In the medical world, the fat-injection procedure is known as autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. It involves extracting fat cells from the patient’s abdomen, thighs, buttocks or elsewhere and reinjecting 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.
Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
The ThreadLift™ is a non-surgical facelift procedure. ThreadLift™ candidates include all those individuals with aging signs of the face, including droopiness of the skin of the brow, cheeks, jowls and neck. Patients whose faces are very heavy or very thin are not ideal candidates.
The ThreadLift™ is a minimally invasive office procedure performed under local anesthetic that is designed to elevate, reposition and lift lax skin of the brow, face and neck without surgery. It is a combination of several “thread” techniques (Aptos, Featherlift, looplift, Wofflelift) that have been used throughout Europe in the past decade to achieve maximum aesthetic effects with minimal recovery. The ThreadLift™ employs non-surgical “cogged” threads and sutures that have been used for decades in cardiac, abdominal, neuro and plastic surgery. The ThreadLift™ works by having these tiny threads inserted painlessly under the skin. These fine threads are similar to those that would be used to support the deep structures of your face if you were to receive a real surgical facelift. Using local anesthetic, the threads are passed into the droopy facial element with a special guide needle. The threads are then able to grab on to the droopy soft-tissue and muscle of the desired area. The ThreadLift™ is done without general anesthesia, a knife, scars or significant recovery. Most patients experience minimal bruising or swelling for 1-7 days. The ThreadLift™ is not painful and most patients can return to normal activities with makeup the next day. The threads stay where they are inserted and, like all internal sutures, are generally well tolerated by the body. The threads and their effects are removable, reliable, and reversible.
Liposuction is one of the most frequently performed procedures. Localized fat pockets, resistant to exercise and diet, can be eliminated. The areas of the body of such accumulated fat pockets often include the hips, thighs, abdomen, neck , arms, and breasts. The best candidates are near normal weight people with elastic skin who desire an improved contour change. This procedure is usually performed under general or local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The incisions are placed in specific areas to provide the optimal contouring and aesthetic result. A fitted compression garment will be worn for about 3 to 4 weeks. Activity may be resumed in about 3 weeks and the final results will be apparent in about 3 months.
When performing breast augmentation surgery by itself, it takes great skill to place an implant correctly and achieve wonderful results. Similarly, it takes great skill to appropriately carry out a breast lift procedure by itself and re-establish a youthful looking breast. However, both of these operations have certain, relatively low levels of unpredictability when they are carried out by themselves. Unpredictability in plastic surgery originates from multiple factors, such as, individual wound healing factors, age, hormones and techniques used. When breast lifts are combined with implant placement the variables that contribute to unpredictability are multiplied several fold. Increased unpredictability sometimes makes it more difficult to achieve good results.
Cheek implants are inserted through small incisions on the inside of the upper lip, which heal in approximately one week. A relatively minor procedure, cheek implants may be placed using only local anesthesia or with deeper sedation for patient comfort. Most implants are constructed from solid silicone, which adheres to the underlying bone and is very difficult to feel. While rare, complications may include infection or displacement of the implant requiring removal or repositioning. Over the years the art and science of facial contouring with cheek implants has evolved significantly, and there are many different styles and shapes to choose from. A successful outcome requires choosing the right size and shape of implant, and then placing that implant in the right location.
There are many reasons for undergoing a breast lift. Reasons include, having breasts that lack substance or firmness; having breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory size; having nipples and areolas that point downwards, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease; or having loss of elasticity, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding affect the shape and firmness of the breasts.
When looking to perform a rhinoplasty, realistic expectations from the patient’s perspective are very important. The goal of rhinoplasty is to reshape and sculpt a new nose that fits harmoniously with the face and fits into the facial balance for each individual patient. Every nose job is different. There is no one perfect nose.
It is important to have realistic goals and expectations regarding the outcome of the surgery. It is also important to consider why you want to have nose surgery. The goal is to improve the nose aesthetically to better balance with the other facial features; sometimes breathing is improved at the same time. Rhinoplasty is performed by making small incisions on the inside of the nose. There are no external incisions. The skin is lifted off of the cartilage and bone and the nose is then sculpted to the appropriate shape. The skin is then placed back in position and dissolvable sutures are used to close the incisions inside the nose.
Some women wish to enhance their body contour because they feel that their breasts are too small. Other women seek to correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy and nursing, or to balance a difference in breast size. The results of breast augmentation can be subtle or dramatic, and depend on a patient’s personal preferences. For many of a board certified plastic surgeon’s patients, the results of breast augmentation surgery are satisfying and exhilarating.
Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.
Women who desire larger breasts may wish to have a breast enlargement (augmentation) procedure. Breast augmentation may also be indicated for women who have one breast that is noticeably smaller than the other. Breast augmentation is intended to give the patient larger and more shapely breasts. A more positive self image may also be a result of breast enlargement. Breast enlargement is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. A small incision is made under the breast and a saline breast implant is inserted under the breast tissue or under the breast tissue and the underlying muscle. The patient goes home in an elastic bra. The bra helps hold the breasts in the correct position. Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication.
Chemical peels use a solution to improve and smooth the texture of facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. Skin type and color, ethnic background, and age are important factors to be discussed prior to surgery. Some cosmetic surgeons work together with industry skin experts who bring over 25 years of experience to your treatment. Recovery time, depending on the nature of the chemical is from one to four weeks.
Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed.
The Transconjunctival Approach: This is a newer technique for blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.
The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.
Patients who undergo breast reduction surgery frequently are seeking relief from physical symptoms caused by the excessive weight of large breasts. Breast reduction usually can solve these problems as well as improve the size and shape of your breasts. Following breast reduction, your breasts will be more proportional to the rest of your body, and clothes will fit you better.
We recommend the use of compression hosiery for up to two weeks after treatment, which may be used for at least eight hours a day. Sclerotherapy can be done in other parts of the body including the face. The area in the face will be red and puffy, but the resolution tends to be very much faster. Many plastic surgeons offer the option of Laser/IPL for the delicate areas of the face. Two days before the treatment, as with any injectables, we suggest that alcohol be avoided, as well as other medications or supplements that thin blood.
Browlift recovery will usually require a few days before the patient is moving and a week to ten days should be allowed before returning to work. The endoscopic procedure usually has a quicker recovery time and less negative consequences than the classic method. Discuss with your cosmetic surgeon which procedure is best for you.
Many women desiring breast augmentation never fully developed and have been self-conscious of their appearance since youth. Others have had children and noticed significant shrinkage and sagging of the breast tissue following childbirth or breast-feeding. Other still just simply want an breast enlargement or have more fullness to the breasts.
Patients often have multiple procedures at the same time. The most common include breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tuck, and/or liposuction. This saves both time and money since costs are often reduced when multiple procedures are combined. Additional procedures would also include facial cosmetic surgery or those related to weight loss such as thigh or buttock lifts.