FAQs

Here at our office, you will be seen by Dr. Vu, a certified, female plastic surgeon, our coordinator, and our scheduler. We ask that you provide us with basic information for our administrative records and we will provide you with an overview of the consultation process.To make it more convenient for you, you may download the forms here, have them filled out and either fax it back to us, or bring them with you at the time of your consultation visit. The cost of registration is $75. We accept VISA, Mastercard, checks or cash.
Dr. Kim-Chi Vu, The Vu Center’s plastic surgeon, will talk with you about your wishes and desires for your surgery. She will examine you and give you her opinion about how to achieve your goals. We believe you need to be well informed about the actual process of preparing for, and recovering from, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. Choosing a surgeon is an intensely personal decision. We encourage you to take time to ask Dr. Vu and her staff any questions you may have. We believe the formation of a personal bond is an integral part of the surgery and healing process.

Dr Vu and her staff can provide you with our before and after photos of our existing patients, to look at the possible outcome of your intended surgery. This is intended to help you see what the possible outcome may be, and aid in the surgical planning process.

You may choose to watch a video about the procedure(s) you are contemplating. Brochures are also available for you to read and take home with you. Many of our staff have had cosmetic surgery and you may talk with them about their experience and feelings about their results.

When you meet with the Patient Coordinator, she will discuss the fees and costs of your desired reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. If you have a specific date in mind, we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. There will be a $500.00 scheduling fee that is due upon the time you decide to schedule your surgery. The scheduling fee will be credited to your other surgical fees.
Once you have scheduled your surgery, you will then come in for a preoperative appointment, where you will have a chance to talk through your surgery again with Dr. Vu. During this time, you will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have, go over your surgical consent form, have your blood test ordered, and pay the remainder of your surgical fees.

We want you to fully understand the risks involved in plastic surgery so that you can make an informed decision. Although complications are infrequent, all surgeries have some degree of risk. All of us at The Vu Center will use our expertise and knowledge to avoid complications to the best of our abilities. If a complication does occur, we will use those same skills in an attempt to solve the problem quickly. The importance of having a highly qualified medical team and the use of a certified facility cannot be overestimated. In general, the least serious problems occur more often, and the more serious problems occur rarely. If a complication does arise, you, Dr. Vu and the staff will need to cooperate in order to resolve the problem. Most complications involve an extension of the recovery period rather than any permanent effect on your final result.

• Swelling and bruising: Moderate swelling and bruising are normal after any plastic surgery. Severe swelling and bruising may indicate bleeding or possible infection.
• Discomfort and pain: Mild to moderate discomfort or pain is normal after any plastic surgery. If the pain becomes severe and is not relieved by pain medication, we recommend that you contact us for further management.
• The incision lines: Sometimes there may be crusting along the incision. We usually treat this with antibiotic ointment.
• Numbness: Small sensory nerves to the skin surface are occasionally cut when the incision is made or interrupted by undermining of the skin during reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. The sensation in those areas gradually returns–usually within two or three months as the nerve endings heal.
• Itching: Itching and occasional small shooting electrical sensations within the skin may spontaneously occur as the nerve endings heal. Ice, skin moisturizers, and massages are frequently helpful. These symptoms are common during the recovery period.
• Redness of scars: All new scars are red, dark pink, or purple. Scars on the face usually fade within 3 to 6 months. Scars on the breasts or body may take a year or longer to fade completely

• Hematoma: Small collections of blood under the skin are usually allowed to absorb spontaneously. Larger hematomas may require aspiration, drainage, or even surgical removal to achieve the best result.
• Inflammation and infection: A superficial infection may require antibiotic ointment. Deeper infections are treated with antibiotics. Development of an abscess usually requires drainage.
• Thick, Wide, or Depressed Scar: Abnormal scars may occur even though we have used the most modern plastic surgery techniques. Injection of steroids into the scars, placement of silicone sheeting onto the scars, or further surgery to correct the scars is occasionally necessary. Some areas on the body scar more than others, and some people scar more than others do. Your own history of scarring should give you some indication of what you can expect.
• Wound separation or delayed healing: Any incision, during the healing phase, may separate or heal unusually slow for a number of reasons including: inflammation, infection, wound tension, decreased circulation, smoking, or excess external pressure. If delayed healing occurs, the final outcome of your plastic surgery is usually not significantly affected, but a secondary revision of the scar may be indicated.
• Sensitivity or allergy to dressings or tape: Occasionally, a patient’s body may have an allergic or sensitivity reactions from soaps, ointments, tape or sutures used during or after plastic surgery. Such problems aren’t common and are usually mild in nature and easily treated. In extremely rare circumstances, allergic reactions can be severe and require aggressive treatment or even hospitalization.
• Injury to deeper structures: Blood vessels, nerves and muscles may be injured during surgery. The chance of such injuries is rare.

Going to the operating room is not a normal experience for most of us. Dr. Vu and all of the professional staff caring for you, recognize the natural anxiety with which most patients approach this step in the plastic surgery process. We believe a description of the surgery experience will be helpful.

Your surgery will be performed at The Sunset Surgical Center or one of our other affiliated hospitals. Specialists using modern equipment and techniques will attend to you. The team includes a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (C.R.N.A.), a trained Operating Room Technician and a Registered Nurse in charge of the operating room.

When you arrive at Sunset Surgical Center, you will be escorted to the Pre-Operative Suite. You will be asked to change into a gown and robe and will be given foot covers. Dr. Vu and the C.R.N.A. will meet with you before you enter the operating suite. At this time, we will conduct final surgical planning, do basic preparation, or draw on you as needed. You will also be given the opportunity to ask any final questions you may have.

Once you enter the operating suite, the staff will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and secure. Once you are situated on our deeply padded operating table, the nurse or the C.R.N.A. will start an intravenous drip in your arm. You will start to feel drowsy as medicines flow through the tubing into a vein in your arm. At this time, the C.R.N.A. will connect you to monitoring devices to ensure your safety during your reconstructive or cosmetic procedure.

When your plastic surgery has been completed, and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. You will be connected to monitoring equipment for the duration of your stay in the recovery room.

During this period, a fully trained Recovery Room Nurse will take care of you and remain with you at all times. The Registered Nurses in the recovery room are specially certified for advanced cardiac life support, should it be needed. All recovery rooms are equipped with any necessary machinery as other rooms in the hospital.

Your stay in the recovery room will last from one to four hours, depending on how soon you are ready to leave. Most patients are fully awake within 30 to 60 minutes after surgery but may not remember much about their stay in the recovery room.

You must arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery center. Either a family member, a friend or a nurse must remain with you the first night after surgery because you will have been sedated.

• Activities: We want you to avoid any aerobic or straining activity for at least three weeks after your plastic surgery. This is to avoid bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Do not resume strenuous exercise for four to six weeks. Dr. Vu will give you clearance to increase your activities according to the progress of your recovery.
• Driving: You may resume driving when you feel you are able, but wait at least two days after surgery. Keep in mind that you must have full use of your reflexes. If pain will inhibit them, don’t drive!
• Sexual Activity: You may enjoy sexual activity as your body allows with the following restriction: please reread Activity/Sports above and apply the same concept to sex.
• Sun Exposure: If fresh scars are exposed to the sun, they will tend to become darker and take longer to fade. Sunscreen can help. Take extra care and precautions if the surgical area is slightly numb — you might not “feel” a sunburn developing!
• Work: Returning to work will vary for each individual patient’s recovery and the type of surgery performed. This will be discussed and modified with Dr. Vu.