Welcome to the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in New Orleans, Louisiana. Choosing plastic surgery is a significant decision, and our team is committed to helping you feel confident, informed, and prepared before you move forward. Whether you’re considering rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, an isolated structural neck lift, tummy tuck, breast lift, or breast augmentation, this page brings common questions into one easy-to-navigate resource.
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, call (504) 533-8848 or send us a message.
Main FAQs
Where is New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery located?
Our office is located at 2633 Napoleon Ave, Suite 920, New Orleans, LA 70115.
Who is our team?
Our practice includes board-certified specialists in facial plastic surgery and plastic surgery – Dr. Parker Velargo, Dr. Russell Hendrick, Dr. Celeste Gary, and Dr. Alexis Schlosser, with an experienced staff that supports patients from consultation through recovery with clear guidance and attentive follow-up.
What procedures does our team specialize in?
Our team focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose, and neck, as well as aesthetic surgery of the breasts and body. Some of these include rhinoplasty, facelift, isolated structural neck lift, tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast augmentation.
Do you accept insurance?
Most procedures on this page are cosmetic, and they are typically paid for out of pocket. If your goals include functional concerns (such as breathing issues), we can explain what documentation may be needed and what to expect for pricing and coverage questions.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (504) 533-8848 or send us a message to schedule. Our team will help you choose the right appointment type and explain how to prepare ahead of time.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Virtual consultation options may be available for certain concerns and early planning. If photos or additional information are needed, our team will tell you what to submit and how to send it.
What financing options are available?
Financing options include CareCredit and Prosper. Our team can help you understand how financing may apply to your plan and what to expect for timing and payments.
What areas do you serve?
We welcome patients from New Orleans and the surrounding communities across the greater metro area, including nearby neighborhoods and suburbs.
What should I expect during my first consultation?
Your first consultation focuses on your goals, medical history, and anatomy. We’ll discuss realistic outcomes, risks, recovery expectations, and whether combining or staging procedures would be safest and most effective.
What makes New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery different?
Our patients value our team-based approach with specialists focused on facial and body expertise, clear education, and treatment plans designed for natural-looking refinement rather than overdone change.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is surgery that reshapes the nose to improve appearance, function, or both. The goal is a nose that fits your facial features while supporting comfortable breathing when functional work is needed.
What concerns can rhinoplasty improve?
Rhinoplasty can address a dorsal hump, a wide or drooping tip, asymmetry, nostril shape, and profile balance. It can also be planned to improve airflow when structural issues contribute to obstruction.
How do you decide between cosmetic rhinoplasty and functional rhinoplasty?
Your consultation focuses on both appearance goals and breathing concerns. If function is part of your plan, structural support and airway stability are prioritized alongside aesthetics.
What is the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?
The difference is incision placement and access. The right approach depends on your anatomy and how much structural change is needed, especially at the tip.
How long does swelling last after rhinoplasty?
Swelling improves in stages. Most patients look presentable after the early healing window, but refinement continues for months, with the tip often being the last area to fully settle.
When can I return to work after rhinoplasty?
Many patients plan about 1 to 2 weeks away from work or social obligations depending on bruising, swelling, and how comfortable they feel being seen.
Will I have bruising after rhinoplasty?
Bruising varies by patient and by whether nasal bones are adjusted. Some patients have minimal bruising, while others have more noticeable discoloration that fades over the first couple of weeks.
Can rhinoplasty help with a crooked nose?
Yes. Correction often includes straightening bone and cartilage and addressing any septal deviation contributing to asymmetry and breathing issues.
How do you keep rhinoplasty results looking natural?
Natural results come from balancing the nose with the rest of the face, supporting the structure internally, and avoiding overly aggressive reduction that can compromise airflow or look “pinched.”
What should I avoid during rhinoplasty recovery?
Avoid pressure or trauma to the nose while tissues heal. Glasses, intense exercise, and activities with impact risk may be restricted for a period of time based on your plan.
What should I do to prepare for rhinoplasty and the first week of recovery?
Planning ahead makes healing smoother and less stressful:
- Arrange a driver and a support person for the first 24 hours
- Set up a recovery space that supports head elevation
- Plan soft foods and hydration options if congestion affects appetite
- Keep your schedule light so you can rest and follow aftercare closely
When your home setup is ready, it’s easier to stay comfortable and protect your results while swelling and congestion improve.
Facelift FAQs
What is a facelift?
A facelift is surgery designed to lift and reposition facial tissues to reduce sagging and restore a more refreshed contour. The goal is to look like a rested version of yourself, not like a different person.
What concerns does a facelift improve best?
Facelift surgery commonly improves jowling, deepening lower-face folds, and laxity that softens the jawline. It can also be paired with neck work for more complete rejuvenation when necessary.
Is a facelift the same as a “mini facelift”?
