Cosmetic Surgery

The art of looking your best
Your face projects an image to others about who you are and what you think and feel. But just as a great work of art eventually shows signs of wear and tear from time, so your facial features also undergo gradual changes. These changes – due to the aging process, your lifestyle and heredity – can give others a false impression of who you really are.

Facial cosmetic surgery can restore your image by smoothing the texture of your skin and reshaping the underlying facial tissues.

A facelift restores a more youthful look.
Eyelid surgery creates a bright, rejuvenated appearance.
A forehead lift smoothes a wrinkled brow.
Facial implants and nasal surgery balance facial features.
Chemical peels and dermabrasion remove fine-line wrinkles and blemishes.
Collagen injections and lipoinjection raise deep folds and depression.

Think about your expectations
The first step in considering facial cosmetic surgery is to take some time to think about why you want surgery and what you expect it to do for you. Understanding your expectations will help both you and your surgeon determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for facial cosmetic surgery.

Do you want facial cosmetic surgery to please yourself rather than to please someone else, such as a spouse or friend?
Do you have realistic expectations of what facial cosmetic surgery can do for you?
Do you have an appropriate idea of which features could be enhanced by surgery?
Do you have the support of close family member or friends?
Are you in good physical health? If you have any medical conditions, are they stable?
Are you prepared to wait up to several months to see the final results of surgery?

Your physician will discuss these and additional questions or concerns with you during your consultation.

Your consultation
The consultation with your surgeon is a time for you to meet each other, talk about your reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery, and choose together the surgical procedure that would best enhance your face. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and gather all the information you need to decide whether plastic surgery is for you.

Your evaluation
Because each person’s face is unique and requires an individualized approach to rejuvenation, your surgeon devotes time to learning about you and your face. Your surgeon will ask questions about why you want surgery, assess your general health and perform a facial examination. If you choose to have surgery after your consultation, your surgeon will take photographs to plan the surgery. To be sure you’re in the best health before surgery, the surgeon may request additional tests or examinations by your medical doctor or specialists.

Making your decision
Your surgeon will discuss possible risks and complications associated with your surgery and your role in helping make the surgery a success. As with any surgical procedure, common complications include bleeding, nerve damage and infection. Ask you surgeon if you have any questions about these or other risks. Once you clearly understand the possible risks and complications of your surgery and what you can realistically expect, you can then make an intelligent and informed decision.

Preoperative instructions
Your specific preoperative instructions depend on the type of surgery you will be having. To reduce bleeding and bruising, your surgeon will ask you to stop taking aspirin or aspirin-containing medications, and may ask you to stop taking vitamin E. Your surgeon may ask you to stop smoking two weeks before surgery, since smoking reduces blood flow needed for healing tissues. Your surgeon also may ask you to begin washing your face and hair with a germicidal soap a few days before the surgery to kill germs and bacteria.

Preparation for surgery
Your surgery may take place in a hospital, a surgical center or in the surgeon’s office. The surgeon will mark where the incisions will be. You will be given a light sedative to help you relax and minimize discomfort, and either local or general anesthesia, depending on your procedure and your surgeon’s recommendation. If you have local anesthesia, you’ll be aware but you will not feel discomfort. If you’re given a general anesthesia you will be completely “asleep” and unaware of the procedure.

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Facelift

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is the best-known facial cosmetic surgery. More than simply tightening loose skin, a facelift can transform sagging, tired-looking cheeks, jowls and neck into a face with more youthful, rested appearance. During surgery, skin and underlying tissues are lifted and repositioned. Excess skin and fat are often done along with other cosmetic procedures.

The procedure: Incisions are made on each side of the face and head are placed within the hairline and natural creases. Skin and tissue are pulled up toward their original, more youthful positions. Excess skin is removed. Fat may be removed by liposuction or excision. An incision may be make under the chin to remove excess fat or tighten sagging muscles. The face is lightly bandaged after the tissues are re-draped and sutured.

Recovery: Your surgeon will give you specific instructions for after-surgery care and will schedule regular follow-up appointments. After you return home, plan to spend a few days resting and relaxing and avoid any strenuous activity. Remember that the healing process takes time. Swelling and bruising may be present for several weeks, and it may take several months to see your final results. Your patience and attention to self-care will help the healing process.

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Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a common facial cosmetic surgical procedure for both men and women. This procedure can restore a bright, more youthful, and less tired appearance and can even correct obstructed vision by removing excess skin, fat and muscle from your upper and lower eyelids. Though eyelid surgery can achieve effective results by itself, it is frequently done with a facelift or other cosmetic procedure.

The procedure: Incisions made in the upper and lower eyelids are placed in natural creases and lines. Excess fat, muscle and skin is repositioned and sutured. The combination of fine skin surrounding the eyes and precise suturing usually means that eyelid scars will be faint after healing.

Recovery: Your surgeon will give you specific instructions for after-surgery care and will schedule regular follow-up appointments. For the first few days after surgery, you’ll apply ice to reduce swelling, ointment to prevent infection and keep the suture lines clean. You can usually begin to wear contacts and make-up within a week, making sure to keep makeup away from your suture lines. Your surgeon may recommend that you wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from sun and wind during recovery.

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Forehead Lift

A forehead lift can create a younger, friendlier appearance by reducing furrows and frown lines and raising your drooping eyebrows. Your skin and underlying tissues are lifted, smoothed and repositioned. People with receding hairlines or high foreheads may not be suitable candidates, or may choose to have a modification of the standard forehead lift.

The procedure: Usually, an incision is placed within the hairline and runs across the top of the forehead. The forehead and brows are raised to their original position and the muscles responsible for furrows and frown lines are weakened or divided. Your head may be slightly bandaged after skin is repositioned and sutured.

Recovery: Your surgeon will give you specific instructions for after-surgery care and will schedule regular follow-up appointments. Swelling and bruising usually subside within a week, though eyebrow motion may remain limited for several weeks or longer.

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Facial implants and nasal surgery

The three most pronounced landmarks on your face are your cheekbones, chin and nose. If one of these features is too large or too small, your face may appear unbalanced. Facial cosmetic surgery may restore your facial harmony by changing the shape or size of your cheekbones, chin or nose. This refined, more balance profile is intended to last permanently.

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Cheek Implant

Cheek implants (malar augmentation) can improve facial harmony by giving greater definition to the cheekbones, achieving better balance with the rest of your face. Incisions are made below the eyes or inside the mouth. Implants are placed in a pocket between the cheekbones and overlying soft tissues.

Recovery: After surgery, you’ll see a difference in your appearance immediately, though swelling and bruising around your cheeks may take a few weeks to subside.

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Chin Implant

A chin implant (mentoplasty) can create a more pleasing profile by strengthening a weak, receding chin, thus creating a better balance with the rest of your face. An incision is made under the chin or inside the mouth. The implant is placed in a pocket between the bone and overlying soft tissues.

Recovery: For a few days, your chin may be sore and you may have a temporary decrease in movement and feelings in your lips. Swelling usually subsides in a few weeks.

Nasal Surgery

Nasal surgery (rhinoplasty) can improve the shape or size of your nose by raising or refining the tip, removing the hump or narrowing the bridge. Incisions are usually made inside the nose. Excess bone and cartilage are removed and the nose is reshaped.

Recovery: You may have bruising and oily skin for a few weeks. Swelling will gradually reduce over several months. It may take up to a year to see your final results.