|
 This page
offers a general overview of cosmetic surgery procedures.
For more in-depth information on these procedures, please
follow the links in the left column.
While this section
explores cosmetic surgical offerings, many
of these procedures may also fulfill true
medical needs. You should understand that the circumstances
and
experience of every individual will be unique.
• If you're considering cosmetic plastic surgery, please ask your plastic
surgeon for further information about the particular procedure and what you expect.
• In addition, please note that
all surgery carries some uncertainty and risk, including
the possibility of infection, bleeding, blood clots, and
adverse
reactions to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified
plastic surgeon and closely following his or her advice, both before and
after surgery.
_______________________
Facial Rejuvenation
_______________________
•Facelift
•Browlift
•Endoscopic Browlift
•Necklift
•Laser Skin Resurfacing
•Blepharoplasty (Eyelids)
•Otoplasty (Ears)
•Dermabrasion
•Chemical Peel
•Cheek & Chin Augmentation
•Botox
•Lip Enhancement
FACELIFT
(Rhytidectomy)
Procedure:
Improving sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck
skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping
skin. Most often done on men and women over
40.
Length:
Several hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient
stay.
Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness
of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent
need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing
skin is repositioned.
Risks:
Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling
(usually temporary but may be permanent). Infection,
bleeding. Poor healing;
excessive scarring.
Asymmetry or change in hairline.
Recovery:
Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity:
2 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit
exposure to sun for several
months.
Duration of Results:
Usually 5 to 10 years.
BROWLIFT
(Forehead lift)
Procedure:
Minimize forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding
over eyes, furrowed forehead and frown lines by removing
excess tissue, altering muscles and tightening the
forehead skin. May be done using the traditional technique, with an incision
across the top of the head just behind the hairline; or with the use of an
endoscope, which requires 3 to 5 short incisions. Most
often done on people over 40.
Length:
1 to 2 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary swelling, numbness, headaches, bruising. Traditional
method: Possible itching and hair loss.
Risks:
Injury to facial nerve, causing loss of motion,
muscle weakness, or asymmetrical look. Infection.
Broad
or excessive scarring.
Recovery:
Back to work: 7 to 10 days, usually sooner for
endoscopic forehead lift. More strenuous activity:
several weeks.
Full recovery from bruising: 2
to 3 weeks.
Limit sun exposure for several months.
Duration of Results:
Usually 5 to 10 years.
ENDOSCOPIC
BROWLIFT
(Forehead Lift)
Procedure:
Minimize forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding over
eyes, furrowed forehead and frown lines, altering muscles
and tightening the forehead skin. May be done using 3
to 5 short incisions in scalp and the endoscope.
Length:
1 to 2 hours
Anesthesia:
General
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient
Side Effects:
Temporary swelling, numbness, headaches, bruising.
Risks:
Injury to facial nerve, causing loss of motion, muscle
weakness, or asymmetrical look. Infection. Excessive
scarring.
Recovery:
Back to work: 7 to 10 days. More strenuous activity
6 weeks. Full recovery from bruising: 2 to 3 weeks.
Duration
of results:
Usually 5 to 10 years.
NECKLIFT
Procedure:
Improving sagging lower facial skin, jowls, and loose neck
skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping
skin. Most often done on men and women over 40.
Length:
Approx. 4 hours
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient
stay.
Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness
of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, possible
loss of
beard thickness.
Risks:
Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles
or feeling. Infection, bleeding. Poor healing;
excessive scarring.
Asymmetry or change in hairline.Recovery:
Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity:
6 weeks. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure
to sun
for several months.
Duration of Results:
Usually 5 to 10 years.
LASER FACIAL RESURFACING
Procedure:
Smooth the face and smooth fine wrinkles using a carbon
dioxide (CO2) laser device that treats layers of
damaged skin. Softens lines around the eyes and mouth
and
minimizes facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas.
Length:
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient, unless combined with other surgical
procedures that require hospitalization
Side Effects:
Temporary swelling, discomfort. Lightening of treated
skin. Acute sun sensitivity. Increased sensitivity
to makeup. Pinkness or redness in skin that may
persist for up to 6 months.