Not exactly. “Mini facelift” can mean different techniques. A consultation clarifies which facial areas need support, so the recommended approach matches your anatomy and goals.
Will I look overfilled or unnatural after a facelift?
A facelift repositions tissue rather than adding volume everywhere. When planned thoughtfully, results tend to look natural and structurally refreshed rather than puffy.
How do you decide if I also need eyelid or brow procedures?
Facial aging often affects multiple areas. If the eyes or brows contribute to a tired appearance, staging or combining procedures may be discussed for a balanced outcome.
How long is facelift downtime?
Most patients plan a couple of weeks of social downtime depending on bruising and swelling. Refinement continues beyond that as swelling resolves and tissues settle.
When can I return to work after a facelift?
Many patients with desk work return in about 10 to 14 days, depending on how they heal and how public facing their work is.
What does early recovery feel like?
Expect tightness, swelling, and bruising that gradually improves. Most discomfort is manageable with a planned approach to medications, rest, and activity restrictions.
How long will facelift results last?
Results are long-lasting, but aging continues. Most patients feel they “turn back the clock” and still look like themselves for many years afterward.
Can a facelift be customized for men?
Yes. Male facial anatomy and hairline patterns require thoughtful incision placement and technique to preserve a natural masculine look.
What should I do to prepare for facelift recovery and the first two weeks?
A good plan reduces stress and supports better healing:
- Arrange time off work and keep your calendar light for early healing
- Set up head elevation and comfortable sleep positioning
- Plan simple meals, hydration, and easy-to-reach essentials
- Follow incision care and activity restrictions exactly as instructed
When recovery is planned realistically, you can focus on rest while swelling fades and results begin to look more refined.
Isolated Structural Neck Lift FAQs
What is an isolated structural neck lift?
An isolated structural neck lift focuses on improving the neck and jawline without a full facelift. It is designed to address neck laxity, contour issues, and visible banding when the face itself does not need significant lifting.
Who is a good candidate for an isolated neck lift?
Candidates often have loose neck skin, a soft jawline, or banding in the neck, but relatively good midface and cheek position. A consultation confirms whether the neck can be improved on its own or whether a combined approach is better.
What concerns can an isolated neck lift improve?
It can improve “turkey neck,” neck bands, excess skin, and a less defined jawline. It may also address fullness under the chin when that fullness is due to fat and tissue laxity.
How is a neck lift different from neck liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten muscles or remove excess skin. A structural neck lift addresses deeper support and skin, which is often necessary when laxity is the main concern.
Will a neck lift improve my jawline?
Yes. By tightening underlying structures and improving the neck contour, a neck lift can create a cleaner jawline and a more defined angle between the jaw and neck.
Where are neck lift incisions placed?
Incisions are typically placed in discreet areas around the ears and, when needed, under the chin. Placement is designed to camouflage scars as they heal.
How long is recovery after a neck lift?
Most patients plan about 10 to 14 days of social downtime depending on bruising and swelling. Continued refinement occurs over the following weeks as swelling resolves.
Will I need to wear a compression garment?
Many neck procedures include a compression garment for a period of time to help manage swelling and support the contour as it settles.
How long do neck lift results last?
Results are long-lasting, though aging continues. Good skin care and sun protection help maintain improvements over time.
Can a neck lift be combined with other facial procedures?
Yes. A neck lift is often paired with a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial refinement when multiple areas contribute to an aged appearance.
What should I do to prepare for neck lift recovery?
Preparation helps you heal more comfortably and protects your result:
- Plan time off and avoid major events during early swelling
- Set up head elevation and comfortable sleep positioning
- Arrange help for the first 24 hours and early follow-up visits
- Follow garment and activity instructions consistently
When these steps are followed, swelling tends to resolve more predictably and the jawline definition improves steadily.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess abdominal skin and can tighten the abdominal wall when muscle separation is present. The goal is a flatter, smoother abdomen and improved waistline contour.
What concerns does a tummy tuck address that exercise can’t?
It addresses loose skin and stretched abdominal support that can remain after pregnancy or significant weight changes, even with strong fitness habits.
How do you know if I need muscle repair?
A consultation evaluates the abdominal wall for separation and laxity. If muscle separation contributes to bulging or poor core support, repair may be recommended.
What is the difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck addresses a smaller amount of lower abdominal laxity in select patients. A full tummy tuck addresses broader skin and muscle changes and typically involves belly button repositioning.
Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
It can remove stretch marks located on the skin that is excised, often below the belly button. Stretch marks outside the treatment area may remain.
Will I have drains after a tummy tuck?
Some plans include drains, while others use techniques designed to reduce fluid buildup. Your consultation clarifies what your plan includes and why.
How long does it take to stand up straight after surgery?
Many patients walk slightly bent early on due to tightness. Posture usually improves over the first one to two weeks as swelling decreases and tissues relax.
When can I return to work after a tummy tuck?
