced medical knowledge and surgical anatomy.

There several important factors that come into play when deciding whether plastic surgery is the right option for you.  One of the most important factors is your health.  Being in good health greatly reduces the risk of complications occurring during surgery and leads to a speedy recovery.  Next, you need to ask yourself what your motivations are.  People who have plastic surgery generally find that the surgery enhances their overall appearance and self-esteem.  Thirdly, you should have realistic expectations.  Dr. Stanwix will tell you that plastic surgery is both a science and an art, neither of which can ever be perfect.  If you heard that things will be "perfect," then you have not gone to an honest plastic surgeon.  Set reasonable goals as to the result you wish to achieve and be prepared to thoroughly discuss these goals during your initial consultation with Dr. Stanwix.

Absolutely! It is a relatively common practice for Dr. Stanwix to perform multiple procedures during one operation.  This allows Dr. Stanwix to better “sculpt” your final appearance.  Think of your body as a unit.  You may need to address multiple areas to give you the natural results you deserve. It is analogous to a bed.  You must tuck the sheets, pull up the comforter, place the pillows and duvet in order to make an aesthetic look to the bed.  The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures Dr. Stanwix and you decide to perform, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health.  Dr. Stanwix number one goal of all surgeries is to keep you SAFE.  Ultimately, Dr. Stanwix decides whether or not it is appropriate and safe to include more than one procedure in your operation.

During your consultation Dr. Stanwix will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the procedure(s) you desire are right for you.  This is a good time to ask specific questions to Dr. Stanwix about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery. Dr. Stanwix will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of photos and drawings.  When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent for Dr. Stanwix stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.

Dr. Stanwix at Stanwix Plastic Surgery performs surgery at Virginia Physicians for Women (VPFW) Surgery Center and  MedRVA West Creek Surgery Center.  Cosmetic procedures are done on an outpatient basis at these centers so you can freely move about and recover in the privacy of your own location.  

Dr. Stanwix takes meticulous care of his patients during the immediate post-operative period, making for a smooth and problem-free recovery.    

Dr. Stanwix will do everything in his power to provide you with the safest, most reliable procedure, with the best outcome.  Dr. Stanwix accomplishes this through a number of ways:

1.             Dr. Stanwix performs all of his surgeries in an AAAHC setting and uses only operating rooms with the highest level of safety certification and accreditation.

2.             Dr. Stanwix performs surgery only with Board Certified Anesthesiologists and Board Certified Nurse Anesthetists to ensure the safest anesthesia

3.             Dr. Stanwix performs surgery with the same operating room team on every procedure in order to maintain consistency with each operation

4.             Dr. Stanwix uses only the highest quality materials and instruments when performing your procedure

5.             Dr. Stanwix follows his patients very closely after surgery to ensure the smoothest and easiest recovery for his patients.

6.        Dr. Stanwix has full active admitting privileges at most of the non-academic Richmond VA vicinity hospitals.

Although each specific procedure has its unique complications that may occur, when it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Stanwix, complications are infrequent and usually minor.

Dr. Stanwix will do everything in his power to minimize the risks of complications. Through strict standards, he will provide you with the safest, most reliable procedure, with the best outcome.  Dr. Stanwix accomplish this through a number of ways:

1.      Dr. Stanwix performs all surgery in the most sterile settings and use only operating rooms with the highest level of safety accreditation.

2.      Dr. Stanwix perform surgery with Board Certified Anesthesiologists and Board Certified Nurse Anesthetists to ensure the safest anesthesia

3.      Dr. Stanwix perform surgery with the same operating room team in order to maintain consistency and quality with each procedure

4.      Dr. Stanwix use the highest quality materials and instruments when performing your procedure

5.      Dr. Stanwix follows his patient very closely after surgery to ensure the smoothest and easiest recovery for his patients.

With any surgery, however, there is always a small possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia.  Bleeding and infection following a cosmetic operation is extremely uncommon and occurs less than 2-3% of the time.  Your incisions can widen to form thickened scars or you may have some asymmetry between the right and left sides. Complications that can occur include hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon), injury to the nerves that control muscles or sensation (almost always temporary), problems with skin loss and wound healing issues, and reactions to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Stanwixs’ advice before surgery and post-operatively.  Dr. Stanwix will discuss all of the risks and potential complications during you initial and pre-operative appointments.

Dr. Stanwix will order the appropriate preoperative test including blood work and an EKG to ensure that you are healthy for surgery.  In some patients, Dr. Stanwix may have you see an Internist or Cardiologist to obtain “surgical clearance.”

Smoking and other tobacco use increases the complication rate and increases the time needed to heal.  Dr. Stanwix requires his patients to completely quit smoking a minimum of 6 weeks prior to surgery. 

Dr. Stanwix will instruct you how to reduce your risks of complications before surgery. He will assist you in quitting smoking to optimize your ability to heal. The Dr. Stanwix will provide you with a full set of instructions after surgery as well.

Smoking and other tobacco use increases the complication rate and increases the time needed to heal.  Dr. Stanwix requires all of his patients to completely quit smoking a minimum of 6 weeks prior to surgery. 

Dr. Stanwix will instruct you how to reduce your risks of complications before surgery. He will assist you in quitting smoking to optimize your ability to heal. Dr. Stanwix will provide you with a full set of instructions after surgery as well.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Matthew Stanwix will discuss your concens, wishes, and desires.  He will then evaluate your skin, underlying bone, and contour.  Through a detailed discussion, he will facilitate your goals for surgery and implement the technique which is safest and most applicable to achieve this.

Dr. Stanwix will check for medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, diabetes, or the tendency to form excessive scars. A full history and physical will be performed.  Dr. Stanwix may have you to obtain “surgical clearance” from your primary care doctor and sometimes a cardiologist.  

Be sure to tell Dr. Stanwix if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.

Dr. Stanwix will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

You will be given all of your prescriptions before surgery during your preoperative visit.  This will allow you to fill them ahead of time and have them ready for your arrival at home.

If you smoke, it's especially important to stop at least 6 weeks before and after surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.  People who use tobacco in any form are at a higher risk of wound healing problems, infection, tissue loss, and widened scars.  Dr. Stanwix insists that you stop using tobacco and nicotine in any form a minimum of 6 weeks prior to surgery.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

Generally, post-operative instructions from Dr. Stanwix call for rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time.  The length of recovery varies with each procedure and is different for each individual.  Bruises usually disappear within a few days, and most swelling is gone in a matter of weeks.  If you follow Dr. Stanwix' post-operative instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy your normal activities within no time.  Your scars will fade over time but are permanent.  Dr. Stanwix takes care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible, if at all.  The image-enhancing effects of plastic surgery become more evident over time with certain procedures taking up to a year for your body to fully adjust and settle into its new look.  When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Stanwix, he will discuss your expected recovery period and any post-operative instructions in detail.

Please visit the procedure section of drstanwix.com for specific recovery information for each section.

Dr. Matthew G. Stanwix, MD FACS of Stanwix Plastic Surgery does NOT participate with insurance companies.  He is a cosmetic surgeon/artist and will take excellent care of you.

Due to the variety of procedures available in plastic surgery, there can be no blanket rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your operation.  People of all ages have taken advantage of the image-enhancement offered by plastic surgery.  There are even procedures appropriate for young children!  It is important to realize the limitations of plastic surgery.  Plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process.  What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another.  We are committed to making your plastic surgery experience a successful one.