Plastic Surgery Without Borders: What to Consider

When making a decision to get plastic surgery, it shouldn’t be a decision taken lightly. We’ve discussed before the dangers of getting plastic surgery operations done in foreign countries but we wanted to discuss the issue a little more in-depth so you can make the most informed decision when it comes to your body.

While it can sometimes be dangerous to get surgery done in other countries, if you decide it’s the best option for you, we urge you to research the background and training of the surgeon and their facility.

Before committing to anything, as we suggest above, research your surgeon. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery provides some really great safety guidelines. Some things mentioned that you should consider when getting plastic surgery abroad are:

• Do you fully understand the procedure and possible complications?
• What is your surgeon’s training?
• Verify that your surgeon is trained and experienced. Make sure they specialize in the procedure.
• Is the surgeon a member of recognized national and international plastic surgery societies?
• Does the surgeon and his staff speak your language fluently? If there is a language barrier, that can lead to major miscommunication and possible complications.
• Check the surgeon’s references and ask as many questions as you need to.

“The World Health Organization developed a 19-question surgical safety checklist that, when implemented, can reduce surgical complications and surgical deaths. This simple checklist, much like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist, can be used in a variety of surgical settings without additional costs”(ISPAS.org).

The most popular countries in 2015 outside of the US to get plastic surgery include: Canada, the U.K, Israel, Singapore, and Costa Rica. 

Even when following the safety check-list and following the guidelines above, there are several other important factors to keep in mind.

In the US, you can potentially sue your doctor for malpractice if something goes wrong with your surgery, but this may not be the same in every country. Also, the privacy laws we have established here in the US may also vary from country to country. There are no US laws that protect US patients who go to unlicensed doctors in foreign countries.

One of the main reasons people choose to travel for plastic surgery is the cost. It can be cheaper in other countries, but it is important to remember that sometimes you get what you pay for. Not all procedures are done the same, not all surgeons are the same. That’s not to say there aren’t satisfied patients, we just urge to you to really consider why you’re traveling for the procedure.

Plastic surgery shouldn’t have borders, but we do encourage you to thoroughly weigh your options before traveling abroad for procedures you can have performed here in the US.

If you’re thinking of having plastic surgery and have questions you can schedule a free consultation with our own Dr. McFate here in Austin, TX. We offer many great resources for those patients traveling from outside of the Austin area.

Bikini Season: Lift, Enhancement or Implant Exchange?

Bikini season is approaching quickly! Temperatures are getting warmer and the beaches are awaiting the arrival of beach-goers. Be the talk of the beach with a breast enhancement from Precision Plastic Surgery! Whether you’re interested in an increased size, an implant exchange, or a breast lift, Dr. McFate can have you ready for summer’s bikini season!

Breast Enhancements

One of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States today is breast augmentation. Precision has an on-site surgery suite that is accredited through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facility (AAAASF) and we can perform the surgery right here in our Austin, TX office!

Dr. McFate can increase the size of your breasts, restore fullness, and correct asymmetries. Our plastic surgeon can determine the best size and shape for your body type during one of our free consultations. He will discuss all of your options to help create a better idea of what will work best and what fits your expectations for breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Exchange

Patients should realize that breast implants are not a permanent solution. Many women can plan on maintaining their implants for over 30 years, but this is not always the case. Aging, breast shape and volume changes, or a newly desired body image are additional reasons that a person may elect to remove or exchange their implants.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is an excellent procedure to correct breast ptosis (sagging of the breast and nipple). Breast ptosis can result from aging, weight loss, and pregnancy. Dr. McFate is fully trained in the latest techniques of breast contouring to produce optimal results for his Austin area breast lift patients.

Dr. John McFate and the staff at Precision Plastic Surgery in Austin welcome any questions you may have about breast augmentation. Our plastic surgeon will help you determine which procedure is best for you and your body. You can contact us at our Precision Plastic Surgery office at (512) 270-8047, or you may request a free consultation with Dr. McFate online.