Many patients plan about two weeks for desk work. More physical jobs often require longer, and your timeline depends on the extent of surgery and your healing progress.
When can I exercise again after a tummy tuck?
Walking is encouraged early, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise must wait until you are cleared. Core workouts usually return later and require a gradual restart.
How long does it take to see final results?
Swelling improves over weeks, but refinement continues for months as tissues settle and scars mature.
What should I have ready at home before tummy tuck surgery?
A simple plan makes early recovery calmer and safer:
- Arrange help for lifting, childcare, errands, and meals
- Set up a recovery space with pillows for elevation and easy movement
- Place essentials at counter height to reduce bending and reaching
- Plan loose clothing and a lighter schedule for the first two weeks
When preparation is done ahead of time, it’s easier to rest and follow restrictions that protect your incision and support a smoother contour.
Breast Lift FAQs
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift (mastopexy) reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning breast tissue and the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position.
How do I know if I need a breast lift?
A lift is often recommended when sagging or low nipple position is the main concern. If you also want more volume or upper fullness, combining a lift with implants may be discussed.
Does a breast lift make breasts smaller?
A lift primarily changes shape and position rather than adding volume. Some patients feel slightly smaller because the breast is tighter and more compact, while others feel fuller because the breast sits higher.
What scars should I expect from a breast lift?
A lift requires incisions, and scar pattern depends on how much lift is needed. Scars typically fade with time, and scar-care guidance is part of your plan.
Can a breast lift improve asymmetry?
Yes. A lift can improve asymmetry by reshaping tissue and adjusting nipple position when appropriate, though some natural asymmetry is normal in the body.
What happens to nipple sensation after a breast lift?
Temporary numbness or sensitivity changes can occur. Sensation often improves as nerves recover, but changes can be unpredictable and should be discussed during consultation.
Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?
Breastfeeding may still be possible for some patients, but it cannot be guaranteed. If future pregnancy is planned, timing and expectations should be part of your decision.
How long do breast lift results last?
Most patients experience swelling and soreness early on, then gradually return to normal activity as healing progresses. Exercise restrictions and support garments are important during early healing.
When can I exercise again after a breast lift?
Gentle walking is encouraged early on, but strenuous workouts and upper-body training must wait until you are cleared. A gradual restart is important to protect incisions and long-term shape.
What habits help breast lift results hold up better over time?
Small habits can make a meaningful difference:
- Maintain a stable weight to reduce tissue stretch
- Wear supportive bras during daily activities and exercise
- Follow scar-care guidance consistently during early healing
- Avoid nicotine and protect skin health to support better healing
These steps support more predictable healing and can improve how your results hold up over the years.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation uses implants to enhance breast volume, improve shape, and create more balanced proportions. Many patients also choose augmentation to restore volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes.
What implant options are available?
Common options include saline and silicone implants, along with different profiles that affect projection and upper fullness. The right choice depends on your anatomy and your preferred look.
How do you help patients choose implant size?
Sizing is based on chest width, skin elasticity, existing tissue, and your aesthetic goals. Many patients get the best outcome when they focus on proportion and lifestyle rather than cup size alone.
Over or under the muscle – how is implant placement decided?
Placement depends on tissue thickness, contour goals, and long-term support. Your consultation includes a discussion of how placement affects cleavage, implant visibility, and recovery.
Where are incisions typically placed?
Incision placement is selected based on your anatomy and surgical plan, with an emphasis on safety, control, and discreet scar placement.
Will implants look high or feel tight at first?
Yes, that can be normal. Early swelling and tightness can make implants sit higher at first, with gradual settling over time as tissues relax.
When can I return to work after breast augmentation?
Many patients with desk work return within about a week, while physical jobs may require additional time. Your timeline depends on activity demands and healing.
When can I work out again?
Gentle walking is encouraged early on, but lifting and strenuous exercise must wait until you’re cleared. Upper-body workouts typically return later and should restart gradually.
How long do implants last?
Implants are long-lasting but not lifetime devices. Many patients enjoy their results for years, and replacement decisions depend on implant integrity, body changes, and personal preference.
Can breast augmentation be combined with a breast lift?
Yes. If sagging and low nipple position are present, a lift may be recommended to improve shape while implants restore volume and fullness.
What should I prepare before a breast augmentation consultation?
Arriving with clear priorities helps planning:
- Photos that reflect your desired look and proportions
- Notes about pregnancy plans, breastfeeding history, and major weight changes
- Your typical workout routine and job demands
- Questions about implant type, placement, scars, and long-term maintenance
When these details are clear, our team can recommend an implant plan that fits your body and supports a natural, stable result.
Schedule Your Consultation at New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery Today
Our expert team of plastic surgeons will help you understand your options and build a plan that fits your goals, anatomy, and timeline—whether you’re planning your first procedure or refining a prior result.
Contact us at (504) 533-8848 or send us a message to schedule your consultation today.