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Plastic Surgery

Many people have, at some point in their life, considered some type of plastic surgery. Whether it be to correct a birth defect that they just don’t want to have anymore or whether its just because they want to look different, the range of options available are staggering. Below are just some of the most common and frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures:

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. Abdominoplasty also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall and can dramatically reduce the appearance of a stuck out stomach.

The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal, but loss of skin elasticity in older patients can also be improved using Abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but before you decide to have surgery, think about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. Thousands of Abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year and the results are generally positive.

There are always risks associated with any surgery and Abdominoplasty is no different, however you can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery. If you have any worries regarding Abdominoplasty your surgeon will always be glad to answer them.

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. At this point be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs, as this may be important information.

You and your surgeon will discuss the best options for you as there are various forms of Abdominoplasty:

Partial Abdominoplasty: If your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a Partial Abdominoplasty, (mini-tummy tuck), which can often be performed on an outpatient basis.

Complete Abdominoplasty: Complete Abdominoplasty is done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications. If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery.

Many surgeons perform both partial and complete Abdominoplasties in an outpatient surgical center or an office-based facility. Your doctor may select general anesthesia or local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. The options will be discussed before the surgery.

During the procedure the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, then make a second incision to free the navel from surrounding tissue. Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. Pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position tighten these muscles and provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrower waistline.

The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

After surgery your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're may feel some temporary pain and discomfort. The extent of the surgery will determine how long you stay in hospital, however you could go home as early as two hours after the operation and some people can return to work after two weeks.

Exercise will help you heal better as it can reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles.

Abdominoplasty produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin, with the results that are long lasting in most cases.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons that can include:

By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes.

Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, make you look the way you’ve always wanted to or just ive you a better all round appearance.

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, but not perfection.

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or Saline: a salt-water solution. Because of concerns that there is insufficient information on the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants they are available only to women participating in approved studies.

Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward, but as with any operation, there are some risks associated with surgery and although rare complications can arise your plastic surgeon will be more than happy to address any fears that you may have. However there is no evidence that breast implants will affect fertility, pregnancy, or your ability to nurse a child.

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you, based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone.

Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia to be used in the operation as some prefer general as opposed to local anesthetic.

Your surgeon may prefer to perform the operation in an office facility, a freestanding surgery center, or a hospital outpatient facility but this will be disused with you.

The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.

Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). The implants are then centered beneath your nipples. Surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete and normally people are able to return to work within a few days.

For many women, the result of breast augmentation can be satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance. The important thing to remember though about breast augmentation is how you feel about it. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.

Over the years many factors can affect the shape of a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. A Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple

A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, giving you a more assured look. But before you decide to have surgery, think about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

The best results with Mastopexy are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts, however breasts of any size can be lifted. However, if you're planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift until afterwards.

A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it's normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. If you are worried about any part of the procedure it is always a good idea to seek your surgeons opinions and advice beforehand.

In your initial consultation the surgeon will examine your breasts and measure them while you're sitting or standing. He or she will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure and whether an implant is advisable. Your surgeon will also describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations

Your breast lift may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center, or a surgeon's office-based facility and breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases the surgeon may use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy.

Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours to complete and techniques vary. The most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. This incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast.

After surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over dressings. Your breasts may be uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon.

Within a few days, a soft support bra will replace the bandages or surgical bra and this is worn for three to four weeks. The healing from breast lift surgery is a gradual process, although most women are able to return to work after a week or so.

If you become pregnant after a breast life, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.

As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of a multitude of factors the underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin to break down, often leaving un attractive facial creases.

Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly collagen or fat, can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.

When injected beneath the skin, collagen plumps up creased and sunken areas of the face, also adding fullness to the lips and cheeks

Injected collagen and fat are primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin's texture, helping to fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and skin depressions. It must be pointed out though that this technique may not be acceptable for all type of appearance problems and the results are not permanent.

Allergic reaction is the primary risk associated with collagen injections,, however reactions are rare. To help determine if you are allergic to the substance, your surgeon will perform an allergy skin test about a month before the procedure.

In your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your face, which will include the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone. From this evaluation you and the surgeon will discuss your goals for the surgery. Your surgeon will ask you about your medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that could cause problems.