Risks:
Burns or injuries caused by laser heat. Scarring. Abnormal
changes in skin color. Flare-up of viral infections
("cold sores") and other infections
(rare).
Recovery:
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 4-6
weeks. Complete fading of redness: 6 months or less.
Return of pigmentation/light
sun exposure:
6-12 months.
Duration of Results:
Long-lasting, but does not stop aging. New wrinkles,
expression lines may form as skin ages.
EYELID SURGERY
(Blepharoplasty)
Procedure:
Correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the
eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. (Upper-eyelid
surgery may be covered by insurance if used
to correct visual field defects)
Length:
1 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia:
Usually locally with sedation or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary discomfort, tightness of lids, swelling, bruising.
Temporary dryness, burning, itching of eyes. Excessive
tearing, sensitivity to light for first
few weeks.
Risks:
Temporary blurred or double vision. Infection, bleeding.
Swelling at the corners of the eyelids. Dry eyes. Formation
of whiteheads. Slight
asymmetry
in healing
or scarring. Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent).
Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery). Blindness
(extremely
rare).
Recovery:
Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to 10 days. Contact
lenses: two weeks or more. Strenuous activities, alcohol:
about 3 weeks.
Bruising
and swelling
gone:
several weeks.
Duration of Results:
Several years. Sometimes permanent.
EAR SURGERY
(Otoplasty)
Procedure:
Set prominent ears back closer to the head, or reduce
the size of large ears. Most often done on children
between the ages of 4 and 14 years. (Occasionally
covered by insurance.)
Length:
2 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia:
Young children: usually general. Older children or adults:
general or local, with sedation.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness, numbness.
Risks:
Infection of cartilage. Excessive scarring. Blood clot
that may need to be drained. Mismatched or artificial-
looking ears. Recurrence of the protrusion,
requiring
repeat surgery.
Recovery:
Back to work or school: 5 to 7 days.
Strenuous activity, contact sports: 1 to 2 months.
Duration
of Results:
Usually permanent.
DERMABRASION
Procedure:
Mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a
high-speed rotary wheel. Softens sharp edges of surface
irregularities, including acne and other scars
and fine wrinkles, especially around the mouth.
Length:
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia:
Local, numbing spray, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary tingling, burning, itching, swelling, redness.
Lightening of treated skin. Acute sensitivity to
sun; loss of ability to make pigment (tan).
Risks:
Abnormal color changes (permanent). Tiny whiteheads
(temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of
skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores.
Recovery:
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities:
4 to 6 weeks. Fading of redness: about 3 months.
Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12
months.
Duration of Results:
Permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages.
CHEMICAL
PEEL
(Phenol and trichloroacetic acid [TCA])
Procedure:
Restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin,
using a chemical solution to peel away skin's top layers. Works best on fair,
thin skin with superficial wrinkles.
Length:
1 to 2 hours for full face.
Anesthesia:
None; sedation & EKG monitoring may be used.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Full-face phenol peel may require admission for 1 to 2
days.
Side Effects:
Both: Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness; acute sensitivity to
sun. Phenol: Permanent lightening of treated skin; permanent loss of ability
to tan.
Risks:
Both: Tiny whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies,
fever blisters, cold sores. Phenol: Abnormal color changes (permanent); heart
irregularities (rare).
Recovery:
Phenol: Formation of new skin: 7 to 21 days. Normal activities: 2 to 4 weeks.
Full healing and fading of redness: 3 to 6 months TCA: New skin within 5
to 10 days.
Duration of Results:
Phenol: permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages. TCA: variable
(temporary).
CHEEK AND CHIN AUGMENTATION
(Facial Implants)
Procedure:
Change the basic shape and balance of the face using carefully shaped implants
to build up a receding chin, add prominence to cheekbones, or reshape the jawline.
Length:
30 minutes to 2 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Occasionally overnight hospital stay.
Side
Effects:
Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness
and/or stiffness. In jaw surgery, inability to open
mouth
fully for several weeks.