Be proud to show off your awesome beach body!

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: What's the Difference?

When researching which procedure you really need you might not know which direction to proceed. For example, patients often want to know what the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction is. Below we have outlined the two procedures and how they’re different.

Liposuction is a procedure commonly performed to remove excess fat. It’s the ideal procedure for removing fat from areas that you just haven’t been able to lose through diet and exercise. Liposuction is most commonly performed on the neck, abdomen and waist, back, hips, and the thighs. While liposuction removes the excess fat, it does not however, remove the excess skin. This is where a tummy tuck comes in.


A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin. Typically a patient who has gone through a major weight loss such as weight loss surgery or a pregnancy often has sagging skin. A tummy tuck removes any excess fat and sagging skin and then tightens the underlying abdominal muscles creating a more firm abdominal area.

Sometimes there are situations where a patient will want or need both procedures together. It’s a case by case situation in which a consultation would be required however liposuctions and tummy tucks are often performed at the same time.
To learn more about which procedure is best for you check out our liposuction page and our tummy tuck page. Both the liposuction and tummy tuck are part of our Mommy Make-Over Packages.

We have an on-site surgery suite that is accredited through the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facility. We also offer many discounts at local hotels for our out-of-state patients.

If you’re interested in getting a procedure, please contact us here at Precision to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. John McFate.

Check out our gallery for Tummy Tucks here: Tummy Tuck Gallery

Plastic Surgery: Not Just for Women

In the past few years there has been a huge boom in men’s cosmetic surgery. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, “the number of cosmetic procedures for men increased by more than 106% between 1997 and 2012”.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common plastic surgery procedures for men. One of the most common procedures is gynecomastia. The over-development of the male breast, also known as gynecomastia, can cause significant concerns and decreased self-confidence. Depending on the degree of the deformity, the male breast can have enlarged nipples or large excess hanging breast tissue similar to a female breast. Gynecomastia surgery removes this extra breast tissue.

The procedure to correct gynecomastia continues to grow in popularity with men due to its efficient and effective results. Dr. John McFate is experienced in the latest and various techniques to address each particular degree of gynecomastia.

Another common procedure for men is blepharoplasty(eyelid rejuvenation). This is a procedure that restores the upper eyelids to their younger appearance. The lower eyelids can also be rejuvenated by removing excess fat and tightening the skin.

Other common procedures include neck lifts, rhinoplasty(nose surgery) and liposuction. If you or anyone you know is thinking about getting any of these procedures please contact us to schedule a free consultation!
It’s important to remember plastic surgery is not just for women. Dr. McFate and his staff are ready to help anyone who would like to learn more about Precision Plastic Surgery and the numerous procedures we offer here in Austin.

Be Proud of Your New Body

It’s a new year and many people list weight loss as one of their resolutions. For some, the weight loss can be just a few pounds, but for others it can be a significant amount. When your body loses a significant amount of weight there can remain some cosmetic issues such as saggy breasts and loose skin that can shake your confidence.

There are several procedures Precision Plastic Surgery offers to help you complete your new look. The most common procedures associated with weight loss are: tummy tucks, liposuction, thigh lifts, breasts lifts, breast reductions, and brachioplasty.

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen thinner and more firm. During the procedure Dr. McFate removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tight then the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. See our tummy tuck gallery here.

Liposuction is another cosmetic surgery used for the removal of excess fat from under the skin by using suction. View our liposuction page here.

A thigh lift removes skin and fat from the thighs to tighten the skin and improve the contour of the legs. You can view our page here.

Brachioplasty is also referred to as an arm lift. It’s a procedure that reshapes the under portion of the upper arm from the underarm region to the elbow. Find more information on our arm lift surgery here.

Breast reductions and breast lifts are also common. Breast lifts raise and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new beast contour. Breast reductions can help reduce chronic back ache and neck ache. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, other benefits include “improving asthma – if you are a sufferer and balancing the size and shape of the breasts. If you had skin irritation, breathing problems or indentations caused by bra straps then these will disappear.”