Collagen injections are generally not recommended for pregnant women and individuals who are allergic to beef or bovine products, patients who suffer from autoimmune diseases, and those who are allergic to lidocaine (the anesthetic agent contained in the syringe with the collagen material).

Injectables are usually administered in a surgeon's office-based facility and because the anesthetic agent lidocaine is mixed in with collagen, additional anesthetic is usually not used. However, if you are having Fat injections both the donor and recipient sites are numbed with local anesthesia.

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body. Injectable collagen is produced in various thicknesses to meet individual patient needs and is used primarily to fill wrinkles, lines and scars on the face and sometimes the neck, back and chest.

During treatment collagen is injected using a fine needle inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment site. Immediately following treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort but it is usually minor. No bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink etc shortly after the procedure.

Fat-injection is known as autologous fat transplantation or micro-lipoinjection and involves extracting fat cells from the patient's abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and re-injecting them beneath the facial skin.

Fat is most often used to fill in sunken cheeks or laugh lines between the nose and mouth, to correct skin depressions or indentations, to minimize forehead wrinkles and to enhance the lips.

After both the donor (area where fat is taken from) and recipient sites are cleansed and treated with a local anesthesia, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe with a large needle attached to a suction device. The fat is then prepared and injected into the recipient site with a needle.

After treatment you may be advised to curtail your activity for a brief time. However, many patients are able to resume normal activity immediately.

Most patients are very satisfied with the results of Injectable treatments. You may be surprised at the pleasing results that can be gained from this procedure.

Ear surgery, or Otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Normally the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14, however ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older person.

When a qualified, experienced surgeon performs ear surgery, complications are infrequent and usually minor, however risks associated with any surgery and a surgeon can answer any questions that you may have.

In an initial meeting, your surgeon will evaluate your patients condition and recommend the most effective technique. He or she will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital, a doctor's office-based surgical facility, or a freestanding surgery center and normally performed under general anesthesia in young patients and local anesthesia, combined with a sedative for adults.

Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem, but normally the surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time.

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, if local anesthesia is used. Immediately following surgery the ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication. Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery.

Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes.

Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence and most people who have this type of surgery are 35 or older. Generally suitable for everyone, people with thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, should consutl a doctor first before having surgery.

When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor such as blurred vision for a few days.

The initial consultation with your surgeon is very important. The surgeon will need your complete medical history and be sure to inform your surgeon if you have any allergies; if you're taking any vitamins, medications (prescription or over-the-counter), or other drugs; and if you smoke.

In the first consultation, your surgeon will test your vision, assess your tear production and discuss your goals and expectations for the surgery. Your surgeon will also explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Eyelid surgery may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital under local anesthesia. You'll be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain.

Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. In a typical procedure, the surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

After surgery, the surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.

You should be able to read or watch television two or three days after the procedure. However, you won't be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks. Most people feel ready to go back to work within a week to 10 days.

Healing is a gradual process with Eyelid surgery, and your scars may remain slightly pink for a time being, however eventually they will fade.

Eyelid surgery makes you look more alert and youthful and the effect will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.

A facelift (technically known as Rhytidectomy) can't stop this aging process, but it can set the clock back a few notches; improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles.

A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self- confidence in the process. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor and you can reduce your risks further by closely following your surgeon's advice both before and after surgery.

Facelifts are very individualized procedures and are based on the evaluations of your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and your goals.

Before having a facelift the surgeon will explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use: normally local anesthesia.

A facelift may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize patients for a day when using general anesthesia.

Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery, and may also require a short inpatient stay.

A facelift usually takes several hours and for extensive procedures, some surgeons may schedule two separate sessions.

Every surgeon approaches the procedure in his or her own way so the exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depend on your facial structure and your surgeon's technique.

Incisions usually begin above the hairline, extend in a natural line in front of the ear and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. After the incisions the surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. The surgeon then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess.

There isn't usually significant discomfort after surgery and in a few weeks you'll be looking normal again. The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your facelift, especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. The effects are long lasting and years later you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had a facelift at all.

A forehead lift, also known as a Browlift, is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. The procedure corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.