Risks:
Shifting or imprecise positioning of implant, or
infection around it, requiring a second operation
or removal.
Excess tightening and hardening of scar tissue
around an artificial implant ("capsular contracture"),
causing unnatural shape.
Recovery:
Back to work: about 1 week. Normal appearance: 2 to 4
weeks. Activity that could jar or bump face: 6 weeks
or more.
Duration of Results:
Permanent.
BOTOX
Procedure:
Reduce the wrinkles in forehead and eye region by temporary
paralysis of underlying muscles.
Length:
15 minutes.
Anesthesia:
None required.
In/Outpatient:
Outpatient office procedure.
Side Effects:
Minor temporary discomfort, swelling, redness.
Risks:
Temporary lid droop. Incomplete paralysis of muscles.
Recovery:
15 minutes to few hours.
Duration of Results:
3 to 6 months.
LIP ENHANCEMENT
Procedure:
Enhance to size and shape of the lips with temporary or
permanent materials.
Length:
1 to 2 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local or local with sedation.
In/Outpatient:
Outpatient office procedure.
Side Effects:
Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness.
Risks:
Infection, bleeding, irregular contour of lips. Partial
loss of initial result after several months.
Recovery:
Back to work: about 1 week. Normal appearance:
about 2 weeks. Strenuous activity: about 2
weeks.
Duration of Results:
Several months to permanent.
_______________________
Breast Surgery
_______________________
•Augmentation (Implants)
•Reconstruction after Mastectomy
•Breast Reduction
•Mastopexy (Lift)
•Gynecomastia
•Congenital Deformity
BREAST
ENLARGEMENT
(Augmentation Mammaplasty)
Procedure:
Enhance the size of breasts using inflatable implants filled with saline.
Length:
1 to 2 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary soreness, swelling, change in nipple sensation, bruising. Breast
sensitive to stimulation for a few weeks.
Risks:
Lack of implant permanence -- surgical removal or replacement of the implants
may be required to treat problems, including: deflation; the formation of
scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture), which may cause the
breast to feel tight or hard; bleeding or infection. Increase or decrease
in sensitivity of nipples or breast skin, occasionally permanent. Mammography
requires a special technique. (Note: Some women have reported symptoms similar
to those of immune disorders. Ask your doctor about these and other FDA concerns.)
Recovery:
Back to work: a few days. Physical contact with breasts:
3 to 4 weeks. Fading of scars: several months to a
year or more.
Duration of Results:
Variable. Implants may require removal or replacement.
RECONSTRUCTION AFTER MASTECTOMY
Please refer to above ASPS website link.
BREAST REDUCTION
Procedure:
Reduce the size and weight of breast. Improve the appearance
of breast by lifting and reshaping.
Length:
Approx. 3 hours.
Anesthesia:
General.
In/Outpatient:
Can be inpatient or outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temprorary bruising, swelling, discomfort, numbness,
dry skin, permanent scars.
Risks:
Thick, wide scars; skin loss; infection, bleeding.
Breast asymmetry. Permanent loss of feeling in
nipples or breast.
Recovery:
Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. Strenuous activities:
2 to 4 weeks. Fading of scars: several months
to a year.
Duration of Results:
Usually permanent, but changes in weight, pregnancy
may result in breast enlargement.
BREAST LIFT
(Mastopexy)
Procedure:
Raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning
remaining tissue and nipples.
Length:
1 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Sometimes inpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, discomfort, numbness, dry breast skin. Permanent
scars.
Risks:
Thick, wide scars; skin loss; infection. Unevenly positioned nipples. Permanent
loss of feeling in nipples or breast.
Recovery:
Back to work: 1 week or more. Strenuous activities: 1 month. Fading of scars:
several months to a year.
Duration of Results:
Variable; gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight changes may cause new sagging.
Results may last longer or be enhanced when breast implants are inserted
as part of the procedure.
GYNECOMASTIA
Procedure:
Reduce the size of the male breast.
Length:
Approx. 2 hours.
Anesthesia:
Local with sedation or general.
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, discomfort, numbness, scarring.
