Breast Cosmetic Surgery
Not surprisingly, breast modification surgeries are some of the most commonly requested cosmetic surgery procedures. They include:
Breast Augmention (Breast Enlargement)
Breast Implants
Breast Implant Removal
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction Surgery
Inverted nipple surgery (inverted nipple repair)
Nipple augmention, reconstruction or correction
Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure which removes excess fat from body areas (typically the abdomen, thighs, hips or buttocks) using vacuum suction and a metal tube. There are several variations on the procedure:
Tumescent liposuction - a method which begins by injecting a large amount of saline solution diluted local anesthetic directly into the fat - is considered to be the safest and the current method of preference.
Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction - uses ultrasound to break up and liquify the fat prior to suctioning.
Liposuction is sometimes done under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. If general anesthesia is to be used in your liposuction procedure, it should be administered by a board certified anesthesiologist.
Rhinoplasty (Cosmetic surgery of the nose)
It should come as no surprise that the "nose job" is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures! Whether you are having it made narrower, shorter, removing a bump or just doing a little refining or reshaping, changing your nose can change the look of your entire face. Rhinoplasties are also performed for medical reasons (to improve breathing) or for reconstruction following an accident or facial trauma.
Face Lifts
Mini Face Lift
Thread Lift - Also known as a "Lunchtime Lift", a thread lift corrects minor drooping in areas of the face using a thin needle and barbed suture thread. There are no incisions or scarring.
Brow Lift or Forehead Lift - Removes the appearance of frown lines and lines on the forehead, tightens a sagging brow line and can be used to raise the eyebrows.
Lip Lift
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift removes and tightens excess skin on the neck. It is used to correct "jowls", a wattle ("turkey neck") or banded wrinkles (known as "plastysma") on the neck.
Body Implants
Surgical implants to enhance the size of and re-sculpt certain body areas. Depending on the area and density of surrounding tissue, these implants can be silicone gel, solid silicone or solid-soft silicone. Some common body implants are:
Buttock (Gluteal) Implants
Calf Implants
"Pec" Implants (Pectoral Augmentation) - A popular cosmetic procedure for men, Pectoral Augmentation is also a reconstructive procedure for deformities caused by Spina Bifida, Pectus Carinitum (protruding sternum) or Pectus Excavatum (sunken chest).
Bicep/Tricep Implants - Create muscular definition and add fullness to the upper arm.
Face Implants
Facial implants are surgical implants (usually made of solid silicone) used to reshape the contours of the face. They can correct a receding chin, give you a stronger jawline or lend a more youthful appearance. These include:
Cheek Implants
Chin Implants
Jaw Implants
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall.
A Mini Tummy Tuck just addresses the area below the naval. The incision is smaller than for a full tummy tuck.
Body Lift Procedures
These cosmetic procedures address the reshaping of various problem areas on the torso or limbs.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) - Remove and reshape sagging skin on the upper arm between the underarm and the elbow.
Thigh Lift - A thigh lift removes excess fat and skin from the inner or outer thigh. It is often combined with a Buttock Lift. Both these procedures are a great option for tightening and removing excess skin on patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight.
Fat Transfers
Fat transfers, also called Fat Grafting, Fat Transplants or Microlipo injections, are the process of taking fat from one part of the body (usually the hips or thighs) and injecting it into another (such as the lips or cheeks) to give the recipient area a fuller and/or younger appearance. It is normally done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Surgery to correct drooping eyelids and/or remove excess eyelid skin. Blepharoplasty can also correct eyelids that turn in or out. This can be done for cosmetic purposes, or to improve vision and reduce discomfort associated with these conditions of the eye lid.
Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery involves the restoration of any part of the face or body to a "normal" appearance following an accident or severe injury or as a follow-up to other surgery such as a mastectomy or other cancer surgeries.
Cosmetic Dental Surgery
Although most cosmetic dentistry does not involve surgery, there are two common aesthetic procedures which do. Both are normally done under local anesthesia in a dentist's office.
Gum lengthening - Extension of the gums to correct the appearance of long teeth.
Gum Shortening - Removal of some of the gum tissue to expose more to the tooth. Used to correct a "gummy" smile.
|
1) Check your cosmetic surgeon's credentials - in the United States, look for a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Their requirements for certification include a degree from a board-approved medical school along with a residency of 5 additional years.
2) Hospital Privileges - Does the doctor have privileges at an accredited area hospital? Reputable cosmetic surgeons normally do and ALL but the most trivial of surgeries (and EVERY surgery requiring general anesthesia) should be performed in a hospital, not in a doctor's office.
3) Experience with the cosmetic procedure - How much experience does the surgeon have with the specific cosmetic surgery procedure(s) you are having done?
4) Before and After Photos - Cosmetic surgeons and cosmetic dentists usually keep a scrapbook of before and after photos of the work they have done.
5) Cost - Expect some price differences from doctor to doctor, but a price that is significantly lower should raise some serious concerns as to why!
Your health, your future ... possibly even your life is at stake. Your priority should be finding the best plastic surgeon, not the cheapest one!
6) Trust your instincts - Speak to your doctor in length about your cosmetic surgery. Where it will be done (hospital or in office), the risks involved, steps taken to minimize those risks, possible complications of surgery, how long it will take to recover and what to expect during recovery from the surgery - these are all questions you need to ask.
If you don't feel comfortable with a particular surgeon, find a different doctor.
|