You worked hard to lose that weight and Precision Plastic Surgery can help you be proud to show off your new body!

Precision always offers free consultations with Dr. John McFate. Please contact us to schedule your consultation or to get more information on any of our procedures.

You can Still Precisely Strategize for 2016

It seems like yesterday we were enjoying and enduring all that 2015 had to offer. Now, here we are in 2016 preparing for Valentine’s day and it will be summer before you can blink. If this feels familiar, you are probably not the only one, myself included. So, we have a choice…We can continue to let each year go by just as the year before or seize 2016 and make it our own.

I believe when one thing ends, a better one begins. At this point, 2016 is still considered a new year, and that means another chance to make that personal change you have thought of for a long time. My name is John McFate and I am thankful to have the opportunity to help our community, as a board certified plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, in many different ways through cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. More than ever, plastic surgery is an exciting and growing surgical specialty that is provided to our society with a wide range of options for meeting individual goals. Most importantly, with a board certified plastic surgeon, you can rest assured that your safety is paramount and that your surgeon underwent many years of training and successfully completed a difficult certification process.

Without a doubt, plastic surgery is different than any other medical specialty. By combining experience with traditional and innovative techniques, surgical precision, and artistic detail, virtually any area of the face or body can be evaluated and addressed for possible reshaping reforming, and rejuvenation. My team and I at Precision Plastic Surgery can help a mom charge into 2016 by getting back her pre-baby body with a mommy makeover procedure. Many specific options exist for men which continue to represent the fastest growing area of the plastic surgery population. There are a number of non-invasive and surgical procedures of the face, eyelids, and neck to help provide men and women with a natural rejuvenation for the new year.

By creating a plan now, you can prepare yourself to be recovered and fully ready for this summer. How do you make a Precise strategy for 2016? Here are some questions to consider:

• What are YOUR goals that will make 2016 your best yet?
• Is there a specific area of your body or face that is holding you back from accomplishing these goals?
• What are the options to improve the area that is preventing me from accomplishing my goals?
• Who do I trust and what are the credentials of the surgeon and team that will help me reach my goals?

We are proud to provide many of the surgical options mentioned above in our AAAASF certified surgical facility. Don’t sacrifice your safety or comfort for any plastic surgery procedure. The Precision Plastic Surgery team is here to help you look your best!   Feel free to check out our website at PrecisionofAustin.com or call 512-270-8047 for a complimentary consultation. The years go by faster than we realize. Seize the moment and don’t wait any longer to take action and change what you have always wanted to in 2016!

Is A Tummy Tuck Right For You? Get Your Confidence Back!

Abdominoplasty, also known as, a tummy tuck is a procedure that makes the abdomen flatter. The procedure not only removes any excess fat, but it also restores your abdominal muscles and improves your contour. For some people, the tummy tuck can also make any stretch marks go away that you have gotten either from being pregnant or from having more weight.

Pregnancies or excessive weight are two reasons why a tummy tuck is high in popularity among women. Many women who make the decision to have a tummy tuck feel refreshed and confident after they see the results of the tummy tuck. Women who may have lost confidence or they have lost their self-esteem, immediately have an improved sense of self after the procedure.

If you are having a hard time making a final decision, we want to provide you with the following information that we hope can help you come to a final decision.

·       It is a great procedure to have if you want to get rid of the belly fat after having a baby.

·       You should be in good health. You should not be a smoker if you want to have this procedure.

·       If you are at an ideal weight, you are a good candidate for this procedure. However, if you have not reached an ideal weight, you may want to wait until you reach that number. 

·       Your body should be healthy enough to handle having a procedure like a tummy tuck. 

After having a tummy tuck, you will become more encouraged and motivated to live a healthy lifestyle. You will be motivated to keep the excess skin off, and you will do what it takes to keep your new look. 

If you want to know if you would make an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck, do not hesitate to contact us today.