Risks:
Bleeding, infection, fluid collection, scarring, changes
in skin and nipple sensation. Possible recurrence.
Recovery:
Return to work: usually 1 week. Strenuous activities:
usually 2 weeks.
Duration of results:
Usually permanent but can be affected by weight
gain or other medications, medical problems,
or habits.
CONGENITAL DEFORMITY
Please refer to above ASPS website link.
_______________________
Body Contouring
_______________________
•Liposuction
•Abdominoplasty
•Thigh Lift
•Lower Body Lift
LIPOSUCTION
(Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
Procedure:
Improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat
deposits with a tube and vacuum device. Can be performed
using the tumescent technique, in which targeted
fat cells are infused with saline containing solution with a local anesthetic
before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. Common
locations for liposuction include chin, cheeks, neck,
upper arms, above breasts, abdomen,
buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles.
For larger volumes of fat or for fibrous body areas, ultrasound-assisted
lipoplasty (UAL) may be used. UAL is a new technique in which a ultrasound
probe is inserted
beneath the skin to "liquify" the fat before it is suctioned.
Length:
1 to 2 hours or more. UAL: 20-40 percent longer than
traditional liposuction.
Anesthesia:
Local, epidural, or general
In/Outpatient:
Usually outpatient. Extensive procedures may require
short inpatient stay.
Side Effects:
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning
sensation. Tumescent: Temporary fluid drainage from
incision sites. UAL: Larger incisions for cannula.
Risks:
Asymmetry. Rippling or bagginess of skin. Pigmentation
changes. Skin injury. Fluid retention. Excessive
fluid loss leading to shock. Infection. UAL:
thermal burn injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound device.
Recovery:
Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activity:
2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising:
1 to 6 months or more.
Use of tumescent
technique
or UAL may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling.
Duration
of Results:
Permanent, with sensible diet and exercise.
ABDOMINOPLASTY
(Tummy Tuck)
Procedure:
Flatten abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening
muscles of abdominal wall.
Length:
2 to 5 hours.
Anesthesia:
General, or local with sedation.
In/Outpatient:
Either depending on individual circumstances and extent
of surgery.
Side Effects:
Temporary pain. Swelling, soreness, numbness
of abdominal skin, bruising, tiredness for
several weeks or months.
Risks:
Blood clots. Infection. Bleeding under the
skin flap. Poor healing resulting in conspicuous
scarring
or
skin loss. Need for a second operation.
Recovery:
Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks. More strenuous
activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading
and flattening of
scars: 3 months to 2 years.
THIGH LIFT
Procedure:
Improve the shape and contour of the outer or inner thigh
with liposuction, and removal of excess skin and fat.
Length:
3 to 4 hours.
Anesthesia:
General.
In/Outpatient:
In or outpatient.
Side Effects:
Temporary pain, swelling, bruising, numbness of thigh
skin
Risks:
Infection, bleeding, fluid collection. Poor healing
or unsightly scars. Contour irregularities.
Recovery:
Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks. Strenuous activities:
6 to 8 weeks.
Duration of Results:
Usually permanent but can be affected by weight
changes, time and gravity.
LOWER BODY LIFT
Procedure:
Improve the shape of the abdomen, outer thigh, inner thigh,
and buttock by removal of excess skin and fat.
Length:
Approx. 6 hours.
Anesthesia:
General.
In/Outpatient:
Usually inpatient 1 to 2 days.
Side Effects:
Temporary pain, swelling, bruising, numbness, permanent
scars, prolonged tiredness.
Risks:
Bleeding, infection, fluid collection, delayed
wound healing, unsightly scars, blood clots,
secondary surgery.
Recovery:
Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks. Strenuous activities: 6 to
8 weeks.
Duration of results:
Usually permanent but can vary with weight changes, time,
and gravity.
_______________________
Trauma Repair
_______________________
•Facial Lacerations & Fractures
•Burns
•Scar Revision
•Soft Tissue Injury
FACIAL LACERATIONS & FRACTURES
BURNS
SCAR REVISION
SOFT TISSUE INJURY
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