Types of cosmetic surgery
Face surgery
Facelift
Facelift surgery or rhytidectomy is a procedure to lift and provide firmness to the sagging facial tissues. It aims to restore a more naturally youthful facial appearance. The surgery involves removal of excess, sagging skin, or smoothen the deep folds, and lift and tighten the deep facial tissues.
Usually, after a facelift, patients experience an uplift in self-confidence as better appearances portray a healthy, energetic vibe. Mini-Facelift is a procedure preferred by patients who have a mild degree of jowling and sagging skin. It is a less invasive technique in which a plastic surgeon makes shorter incisions, typically along the hairline above each ear or in the natural creases surrounding the ear, to tighten deep facial tissues. The structural tissues around the cheeks are lifted and tightened to correct jowling, refine the jawline, and rejuvenate the facial appearance.
Eyelid lift
Eyelid lift surgery or blepharoplasty helps people restore the naturally youthful appearance to the aging or tired-looking eyes. This surgery is a highly individualized procedure in which the surgeon reduces the sagging skin, smoothen the wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and reverses other signs of ageing around the upper and lower eyelids.
Eyelid surgery for cosmetic reasons is performed to counteract the changes and restore a refreshed, youthful appearance of the eyes. It can be a life-enhancing procedure, enabling the patient to gain more confidence and assurance about their appearance. An eyelid surgery can also be performed for patients with sagging eyelid skin that is obstructing the ability to see. The surgery can help treat the problem, allowing eyes to open more fully.
Eyelid surgery enables the patient to have a rejuvenated appearance. People often have a facelift, brow lift, or both performed along with an eyelid lift to achieve more comprehensive results for their appearance.
Eyelid surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, and lasts for 45 minutes to 2 hours. The time may vary depending on whether another procedure is performed in conjunction at the same time. Also, the extent of eyelid surgery, as well as the type of anesthesia influence the duration of the surgery.
After the eyelid surgery, the first 1 to 2 weeks patients commonly experience some visible bruising and swelling. The eyelids may also feel unusually tight. Most patients also report feel soreness than pain. The doctors recommend using cold compresses to the eyes and keep head elevated while sleeping to help alleviate discomfort.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, popularly known as nose job or nose reshaping surgery, is a surgical procedure to improve the shape, size, and symmetry of the nose. It enables the doctor to create a better proportion for the nose with the rest of the face. The goals of this nose reshaping surgery is an individualized procedure for the patients as per their desire and reasons for rhinoplasty.
The surgeon may reshape the nasal structures, including bone, cartilage, and skin, to help achieve the desired result. This may include straightening the crooked nose, smoothen a bump in the bridge of the nose, reducing the length of nasal tip, refining a bulbous nasal tip, or to narrow a too wide nose in proportion to the face. It can also be used to correct breathing problems caused by obstruction of nasal passage.
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure which can be performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. After the procedure, the patient’s nose might be placed in a splint, it helps support the newly reshaped nose and protect it from external contact. Nose might also be packed before discharge from the hospital and is typically removed within the first week after surgery. Pain medication are also prescribed to manage the discomfort during the initial recovery. Bruising and swelling will gradually subside, typically after the first 10 to 14 days. Patients are able to resume most normal non-contact activities in 3 weeks postoperatively.
Chin enhancement
Chin implant surgery, also known as genioplasty, aims to improve the contours of the chin, as well as the neck and jawline. During the surgery, an implant is placed around the existing chin bone of the patient to enhance the size and shape of the chin. It also helps achieve a more natural and balanced look for the facial features.
After chin augmentation, most patients need a relatively little rest time. They can go back to work (desk job) and other daily activities within a week after the surgery. Typically, the discomfort will be minimal and it can be easily controlled with pain medication or cold compresses.
Brow lift
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, is a procedure to rejuvenate the area above the eyes. It helps restore a more natural and refreshed appearance by removing the excess skin that is sagging on the forehead. This is followed by repositioning of the underlying muscles and tissues. The surgery may correct a heavy, sagging brow, or eliminate deep furrows, to restore a smooth, youthful contour to the upper one-third part of the face.
Brow lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgery can be done using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The length of the complete surgery may vary depending on the type of brow lift and whether another procedure is being performed in conjunction. After the surgery, incisions are closed using sutures or staples, which are typically removed in 1 week post-operatively.
There might be very little pain after a brow lift surgery and a feeling of slight discomfort along with a sensation of tightness around the forehead. Patients will have swelling and bruising during the first 10 days or so after the surgery, but it will most likely resolve in about 2 weeks.