In a forehead lift, the muscles and tissues that cause the furrowing or drooping are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines.

Your surgeon may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden just behind the hairline; or it may be performed with the use of an endoscope, a viewing instrument that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. Both techniques yield similar results: a smoother forehead skin and a more animated appearance.

A forehead lift is most commonly performed in the 40-60 age range to minimize the visible effects of aging. However, it can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity.

Patients who are bald, who have a receding hairline, or who have had previous upper-eyelid surgery may still be good candidates for forehead lift.

A forehead lift is usually done in a surgeon's office-based facility or an outpatient surgery center. However, it is occasionally done in the hospital. Most forehead lifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the entire operation.

Your surgeon will help you decide which surgical approach will best achieve your cosmetic goals: the classic or "open" method, or the endoscopic forehead lift. Both are explained briefly below:

Before the operation begins, your hair will be tied with rubber bands on either side of the incision line. Your head will not be shaved, but hair that is growing directly in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed.

For most patients, a coronal incision will be used. It follows pattern starting at about ear level and running across the top of the forehead and down the other side of the head. The incision is usually made well behind the hairline so that the scar won't be visible. Working through the incision, the skin of the forehead is carefully lifted so that the underlying tissue can be removed and the muscles of the forehead can be altered or released. The incision is then closed with stitches or clips.

Typically, an endoscopic forehead lift requires the same preparation steps as the traditional procedure however, rather than making one long coronal incision, your surgeon will make three, four or five short scalp incisions.

An endoscope, which is a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor, is inserted through one of the incisions, allowing the surgeon to have a clear view of the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. The forehead skin is then lifted and the muscles and underlying tissues are removed or altered to produce a smoother appearance. When the lift is complete, the scalp incisions will be closed with stitches or clips and the area will be washed. Gauze and an elastic bandage may also be used, depending on your surgeon's preference.

The immediate post-operative experience for a patient who has had a classic forehead lift may differ significantly from a patient who had the procedure performed endosmotically, however your surgeon would have explained these in your initial consultation.

Normally people are up and about in a day or two and most patients are back to work or school in a week to10 days.

Most patients are pleased with the results of a forehead lift, no matter which surgical method was used. Often, patients don't realize how much their sagging forehead contributed to the signs of aging until they see how much younger and more rested they appear after the lift.

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Although liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

Although anyone can have liposuction the best results occur in younger patients as older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin. However if you are elderly and wish to have liposuction consult your surgeon for their opinion.

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. Your surgeon will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you.

Your surgeon's education and training have helped to form his or her surgical judgment, so take the time to do some background checking. Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic

Liposuction may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, in an outpatient surgery center, or in a hospital. Smaller-volume liposuction is usually done on an outpatient basis for reasons of cost and convenience. However, if a large volume of fat will be removed, or if the liposuction is being performed in conjunction with other procedures, a stay in a hospital or overnight nursing facility may be required.

Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. Together, you and your surgeon will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery.

The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to re-contour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. A vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon’s preference, provides the suction action

The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced, including:

Liposuction is normally a safe procedure, however your doctor must have advanced surgical skills to perform procedures that involve the removal of a large amount of fat.

After surgery it may take you a while to look and feel yourself again, however any pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.

Eventually you will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery and you will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery, however the improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks.

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems, enhancing your appearance and your self-confidence.

The best candidates for Rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. Although age may also be a consideration, it is not a real problem and you should discus this with your surgeon if you have any worries.

In your initial consultation with a surgeon they will look at your nose to evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss the possibilities with you. He or she will also explain the factors that can influence the procedure and the results. At this point it is important to tell your surgeon if you've had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago.

Rhinoplasty may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis and Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and on what you and your surgeon prefer.

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred technique. Finally, the skin is re-draped over the new framework.

Many plastic surgeons perform Rhinoplasty from within the nose, making their incision inside the nostrils. Others prefer a more open procedure, especially in more complicated cases; they make a small incision across the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils called the columella.

When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.

After surgery your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.

Most Rhinoplasty patients feel a lot better two days after the procedure, and are able to return to school or work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you're entirely back to how you were before. Within a week or two, you'll no longer look as if you've just had surgery, although the final results of Rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.

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