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Cosmetic Surgery of the Body

Dog Bites

Leesburg - Northern Virginia - Loudoun

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Animal bites are commonly treated by plastic surgeons especially if the bite affects the face or hands.  The severity of the injury depends on its cosmetic importance as well as its functional importance.  Many of these injuries are taken care of immediate in our office or in the emergency room.  Other injuries might be seen after a delay of days or years.  

Dog bites and other lacerations are usually partially covered by insurance.  The coverage will vary depending upon the severity and location of the injury.  Injuries to the lips, nerves, or muscles, for example, are charged more than lacerations to the skin and fat alone.  Most plastic surgeons, however, are not contracted with insurance companies; they are considered out-of-network.  You will need to contact your insurance company about your out-of-network benefits.  

Most lacerations can be adequately taken care of by an emergency room physician.  The problem that needs to be considered is whether you would accept an “adequate” repair of a laceration or bite to your face or the face of your child.  I know that when my daughter had a laceration to her face, I had the emergency room call in a plastic surgeon.  

  • Plastic surgeons are the specialists for reconstructive surgery of the face and body
  • Plastic surgeons are considered experts on producing the best possible cosmetic result
  • Plastic surgeons are considered experts on facial and body anatomy

 

Scar revision is viewed as a cosmetic procedure by most health insurance companies; they will therefore not cover the procedure.  Their thought process is that you can “live with” even the worst of scars; and that a scar is not a medical problem.

Our office may provide payment plans to help spread the cost of surgeries that aren’t covered by insurance.

Most simple lacerations can be treated in the office and immediately.  This might not be true in the evening or in small children who might benefit from sedation.  In those cases, you may be better served by going to the emergency room. 

 
  • Our office phone number is 703-729-5553
  • The INOVA hospital phone number is 703-858-6000 

The answer is yes for most people.  Most lacerations can wait a day or two to be closed.  Animal bites, however, should be cared for urgently in order to prevent infections.  You should, however, receive advice about the best course of action.  

 
Once the laceration is closed:

  • Keep the wound moist with scar ointment ( too moist is not good either )
  • Keep gentle continuous pressure with silicone sheeting or steristrips
  • Avoid direct sun exposure
  • Avoid excessive tension
  • 1-3 months:  the scar becomes progressively red and raised
  • 3-12 months:  the scar begins to flatten
  • 12-18 months:  the scar begins to whiten

It will take about a full year for your scar to heal to the best of its ability.  The repaired wound will actually look worse before it begins to look better.  

Wound healing begins with the proliferation of cellular fibroblasts clean the wound while producing new collagen.  During this proliferative phase, your wound becomes red and raised.  Over-proliferation of your fibroblasts can result in a scar that is overly red and raised.

After a few months, scar wound will enter a modulation phase in which the new collagen will begin to remold.  The thickness of the scar will soften and the redness of the scar will begin to lighten.

After about 12 to 18 months, the scar should become flat and white.

Recurrence of a raised, dark, or wide scar

Laceration repair or Scar revision will depend on the nature and length of the scar or wound as well as the type of revision. In general, laceration repairs on the face will start at $1,500 dollars

When done well, a scar revision will significantly enhance your physical appearance, so it is important to concentrate on having a skilled surgeon with years of training, like Dr. Chang, rather than a low price. To help make surgery affordable, Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center will help you find low-interest financing.

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Dog Bite Repair

Starts at $1500

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Dog Bites Surgery in Northern Virginia

Dr. Phillip Chang Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun VA

Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin. He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA. Dr. Chang is dedicated to providing high-quality service that concentrates on the unique needs and concerns of his patients. He believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Chang is thrilled to be serving the greater northwest area of Washington, D.C. with top cosmetic care that is dependable and trustworthy.

Interested in learning more about Dr. Chang? Click here.

We are based in Leesburg, VA. Located as part of the Lansdowne medical complex, you have access to our 24-7 state-of-the-art facility as well as access to Lansdowne hospital. We are based directly across the road from INOVA hospital. There is ample parking, elevators to bring you to our third floor offices, and welcoming staff to sign you in.

We are proud of our surgeries and cosmetic procedures and love that our patients are happy too. They like to shout it out on Google, Yell, Facebook, and right here on our website. Check out our reviews here.

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All potential patients receive either a phone, virtual, or in-consultation for free.

During the consultation we will discuss your treatment wishes and expectations. This is the time to ask us lots of questions to really understand what is involved, what the costs will be, and what is expected of you. This is also a great time to get to know Dr. Chang.

Aesthetica has received numerous awards from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, New Beauty, Best of Loudoun, Posh 7 Top Picks, and Dr. Chang is internationally known for his lectures and advances in precise surgical technique as demonstrated through his unique mini-facelift procedure.

We have three execeptionally talents cosmetic nurses:

  • Melanie Schwarz, RN, BSN
  • Katy Down, RN, BSN
  • Angela Westbrook, RN, BSN

Read more about us – we can’t wait to meet you!

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