Neck contouring
Neck contouring can be done through a surgery in which the doctor creates a firmer, smoother and more refined appearance of the neck and chin. It can also be used to improve a thick, wrinkled or sagging neck due to age. Neck contouring can significantly improve the patient’s appearance, giving them a younger look. This procedure may also help in restoring the balance of the facial features by creating a better and defined jawline that frames the rest of the face. Neck lift surgery can be performed as cervicoplasty which involves removal of excess skin or a platysmaplasty which involves tightening the loose neck muscles. The surgeon may perform one or both of these procedures in order to tighten the loose neck muscles after removing excess, sagging skin. It restores a smoother, firmer, and refined look of the neck. It is an outpatient procedure, performed using general or local anesthesia. After a neck lift, the length of recovery will depend on the patient’s healing speed and the extent of surgery. Most patients return to daily activities, such as work, within 2 weeks post surgery. The neck might feel tight for a few weeks, and bruising and swelling are considered normal. It subsides gradually, and visible bruising disappears in the first week, but the “tight” feeling may remain for several months.
Breast surgery
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, also called augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to increase the breast size and enhance the shape. It can be done through fat transfer or placement of breast implants. The goal of breast augmentation is to enhance a patient’s breast profile by improving the natural proportions and creating a more symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing look.
The type of implant and placement of incision will depend on certain factors. The common types of breast implants include Saline and Silicone Gel based in filling or round and Gummy Bear based on shape. The doctor will help patient select the most suitable type as they may differ in cost, feel, and incision requirements. Breast augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure, which is performed using general anesthesia. The patient is expected to walk around on their own a few hours after surgery. Most patients are able to leave the house within the next day or two after the surgery.
There will be some sore during the first week, and restrictions for strenuous exercise for about 2-4 weeks. The patient may also have to wear a supportive surgical bra or sports bra for some time after breast augmentation as it helps optimal healing.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, also called as mastopexy, is a procedure to restore a firmer, perkier, look to the sagging breasts, making them appear more aesthetically pleasing. It helps improve a patient’s appearance by restoring youthful and feminine proportions.
In this surgery, the excess, stretched out skin is removed and the breast tissue are reshaped, followed by raising the nipple & areola into a more forward position. The surgeon can create a more youthful contour of the breast. The surgeon may also reduce stretched, large areolae, creating a better proportioned, natural looking breast.
Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. It takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of surgery. The patient can go home shortly after the surgery and the breasts will be bandaged or placed in a surgical bra. There will be some soreness and swelling after breast lift surgery, which subsides over time. Pain and discomfort can be managed with pain medication.
Patients are able to resume work within the first week after breast lift surgery, but it may depend on the nature of their jobs. They can also resume most daily activities after a week postoperatively. There will be limitations for exercise other than walking for the first 2-6 weeks following a breast lift.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size and weight of large, heavy breasts. The goal is to create a more aesthetically pleasing breast contour with better proportioned to the patient’s body. This involves removal of excess breast tissue, along with fat and sagging, stretched skin. The surgeon can make the breasts smaller and lighter, as well as improve breast symmetry and reduce sagging.
Breast reduction can also be considered by patients to alleviate the physical discomfort and symptoms such as pain in back, neck or shoulder, shoulder grooves, or discomfort during exercising. The surgery is typically done in an outpatient setting with general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The surgeon makes the incisions and removes the excess breast tissue, and skin, and moves the nipple/areola to a higher, more forward position. The remaining part of breast tissue and skin is reshaped and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures.
Body surgery
Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure to remove the deposits of fat to sculpt the shape of patient’s body. Liposuction is one of the best known option for excess fat removal and refinement of shape and form. It can be opted by both men and women every year to achieve a firmer and sculpted body. Different types of liposuction are available:
- Tumescent Liposuction: Involves the use of an injection of anesthetic “tumescent” solution into the area that is to be treated. This helps minimize the bleeding and discomfort during the procedure. Tumescent liposuction can also be performed using local anesthesia.
- Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction: Involves the use of ultrasound energy which help break up the fatty deposits and loosen it from the body. These fat cells are then easily removed with suction. It allows removal of larger amounts of fat with a faster surgery.
- Laser Assisted Liposuction: This techniques uses laser energy to help dislodge the fat cells.
Tummy Tuck
Also referred to as abdominoplasty surgery, tummy tuck involves tightening and removal of excess, sagging skin of the abdominal muscles to correct a protruding belly. It helps the patient achieve a flatter and better toned midsection. Tummy tucks is popular procedure among both men and women, particularly for people who had dramatic changes after weight loss (surgery) or pregnancy. The tummy tuck procedure tightens and reshapes the abdominal area, creating a more aesthetically pleasing and slimmer appearance.
Male Chest Reduction
A male breast reduction is one of the best and most effective treatment for gynecomastia, a condition characterized by enlarged male breasts. During the procedure, the surgery removes excess fat and glandular tissue in order to form a flatter, firmer and more masculine appearance of the chest.
