One question that always makes me smile is “Doctor Yager, when is the best time of year to do the surgery for healing?” Some patients feel when it is hot outside, they are more likely to get infections (not true), and some feel when it is cold, the healing process is slower (also not true). So what is the answer?

Healing and infection rates are virtually the same every month of the year. In some tropical countries, infection rates are higher, but it cannot be definitively linked to the outside temperature. It is usually due to sterilization techniques and the facilities in which the procedures are done.

I tell patients that I operate 12 months out of the year, and there is no difference in the complication rates . It is about finding a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a Board Certified Anesthesiologist operating in a Certified Surgery Center or Hospital with the experience and talent to deliver the results you want.

The best time of year is when you can get the proper time to recover in a restful and stress free environment. If you work, it is when you can take the true amount of time off. If you have small children, it is when you have the help you need in the house so someone can take care of them, or when you can send them to a relative’s house. For teachers, it is the summer. For outdoor professions, it is the winter.
I love operating all year long, and am grateful for the opportunity to do so. Pick the time that is best for you, and I will always do my best.